Gibbs followed Ducky into the NCIS morgue almost hesitantly. Was this really what he wanted? He sighed. Yes. He had to put this behind him. Ducky turned to him.
"It's locker number 3," he said, "I'll give you some time."
Gibbs nodded. "Thanks Duck."
Ducky turned to leave, but said one more thing. "She always loved you Jethro."
Gibbs held back a tear and turned to the locker. He took a deep breath and opened it.
McGee looked at his watch and sighed. 11:30. He had been sitting at Gibbs' cursed computer for an hour and a half. Vance was a model director. There was nothing to suggest anything bad about him. In fact, it was the exact opposite. All his reviews were good and reports all filled out on time. McGee rubbed his eyes and turned back to the computer, wondering what the rest of the team was doing. He had been so caught up with the idea that Gibbs would keep the team together that he hadn't allowed himself to think otherwise. For the first time, McGee began to wonder what life without Tony and Ziva would be like. No more inappropriate movie references or messed up idioms. Strangely, the thing McGee thought he would miss most was his workmate's constant teasing. He felt like they were squabbling siblings in a family. McGee forced himself to think positively and resumed typing.
Abby finished another Caf-Pow and checked the results of Vance's prints. No hits. She went to click on another database, before pausing. What was the point? She knew she wasn't going to get any hits. Surely, these prints would have been run multiple times before. Abby grabbed a fresh Caf-Pow from beside her and took a long slurp, allowing it to sink in. Tony and Ziva were leaving. Leaving. She cried softly and sunk to the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. How could this be happening? She composed herself and stood up resolutely. She was going to do everything she could to save them. Wiping her tears, Abby clicked on the next database.
Gibbs stared at the body of Jennifer Shepard. To him, she was beautiful, even in death. There was so much he wished he could have said to her. He allowed tears to flow down his face and rested a hand on her cheek. She was so cold beneath his touch.
"I love you, Jen," he said softly, resting against the locker, "I'm so sorry." His voice caught in his throat and he broke down, sinking to the floor. He didn't bother trying to stop the tears. What was the point? Instead, he sat there hugging his knees to his chest until Abby wandered in, closed the locker and put her arms around him. Gibbs didn't have the strength to protest. He just let her hug him until he couldn't cry anymore.