Natalie wondered where John was and her mouth opened as Michael walked in carrying her cup of water, "Wrong McBain."

"Yeah, sorry—John had some police emergency to deal with. I guess that's what you get for being the former head detective and coming for a simple visit," winked Michael as he handed the water over.

"Simple visit my foot," she said before taking a sip of water. "So when do I get to leave this joint?"

"Well, everything looks fine for both you and the baby," he said as he looked at the chart and then up to see an expression of shock on her face, "Johnny told me—hope you aren't mad."

"No, not at all," she said as she ran her hand over her stomach. "Did you hear that little one? Uncle Michael says we're fine."

Michael couldn't help but smiling, "Yeah, well Uncle Michael would like you to stay the night in the hospital just to be safe—is that ok?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, well I have a few more rounds to make—you need anything?"

"No, I think we're just fine," she smiled at Michael before he left and decided she'd rest her eyes some until John came back.

----------------

John walked off the elevator and nearly ran into Antonio, "Where do you think you're going?"

"I've got to go to the station—they want my statement on what happened with me and Haver. I take it that Michael gave you the SOS?" grinned Antonio.

"Yeah—and wipe that damn grin off your face. I got myself into this and I'll get myself out."

"Yeah, but what about when Natalie catches wind of this—and you know she will," smiled Antonio as he hit the elevator button and the doors closed.

"I'll deal with the Spanish Inquisition when it comes," he said under his breath as he turned and walked towards the burn unit. He had been almost back to the room when Michael and come up to say there was an emergency.

Caitlyn had woken up and become delirious, saying she had to find her fiancé—that he was locked in a burning building. When the nurses and cop on guard had calmed her down she said she had to see John—she'd pull all her bandages off and leave here if he didn't come up. So here he was—standing outside her door, when he knew exactly where he should be—with Natalie.

When he walked in she was asleep and for a moment his mind went to another time, a time where he would have wanted to see her alive again, but not now—not when he found the person that had pulled him out of the darkness he'd encircled himself in. He thought about turning and leaving the room before she saw him there, but just as he thought that her eyes opened and he forced himself to give a fake smile as he went and took a seat near her bed.

-------------

The opening of the door was what woke Natalie up the next morning. She gave a sleepy smile at seeing her sister walking in, "Hi."

"Morning, sleepyhead. I came by to take you home."

"Where's John?"

"Taking a shower. Antonio forgot about him and just woke him up a little while ago. He said he'd meet us for lunch at Rodi's if you are up to it."

"Yeah, where was he last night anyways? He never did come back here."

"Oh—he just had something requested of him," said Jessica as she realized Natalie didn't know the truth.

"How's my favorite sister-in-law?" smiled Michael as he walked into the room with papers to sign. "Johnny never made it back down last night?"

"Back down from where, Michael?"

"Nowhere."

"You two are both lying—and I know I'm not going to like this answer so just spit it out before I scream."

Jessica looked at Michael and sighed before telling her, "Caitlyn woke up in a delirium and was threatening to cause harm to herself if John didn't go up there. Antonio had planned to get John out of the room last night, but after writing out his paperwork about Haver he forgot and came home and went to sleep."

"And John?"

"Slept in Caitlyn's room all night," answered Michael. "But that doesn't matter—what matters is you get to go home now."

"Right. It doesn't matter," smiled Jessica though she could tell it mattered to Natalie.

------------------

John sighed as he got off the elevator and saw his brother, "Mike."

"Hey—what's up?"

"Have you seen Natalie? Jessica said they went to Rodi's to meet Antonio and me there and she said she left something in her room and then never came back."

"I saw her awhile ago—asked her where she was going and she said home. I figured she meant Llanfair or Antonio and Jessica's."

"Yeah, well I checked those two places," sighed John.

"You don't think she meant Philly, do you?"

-----------------

Natalie stood there with her purse on her shoulder, "Listen—I'm really glad you were able to pick me up earlier.  I know part of the plea agreement last year said you couldn't enter Llanview or Pine Valley, but I just really needed to get home.  And you always were one for a little excitement," she laughed as she saw a smile crack on his face. 

"We didn't get caught though.  Do I owe you anything for the flight?" she asked as he shook his head no.  "Well, I guess this is it—thanks again," she said giving him a big hug and kiss on the cheek before turning to go into the airport and seeing Adrienne standing there, "Hey."

"Hey—who was that?" she asked, tilting her head towards the guy now getting back onto the helicopter she'd come in on.

"A good friend.  Thanks for picking me up."

"I was a little surprised you were coming back without John."

"Well, he's the reason I'm coming back," she said giving Adrienne a look to tell her to change the subject.

-------------------

John stood up a little taller and took in a deep breath of air and walked up to the door.  Caitlyn had used the delirious stall tactic earlier to keep from being questioned by another officer and he had it up to here with it. 

He still had no clue where Natalie was, except he'd left Adrienne a message to call him when she got back to her desk.  He knew it was odd for Adrienne to not be at her desk at this hour, so he was pretty much certain she was picking Natalie up.

He walked in and his eyes turned an icy blue at the sight of Caitlyn, "We need to talk."

"Oh, John—I'm so glad you came back.  I was thinking, when they finally release me maybe we could go on a nice vacation."

"No, there won't be a nice vacation," he said as he walked to the end of the bed and began tapping the foot of it.

"But John--."

"Listen.  I'm sorry I strung you along before, I'm sorry but everything I said was a lie.  If it had been just a year ago I would have still been waiting for you, but Caitlyn—I've moved on from us and I'm with Natalie.  I love her—she helped me live again and I can never repay her for doing that.  Plus she's having my child," he said with a smile that would light up a room.  He paused for a moment before continuing, "I called your parents—they are on a flight up here to Llanview and I've arranged for you to have one of the best lawyers in town to represent you.  I have to go now.  Goodbye."  And with the last word he turned and tried to tune out her pleas for him to stay.  A few seconds later his phone began to ring and he answered it quickly, "McBain."

"Hey John—just returning your phone call," said Adrienne.

"Yeah, thanks.  You haven't heard from Natalie today, have you?"

"Well—I—uhm, yeah—I picked her up at one of the small airports earlier, why?"

"Airport?" he said outloud—he'd been expecting the train station.  Who could have given her a flight to an airport?  His mind clicked as to who and he continued talking in a calm tone, while anger began to rise inside of him, "Did she say who the guy was?"

"Just a friend."

"A friend," he chuckled as he looked up to the ceiling and walked around some.  "Did the friend have brown hair and wearing a brown bombers jacket?"

"Yeah—why?"

"No reason," he shrugged as he said his goodbyes and then hung up the phone.  "Damn it, Cramer," he sputtered as he hit the elevator button to leave and head back to Philly.