A/N: I've realized the reason I'm writing these Jolie/NickNat stories so fast is I'm ready to wash my hands of OLTL. One more and this one is done. Until next time—PCGirl.


"Any calls for me?" asked John as he walked through the patrol room and on his way to his office.

"No calls, but there was a package sent to you," said the temporary secretary. "I'm going to a late lunch," she called to him and then grabbed her purse.

He shrugged at her comment as he kept moving, walking into his office and seeing the package immediately. He ripped it open and sat on the corner of his desk as he read the report on Nick Dawson.

"Thanks for taking us out for lunch," said Jessica as her, Natalie, and Viki ate at The Palace.

"You are both welcome—how are classes going, Natalie?"

"Great—I took the first test for one of my classes and actually did better than most of the students that have been taking it since the beginning. I'm studying up for the second test now—some of the kids said it was harder than the first so it worries me some."

"I'm sure you'll be fine. I've been meaning to ask you—has Nick said anything about working somewhere else other than The Banner?"

"Not that I know of. Why?"

"Well, I had my secretary call to have a background check done—just part of the hiring process—and they said that someone else in Llanview had requested one also for Nick."

"Did they say why it was requested or who requested it?"

"She was told it was for a job also—and she thought they said the Police Station. I thought Nick majored in Journalism."

"He did," she said as she tried to figure out who or why someone at the Police Station would do a background check on Nick.

Her mind clicked immediately on someone that did that—that believed once before he had her best interest at heart but in reality destroyed her world in an instant—and she wasn't going to let him do it again. "You know—I think I'm going to go by Professor Ryder's office before class—I have a question for him," she said as she got up quickly and gave her mother a hug before heading for her car—her temper already rising at the prospect of what was to come.


When Natalie had gotten in the car she was calm and had planned on quietly asking John if he had done a background check on Nick. But as she kept driving her anger escalated and now she was in an all out assault against him.

She stormed through the doors and was pleased to see the place was nearly empty so hopefully John could have her full attention on the matter at hand. She slowed her step down some as she reached his door and knocked softly, but before he could answer her anger had gotten the best of her and she entered immediately. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Last time I checked I was John McBain—but I can check again if you like," he said with a half smile.

"That's not what I meant. When The Banner went to do a background check on Nick so he could hire him it turns out someone else in Llanview already did one not so long ago."

"And why would I do it? I have nothing against the guy, Natalie."

"Then why did you do it? And don't tell me you didn't because it's something you would do—just like you did the DNA test on that man."

"Ok, you caught me—I did it because I wanted to make sure this guy was good for you."

"I think I can make my own choices John on who is and isn't right for me. I've known him only a few weeks and so far I haven't found any skeletons in his closet—no sneaky business with harvesting organs, no plastic surgery to look like other people, no people that have a fear of commitment and letting go of their dead lovers."

"That's low Natalie."

"You bet it's low—so if there happened to be anything you found in your search that would make me think he's a bad character then keep it to yourself and let me learn from my own mistakes. I've learned from them before and came out on top and I'll do it this time also!" she yelled as she turned and stomped out of the office and ran into Evangeline.

"I don't tell you how to manage your relationship with McBain, but if I were you I would seriously tell him to stop trying to be my savior and leave me the hell alone."


"Hey—you home? I got a pizza—half pepperoni and half the works," said Nick as he knocked on Natalie's apartment door with his foot and it opened on its own. "Nat? You here?" he asked as he walked into the dark apartment and saw her sitting on the couch. "Hey—what are we doing in the dark?" he asked as he put down the pizza and hit the light.

"Hmm?" she said as she looked from the floor and up to him—a smile wanting to appear on her face. "Let's file today under not-so-good."

"Really? Well, you want to talk about it over a slice of pizza—pizza makes everything better," he laughed as he went into the kitchen and took out some plates. "I didn't buy any beer but if you want some I'll run down to the store real quick."

"That's fine, I think I have a few in the fridge already," she said as she came into the kitchen with him and grabbed two out of the fridge. "Before I say why I had a bad day let me tell you this—I am not the type of person to be snooping into your business—unless you like leave it out in plain sight."

"I don't think there's ever been anything I've done to believe you would do that. Is there?"

"No, not from me at all. You are a great friend and confidant—but it seems that someone else in town believed it was in my best interest to do a background check on you."

"Oh, really? Did they happen to find something out about me that concerns you?"

"No, because I didn't want to know. I figured if there is some deep dark secret you have then you'll tell me. And that's what made me so mad when I realized what he did."

"He?"

Natalie gave a huge sigh, "John. He felt it was his right in order for me to be happy for him to go snooping in your past."

"I make you happy?" asked Nick, half out of happiness and half out of shock at what she just said.

"Did I say that out loud?" she laughed.

"Yeah, you did. It's ok, because you make me happy too. That's why I came by with the pizza—your Mom said everything was clear for her to hire me on. Looks like I'm in Llanview to stay for awhile."

"That's great!" she grinned as she gave him a huge hug. "Ok, no more being angry at what John did and no more talking about any extra skeletons in our closet. We're going to eat this pizza you brought and then we're going to go over to Ultra Violet and party. Sound good?"

"Real good."


"Hey you two," said Rex from behind the bar as Natalie and Nick walked in and over to where he was doing some business. "What can I get you two tonight?"

"Two beers—and make sure I pay for everything tonight—ok, bro?" smiled Natalie as she leaned over and gave him a hug.

"Sounds like a plan. What's the occasion?"

"Good times ahead—right Nick?"

"Right," he said as Rex handed them their beers and they went to a corner to be alone. "Listen, before you said if there was anything you should know about me you'd wait for me to tell you—and I think there is something."

"No, listen—don't let John's stupidness ruin a perfectly good evening."

"I don't think it's anything John could have found through his PI because I didn't even know it until just a minute ago. You are a really great person Natalie—did you know that?"

"Nick," she said softly.

"You are—you are this stubborn, headstrong, gorgeous person who from what I've learned about you has gone through hell. I know this is early in our friendship, but I really think I feel something inside for you, and also—I'm glad you told me what John did—it shows how you want to find out what there is to know about me on your own."

"I—wow Nick. I'm shocked you said this. I think there's definitely something between us that still has to grow some—and I might be a little to blunt to say this now, but I hope it's more than friendship."

"Me too."