MA has re-signed! I couldn't go off without just a little more Jolie. Took me this long to post because of some problems with FFN before I left for vacation. I guess now I'm back I'll have to post more. Don't worry, I have a chapter in mind. Just need to catch up on a ton of stuff first!

Thanks for all the feedback! I LOVE it! Big smiles.

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From Chapter 8

"You love me?" Natalie broke off a moment to seek reassurance.

"Yeah." He didn't ask in words, but his eyes pleaded for a similar declaration.

"I still love you," Natalie choked out through her tears.

With a groan, John gathered her to him and began to kiss her again. For the first time in longer than he could remember his load felt lighter. Having stopped fighting his feelings he felt like he could take on the world.

Or whoever it was who was threatening his Natalie.

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Chapter 9
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John begins to shake – reaction to the kicthen and earlier

Their lips finally parted and John stroked Natalie's hair as he looked at her. Her smile felt like a punch in the gut.

"John, you're trembling. What's wrong?" Natalie put a hand on his face.

"Twice. I've almost lost you twice in as many days. When I walked into that kitchen, God." John's voice broke. He took a ragged breath and pressed his lips to Natalie's forehead. Then he clasped her face in his hands. "It was like, it was like."

"When you found Caitlin," Natalie finished for him.

John nodded, his eyes reflecting the pain and fear that was threatening to overwhelm him, even in the face of such joy. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry? For what?"

"Ruining this moment." John stroked her cheks with his thumbs.

Natalie put her hands over his and pulled them from her face. She held his palms face up and a small smile tilted her lips.

"John, one of the things that I love about you is how strong you are. Here." She gestured with his hands. "And inside. Your feelings are strong and you are very strong when you want to deny them."

She closed his hands into fists and held them firmly.

"Don't ever be sorry to me for what you are feeling. As long as it's because you love."

"God," John whispered. "Natalie, I belong to you."

"And I will take good care of you." Natalie sealed her promise with kiss on each fist.

"And I will protect you with my dying breath."

"I hope that won't be necessary." Natalie let John's hands go and cupped his face.

"Me too." John smiled. "So, you know, what else do you love about me?"

Natalie giggled and buried her face in his neck.

"No, really. I want to know." John bounced her around and cuddled her up against him.

"That, Sir, will require you taking me out on a real date."

"Yes, Ma'am."

See ya'll in 2 weeks!