NOTE: I do not own the NCIS characters. Will be trying to stay in character as much as possible. Will be Gabby with some hints of Tony/Ziva. This is my first fanfic in several years so please be gentle! Set around Season 11. Gibbs is single apart from one night stands.

Abby sighed heavily as she looked around her lab one last time. She was going to miss her babies; even the temperamental mass spectrometer. But she couldn't go on like this any longer. Every dazzling blue half smile was piercing her heart; every kiss on the cheek pushing the dagger further. She'd tried to remain his friend for all these years but every day it hurt more and more. She fell into bad relationships constantly; mistaking emotional abuse for love. Those relationships she could at least move on from….eventually. But her sliver haired fox wasn't one of them. As she mused over the last 10 years of her life the elevator stopped coming to a grinding halt outside her lab. Please don't be Gibbs she thought I can't do this. The team was supposed to be out all day on a training exercise. She briskly brushed away the tears that had fallen down her face and spun to greet the visitor with a forced smile upon her face.

To her relief she saw it was Ducky with a small gift in his hands. Abby rushed over to him and pulled the shorter man into a tight embrace.

"Are you nearly ready my dear? Are you sure about this? You could still tell Jethro. You have time."

"I'm sure duckman. I can't wait around hoping that his feelings change. He's made it clear I'm like a daughter to him even though his actions might say differently. I need to get away. I can't move on with him sweeping in with a Caf Pow every hour. You'll still see me. I'm not going to stop seeing my dad now am I?" Abby replied with one arm still around his shoulders.

Though Abby loved Gibbs with all of heart she didn't want to hurt anymore. She knew it was just his barriers; his rules but the mixed messages and signals were just too much. Their relationship wasn't healthy. Gibbs took comfort when he needed to; hugging Abby close to him after a bad case while they were working on his boat together which was magical but then half hour later Abby was back in her apartment feeling even more hollow than before. She had gladly stayed and been that support for him. Any part of his life was fine by her but it was after several late night chats in front of the fire at Ducky's that she realised she's worth more than that.

"He's going to try and find you. You know that right Abigail? " Abby sighed and turned away to continue boxing up her personal effects, smiling as she found one of Gibbs NCIS t-shirts that she had borrowed after an accident with a Caf Pow cup. Inhaling deeply she could still smell the sawdust that clung to it.

" I know. It's not like I'll be hiding. I've written a letter. To try to explain. But please Ducky, promise me you won't give it to him until I leave tonight."

"Okay. But I'm not happy with this. You should talk to him first." Ducky replied.

" How can I talk to him when one look of those baby blues turns me into mush? I'd end up staying for him; like the past decade. No, I've got to start thinking about me." Abby swept a pile of CDs into the box she was packing and stood up to grab Bert holding him tightly. The new technician stepped off the elevator with a nod to Abby as he began to organise the desk the way he wanted it.

" I'll see you on Sunday for dinner right?" Abby hesitated looking at Ducky.

" Of course. That's always been our time dear girl. Nothing is going to change that. Now go before they get back from their training course; while you still have the resolve." Abby nodded picking up her box to head up to the bullpen before leaving for the last time. The bullpen was empty and quiet and Abby took a few seconds to pass each desk reminiscing as she went. Ziva…. Most desks were covered with family photos and trinkets. But not Zivas; hers was practical and efficient. Very much like the woman herself. The only thing standing out being a photo of the whole team after a mandatory trip to an escape room. She giggled as she remembered Ziva pulling off a cupboard door much to the dismay of the company. That was not part of the room. Ziva and her had struggled at first; Abby was used to being the one strong female in the team and felt threatened. But after 1 drink too many and a heart to heart next to her coffin she couldn't help to begin to see through the soft shell that the Moussad officer hid behind.

McGee… Her gaming companion, her geek out partner. Things had been tough with them a year ago. McGee was hoping they would get back together but Abby knew it wasn't fair to him to keep leading him on. Every now and again McGee would try to bring it up but Abby would just smile and turn away; her pigtails bouncing as she went. She walked to the penultimate desk and this is where the tears start to fall.

DiNozzo. He could be an idiot at times but he was like a brother to her. An annoying whiny brother Abby thought to herself. Their teasing and bickering was like chicken soup for her soul on those days that she couldn't get her babies to work properly or if she was coming down from a Gibbs high.

And last but definitely not least important she traced her hands over the bosses desk. His red hoodie laid on the back of his computer chair where he'd thrown it when they were sent to gear up. She quietly reached into her bag and replaced the hoody with an exact replicate she had purchased. Sealing the hoody into an evidence bag and hugging it tightly she turned away with tears streaming down her face.

"Now Duck; you promise you'll take care of them right? I'll only be half hour away but I don't want Gibbs to know. I need the space to heal." Abby was moving not too far away to start a new career as a forensics professor; teaching the new generation. With one last look and her hands trailing over his desk she straightened up and headed for the door. Giving Duck a quick squeeze she walked out. Ducky looked after her; knowing that a big embrace would be too much for her right now. He shook his head as a tear rolled down his face. Oh Jethro…You've really done it this time.