Michael knew it was late, close to 4 AM, but he knew that Dr. Stone had been right. He should have tried this before.
The phone ringing woke him from his sleep, restless as it had been, but he knew if he was sleeping and his phone rang, he had to answer it. That was one of the many additional conditions of working for the FBI. Without thinking about it, or even really moving, he picked the phone off of the beside table and picked it up.
"McBain" he answered, groggily.
"For the love of God, John, this is what it takes to get you to pick up"
"Mike, do you have any idea what time it is?"
"I'm on shift, so yeah I know what time it is" he said, "Where the hell are you?"
"I can't tell you that, you know that" he said, "Mike, why the hell are you calling me?"
"You really don't know? We've left you more messages than I could even count"
"Mike, its late, I have to be up in the morning, what is your point?"
"What the hell is wrong with you? You know what, never mind, -"
"Mike- "
"It's Natalie"
With that, John shot straight up, "What about Natalie, what's wrong? What happened? Is she okay?" Suddenly, it seemed like he couldn't breathe.
"John, she left you a message everyday- "
"Mike, what's wrong?" he demanded.
"She asked me not to tell you-"
"Well, my guess is you didn't call me at this hour just to tell me that, so tell me what's wrong"
"She has cancer. She's going into surgery tomorrow"
John opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't form words. His brain was racing, he couldn't figure out what to say or do. His heart accelerated, and he was sure it was about to jump out of his chest.
"John?"
"I'm still here" he said, and was on his feet, "Where is she?"
"She's with us, in Seattle"
"I'll be there as soon as I can" he was already starting to throw his things into a bag.
"John?"
"What?" he snapped.
"You're really going to come?"
"Yes, I'm coming"
"Just like that? Don't you have to tell your superiors or something?"
"Damn it" he whispered, "Yeah, I do. I won't be able to get on a plane til this afternoon"
"You think you'll get here in time?"
"I have to. I should already be there" he said, "God, she didn't tell anyone, did she? That's why she's in Seattle"
"You're right" he said, "She won't let on, I know she's scared"
"She won't believe you if you tell her you got me" he said, "She won't believe that I picked up for you and not her-"
"I'll tell her, I'll find a way-"
"Okay" he said, knowing the attempt would be futile, that Natalie would see it as a way Mike was trying to comfort her.
"Why didn't you pick up for her?"
"I think they're blocking my calls"
"that explains a lot" he said, "My break's almost over, I have to get going"
"I'll see you soon"
John hung up the phone and hit the table his bag was on. He knew she was in trouble, he knew she needed him, but he hadn't done anything. She probably hated him for that. She had every right to.
What if she didn't make it?
He'd been so shocked by the news he hadn't thought to ask Michael what her odds were. He was sure the FBI had found the crack in their protection and had fixed it by now. He didn't think he could deal with that reality should it become one.
He continued to throw his things into his one bag. He knew there was no chance of going back to sleep now, so he didn't.
He was a mess. He would have been surprised if he wasn't a mess. Regardless, Michael felt infantly better knowing John was on his way, however long that would take. Natalie would feel better, too. She'd been saying the only one who'd be able to talk her down was John. And she'd feel better knowing Liam wouldn't be alone, either. But he knew his brother, and he wouldn't leave Natalie's side once he got here.
Maybe things were turning around.