Discliamer: Don't own the NCIS people, just Alison...
Summary: "It's so hard to let go."
Author's Note: This idea just jumped out at me one day and I had to write it...
A/N2: I'm still working on Tater Tots, it's just taking me longer than I had hoped...Thanks to all who are reading an reviewing that one. Please read and review...
Letting Go
"Fire one!" the young soldier shouted to his fellow Marines. Three men raised their guns and fired into the cloudless sky. Pop! Pop! Pop! went the artillery shells as they exploded against nothingness. In the backround, the traditional bagpipers were just beginning to play their rendition of "Amazing Grace" a hauntingly beautiful song, yet one military families didn't want to hear. Especially this military family.
Special Agent Tony DiNozzo rested a hand on the shoulder of the young girl in front of him, absently she reached back and acknowledged his caring gesture.
"This is so hard." she thought to herself as the servicemen began to fold the flag that was draped over his coffin. A young man dressed in his navy blues silently handed the ceremonial flag to her, wordlessly she accepted the flag, hugging it to her chest and letting the tears fall for the first time that day. The rest of the ceremony past by in a blur for her that she didn't even realize it was over.
"Alison." came a familiar voice, she didn't have to turn around to know that it was Dr. Donald Mallard, Ducky, who was addressing her.
"He would've hated all this." she said after a moment of silence. Ducky smiled a knowing smile.
"You're right my dear, your father never liked ceremonies, even if they were to his honor."
Alison stared at the still raised coffin, the polished black coffin shone in the fading light. It seemed fitting, she thought, that the brilliant lights of the day were being swallowed up into nothingness as soon as they touched the coffin.
"Allie?" Special Agent Kate Todd walked over with Tony, Tim McGee and Abby Scuito trailing behind. They sat down in the chairs that were still placed in rows under the green striped tent-like gazebo. A simple white cross rested nearby, waiting until the undertakers lowered the casket into the ground and covered the gaping hole with fresh earth. The cross, bearing his name, would be erected sometime this week.
"I don't want to leave this place." Alison sighed, resting her head on Tony's shoulder. Abby gave Alison's hand a squeeze. "I feels like, if I leave, then this will all be real, you know? It feels like I'm dreaming some horrible dream and if I stay here long enough, I'll wake up and my dad would be okay." Her lower lip began to tremble and she bit it, willing herself that she would not break down here. But the tears came anyway, sliding down her cheeks in a mocking fashion. They splashed on the flag she still held, and burned her eyelids. She let out a choking sob. Tony wrapped his arms around Allie's shaking form and held her while she cried. The others looked on sadly, wishing they could do more for their boss' daughter.