step by step

An NCIS fic collection

by mew-tsubaki

- ^-^3

imagine: miscellany 7—closure (this post on the sideblog: 697686571166695424/ parknight-imagines-miscellany-7-closure)

tags: s20e1, implied?Parknight

- ^-^3

He's reluctant to hang the phone up, but Parker knows Knight and Torres need to be on their way, and there's no point in trying to stay on the line when they're taking a chopper to Hawaii to chase after Maxwell. But he can't help staring at the screen for a second longer, thinking a supportive text from a certain caring, smiling, concerned someone will come through before she's definitely out of range.

Nevertheless, Parker pockets his phone and returns to Vivian's side. He sits and stares a while, mulling over everything that's happened.

Being framed for Ressler's death. Sweeney all too happy to come after him. McGee and Torres waffling for a heartbeat about how well they know Parker—not that he blames them for their initial doubt. Knight for having unwavering faith in him… Vivian coming out of the woodwork and him having to rely on her despite his paranoia about everything. And, of course, the Raven revealing himself and getting away. And therefore Knight and Torres assisting Tennant's team and once more putting themselves in danger.

Parker's got time on his hands to beat himself up, thinking of a million missteps, of a hundred different things he could've done or said that wouldn't've gotten him and the others to this point. He's still wallowing by the time his ex-wife wakens and is able to sit up comfortably, and he startles when she chuckles softly at the sight of him.

Vivian eyes him. "Lost in thought, I see. A lot of things really do never change," she says.

He shrugs. "Too many bad habits to count," he admits.

She musters a small smile. "I didn't call it that, Park." She furrows her brow, which is paler than usual thanks to her situation. "…thanks for being here, by the way, I'm just. I'm surprised."

Parker raises an eyebrow.

"You have a great team. The hospital staff has me covered. Why are you here with me?"

While he appreciates that she's stopped using the past tense in conjunction with his team, Parker is more surprised that she has to ask. "I couldn't abandon you, Viv. You were shot."

"So you get the guy. That's what I heard you telling someone earlier."

Oh. So she'd heard that? "They'll…they'll get him. Torres is relentless, and Knight." He grins and smirks to himself. "She's all smiles, but she's probably the toughest one of us." He pauses and thinks back on how hardheaded she's been, getting him to open up to her. …yeah, she's a tough one, in a lot of ways.

Vivian nods. "Sounds as though I have the right people on my case, then." After a minute of picking at the blanket covering her, she adds, "Still, it would've been okay, to go with them. Fighting beside them, knowing they're all right—" She lifts her eyes from the blanket and meets his confused stare.

She's talking about one person in particular, Parker realizes.

Vivian gives him the tiniest of shrugs. "It's a good thing, really. You and I? We weren't right for each other, but I'm happy to see you happy, Park."

He really does mean to be here with Vivian, and he's never expected to hear those words from her. But they evoke both relief and regret, because while he's glad to close this chapter from his past…he knows he definitely wishes he could've been sitting on Knight's other side on that flight.

- ^-^3

I just like to think Viv doesn't hate him and rly wants to see him happy. She and Parker don't have to stop being family or caring for each other just bc they divorced, after all.

-mew! :'D