Welcome to the second NCIS rewrite teaser, see the first chapter if you forgot what this is.

Context for this scene: this is placed late in the timeline, Tiva is established but plays a very minor role in this, main thing is that Ducky's mother Victoria recently died, also Palmer isn't in this because his love interest will play a much bigger role in my rewrite series then Breena did in canon and I haven't decided fully how she's going to be.

Filled With Memories

After the palmers had left to put the baby to bed, the rest of them gathered in front of the TV.

Abigail and Timothy were animatedly discussing some technology thing Ducky couldn't even hope to understand while Anthony and Ziva were attentively watching the movie that was softly playing in the background. Ziva sat on the couch while Anthony sat on the floor between her legs, her hands were playing with his hair and Anthony was making sounds that would be more appropriate coming from a small dog in enjoyment.

He was tapped on the side as Jethro joined him offering him a glass of scotch, they both stood and watched the younger members of their group. Their laughter and smiles couldn't help but bring one on his own lips.

Ziva bend down to whisper something in Tony's ear, whatever it was she said it seemed to have literally shocked him as he jumped up from his position. "Well, dinner was wonderful." He said. "but we really have to go." Said Tony grabbing a giggling Ziva's hand and pulled her towards the door, "You drive" he said with a clenched jaw.

"Thank you for the invitation, Ducky." Ziva said between laughs, "We'll return the gesture sometime."

"No need dear, go have fun you two."

They didn't need to be told twice as Tony almost carried Ziva out the door. Gibbs groaned and shook his head next to him.

"It's getting late I'd better get going as well." McGee said standing up.

"Me too, but you're going to have to drive me Timmy, no way I'm driving like this." Abby said struggling to get to her feet.

"Thanks ducky." Abby said as Tim helped her to her feet only for her to stumble towards the older men and hug them both fiercely, telling them goodbye.

"Dinner was really nice, have a nice weekend." McGee wished both of them as he shook their hands before helping the drunk Abby outside.

Silence fell over the house, suddenly it felt too big and too empty. Maybe he should have kept those damned dogs Donald thought bitterly.

He was brought from his thoughts as Jethro re-joined him and refilled his glass, bourbon this time, something told Ducky he could use it.

Gibbs made his way to the couch, sitting down and taking a sip of his bourbon, Ducky mirrored his movements and sat down in his lounge chair.

"I know the feeling, Duck."

Ducky supposed no more was needed to be said, typical Gibbs, that he seemed to have read his mind didn't even surprise him anymore. "Does it get better?"

"Nah," he said shaking his head, "but this helps, things like today, even if it stings once it's over."

The silence grew between them as they both sipped idly at their drinks. "The house is too big." Ducky stated looking around at the expensive decorations and furniture.

"It Is," Jethro nodded, "but it's filled with memories."

A/N: The actual rewrite stories are on their way, the biggest hurdle being that I can't just write one at a time, this scene being an example it just popped into my head and I had to write it.