The sound of her fists hitting the punching bag were the only sounds in her apartment. Her labored breathing could also be heard, and Tony sighed as he closed her door gently. He knew she had been there for hours, probably before the sun came up. She was different after Gibbs left, and four months later, she was almost a different person. She rarely smiled and threw herself so deeply into work and working out it scared the team at first. She 'forgot' to sleep and eat, and Tony lived on her couch for weeks until remembered. She threw one last hard punch watching the bag swing in her living room as she tried to catch her breath. "What the hell are you doing?" "What I have to." What kind of excuse was that, to leave everything behind? She tried to understand why he left, but everyday found another reason to hate him for it. Why couldn't she shake this off? Months later and she still felt the same damn heartache as the day he left. She called Franks to many times to count. About five times a week since the day Gibbs left. She knew that's where he went. She knew he was there whenever Franks answered the phone. She knew all of this. But couldn't think of a logical explanation as to why Gibbs was never 'available' to take her call. Franks wasn't dumb, he knew she was calling for Gibbs. But he never took the phone. Franks didn't get it, and neither did Beckett. So she stopped calling a month ago. Five times a week, turned to three, to one, then none. She just stopped. And she wasn't sure which one hurt more. The fact that she had to stop calling to save what was left of her heart, or the fact that he cared so little about her that he couldn't pick up the phone and talk. She sighed punching the bag harshly making the chain rattle from the ceiling. Damn him. Damn him. He made her love her. And then he left. Damn him.
Tony stood behind watching her before she cleared her throat, "I see you made the flight this time." He rolled his eyes, "Miss one flight one time, and everyone remembers it." She raised her eyebrow turning to face him as she took her gloves off and Tony immediately noticed her tired expression and dark circles. "Have a good trip?" "The conference kept up very busy, but I did come with gifts!" She smirked with a shake of her head as she walked over to him. He set his duffel down and placed a small silver bag on the island, waving his hands around it like a magician. "Open it, now!" Beckett sighed, before pulling out a sliver box revealing a beautiful silver necklace. It had a dainty, delicate chain that held a K initial with her birthstone next to it. She smiled, a genuine smile, as she ran her fingers along the stone, "It's beautiful. Thank you," she reached over to hug him but he smiled backing up. "Yeah, save the hug for later. You're really, really sweaty." She nodded and placed the box down, quickly lunging for him. Wrapping her arms tightly around his neck he groaned trying to push her off, "No! Get off..... Becks I love you but you stink." She pulled back pinching his chin, "Missed you too. Surprised to see you, thought you would be at the office by now. You know if you aren't there on time Abby will freak." Tony agreed as he took a seat, "Well you should hurry up and shower then so we can go. I'll make breakfast while you do that." Beckett stopped on the stairs pointing to him, "Are you forgetting the egg disaster of 2002?" "Yes..... I did. Okay, we'll stop and get breakfast." She nodded and kept his gaze, giving him a soft smile that he returns holding his pinky out. She rolled her eyes but still stuck her pinky in the air as she jogged up the stairs. She eyed her night stand for a few moments, where the picture frame was face down. Damn him.
