Title : Everybody Hurts
Pairing : Ryan Wolfe & Natalie Rebecca Willows
Rating : PG-13ish
Featuring : Miami CSIs and Natalie's family
Summary : Natalie disappeared from her family's home one Summer's day and hasn't been seen since. It's been five years since that ill- fated day; where is she and is Natalie still alive? And how does Ryan fit in to it all?

Chapter One

( Flashback )

Natalie quickly packed her stuff as she looked around her bedroom. The Las Vegas home that she shared with her mom was empty; her two younger sisters Clarissa and Jade were at school.

That was the last time Natalie would be seen in Vegas. That day she vanished from her home, leaving no note or form of contact behind, and caught the bus to Miami. There she planned to live and earn a living to keep her fed and watered.

A few months later she met CSI Ryan Wolfe, who offered to let her stay at his condo. Without a second thought, Natalie agreed.

( End of Flashback )

( Present Day )

"Nat..." Ryan began, stroking his Natalie's hair as she lay on his lap on the couch. "Why'd you leave Vegas?"

She gave a sigh, not really wanting to tell him. A minute passed and then with another sigh she said, "I couldn't take it anymore. I was just so scared. My stepdad was abusing me. And instead of siding with me, Mom sided with him. So I didn't have much of a choice – I had to leave." She looked down at her hand where a diamond ring sparkled in the light. They'd been together for a year and a half when they'd finally decided to tie the knot. One secret wedding later and the loving pair were officially married.

"And here with you, I feel so... so safe," Natalie continued. "I love you so much..."

"I love you too," Ryan replied with a smiled. "I love you more deeply than words could ever describe..."

~

Meanwhile, Natalie's family were searching for her everywhere, without any success. No money had been taken out of her account, which made them fear the worst. But Natalie had been smart – she'd taken out all her money and closed her account, setting up one instead in Miami under her married name. She also bought a new cell phone to ward off them trying to call and trace her that way.

Upon hearing that her niece has gone, Catherine uses all her connections to try and find Natalie but all the leads end up fruitless.

One evening the police contacted her. "A body washed up onto the shore of Lake Mead," the officer told her. "I know this is hard, but she matches your missing persons description..." He faltered for a minute, then continued, "Can you come in and formally ID her?"

Panic washed over her as she rushed to the morgue. Panic, then a wave of relief when she saw that the body on the cold metal table wasn't the body of her niece.

Dr Al Robbins was watching her silently. "It's not her, is it?"

Catherine shook her head. "No... So there's still some sort of hope that she's still out there somewhere... Hopefully alive..."

~

"Ryan..." Natalie began, poking her head round the bedroom door.

Her husband smiled upon seeing her. He was so happy that she'd come into his life and that their marriage was such a happy one. "Yes, my love?"

"I'm...I'm pregnant..." she replied, a small smile twitching at the corners of her lips.

Ryan's eyes widened. Seriously? You're not joking?" When she shook her head he gave a whoop of happiness. "That's amazing! I'm gonna be a father!" He ran over and picked her up, twirling her as he did so. "Oh, Nat... I love you so much... And now you're carrying our first child," he crooned, giving her stomach a rub.

She smiled. "I love you too. I'm so excited!"

"In how long?"

Quickly she did a mental count. "Six months, give or take..."

Cupping her face with his hands, Ryan kissed her. His kiss was long and passionate and it spoke volumes about how much he cared for her and how much he dreaded losing her.

Natalie smiled against his lips, kissing him back. He was so wonderful to her and she loved him to bits. More importantly, he made her feel safe. And that, she thought, was a wonderful place to be. He was the first and only person she loved and trusted with her life.

Will Natalie's family ever find her alive? And will they ever discover her marriage?
(have the above sentence as end chapter note)