The Gamble – Part 7

A/N: Thanks to Jackie for being a sounding board on this story!

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"Have you seen the newspaper today, Nat?" Bo asked his niece when she arrived in his office for the start of her shift.

"No. I was at school. New case?"

"Why don't you come into my office?"

Natalie followed him. She closed the door behind her and sat down. Bo stayed standing behind his desk.

"Uncle Bo? You're scaring me."

"I'm sorry. I just don't know how to tell you this."

"Is it John? Has something happened to John?" Natalie stood up.

"I'm afraid so, honey. He's fine. He's going to be fine. He got into a fight at the prison. It started with Hayes, but practically every inmate who wanted a piece of a cop got involved."

"I need to see him! I need to go to him!"

"Honey." Bo walked around the desk and grasped her by her arms.

"I have to see him!"

"I can't let you do that."

"Let me? You're not keeping me from him!" Natalie pulled herself from his grasp.

"Fine. Fine. Please calm down. Getting upset isn't good for the baby."

"The baby. John doesn't even know about the baby." Natalie put her hand on her stomach. "We have to get him out of there. He shouldn't be in there. Why couldn't I get him out sooner."

Bo pulled her into his arms and put his hand on the back of her head. "Shhhhh. We'll get him out of there. I promise."

Natalie sighed and leaned into his strength. "I need to see him."

"I'll see what I can do." Bo frowned and looked at Antonio who was standing in the doorway of his office.

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"Leave me alone!" Cristian backed away from Carlo who was standing in the doorway of the waterfront apartment Cristian had rented after his mother continued to express her displeasure at his efforts to help Natalie and McBain.

"Aren't you glad to see me Mr. Doe?" Carlo laughed. "I told you I would look you up when I got out."

"How did you get out?"

"Don't even think about it," Carlo said as he saw Cristian eye the telephone.

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"Oh, but I can. I can." Carlo's evil laugh filled the room.

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Natalie walked into Llanview Hospital her stomach in knots and her heart pounding. She rubbed her hand over the new curve to her stomach and looked around for someone who could tell them where John's room was. The desk was empty and everyone was rushing around.

"He's in 213," Bo said, closing his phone. He put his hand on Natalie's shoulder and led her down the hallyway. He felt her muscles tense as she saw the prison guard standing outside John's room. "It's required," he whispered to her.

"It's wrong. He's not a criminal. He shouldn't be locked up like an animal." Tears blurred her vision.

"No. He's not. Are you sure you can do this right now?" He could feel her trembling next to him and was worried about how pale she looked.

"I should have visited him in prison, but he made me promise not to. I wanted to wait until I could tell him he was getting out. Not, not this way." She turned away from Bo and struggled to compose herself. It wouldn't do John any good to see her so upset.

"You ready?" Bo asked.

"Yes." She looked him in the eye.

Bo looked grim as he pushed open the door and guided Natalie in.

She gasped as she got a look at John on the bed.

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"No! No! No!" Cristian was on his knees holding his head. "I won't!"

"Oh, but you will. But first, Mr. Doe you will go get us something to eat and you won't tell anyone where I am. Oh, and pick up a couple of guns while you're out. I know you know how to get them. Hmmmm?" Carlo sat on the couch like he owned the place.

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"No," Natalie said between her fingers and she backed against Bo who put his hands on her shoulders and lent her his strength. "Is he, is he going to be okay?" She had to hear it again.

"He's going to be fine. He's just a bit battered."

Taking a deep breath Natalie walked to the bed and put her hand on John's forehead, the one part of his face that was unbruised. "More than a bit." Her voice sounded stronger, which made Bo feel a bit better."

"Two cracked ribs. Two black eyes. They didn't break his nose. I don't know how." Michael recited, he had come into the room behind them. He looked at Bo. Bo nodded. He walked over to Natalie and gently put his arm around her. "He's breathing on his own, but because of the swollen condition of his nose we want to make sure he's getting enough oxygen. He's just getting a bit of plasma and some painkillers. He's going to be sore for a while."

"Why did they bring him here and not the prison infirmary?" Natalie looked at Michael and Bo.

"He was vomiting blood. They were afraid there was internal bleeding. He had some bruising, but it will heal up."

"I want to see."

"Do I get a vote?" John croaked out, his eyes still closed.

"No." Natalie leaned down and clasped his hand. When he flinched she looked down and saw that his hands were bruised and cut. She sighed and tried to let go. He tightened his grip and opened his eyes.

"You're a sight for sore eyes."

"Are your eyes sore?" she asked, flashing him a brilliant smile.

He tried to smile, but his cut lip wouldn't cooperate. "May be the only place that's not."

"You were really lucky, Bro," Michael said.

"Hayes wasn't," John's weak voice was laced with satisfaction.

"Why did you mess with him?" Natalie sighed.

"Actually, I was trying to protect him from the other prisoners. They decided it was a good time to get a piece of a cop."

"You never should have been there. They should have protected you."

"Hey." John, surprised to hear her voice shaking and see tears in her eyes, touched her cheek and toyed with her hair. "I'll be fine. And in the meantime my bro will keep me on some good drugs."

"You're not going back!"

John's eyes were tender as he traced her much missed features. His ministrations didn't work, though and she just got more agitated.

"I'm not letting them take you back. You can't let them!" Natalie looked at Bo. "You can tell them he can't, medically."

Michael, knowing of her condition, moved forward and pressed Natalie down into a chair. Her pallor was concerning him. He saw the silent question John was asking, but he had promised Natalie he wouldn't tell his brother about her condition.

John tried to sit up and cried out in pain.

"Don't be trying to move, John." Michael warned.

"I got that. Natalie, I'll be fine."

"This is not fine! Oh shit, I hate this." Flustered Natalie got up and rushed out of the room.

"What's wrong with her?" He saw the secretive look shared between Bo and his brother and his voice got firmer. "What's wrong with her?"

"She's just upset you're in prison, man. And now you're hurt. She's working night and day to get you out, in addition to working and finishing school. She won't listen to anyone and get more rest."

"There's something else you're not telling me." John's voice trailed off and he closed his eyes as the painkiller once again took hold of his system.

"She'll be fine. You rest." Michael promised and then followed Bo into the hallway. He eyed the guard and them moved with Bo to the other end of the hall. "How did this happen?"

"It's prison."

"Listen, I know my brother pretty well. There's been something not quite right about all this from the beginning. Is he undercover."

"Questions like that could put you in danger, Doctor."

"Spare me the cop talk. I'm not going to tell anyone, just like I'm not going to tell John that the reason Natalie is so emotional is because of pregnancy hormones and she's not taking care of herself. Is he undercover?"

"Yeah, but you tell no one. Not until this is done. Got that?"

Michael nodded. "Does he have to go back?" he asked worriedly.

"Maybe not. This may have gotten us what we need to get a warrant."

"Against who?" Michael asked.

"Take care of your brother. I'm going to find Natalie and force her to get some rest if I have to throw her in a jail cell."

"It might take that much."

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Antonio knocked on Cristian's door, determined to get through to the brother who had been trying to avoid him since he got out of prison.