Chapter 10

Evangeline and Vincent stared at Natalie as she laid out part of her plan of attack in the middle of Evangeline's apartment. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," the red head answered easily.

"All of it?" Vincent asked.

"Yeah. When Antonio gets the little delivery that I'm leaving for him he'll blow. He's going to want to sell and we'll swoop in. Bree's legacy won't be destroyed because my sister can't keep her act together and Nash won't lose everything because she can't decide which way is up. Believe me, it's not a good place to be when you've bet everything on someone who just can't, or won't, come through."

"That's . . . but the other. . . come one, you really want me to. . .." Evangeline sighed. "You want to sandbag him like that? In front of everyone?"

"He probably still won't get it. But yeah. Michael and Marci hoped that he wouldn't leave me at the altar, which means that I could've been the one sandbagged. I've given him out after out after out this month. I'm done. I'm tired of being the one who's embarrassed and pitted. I'm done letting him ruin my life."

Vincent stared at her: "and what will you be doing?"

"Packing," she sighed, then smiled as she looked at Evangeline: "I got in."

"Where?"

"Port Charles."

"That's. . . That's great. . . when are you going to leave?" Evangeline asked.

"Tonight."

"I'll pull some strings, get you a job with the DA's office there. I'll find out where you can stay once you get there."

"Has to be a rooming house or boarding house or something, doesn't there?" Natalie asked with a shrug.

"All right, I give. What's in Port Charles?" Vincent asked.

"Law school," Natalie answered, causing Vincent to laugh. "What?"

"Nothing. Good choice considering how you handle yourself, I'm going to head out. You call me when you're settled. Or just need a friend," he said bending to give her a quick hug.

"Sure. Thanks for everything, Vincent," she said smiling up at him.

"Yeah, well, I still wish you'd let me ice him."

Laughing she shook her head: "My way's better."

"If you say so," he acknowledged then nodded to Evangeline. "Counselor, see you around."

The two women watched him walk out in silence before Natalie turned to Evangeline: "Well, I guess this is it. I really don't know how to thank you for what you've done for me these last two months."

"You did most of it yourself."

"Right."

"You. . . really sure you want it to end this way? That you don't want to just tell him you know that he didn't mean to propose?"

"No. I want to do it this way. All of it. I finally know what I have to do about everything. I. . I have to go. I have a couple of stops I have to make before I leave tonight. Again, thanks. . ."