Getting by with a little help from my friends:

A When Calls the Heart one shot by Caroline Walsh

I always wondered what happened after Elizabeth left Nathan in the season 8 finale. Here's my humble take on who found him and how we got from that beautiful but heartbreaking breakup in jailhouse. In my story – the discussion between Nathan and Lucas doesn't happen. I don't believe that scene is justified – it was just put in to make it seem that Nathan is okay with the choice. Everything else will remain the same.

"Please tell Allie that I will always think you are impeccable." Elizabeth turned and walked out the door.

He just stood there – his mind racing through the past few minutes. She loves me but is not in love with me. How did I get this so wrong? He just felt frozen in place. Staring out in to pace he didn't hear the door open.

"Nathan, I wanted to thank you personally for helping…" Clara stopped in her tracks. She watched as the normally put together Mountie looked like he was going to fall apart at any moment. She slowly walked toward him and touched his hand. "Nathan" she gently said not wanting to spook him.

"I just saw Elizabeth leave. Are you okay?" Nathan's frame began to shake as it looked like he would slip. Clara guided him to a chair and stood next to him. Like a small child, He started clinging to her small frame. Instantly, she gathered him into her arms. Nathan was facing away from the door, so he didn't see the second person come in the door.

Clara saw who it was and mouthed the word "Elizabeth" to Bill. He nodded and turned to lock the door. He stood back and waited for Nathan to recover a little bit. Clara just rubbed circles around his back. After a beat Nathan got control of his emotions and pulled back from her. He looked up at Clara as she smiled, pushing a lock of hair off his eyes.

Realizing what was going on, Nathan stood up but a little too quickly. Bill rushed to his side and steadied him. "Slow down son, we've got enough time. The door is locked, no one will disturb us."

Nathan nodded and stepped toward the wash basin he had near the back room. He quickly splashed water on his face and padded it dry with a towel. Taking a deep breath, he turned to the two people who saw him at his lowest. They all sat as Nathan began to describe what had happened between him and Elizabeth, especially about looking for Jack in him. Clara's eyes began to water as she saw his pained expression. Bill's face remained neutral.

"I'm sorry you both had to see that." Nathan admitted as he looked to the floor. Clara stood and walked over, lifting Nathan's face to meet hers. "I'm not sorry. I'm happy I could give you a little comfort. I'm sorry that you don't feel you can have someone to help you. If you ever want to talk about anything, I will be willing to listen. I'm sure Bill is willing too." Bill nodded at the statement. Like Jack before – he would be there for Nathan and help where he could.

Clara, confident that Nathan was well cared for, got up to leave. Nathan stopped her "Clara, why did you come in here?" he asked. She straightened her jacket and smiled. "I wanted to properly thank you for bring my husband home to me." Nathan smiled back, "It was my pleasure." She walked out and closed the door. Nathan then turned to Bill. "There's nothing I can say that will make it hurt any less. Let's go on rounds together, the fresh air will do you good before you see Allie."

Nathan nodded and picked up his hat. At least rounds were something he could manage right now. As if he was sensing Nathan's next question. Bill said "Don't worry about Clara. She won't tell anyone what happened here. But I will tell you that you are her friend now – and she always looks out for her friends. So, expect a bit of extra attention for a little while."

Nathan nodded a followed Bill out the door and down toward the stables. He now had time to mask his feelings before getting back to Allie. He would call his parents and send Allie to Rock Creek for a while. He could then really deal with Elizabeth's decision and how to coexist in this small town.

No matter what happened with the fact would always remain – he was in love with Elizabeth. He had to find a way to bury those feelings so deep that they wouldn't surface again. If he couldn't do that, he would then have to decide what the next step would be. Even if it meant leaving Hope Valley for good.

When he mounted his partner, Newton's ears perked up sensing that his master was out of sync. Nathan scratched his mane. "I know my friend, but I will be okay with your help." Newton whined his understanding – he would protect Nathan.

With a click, Newton led Hero out along the normal route. Bill looked up and saw Elizabeth start walking towards the bridge. "How about we switch things up? Let's go the opposite way." He was hoping that by the time they reached the bridge, Elizabeth and Lucas would be gone. Nathan wasn't understanding why Bill wanted the change, but then he saw Elizabeth's form in the distance. "The Bridge." He thought.

Nathan smiled at Bill's thoughtfulness. He nodded his agreement to the plan. Pulling Newton the other direction, Nathan began the process of pulling together the pieces of his broken heart. He would have to refocus his priorities now; Allie was always his first love. Now Elizabeth would become just a part of his responsibility as a member of the town. She would be a little special because she's a Mountie widow and Jack is the son of a Mountie – his oath was to protect his brother's family always.