Stunned, Nash opened the envelope the chaplain handed him. With trembling fingers he unfolded the sheets inside. Each page was hand-written, with a smudge here and there as if Caitlyn were crying as she wrote the letter.

My Dearest Nash,

If you are reading this, than I have left this life, hopefully for a much quieter afterlife. By now, I'm sure you have been told about our precious baby girl. As I write this, I look at her in her bed and I can see you in her. She has your eyes, your spirit and god help us all, your attitude.

Nash chuckled at that last bit "thought you were getting rid of me, didn't ya" he said thinking out loud.

I wanted to tell you so many times about Katherine. I know you would've been a good father to her. I see it in the way you raised Cassidy and how you take care of Nick. I know you have the capacity to love another, even more than yourself, but I was afraid. I didn't want to raise our baby in a war zone, that's what you and I were together.

All we did was fight and bicker, that's not the life I wanted for us and certainly not for Katherine. I hope you can forgive me, it was never my intention to hurt you or rob you of precious years that you can never get back.

"you got that right sister" Nash remarked.

I have already discussed this time with my sister. If anything happens to me, I want you to have Katherine. I know it does not make up for all the years I stole from you, but I know you can make memories from this point on. My sister has all of Katherine's baby pictures and some of her toys, she has been instructed to give them to you.

Katherine knows about you. I told her that you were needed to do your job and that mommy and daddy had to live apart. I would assume, she has been staying with my sister and her family. Leaving will be hard for her, but I know that you will make things okay for her. Please take care of my baby, and tell her everyday that I loved her.

Leaving you was the hardest thing I ever did, but loving you was tearing me apart. I will never love another like I loved you and I will never regret a single moment we spent together, even the angry moments.

Please forgive me Nash, and know that I loved you more than life itself.

Caitlyn

"Nash" Harvey and Joe came up behind him "you okay?" they asked with concerned glances.

"I don't know Bubba" Nash responded "I just don't know."

"What was so special the chaplain had to talk to you alone?" Harvey asked.

In answer, Nash handed him the photograph of Katherine, "her name is Katherine and she is the daughter I never knew I had."

There was a moment of silence, neither of the two men knew quite what to say.

"Well, I guess I better go get packed, looks like I'm off to Washington" Nash stood up,

"Joe, you're in charge til I get back, don't let the place to go to hell while I'm gone."

"Darn, guess that means we'll have to cancel that poker game on Saturday night" Harvey chuckled "well, guess we'll just have to behave for a few days."

Nash chuckled "don't forget" he pointed at Harvey "just like our mystery DJ, I may be gone, but that doesn't make me out of control."

As if on cue, disco lights began to flash and music blared and white, smokey, vapors poured out of vents. Nash let out a laugh "nice touch" he said to the mysterious force that created the scene.

The next two days passed in a hurried blur, though to Nash it felt like a long nightmare. Having to deal with loving and losing the love of his life, while at the same time meeting a daughter he'd never known was the happiest, most heartbreaking time of his life.

Nick had offered to come with him to Washington and Cassidy offered to come home, but he told them to continue what they were doing, he'd be able to handle this on his own.

Friday morning dawned crisp and clear, the cemetery was packed with FBI agents in full dress, and from the number of motorcycles and limousines, the president herself was here. Nash watched as the family piled out of a black Lincoln town car. His attention was immediately drawn to Katherine. The 6-year-old replica of his full grown daughter clung to her aunt, she'd been crying, but at this moment she had a stoic look on her face and stood proud.

Nash grinned in spite of the event, he recognized that proud, stoic stance. Clearly, Caitlyn had been forced to live with the man she loved but couldn't live with, only in the shape of a child.

Nash himself had run the gamet of emotions. His usual stoic attitude carried him through a lot of things, but this one event very much mirrored when he thought he had lost Cassidy in a car accident, Raw emotion came out the days following the accident. First, loss and extreme pain, then great joy, unfortunately at the expense of another parent, that the doctors had identified the wrong girl and his precious Cassidy had survived her accident. Caitlyn had been there the whole time, sitting uncharacteristically quiet by his side. The only other time Nash's emotions got the best of him was when Evan was shot and killed.

Most things, Nash could compartmentalize, death was not one of them.

Standing behind the mass of people at the ceremony, Nash certain he blended well enough. He wanted to be here at this moment to say goodbye and to see his daughter, he just wasn't ready to be seen.

"Inspector Bridges" a female voice came up behind him.

Surprised, that the President of the United States knew him by site, Nash turned "Madam President" he stood up straight, "I'm sorry I didn't see you arrive."

"I saw you though" she spoke softly "just like Caitlyn always described you, proud, stoic, on the outside looking in"

"I am honored and a little shocked" Nash admitted " I had no idea you knew who I was."

The President smiled "I'm the President of the United States" she said, "There isn't much that I don't know and what I don't know I can get pretty easily. Besides Caitlyn kept a picture of you. She wanted to make sure Katherine had an image of her father."

"She always talked of you." The President smiled wistfully, "I often wondered why she never went back to San Francisco, when she was clearly missing you."

"I'm a cop who is married to my job, Madam President" Nash said "that doesn't usually create good husband material."

The president nodded, " I know what you mean " she said "you should try being the president and having a life."

Nash chuckled "No thank you Madam President" he replied "somehow I think the United States would not survive with me as president."

"They said the same thing when I became president" she reminded him "so never say never."

"yes Ma'am" he replied.

"would you care to join me" she asked extending he elbow.

"ahh…sure" Nash agreed, after all how often does a guy get to be the President's escort.

She reached for his arm, but Nash's father had taught him better than that, "allow me" he said.

"such a gentleman" the president sighed "there should be more men like you Inspector Bridges."

Nash laughed "the world isn't ready for more than one of me."

Nash didn't realize the spectcle he'd created walking on the arm of the President. The paparazzi went crazy with their cameras, trying to figure out who the average Joes was walking with the President.

Membership had its props. After they approached the flag draped Casket, two seats appeared from out of nowhere and they were shown given front row seats. Although, some things didn't rate front row seats.

"Madam President, maybe these seats should be reserved for people more deserving" he began, but she patted his hand and motioned for more chairs. Before he knew what was happening Caitlyn's sister and Katherine were seated next to him.

The service was short. A statement written by the family was read and the President told of Caitlyn's bravery and heroine in her last moments. "She gave her life to protect mine" the President said tearfully "and for that she will not be forgotten."

After a 21-gun salute, two uniformed officers folded the American flag, then placed it in the waiting arms of Katherine. They saluted the little girl, whose tears flowed freely, then with an about face, retook their post. After the flag was awarded, the president presented a wreath and called forward Nash, Katherine and Caitlyn's sister, where she post-humusly presented the Presidential medal of honor to Katherine, in memory of and for her mother's selfless service to her country.

After the service, the crowd thinned out and one by one people began to leave. Nash soon found himself alone with Caitlyn's sister in an awkward silence. Jordan was the first to speak "So, I finally get the meet the mysterious Nash Bridges" she said.

Nash couldn't decide if there was any meaning in her words, if so he could not detect it. "I wish it could have been under different circumstances" Nash replied "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Judging from what my sister said about you being married to you job, I can imagine what kind of loss this is for you. I hear it takes a suspension for you to take some time off."

Nash grinned, "I don't have a lot of use for down time" Nash admitted, "it ah, makes me think about things I'd really rather forget."

"Like Caitlyn" Jordan asked, a little anger coming through her tone. "I'm sorry" she apologized "I know it wasn't all your fault, I just…" she began trying to hold back her tears.

Not knowing the words to say, Nash reached for Jordan putting one arm around her waist and just holding her for a minute. After a few minutes, Jordan dried her eyes and pulled back "thanks" she said softly "I, ah I've been trying to be strong for Katherine."

"Strong is what I do best" Nash remarked.

"So, I've heard" Jordan said simply.

"I guess you're here to get Katherine" Jordan said looking a little scared.

"Well, I should probably meet her before I make any decisions" he said "Can we arrange to meet somewhere?"

"That can be arranged" Jordan agreed "why don't you come to my house this afternoon, you can meet her there."

"I'm not sure that s such a good idea" Nash hedged "she's been through so much already, I don't want to make matters worse for her."

Jordan laughed shakily, "You know, you're just like my sister always said, tough on the outside, but a big teddy bear beneath all the rough exterior."

Nash chuckled "she said that, huh? Who'd thought she could find something nice to say about me."

"In spite of everything, she loved you, even to the day she died" Jordan replied "look why don't you come over, you flew all the way from San Francisco and you have to eat right."

"I could eat" Nash agreed.

"So, its settled" Jordan nodded "why don't you ride with me to the house, then we can go to Caitlyn's apartment, there are some things she wanted you to have."