A/N: Jess—ok, myself and Cru have both updated our stories today—it's your turn ;) Cru—is this soon enough for the next chapter or do you want me to wait a few more days? LOL. Gracie—I'm scared to think of what I'm going to read when you are done with your stories. (LOL—why I say that here and not on OoS I don't know) Ok, everyone enjoy—there's one more chapter. Until next time—ya'll are the best, and I think we're starting to see a bit of that light at the end of the tunnel on the show—PCGirl.

John got up from sitting on the bottom step in the hotel lobby and turned—he'd been hoping she was going to confront him tonight—ask him what he was thinking of giving her that letter now. He'd been trying to figure out the exact same thing—what had he been thinking? He was up a few steps when the door opened and he turned to see Natalie storming into the hotel—not seeing him just yet he was able to stop smiling—Plan B had worked it seemed.

Natalie saw him standing there and saw him wipe the smirk off of his face, "What in the hell do you mean by this, John McBain?" she screamed as she threw the wadded up letter at him.

"Hey—you might want to be quiet or else you'll wake up Roxy and Nigel and then you'll be the one answering questions," he whispered as he came down the stairs and picking up the crumpled ball he presented it to her on his palm.

"Fine," she whispered—he could tell by her eyes she was dangerous and could explode at any moment. "Now answer my question," she said through gritted teeth.

"Come with me," he said as he took his other hand and held it out, but she didn't take it, "Trust," he said as she grudgingly took his hand and he walked up the steps.

"Great we're on the roof," she said, not exactly estatic at the moment.

"Hey—you can scream all you want now—give it a try?" he grinned as he leaned against the edge of the wall.

She wanted to start by wiping that stupid smirk off his face again but began yelling again, "Why did you give me that letter now? If you meant all that stuff why didn't you mail it to me?"

"I was scared--."

"Of what?"

John gave a chuckle, "Of you telling me I was a complete idiot."

"Well, you are," she sighed as she glanced at her watch—if she didn't leave soon she'd never make it to Philadelphia in time for the interview.

"Thanks," he said looking at the ground for a moment and then back at her while biting his lip. He got up off the ledge and began walking around the roof, "Natalie, I finally was able to realize I've wanted you since the moment I walked into Crossroads—that scared the hell out of me. And to finally admit defeat—well, it would have been a double defeat if you had laughed in my face. You went to that retreat to chose between me and Paul—I know the odds were 1 in 2 you'd pick me."

"Paul was never the issue—a week after I got there he was out of the race. You were the only one—you have been for a very long time John—since Cris died," she said as she was silent for a few minutes, "You said you admitted defeat—what was that battle?"

"What else—our ghosts," he said with a choked laugh, "I had this dream Natalie—I was trying to find you, the first time I did find you, but you told me I wasn't fast enough—Paul taunted me in the dream that he'd won, that Haver had won."

Natalie's eyes got big at the name, "Haver?"

"Yeah, it was weird. The second dream I was almost to where you were and I heard Caitlyn—clear as day as if she were still alive, she wanted me to come to her, but I knew she wasn't there—that it was only memories."

"So what did you do?"

"I got just to the door and this woman was blocking your room—she said it wasn't my choice for who you picked. So I turned and left."

"Wow—for once you took directions," she laughed, realizing she wasn't quiet as mad at him as she had been, "So why do you think I came up here tonight?"

"I have no clue—I'd like to think it was because I did win the race, but Natalie I don't want you to ever let someone stand between you and your dreams, ok?"

"Well, if I don't leave in like five minutes I'll lose that dream too."

John looked at his watch and realized the time and reached out to take her hand again, "We'll take my car—I'm not letting you give up that easily."

John sat in the chair outside the office—they'd been interviewing Natalie for a long time and he was starting to get nervous. He looked back down at the classifieds and saw another ad that interested him and circled it. The door opened and he smiled at seeing a relieved Natalie walking out. He stood up and greeted her, "Hey—how was it?"

"I got the job," she sighed.

"Yeah, my reaction to having the job of my dreams is sadness and depression to," he laughed and realized she wasn't laughing.

"Because—ugh, I've finally got everything want—direction in my life and you and I'm going to have to give up one of them. Why can't this job be where you are John?"

"It can," he smiled as he handed the newspaper over and rubbed his nose as he watched her read the ads.

"John—these are all two bedrooms. What—what are you saying? Are you coming to Philadelphia with me?"

"We've got a lot of stuff to sort out Natalie—this is a new relationship and I'm not giving up on us that easily."

"But—why would you do that for me?"

John grinned and he could feel himself turning red, "Because I love you Natalie Buchanan."

Natalie smiled and hugged him tightly—she could feel the tears filling her eyes and she choked the words out, "And I love you John McBain."