Chapter 7: It's a family matter

"She's killing herself Bruce," Dinah said angrily as she crossed her arms, Oliver across from her. "No she trains all the time, hardly eats anything, and she rarely sleeps. I don't think it's healthy for her to continue like this!"

Oliver sighed and watched Dinah speaking to Bruce Wayne, knowing she was right. Over the past few months since Nat had joined the team, it seemed like she'd become possessed. She worked herself harder than she'd ever done before. She rarely ate with the family, and frequently claimed she didn't have the time for much more than a piece of fruit.

Her studies had dropped, though not catastrophically, enough to be alarming. Not only that, but she hardly got any sleep. She'd either wake both Dinah and Oliver up screaming from a nightmare, or she'd go out to patrol until dawn. It wasn't a healthy thing for a fifteen year old to do. Now she was off on another mission, and somehow Oliver knew that he wasn't going to let her go out again.

*Gotham*

"Wally on your left," Nat screamed dodging the clay goop that was shot at her from Clayface's arm. The plan wasn't working, and Nat fought the urge to say 'I told you so' as she watched Wally go down. Grabbing her last three generators she them to explosive mode as Aqualad tried to get up.

"Hey ugly," Nat called as she threw the generators embedding them into Clayface's arm. As they exploded and more of the gunk landed on her. Grimacing in disgust Nat shot her shocker arrowhead from her Jay Gun. She watched in relief as Clayface finally slumped in a big puddle of himself. She then shot an ice arrowhead that encased him in frozen crystal.

Gasping Nat slumped back her body screaming from over exertion. She looked up and noticed the shadow right before the window on the roof was broken through. Batman surveyed the disaster zone and met Natalie's eyes. She smiled weakly, but quickly made her way to Wally who was stirring.

"Jay?" he asked and Nat grinned.

"Hey KF, next time don't get in my way, I'm a big girl I can protect myself," Nat said in annoyance.

*Mount Justice – Happy Harbor*

Aqualad walked out with Natalie at his side. The moment they were inside the safety of the cave Nat pulled off her wig, and grabbed the toner carefully pealing off her mask. Batman looked at them all and shook his head.

"All of you hit the showers, and head home," he said his voice cold. Nat made a move forward with Kaldur, but Batman held up his hand. "Not you two," he said and Nat sighed.

Wally frowned and let go of her. He walked with everyone else. "Head home? I am home," Superboy grumbled as he walked beside Wally.

Dick was standing on Kaldur's other side looking at Bats expectantly. "Just Natalie and Kaldur," Bats said. Nat frowned as Dick's spine stiffened and his jaw tightened. Nodding curtly he started to walk out turning for a split second before he followed after everyone else.

"I am sorry you had to intervene. I know the team performed poorly…" Kaldur started. Nat frowned looking away her body tense as her hands tightened into fists.

"The Team performed adequately," Bats said, "the problem was you. You're their leader and your head wasn't in the game," Bruce growled and Nat stayed silent.

"No you are…" Kaldur sighed and looked down, "correct. Of late I am not even convinced that I belong on the surface world. For so many years it filled my every thought, but now that I am here my dreams are all Atlantis."

"Atlantis or someone you left behind? You can split your time between the surface and the sea, but not your mind. Either you are here one-hundred percent, or you need to walk away. Make a decision Kaldur and make it soon," Bats said and turned around.

Kaldur looked down and he walked out. Nat looked at the cowled figure and sighed. "So what did you want with me?" she asked and Bruce turned towards her.

"You performed well, and protected your team. It was impressive, but at the same time you knew Robin's plan would fail. You told them it would, but you allowed yourself to be dismissed. I'm starting to think that's the only thing you're good at," Bruce said harshly and Nat winced.

"It's not my place," Nat started.

"It's not your place to what? Give your team the best method to defeating an enemy. Whether you like it or not I consider you one of the core leaders of this team. I expect you to do better, and fight harder. I expect you to make yourself heard. You are no longer a weak little girl Natalie, you never really have been, but you allowed yourself to fall into the habit of being one and I am sick of it. It's endangering your teammates, and yourself," Bruce growled and Nat looked up at him clenching her fists.

"You don't understand!" Nat almost yelled back. "I don't want to lose my team, and I am not going to do anything that could backfire on them. I'm not going to make them choose sides, and I refuse to undermine Kaldur and Robin. They are our leaders; Robin was born for the job. I just want to be normal! I don't want to be the leader, I just want to be someone who can protect my team and follow orders."

"Well you aren't! You and Kaldur are the two most level headed members of the team. That makes you both the prime leaders because you can both think. Although today neither of you did that. Don't think I don't know that Wally was blocking you from the action today because he didn't want you to get hurt, and don't think I didn't notice how you were almost scared to get in the fight," Bruce growled back and Nat bit her lip.

"Bats I almost died. I get that you probably almost die everyday, but I was on death's door. It was an even closer call than last time, I felt my soul leave my body, and I watched Wally hold me. I was seconds away from getting sucked up in this bright light, and it was fucking scary. Wally is blocking me from fighting because he doesn't want to lose me, and I was scared because I don't want to die. Sometimes I think I should just quit, and then I won't have to worry about being another casualty in this war that we're fighting every damn day!" Nat said and she rubbed at the tears that were silently streaming down her face.

"Then quit," Bruce said seriously as he looked down at the teen with no emotion. "Dinah and Oliver have already decided they are going to try and take you out of the game. If what you want is to live in a somewhat safe world, where sure you aren't facing the bad guys, but your friends are then quit. I would have no trouble finding a replacement for you on this team, but it's your decision Natalie. I'd think long and hard about it because you are going to die someday. Why not die fighting for something you believe in?"

Nat looked away as Bats silently dismissed her. Walking out of the room she found Wally waiting for her and she smiled softly. Bruce's words were echoing in her head. She had to talk to Dinah and Oliver. 'What if they really are going to force me off the Team,' she thought.

"Wally I've got to go home," Nat said softly and Wally frowned and nodded.

"Don't forget about Jay's birthday party later tonight," he reminded her.

Nat smiled and kissed the redhead. "How could I forget? I get to spend time with you," Nat said playfully as she walked to the Zeta Tube putting in the coordinates.

Wally watched as she disappeared and he shook his head rubbing the back of his neck. He walked forward and put in his own coordinates ready to help Barry and Iris decorate.

Natalie managed to walk home without incident. She had changed into her civvies, and had taken a nice hot shower in the Arrow cave. She was tired and sore, but she knew she couldn't sleep until she talked with her parents. Walking in through the front door she heard Dinah in the kitchen. She rubbed her face and walked up seeing both Dinah and Ollie. "Hey guys, can we talk?"

Dinah looked up and smiled softly at Nat. "Of course Natty, what did you need?"

"Are you two planning on forcing me to quit being a hero?"

Oliver choked and looked at Nat his eyes betraying everything. Dinah rolled her eyes at Oliver and came around the table. She was about to take Natalie in her arms when Nat stepped back flinching away. Dinah's eyes betrayed the hurt, and Nat swallowed back the guilt that forced its way into her heart.

"Yes," Dinah said softly as she crossed her arms tightly across her chest. "We messed up, we thought the Team would help you, but it isn't."

"How can you say it's not helping me?" Nat asked tears pricking her eyes.

"Because Natalie you're a kid, you always have been. We thought that we could help you like Bruce helped Dick like we helped Roy, but instead you've become obsessed," Oliver said standing up with a frown.

"You hardly eat anything Natalie, not only do you hardly eat you don't do anything but train. Roy said you haven't contacted him since the funeral. All you do is spend time with Wally, or the Team and then go on missions. That isn't healthy," Dinah said soothingly.

Nat looked down her fists clenching at her sides. "Nat you don't even sleep anymore. You wake us up almost every night screaming. The only thing that can tie to your nightmares being back is the Team. You're only a fifteen year old girl, a child, you aren't strong enough to handle it, and it's our fault we thought you were," Oliver said softly.

"You're wrong," Nat spat through clenched teeth. She looked up at her parents and frowned. "I am strong. I'm strong and I can fight, and I am through letting people walk all over me. I keep my mouth shut when my ideas get shut down, I don't cause trouble. I've always been a good little soldier because that's what I was raised to be. Shiva wanted a mindless puppet, and in a way you two wanted a mindless daughter," Nat said her voice cracking as she looked up. Her blue eyes were steely even filled with tears it was the same look Roy had given them.

"Natalie this isn't healthy, your obsession with a fight that isn't even yours anymore. We can't allow you to continue on until you destroy yourself. We almost lost you once, if Kent hadn't died in your place Oliver and I would be lost. You can't ask us to allow you to keep getting closer and closer to death," Dinah said tears falling from her cheeks.

That brought Nat up short, they were afraid for her, just as much as she was afraid for herself. Straightening up Nat met both Dinah and Ollie's eyes. "That is exactly what I'm asking you to do. If I die then I die for something so much bigger than myself," Nat said looking down. "Ollie do you remember that first time I ever spoke to you?"

"Of course I do, you had been awake for two months and you didn't speak to anyone. You looked at us all like we were about to dissect you," Oliver said with a sad smile.

"Yeah but that didn't deter you, you'd come into the medbay in the Arrowcave every day, sometimes twice a day. You'd start either sketching new arrow designs, or you'd build them and all the while you'd talk me through what you were doing even though I never responded," Nat said with a soft smile.

"Although that didn't work so I had to try something new…" Oliver said with a laugh.

"So the next day I saw you, you burst into the medbay with an arrow in your hands singing Don't Stop Believing by Journey," Nat said laughing at the memory. "It scared me so bad I screamed, but you didn't stop."

"No I was determined you were going to speak to me, but I came to the big finish and you were just staring at me wide-eyed. I had given up hope that you'd ever speak to anyone when you just looked at me, remember what you said?" Oliver asked grinning.

"I said that you were the worst singer I'd ever heard," Nat said as the tears of the memory flooded down her cheeks. "You were the first person who ever made me feel hopeful. You were the first person who treated me like I was worth something. The both of you made me strong, and it started when Ollie refused to give up on me. I know I had a close call, it scared me more than it should have. You guys and the team, you've given me something to live for. You guys Roy and the Team are my family. Well Ted too, don't tell him I left him out, he's practically my grandfather," Nat laughed wiping away her tears.

"I'm here because Oliver thought I was strong enough to overcome. I need you guys to keep believing in me, I know I can do this. Bats seems to think I need to be a leader in the team. He told me that I had to choose to either get stronger or stay a weak little girl. I'm done being helpless, and I'm through not being heard. Guys I promise I'm going to make you both so proud," Nat finished and Oliver pulled her into his arms holding her tightly.

"You already do," he said gruffly.

"Nat we believe in you, but you shouldn't be faced with life or death choices every day. It was wrong of us to bring you into it. I should have never taken you on as Blue Jay, listen we're proud of you, we love you, but we can't allow you to continue," Dinah said softly and Oliver sighed.

"She's right Natalie the risk is just too much, and we know you're willing to take it, but we're not willing to risk you," he said stroking back Nat's hair from her face.

Natalie closed her eyes and moved from Oliver's arms. Biting her lip she just gave a little nod before she rubbed her face. "I'll be up in my room," she said coldly as she turned around and practically ran up the stairs and into her bedroom slamming the door shut.

Nat set her gym bag on her bed. Sighing she walked to her closet. Looking through the clothes Nat picked four pairs of jeans. She then chose eight t-shirts for everyday wear, and two for working out. She packed a couple of pairs of basketball shorts, two pairs of sweats and some tank tops. She also packed some sleep shirts and pajama pants. Rubbing her face Nat picked up some low top white converse, and a pair of red chucks. She was wearing her best tennis shoes and her combat boots were already packed along with her suit, mask, wig, weapons and gloves.

Although it shouldn't have been a surprise since she always brought home an extra suit along with all the gadgets so she could make an easy run to patrol. Walking over to her dresser, she dumped the entire contents of her sock drawer in her bag, and then did the same with her underwear drawer. With that she zipped up the gym bag and pulled on a simple Flash hoodie.

Loading up a backpack she put her lap top, and chargers inside it along with a few extra clothes, and four of her favorite books. Sighing she made sure she had everything before she grabbed her wallet. Pulling out the black credit card she set it on her desk. The she grabbed the picture of herself, Roy, Oliver, and Dinah that was on her bedside table.

Pushing her bed against the window she sat down and started tying bed sheets together. She hoped they would be sturdy enough as she climbed tied them to her bedpost. Nat loved her family, but she couldn't let their fear and her own dictate how she could live. If she quit being a hero it'd be on her own terms, and no one else's.

Looking out the window Nat took a deep breath. She'd never been a fan of heights sure she didn't have a paralyzing fear, but it was there and it gnawed at her gut. Taking a deep breath Nat grabbed the sheets and slowly lowered herself until her feet were solid on the roof of the sunroom. From there it was an easy jump, tuck, and roll.

Shifting her bags over her shoulder so that they were more secure Nat took one look back at her home. She knew it'd be impossible to completely avoid Dinah and Oliver, but she also knew she had to show them that they couldn't force her to leave her team.

Natalie kept her head down and stuck mostly to the shadows as she made her way into Star City. She had to get to the Arrowcave first and foremost. At the Arrowcave she could stock up on some more generators, and arrowheads.

Although the Arrowcave was a long walk, it felt nice to be alone with her thoughts. Nat knew that she needed to prove to everyone and herself that she was capable. Ever since she had been picked up by Shiva she'd always known to stay silent. You followed orders, and if you knew they wouldn't work you made up for it along the way. That was how you moved up in ranks, and eventually got to where you'd be able to be the one giving orders.

Natalie, or as her birth certificate read then, Jane was the best at this tactic. Being trained by Lady Shiva for even a year helped her become a skilled and observant fighter. This impressed Ra's Al Ghul so much that he told Shiva all Natalie needed to become was a killer, and then her contract with David Cain would be up.

Natalie was a disappointment in that field. Sure she could take down a man twice her size, but she could not kill him. It didn't matter if someone was an innocent, or a monster. A Life was something that Natalie couldn't extinguish, and refused to. That was the first time she'd made her opinion clear. The only thing she got for it was twenty lashes and a weak of only bread and water. She was strung up by her arms for almost all of that week, and Sportsmaster made sure that his lashes would scar.

It was a hard thing for Nat to think about. Even walking into the Arrowcave unauthorized was making her cringe, but Bruce was right. She wasn't a weak little girl, she could finally fight back and let her thoughts be heard. She needed to learn to get over her past it'd been years and it wasn't going away. In fact Lady Shiva seemed to be at every corner ready to kill her.

In all honesty that's what sparked Natalie's obsessive training. She needed to be at her peak so she could protect herself, and those she loved from her former mentor. That was Natalie's goal now, to become what Bruce said she should be. She was going to show her parents that not only was she strong enough for the team she was also strong enough to defeat the demons of her past.

That line of thought was cut off when Nat scanned herself inside Ollie's cave. From the Arrowcave she'd go to Central City where Wally would undoubtedly be at his Uncle's. Sweeping the shelves she put what she could fit into both her gym back and backpack.

She felt weighted down as she walked to the Zeta Tube. She'd live in the cave, and she needed to talk to Bruce sooner rather than later. After the birthday party she'd probably head to Gotham to intercept the big bad Bat.

"Recognized B-00 Blue Jay," the voice announced and Nat stepped out looking around Barry's basement.

"Hello?" she asked walking up the stairs.

"Nat?" Wally asked poking his head in the doorway. "Hey babe I thought we were meeting at the cave?"

"Change of plans," Nat said with a soft smile. She'd left her bags downstairs. "How's the decorating going?"

"Just fine now that you're here Nat," Iris's voice echoed down to her. "I swear these boys are horrible at listening to instructions."

"Hey!" Barry's hurt face came into view as Nat made it up the stairs.

Wally immediately pressed a quick kiss against her lips and Nat smiled. She couldn't give this up, she didn't want to.

It took several hours until everything was done. The decorating wasn't that bad, but the cooking was what was taking so long. Currently Natalie was asleep with her head in Wally's lap. Wally himself was snoring, and Barry was watching a movie in his recliner. He and Iris both decided that it was best to let the teens get some shut eye.

The first guests to arrive were Wally's parents. The moment they saw Nat curled up on the couch beside their son they bombarded Iris with questions. Wally's parents didn't have the best relationship. It was much worse when Wally was a kid, but even now they didn't see eye to eye.

Wally's mother Mary was a very timid woman, especially around her husband. Although they did both love their son in their own ways. Wally's father Rudolph was the type of man who believed that he needed to be hard on his son. He rarely approved of anything, in fact he was very closed minded and opinionated. The moment he laid eyes on Nat Barry knew this was going to be an interesting night.

Iris gently shook both of the teens awake from their two-hour nap. Natalie stretched and Wally groaned the two looking around. When Nat met Rudolph's eyes she gulped as the man looked at her as if she was trash. Wally hadn't noticed this fact because he gently smiled and stood up so that he could hug his mother. Wally loved his Mom more than anything, and he always wished she'd have the courage to divorce the drunk bastard that was his Father.

Natalie stood up and walked close to Barry who threw his arm around her shoulders. "So the guest of honor should be here soon," Barry said cheerily. Natalie smiled softly excited to see Joan, and Jay again. They were both very kind people.

It was almost like Barry's words were a cue because within seconds the doorbell rang once again. Wally was the one to zoom forward and answer this time warmly hugging both Joan and Jay Garrick. "Well let's eat," Iris said warmly as the guests followed her to the dining room.

Dinner was thankfully kept from being too awkward by the three speedsters. They always had a joke to tell, but Nat felt Rudolph's eyes on her the entire time. She mainly joked around with Barry, Jay, and Wally.

"So Natalie right?" Rudolph finally butted in the entire table stiffening. "You've got quite a dark complexion for being Oliver Queen's daughter," he said casually.

"Yes sir, well I'm adopted," Nat said.

"Really when were you adopted?" Rudolph persisted and Wally tensed.

"When I was seven sir," Nat said unflinchingly her eyes never leaving Rudolph West's. "Why sir?"

"I was just wondering, you see Wally here told us you were Dinah and Oliver Queen's daughter though you look nothing like them."

"Well sir I don't have to be blood to be their child, but you're right," Nat smiled good-naturedly. "I don't look like them, though that must be because my Mother was a gypsy before she settled in America, well she was part Gypsy, but she lived in Poland her father was Polish you see," Nat explained. "My Father he was Italian, I happened to get their dark complexion," Nat said with a warm smile, "and my Mother's blonde hair," she laughed.

"I see, did you know your parents well?" Mary asked trying to stop Rudolph's line of questioning.

"Oh no ma'am they died when I was three," Nat answered with a soft smile.

"How did they die," Rudolph pressed.

"Dad," Wally interrupted his eyes narrowing. The tension in the room was palpable. Everyone knew what was about to happen and everyone was trying to stop it.

"What Wallace, I'm just trying to get to know you're girlfriend. You haven't said hardly a thing about her," Rudolph spat and Mary flinched.

"Wally it's okay," Nat soothed as she gently took his hand. "My parents weren't educated properly. They first lived in Gotham, where my Dad got involved in the Italian Mob. He ratted the wrong person out, and ended up getting a hit placed on his head. We moved to Star City to escape it, but well it didn't work."

"A mobsters kid? Very nice Wally you've started dating a piece of trash," Rudolph said leaning back in his chair with a smug grin.

"She's not her family," Wally cut in glaring at his Dad.

"Bad blood Wally, it runs through her veins, and I'll be damned if I let you screw around with it," Rudolph said his face turning red.

"She is the best person I know, it doesn't matter what you think, I'm not giving her up," Wally said his eyes narrowed further. Natalie stood up and looked at Barry and Iris, then Jay and Joan who were all about to jump in to defend her.

"I'm going!" she announced loudly and everyone looked at her. "He's right, I shouldn't be here. Walls I'll see you later okay, Jay I'm really sorry I ruined your birthday," Nat said with a sad smile. "Thank you for inviting me, Iris the food was awesome. Mrs. West it was a pleasure meeting you and Mr. West if you think I'm going to let you come between your son and I, well then you're kind of an idiot."

Rudolph's face turned even redder as his jaw clenched and fists shook. Nat bid her farewells and disappeared out the front door. Wally's parents knew about his alter ego, they did not know about Nat's. Sneaking back inside the house through the window that led down into the basement Natalie picked up her bags.

"You don't have to go," Wally's voice said from behind her and Nat smiled sadly.

"Course I do Walls, you guys need to salvage what you can of Jay's birthday, and I'm just making your relationship with your parents worse," Nat said looking at her boyfriend.

"Why do you have all these bags?" Wally asked stepping forward and Nat bit her lip. Wally's eyes narrowed as he scrunched up his nose in confusion. "What's going on Natalie?"

Nat took a deep breath and sighed shifting her bags slightly. "My parents want me out of the hero game. They're still freaking out about the last mission," Nat said her words hesitant.

"So you're running away?" Wally asked with a frown. "I don't get it where are you going to live?"

"I'm going to talk to Bats about it, but I'm thinking the Cave… At least until they see I can handle myself," Nat said.

"You're going to ditch them just like Roy did? Do you realize how that destroyed them?" Wally ranted.

"Yeah I know!" Nat cut in her hands tightening on her bag. "Trust me I get it completely," Nat interrupted.

"Then why are you doing it? It's selfish, and stupid," Wally nearly shouted.

"Because I don't see any way around it," Nat argued back and closed her eyes gritting her teeth. "Look go back upstairs to your family, I don't need your support Wally I'm already going through with it," Nat said through her teeth.

"Fine!" Wally snapped and sped back upstairs while Nat turned around. She put in the coordinates for the Batcave and disappeared in a flash of light.

"Miss Scott," Alfred said with a frown as he saw the teen wiping tears from her eyes. Looking up she smiled softly managing a slight wave.

"Hey Al, is Bruce here?" Nat asked.

Alfred had just finished feeding both Dick, and Bruce after their rather intense game of basketball. The two would no doubt be in Bruce's study about this time. "Yes Madame, I shall fetch him and Mater Dick," Alfred gave the girl a soft smile.

"Hey Al," Nat called after the butler. Alfred stopped and turned around raising an eyebrow. "It's good to see you again, Dick doesn't invite me over much anymore, and I kind of missed you," she laughed.

Alfred allowed a small smile at the girl's genuine sentiment and nodded. "I missed you as well Madame."

"It's just Nat Al," Natalie corrected for the billionth time as the Butler turned around. She watched as he ascended the steps. Natalie was exhausted and she knew her face was showing it. She hadn't had a chance to catch any sleep from the all nighter the team had pulled to catch Clayface.

"Nat?" Bruce's voice echoed down into the cave. Nat looked up seeing Bruce Wayne coming towards her. It was a bit of a shock after seeing him as mainly Batman. Unsurprisingly Dick was following after him with a worried look on his face.

"Bruce," Nat said softly as she stood up. "I know you know," she said softly.

"Know? What do you know?" Dick asked his blue eyes narrowing as he looked up at his Mentor.

"I was wondering what you'd do when they told you," Bruce said crossing his arms over his massive chest ignoring Dick.

"I was pissed at first, but they're only doing it because they're scared," Nat defended while Dick scrunched up his face.

"Good assessment, so what is it you want?" Bruce asked raising an eyebrow.

"Dick, I need to speak to Bruce alone," Nat said looking at one of her best friends.

"Absolutely not, Nat what's going on," Dick said as he moved forward. It was with a jolt that Nat realized the Boy Wonder who was two years younger than her was now at least an inch taller.

"Dick I don't need you to worry about it," Nat said softly.

"I'm going to worry, tell me what's going on," Dick almost begged. He moved forward to pull Nat into a hug when Bruce put his hand on his shoulder.

"Dick, I can't. Not right now, right now I need to talk to Bruce alone," Natalie said as she pulled her best friend into a tight hug. "Please just give us some privacy," Natalie pleaded.

Dick frowned but nodded curtly turning to walk out of the cave. Alfred was on his heels and soon it was just Bruce and Natalie looking at one another.

"What's your decision?" Bruce asked wasting no time.

"I'm staying in the game, but in order to do that I'm going to need to be somewhere my parents can't touch me. I took my test for my GED last week, but I'm still only 15," Nat said and Bruce smirked slightly.

"How do you feel about going undercover? We can tell Dinah and Ollie that you've decided to make it on your own, and tell the team that you've quit," Bruce said crossing his arms.

"Okay, but where am I going to be?" Nat asked with a frown.

"Bialya, Queen Bee seems to be producing some strange energy frequencies. Lady Shiva has also been spotted in an around the area. I think you're ready for it, and if you accept you'll need to put on assassin garb, and leave you're costume behind. You'll also be leaving immediately," Bruce said.

"I'll do it," Nat said without pause.

"You will maintain radio silence once you get there, but you should make a few messages to send to the Team and Wally periodically so they don't question your absence," Bruce said seriously.

Nat nodded and shifted her weight. "Alright, I'll get started now, and I'll be gone by tonight," she agreed.

Bruce clapped Natalie on the back. He was confident she'd be able to not only conquer her demons, but prove her capability. There was really no one else for the job.


SO here is Chapter 7 all neat and slightly on a cliffhanger. Sorry about that! I also know it's quite a bit shorter than normal, this is my fault I've been a bit preoccupied!

To - WallNat is an awesome ship name, I really love it! Thanks so much for the great review!

To SnowWolf22- thank you so much for the review! I'm really glad you liked them!

To thegirlwhoisstillwaiting- Your wait is over! Lol I hope you enjoy this chapter, and thanks for the review.

To BTACKSTORIES- thank you so much for this review, I hope you continue to feel that it's a good story!