Natalie came out of her bathroom having washed her trip away and jumped when she realized John was sitting on her bed. She made sure her towel was secure as she walked around him, doing her best to ignore him. She wasn't ready to have the conversation with him that she needed to have.

"I should have known you'd pick the lock," Natalie glared at him as she began rifling through her drawers for something suitable to wear for the holiday gathering.

"It's nice to see you, too," John stated as he watched her move around the room. "How was your trip?"

"Much needed," she replied as she tossed various items onto the bed next to him.

"And letting me know where you were taking our son? That wasn't needed?"

"Don't take that tone with me," she hissed, "I was a heartbeat away from marrying a man that I thought was the father of my son. My own sister had been keeping the secret from me that Brody wasn't his father. I was feeling overwhelmed and betrayed. I needed to get away to clear my head."

"You could have told someone where you were going before you left," John spat at her. "You could have kept everyone who loves you from worrying that you were never coming back. You might remember that your parents are heart transplant recipients and that your father hasn't even had his for six months. Rex just lost Gigi. Did you think about him?"

"First of all, don't you ever use my parents as a weapon against me," Natalie said as she turned to face him. "Second of all, Rex and Gigi have been the second thing on my mind since I woke up this morning."

"What was the first thing on your mind?" he ventured.

"Liam, as he has been since the day he was born," Natalie smiled.

"Curiously, where am I on that list?"

"Well, there was worry about the strain my disappearance was putting on my parents, so I'd say fourth."

"We need to talk about what we're going to do about Liam," he stated.

"You should know that there's going to be someone here tonight," Natalie took a brush and started to run it through her hair, ignoring his request to discuss Liam. She wasn't ready for that conversation yet.

"A male someone?" John asked, "Someone you met on your trip?"

"Yes, he's male, but no I did not meet him on this trip. I met him when I visited Kevin in London. He's a friend of a friend."

"You were about to marry Brody less than a week ago, and now you're bringing another man into this house," his temper began to flare.

"It's not like that," she insisted, "We're acquaintances, nothing more."

"Then why is he coming to dinner?"

"He can't get home, and I didn't want him to spend the holiday alone, even if it isn't technically his holiday to celebrate."

"And he's just a friend," John needed her to confirm once more.

"And barely that," Natalie rolled her eyes as his obvious sign of jealousy.

"I don't have to worry about you running off after the holiday is over, do I?"

"No, I'll be staying for a while. I do have work after all."

"I'll let you get dressed," he stated as he rose from the end of the bed, "We'll talk more about what we're going to do about all of this later."

"I'm looking forward to it," Natalie smiled sarcastically.

John looked at her with his trademark half smirk. He couldn't resist the urge as he gathered her into his arms for a kiss. He knew she'd be angry with him but that didn't stop him.

"Why-what could you possibly think you have to gain with that?" Natalie said after he released her.

"You took off the ring Brody gave you," John noticed.

"I threw it out the window of my car on the way out of town."

"I'm going to fight for you, Natalie," he informed her, "If necessary, I'm going to fight for you, for Liam, for our family."

"We'll talk later," Natalie nodded. "I have to get dressed."

He gave her a slight nod as he left her to dress.

Natalie sat on her bed after the door shut behind John, "Drunk as a skunk. I hope Mom doesn't mind."

-f-f-f-f-

"Natty, what are you doing?" Rex asked when he found his sister pouring herself a glass of wine.

"Wishing Mom still kept whiskey in the house," Natalie said as she corked the bottle and raised the glass. Just as she was about to take a sip when Rex took it from her. "Hey!"

"It's not even-stop it," Rex scolded her as Natalie tried to take her glass back. "It's not even ten o'clock yet. You have to have several serious conversations today. I am not letting you drink yourself into a coma to avoid them."

"I really, really don't like you right now," Natalie grumbled.

"You love me," Rex said as he poured the wine into a potted plant.

"I'd love you more if you let me get blitzed," Natalie smiled.

"I'm okay with how much you love me right now," Rex smiled at her.

"I supposed it wouldn't do me much good anyway," Natalie sighed as she took a seat on the couch.

"No, not really," Rex sat down next to her. "You okay?"

"John kissed me," Natalie confessed.

"What? When?"

"He picked the lock while I was in the shower and waited for me in my room."

"And?"

"No surprise, we fought," Natalie said. "Then he kissed me and left me to get dressed. That's when I decided getting plastered was the only way to make it through today."

"I'm sorry, Nat."

"Me too," Natalie bobbed her head.

"I'm gonna go check on Roxy and Shane," Rex rose up and left Natalie to her thoughts.

She closed her eyes to focus on her breathing.

"What do you think you're doing with my grandson?" Roxy's voice intruded on the little moment of peace.

Natalie's eyes shot open, and she got to her feet. Racing into the foyer she skidded to a stop when she saw Brody holding Liam at the foot of the stairs. She barely realized Nigel was standing with Roxy. She had tunnel vision. Brody was holding her son. Something in her just snapped.

"What are you doing?"

"I wanted to hold him," Brody explained.

"That doesn't explain what you're doing down here with him," Natalie reminded him. "Or what you're even doing here. You're not a member of this family and after you slugged Nigel, I'm surprised my father didn't grab Grandpa's shot gun. But hey, hindsight, right? So, give me my son and leave. Now!"

"Natalie, you can't just cut me out of his life," Brody shot back as he held Liam close, "I'm the only father he has known for his entire life."

"Oh, do not tell me what I can and cannot do. I can have you arrested for trespassing. I can throw you out of our lives. But most of all, I can kick you out of this house."

"Nat, please, it's Thanksgiving. I have nowhere else to go," Brody responded.

Natalie's hands started for Brody's neck, but Roxy and Nigel quickly got between them. Roxy turning the enraged redhead away from Brody while Nigel scooped Liam out of his arms, saying the young boy was due for a nap if he was to stay up for dinner. Roxy escorted Natalie into the living room.

"Let me at him, Rox," Natalie fought Roxy the entire way.

"I'd love to baby, but blood in the hallway will keep Nigel from having dinner with us," Roxy told her. "Now what's this I hear about you having someone over for dinner tonight?"

"I almost forgot," Natalie replied as Nigel entered with Liam in his arms. The poor, confused little boy was crying. "Come here, Baby," Natalie gobbled him up in her arms, "I'm sorry you were frightened."

Ding-Dong

"I'll get that," Nigel said as he hurried to the door.

"And that's probably him now."

"Him?" Roxy raised an eyebrow.

"He's an acquaintance," Natalie replied, "Mostly a friend of a friend that didn't have anywhere to go for the holiday."

"You sure about that?" Roxy eyed her.

"Positive."

"Miss Natalie? There's a gentleman here to see you," Nigel announced.

Drew Donovan walked into the living room. "Happy Thanksgiving."

"Oh boy, this is going to be a fun holiday," Roxy quipped as she ogled the man that had walked in.

"Roxy," Natalie scolded her foster mother before she handed Liam to her and went to hug Drew. "I was starting to think you got lost."

"How could I miss one of the biggest houses in town," Drew hugged her. "You look good, Nat."

"You too," she smiled, "It's been awhile. You look a bit...different than I remember."

"It's the haircut," he smirked.

"That must be it," Natalie said as she took note of the items in his hand. "You come bearing gifts I see."

"My mother's influence," Drew nodded. "She always said never go anywhere empty-handed. I found a diner in town that had a few pies left, so I brought a pecan one. Then I hit a liquor store. I brought some good Irish whiskey and some brandy."

"You'll fit right in," Natalie replied, "This family loves its liquor."

"That we do," Rex said as he and Shane came in. "Who's this?"

"I'm sorry. Drew Donovan, this is my brother Rex and nephew Shane," she turned. "That over there is my foster mother, Roxy and she is holding my son, Liam. You've already met Nigel."

"We're old friends," Drew nodded towards Nigel as he stepped forward to shake the hands of those he was introduced to. Liam wasn't too receptive as he was still upset from the earlier scene.

"So, how do you know Natty?" Roxy asked as Natalie took Liam back.

"Mutual friend," Drew responded as Nigel departed with the pie for the kitchen.

"Mutual friend, huh," Roxy eyed her daughter skeptically, "You look a little too pretty for me to believe that."

"Roxy!" Natalie exclaimed.

"Thank you," Drew laughed easily.

"Drew, I'm sorry," Natalie shook her head, "Roxy's tongue is quicker than her brain."

"Don't worry about it. I can't say you didn't warn me," Drew smiled.

"Very true," she laughed, "Follow me, I'll introduce you to everyone else."

"Miss Natalie, shall I take Liam for his nap?" Nigel appeared again.

"Yes, Nigel. Thank you," Natalie handed her son over and smiled at the older man. "Are my parents in the kitchen?"

"Yes," Nigel nodded.

Natalie showed Drew the way, clearing her throat to get their attention as they entered to the delicious smells of dinner cooking. "Mom, Dad, I wanted to introduce you to someone."

Clint and Viki looked up from what they were doing and smiled at their daughter.

"Drew, this is my father, Clint Buchanan, and my mother, Victoria Banks. Guys, this is Drew Donovan."

"It's nice to meet you both," Drew nodded. "Thank you for having me."

"Any friend of Natalie's is always welcome in our home," the matriarch smiled as she wiped her hands on a towel and greeted him with a handshake, "Nigel said you brought the pecan pie. That saves me in a way you cannot imagine as I completely forgot to make one and it's Clint's favorite."

"Glad to be of service," Drew smiled.

"And he brought whiskey and brandy," Natalie smiled.

"Your grandpa would approved," Clint smiled as he took his turn shaking Drew's hand. "He was a whiskey drinker."

"Would that be the legendary Asa Buchanan?" Drew inquired, "I've heard stories."

"Most are probably true," Clint chuckled.

Natalie smiled, "When we first met, we traded stories about our families. A lot of Drew's family is in law enforcement."

"Then you and my brother Bo will get along nicely," Clint replied.

"I thought Bo and Nora were going to see Matthew today," Natalie raised an eyebrow.

"They'll be here later on," Viki smiled. "Drew, Natalie tells me you and she met in London."

"My dad lives there. He and I were out one night, and we ran into a friend of his who was eating with your daughter."

"Who was that, Sweetheart?" Viki asked her daughter.

"Anna, remember Mom? The one who parachuted into the backyard?"

"It's hard to forget an entrance such as that," Viki laughed.

"Can we do anything to help you and Mr. Buchanan, Mrs. Banks?"

"Call me Viki, first of all," Viki smiled. "And no, you two go on. Natalie, give Drew a tour of the house."

"Good idea," Natalie smiled as they began wandering around the house before she pulled him into her bedroom so they could have a few minutes of privacy to discuss their next course of action.

"Your family is nice," Drew said.

"Thank you," Natalie smiled as she listened at the door to make sure the hallway was quiet. "I think we're good. So?"

"She's being held in Texas."

"Held?"

"We trumped up some charge and managed to separate her from her traveling companion-"

"Cutter," Natalie inserted.

"Yeah. So, now we're having her analyzed and watched."

"Analyzed how?" Natalie eyed him curiously.

"We've asked her some questions, and we got a fingerprint sample. Fortunately, Gigi's were on file. There's more. We got a court order and dug up the body everyone thinks is Gigi."

"And," Natalie prompted him, "It wasn't her, was it?"

"No, we compared the fingerprints to the ones we had on file. They didn't match Gigi's. They did however match Stacy's."

"So it really was Stacy," Natalie gasped, "So Gigi really could be alive."

"So how do you want to play it?" Drew inquired.

"I don't know. It's not like I can march downstairs and say, 'Rex, Shane, guess what? Gigi's not really dead. It was Stacy we buried. She had plastic surgery to look like Gigi and was about to take over her life when she got caught up in Jack's plan to mess with Shane. That's the good news. The bad news is that she has no recollection of her life here or you guys or anything really. Happy Thanksgiving.' I don't see that going over well."

"You have a point," Drew conceded, "But if she doesn't remember who she is, maybe that is because she isn't around the life that she knows. Shane's her son. Maybe that's the spark she needs."

"I can't do that to him, Drew," Natalie shook her head. "I can't put him in a room with a Gigi that doesn't know who he is."

"Maybe we should start small," Drew offered up an alternative, "Do you have pictures of your nephew? Maybe that could be a spark?"

"The picture idea is a good one, but let's take it one step further," Natalie went to her closet and pulled down a black bag. "It's Liam and Ryder's first Thanksgiving. We should be taking a lot of pictures."

"I don't get it," Drew looked at her curiously.

"I take a few pictures of Shane, Rex, Roxy, and even my mom, because she and Gigi were good friends. We put them on a flash drive. You email them to the people holding Gigi, and they show them to her."

"It's worth a shot," Drew replied.

"Come on, let's go downstairs. My sister should be home by now."

"Is this that sister with DID?" Drew asked nervously.

"Yes. Don't worry. Tess never made it to London," Natalie smiled.

He chuckled as he followed her down to the living area where most of the family had congregated.

"Hey everyone," Natalie greeted.

"Aunt Natalie," a blonde whirlwind ran to Natalie and hugged her around the waist.

Natalie giggled and handed off her camera to Drew as she hugged Bree back, "I missed you, too."

"Did you bring me anything from your trip?" the little blonde batted her lashes.

"Bree!" Jessica scolded.

"I might have brought you something," Natalie smiled, thinking of the stuffed koala she'd picked up for her niece. "We'll take a look after dinner okay?"

"Okay," the little girl pouted slightly, "I'll try to be patient."

"Good girl. Can you say hello to my friend, Drew?"

"Hello, Drew," she recited dutifully.

Drew crouched down and smiled, "Well hello there, Miss Bree. You're just as pretty as your aunt Natalie said you were."

"Thank you," the little girl smiled. "You're pretty too."

"Thank you," Drew winked at her, making her giggle and blush.

"It's handsome," Jessica corrected her daughter as she stepped forward to introduce herself, "I'm Jessica, and this precocious little girl is my oldest."

Drew straightened up, "Drew Donovan. It's nice to meet you, Jessica."

"It's nice to meet you too," Jessica replied, "How do you know my sister? She's never mentioned you before."

"Friend of a friend," Natalie explained. "I met him the last time I was in London."

"Oh," Jessica responded, "That's funny. I don't remember you mentioning him."

"I might not have," Natalie smiled. "Drew, this is Robert Ford. He's Ryder's father."

"Good to meet you," Drew stated as he shook the man's hand.

"You too," Ford smiled as he held up the glass of liquor. "You have great taste in whiskey."

"What are you drinking?" Natalie eyed his glass.

"Roxy made me an 'Everybody's Irish'," Ford explained.

"Rox?" Natalie eyed her.

"I was good. I know not to have any liquor myself," Roxy assured her.

"Just checking," she smiled, "How about you whip up two more? I can't speak for Drew, but I can use a drink."

"Yes, definitely," Drew added.

"Do you remember that toast you taught me the first time we met?"

"Yeah, you said it reminded you of your grandpa," Drew smiled.

"Could you remember it?" Natalie inquired, "I know Jess would appreciate it."

"Alright," Drew nodded and looked around. "Rex, could you hold up your glass?"

"Sure," the other man held up his glass.

"Some would say your glass is half full, some would say your glass is half empty. The Irish would say...Are you gonna drink that?"

The adults in the room let out a chorus of laughs.

"I don't get it," Bree chimed in as she looked curiously around the room.

"You'll get it when you're older," Jessica promised.

"Joe loved a good Irish toast," Viki added wistfully. "He wrote down every single one he could remember, so I could teach them to Kevin and Joey."

"Who's Joe?" Drew asked Natalie quietly.

"Joe Riley was my mom's first husband," Natalie said. "He died of a brain tumor a long time ago."

"How many times has your mother been married?" Drew whispered.

"A lot," she laughed softly.

"Do you remember any of the toasts that Joe taught you, Mom?" Jessica asked.

"It's been years," Viki replied, "I'd have to pull his book out of the attic."

"Another day then," Jessica smiled. "I'd love to learn some of them."

"Hope I'm not late," John entered the room.

"For dinner, no," Viki replied, "To enjoy some good Irish humor, yes."

"Can I get you a drink, Johnny?" Roxy inquired.

"Just water, thanks Rox," John said. He found Natalie and Drew and immediately walked towards them. "I don't think we've met."

"John, this is Drew. Drew, this is John, Liam's father," Natalie dutifully made the introductions. She watched as John shook the visitor's hand a little harder than he would normally.

"Good grip," Drew smiled as he flexed his hand once it was free of John's grip. "It's nice to meet you."

Natalie shot John a look that translated into, "Behave."

"Where's Liam?"

"Asleep upstairs. We want him to stay up for dinner, so we're letting him nap now."

"Do you mind if I go up and see him?" he inquired.

"Not at all," Natalie nodded. "Go on up."

"Would you join me?" he requested.

"You know your way," Natalie replied, "I'm entertaining a guest."

"I'll be okay. I'll take some pictures for you," Drew smiled.

Natalie gave Drew a look, "Thank you so much."

"No problem."

Natalie turned to John and motioned for him to follow her upstairs.

Just as John and Natalie got to the doorway of Natalie's room, John pulled her into the room and shut the door, forgoing Liam's room as had been their destination.

"What are you doing?" Natalie demanded.

"How do you know Drew Donovan?"

"I already explained," Natalie replied, "He's a friend of a friend that I met while in England visiting my brother."

"Okay, now how do you really know Drew Donovan?"

Natalie stared at him and then sighed when she realized their was recognition in his eyes as well, "You've met him before."

"International Law Enforcement Conference," John nodded. "I met him and his old man. Funny that you know someone who works for the ISA."

"If you know him, then what's with the third degree?"

"I'm wondering why you have an ISA agent in your house just after you disappeared for almost a week."

"It's complicated," Natalie stated.

"Un-complicate it for me," he demanded.

"If I tell you-"

"Natalie," John growled.

"If I tell you, you say nothing. You go back downstairs and act like he's just here for dinner. You ask no questions. You make no comments. You allude to nothing."

"What is going on?"

"I have a couple of friends besides you who work for federal law enforcement agencies. While I was away, I was staying with one them. Her husband was going through some pictures. I accidentally knocked them over. When I was helping pick them up, I looked through them, and I recognized some of the people. One of them was my grandpa's ex wife, Alex Olanov. There was also a picture of Cutter Wentworth. He was with a woman I have good reason to believe is Gigi."

"Gigi died, remember?"

"It's hard to forget. But the picture was of Cutter and Gigi at a plastic surgeon's office in Brazil. It was the plastic surgeon that was visited by Stacy Morasco."

"Gigi's crazy younger sister that was obsessed with Rex," John nodded.

Natalie sat down on her bed, "Stacy had surgery to look like Gigi. From what I can piece together, and remember this is a lot of guess work, Stacy had the surgery and then came back here to finish her plan. Before she could do that, Gigi and Stacy wandered into the trap Jack had set for Shane. That's where Kim comes into the picture. She got the woman she thought was Stacy out of there and left the woman we buried as Gigi to die."

"So you're saying that the woman that actually died was Stacey," John concluded, "Is there proof?"

"Drew got a court order to dig up the woman we buried and fingerprinted her. They match Stacy's record from when she was arrested in Kentucky."

"Are you going to tell Rex?"

"That's where it gets complicated," Natalie motioned for John to take a seat. He did and looked at her. "She has no memories of anyone."

"Bring her to Llanview and put her in a room with her son," John stated, "The maternal instinct should kick in."

"You sound like Drew," Natalie shook her head. "I can't do that to him, John. I can't put him in a room with Gigi on the off chance that it will spark something. Do you know how devastated Shane would be if it didn't work?"

"Either way, he has his mom back," John replied, "That has to be better than believe that she'll be dead for the rest of his life."

"I'm taking pictures today of Rex, Shane, and my mom and having Drew email them to the agents holding Gigi, so they can show them to her. I'm hoping that they'll spark something in her memory."

"And if that doesn't work? What's the next step in this plan of yours?" he pressed.

Natalie looked vaguely sick, "If it comes down to it, telling Rex is the next step."

"Shouldn't that be the next step anyways?" John asked, "Look at him, Nat, he's suffering. Every day since she's been gone has been a struggle for him. The only thing that keeps him going is Shane."

"And if I'd been wrong and the girl with Cutter really was Stacy and not Gigi? I'd rather him be furious at me for not telling him right away than have his heart shattered all over again."

"You just said that the fingerprints of the woman we buried as Gigi match Stacy," John pointed out, "Do you really think you're wrong?"

"I didn't know about the fingerprints until Drew got here. Before that we were still unsure."

"And now you know," John stated.

"Now we know," Natalie agreed. "She has no memories, John. She'll look at Rex, and he'll be a stranger."

"If it were me in that position, I'd still want to know. Even if you looked at me as a stranger, I'd still relish that fact that I'm looking at you."

"And if you were in Shane's place, and Eve didn't know who you were?"

"One step at a time," John stated, "We have to tell Rex."

"I know," Natalie nodded. "I'll take him for a walk after dinner."

"No, we'll talk to him after dinner," he corrected her.

"John, you don't have to," Natalie shook her head.

"You're right. I don't have to. I want to," he corrected her.

"Thank you," Natalie nodded.

"Let's join the festivities," he suggested as he held out his hand to her.

"Sounds good," Natalie took his hand and they joined the family downstairs.