Four Leaf Clover – Part 18

Summary: Started from Trinity's challenge of J/N engaging in an affair behind the Evangeline's back. Evangeline & the Walsh family are dead, the unsolved murder cases are closed and Jessica is moving to California to go to grad school. Natalie is finishing college and John and Natalie are buying a place together.

A/N: Thanks for the feedback, everyone! Now, kiddies, if you were paying close attention earlier in the story you'll have some idea of who this new character is…

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"What are you going to do with your degree, Miss Natalie?" Nigel asked as he handed Natalie a glass of champagne at the little celebration Asa was throwing his granddaughter in honor of her graduation.

"I haven't quite figured that out yet, Nigel."

"Yes she has. She's going into business with me. We're going to be PI's." Rex draped an arm over his sister's shoulder and grabbed a flute of champagne for himself from Nigel's tray.

"That will be quiet exciting I'm sure," Nigel drawled before walking away.

"I haven't agreed to that, Rex."

"You mean you haven't talked to McBain yet. Afraid he won't give you permission?" Rex taunted.

"I don't need permission. I just haven't made up my mind."

"Pfft, you're fooling yourself. You know it's a great idea. I make peanuts from the LPD. With your family connections we can get some rich clients and really shake things up in this one-horse town."

"It's, um, interesting I'll give you that." Natalie smiled indulgently at her brother.

"We can call it Rex and Natalie investigations." Rex traced an imaginary shingle in the air.

"Or Natalie and Rex."

"Or something." Rex polished off his drink and looked around for more.

"What's up with you and Shannon McBain? I thought you were so in love with Jen." Natalie rolled her eyes at the mention of the ex-wife of two her brothers and the bane of her existence.

"Shannon's a cute girl." Rex shrugged.

"You mess with my cousin I'll shoot you and throw you in the quarry where no one will ever find your body." John came up behind them, surprising the siblings. Natalie bit her lip and took a sip of her drink.

"I need another drink, see ya, Natty." Rex took in John's expression, bussed her cheek and scurried off.

John took a sip of his beer and shook his head.

"So how long were you standing there?" Natalie asked, her eyebrows arched.

"Long enough to hear Balsom try to talk you into another of his knuckle-brained schemes."

"I don't think it's so crazy." Natalie didn't meet his eyes.

"You're not serious?" John asked incredulously.

"I said I was thinking about it and I am. It might be the perfect thing for both of us. I don't think I want to go to law school and being a cop, too many rules. Rex has been doing a great job with Uncle
Bo, helping bust that burglary ring down at the docks." At John's doubtful look she rushed on. "He helped you get that big lead that led to your finding out who was moving the counterfeit DVD's through town. He's very good at getting information."

"And what would you do?" John took a drag of his beer.

"I'm calm in dangerous situations."

"It's you and dangerous situations that I'm not liking most about this idea. And I have plenty of reasons I don't like it."

"What do PI's really do, John? They investigate infidelities, find business rivals. Lost pets."

"You and Balsom will do more than find cheating wives, I guarantee it."

"But if I decide to do it you'll be supportive?"

"If? Sounds like you already made up your mind. You'll get no special treatment from the PD." John put hand on her shoulder. "If this is really what you want to do then I'll support you. I'm going to teach you to shoot, help you get your gun license. Sign you up for self-defense. Buy you a Kevlar vest."

"Jesus. Can't you just go to law school or become an evidence specialist of something?" John closed his eyes and shook his head.

"John, this is Llanview. How much trouble could we really get into?"

John opened his eyes and looked down at her, his eyebrows raised practically to his hairline.

Natalie chuckled and slipped her arm through his.

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"I'm too wired to go to sleep," Natalie said as she waited for John to open the front door to the condo they had moved into last week.

"You're too tipsy to stay awake," John said.

"I'm not tipsy. I'm excited to be done with school. To be going into my new home with my boyfriend. John McBain is my boyfriend." Natalie snickered from her position on the doorframe.

"Yeah, you're not tipsy. You're drunk." John pushed the door open.

"I am so not…"

Before Natalie could finish her protest John pushed her through the door, pulled his gun and spun around.

"Freeze!"

"Whoa!" The man who had come up the tree-lined path exclaimed and held up his hands.

"Walk into the light so I can see your face."

The man slowly complied. Slowly the light from the front door revealed a man of lithe form, six foot tall, hazel green eyes, dark honey-colored hair and a strikingly handsome face.

"What the hell are you doing here?" John asked, not putting down his gun.

"Jamie?" Natalie asked quietly from behind John.

"Long way from Atlantic City aren't you?" John frowned at Natalie's recognition of the man, but then reluctantly put the gun back in his holster.

Natalie nudged past John and put her hands out for Jamie to clasp them, evading his attempt to hug her.

"Congratulations on your graduation," Jamie murmured as he lifted each hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to each, his eyes never leaving hers.

John's face hardened and he put his hands on his hips.

"How did you know and how did you find me here?" Natalie asked as she pulled her hands out of his grasp. "Roxy." They said at the same time.

"So when do you leave town, Moretti?" John asked.

"I guess I don't need to introduce you two?" Natalie turned and looked at John in surprise.

James and John stared at each other. Natalie looked back and forth between them, a puzzled look on her face.

"Perhaps we can catch up in a day or two, Kitty?"

Natalie stiffened at the familiar appellation and took a step back towards John, feeling suddenly all too sober.

"Staying that long?" John asked. "Too bad."

"McBain, we used to be such good friends. And Natalie and I know each other so well, can't we all meet up for drinks, perhaps tomorrow at the Palace? Catch up."

"We're busy." John bit out. "You cause trouble in my town I'll have no trouble busting your ass. Probably best you leave."

"You speak for Natalie now?"

"We are busy. I'll give you a call tomorrow, where are you staying?"

"At the Palace, of course. Do call, Natalie. We have something to discuss."

"I'll call you," Natalie said in a whisper and then disappeared into the house.

"Nice to see you looking so healthy, McBain." James Moretti turned and walked back into the darkness.

John made sure he got into his limo and watched the lights disappear around the corner. Then he turned and walked into the condo and slammed the door behind him.