Vigil Two by patricia51

(Once again Tim is at Delilah's hospital bedside. Not a part or continuation of "Vigil". Tim/Delilah)

Tim McGee perched on the edge of his chair. Carefully. The darn thing was so soft and smooth if he slipped back even slightly he would end up against the back and probably have to get help to get out of its embrace. Even worse, from that position he probably couldn't even see Delilah much less touch her. And he needed to touch her. He needed to maintain contact with her. The doctors all said it wouldn't be long but what did they know?

That was denial. They knew perfectly well what they were talking about and so did he. Time was running out and no matter how much he refused to accept it didn't mean it wasn't true.

"So accept it Tim," he said aloud, startling himself.

In spite of everything he gave a wry grin. Some super-duper secret special agent he was to jump at the sound of his own voice. The grin faded. He sighed. Carefully reaching out he brushed a stray lock of hair that had drifted over Delilah's face. He had always loved that long hair; loved to run his fingers through it, feel the silky strands against his skin. The first time they had ever spent the night together he had woken with her trim slender body cuddled against his and his face buried in that hair. He could smell the fragrance of it, a mixture of her herbal shampoo and perfume. Then she had rolled over slightly so she could see him without dislodging his arm around her, opened her beautiful blue eyes and smiled. It had been as perfect a moment as he had ever had in his entire life when she twisted like a little sweet cat, kissed him and whispered "Good morning". Sight, sound, taste, scent and above all the feel of her; all his senses had reveled in her.

He wished she would open her eyes one more time so he could drown himself again in their deep pools. He hadn't got to do that nearly often enough. He couldn't have because he never grew tired of it just as he never grew tired of her. He thanked God once again that his friends had opened his eyes to what he was about to try to push away from fear of being hurt once more just in time to claim her before he lost her. Yes he was about to lose her again but how awful it would have been had they not had their time together to be in love.

They were outside the hospital room right now he was sure, his friends and his family. Sometimes the line between those two groups blurred and they were one and the same. He would need them all now he acknowledged as he blinked back tears. Delilah wouldn't want him to cry. She had said that. So he took her hand in his and softly reminded her of the wonderful things they had shared and how much he had come to love her.

As he talked he watched. He watched her breathing become more and more shallow and irregular. Finally her chest ceased to rise and fall. The monitor that had quietly beeped with each heartbeat sounded its long drawn out single tone. She was gone.

Now he cried. Just for a moment. He wiped his eyes. Precariously he stood up slowly; carefully balancing himself he leaned over her still form and kissed her forehead.

"I love you. I always will."

He settled his trifocal glasses back on his nose. He pulled his walker to him and slowly made his way towards the door. Shortly the medical people would be here to confirm what he already knew. Before he faced them, before he faced his friends and family he paused at the door and looked back to drink her in one more time.

"Fifty one years together wasn't nearly long enough Delilah Fielding McGee. Wait for me. I won't be long."

(The End)

(Okay, so I kind of tried to trick you into thinking this was set now, like the my first "Vigil" story. I just can't seem to get this pairing and this scene out of my system so I have to write about it. I hope it goes this way, I really love Tim and Delilah together.)