Chapter One

The sound of his 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner roared as he sped towards town, the radio was on but he wasnt even paying attention to what was playing, he had way more important things on his mind, mainly a phone call from his brother which was the reason for this trip, back to the town he ran away from nearly 6 years ago now, but he was heading there, flying through the vacant backroads, he would make this quick and painless if that was even possible..

He shifted into another gear as the car kicked up dirt and he just listened to the engine roar, the sound that always calmed him when nothing else worked..

Rodi's was a small family owned bar but at most times it held half of the Lanview population, it housed an antique jukebox, a pool table that had seen better days and a dart board with so many holes in it, it was beginning to resemble swiss cheese, this particular day it was crowded, the game was on and it filled quickly as college basketball played in the background..

Drinks were being ordered left and right but only one bartender was doing all the rounds, yes she was that good, and her smile was one of the many reasons the men of lanview frequented the place plus they all hoped for a chance with her, who wouldnt, she was 25 years old, 5'4 a very curvy build with long red hair that flowed down her back into locks, her eyes as blue as the sky and her plush lips that screamed sex appeal, she wasnt a model though, no just a down home girl, living in a small little town without a care in the world..

Off to the side two men fought for her attention in a mature game of strength, arm wrestling.. She watched from a distance cheering them on and also distracting one of the participants, a local artist by the name of Cristian Vega, he had had his sights on Natalie for years now even though she barely gave anyone the time of day, it was a small town which meant news traveled, which also meant she knew just about everyone here and they all knew her, they all grew up together, no she wouldnt date anyone from here, it would be too weird, she was gonna make something of herself one day and she would leave this town and head to the city cause thats where it was all at, she sighed as she thought about the big lights, the bussling sound of the city, god what she would do to be able to stand on top of one of the largest buildings in the city and just look out as far as the eye could see, that would be sweet, the sound of a fist crashing down on the table made her look, he had won, again..

"and that is how you win" cris said proudly as he got up, the contender and now loser Brody stood up, rubbing his wrist and ego, they both looked her way and she rolled her eyes playfully at them, boys will be boys she thought as she began grabbing more drinks..

Cris came up to the bar, grinning wide as he leaned his elbows on it.."im still not beat" he smiled as Natalie looked at him, he was very attractive to say the least, he was a small town guy with big dreams like her, dreams of owning his own art gallery but his looks were that of a model, his chiseled face, short cropped hair, tanned skin and well a body that put most guys to shame, he was definitely cute..

"Well it would help if you find someone different to challenge" she said with a playful roll of her eyes as the other party joined, Brody Lovette, new rookie cop for the Lanview police department, he was the complete opposite of Cris when it came to looks, atleast a foot shorter, more stockier, a short military haircut, where he lacked in the attraction department he definitely made up for in sweetness..

"i think you may of broke it this time" he said as he came up nursing his wounded wrist..

"you say that everytime" cris laughed as he nudged his friend..

"Oh come on, let me see" natalie said as he leaned over the bar, both guys immediately glancing at her overflowing cleavage, they were definitely appreciating her black tank top, she took Brody's hand and inspected it, when she saw him damn near drooling she wacked his wrist quick..

"oww" he said as he yanked his hand back..

"didnt anyone ever tell you its rude to stare" she said with a laugh as she handed the guys a beer..

"well...come on were human" Cris smirked and she rolled her eyes at him...

"their breasts boys, every girl has them" she turned from them..

"but not quite as nice as yours" Brody interjected as she spun around quick, he turned red and Cris began cracking up.."we should probably take these beers over there" he said quickly as she shook her head..

"yeah you do that boys" she laughed as she continued to work, despite the large crowd of the day, well it was a damn good day so far..

John saw the Welcome to Lanview Sign and he felt the familiar tug in his belly, this was it, he was really back even if it was gonna be short lived, he had too many things on his mind, he felt stressed and unsure of so many things, he didnt even know where to begin..

Pulling through town he felt uneasy and the fact that his car stood out made it worse as everyone turned their heads and looked at him, he couldnt hear what they were saying but he was sure that word was gonna go around that he was back in town and that necessarily wasnt a good thing..

He pulled into the towns only gas station and the sound of his car alerted the employees, one came out, he recognized him immediately though he wanted to keep a low profile while in town, just in and out but apparently that wasnt going to be so..

"Holy shit have i died and gone to hell, Mcbain is that you" a shocked male said as he came walking over, he was just the way John remembered him, maybe a bit heavier these days, his name Antonio Vega, the one and only local mechanic.. Him and John had been friends since highschool, they had taken shop classes together and at one point were thinking about opening their own garage but things changed, life changed, for John atleast..

"Hey Tony, how are you man this place looks nice" John said as they shared a hug..

"Oh its a fucking dump actually but this, damn" Antonio admired the car as he walked around it.."sweet ride, is it a 440?" John walked around the car opening the hood, he knew Antonio would want to see what was inside.."Holy shit it is...nice" he said as he leaned over the car and peered in..

John walked to the pump and started to fill his car with gas, he honestly didnt want to see anyone, cause if you see anyone then they ask questions, he didnt want to answer any..

"i bet this runs like a gem" Antonio said looking like a kid on christmas morning.."so what the hell are you doing here, its been like 6 years man" he said as he walked around the car, John brushed his long hair from his face..

"Ive been" he took a pause.."around" John looked back at his car..

"No one has just been 'around' for 6 years Mcbain" Antonio said seriously..

John shrugged his shoulders.."I joined the army" he said quickly and antonio shook his head..

"yeah ok, i will let that one slide" Antonio laughed not buying his story at all.."so what the heck brings you back here"

John finished pumping his gas then he looked at him.."Gotta see the family after what happened" he said low and Antonio put his head down some..

"Oh damn Johnny... im sorry man, i forgot" Antonio said with compassion.."Your dad was a great man and a great cop, the service was nice , almost the whole town was there" he began as John nodded his head uncomfortably..

"Holy shit John McBain!" a female voice screeched and john looked up quick as a young blonde haired girl with a pixie cut came running over to him, hugging him as she caught him off guard..

It only took him a second to know who it was.."Gigi, wow your not little anymore" he said with amazement as she stepped back from him, she was dressed in tiny little cut off shorts and an equally tiny top exposing her belly button, hell the last time he saw her she was about 12 and she didnt look anything like that..

"i know its pretty hot right" she grinned big.."Im 18 now" she flirted with him but before he could say anything Antonio did..

"Gi get your ass back inside i dont pay you to scare off paying customers" Antonio laughed as she huffed and rolled her eyes..

"Bye Johnny" she smiled and then shook her ass as she walked away he couldnt help but look, damn he thought; the girl ate her wheaties..

"that girl is crazy, i get into more fights just making sure she dont get into trouble" Antonio shook his head..

"She definitely looks like trouble" John swallowed hard and then looked at Antonio..

"so how long you in town, we need to get a few beers and catch up" antonio said with a smile as John grabbed cash out of his wallet, Antonio refused the money.."its on the house"

"You sure?" John asked if there was one thing he didnt like it was getting something for nothing even if it was from a friend..

"come out and have beers tonight, you pay" antonio began..

"yeah im just kind of coming in and out" John said as he got back in his car..

"well damn man you cant leave without some beers" antonio protested..

"Ok we'll see" John began as he reveed up his car.."i gotta go"

"Nice seeing you johnny" antonio said as he tapped the back of the car and John took off, he just wanted to get this done and over with..

John felt his nerves begin to mess with him as he drove, it had seem like forever since he was back and being here now well he was beginning to regret even coming here, he had to prepare himself and so he pulled into the parking lot of his old hangout, Rodi's..

Natalie swept the bar down of the peanut shells, Brody and Cris were now playing pool as a crowd gathered around them, god they were so obnoxious she laughed to herself as she watched, she was half tempted to go over and show them how the game was really played..

"a beer please" she heard an unfamiliar voice say as she looked up, her eyes got wide as she looked into his blue ones, it was a sight she hadnt seen in many years..

"John McBain, holy shit" she said with shock..

He nervously ran his hand through his hair.."I seem to be getting that reaction alot today" he couldnt recognize her, she seemed familiar, very familiar and not to mention drop dead gorgeous..

"well hell yeah you've been gone for 6 years" she said as she passed him a beer, she almost felt insulted that he didnt seem to recognize her but then again she was only 20 when he left and well she hadnt left an impression on anyone back then but john, well John had left many impressions on this town..

John McBain had been the local bad boy for years, he was always getting in trouble but thankfully his father was a cop who bailed him out numerous times, mainly he was getting into bar fights, he had a very bad temper and a very short fuse, he had vandalized a few places as well, he caused alot of embarassment for his father especially when he had become top sheriff, him and john were always at odds.

But looking at him now, well he was still the same old John just more experience in his face, he looked hardened and rough, his hair longer than she remembered, his build even more solid, especially in his arms that were covered in tattoos, the tshirt he wore did little to hide anything, if anything it amplified everything..

"you totally dont remember me, do you" she began and he felt nervous as he sipped his beer..

"i think if i knew you i wouldnt forget" he said honestly as she smiled even more, still a damn charmer..

"Natalie...err Red, my mother owns the angel square motel" she said as he looked at her a bit confused..

"Not little Natty Balsam" he said as he looked at her, damn he remembered her as a little girl, not as a grown woman..

"well no one calls me Natty anymore but yeah.. you remember Roxy?" she began and it was like a lightbulb moment for him..

"foxy roxy, sure do..wow..." He said with amazement.."you look great Natty...umm.. Red"

"well you can call me Natalie" she said quickly as he grinned as his eyes darted to her cleavage and then he quickly looked away..

"Sure thing natalie, so you work here now" he tried to make small talk as he sipped his beer, she was awfully temtping and his groin was swelling dangerously fast..

"yeah kind of sad, right...where the heck have you been" she began to say but a female walking up cut her off..

"I would love to know the answer to that myself" a tall blonde haired woman walked up, Natalie knew who she was, the tension in the air got thick as John turned to face her..

"Cait...how are you" he said a bit nervously..

"Im fine" she said a bit coldly and Natalie turned from them, this was embarassing as it was.."where the hell have you been Johnny?"

Anyone who knew anyone in Lanview knew that John and Cait were like the item back in the day, going totally against her families wishes she dated John, for years as well. They were never separated, Natalie had remembered them and she remembered hearing them at the angel square motel in the throws of passion..

"the coast guard" he spit out quickly and she rolled her eyes at him..

"yeah ok" she said sarcastically.."you just left without saying a word" the hurt in her voice was still apparent even after all these years..

"yeah i was...i was going through something" he said quickly as he sipped his beer..

"hey babe did you get me a beer" a male voice came up behind her as he looked at John.."Holy shit John" one of his long time and well old best friends from back in the day Patrick Thornhart ..

"Hey man" John was really regretting his choice of bars, damn lanview for only having one..

"Did you just get back in town" Patrick asked with amazement and a bit of uncomfortablness, it was definitely apparent that Patrick and Cait were officially an item, John had glanced at her hand and the rock on it, they were definitely an item..

"yep just kind of passing through" he began as Cait huffed..

"oh whatever just like you not to stay around" she said as she grabbed Patrick's hand.."come on lets go" she seemed upset..

"it was great seeing you John..i should go" he said a bit uncomfortably as John sighed and ran his hand through his hair..

"Yikes that was awkward" he heard her voice and he turned to look at her..

"I think i may need a shot" he said honestly..

"I'll make it two, one for me and one for you" she smiled as she poured the shot and they downed them quick, he stood up and adjusted his shirt.."leaving already?" she wanted to talk to him more..

"yeah i have some things to take care of, i need to be back on the road tonight" he said as he looked at her..

"well it was nice seeing you John" she said honestly..

"yeah you too Nat" he turned from her and took a deep breath, he had to go see them now, his family, this should definitely be interesting..

Michael McBain ran through the large house nearly catching the small version of himself as the toddler laughed and poured baby powder all over the place, his naked little tush wiggling as he ran...

"Marcie he has the damn baby powder again" he barked with frustration, the kid was fast, too fast..

A swift hit upside the head snapped his head back.."there is a child present Michael, put a dollar in the swear jar" his mother stared at him..

"seriously mom, a dollar?" he rolled his eyes at her..

"Inflation what can i say" Eve held her hand out to him waiting patiently..

"Mom you do understand i am 29 now" he said with a shake of his head as he reached in his pocket..

"stop your complaining Michael, your 29 but you act like a child sometimes" his wife said as she held a now whinning Tommy..

"he's fast i couldnt even get him" he said with amazement as Tommy grinned at him..

"He is 2 years old" Marcie laughed as she handed him back the naked toddler, the sound of a car engine roaring shook the house some as they turned and looked out the window..

"i swear if those kids tear up my yard again" Eve huffed as Michael handed Tommy back to Marcie..

"oh i will make sure that doesnt happen" he said quickly as he grabbed his gun from on top of the fridge..

"Michael Thomas Mcbain dont you scare them too much" his mother yelled..

"mom im a cop, thats what i do" he said as he went out the front door and towards the dark blue plymouth, the car door opened and his eyes got wide.."Johnny?" he said in shock for a second and then quickly put his gun in the back of his pants as he ran up to his brother.."holy shit Johnny it is you" he said as they shared a quick hug..

John took in detail of his brother, he looked a little worn from last time he saw him, he had gained a little weight in the midriff, he still wore his police badge proudly.."you look good Mikey"

"Johnny its been 6 years, where the hell did you go" Michael looked at him in shock..John ran his hand nervously through his hair.."mom is totally gonna flip out" he said honestly , John nodded, he knew she would but he would be short and sweet..."and Marcie...holy shit johnny you dont even know i got married, i have a kid" Michael began to ramble some as John tried to let it soak in, it was too much information too fast..

"Mikey im happy for you" he said honestly as he pat his brothers shoulder..

"when dad died and you didnt come" Michael took a deep breath.."jesus johnny we thought you were dead" he said with emotion..

"I kind of got into some things" he said nervously...

"we havent heard from you in 6 years johnny, not one phone call, not even a letter" Michael said with a bit of anger, before he could say more the front door opened and he looked at it, then he saw her, his mom, her eyes got wide with tears..

"johnny? Johnny?" she began walking over quickly as he met her halfway, she put her hands on his face as if she needed to know he was real..

"hi mom" he swallowed the lump in his throat and she hugged him tight..

"im so glad your home, so glad" she cried as she held her son..

Eve had insisted she cook John some lunch, he had missed her lunches, he had missed her, she always treated him with love and compassion even when he was fucking up left and right, he could always count on his mom..

"so you were in the peace corp huh" Marcie looked at him suspiciously, he never really did have a good relationship with the woman, she thought of him as a bad influence and him and his brother fought regularly in the past over what Marcie thought was best but thankfully John was older now and had more patience with her..

"yep" he sipped his coffee as the house began to smell of grilled cheese and soup..

"where" she asked with a smug grin as she held his nephew on her lap as he desperately tried to get away, hell he knew the feeling, he too wanted to get away from her..

"Uganda" he said dryly.."building houses and such" he began as his mom came over with a huge plate of food..

"i think that is wonderful Johnny, your father he would be so proud" she held back tears as Marcie rolled her eyes at him..

"thanks mom" he looked at the delicious food, she always waited for him to take that first bite, apparently this time was no different even though he was 32 years old, he bit into the sandwich and sighed deeply as she smiled and patted him on the back, she was beyond thrilled to have him home.

"Michael" Marcie's loud obnoxious voice rang through him, he never did get why Michael stayed with her, the voice on her alone was enough to crack a man in half, but here came michael the totally whipped husband running around the corner, he still couldnt believe that this man was protecting the streets of Lanview, he would of had a field day with him back in the day..

"what i was watching something" he sighed heavily as John continued to eat..

"More like playing farmville" she huffed as she rolled her eyes, Tommy fussed some more and she put him down.."so your brother here was in Uganda" she said with a smirk to Michael..

"Huh?" Michael said with a confused look as he looked at her then John who continued to eat..

"uh hmmm building houses for the less fortunate" she said sarcastically..

"Uganda?" Michael looked at him and John shrugged his shoulders..

"No one goes to Uganda" she snapped at him as Michael stood there., Marcie looked at him warningly and he sighed..

"where were you Johnny" he asked as john looked up from his plate of food, he wasnt even done yet but his appetite was gone now..

"why the freaking inquisition, jesus" John stood abruptly as he shoved his plate aside, Eve stood off in the distance just looking at John as he stormed down the hall and to his old bedroom, he stopped when he saw the familiarity of it all, his mom had left it the way it was, his walls strewned with posters of Metallica and Iron maden, it made a small hint of a smile come on his face...

"i didnt want to change anything, i knew you would come home" his mom said behind him..

"its like a flash back to the 90's" he said as he shook his head as he walked in, he glanced at his bed, he had lost his virginity in that bed, for a second he got lost in memories..

"are you in trouble johnny" she asked with worry as he snapped back to reality..

"no mom" he said as he looked at her, she looked older, alot of wear and tear on her tired face, no wonder she had to deal with him and his crazy father.."I'd like to go see him" he finally said and she took his hand in hers and squeezed it..

"come on lets go" she smiled as he left with her, Marcie and Michael still arguing in the background..

Natalie sighed as she wiped down the bar, it was now full of drunken people, she had been hit on a total of 50 times and counting, this is what her life had become and sadly she was scared this is all it would be, 25 years old and a loser, she wanted to hit her head on the bar and knock herself out..

"dont look too excited" she heard her brothers voice and she glanced up at him, Rex was nearly 21 years old, he was a cute kid with a big heart even though he got himself in trouble more often then not, his newest accomplishments were trying to get his own PI business going, but kind of hard to do in Lanview when everyone is so close knit, so it wasnt a far stretch that alot of people disliked him, especially the boyfriends caught cheating.."so i heard from Troy who heard from Mandy who heard from Britney who heard from Sam who heard from Gigi that guess who is back in town" he grinned as he grabbed a beer and she slapped his hand..

"why go through all that trouble to say that Rex" she said with a shake of her head, she never would understand the boy..

"i gotta give credit where credit is due" he smirked as he tried to grab a beer again, she smacked his hand.."aww come on my birthday is a month away"

"exactlly, just 30 more days and then you can legally drink yourself into an oblivion" she rolled her eyes at him..

He sighed as he leaned against the bar.."so anyways what i was trying to say is, i heard John Mcbain is back in town" rex loved gossip and the town had been running low for awhile..

"Yeah i know, i saw him" she began as his eyes got wide, John had literally become an urban legend in town, the way he mysteriously left, everyone speculated about where he was..

"and is it true, was he abducted by aliens" rex said with wide eyes and Natalie couldnt help the loud laugh that came out of her mouth, he literally looked serious..

"oh come on rex" she laughed..

"No im serious man, some people are saying he had a microchip implanted, well you know..where the sun dont shine" he leaned in and whispered..

She knocked his head back with her hand.."your out of your mind rex, he was fine, a little standoff-ish" she said as Rex's eyes got wide again.."Nope im done hearing it Rex but why arent you at work please dont tell me you got fired already" she began, he had just gotten a part time job at the police station playing goafer boy to the Chief of Police, Bo Buchanan, as much as she couldnt stand the Buchanan's and their high and mighty status, well they had offered Rex a job which was good cause it helped them to pay the bills..

"You have no faith in me, im crushed" he leaned over the bar and quickly grabbed a beer, he took off running.."see you later sis" he called out as she sighed..

John stood at the freshly covered grave, flowers laid about the dirt and he took a deep breath.. The old man was dead, finally good and dead... He was such a bastard to John growing up, he would come home from work and bark orders and bitch at everyone, John couldnt believe that his mother put up with so much crap from the man, they had been married 25 yrs and up until john was 18 and still living at home, well his father was nothing but a miserable dictator..

"you need to cut that damn hair John, aint no one gonna hire a punk with long hair!" his fathers voice yelled out in his head, he never did cut his hair, he never would..

"what is that on your skin,..is that a god damn tattoo? Unbelievable when are you gonna grow up john, your brother is more grown up then you!"

"another bar fight John, i should just make you sit in that jail cell all night to learn a damn lesson!"

"your killing your mother, you know that right, why cant you just act right!"

He felt his moms hand go onto his back as he stood there.."what are you doing Johnny, where have you been really" she said softly and he looked at her, he never could lie to his mom but this time, well this time he had made an exception..

"Just traveling you know, trying to see what else is out there" he said as he looked at his mom and she brushed his hair from his eyes..

"your not gonna stay, are you" she asked but she already knew the answer..

"i really gotta get back on the road mom" he saw the tears in her eyes but they didnt fall just yet..

"Cait's engaged" she said as she looked at him, maybe looking for an emotion but there wasnt one..

"I know i saw her earlier" he began as her eyes got a bit wide, she looked nervous as if she thought he did something.."Mom dont be so worried.. im happy for her and for patrick"

"she was devestated when you left johnny, we all were and your father" she began as John walked past her, he didnt want to hear anything about his father, he had done his part now he wanted to leave.."Johnny he couldnt sleep some nights, he was worried about you" she said as she walked up to him and neared his car..

"im sure it was the job that kept him up" he said honestly, his father never showed him an ounce of care, not ever, if anything he always made him feel bad, even as a young boy..But Michael, well he sure loved Michael even took him to baseball games and to work, John got none of that, all he got was a resentful look and grief from the man..

"he loved you johnny, so much, he just had a hard time showing it" she said as a few tears fell now..

John leaned over to his mom, wiping some of her tears, he hated to see her cry, he had seen it so many times as a child, it had scarred him amongst other things.."you take care of yourself mom"

She quickly wrapped her arms around him again, tighter this time.."You come by whenever you feel you need to Johnny, i will always be here" she said softly and he began to get choked up, he never got choked up, he quickly pulled back..

"i gotta go" he said as he got into his car, he wasnt good with goodbyes, never had been, he left without another word, blasting the music on the radio to drown out his thoughts..