Gibbs: I'll be upstairs.
The two didn't share a word until Gibbs pulled up outside his home, and his friend hadn't moved.
"Duck?"
He snapped out of his trance and noticed his surroundings. "Forgive me Jethro. My mind may be elsewhere for a while yet…"
"Been there."
The ME fixated on his friend's expression. "Do you ever ponder where our lives would be if we hadn't chosen the paths we did?"
Gibbs looked away slightly. "Can't change our choices."
"No…you know that all too well." His eyes welled with tears suddenly. "I have wondered about the man you were before I knew you Jethro. Before…"
Gibbs interrupted. "I wonder that myself, Duck."
"Seems circumstances can change us without us knowing."
"Afraid this will change you?"
He only nodded.
Gibbs shook his head. "This wasn't your fault. Don't let it."
Ducky absorbed the words before placing a soft hand on his friends forearm. "Nor was it yours…"
He knew what his friend was referencing and the familiar ache was more than he wanted to remember. "See you in the morning Duck."
He squeezed his friends arm before reaching for the door handle. "That you will…ready for another go around, no doubt." He paused for a moment. "But no other place I'd rather be…"
