Close Your Eyes
A/N Tonight's episode, Willoughby, broke my heart a bit. Having Gibbs share his mother's saying with Reeves was sad, but having Reeves share it with Bishop near the end brought waves of tears and a sleepless night as well. My mind, unbeknownst to me was working on how to make sense of the carnage. When I finally did wake this morning I knew I had to write about the pain and inner turmoil of Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Here's to getting the bastard!
My mother had always said, 'Close your eyes and remember the good things." She even said it on her death bed. My mom was one smart lady. Our liaison with MI-6, Clayton Reeves made me think of this again a few nights ago. Now I'm using it myself to remember Kassim Nazirs brief time with us. I remember him as a bright spot in a particularly unpleasant situation a few years back. I felt how couldn't be left behind in that forsaken place. We needed his translation skills back in Washington so I had him pack what he needed, which wasn't much and put him on the transport home with us. By us I meant Eleanor Bishop and myself.
Bishop had come to me a few weeks ago telling me telling me she'd found a new man to have in her life and that she had broken Rule 12. It was Kassim. It felt right and good to have her happy again. They'd fallen in love once we were back in the states. Now I'd have to help her through whatever hell this would be. My heart broke for her.
Sitting in the waiting room with Ducky I began to take my mother's advice. I leaned forward in my chair, closed my eyes and saw the inexperienced man before me. He was all about saving his country from the Taliban and he just wanted to help in any and every way possible. I admired his courage, his intelligence and his drive to do just that.
My mind switched to the man who came back from Fletc and who, as of late, worked at the NSA. His drive to translate, find meanings to his translations made him invaluable to the United States intelligence agencies.
Then when Ellie told me about them being a couple I watched them blossom with their love, their passion for learning, both intellectually and of each other. Ellie had to be a mess. I'd send Ducky to be with her in a few minutes. She'd asked for Reeves. Theirs was a unique friendship. Ellie worried about him not having friends and she wanted to be there for him, but now she needed him for something. So be it. I hoped he felt the same for her.
I leaned back in my chair and opened my eyes to see Ducky watching me. He smiled at me like he knew my thoughts. He's always been astute when it came to reading me. He rose to go to Ellie just as Reeves came back through the door. I looked up to him and he nodded as if to say he was okay but I sensed there was more to it. I'm sure he'll share when he's ready. He walked past me and out the door. There was determination in his step so I made no move to stop him.
There arose in me a need to get things done, for Ellie, for Kassim, for me and for NCIS. Mostly I needed to do this for one of mine: someone who'd been cut down too early in life. Chen would pay for this. I moved down the hallway to Kassim's room where Ducky and Ellie sat by his beside. She looked up as I entered the room and locked eyes with me. In those eyes I saw her sadness and the need to avenge Kassim. I nodded to her and turned to walk out of the hospital. I had a job to do and we'd get that bastard, soon.