Chapter Two
Ducky walked into Jimmy's room and saw him sitting up in bed eating, well more like poking to see if it was still alive hospital food and watching TV. Looking up his face brightened as he saw Ducky.
"Morning Doctor Mallard."
"Good Morning Jimmy, how are you feeling?"
"Better, although this hospital food is gross. I can't wait to get out of here and eat real food again."
"Yes well, even then you will have to take it easy on your stomach my dear boy. You won't be able to eat junk food right away. Speaking of your discharge which may come today if all your tests come back the way they should, where do you plan on staying while you recover?"
"I was going back to my place Doctor, I know I will have to take it easy."
" True, I was wondering however if you might want to stay at my Reston home during your recovery. Agent Lee would be welcome to visit as often as she wanted of course." Ducky asked Jimmy
Taken by surprise Jimmy was stunned by Ducky's offer and clamed up. Ducky took this as a no. "I'm sorry my boy, I …." Jimmy cut him off, "No Doctor, I would be honored to stay with you I was just surprised for a minute."
Ducky's demeanor brightened. "Well I will go get the nurse and see if you can leave today provided your test results are satisfactory."
Ducky went to find Jimmy's doctor and see about the test results. After reviewing them with his doctor, he told Jimmy the good news that he would be discharged today. He was to take two weeks off to regain his strength then work a light schedule for another week depending on how fast he recovered. Jimmy changed into his clothes and was wheeled out of the hospital. Jimmy was quiet on the ride to Ducky's house and Ducky could sense that something was bothering the young man. Arriving at his Reston home, Ducky lead Jimmy up to the guest room he would be staying at. Jimmy had never been to Ducky's house and was in awe of how big it was.
"Jimmy, are you ok?" Ducky asked
"I guess Doctor, I'm just… I don't know really."
"Please Jimmy call me Ducky, and if you want to talk I am here to listen my boy."
" Thank you Do…Ducky, I just don't understand why this happened to me. Why chose me to shoot out of everyone? "Jimmy said with anger creeping into his voice
"I don't know why he chose you Jimmy, he never said when he was questioned by Jethro. All he would say is that he wanted to make NCIS pay, for what we still don't know. Just know it wasn't personal Jimmy." Ducky tried to reassure him
" I know its not personal Ducky but I still cant help to be angry. That man almost killed me for no apparent reason! What did I do to deserve this?? Nothing!" the anger radiated from Palmer as he spoke. Ducky walked over and took Jimmy into his arms comforting him. Jimmy started to sink towards the floor and Ducky followed him down never letting go. He could feel Jimmy starting to shake and the tears began to flow. "Why? Ducky, why me?" He cried as he held onto the older man's jacket as a lifeline. Ducky held Palmer close, stroking his hair. Jimmy relaxed in Ducky's arms and at Ducky's touch. "May I ask you a question Ducky?"
"Of course Jimmy?"
"You have been so generous to me and treated me so well, can I ask why?"
"Well I must admit I think of you as a son in a way. I have watched you grow up these past four years and watched you become a confident young man. You are more then an able assistant Jimmy, I consider you a friend and if I were to have a son I would hope he would have turned out like you."
Jimmy was stunned and yet surprised and honored by what Ducky had just told him. "I'm honored Ducky, I don't know what to say."
Ducky smiled at the young man, "Just get your rest Jimmy and get better. Its not the same at work with you gone." Ducky gave Jimmy a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder and then walked out
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Two weeks had passed and Jimmy was almost back to himself before he got shot. With the watchful eye of Ducky over him, he regained his strength in no time. He also got to know Ducky very well. They would spend the evenings talking over a drink. Jimmy had started to think of Ducky as more then just his boss now, he was his boss, mentor, friend and father figure. He knew how fortunate he was to have a friend like Ducky and vowed to not let him down. Even after Jimmy had moved back into his own apartment, he had weekend dinners with Ducky outside of work. Jimmy's family may be a long way away but he had a family right here in Washington DC.
