She could hear the service already started. She silently opened the door and took a seat two rows back from anyone else. She listened to touching tributes to Nash from her dad, her mom, her uncle. And then Roxy. Roxy's tribute was fine, but as she sat down, Jess got up and Roxy stumbled out the doors, falling down right at Natalie's feet. All eyes went out the back of the church. The look on Jess's face was devasting to look at. She wasn't sure if she'd ever forget it.

"Jared, Natalie, join us" Jess invited them forward to sit with the family. That was the first she even realized that Jared had snuck in behind her.

"Seriously. This is a family affair. Come on"

She went, and she felt Jared following behind her. She was sure that her only motivation was not to be stared at anymore. once she got to the front, everyone would resume the service.

Sure enough, Jess continued.

"Nash was the best husband I could have asked for. And he's gone now. He's gone because these two individuals couldn't think about anyone else. They lied, they schemed, and they couldn't stop themselves from making deals that would all fall apart" she said, "That's right. They knew Jared was lying. Jared lied. He's not our uncle. Not a Buchanan. But see, he saved my life. And so, we were all indebted to him. So, when Nash needed money and Jared offered, we thought, of course. That makes sense. But it was a lie. Jared didn't have money to give us. So, the deal went south and when Nash confronted him about it, Jared pushed him so hard he went over the ledge and through the skylight. And now he's gone because of you"

"Jess-"Natalie started, "it was an accident"

"You're only saying that because he was protecting you because he is sleeping with you" Jess said, "You have always been trailer trash. And you will always be trailer trash"

"Jess-"

"You don't belong here" Jess said, "you killed my husband. You are the reason Bree doesn't have a dad anymore. Do you want to tell her?"

"Jess, if I could change it, I would, but it was just an accident" Natalie tried to make her understand.

"It really was an accident, I didn't think he'd fall, I just – "Jared interjected.

"He's dead and it's your fault" Jessica yelled, her voice breaking.

She broke down crying. Natalie took a step towards her to hug her, or comfort her some way, but Jared grabbed her hand and stopped her. She looked back at him to yell or something, but her parents grabbed Jess and Bo stepped towards her, telling her maybe it was best to leave Jess alone for now. She reluctantly left the chapel, aware that Jared was behind her, and she kept walking. She figured she'd lose him at some point. Finally, at Angel Square, she turned around and yelled.

"Why are you following me?"

"I don't think you should be alone right now" he said.

'I'll be fine"

"Well, then, we're both pariahs. We might as well hang out" he said, "can I buy you a cup of coffee?"

"What?" she was genuinely surprised by the offer.

"Well we can't go back to the chapel. The diner is right there"

"I guess" she said, "this isn't a date" she said.

"Okay" he said, "just coffee" he said, "Just to be sure, you buy"

"I lost all my money, too you know" she shoved the door to the diner open.

"Right" Jared said, "Sorry"

"It's fine. I got it" they sat at the counter, "It's just a cup of coffee"

Over coffee, Natalie learned Jared had slept in his car last night because Nora had kicked him out. Renee had him blacklisted at the palace. He didn't know anyone in town that didn't know what he did, except for his dad, and his dad was still in the hospital. His dad had apparently almost died last night from alcohol poisoning, which had come from trying to tell her mom the truth. His dad didn't have anywhere to go either. Natalie sighed, already knowing what she was going to do. Even if he was a bastard, he deserved a place to sleep. She paid for the coffee and told him to follow her. She was taking a risk, but she couldn't let him be homeless. They stepped into the hotel.

"I can't afford a hotel" Jared said as the walked across the lobby.

Natalie stepped behind the desk and handed him a key that was on the opposite side of the building of her and John, "I think you can" she said, "Roxy will let you pay whatever you can"

"You're sure she'd be okay with it?" Jared said.

"Yeah. I'll take care of her" she said, "and tell your dad, too, when he gets out of the hospital"

"thank you" Jared said, "if there's anything I can do – "

"I think you've already done enough"

"right. Thanks again" he head up the steps towards his room. She collapsed on the chair behind the desk.

She was still there when John and Talia walked in, guess she had lost track of time. They made eye contact briefly, but then she watched as he grabbed Talia's hand and pulled her along up the stairs. She tried, but she couldn't control the pang of jealousy that she felt at the bottom of her stomach. She hit the desk and headed up to her room, finally changing out of her black clothes.

It couldn't have been ten minutes til she walked into John's room without knocking. Silently, Talia slipped out the door. Wordlessly, John took her in his arms and she cried. She hadn't realized how much she had to cry all day, until she finally was in a place where she could. Eventually, she leaned back and looked up at him. He held her close, but wiped a few tears off of her face.

"Rough day?" he asked.

She shook her head, "she saw me. Jared was there, too. I don't know what he was thinking – she saw him and me and thought – and she called me – " she broke again.

"Sssshhh, you don't have to tell me" he said, and he hugged her close again, "It's okay. It's over now. I got you" he whispered.

He already knew what she said. Only one thing got this kind of reaction out of Natalie. Jess had called her trash, insinuated that she wasn't a part of the family. The family she worked hard to belong to, to make proud. He wished he could do anything right now for her to make her feel better.

"Did you eat anything today?"

Wordlessly, she shook her head into his chest. He didn't ask any more questions, and he didn't ask her to move, he just pulled out his phone and dialed, ordering a pizza with extra cheese, and for an extra twenty, could the delivery guy also bring a six pack? It was the only thing he could do for her right now.

"Pizza's on the way"

"Thank you" she said.

"You wanna talk?" he asked, and she shook her head, "Okay" he said, and he pulled her down onto the couch and turned the tv on with her still tucked under his arm.

"Thank you" she whispered.

"I just wish there were more I could do" he whispered back.

She shook her head, "even if everything were normal, this is exactly what I would want you to do"

He gently kissed her head and held her close.

Eventually, the pizza came with the beer and they put on a Gary Cooper movie. About halfway through, she kissed him, and he returned it, and while he briefly thought this was not the time, he knew there was only so much time they'd have together, in the morning he'd have to watch her leave again, and he knew he'd regret it if he didn't give her everything she needed right now. He picked her up and headed towards their bed, determined to help her forget for as long as they could. He laid down on top of her.

Knock knock knock

"Damn it" he whispered.

"Who do you think it is"

"Eddie, Ramsey, some cop sent to check up on me"

"What do we do?"

"Hide in the bathroom. I'll make him go away"

Quickly, she ran into the bathroom. He glanced around, nothing really looked out of place. He took a breath and crossed the living room, opening the door.

On the other side, stood Mike and he had a bag.

"Hey, um, mind if I crash here for a few days. I – Marcie- "

"Come in" he said, he quickly shut the door, his mind was in a million places, but he knew he shouldn't have a conversation like this in the hall.

"When I got home, Marcie was – "

"Just a second" he said, and he crossed the room and knocked on the bathroom door, "it's okay, it's just Mike"

"John, who's –"

Michael stopped short when Natalie appeared next to John and John slung an arm around her waist.

"Natalie?" he said, "Why are you – how are you – "

"Mike knows it's a charade" John said, "not that you'd know that right now"

"I just – I thought – I don't know what I thought" he said, "You two are still pretending he cheated on you?"

"Yeah" John said, looking down.

"I got kicked out of my moms and my dad's" Natalie said, "Talia is upstairs pretending to be me in my room"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know- "

"I guess you haven't seen the news lately" Natalie said.

"No, I've been taking every shift I can – what happened?"

"It's not important right now" Natalie said, "What's going on?"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have- I'll go talk to Roxy – "

"And you think that'll be less awkward?" Natalie said, "you obviously need to talk, so what's up?"

"I was going to ask John if I could crash on his couch for a little while" Michael said.

John dropped his arm from her waist and took a step towards her brother.

"Why? I thought things with Marcie were better"

"She wants to adopt a baby"

"Mike, that's great"

"She wants to adopt Starr's baby. Todd's grandchild"

"What?" John and Natalie both said.

"yeah" Michael said, "apparently, they've been talking about it for a while, and tonight when I got home Todd was there threatening her"

"I'm sorry, Mike, I had no idea" Natalie said, sitting next to him and rubbing his back.

"If it were any other kid – " Michael started.

"yeah" John said, "but Marcie's not going to get another adoption through an agency. She thinks this is it"

"I know" he said, "but I can't watch Todd destroy her again, and I know he will"

"I'm sorry" Natalie said.

"I'm sorry, too" John said, sitting across from his brother on the coffee table, "I know how hard you fought for her. I know you tried to get back to normal- "the words failed him. He looked to Natalie, looking for the words, she nodded, "You can stay for as long as you want"

"No, not while Natalie's here, you two have no time – "

"It's really okay" Natalie said, "we're basically family. You need someone. I need someone. It'll be good that we're all together"

"You two have been apart for weeks, I don't want to – "

"Mike, you're my brother. I'm not going to send you packing" John said, "You came here, you can stay here"

"You two really want me to hang around?"

"We get to be together tonight, and that's more than a lot of other nights" Natalie said, "You need company. And your brother wanted to watch one of those classic movies you two love so much"

"You mock Gary Cooper?" John was offended, "I think I have a few beers; anyone want one?" he got up while Natalie rewound.

In the morning, Natalie got her coffee delivered to her in bed, and they whispered their good mornings before Michael announced they didn't have to whisper, he was awake.

"where's my coffee?"

"In the pot" John yelled back.

Natalie giggled. Michael disappeared into the kitchenette.

"Thanks for being a good sport" John said, "He's my brother and I wanted to deck him"

"He's basically my brother, too" she said, "couldn't turn him away. Besides, it was fun"

"What do you want to do about tonight?" he asked.

She sighed, "I don't know. We'll figure it out"

John nodded, "How are you?"

"I don't know" she said, "twins are connected, you know, and I could feel how terrible Jess felt yesterday. Today its – different"

"Why do you think that is?

"Don't know" she said, "I'm going to get dressed"

He nodded.

Michael came back to sit on the couch. John made his way to the coffee table.

"You don't deserve her" Michael said, "she picks out a good coffee"

"Yeah" he smirked, "you sleep okay?"

"I'm fine" Michael said, "thanks for letting me stay, but I'll get my own room after work today"

"You don't have to do that" John said.

"Natalie's family is going to forgive her sooner or later, and I don't want to be the reason you miss her anymore than – "

"I will miss her no matter what" John said.

"Getting my own room just feels so permanent "Michael said, "I don't know if I'm ready to deal with that yet"

"You don't have to" John said, "besides, Natalie and me – it's going to be over soon, things will be normal again"

Natalie walked in with her cup of coffee, "Exactly. You're no hassle. Besides, now this girl's got two McBain's looking out for her, what more could I ask for?"

"a hard rock to the head" Michael offered.

Natalie laughed.

"It's good to hear you laugh" John said softly.

She smiled, "only something the two of you could manage for me right now"

That was when Talia knocked at the door. Natalie opened it, and Talia stepped in.

"Welcome to the party" Natalie said, "I'll get you some coffee"

"Michael?" Talia asked as she shut the door.

"We had a regular old sleepover last night" John said.

"Sounds fun"

"Depends do you like Gary Cooper movies?" Natalie asked, handing her a mug.

"Who's Gary Cooper"

The brothers' mouths dropped.

"Did this not come up in dating John McBain 101?" Michael asked his brother.

"I wish I'd gotten a lesson" Talia said.

"Gary Cooper is an old movie actor, their parents had his full collection so they love all those movies" Natalie said, "sometimes they'll run a marathon on the classics channel"

"I see" Talia said.

"I'm sure Antonio has his weird things, too"

"Yeah" Talia said, "he's got a couple"

"Alright, I'll get out of your way" she said, "I have a long day of unemployment ahead of me. Michael, if you need anything, just give me a text"

She kissed John quickly and then today she took her mug with her. She needed the good coffee.

"You don't think she could come back to the station?" Talia asked.

"Not now" John said, and he tried to be unbothered when he said it.

"You don't think she could get an FT job?" Michael asked.

"She never got her cert" John said, and he knew his tone was rising, "besides, she wants to help her family fix the mess. She's going to figure it out"

"But you – " Michael started.

"Ready to go?" John said. He didn't want to get into this now.

"Michael was asking you a question"

"He won't answer it" Michael said, "It was about him and Natalie"

"I see" Talia said, "well, we should be going"

"See ya later, mike"

She was still enjoying the coffee when the knock came. She figured it was Roxy so she opened the door not thinking.

"Hi Natalie"

"Jess, come in"

"You didn't come to the burial" Jess said as she walked in, "I wanted to talk to you"

"Oh" Natalie said, "I thought after yesterday maybe I should stay away"

"I'm sorry about that"

"You don't have to be. You're grieving, you – "

"You're my sister. Yeah, you played a part in Nash's death, but you're my twin and my kids are going to need you. I'm going to need you"

"I'll be there, whenever you need"

"I was hoping you'd say that" Jess said, "I need to ask you a favor"

"Name it" Natalie said.

"I was hoping you would consider moving back in to Llanfair" she said, "we- I – the vineyard's gone and so Bree and I will be moving back there"

"You want me to move back in?"

"I'm going to need you- Bree is going to need you, she needs you now" she said, "and I have to start to heal, and I think that we'll heal better under the same roof. Like family"

"I'm very happy to hear that" Natalie said, "And I'll help out with Bree, with the new baby, whatever you need – "

"I know all that Natalie, but to do that we have to be under the same roof"

"Of course. If that's what you want, I'm happy to move back in. I'm sure my stuff is all there"

"Right. You were living there before"

"Yeah, after – "

"You've been here? Under the same roof as John?"

She shrugged, "Roxy's the only one who would look at me"

"I'm sorry Natalie" she said, "We'll get back to normal, one way or another"

"I'll get my act together today and head over tomorrow"

"Thank you for saying yes" Jess said, "I was really nervous to come over here"

"Well, you got what you came for. Buchanan way and all that"

"yeah" she smiled a weak smile, "I'll see you tomorrow"

Once she was out and door had shut, she sat back down on the couch. On the one hand, she didn't believe that had happened. It was all she wanted to have her sister back and help her through this. On the other hand, that meant that she was leaving here and her secret nights with John were over. At least until this got solved and Ramsey was out of the commissioner's office. She didn't know how she'd tell him.