Morning arrived with no trace of the uncomfortable conversation or atmosphere that had been present the night before between Tim and Ducky. It was as if both had silently agreed to let the matter drop completely. Unbeknown to either of them, both of them were now finding themselves more worried about the other one than they were about their own health. Ducky took note that the younger man seemed to be breathing easier and walking with less pain filled stiffness. He also noticed that Timothy seemed less anxious about going to work than he'd been the day before while Tim noticed the M.E. seemed to be pulling in his breaths with less struggle than he'd been able to do the previous night and he'd gotten up even earlier than he had the day before.
Ducky was relieved to see that the younger man was definitely on the mend, especially with the anxiety Tim had been feeling lately regarding his job. While having that burden lifted off his shoulders was a blessing, it did little to ease the older man's continued nagging question about what had happened to cause that brief moment of pain and inability to breathe properly he'd experienced the night before. Chalking it up to being overly stressed and exhausted, he tried to set it aside as nothing to worry about.
The trouble was that the truth was so much less reassuring and not something Ducky was comfortable with since each breath he took seemed to be louder to his own ears than the one before it. He couldn't help but notice the difference in how he was feeling this morning compared to how much worse he'd felt in that one moment of breathlessness the night before, since then it had been actually painful to breathe while now it was not. Not yet anyway.
As he parked the car and sat still while he waited for Timothy to get out and head to the elevator. Ducky closed his eyes for a moment, hoping to regulate his breathing more. Almost without realizing it, he found himself thinking back to what he'd admitted out loud yesterday and he let it replay in his mind now.
I'm beginning to believe I can not do this any longer. I have become far too easily tired at times, no matter the amount of rest I try to get in order to rejuvenate for the next day. I am an old man and my body and mind both seem determined to tell me as such a little more every day.
…when one can readily admit his healthy days are numbered, that is when it is best to step back and let the next generation replace them. But, I'm afraid such time has come for me.
Not realizing his passenger not only hadn't left him, but was also much more attuned with what was going on than he realized, the M.E. made no move to hurry inside the building. His body felt tired and his mind worn out, despite a full night's rest. The breathing issues he was beginning to experience were seriously plaguing his mind, convincing him rather quickly that there was no doubt about it now; he could not do this for much longer. In fact, he needed to put the alternative in motion, starting today since the wheels of change sometimes moved almost slower than the hands of time.
Tim stood back, hoping almost to fade into the shadows as he watched the older man take the time to relax for a moment before forcing himself to move on into the day of work. He didn't understand how anyone could do what Ducky did for a living for as long as he had or do it as well as he did, what with talking to the deceased and actually going so far as to forge an additional career in the psychology of it all and he sympathized with the emotions the M.E. had allowed himself to give voice to yesterday.
Looking at the kindly 'uncle' they all knew him to be, Tim's mind flashed the question. Where would we be without him? They all depended on the man, from Jimmy and Abby, all the way to Gibbs. It was no secret that Gibbs confided in Ducky like no one else and would give his life for him in a heartbeat. Then again, it was pretty much a given that all of them felt that way; though none with the quiet depth of Gibbs; of that he was certain.
Seeing Ducky finally begin to move, stirred Tim from his thoughts and from his place in the garage. Knowing the M.E. thought himself to be alone by now, Tim stepped back further into the shadows, not wanting to forfeit the man's dignity by exposing him to unexpected now. He really needed to stop doing that and he felt bad that he'd done it twice in less than twenty-four hours, but then again, it brought him a sense of relief that doing this very thing had enabled him to become clued in to the M.E.'s difficulties, as least as much as he had been. Tim was sure there was plenty he didn't know but he also knew it wasn't his business to push – at least – not yet.
Waiting until Ducky had disappeared into the elevator, Tim then took the stairwell and forced himself to climb them as fast as his still healing body would allow, not wanting to have to wait any longer, in the off chance it would cause him to be late. Thankfully, he was neither late nor forced to push himself past his limits and he was able to settle into booting up his workstation rather quickly before seven o'clock had even arrived. He was grateful that the pain from his still mending ribs was at a tolerable level, provided he took precautions and forced himself to be as restrictive in his movements as he had been the first day he'd attempted to come back to work after having received the beating.
***NCIS***
"Hey, Duck?" Gibbs greeted his friend in the form of a question right off the bat as he stepped into Autopsy in the early afternoon. It had been a long morning and he was more than ready to take a break, especially since he needed some answers.
"Hello, Jethro. What brings you to my domain without a case, my friend?" Ducky's greeting was quieter than usual but with everything that was on the Team Leader's mind, he failed to notice that anything was different with the older man.
"Lookin' for answers." The Team Leader replied as cryptically as he needed to while still giving his friend what he needed to know.
"Jethro, would you kindly just spell out what it is you needed? I am rather tired and would like to get my duties completed so that I may endeavor to get through the mountain of paperwork I must complete by the end of the day." Ducky replied rather irritably.
Immediately, eyebrows marched up in shock as Gibbs literally took a step back at the rare tone he'd just been addressed in. "Duck? What's goin' on? You alright?"
"I do apologize, Jethro. It's been a very long and trying week." The M.E. attempted to correct his faux paus. "And I still have much to do before the day is done. After all, there is still young Timothy to check on. After a long day, I will need to see how he is faring with his ribs and insure he takes care to get a proper meal and a proper night's rest before the day is out, as well."
"Then send McGee packing, Duck. He can take care of himself since he's on the mend!" The Team Leader bit out angrily.
"This has nothing whatsoever to do with that young man and I sincerely hope you have not been so cruel as to speak to him as such." Ducky's anger was intense, driving home the point he was making. "He was placed in my medical care for two weeks and that two weeks is not yet up!"
"Duck." The Team Leader offered quietly as his eyes narrowed at the M.E.'s rare display of anger. "You need to take care of yourself first."
"I appreciate that, Jethro. Rest assured, I am fine. Now then what answers were you in search of?" With the measured wording and forced politeness within the question, the direction of conversation had most deliberately been turned and the point made; no more conversation would be tolerated regarding Tim's time under the M.E.'s watchful eye as he recovered, possibly being the cause for how run down the M.E. was feeling.
"They'll keep." Gibbs replied dismissively as his eyes seemed to bore holes into the older man's mind as if he were still digging for the answers. "I'll let you get on with whatever it is you have to do."
Turning on his heel, the younger man headed out, more confused than before he'd sought his friend out. All he'd wanted was a clue as to why both the M.E., himself and his youngest agent seemed so distracted and genuinely worried about something. He knew the younger man wouldn't confide in him but since Ducky usually confided in him when asked directly, he'd taken his concern in hand and gone for the answers. Knowing the two in question had been spending a lot of time together when off from work, had made it an even wiser place to start, or so he'd thought.
Stepping back into the squad room, Gibbs couldn't help but wonder if he needed to be worrying about both his youngest agent and his friend, their beloved M.E. He didn't have the luxury of time in the matter though, since his phone chose that moment to shatter the silence, bringing with it the beginnings of another case.
***NCIS****
The end of the day came about late that night, at nearly ten o'clock. By that time Tim was more than a little worried about Ducky what with the way he hadn't seemed to have gotten any rest the night before and the way he spoke of calling it quits yesterday. Tim was anxious to check on him and unwilling to let him go home alone just yet. It bothered him that although he and Jimmy had made plans to have lunch together that hadn't come to pass, either.
Tim had wanted to talk to him about the need to start keeping an extra sharp eye on how the older man was managing. Now, as he quickly moved out of the squad room, the rest of the team thought him in a hurry to get a refill on coffee when he'd been quick to run out of the squad room the minute they'd returned from chasing down the latest leads well over an hour ago. Little did they know, it wasn't coffee he was intent on, but rather heading to check on the M.E. who hadn't been needed on this case and so hadn't been seen for several hours.
As he entered Autopsy, Tim was relieved to find the M.E. not actually still working, but rather, napping at his desk in his office. Looking around, it was obvious Jimmy had gone on some errand but hadn't gone for the night just yet since his coat was still on the rack by the door. Even as he barely finished the thought, Jimmy came back from the supply room next to Ducky's office.
"Oh, hey Tim." Jimmy greeted him with a smile.
"Hey, Jimmy. Hey, got a minute?" Tim asked calmly and quietly as he drew the younger man further away from Ducky's office. "I don't want to disturb Ducky just yet but I've been wanting to talk to you."
"I know we were supposed to have lunch but it just hasn't worked out this week, with our conflicting workloads." Jimmy apologized.
Tim nodded. "I know. Listen, all I wanted to talk to you about was Ducky. I'd like you to do me a favor and watch over him. I'm not talking about hovering over him or anything Just…" Tim huffed out a breath of frustration. He knew what he needed from Jimmy but he didn't want to presume that the younger man didn't already do a good job of looking out for the M.E. they were all extremely fond and protective of. "I know I'm still on desk duty and in the building, but it's not the same, you know?"
"I understand what you're saying." Jimmy observed quietly. "He does seem to get rather tired a lot more frequently than he used to. Seems like he's gotten less oh, I don' t know - 'peppy', maybe?"
"Exactly. Just between us, Jimmy. I'd like to do what I can to help him out without making it anything he'd object to. We both know he doesn't like being coddled or being treated like he needs help, especially when he doesn't think he needs any, if you know what I mean."
"Yeah. I know what you mean." The younger man agreed. "I've been wanting to start staying later and do the finishing up so he can go home first, but he's pretty stubborn, not to mention, he has the authority to overrule my advice."
"I know." The Field Agent agreed. "You done for the night?"
"Yes. I just need to let Dr. Mallard know so he can let me go."
"Okay. Why don't you let him know I'm ready to go when he is, after you've gotten the go ahead to go home?" Tim asked. "That way we're not crowding him and he won't be surprised to find me out here waiting for him."
"Okay." Jimmy turned and headed into Ducky's office, leaving Tim alone in Autopsy, a thoughtful expression etched on his face.
****NCIS****
Barely thirty minutes later found Tim silently following Ducky into the older man's town home after what had been an almost eerily silent ride home. It was plain to see that the M.E. was beyond tired and barely had the energy to do anything now that he'd managed to safely drive them home. Without a second thought, as the older man seemed to be on autopilot as he headed straight for the kitchen without even saying a word, Tim was soon encouraging him to sit while he, himself began the process of making the tea for him.
"Are you hungry, Ducky?" Tim finally broke the long-standing silence.
Almost as if being brought out of a trance, the M.E. blinked and stared at the agent for a moment before answering him. "Actually, I believe I am much more tired than hungry, Timothy."
"Do you even want a cup of tea or would you rather go on to bed?"
"Now that you mention it, I think I'll skip the tea if you don't mind. Bed sounds most inviting right about now."
"No problem, Ducky." Tim reassured him as he turned the stove off and turned back to watch as the older man got up from the table and headed out of the room.
"Goodnight, lad." Ducky murmured much more quietly than usual.
"G-nite." Tim managed before he was talking to the empty air. Glancing at his watch, he frowned. It was nearly midnight and six in the morning would be here long before either of them were ready for it. Without wasting any more time, Tim glanced through the food supply and concluded what he could make for breakfast and calculating how much time it would take him. Having accomplished that goal, he set the coffee maker up for the hour he needed it to go off, turned out the kitchen light and headed out of the room to do a house lock-up and then get to bed himself. It had been a very long day.
****NCIS****
Five in the morning on Friday found Tim drinking his way through his first cup of coffee, his next hour already being planned out in his head. He hoped the M.E. didn't get up before his usual time of five-thirty, but just in case he did, it would be better if Tim got breakfast started before jumping in the shower. With that thought in mind, he got started.
Ducky arrived in the kitchen at five-thirty, stopping in his tracks with surprise when he saw the light on in the oven that showed him breakfast had already been prepared and had been left in the warm oven until he was ready for it. Glancing over at the stove, he saw that his tea kettle was already heating up for him. As he smiled at the thoughtfulness of his houseguest, he couldn't help but notice there was no mess left in the kitchen to even prove a meal had just been prepared here.
By the time Tim returned to the kitchen, showered and ready for work, Ducky was finishing up his breakfast and getting up to make a second cup of tea. "Good morning, Ducky. Here, I'll get that for you."
"Thank you, Timothy. It was quite thoughtful of you to fix breakfast this morning as well as already have the cleanup completed." Ducky was quick to reply, even as he sat back down. " Tell me, have you eaten yourself?"
"Not yet. We've got time. What about you?" Tim stood still, watching the older man as he waited for his answers. " Did you sleep good?"
As the M.E. answered the question, the morning fell into a comfortable pattern of each looking out for the other while getting ready to face the day. As they headed out the door on this morning, however, Tim smiled as the M.E. noticed the sporty car had been pulled behind his own, making it impossible for the Morgan to be driven until Tim's car was moved out of the way. "Guess that means I'm driving." Tim smirked as he opened the passenger door for his soon to be passenger.
"Timothy, are you certain your ribs have healed enough to handle to strain? It's not yet quite been two weeks, dear boy."
"Ducky, there's no strain to driving. I'm fine. My ribs are healing the way they're supposed to be and they don't even bother me half as much as they did when it first happened." Tim tapped his mid-section and pulled up his shirt enough that the M.E. was able to take note of the protective support Tim was wearing to keep his ribs from feeling too much of anything while they continued to mend.
"Ah, I see. That is why you did not ask me to tape your ribs this morning. You've found a more suitable way to be cautious than I had even considered, my boy. Very good!"
Tim smirked. "I learned from one of the smartest people I know. That person told me that you can't be too careful when it comes to letting your body heal properly, unless you want to do yourself more harm than good in the long run. This is more flexible and a heck of a lot less painful to take off at night" Tim said with a small smile at the thought of no more painful tape removal.
"Hmmm. I wonder who it was that could have told you something like that?" Ducky mused with a twinkle in his eye.
All the way to work, Tim couldn't stop smiling to himself at the way he'd managed to maneuver the driving situation. The truth of the matter was, he was very concerned about the older man and his penchant for being stubborn and silently so on any given day; or maybe he was doubly worried because of it. The younger man didn't want to see any more repeats of last night when it was all Ducky had been able to handle, just getting them safely to his home. The M.E.'s uncommon quiet demeanor this morning and even last night, was also cause for concern and something that Tim wanted to keep an eye on.
Seeing what was going on with Ducky, shook him to the core. It was raising the red flag on the subject of mortality for him and that in itself was an alarming realization that quieted all other concerns in Tim's mind and eradicated the ability to smile about any of it. It was definitely a sobering reality.