Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters within this chapter.

Title: Missed Chances 2?

John coughed as he stumbled through the woods. He knew he had to get out of the woods before Bo had his men start searching. If they started searching there was no way he could avoid them in the condition he was in. If they found him, they'd discover what he had done. He shuddered, revulsion rolling over him as the memory started to overwhelm him…

He shoved it to the back of his mind, hiking through the woods blindly. He had to concentrate on finding the nearest town and finding a place to hide out. After a while, things would die down and he'd be able to go back. Till then he would just have to let people think he was dead.

He could let everyone else believe he was dead, but there were three people he knew he wouldn't be able to put through that pain. He made a silent vow to call Natalie and Michael as soon as he could. He wouldn't be able to tell his brother much, but he could spare him and his mom the pain of thinking they'd lost another family member to the job.

As for Natalie… He remembered the way she had spoken to him at the airport. Her voice was filled with pleading desperation as she tried to talk him out of going. He had almost kissed her then, but had forced himself to jerk out of her grip and walk through those gates. If had kissed her, where would he be right now? There were so many missed chances, so many opportunities he wished he had taken.

He was so lost in thought he almost didn't realize when he broke through the trees and saw a clearing in front of him. He stopped to rest against a tree and squinted. There were several lights not too far beyond the edge of the clearing. He knew he needed to get to them so he took a deep breath and started off again.

Natalie's car zoomed through the police barricade before the guard even had time to think about stopping her. It barely slowed down her car, which was small and sporty but built tough. She skidded to a stop and was out of the car almost before it had stopped. "Uncle Bo?" He turned out, a look of expectation on his face. "I had a feeling you would find your way up here. Natalie, you need to go home."

"I am not going home until I find out what happened to John!" There was something in her tone that made Bo shake his head and allow her to stay. He knew that she was going to be there one way or another, short of him arresting her. "We probably won't find anything out tonight," he said, knowing it wouldn't make any difference. "I'm going to be here in case you do."

John sighed as he trudged through the small, quiet town. He had washed his hands in a nearby river when he'd realized the blood was still caked on them but in his mind he still saw it. The evidence, the proof that he had done what he wished he hadn't still was still caked underneath his fingernails.

He finally found a cheap motel on the outskirts of town and paid an exorbitant fee, but at least he had a place to stay. He stripped down and took a shower, taking solace as the water scalded his body. It was like it was burning the secret away. He climbed out, wrapping the towel around his body as he walked over to the phone. He picked it up, his fingers hesitating over the numbers as he tried to decide whom to call first. He shook his head and dialed.

Natalie's cell phone rang and her eyes widened with recognition when she saw the name. "Hello?"

TO BE CONTINUED