Thanks to all who read and reviewed the last chapter - I can't believe its nearly over! tear

Anyway the show must go on so here's...

Chapter 16

Katie opened the door to see the black, polished car that would take her to her father's resting place. Behind the car the hearse was parked and she stepped outside and walked up to the car that held her father's body.

A flowered arrangement of the word 'Dad' leaned against the coffin. She traced the word on the car window but stopped when she felt Nick's hand on her shoulder. She had flashbacks to the perfect night they had just experienced. His voice broke her train of thought.

"You ready?"

She turned to face him, "As ready as I'll ever be."

"You sure you want me to come? I don't want to intrude."

He took her hand and the proceeded to the waiting car. "You won't be intruding. Besides it will only be you, me and three other people. Dad lost a lot of friends when he became moody. They didn't understand that it was the disease and not him."

The two climbed into the car and were driven the few miles that it was from her home to the church. The service was very short, with the priest saying his usual speeches of eternal life and the kingdom of heaven.

Throughout Katie held onto Nick's hand and tried to stay strong. She did not want her final farewell to be a flood of tears. She had cried enough.

After the ceremony in church, the priest, Katie, Nick and Tom's closest friends accompanied the coffin to the grave site. Katie noted that it was a lovely day for Las Vegas, with the sun out and yet a cool breeze sweeping through the group of mourners.

"As I commit this body to the earth, let us know our brother Tom shall find the kingdom of heaven. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The priest finished the ceremony and went round to greet each guest, thanking them for coming. He finally reached Katie.

"Thank you for the service, Father," Katie said.

The priest nodded, "Thank you. He is in a happy place now Katie, free from the pain that he was in. He shall be deeply missed."

"Thank you once again." As the priest left, Katie turned to Nick. "Can you give me a few moments alone?"

"Sure, no problem. I'll wait by the car." Nick kissed Katie's temple and walked away.

She turned to the gravestone that read,

Thomas Brandon Walsh

Born September 7th 1955

Died October 23rd 2004

Beloved Husband and Father

We will never forget you.

"I love you dad. I am going to miss you so much. But you are in a good place now and I know you and mom will always be with me." As she shed a final tear, she wiped it away and turned to see Warrick walking towards her.

"Hey," Warrick embraced Katie into a hug. "How are you doing?"

"I'm ok."

"Why didn't you tell me about your father? That he had Alzheimer's?"

"I didn't want people feeling sorry for me. You know I hated it when mom died. I just wanted to try and have a normal life."

"You could have told me."

Katie sighed, "I'm sorry Warrick."

"You don't have to apologize to me. At least you told someone," he said, nodding to Nick, who was talking to Sara and Catherine at the opening of the cemetery.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"We're investigating the remains of someone that was buried in a cemetery. Not this one. I thought maybe we should check them all out." Katie eyed him suspiciously. "You know it's not like I rang and called Nick to see if you were going to be here so I could see you."

She smiled at his innocent expression, "Thank you Warrick. For everything." She turned to see Catherine and Sara, and gave them a quick wave. The two females both smiled and returned the gesture. "Listen, can you tell Nick I am going for a walk. I'll see you all tomorrow."

"Grissom said you can have as much time off as you need. You don't have to rush back."

"I know. I just want to get back to some normality. Besides if I stay in the house another day I think I'll go crazy."

"Okay, see you tomorrow. Take it easy." He gave her a quick hug before she walked further into the cemetery. He walked back to where his three colleagues were congregating.

"Is she ok?" Sara asked Warrick when he reached the group.

"Yeah, she's just gonna take a walk. She said don't wait for her Nick. She may be a while."

"Thanks man," Nick replied.

Catherine looked at the back of the figure walking further and further into the distance, "The poor girl. I had no idea she has been through so much."

Nick sighed, "Do you think she is going to be alright? I mean long-term?"

Catherine looked at Nick, "Honestly I don't know. But what I do know is with you by her side she'll have a lot of help."

"Do I give her space?"

"Yeah, we'll see her tomorrow," Sara smiled.

Katie walked for hours, not with a troubled mind but a happy one. She remembered everything good that had happened in her life, however insignificant. From her first spelling test to her degree, she reminisced on the pride her parents had for her and the love they will always share.

As it grew dark, she started heading towards her house and watched the night-life of Las Vegas work. In a city where not everything was easy to handle, from prostitution to murder, she managed to find the good.

Couples holding hands, teenagers enjoying their youth and the elderly going home, she smiled. Her thoughts turned to Nick, who she could not believe she had found. He had a less than perfect relationship reputation yet he had been the perfect companion for her and she was sure she had curbed his wandering eyes.

The air turned chilly as Katie walked onto her street and up to her house. She reached into her purse and pulled out her keys when she noticed a package and envelope on the door step. She bent down and picked them up, and went into her house.

She threw her purse on a table in the hallway and kicked off her shoes before going to sit down on her father's favourite chair in the living room. She opened the letter and started reading it.

Dear Katie,

I am sitting in my car, writing you this note, which is just to say I love you. I figured every girl should get a love-letter at least once and this will probably be it for you 'cos you know how much I hate writing. So there, I wrote it and I'll write it again. I love you. Call me if you need anything.

Love always, Nick xxx

P.S. I got you something for comfort.

She unwrapped the package to reveal her favourite item - chocolate chip cookies. She laughed and quickly opened the box, digging in for a handful of cookies. 'He is definitely for keeps' she thought.

Well, that was the penultimate chapter…. I'll try not to cry!

The final chapter should be up very soon!

Review if you get the chance to. Thanks.