[Sometime in the future. Episode TBT] again far in the future but i would love to hear feedback on these plot developments for future episodes.
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3rd Person POV:
The whole team was gathered at the airport to see Claire off. She heard her flight number called and reluctantly stood up. She looked over at Devon and gave him a watery smile.
"Well I guess this is it." She told them. Her brother was the first to move as he bent down and gave her a bone crushing hug. Claire smiled sadly at the thought of being away from him again for who knows how long. Next came Ziva then McGee, Abby, and Ducky. After hugging almost everyone she glanced around for the one person that wasn't there.
"What happened to Tony?" Claire asked, trying not to reveal how much she wanted him to be there. Ziva and McGee glanced at each other in silent conversation.
"He….had some things to attend to. He said to tell you goodbye if he couldn't make it." Ziva gently told her. Claire glanced down in hurt before composing herself.
"Oh." She muttered. The fact that he had missed this crushed her. Didn't she mean more to him than some silly work?
Tony's POV:
I frantically ran through the parking lot of the airport, trying to reach Claire before she left. I was such an idiot. How could I do that to her?! What made me think that letting her go without saying goodbye was a good idea? I thought it would hurt less but it was quite the opposite. I rushed passed the masses of people without caring who I was running over. I had to get there before she was gone for possibly forever. I had to tell her before she left me. I continued flashing my badge and running through the crowds until I finally saw the group that I was supposed to have come with. McGee saw me coming and pointed in the direction she went. With a nod, I darted after her.
"Claire!" I shouted just before she was about to step onto the ramp. She whipped around and spotted me. This was it. I was going to tell her how I feel. That I love her with all of my being and I can't bear the thought of her leaving for so long. I needed her here with me. I can't live without her. I'm gonna beg her to not go on that plane. She dropped her luggage off to the side and made her way towards me, barely holding in her tears. I was going to do it. It was now or never. After what seemed like an eternity I finally reached the angel herself and wrapped her up in my arms. Claire latched onto my neck and let out happy sobs.
"I thought you weren't going to make it." She muttered brokenly. I swallowed. How could I have put her through that?
"I wouldn't do that to you." I told her honestly. After another few moments we finally let go and I looked down into her eyes. I'm gonna do it.
"Claire…I….." I stuttered. She looked up at me intently.
"I….come back home safe please." I told her sadly.
3rd Person POV:
Claire's smile wavered a little as he finally spoke what he wanted to say. She was hoping for some type of confession but that didn't happen. He didn't feel that way about her so she shouldn't expect anything like that from him. She smiled and nodded up at him.
"I promise." She assured and wrapped up her pinky with his, both laughing weakly. Tony smiled wryly. He had wanted to tell her but couldn't. She couldn't feel the same as him and he didn't want to part ways with her with an awkward air. He wanted things to be at the best they could. That and he couldn't take the heartbreak that would come from her rejection. Maybe she would be better off not knowing. They hugged again and Claire pulled away reluctantly as her flight number was called again. With a heavy sigh, she walked back over and picked up her bags. With one final wave to her friends and family she walked down the ramp. Tony sighed heavily as she went out of sight. He was so close and now he was so far. No one said anything as they watched the plane fly off into the distance.
"I love you." Tony whispered to himself as he watched his life disappear out of view. Little did he know that in the plane a teary Claire was sitting by the window, watching the building get smaller and smaller.
"I love you." She whispered to herself, thinking about how she should have said something sooner. Maybe things would be different. But life can't continue when you dwell on maybes.