"Mom? … Mom? … You okay?"

Catherine was swiftly brought back to the present by her daughter's words, she smiled across at her, vaguely aware that she was sitting in her SUV in a residential neighbourhood, but not entirely sure of how she'd arrived there. "Of course sweetie. I was just..."

"Yeah, I know, thinking about work." Her daughter's voice held a slight tinge of resentment.

Catherine brought her hands up to her temples slowly massaging them, hoping this act would return her to reality. "Sorry Linds. I know it's been hard for you since your dad died, but…"

"I just wish I came somewhere close to the top of your list of priorities, mom." Lindsey turned away from her mom, reaching for the door handle; a hand on her arm stopped her actions.

"Lindsey! You know I love you; I'd do anything for you. You are my priority, that's why I work the hours I do." Catherine tried unsuccessfully to turn her daughter to face her, allow her to see the sincerity in her eyes.

"Whatever you say mom." Lindsey's muffled reply barely concealed her anger.

Catherine released her hold on her daughter, and let out a heavy sigh, partly of frustration, partly out of tiredness. "Lindsey, don't do this now. Not when you know I've got work."

Lindsey turned and faced her mother, her eyes ablaze, and her chin jutting out in anger. She could contain her frustration no longer, managing to hiss out with audible venom. "That's it mom, it's always not now, it's always work! When is it going to be the right time? Do I have to book an appointment to spend time with you?" Her eyes challenged her mother to answer, find an excuse, some way of putting the blame elsewhere.

"Of course not. How could you…?" She stopped herself, allowing a brief recall of the events since Eddie had died, finding the number of times she'd worked overtime, broken promises to Lindsey far outweighed the days or even hours they'd spent together. "I'm sorry Lindsey. I … I …. It's just been really busy, I didn't think, didn't realise…"

"You forgot about me." Lindsey's voice was frighteningly small, a cry for help, a simple plea.

"No ...no I could never forget about you. Just trust me, I'll make it up to you." Catherine reached out now, unable to let her daughter leave in this manner. She gathered her in her arms, hoping her daughter would melt into the offered hug of comfort, but Lindsey kept her body rigid, refusing to let her mother be forgiven so easily.

"Yeah?" Lindsey pulled back, searching her mother's eyes, to find some clue as to her sincerity, but failing.

"I promise. This weekend I'll take time off, we can go shopping, then we'll do whatever you want, see a show, that film you've been talking about, go to dinner. It'll be your day Lindsey, you think about what you want, okay?"

"Whatever. Look I need to go now, Zoë's waiting." With a slam of the car door as the only goodbye, Lindsey Willows left the car, half running up the driveway to her friend's house.

Catherine waited in the Denali, watching the door open, her daughter enter without so much as a wave. She sighed, starting up the car, making her way through the early rush hour traffic to the lab building.

Bend little Willow
Winds gonna blow you hard and cold tonight.

When had life become so hard? When had her daughter started to despise her? When had their relationship started to reflect that of hers and her mother? She let out a half scream, half grunt of frustration; this was not the way it was supposed to be. This wasn't the way her life was supposed to turn out, alone, barely able to meet the bills with a daughter who would do everything she could to push her away. She made a promise a long time ago to her daughter, and she wasn't about to stand by while it was broken. She smiled as she thought back to that moment of joy and innocence.

The small bundle lay contently in her arms, trusting her mother completely. Catherine watched in wonder as her newborn daughter fought the pull of sleep. So much to see in this new world, so much to explore, she was determined her daughter would get to see and experience it all. Her lips parted as she screwed up her face in a yawn, her tiny fist hitting an invisible foe.

"Shhh, Lindsey, it's okay. I promise I'll be here for you. I'll always be here for you. I'll never stop loving you. You are going to have the best I can offer you. You are the most important thing in my life remember that. I promise you I'll never forget."

Her daughter gave in to the pull of sleep, while her mother held her, as if by doing so she'd guard her against the demons and nightmares she knew this city held in the shadows.

Her daughter was going to have the best, a mom and dad who loved her. That was it, the very best a child could have. Not for her the visits of numerous uncles to her mother's door, while she was hurriedly hidden away in a back room, to hear the thumps and screams of her mother. Not for her a life of servitude, cleaning and working farm animals for a stepfather who resented her presence, only lavishing his attention on her half sister, until she matured that is. Not for her the desperate flight with an adolescent boyfriend who used her for one thing then abandoned her. Not for her the drugs, the stripping, the abuse. No, her daughter's life was going to be so different. It would be filled with love, the love of her parents, the love of her friends. She would be cherished, seen as the precious gift she was.

Life as it happens,
Nobody warns you, Willow hold on tight.

A bitter laugh caught in the throat of Catherine now. How could she have been so naïve? How could she have been such a failure at the simplest of tasks, loving her daughter? There was no doubt she did love her, with all of her life, until her last breath there would be nothing but love for her daughter, but nobody had told her such an act would be so difficult.

The love of her daughter, the need to give her two loving parents had been the first thing to drive a wedge in their relationship. What had she done? She'd done no wrong, well unless you consider trying to make a better life for her family as a crime, there was nothing. Her late hours on her return to work, after giving birth to Lindsey, coupled with the demands of a baby left little time for the demands of a husband. The resentment grew the fists flew. She became a shadow, often too tired or bruised to return the love of her daughter, breaking promises of trips to the zoo, the carnival due to her own pain. Yet she fought on, fought for her daughter to grow up with two parents, refusing to give in, say or hear a word said against her abusive husband even when she woke in a strange hospital bed with no recollection of how she got there.

She did it for Lindsey, always for Lindsey. Yet throughout this her husband, Lindsey's father, poisoned her daughter's mind with hints and allegations. She thought with Eddie's death Lindsey might draw closer, see beyond the lies he'd spun, recognise her mother's unending battle to give her the best of love and life. But no, it hadn't worked out like that at all. Lindsey stored up her father's words as if they were written on tablets of stone, embedding his lies, his accusations in her heart, using them against her mother as weapons, her one aim, to hurt her.

Why? Catherine had pondered this question many times. Why did her daughter want to test her, hurt her, push her away? She'd not said one word against Eddie Willows in life or death in front of her daughter. She wouldn't resort to the childish tug of war her husband seemed to be intent on. Maybe that was it, maybe by not putting up a fight she'd lost her daughter's respect, by not disputing her husband's words she'd instead, in a twisted way established their truth. But how could she change it? If there was one truth, from her earlier years of Sunday school, that she held on to it was the saying, `Don't speak ill of the dead'. Strange to an onlooker considering her profession, but as she'd once, a long time ago declared, she was not there to speak ill of the dead but to speak for them.

Okay, technically she wouldn't be speaking ill of Eddie by telling Lindsey what had gone on. But she certainly wouldn't be speaking for him. Eddie Willows would not want his princess to know the real truth of their marriage. And what would a rebellious teenage mind make of a mother's sudden urge to share a truth that had been long hidden? She shook her head, no matter how Lindsey tried to hurt her she couldn't do that, couldn't shatter her memories of her father with tales of hurt and tears. She find another way, she had to.

It was with relief that she pulled into her parking slot at the lab. Work for the next eight hours, at least, would scatter her concerns, allow her mind to rest from its fruitless search for answers to her own troubles, instead she'd work on the puzzles of other's lives. Maybe a break would allow her subconscious to magic an answer. One thing she was determined of, however, her first task was to ensure she had the weekend off. Quality time with her daughter was what she'd promised and she was adamant that this time she'd deliver, not let Lindsey down and above all not prove her daughter's accusations right.

Her heels clicked through the hallways as she swiftly made her way to her office. Finding a pile of messages on her desk, she quickly organised them into piles requiring immediate attention and things that could wait until later in the shift. Before continuing, she filled out a request for days off for the forthcoming weekend, leaving her office, making her way to Ecklie's new residence. She knocked on the door, not waiting for a reply, she entered to find him sitting alone at his desk appearing to be engrossed in paperwork, he didn't even look up at her entrance, a mannerism she detested.

"Conrad."

"Ahh, Catherine how's the new job?" He looked up at her, examining her for any hint of weakness.

Catherine unconsciously straightened her shoulders and plastered a smile, to charm, on her face. "Good. Good. As you can no doubt see from the reports we've submitted my team have managed to successfully work with both the dayshift and nightshift as well as independently close several cases."

"Yes, yes, that's all very good. But I take it you've not made the journey here to sing your team's praises."

Another smile played around Catherine's lips. "You're very perceptive, although I can't deny my team deserves praise." She flashed him a bright smile before continuing. "Actually, I need you to authorise this vacation request for me for this weekend." She passed the paper across to him.

"Days off? So early in your new position? I would have thought that would have been the last thing on your mind." His voice although smooth held a challenge to its tone, requiring a justification from Catherine.

"Err, Conrad I didn't think I needed to justify my actions to you. Both Nick Stokes and Warrick Brown have experience of being shift supervisor, they can share the responsibility during my absence. It is only for two days, and it is personal business I'd rather not divulge."

Conrad Ecklie leant back in his chair, idly tapping his pen on his left thumbnail. He looked closely at the woman before him. He'd known her as long as Grissom had, but unlike Gil Grissom, she didn't respect him or appear to like him. One of the reasons he'd recommended her above Sofia for the new supervisor's position was to get her away from the clutches of Gil Grissom. He knew she wanted dayshift supervisor, he wasn't about to recommend her for that, she'd despised him, fought him, enraged him too much over the years to give her what she wanted. She was always there defending Grissom, flattering his ego, preening him for a higher position. It felt good now she had to come to him for the simplest of things as a request for a weekend off. Maybe now she'd grow to respect him, he smiled inwardly, and she'd have to start to respect him if she expected to have requests such as this granted. Now what to do, grant it, or dismiss it? If he granted it, he'd be seen as someone who listened, gave her what she wanted, dismiss it he'd be hated. Respect, his mother had told him, was a two way street, you have to earn it, give it to gain it.

"Okay Catherine, this time at such short notice, seeing as you have people to cover you, I'll allow it. But in future I will require a minimum of two weeks notice before granting days off, understood?"

"Thank you." Catherine quickly turned and left the office, needing to get out before her tongue gained dominance over her brain.

Hurrying back to her office, paying little attention to where she was going caused her to collide with Nick Stokes.

"Whoa boss, where's the fire?" His hands quickly grabbed hold of her shoulders to steady her.

She smiled a little self-consciously. "Sorry, Nick. I've just had a meeting with Ecklie."

He laughed loudly. "No need to explain further. You okay?" At her nod, he released his hold and continued on his route to the locker room shaking his head slightly, not in the least envying Catherine's position and thus need of such meetings.

Ten minutes later Catherine's relative peace in her office was interrupted by the invasion of her two team members.

"Hey Catherine, what we got today?" Warrick asked smiling broadly.

Catherine managed a brief smile in return. "No-one needs your assistance on dayshift today. However we do have two cases of our own. Warrick, burglary over at the Luxor, Nick you're with me suspected arson out in Henderson."

"Hey Cath, recovered from your meeting yet?" Nick smiled at Catherine.

"What meeting?" Warrick looked puzzled.

Nick smirked. "Someone had to see Ecklie."

"Oooh, glad to see you got out alive."

Catherine fixed them both with a playful glare. "Actually I need to tell you something about the meeting. I'm taking a couple of days this weekend, Lindsey time you know." The both smiled in understanding at her. "I need the two of you to take on the supervisor's position, Warrick will you do Saturday, Nick you Sunday?"

"Cool."

"No problem Cath." Warrick looked at her with concern. "Anything we can do to help?"

"Thanks.. but no. We just need time together you know?"

"Okay. Well I'll see you two later." Warrick stood to leave.

"Warrick if you're finished before us, check if Gris needs you, will you?"

"Sure, no problem."

Nick stood, "So who's driving?"

Catherine smiled, "Do you mind?"

"Wouldn't have asked if I did." With that, the two of them headed for the parking lot.

Two hours later, as Gil Grissom arrived at the lab he went straight to Catherine's office. He knocked, opening the door to find the room empty. He then went to the desk, finding the note she left. It had become a habit for the two of them to write a note for each other when they left, to let them know of their whereabouts in case either was needed to provide back up. He quickly read her post it note, an arson case could engross her all night, he made a mental note to invite himself over for breakfast before the end of shift. He needed to see her, spend time with her; he had a feeling something wasn't quite right and without her daily presence on his team it was difficult to determine exactly what that something was.

He walked to his own office, and started on the pile of paperwork he'd left merely hours before.

The night was slow. He was able to assign Greg to work with Sara, a dead body found on a children's merry-go-round. Sofia was rostered off. He would take any calls that came in, hopefully with the support of one of Catherine's team if necessary.

He was about to go to the break room to refill his coffee when his pager went off. He glanced down at the id, Brass, sighing, realising that coffee would now be a distant memory; he reached for his phone and dialled the familiar number.

"Jim, what's going on?"

"Gil, don't know much yet, I'm afraid. I've just been called out robbery turned into hit and run, one dead, two injured."

"Okay, I'll see who I can find to come with me, where are you?"

"The Chevron station, on Poplar Avenue, off route 607 near the Desert Pines Golf Club."

"Okay, I'll be there in the next fifteen minutes."

As if fate handed him a gift, Warrick knocked on his door as he finished the call.

"Hey, Gris, Cath's out with Nick, an arson in Henderson. I've just finished up my case, anything else come in?"

Gil gave him a stern smile. "Yeah, burglary and hit and run, you're with me."

They walked in silence to the parking lot, and headed towards Warrick's Denali. Gil for once happy to allow the younger man to drive, by doing so he could try to find some answers to what was troubling him.

Warrick managed to restrain himself until he'd left the confines of the parking lot. Then the sensation of Gil's eyes boring into him proved too much. "What is it Gris?"

"I was just thinking… no it doesn't matter."

"About Catherine?"

"What?" Surprise was evident in Gil's voice, was he really that obvious?

"You were thinking about Catherine, right?"

"Yeah, I was just wondering." Gil sighed; shaking his head slightly then resumed his quest. "Have you noticed anything different?

Warrick kept his gaze fixed on the traffic in front of him replying softly, almost whispering. "Yes, yeah I have."

"Tell me."

"Well she's quieter, it's subtle, she's not hiding away, refusing to speak, but you know how she used to fill her room with her mere presence, it's not like that any more. It's almost like she has the huge weight, or burden with her at all times. Don't get me wrong, she's doing her job, doing it really well, but you already knew that didn't you?"

"I have no doubts about Catherine's ability to supervise, she could have done the job years ago if she'd been willing to move."

"I don't think it's just the job."

"Why?" Gil faced the younger man, as if by examining his every feature, he'd gain access to his mind.

"When was the last time you spent time with her. I mean quality time, not a snatched case meeting." Warrick chanced a look at Gil; surprised to see a look of guilt almost, appear across the older man's face.

"A few weeks."

"Did she tell you about Lindsey?"

"What about Lindsey?"

"Answering my questions with a question, so you don't know either. I don't honestly know, but what I do know is today she went to Ecklie to book what she called Lindsey time." Warrick once again glanced at his old supervisor. "You two are supposed to be best friends Gil, find the time, spend time with her, see how you can help her. Because right now she needs someone and my instinct tells me the person she needs is you."

"Thanks, thank you Warrick."

The rest of their journey was completed in contemplative silence. Both men pondering the cause of their friend's distress, neither wishing to voice their concerns further.

They pulled up at the gas station at the same tine as Detective Brass. The paramedic teams were yet to leave, both working on what they presumed were victims in this incident. While Warrick went to talk to Brass after exiting the Denali, Gil headed for the nearest team of paramedics. He observed the remains of a moped, thrown to one side, while the emergency team worked on the victim, who was small little more than a child, he assumed. It was only as he got nearer, seeing the familiar blonde ponytail that his stomach lurched and his heart seemed to stop beating. He quickly found a way around the active medics to her face; all the way trying to convince himself this was a cruel trick fate was playing.

Finding himself staring down at her pale features, he was resigned to the fact that this was not a joke, that there before him, on the asphalt, lay Lindsey Willows. He knelt beside her, gently stroking her cheek. "Hey, Lindsey, it's Gil. Open your eyes honey, I promise I won't be angry."

One of the paramedics seemed to suddenly become aware of his presence. "Sir, sir. Do you know this girl?"

"Yes, I do. It's Lindsey, Lindsey Willows."

"Okay sir. Would you be able to contact a relative and have them meet us at Desert Palms? She requires surgery to her leg, it was badly crushed by the moped, at the moment I doubt if she can hear you, she's been unresponsive since we arrived at the scene."

Gil swallowed hard, that small act allowing him to regain some of the composure he was in danger of losing. "Yeah, I'll go and get her mother. Desert Palms you said?"

"Yes sir, that's right. Are you okay? Do you need…?"

Gil waved his assistance away; instead he briefly resumed his stroking of Lindsey's cheek. "Lindsey, honey, I'm going to get your mom. You just listen to what the doctor's tell you okay, we'll be back with you as soon as we can."

"Sir, there's no way…" Gil's glare prevented the paramedic from finishing his words of misplaced advice.

Gil stood, quickly catching the eye of Jim Brass. He walked swiftly over to the detective. "It's Lindsey, Jim. Warrick can I take your Denali, I need to go and tell Catherine."

"No problem Gris. I'll get a ride back with Jim?"

Brass nodded in agreement.

"You'll be okay here?"

"Sure, just let Nick know, he can come and help out when he's finished." Warrick reassured him.

"I'll let Sara and Greg know too, they'll want to help out if needed." Gil smiled grimly; desperate to be away from this scene, yet knowing his job required him to ensure the investigation could be completed effectively.

"Thanks. Now go, go take care of Catherine, she'll need you." With that, Warrick passed him his keys, allowing the older man to leave the scene.

Gil checked with dispatch to ensure Catherine and Nick were still at the scene and to confirm the address. He also requested that they be informed not to leave the scene until he arrived, the last thing he wanted to face was an endless search through the Las Vegas streets for Catherine.

Fifteen minutes later, he pulled up outside the remains of a house in Henderson. He noted with relief a Denali was parked at the kerbside, two figures loading equipment into the tailgate. As he drew up behind their vehicle, they paused in their actions turning to face him.

Gil slowly left the confines of the vehicle walking the short distance to his two friends.

"Nick, Catherine." He noted the concern in Catherine's eyes, a mother's instinct.

"Hey Gris, what's happening?" Nick mirrored his partner's concern.

Gil reached out towards Catherine, cupping her elbow with his hand. As he made contact with her arm she retreated against the tailgate, pushing herself against the vehicle. "No, no, no…" a repeated whisper escaped her lips.

"I'm sorry."

Her voice raised and an almost primal scream escaped. "Nooooo!"

Gil pulled her against him. "I'm sorry Catherine, she was in an accident. She needs surgery, but she is alive, believe me I was just with her." Her body went limp, as if the life had left her.

He tried to soothe her, holding her tighter, stroking her back, but at the same time he was aware of the need to be at the hospital as quickly as possible. He didn't know the extent of the damage to her leg, but had been at the scene of too many similar incidents to be all to well aware of the need for early surgery, often the difference between a working limb and amputation.

He glanced towards Nick. "Nick, I'm going to take Catherine to the hospital. I'll stay with her. I'm leaving you in charge of Catherine's shift, go and drop off whatever evidence you have from here, then contact Sara, tell her she's to act as supervisor for nightshift for the rest of the shift. Dispatch has the details of Lindsey's accident site, Warrick will need someone to work the case with him."

Nick nodded, "Okay Gris, don't worry, we'll keep you informed of what's going on. Just take care of Cath okay."

"Okay." Gil returned his attention to the woman in his arms. "Cath, we need to get to the hospital. We can see Linds then. Okay."

He was relieved when he felt her head move gently against his chest, at least she was responding. He slowly steered her towards the Denali, opening the door for her, before helping her up into the seat and ensuring she was safely strapped in. He then returned to the driver's side and with a quick nod to Nick, climbed in, started the engine and drove in the direction of Desert Palms.

As they walked into the Emergency Room, Catherine's grip on Gil's hand increased. He really didn't realise she had that much strength. He looked at her; her face was pale, her lips tight and her eyes set staring forwards. He suddenly felt the urge to offer words of comfort. "It'll be okay Cath. Believe me."

She turned slightly, looking up at him, giving him an unrestricted view into her troubled soul. Her lips trembled slightly before she forced them into a tight smile.

He returned her attempt at a smile with a squeeze of her hand. He knew why she wasn't speaking, she was frightened of showing a sign of weakness, but it didn't stop him worrying over her. At some point she'd need to release her emotions and he just silently vowed to be by her side throughout it.

He walked to the admissions desk, quickly catching the eye of the staff member behind the desk. "I'm Gil Grissom, with Las Vegas Crime Lab, this is Catherine Willows. I was informed that Ms Willows' daughter would be admitted here, Lindsey Willows, hit and run, suffering from a leg injury."

The dark haired nurse glanced across at the admissions board before answering. "She's scheduled for surgery within the next half an hour. I'll go and check whether the surgical team have come for her yet. If you'd just wait here."

Gil was aware of Catherine leaning into him. He squeezed her hand. "It'll be okay."

Two wide eyes turned up towards him. "What if it's not?"

He squeezed her hand before releasing her hand from his gip. He moved his hand to around her shoulders, hugging her to him. "It will be." The answer was so simple, yet it held a promise he knew he couldn't fulfil.

The nurse reappeared with a young intern beside her. "Mr Grissom, this is Jenny Ward, she's been responsible for the care of Lindsey."

Gil hoped his attempts at a reassuring smile, did not betray his thoughts that this woman before him surely wasn't old enough to be entrusted with such an important task.

To her credit Jenny stood her ground. She looked him directly in the eye as she proceeded to catalogue Lindsey's injuries. "Mr Grissom, Ms Willows, Lindsey was admitted unresponsive. Shortly after we had her stabilised in the treatment room she regained consciousness, and she has suffered a concussion. She is lucky in that respect, her head injury could have been worse considering she was not wearing a helmet. The injuries to her leg have caused us most concern. Both her tibia and femur bore the brunt of the damage. The femur is fractured in two places, one of which is displaced. The tibia has a displaced fracture that ruptured the skin. There was no circulation to her foot when she was admitted; we have however managed to restore that temporarily. She will need surgery and we will be fitting plates and screws in order to heal the bones. She will then need to remain in hospital, as her leg will be put in traction. At this stage we do not anticipate having to amputate, but we need you to be aware of that possibility in case things do not go as expected in surgery. We will need your signatures on these release forms in order that we may proceed."

Catherine took the papers from Jenny, giving them a cursory glance before signing her consent by the large x. She looked up at Gil as she returned the papers.

Sensing her need to see her daughter Gil asked. "Could we see Lindsey before her surgery?"

At this request Jenny looked a little uncomfortable. "I'm not sure if that would be a good idea. Due to her concussion Lindsey hasn't really been feeling like having people around her."

"She's asked that you don't let me see her, hasn't she?" The voice beside Gil startled him briefly.

Jenny gave them an apologetic smile; a brief nod of her head was all that was needed.

Catherine turned to face Gil. "Gil, she'll see you. Maybe it's best if I don't…"

"You can't mean that? Catherine, you are her mother, she has to see you."

"I just don't…"

"Don't what? Want to upset her? Catherine answer this, are you going to go in there and shout at her? Are you going to scold or chastise her?"

"No."

"Then you and I are both going in there. Lindsey has to learn she can't always push away people who love her." Gil turned away from the Catherine to face the doctor. "Dr Ward, could you show us to Lindsey's room please?"

"Of course. But it'll have to be a brief visit. I'm expecting the surgical team to come for her any minute."

"We understand." Gil resumed his comforting hug of Catherine, hoping to give her some strength to see Lindsey. He'd known things had not been going smoothly between Catherine and Lindsey but he hadn't imagined they had become so bad that she would forgo seeing her.

They walked the short distance through the relatively quiet Emergency Room, before stopping at the doors to a treatment room. Gil gave Catherine's shoulder a squeeze, as they entered the room.

"Hey, Lindsey, how are you doing?"

Lindsey turned her head on hearing Gil's voice. She stared at her mother standing beside him, taking note of her pale appearance and obvious concern. She turned towards Jenny, speaking harshly. "I told you I didn't want to see her."

Jenny opened her mouth ready to answer, when Gil interrupted. "I don't know who the her is Lindsey, but I have brought your mother to see you. You have given us quite a scare and at this moment I don't much care for who you do or do not want to see…."

Catherine interrupted him. "Gil, don't please. I've seen her, I'll go now." She took a step towards Lindsey, who now had her gaze fixed on her mother trying to anticipate her actions. Catherine reached a hand down to brush a stray hair from Lindsey's face, as she made contact with her daughter's skin, Lindsey flinched, turning her head away. Very quietly, yet keeping her tone even Catherine whispered. "I love you Lindsey, I always have and I always will." She turned grabbed hold of Gil's hand and left the room swiftly.

Nothings gonna shake your love,
Take your love away.
No ones out to break your heart,
It only seems that way.

Once outside the room, Gil guided Catherine a short distance along the corridor in order to afford her some privacy. She leant against him, resting her head against his chest, while he stroked her hair. No tears were shed and that in itself scared him more than the attitude he'd just witnessed from Lindsey.

"Cath, you okay?"

"Yeah. Gil…would you stay here? I mean would you stay here with me until we know if Lindsey's surgery has been successful."

"I wouldn't think of being anywhere else. Do you want to wait here or go up to the surgery floor?"

Catherine paused, biting her bottom lip slightly before answering. "Could we stay here until she's gone up to surgery, then go to the floor? I don't really want a repeat of our last encounter."

"No problem. If you go and sit in the waiting area, I'll let the desk know what we're doing and they'll let us know when she's gone to surgery."

"Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Gil felt a slight blush warm his cheeks, not trusting himself to reply coherently he watched her make her way to the waiting area, before returning to the admissions desk.

Twenty minutes later, he found himself escorting Catherine to the elevators. She'd taken hold of his hand again and he was not about to relinquish this contact. He advised the nurse at the surgical admissions desk of their concern for Lindsey, and with promises of a meeting with the surgeon once the procedure was completed, they were directed to an empty waiting room. As the nurse closed the door behind them, Catherine sank into the nearest chair. Gil went to sit beside her and to his great surprise she rested her head against his shoulder as silent tears escaped her eyes. He gripped her closer, offering no words of comfort or remorse, just letting her emotions be spent.

Slowly her tears stopped, and he was startled by her next question. "Why? Why does she hate me?"

"I don't think she hates you. She's angry, scared even, but not filled with hate."

"How do you know Gil? You saw her; she couldn't bear to be in the same room as me. When I tried to comfort her she … it was like I was trying to burn her."

"What's been going on Catherine, really?"

Catherine released herself from his hold, forcing her back against the cold plastic of the chair. "You know that since her dad died … well it hasn't been easy. After the hitchhiking, the trip to the morgue, things started to improve, or at least I thought they did, I thought she'd put all of that behind her. I applied for the dayshift supervisor so I could spend more time with her. When they offered me swing shift I felt obliged to take it in the hopes this would lead me to getting dayshift in the future. All that's happened is I see less of my daughter. I thought she was safe. She was supposed to be with someone from school, Zoë, why would she lie to me, what was she doing there?"

"There were two girls at the scene apart from Lindsey. I could check with Warrick see if we know who the others were." He pulled out his cell phone quickly dialling Warrick's number. "Hey Warrick."

"Gris? How's Cath? Linds?"

"I'm with Catherine while Lindsey is in surgery. Warrick, do you have ID's on the other victims?"

"Yeah, two sisters, Zoë and Julia Moore."

"Thanks Warrick."

Gil turned to Cath. "Was Lindsey's friend Zoë Moore?"

"That's right."

"Well she was also involved in the accident. I know it doesn't answer all of your questions but at least you know she was with someone you trusted."

"All I ever tried to do was love her." Catherine sighed, her voice barely above a whisper. "She's changed since Ed…"

Gil returned his arm to her shoulders. "Catherine, how much does she know about you and Eddie?"

Her eyes shot to his. A slight frown creasing her forehead "Why?"

His blue eyes radiated calm in the hopes his next words would not hurt. "Well have you ever sat down and talked with her about what Eddie did to you?"

Catherine shook her head, turning away suddenly studying the floor. "No." She sighed. "It's too late, why shatter her image of her father for my benefit? She idolizes him, everything he said to her, its like…. it's like she's kept it locked away inside her. I couldn't destroy that. What sort of person would I be?"

Very quietly Gil answered. "I think she needs to know the truth. I think she's old enough. Maybe not from you, but she does need to know there were two sides to the stories she's been spun. I imagine Eddie made a few accusations about you, told her things that weren't true, tried to make her hate you. In an attempt to steal her away, make her choose him."

Catherine's silence was the only answer he needed. "Oh Cath, you don't have to poison her with words, but she has a right to know you are not entirely to blame."

"Maybe I am." She startled him by returning her gaze to capture his. "Maybe it is my fault. What if I'd taken him back when he asked, begged me to? Would he still be alive? Would Lindsey still have a father…."

"Would she have a mother?"

"Maybe she'd be happier without me, with her dad."

"Listen to yourself. You can't honestly tell me you believe that." He could barely contain the surprise from his voice.

"I don't know what to believe anymore." The resignation in her tone wasn't hidden anymore.

Gil reached across with his free hand, squeezing her hand. "Well listen to me, believe in me. When she's awake after her surgery I'll talk to her. I'll tell her about Eddie, what he did to you. She needs to know. I'll talk to her on her own so she doesn't associate it with you."

"I don't know. What if…"

"Catherine trust me, she needs to know."

"I don't want to hurt her anymore."

"What's going to happen if I don't tell her? How are you planning on dealing with this? What will happen next time, and believe me there will be a next time. It might not be a traffic accident. It might be a boyfriend who abuses her, don't you think she should know what you went through, a moment of hurt might prevent a lifetime of mistakes."

Catherine looked at him, studying his features, staring deep into his eyes, wishing, not for the first time, they were like tiny crystal balls showing the future for the proposed path she was offered. Her voice, when she spoke, was choked with the emotions she was feeling. "Promise me you won't hurt her."

He leant forward, kissing her forehead. "I promise."

She nestled herself against his chest, part of her dreading the anticipated doctor's arrival, part of her wishing he would hurry so they could put this behind them and start afresh. She was aware of Gil stroking her hair and soon his soothing movements proved too much as her eyes slowly lost their battle with sleep.

Sleep little willow,
Peace is gonna follow,
Time will heal your wounds.
Grow to the heavens.
Now and forever,
Always came too soon.

She woke on hearing voices in the previously silent room. She slowly blinked her eyes, trying to clear her head of sleep, before gradually raising herself to a seated position. Her focus landed on the Doctor standing before them.

"How is she?"

"As I was just explaining to Mr Grissom, we've managed to set both bones, her circulation had been affected by the fracture to the tibia which had temporarily trapped the artery. With the bones now set that should present no further problems. Her feet and toes are responding to stimuli. She is lucky we were able to operate so quickly, it has undeniably saved her leg. As to her future recovery, as I think it has been explained to you, she will remain here while we have her in traction, then with physiotherapy there is no reason why she shouldn't regain ninety to ninety five per cent mobility in the leg."

"Thank you. Is she awake?" She was proud of her ability to keep her voice even, not betray the nervousness she was feeling.

The doctor looked a little uncomfortable. "Yes…err…she is, but…ehmm… she has requested Ms Willows that you not see her at present. The anaesthetic often affects decision making, she will no doubt feel better tomorrow…"

Gil interrupted. "Could I see her then? Reassure her mother all is well?"

"You're Gil?"

"Yes, that's right."

"She asked for you, so I don't really see a problem, if you'd like to follow me." The doctor offered Catherine an apologetic smile as he walked to the door.

Gil winked to her. "I'll remember my promise."

Little Willow
Nothings gonna shake your love,
Take your love away.
No ones out to break your heart,
It only seems that way.

Over an hour later, Gil returned to Catherine in the waiting room. He held out his hand to her. "Come on someone needs to see you."

Catherine rose, her legs felt shaky and she was glad of the support Gil offered. He led her along the surgical corridor, stopping outside a room. He felt her slow and stop as she tried to pull her hand from his.

"Gil? Are you sure?"

He smiled in reply. "Believe in me Cath." He opened the door to allow her to enter before him.

Catherine slowly made her way across to the bed. A very nervous looking Lindsay met her mother's gaze. As tears were spilt by both of them, they sought the comfort of a hug. Lindsey squeezed her mother tight. "I'm sorry mom, I'm sorry."

"It's okay baby."

As Catherine held her daughter, she knew this was only a start; she was not naïve enough to believe that Gil Grissom could fix the troubles of the past couple of years within one hour. She was sure there would be future battles, but for the first time since Eddie had died she felt as if Lindsey was once again with her, a part of her, loved her. Once again she vowed to hold on tight and never to let go of that love.

Bend little willow,
Winds gonna blow you hard and cold tonight.
Life as it happens,
No body warns you, Willow hold on tight.

The End