Chapter Twenty-Two

Natalie arrived at the police station just as they were bringing Walter in. Wordlessly she went over and stood beside Rex, and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Together they stood quietly and watched as Bo led Walter through the reception area. John followed behind them, and Natalie briefly met his eyes. They stared at each other for a few seconds and it looked like John was about to head toward her, but the moment was broken when Walter suddenly stopped and glanced at Rex, his face breaking out into a smile.

"Walter my boy… it's nice of you to come see your old man."

"Don't call me that." Rex snapped.

"Go be a good son and get your father a lawyer."

"Go to hell," Rex shot back, his eyes flashing.

Walter's eyes narrowed. "Show your father some respect you little pretty boy."

"Don't you dare speak to him like that," Natalie yelled as she took a step forward and stood in front of Rex like a shield.

Walter just laughed. "I see nothings changed. You're no more of a man then you were at two. Still cowering behind that piece of trash you call your sister."

For Bo, John and all the other people watching it was suddenly clear just how protective Natalie was of her brother. Before anyone realized what was happening Natalie had launched herself at Walter and started punching and kicking him, her red hair a tangled mess around her.

As Bo and another officer pulled her off of him, she continued to yell. "Don't you dare talk to him about being a man Walter because Rex is more of a man then you could even imagine being." Natalie's eyes narrowed dangerously no longer caring who was around. "Real men don't kidnap newborn babies for the hell of it. Real men don't beat their wife so badly that she ends up in the hospital. Real men don't slap around a five year old because their jealous she's getting their sons attention. Real men don't fake their death because their scared. I swear to God you say one more word about my brother and I'll you myself."

Despite the blood that was now streaming from his nose, Walter rolled his eyes. "You're still nothing but the unruly brat you were at five." He looked over at Rex, a small smile playing on his lips. "When are you going to face it son, she's not your sister. Never has been, never will be and the sooner you realize it the sooner you can start standing up for yourself."

Natalie began to squirm in Bo's arms ready to attack again but he held on tight. Rex however stepped forward. "Shut the fuck up you bastard. Natalie's more my sister then you will ever be my father."

This time it was Walter's eyes that narrowed. "You two disgust me. At twenty-five your still letting this bitch fight your battles, and you, you're still the piece of trash I brought home. I should have gotten rid of you both when I had a chance."

"Don't you dare talk to my kids like that." Roxy's shrieked from across the room before storming past the officers and kneeing Walter in the groin. "Don't you ever speak to my kids like that again you lying, cheating, coward." Another officer stepped forward and took a hold of Roxy.

"Who are you kidding; you were never a mother to those kids - always too drunk to care about them." Walter choked out in between the groans from Roxy's knee.

Natalie once again tried to free herself from her uncle's grasp. "Leave Roxy alone Walter, or so help me God…"

Realizing how ugly this could get, Bo shouted at Officer Matthews to book Walter. As he was escorted out of the room by Matthews and John, Roxy continued to yell after him, probably calling him every name in the book. Once he was safety out of the room, Bo released Natalie who went directly over to Rex and put her arm around him. Roxy went over to them and the three of them spoke for a few minutes, before Roxy went over to Bo.

"I don't want that jerk to ever see the light of day again, Commish."

"I don't either, but in order for that to happen I am going to need your help in answering some questions."

She nodded. "I'll tell you everything I know."

Putting his arm on her back, Bo led her toward his office and past Natalie and Rex.

Seeing how upset her brother looked, Natalie knew she needed to do something. Taking his hand she pulled him into John's office, knowing it would be empty since he had escorted Walter down to booking.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly taking a seat beside him on John's small couch.

"Oh yeah Nat, I'm doing real good. Dear old dad is back from the dead, and still every bit the ass he ever was."

"Rex, you can't listen to what he says…"

"Oh can't I?" Rex said looking away from her. "He's my father isn't he? His blood runs though me doesn't it?"

"That doesn't mean anything."

Suddenly Rex's eyes began to tear up. "What if I am like him Natty? How can you even look at me knowing it was my father who kept you from your family? And John… how can I even look at him knowing what my father took from him?"

"Rex your nothing like Walter, and you aren't to blame for his actions.

"The sins of thy father…" Rex snapped as he angrily wiped at his tears.

"That's bullshit and you know it.

"I'm his son."

"And Uncle Bo is Asa's son… does that mean he's anything like him? Or responsible for the stupid things he does? No. Adrianna is the daughter of Dorian… does that mean she's anything like her mother? No. The fact that he is your father means nothing Rex. You are nothing like him."

But that wasn't the thing that had gotten to Rex, and suddenly he just blurted it out. "Who am I kidding Natty, he's right. I'm not your brother."

Seeing how devastated Rex looked, tears began to form in Natalie's eyes. "Hey, don't you dare say that. You are my brother in every way that counts."

"Not the main way."

A look of determination came over her face and she fixed him with a hard stare. "What is my favorite color?"

Rex looked at her puzzled before answering. "Blue."

"And my favorite number?"

"Eight."

"How do I take my coffee?"

"Natty this is beside the point…"

"How do I take it?"

"Black."

"And what's my biggest fear?"

"Airplanes… but what does this prove? That I know you… big freaking deal."

"No it proves you're my brother. Do you honestly think Kevin, Joey or even Jessica would know the answers to those questions? Or that I would know the answers for them? But you know mine, just like I know your answers are green, thirteen, with cream, and spiders."

"But..."

"Who is there for me no matter what? Who helps me with any stupid scheme I come up with? Who lets me cry on their shoulder when that plan fails? Who lets me be myself? Who drops everything and runs to me when I need them? Again, its not Kevin, Joey or Jessica. It's you Rex, it's always been you. Biologically fine, your not my brother, but you are more my sibling then any of the Buchanan's."

Seeing how sad still looked, Natalie leaned over and took him in her arms and hugged him like she used to do as a child. "Want to know something else?" she whispered softly in his ear.

"What?"

"I'm always going to love you more then any of them too."

Reassured by what Natalie was saying, Rex hugged her back knowing that no matter what happened his sister would always be there for him.

Ashamed that he had let his father upset him this much, Rex silently cursed him, hoping that he would just go to hell.