It was a crisp fall day around sunset. Jackson was at the counter of his store. Just a few weeks ago families would come in to buy goodies and bug spray for long summer nights. Now everybody was at home doing homework and getting ready for school the next day. Jackson was surprised when somebody came in at that time even more surprised by who it was. Tony DiNozzo was standing before him in the sweater he had given him when they first met and a pair of blue jeans.
"Hi Jack." Tony said.
"Tony DiNozzo what are you doing here?" Jackson asked.
"I just came here to say I have to go away." Tony replied.
"Will we see you again?" Jackson asked.
"Uh yeah eventually anyway I just wanted to come and say goodbye." Tony replied.
"Oh well goodbye. I will miss you and I'm sure Leroy will too." Jackson answered.
"I'll miss you too and I need you to do me a favor." Tony told him.
"Sure Tony anything you need." Jackson replied.
"I need you to take care of Boss er Gibbs er Leroy he is having a real hard time with this. I know you can help him get through it." Tony explained.
"Of course I will I." Jackson replied before being cut off by his phone ringing. "Hang on a second Tony.'' He added picking up his phone.
"Hello Stillwater General Store Jackson Gibbs speaking." He answered.
"*sniff* *sniff*hi *sniff* dad *sniff* *sniff*" his son replied. Jackson was stunned by this Leroy never cried never.
"Leroy son what's wrong?" Jackson asked concerned.
"He *sniff* he's g…gone! Dad he's gone!" Leroy cried.
"Who?" Jackson asked.
"T…Tony!" Leroy cried before dissolving into tears.
"Wait what happened? Did he quit? Was he fired?" Jackson asked.
"No*sniff* dad *sniff* he *sniff he he's dead he DIED!" Leroy cried.
"No… no that's impossible!" Jackson cried.
"No it's TRUE I saw it happen it happened right in front of me!" Leroy cried.
"No I mean he can't be dead he he's in my store right now." Jackson replied.
"Dad are you OK?" Leroy asked.
"No I'm serious he's right he…" Jackson replied looking up to prove Tony's continued existence only to see he was alone in the store Tony was gone he had never been there. He really was gone.
"Dad? Dad are you OK?" Leroy asked.
"H…how *sniff* did it happen?" Jackson asked.
"He… he *sniff* got hit by a car! He er we were *sniff* working a case um questioning a suspect. In this neighborhood anyway we were in the front yard *sniff* and Tony saw this kid run in the street after a Frisbee and this truck *sniff* came barreling down the street. Anyway Tony ran out and *sniff* tried to get him out of the way and he did but in the process he *sniff* got hit. He went flying. Me, *sniff* Ziver, and McGee rushed over to him but *sniff* there was too much *sniff* damage. He *sniff* died *sniff* in my arms while *sniff* McGee tried to look him over and Ziver was calling *sniff* the ambulance *sniff* *sniff* *sniff*." Leroy explained.
"Oh God Leroy I am so sorry I will be in D.C. as soon as possible" Jackson replied.
"Thank *sniff* you *sniff* dad goodbye." Leroy answered.
"Goodbye son" Jackson said sadly.
He hung up the phone and stared out the window into the darkness a single tear rolling down his face finding it hard to figure out why Tony had come to him despite being gone from this life.
