A/N: Ok, as much fun as I had with "smack-a-John" yesterday it's time to get down to business and writing this story is my business. I almost want to stop with Natalie being happy, but my heart belongs to Jolie (even if John deserves to have hot coffee poured on him, punched, slapped, and evicted. LOL!) and Jolie (in this story at least) is the endgame. Until next time—PCGirl.
"I left a note on my desk with my cell phone if Carly needs it," said Natalie to her Uncle. Carly was one an officer's daughter that just graduated high school and would need a part time job while attending the University. She was going to take Natalie's place after she left if she got through a few days on her own while Natalie and Jessica went to check out the two final choices on where she'd move to.
"I'm sure she'll be fine, but if things start getting rowdy again she might call you and beg for you to take the job back," laughed Bo.
"That's fine. How is Nora taking all of this? It still gives me chills to think Daniel was the one that killed Jen and Paul—and for nothing more than what he believed would tarnish his reputation."
"Yeah, well I think his reputation is completely smashed now. Nora's ok—I think she'll be better when the next big news story comes in and she's forgotten about."
"If you see her tell her I'm sorry."
"Thanks. Where are the final two choices anyways?"
"Houston and San Diego. Asa is thrilled that I thought of Houston—he says that it's the Buchanan in me wanting to get back to her roots," she laughed. "Well, I need to go finish packing."
"You two be careful, ok?"
"We will," she smiled as she turned and ran into John. "Hey John. Bye John."
"Bye," he said as he watched her walk off and then went into Bo's office. "Where is she headed off to?"
"Houston and San Diego."
"Oh—did I miss something?" he asked, not understanding why she was going to either of those two places.
"She didn't tell you? She's leaving Llanview—wants to start a new life for her."
John nearly choked on the sip of coffee he'd just taken at hearing those words, "Oh. She told me she was thinking about doing something like that, I just hadn't heard that she decided to go through with this."
"This is it," spoke Natalie quietly as she stood at the water's edge with Jessica next to her as the sun began to sinkinto the ocean.
"What did you say?" asked Jess.
"This is it. This is where I'm going to find my new start—I just—I just know," she smiled as she walked forward and dipped her foot in the surf that was coming in.
"You couldn't have picked something a bit closer to home—say, Pine Valley?" she laughed at watching her twin take in the scenery.
"I'm just a phone call away," she smiled as she took her sister's hand.
"And three time zones. But I'll get used to having to subtract hours before calling you."
Natalie smiled, "I've lived in two places my whole life—Llanview and Atlantic City. Most of the memories of AC have to do with dealing with Roxy. Llanview—well, there's good memories, but there's a lot of bad memories and bad choices I made. I need somewhere that reminds me of both, but without the memories."
"So how does San Deigo remind you of Llanview? I figured out the water connection with Atlantic City, but Llanview?"
"I'm not sure yet—I just feel like I know I can start a life here and be happy that it's my choice."
"Speaking of choices—does John have anything to do with making this choice?"
She was silent as she slipped her sandals off and sat down on the sand—her feet just barely meeting the water's edge, "No, not really. I asked him if he ever wanted to do this—just leave his life behind and start over."
"What was his answer?" asked Jessica as she sat down next to Natalie—their posture mirroring each other.
"He didn't give me an answer really—just detoured around the question and gave me this brooding look," she laughed as she fell back onto the sand and just began to laugh.
"Natalie? Are you ok?" asked Jessica, as she began to get the giggles herself.
Natalie covered her face with her hands to mute the laughter until she finally was able to control herself, "I'm fine. I'm great. I don't know where my life is going, but I know I'm going to have the best time getting there."
"Ok, spill it, bro," said Michael as he put down his coffee at the diner.
"It's nothing—I was just surprised to hear that Natalie was leaving Llanview—I guess the idea of her not being around is kind of depressing."
Michael couldn't help but smile at how John was acting, "She's not dying man—just moving on with her life."
"Yeah, I know. And that's what depressing—I never had the nerve to walk away from life when Caitlyn left. I allowed myself to still be enveloped in the life we had, and maybe—maybe if I had then I'd be different now—happier now."
"And the patient has a breakthrough."
"Yeah. And why am I telling you this anyways? You're not my shrink."
"You have a shrink?" he teased.
"No."
"I can charge you if you like."
"No, but I would like some doctor patient confidentiality."
"That I can do."
Natalie finished her game of pool at Rodi's—only a few more days and she'd be missing this pool table like crazy. She was going to miss everything—she could already tell, but the thought of San Diego made her smile—she knew whatever was there was definitely worth the move and new start. She was finishing breaking down her pool cue when she saw Marcie walking towards her with her agent coming up behind her, "Hey."
"Hey. Michael told me you're leaving town," said Marcie quietly.
"Yeah, my flight is the day after next—everything is set, I think."
"You're leaving town? That's so sad—I'm sure Marcie will miss your friendship and support with a killer running around," spouted Hayes.
"Uhm—yeah," said Marcie as she stared at him oddly and then back to Natalie. "I know we've never been close Natalie—I was always on Jen's side."
"I know Marcie—I've always understood that."
"But I wanted to wish you happiness. We all deserve happiness and a new chance to live life to the fullest. I just wish Jen—."
"She knows," said Natalie as she pulled Marcie into a hug—the fact that Hayes was still watching them was giving her a bad vibe, but she brushed it off as she pulled out of the hug. "And I know you and Michael will make it back to each other."
"Thanks. I hope we do. Sometimes I'm ready to just be through with him, but there's just something about him that draws me back to him."
"I know what you mean," said Natalie as she watched John walk in and take a look around the bar before catching her eye. She nodded towards the pool table and a smile appeared on his face as he came to join her—maybe she'd even let him win this time.