It was never wise to linger too long after the team had left, Tony knew. Since they usually stayed the latest of anyone, closing time for the Major Case Response Team often meant the building was nearly dark.
He stretched out in his chair, back cracking from a long day's hard sitting around and let out an atrophied yawn. He watched the shadows on the ceiling, dim emergency lights softening the hard edges of this fast-paced and vital place, but blurring depth and detail as well.
He never wondered what difference they made. Tony knew that every criminal they brought in, every terrorist they apprehended, hell, every AWOL sailor, was ensuring that justice was upheld, or at least that more people were safe and happy and asleep in their beds this late at night.
He did sometimes wonder if he'd have more peace of mind if he were one of the people who could sleep happy and safe at night.
The elevator dinged and Abby stuck her head out, pigtails bobbing. "Tony, are you coming or what?" Her excitement spilled into the large room more rudely than the light from the elevator.
Tony grinned, but like the squad room, it was gentled, lacking the enthusiastic edge of the daytime. "I'll be right there, Abs."
She withdrew. Tony stood up, grabbed his keys, gun, wallet, threw a few pens and Post-Its in his drawers and headed for the stairs, leaving the soft shadows behind for a night out with the team.