Title: Lost and Found
Author: LiLAqUaMaRiE
Fandom: CSI: Miami
Pairings/Characters: Natalia Boa Vista/Eric Delko, slight mention of Calleigh Duquesne/Ryan Wolfe
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Drama, angst.
Word Count: 1,534
Summary: Natalia has a big problem; her ex-husband is back in her life again.
Note: This fic is a sequel to another fic I wrote "What She Deserves", so it is better to read that one to get a better understanding towards some references I made of it within this fic. As well, after watching the episode "If Looks Could Kill" I decided to tie in some of the events within that episode to my fic. Btw, does anyone know of Natalia's ex-husband last name? I don't' recall if they ever mentioned it or not. Never mind, I was just in formed that his last name is Townsend.

Note #2: Thanks to everyone who has given me nice reviews! Made me very happy and to those who have read and haven't reviewed, thanks for reading. This fic isn't entirely done done, I plan to add the epilogue asap.

Is this a dream? If it is
Please don't wake me from this high
I'd become comfortably numb
Until you opened up my eyes
To what it's like
When everything's right
I can't believe.

- 'You Found Me' by the Kelly Clarkson

Chapter Eight: The End

Eyes fluttered open; the bright light within the room caused her eyes to instinctively close back down. A few seconds later, the same eyes bravely opened up again – this time more slowly and they succeeded in staying open.

Tiredly, Natalia was able to discern somewhat the area where she was; from what she was able to see, she gathered she was in a hospital room.

"She's awake!"

At the sound of a new voice, Natalia eyes widened and she was able to see that she had visitors. They all went around the bed; Calleigh was on her right and Alexx took the left side. They both were trying to make sure on their own that she was alive and breathing.

The men of CSI weren't far from them either.

Eric stood next to Alexx while Ryan was besides Calleigh; they were smiling down at her. The only one left was standing at the end of the hospital bed, watching with a blank expression until her eyes fell upon him. As he noticed her eyes on him, a small smile formed upon his lips.

"Ms. Boa Vista, I'm glad to see you are well."

She was confused for a moment as to why she was in the hospital room in the first place but she returned the smile nevertheless. "Horatio…" She glanced around at the others; from their faces she assumed that they either recently cried or barely gotten enough sleep in a while. She was now getting slightly nervous, "Guys?"

Eric patted her blanket covered left knee, gently. "I'm so glad you're alright."

Alexx ended up stroking her hair softly, like a mother would do to her child. "Me too, baby, me too."

All the loving and relieved expressions – even the ones coming from Horatio was confusing her to say so at the least. "Um, what's going on?"

Ryan blinked, taken aback at her question. "You mean you don't remember?"

She shook her head. "It's all a bit foggy up in here." Gently she tapped a finger against her temple. Caine nodded slightly to himself.

"Natalia" he started off gently as she turned to glance at him. Meanwhile the others remained quiet. "What is the last thing you do remember?"

"Um..." She closed her eyes for a moment trying to remember. With her eyes still closed she started to respond. "I remember leaving the CSI building…ah. Hmmm. I- I was going home." She paused trying to gather her thoughts, "yes, I was on my way home. No, I was heading to my car actually wanting to go home… and – Oh."

Her eyes snapped open as she was finally remembering, "Oh god." Her eyes turned into wide saucers as she stared at them in terror. She was starting to panic as she started to remember what had happened to her. Her heart was beating fast against her chest and her breathing became rapid.

Calleigh eyes widened as well as she saw the state Natalia was in – the others weren't too far away from the same reaction. She tried to calm Natalia down as much as possible as she placed her hands upon her shoulders, "Natalia, calm down!" But her words didn't seem to reach the other woman as she was lost within the memory of Nick hurting her.

Alexx started to talk to her as Calleigh continued to shake her back into reality. "Its okay sweetie, you're safe now!"

Natalia turned her face towards them as she was breathing heavily, her eyes wild with fright.

Eric and Ryan stood at the sides in shock at what was happening not knowing what to do to help.

Horatio went up to Natalia side, sitting down on the bed. "Natalia" his voice was soft and soothing as he spoke to her gently. "Natalia I want you to listen to me."

Natalia eyes were unfocused as she started to shake her head; Horatio placed his hands on each side of her face, forcing her to stare at him. "Focus on my voice." He ordered her as he stared at her straight in the eyes. "Can you do that, Natalia?"

Silence reigned within the room for a few moments as Natalia stared back at him; everyone else had their eyes on them. Slowly with her face still in his hands, she nodded.

Horatio gave her a small smile. "Good." He continued to stare at her, "Now relax. Breathe in slowly." Bit by bit, her breathing slowed down as she continued to listen and listen only to him. Horatio nodded in approval, "You have nothing to fear Natalia. He's gone. Do you understand?"

Once again she nodded silently.

Gently he removed his hands from her face but continued to stare at her in the eye as he spoke to her, "Good. He'll never hurt you again; none of us will ever allow that."

Natalia heard him clearly; her nerves were bit agitated but not as much as before. She glanced down, "I'm sorry." She was apologizing for her behavior; Calleigh and Alexx who were still on her sides placed gentle hands on her shoulders once again, squeezing it lightly. Alexx kind voice spoke out to her, "You don't have to be sorry baby."

Eric and Ryan got closer to the others as well, both trying to show her their support. Ryan gave her a wide smile as he spoke to Natalia, "Exactly what Alexx said. You have no reason to be sorry." He bent down so he was staring up to her, "I should be the one apologizing…"

Natalia lifted her head back up to stare at him, shocked at his words, "No, you were right and–"

Ryan shook his head cutting her off. "No Natalia." He sighed as he glanced at the near by floor for a moment, "I won't lie and say I wasn't hurt for what happened…" he glanced back to stare at her, "…but I shouldn't have completely shunned you away like I did. For that I'm sorry."

Calleigh gave her another gentle squeeze at the shoulder making Natalia glance up at her, "Yeah sweetie, I guess we're all sorry about that. You're our friend, don't forget that."

Alexx lifted her hand to once again stroke her hair, "More like family sweetie."

Natalia lifted her teary eyes up to everyone. Everyone's expressive emotions towards her had warmed her heart more than they could have ever known.

Eric gently took her hand within his. He swallowed as he tried to gather his thoughts. Natalia turned her face towards his direction, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Slowly he opened his mouth to speak.

"Natalia, I…" He paused, unsure on how to begin. "With everything that has happened…." He closed his eyes for a moment, "What I want to say is that I've come to realize something really important." He opened his eyes as he slowly stared down at her. "You mean so much to me…" He squeezed her hand, lifting his other one to touch her face softly, "I love you."

Her eyes were shedding the tears that she had tried to hold back. She couldn't believe what was happening to her – how her life did a 360 on her and it was like she never had gotten the memo about it. She was in shock; she could only stare at him with disbelieving eyes.

Eric stood there, one hand holding her hand, nervous as hell. He just told her he loved her and she was staring at him with a dazed expression. Calleigh nudged Natalia in the shoulder to get a reaction from the girl. At the touch Natalia blinked shaking her head; unfortunately Eric took that as a negative sign and released her hand.

Natalia noticed how she missed his slightest touch. She reached out to him as much as she could without wincing in pain from her aching limbs. "No…"

Eric glanced up with sad eyes at her, confusion written all over his face.

Natalia was nervous now, "I mean…yes. I – I…you really love me?"

The others in the room silently continued on to watch, not wanting to disturb the moment. Eric nodded slowly as a big grin formed upon Natalia's lips. She lifted her hand out towards him; Eric slowly placed his hand within hers to only get yanked down towards her.

Natalia stared into his deep brown eyes; she could drown in them forever. "You don't know how much that means to me." With that she pulled him into a soft kiss.

Alexx glanced at the new couple with a kind smile upon her lips; she turned and glanced at Horatio. His lips were curved upwards at the end. Their eyes connected and they smiled at each other.

Calleigh was almost bouncing on her feet as she glanced at the new couple. She was happy today – for more reasons than one. She was so happy that she turned towards the person next to her – Ryan – who himself was grinning at the kissing couple; she grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pulled him down into a kiss of their own, ignoring his baffled expression.

Alexx and Horatio glanced at two kissing couple; they shook their heads as laughter escaped them.

The End (Well, not entirely. The Epilogue will come soon.)