Part 21: Shock

Author's Note: Wow, guys I am so sorry to leave you hanging for so long! I completed this a loooong time ago on the boards, I just forgot all about posting it here! Hope you guys aren't too angry wth me...

Previously...

He chuckled and had just opened his mouth to reply when Jessica's cell phone rang.

Natalie's smile slipped and she shook her head when John reached to answer it, grabbing his hand as their eyes met.

"Let me."

John gave a reluctant nod as he pulled back, trying to ignore the pang he felt from the loss of contact.

Natalie took a deep breath as she tried to ignore the same pang, noting the 'Caller Unavailable' on the phone as she picked it up and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello?" Natalie repeated.

"Hey Nat, this is Bo."

John saw Natalie visibly relax her shoulders relaxing as she released the breath she had been holding.

"I was calling to see if John had shown up yet, but given the greeting I received when I called a minute ago I think it's safe to say that he is."

Natalie could hear the chuckle in Bo's voice and she burst out laughing. She only laughed harder when John raised an eyebrow, a look of confusion coming over his face.

"I'm so sorry, Uncle Bo—"

"Ah, don't be. I'm glad that you have him to look out for you. Nat, do me a favor?" She smiled. "What?"

"I know that you and John have had your problems – but would you consider letting him stay with you and Shane for a while? Just until we catch this bastard. It would make me feel better to know that you and Shane have the best protection available."

Natalie smiled. "I'll ask him. Thank you for being so concerned about us, Uncle Bo."

"Don't mention it. Stay safe, and make sure John knows that I appreciate his dedication to protecting you."

"I will. I love you." She could hear the smile in his voice as he returned the sentiments. They said their good-byes and hung up, Natalie grinning and a little misty-eyed as she turned back towards John.

"So what was so funny?"

"You threatened your boss." She giggled as a look of realization and horror spread across John's face. "That was Bo on the phone?"

She nodded as her smile widened. "But he said to tell you that he appreciates you being so protective of us." He couldn't help but grin as he saw her warm smile. He had missed it so much…

Just then the smile disappeared and she bit her lip. "He also told me to ask if you would be willing to stay and protect me and Shane."

John ran a hand over his chin as he considered the offer. He liked it because he knew there was no way he would trust the job to anyone else and because he would get to spend time with Natalie, something that he had sorely missed… But at the same time he was acutely aware of the fact that she hadn't asked him herself, and he didn't want to overstep his bounds.

"Natalie…" His voice trailed off as he tried to figure out how to say what he wanted to get across. "You know that I will do anything that it takes to keep you safe, but only if it's what you want. If you'd rather have someone else, someone who doesn't make you think of all the bad times in your life, then I understand."

Natalie bit her lower lip as she scrutinized John. He had lit up when she had told him what Bo had requested… but he'd quickly deflated after a moment. Now she understood why, and she was truly touched by his thoughtfulness.

Her eyes filled with tears as she reached over and took his hand. "John… I have to be honest. When you showed up here earlier, I thought that it was going to be horrible. I expected all those emotions to come flooding back… but they didn't.

Instead, I found myself looking at you and it was like none of that other stuff ever happened. I would love it if you would stay here and protect my son… And I'd like to take the chance to try to become friends again."

John smiled as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'd really like that."

The moment was broken by a knock on the door. John and Natalie both stood up, releasing each other's hands as they did so, and walked over.

"It's probably just Kevin… He took Shane to the zoo earlier."

John nodded but he kept a hand on his gun as Natalie pulled the door open to reveal Kevin and Shane.

She smiled as she knelt down and Shane released his uncle's hand and ran into her arms. "Mommy!" Natalie hugged him a little more tightly than usual, feeling her tears threatening to spill again as John briefly filled Kevin in on what was going on and sent him on his way.

Natalie rocked Shane back and forth for a moment before she finally pulled back, flooding his face with kisses as she brushed his hair back and looked at him. "Did you have fun with Uncle Kevin, baby?"

Shane nodded, grinning as he began to fill her in on all the different animals they had seen. She smiled, never letting him out of her arms as she listened to him talk, thanking God that she had this moment with her son.

John watched them quietly, not wanting to interrupt the moment. He couldn't help but think that Natalie was even more beautiful with her son… and that if he hadn't been such a fool that he might have gotten to experience it first-hand with their own child.

He shook his head, forcing the thought away. This was neither the time nor the place for thinking like that; he had much more important things to focus on… Like making sure that Thomas Jenkins never got within a hundred yards of Natalie or Shane.

Shane's stream of chatter continued as Natalie looked over his shoulder and met John's eyes with a smile. Knowing that he was going to be around until Jenkins was caught made her feel safe – and exhilarated in a way she was reluctant to think about.

She immediately felt guilty as Shane tugged on her shirt, trying to get her attention. It was all the reminder that she needed of the one secret that still stood between her and John… and she knew that she was going to have to tell him, especially since the evidence of her pregnancy was growing clearer each day.