This is my first attempt at publishing a Fan Fic. Please be kind in your reviews... constructive criticism only.

I was watching a full-day NCIS Marathon, and as that was swirling around in my brain, I tried to spool down by reading a bit of Shakespeare. Going to sleep that night led to a very interesting 'paper bullets of the brain' as The Bard himself said (in a different play). I had to write it down... and a good friend of mine pressed me int sharing it.

So... Everything Shakespeare's characters say is straight from the copy of Hamlet I have on my bookshelf. I tried to stay as true to Team Gibbs as possible while still fitting them in to this time period. I used Shakespeare's Acts & Scenes, but since some of this story takes place when his cast isn't around, I hope I've made it clear where things fit in.

Standard Disclaimer... I don't own any of these wonderful characters... I'm merely borrowing them and taking them out for a bit of a romp.

Prelude 1, Scene 1:

The King Was Dead.

The announcement swarmed through the land. Good King Hamlet was dead. Found in his orchard, on his couch, taking his nap as he had every day of his reign. Queen Gertrude had been inconsolable. The Prince, Young Hamlet, had assured the nation in the way only a grieving young prince could, but if anyone would have asked, nobody could have put a finger on exactly what he'd reassured them about. The funeral the next day was going to be the event of the century.

Not if Ducky had anything to do about it.

"Jethro, I tell you, there's something odd about this situation! I was asked to look over King Hamlet's records after his last physical examination; there is simply no way a man of his health and vigor would succumb to death in such a manner!"

"What are you saying, Duck?" Gibbs had asked, blowing wood shavings off of his latest project; he was carving a new throne for the next King.

"I'm saying that there's something hinky going on here! I need you to investigate. Good King Hamlet's death is highly suspicious!"

Gibbs put down his tools. "All right; I'll look into it. I'll get clearance from the Director…" He paused as Ducky snorted. "I don't like the guy either, Duck."

"Director Polonius is a toad!" Ducky spat out. "A power-hungry, self-aggrandizing, weasily little toad! How on earth was he considered a proper candidate for such a lofty position?"

"The Prince is engaged to his daughter, Duck," Jethro reminded him.

"I'm sure the Prince, soon to be the next King of Denmark, would jump at the chance to find out the truth behind his father's death."

Gibbs heaved a sigh, leveling a firm gaze at his friend. "I'll see what I can do."

Ducky was appeased. "That's all I ask, Jethro."