A/N: Confession time-I've had all but the last 2 lines of this chapter (and story) done since about midway through Stone. Not sure why I couldn't figure out those last lines, but they are done. I really don't know what else is coming down the pipe-we shall see. Until then-ya'll are the best-PCGirl.

"We'll have the paperwork figured out by the time you get back," said Bo as he and Natalie walked out of his office. "I know Sawyer is going to hate to see you go, but it'll be great having you here again," he said as he pulled Natalie into a hug.

"Thank you again, Bo," she said and saw John walk into the bull pen. "I'll see you in a week."

"Be safe on the drive there and back," he said as he gave her a last look before going back into his office.

Natalie stood there watching John come over to her, "Hi."

"Hi. Everything official now?"

"Will be when I get back. I have to give my notice and pack up my apartment first."

"Yeah, of course," he said, suddenly getting nervous. "Can we talk in my office about last night?"

Natalie looked at him, she really wanted to tell him there wasn't much to talk about, but instead just nodded and followed his lead. When they got to his office and the door was closed, she started, "John-."

"No, wait. Let me say this first," he interrupted. "What Marty said to you last night was completely over the line. She had no right to say that and I'm sorry."

Natalie nodded, "I feel like I need to lay out some ground rules about me being here. This isn't before with Evangeline. I'm not joining the force so I can flirt with you and make you realize you should have picked me. I'm doing this because it's what I want to do. And now, after finally getting to do it for the last four months, I've realized I'm damn good at it.

"I don't understand this supposed beef she has with me about how I treated my family. That's between me and them. Now I don't know if you and Marty are a couple and that is none of my business. But when she realizes I'm working here she's going to have a bigger beef with me, not that I care.

"That brings me to 'us'-that ship sailed a long time ago. And I think now-at this point-we can be colleagues without any awkwardness between us. Right?"

John smiled, he'd missed her personality more than any man should be allowed to, "Definitely. I'm glad you are finally doing what you love. Have a safe trip-see you in a week?"

"Yeah, I'll see you," she said with a smile and walked out of the office.

John looked up from his computer and saw Natalie walking through the hallway, looking at the time he knew by habit that he better grab her now or else have to wait an hour. And by then something else would come up.

"Hey, wait a second," he said as he jumped up and made it to the door.

"John-I have my-."

"I know-your appointment," he said, having gotten used to this time each week for the past month that she would disappear for an hour to call and talk about whatever you talk about to a shrink. "I got your report-I just need you to translate something for me," he said as he walked back to his desk to grab the report.

She sighed and held her hand out for the paper, "You are useless without me-you know that?"

John laughed, "Definitely."

Natalie sat there on the ledge of the hotel roof-looking out at the town around her. She'd never made it to her session. Walking out of the station she'd run into Jared. She hadn't known he was back in town-having heard from Rex that while she was gone him, Cristian, and John had approached him and suggested he leave Llanview. That even with her not here he had a target on his back.

Apparently, Charlie had told his son she was back in town, so he'd come back to talk with her. To try and get her to hear his side. Hearing the door open she was worried he'd found her, but turning she saw John standing there holding a six pack, "Hey."

"Hey," he said as he came over to the ledge and sat down. He hadn't thought anything of it when she didn't return from her session. It was when he walked into Rodi's at the end of the day and saw Jared Banks there that he knew why.

Handing her a beer he thought how for the first time since the initial visit to Llanfair that she might bolt, "I saw Banks at Rodi's-was hoping I'd find you here."

"Yeah, he caught me as I left the police station."

"I'm sorry, Natalie."

"For what?" she asked as she finally made eye contact with him. "You didn't tell him I was back. Charlie did."

"I'm sorry because we couldn't put him away for anything-he may have been sent here by Mitch to bring you to him, but he didn't. The only illegal thing he did was be a smarmy-ass punk."

Natalie laughed at his description, "He says he never was going to take me to Mitch. That after hearing me talk about him he realized he couldn't do it. And that since he wasn't going to then I should forgive him. Said what we had was real."

John paused and looked out on the city, "You forgave me and Cris before." He hoped she didn't think he wanted her to go back to Banks-just remind her that this wasn't the first time she'd been hurt by a lover and had to figure out whether to forgive them or not.

"That was different. What the two of you did-while it pissed me off-it didn't change my feelings about you or Cris. I still loved you both-and you two still are great friends. With Jared-just knowing what was supposed to happen-," she shivered.

He wasn't sure why he needed to speak this truth to her, or that it would help her current situation, but he knew it was necessary, "When I heard about the explosion, I realized how long it had been since I'd seen you. Like really seen and talked with you. I've missed that."

"Me too," she said, giving him a soft smile.

"If I hadn't agreed to breaking up after the accident none of this would have happened. Jared would never have had a shot to get anywhere near you."

"We needed a break, John. I had turned into someone I did not recognize. I had to find her again."

"Have you found her now?"

"Yeah," she smiled.

"You ever think-maybe-we should try again?" he asked, confused as to why saying it out loud was so nerve wracking.

Natalie looked at him and noticed how open he was being, "Where is this coming from, John?"

"I don't know," he said with a shrug and stood up, feeling like he needed to give them some space. "I mean what the hell have we been doing the last year, Natalie? I do know that I miss you being in my world. This past month has been nice-you being around-but I want more. I want to feel you in my arms at night and enjoy that first cup of coffee with you in the mornings."

Natalie was surprised at his words-she thought their chance was over. She wondered if he was right-if after all this time maybe they could get back to the same page again. Getting off the ledge she joined him in the middle of the roof and looked into those clear blue eyes that were telling her a story, "You really think we can do it?"

"I'd like to try," he said as he pushed her hair out of her face. Leaning down he covered her mouth with his and felt her reciprocate back with the same passion that his kiss held. Putting one arm around her waist he pulled her against him, reveling in the feeling of her being against him once again. They stood like that for what seemed like forever until they both had to come up for air.

"What if it doesn't work this time?" she asked, a part of her fearing the worst.

"It will," he said as he ran his thumb down her jaw line. "Above all others you belong with me. I know that now-I won't let us fail again."

She knew he was speaking the truth-that somehow they were going to get it right this time. It always seemed like after the collapse of whatever happened in her life John was there-to pull her up out of the rubble. And though she wasn't expecting it this time-he was there-and she wouldn't have it any other way.