Matt loves Elena. There is no question about this. It's fact, unchangeable. The love itself ebbs and flows from romantic to platonic, but the fact is he loves her and he's always going to want to look out for her.

The painful tug at his heart remains as he brings her into his arms, slipping them around her frame and pulling her in tight, but gentle, too. After what she went through -- and he can't force himself to picture it without seething -- the last thing he wants to do is be anything but gentle.

There's a firmness to his hold in spite of this, a steadiness that's meant to convey I'm here.

She is not alone. Not if he can help it.