Four Leaf Clover – Part 20
Summary: Started from Trinity's challenge of J/N engaging in an affair behind the Evangeline's back. John and Natalie have bought a condo together, Natalie has graduated college, she and Rex are going to start an as-yet-unnamed PI business together and James Moretti from Atlantic City has shown up in town, unnerving Natalie and infuriating John.
A/N: I threw a little something in here just for Jane.
A/N2: The leaves of the four leaf clover symbolize faith, hope, love and luck. The four leaf clover is a universally accepted symbol of good luck with its origin ages old. According to legend, Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden.
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From Part 19
"McBain. How did you get this number?" John sighed into his cell phone when he heard it was Rex.
"I won it in a lottery. Just shut up and listen. I'm here at Rodi's with Natalie and this guy, James something comes over and claiming to be an old friend of Natalie's, except she doesn't seem happy to see him. He's hitting the red zone on my creep-o-meter and she sends me off so she can talk to him alone."
"I'll be right there." John hung up his phone and grabbed his jacket.
"I thought you would." Rex closed his phone and leaned back against the bar and watched his sister have an intense conversation with the shiny guy.
>>>>
"We have nothing to discuss," Natalie hissed at James.
"Oh, but I disagree and that's what counts."
"It's ancient history. Why don't you just go back to AC and leave me the hell alone."
"See, I'm not going to rush home. I'm expanding my business and my advisors tell me Llanview is the perfect place for it. That you and McBain are here is just, well, icing on the cake, really."
"I like my life here and I'm not going to let you mess it up. I'm not a scared little teenager anymore. You mess with me and I fight back." Natalie's voice was edged with fury.
"That's where you're wrong, Kitty. You'll do exactly what I want or I'll blow your perfect little life out of the water. Think McBain will want you after he finds out?"
"First of all, don't call me that. Kitty is dead and buried and she's staying that way. So you might as well scurry back home where you belong. Second of all, nothing you can tell John will come between us."
James grabbed her chin and put his face close to hers. Before he could utter the threat that was on his tongue he was suddenly pulled back and thrown across the room.
Startled, Natalie look up and saw an enraged John manhandling James, with Rex at his back.
"You touch her again and…"
"You'll what, McBain? You'll arrest me?" James grinned evilly at John.
"Stop it, John." Natalie tried pull John off the man. John ignored her and manhandled him another few feet.
"You want to know what I'm capable of, Moretti?" John his, his eyes murderous and his hands itching to finish what should have been done a long time ago. "You get of this town or you'll find out."
"John, please," Natalie pleaded. John let go of the man's lapels and shoved him back.
"As I was just telling your girlfriend, I don't plan on leaving anytime soon." James smoothed out his suit. "We'll talk later." He said the last words to Natalie before walking out.
John turned on Natalie, his eyes still murderous. "I want you to stay the hell away from that guy." He and Natalie stared each other down for a long moment. Then John visibly struggled to calm himself down and reached out for Natalie. Natalie moved away from his grasp.
"I don't need you take care of me. I don't need anyone to take care of me." Aware of how broken her words sounded, Natalie backed away and rushed out of Rodi's.
John watched her go then turned on Rex who was now standing with Adriana Cramer.
"Don't ever leave your sister alone with that guy!" John ordered and turned to leave.
Rex grabbed John's sleeve. "Who the hell is that guy and what does he want from Natty?" he demanded.
"Whatever it is it isn't good. You find out anything about that guy and what he's doing here or what he wants with Natalie you tell me. And watch your back." John turned and went to find her.
"What's going on, Rex?" Adriana asked worriedly.
"I'm not sure." Rex turned his worried face to the girl. "But I'm going to find out."
"Be careful, Rex." Adriana put her hand on Rex's arm. "From John's reaction it sounds like that guy is dangerous."
Rex nodded and looked thoughtful.
> > > > >
"Wait a minute, Buchanan!" John caught up with Natalie a block away from Rodi's.
"What did you think you were going to accomplish threatening him that way?" Natalie stopped and spun around to face him.
"He had his hands on you."
"I can take care of myself."
"It didn't look that way to me."
Natalie stiffened and raised her chin.
"Tell me what he has over you," John said softly.
"What makes you think he has something over me?" Natalie said evasively.
"I've known him a long time, I know how he operates. Let me help you." John reached out to touch her. She moved away again.
"There's nothing there, John. Nothing." Natalie paused and looked down at the ground and took a deep breath. "I don't want to fight with you about this."
"Then tell me nothing."
"You tell me. What do you know about him that has you so worried?"
John looked past her, his face blank.
"Fine." Natalie began to walk past him.
"He hurts women."
Natalie froze for a moment. "He won't hurt me," she finally said.
"Now or again?" When Natalie wouldn't answer he made an angry noise. "Just stay away from him, Natalie."
"I'm not doing anything with him, John. Rex called you didn't he? Then you know he approached us."
"You can trust me, Natalie."
"I do trust you, John."
"Then why can't you tell me why he has you so rattled?"
"It has nothing to do with you, John. Nothing to do with us. He'll get bored and go away."
John looked in her eyes and leaned in. "You don't believe that. When you're ready to let me help you, you know where I am. Let me take you back to the station."
Natalie nodded and, this time, she took his hand.
> > > > >
Rex stood in the alley as his contact walked away. What he had learned about this Moretti guy did nothing to quell his worry for his sister.
> > > > >
Natalie sat at her desk and pulled up the telephone number for the records clerk at the Atlantic City PD. She stared at the number for a minute and then exited the program. With a worried expression on her face she started organizing the files on her desk.
She didn't notice John watching her from the doorway behind her.