A/N: I think this story is starting to wrap up. I could drag it out, but then I worry that it'll never get finished.

If the past month had taught Natalie anything it was that she knew what she wanted to do with her life. Go back to where everything seemed to go haywire. But since she didn't have a time machine to keep John's accident from happening she decided the least she could do was try and restart the career she truly felt she was best at.

So, taking her phone out she typed in the number and waited for it to ring. Hearing the pleasant greeting on the other end she wondered how he would take this request of her, "Yes, may I speak with Commissioner Buchanan?"

"May I ask who's calling?"

"Uhm, yes. Tell him it's his niece," she said, wondering why she was suddenly nervous. The man, at times, felt like more of a father to her than her own.

"Hey Jess. Everything ok?" asked Bo, only half paying attention as he looked through files.

"It's not Jessica."

He let out a breath at hearing her voice again, "Nat. Sweetie-hey. Are you ok? We've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too, Bo. I'm pretty good-actually, I've decided I want to go back into forensics."

"Really? That's great. I'll have to see when the next exam is," he said as he tried to find the paperwork on his desk.

"Not in Llanview, Bo. I've found a program where I am."

"Really?" he said, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice. "I know you'll be a great asset wherever you are. I guess-I just like the idea of you being right down the hall again."

"You just want me for my coffee," she laughed, the nervousness having disappeared.

"It's not just that. I want to make sure you are ok."

"I am. Or I'm trying to be. I need a reference to get into the program."

"Done. Who do I need to speak to?" he asked as she relayed the name and number for the local police department along with the program coordinator.

"Thank you so much, Uncle Bo."

"Don't mention it. Listen-can you hold off on telling anyone where I am? Especially mom and dad. I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet."

Bo sighed, he hated keeping a secret from Clint, "Natalie they'd want to know you are ok."

"I am-really, Bo. I feel like I'm making a name for myself, and I'm talking with a therapist. I just am not ready for them. Calling you about this is a step-there will be more, bigger ones, I promise."

"I'm going to hold you to that. Just remember I'm here if you need me-work or personal."

"Thanks, Bo," she said as she hung up the phone.

Rex walked into the unfamiliar police station and felt unease at this idea. It had been Bo's idea, and at first he'd gone along with it. Thought the idea of showing up where Natalie had settled at was a good idea. But now he was questioning that-he had spoken in the past with John and Bo about her. And they'd all agreed that as long as they knew she was safe they were going to give her as much space as she needed.

But that was also four months ago, and he knew they were all getting antsy.

"Can I help you?" asked the receptionist with a smile.

"Yeah, I'm looking for one of your forensic techs. Natalie Bu-Balsom," he said, stuttering over them sharing the same last name again.

"I think she's in with the boss-shouldn't be more than a few minutes," she said nodding towards the Commissioner's door.

"Thanks," he said as he found a seat to wait it out. He wasn't there long before the door opened, and he watched her walk out. A smile appearing on his face immediately at seeing his sister again. "Nat," he called out and saw the shock on her face at seeing him.

"Rex, what are you doing here?" she hissed as she walked forward.

Rex ignored the question and pulled her into a hug, "I've missed you so much."

"Me too," she said as she tried to blink away unexpected tears.

As he pulled out he kissed her cheek, "And that's from your Uncle Bo."

Natalie laughed as she wiped the corners of her eyes, "Now answer my question."

"I have a PI case I'm working with. Mentioned where it was to Bo and he told me that it just happened to be near where my favorite sister is living now. What are the chances of that?" he grinned.

"I'm your only sister, Rex. And yeah-what are the chances," she said with a side eye.

"So, while I wait for my contact why don't we go get something to eat and you can tell me all about your new life. If you can get away," he said as he looked at the Commissioner who gave Natalie a nod.

For the first few weeks after getting back from Hawaii John had imagined her showing up at his door. Saying she had come to terms with everything else in her life and was ready to be home again. But now, six months later, he'd given up on that idea.

He knew what she was doing-that she'd settled down a state over doing forensics. Bo knew the exact city as he'd given the recommendation, but if he'd told either of Natalie's parents that information he wasn't sure.

He also, by way of Roxy, knew that Rex had taken a few random PI cases that took him over that way, being gone for a few weeks at a time. He was glad she had some contact with family.

He'd asked Balsom how she was, but never got a real response. Saying if she wanted him to know she'd reach out to him.

So, when he walked into his apartment at the end of the day, he was surprised to see her sitting on his couch reading a magazine he'd left out, "Wait? This is my room-right?" he asked with mock concern and opened the door to check the room number again.

"Sorry, I needed a place to hide out and figured you wouldn't mind."

"Not at all. Are you here for just a visit or permanently?" he asked as he took his coat off and went to hang it up.

"For now, just a visit. I'm talking with Bo tomorrow about getting on in the forensics department here."

John nodded, hearing something about one of the tech's moving away soon. "What are your plans for tonight?"

"I need to go see my family-I'm just not sure I'm ready for that yet."

"They've missed you while you were gone," he said, leaving himself out of it.

Natalie sighed and began to ring her hands as to calm the anxiety that had been hitting her most of the day today, "I know. I just-."

He hated seeing her hurting and had an idea, "Did Rex tell you what I did?" he asked, a mischievous smile appearing on his face.

"No. What?"

"I bought Rodi's," he said proudly.

"You didn't," she laughed and got a nod out of him.

"Might not have been my best moment, but it's been a fun learning experience. So how about we go over to Llanfair together and then afterwards we'll go over and you can kick my butt at pool like always."

Natalie took a deep breath, "Ok."