Thanks for the feedback! Now, how about some ideas! I'm a bit stuck on this one, even though I know the end. I'll be posting another story later.

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The Gamble – Part 6

Natalie closed the drawer to her desk at the Llanview Police Department with a sigh. She had just shoved her purse inside and was trying to settle her nerves enough for her shift. Six weeks of media attention and attempts to see the Governor were proving fruitless. Now, to top things off, between her efforts to free John, her work at the LPD and her classes she was exhausted and coming down with some kind of virus.

"You all right, Honey?"

Natalie looked up to see Bo hovering worriedly above her and smiled weakly. She sighed and tried again for a more encouraging expression.

"What's wrong?" Bo put the file he was reading down and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm just tired."

"Come into my office." Bo took her arm and walked her into the office and closed the door behind her. "Now, stop trying to fool your Uncle the cop."

"I just..." Natalie stopped speaking and tears flooded her eyes. She bit her lip and cursed this new thing. She was not a cry baby and she hated how emotional she'd been since John had gone. At the thought of his name she felt a pain in her chest. Her shoulders hunched as she tried to get rid of it.

"Have you gone to see, John?"

Natalie shook her head and took the tissue Bo held out to her. She wiped the moisture dripping from her eyes, but steadfastly held back the sobs that threatened.

"Maybe you should go see him?"

"He asked me not to and I didn't want to go until I had good news, but it's not looking like I'm going to have any. The Governor keeps putting me off."

"Have you spoken to Asa?"

Natalie nodded and crumpled the tissue in her fist. "He said he won't help."

"Keep working on him. In the meantime, you need to be taking better care of yourself. You hired a lawyer, let him do his job. It's not going to help John if you run yourself into the ground."

Natalie shrugged and worried the tissue in her lap. She watched as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

"Is there something else, Natalie?"

Startled by the query, Natalie looked up at her Uncle.

"Nat, what is it?"

"I…" Natalie unconsciously pressed a hand to her stomach. Her heart was pounding as her mind shied away from her suspicion. "I think I might be pregnant." Once the words were out some of the tension that was holding her up left and she fell back against the chair. For days she had been telling herself it was a virus, just as her missed period had been caused by stress. She couldn't believe she had been so stupid and careless. She and John hadn't used protection and a child was the last thing he needed to worry about right now.

"Aw, Nat."

Natalie flinched at the worry in her Uncle's voice.

"I'll be fine. I don't want John to know yet. Not until I'm sure."

"You should go be sure. Don't worry about your shift. I'll call Paige and have her set something up for you now."

"I love him so much, Uncle Bo." Natalie stopped fighting and the tears slid freely down her cheeks.

"I know."

>>>>>

After Natalie was out of sight, Bo rubbed his eyes. Things were getting too complicated all around. The Mayor was pressuring him to hire a new Chief of Detectives, Natalie had been walking around like a ghost since she had found out about Cristian and John had thrown himself willingly into prison. Just when he thought things couldn't get worse now there was a baby involved. His great niece or nephew.

Time was no longer a luxury they could afford. He lifted the phone and dialed.

"Sir. We need to speed things up."

Bo nodded as he listened to the voice on the other end of the line.

>>>>>

"No way. Your Uncle made me promise to take personal care of you and I want to."

"Thanks, Paige."

Paige clinically studied the woman sitting next to her on the couch as they waited for the test results. "Natalie, even if you're not pregnant, you need to take better care of yourself. And if you are, it won't be as simple as getting more rest and regular meals."

"What do you mean?"

"Your emotional state has a great impact on the development of the fetus and how easy this pregnancy is for you."

"This wasn't planned, but I'm starting to like the idea. Having a little McBain." Natalie pressed her hand over her queasy stomach. "But under the circumstances I don't know how to be happy."

Paige put her arm around the young woman and tried to provide what comfort she could.

>>>>

Natalie walked into the empty motel room. Michael hadn't moved John's boxes to storage yet she noticed. She walked past the mound towards the bedroom. She stood looking at the bed, her mind crowded with hours of pleasure and comfort given and taken in John's arms. Pain. Tears. Passion. All of it mixed together into the essence that was John and Natalie.

"Mom and Dad have never been simple, little one. You are going to know your father, I promise that."

"Natalie?"

Natalie sighed and turned to face Michael's puzzled face.

"I heard someone in here and thought." Michael broke off. "Natalie, are you pregnant?"

Natalie nodded and smiled at her baby's uncle. She chuckled at the appellation. She had quite a collection of uncles herself. The kid could do worse.

"Does John know?" Michael walked hurriedly over to Natalie and put his hands on her shoulders.

"I just found out this afternoon. I haven't told him and I'd like to be the one to do it. In my own time."

"I'll keep quiet, but not too long. He misses you."

"I miss him."

Michael stroked her hair, much like John did. It brought tears to her eyes, hormones she knew now.

"You looked tired and pale, Natalie. You need to take care of yourself better. Since my brother is not here to nag you and or for me to nag, you just got yourself a new guard dog."

"Oh great." Natalie rolled her eyes.

"First order of business is a good meal. You're coming with me for something healthy."

"Healthy? What does that mean?"

"Means no burger and fries on a daily basis."

"Well, I guess I do need to watch my weight now." Natalie rubbed her palm over her hip.

"Yes, Ma'am." Michael put his arm around Natalie's shoulders and turned them towards the door. "I should probably put his stuff in storage like he asked." Michael surveyed the pile.

"Actually, I have a better idea."

>>>>>

John eyed Hayes Barber – Ivan – across the courtyard. He was looking a bit worse for wear as he awaited his final sentencing. As John got closer he saw that it wasn't all nerves. Some of the other inmates had apparently gotten in some of the shots he dreamed about nightly while Natalie was missing. John studied his unmarked neck, remembering all too well the feel of Haye's life force flowing from his body as he choked it out of him. It was only the hope of using the man to find Natalie that had held him back from finishing the job.

Or maybe that had just been luck.

He felt that same itch begin in his palms. It had been too long since he'd seen Natalie.