Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or any of its characters

~Please R&R I'm a new author! I thought Palmer should have more roles in NCIS, so that's why he's our main character!~

Chapter One

Palmer woke up on the floor of his apartment. He sat up, dazed and confused at the situation. His apartment had been trashed; all his belongings were on the floor. The door to his apartment was still slightly open, and a huge gash to the side of his head confirmed that someone had knocked him out last night. Sitting up, he groaned at the headache piercing his ears. He felt like he had a hangover, but he remembered he hadn't been drinking last night. Abby had wanted him to come to a bar with her, but he was tired and wanted to stay home. He thought back to her pouting her lips, but accepting his rejection. Jimmy stood up, retrieving his cell phone from his coffee table. The phone had been placed there by whoever attacked him; Jimmy had been sure to keep his phone in his pocket in case Abby called again. The phone was off, and a bit bruised.

It probably fell out of my pocket when I was attacked.

Palmer thought, embarrassed. Jimmy was never the strong type; in fact, he could barely lift ten pounds. Tony would occasionally make fun of him, but he was mostly in the background. Luckily, Abby would always be there to offer him some company for lunch or talk to him on break. She could be a little intimidating, but he knew she cared for him. Suddenly, overcome by dizziness, he sat down and closed his eyes. His phone beeped, confirming that he was late. Dr. Mallard had called him twice, and Abby had called once.

Oh man!

Once again embarrassed, Palmer quickly changed clothes and headed to work. He was going to report the break in right after he got home, for now he had to get to work. Dr. Mallard had been stern with him lately, his patience wearing thin on the young assistant. After a short drive, Jimmy hurried into the elevator to get to work. He treaded softly down to autopsy, his headache still booming. Ducky didn't turn his head when Palmer entered.

"Mr. Palmer, you're late."

Ducky snapped. Jimmy looked at the floor and apologized sheepishly. Jimmy turned around and put on his scrubs, readying to finish the autopsy they had started last night. Ducky meet him at the table, and finally looked up into Palmer's eyes.

"Good God Jimmy, what happened to you?"

"Huh? Oh, uh, my apartment had a break in."

"And you were inside? Did you call the police? That head wound needs stiches, my boy!"

Jimmy looked at the ground.

"Well, no, I was going to call the police right after work. My heads okay, it doesn't hurt that bad."

Palmer lied. He hadn't realized how pale he was and what dark circles were under his eyes. He had barely cleaned his head wound before coming to work, and it started bleeding again. Ducky sat him down and looked at his head.

"Why didn't you call Jimmy? You could've been in danger!"

"What's going on Duck?"

Gibbs entered the room strongly, raising an eyebrow at Palmer.

"Jeez, what happened to you?"

Jimmy relayed his story about the break-in, and Gibbs didn't look happy.

"You didn't call anyone? You should've gotten some help Palmer."

Gibbs replied. Palmer once again apologized and Ducky recommended he stay home today.

"No, Doctor, I'm fine!"

"Jimmy, go home. Call the police, clean up your apartment. Get some rest."

Jimmy nodded and stood up to get his jacket. After avoiding a few dizzy spells, he made it to the elevator. He dodged Abby's lab, not wanting to worry her. He wasn't in that much pain and there was no reason to rile everyone up. It had been a simple break-in, nothing more. Luckily, Gibbs and his team had been called out on a mission, and the billpen was empty. Palmer headed home, only to be greeted by his door, once again, ajar. Avoiding the pit in his stomach, Palmer entered the apartment.

Crack!

Someone, behind him, smacked Jimmy with the butt of a gun. He tried to reach for his phone, but couldn't and was soon enveloped with darkness.