A/N: Writing a lil' one shot because I've been on a bit of a block, so this is kinda just another drabble I'm writing to improve my writing. :)

Eric wasn't sure how many bottles in he was after his fourth. He had been left in a drunken mess after his girlfriend left him. As much as it hurt to admit, he really thought that she was that one. He'd taken some time off work and nobody had seen or heard from him in weeks. Delko didn't necessarily feel like being too social when all he could think about was her. She completely took his heart and broke it as if she had thrown it on the ground and stamped on it until the pieces no longer fit.

By the time he reached his fifth, he was stumbling all over the place. Paid for it with the note he'd won from Walter in a bet that had been lingering in his pocket since the last day he'd been at work. Eric knew he was going to have a banging headache in the morning. But his drunken state of mind couldn't give less of a damn. The alcohol consumption seemed like the only way he'd be able to drown it out. Forever hoping the pain would go away.

He left the bar because he knew that if he didn't control himself after passing six, he'd be long gone. But he was drunk enough to barely understand what was going on.

The CSI sighed. He couldn't drive, because he was above the legal limit in alcohol level and had taken a cab to the bar. So instead he began walking. Without a single idea of where he was heading. Luckily his badge wasn't on him, so he wouldn't be taken advantage of as a cop. Or at least he hoped.

Half way down the road, a cab stopped beside the latino. "Hey dude! Are you okay?"

"Am.. fine."

"Nah, not gonna lie to you.. you're not looking too good. Is there somewhere I can drop you off?"

As much as he wanted to say no, he was too drunk to really turn down the offer. The cabbie got out and opened the passenger door for the Latino. He got in and the guy then reclaimed his position in the driver's seat. "What address man?"

Eric couldn't remember his address at the top of his head. Not clearly anyway. He'd just moved apartment and didn't really know too much about the place. Which is why he came out saying the only address he could remember - Natalia's one.

The drive to Natalia's place was quiet. Eric sat there silently, daydreaming as he appeared to be in a mind of his own. This driver had been awfully sympathetic to waste ten minutes helping a drunk man off the streets to a place where he would be supported by someone who would be able to assist him in his drunken distress.

When the cab pulled up in front of her house, he reached into his pocket and gave the man $20 as a tip. "Thanks man."

Delko got out of the vehicle and waved off the driver before he started heading in direction of the door. But he only made it to the patio. Sitting there as the moonlight shone brightly and the breeze caused a small, loose curl to blow over his forehead. It was like his energy had dissipated after quite a few drinks.

Natalia had just got the lasagna out of the oven when she saw a car leave her driveway. The brunette didn't know what anyone could be doing at her place so late. She was only up because she had been working Eric's double shift and only left work two hours ago at the least. Boa Vista decided she might as well check it out, just to be sure it wasn't a bomb or something suspicious.

So she opened up the door, her 38 pistol laid on the table beside her. The DNA expert noticed a shadowed figure sitting on the steps leading up to her porch with their head hung low. She put on some slippers and stepped outside to identify the figure. But to her surprise, it was the one person she had been hoping to see sometime.

"You been drinking?"

"Yeah.. dammit.." He admitted, evidently drunk and discontented.

Natalia nodded slowly. She'd knew that something had been up as soon as he'd mentioned him and Lana had been having problems. He was not the same. Never stayed for drinks after work, or was in the mood for a little bit of locker room talk. Him calling in sick was very unlikely and he'd not been ill the last time she saw him. In fact, the sickness wasn't physical. It was emotional. From what his ex had put him through.

His hair had grown out into short, loose curls and his once clean-shaven jaw was now stubbled. She gently brushed the curl back and smiled at him as she took his hand. "Hey Eric, how about we go inside and once you sober up.. you can have some lasagna? I cooked tonight."

"Well.. she could never make lasagna the way you did.. or look as good doing so.."

She inwardly chuckled. Even when drunk, the things he was saying really was beyond her belief. Then again - they'd done some pretty unbelievable things while both intoxicated after downing a few beers. He needed someone. The guy had been locked up in his place with alcohol and takeaways to sooth his pain. It was funny that her address was at the top of his limited memory with the amount of alcohol he had most likely consumed within the timeframe of 9pm to 11pm. She didn't even think he'd paid attention to where she lived.

Despite everything they'd been through, Natalia wanted to help him. He wasn't alone in this. And he would get over it. But it was going to take more than a drink for each time he felt like crying. "I don't know why I thought.. she was the one.."

"Because you fell in love, Eric. It happens."

He shook his head. "What a waste.. I could've.. put my love into.. somebody else!"

"I know that somewhere.. your future somebody will be waiting for you. And when you find them, life will get better. I know it.. and I know you do."

"Love hurts.. Nat.. it hurts like a bitch!"

Natalia placed her other hand on his warm cheek and stared into his chocolate eyes that conveyed both the perplexity and anguish of his situation. "I know it does. But we can get through it.." Boa Vista intertwined the hand that had been holding his with hers and held it tightly. "..together."

"..Together?" He parroted in such bewilderment with an undertone of melancholy.

"Together." She assured him. "Wanna come inside? It's getting a little breezy and I don't want my lasagna going cold."

"..Yeah."

Natalia climbed to her feet, keeping hold of Eric's hand as she assisted the disoriented CSI to his. He draped a strong arm around her shoulders as he was still a little unsteady.

If she'd not had a reason to talk to him before - there was her reason.

They travelled steadily up to the porch, the brunette pushing the door open wider as she and Eric entered the house.

In the morning it was unlikely he'd remember anything. Although, seeing this side to him, gave her the vouch of confidence she needed to know that he really did hope on settling down and having a family some day. He'd given his ex, that lawyer (Lana), so many chances to better their relationship. And instead she went out and cheated on him.. then broke it off right after. As though the relationship had been solely based on what she wanted. Not a single thought going into how Delko would feel.

He'd been distraught. Pushing everybody away. Binge drinking.

Eric didn't want sympathy; he wanted understanding.

Natalia was willing to be that person he needed to confide in. She'd been in a position similar to his. It was no secret. Love had never been easy. And honestly, her love lied somewhere she couldn't fully allow herself to move past. Somebody you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life with.. tearing up your heart like that.

Everybody had been sure Eric had been planning to propose before the break up. Lana was oblivious. Boa Vista had configured that opinion when she met the woman. She never appreciated Delko's affection, or the efforts he made for her. Had a taste for expensive. It was heart wrenching to see him be so in love with a woman who could never love him the way he had loved her.

"That.. smells good.." He said slowly as she sat down the tray with both their plates of food on the table.

"Coincidence you're almost always around when I make lasagna."

Eric gave an enthusiastic laugh. "Food almost makes me as happy.. as being around you.. does. You'd.. promised me some.."

"I know. Wanna try some?"

He nodded. She picked up a forkful and popped it into his mouth as he opened it. Eric mentally assessed it, a grin forming on his face. "..Wow.. it's great.."

"That's the Eric Delko I know!" She smiled.

It was going to take a while for his heart to repair itself after damage like that.. but even with a now borderline tipsy state, he knew that this is where he belonged. With somebody he could trust to take care of him even if he'd not know it.

Somehow, his heart had led him back to her.

As if it had been going that way in the first place.

Yes, Natalia had been the first woman he'd truly had feelings for while in a relationship with. And that relationship had set him up perfectly for the future. But it also made him think about her. Them. Where they stood.

Maybe he had always pictured Lana the way he thought of his former lover. Maybe.

Fate had a funny way of working. It was an odd time where meant to be conflicted with the only one in terms of what kind of relationship it turned out to be.

These boundaries seemed to be invisible.

He was only inconsolable until he with Natalia. She was almost like the one person who understood his mannerisms without question. They didn't even have to say a word for the other to know what they were thinking. As if the silence had spoken on their behalf.

"You're not alone. Remember that." She reminded him softly.