A/N I do not own John McBain or any of the other OLTL characters. All others are my own creation. Please don't sue cause I am broke and have nothing to be sued for anyway.

Chapter 4

Shelly looked up and mentally swore to herself. Of all the people to run into why did it have to be him? She asked herself before pasting a smile on her face and saying sweetly, "Oh, sorry didn't see you there."

John steadied her with his hands and looked her over to make sure she was ok, trying to figure out why she had snuck out of the house in the middle of the night. When he studied her face in the dim light he noticed that she had tears streaks on her face, she had obviously been crying. "Are you ok?" he asked concerned.

Shelly nodded and tried to move around him to the stairs, "Yeah, I'm fine. Excuse me," she said taking a step towards the stairs. She was annoyed when he stepped in her way blocking her path.

John nodded though he didn't really believe she was fine. Something had obviously happened to night that had upset her. "Ok, if you're fine then you can tell me why you snuck out in the middle of the night."

"I couldn't sleep. I needed to get out and running helps me clear my head." Shelly started to explain defensively then suddenly wondered why she was defending herself to a virtual stranger, because that's what he was even if she had had visions about him, she didn't really know him at all. And he certainly didn't know her. "Wait a minute I don't have to explain my self to you!"

John nodded at this, "No you don't but I could tell your parents and you would have to explain yourself to them." John looked at her for a minute and then said, "Look Shelly I'm a FBI agent and I have seen what happens to a young girl out at night, alone. It's not pretty and I would hate to see anything happen to you."

"Look I appreciate that you don't want me to be murdered and thrown in a ditch but I can take care of my self. I don't need you or anyone else telling me what to do!" Shelly snapped, brushed past him and stormed to the stairs. Stopping a few feet from the stairs she looked back at him and said, "I may not be with the FBI, Agent McBain, but I have seen some pretty awful things in my life, probably more then you so don't talk down to me like I am some little girl that doesn't have a clue!" Then she headed up the stairs careful not to wake anyone else up.

John stared after her, silently cursing him self for coming on too strong. "Great job McBain," he said to him self. "That went well." It was just that he was having a hard time not acting like an older brother. Finding out that Shelly was his sister had thrown his protective instincts into overdrive and he just couldn't seem to help being this way.

Thinking about what she had said as he went back to his room, he wondered at her comment about seeing more awful things then him. In this little town what bad things were there for her to witness? Was she just being melodramatic or was there more going on in this town that meets the eye?

Shelly regretted her words to John the moment they left her mouth but they were out there and there was no taking them back. She had let her anger and confusion at Herbie take over and she had taken it out on John. Sighing she turned around and headed back downstairs. She wanted John's respect and knew she couldn't leave things like that. She made her way to his room door and knocked lightly.

John looked up from where he was sitting on the bed when he heard the soft knock on the door. He got up and walked to the door. Opening it slowly he was shocked to see Shelly standing on the other side. "You here to tell me off again?" he asked with a touch of sarcasm.

Shelly sighed and shook her head, "No, I came to apologize."

"Apologize?"

"Look I had a bad night and I took it out on you. I'm sorry."

John looked at her astonished, he couldn't have been more surprised. She was apologizing to him? It was he that owed her the apology. "No, I'm sorry. I was out of line and I shouldn't have questioned you like that." He paused then asked gently, "You said you had a bad night...You want to talk about it?"

"No, thanks." She said then was silent for a minute, thinking that maybe she had been too abrupt with her answer, and then said, "Look it's not that I don't trust you but I just don't like to talk about myself. Ok?"

John nodded thinking that they had more in common then she knew, "That's ok. I understand."

She looked at him glad that he wasn't pushing for answers, like most other people would. Especially cops. "Well, ummm good night then." She said turning around and headed back upstairs.

John said good night and went back to his bed thinking of their conversation. He hadn't found out why she had snuck out but he had gotten to know his sister just a bit better, and he like that. As he drifted off to sleep he had a smile on his face.

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The next morning Shelly woke up early and decided to go over to Chris's to talk to her about last night. Chris always had a way to make things seem better and that was something she desperately needed right now.

After showering and getting dressed Shelly headed to the kitchen for something to eat. She was surprised to see John was also up and drinking coffee. "You're up early," she commented while getting out the eggs to make an omelet. "Hungry?" she asked.

John shrugged and said, "I guess."

"You want an omelet?"

"Sure."

They talked about the weather and Shelly's school while she was making their food. Eventually the conversation ended up to John's job. Shelly asked about one of his closed cases and John explained what happened with it. Soon they were finished eating and it was time for Shelly to leave.

As she was about to leave Shelly heard the phone ring. Sighing she picked it up and answered irritably. She really needed to talk to Chris. "Hello?" She said a bit shortly.

"Shelly?" Said Chris from the other end, "Something wrong?"

"Oh Hi!" Shelly exclaimed, "I was just on my way to see you. I need your help."

"That's such a coincidence cause I need to talk to you too. You're headed her right now?"

"Yeah, I'll see you in 10."

"Ok, Come to the back door though. I don't want mom to know you're here this early." Chris said and they both hung up.

John's head had shot up when Shelly had told the person on the other end that she needed their help. After that he listened carefully, wondering why she needed help and also if he could provide any to her. "You need help with something?" He asked when she hung up the phone.

Shelly looked at him a bit annoyed, "It's rude to eavesdrop you know."

John grinned, not taking offense at her slightly disapproving tone, "I'm FBI its ok for us to do it. Can I help with what ever you need help with?"

Shelly shook her head secretly pleased by the offer and said, "No it's a girl thing but thanks for the offer." Leaning over she gave him a sisterly kiss on the cheek and a small hug, then pulled back embarrassed, "I'm sorry I don't know why I just did that."

John smiled, both at the fact that she had hugged him and at her embarrassment, "It's ok. I don't mindbeing hugged," he said with a shrug.

"O..Ok… I have to go now," Shelly stammered out and ran out the door leaving John staring after please by the progress he was making with her. He would be able to tell her who he really was soon. That thought made him very happy as he finished his coffee and called the office using his cell phone.