A/N: AU. When Natalia dies in a horrific accident, Eric is left in shambles.

Story Notes: Can be the sequel to 'Tim' if you need an aftermath for the story.

WARNING: Character death.

The news hit everybody hard. Natalia died in a severe accident. She bled out and the doctors couldn't stop the bleed as she got there too late. Eric was the most hurt though. He needed her. Without her, it was almost uncertain where he stood with his son. He knew that Tito didn't exactly know much about him and was definitely attached to his mother. The seven year old always wanted to be with his mother as much as he could.. and now she was gone, that was going to affect him massively.

Speedle had done his best to keep his godson stable. Made sure he went to therapy, took time off work to be 100% there for him and made sure that he was able to talk whenever he needed to. As Timothy's legal guardian, he now had to be completely invested in his life. Natalia was gone and he had to raise her son. He was family. And someone has got to give the kid the love he needs. But when Timothy began getting into fights and arguments with a certain classmate, Tim decided it was best to keep him out of school for a bit. The kid was so hurt that he didn't know what to do with himself.

Eric hadn't expected to receive a call from Speed in the middle of the night. Saying that it was about his son. Delko had to go. He knew his son wasn't okay and as his father, he had the responsibility of being there for Timothy. So he called over Ryan to take care of Calleigh while he was gone, and then he set off to Speed's place.

When he arrived, he saw Speed waiting for him outside. He quickly got out the car and jogged over to the house. "What- what is it?"

"Tim had a nightmare, and then begged for me to call you."

The Cuban sighed. "Where's his room?" "Upstairs, second door on the right." Speed responded as he let his best friend in and shut the door behind him. Tim went to the kitchen to make some coffee, while Eric went upstairs. On the walls, he saw pictures and drawings hung up. Delko picked up a framed picture of Natalia. He remembered that one. As he went to put it down, a letter fell out from behind it.

Eric picked up the piece of paper and reluctantly opened it up. This could be his only chance of getting the closure he needed. "Eric, my love.. I know we haven't had it easy. I've not been the easiest person these last couple of years, I know that. But I wanted to tell you that I forgive you. I can't hold onto the past, and we can't change what's happened. Timothy (Tito) loves you so much, and I don't ever want him to not have you in his life. Even if we don't come to a conclusion then, just know that I love you and our baby boy. I wish you and Calleigh all the best.. yours sincerely, Nat."

It was like she knew something bad was going to happen. And that would always be the most hurtful thing of all. Not only was she battling depression, but the woman could sense something due to occur. This was a goodbye letter.. whether she realised it or not. It would be the last time that he would ever hear from her again. And the worst thing is, he doesn't know when the letter was written.

Suddenly, he was distracted from his trance by a small voice. "Dad?"

It was his little son standing in the doorway to his bedroom. He had a bruised eye and a busted lip. "What happened to you son?!" He asked worriedly as he walked over to his little boy. "I got into a fight with some kid. He said that I was making excuses by saying my mom died. I punched him and then he punched me back.. we got into a big fight about it.." He explained to his father, all teary-eyed.

Eric got down to his knees and checked out the injuries his son had. "Oh little man, don't you worry. Even though mom isn't around anymore, she will be watching over both of us from heaven. I'm going to have a talk with your principal about this kid that keeps bullying you, but I'm glad you're fighting back and not letting him beat you up. I'm so proud of you, I hope you know that."

"I know." Timothy said quietly. He clung to his dad as he embraced him in a hug, and Eric hugged him back. It felt like for the first time in seven years, he could finally connect with his son. This was a time where he needed him most. As calm and strong as he was, he was still a little kid. And even smart kids get scared.

Delko was happy to know that his son still confided in him. He picked up his son and walked into the bedroom, laying him down in his bed. The Cuban placed the teddy bear in his arm and then whispered a small prayer. "Amen." He said once he'd finished praying. "You don't need to be scared anymore, Tim. I'm right beside you." Eric laid a gentle kiss on his son's temple and smoothed his thumb over the bruise on his cheek. The Cuban was going to talk to the principal about this kid that keeps tormenting his son. How does a seven year old end up getting injuries like the ones he got when he go into fights? It was just.. wrong.

The next day, Eric went with Speed to drop Tito off at school. He held his son's hand the whole way there and the seven year old didn't once complain. Instead, he gripped Eric's hand a little tighter. His other hand held Speed's hand. The little boy felt safe with his dad and his godfather. His godfather was an FBI agent and his dad was a CSI, that means nobody could hurt him. Not like this.

When they got to the reception, Eric let go of his son's hand and said goodbye to him. "Ok, Dad's gotta go have a meeting with the principal.. but I'll see you later?" "Bye Papi." Tito sighed, hugging his dad. Eric hugged him back, then let him go with his friends. The little boy turned back to the two men and waved to them, before he disappeared into his classroom with his classmates.

It felt.. oddly amazing. Seeing Timothy off as he went to school. He felt better knowing that his kid was at ease. Natalia had told him that he was a smart kid. So he picked up the textbooks and decided to keep them for him. He did still miss Boa Vista more than anything.. but he was going to this meeting for her. Because he knew that if she was still around, she would've marched into the principal's office and demanded to know why her son came home with a black eye. That's exactly what he was going to do.

Speed was going because he was Tim's legal guardian, and because he needed to make sure Eric didn't make too much of a threat. Someone had to keep the guy sane when he was angry. So they went in and waited for the principal to finish up whatever meeting he was having with the deputy principal. As they did, they noticed a couple walk in. They both gave Eric a weird look as they sat down in the opposite seats.

He mumbled something in Spanish to see what their reaction was. Both of them glared at him. The dad of the other kid stood up and walked over to Delko. "What are you saying huh?" Eric slowly stood up, slightly towering over the man. "Doesn't concern you." He retorted lowly. "Well it does when your son beat up mine." "I don't have mind control over my kid. If he's going to defend himself, then he will do. He doesn't need your son's pathetic remarks."

"Gentlemen, the principal is ready to start the meeting." The receptionist said, interrupting the tension that was going on between Eric and the other guy.

Speed pulled Eric's arm and they entered the office first, followed by the couple. They all sat down in the chairs infront of the principal's office. "Mr Delko & Mr Speedle, Mr & Mrs Watson, thank you for coming to this meeting about the fight two days ago. I understand that Timothy Delko lost his mother last week, didn't he?"

"Yes he did. And their kid has the audacity, a seven year old, has the audacity to tell my kid that he's making excuses. Who is he to do that? If it was the other way around, I'm sure Tim would've been kicked out already! Suppose he wouldn't know any better from what his parents have told him though."

"Mr Delko-"

"No, you listen to me. If their kid doesn't get excluded, I'm filing a report for lack of supervision and management of students and no rights are established. My son has the right to be at school and I don't want him coming home with any injuries."

Tim sighed. He knew that as hard as he tried, he wouldn't be able to fully contain Eric's emotion. He'd lost someone he cared about and there goes some seven year old making fun of his son for it. If he was going to blame anyone, it would be the parents of the kid. Timothy didn't deserve that kind of torment every time he came to school. He demanded that justice Natalia was fighting for before she died.

Mr Watson sneered, while the principal trembled a little. The man was no doubt afraid of Eric. Honestly, that was the reason Speed had allowed his best friend to come along to the meeting. Because he was extremely intimidating and definitely scared people off. "Mrs Watson, I'm afraid that if another incident with Todd occurs, he will be expelled. We do not accept this kind of behavior and Mr Delko, and Miss Boa Vista, were right to be mad. Their son doesn't deserve to be treated like that."

Eric and Tim thanked the principal, then left the office for Mr and Mrs Watson to express their utmost anger for the decision. But it was simply something that needed to happen. And the mention of Natalia showed a sign of respect for not only his argument, but his friend's too.

"Principal Davies would like to apologize for any previous inconveniences with sorting out Watson's bullying." The receptionist said as she handed Eric a report sheet.

"Tell him that if he wanted to apologise, he should've done it to Tim's mother first." He spat, taking the report and leaving with Speed.

On the sheet, it had a report of how Tim was getting on from the councillor he saw everyday. On the way to the car, Delko slowly read through it all. "I don't know how we were in there for two hours, all you did was slaughter the guy." "That was for 'Talia, and the little man."

As they walked, they heard shouting coming from the other side of the fence. Delko saw Tim playing cops and robbers with his friends. And what his son said brought the first genuine smile to his face that he'd had since Natalia's passing.

"My dad saved innocent people from a bank robbery. I want to be the cop, just like him!"

He had no idea Natalia actually talked about him to their son. It filled the CSI with so much happiness though. "He's just like you, Nat." He mumbled with a smile as he opened the passenger door to Speed's SUV. 'I think he's a mini you. Keep him safe.' A faint voice within the breeze said. That's how he knew she was watching over. Because he could still hear her voice. She was there.

So when Eric got back to his house, he saw Calleigh resting her head on Wolfe's lap and sleeping peacefully. Ryan was gently stroking back her hair as he daydreamed. "How did the meeting go?" He asked the Cuban in a quiet voice.

"Lets just say.. that Todd Watson kid will be getting expelled."

"Dude, I swear everyone is scared of you. Learn anything interesting while you were there?"

"That Natalia told Tim stories about me and old cases. He loves to tell his boys about how his dad is a cop." Eric said with a chuckle.

Ryan smiled. "You and Nat have the coolest kid, Delko. You're such a dad now." The Cuban scoffed. "You're still twenty, Wolfe. Don't do anything stupid, but make sure to live properly." "Oh, well I don't think a bottle of beer is going to help me have a future." The younger man said mockingly.

"You're such a dork." Calleigh whispered sleepily. "I would've laughed if my lungs didn't still hurt."

"Eric, I'm being bullied."

"Poor you. I have to go to work, so I'll see you two later."

Calleigh and Ryan were both on sick leave after the house fire. The ballistics expert had experienced smoke inhalation that went right to her lungs. She'd passed out in the middle of interrogation, and sent home after she'd been in hospital. Ryan took the leave so that he could not only recover too, but take care of Calleigh too. Natalia's death hadn't made things any easier for them. It was incredibly tragic. And they could see the effect it had on Eric and Speed, as well as their son.

But they knew that Eric was gonna be ok. And his son too. Because Eric was strong, and was getting past it. Plus, like father, like son right? If his father could, so could Tito.

They waved to the Cuban as he came back out of the bedroom, changed and ready to go to work. "Order food if you want any. I don't want either of you passing out."

"Ok." They both said in the same mock unenthusiastic voice.

"Ok.. that's scary. Bye babe, bye Wolfe." With that, he was out the door and driving to the crime lab before anything else could be said.

Ryan continued stroking Calleigh's hair as she lay her head back on his lap. They were going to be okay. Even though the younger CSI still wasn't completely over the fact they were dating yet. Especially with everything going on.

Everybody knew how serious Delko was about putting his son first on all occasions. He had to. It was his responsibility as a father to do so. And with the reassurance that Natalia was in a better place, with Marisol, he could get on in peace. It was never going to be something he was completely over though. Truly, nobody ever really got over a loved one's passing.

Thank you, Natalia, for bearing our beautiful baby boy. Rest in Peace up there. Love you too, 'Talia. Yours sincerely - Eric.

He wrote a letter and put it on her grave, in response to the letter he found in the picture frame that day. To let her know that he was sorry, and that he got her letter.

She'd be with them, in their hearts from then on out.

Forever & Always.

fin.