step by step
An NCIS fic collection
by mew-tsubaki
- ^-^3
imagine: miscellany 4—s19e13 (this post on the sideblog: 692614802659508224/ parknight-imagines-miscellany-4-s19e13)
tags: s19e13, pre-Parknight
- ^-^3
They stand downstairs outside the gift shop. Parker waits beside Knight with his hands in his pockets, occasionally sneaking a surreptitious glance at her while Knight stares through the glass walls and watches other shoppers move about the store and make their choices so easily.
Knight frowns and briefly casts her eyes skyward. "What do you even get someone who's been through hell and back?"
She doesn't know how he manages it, but Parker shrugs, a jerky, short movement. "Kasie and Jimmy had one foot each out the door. But Dr. Wilson pulled them back, thanks to us doing our jobs. Get what feels right, Knight."
Knight shakes her head and shoots him a disbelieving look. "Easier said than done." She sighs. "Kasie… Her family's not close by. At the very least, I can go over to her place more often. Or have her stay with me. The doctors said it'll take them a few days more to feel close to normal."
Parker nods. Then he catches her eye and raises his eyebrows before cocking his head at the gift shop, as if saying, "Staying here is clearly a stalling tactic. We'll have to pay them a visit soon enough."
She twists her lips around, hating that he hits the nail on the head. When an older woman bundled up in a soft sweater emerges with something giftwrapped in her arms, Knight pinches the fabric by Parker's right elbow and tows him inside, and she tugs him along with her as she eyes the numerous (mostly gaudy) options lining shelves and even the floor.
Nearly five minutes pass, and Knight's hold of Parker's sleeve threatens to wrinkle the stiff fabric permanently. But then Parker pauses her with a light pat on the back of Knight's hand, and he gestures to the stuffed animal corner in the back of the store.
Knight furrows her brow. "That? Really?"
"Kasie suffered on her own, but Victoria was there for nearly all of it, going through her own hell alongside her dad. How about something for both Palmers, Knight?"
It's…actually a pretty decent suggestion. Knight blinks in surprise at him.
"Hey, once your nieces and nephews count over a dozen, you learn there are a few go-to gifts."
She grins at that, her anxiety feeling so small now. Knight's eyes rove over the display. "All right, then, but last decision: Which animal?"
"Can't go wrong with the tried and true teddy bear. …I meant a reasonably sized one, Knight," he adds a beat later, his dark eyes wide for once when she selects the biggest thing the store has to offer and hefts the blond bear from where it's squished between shelving units keeping it propped up.
"Go big or go home, Parker!" She pops her head over the bear's left shoulder and beams at him. "I might have no idea about kids, but giant's best, right?"
But the Palmers aren't the only one treated that day, because Parker gently shakes his head and offers Knight a soft, amused smirk when he chuckles and accompanies her to the cashier. "Yeah, it's the thought that counts…."
- ^-^3
8D Skimmed my notes on episodes from this past season and totally forgot about my idea: Sure, Parker and Knight arrived with her carrying that gigantic teddy for the Palmers…but what if that meant it'd sorta been from Parknight both? What if it'd been Parker's suggestion to begin with? Esp bc canon Knight is so bloody awkward with kiddos. XD
-mew! :3