Hello :)

So this is it - the final chapter.

I honestly never thought I'd get to here. I never thought I would get 115+ reviews. or 27 favorites.

This is probably not the ending most were expecting.

But look out for the epilogue which will be up this week - Check my profile.

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.

Review please! - One last time?

Enjoy xx

It's funny how things turn out, you expect it to turn out the way you want it to, or you hope it will. But it never does, the important one never do. You set yourself up for a loss.

That's what happened to Blair, that's what she thought about that night. How unfair life was, hadn't she been through enough already? Apparently not, as she lay in bed that night she stared up at the ceiling, refusing to close her eyes. If she closed her eyes, she'd fall asleep. If she fell asleep it would all be over too quickly.

She hadn't said goodbye to anyone yet, she couldn't bring herself to say the words, no one had said them to her either, all hoping for the impossible. She would be gone by morning, back to the home, chucked into someone else's life, she would be expected to drop everything and start again. It wasn't fair. She would only be gone by morning if she let herself get taken. People always thought Blair was a bit dull, she never seemed incredibly smart, but in fact she was quite intelligent. She knew how to plan when she had to. Sitting up in bed she pulled a pad of paper out from in the drawer by the bed. Picking up a pen she flipped to a clean sheet. Rubbing her eyes, she sighed and cleared her mind before starting to write, her hands shaking ever so slightly.

Dear Tim (Dad),

I'm sorry. As life goes on I think I'll always wish I never came to you, never ruined your life. But there always will be a part that thinks, maybe I did do the right thing, it just didn't work out. I guess I'll never know. By the time you read this I'll be gone, so what can I say?

These past couple of months have been touch and go; there have been moments before this that I've thought of running away. Just packing up my things and bailing. But I didn't. And that's something. I don't even know what I'm feeling right now, nothing really. I should feel alone, scared, angry. But I'm not. I feel nothing. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. I don't know what you're feeling, you probably hate yourself for this, but you shouldn't. This mess wasn't your fault. I brought it on myself.

As dawn comes closer I'm running out of time to make up my mind. Do I go back to pretending to fit into other peoples' lives when I don't, or is it my time to pack my things?

No matter what I choose, whether I go or stay, things will never be any better than these past months have been. I can't even begin to explain how much I've cherished this family I've grown to be a part of. Tony, the big brother I've always wanted. The one I can joke around with, but can talk to seriously when need be. Ziva, the beautiful older sister, I don't even know how to say how much I trust her now. I have never trusted anyone as much as I have her. Abby, who was amazing to meet, was so kind to me. It's thanks to her that I now know how to calculate the amount of energy a microwave produces. Gibbs, I don't really know what to say here expect for what a role model he has been, and the fact that I wouldn't be here writing this now if I hadn't met him that night I first saw you. After all, he was the one who brought me up to you three. Ducky, for his preciously told stories and his perfectly made cups of tea, those always brighten a darker day. Jimmy, for always being there to tease and let me wear his glasses... I think that's everyone is it not?

I've come to you, and I don't know where to start. You gave me a place to stay; you took me in when you had all the reasons to doubt me. I don't know how I can ever repay you. I suppose if I were staying it would be by making you proud, but I'm not and that's the reality of it. Nothing works out the way you want it, life isn't fair. I can't do anything about that. But never doubt that you weren't a good father. I hope one day you realise this was not your fault and this just wasn't meant to be. I hope you one day find true love and marry the woman of your dreams. I have a feeling you've already met her, you just haven't realized how perfect she is for you. Hopefully your friends can guide you in the right direction. Maybe one day you'll have a family of your own. A real family, one that you can love and everything will work out for the best. Maybe one day you'll even tell them about me, perhaps not.

I don't know where I'll go from here; I'll make you proud somehow, even If I end up on the streets. I'll be me, and won't fake anything to get anywhere. I haven't decided whether I will stay in DC. I guess that is a decision that will come in time.

Before I finish this, I want to stress how much I don't need you looking for me, I can look after myself. Don't put yourself through that, you deserve to be happy; so forget about me.

Thank you, thank you for making me a better person. Thank you for making me feel loved.

I love you,

-Blair.

It took her a couple of words to write what she needed to, she found that if she focused too much, tears began sliding down her cheeks and she would have to stop. But in those hours she made up her mind, she was leaving. She had contact with a few people that she could stay with, of course all those people were male and not exactly good influences, but it was that or nothing. Her only other choice was to join her mother, and be undeniably happy. That was something she didn't want to do unless it was absolutely necessary.

Folding the paper, she scrawled a quick 'Dear Tim' on the side and left it on the pillow. Making the bed she slipped over to her bag and pulled on a pair of jeans and a warm coat over a sweater. Packing as much as she could into her rucksack she shouldered it and with one last glance around the room she moved over to the window. She couldn't risk going out the front door, there was no doubt that Tim would still be up. Opening the window she looked out, exhaling she swung her legs out and hopped out onto the ground. She continued along the pathway at a brisk walk, not looking back once.

Tim had barely slept that night, and when he had, he'd tossed and turned. So when the sun rose, and his alarm rang out he was already awake. Last night had been hard. Blair hadn't said much, every time she went to speak she had started crying, Tim hadn't really trusted himself to say a lot either. Blair had gone to bed early and that was that.

Getting off the couch he moved over to the closed door and knocked quietly, "Blair..." He started, not knowing whether she was awake or still asleep. Opening the door quietly, his eyes widened at the sight of an empty bed. With his breath quickening he walked over to the bed as he saw a sheet of white on one side. Seeing a note addressed to him, he sat down, picking it up.

He read it, over and over. The words not really sinking in. It hit him almost an hour later. Blair was gone, she was never coming back. It was over.

He hadn't realized he had started crying, not heaving sobs, but instead quiet tears slipping out of his eyes.

Wiping his eyes he jumped off the bed and ran for his phone, still clutching the paper tightly in his hand. Reaching out for his phone he flipped it open and speed dialed Blair's number. It went straight to voice mail after the beep he suddenly found himself not knowing what to say, "Uh Blair, I... Just call me when you get this, please." He hung up quickly and cursed himself. Getting changed he hurried out of his apartment – which was the last place he wanted to be right now.

All three agents were at their desks when Tim arrived at NCIS. They all looked up when he entered the bull pen, and out of nowhere Abby barreled towards him wrapping him in her arms, "I heard about Blair, I'm so sorry Tim." When he didn't reply she pulled away to look at him. At his expression she continued, "Tim, where's Blair?" He shook his head, moving past her to his own desk. Tony and Ziva exchanged worried looks and glanced over at him. He sighed at all their concerned faces and simply said, "She's gone." Everyone looked startled, even Gibbs'. "She left a note. There's sort of something addressed to each of you." He told them passing it to Abby who was now in front of him.

He watched as each of them read their part. He didn't know what to do. And like Blair had said, he didn't know what to feel. She was gone. He'd lost her.

The chapter had been erased, the page ripped from the book. It was gone, back to nothing.

He'd had everything, and now it was gone.

Like nothing had ever happened.

Watch out for that epilogue...

Thanks for being such amazing readers you guys are awesome!

Review one last time please!

Willa xx