You Break?
Disclaimer: I own not a darn thing.
Dedications: Thanks to FREAKY for posting the challenge on ABC Message Boards, and thanks to BECKI for coming up with the title!
Summary: My scenario for when John says I love you to Nat...
A week after the Cris reveal
Natalie is playing pool alone at Crossroads when the door opens. She sighs, keeping her back to the door as she makes her shot. Without turning around she speaks.
"What the hell do you want McBain?" John looked at her back with a sad smile. "How'd you know it was me?" Natalie turned around to face him. "Who else would think to look for me here?" John inhaled at the sight of her tear-stained face.
"Natalie--" She shook her head. "Don't. There is nothing that you can say to me--" "I think there is one thing you should hear." Natalie shook her head. "If it's what I think it is, I don't want to hear it right now. How about a game of pool instead?"
John sighed. "Fine. But let's make it interesting." Natalie's eyes lit up, and John's heart leapt at the familiar fire he saw there. "What were you thinking?" He grinned. "I was thinking if you win, you can do anything you'd like to get revenge on me for keeping the Cristian secret and I won't stop you."
"I like the sound of that. But what if you win?" They both reached for a cue stick and as her hand went over John's, they both froze. John broke the contact, allowing her to get the cue stick as he reached for the one that was already out.
"If I win, then you listen to my side of things. No interruptions or leaving until I'm done." As he took his place on the opposite side of the pool table he met Nat's gaze. "Deal?" She nodded. "You break."
An hour later, the game was almost over. The table had been cleared except for the eight ball, which Natalie had just missed. She watched as John lined up his shot and sighed as he sent it clinking into the corner pocket.
As she went to get a beer, John took the chairs down off a table and sat. Natalie came back with two cold beers. Setting one down in front of John she took a deep swig of hers as she sat down. "All right, say your piece."
John took a deep breath and began. "Natalie, you know that I'm not good at talking about my feelings. In this case especially I'm terrifed because I'm going to try to tell you exactly how I feel and--" Natalie interrupted him. "John. Just talk." Her eyes met his as she purposefully covered his hand with her own.
"Natalie, you know everything that I've been through. You know about Caitlyn, and how hard it was for me to forgive myself for her death. And when I realized I was falling for you it scared the hell out of me, so I pushed you away."
Natalie turned his hand over and joined her fingers with his. He squeezed her hand gently as he continued. "Then all the with Hayes happened, and it nearly killed me that I almost lost you because of my own stupidity. I've been needing to say this to you but somehow it never seemed to be the right time."
"Well I'm saying to hell with the right time. Natalie, I love you. I've always loved you." Her eyes filled with tears as she searched his face. "I love you too, John." They kissed.
THE END