Disclaimer: NCIS belongs to CBS and Donald P. Bellisario.


"We can't. I want to, but I can't." he said, grasping her arms.

"Why not? Why not? Let's just try it, let's just see-" she said pleadingly, tears in her eyes.

"Don't you think I want to? I do, sweetheart, I do. But we can't keep going on like this. We just can't." he said. She was shaking, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Shhh...don't cry, I hate seeing you cry," he said, cupping her cheek in his hand and brushing away the tear with his thumb.

"I'm sorry-" she started to say, and then turned away.

"Hey, look at me," he said, turning her to face him. "I'm sorry too."

They stood in silence for a moment, not looking at the other.

"I'll always love you. That part of me will never change."

"And I'll always love you." she replied. She reached up, and gave him a long, slow kiss, and then turned and walked out the door, and out of his life.