John took a breath and stepped out into the squad room. Natalie's eyes met his immediately. He nodded towards his office so they could talk alone. She followed him wordlessly. Once he'd shut his office door, she started asking questions.

"Why did he ask me to leave? What didn't he want to say in front of me? Did you talk him out of it?"

"He, uh, just reamed me out"

"No he didn't" she said, "Tell me the truth please"

"He just wanted to make sure there was nothing else to lead back to-" he paused, "and, there's no talking him out of it. Dorian was coming for him, one way or another, at least some good came of it"

"It's not right"

"It's done Natalie"

"What's going to happen to you?" she asked.

"I'll figure it out" he said.

"You admitted to it" she said, "You were going to-"

"I was there, Natalie"

"Why?"

"You know why. You'd do it for me"

"How am I ever going to repay you?"

"from where I'm standing, I'm the one repaying you"

"Stop it"

"You know" he said simply, hoping she understood.

"I don't know how to thank you"

"Don't. you'd-"

"Do it for me" she said with him, "Yeah. I would. Thanks anyway"

He nodded as she left. He knew this was far from over, but he was glad her hands were finally out of it. He let out a breath he wasn't sure he was holding and put the letter opener back where it should have been.

"You'd do it for me. I hope you never have to find out it's true"

She'd been right. Three years later and he finally knew she was right. He hated how they'd come back to being in each other's lives, but he was glad to be on speaking terms with her again. He took out his phone and shot her a text, asking about a game of pool later.

Maybe this was a new start.