Okay this is a little slower but it's the build up to the "date". I had to split it into 2 chapters because it was just too damn long. LOL Hope you enjoy and thanks for the reviews!

Chapter 28

After going through the file with Bo and both men making notes as to things they wanted to look a little more closely into, John left to do some other chores before he could start to plan for tonight. And plans he had. By the end of the night Natalie would have seen a different side of John from what she had become used to. Smiling at the thoughts and plans running through his head he pulled out his cell and hit the speed dial for Natalie. After four rings it was answered by the voice that had haunted his dreams both at night and during the day.

"Hey John."

"Hey babe, what are you up to?" Hearing the soft intake of her breath at his choice of endearments he had to smile.

Dealing with the surprise of his choice of words and the honest tone Natalie tried to remember what it was he had asked her. "Up to? Uhhh, nothing right now. Mom and I just finished chatting and she is off to the office to get some work done and I'm gathering up some laundry to throw in. Why? What have you been up to?"

"Oh a little of this a little of that. Ramsey hasn't bothered you since we left the PD has he?"

"Nope, haven't heard anything from him. Did you think I would be? And what little this and that have you been doing?" Her skepticism came through loud and clear, there was no doubt she believed he was up to or keeping something from her. His smile growing even more and causing those walking by him at the coffee house to take a second glance at the attractive man. If she only knew what I was up to.

Sitting back, relaxed and enjoying the conversation John figured it best to give her something or else she would stew about it all day long. "Well I had a meeting with Bo and Rex after I left the PD and got a bit more info on our problem child."

"Wait a minute! Our problem? This is my problem, and when the hell did Uncle Bo get pulled into this?! And why the hell is Rex telling you something and not me?!"

"Slow down. First, again since you seem to have a memory problem, this is our problem. I remember distinctly telling you I was in this with you, so deal with it. Secondly, Bo has his own doubts about the jackass and this may come as a shock but he cares a hell of a lot about you, again deal with it. As for Rex, he likes Bo and knows that working together we can get more info, although I don't think he's putting me on his Christmas card list this year."

Trying to take all this in she latched on to the one piece she felt at the moment was a somewhat safe topic. "What did you say to Rex this time?"

"Now what makes you think I was the one that said something? I know you love him but you've got to admit, the kids got a smart ass mouth thats got him into a shit load of trouble in the past."

Sighing hard in frustration, Natalie agreed. "Yes he does and yes it has, but my gut is saying this time you were the one with the smart ass mouth. And everyone in all of Llanview knows how well the two of you get along, add to that how you can be every bit as bad as he can. So fess up McBain, what did you say this time?"

There was no way in hell he was going to tell her about their conversation or his McBanger nickname as well as the others that Balsom had sarcastically called him. Trying to find a way to back out of this increasingly uncomfortable conversation he tried to play it off hoping she would let it go. He had other more pressing things to discuss with her.

"All I did was mention that I would be seeing you later, he didn't seem to take joy in that little bit of news."

"Hmmmmmm, right. I am so getting the feel that there was a hell of a lot more to it than you're saying, but for now I'll let it go."

Breathing a silent sigh of relief, he quickly tried to change the topic while he had the chance.

"Now I didn't call to talk about your weird as hell brother, what time can I pick you up tonight?"

Natalie froze. Pick her up?! Every muscle and nerve in her body went tense, and not with fear or dread. The anticipation that immediately coursed through her causing clips of the night before to play through her mind.

"Uhh, tonight?"

"Yeah, we have a few things to talk about that we left hanging. And I should fill you in on what we came up with on the little pissant too. I meant to fill you in last night but ... well ... we got a little distracted when some more important issues came up." Smirking at his little innuendo he wondered what her response would be.

Oh yeah, they had definitely gotten distracted! And it hadn't been a little issue either! Oh Gawd, this man was so gonna be the death of her!

"Ummmm, yeah we did. Okay, what time did you want to meet? Mom said she had plans with some friends from the hospital board tonight and would be gone for dinner."

"I'll pick you up say at six, we can go grab a bite to eat and talk about the latest info and then that will leave the rest of the night for a little bit of fun."

Why was it that when John said fun, she tended to get nervous? And horny as hell?! The man could sell parka's to a nudest colony in hell with that voice! Gawd knows he didn't have to say much to talk her into just about anything. And she definitely was getting the vibe about just what John considered fun! But could she honestly complain? Hell no!

"Fine, I'll be ready. But where are we going? Just so I can dress appropriately." Suddenly his words to her earlier were ringing in her ears.

... and do you think you could find something to wear that's a little more oh I don't know McBain friendly? Something that is a whole hell more accessible. And quicker to remove.

Praying he wouldn't remember his own words she held her breath but didn't count on it. The way things were going and the way his mind seemed to be focused lately she should be anticipating hearing them again.

And she wasn't disappointed.

The amusement could easily be heard and came across loud and clear. "Well I seem to recall telling you what I thought would be good, but how about this. Anything with buttons, large spaced out ones, zippers or that's loose enough to easily be pulled up or down and out of the way. Also v-necks and skirts work great, real great." His low rough tone caused shivers to race across her skin and the hot tight area between her tightly squeezed thighs to become damp, very damp!

Oh my good gawd in holy overload hotness! Was there any chance at all of her surviving the night?! And surviving and having a brain that was able to function in any capacity?! Probably not! She really should check her life insurance and see if it covered death by hot mind numbing and brain melting sex.

Gulping as she tried to control her breathing which had become more than a little erratic, she attempted to answer without sounding like a horny as hell teenager. "Uhhhh ... well ... I'm sure I can come up with something."

The deep rumble of his laughter was a sure sign he knew just what he was doing to her and that he was more than enjoying it too.

"Well then I'll let you go and figure it out. See you later. Oh and if you have something in blue or green that would work, I have a few good memories of you wearing those or should I say not wearing them."

Another gulp. Good gawd, he was going to have her drooling like a simpleton just from this conversation if she wasn't careful and put a stop to it quick!

"I'll see you later then." Intending to hang up she stopped when she heard her name being called.

"Yes?"

"About tonight, you should definitely know its not all going to be about this case against Jarass." There was a long pause and then the kicker. "It's about us."

While her mind was trying to process that, the line went dead. He had hung up?! After saying that?! Oh heaven help her, she was so deep in it now!

Deciding she definitely needed a distraction she figured she might as well see what she could pick out for tonight, even though he hadn't said where they would be going. And she wouldn't even think of John's suggestions about her wardrobe!

Going up to her room she turned on her radio and then walked across the room to her closet. Opening the double closet doors she stood there trying to decide what would be appropriate to wear. Pulling out a beautiful deep maroon lightweight blouse she took a second look.

Nope that wouldn't work, it was way to low cut. Tossing it on her bed she dove once more into the clothes filled chamber yanking out another sweater she again hesitated. Shit! No, not that one either! I'll look like a Miss Virgin runner up! Tossing it on top of the first she started grabbing blouses and tops only to shake her head and throw them on to the growing pile on her bed. They were either too tight, too low cut, too see-through, too frigid or too damn heavy!

Sitting down beside the enormous pile she groaned at the song that started playing on the radio. The Trew's Paranoid Freak filled the room and as she listened she dropped her head forward and groaned again. How fucking appropriate!

Grabbing up a soft button up sweater with a medium v-neck in a dark deep blue and then grabbed a pair of black dress pants and draping them over the chair that was sitting by the closet she decided she might as well take a shower now and then slowly start to get ready even though she still had a couple of hours till John would be coming to pick her up.

And maybe while you are in there you can wise up and get your head together! Somehow she didn't think she ever would, not as long as John was in the picture.

The time had actually flown and by the time Natalie was beginning to put the finishing touches on her make up and hair she had only ten minutes left. For once, please don't let him be on time! Or early!

Reaching over for her watch the radio, which had been broadcasting the weather report, started playing a popular song by request.

"This is going out to all of you with hot dates for tonight! Have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do! And that leaves a whole lot to do!!" The announcer chuckled as Natalie turned to shoot a glare at the offending electronic, only to drop her watch on the floor when the song began.

There was no mistaking the opening of the Pussycat Dolls Button's.

Good gawd! Was everyone against her today?! Even the freakin' radio stations and their hornier than hell disc jockey's?! Reaching down she grabbed the fallen watch and strapped it to her wrist, still shaking her head. Taking one last glance in the mirror, she walked over and turned off the radio off with a harder than necessary slap, then quickly made her way down the stairs only to come to an almost screeching stop.

Standing there in the foyer was none other than her Mom. What the hell? She was supposed to be long gone?! Looking up she sent a private message to the heavens. Okay, whomever I happened to piss off could you please give me a fucking break?! Whatever I did can't be that bad, can it?

Continuing down until she was standing at the bottom of the stairs her mom looked up and using her mother's instinct or spidey sense she knew that Natalie was going out. And definitely not alone, but with John. Hmmmmm, interesting.

"Hello sweetheart, going out?" A perfectly innocent question except for the twinkle in her eyes that Natalie didn't and couldn't miss.

"Uhhhh, yeah. I thought you had a meeting so I made plans but I can cancel if you're staying in?"

Oh no, her daughter was not going to use her as an excuse to avoid John and what was building between them again. "No no dear, I am going back out. I just had to come home to pick up a file I left in the study. So you made plans?" Another not so innocent question.

It was at that moment the doorbell rang loud and clear. Please, if there is anyone up there with any mercy, do not let this happen!

The two women stood there first looking at the door then each other. Finally when Natalie didn't make a move or a sound Vicki decided enough was enough.

"Would you like me to get that?"

"No! Uhh, no, that's okay. I'll get it." Walking like a convict on their way to the electric chair, Natalie finally opened the door only to totally lose her breath and all remaining coherent thoughts.

Leaning against the door frame with a slight smirk stood John, and although just the sight of him regularly could and did make her lose her ability to put two and two together the way he looked tonight was even more shocking to her system and her plan to stay in control tonight looked like it would probably be going down the toilet.

Dear gawd, did he do this on purpose just to send her reeling?

He was dressing in a dark blue shirt, that more than made his eyes stand out, and that was only buttoned slightly more than halfway up, and topped with a black jacket. He had his black jeans on that Natalie knew from past experience were going to seriously play with her emotions, because they were a slightly tighter fit than he normally wore and they left very little to the imagination of what they concealed.

Down girl! And dammit, remember to breath!

"Hey. So you're all ready?"

Ready?! Was he kidding?! And ready for what?! I am so so so screwed, and if things keep going the way I think they will ... yes I will be!!

Trying to think of how to handle this with her mom standing right behind her and hearing everything, probably her increased heart rate too, Natalie hesitated for a moment too long.

"Hello John, how nice to see you again. So you and Natalie are going out?" Anyone who didn't know Vicki Davidson would might buy the whole wide eyed I know nothing look she was exuding but both her daughter and the man who had been a big part of said daughters life for the last almost five years knew better. While one was slightly exasperated by it the other found it all the more entertaining.

Before Natalie could respond John did. "Yes we are Ms. Davidson. We have a few things to talk over." His smile was fooling no one in the foyer. John had a lot more on his mind than just talking.

Jumping in before the situation could get any more out of hand, Natalie added. "John has been working with Uncle Bo and Rex on trying to uncover what Jared has been up to and what lies he's been keeping." At the mention of Jared, the glint in Vicki's eyes dimmed. Seeing this Natalie reached out and grasped her mom's hand giving it a squeeze.

"Are you okay, Mom?" She knew her mom was thinking of not only Jared's secrets but that Charlie knew more than he had let on.

"Yes dear, I'm fine. So you two are going out on a date then?"

Natalie almost gave herself whiplash when her mom's words penetrated the buzzing going on in her head from John's close proximity. Looking from him then back to her mom Natalie quickly answered. "No, its not a date!"

But her words were drowned out by John's firm ones. "Yes ma'am we are." Smiling when Natalie turned and gaped at him with her mouth hanging open. Gently reaching over and with the tips of his fingers he lifted her chin to close it before his resistance abandoned him and he used his mouth to do the job instead. Feeling the shiver that shook Natalie's frame John let his fingers trail down her neck, gently brushing her hair back.

Watching the two Vicki suddenly felt like she was definitely an interloper. Chuckling softly at the sight of her usually strong steady daughter almost melting on the marble floor from just a look and a brush a hand Vicki had no doubts that tonight Natalie wouldn't be spending the night here at Llanfair. "Well you two have a good evening. John, it was lovely to see you again, and please don't be a stranger you are welcomed here anytime."

Releasing Natalie's gaze took an enormous amount of willpower but John somehow managed and met the older woman's gaze. Seeing the approval shining there he suddenly didn't feel as nervous as he usually did when in her presence. "Thank you Ms. Davidson, I think you might be seeing me around here a little more than you have in the past. That's if its okay with Natalie?"

Not knowing what she could possibly say at this point to dissuade her mother from the more than obvious belief that she and John were once again on again. Sigh Why do these things always happen to me? Natalie decided the best thing was to just get John and herself out of there, and as quickly as possible.

"Well we should be going." Leaning over and kissing her mom's silk soft cheek she took a second look at her eyes to make sure the shadows were gone. "I won't be out late."

As the two started out the door Vicki called after them. "Oh don't rush home on my account. You two have fun." Her smile widened when Natalie refused to look back but John did. With a growing smile and a wink he pulled the door closed behind them.

Well now that should be an interesting evening. Oh to be a fly on the wall. Thinking about the looks on both young peoples faces, she changed her mind. No, that was definitely something a mother would not want to witness.