A/N: I'm assuming the statement in SOW is true, so I know which direction my story is going. I was really hoping for another direction, but I'm stuck with what I've got. It's ok--I'm still a supporter and a fan, no matter what. Until next time--PCGirl.

Rex got off the elevator and turned the corner—going to the room John had told him about just a bit ago. The fact that Jen was dead had still be playing in his head when John had shown up and told him Natalie had been attacked. Though he knew he wanted to stay for more information about what happened to Jen he had to see that Natalie was ok for himself—he couldn't lose the two people he loved more than himself in one night.

He nodded at the guard as he walked past him and into her room—the lights were down low and he could tell she was curled on her side and asleep. He walked up and touched the bandage that covered her wound—seeing her flinching in her sleep from the pain. He pulled up and chair and just sat next to her, thinking to himself out loud, "I don't know what I would have done if someone would have told me I lost the love of my life and role model within minutes of each other. I failed Jen, Natty—I should have been there to protect her from whoever this crazy Ted person is. Or protecting you—I'll never say this again, but thank God for McBain and his super hero complex."

"I'm going to find out who tried to hurt you both. I know you say I should stay out of the police business, but you—both you and Jen—you are my business. I love you Natty," he said as he got up and gave her a kiss on the head before leaving the room for a few minutes.

"I'm sorry Jen," said Rex, his hands folded and being used as a chin rest as he sat in the hospital chapel. He turned at the sound of the door opening and saw Natalie coming in, her arm in a sling and a robe laying over her shoulders. "Hey—what are you doing up?"

"I woke up and the guard said you were in my room a few minutes ago—said he thought you came this way. Did you say you were sorry to someone?"

"Yeah. Sit down Nat—you need to hear this."

Her heart began to race a bit, "Ok. What's going on?"

"You weren't the only one attacked tonight. Jen—she was attacked outside of her car and suffocated to death. Bo thinks it was made to look like a suicide but the guy ran for some reason before completing everything. There was a bloody bandana in the passenger seat—he's pretty sure it's going to prove to be Paul Cramer's blood."

"I'm so sorry Rex," she said as she leaned towards him, but flinching at the pain. "Did she fight? I mean was there skin under her nails or something to give proof as to who Ted might really be?"

"Yeah—she put up a good fight."

"She always did," said Natalie with a slight laugh and watched Rex crack a smile. "I really am sorry. I know we never got along, but I know what she meant to you—is that why you came to see me when you heard?"

"I would have come no matter what. You are my role model—my big sister—I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you to harass and pull me out of tough situations. I had just talked Bo into letting me be the one to tell Lindsey when John came up and told me and Bo the news. Bo didn't even have to ask—I think I was in my car and on the way over here before John finished talking."

"I'm glad you're here," she said as she put her head on his shoulder and let out a yawn.

"Come on, let's get you back to bed before McBain yells at me for making you listen to my sob story," he said with a grin as he helped her up and they walked out of the chapel.

They had gotten back to her room and noticed the cop was nowhere to be seen, "Where'd he go?" she asked.

"Probably went to find some doughnuts," he said with a laugh as he pushed her into the room but once in the doorway she stopped walking. "Natalie?" he asked as he looked over her shoulder and saw that sticking out of the hospital bed was an arrow.

"I want to know why you weren't watching her!" screamed John in the hallway to the police officer.

"She was with her brother—they'd gone off together so I went to take a break. I'm sorry sir."

"You better be sorry—you could have caught the killer."

"That's enough, I've got to stop this," said Natalie as she got back out of the bed and went outside—Rex following her. "John—you need to stop. First of all, we'll still catch him and second—you're in a hospital filled with sick people that might want to get some sleep tonight. Rex is staying with me for the night so you can go and Officer Rodriguez can go home also."

"I--."

"You're not the only one that wants Natalie safe—I'm just a good of candidate to watch her as anyone else is," spoke Rex. John began to argue again until Natalie gave him a look and he turned and walked off.

"Are you sure you want me to do this?" asked Natalie as they stepped into the elevator that would take them up to the gallery for Jen's memorial service.

"Yeah, you're strong for me, Natty," said Rex as he took a deep breath and held in the tears. "And if anyone asks you to leave then let me know."

Natalie sighed at watching him—when she'd woken up this morning in the hospital his face was stained with tears. When he'd cried she didn't know, but she could tell he was trying to hold up this strong exterior that was quickly losing any support he'd had the night before.

When they got off the elevator Rex found Lindsey and they both walked over. Natalie wasn't sure what to say as Rex gave her a hug. She just smiled at Lindsey as they pulled out, "I'm sorry about Jen. I know we didn't get along, but I'm here for Rex—he wanted me to come here for him."

"It's ok, Natalie. Rex loved Jen and he needs support in his life now, just like I do," she smiled looking back at RJ that was standing behind her.

"Yeah, and what are big sisters for?" she smiled at him and then excused herself. She went and saw her Uncle Bo—reassuring him that she was fine and her wound hurt less now than it had last night. After she was done she saw Marcie standing with Michael and Will and decided to walk over slowly and tell them she was sorry about Jen. "Hey," she said, suddenly feeling uneasy.

"Hey Natalie—I'm surprised to see you here," said Michael when nobody else would speak up.

"Rex wanted me to come here to be support for him," she said, looking back at where he was and saw him talking quietly with Bo about something.

"Yeah, in his own weird way he loved her and has a right to grieve her just like the rest."

"Marcie," said Will as he gave Natalie a smile. "I'm glad you're here for Rex—we all need someone to prop us up right now."

"That's what your mom just said," she smiled and it got awkward again. She noticed Michael's eyes go over towards the elevator and turned to see Evangeline walking over, "Hi."

"Hey," she smiled as she and Will were introduced.

"So where's my brother at?" asked Michael.

"I'm not sure—he said he had something to do with a case and wouldn't be able to make it."

John walked down the cold concrete corridor, following closely behind the guard. He paid no attention to the names and voices calling out to him from behind the bars, focused on the task at hand. When they got to the cell he noticed the painting of her in her wedding dress first off—he'd gotten his talent back, but while he was still in here it was wasted.

He didn't even know anyone was outside of his cell—focused on his painting—until the guard began to open the cell and John walked in. John could tell he was surprised to see him by the look in his eyes. John said nothing though until he'd taken a seat on his bed, looking down at his hands and then back up at the man before him, "We need to talk."