3- The Way

Jessica began to pace the floor at Rodi's. She folded her arms around her waist. Antonio approached her, holding his hands out, putting a halt to her stride.

"They're coming," he assured her. "She's OK, Jess. John's got her."

"It's pouring out there," Jessica said looking out the window. "What if he couldn't find her?"

"Put some faith in Johnny," Roxy said as the thunder cracked. Jessica jumped.

They continued to wait on John McBain, hoping that he had caught up with Natalie. Antonio stood just about to go out to look himself as the door to Rodi's swung open and Natalie walked in, soaked to the bone. John was directly behind her.

"Oh, Natalie," Jessica said. "You're frozen." Roxy had already gone for some towels in the back room.

"I'm fine," Natalie said, taking one of the towels and trying to dry off.

"The heat's goin' in the back, Nat." Roxy said. "For you too, Johnny"

John shook his head. "There's no need..."

"Oh hush... and go back there and warm up." John laughed, shaking his head, not looking for an argument from Roxy. He would dry off a bit and would then make his way home. It had been way too long a day already. He stepped into the back room behind Natalie, shocked by the amazing blast of heat. Jesus, Roxy' John thought Are you trying to dry us or bake us?' Either way, the heat was soothing.

John stood back with a towel, watching Natalie trying to wring the rainwater from her auburn hair, her back faced him. He tried to break his gaze from her, her wet clothes clinging to her body, accentuating her curves. John shut his eyes to avoid from staring, but couldn't seem to shake the vision. It was just something about the way she looked, standing there. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

He wiped the towel over his face. "Nattie!" Roxy called. "We're locking up for the night. You gonna be OK here with..."

"I'll be fine, Rox," Natalie said. "I'm OK."

"You keep an eye on her, Johnny!"

"Both of them, Rox" John replied shaking his head. They both grew silent as Rodi's emptied.

"You can go now," Natalie said. John looked at her. "You don't have to stay here. I'm fine. I don't need a babysitter. I can find my way home on my own."

"Well you are the stubborn one." John laughed.

"Stubborn?" Natalie said. "I am not being stubborn."

"You're not?" John said. "I don't know what you call this then."

"I can take care of myself."

"Look," John draped the towel around his neck. "I told Roxy I'd keep an eye on you, make sure you got home safe. And that's exactly what I plan to do, even if I have to tie you up and throw you over my shoulder to get you there." Natalie cast up her eyebrows, giving John a look as if to say that he was out of his mind. "So are you going to let me take you home, or are you going to make me get some rope?"

Natalie sighed. "How does anyone put up wit you?" she said

"You know I could say the same thing about you." John shot back. Natalie rolled her eyes. "Let me take you home. I won't even step foot inside. I'll stand back by the street."

"You really don't give up." Natalie said.

John shrugged. "My gift and my curse I guess." he said. "You might as well let me take you home cuz if you don't, I'm just going to follow you anyway."

"Isn't there a law against that? Stalking?"

"I'm doing my sworn duty. To serve and protect."

Natalie suddenly grew cold. "And you do that really well, don't you? Your sworn duty. That's why Cristian's..." she couldn't bring herself to say the word. "I want to go home." she pushed passed him. "Goodnight, John."

"Natalie..." John looked at her, going to follow, but Natalie spun around, holding her hand up to stop him.

"Goodnight, John." She dismissed him. Natalie hurried out of Rodi's, coming to a stop outside in the pouring rain. She rested her back against the door with a sigh as thoughts of him raced through her mind. His name echoed, rattling around in her brain. She couldn't push it aside. She didn't want to, but couldn't understand why. She shut her eyes, leaning her head back as her thoughts vocalized. "John McBain."

TBC