(Later on in John and Evangeline’s bedroom)

“Did Tris finally go to sleep?” John asked from their bed.

“Yeah,” Evangeline said as she slowly moved toward John. “I guess the excitement from tonight tired him out.”

“I guess so.” John’s eyes were latched on to Evangeline. He watched her cautiously sit at the edge of their bed. He didn’t know where to start with her. He didn’t want this to be a shouting match, so he promised himself that he would be the one to back down if needed. “Are you ready to talk?”

“John, I think I should tell you what happened first.”

“Okay. Why don’t you start wit the part about Cristian?”

“Fine,” Evangeline sighed. She knew this would be the easy part. “I was with Tris and Antonio in the park when Natalie and Cris came by. We said our hellos and I was leaving Antonio congratulated me on the baby.”

“And then what?”

“I’m not sure. Cris just flipped out and started talking about how much he hated you and our children. I didn’t even think Tris was still awake. Antonio tried to calm him down, but he was still really upset, so I just walked away.”

“That’s all that happened?”

“Yes, that’s it. Cristian is just still so angry.”

“Are you sure that’s all that happened? You have a tendency of leaving out important details.”

“John I’m sorry about that really, but that’s all that happened.”

“All right. So what’s this business with RJ.”

“I stopped RJ and Antonio from fighting today. It wasn’t anything physical, but is seemed that it may have escalated if I hadn’t intervened.”

“I assume they were arguing about Jamie.”

“Yeah they were, and while we were talking Jamie fell while she and Tris were playing. RJ got all upset and called Tris a violent brat.”

“RJ! Where does he get off?” John was livid. Why would RJ say such a thing and to a child none the less. He made a mental note to talk one on one with Cris and RJ.

There was no way he was going to let people speak badly toward his son. “So that’s what happened.”

“Yes.”

John moved closer to Evangeline and wrapped his arms around her waist. “And you felt like you couldn’t tell me this?”

“I didn’t want to make it a big deal while your family was here.”

“If something like that ever happens again I want to know. I don’t want you or Tris to feel scared to tell me anything.”

“Okay.” Evangeline smiled as John kissed her check. He rubbed his hands in circles on her stomach.

“It’s been a long day. Why don’t we just go to bed for now?

Evangeline was tempted to say yes, but she knew John would eventually find out about Antonio. Now was a better time than later.

“John, that’s not all that happened today.”

“What do you mean?” John asked he started kissing her neck and shoulders.

“What?” John’s voice had turned from understanding to down right pissed. “How could you tell him that? I thought we agreed that you wouldn’t be taking on any new cases.”

“John, I know, but Antonio really needs me right now.”

“Have you thought about what this could do to your health? Is this case worth risking your life and the life of our unborn child?”

“John you don’t understand.”

“No I think I do.” John got up from the bed and started to get dressed.

“Where are you going?”

“I don’t know. I just need some time to clear my head. If Tris is upset or if he needs me at all…call me.” John throws on a t-shirt and rushes out the door. He left Evangeline to think.

Evangeline falls back on the bed and sighs. She was relieved in a little way. She figured that John would have been angrier. Evangeline had to think. She needed to show John that she could handle this case, but she wasn’t sure how to do that. She wanted to wait up for him, but she didn’t know when or if he would be home tonight.

(Rodi’s)

Jon had been out driving for about an hour before he found himself at Rodi’s. He thought that a few beers and a few games of pool would take his mind off of things. As John entered the bar, he was not happy to see either Antonio or Cristian, but he figured now would be a great time to clear some things up. John thought about how both conversations would happen. Since hew was still pissed, John decided that now could actually not be a great time to talk. John walked over to the bar.

“Hey John, what can I get you,” asked that bartender.

“A draft.”

“Okay, here you go,” he said as he handed John his beer.

“Thanks,” John said as he laid a few bills on the counter and walked away. He sat alone at a table in the corner. He sipped his beer and sighed. The more he tried to relax the more he kept thinking about Evangeline. He loved her so much, but it seemed like they were always butting heads. She was strong and independent, and that’s part of what drew him to her. She always had to prove that she was capable of handling anything and that was where they disagreed. Even not that they had a child she had never said that she needed him. She would only say that she wanted him, and that is what kept them from getting married. As Jon took another sip, he was interrupted by a familiar voice from behind.

“Hey John, what are you doing out so late. I thought Evangeline kept you on a short leash.”

John turned around and greeted Antonio’s smiling face with a cold hard stare. “Now’s not a good time,” were the only words John could say.

“Is everything ok,” Antonio said as he pulled up a chair. “Is everything fine between you and Evangeline?”

John said nothing. He just stared blankly as he finished his beer. When he was finally finished he got up and walked to the bar; all without saying anything to Antonio.

Antonio was confused. Why would John be upset with him? John had always tried to be his friend, even when Antonio quit the force to pursue Tico Santi. Unaware of the trouble he was in, Antonio approached John at the bar. Antonio got straight to the point.

“Do you have a problem with me John?”

John wanted to hold back, but Antonio’s persistence was making it impossible to do so.

“What do you think?”

“I don’t understand. If you had a problem, why didn’t you say something about it at the diner?”

“Tell me something. You know Evangeline is pregnant, right.”

“Yeah, you told me.”

“So, why the hell would you ask her to be your lawyer?”

“That’s why you’re mad? Evangeline has been my lawyer for a while now. She’s gotten me out of some really tough situations, and I’m sure she’s going to help me get Jamie from RJ.”

“Even if it could kill her and our baby,” John was trying to stay calm, but he found that hard to do. He normally saw Antonio as a friend, but now he saw him as a threat to everything that he loved, He couldn’t lose Evangeline or this baby. How could he raise Tris without her?

“Evangeline is not in any danger. RJ is not going to hurt her. I’ll make sure of that myself.”

“No thanks, I can do that myself. I will never let anyone hurt her. Besides that’s not even the point. It’s the stress. I don’t want her obsessing over your case or anyone else’s. I want her to relax and take care of herself and our baby. Maybe you never noticed, but RJ is none of the few people that can get under her skin. I don’t want her having daily confrontations with him.”

“I think you’re being just a little overprotective. Evangeline is a big girl. She can handle RJ and she can handle this case.”

“That’s not for you to decide.”

“It’s not for you to decide ether. I know you’re worried, but I can assure you that everything is going to work out.”

“Maybe you’re okay with Jamie not having her mother, because you have Jessica, but I can assure you that I am not going to let Tris have to go through that. I will not let you cause her this much stress.”

“I think you’re blaming the wrong person. The only one that’s stressing her is you.”

“What?!” John couldn’t believe what hew was hearing. Antonio was blaming him for causing Evangeline all this stress.