*Author's Note: My first attempt at a John/Natalie story. One shot. Takes place a few months after Jared's funeral. Reviews are appreciated; they give me motivation to write more. (ABC/Prospect Park/whoever owns the characters, I do not).*

It was a lazy Saturday morning. Natalie was wide awake, but unwilling to get out of bed. She just couldn't face it: another day without Jared. It had been more than a few months since the funeral, but there was nothing anyone could do or say to get Natalie out of this funk. Jared was the only one who brought out the fire in her; the only one she thought could ever love her. Well, except for John, but that didn't matter. All she wanted right now was Jared.

"Natalie, honey? Are you awake?" Viki's voice called out from the other side of the door.

"Yeah, mom, just not really feeling well."

Viki sighed. All she wanted was for Natalie to be happy again. It was hard getting over the loss of a husband. Viki knew that more than anyone. But, Natalie couldn't stay in her room for the rest of her life.

"Sweetheart, you have a visitor. I really think you should come downstairs. It's been so long since you've seen anyone but me, your father, or Jessie. I think it would be good for you."

Natalie moaned and got out of bed. She didn't have the energy to argue with Viki. She had a point, but it didn't matter. Natalie threw on some clothes and stepped into the hallway. She wasn't expecting to see him.

"Hey, you. How are you doing? I was beginning to think you had disappeared into a black hole or something," John joked lightly.

Natalie frowned. The last thing she was in the mood for this morning was John's lame attempt at a joke.

"I'm really not in the mood, John. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Marty or something?"

"Well, we broke up, but that's a long story. I came to see if you wanted to get out of the house, maybe go for a walk or something?"

"No, thank you. I just want to stay in bed today. I have no desire to face the outside world, today or any day, really."

John had been prepared for this. Viki had warned him, so did Clint. She hadn't left the house in weeks, except to go to the doctor. And even then, Viki had to do some serious pleading.

"Really? Are you going to just shut off all your friends? Mope around and feel sorry for yourself forever?"

"Why not? It's not like it matters. Jared isn't here. He won't be here ever again. Please, just leave me alone. I don't want to see anyone." Natalie ran back in her room, crying and clutching a pillow. John followed her.

"If you want to stay in your room crying all day, that's fine. I'll be right here with you. I'm not going to leave you alone."

"Why not?"

"Because I care about you, Natalie. That's never gone anyway. Always have, always will. And damnit, I will be here for you. You never left my side when I had the accident, so I'm not going to leave yours."

Natalie looked at him, not sure what to think. "Do you really mean that?"

"You know I do."

She fell into his arms, weeping. "I loved him so much, John. What am I going to do without him?"

"I know you did. He loved you, too. And you know he would want you to be happy. He would want you to live your life."

Natalie dried her face with a tissue. She wasn't sure if she was ready to be happy, but she knew she owed it to Jared to at least try. "So, how about that walk, McBain?"

John smiled, and held out his hand. They walked out of Llanfair, hand in hand.