The Gamble
By Athena13
Rating: NC-17

Disclaimers: The mouse owns 'em, but he's letting me play with them as long as it's interesting.

>>>>>>>>>

John taped up the last box and looked around the room that had been his home for so long. In the shadows, with all of his sparse personal belongings packed up it looked as cold and forbidding as it had when he had moved in. Right after Natalie and Paul had moved out.

With a scowl he heaved the box and put it on the top of the others waiting near the slot machine for Michael to put in storage while he was gone. He turned towards the desk and the bottle of single malt scotch Bo had given him earlier that day with the simple advice enjoy it while he could. He rested a hand on the glass of the machine and considered giving it a pull, but he figured he had gambled enough lately. And lost.

He was just pouring himself a glass of the expensive malt when there was a knock at the door. With a sigh he pulled out another glass and poured another measure. He took one with him and opened the door.

"I said I wanted to be alone," he grumbled and held the glass out. He looked up when it wasn't immediately taken. His eyes widened when he saw that instead of his overprotective brother it was Natalie.

"Hey."

"Can I come in?" she asked quietly.

He studied her face as he moved back to let her pass. She looked as surprised to find herself there as he was to see her there.

"Do you want a drink?" he asked, both because he was stalling for time and because he really needed that drink more than ever.

"Sure." Natalie turned around and took the offered glass. Like him she downed it one gulp and put it down next to the bottle. John refilled them without asking and handed it back to her.

"Come to visit a condemned man on his last night?" John grimaced as soon as the words were out of his mouth. "Sorry. I guess you have some things to say to me." He walked over the couch and motioned towards it. "I can at least offer you a seat."

Natalie ignored him and slowly walked past him into the bedroom. She stopped in front of the dresser and ran her hand over the smooth surface.

John watched her in confusion, his glass of liquid courage forgotten in his hand. His heart pounded as she walked into the bathroom. He stood rooted as he heard the medicine cabinet open and close. A moment later she reappeared and looked at the unmade bed.

He searched for something to say, but no words came. So he waited for whatever it was she was finally willing to say to him.

He was surprised when she sat down on the bed and bent her head down.

"Natalie?" he whispered as he walked towards her, abandoning his glass on the dresser. His right hand hovered near her hair, but he knew he had no right to touch.

"Why didn't you fight, John?" She looked up at him, her blue eyes filled with tears.

"I gave my word."

Natalie laughed as tears began to slide down her cheeks. She shook her head and grabbed his hovering hand. John collapsed on his knees in front of her and his other hand brushed the tears off her cheeks.

Natalie propelled herself forward into his arms. John's arms wrapped around her and held her close. He rocked their trembling forms together.

"I've missed you," Natalie said into his neck.

"Not as much as I've missed you," John promised as he slid his fingers through her hair. He pulled her head back and looked into her eyes. Wordlessly his lips found hers and they tenderly kissed. John hoisted her up, her legs wrapped around his waist, their lips never parted. He put a knee on the bed and gently lay her down and pushed her up the bed until he was lying between her parted legs.

As their bodies pressed together hunger flared. She surged into him as he pressed into her center. Her moans filled the empty rooms. His hands slid under her black t-shirt, their lips broke apart only long enough for him to pull it off her. His hands cupped her swollen breasts, kneading and memorizing.

He broke their mouths apart to slide his lips and tongue down her neck to her straining orbs. He flicked the front enclosure on her black lace bra and freed the swollen aureoles. His fingers traced and teased as he body pressed into his touch begging for more. She gasped when his tongue finally licked over her.

He teased and pleased in just the way he had learned drove her crazy, alternately suckling, nibbling and licking.

"John, please, please." His arousal rocketed at her pleas.

He slid her leggings and panties down her legs, following his fingers with his tongue. He tossed her clothes away and just looked at her open and naked body. Her eyes were closed, but her body was not. There was nothing he could do about that, not tonight, tonight he was just going to take what she offered. In a flash he was as naked as she.

He tasted his way to her center where he found her wet and swollen. She cried out and slid her hands over his head as he pushed her over her first peak. He drank her in and committed the taste to memory before moving his arousal to rest between her trembling legs.

"I don't have protection," he rasped as he held his weight above her.

"I need you. I need you." Natalie lifted her head and pulled him down for a hot kiss. Her tasted mingled and intoxicated him as he pushed inside her.

I love this woman. Those were the only coherent words in his brain as she tightened around him again and again as reached another peak. She greedily wrapped her legs around him again and they moved together.

"I love you," he whispered as he felt his own climax rising. He wanted to make sure it got said tonight. Maybe for the last time.

Afterwards they lay together. She was still in his arms and he was grateful as he watched her compose herself, sweat making her shine.

"Will you." He stopped and swallowed. "Will you stay?"

"Yes." She turned to him and they made love all night and into the wee hours of the morning.

>>>>>

She sat at the edge of the bed and watched him get dressed in the half light.

When he was done he sat down next to her and took her hand in his. He was humbled when she entwined their fingers.

"Why didn't you fight?" Her voice was a broken whisper. "Why did you give up on me?"

Surprised, his fingers tightened and he looked at her. He reached up and pushed her messed hair off her face. "I…" He stopped. He had promised to never lie to her, but there were still things he couldn't tell her.

"I never gave up on you." That, at least, was the truth.

"You don't deserve this, John. You don't deserve to…"

Before she could finish there was a knock at the door. She flinched and lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him.

He gently pried her off and walked towards the door. He opened it to find Bo and four state police officers.

"Are you ready, John?" Bo asked, his voice somber.

"Can you give me a minute?"

Bo looked past John and saw his niece sobbing on the bed. Bo nodded and let John close the door.

John walked back into the bedroom and kneeled down in front of her. "I'm going to be all right. I promise you that."

"You can't promise that. You can't."

"I don't expect you to wait for me. I need for you to be happy."

She shook her head, her streaming tears flew and wet his face.

"Natalie. Natalie listen to me. I have never wanted you to waste your life loving someone in prison. Not even me. Promise me you'll make yourself happy."

Natalie took a deep breath and dashed the tears off her cheeks. "John McBain. I love you, but you can't tell me what to do or make decisions for me anymore. Go that?"

"Yeah, I got that." John smiled and pressed a kiss to her nose. "I love you Natalie Buchanan."

For the first time in weeks John felt a sliver of hope.

"Then walk me to the door." John stood up and held out his hand.

Natalie took his hand and stood up. Her chin raised and her eyes flashing. John grinned at her. He picked up his overnight bag and together they walked to the door.

He opened it and said quietly to Bo, "I'm ready to go to prison now."