A/N I do not own these characters. If I did Jolie fanfic would be unnecessary because they would have good s/l's on the show. However since the Hack is head writer and can't write to save her life fanfic is necessary; hence this story.

Chapter 20

John called Bo to tell him the news and then he and Natalie headed back to Llanview. John couldn't say that he was sad about it in the least. He got to spend time with his wife and his brother. His wife... Just thinking that gave him a little thrill, a jolt of contentment. Because that what Natalie was, his wife. He was nervous about meeting her family but he knew that she was even more nervous. She sat in the passenger seat just clenching her hands so tight her knuckles were turning white. "It's gonna be ok..." he told her for the tenth time in the 2 hours they had been driving.

"What if they hate me? What if it was all a mistake and I'm not really a Buchanan. What if..." She continued with her nervous questions until John reached over and took her hand. It scared her how much his touch calmed her. It was as if all he had to do was hold her hand and she felt better. She didn't understand it but it was nice, scary, but nice.

"They'll love you, honey." John was shocked at how easily that endearment slipped out. He hadn't meant to say it but came out and it felt good. It felt right. He gave her hand an encouraging squeeze and returned his hand to the wheel. Things were better then they had been 2 days ago but they were by no means out of the woods yet. Once the FBI found out that the contract on her life was terminated they would want her in a cell until her trial. Being a murder suspect she would be considered dangerous and now with the Buchanan money she would also be a flight risk.

"But..." Natalie started again.

"But nothing. Bo has already met you and he doesn't hate you. Everyone else will be a piece of cake." John said, hoping it was the truth. He hadn't had any dealings with the Buchanan's other then Bo but he had heard that they were a real tough group. Asa had a reputation for being very aggressive and had been known to go after his enemies with a gun. Not that he had ever shot them to his knowledge.

She heard the matter of fact tone in his firm statement and suddenly she believed him. She settle down and was calm for the rest of the trip. As they neared Llanview however she started to get nervous again. "I don't think I can do this John." Natalie told him. "Maybe we should wait till tomorrow."

"You're Natalie Balsom. No matter what that test said you're still that tough chick who tricked me and escaped while I was scratching my head in wonder." John said with conviction. He could see the toughness in her, the spirit. Hell, Natalie was the toughest person he knew! But he also knew even the strongest people needed a bit of reassurance when their lives were thrown into chaos. "Just because you're biological parents aren't who you thought they were doesn't change that. Inside you're still that Jersey girl who could take on anyone and not flinch."

Natalie heard those words and knew he was right. After everything that had happened she had forgotten who she was, where she grew up. If she could survive Roxy as a mother she could damn well survive this. With growing confidence she looked back at him and said, "You're right. I can do this. If I can take on angry landlords and the drunken sleaze balls Roxy used to bring home I can damn well face a group of Buchanans!" She paused a second then said, "Thank you."

"For what?" He said with a grin. Please by her change of attitude and strong tone.

As they pulled into Llanfair she said, "For reminding me of who I am." Realizing the car had stopped moving she looked around and then gasped. "They call this a house? Its huge!" She got out.

John was just as amazed as she was. The place was beautiful. With the immaculately cut lawn and the beautiful kept shrubs the house stood firm. It was at least 2 stories and probably had wings attached! "Well it has its own name, that should have given us a clue. But wow!" John said softly as he opened his door.

Natalie got out as well and walked to the front of the car, her eyes on the door of the house. Bo was standing there watching them. "John?" She questioned softly.

John came up beside her and said softly, "Just remember who you are."

Hearing that Natalie squared her shoulders and walked straight to Bo. Feeling awkward she simply said, "Hello."

Bo had watched her from the door as both she and John made their way to him and was overwhelmed with emotions. This was his daughter; this beautiful woman was his flesh and blood. So when she marched up to him and calmly said hello he smiled and without further thought dragged her into a big hug. "Its great to see you again," he said pulling back after a moment.

Natalie smiled, feeling comfortable with this man. He seemed like a good guy and for some reason she liked him already and more importantly she felt that she could trust him. Looking back at John she smiled a relieved smile. Perhaps this wasn't going to be as bad as she had feared. "You too Bo...or should I call you dad?" she asked suddenly a bit confused and feeling uncertain.

Bo sensed her uncertainty and hurried to reassure her, "Bo is fine for now but when we get to know each other better maybe you could call me dad."

Natalie glanced again at John and again was calmed by his smile, "I would like that." Natalie told Bo. Suddenly from behind Bo she heard, "What's taking so long? Where is this gal claiming to be a long lost Buchanan?"

Natalie heard that and stiffened. She bristled at the tone she heard. Looking past Bo she saw an older man walking into the foyer. He held a glass of liquor and was smirking at them. His expression indicating that he thought she was a liar. As Bo led them into the house she walked straight over to the man who had spoken and looked him straight in the face, her eyes flashing. "Look buddy! I don't know who the hell you are and frankly I don't care. But no one talks about me like that!"

Asa's mouth dropped open. When he had first seen the girl she had seemed shy and uncertain. She had looked like she might bolt for the car but now she looked angry, fierce even. But her tone made him annoyed as well. Even if she was a Buchanan, which he still wasn't sure he believed, she still couldn't talk to him like that. "Listen here little lady..." he sputtered.

"No you listen! I don't appreciate your tone. I didn't come to you out of the blue claiming to be a Buchanan! Bo asked ME to take the stupid DNA test not the other way around!" Looking around the room she noticed that there were more people there as well, "I was nervous to meet all of you but frankly now I could care less!" Spinning back around to face Asa and pinned him with a glare and said, "and another thing. I am not little lady! I have a name, its Natalie. Use it!"

The room was silent and John wanted to clap his hands. Instead he put them in his pockets and smiled. Her tough talk made him hot and he had to will his body not to respond. Now was really not a good time to pitch a tent in his pants. As John looked around the room he noticed that everyone seemed to be holding their breath, waiting to see what the older man, whom he was almost positive was Asa Buchanan, would do. When it happened he was shocked, almost as much as Natalie herself.

Natalie was shocked when she was pulled into a bear hug. Simply standing there as he hugged her she heard him say, "You're a Buchanan all right. You got the Buchanan fire. I'm Asa Buchanan. I'm you're grandfather, call me grandpa. Welcome to the family girl!" As Natalie pulled back there was a pause and he said, "I mean, welcome to the family, Natalie."

It was as if that was a signal and suddenly everyone was hugging her and welcoming her. She met her brothers Kevin, Joey, and Matthew, her twin Jessica and her uncles Todd and Clint, her niece Starr, Jack, and Duke, Her aunts Blair and Kelly and finally her mother.

Hugging Vicki tightly she finally let herself believe that she was a Buchanan. Growing up with Roxy had been hard and other then Rex she had never had a family so suddenly being a part of something so big was overwhelming. As Vicki released her she looked around for John needing his reassurance, his calmness.

Vicki noticed Natalie's glance and saw a man standing near the door. In all the excitement she hadn't noticed him before and asked Natalie, "Who did you bring with you?"

Wanting to explain that John was an FBI agent protecting Natalie Bo opened his mouth to answer but snapped it shut in surprise, shocked at what Natalie said.

As John moved to her side and took her hand in his Natalie answered Vicki, "This is John McBain. My husband."

To be continued...