LETTING GO.
Abby's Lab.
"No. I said no McGee."
"Abby it's time. We can't delay any longer. I'm truly sorry but we have to go."
"No. I said no. I won't." She crosses her arms and glares at him.
"Look I know this is hard for you." He pauses searching for the words to let her know he understands.
"How can you possibly know?" She uncrosses her arms and begins to pace. "We've worked together for so long now. I don't want to say goodbye."
"O.K. then you can have a bit longer."
"I can?"
"I knew you'd need some time to deal with this so I factored that in and came to get you early."
She smiles at him for knowing her so well. "Thanks."
"But when I come down next we really have to go. It's all been arranged."
"Deal." He leaves.
NCIS Squad Room.
"Ah, Boss?"
"Yes McGee?"
"I've just been down with Abby and she's really upset."
"I expected this. They did work together for a long time. When do you need to leave?"
McGee looks at his watch. "About an hour."
"I'll talk to her."
"Thanks Boss." McGee lets out a heartfelt sigh as Gibbs leaves the bullpen.
Abby's Office. Just Under An Hour Later.
"What's going on Abs?"
She looks up from her computer and he can tell from her eyes she's been crying.
"Oh, Gibbs. I didn't think this day would ever come. I know I've said goodbye before and happily welcomed someone new but this is different."
"I know." He'd been by her side all those other times and did know this time would be harder than most.
"I always thought he was invincible. That he would somehow last forever. Be with us forever." She gives a weak smile. "Pretty silly of me huh?"
"No. Just very Abby of you."
"I..." She pauses as two workmen enter the lab then takes a deep breath before rising from her chair and walking into the lab. Gibbs walks behind her.
"We're here to collect a mass spectrometer. To be broken up for usable parts and then disposed of. Here's the paperwork." He hands her a clipboard which she signs with a shaking hand. As they begin to box it up Abby adds. "He's not just any mass spectrometer."
"Huh?" The workmen stop what they're doing to look up at her.
"He was major mass spec, big daddy and he did a lot of good work around here. It's not his fault he wore out and can no longer work." They continue packing. "I can't watch this Gibbs. I know McGee and I planned to walk out with him but I just can't. I'm going to visit Ducky. Call me when it's done." She rushes from the room. As he watches her go Gibbs thinks to himself that there really was no-one quite like Abby.