Slipping Through the Cracks

Part 6: Questions, Answers, and More

See Part 1 for disclaimers

Author's Note: I don't know if the show addressed the whole issue about when Allison told Nat about her true paternity but if they did oh well. This is my version. : )

Also, this is PTS (pool table smut) but it has valid plot points so I cleaned it up for posting on here. If you're interested in seeing the original NC-17 version email me!

Recap: John and Natalie are pregnant and together (also in therapy) after the Cris reveal. They're at Rodi's thanks to Mac letting them have it for the night and playing pool. When one of them misses a shot the other asks a question because John wants to let her in. Natalie just missed her shot.

Previously:

" Ladies break." John smiled as he watched Natalie take her position. The balls scattered and three striped balls went in. She smiled at him gently, knowing that he knew what he was up against and still wanted to do this for her. She aimed again but the baby kicked just as she shot. "Ooh!" She rubbed her belly. "You're on Daddy's side aren't you?" They laughed. "You can have a do-over if you want." Natalie tossed her hair back and looked at John. "No, fair is fair. What did you want to ask me?"

" Maybe we should start off with an easy one." Natalie held her arms out. "Bring it on McBain. I'm not chicken." John smirked. "No, that is definitely the last thing I would call you." He thought for a moment. "All right, how old were you when you lost your virginity?" She gave him a stern look and a head toss as she replied, "I was nineteen." John smiled at her aloof tone she was obviously trying to hide her embarrassment.

" Okay, my shot." John bent over the pool table and Natalie casually moved behind him, moving in and putting her hands on his hips as he had once done to her. He jumped and missed the balls by miles. He turned to scowl at her but couldn't help smiling at the love he saw on her face. "Okay, your question." Natalie smiled as she absentmindedly rubbed her abdomen. "Hmm… I think what we want to know is when you knew you were in love with me."

" You're letting me off easy aren't you? You don't have to do that." Natalie's arms snaked around his neck, as she whispered, "No I've always wondered." He put his arms around her waist and pulled her close as he replied, " Baby, I've loved you since I first laid eyes on you. I know that sounds cliched but I felt the sparks between us even then." Natalie smiled as he brought his lips down to hers.

After a moment she pulled away and returned to pool table. "Come on, I'm not going to let you off that easy." She had just lined up her shot when she saw John casually walking her way. "Uh uh uh, McBain. Stay on your side of the table," she giggled. He looked disappointed as she made the ball into the pocket. She walked over to the other side of the table and gave John a look before leaning over to line up her shot.

As John enjoyed the view, Natalie made her shot. The ball hit the side at an angle and bounced off. Natalie turned around. "Okay, let's hear it." John grinned at her and Natalie grinned back as she waited. "When did you find out you were a Buchanan?" "Well, I was about seventeen. I was at home alone doing my homework when someone knocked on the door. There was this total whack-job standing on my porch, but I didn't know it at the time."

She took a deep breath and John slid his hand into hers, silently giving her some of his strength as the memory came back to her in full force. "She told me her name was Allison Perkins and that Roxanne wasn't my biological mom. Of course that made me very happy but I told her she would have to prove it. And thus began everything that led to this very moment." She smiled at him and kissed his cheek gently.

The game passed quickly as they rid themselves of a few dark secrets neither had ever revealed to anyone before. Natalie had once stolen two hundred dollars from one of Roxy's boyfriends to pay the bills, which had resulted in her getting groped and almost raped if Roxy hadn't stumbled in at the wrong time. John had talked a lot about his dad and how he had done a number of stupid things rebelling after his death.

Finally there was only one ball left on the table. Natalie eyed it nervously as John bent to make his shot. She had a very serious question to ask or she never would have done what she did next. Making sure John wasn't looking she walked up behind him and put her arms around him, her hand gliding down his chest to cup his arousal through his jeans. John swallowed and turned to her. "Natalie?"

" I can't do this; it's too dirty, like something Roxy would do." She sighed. "Make your shot." Frowning, he turned around and did. The ball rolled into the pocket and Natalie inwardly groaned with disappointment. Seeing the pain on her face when he turned, John cupped her chin with his hand and forced her to meet his eyes. "Hey. You don't need a pool shot to ask me something you know. I want you to always be open with me, Natalie. Ask anything you need to and I swear I'll answer you. This is never going to work otherwise."

Natalie's eyes widened with shock and joy as she threw her arms around his neck. "John that means more to me then you'll ever know," she whispered into his neck. He buried his face into his hair and inhaled deeply. "Ask your question first," Natalie murmured, suddenly frightened. John felt her tense and tightened his hold as he bent to whisper in her ear, "Will you marry me?"

Natalie pulled back, eyes wide. "Did you really just ask that?" John nodded and she saw the terror in his eyes. "Of course I will… after you answer my question. "Which is?" John asked. Natalie brushed the bangs out of his face with tender fingers as she steeled herself.

" When I was trying to convince myself that I hated you, did—" She swallowed hard and looked down. "I'm not so sure I want to ask this anymore," she whispered. John squeezed her hand. "Just ask, baby." She locked eyes with him again and whispered, "Did you care what I was doing to myself before you found out I was having the baby?" Seeing his body tense and his eyes shut down she let out a strangled sob. "Don't pull away from me, John. In my heart I think I know the answer but my head needs to know too."

John closed his eyes and turned around, not letting go of Natalie's hand, which he held onto like a lifeline. After regaining control he turned back to her. "Natalie, I never stopped missing you. Every time I closed my eyes it was your face I saw. Your hair, your eyes…" He touched each part of her as he named them off. "Your nose, your sweet mouth…" He kissed her tentatively and she wrapped her arms around him deepening the kiss.

They broke apart, foreheads pressed together as they breathed heavily and their tears mingled. "God John, I missed you so much," she whispered as she kissed him again, hands tugging his shirt up over his head. He reached behind her back and pulled at the tie on her halter-top, letting it slide to the ground. She wasn't wearing a bra, and John gazed at her heaving breasts. "Hello? Earth to McBain?" Natalie said teasingly. John met her eyes and the look she saw there took her breath away.

" You're so beautiful." He reached out and cupped her breasts as he nipped at her bottom lip. She moaned as he lowered his mouth and his tongue flicked out to taste her nipple. She grasped at his hair, urging his head forward even as she pressed into him. "Hold on," John said, an idea dawning on him. Natalie smiled lustily. "What do I see lurking in that brain of yours?"

" Well, I always had this fantasy involving the two of us I was hoping to eventually play out," he whispered. Natalie's pulse sped up. "Now see, I had a certain fantasy too…" she purred. "Does it involve this pool table?" John asked huskily. Natalie slowly ran her hand along the cool felt as she locked eyes with the man she loved more than anything. "Of course," she whispered.

He lifted her up and set her on the table, taking the time to kiss her softly. He brushed her hair behind her ears as he began to kiss her neck. Her head fell back giving him full access. He slowly lay her back onto the table as he nipped and kissed his way down to the top of her jeans. He unbuttoned them as he teased her slightly rounded belly with his hands and lips and tongue.

They rolled over, keeping in as close contact as they could manage. John softened and slid out of her as he kissed her closed eyelids. "That was so much better than I could have ever imagined… Natalie, I can't wait. Let's get married within the month." Natalie opened her eyes and reached out a finger, tracing his strong jaw line. "I think that sounds perfect," she whispered.

TO BE CONTINUED