"Come on Autopsy Gremlin you have to go in there sometime and tell them." Tony said attempting to coax Jimmy into the bullpen. To tell the team and Abby he had cancer.

"I know Tony it's just I'm so scared right now and I just I don't know." Jimmy said.

"I know Gremlin I wish there was more I could do." Tony replied. "Oh wait should I stop calling you Gremlin?" he asked.

"Oh please do Tony I don't want people treating me like a China doll." Jimmy answered.

"OK now are you sure you don't want to tell Ducky first?" Tony asked.

"Yes telling you guys is easy compared to him I mean no offense but Dr. Mallard is like a father to me. It was hard enough telling my mom last night she totally lost it and Breena is freaking out." Jimmy explained.

"I'm sorry dude." Tony said placing his hand on Jimmy's shoulder.

"JIMMY! JIMMY! I heard you have news for us!" Abby cried bounding out of the elevator.

"You have to tell them Gremlin." Tony said once Abby was out of sight.

"Alright" Jimmy said as he reluctantly entered the bullpen.

"So Jimmy Tony said you have news for us." McGee said.

"Uh yeah I do you guys may want to sit down for this." Jimmy replied.

"What is it Jimmy?" Ziva asked.

"I went to the doctor last week because I had been feeling bad for a while anyway yesterday he called back with my result and well this is really hard for me to say but I uh I have leukemia." Jimmy explained.

"NO! NO! YOU CAN'T BE SICK!" Abby cried.

"I'm sorry dude." McGee said.

"I hope it works out for you Jimmy." Ziva said.

"Hey kid you'll be OK." Gibbs said.

"Do you need help telling Vance?" McGee asked.

"Thanks everybody and no McGee I talked this morning." Jimmy replied.

Jimmy turned around and saw Ducky standing behind him.

"How much of that did you hear Dr. Mallard?" Jimmy asked.

"Why didn't you tell me Mr. Palmer?" Ducky asked.

"I just wanted to because I was scared telling my mom and Breena was hard enough well at least Breena heard from the doctor when I put the phone on speaker." Jimmy rambled.

"Oh Mr. Palmer I can only imagine how had this must be for you and it is quite alright that I was not told right away. I just wish it could be me in this situation." Ducky said.

"No Dr. Mallard don't wish it on yourself. I just hope I can pull through and continue to work under you." Jimmy replied.

"You will Mr. Palmer you will." Ducky assured.

It wasn't until late he was alone at his home that evening that Ducky allowed the negative thoughts to come up to the surface. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he pictured standing in the grave yard with Breena on one side and Jimmy's mom on the other and the team gathered round Jethro remaining stoic, Anthony trying to joke, a silent Timothy holding a hysterical Abigail, and Ziva quietly crying. He knew he had to remember to be positive and that Jimmy was young and in today's world leukemia was not the dreaded illness it was when he was young. Yet he knew also to prepare for the worst no matter how grim.

A/N: I know it is short but I wanted to publish something on this because it had been a while and I am kind of stuck on "Home".