Unforgiven

Chapter 4: More Secrets

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

DEDICATION: This chapter is dedicated to GaGirl/Katie for two reasons:

Yesterday was her anniversary and this is her late prezzie from me:)

She is the reason I got hooked on J-Crack in the first place!

Recap: Cristian reveal is over and done with, Cris moved away and John turned himself in for illegal DNA tampering. He has been refusing to see Natalie out of shame for the way he hurt her but his lawyer, Kassie Cooke, is determined to make them see how they truly feel about each other.

Natalie had changed into jeans and a shirt before taking several deep breaths and beginning the drive to Statesville. Out of habit she tried to twist her hair around her finger and froze as her hand traveled up to the base of her neck where her hair now ended. Her grip tightened around the strands as she pulled into the parking lot. She tried to imagine John's reaction as she slammed her car door. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself for whatever was to come.

Once inside she saw Kassie waiting for her. "You ready?" Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves Natalie nodded stiffly. Kassie put a gentle arm around her. "Hey, it's okay. You have nothing to worry about it." Natalie gave her a small smile and sighed. "Okay, I'm ready now." Kassie nodded towards the guard who led Natalie into the waiting room, leaving Kassie behind.

As Natalie's eyes fell on John for the first time since he'd gone to prison her eyes hungrily drank him in. There was so much about him that had changed. He was leaner and his hair was much longer, not to mention he looked as if he'd aged ten years in the past three months. She walked slowly over to sit down in the chair, but the guard interrupted. "Ma'am, Ms. Cooke arranged for you two to meet in a private room."

Natalie smiled gratefully as the guard let her into the other room, then led them both into John's cell. She walked slowly towards John, stopping about six inches from him. Despite how badly she wanted to rush into his arms and let him hold her she had to know he still wanted her. John reached out a hand and touched her hair. "You cut it," he said. Natalie reached up, covering his hand with her own as their eyes locked. "Yeah… What do you think?"

John opened his mouth to answer but surprised the both of them when he kissed her passionately. As they wrapped their arms around each other they let their bodies relax into the comfortable embrace. John was the one to break the kiss, breathing heavily. "I'm sorry," he whispered, touching his forehead to hers. "Sorry for what? Do I look like I'm complaining?" Natalie replied, kissing him again.

Finally they pulled apart, smiling shyly at each other as they sat down. "Sorry for the sparse furnishings," John quipped. She laughed at his attempt to break the ice and grabbed his hand, kissing the palm softly. "Okay. John, I have some things I really need to say to you and I don't know where to begin." John nodded his eyes full of sadness and regret. She smiled brilliantly at him. "Don't worry, it's not all bad."

Natalie took a breath and began. "First of all you know Cristian realized how much I loved you that night and he left so we could be together. But then when I was finally ready to forgive you, you refused to see me." John hated the pain he could see he had caused her as she fought back tears and continued. "Basically, I just need to know where we stand right now." She brought John's hand to her cheek as she looked into his eyes.

He sighed, knowing that what he was about to have to tell her would cause a rift deeper than the truth about Cristian. He gently placed his other hand over hers and leaned in, kissing her forehead softly. "I have to tell you something before I try to find out where we stand." His voice was somber enough to scare her. She leaned in and kissed him softly. "Just tell me."

TO BE CONTINUED