Pat: We never should have gone to him.
--
"For a highly educated man; what he did was quite stupid." Ducky offered as he handed Gibbs a cup of coffee. The two were resting comfortably in Ducky's living room some time after his Mother had fallen asleep. It had been a long time since the two shared much quality time.
Gibbs agreed. "Becoming harder and harder to tell my friends from my enemies Duck."
"I'm afraid that's true my boy. Times they are a changing."
Gibbs sipped his coffee and leaned back onto the couch. "You can say that again."
"Indeed I can. I remember a time when trust was as prevalent as the common cold."
"Yeah, I'm beginning to think I'm getting too old for this."
Ducky shook his head. "Non sense Jethro. You are exactly what these times need…someone who will not stand for such hypocrisy. Someone who will stand for ethics."
"You sound like Shanno—" He stopped himself and stared down into his coffee. "Hell, within the last two weeks I've had one of my very own Agents, someone I trained come out as a traitor…a fellow marine I fought beside using me to cover up murder…hell even McGee ate Abby's cupcake and tried to cover it up."
Ducky managed a smile at the concluding statement. "It can be quite maddening."
"Tell me about it. I swear the next person who betrays my trust is gonna have hell to pay."
The older man leaned forward and set down his cup. "And I hope I am far far away when that happens." He motioned towards the kitchen. "Care for some dessert?" It was then he watched his friends expression change. "Something wrong with the coffee?"
"Ha no, coffee's great…it's me that's the problem."
Ducky remained confused. "Did I miss something?"
Gibbs shook his head. "A minute ago, I stopped myself. I was going to tell you…"
Ducky put his hand up. "No need Jethro. I'm well aware of where you were headed. And frankly; I'm honored to be able to remind you of someone you loved very much."
Gibbs stood up in response. "Thanks for the pep talk Duck. I needed it."
"Say no more my boy. That is what I am here for."
"You know what else you're here for?" Gibbs questioned.
"No?"
Gibbs then motioned towards the kitchen as he threw an arm around his friend. "Cheesecake."