Post Closing
It's been said that the perfect picture of love is sacrifice. An entire faith is based on the sacrifice of a man who loved the world enough to give his life. No one can argue that actions will always speak greater than words. And Gibbs is the epitome of that. He doesn't offer poems, or eloquent speeches to express his love. He protects his team with everything he has, his wisdom, his instruction and above all his presence. But today, something he thought he'd buried was threatening that presence. The question now, was whether or not he could do anything to keep from destroying it. He had a choice to make. But if he was honest, he never really had a choice when it came to her.
"Truth always comes out Abs, you know that."
"But…you're not a murderer."
"Evidence doesn't lie."
"No…but people do. So lie to me Gibbs…tell me it wasn't you."
"I can't do that."
The tears resting in her eyes finally broke free and she stepped towards him. "You know what this means right? It's mean I have to make a choice that could take you out of my life forever…and I can't live like that…"
"You did it before."
"But you chose to leave before…this time I'm the one punching your ticket."
"You don't have a choice."
"Of course I do…there's always a choice Gibbs."
He shook his head. "Not when it comes to this…no one gets to sacrifice them self for me…"
"Kate did…Director Sheppard…"
"Don't." Gibbs stopped her.
"This isn't fair…"
He looked directly into her eyes. "I killed him Abby…and I would do it again."
"Gibbs…" she began, but couldn't form anything else.
"Go," he gestured towards the stairs. "Do what you need to do."
She stood still. "I don't want to lose you."
"I'm already lost Abs…"
She watched him turn back to his work and slowly but surely made her way up the stairs. She stopped at the top and caught one last expression from him before she left. And in a moment, he assured her that love was more than sacrifice, it was everything.