Scene setup:

During the KCK storyline, Evangeline is willing to be hypnotized to find any information to help find Natalie and the killer. John objects, but Rex and Marcie force his compliance.

"Damn it, what kind of madhouse are we running." John shouted to no one in particular. They had Hayes Barber in custody, but Rex and Marcie had tormented him. Not much worse than John who'd strangled him. Now, Hayes mental state had been shattered and there was not hope that he would recover anytime soon. Months had passed and Natalie was still gone.

"John, we need to consider Evangeline's plan." Bo too was annoyed at Rex and Marcie. He was more at fault than they were. It was his job to restrict Hayes' visitors, but he hadn't made that clear enough to his personnel.

"No." John dismissed it quickly. That Bo would even humor such a ridiculous request was beyond reason. Evangeline had been through her own private hell that none of them knew the half of. Despite his promise to keep Evangeline safe, she'd suffered simply because her relationship with John. He was pissed that it happened at all. There was no way he would put her though that again.

"We have to try everything we can to get Natalie back. You know as well as I do. We don't have all the time in the world. Natalie needs us now." Bo wasn't yelling, but his voice was elevated. He wasn't really asking John's permission. He was the commissioner and it was his decision. He would allow Evangeline to risk her sanity for Natalie's safety.

"If Evangeline can help find my sister, she needs to do it," Rex barked his statement to John. "Natty is in trouble and it's because of you, McBain"

It took everything John had not to strangle Rex like he'd done Hayes. He wouldn't choke him, but he did grab him roughly by his collar. "Natalie is in trouble because of you," John's words were spoken with more venom than he'd intended. "You and Natalie knew she might be a target after the waitress at the diner. Instead of leaving it to the LPD, you went out and baited the killer which nearly got both of you killed. Even then, you still wanted to play games with a guy who is killing for sport. You and Natalie took me away from the Woman of the Year ceremony, and Evangeline got snatched." John tightened the grip on his collar and shouted in Rex's face, "That was because of you! Evangeline doesn't get snatched and I'm not left to choose between the two them. Natalie should have been home by now, and that's on you."

"Hey, John, cool it," Bo should have intervened sooner. He'd let Rex and others have unfettered access to the station and it had only been a hindrance in getting work done. "I said that's enough," Bo had to yell, but it wasn't as if John had heard him.

"We're not risking Evangeline to save Natalie. End of discussion." John released Rex and turn to look at Bo. He frowned to see Evangeline standing behind Bo. She'd probably been in earshot for the whole conversation.

"That's my decision to make," Evangeline had seen enough of the angry John McBain. He was starting to become undone because the search for Natalie had stalled out. Evangeline couldn't just sit idly by. Natalie was hardly her friend, but no one deserved whatever hell she was going through. "I already spoke to Phil Jamison. He's sending over a colleague who should be here shortly."

"Good, at least someone around here cares about my sister," Rex straitened out his collar and glared over at John.

"Alright Balsom, you're coming with me," Bo escorted him away. He'd calm Rex down while Evangeline convinced John that she would be okay. Evangeline would do the right thing, but he wanted John to be on board with the decision in case something went wrong.

John ran his hands through his hair before resting them on his hips. "Why are you so hell bent on doing this. Hypnosis is not a panacea. There's a chance that this won't work at all or worse." John wouldn't say the rest because Evangeline had probably thoroughly researched the topic. "We're not done yet. We are going to bring Natalie home."

Evangeline mustered a smile that she couldn't exactly call sincere. "I heard about Hayes. This could be the best shot that Natalie has. I have to do something John. Not just for her, but for me too. If she, if she…we can't let Hayes win." Evangeline walked closer to him. She folded her arms across her chest.

"Bringing Natalie home is my job. You gave us your statement. You've done more than enough already." John spoke softly taking a different approach with her.

"You don't have to do this by yourself. I'm trying to help." Evangeline had witnessed first hand John's dedication to this case. Serial killers were his area of expertise. He'd worked himself to the bone and stupid stunts like the one Marcie and Rex had pulled were keeping him from getting the results he needed.

"I appreciate it Evangeline. I really do." She never ceased to amaze him. "I don't want you to do this. You know, there's no guarantee that you've forgotten anything. Your statement was thorough." John had already argued with her about this once. He'd gently tried to remind her that she would be reliving it all over again. Except this time, she wouldn't be able to block out the things that were too painful to remember.

"I owe it to Natalie. To her family. I have to try John. When I was missing, I would have expected nothing less from everyone else." John's resistance was starting to make her waver.

"You, you, of all people, don't owe anyone. Anything." John looked her in the eyes to drive home his point. Natalie nor her family had spared Evangeline any heartache. That was on John too, though. He didn't protect her then, so he needed to do it now.

"Ms. Williamson, I'm Dr. Fox. Are you ready to proceed?" A tall blond man was standing off to the side with Bo in tow.

Evangeline had tears in her eyes. She looked at John smiled weakly. She nodded once.

"Give us a minute," John spoke while keeping his eyes trained on Evangeline. His eyes didn't follow them as Bo led the doctor off to a secluded room in the station. "I can't change your mind?"

"I need you in my corner for this, John. I'm scared, but I'm alive. I can't say the same for Natalie." Evangeline had found her resolve. With or without John's acceptance, she would go through with this.

John wasn't surprised by Evangeline's compassion or determination. It was part of what had drawn him to her in the first place. She was willing to put herself on the line for a woman who had been a strain on their relationship. She would overlook that to bring home her romantic rival. Evangeline really was well adjusted. John was proud, thankful, and envious.

"I get to be there the whole time. I'm going to sit right next to you. I'm going to hold you hand the whole time. I couldn't be there for you then, but I'll be here now." John stared at her apologetically. He couldn't change how he'd allowed Natalie to treat her in the past. He couldn't change how he'd made her feel insecure in their relationship. In spite of it all, she would probably be Natalie's saving grace.

"Thank you, John." She wanted to hug him but thought better of it. She wasn't doing this just for him or even Natalie. If there was every any chance of her reuniting with John, it wouldn't be because she won him by default. John would bring Natalie home, and if he wanted her as much as she wanted him they'd be together.