TAINTED PROMISE: I would love to do that challenge, but I'm really swamped with my stories as it is. But, if you want, I'll help you write it.
Love
Julie
Abby stepped into the bullpen. Before she had a chance to start in on Gibbs for yelling at her, she stopped. "Brynne?" Abby frowned.
She looked up from her knees, and through her tears, she called for Abby. "Abby?"
"O my God!" Abby ran over to her. She was leaning against the desk, her knees pulled in close.
Brynne flung her arms around Abby, and buried her face into her shoulder. "I thought I could do it. I thought it'd be okay… but…" She sobbed.
Abby glared up at Gibbs, and rubbed the girl's back gently. "What did you do to her?"
Gibbs raised his eyebrow at her, but let it slide. "Nothing. What's a kid doing emptying out Kate's desk alone anyway?" he asked.
Brynne looked up. "I'm 18. I'm not a kid!"
Abby turned from Gibbs to Brynne. "Exactly. She's not a kid, and if Kate…" Abby paused, willing her own tears away, "if Kate heard you say that, she'd hurt you, you being her boss, or not."
"Who is Brynne?" McGee asked, looking up from his computer.
Brynne swallowed. "Kate's my aunt."
Tony took in a sharp breath, and Brynne looked over at him. She looked back at Abby, who was pulling out her cell phone. "What are you doing?" Brynne asked.
"Calling your father."
"You don't have his number."
"Yes I do. Kate gave it to me, just in case I couldn't get a hold of her on her home or cell."
Brynne sighed, and watched Abby call her father.
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Brynne sat down on the stool in Abby's lab. She watched, as her father and Abby talked. She knew that they were either talking about her, or Kate, perhaps both. But she wasn't going to go home. She was going to stay here, and finish what she started.
She had collected herself since her breakdown at Kate's desk. She brushed her hair back into a ponytail. If she was ever to get past Kate's death, then she would have to finish.
Ever since Brynne's mother died when she was 3, Kate had been like a mother to her. If had a problem with her father – just talk it out with Aunt Kate. If she wanted to go to a party, but her father wouldn't let her – talk it out with Aunt Kate. She would find a common ground between father and daughter. If Brynne had to go shopping – just call Aunt Kate. She'd become independent on her aunt, without even knowing it. Kate was her life line, her support, to do things she never thought she could do. Now… she was gone.
Brynne looked up, and slid herself off the stool. She walked over to Abby and her father, and stood there, until her father took notice.
"Brynne I-"
"I want to see her body." Brynne said, firmly.
Her father's eyes widened. "Brynne, I'm sorry, but I don't want you to see her like that."
Brynne narrowed her eyes, and moved over to Abby.
Abby looked from her father, to her. "I don't know. It might help with the healing process, but I've seen a lot of people go in there, and come out in tears, because it was to horrible for them to handle."
"Why don't you just wait until the funeral?" her father asked.
Brynne moved her gaze from her father to Abby. "No. I'm going to see her body. Hasn't anyone identified her yet?"
"We didn't need anyone to identify her, because… because Gibbs and Tony saw it happen. They know it was her." Abby said, placing a hand on Brynne's shoulder.
"No." Brynne moved away from Abby, and Abby's hand dropped to her side. "I'm going to see that body."
Brynne spun on her heel, and walked out of the lab. Her father paused for a second, surprised at her outburst. Before he got to the elevator, Brynne let it shut.
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"Mr. Palmer, why is young Caitlin's body still out? Did I not tell you to put her away?" Ducky asked, tension in his voice.
Jimmy turned, and glanced at Kate's body. "I know Doctor, but I… I just couldn't. It's cold and dark in there, and out here, its… cold, but bright." He said, regrettably.
Ducky shook his head. "Alright, I understand. I'll put her away."
He paused, staring at Kate's body. A white cloth covered her, but her eyes still stared up into the light above. He watched, not hearing the door open.
"May I help you?" Jimmy said, stirring Ducky from his thoughts.
The girl came over, and stopped short when she saw Kate's body. Ducky looked over, giving the girl a better view on Kate's face. Her hand rose to her mouth, as she walked forward.
"That…" She choked out. She slowly pulled the blanket up where Kate's hips were.
"Brynne!" her father breathed out, stepping into the room. Abby came in right behind him.
Brynne ignored her father, and Ducky watched her interestedly. She lifted the cloth, until she could see the front part of Kate's hip. She gasped, and dropped the sheet, letting it fall back to it's original place. She backed up into her father's arms.
He folded his arms around her, and she spun around in his embrace. A smile slowly appeared on her face. He gave her a look of utter confusion.
"That's not Aunt Kate!" Brynne said excitedly.