A/N: Getting this thing wrapped up is a struggle. I'm not sure why-maybe the muse just wants to go back into hibernation. I'm trying to push through and get this thing finished up. Sorry if it seems choppy.
Natalie felt the tension in her shoulders melt away as John placed his hand on her neck and gave it a good squeeze. They hadn't said much on the drive over, but she had texted Rex about the plan. He'd offered his support, but she told him it was ok-that John was with her and she felt like he would be enough for now. She'd message him later.
"I want to back out of this-I want to get in my car and drive somewhere. Anywhere but here."
John turned her to him and placed his hands on her shoulders, making her look him the eye before talking, "You are the strongest person I know, Natalie. You can do this. I'll be here with you every step of the way. Ok?"
She nodded quietly and looked towards the door, "Do I knock? What the hell do I do, John?" she laughed as he leaned over and rang the doorbell before she could stop him.
When the door opened John nodded at the person standing there, "Brody."
"Hey. Come in," he said and stepped aside. He'd received a text from John earlier saying he was needing to stop by-who he had with him surprised him some.
"Brody and Jessica are dating. He also works with me at the station."
"Nice to meet you," she said with a polite nod.
"I'm going to go check on the girls-Viki and Jess are in the parlor," he said and started up the stairs.
"I'm going to talk shop with him-you ok?"
Natalie gave him a nod and a whispered thanks. Taking in a deep breath she reached the door handle and again thought of running, but instead turned it and opened it to see her mom on the couch and Jessica by the bookcase.
"Brody-who was at the-," Jessica froze at seeing her sister standing there. "Natalie? Is it really you?" she asked, and the tears began to fall.
"Hey, Jess," she said and suddenly her sister was in front of her and pulling her into a hug.
"Don't ever leave us again, ok? No matter what-we need you in our lives. Right mom?" she asked as Viki came over and held her tightly.
"My sweet girl," she said as pulled her back and pushed Natalie's hair out of her face. "I've missed you so very very much."
"I have too. I just-," she took a deep breath and tried to control her emotions. "I screwed up-and I hurt you all and lost the company. And Nash-."
"It's over. It's all over. You are home, that's what matters now," said Jessica as she grabbed Natalie's hand and pulled her to the sofa.
"Jared was working with Mitch," she said, unsure if they were aware of that point. Of everything she had to work through these past six months, this was the biggest point. To let a man so personally and intimately into her life and find out it was a ruse.
"We know," said Viki and she sat on the ottoman and put a hand on Natalie's knee.
"I was so stupid."
"No, you weren't darling. Because of your upbringing with Roxy you crave love and attention. Mitch knows you very well, and I imagine it would have been easy for him to tell Jared exactly what to do and say for you to follow his lead."
"I still feel so foolish," she said as she covered her face with her hands.
"Don't. We've all made mistakes," she said as she looked at Jessica.
"What was that look for?" asked Natalie, her head bobbing between her mom and sister.
"When I was being reintegrated, I admitted something and I need your forgiveness on," said Jessica as she took her hand. "I let Tess out. I knew what she wanted to do to you, and I let her. I could have fought her-could have told anyone what she was wanting to do, but I didn't. I was weak and hurt and let her almost take the best thing that's ever happened to our family away from all of us," she said as she wiped her eyes. "Please forgive me, Natalie."
Natalie took a deep breath, she wasn't expecting that and then looked up to see John leaning on the doorway watching her, "I will. It's going to take time. I'm going to go now-I'll be back by tomorrow sometime, ok?"
"Of course," said Viki as she gave her a hug, understanding it was a lot to take in and digest. "Take care of our girl, John."
"Will do," he said with a nod.
John stood there and watched Natalie study the table. He'd offered to close the bar down, letter her have some time alone in her thoughts, but she'd declined. He'd heard Jessica's confession and could only imagine the turmoil it was causing in Natalie's mind.
"You want to talk about anything?" he asked as their dinner was brought over to a nearby table and they stopped the game to eat.
"Not really," she said as she reached for the mustard and put it on the fries, getting the normal McBain reaction at the combination. "I need to digest it more before I can talk about it. I thought the worst part was being played by Jared. Now-I'm not sure."
John grabbed a fry and thought for a moment before speaking "This is what I think. It would have been easy for Jessica to not tell you at this point. She's obviously come to terms with the issue and knows bringing it up now will only hurt you. But she told you anyways-not to hurt you-but because she knows you need to get over this as well if you are ever going to have a relationship again."
Natalie nodded in agreement as she finished a bite of her burger. "Ready for a rematch?" she asked and jumped up from her seat.
"Definitely," he said as he took the empty bottles and went and got them refills.
Natalie was studying the table when she heard a laugh behind her and turned to see Marty Saybrooke there, "Marty-hey."
"Well, if it isn't the prodigal daughter finally returning."
"Nice to see you too," she said as she turned her back to the woman and kept studying the table.
"Why are you back exactly? You decided suddenly you wanted to feel like you belonged somewhere again? That you were worthy of their love and affection. They missed you, Natalie, but they got over it. They moved on with their lives and maybe you should as well."
Natalie turned around gripped the edge of the table, "I don't have to explain anything to you, Marty. The only ones that I need to explain to are my family and friends-you are neither. So, if you don't mind, John and I were about to enjoy a game or two."
"Of course, you were," she said as she looked over to him as he made his way back to the table.
"Want to tell me what that means?"
"You come back to town and what's the first thing you do? You throw yourself at the first available man."
"I-I wasn't throwing myself at anybody. I was just having a couple drinks and games of pool with my friend, but obviously that was a bad idea," she said as she looked over towards John. "I'm going to go for the night-thank you for the food and the game."
"You sure?" he asked, knowing the answer already.
"Yeah, I'll be by the station tomorrow to talk with Bo. I'm staying at Rex's tonight," she said, feeling like she had to explain herself.
John watched as Natalie gathered her stuff and left. Sighing he turned to Marty, "Was that really necessary?"
"Yes, because I don't think it's healthy for her to come back. All she's going to do is stir up more hostility between herself and her family. Jessica doesn't need that."
"I heard her tonight tell Natalie otherwise. And everything Natalie needs is here-her family, her friends. She's gone through a lot these past six months-and all of that alone. But now she's ready to let us back in."
The banging on his apartment door made Rex jump, he wasn't expecting Natalie to be here for at least an hour, so that she was here already he was even more surprised, "Hey-how was Rodi's with John?"
"It was fine," she grumbled and flung her purse down on the couch.
"Ok-obviously something happened."
"Marty Saybrooke," she spoke with spite in her voice as she flopped onto the couch. "I was having a good time with John-he was explaining Jessica's point of view on telling me everything at this point. He went to get us some more beers and she walks in. Why are you smiling?"
"I'm just glad to have this fiery personality back in my life, that's all. It's been quiet without her around," he said as he sat down on the couch and turned to her. "So, what did she say?"
"She called me a prodigal daughter and asked why I was here again. Said everyone has moved on with their lives without me in it and that maybe I should just leave town again."
"I can promise you that no one has gotten over you being gone and everyone will be excited you are back. Still for good, right?"
Natalie gave a slight laugh, "Yes, still for good. I will have to go back and put my notice in. And empty my apartment."
"I'll help. And so will Roxy and whoever else we can find. Probably even McBain," he said with a slight smirk.
Natalie rolled her eyes, "Marty would love that. Are they together again? Wait-never mind, I don't care."
"You sure about that?" he asked with a tease.
"I'm perfectly content with having no man in my life right now, Rex. I'm getting my life on track-the last thing I want, or need is to start up a relationship with anyone."
"So, what is John exactly?"
Natalie thought quietly before responding. He was always there for her-just like she had always been there for him in the past. It was nice knowing she had someone like him to count on. "A good friend, that's all."