Photographs & Memories
Abby released a bone weary sigh as she stepped into their quiet apartment and slipped her shoes off at the door. It had been a week since Tony was assigned to be Agent Afloat aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, and while work was keeping her busy during the day, she couldn't find a way to stop her thoughts from drifting to him at night when she was alone in their bed, clinging to his pillow.
Dropping the mail onto the kitchen counter, she reached into the cabinet above her head and pulled down a wine glass. Neither of them were particularly heavy drinkers, but Abby did enjoy the occasional glass of wine after a long day at work.
It had been a tough week, with everyone adjusting to the unfamiliar situation, and she wasn't afraid to admit that she was having a hard time dealing with Tony's departure. The last thing she wanted was to stay at home alone on his first weekend being gone, but Gibbs had instructed security to turn her away from the gate until Monday, leaving her without a choice. She knew that he only wanted what was best for her, but she simply wasn't sure if she could handle being in their apartment by herself.
Replacing the cork on the wine bottle, she picked up her glass and headed into their bedroom. Placing the glass on top of the dresser, she unbuttoned her shirt, anxious to get into a pair of cozy pajamas and curl up in bed with one of Tony's favorite movies.
After stripping down to a tank top and her panties, she reached for Tony's heavy blue bathrobe that was hanging behind the door, reveling in the scent of his cologne embedded in the fabric. Wrapping it tightly around herself, her brow furrowed in curiosity when she felt something in the pocket. Reaching in, she pulled out a thin jewel case that had one of her bright pink post-it notes with his handwriting stuck to it.
If you're wearing this robe, it's time for this.
She read it aloud to herself, chuckling quietly as she opened the case and slipped the disc into their DVD player. While it started, she picked up her glass of wine and sat on the end of their bed, watching the screen intently. It only took a few seconds before his nose appeared, and when he backed up to sit on their couch, the sight of his face made her smile brighten.
"Hey, beautiful."
There was a slight smile on his face, and Abby could only assume that he had filmed this the night before he left, while she was asleep. "Hi," she replied, not caring that she was talking to a recording.
"So, it's probably late at night, you just got home from work, and you're wrapped up in my robe drinkin' a glass of red wine--"
She couldn't help but laugh, wondering how long he had her figured out for.
"--because that's what you do after a tough day. That's when my 'sad Abby' comes out."
Abby bit her lip, watching as he frowned for a split second before forcing a smile.
"And knowing that makes me wish I was there to kiss all your problems away."
He paused, swallowing hard, and for the first time she realized that being away was as hard on him as it was on her.
"Look, I know this is hard, but baby... you're not alone. You've still got McGee and Gibbs... and of course you've got your babies in the lab."
Tony forced a grin, something she couldn't quite place flashing behind his eyes before he continued.
"I am so happy that things didn't change too much for you. It's good that you still have your work, Abs. It'll keep your mind off me while I'm gone."
She felt the tears beginning to build behind her eyes, and she realized that she didn't know if he legitimately thought that she would be able to stop thinking about him, or if it was something he was saying in hopes of making himself feel less guilty for leaving.
"Now--"
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and she subconsciously mimicked him, curious as to what he was going to say next.
"--I want you to do something for me. Close your eyes."
Abby couldn't bring herself to do it, her eyes remaining glued to his even as he flopped back against the couch cushions and laughed loudly.
"C'mon, I know you're cheating! Close your eyes."
"Okay, okay, okay," she sighed, dropping her head back toward the ceiling and allowing her eyes to slide shut. "Okay."
There were a few seconds of silence, and she was about to reopen her eyes when he started speaking again.
"Now I'm there with you."
One of the tears she had been trying to hold back slid down her cheek, and it took every last bit of her self control to keep from reaching up and turning the DVD player off.
"Can you feel me?"
"Yes," she whispered, not missing the way his voice was tensing up as he spoke.
"'Cause it may have taken us a long time to get here, but I love you, Abby. And wherever I am, I'm wanting to be with you."
A quiet sob escaped her as she looked back to the screen. His eyes were beginning to water, and she could tell the the video was going to end soon when he cleared his throat suddenly.
"You're asleep in the bedroom, so I'm gonna wrap this up. I'll be back as soon as I can, and I'll keep in touch as much as possible."
She nodded, reaching up to wipe her tears on the sleeve of his robe.
"I love you, and if I was there I'd show you how much."
"I love you," Abby breathed. She watched silently as he blew a kiss to the camera before leaning forward and turning it off, leaving the screen dark.
After briefly considering putting the video on a loop and watching it for the remainder of the night, she returned to her original plan of watching a movie and drinking her wine. It wasn't long until she was snuggling deeper into the blankets, his pillow tucked securely against her chest. Despite the movie playing in the background, the last thing she heard as she closed her eyes to sleep was the sound of Tony's voice telling her that he loved her for the first time.