Lock step: inflexible procedure that cannot be changed

Gibbs sighed as he examined the body. It was his old buddy Rick from his sniper days. He had been planning on talking to him this weekend. Now, Ducky could.

It was times like this that he was glad that he had a solid procedure. If things weren't in lock step, losing people like Rick would hurt so much more.

A schedule was so easy to fall back on. That was the unsaid reason he had one.

"Boss, you okay?" DiNozzo asked.

"Old friend," was his only answer.

"Want me to take care of it?" his Senior Field Agent offered. He shook his head. They walked over to the spot where McGee and Ziva were.

"DiNozzo, bag and tag! Ziva, witness statements! McGee, photos!"

"Yes, Gibbs."

"Got it, Boss."

"On your six!" He smiled. Sometimes, it was better to have lock step.

A.N.: Yeah, this word screamed Gibbs to me. No, literally, I wrote the word, and my mind wanted me to add Gibbs to the end of it. I hope you enjoyed!