A/N I do not own these characters Abc does. I'm just borrowing them. so please don't sue.

Chapter 1

Natalie looked at John with happiness written on her face. Jumping up and hugging him she said, "Oh John I'm so happy for you. Getting your job back is just wonderful."

John was startled when Natalie hugged him tightly. Wrapping his arms around her burying his face in her sweet smelling hair he forgot where they were momentarily. Smiling to himself he simply enjoyed the closeness of the moment. He was disappointed when Natalie seemed to suddenly realize where they were and pulled back with a mumbled "I'm sorry," looking embarrassed.

"Don't be," John said and Natalie looked at him with an unreadable expression on her face. "I don't have my job back yet. I have to do this one assignment to prove to 'Crosby' and IA that I'm not a 'danger' to my self and others." He said with a snide emphasis on the words Crosby and danger showing what he thought of Dr. Crosby's diagnosis of his mental state.

Natalie smiled at his disdain for the psychologist and his opinion. Looking around she realized that they were attracting attention and said, "Maybe we could talk somewhere else?" When John nodded Natalie was relieved. While she and John weren't together anymore she still cared what happened to him and he was being uncharacteristically open today.

John started walking to the door of the station knowing with having to look that Natalie was right there beside him. This new arrangement while not all he wanted with Natalie, gave him hope that they would find their way back to each other. If they did get back together he wouldn't do something so stupid to ruin it this time. He would lay his every action before her if that was what she wanted but never again would he keep something from her like he had done with the "Cris secret".

Natalie follow John not saying anything until they were out of the squad room and away from prying ears. "What's the assignment?" She asked hoping he would tell her but knowing he probably couldn't.

John debated on whether to say anything or not. Bo hadn't said it was a secret but he knew that sometimes discretion was needed. Figuring 'what the hell Natalie is gonna find out anyway' he said, "I'm gonna go with Manning when he is transported."

Natalie grimaced at the sound of Todd's name. She held no love for her him even though he was her uncle. He had almost gotten her heart cut out, something like that tended to kill any tender feelings for the man. She still couldn't believe that he had killed Margaret. Well she actually could believe he killed that crazy broad, the part she couldn't believe was that he would murder his own child. He had to be a very sick man to do something so terrible.

"That's the only way Uncle Bo will give you your badge back?" Natalie asked.

John heard the tone of voice she used and smiled a bit as they walked. She obviously thought that this was a crappy assignment too. "Yeah. Babysitting a baby killer isn't my idea of a good time but if it gets me my job back I'll do it."

Natalie looked at him and saw the determined look on his face. "I'm proud of you John."

John looked confused and asked, "What for?"

"For deciding what you really want and going for it. I know that it sucks to get such a crap assignment and I also know that it bothers you to have to do it because Crosby is jerking your chain. But you are sucking it up and going for it and that's a big thing for you." Natalie said to him.

John was momentarily speechless at Natalie's obvious pride in him. She was right too, this was a suck assignment and it did smart that he 'had' to take it because of Crosby. "Thanks," he said softly.

"When do you leave?" Natalie asked. Knowing Valentines Day was just a few days away Natalie worried that he would be gone that day. Then mentally checking her self she wondered why the thought bothered her.

"I don't know yet. Bo is gonna call me in a couple of hours with the details." John answered happy that she cared. This was such a great change for her giving him the evil eye and saying she hated him. After their thing at UV he was worried that she would start treating him like he didn't matter again.

"Tell me when you find out?" Natalie asked softly.

"Yeah sure." John said then paused about to say something else, but Bo came out and called to Natalie interrupting him, "Your break is over Nat. I need you to find a couple of files for me."

Natalie gave John another hug and ran back inside leaving a very confused John staring after her.

About 2 hours later John was at home looking at pictures of him and Natalie. Remembering when they were taken he was feeling sad when his phone rang. Picking it up he answered "McBain" with out looking at the caller ID.

"Hey, John it's Bo."

"Bo. What's up?" John asked though he knew this was probably about the transfer.

"I got the information about Todd's transfer." Bo answered, giving him the information.

"Thanks Bo" John said after writing down what he needed to. "So how long is this plane ride gonna be? He asked.

"About 4 hours," Bo replied, "look I know this is a crappy assignment but it's necessary to IA to see that you can take orders well." Bo said knowing that John hated this.

John sighed heavily, "I know. I won't screw this up Bo I promise," he said sounding very determined.

Bo nodded even though he knew John couldn't see him, "I know that John we just need to show Dr. Crosby and IA that."

They talked for a few more minutes then hung up each knowing that the next few days were critical to John getting his job back and his life back on track.

Natalie spent the rest of the day worrying about John and his new assignment. No matter how many times she told herself that she shouldn't worry and that everything would be fine she continued to feel that something bad was gonna happen. Sighing she climbed the stairs to her room.

She hadn't wanted to move back in to Llanfair but Jessica and Vicki needed her. Though now one knew where they were at this moment Antonio assured her that they would be found soon. Thinking of Antonio brought thoughts of Cris to her head. He was spending an awful lot of time with Evangeline lately and Natalie wasn't sure how she felt about that. On one hand she was happy that he was moving on but on the other...why her? Why did he have to move on with that woman? The woman that tore her life in two and left so much wreckage that she was still reeling from it.

Cris thought she was jealous but it wasn't that. It was the fact that he was obviously spending time with Evangeline to MAKE her jealous. His attempts to manipulate her were becoming more bold and extremely aggravating. She wished he would just leave her alone and let her sort out her life in peace. Natalie sighed again and put all thoughts of both men out of her head, closed her eyes and tried to sleep.