Make This Go on Forever, Part IV
Title: Make This Go on Forever, Part IV
Author: Adrianna Coylho
Pairing: Gibbs/Ducky, pre-Gibbs/DiNozzo, post-Gibbs/Fornell
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 20,058
Spoilers: Up to and including Season 5 Finale.
Warnings: Nothing the rating doesn’t cover...
Summary: Set after the end of Season 5, Gibbs is attempting to work with his new team. When a local school blows up due to a faulty gas mains the team are called in to investigate the deaths of three marines mysteriously on the site. Gibbs’ mind, however, is not on the job after yet another relationship break-up and he turns to his oldest friend for comfort. Inspired by Snow Patrol’s ‘Make This Go on Forever’. Quote taken from lyrics by Gary Lightbody.
Notes: Much love goes to my wonderful beta & friend nakeisha . This was written just after Season Five finished, so it is now AU as far as the new team is concerned.
Fabulous accompanying artwork by kaynyne : Artwork (Illos 2 may not be suitable to open at work ;)
| Part I | Part II | Part III | ~ | Part V | Part VI | Part VII |
As the song melded into another and the pace changed, Ducky lifted his head and their eyes met. Feeling each of them adjust smoothly to the new song and moving in perfect unison, Jethro couldn’t help but laugh. Ducky looked up at him quizzically. Jethro raised a hand and brushed through Ducky’s hair as reassurance. ‘Dance well together...’ thought Jethro. So much better with Duck than any woman. Jethro took the opportunity as Ducky gazed up at him to nuzzle into his neck and kiss his way back up. Ducky seemed a little reluctant at the public display, though subtly done, until their lips met. He didn’t resist then. Still swaying with the music, Jethro teased his lips a little with his tongue until he parted them, inviting him inside. If their world had felt small before, it was nothing on now. Eyes closed, tongues playing gently with each other, bodies moving together, the rhythm of the music filling and enveloping them, they had no sense of anything else but each other.
A few hours later, still giddy from the evening, they embraced and swayed a little in Jethro’s lounge. Jethro had been happy to find that Ducky had arrived at Salapello’s by cab, allowing him to drive him home. Though he hadn’t really specified which ‘home’, Ducky hadn’t objected when Jethro had turned the car in the direction of his own. Ducky’s hand had squeezed his thigh where it was resting by way of acknowledgement. He had gazed contentedly out of the passenger window taking in the buzz of the city at night. Now swaying together to an imagined beat, neither wanted the evening, or the feeling, to end.
Eventually Jethro slipped his hands under Ducky’s jacket and slid it smoothly off, letting it fall to the floor behind him. Ducky turned his gaze up to him again, unable to suppress a tremble at the gesture. Continuing to sway Ducky with him by an arm at his back, Jethro let his fingertips trace Ducky’s cheek before running them down to his bowtie. Slowly he undid and discarded it, never breaking their gaze. He gently twirled him round as he unbuttoned his shirt from the top down. The temptation of what he had revealed too much to resist, Jethro ran his hand over his lover’s chest before sweeping him back and tasting him there.
Ducky let his head arch back as lips and tongue explored him. He wasn’t quite sure how Jethro did it, but a few moments later he found himself bodily moved and laid back onto the sofa, so gently that he sank into it gradually. Jethro was still loving his chest as he joined him and as he settled on top of him he began to rock them together just as they had danced. Jethro’s weight pressing them together even more than before, Ducky willingly let a moan escape as they felt each other intimately in the movement.
Reaching up, Ducky ran his fingers through the silver of his lover’s hair as he felt and watched him. There was nowhere on Earth he’d rather be, no one else he’d rather be with. Ducky wondered exactly what that meant. Did that matter more than his fears? Would it be crueller to deny love than just the possibility of the things he couldn’t give Jethro? The thoughts still swam in his mind as Jethro suddenly leant forward, stilling all other movement as he stole another kiss. Ducky knew what he himself was feeling, but he couldn’t be sure of what Jethro really felt. His lover deepened the kiss almost in answer to his thoughts. The need Ducky felt there went way beyond the physical. It felt as though Jethro was trying to physically draw an admission of love out of him. He wouldn’t be able to say it, not yet, even though he felt it, but there was something he could give his lover this evening, something he’d wanted to give him for a very long time.
~~~~~~~~~
Ducky woke to find Jethro already up and showering. He felt a little silly at the disappointment that washed over him at not still being entwined with his lover. Pushing himself up out of bed, he didn’t see the point in dawdling, Ducky padded over to the somewhat untidy pile of clothes they had discarded the night before. He sighed as he contemplated having to wear the same he had worn yesterday, at least until he got to work where he always kept a number of items should he need them. He jumped slightly as arms wound round him from behind.
“Hey, jumpy.” Jethro snuggled into his neck. “Was kinda hoping you wouldn’t be up yet.” Ducky relaxed into the embrace.
“Did you now? Well I’d rather be in a similar state of cleanliness to you if you don’t mind.”
“Okay, Duck.” Ducky mourned the loss of the touch as Jethro pulled away to pull on some clothes. He hoped he hadn’t offended him. He hadn’t meant to brush him off. Ducky turned round to talk to him, maybe take him in his arms again, but Jethro was already halfway out the bedroom door, half dressed.
“Fresh towels are in the bathroom for ya.” He called as he headed for the stairs. He didn’t turn back.
~~~~~~~~~
Breakfast had been a little rushed. Not exactly how either of them had wanted to start the day. Driving in, they had talked about nothing in particular. Jethro seemed perfectly happy. He was jovial and relaxed. Ducky was pleased to see it. Maybe he had read too much into earlier. Jethro had probably noticed the time and was just trying to get on. Ducky relaxed with him. With the last case nicely wrapped there was little to worry about until the next major case came in. They were both hoping for a pretty straightforward day. No reason to be in late though. In their work things had a habit of interrupting calm days quite unexpectedly. Though never when they actually wanted them to. Ducky chuckled as he thought of several times he’d actually wished for a case to come in so he could stop clearing out the cupboards and filing things thrice.
Jethro glanced across at Ducky. He was in good spirits. Jethro had noticed he seemed a little sad over breakfast. Maybe it was just the light of a normal day after the magic they had shared the previous evening. Shame these things couldn’t last forever, but then Jethro was happy just knowing Duck was finally his and to be honest he wouldn’t mind doing a little more wooing to keep it that way. Dates weren’t a chore with Duck, not at all. With that in mind, Jethro considered the day and the rushed breakfast. Maybe it would be nice to get out of the office this lunchtime, make sure Ducky again knew that last night was not a one off, especially after what he had given him in return for the evening. Jethro had the feeling that Ducky was the sort of guy who would need a fair bit of reassurance, in the early days at least. Thing was, he really wouldn’t mind giving it.
They pulled up in Jethro’s parking space.
“Hey, Duck, what time do you wanna take lunch today?”
Ducky considered for a moment.
“About 1 o’clock I think. Why d’you ask?”
“Just thought we might head out for an hour, just us. Whadda ya think?”
“I think yes. Thank you, Jethro.” Ducky’s smile was such a sweet one, Jethro couldn’t help but lean in and steal an equally sweet kiss before he left the car.
~~~~~~~~~~
Gibbs watched the hands of the clock move oh so slowly that morning. He had a fair few things to do, but none of them particularly taxing. He let his mind wander freely to his time with Duck. He smiled at every thought. He felt so damn lucky to have him. He just wished he’d taken the bull by the horns earlier and found out Duck’s feelings for him instead of just presuming he didn’t want him that way. So much wasted time. But at least they had now, and a good while yet, he hoped.
The phone rang.
“Hey, Boss.”
Gibbs was kind of surprised at the voice.
“DiNozzo. What’s up?”
“Does something... yeah, course there is. I gotta case I wouldn’t mind a little help with out here.”
“Where exactly is ‘out here’ DiNozzo?”
“Well the USS Ronald Reagan... that’s not what you meant... okay um off the coast at Jacksonville, Florida. We go on op in seven hours though so...”
“So you want me down there do you?”
“I was kinda hoping...”
“You just had to ask, DiNozzo.”
“Thought I just did, Boss, I mean, Gibbs. Anyway, great. There’s a helo if you can get up to Norfolk by 1300.”
“What exactly is the case?” Gibbs tried to hide his groan as his plans for the day dissolved.
“Oh yeah, we just offloaded a sailor to an ME in Florida. He somehow got his head crushed in the aircraft lift. Things...”
“Don’t add up.”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, DiNozzo.” He hung up. Seriously, one month and the boy had asked him for help already. Gibbs contemplated sending someone else, for just a nanosecond. Nah, it’d be good to get out onto a boat again. He could talk to some people while he was there, keep up with the current affairs of the navy, from the deck up. It sounded a fairly major case anyway. People didn’t just die on ships these days. Especially not in the manner Tony had just described.
Running through a mental checklist, Gibbs began to arrange his gear before heading down to the lockers. He called in upstairs and confirmed his absence with the Director. He was told he’d have to leave his team here. They were all in some training session anyway and they’d take far too long getting themselves together if he pulled them out now. The case didn’t sound like anything he couldn’t handle with DiNozzo. Whatever, if that was the way the Director wanted to play ball. Gibbs figured Vance wouldn’t mind if Jameson took over the team in case of emergency, he was probably hoping for it. Gibbs was beginning to feel less and less ‘needed’ around the place.
Finishing up at the lockers, Gibbs looked at his watch. Damn it, he had about five minutes before he had to leave. He sprinted through to Autopsy, taking the stairs rather than the elevator. He slowed a little as he arrived at the doors. Walking in his heart sunk, Ducky wasn’t about and his computer was switched off, not a good sign. Palmer was sorting some paperwork on an autopsy table though.
“Palmer, where’s Dr. Mallard?” He was quite a bit shorter with the lad than Duck would have liked him to be, but needs must and hell, he was scared of him whatever tone he used.
“Oh... um, er, he er...”
“Never mind, Palmer.” Gibbs turned to Ducky’s desk and hunted for a pen and paper. Finding none readily available he charged out and up to Abby’s lab.
~~~~~~~~~~
“Abs...”
“Gibbs! What can I do you for?”
Abby watched him as he sailed past her and grabbing a piece of paper and pen from her desk, started scribbling. When he’d finished he folded up the paper carefully.
“Envelope?”
“Um yeah.” Abby scrabbled around, matching Gibbs’ urgency until she found one.
“Here.”
“Thanks, Abs.” He sealed it before passing it to her. “Make sure Ducky gets this okay.”
“Okay, Ducky, got it.” Abby matched Gibbs’ serious face. “Where you going?” She’d noticed the kit bag on his back.
“DiNozzo needs help.”
Abby perked up at that. “Oh does he?” Her grin was telling. Gibbs quickly pecked her on the cheek to distract her, before tapping the envelope in her hand.
“Make sure...” and then he was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ducky wandered into the lab, a little uncomfortable with the greater than usual noise level, and found Abby doing a headstand in the corner.
“Hey, Duckman! How’s things?”
“Slow here too, Abby?”
“Nope, all go here. I’m recalibrating everything. It’ll be very feng shui, everything in alignment. Busy busy vibes all over the place now though. Total chaos.” She beamed.
“Good to see you in such high spirits.” Ducky’s tone didn’t reflect the sentiment.
“Ah, man, this is so exciting!”
Ducky had to admit he couldn’t see how mass recalibration was exciting.
“Why is that, Abigail?”
“I mean Gibbs is single now, right?”
“Well, I believe he is coming to terms with his relationship breaking up...” They hadn’t exactly broadcast their new partnership, especially seeing how recent that break up had been, but Ducky had been hoping that somebody might have ‘heard’ about him and Jethro after their date. It worried him a little.
“The timing is so perfect!” Okay now he was lost.
“What do you mean, my dear?”
“Well, Gibbs is available and he isn’t his boss anymore and they’re stuck on a ship together!” Ducky was puzzled. “Tony’s been waiting for a chance like this forever!”
Light dawned. “Anthony... has feelings for Jethro?”
“Yeah, he only ‘confessed’ to me just before he left for the Ronald Reagan, but it’s not like it was a secret before then. I mean Gibbs must have known, everyone else did.” Abby noticed Ducky’s face fall.
“Oh! I mean well not everyone knew. I guess, I mean Ziva knew and well McGee, yeah he sorta figured it out, but I don’t think Jimmy did yet either and...”
“I think I’d better be getting home now, Abby.” Ducky left somewhat uncharacteristically discourteously.
“Oh Okay, Ducky... See you tomorrow.” She called after him. Damn, she must’ve upset him by saying he was the only one not in the know. He was a little out of the loop down there in the basement sometimes, but she hadn’t thought it bothered him that much. She’d have to make it up to him.
“Oh!” Abby grabbed the envelope and dashed out of her lab, but the elevator had long gone. “Damn.” She contemplated taking the stairs to catch up with Ducky, but several computerised pings from behind her interrupted her thoughts. She headed back in to attend to her equipment.
~~~~~~~~~
Heading out to the parking lot, Ducky stopped. Where exactly was he going? His Morgan was at home. He sighed and headed in the other direction to order a taxi. He’d had a pretty disappointing day. The morning had passed without seeing Jethro, which would have been okay to bear had he been able to find him, or indeed any of his team at 1 o’clock. Jimmy had mentioned that he’d asked for him at some point in the morning but had rushed off again. Nothing particularly unusual in that. As he hadn’t left a message, Ducky had just left it to him to get back in touch if it was urgent. That was normally how they worked. He had been surprised that Jethro hadn’t let him know he was going out on a case, which is what he suspected had happened, but it made a little more sense now he knew he was headed out to the USS Ronald Reagan. Didn’t stop him from feeling hurt though. He pondered on why that was, considering the number of lunchtimes he hadn’t spent with Jethro, just because he’d said he would today never meant it was a sure thing. It couldn’t in their line of work, but Ducky felt let down. ‘So this is what it’s like to be in a relationship again’ Ducky sighed overdramatically to himself. The more you cared, the more you expected of people, the more you got hurt it seemed.
Ducky chased this line of thought doggedly, mostly because he knew it was a bit silly and also because he’d rather think of anything other than what Abby had just revealed to him. Unfortunately his mind could multitask just as well as he could. Not the newsflash he had wanted. Not at all. Losing out to a younger man could happen much quicker than he’d anticipated. Now it was a real possibility Ducky was surprised to feel just how much it hurt. But wasn’t this what he’d wanted? For Jethro to find someone younger, someone who could be there until the end for him? Being noble wasn’t quite so easy when it became reality. Especially when it was so close to home. Tony, of all people.
‘Please, God, no.’ Ducky couldn’t help thinking.
If he really had been just a ‘rebound’ for Jethro then this would surely be it. From here, separated from him, there was nothing Ducky could do to fight for him. If that was even what he should do. His mind knew damn well that he didn’t care about should any longer. He wanted Jethro, totally, utterly and selfishly, but it could already be too late.
Many hours and a few too many fully filled glasses of one of his less fine spirits later, Ducky sobbed into the sheets of his own, empty bed. Why hadn’t he waited? God, why hadn’t he waited?
~~~~~~~~~~
| Part I | Part II | Part III | ~ | Part V | Part VI | Part VII |
Author: Adrianna Coylho
Pairing: Gibbs/Ducky, pre-Gibbs/DiNozzo, post-Gibbs/Fornell
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 20,058
Spoilers: Up to and including Season 5 Finale.
Warnings: Nothing the rating doesn’t cover...
Summary: Set after the end of Season 5, Gibbs is attempting to work with his new team. When a local school blows up due to a faulty gas mains the team are called in to investigate the deaths of three marines mysteriously on the site. Gibbs’ mind, however, is not on the job after yet another relationship break-up and he turns to his oldest friend for comfort. Inspired by Snow Patrol’s ‘Make This Go on Forever’. Quote taken from lyrics by Gary Lightbody.
Notes: Much love goes to my wonderful beta & friend nakeisha . This was written just after Season Five finished, so it is now AU as far as the new team is concerned.
Fabulous accompanying artwork by kaynyne : Artwork (Illos 2 may not be suitable to open at work ;)
| Part I | Part II | Part III | ~ | Part V | Part VI | Part VII |
As the song melded into another and the pace changed, Ducky lifted his head and their eyes met. Feeling each of them adjust smoothly to the new song and moving in perfect unison, Jethro couldn’t help but laugh. Ducky looked up at him quizzically. Jethro raised a hand and brushed through Ducky’s hair as reassurance. ‘Dance well together...’ thought Jethro. So much better with Duck than any woman. Jethro took the opportunity as Ducky gazed up at him to nuzzle into his neck and kiss his way back up. Ducky seemed a little reluctant at the public display, though subtly done, until their lips met. He didn’t resist then. Still swaying with the music, Jethro teased his lips a little with his tongue until he parted them, inviting him inside. If their world had felt small before, it was nothing on now. Eyes closed, tongues playing gently with each other, bodies moving together, the rhythm of the music filling and enveloping them, they had no sense of anything else but each other.
A few hours later, still giddy from the evening, they embraced and swayed a little in Jethro’s lounge. Jethro had been happy to find that Ducky had arrived at Salapello’s by cab, allowing him to drive him home. Though he hadn’t really specified which ‘home’, Ducky hadn’t objected when Jethro had turned the car in the direction of his own. Ducky’s hand had squeezed his thigh where it was resting by way of acknowledgement. He had gazed contentedly out of the passenger window taking in the buzz of the city at night. Now swaying together to an imagined beat, neither wanted the evening, or the feeling, to end.
Eventually Jethro slipped his hands under Ducky’s jacket and slid it smoothly off, letting it fall to the floor behind him. Ducky turned his gaze up to him again, unable to suppress a tremble at the gesture. Continuing to sway Ducky with him by an arm at his back, Jethro let his fingertips trace Ducky’s cheek before running them down to his bowtie. Slowly he undid and discarded it, never breaking their gaze. He gently twirled him round as he unbuttoned his shirt from the top down. The temptation of what he had revealed too much to resist, Jethro ran his hand over his lover’s chest before sweeping him back and tasting him there.
Ducky let his head arch back as lips and tongue explored him. He wasn’t quite sure how Jethro did it, but a few moments later he found himself bodily moved and laid back onto the sofa, so gently that he sank into it gradually. Jethro was still loving his chest as he joined him and as he settled on top of him he began to rock them together just as they had danced. Jethro’s weight pressing them together even more than before, Ducky willingly let a moan escape as they felt each other intimately in the movement.
Reaching up, Ducky ran his fingers through the silver of his lover’s hair as he felt and watched him. There was nowhere on Earth he’d rather be, no one else he’d rather be with. Ducky wondered exactly what that meant. Did that matter more than his fears? Would it be crueller to deny love than just the possibility of the things he couldn’t give Jethro? The thoughts still swam in his mind as Jethro suddenly leant forward, stilling all other movement as he stole another kiss. Ducky knew what he himself was feeling, but he couldn’t be sure of what Jethro really felt. His lover deepened the kiss almost in answer to his thoughts. The need Ducky felt there went way beyond the physical. It felt as though Jethro was trying to physically draw an admission of love out of him. He wouldn’t be able to say it, not yet, even though he felt it, but there was something he could give his lover this evening, something he’d wanted to give him for a very long time.
~~~~~~~~~
Ducky woke to find Jethro already up and showering. He felt a little silly at the disappointment that washed over him at not still being entwined with his lover. Pushing himself up out of bed, he didn’t see the point in dawdling, Ducky padded over to the somewhat untidy pile of clothes they had discarded the night before. He sighed as he contemplated having to wear the same he had worn yesterday, at least until he got to work where he always kept a number of items should he need them. He jumped slightly as arms wound round him from behind.
“Hey, jumpy.” Jethro snuggled into his neck. “Was kinda hoping you wouldn’t be up yet.” Ducky relaxed into the embrace.
“Did you now? Well I’d rather be in a similar state of cleanliness to you if you don’t mind.”
“Okay, Duck.” Ducky mourned the loss of the touch as Jethro pulled away to pull on some clothes. He hoped he hadn’t offended him. He hadn’t meant to brush him off. Ducky turned round to talk to him, maybe take him in his arms again, but Jethro was already halfway out the bedroom door, half dressed.
“Fresh towels are in the bathroom for ya.” He called as he headed for the stairs. He didn’t turn back.
~~~~~~~~~
Breakfast had been a little rushed. Not exactly how either of them had wanted to start the day. Driving in, they had talked about nothing in particular. Jethro seemed perfectly happy. He was jovial and relaxed. Ducky was pleased to see it. Maybe he had read too much into earlier. Jethro had probably noticed the time and was just trying to get on. Ducky relaxed with him. With the last case nicely wrapped there was little to worry about until the next major case came in. They were both hoping for a pretty straightforward day. No reason to be in late though. In their work things had a habit of interrupting calm days quite unexpectedly. Though never when they actually wanted them to. Ducky chuckled as he thought of several times he’d actually wished for a case to come in so he could stop clearing out the cupboards and filing things thrice.
Jethro glanced across at Ducky. He was in good spirits. Jethro had noticed he seemed a little sad over breakfast. Maybe it was just the light of a normal day after the magic they had shared the previous evening. Shame these things couldn’t last forever, but then Jethro was happy just knowing Duck was finally his and to be honest he wouldn’t mind doing a little more wooing to keep it that way. Dates weren’t a chore with Duck, not at all. With that in mind, Jethro considered the day and the rushed breakfast. Maybe it would be nice to get out of the office this lunchtime, make sure Ducky again knew that last night was not a one off, especially after what he had given him in return for the evening. Jethro had the feeling that Ducky was the sort of guy who would need a fair bit of reassurance, in the early days at least. Thing was, he really wouldn’t mind giving it.
They pulled up in Jethro’s parking space.
“Hey, Duck, what time do you wanna take lunch today?”
Ducky considered for a moment.
“About 1 o’clock I think. Why d’you ask?”
“Just thought we might head out for an hour, just us. Whadda ya think?”
“I think yes. Thank you, Jethro.” Ducky’s smile was such a sweet one, Jethro couldn’t help but lean in and steal an equally sweet kiss before he left the car.
~~~~~~~~~~
Gibbs watched the hands of the clock move oh so slowly that morning. He had a fair few things to do, but none of them particularly taxing. He let his mind wander freely to his time with Duck. He smiled at every thought. He felt so damn lucky to have him. He just wished he’d taken the bull by the horns earlier and found out Duck’s feelings for him instead of just presuming he didn’t want him that way. So much wasted time. But at least they had now, and a good while yet, he hoped.
The phone rang.
“Hey, Boss.”
Gibbs was kind of surprised at the voice.
“DiNozzo. What’s up?”
“Does something... yeah, course there is. I gotta case I wouldn’t mind a little help with out here.”
“Where exactly is ‘out here’ DiNozzo?”
“Well the USS Ronald Reagan... that’s not what you meant... okay um off the coast at Jacksonville, Florida. We go on op in seven hours though so...”
“So you want me down there do you?”
“I was kinda hoping...”
“You just had to ask, DiNozzo.”
“Thought I just did, Boss, I mean, Gibbs. Anyway, great. There’s a helo if you can get up to Norfolk by 1300.”
“What exactly is the case?” Gibbs tried to hide his groan as his plans for the day dissolved.
“Oh yeah, we just offloaded a sailor to an ME in Florida. He somehow got his head crushed in the aircraft lift. Things...”
“Don’t add up.”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, DiNozzo.” He hung up. Seriously, one month and the boy had asked him for help already. Gibbs contemplated sending someone else, for just a nanosecond. Nah, it’d be good to get out onto a boat again. He could talk to some people while he was there, keep up with the current affairs of the navy, from the deck up. It sounded a fairly major case anyway. People didn’t just die on ships these days. Especially not in the manner Tony had just described.
Running through a mental checklist, Gibbs began to arrange his gear before heading down to the lockers. He called in upstairs and confirmed his absence with the Director. He was told he’d have to leave his team here. They were all in some training session anyway and they’d take far too long getting themselves together if he pulled them out now. The case didn’t sound like anything he couldn’t handle with DiNozzo. Whatever, if that was the way the Director wanted to play ball. Gibbs figured Vance wouldn’t mind if Jameson took over the team in case of emergency, he was probably hoping for it. Gibbs was beginning to feel less and less ‘needed’ around the place.
Finishing up at the lockers, Gibbs looked at his watch. Damn it, he had about five minutes before he had to leave. He sprinted through to Autopsy, taking the stairs rather than the elevator. He slowed a little as he arrived at the doors. Walking in his heart sunk, Ducky wasn’t about and his computer was switched off, not a good sign. Palmer was sorting some paperwork on an autopsy table though.
“Palmer, where’s Dr. Mallard?” He was quite a bit shorter with the lad than Duck would have liked him to be, but needs must and hell, he was scared of him whatever tone he used.
“Oh... um, er, he er...”
“Never mind, Palmer.” Gibbs turned to Ducky’s desk and hunted for a pen and paper. Finding none readily available he charged out and up to Abby’s lab.
~~~~~~~~~~
“Abs...”
“Gibbs! What can I do you for?”
Abby watched him as he sailed past her and grabbing a piece of paper and pen from her desk, started scribbling. When he’d finished he folded up the paper carefully.
“Envelope?”
“Um yeah.” Abby scrabbled around, matching Gibbs’ urgency until she found one.
“Here.”
“Thanks, Abs.” He sealed it before passing it to her. “Make sure Ducky gets this okay.”
“Okay, Ducky, got it.” Abby matched Gibbs’ serious face. “Where you going?” She’d noticed the kit bag on his back.
“DiNozzo needs help.”
Abby perked up at that. “Oh does he?” Her grin was telling. Gibbs quickly pecked her on the cheek to distract her, before tapping the envelope in her hand.
“Make sure...” and then he was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ducky wandered into the lab, a little uncomfortable with the greater than usual noise level, and found Abby doing a headstand in the corner.
“Hey, Duckman! How’s things?”
“Slow here too, Abby?”
“Nope, all go here. I’m recalibrating everything. It’ll be very feng shui, everything in alignment. Busy busy vibes all over the place now though. Total chaos.” She beamed.
“Good to see you in such high spirits.” Ducky’s tone didn’t reflect the sentiment.
“Ah, man, this is so exciting!”
Ducky had to admit he couldn’t see how mass recalibration was exciting.
“Why is that, Abigail?”
“I mean Gibbs is single now, right?”
“Well, I believe he is coming to terms with his relationship breaking up...” They hadn’t exactly broadcast their new partnership, especially seeing how recent that break up had been, but Ducky had been hoping that somebody might have ‘heard’ about him and Jethro after their date. It worried him a little.
“The timing is so perfect!” Okay now he was lost.
“What do you mean, my dear?”
“Well, Gibbs is available and he isn’t his boss anymore and they’re stuck on a ship together!” Ducky was puzzled. “Tony’s been waiting for a chance like this forever!”
Light dawned. “Anthony... has feelings for Jethro?”
“Yeah, he only ‘confessed’ to me just before he left for the Ronald Reagan, but it’s not like it was a secret before then. I mean Gibbs must have known, everyone else did.” Abby noticed Ducky’s face fall.
“Oh! I mean well not everyone knew. I guess, I mean Ziva knew and well McGee, yeah he sorta figured it out, but I don’t think Jimmy did yet either and...”
“I think I’d better be getting home now, Abby.” Ducky left somewhat uncharacteristically discourteously.
“Oh Okay, Ducky... See you tomorrow.” She called after him. Damn, she must’ve upset him by saying he was the only one not in the know. He was a little out of the loop down there in the basement sometimes, but she hadn’t thought it bothered him that much. She’d have to make it up to him.
“Oh!” Abby grabbed the envelope and dashed out of her lab, but the elevator had long gone. “Damn.” She contemplated taking the stairs to catch up with Ducky, but several computerised pings from behind her interrupted her thoughts. She headed back in to attend to her equipment.
~~~~~~~~~
Heading out to the parking lot, Ducky stopped. Where exactly was he going? His Morgan was at home. He sighed and headed in the other direction to order a taxi. He’d had a pretty disappointing day. The morning had passed without seeing Jethro, which would have been okay to bear had he been able to find him, or indeed any of his team at 1 o’clock. Jimmy had mentioned that he’d asked for him at some point in the morning but had rushed off again. Nothing particularly unusual in that. As he hadn’t left a message, Ducky had just left it to him to get back in touch if it was urgent. That was normally how they worked. He had been surprised that Jethro hadn’t let him know he was going out on a case, which is what he suspected had happened, but it made a little more sense now he knew he was headed out to the USS Ronald Reagan. Didn’t stop him from feeling hurt though. He pondered on why that was, considering the number of lunchtimes he hadn’t spent with Jethro, just because he’d said he would today never meant it was a sure thing. It couldn’t in their line of work, but Ducky felt let down. ‘So this is what it’s like to be in a relationship again’ Ducky sighed overdramatically to himself. The more you cared, the more you expected of people, the more you got hurt it seemed.
Ducky chased this line of thought doggedly, mostly because he knew it was a bit silly and also because he’d rather think of anything other than what Abby had just revealed to him. Unfortunately his mind could multitask just as well as he could. Not the newsflash he had wanted. Not at all. Losing out to a younger man could happen much quicker than he’d anticipated. Now it was a real possibility Ducky was surprised to feel just how much it hurt. But wasn’t this what he’d wanted? For Jethro to find someone younger, someone who could be there until the end for him? Being noble wasn’t quite so easy when it became reality. Especially when it was so close to home. Tony, of all people.
‘Please, God, no.’ Ducky couldn’t help thinking.
If he really had been just a ‘rebound’ for Jethro then this would surely be it. From here, separated from him, there was nothing Ducky could do to fight for him. If that was even what he should do. His mind knew damn well that he didn’t care about should any longer. He wanted Jethro, totally, utterly and selfishly, but it could already be too late.
Many hours and a few too many fully filled glasses of one of his less fine spirits later, Ducky sobbed into the sheets of his own, empty bed. Why hadn’t he waited? God, why hadn’t he waited?
~~~~~~~~~~
| Part I | Part II | Part III | ~ | Part V | Part VI | Part VII |