"Dude…"said Micky a moment after Peter and Stephen rushed out the door after Natalie. "Peter sure sounded pissed."

"What a night," said Jim. "But damn."

"Hey, hey!" shouted Joni and Cass as they rushed over. "We heard some shouting," said Cass, pushing her way to the forefront of the group. "What was going on?"

Jim shrugged. "I screwed this chick and she kinda went nuts," he said. "She ran out the door and Peter and Stephen got into an argument and ran after her."

"That could only be—" started Joni, her eyes widening.

"Natalie," said Micky, nodding. "Yep. Our little girl grew up in the bedroom and is not out wandering the streets somewhere…hope they find her."

"What did you do Jim?" scolded Joni.

"I'm getting pretty tired of everybody asking me what I did!" said Jim. "Nothing, that's it, nothing! Am I worried, yeah, but I didn't do a damn thing!"

"Jesus Jim, chill out," said Cass. She turned to Micky. "Okay, so you think Steve and Pete have this under control?"

"I sure hope so," said Micky. "I mean—Peter said Natalie was fighting her own demons, so who in the hell knows."

"Oh great, she was nuts," said Jim.

"Jim, you said she was fine till she came out here, right?" said Micky.

"Yeah…" said Jim.

"It wasn't you, cool it," said Micky.

"That poor girl," said Joni. "If I'd have known there was other stuff going on with her, I wouldn't have started feeding her champagne…what a mess."

"She'll be fine Joni, don't worry," said Micky. He set his eyes on the door, wondering if Natalie had just gone around the corner. But it was dark, and just because she had only met good people in Laurel Canyon didn't mean that there were bad ones waiting for some silly, drunk slob to slip up.

Driving:

"I can't believe she just fucking bolted man," said Stephen, who was freaking out. "Like...It all happened so fast! I can't believe this shit man…"

"It's cool Stephen, it's cool," said Peter, who was driving the car. He couldn't concentrate on the road with Stephen having a breakdown in the passenger seat. He was already still stoned as it was and driving extremely slowly; he didn't need any more distractions if he was to find Natalie.

"How are we even gonna find her?" asked Stephen. "I mean, she has no car, so we can't see if she's parked anywhere. Pete, you know her man, where would she go?"

"No clue," said Peter. "But she couldn't have gone too far. She's on foot. Let's just keep an eye out for her on the street." Peter drove on, keeping all eyes out for his friend. He held his anger at Stephen back; it wasn't his fault Natalie flipped, but the fact that he was going behind Peter's back and trying to sleep with Natalie made his blood boil. But there was a time and a place for that, and this was neither. He needed to focus on where she could have gone. He knew her…he just had to know where she would be…

Peter's head snapped forward and he turned the car around to go a different direction. "Whoa man, what's up?" asked Stephen.

"I know where she is," said Peter.

"You psychic?" asked Stephen.

Peter didn't respond; that was silly. He just kept driving, keeping his eyes on the road just in case Natalie was still en route. Not seeing her, he continued to drive until he pulled into the driveway of a nearly empty bar. There was a flickering neon light that read "Open 24-7" and very few other cars in the parking lot.

"What the hell?" asked Stephen and he and Peter got out of the car. "What makes you think she'd go here?"

"Any time she's had a particularly rough day," said Peter, walking into the bar with Stephen on his heels, "she always ends up in some kind of bar…" He trailed off as they entered, and sure enough, sitting at the bar with a mug of beer, was Natalie, looking absolutely miserable. "Hey Nat," said Peter softly. Natalie snapped her neck around and her eyes widened with surprise.

"P—Peter?" said Natalie, confused. "How did you know I was here? I really didn't want to be found."

"You forget I know you," said Peter, taking a seat at the barstool next to her. "Remember after Monterey? And after the party in London? You did the same damn thing. You need a different trick sister."

"I do, don't I," said Natalie.

"I really wanna know what happened after Monterey…" mumbled Stephen. Peter shot him a rude look and Natalie just blushed.

"I'm so sorry the party took a bad turn Nat, I didn't mean it to," said Peter. "I should have stayed with you instead of…well…going off the deep end."

"It's okay Peter," said Natalie. "I went off the deep end myself. I know how I can get when I'm not on top of myself and, well, I blew it all. I'm sorry I made a scene and ruined your party."

"You didn't ruin it," said Stephen, attempting to try and make up for his idiocy from before. "The party's still going on, but Micky and Jim back there are kinda worried for you."

"Oh my God…Jim…" groaned Natalie, putting her face in her hands. "I can't believe I went there…what will everyone say?"

Peter laughed. "Come on Natalie, you know us!" he said. "Nobody will give a damn, don't worry!"

"Yeah," said Stephen. "Look on the bright side—at least it wasn't me!" Natalie sighed and attempted to laugh, but it was true—she almost went there with Stephen. What a night. What a stupid, stupid night.

"Come on Nat," said Peter. "Let's get on back, I'm sure Joni's looking for you again too."

"I don't think I can go back in there tonight," said Natalie. "Just…too much noise and people and stuff."

"Where are you gonna sleep?" asked Stephen. "You can't stay the night in the bar, can you?"

"I was just gonna get a cheap motel or something," said Natalie, shrugging. At least she thought it out, thought Peter.

"Are you sure?" asked Stephen, thoroughly concerned. "I'm sure if you just come back to the house, we can shut you up in your room and tell people not to bother you."

"But I know the second I step in that house, people are going to be all over me, asking if I'm all right and all that shit," said Natalie. "I can't deal with that right now…I just need to be left alone, if it's all right with everyone."

"I think that's best," said Peter, to Stephen's surprise. "Steve, take the car and go back to the house and let Micky, Jim, Joni, and whoever else know that Natalie's okay. Nat, if you want to get a motel, I'll check in with you and stay, if you don't mind."

"You—you don't want to go back?" asked Natalie.

"Nah," said Peter. "I had my fun, I just wanna make sure you're doing all right."

"How are you two going to get back home in the morning?" asked Stephen.

"Natalie knows the way, obviously," said Peter playfully. "Come on Nat, there's a place right by here, we can shack up for the night and chill one-on-one a little bit, how 'bout that?"

Natalie had to think about that. She had shared a bed with one man tonight, and she wasn't sure about doing it again for a little while; not while she was still thinking about Freddie. But it was Peter, and she knew she could trust him. On the other hand, she was still a little drunk, and she saw how Peter was in that orgy earlier. Would it be smart?

Peter's mind was racing too. Did he just do something really, really stupid? He felt so naïve, like his TV show character. Wow, did that take over his life. Natalie wasn't going to share a room, let alone a bed with him, even if nothing physical happened! And even if she did want to, who was to say that night wouldn't be the most awkward night of his life?

"Okay Peter," said Natalie, to everyone's surprise. "I suppose it is a good idea. It'll be quiet, and maybe being alone isn't the best thing for me right now."

"Groovy," said Peter. He turned to Stephen. "So yeah Stephen…just tell everybody she's okay, we'll be back sometime tomorrow; I just need to calm her down a bit."

"Sure thing," said Stephen. He was also a little shocked that Natalie decided to have Peter in her room as well, but she did have a point; being alone at this point wouldn't be the best thing to do. He knew that Peter knew Natalie a lot better than he did; Peter was like her protective big brother in a lot of ways. Stephen decided not to put his two cents in. "I guess I'll head back now," he said again, looking longingly at Natalie. "I'll tell everyone not to worry, it'll be fine."

"Thanks Steve, I owe you one," said Peter, clapping Stephen on the back.

"You sure you're gonna be ok, Natalie?" asked Stephen.

"I'll be fine," said Natalie, her head still trying to slow down. "I just hope I didn't scare too many people…"

"You freaked The Lizard King out," said Peter, grinning. "I gotta say, I'm impressed."

Natalie managed to crack a smile, to both Peter's and Stephen's delight. It was nice to see her at least try to cheer up. "Come on Peter," said Natalie, clumsily getting up from the barstool. "I think I need some sleep; I'm gonna have a mad hangover when the night's through."

"You and me both," said Peter, putting an arm around Natalie to hold her up. Stephen felt a twinge of jealousy, but held it back. Natalie was not for him; he hadn't heard back from Judy yet, but until things were sorted out with her, no more moves on Natalie would be made.

"Well, I'm outta here," said Stephen, inching toward the door. "Give the house a call when you get to the motel, I guess…so…good night you guys."

"Night," said Natalie. "And Stephen?"

Stephen looked at her. "Yeah?"

"I—I'm sorry about tonight," said Natalie, handing her head down.

"It's fine," said Stephen, sighing. With that note, he left the bar and went to drive back home to the party, which would seem so empty without the girl of his dreams there.

"Come on Natalie" said Peter, taking out his wallet. "Your tab's on me, let's get going; it's been a long day." He put some cash on the bar and led Natalie outside, holding her close. It was really because she was still wobbly on her legs, but also because Peter felt the need to be close to her. Natalie didn't protest; being held by Peter was comforting and warm. She hadn't been held by someone she cared about since Freddie had dumped her. Not even her parents, who were so distracted by their upcoming divorce, had so much as hugged her in the past few months. At least her brother was happy, getting married and all. "So, where is this place you wanted to go?"

"I honestly have no clue," said Natalie. "I really didn't have a plan…I just didn't want to scare either of you two."

"Well, that's a relief, like we weren't scared at all!" said Peter sarcastically, grinning. He saw Natalie shrink away a little. She was afraid he was mad, although he obviously wasn't; his dimples shown on his cheeks from under his scruff and his eyes sparkled playfully from under his sandy hair. But all Natalie felt was guilt.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"Don't be," said Peter as they walked together. "Look…I understand. I'm not doing too well either. I just got dumped, and, well, there's something else I have to tell you."

"What is that?" asked Natalie. It broke Peter's heart to have to tell her this, but if he didn't now, when would he? When he left? No.

"I'm going to be going off to Australia and Japan next month for a few months with the band, for a tour," said Peter. "God Nat, I'm so sorry—" But he was cut off by Natalie's sudden laughter. "Uh…Nat?"

"Stephen and I were talking about this!" said Natalie. "Peter—you told me about this the first day I came here! It's okay! I can deal without you for a couple months, don't be so silly."

"I—I told you?" asked Peter. He blushed and remembered that he did, in fact, mention it. Wow, he didn't feel like the brightest crayon in the box. He kept having to remind himself that no matter what the TV show dictated about him, he was not a dummy. Well, that is, until he actually was.

Natalie was still smiling. At least she was happy. "Yes!" she said. "Oh, Stephen and I had a laugh about it the other day when you left for rehearsal. He wanted me to leave you hanging, I thought it was just too mean, but I guess I forgot!"

"Well, at least that's out of the way now," said Peter, feeling rather deflated. "There's a cheap motel down the block, it'll be one room, but I could crash on the floor."

"Are you sure?" asked Natalie, following Peter in his new direction. "If you want to share the bed, we don't have to be—you know—all up on each other. I'm sure there's enough room to stretch."

"We'll see," said Peter. He felt pretty uncomfortable sharing a bed with Natalie, but she was the one who needed the most comfort right now. Peter's would have to wait until later.

Back at the party:

Stephen walked back into his house to find the party still going on in full swing, but of course, Joni, Micky, Cass, and Jim were still huddled around each other up front, waiting to hear the news of what had become of Natalie.

"Well?" asked Cass forcefully.

"She's fine," said Stephen. "Pete and I found her at a bar nearby. Peter's taking her to a motel to stay the night away from all of this and they'll be back in the morning."

"He ain't gonna screw her too, is he?" asked Jim, taken aback.

"No, are ya kidding?" said Micky. "I'll admit, sometimes I get the feeling he digs her, but come on!"

"I dunno, we may be underestimating Peter Tork here," said Joni.

"I know Peter will fuck anything that moves," said Micky. "But not Natalie, not after the night she's had."

"I'd agree with Micky," said Stephen, hoping that what Micky said about Peter's supposed feelings for Natalie wasn't true. "Just know that everything's fine."

"I'm glad," said Joni. "That poor girl…I hope Jim didn't scare her away."

"Oh no Jo, don't you go blaming me for this again," said Jim.

"Relax Jimmy, I was only joking," said Joni.

"Do you think any of us should stake out by the motel?" asked Cass, anxious about Natalie's well-being. "I mean, if both of them are still intoxicated, anything'll go."

"Nah, I don't think we need to do that," said Stephen. "Peter's trustworthy, and he'd never do anything to hurt Nat. They're the best of friends." Stephen had to admit he was a bit jealous; he and Peter had always been buddies, but when something like this situation gets thrown into the mix, Stephen supposed things did have to change up. "You all go ahead and have some fun, it's all good." With final nods, Jim, Joni, and Cass went off into the party, but Micky stayed behind.

He put his hand on Stephen's shoulder and said, "Steve man, don't you worry."

"Worry about what?" asked Stephen.

"Natalie'll end up with or without anyone she wants," said Micky. "Whether it's you, Jim, Peter, or no one, she'll be happy in the end." Oh boy, Stephen sure wasn't subtitle about his feelings tonight, was he?

"I dunno what you're talking about," said Stephen, shrugging Micky's hand off. "I have Judy." He walked off, leaving Micky smiling smugly. Boy did he have him figured out.

At the motel:

"It ain't much, but it'll do to get away from the craziness," said Peter as he and Natalie walked into the small room. There was a window covered with a dusty curtain, a sofa chair, and one bed, barely big enough for two people to fit into.

"Well…you know what motels are usually used for…" said Natalie, making the same disgusted expression at the bed that Peter was making. "I suppose we'll figure out sleeping arrangements later, not that much of the night is left anyway."

"Yeah, let's just have a seat," said Peter. The two very awkwardly sat on the two front corners of the bed and twiddled their thumbs.

"So…" said Natalie, hoping to break the silence.

"Yep…" said Peter.

"Peter, why didn't you tell me that you and Reine broke up?" asked Natalie abruptly.

"I—I didn't think it was important," said Peter.

"But it is Peter!" said Natalie, facing Peter. "It's important to me! I know I'm going through my stuff right now, but I care about you too, and if you're having problems, mine shouldn't take priority over yours."

"That's very sweet of you," said Peter, beaming.

"Plus…it'd be pretty groovy to get back on our feet together," said Natalie. I know I have some extra baggage what with my family and all, but it'd be cool to set each other up and whatnot when we're ready, don't you think?"

"Or we can just be lonely together," said Peter. "Whaddya say?"

"I like that too," said Natalie. They looked deeply into each other's eyes for a long time. Natalie's were just the prettiest shade of blue, and the way her light brown bangs fell just over her eyelids brought them out so much. She still had the makeup she had on earlier, but it was smudged from the wear and her tears. Peter had to say she still looked stunning. Natalie yawned widely and broke the staring contest.

"I think it's time for bed," said Peter. "I'll crash on the chair Nat, you get the bed."

"Actually Peter," said Natalie. "Why don't you sleep here with me tonight? We won't do anything…I just liked having you hold me earlier…you know…when we left the bar." Her face turned very red under her freckles saying that and she hid herself under her hair. Peter reached around and lifted her head up by her chin.

"If you're comfortable with that," said Peter. "Then I'd love to." He didn't know why, but he felt excited and nervous at the thought of cuddling up to Natalie. As the two went under the covers and he held her waist from behind, he eased into the curves of her body. He was careful not to touch her breasts or too much bare skin, but it was hard not to with the dress she was wearing. He buried is face in her hair and inhaled the intoxicating scent and closed his eyes.

Natalie loved the feeling of Peter's strong arms holding her close. It was extremely comforting and she couldn't think of anywhere else in the world she'd rather be. Even the tempting embrace of Stephen Stills couldn't compare. She felt Peter's soft breath on her neck, and the sound of his light snoring lulled her to sleep. In only a few hours, the stressful night was over, and it was only Peter Tork and Natalie Marshall alone in the world.