Inevitable pt. 2
Natalie sat at her usual table by the window and stared outside, watching the world pass her by. She loved it here. A semi-decent Mexican restaurant with okay food and not-so-hot service, but it had the best view in town - strangers shuffling past, busy with their own lives and ignoring each other. It was really the only place in Llanview that felt a little like home.
She looked over her shoulder and saw him approaching with their drinks, and she smiled, slightly excited about tonight. It was their second anniversary and she just wanted to spend a little time with the husband who she hasn't seen much of lately. He's been working a lot and she's been working even more...but not tonight. Tonight, they were going to be together.
"I'll never understand why you like it here so much?" he commented casually, taking the seat across from her and sipping his coke. "If you want Mexican, I can cook you Mexican."
"You can cook anything! That's not why I like it here?" He stared, waiting for the miraculous explanation, but she wasn't sure he would get it, not really? "It reminds me of home, I guess?"
He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. "Are you okay? You've been...a little listless lately."
She shrugged. "I'm just bored."
His eyebrow lifted in disbelief. "You? Your life has never, ever been boring." She half-smiled, glancing outside again. He did too, trying to see what was so fascinating? "So what's out there, Nat?"
She met his brown eyes. "What do you see?" she asked, leaning forward on the table with interest.
He smirked, and peered through the glass. "I see traffic and litter and a bus stop." He watched her smile widen softly, slowly.
"Aren't you trained to see the beauty in everything? I mean, isn't that your job?"
He leaned toward her, taking her small hand in his own and playing with the thin wedding band on her finger. "If I want to see beauty then I don't have to look any further than you." He stood and gently touched his lips to hers. He missed her. "Have you thought about what we talked about?" He watched her sit back, and slowly retract her hand.
"Of course. It's all I've been thinking about, but tonight is our anniversary and the only thing I want to concentrate on is the handsome man who'll be taking me out on the town." He grinned, sliding her chair closer so that he could kiss her again. Her fingers gripped his dark, brown curls for a minute.
"I have to get back to work Chris," she breathed, against his lips.
He frowned. "Yeah, and I have to meet with Lindsay at The Gallery. Promise you'll be out of there by six o'clock?"
"I promise," she stood and grabbed her purse, "but right now I really have to go. Can't be late when the new boss shows up." She put a hand on the side of his face and kissed his cheek, before leaving him in the restaurant. Then she slipped into the crowd, walking down the street and ignoring everyone around her, and she did it with a smile.
John sat in the office alone, waiting for the Police Commissioner to return and update him on everything about the LPD. He was a little anxious and wanted to get to work, but wasn't quite sure where to begin? Breathing deeply, he scanned the walls, checking out the diplomas and awards that were hanging. There were a lot. That wasn't a surprise. He met with Bo Buchanan a couple times before getting the job, and knew instantly that he was a great cop. The door opened, and he stood, shaking the eager hand that was offered.
"It's good to see you John," Bo said, walking around the large desk and sitting in his chair. "How was the trip up?"
"Fine," he answered, reclaiming his seat. "The drive isn't that long from Atlantic City, but the actual moving part...?" Bo chuckled. "So listen, I'm kind of anxious to get started."
"I had a feeling you would be." He reached into a drawer and pulled out a huge stack of files, placing them on the desk.
John stared, watching a slow grin spread across the older man's face. "Thanks," he said, sarcastically.
Bo laughed. "Listen John, I know you want to dive right in," he nodded, "but maybe before you do, you should meet some of your co-workers?"
It was his turn to grin. "Maybe?" he agreed, standing. He liked this man a lot. Bo headed for the door and he followed, stopping in his tracks as he looked out the window of the office and into the squad room. It was her. The girl that didn't matter.
Bo hesitated at the door. "You coming?"
John nodded, swallowing. He followed him out, and watched as Bo walked right up to her.
"You're late Nat," he said, smiling as he gave her a quick hug.
She frowned. "How do you do that? It's like you have a tracker on me or something?" She picked up a red folder from her desk and flipped through it.
"Listen," Bo began, "I'd like you to meet our new chief." He waved McBain over and turned back to his niece.
Natalie put down the paperwork and spun, freezing on the spot. She stood wide-eyed, watching him walk closer and she swallowed. That's him? She continued to stare, feeling an inexplicable pull as she met his perfect blue eyes. Her heart was pumping in her chest. The new Chief was definitely attractive. He wasn't beautiful like Christian, but there was something else? The only word that kept springing to mind was sexy. He had that in spades.
"Nat?" Bo said, curiously. She looked at him quickly. "You alright?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" She was feeling very, very awkward. She waved her hand and accidentally spilled a coffee from her desk. "Oh!" she shouted, scrambling for papertowel.
John grabbed some too, helping her, and she jerked back slightly when their hands touched.
"Natalie, you're blushing," Bo teased, in amusement.
She frowned in irritation. "I guess I'm just embarassed?" She wasn't embarassed, she was flushed. She felt distinctly warm, and it had nothing to do with the balmy spring day.
"You don't get embarassed," he replied, regretting it instantly. He bit his lip, wishing he could turn back time when she pinned him with a decidedly unfriendly look.
She moved closer to her uncle and stared directly into his eyes. "Wanna bet?" she snapped, grabbing the file and walking down the hall and away from the two men.
John was reeling. The redhead worked here. He tossed the papertowel into the trash.
Bo sighed. "So that was Natalie Vega, my niece, who also happens to be our forensic technician and a damn good one too. Though I admit to being slightly bias."
John glanced down the hallway again.
"Well, as introductions go that could have gone better." Bo sighed again. "Let's try someone easier," he suggested lightly. They worked the room, letting McBain get a feel for the building and the people in it.
John hesitated in the doorway, not sure if it was such a good idea for him to approach her. Her back was to him, and she was standing at the sink in the lunchroom washing a coffee mug. In the end, it was really the only decision. Afterall, they worked together. He had to stop acting like an ass so that he could move on and get to work. He walked over, stopping ample distance away. "Hi," he said, simply.
She jumped at the sound and dropped the mug into the sink, cracking it.
"Are you alright?" he asked, stepping closer and reaching for her hand. It was an involuntary response. He thought she may have cut herself?
She grinned awkwardly. "Fine." She froze again, staring, as her body begin to heat up. He was still holding her hand.
Realizing that she wasn't cut, John stepped away. His skin was vibrating where they briefly touched. "I'm sorry."
She chuckled. "You know I'm not usually such a clutz?"
He couldn't be sure, but it sounded like she was flirting with him. "I guess I bring it out in you then?"
She faced him head on, much more in control of herself. "I guess you do?" They continued to stare at one another. "Natalie Vega."
He held out his hand, waiting to see if she'd take it. She did. "John McBain." He was beginning to have a decidedly more intense reaction to her touch, so he ended the contact reluctantly.
"McBain? Any relation to Michael?"
"He's my brother."
She grinned widely. "Sorry to hear that."
"Not half as sorry as I am." He grinned too.
There was a tension building in the room, and she wasn't naive enough to pretend she didn't know what it was? She was married and celebrating her second anniversary on this very day, but here she was, flirting with her boss. "You're younger than I thought you'd be."
"Yeah?"
"You must be good at your job."
He licked his lips and found his eyes dropping to hers. "I am."
"Excuse me, Lieutenant?" a voice interupted.
John lifted his gaze and took another step backward, turning toward the door. "Yes?"
"Your wife is on line one."
"Thank you." The officer left, and he slowly refocussed on the redhead. "Well, it's nice to meet you Natalie." Their eyes locked again.
"The pleasure's mine, lieutenant." He grinned slightly before walking out, and she quickly leaned against the countertop for support. What the hell was that, Natalie? her mind screamed. She was flirting with a married man who happens to be her new boss, and on her own second anniversary date. She ran a frustrated hand over her face, before finally heading back to her desk.
She had to hurry up and meet Christian. Tonight was their night, and they needed it.