Wow I can't believe it's almost been a year since I last updated this! I've been sooooo incredibly busy it got put into the back of my mind.

But I must finish it as the last three chapters have been collecting dust in my computer!

Thanks to all who have reviewed the last few chapters. So without further ado, here's….

Chapter 15

The days after her father's death were unbearable for Katie. She couldn't eat, sleep or even bear to be in the family room after that fateful night. She made the arrangements for her father's funeral, inviting only a few of her family's closest friends. Her father's illness had alienated him from his friends who did not understand his change in personality and so his service who be a small and private affair.

Saying goodbye to her father was the hardest thing, and nothing and no-one could comfort her.

As Katie lay in bed on the eve of her dad's funeral, she contemplated her life now without Tom and what she was going to do. A huge responsibility had been lifted off her shoulders and she noticed how quiet the house was with her just alone.

She continued to toss and turn in her bed and decided to go to her father's room.

She rolled out of bed and walked to his room down the hall, and as she entered she immediately smiled, remembering all the good times she had with him.

Looking at the bedside clock she saw it read 11:31 pm and she lay down and fell asleep on the bed. As she slipped into her sleep, she thought about what Nick would be doing at that moment.

Nick groaned in frustration and put his head on the table. He'd been trying for half an hour to obtain a fingerprint from a glass found at a crime scene and had either ripped the film or smudged the print. Grissom and Sara walked in the room to find Nick throwing the ruined films across the room.

"Whoa Nick, you've got quite an arm on you!" Sara exclaimed.

"I can't do it Grissom. A simple fingerprint and I can't even lift it," he sighed.

"Ok, Sara take over with what Nick's doing. Nick, you come with me," Grissom ordered, leading him out of the evidence room and into the break room.

"Go home, Nick. You are obviously not up to work tonight."

Nick sighed and sat down, "I'm fine. I just need to take a break."

"Maybe you should spend some time with Katie."

"I'm giving her some space. She asked for it."

Grissom passed Nick a coke and sat opposite his young colleague, "What about you? How are you dealing with what happened?"

"Honestly? I'm not… I keep thinking he's out there. I feel uncomfortable going anywhere public and I'm constantly looking over my shoulder. I only feel safe with Katie and I can't even be with her."

"Did you ever think that she needs you also? It's been 6 days since you last saw her. I think she'd want you there. Her father was a big part of her life and now she will be feeling lonely."

Nick laughed, "You certainly know how the female form thinks. Maybe you are right."

"Trust me Nick. The pain of losing someone is eased if there is someone to lean on. When is the funeral?"

"Tomorrow."

"Go, Nick, she has got a tough day ahead of her."

"Thanks."

As Nick headed to the locker room he walked straight past Warrick.

"Yo Nick! How you holding up?"

"Ok, I guess. I'm heading off now," Nick replied.

"To Katie's?"

"Yep."

Warrick pulled Nick to one side of the corridor. "Listen, look after her ok? I saw her when she lost her mom and it wasn't good. Her dad was her world."

"I know man, I know. It just feels like she is shutting me out."

"That's her way of dealing with things. You want to be there for her? Go see her. And take some chocolate chip cookies."

Nick let out a laugh, "I think it is going to take a bit more than cookies to help her."

"I've known her a long time. Take the cookies."

"Fine, but if I get slapped I'm coming for you ok?"

"Sure bro. Whatever. Give her my love."

"Thanks, Warrick," Warrick and Nick smiled and embraced in a manly hug before Nick left.

Katie was woken up by the knocking of someone on her front door. She looked at the clock - 2:20 am and groaned as she rolled out of her dad's bed and plodded to the front door.

She opened the door to see Nick standing on her front door step. "Nick, it is half past 2 in the morning. What are you doing here?"

"I've decided to take a stand. You are not staying on your own tonight," he said firmly.

Katie raised an eyebrow, "Oh, really. What makes you think that I am going to let you in?"

"I come bearing gifts." He stuck out his hands to reveal a large box of chocolate chip cookies. "Extra chocolate. Extra chip."

Katie smiled, "Come in."

Katie took the box off him and went straight to her bedroom. Nick slowly followed her and walked inside her room for the first time. Their bedroom rendezvous had always been at Nick's house since her father was always in the house needing help.

"So this is what your room looks like?" He sat down on the edge of the bed while she crawled under the covers and munch on the cookies. Katie laughed.

"I don't bite Nick. You can come closer."

"I don't want to intrude. Maybe I should go." He stood up and was about to leave when he felt a hand grab his jacket and pull him under the covers. He fell back onto the bad and felt Katie snuggle next to him. "Damn, you have some strength girl."

The two embraced and lay on her bed for a while, "Please don't go. I want you to stay with me tonight."

Nick looked at his girlfriend nestling by his side and leaned in to kiss her. "I'm not going anywhere." The kiss deepened and soon the two were undressing each other.

That night they consummated their relationship. Even though it wasn't their first time to consummate their relationship, it was the first time they were making love, fulfilling each others needs and finally proving to each other that their love was for real.

Only two more chapters to go and then it's complete! Please leave me a review if you have time.