This one is for Angy because there are only so many times an author can say "thank you."
BETTER BY FAR.
Passing the doorway Ducky notices that Abby is sitting at her desk and frowning at her computer monitor but most unusually there is no music blaring and threatening to rupture the eardrums of anyone nearby.
"I was just heading out. What are you doing here so late Abby?"
"I could ask you the same question" she responds gently trying to deflect his query.
"Mr Palmer and I have finally finished that gruesome task we've been avoiding for days. It never gets any easier and is probably one of the hardest jobs for a medical examiner to undertake."
"Requisition forms?"
"Yes."
"I'm going over my evidence in the Scarletti case."
"The petty officer who murdered his C.O.?"
"Yeah. I'm in court tomorrow and no matter how many times I testify I still get really nervous. It's not the forensics that I worry about really it's all the attendant fuss. I know Jenny and Ziva are right and appearances matter almost as much as the evidence but I don't feel like me in my court suit. Last time the guys called me career girl barbie."
Ducky tries not to smile at her obvious distress. Sometimes he found that Abby felt things a little too deeply than was maybe good for her.
"So you're going over your results?"
"Yes. Well no. I've just finished and am wondering if there's anything I've forgot to check." She grins ruefully.
"If I know you it was all right the first time but now you've checked it two or three times more..."
"Four actually" she interrupts.
"And the results won't change. You will be fine. How about I treat you a meal and make sure you get home early before the big day tomorrow?"
"Thanks Duckman, that is a great idea. I'll just check the time I need to be there, shut this down and we can be on our way."
Ducky turns to get her coat as she brings up her calendar.
"Oh, my God!"
Ducky turns back to find Abby staring up at him with tears in her eyes.
"I can't believe this. How could....I....I don't believe..."
"Slow down my dear. What is wrong?"
She is too upset to speak so she just points at the calendar on the screen.
"Ah."
"I almost forgot Ducky. The day is nearly over and I didn't think of her once.I even laughed at that joke Tony was telling Tim and it wasn't even that funny. It's only been five years. How could I have forgotten? And why didn't any of the others say something? I know Gibbs wouldn't or Ziva under the circumstances but how could Tim,Tony and you not mention the anniversary of Kate's death? Did you forget too?" She glares at him.
"No, Abigail I did not forget and did you not notice how gruff Gibbs has been today? More so than usual that is. Tony has not made a single movie reference either and Tim has been telling each of his colleagues something he likes about them. They remembered Abby.I'm guessing they just didn't want to remind you in case you were upset or maybe they thought you had and didn't want to mention it."
"Oh. But she was my friend Doc. I knew her almost the longest and we spent so much time together. How could I nearly forget the day she died. What sort of a friend does that make me?"
"Human. This reminds me of a poem by Christina Rossetti I learnt in school. It went something like this
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"Kate liked it when you laughed. She liked it when you were happy. I think that she would much prefer that you should smile and be happy in either remembering or forgetting her instead of being sad. She knew what a good friend you were Abby."
She jumps up from her seat and hugs him. "Thanks Ducky. You're the greatest."
"My pleasure my dear. Now about that bite to eat?"
"Lead the way Doc."