Title: Jealousy
Pairing: Jethro/Ducky
Note: Don't own, please don't sue. Also, it's not that I don't like Palmer, it's just…Ducky and Gibbs are meant to be. Gibbs' POV
I step out of the elevator, striding toward Autopsy. A tiny smile curls the corner of my mouth before I school my features again. When the doors breathe open in front of me, I can't help but notice how close Palmer is to Ducky, and I have to fight down a low growl. Even though Ducky is in the middle of explaining something, he stops and glances back at me, smiling.
That smile is all I need some days.
"Ah, Jethro! I expect you'll want to know about our dear Marine here," he says while beckoning to the charred body on the gurney. I smile back, "What do ya got for me Duck," while stepping closer. My fingers touch his back just barely while I lean over the body, giving Palmer a look.
His face pales, his lips sealing together while he tries to distance himself from Ducky. It doesn't take a genius to see the way he fawns over Ducky, flirts, tries so damn hard for acceptance. And while Duck is arguably the smartest man I know, he's oblivious. And Palmer? Palmer knows Duck is mine.
That soft voice rushes over me, instantly calming me as Ducky goes through the process of explaining every little thing to me. I'm the only one who listens to him, well and Abbey; DiNozzo and McGee rush him for the answers, Ziva's just impatient in general. They'll learn, someday. A man like Ducky, so full of words and wisdom and life, can't be rushed. He has to be doted on, cherished…loved.
He turns his face up to me, smiling, and I think how easy it would be to just tilt my head down and kiss him. Instead, I return his smile. He hands me the little evidence jar, and I lift if, watching the knife tip skirt around inside the container. "You're a miracle worker, Duck" I tell him, placing my hand on his shoulder. He doesn't seem to notice my thumb, barely touching his neck. I do. God Almighty, I do. Internally shuddering, I pull away, striding back toward the door before I do something I can't take back, something that could change everything.
"Thanks Duck," I call back over my shoulder as the doors breathe open in front of me. "Anytime Jethro," he calls back just before I'm out of sight.
In the elevator, I tilt my head down and concentrate on my breathing. Ever since that time Ari held him hostage, then the damn meat puzzles, Ari again…so many times I've almost lost him. And I know nothing will ever be the same again. Not ever. I won't be able to ever forget the desolation I felt when I almost lost him, the rage I felt toward the depraved people who dared touch his life.
No, things won't ever be the same.
The elevator doors ding open, and I'm in Abbey's lab, striding toward her. The music assaults my ears, but I carry on. She gives me a childish grin, throwing her arms about me, practically screaming "Gibbs!" She's the daughter I would have had, my replacement for Kelly.
Hugging her back with a more quiet, "Hey Abbs," I hand over the evidence. Even though she takes it from me, she doesn't get to work. Instead, she stares quietly at me. "What's wrong?" Shaking my head, I try to force the thoughts of Palmer with Duck away. "Nothing Abbey; how long do ya think it'll be before you have results?"
Finally, her attention turns to knife point. "Wow, Ducky is a genius. I can't believe he found a wound in that guy's bod, let alone the tip of a knife." I couldn't agree more, but instead I spit out "What do ya think about Palmer?" Her dark gaze lifts to mine, "Jimmy?" Then I see the realization dawn on her face, a coy smile curling her lips. "Oh my God, Gibbs, you're jealous." I give her a deadpan look, a warning, but she ignores it…of course.
"I should have known! Jimmy is always hanging around Ducky isn't he?" She gives me an understanding look. "Abbey," I manage to growl out, a warning that she's getting close to overstepping a boundary. She ignores me…of course. "Gibbs. It's okay. I know you love Ducky. And Ducky loves you too! It only makes sense that you'd be jealous of Jimmy, always around Ducky and his teeeeeerible case of hero worship…though can you blame him? Ducky is pretty great…"
"Abbey," I finally say, effectively cutting off her babble. I give her a look, and she imaginarily locks her lips, "Mums the word, Gibbs. Your secret is safe with me." Sighing, I turn to leave her lab, "Get to work. I need those results." Leaving the lab and heading toward the bullpen, I'm mentally kicking myself. Me and my big mouth.
With a sigh, I sit at my desk and silently thank God for a quiet day in the office. DiNozzo, McGee, and Ziva are all out in the field. And I let my thoughts wander. I remember the shock I'd felt the first time walking into Autopsy, expecting grumpy Doc Saunders, only to be met by a lovely blond with soft blue eyes. I hadn't been able to listen to a damn thing he'd said, that melodic British tone had washed over me and I'd been lost in those eyes, that smile.
Not much had changed really, except now I knew better than to make eye contact as soon as I walked into Autopsy.
Duck had been the one to help me through all difficulties with all my ex-wives, going to so far as to actually sow me up that one time Diane hit me with a 7 iron. He'd been my best man for all three weddings, and he remembers my anniversaries better than I do, showing up at the house with a bottle of good scotch to keep me from noticing my damn phone ringing off the hook.
Sitting at my desk, I run my fingers through my hair rapidly. I can feel my gut clenching, telling me I need to tell Duck how I feel. He's my best friend. I love him, would kill for him…die for him. And every thought I have of Palmer somehow worming up the courage to express his feelings to Duck makes my heart cringe. I don't know how much more of this I can take.
I try to pay attention to the case as my team comes back, try to give insight and orders, direction…but it's hard. I'm distracted. I can't stop thinking about Ducky. So I wait less patiently than I should for the end of the day.
Around me, people leave the squad room, and I try to appear busy to give a reason for me being there. DiNozzo, McGee, and Ziva left a while ago, and I'm sitting in the relative dark. Finally, I work up the nerve and get to my feet. I walk slowly down to Autopsy, knowing that Ducky will be tucking his "guests" in, turning off the lights, checking over Palmer's work…getting ready to leave.
The doors open for me, and I feel lighter when I see him. He's shrugging on his overcoat by his desk, reaching for his hat, "Duck." He stops and looks at me over his shoulder, curiosity in those soft blue eyes as I walk over toward him. He smiles at me, and it's breathtaking, "Jethro, what are you still doing here…" then worry coats his voice, "you're not hurt are you?" And he reaches for me, concern lining his face, crinkling his brow.
Stepping up, I crowd him until he's leaning against the desk, curious still. "Nah Duck, I'm fine. Came to tell you something." He tilts his head to the side, his soft lips pursing gently. I have to wonder if he knows how beautiful he is. "…Jethro?"
My fingers are shaking as I cup his head, feeling the softness of his skin and heavy hair, and I'm leaning forward. The knots in my gut unravel slowly as my lips brush his before coming back to press against that soft mouth. I can feel him tense, the soft inhale, the fingers in my shirt. And at first I'm worried he'll push me back, but instead he's pulling me forward.
Everywhere our bodies touch burns, like he's on fire and I'm catching.
Finally, I pull back just enough. I can see his lips parted, the slight blush on his cheeks, and I wonder how I'll ever be this close to him again without kissing him. His eyes are closed, his sooty lashes fanned out on his cheekbones, and he looks so beautiful. My thumb brushes his cheek, and those brilliant eyes flutter open slowly.
I can't breathe. I'm getting lost in those eyes again, feeling my heart flip in my chest. "I love you Duck," I finally manage with our lips just a breath's distance apart. He smiles at me, a new light coming into those beautiful blue eyes, those lips are smiling at me, "What kept you?" I laugh softly, of course he knew. Duck always knows.
He tugs me forward again, kissing me again, and I crush him to me. I don't ever want to let him go, but then he's pulling free, giving me a coy smile. "You know, I'm glad you finally came to your senses my dear, because the jealousy you've been directing towards Mr. Palmer has made him very difficult to work with." He gives me a look, and I laugh tugging him close and leading him out of Autopsy. "Well, lemme make it up to you Duck; lemme buy you dinner."
That smile takes me off guard, so soft and gentle, loving. "But of course dear, whatever makes you happy." And I am. I have the person I love most in the world in my arms, loving me back. Of course I'm happy.