She sat there on the couch just staring at the manilla envelope addressed to her. It made her think back to the last time she had a manilla envelope in her hands. Even though she knew this time what it might say, the outcome was the same-this could change everything.

Hearing the door open she looked over to see John walk in and let out a breath.

"Hey-what's wrong?" he asked as he dropped his keys on the table by the front door.

"I got something from the FBI," she said as she held it up and then let it drop back down.

John smirked as he came around and sat down next to her, he already knew what the results were, having received a call from a friend at Quantico giving him the news. "It doesn't matter-let's just throw it away and go on with the life we have here in Llanview." He went to grab it and she slapped his hand away.

"No. I mean-the least we can do is look at it."

"Oh yeah-of course it's the least we can do," he teased and then reached for it to hand it over. He watched her open the envelope and pull out the paper. She leaned back into the leather couch and read it over, biting her lip in deep thought as she read it over.

When she looked back at John he saw the tears swimming in her eyes. Leaning over he took the letter from her hands-reading it over to make sure what he'd been told was exactly the same as what the letter said. Putting it down he pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head, "I knew you could do it."

She smiled and pulled back from him, glancing again at the letter, "I don't even know what to say-or think. I mean-I wasn't really expecting this. When do I have to give them an answer? How long will we be gone? What do we do with this place while we're gone? We were going to raise our family in this house-I don't want to give up that dream yet."

"Well, we have a week to give them a response-and because of the training they will have you do at Quantico it's a minimum two year commitment. As for here-we can rent it out while we're gone." John stood up and held out his hand for her to join him. "But first, I want to do this," he said as he looked into her eyes before capturing her mouth with his. He'd been living in Llanview for almost a decade now-leaving would be hard, but knowing her and Liam would be there-that made it so much easier.


Natalie walked into the Llanfair library to see her mom sitting at the desk looking over some paperwork, "Hey mom."

"Natalie-hi. This is a surprise," she said as she got up and came to give Natalie a hug before leading her towards the couch. "How have you been? I feel like I've seen less of you since you got back from Seattle."

"I'm good. We're good. John and I were able to really reconnect out there, and of course seeing all the rest of the McBain's was great as well."

"That's wonderful. I know Eve was so happy to get to spend some time with Liam."

"She really was," she smiled and pushed her hair behind her ear and tried to settle her nerves. "Something else happened there, and John and I talked it over for a bit. But I have the opportunity to join the forensics program with the FBI."

"Really? That seems so sudden, sweetheart. And with all the rest you two are dealing with."

"I know, and at first I said no. John didn't push me on it-but then I got caught looking at apartments. We talked more and thought maybe us being away from Llanview would do us good. And Liam could get to know his other grandmother more. So I took the exam-and passed."

"Oh darling, I'm so happy for you," she said as she leaned over and gave her a hug. "So I guess talking with me is just a formality then?"

"I haven't given them a response yet, but the idea of learning new techniques and bigger cases is exciting. But, I'm the only child you and dad have in town right now."

Viki squeezed her hand, "I will always want more time with you because you are the child I've gotten the least amount of time with. But I don't ever want you to not chase your dreams. I will miss you like crazy while you are gone, but never forget this is home."

"I won't," said Natalie through tears before giving Viki a hug.


"Why am I so nervous?" asked Natalie as they made their way down the hall from John's office to Bo's. It had been a week since she had given her answer to the FBI, and today she had gotten word on when she would start. While Bo knew she had applied, she hadn't been ready to tell him she was accepted until she had an exact date.

"He'll be proud of you-same as me," said John as he squeezed her shoulder before knocking and they waited for Bo to tell them to enter.

When Bo saw them walk in the door he knew what they were about to say, "I guess you two are coming in to tell me I'm about to lose my favorite niece and best friend to the Feds?"

"Uncle Bo," said Natalie as her eyes filled with tears.

Bo walked around the desk and pulled her into a hug, "I couldn't be prouder of you, Nat. For everything-especially to get into the Bureau's forensics program? That's incredible-when do you leave?"

"Orientation begins March 4th."

"So just over a month. Guess I better get my fill in of you two before you leave me."

"You'll be so sick of us by then," laughed Natalie as she gave him another hug. "I'm going to go down to the lab and get started for the day. Call me if you need me," she said, flashing a smile before leaving.

"John-wait a second," said Bo as the other man was about to walk out as well.

"Yeah boss?"

"I'm glad you two seem to be doing well again, and I couldn't be more proud of her getting into the Bureau."

John braced himself, "I hear a but coming."

"Yeah-I just-you know I see her as my daughter. You know I will do anything and everything to protect her. And while I do see you as one of my best friends-I can't help but worry."

"Worry?"

"That you are going to get out to Seattle and find another ghost to chase. Or another case that is more important than your own family. I know Natalie and Liam will have Michael, Marcie, and Eve around-but the rest of her support system will be thousands of miles away. I just don't want her to get out there and feel trapped without her family nearby to support her."

John nodded at his friend's words and pursed his lips before speaking. "If a man treated my daughter the way I've treated Natalie I would feel the same way. I've taken so much of our relationship, and friendship, for granted. But I'm done with that-I don't know why it took me so long to realize it, but her and Liam. That's all I need. I promise you, Bo-I'm not taking this chance for granted."