Finally I've updated another chapter. I must apologise for the delay but I've had a family problem so I haven't been able to get on the computer very often. Anyway let's start with the usual…
A Christy – Thanks for reviewing once again!
krysalys73 – Thanks for reviewing! I like when fans give an insight into things so don't worry bout your rambling. I have a member of family who has Alzheimer's and I decided to base Katie on a cousin of mine who doesn't like all the attention she gets – she hates people feeling sorry for her cos of her father's illness… there I am rambling as well!
I want George – Nope, sorry, nothing weird! Thanks for reviewing!
warrior of the shadow – Thanks for your review!
Sabrina – Here it is chapter 9! Thanks for reviewing!
Griffy – Thanks for your review! I know, I wish I could have a date with him too!
Charmin-Lady – Glad you liked it! Thanks for reviewing!
crazy-4-csi - Well, thanks for all your reviews! I'm glad you like it! I do have a family member with Alzheimer's.
Trish28734 - Thanks again for your review!
Here's chapter 9…
Chapter 9Katie unlocked the front door and stepped inside her house, signalling to Nick to follow her. "Wait in the hallway a second ok?" she said. She then walked inside to the warmly lit family room. She surveyed the room to find her dad, Tom, sitting happily watching TV.
"Hey dad," Katie said, walking over to the old man sat on his chair and kissed his forehead, "Are you ok?"
He looked at her puzzled for a moment, as if trying to remember something before breaking into a smile, "I'm fine, sweetie. How was your evening with the girls?"
"It was fine. We had a few drinks. Anyway, listen, there is someone who I bumped into that I want you to meet," she gestured for Nick to enter. He came in and stood relatively close to the door, not wanting to intrude and upset her dad. "This is Nick Stokes. Nick, meet my dad, Tom." Tom stood up, with the aid of Katie, and slowly walked over to Nick. He extended his hand and shook Nick's hand, causing Katie to smile and silently thank that her dad was feeling all right this evening.
"It is very nice to meet you, Nick. How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you sir. How are you?"
Tom returned to his seat and sat down, "I'm alright. I am thirsty. Can I have some chocolate milk?"
"Of course you can dad. I'll go get it now. Do you want anything Nick?" he shook his head and Katie went into the kitchen to make her father's drink. When she left the room, Tom motioned for Nick to sit down on the seat beside him.
"So how do you know my Katie then?" Tom inquired.
"Well, I work with her at the crime lab."
"The crime lab? Is that when she goes and collects evidence to solve crimes?"
Nick smiled at his simplicity, "Yeah."
"I'm sorry, my memory isn't what it used to be. I'm guessing she told you about my condition?"
"Yes, sir."
Tom turned to look back at his TV show, "She doesn't tell many about me. She hates it when anyone is sympathetic. She has to cope with a lot. She obviously trusts you. Why did you ask my daughter on a date?"
Nick looked dumb-founded, unsure of what to say.
"She told me she was going out for a few drinks with her female friends but I have never seen her dress up the way she has before. Only do women ever dress that way when they are meeting a member of the opposite sex. I may be losing my memory but I am not stupid."
"Well, I… uh… I like your daughter very much."
Tom chuckled, "It's ok, Nick. I am not trying to interrogate you. I'm just glad she has found someone to talk to and can understand her. She has a lot of responsibility with me. Sometimes I think it would be better if I was not here and then maybe she could have a life."
"She's very strong. That's one of the qualities that attracted me to her." Tom noticed the soft tone to Nick's voice when speaking about Katie and smiled, knowing that her daughter was a good judge of character and that he seemed like a decent young man.
"I must tell you however that I may not have long left on this Earth but I can say that if you ever hurt my daughter in any way I shall make sure you spend the rest of your days in an eternity of hell. I have connections to people that could kill you at the click of a finger." Nick did not know whether the old man was joking or not but didn't think it was the time to underestimate him. Tom suddenly let out a laugh and playfully slapped Nick on the back. "I'm kidding, son. But not about the first part, Katie is vulnerable and I do not want anyone taking advantage of her."
"I won't take advantage, sir."
Katie appeared with a cup of chocolate milk. "There you go, dad. Just the way you like it."
Tom looked confused, "Chocolate milk? I said I wanted apple juice."
"Oh," Katie said, "Sorry, my mistake."
Nick saw the look upon her face, "Actually, I will have that. The chicken at the restaurant was so salty. I'm dying for a drink." He gave Katie a quick wink before taking the cup off her and allowing her to go back to the kitchen to get her dad's new drink. A moment later and she was back with a cup of apple juice in her hand.
"Thank you, Katie."
"So, what have you two been conspiring about?" Katie looked from her dad to her date. Nick glanced at Tom to see his confused facial expression once again and decided to jump in.
"We were discussing what we do at work."
Katie peered suspiciously at the two, knowing full well that her father's state of mind could not allow him to talk about her work, as she had numerously tried to explain to him what exactly she did but had failed. She made up her mind that she would drop the matter for the moment.
"I'm tired. I'm going to go to bed." Tom yawned and stood up.
"Ok, let's get you to bed. I won't be long." Katie helped her dad up off his chair and proceeded to lead him down the hallway to his bedroom, not before Tom giving Nick a quick wave goodbye. Nick surveyed the room he was sat in and stood up to take a closer look at the array of pictures decorating the fire place. The first was of a baby girl, who he assumed to be Katie, and smiled at the thought of her at that age. The next picture showed Katie at about the age of 5 dressed in a pretty pink party outfit and her hair in bunches. The last picture was of a teenage Katie hugging her two parents, looking happy and playful. He ran a finger over her happy face, blissfully unaware of Katie watching him from the doorway.
"What are you doing?" Nick jumped and turned to see her leaning against the doorframe.
"Uh… nothing, I was just looking at your pictures."
"They are so embarrassing. I'm so young on them and my dad used to tease me and show them to all my friends. I always see him looking at them now."
"I'm not surprised. You were a cutey when you were young. You still are." Katie blushed at the comment.
"Thanks for this evening. You should probably get going."
Nick laughed, "What, you're throwing me out?"
She smiled, "Yeah, I'm pretty tired plus my dad needs to get his rest."
"Okay, okay." Nick walked towards the front door and stepped onto the front step.
"Thanks for tonight. I had a great time." Katie leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Nick blushed, "You're welcome. Maybe we can do this again sometime."
"Of course we can. Listen, tomorrow at work, things are not going to be weird between us, are they?" she asked.
"Well, things are fine with me. Nothing weird about us being a couple."
Katie was slightly taken aback by his comment, "We've only had one date. We're not exactly a couple."
Nick loudly inhaled a breath of air, "Well then things are going to be weird. I'm going to be acting strange, shifty looking. I'll have to avoid you at all costs and then burst into rooms-"
"Ok, ok, ok, fine. We are a couple," she said, rolling her eyes. "But we can't tell anyone. They would just ask questions and complicate it. Deal?"
"Deal." Nick smiled and was about to leave when Katie decided to do something bold. She leaned in and kissed Nick. Nick couldn't believe she had made a move and after a moment he wrapped his arms around her and stepped up into the house to be closer to her. They stayed this way for a while, taking in each other and enjoying the closeness.
"Katie?" Tom's distressed voice could be heard from his bedroom. Katie immediately drew back from the kiss, much to Nick's displeasure.
"I'm sorry, I have to go see to him."
"No, it's cool. You better go and see to him." Nick gave her one last kiss before walking to his car.
She closed the door and leaned against it, a wide smile on her face, before walking towards her father's voice.
Thanks for all your reviews, I love your feedback. Chapter 10 should be up soon. Thanks for you all being so patient…