AN: As I post this final chapter I am struck with how many hearts and minds this story has touched. I cannot thank you enough for alllowing me the privelege of writing for you. So thank you to everyone who has reviewed and everyone who is reading in the back ground. You are an encouragement and I am very grateful for your time! This final epilogue is short, but I hope it still captures the essence of love, loss and family. Enjoy and Thank you!

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It's been said that when your heart breaks you begin to see cracks in everything…and with the loss of Abby Scuito it couldn't have been more true. The next few months went miserably by…with glimmers of hope passing swiftly. But with their individual strengths joined together, they were somehow able to make it to this day….

The four of them stepped off the elevator slowly with Gibbs at the helm. They stood at the entrance of the bull pen in an odd sort of reverence, as if they were about to step on holy ground. Each of them knew that life as they knew it would never be the same and if they were completely honest, they weren't entirely sure they ever would be either.

It took a full minute before Gibbs took the first step and peered behind him to see Tony doing the same…It was only when Ziva placed her hand in Tims that the two others followed suit. They were silent behind their desks for a total of ten minutes before Gibbs desk phone rang…

Tony didn't cringe.

"Dead marine in Quanitco…let's roll." He noticed a slight hesitation but continued towards the elevator in stride. The remainder of the day he kept close watch on his team and knew better than most that every day it would get easier.

Tim was the last to leave that particular night as he waited patiently for Gibbs to return from Vance's office.

"You alright Tim?"

He shook his head slightly. "I'm okay…I just uh, I wanted to ask you something. If thats alright?" Tim watched him nod.

"How did you do it?"

Gibbs looked momentarily confused but soon realized what he was asking. "I convinced myself that I would never forget them."

"Did it work?"

Gibbs stood up. "Yeah, it did."

"Funny…I've been spending the entire day…trying to forget."

Gibbs took in a breath. "It's in remembering her that you'll begin to move on McGee…and you won't have to do it alone."

Tim nodded slowly as the two moved towards the elevator to go home. "None of us will boss…"

The next morning was a brand new day, as was the one after that. And while life would never be what it was…Abby had taught them to cherish each other more than anything. And that's exactly what they did…day by day…week by week…month by month and year by year.

Nothing mattered more…than family.