Disclaimer: I don't own anything—ABC/Disney does. Got it? Good.

A/N: I have no idea where this story is going, well I do—I just don't know how I want to get there. It starts after yesterday's episode (5/13/04)—and might go in a parallel direction as a certain spoiler for next week. Not sure yet, but you'll see if it happens. Until next time—PCGirl.

"What's your excuse?"

"Huh?" said John as he came out of the oblivion his mind had been in while staring at the report in front of him and looked up to see Antonio standing in the doorway. "Did you say something?"

"Yeah, I said what was your excuse—I mean I know why I look like hell, but you—well even this look is a little odd for you," he laughed.

"Long night," he shrugged going back to the report.

"Yeah? Want to tell me about it or do I wait to hear the gossip from Jess?" he said as he sat down in the seat in front of the desk.

"Nothing really to tell—just got some stuff on my mind. Speaking of Jess—she said you had some type of stake out to do the other night?"

"Yeah, well I really can't talk about it—you know how it is."

"Yeah, I do. As for Jess--," he laughed.

"She's nosy, but anyways—we were going to lunch soon, wanted to see if you and Nat wanted to join us."

"Is she back from AC?"

"You didn't go after her?" he asked as he saw the expression on John's face, "Oh. You did go—and?"

"And—hey, it's complicated right now. Like you said, you'll hear everything through Jess later. As for lunch, I'll pass—I want to look into something my brother has me working on," he said getting up and putting his jacket on.

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Natalie laughed, "I can't believe you—you want me to marry your gambling buddy over there because why? Because then I'll be more willing to let you drain my trust fund?"

"Well, you aren't doing anything with it—no reason to let good money go to waste, ya know Natty?" she said as she saw her bookie come downstairs looking for her and she ducked behind the nearest set of slot machines.

"What are you doing Roxanne?"

"Nothing—you didn't see me though."

"Who would be looking for you?" she asked as she caught sight of the bookie, "Oh my god Roxy—you didn't pay up, did you? You just wasted $4,000 on the slots, didn't you?"

"The ponies also—it was Paul's fault though," she said as Natalie rolled her eyes at her and walked towards him. "Wait—what are you doing?" she whispered as she grabbed Natalie's arm from moving further.

"Getting your butt out of hot water again."

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John walked towards the door—uneasy about what he was going to say. Just as he began to knock he heard Dr Long talking on the other side, "I don't care Cramer—you better have that launch pad at this hospital by lunch. I've got a—hold on," he said as he saw a shadow and opened the door to see John standing there expressionless, "Can I help you?"

"I'm Michael McBain's brother," he smiled as he thought about what Paul must be saying on the other end of the telephone.

"I guess nosiness and eavesdropping run in the family," he said looking John up and down.

"Listen—I just wanted to apologize for the way my brother was acting. He's a smart kid, but sometimes he gets these ideas in his head that just make no sense. I talked to him again this morning, and I know he won't be bothering you about that silly matter again."

"Thank you," he said shutting the door and he heard him begin to start up the conversation with Paul again—this time quieter than before.

"But who's to say I won't," he thought as he grinned and walked away.