Rex looked at Natalie questioningly and she nodded. "I will but.." looking around at the people milling around the apartment, "not right now." Natalie answered.
John nodded his understanding then stepping away from Natalie he went to try to hurry the officers along.
"You can't stay here Natalie," Rex said. "Why don't you come back to Llanview where your family can protect you? They miss you, Natty."
"I can't Rex. Cris is there. There is no telling what he might do. He isn't going to forgive me for leaving him."
Rex shook his head. She was worried about Rex forgiving HER? Where had his Natty gone? He sighed it would take a long time to undo the damage that bastard had done to her. She had been force to kill someone to stay alive. It would haunt her for a long, long time.
"Ok, I get that, but you can't stay HERE." Rex said emphasizing the word here. "Cris knows where you are, he will try again, Natty."
John who had come up behind Rex was nodding in agreement. "He is right Natalie. You can't stay here. It's a crime scene now, besides its not safe. This 'Cris', if he is responsible for what happened tonight, knows where you are. You need someone to protect you."
Natalie sighed. "I understand what you are saying but I can take care of my self. Besides I don't have anywhere else to go. I didn't exactly make a lot of friends here. I was trying to avoid people."
John thought a minute, "you can stay with me. I have some vacation coming so I could take some time off."
Natalie smiled but said, "that's really nice of you but I couldn't ask you to do that."
John shook his head, "you didn't ask, I offered. That's what friends are for, right?"
"That's a great idea!" Rex said. "If you need protection what better person then a FBI agent." Seeing that she was going to refuse again Rex pulled out the big guns, "Do it for me Natalie? I would feel a lot better if you had someone looking out for you."
Natalie sighed, she hated when Rex did that. He knew she would do anything for him, to make him feel better. "oh alright." She agreed. But only for a little while. What are you going to do while I'm being 'protected?'" Natalie asked Rex.
Rex grinned at her sarcasm, "I, my dear sister, am going to go back to Llanview and find something to put Cris away with. If he is working for the Santi's there has to be proof!"
"Rex!" Natalie exclaimed very worried. "The Santi's are very dangerous. You could be hurt, or god forbid killed!"
"Natalie is right Rex. If anyone is going to dig around into the Santi organization it should be me. The FBI has been looking to bust them for a long time."
Rex took John aside, "You need to protect my sister. I love my sister more then anyone else in the world. She has been there for me, ALWAYS! and now she needs me for a change. I will not let her down. She needs the best and from what I have heard that's you. Now I don't know you but my sister seems to like and trust you so that's good enough for me. Rex stated to John.
"I am good at finding out things that no one else can, so that's what I am going to do. For Natalie. I can tell you care a lot for my sister. She needs you here, with her. Now are you going to protect her or do I need to call the Buchanan's so they can?" Rex asked.
John sighed knowing that Rex was right, but not liking it one bit, "I will always protect Natalie. But I want you to check in with me every day. Once you have something on the Santi's the FBI will take over and put them out of business. Agreed?"
"Agreed!" Rex said and they shook on it. "Now I am going to head back to Llanview and get started." He went over to Natalie and hugged her.
"You need anything, You call me. Any time Day or night. Ok? I love you sis." Turning back to John Rex said, "Take care of her John!"
After Rex had given his statement to the police and left John and Natalie stood in an uncomfortable silence. John sighed and said, "Why don't you get your stuff together and we'll get out of here?"
Natalie nodded, heading for the bedroom. Gathering her stuff, which wasn't much, she reappeared a few minutes later. "Ok, got it all."
John told the officers they were leaving and where they would be. Then they headed for John's place. Natalie sat in John's car and thought about everything that had happened in the past year. She knew she would have to tell him, but she wasn't sure how or even where to start.
John pulled into his parking spot, turning to look at Natalie, he said, "We're here." He knew if Rex hadn't pressured her into it she wouldn't be here. He also knew that he wanted her here. That very fact made him uncomfortable and a bit scared.
He was VERY attracted to Natalie and he could tell she was attracted to him too. They would be spending their time here together, alone. He knew something could happen, he wanted it too, but also he didn't. He knew if he and Natalie 'got together' he wouldn't be able to leave her. He wouldn't be able to let her go. And that scared him.
Natalie nodded. They both got out of the car. John led the way to the front door. After letting them in and giving Natalie a tour of the place he said, "You can take the bed, I'll sleep on the couch."
"No, I couldn't put you out of your own bed, John." Natalie exclaimed.
"I insist Natalie. Now what don't you go get ready for bed. Its been a long night and I'm sure your very tired." John said.
Natalie sighed. She was very tired and didn't have the energy to argue with him. "Ok John." She said and headed for the bathroom to shower and get ready for bed.
After Natalie left the room John let out the breath he had been holding. If she had stayed a minute more he would have thrown caution to the wind and kissed her. He had been wanting to ever since she had run into his arms back at her place. He didn't know how he was going to have her here and not kiss her. But he would have to. Even if it killed him. He sighed again and sat down on the couch to prepare himself for a long night.