Natalie was puzzled over John's abrupt departure. She wondered what was so important that he had left before she had even got up. When she had woke up alone that morning she had panicked and called out for him. Then Michael had knocked on the door, told her John had something important to do this morning, and asked Michael to stay with her. This had pissed her off even as she was touched by the gesture.

She had tried to pry out what he was doing from Michael but he had been tightlipped. All he had said was that she would like the results of John's errands. Maybe she could get it out of Willow. Probably not but she could try, Natalie thought.

Natalie went into the kitchen where Willow was staring out the window looking incredibly sad, deep in thought. Natalie could have swore she saw a tear sliding down her cheek but before she could be sure Willow turned away and said, "So what do you want to do today?"

"Are you ok?" Natalie asked concerned.

"I'm fine. Why?" Willow answered.

"You looked sad for a moment. And I thought I saw a tear running down your face." Natalie said with her characteristic honesty.

"I was thinking about someone from a long time ago. That's all," Willow replied softly. "So what are we going to do today? I wouldn't mind getting some exercise," Willow asked again.

Natalie thought a minute then said, "Actually I wondered if maybe you could show me some moves that I could use if I ever get attacked again."

"Sure, I'd love to. I was hoping you would ask. After last night I think that we should open up a class for self-defense for the women of this town so everyone can defend themselves against this nutjob." Willow said enthusiastically. Then looked puzzled when Natalie started laughing, "What's so funny?"

"I'm sorry," Natalie said, "it's just you sounded exactly like John for a second there. I think it's a good idea though. Maybe we could get the college involved. They have several teachers that could teach a class like that." When she thought about the college Natalie automatically thought about Dr. Haver and suppressed a shiver. She still thought there was something weird about him. Jessica raved about him from time to time saying he was so great and all but Natalie still didn't trust him.

"What's the matter?" Willow asked noticing the shiver.

"I was just thinking about Dr. Haver. He still gives me the creeps. Have you found anything on him yet?" Natalie asked.

"I haven't found anything yet, but John asked me to be really discreet about it so it takes longer. I have a feeling that I will find something big when it's over though." Willow said thinking about it. Haver was clean, too clean, when someone was that clean they were usually hiding something. She just had to dig deeper to find the dirt buried under the surface. At that thought she was reminded of a question she wanted to ask Natalie. "Hey Natalie remember when I was telling you about what Antonio's old lawyer said to me. You know about the illegal shipping and someone named Cris?"

Natalie nodded tensing up. She had wondered how Evangeline had figured out Cris was alive. It appeared Cris contacted her, with information he had heard in prison, to help out Antonio. Evangeline had let that slip to Antonio and he had told Carlotta so both knew Cris was alive but Natalie didn't think anyone else knew. She hoped that she didn't have to lie to willow about it but she didn't want Cris to be in danger. Especially since he had just gotten in the witness protection program and was starting a new life.

"Do you know where he is or how I can reach him?"

"No." Natalie said, praying she wouldn't ask anything else.

"Darn. Oh well Guess I'll have to find another way to convince RJ to back off the custody suit." Willow said a bit disappointed. She sensed that Natalie knew something but didn't want to say anything and Willow respected Natalie too much to pry. If she wanted her to know she would tell her.

Natalie and Willow changed their clothes and spent the rest of the afternoon laughing and gossiping while Willow taught Natalie some moves she could use to defend herself. Natalie had just thrown Willow to the ground using a technique Willow had just taught her when Natalie's cell rang. She looked at the Id and smiled, it was John.

"Hey, where are you." Natalie asked with a smile.

"I'm at the angel square hotel. I need you get here as fast as possible?" John said then hung up.

Natalie stared at the phone looking worried and Willow asked what was wrong.

"John is at Roxy's hotel and he needs me there as soon as possible."

"Ok we can take my car. Its fast." Willow said hiding a grin.

Willow drove Natalie over to the hotel dropped her off, telling Natalie to call her if she needed her, then left to meet Michael for dinner.

Natalie rushed inside the hotel and went straight to the desk. "Roxy are ok. John called and told me to come over." Natalie yelled. Roxy came from the back with a grin on her face. She didn't say anything but handed Natalie a note.

N

Come to the roof

J

Natalie looked at it and smiled, she remembered getting a similar note before. She headed to the roof and opened the door. Stunned by what she saw Natalie looked around speechless. It was decorated exactly like the first time they had made love. "Hey," was all she could say.

"Hey," John replied in his low raspy voice. John sat in the middle of the blankets with 2 beers. He reached out a hand giving one to Natalie. She took it and sat down nest to him. She looked at John then at all the stuff he had on the blanket with them. He had strawberries, beers chilling in ice and soft music playing.

"What's going on?" Natalie asked.

"I wanted to have a romantic night with you that's all," John said. "After last night I figured we needed something special."

Natalie smiled and kissed him softly before pulling back and reached for a strawberry. She nibbled the end then fed the rest to John. He in turn fed her one as well.

After they had eaten all the strawberries and finished their beer John told Natalie that he had one more surprise for her.

"Close your eyes," John said watching her to make sure she did.

"Ok, John. I trust you," Natalie said smiling as she closed her eyes. She was loving this. She had a feeling that whatever he was about to do would change her life forever.

John got out the ring he had bought and opened the box. "Ok, you can open your eyes now."

Natalie opened her eyed and gasped. John was holding one of the most beautiful rings she had ever seen. It was a beautiful claddagh ring. It had a ruby heart surrounded but white gold hands and a yellow gold crown with diamond tips. Clearly it was an engagement ring. It glittered as it caught the light. "John, are you..?"

John nodded. " Natalie I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Marry me?" John asked a bit nervously. He held is breath waiting for her answer. He didn't have to wait long.

"YES!" Natalie said launching her self into his arms, crying in happiness. "Of course I'll marry you! I love you so much John." She said as John slid the ring on her finger and kissed her passionately.

Somewhere across town

As John and Natalie were celebrating their future across town Evangeline and Dr. Haver were having a celebration of their own.

"Steven, you know how much I hate Natalie, we need to make her suffer." Evangeline said knowing he was in fact the music box killer. She also knew he hated the whole McBain family but didn't know why. He hated Willow the most. Evangeline found that very curious since Willow had just come to town and all, but didn't question it.

In fact it had been Evangeline's plan to strangle Natalie almost to death. She wanted both John and Natalie to suffer because of the way Natalie had beat her up and John had dumped her. She had been disappointed that her Cris threat hadn't done anything to John and Natalie. The stupid bitch had come clean already. When she had told Antonio he hadn't been mad at Natalie either. He had just been glad Cris was alive. Why was it that none of her plans worked out the way she wanted?

"Patience my dear. I have plans for everyone in that little group," Haver said with an evil smirk. It was a boon that he had picked this town. Steven hadn't even known the McBains were there. He had made plans for them almost immediately for them. If all went as he planed he would have what had been taken from him very soon and the whole McBain family would suffer. No, one took what belonged to him! John had kept him from his prey last time and he had had to teach him a lesson. John and his stupid little girlfriend wouldn't stop him this time.

Evangeline was just as obsessed with the McBains as he was. She just had very different reasons. Steven thought she was a stupid little twit but she would come in handy when it was time to make his move. Right now he just wanted to shake them up, scare them. He wanted to prolong their torture. He would have what he wanted. He looked down at the newspaper clippings he had in his hands, they were perfect they would send just the right message, now he only had to think of just the right place to display them.

Evangeline smiled happy at the thought of John and Natalie suffering. It had cost her 2000 dollars to get her teeth fixed! Natalie needed to pay for that! Natalie had everything that she wanted and Evangeline intended to make sure Natalie didn't have it for long. Steven was a brilliant planner and Evangeline knew that if anyone could take down john and Natalie it would be him. She didn't even care that he was murdering other women. As long as he helped her she was happy. Evangeline hoped that after Natalie was dead John would turn to her in his grief. In fact she was counting on it.