A/N: Lynn—your review had me laughing while I read it. John will figure out everything soon enough. One thing in this chapter—I can't remember if Cristian and Michael ever met before Cris "died" so in my story they hadn't. Until next time—ya'll are the best—PCGirl.
"I think this is everything we've got right now—one of the guys was trying to piece together some shredded papers found at Lion's Heart. When we get that figured out I'll let you know," said John as he handed over the file to Sonia.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"I'm serious because you look like crap," grinned Sonia with a wink as she opened his office door and saw Evangeline standing there.
"Take it easy, Toledo," he grinned back at her and then looked in a desk drawer instead of looking at Evangeline, "What can I do for you, counselor?"
"We need to talk John—about us."
"There's no us—I thought I made myself clear earlier."
"Why? Because I didn't answer your phone calls? Because I was venting to my girlfriend about the way my boyfriend is treating me? All women do it John—it's called venting and last time I checked there was nothing wrong with that."
"No, there's not. But I'll tell you what I do have a problem with. After every time I am within a hundred yards of Natalie Vega I get an earful from you—aren't we together? Why are you so hung up on Natalie? I'm the girlfriend—not her. I'm sick and tired of it, Evangeline. So until you can understand what the meaning of friends is then that's all we'll be—got it?"
"I got it," she said as she stormed out.
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"I've been thinking—maybe we should take the next week and go on our honeymoon finally," said Cristian as he sat in the bed with Natalie draped over him.
"I'd love that," she smiled as she hugged him closer and sighed. "But I do have my job at Rodi's—I can't just leave without asking Mac if someone can cover for me first. I can go ask him now if you like."
"Why don't you do that and then maybe by then the doctor will show up," he said as the door opened and Michael came in. "Are you my doctor?"
"Yeah. Hi Nat."
"Hey Michael—I was just about to leave for a bit."
"That's fine, I was just coming in to say we're going to release him soon," he said as he looked at Natalie instead of Cristian.
"I'm sorry—I didn't get your last name."
"McBain," said Michael as he went to give Cristian a handshake and received nothing in return. "Is there a problem?" he said looking at both of them.
"I'd rather have someone else be my attending if you don't mind. I don't have much confidence in McBain's around here," snarled Cris.
"Cristian! I'm sorry Michael," apologized Natalie.
"Don't worry about it. I'll get another one of the interns to finish up the paperwork—my shift is over anyways," said Michael, never turning his attention back to Cristian before leaving.
"I can't believe you Cristian—Michael is a good, competent doctor and a friend of mine—along with John."
"Well, with friends like that who needs enemies?"
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"Well, look who the cat dragged in," grinned John as he came into the station to see Antonio standing in front of Bo with his badge in his hand.
"Yeah, yeah. This is probationary for right now—I've got to prove my word is worth something before I get my gun back and go back out on the street," laughed Antonio.
"So does that mean you're my gopher for the next two months?" smiled John.
Antonio shook his head and looked down at his badge before responding, "Maybe I should rethink joining the force."
"Not on your life—you're one of the best guys I've got," laughed Bo. "John—can I talk to you inside my office?"
"Sure," he said as he walked in and closed the door.
"Those papers that were shredded at Lion's Heart? We found out what they were—money was wired to some creep out in Philly. Turns out his car was caught on the highway outside of Llanview Halloween night for speeding."
"And--? Please tell me he sang like a canary," he said as he realized the puzzle pieces were fitting very nicely.
"You got it. Said he was paid by Tico Santi to take out Paul Cramer. He wasn't given a why—just a how and a where."
"So if this guy shot Cramer then what is it with everyone else acting suspicious around here?"
"We've said it before—a lot of people had a grudge out on the guy. Maybe they all threatened him with a gun to leave or else that night, just nobody went through with actually pulling the trigger."
"Sounds simple enough. So is the Cramer case officially closed?"
"Yes, and so is the Santi case—Tico was moved today to Fed custody and Sonia is off to her next case. You know what that means?"
"Antonio isn't going to be gophering much?" said John with a slight laugh.
"I want you to take a week's vacation."
"Excuse me? I'm fine Bo—I can work another year and a half without needing a day off."
"I know that, but—I just want you to take a week off—relax, think about the important things, ignore facts and figures and suspects for the next few days. Deal?"
"Do I have another choice?" he asked as Bo shook his head and John was silent for a few moments. "Fine. Deal."
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Michael signed out and turned to go get his stuff out of his locker to see John coming off of the elevator, "Hey bro."
"Hey—how is he doing in there?"
"I'd avoid him like the plague if I were you—he doesn't care for me because I'm your brother."
"Well, that's his problem. I'm going out of town for a week and—."
"You and Evangeline going off for a week together—that's good, you need it to get your mind off other things."
"First, did I say Evangeline? No. Second, what other things would I have to get off my mind?"
Michael grinned and leaned in closer, "The woman you're in love with whose husband just returned from the dead. Why else would you come up here?"
"I came to tell you so in case you were looking for me you'd know where I was—and to watch Shannon. You remember her, don't you? This tall, brown hair, our cousin?"
"You sure are grouchy today. If this doesn't change I'm going to start calling you Oscar."
"See ya Michael," he said as he rolled his eyes and went back to the elevator.
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Natalie walked into the police station—it was lunch time and she knew the chances of him being there were slim. She'd talked to Mac, been able to work her schedule around so people could cover for her. Mac had said he was glad to see her smile again—and so he'd made it so when she came back she was working everyone else's days off for the next two weeks.
"Natalie," said Marcie as she was almost to John's office door—she needed to make sure she was off the hook with Paul's death before leaving.
"Hey."
"I heard about Cristian, that's so wonderful—it really is a miracle, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is," she smiled. "We're going on our honeymoon—I just wanted to make sure I was cleared of Paul's death and could leave the state. We're thinking somewhere warm and romantic."
"John's not in."
"Oh, well when will he be back in?" she said, realizing she could have checked with her Uncle Bo—it wasn't necessary to see John, though she wanted to.
"Next week sometime—he was given a week off."
"But Paul's murder investigation—is it over yet?"
"Yeah—they found out Tico Santi hired a hit man. He's such an awful person, I can't believe Jessica married him—and to think he caused Cristian to be gone for a year--," she said as she continued to ramble on.
"Oh, well I guess I'm free to go. See you next week Marcie," she said as she walked down the hall—wondering where John might go for a week. "He'll probably spend the entire time cooped up his hotel room," she laughed to herself.