A/N I know it's been ages since I updated this story. I've had back chapters on my computer for some time and figured everyone probably lost interest in this story, but if anyone still wants to read it I'll post what i have already written. I have 2 more chapters all ready done after this one so if you all want me to I'll post those too. Then if anyone still wants to read more I'll think about adding more to this story and continuing it. Let me know. Okay here is a long over due Chapter 5.

Natalie walked through the door of Llanfair sighing as she put her bag down, and took off her coat. She had spent the entire day looking for her husband who seemed to be no where to be found. She sighed in exasperation. She was tired and frustrated. She walked into the living room and saw her mother looking over some papers. She quickly looked up from them as she realized her daughter had entered the room. She right away sensed Natalie's unhappy mood.

"Are you alright sweet heart?"

"I'm…I'm fine; Just tired." She took a seat next to Viki on the couch. "Have you seen Cristian today?"

"No, the last time I saw him was yesterday afternoon." She saw a far away look in Natalie's eyes "Do you want to talk about what ever it is that's bothering you?"

"It's nothing really, it's just… I spent the entire day looking for him. He left early this morning and I haven't seen him since."

"Do you think something may be wrong?" She asked concern in her voice.

"I… I don't know what to think anymore. It's not just this, not just today. Ever since he came back he's been…" Natalie sighed not knowing how to continue. "He's just-"

"Different?" Viki asked finishing Natalie's sentence.

"Yeah. And it's not really a bad thing. After what he went through I would expect some kind of a change, I mean a trauma like what Cris went through is going to change a person to some level, but I just…I don't know what to do mom." She looked at Viki and tears began to well up in her eyes. It wasn't long before they were spilling over the rims of her eyes and flowing down her cheeks.

"Come here baby." She said as she took her daughter in her arms. "You know honey it's okay to not always have all the answers. If you did, I wouldn't be too sure you were human. Life is a learning experience, and the best way to learn is to sometimes admit that you don't know."

Natalie pulled away and looked at her mother.

"Natalie I know you feel like you need to do something about what is going on in your life; some how take control of it, but sweetheart every now and then we need to sit back and let life work itself out. You don't always need to solve your problems; some times things have a way of working themselves out. Only time will tell."

"Thank you." She smiled wiping the last tear from her eye.

"You know you never have to thank me. I'm always here for you sweet heart." She smiled lovingly, and then abruptly stood gathering her papers. "Now I hate to run like this, but I need to get these papers down to LU."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep you."

"You most certainly were not keeping me; besides this was much more important."

After Viki left Natalie decided to head upstairs. She had to meet Jessica in less then an hour. She figured she would try to get in a little nap before that since she was now exhausted from the days endeavor. As she opened her bed room door, she was surprised to see Cristian sitting on their bed. He obviously didn't notice her. He had a far away look in his eyes and was staring into space.

"Cristian?" She called timidly not wanting to disturb him. There was no response. Natalie walked up to him and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. Crisitan sprang up from the bed, clearly startled, but relaxed when he realized it was Natalie.

"Natalie, I didn't hear you come in."

"I called your name, you didn't hear me?" She had concern in her voice.

"I was just thinking, I'm sorry if I scared you."

"It's…its okay." She turned around for a second and then sprang back to face him. "Actually you know what? It's not okay. Where were you today? You just left this morning without even bothering to tell me where you were going. Not even a note, nothing." The anger was building up in her voice.

"I'm sorry. I just…I needed to think."

"Think? Think about what?"

"It's nothing. It's not important now, all that matters is my love for you." He stepped closer and tried to take her in his arms but she abruptly pulled away.

"No, that's not all that matters. Cris if there is something going on, something that's bothering you I need to know. Don't you trust me enough to tell me?"

He looked at her for a second not knowing how to respond "Of coarse I trust you." He replied honestly "It's just…I don't want to worry you. I'm fine, really. I didn't mean to worry you I just needed some time to myself."

Natalie stared at him deeply for a minute and then her expression softened. "It's okay, just…promise me that you won't do that again. Or if you need to, just tell me first."

"That I can to." He said with a smile. He reached for her once more but this time she didn't pull away. He pulled her into his arms with one hand, while brushing back the strands of hair that had fallen into her face with the other. He pulled her face to his and deeply kissed her. That kiss turned into several and Natalie pulled back a little while later.

"As tempting as this is, I need to meet Jessica at six."

Cristian looked over at the clock that sat on their bed side table. He looked back at Natalie with a grin. "I think we still have a little time." He said as he kissed her passionately once more.

The day had gone by slow for John, but he was finally out of work. There wasn't much going on down at the station and that was torture.

"What can I get ya?" The waitress at the diner asked as John approached the counter.

"I called in an order, names McBain."

The waitess looked over the orders that had been called in. "Yeah gotcha' right here. It's almost ready; any thing else with that?"

"Just a coffee to go; black, two sugars."

"Coming right up."

John turned to take a seat and found Evangeline standing in front of him. She was walking in the direction of the door, and apparently hadn't noticed him until their eyes met.

"Hey." He said unsure of what to say.

"Hey."

The awkwardness was evident "Hey look about last night, I-"

"John before you say anything, I want to apologies."

"It's…its okay, what you said was-"

"John just so you know, I'm not apologizing for what I said, more for the way it came out. As you know I'm not one to be subtle about what's on my mind, but I probably shouldn't have just came right out with it the way I did."

"So you still think I-"

"Have feelings for Natalie?" She asked finishing his sentence. "Yes."

"Look I know you think I do, but…I don't."

She looked down letting out a small sarcastic laugh.

"This is funny to you?"

"No, what if funny is you actually have yourself believing that. You've been telling it to everyone for so long that you believe it yourself."

"Evangeline I don't know what you think you know, or what you think, but-"

"Stop, please." She sighed deeply. "John you're the only one who doesn't see it. Natalie has a hold over you, it's not your fault it's not hers, it's just…the way it is. I walked away because I saw that, and because I didn't want to be the one you settled for. I didn't want to be sleeping next to you while in you're mind you were sleeping next to her, or kissing you while in your heart you were kissing her, even if you didn't realize it."

"Evangeline-" He saw the hurt in her eyes and wanted to make it go away, wanted to deny what she was saying, but wasn't sure he could do that.

"Don't." She said holding up her hand as if to say she wasn't done. "For once I'm doing what needs to be done; I'm walking away when I need to. I'm taking my pride, and my dignity and doing what I have to for myself." She looked at him one last time. "Good bye John." She said as she turned to walk away. In the middle of her stride she turned back towards him. "Think about what I said." And with that she was gone leaving John standing there staring after her.

Chapter 5; tell me what you all think