The Goodbye?
Nick kicked the door shut behind him, not bothering with the lights, he made his way over to the fridge and sighed before opening it and grabbing a beer. As he went to twist off the lid, he paused and tilted his head back before turning around and looking into the corner of the kitchen where the light from the fridge didn't quite meet.
He placed the beer down on the counter and hovered near the knife block before the shadow he could make out moved and he saw a sliver of long blond hair reveal itself as the body stood up from the seat and came closer.
His eyes widened and stood back as she revealed herself.
'Ellie?' he asked, confusion and surprise in his voice bleeding through.
'Hi Nick', she replied softly, almost at a whisper. 'What are you doing here? You already said your goodbye' he muttered and grabbed his beer back up.
She came closer and he noticed she'd removed her coat and shoes, making herself comfortable for a wait until he'd gotten home after work. 'That was a different goodbye. One where we weren't alone and people were listening' she tried to explain, gently placing her hand on the counter, sliding it towards him.
'CIA listening to farewells between ex co-workers now?' He jabbed, ignoring her wince at relegating them to just colleagues, knowing they were more. But her farewell had hurt him, cut him deep after all this time together and that was all he'd be left with.
'Yes, when I've been set up and now having to go undercover as punishment' she sighed, dragging a hand through her hair. 'So, you aren't really responsible for all this mess?' He asked suspiciously. 'Of course not. As if I could do any of that or do that to you and NCIS willingly' she countered. 'Did you really think I was capable?' she asked worryingly.
'You were very convincing' he muttered but had the decency to look at her now. 'I had to say all that to you down by Ziva's shed because we were being watched and listened to. But I knew I couldn't leave you thinking the worst of me. Not after all we've been through' she sighed.
He turned and switched on some lower lighting so he could really see her face. He was shocked to see her eyes red rimmed, and her face drawn with worry. 'How long have you been here?' he asked softly, pulling out a seat from under the counter and gesturing for her to do the same. 'About 2 hours, just wanted to be here somewhere that was just you and the quiet. I don't know how long I'll be gone before I have any of this again' she said quietly.
'Ellie' he reached across for her hand. 'Is there nothing we can do?' he asked, squeezing her fingers. 'I wish there was. I must do this' she sighed, twining her fingers with his.