She's everything to me. Does she know? Do I tell her? No, I sit back and let the days slip by. Could I tell her that I was losing my hearing? No, I kept it from her, my best friend and I didn't say a word. She was so hurt when she found out. I could see the pain in her eyes, the betrayal. She told me everything, and I kept this from her. I was always so proud of her, she had a good life, a wonderful daughter and she had a great job. I always had a feeling she would be a good asset to my team, she's been like a mother to the "kids," let alone the best mother to Lindsay.

With Eddie's death, she held her head high for Lindsay, refusing to show her sadness and grief. Except that one night; I saw Lindsay a few days later when Cath brought her to work because she couldn't get a baby-sitter, Lindsay tugged on my hand when Cath was out of the room and she asked me to take care of her mommy because she was sad and cried last night. The little girl has so much of her mother in her and is able to surprise anyone with her maturity.

That night I was sitting in front of someone's house that I knew could never satisfy me or make me smile like Catherine. Catherine needed me, but she didn't ask. She would never ask for help, she could help everyone with her personality and be a great friend, but would never ask for anything. No matter what was bothering her, she would plaster a smile on and dance her masquerade. She is an amazing person, was, but always will be. I haven't cried, but now I allow a tear to slip down my cheek. A single tear, representing my empty heart. I jump slightly at a hand on my shoulder.

"Gil," Nick steps up beside me and tells me we have to go, it is obvious he didn't have the same trouble as me in crying. I look once more at her casket and place a red rose on the top along with the others that the people before had placed there. Lindsay is in Warrick's arms, burying her head in his shoulder.

They and Sara, Greg, Doc & Brass wait by the door for Nick and I. They are comforting eachother, but I can't even hear what they are saying. I don't know if it is because I blocked them out or because of the hearing loss.

Things start to go blurry, I know it isn't from crying. I blink and try to see straight, but things are going dull, I can't even make out the group anymore. The scene before me goes black.