Hello all. I am sorry for the time it has taken me to update, but i just wasn't in the mood for writing this past week or so. But i'm back now, and even know (almost) what my next story is going to be. But, there's more of that later. Thank you very much for the truly lovely reviews that have been left on my little story. They really do make my day when i receive them.
I hope you enjoy the next chapter..

Of Many Things
Chapter Twenty Six

Everyone spoke of Kimball Cho as the stoic CBI agent; an unfeeling man. But that wasn't true. He felt deeply, and truly. Just because he chose not to outwardly show to the world what his heart was screaming, did not mean it wasn't just as loud as the rest of the worlds. Tonight he found his physical barriers completely shattered. He felt so much pain, and so much loss, that it couldn't be stopped from pouring out. His whole being seemed to lag with the weight of his grief. Like some great demon was haunting his shoulders. Like he was tied down to a tether that would never loosen. Because Teresa Lisbon was his best friend in the entire world, and now she was gone. He had never felt so alone. So utterly destroyed. That night he found himself in the leather arm chair of his front room; yet another mindless song playing on the radio, a double measure of scotch in his hand, and the bottle by his side. An ivory envelope taunted him from beside the glass bottle of the fiery smooth liquid, screaming out to be opened. But he needed a moment first. To build up the mask a little. To become more of the agent he was known to be. To find the courage to read the one thing he was sure would shatter his heart like the most delicate of glass baubles. And with that thought in mind, Cho downed the first drink of his night, and felt the fire build up inside of him. He picked up the envelope, admiring the neat hand writing for a second, before carefully removing the ever so slightly crumpled paper from within side.

To my dearest and most beloved friend, Kimball Cho.

It has been an honour to spend such an important part of my life with you, and to serve with such a wonderful agent. It seems like a whole life time ago when we first met. Fresh faced and full of all the hope that all new agents have. We were going to save the world, one man at a time. Do you remember that first night out we had? Intent on celebrating our new job, and perhaps more importantly, getting horrendously drunk. Goodness, that was a brilliant night if ever there was one. I don't remember all that much of it, if i am being completely honest; a blanket of alcohol induced amnesia still hovers over a large portion of that night. I do however remember sitting in the booth of some sweat scented bar with you, and planning out the next fifty years of our lives. Oh' how naive we were. Being a CBI agent was going to be like it is in the films. All guns blazing and high speed chases. We were going to put away every good for nothing criminal in California, and retire to some wonderful island in the bluest of seas. I think that i would have liked that very much Kim, a lifetime of friendship in a beautiful place. Much more magical than the realities of our lives. But you know what, we had it pretty good. We had each other. Because you always have been, and always will be, my best friend. Someone to rely on, even on the darkest of nights. When all that we do, and all that we see became too hard to bear, you were there with a shoulder to turn too, and a light to guide me. You taught me what true friendship is, and for that i am eternally grateful. You made my life what it is today; filled with love, and memories that will keep me company as i watch you all from wherever it may be that i am now headed.

I want to thank you for the dedication you have shown to the team over the past years that we have worked together. I felt much safer doing what we do, knowing that you were right along with me. You've always had my back Cho, and i hope you know that i had yours too. A double act to rival the best of them! I am entrusting my team to you. You are in charge now. You are senior agent Kimball Cho. I whole heartedly believe in your abilities as an agent, and i know that the rest of our team does too. Out team; it seems so strange to know that as you read this they are no longer mine. They are your team now. Don't be afraid to tell them what to do; especially Jane, we both know he needs a tighter rein that perhaps i have given him. He can be one hell of a pain in the ass, but he is also a great asset to the CBI. I hope he doesn't cause too much trouble for you. As for Rigsby and VanPelt, they will do their very best to make this as easy as it can be for you. I know that this isn't how you wanted to become a senior agent, but i know it is something that you have always wanted. You will be magnificent, and you deserve every second of it. Go and show the world all the wonder that i have seen in you from the very second we met.

And Kim, don't hide away in the flat of yours for too long. It's ok to feel. I took a long time to realise that, and i know we have always been painfully similar when it comes to hiding our emotions. No one will think any less of you for it; in fact, they will probably love you even more. I just hate to think of you all alone. Promise me that you won't be too scared to share your pain. It gets much easier to remember someone if you let out the pain. Eventually, it is simply the good times that come to mind when you think of them. It's the first bottle of beer you shared, and the week-long hangover that followed. It's the birthday cakes in the bull pen. It's the ridiculous CBI picnics that we always managed to get roped into. It's the love that you shared, and not the loss that you experienced. I want you to be able to think of me and smile, not hide away from anything that makes you seem too human.

I think that i will miss you with every second of my time in the afterlife. I'll be watching, and i expect to see great things of you. I love you, Kim.
Your best friend in the entire world, Tessy.

And, even as tears spilled over his stinging eyes, a smile passed over the features of Kimball Cho. He really had loved his best friend with his whole heart, and would miss her more than most knew. But those memories that she spoke of, a small glimmer of light in the darkness, would get him through the night.

So, there we have it. What did you think?
There is more to come soon.. hopefully in the next day or too.
Thank you for reading! Katie