"October, and the trees are stripped bare of all they wear, what do I care, October, and the kingdoms rise, and the kingdoms fall, but you go on…"- U2
Prologue
His death shook them all…
No one would've known what was to come that morning a year ago. How was anyone to know he would die like that? The beach held many memories good and bad now for Leroy Jethro Gibbs. His memories used to be of families playing, having fun and being together as one, but now the sinful embers of death were all that lay there for him every time that particular morning rolled around every year.
He and the friends alike of the friend that had died remembered that faithful night when they had heard of the tragedy that befallen their friend. The bitter horizon of that day had mocked him.
FLASHBACK
Gibbs had received the call no one wanted to at four am.
"Your agent is dead…" the voice on the other line said.
"Are you sure?" Gibbs had remembered asking.
"Yes Agent Gibbs," the voice repeated. "His boat tipped last night and he drowned, he's dead…"
"I didn't think he sailed," Gibbs couldn't think of anything else to say at a time like that. "I'll tell the others…"
"They'd want to know." the voice then hung up.
Gibbs could remember what had happened after that. He remembered standing on the beach next to Fort Story. He remembered the cool breeze mixed with the waves crashing against the shore, the shorebirds taking shelter, the boat the authorities were pulling out of the water.
"Body's lost," the sheriff said placing a hand on Gibbs' shoulder. "He was pretty far out when he tipped, it may never show up."
Gibbs shook his head and stared at the boat. The mast was broken.
"Gibbs," Abby ran over to him, she had just arrived along with the others. "Is he really…?"
Gibbs shook his head yes and Abby buried her head into his jacket, the tears starting to spill uncontrollably.
FLASHBACK
He also remembered the memorial. It had been short and sweet on the beach where he died. The wind blew gently against the mourners and the sand stung their faces. The others comforted one another with no expressions on their faces. Gibbs looked downward drowning out the preacher, trying to stay content in his own thoughts. The waves pounded onto the shore and broke, the ocean spray reaching them. Gibbs knew a storm was coming soon…
"You may all go in peace…" the preacher shut his book and walked up the path leading to the parking spaces. The others followed.
"Are you coming Gibbs?" Ziva asked.
"You all go ahead I," Gibbs sighed. "I'm going to spend some time with him…"
"Ok Gibbs," Ziva squeezed his arm. "We'll see you later…"
Gibbs stared at the cross for a moment before turning and walking towards the ocean. When he reached the water's edge he looked downward as the water barely reached his toes. He then untied his shoes and took them and his socks off and set them down next to him. He kept his jacket on and sat down next to the waves.
"I guess this is it huh," Gibbs said to the ocean. "You had to up and take him like this…I thought we were friends…"
There Gibbs sat for about an hour as the rain started to pour down upon him. When he had gotten wet enough he trudged upwards towards his car.
RNR
Well what do you guys think?