Is there really "good" in goodbyes? In some cases, yes. However, that gut-wrenching feeling is almost too painful when you're parting ways with something or someone you love. Pauley Perrette felt this way when she had to say farewell to Abby Sciuto, the NCIS Forensic Scientist known for dominating her job in style.

Perrette shared with PEOPLE her emotional journey, admitting that the thought of a world without Abby often brought her to tears. "I, like, usually cry in my car every single day when I drive to work," she said. "And I usually cry on my way home at some point. And then I take a deep breath, and I go, 'All right,' you know?"

For 352 episodes, the fan-favorite character, Abby, left an indelible mark on NCIS, helping it become one of the most influential shows of our time. Her absence is felt, but her influence will always be in our hearts.

"It makes me sad to imagine a world without Abby in it," she continued. "It really makes me sad. … Abby made science cool and attainable for young women. And this television character did more than encourage it. It made it cool. It made it exciting. It made it fun."

The actress, who has been in Hollywood since 1994, retired from acting in 2020 and spends time with her pets. "I hope I'm not wrong, but I think that I have earned a little bit of time to myself. Just stay home. Go to church."