Disclaimer: Not mine, only what's original
Summary: Chapter Two
A long while later, when Alison's sobs weren't so wrenching, and her tears were dried, the small group of people left the cemetary. The night was cool now, due to the drizzling rain that had supressed the humidity of the day. Kate had offered a ride to Ducky, the older man accepted and bid a sad farewell to Alison as she headed for Tony's car. Alison declined the funeral home's offer for a limo service to pick her up and take her home. Tony's car was nicer than a stuffy limo anyday.
The drive back to her house didn't take long. Tony pulled his car into the driveway and shut off the engine. Abby and McGee weren't but two seconds behind. Kate would be a little later, as she had to drop Ducky off at his home. He didn't want to leave his 96-year-old mother alone for very long.
The house seemed large and empty when Alison opened the side door. She tossed her key on the kitchen island and kicked off her shoes. She flipped on all the lights as she went from the back of the house to the front. She placed the flag in the window for all to see, but then decided that it wasn't the right place. She slowly opened the door to the basement but didn't go down.
"You okay?" Abby asked her.
"It belongs there, but I can't do it yet." Alison whispered, her tears once again beginning to fall.
"I could take it for you if you want." McGee offered, but Alison shook her head.
"I have to do it." the pretty seventeen-year-old said firmly. She turned off the basement light and shut the door, she would set this flag where it belonged tomorrow.
Alison and the others sat around eating a pizza that they had asked Kate to pick up on her way over. Alison just picked at her food, not really wanting to eat, even though she was rather hungry.
"Do you guys mind if I go to bed?" Alison set her plate down and stood up.
"Go ahead sweetie, we'll lock up." Abby told her. Alison thanked them for everything and trudged up the back stairs, she wouldn't have to pass her father's room that way. She took off the black dress she was wearing and flung it to the floor. As she opened her dresser drawer to pull out a large t-shirt for bed, her hands brushed something. Alison pulled out an envelope that was addressed to her, written in her father's handwriting. After yanking on a t-shirt, Alison sat on her bed and ran her fingernail under the flap. Inside, was a sheet of folded notebook paper. Her blue eyes skimmed the page for a second, before she read the letter in it's entirety.
Dear Alison, if you are reading this, then I am already gone. I have a few things I'd like to say to you my little Honey-Bee, the first thing is that I love you. I could not have imagined my life any different than it is right now, except that I'd still be alive and that terrorist would be six feet under. That's another story for another day. Now, the second thing is that I want you to be strong, I know you feel like crap and you want to curl up and cry for a long time, but be strong Alison because I know you are. Third, lean on them; Tony and Kate will be you're pillars of strength when you need them. Abby, she'll be you're shoulder to cry on, among other things. McGee, he'll be there, ready to listen when all you need to do is scream. And Ducky, Ducky will bring you back to a time when you felt like nothing was ever wrong with the world and when you and I were okay. And the last thing I want you to remember is; Cry. Cry because you want to, cry because you need to, but don't cry for me. Lord knows I hate tears. I love you my sweet precious Honey-bee, and I miss you already. But I'll be watching you from up here. You're mother says hello by the way. It's funny how death changes people, we're in the same Heaven and have been for a while now and we're getting along fine. You will always be my baby girl Alison Rose, have heart and don't forget to look up here once and a while and see you're dear ol' dad smiling back at you.
With All My Heart
Dad
Alison neatly folded the letter and slid it back into the envelope. She lifted her pillow and put the letter underneath and turned out the lights. Tears dripped down her face and left little wet spots on the pillow. Silently, she cried herself to sleep.