Tim is still sitting at the computer in the lab and can't help the frown that furrows his brow at the feeling that something is wrong. It's almost as if the air in the room has shifted and he gives into the need to check his surroundings. Sure enough, Abby is no longer at any of her work stations in this room, but is now sitting at her desk, engrossed in whatever it is she is reading. He notices the pen that is being rocked in her right hand and knows that she is getting ready to write something. It is the note on the door that worries Tim the most, that and the fact that her door is locked. He finds himself standing there for a moment before knocking on the door and calling out to her.
"Abby! You okay?"
"Yeah, Fine. Just need some alone time." Abby calls back with a distracted tone.
"Okay! I'm gonna go to lunch, you want me to bring you back something?"
"No, I'm fine. You go ahead."
As Tim heads out, his frown deepens and he sends up a silent prayer that all is well with the Lab Rat. Without any thought of anything other than getting Abby to eat something for lunch, Tim heads directly out of the building, through the parking garage. He quickly makes a run to the sandwich shop that is closest to the building and joins the ever-growing line of customers waiting to be served, thankful that he'd had enough sense to drive over, since he's gonna be here for while.
As Abby writes, she loses track of everything around her and no longer cares about who might come down and find her engrossed in this like this. She sits back and listens to her heart before she pours it all out on the inviting pages. She feels a sense of peace and contentment wash over her and smiles slightly as she begins to feel better with every stroke of her pen. She feels more in tune with Kate now and everything she's ever learned from the fallen agent and loved about her, resounds in her brain and makes it out onto the pages in one form or another.
Her growling stomach rouses her from her task and she suddenly realizes that she isn't just hungry; she's weak as a kitten hungry and if that isn't' bad enough, her cell phone starts to ring shrilly on the desk startling her slightly. She reaches over and answers it.
"Abby Scuito."
"Abby, come have lunch with me. I brought you back your favorite sandwich and I've gotten us an unreserved conference room. C'mon. you need the break." Tim gently urges her on. She feels the small smile tug at her lips and she lays the pen down carefully beside the book.
"I'll be right up."
"C'mon, start walking while you're still talking about it or you'll just blow it off and go back to work." Tim pushes. She doesn't miss the hint of amusement in his voice and she unconsciously shakes her head.
"Oh, all right." Abby gives in as she unlocks her door and heads out. She's just getting into the elevator while still talking with Tim and leans back listening to him whilst feeling relieved that his extra quiet mood seems to have lifted and she might actually enjoy having lunch with him.
Ducky enters Abby's lab in search of the report she was supposed to bring him two hours ago and starts to search through scattered papers on her desk, as she had advised him to do if she did indeed, forget to return it to him at the requested time. He pauses slightly when he finds the book laying there open and at first glance at the words as they seem to jump off the page at him, he feels the urge to sit and read what else is contained in the exposed pages. His eyes mist over at the words he sees on the written page.
In Memory of Kate:
Our echoes roll from soul to soul,
And grow forever and forever.
-Alfred, Lord Tennyson – "The Princess"
FIRST TIME I WORKED WITH YOU
Aww Katie. The first time I worked with you after you joined the team, I just knew what great friends we'd be. It was almost as if we just clicked somehow and I wouldn't trade that friendship for anything in the world.
I remember you helping me prepare specimens so I could analyze some acid. We had fun, but I think you found me a little bit off the wall at times. I'll never forget the excited, impressed look on your face when I found out it was sulfuric acid; you remember what I told ya Katie….It would chew the shine of a trailer hitch.
It was funny, because you seemed genuinely comfortable with what I did. Most people are uncomfortable with the whole gothic bat chick style. Not you, you just asked me how I got into this and I remember giving you the dumbest answer ever.
"I filled out an application."
I mean, what the heck was that? You listened to me as I told you about the lot where they brought all the burned out hulks from the narliest car wrecks. It was never about gore or living up to the 'dark' side of Goth. It was always about figuring things out and understanding the actions and reactions and the science of the whole thing got me hooked. I asked what you wanted to do and you told me you wanted to be a lawyer. You even did a year in law school before discovering how boring it was and your love of guns. You packed heat, girl and when I asked to see them you asked me about my tattoos:
You: "Those your only tattoos?"
I couldn't resist.
Me: "You show me yours, I'll show you mine."
You just laughed and I knew at that moment that you accepted me. We had some good times Kate and I miss ya.
MY FUNNIEST MEMORY OF YOU
Oh hands down, it was the hat. You've gotta remember that, Kate. It was so funny. We really played McGee (and I still don't think he knows!).
I'd decorated these two paper hats I had lying around after setting up a clean room in the ballistics lab to work on the damaged video tapes. We decided to have some fun with them. You remember what was on them? I do. Mine had a skull and crossbones (of course) and your, I decorated with flowers. You should have seen everyone's faces from where I was standing, it was funny.
Anyway, I bet McGee that I couldn't get you to wear the hat. Little did he know we'd already made a deal and the money was split between the two of us…we were sneaky. I can still remember the conversation as if it was yesterday:
Me: "So Kate, you really like my hat?"
You: "Uh….It's different." You were such a good actress.
Me:" Cool, because I made you one!"
You: Abby, I don't know what to say.
Me:" Put it on!" I was actually more excited than I let on.
Poor, McGee. His face was a picture when he admitted to betting twenty bucks. It was the easiest $10 I've ever made.
You know, you said it was a pleasure doing business with you….always Kate, it was always a pleasure doing business with you and being your friend. It was just so easy.
WHAT I LEARNED FROM YOU
I learned more than you can ever know. You know, You even have your own glass cabinet right down here in the lab, right? You taught me patience, compassion and serenity; things I never had before.
THE DAY YOU DIED
I'll never forget that call. The one from the bossman where he told me you had been shot…
"Doctor, Mallard, did you find it?" Jimmy's voice intrudes on Ducky's reading as it comes through the electronic device that sits on Abby's computer station, installed long ago to enable her to communicate more easily with whoever's in Autopsy and has been well used ever since.
"No, Mr. Palmer. I have not. Go on to lunch, dear boy."
"Okay. You want me to bring you back something?"
"Yes, that would be quite nice. Thank you, Mr. Palmer." Ducky's distracted tone is missed by his oblivious assistant.
"Okay. I'll be back in an hour."
"Very well, enjoy your lunch."
Ducky is so lost in his own memories that he sighs heavily before picking up the book and absent mindedly tucking it firmly under his arm. He is deeply engrossed in his thought by the time he punches the button for the elevator and steps in when it gets there. He rides it back down to autopsy, unmindful of the fact that he's removed the book and is currently holding onto it like it is some precious jewel that needs protecting. Once there, he sits down and becomes engrossed in what he's reading and finds a strange sense of serenity as he becomes more and more appreciative of the young people who make up Jethro's team and of what makes them the people they are inside.
The book and the spirit it's written in, as well as its' contents seem to fill him with the need to bare his soul by following suit and putting pen to paper. It isn't long before he's wielding his pen and using it to freely write about his feelings on the subject. He loses himself in his thoughts and before he realizes it, the autopsy doors have whooshed open and Jimmy is back once again, catching Ducky unawares and unprepared.
"Ah, Mr. Palmer, if you would be so kind as to take up with the inventory and tally of our supplies while I slip out and have a bit of lunch, that would be wonderful."
"Okay. I'll do that. Here's your lunch, Dr. Mallard."
"Thank you, young man. I shall be back in thirty minutes." Ducky answers as he takes the bagged food from the younger man and makes his escape before prickle of tears and the shine of moisture in his eyes, can be seen or asked about.