Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters within this chapter.
Author's Note: Sorry for the smut tease(s), I think my smut muse is tapped out today.
Title: Missed Chances 5/5
RECAPS: The plane carrying Todd Manning and John McBain went down. Natalie had been waiting for it and quickly rushed to the crime scene as Bo thought about how slim the chances of either of them being alive was. Unbeknownst to them, John was slipping through the woods haunted by the memory of something he had done and his hands covered with blood. He then found a small hotel and booked a room, picking up the phone to call either Natalie or Michael. Natalie got a call from John and left to go meet him. Bo, feeling suspicious, put a tail on her. She went to the motel where he's staying and he told her that during the transport he'd delivered Margaret's baby girl as she hemorraged, the baby died and then Todd had tried to shoot a guard but accidentally shot the pilot. John had passed out on impact then stumbled out amidst Margaret's screams. Natalie told him that it was not his fault and he kissed her.
Previously
Natalie licked her lips, and she watched as John moved forward. "John," she whispered as he captured her lips with his. She returned the kiss eagerly, running her hands along his strong shoulders as he tangled his hands in her hair. Her mind screamed at her to stop, but her heart wouldn't let her. This was a long time coming.
Natalie smiled as she woke up and felt John's strong arms wrapped around her. She turned around so that she was facing him and thought about the night before. It had been about reconnecting and proving to each other that their love was still there. He'd finally told her the words as he had drifted off to sleep.
She smiled as she leaned in and kissed his forehead gently. He looked like a little boy asleep in her arms. She remembered the nights she would get home late and find him asleep on the couch. He never slept as soundly as when her arms were wrapped around him, and the same was true of her. She hadn't slept well since Statesville, and only in the darkness of the night could she admit that it was because she missed the warm protection of his arms.
John's eyes opened and he smiled to see her watching him with love in her gaze. "Morning." She smiled. "Is that the only good morning I get?" She pouted slightly and he leaned in, capturing her lips in a warmly passionate kiss. As he pulled back he asked, "Better?" She nodded. "Screw Folgers. That is the way to start the morning off right." He chuckled and took her hand, watching as his fingers interlaced with hers. "We fit so perfectly," he whispered.
Natalie smiled as she brushed his cheek with the back of her free hand. "Yeah, we do." She brought their entwined hands to her lips and kissed his firmly. "I love you, John. I know I said I wasn't sure if I had forgiven you or not that day at Rodi's, but I lied. I was just afraid to let you in too much, you know?" He nodded, releasing her hand and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I love you too, and I get it." She smiled warmly. "I'm never going to get tired of hearing you say that," she admitted.
"Well I'm never going to get tired of saying it, so I guess we're even." "John, I hate to bring it up but we do need to call Bo and tell him that you're alive." He sighed. "I know. I'm just…" His voice trailed off as he tried to figure out the words to express how he felt. "You don't want to have to tell Margaret's sister that she was alive the entire time and letting everyone believe that she was dead… Or that she is dead for certain this time." He nodded, suddenly feeling a rush of gratitude.
"Thank you, Natalie." She looked confused. "For what?" "For just being you. For knowing what I'm trying to say even when I don't. For understanding why I did everything I did to and for you. Just thank you." He pulled her into his arms, kissing her soundly. He wasn't going to miss any more chances to tell her how much she meant to him, even if it meant he said it every minute of every hour for the rest of his life.
Or better yet, he could show her, he thought with a grin as his hand slipped down to cup her breast, gently squeezing her nipple between his thumb and forefinger.
FIN
