Chapter Two

Natalie sat down at a chair in the doctor's lounge. She could drop her head on the table and fall asleep right now, but she still had 2 hours left of her shift.

"Hey there, sis-in-law," Michael said, walking into the lounge. His mood was just too perky and it was already starting to annoy her. "Anything exciting going on in the ER today?" he asked.

"Nothing more so than usual. Just counting down the hours until I can go home."

"You look like you're ready to go home and chase a two year old around the house," he stated sarcastically.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you to be nice to pregnant women?" she asked.

Michael smiled to himself as he opened his locker. "Speaking of Mom, she says you and John found out about the house yesterday."

"Yeah, our offer was accepted. So, thankfully we are going to be in a bigger house before the baby comes. The cottage is great, but it's just not big enough for the 3 of us and a new baby."

"Congratulations and tell John I said so, too. See ya around." Tossing his bag over his shoulder, he stopped in the doorway. "You have a lot to be thankful for," he said, but before she even looked up, he was out the door already.

That wasn't the first time he'd said she was lucky. He had said that to her as he met her gurney while they were taking her into an exam room in the ER. She had let go of John's hand. They wouldn't let him ride with her in the ambulance, but he was seconds behind her as they entered the hospital. "You have a lot to be thankful for, Natalie," he'd said, standing over her after examining her injuries. "A few broken ribs, a sprained ankle, dehydration, some skin lacerations and rashes, but you're going to walk away from this with your life." She was still feeling faint, but on some level she'd understood him. Suddenly, John was standing over her bed. He was stroking her forehead.

"I'm so sorry I didn't find you sooner." She could hear the pain in his voice. She wanted to tell him that it was OK, but she just didn't have the energy to speak. She could only look at him and glance down at his hand as he held onto hers. She tried to smile before drifting off to sleep. They kept her in the hospital for a few days, but she was finally released. Viki took her home to Llanfair and they had a big party to celebrate that she was back home. But John wasn't there. In fact, she didn't seem him for nearly a week. Tired of being cooped up in the house, she snuck out as Viki was cooking dinner. The idea of chicken wings from Rodi's was just too luring to turn down. And the fact that John might be there didn't hurt. He was there - at a table with Evangeline. He saw her come in out of the corner of his eye. Natalie could see Evangeline nod as he pushed his chair back and came over to her. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know what was going on. She could tell just by reading their body language.

"You look good," he stated.

"Thanks. I feel good. So, you two …"

"Yeah," John answered awkwardly.

"I'm happy for you," she said trying to force out a smile. "I guess almost losing someone makes you realize your true feelings." She was talking more about herself than his relationship with Evangeline or even his feelings for her, but he suddenly felt the need to explain.

"I never meant to hurt you, Natalie. I care about you and I didn't meant to drag you along, making you think we had a future. Things have just been so crazy with this serial killer. You mean a lot to me and we have so much between us, but-"

Natalie nodded. "You don't need to do this." He started to protest. "Really, I understand. I hope that you'll be happy together." She took a deep breath. "She's a good person. Don't mess this one up, McBain." Natalie moved forward, to pat his shoulder or kiss his cheek, but she stopped herself. She glanced up at him and then to Evangeline. "Good-bye, John." She was out of Rodi's in a second and back to her car. Sitting behind the steering wheel, she collapsed into tears. She'd kept herself alive in that cave by reliving their past together. She'd kept herself alive by promising to fight for him. Yet seeing them together, she knew that she didn't have a chance. He was in love with someone else.

Natalie jumped from her seat when her pager began to vibrate. The beeping sound shattered her memories as she looked down to see where she was needed. ER room 4 – broken nose. Pushing herself out of the chair, she straightened her lab coat and walked out of the break room.

Let me know if the way the flashbacks are included is confusing or anything (like if the story isn't worth continuing...!)! Comments are always welcomed!