Chapter 16

John could only stare at Natalie, her words surprising him. "Great. You believe that too."

"No. I just. . . why would she say something like that?"

"Think about it, John. Why has she done most of what she has recently?"

"What you're suggesting. . ." he sighed with a disbelieving shake of his head.

"I'm not suggesting anything, not am I saying anything. I have enough problems without borrowing more."

"I just. . ." he started as his pager went off. "I need to. . ."

"You don't have to explain. Go ahead," she said, indicating the phone in the corner with her head as the bell started ringing insistently. "I better get that."

John only nodded as he moved to the phone, bringing it to his ear, only to stop at the sound of an all too familiar, raised, female voice. . .

Tiredly, Natalie pulled up the door to her house, frowning in recognition of the person on the other end. "What the hell do you want?"

"You to stop playing games. We had a deal," Evangeline retorted angrily.

"Which I haven't broken."

"John's car is in the drive."

"Is it?"

"Don't play dumb."

Natalie rolled her eyes and plastered on a smile as fake as that on the older woman's face: "again, what do you want?"

Evangeline stepped towards Natalie, a predatory smile on her face: "you to stop coming between John and I."

"I haven't," the red head replied, refusing to take a step back.

"Right. You are such a manipulative little btch. I know what you're up to. Don't think I don't. We had a deal."

"Which you broke."

Evangeline's smile changed to one of mock innocence as she moved slightly back, taking on a condescending stance. "Just because you're guilty doesn't mean our arrangement gets thrown out. It's called a verbal contract, but I wouldn't expect someone as uneducated as you to know that."

"I've watched enough Judge Judy to know that you had better have it in writing, or evidence of it in some other form," Natalie shot back.

"Well, just remember: I told you it would be your own fault if you were convicted, not mine. I did my job."

"Did you? Wasn't it easier to get me convicted then to wait to see if I would really leave town without a words to John or anyone else about why I was just up and leaving? To tell them about you blackmailing me into doing it? Which, by the way, you yourself said no one would believe, so why would I have attempted it? Seems to me you still win. So how is it again that I was the one who manipulated the situation?"

Straightening her stance, Evangeline smirked with renewed confidence. "You're right no one's ever going to believe over me. Even with the Buchanan name you're nothing. But I'm warning you, stay away from John or I'll make sure things get even worse for you. I still have to convince the judge to give you a light sentence."

Natalie glared at her: "Just leave."

"Get rid of John. If he's not home within half an hour, if he persists in ignoring me this weekend, I will make you pay," she warned before turning, pausing as she looked back at Natalie over her shoulder: "you know it's a shame you hesitated so long in making your decision the first time. Don't make the same mistake," she added before storming back to her car.

Closing the door to the sound of pealing tires, Natalie fought to regain her calm. Leaning against the cool wood, she fought back tears. She'd only have one way for this not to be a further nightmare, and she couldn't even hope. . .

"Why didn't you tell anyone about Evangeline?" John asked softly from the entrance way behind her.

Turning slowly, Natalie shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You don't have to lie, Natalie. I heard more than enough to get the picture," he said softly as he walked towards her. "I'm sorry I doubted you."

"You need to leave, John."

"Don't push me away."

"You say you heard enough to get the picture. Well, then, you know I need to leave. I can't take any chances. Not any more."

"Yeah, well, what about your other lawyer? Bo wants me to escort you."

"I don't know. . if Evangeline finds out. . ."

"Your lawyer's in Pine Valley, right?"

"Yeah. Why? What difference does it make?"

"It would be easier if it were Port Charles or Salem," he sighed running a hand through his hair. "Look, I think I know someone there who can cover for me. Besides, she's been asking me to look into something or other for her. While you're in with your lawyer I'll meet with her," he answered as he headed towards the door. "Just make sure you tell your lawyer about this."

"It's not like I have a lot of proof."

"I heard. . ." he reminded as he turned back towards her.

"Not all of it. She'll twist it around. Besides, she's right. I shouldn't get in the middle."

"You told me that you still. . . you know."

Natalie looked down at the floor before inhaling and looking back at him: "I do. But I. . . well, I have to do what's best for me, John."

Surprised, he could only stare at her: "would you have really just left."

"Would I - do I - have any reasons not to?" she countered. "My family with the exception of Bo hasn't. . ." she shrugged unable to continue.

"You have friends."

"Do I? For how long? Who's going to believe in me? Who of the people who I have left in this town do? I would've just left. But, I also would've been in touch. I'm not as dumb as Evangeline thinks. I know about double jeopardy."

John couldn't help but smile slightly at her ending: "what time's your appointment?"

"10 o'clock."

"I'll be here by 6:30 so we don't have to worry about traffic."

"OK."

"And I'll drive."

"Fine. Just go. You'll be cutting it close to her deadline anyway."

"Natalie. I am sorry."

"It's not your fault. I've made a lot of mistakes in the last couple of years. Sooner or later someone was bound to use one of them to their advantage."

"She wouldn't be if it weren't for me."

"Why? Have you given her reason to?"

"I'm honestly not sure."

"Well then, I guess that's something you need to figure out."

"Maybe it is," he sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," she agreed with a wistful smile. "Do you think the sun will be out then?" she asked softly, earning a bemused look from him. "Forget it," she said on a forced laugh. "Just go, I'll be ok."

Nodding, John walked out, leaving Natalie alone with her fears, as well as some budding hopes. . .