Four years had gone by. Four years of not seeing what you knew— even if you tried seeing other people when they clearly never worked out— would be the love of your life for the rest of eternity. You hadn’t seen Tony in three years, more so due to the fact you insisted you needed a fresh start. After losing a family member close to you, it was time to get away. Leaving NCIS would be a very difficult and emotional experience, but you needed to focus on yourself for once. It was the only way you could ever heal.

Leaving Tony though? That was the hardest. It wasn’t turning in your badge or gun that was the hardest part, or saying bye to your team and the best boss you could ever ask for. No, it was saying bye to the man who you worked alongside with for almost a decade. The same man that you shared laughs and cries with. The very same man that when together, you both had a lot of tension between you. It was a surprise you two never actually hooked up or got together, but damn sure as hell came close to.

Though before you left, you two shared a long overdue and passionate kiss. In that moment, it was so hard to get on that plane and leave him, but you had to remind yourself that by getting away, you’d fully heal. Then maybe, just maybe, you’d see him again. You were off to a place where you two once shared a nice moment while on the job; Paris. You knew he’d might like to visit one day, and you’d love for him to do so, so you told him where you’d be.

Although, he never got around to going. He knew if he did make that trip, he’d never return to the states. He would stay right there with you. Also.. it was just too painful. It hurt too much to do so. But.. he always carried a picture of you in his wallet. You were always with him, even if it wasn’t physical.

Four years going by though? It took that long, hm? Due to that trauma of losing a family member, plus all the other added trauma from being an NCIS Agent and your own personal trauma outside of what was your past job, healing proved to be almost one of the hardest things you’ve had to do. Enrolling yourself in therapy did help. During those four years, you’ve learned different coping mechanisms to almost fully heal yourself.

Then, it happened. Tony thought his time at NCIS was coming to an end. He put in his notice and flew out to Paris, leaving what he built in D.C. for himself to go find you. While he never let you know he’d be coming, you found out from your good ol’ friend McGee that Tony was moving to Paris. After doing your own research, you found out where he was staying.

After sliding into the apartment complex he stayed in— a fancy one if that, which sounded very Tony-like; he needed to keep in style— due to someone holding the door open for you, you strolled through the building, finding a list of other tenants on a nearby wall. After finding Tony’s name, you made your way up to the highest floor, which again, sounded very Tony-like. After some walking, you stood in front of his door, almost frozen in place. There was so much that could go wrong, but also go right.

There were so many feelings between you two that had never been discussed, or discussed on a deep level. Even if Tony also tried seeing other women, it never worked. He knew there was only one he cared about deeply in this world. You would think grown adults would be able to talk about their feelings for one another, but no. Did it really need to be that complicated? You two made it that way, but maybe it was time to sit down and have a very long overdue conversation.

So with that in mind, you raised your hand, balling up a fist, and delivered a few knocks to the door, your heart coming close to leaping out your chest.