"RJ, its me," Evangeline said, talking into her cell phone. "Listen, I'm following up on a lead for your case, and if all turns out as I hope it will, we will have gained a HUGE witness. I'll call you later." She hung up her phone, and stared at the door to Rodi's. Natalie was obviously on a break, seated at a table, doing what appeared to be filling out paperwork. She sighed. It was now or never.

"Natalie?" she asked. Nat looked up, surprised to see Evangeline.

"Hey Evangeline," she said, "Um, I'm on a break, but Kathy can help you out."

"I'm actually here to see you," Evangeline said. "May I sit down?"

"Um sure," Nat replied, moving some of her papers.

"What are those?" Evangeline asked conversationally.

"Application papers for LU," Nat told her. "I figure it's time for me to go back, do something with my life."

"Good for you." Nat searched her voice for condescension, but Evangeline sounded sincere.

"So what's up?"

"Well I had a meeting with your sister the other day," Evangeline told her. "I wanted to know if she was willing to testify on RJ's behalf."

"About her relationship with Antonio?" Nat asked, confused.

"Well more like, Antonio's relationship with his daughter and RJ," Evangeline explained. "Basically I just wanted it out there, that Antonio hates RJ, but left his daughter in RJ's care. While no harm came to Jamie, because RJ is an excellent caregiver-"

"It still depicts Antonio as unbalanced," Nat finished.

"Exactly."

"So what do you need me for?"

"Well Jessica didn't seem comfortable with doing it herself," Evangeline told her. "But she mentioned that you might be willing to do it. And seeing as how you are technically his family, your testimony could go a long way."

"Oh wow," Nat said. "Um can I think about it? I mean, I would totally do it, but he is Cristian's brother, and I don't want to hurt my marriage."

"I understand," Evangeline said. "Can you call me when you've talked to him?"

"Definitely," Nat nodded.

"And don't feel obligated Natalie," Evangeline told her. "I mean, obviously I want you to do this, but I don't want to jeopardize your marriage for this."

"I wouldn't go after John if Cris and I broke up, Evangeline," Nat said quietly.

"Oh no," she exclaimed, a bit flustered. "I didn't mean you would! I mean, things with me and John are so precarious anyway, but-"

"What happened?" Nat asked. Evangeline searched her voice for a hint of gloating, but Natalie seemed sincere.

"This trial," Evangeline sighed. "I mean, you would think he of all people would understand putting work before personal relationships."

"Yeah," Nat laughed. "Well, don't worry. I'm sure everything will turn out how it's supposed to. And just know, that even if I wind up not doing this trial thing, I'm rooting for you."

"Thanks, Natalie," Evangeline whispered. "It's nice to have some confirmation that I did the right thing."

"You did."

"I better go," Evangeline said, getting up. "I have to meet with a client." She turned to walk away, but turned back. "You know Natalie, this was nice. I hope we can become friends, or… something. I mean you're happily married, John and I are- whatever we are, I don't see why we can't become-"

Nat smiled at her. "That'd be nice."

------------------------------------

"So can I ask you why we're eating hot dogs in the park instead of a real meal?" John asked.

"Well we can't go to the diner," Antonio explained, "seeing as my brother's usually there and is likely to attack you on sight. We can't go to Rodi's since Natalie's probably there and is likely to attack me. Would you like to go to one of RJ's places? Or maybe you'd feel more comfortable at the Palace?"

"Point taken," John said. "So why's Natalie likely to attack you?"

"Who knows?" Antonio sighed. "The girl's a little nuts." John was silent. "So are you talking to Evangeline?"

"Not really," John told him.

"You don't have to hate her on my account, John," Antonio said.

"That's not what I'm doing," John insisted. "I mean, yes, I think she was wrong, but it's more than that. I just- she wants too much from me."

"Too much?"

"Yeah," John said. "And she deserves it. But I can't give it to her. I wish I could, I want to-"

"No, you don't," Antonio told him.

"What?"

"Look John," Antonio said, "I'm probably not the guy to go to for relationship advice. But the way I see it is, if you really wanted Evangeline, it wouldn't matter to you what you had to sacrifice for her, because you wouldn't consider it a sacrifice."

"Antonio-"

"What's goin on here?" someone asked. Antonio and John turned.

"Cris," Antonio greeted his brother. "What're you doing here?"

"Going for a run," Cris told him. "Am I allowed to do that?"

"Of course," Antonio said. "How've you been?"

"Just great," Cris said bitterly.

"Cristian-" John started.

"Was I talking to you?" Cris asked rudely.

"Okay Cristian, that's enough," Antonio said harshly. "I understand you're pissed, and rightfully so. But even if John hadn't gotten you and Natalie involved in that sting, you woulda been killed or worse. Because of me. Because of my family. So you want to be pissed at someone, be pissed at me. Come on, let's go. You and me."

"I'm not going to fight you Antonio," Cristian told him.

"Why not?" Antonio asked. "Come on, Cris!" He pushed Cristian a little. John looked on bewildered. Cristian turned around. Antonio grabbed him by the shoulder, as if to keep him from leaving. John watched as Cris' whole body went rigid, and he turned and attacked Antonio. It's like something in him snapped, something in him was triggered. And to John's amazement, Antonio was fighting back just as much. John shook his head, then went over to them to separate them. It took awhile, but finally they did, walking off in separate directions.

"Christ," John muttered. Those Vega boys sure did have their anger management issues.

-----------------------------------

"I just want to see her," Kevin whispered. Larry Wolek shook his head.

"I know Kevin," he said. "I'm sorry. I wish I could let you in, but it's immediate family only and Dorian has given specific instructions to keep you away."

"But she's my-" Kevin started to exclaim. "Ex-wife," he finished, dejectedly. Larry put a hand on Kevin's shoulder.

"Kevin?"

"Blair," Kevin said, smiling a bit. "How is she?"

"She's not good Kevin," Blair told him, biting her lip. "What happened?"

"I don't know," Kevin explained, shaking his head. "We were fighting, and I guess she was getting more and more agitated, and then I turned around, and she had fallen. Have you seen her?"

"Yeah," Blair nodded. "Kevin she's catatonic. She can't even speak. I don't even think she recognizes us. Dorian says she had some sort of mental break. Like, too much stress or something. And her mind's took it out on her physically or whatever, so she collapsed."

"So physically she's okay?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah."

"Oh god, Blair," Kevin cried. "Did I do this? Did I do this to her? I was yelling at her, maybe she couldn't handle it, maybe-"

'Kevin, no," Blair said, hugging him. "You couldn't possibly have done this. Okay, Kelly's been unstable for awhile now. Ever since Bo told her she was guilt free, I think her mind has been unable to take it. I think she's punishing herself because the law isn't. You didn't cause this. She did."

"I just wanna see her," Kevin whispered.

"No," Blair told him. "Not like this you don't. Believe me."