"Nicky it's fine." "No it's not, your daughter probably thinks you're dead and it's all my fault." "Nicky calm down I don't want you to have a panic attack. Breathe Nicky, breathe." "Sorry Cath, I'm going to call Lindsey and let her know you are alive and well." "No need to do that Nicky, I drove over to Cath's house last night and picked her up. She stayed the night with me at my house." " 'Rick I can't thank you enough man!" " Don't worry bro, it was no problem." "Thanks Warrick." "Anytime Cath." "How are you feeling?" "I'm okay except for the bullet hole in my shoulder. They fixed me up though." "Well Tina said to tell you she hopes you get better soon. You have another visitor though so I am going to get out of your hair." "See you Warrick!" "Mom, I'm so glad you're okay. I was afraid you were dead, but when Warrick pulled up at the house, I knew something was wrong and I was more afraid of not having you anymore than anything else in my life! I need you mom. I love you so much." "Hey baby, I'm not dead and you will always have me whether you like it or not. I love you so so so much and don't ever forget that. You and I both know Nicky would take good care of you if something were to ever happen to me. I know he would because he loves you probably just as much as I do." "What, I don't get credit for saving your life?" "You saved my life?" "You don't remember what happened?" "I remember being in the bathroom and getting shot and falling on the floor and screaming. I don't remember anything after that." "I ran in when I heard you scream and shot the gunman before he could kill you. I got someone's attention and everyone came running and I held pressure on your wound. I kept you from bleeding out. I rode in the ambulance with you and sat next to you during your surgery. I held your hand for three hours straight. Catherine, I will always protect you. You're my best friend." She smiled through the pain. He leant over and carefully wrapped her up in a hug. "Are you going to take care of me when I get outta here?" "Of course." Lindsey smiled at the interaction between Nick and her mother. She decided she would give them some time alone. Lindsey went to the cafeteria while Nick told Catherine of their living arrangements and when she could go back to work. Nick noticed tears silently sliding down her cheek and that worried him. "What's the matter Cath?" "Nothing." "You're crying." "It's just, I feel like I'm a burden to you." "You could never be a burden." "You could be out with Greg and Warrick or at home with Sam, but you chose to stay here with me." "Why are you crying?" "That shows me that you won't leave me." At that moment a nurse came in and administered her pain meds and another nurse brought her breakfast. Lindsey got back with breakfast for herself and Nick. Nick nearly inhaled it he ate it so fast. "Nicky when do I get out of here?" "Tomorrow." "Thank God!" "You can't go back to work until the week after next." "Uggh." "I'll be taking care of you, so you'll be just fine." She smiled. "I'll be taking you home and making sure you stay there and making sure you're resting."