Gibbs: Take it apart.
--
Gibbs arrived at the evidence garage late…expecting to find the pieces of his boat laying alone in the dark.
He was wrong.
"Abs?"
"Gibbs?" She whispered, but wasn't entirely sure why.
"Its 3 am…"
"Probably why I'm whispering…my brain is telling me I should be asleep…"
Gibbs let his stare speak for itself.
"I'm uh…trying to salvage what I can…"
"Don't," he said gently before taking the piece of wood in her hand and setting it down. "She's gone…"
Abby pouted a bit. "But you can still use some of the parts right? To build a new one?"
He simply shook his head.
"She's not a lost cause Gibbs…"
"I've let her go Abs."
"But you put so much blood sweat and tears into her…it cant be that easy to just let her go…to be recycled as a dresser or night stand…"
"Or coffin." He tried to lighten the mood, but failed.
She placed a hand on his arm. "You don't have to hide behind a smile Gibbs…this is me here….the one who will love you no matter what you do say or think…"
"I know." He placed a hand over hers. "But I'm fine…"
"Is that why you're down here at 3 am…because you're fine?"
He stepped away to run a hand over what used to be the hull. "Nah…she deserved a proper send off."
"I can go…"
He shook his head and spoke simply. "Stay."
And so she did…watching him trace his fingers over what was left of her…resting for a few moments on the name he'd delicately painted on its back…It was only a few minutes but she knew he was saying goodbye in his own way.
It was then he gently took Abby's hand and led her into the elevator, placing a thankful kiss on her cheek.
"Think you'll start building another one?"
Gibbs stared at the name as the doors came to a close. "No…she's irreplaceable."