A/N: It's sad to say this—but I've started a countdown until I walk away from this couple—57 days, bringing us to St Patrick's Day, one year from their first kiss. If there's nothing viable between our couple, well then—I suppose I'll just have to suck it up and walk away.
Most of us have been so patient for the past 15 months waiting for the show to do something with the couple—I really think they've waited too long. They keep saying "oh yeah, Jolie will be the end factor in blah blah months", but that date keeps coming and still—we're enjoying them on the energy they give off in the same scenes, but nothing other than that. I want more than that—I want them both to finally say "we're up—it's our turn to finally do what we want to do."
If the story isn't done by St Patrick's Day I'll keep writing this one until it is, but this will probably be the last one. I can only get them together in so many different scenario's (this being scenario #4 I believe)
Alright, I'm stepping off the soapbox now. Hehehe. Everyone enjoy this chapter—I am enjoying writing this and leading it to where it'll lead. Until next time—D-day is coming—PCGirl.
"You busy?" asked John as he peeked his head into Bo's office where Antonio was sitting also.
"No—come on in. Something you need?"
"Yeah—I don't know if Antonio told you I've been helping out Sonia over the phone on her next case."
"Yeah, he mentioned something right after she left. Is there a problem?"
"She's beginning to get her hands dirty in this new case and at the beginning there was a lot of things that were familiar to me about the case. And last night I found out why—the ring leader of the operation she's trying to bust is someone Kathryn and I dealt with before. He went underground before we had a chance to catch him, and our supervisor said it was too dangerous to try and go underground to catch him."
"So what is the FBI saying to Sonia about him?"
"They say she can handle it herself—but she's worried she can't, and she's too stubborn to walk away. I already faxed her as much information that I remember and had saved about him, but I was wondering—."
"If you could have some time off to help her settle into the case?"
"Yeah—but more than settle—I'd really like to be able to put this guy away. If that means I need to resign from the force completely then I understand."
"I won't make you resign—you're a good man John and when this is said and done there will always be a door open for you here at the station."
"Thanks—it means a lot."
"We do need to discuss someone to take your place while you are gone though—any suggestions?"
"Yeah, I think I know the perfect man for the job," he said as he looked at Antonio.
-----------------
"So I was thinking for your hair we could do a really high hairdo thing—make you stand out a little more than usual. Give Cristian something to make sure he can't take his eyes off you," said Roxy as she did Natalie's nails at Foxy Roxy's.
Natalie couldn't help but laugh at the thought, "That'd definitely make me stand out but I was thinking something simpler—with curls."
"I can do curls too. So—you told Johnny about this yet?"
"Cristian did—I didn't like the way Cris blurted it out, but I don't want to start anything up again."
"Really? Cause if I were you I'd be making sure I had all my ducks in a row," she nodded with a grin on her face.
"Roxy—please don't make me say this again—I'm happy with Cris and John is my friend."
"You can never have too many friends," grinned Roxy as Natalie rolled her eyes.
---------------
Antonio walked in and did his normal routine—placing his gun in the basket on the top shelf and sitting his keys next to the door. He'd spent the day avoiding John and anyone that gave him a pat on the back—John wasn't just a colleague, he was a good friend and he was going to miss him. The apartment was quiet, except for a radio playing in the bedroom. "Jessica?" he called out as he walked around the kitchen bar.
"Hey—how was your day today?" she smiled, coming around the corner immediately with Jamie on her hip. "Can you say hi to your Daddy?"
"Daddy," she smiled as he took her from Jess' arms and gave them both a kiss.
"Hey sweetie. Today was—interesting," he said as he walked over to the couch and sat down. "The good news is I got a promotion," he said while playing with his little girl.
"Antonio—that's great. I mean for this to happen so soon after you returned from all the Santi stuff. Why aren't you excited for this?" she asked when he became quiet.
Antonio looked up from Jamie, "I'm going to be the new Chief of Detectives—John's job. Sonia is in some serious trouble and he's going to help her out."
"Well, that's ok—I mean it's not like the case is as big as the Santi's, he'll be back in no time—right?"
"Sonia has already found something else out that makes it bigger—who knows where the trail will go next. He's not going to be able to give a good time line on how long he'll be gone—it could be a couple months or five years."
Jessica sat down in shock at what Antonio had just said, "Wow. And Sonia definitely needs his help?"
"Yeah. She's not going to admit this to anyone but it scares her that she stumbled onto this guy."
"When does John leave?"
"Friday."
"The day Natalie and Cris renew their vows—talk about ironic," she said with a slight laugh. "I guess we're not going to be able to play matchmaker anymore."
"No—and don't tell Natalie about this, ok? I know John and he's going to tell her he's leaving in his own time and way."
"What if he doesn't? If he's already thinking like a FBI agent again he could blow out of this town as quietly as he came in."
"He didn't blow in too quietly though," laughed Antonio.
--------------------
"About yesterday—I'm sorry I was avoiding you," said Antonio as he and John ate at Rodi's for lunch. "I guess I was trying to imagine how boring work will be now without you around to harass."
"Aww—you gonna miss me Vega? I have to say—I'm not sure I'll be able to banter with Sonia as easily as I can with you. You shouldn't be too lonely—you've got Cristian back and all."
"Yeah, speaking of that—don't give me that look," he said as John stared directly at him with a vacant expression. "You knew it was going to come up—either now or within the next few days. You've got to tell Natalie you're leaving."
"I—I figured I'd let you tell her a few days after I'm gone."
"She's not a good enough friend to get a goodbye from you? That's harsh, man."
"It's not that—it's just that I'm the reason they haven't been together. Don't give me that Tico-set-it-up crap because you know as well as I do they could have had more time together if I hadn't sent them to Las Vegas immediately after getting married."
"Yeah, but—."
"You know—if I'd been on my game I could have dug deeper—forced them to hunt for a body."
"Can't blame yourself for that either John—as soon as Flynn was over then the Music Box Killer case started."
"Fine. You got any other final words of wisdom?" laughed John.
"If you don't tell Natalie goodbye before Friday when you do return she's going to lay into you so hard you'll wish you'd stayed gone," grinned Antonio as his phone rang and he walked off to take it.
John sat there thinking for a minute—staring at the pool table when his vision was blocked and he looked up to see Natalie standing in front of him, "Hey."
"Hey yourself—where were you just then? I kept saying your name and you didn't respond."
"I was just—thinking. What are you up to today? Still doing wedding plans?"
"Yeah, Jess should be here any minute. I was able to talk her into doing a Spanish theme and out of me getting into another wedding dress—but food, well she wouldn't bend on that," said Natalie as she rolled her eyes.
John chuckled at the expression, "That's what sister's are for—or so I'm told. I didn't tell you at the Palace, but I'm glad you and Cristian have this second chance—you deserve to be happy Natalie."
"Wow John—thanks. I don't think I could have gotten through the last year though without your friendship—," said Natalie before she was interrupted by Jessica walking into Rodi's and towards them. "I better go before she decides we need to have caviar and petite fours at the reception. Bye," she said as she went towards her sister and was gone.
"Bye," he said softly as Antonio came back down to sit.
"Sorry about the phone call—did you get to tell her you were leaving?"
"No, but I said what I wanted to say the other night—that's good enough," sighed John as he got his wallet out to pay for the bill.