Four Leaf Clover – 12

Summary Reminder – Based on Trinity's challenge of J/N engaging in an affair behind the Evil One's back. After Natalie is almost killed in the AS Diner, John breaks it off with Emasculation and tells Natalie he loves her. EVenge found out about their new relationship and their past affair and she is pissed. Marcie and her family are successfully murdered by Hayes, who John already knows is Ivan Potter.

>>>>>

"John, you should go be with your brother right now."

"There's nothing I can do for him there. I need to get the son of a bitch who did this."

"All right, I'll reassign the Cramer and Santi cases."

John just nodded in agreement, which surprised and worried Natalie who had come up behind them with the stack of flyers. She could feel the tension and guilt coming off him in waves. She wanted to put her arm around him and offer comfort, but they were in the middle of a crime
scene surrounded by their fellow officers.

"Here are the flyers."

Bo nodded at her before walking away.

"Thanks." John waved over an officer. "Get this handed out. This is who we're looking for."

"I also sent them down to dispatch electronically," Natalie told him.

"Damn. I can't believe I forgot that." John sighed and rubbed his forehead where a headache was pulsing.

"I know standard procedure. You knew you didn't have to ask." Natalie was worried. John had hardly slept since the incident at the Diner, now he was not going to rest until Hayes was in jail.

"I can't assume anything," John said firmly. "Don't look at me like that."

"All right." Natalie frowned and looked away. She could smell the remnants of the gas and perhaps through imagination feel death in what had once been a happy home. For her and Cristian. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to take this out on you."

"I know. Is there anything you need?"

"I lead on Hayes."

"Maybe Rex can help?"

"Rex?"

"He knows a lot of people who wouldn't talk to you. He knows Hayes. He'll want to help Jen."

"Can't hurt."

"I'll go see him on the way back to the station. You should get some fresh air."

"I'll walk you to your car." He put his hand on her back and led her outside.

"Listen," he said as she opened her car door. "I'll be at the station until this is done. It's not because I don't…"

Natalie put her hand over John's mouth. "It's your job, I get that. I'll look in on Michael for you. I'll call Eve if he hasn't. Just take care of yourself, John. I love you."

John took her hand and kissed her palm softly.

She smiled softly at him. "Call me if you need anything. Food. Comfort. Someone to pitch ideas at."

"Thanks." John's voice was gruff. He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

>>>>>

"I need to find Jen."

"Jen is with her boyfriend, Riley. Remember him? She'll appreciate it if you help find her best friend's killer."

"Yeah." Rex nodded, his face full of the hopes that her gratitude might be a little more.

"Rex, she's grieving. Stop scheming."

"You hate her, why are you protecting her." Rex's eyes narrowed.

"Yeah I hate her and I think you're too good for her, but she's going through a tough time now and she doesn't need you messing up what she got with Riley. She can do that just fine on her own."

"Things aren't going well with Riley. Not since she started drinking again."

"Rex! Have you been, you know, with Jen?"

"Who are you talk, sister? You and John." Rex made some obscene gestures with his hands.

Natalie put her hand over his and pushed him further into the corner of UV. "Stop it. Are you going to help John? Help Jen?"

"Yeah. I'll go ask around."

"Thanks."

"You okay?" Rex put his hand on his sister's shoulder stopping her as she walked past him towards the back door.

"Yeah? Why?"

"It was, is your house. Where you lived with Cristian."

"Doesn't matter. It's John I'm worried about right now. And Michael. I gotta get back to the station. You be careful."

"Always."

Natalie pressed a kiss to his cheek and walked out.

>>>>

"Where's Natalie?" Bo asked one of the officers hovering near her desk. The officer shrugged.

Annoyed with the phones ringing off the hook and the manpower shortage, Bo went into his office and called Natalie's cell phone. It rang and then went to voice mail. He left a message and called John.

"Is Natalie still there with you? She did? I'll try Balsom."

"She left when? And you sure she was coming here?" Bo looked at his watch. Where was she? A minute later his cell phone rang.

"Her car is still there and you found her phone on the ground? Dammit. Don't do anything stupid Balsom." Bo disconnected and called someone else.

"John, I think Hayes has Natalie."

>>>>

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Evangeline?" Natalie was too surprised to be particularly scared of the lawyer, even though she was holding a gun.