Chapter Twelve

John took a sip of his beer and waited for the lecture from his brother. Over burgers and beer, John had filled Michael in on the events of past twenty-four hours starting at the beginning, after strong arming Michael into promising to keep his mouth shut about the stalker.

After Natalie left town, John and Michael didn't speak for days because John went out of his way to avoid his brother. After learning that John had been taking his vacation leave and that no one had heard from him in days, Michael became concerned and paid his brother a visit only to find him drunk and miserable.

Flashback

"Whaddya want?" John slurred standing in front of the door. "Go away, leave just like they all do. I don't need any of you."

Michael peered in to the apartment his concern growing. There were empty beer and whisky bottles strewn around the room. Pizza boxes, and take out bags were thrown in a pile and numerous pictures of Natalie were piled on the coffee table, spilling onto the floor. He saw more on the unmade bed.

Michael pushed past his brother and entered the apartment. "John, what the hell are you doing to yourself?"

John kicked the door closed, almost losing his balance in the process. "Nothing matters. She's gone. Just like dad, and Caitlyn, gone and never coming back." John took another swig from the bottle. "Everything I touch dies."

Michael sat down beside his brother and asked the question that had been on his mind for days. "Why did you do it John? Why did you keep that from her?"

Between gulps of whiskey John answered, "Because I didn't want to lose her."

Michael had spent the rest of the night emptying all the alcohol in John's apartment and forced his brother to sober up. John had told Michael everything, how Cristian made him promise to keep his secret and how John knew the brainwashing and torture had turned Cris violent. Although, Michael was able to understand why John felt it was the right thing to do, and hadn't held it against him, he never told John about Natalie's miscarriage. Part of it was his professional obligation, part of it was out of protectiveness for Natalie and his brother.

End Flashback

"John you have to give her space." Michael took a sip of his beer.

"That's not possible Mickey with a stalker on the loose."

Michael opened his mouth to say something but stopped when he spied the familiar head of fiery red hair entering the bar.

"What?" John asked, now looking around the room to see what had caused Michaels reaction.

There eyes met across the room, and John watched as Natalie expression hardened. She broke the gaze, turning her head to whisper something to Jessica who had come up behind her.

"I mean it John, space." Michael said loudly, breaking John out of his thoughts. "Yeah, Yeah, I heard you."

Slowly Natalie strode toward them her attention fixed on Michael. "Micheal, its great to see you." She leaned down and planted a kiss on his cheek, her lips lingering there for a few seconds.

John's eyes narrowed jealously and he wanted to wipe that satisfied smirk off his brother's face.

"It's great to have you back Nat. Hey Jess." Michael pretended to be oblivious to John's anger.

"How are things at the hospital?"

"Good. I hear you're going back to L.U? That's great, Natalie."

Her back was still toward him and John was growing angrier by the second. Angry at her, angry at his brother and most of all angry at himself.

"Listen Michael, I am glad I ran into you. Grandpa was just talking to me about the non-profit center B.E is working on, and mentioned you're going to be working there. I was hoping we could meet and talk about it."

"So then you accepted his offer?" Michael smiled.

"Not yet, I'm still thinking it over, but was hoping to get your insight."

"Sure. Call me later this week and we can do lunch. Maybe head to the diner for mustard covered fries," Michael responded, winking at her.

"Bye Michael." Natalie laughed.

"Bye, Michael. Bye, John." Jessica said following her sister up to the bar.

"What the hell was that?" John growled once they were out of ear shot.

"What was what?"

"You were flirting with Natalie."

"I was not." Michael laughed enjoying his brother's anger.

"Call me this week? Mustard fries? And that wink? What the hell was that for?" John took another sip of his beer trying to control himself. "What offer is she talking about?"

"Listen John, Natalie is my friend. I'm not just going to let you pump me for information..." The shrill beep of Michael's pager interrupted them. Glancing down at it he stood up from the table. "I'll be back in a sec."

After Michael disappeared outside to make a call, John got up and walked over to the bar. "Can I talk to you for a second?" He asked, ignoring the dirty look Jessica was shooting him.

Natalie started to refuse but John leaned over and whispered, "Its about the case."

Sighing Natalie turned to Jessica and asked if she could give them a minute alone. Shooting John another dirty look, Jessica turned away muttering something about calling Nash.

"Okay, what?"

"I've been called out of town on a case and will be gone for a few days. If you get any calls or anything sent to you I want you to call me."

"Fine. Are we done?"

Reluctantly John nodded, and watched as she grabbed the take out bag walked away.

"Oh, this is going to work out wonderfully," he thought to himself as he watched Natalie storm away from John and back towards Jessica. Taking a small sip from his Gin and Tonic, he smiled, hoping that she had managed to gain entry to the cottage today and get what he had requested.