Disclaimer: I don't own Sherlock.
A soft breeze gently nudged the curtains aside, and stroked her face with velvet touch
She rolled over, blinking in the gentle dawn light. She stretched out her hand…nothing. He wasn't there, but the sheets were still warm; the indentation still on the pillow. Her heart plummeted, hitting rock bottom with a heavy thump.
She knew that it would end like this; that trying to hold onto him would be like trying to pin down a cloud; but she always thought that he would at least say goodbye.
She turned her face away, tears springing hot and heavy in her eyes; the hard fist of pain hitting her in the throat, making her gasp at its violence.
"Abby"
His voice cut through the silence, and she turned in surprise.
He was standing in the doorway; she blinked back her tears as the blurry figure before her moved closer.
"I…I thought..." she stuttered.
"I wouldn't go without saying goodbye" he said, softly. His deep, warm voice was shot through with sorrow.
She closed her eyes, tears welling up afresh, extinguishing the small flame of hope that had ignited at the sound of his voice.
She felt the movement of the bed, as he sat down on the edge of the mattress.
"I bought you these" he said, in an apologetic tone.
Abby opened her eyes; he was holding out a small posy of pink roses; he looked so awkward and embarrassed that she smiled in spite of the circumstances.
"Thank you" she said, taking the flowers from him "They're beautiful"
A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but then fell away as he looked serious again.
"Abby…I.."
"I okay" she said. "I know. I've always known"
He cast his gaze away, knowing that he should never have started this, but it had been, she had been, something that he needed; in the cold and lonely space since his "death", she had been a safe haven; somewhere he could call home; but now….now he had to leave the tranquillity of her arms and return to his old life.
She threw off the bedcovers and stood up, her legs shaking as she fought to retain her balance.
He pulled her into his arms, enveloping her in the warmth of his embrace; she buried her head in his chest, breathing in his scent, drawing it deep into her lungs, imprinting this last memory onto her very soul.
"I'll never see you again, will I?" she asked in a whisper.
"No"
She looked up, into his eyes; a single tear traced a path down his cheek.
He bent his head, pressing his lips against hers fiercely, crushing her body against him; they clung together in wild desperation, grasping at this last moment of passion as though they were moments from starvation and their final kiss was all that would sustain them from here onward, until, at last they drew apart, both trembling as the cathartic moment passed.
Tenderly, he touched her cheek.
"Take care of yourself" he said, softly.
"You, too" she replied, her voice raw and cracked with emotion.
He smiled, and then, in the briefest of moments, he was gone.
Abby rushed to the window, pressing her face against the glass. Tears flowed freely, as she watched him crossing the street.
A large black car was waiting for him; the door opened from within by some unseen hand.
Just before he got in, he turned and looked up at the window. He raised his hand in farewell; it felt like every goodbye, every parting she had ever known, all crashing over her together, drenching her very being in sorrow.
She waved back and he gave her one last, sad smile, before he was swallowed up within the black car.
The door closed with a thud.
And the car drove away.
