Saturday and Sunday for Tim and Ducky were relaxing and yet filled with underlying worry and stress for the both of them. While neither spoke of what was on his mind or asked the other to let him in to what held each so quiet, both failed miserably at trying to hide the fact that there was trouble. It was clear that each man's problem was just barely beneath the surface, although there was plenty of chat about mundane things which moved on to a story here and there.
Even a thought provoking conversation about several books that Ducky had read but Tim had not, did not relieve their minds. All in all despite the air of worry hanging over them, they managed to take things easy and relax and enjoy the weekend as best they could.
****NCIS****
Gibbs spent the weekend holed up in his basement, not working on a new boat or even toys for the kids at the hospital for Christmas; though he did like to get a head start on that project. His mind was stuck on Ducky and his rare display of temper in the last week. He thought he knew the man well, but obviously hadn't seen that coming at either time. Suddenly, he was struck wondering if his long-time friend was actually right in his one-time assessment that his risk for succumbing to the horrid Alzheimer's disease that had ravaged his mother's mind was high enough to be of grave concern for his future.
When that thought struck him, it was as if he'd been punched in the gut. Fighting to catch his breath at the thought of his close friend going through that in his remaining years, disturbed Gibbs to the point that before he knew it, he was in his car, heading to the Navy Yard, needing something to keep his mind occupied that wouldn't let him dwell on Ducky any longer; the worry wasn't doing him any good and he needed to keep his head on straight. It was a very long but productive weekend for him as work became his tonic and the hours flew by without any further wallowing in sad possibilities for the future.
****NCIS****
The next week began and flowed in the mundane cold cases until a new one was called in, although this time the case work didn't include a deceased body for Ducky and Jimmy to work on. While it wasn't rare for that to happen; it couldn't have happened at a better time for the older man. He was happy to be able to slow down enough to take care of the handling of the changes coming for Autopsy. By the end of the afternoon on Thursday, he'd gone through every case for the last year, making sure all 't's were crossed and 'i's were dotted and nothing had been overlooked or mishandled.
At the same time, Jimmy had been assigned with the tasks of inventory and organization to make sure everything was in its place and accounted for, right down to the tools used on the autopsies themselves. All light bulbs were changed and even Ducky's office was spring-cleaned. Between the two of them, Autopsy had never been in such tip-top shape before as it was by the time they were heading home at six o'clock that night.
Even as he'd worked on his assigned tasks all week long, doing everything Ducky asked of him without a single argument or question, Jimmy's gut had begun to churn. His conversation with Tim, days before this massive cleanup, came back to him and the Assistant M.E. wondered if he was seeing the end of his mentor's time here at NCIS. That question sent a wave of unease through the young man and he couldn't hide it completely as he stopped to talk with Tim late Thursday afternoon when they bumped into each other.
"Hey, Tim" Jimmy greeted quietly as they ran into each other at the back elevator near the end of the day. "How are you feeling? Are your ribs feeling okay?"
"Hey, Jimmy. I'm fine, thank you and yes, they're okay. Hurt a little less every day, it seems." Tim stopped and looked hard at the Autopsy Gremlin. Without a second thought, he changed direction and followed the younger man into the elevator and wasted no time in getting to his point. "You look worried. Is it Ducky?"
"He's cleaning the place like he's spit-shining for a new boss." Jimmy replied quietly as he nodded his answer. "Why wouldn't he tell me what was going on? Do you think he's really getting ready to retire? I wouldn't think he'd do that without letting me know ahead of time."
"I'm sure he'll tell you soon, if that's what's really going on." Tim reassured him with a small smile for Jimmy's choice of words. "We both know he wouldn't not tell you."
"Don't you think he would have told Agent Gibbs already? Has he said anything?" Jimmy asked.
"Not if Ducky didn't want him to. And if he didn't want Gibbs to worry about him, he..." Tim observed.
"He wouldn't have told him." Jimmy finished for him with resignation clearly in his tone.
"Relax, Jimmy. It'll all work out. Even if you're right and changes are coming. Right?"
"I suppose you're right."
"Of course I am." Tim grinned as he held the button for the door while Jimmy stepped off at the Autopsy level. "Thanks for keeping an extra close eye on him for me."
"I'm just glad you're looking after him, too. It's been a long time since I've seen anyone do that." Jimmy replied.
"You mean here at work."
"No, I mean - in general."
"Jordan Hampton?"
"They stopped seeing other. Remember?"
"Maybe. And even if they have, It doesn't mean she hasn't stepped up and been there for him when he needed her." Tim reminded him with rising conviction.
"Well, I don't know if she's even still around but I haven't seen her since she filled in for him back when he was attacked by that woman. I just hope whoever he chooses to replace himself, is ..." Jimmy stopped, unable to adequately voice what he really hoped.
"I hear ya, Jimmy." Tim smiled encouragingly as he reached for the elevator button, signaling that he needed to get back to work. "I'm pretty sure we can trust him to do what's best for NCIS and you."
"Thanks, Tim" Jimmy offered even though he was now talking to the empty air in front of him. Turning on his heel, he took himself into Autopsy and prepared himself to wrap things up down here. It had been a long day and even though it was barely going on seven and only Thursday night, Jimmy felt like it had been a very long week.
"Ah, Mr. Palmer! I wondered where you'd gone to." Ducky greeted him somewhat quietly compared to his former jovial tone that now seemed to be fast becoming a memory.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Mallard. I was talking with Tim for just a minute." Jimmy defended himself quietly.
"That's quite alright, young man. However, if you could be so kind as to set aside some time for me before the week is out, I would greatly appreciate it as I need to speak with you and soon, my dear boy."
"Certainly, Doctor Mallard. Any time that works for you is good for me. Would you like to go out for dinner? We could talk then and it would be my treat?" Jimmy offered genuinely.
"I do apologies, Jimmy, but I'm afraid I'm much too tired to go out as such. However, I would be happy to have you over for an after dinner drink, perhaps? Tonight would be fine. After all, there is no time like the present, hmm?"
"Sure, that would be fine. What time would you like me to come?"
"Well, it's nearly seven now. Why don't you just plan on coming over whenever you can get there."
Jimmy smiled. "It shouldn't take but maybe thirty minutes. I can be there by eight at the latest?"
"Fine. Fine. I shall see you then. Have a good evening, Mr. Palmer. You've done a remarkable job not only today but during all of this week, as well. I thank you for that. Now, why don't you skedaddle along and don't forget to come by." Ducky offered encouragingly.
"I'll be there." Jimmy vowed as he headed out in a bit of a hurry, leaving the M.E. behind, still standing in the middle of his work space.
As the elevator doors opened up for Jimmy, he nearly knocked Tim over in his rush to get moving. The agent was quick to steady the younger man and try to slow him down even though he was smiling at his exuberance. "Slow down, Jimmy. Where's the fire?"
"Dr. Mallard's house - eight o'clock tonight." Jimmy answered cryptically as he hit the button for the floor he needed - without saying anything else.
Tim frowned as he turned and headed into Autopsy. "Ducky. Are you alright?" He asked the older man who seemed to be frozen in place, his eyes stuck on the door Jimmy and Tim had both just used.
"Hmm? Oh, Timothy! I trust your presence means that you are done for the day and have come to drive me home?" Ducky asked with more jovial spirit than he'd shown in the week before but still, Tim remained worried.
"You okay?"
"I am fine, dear boy. Now, are you ready to head for home?"
"Sure. Let's go."
"I do believe I'm almost tempted to ask you to let me drive, Timothy." Ducky joked with his usual smile in place.
Tim couldn't help but catch the humorous mood and give back in kind. "Thank you Ducky. But I think I'd much more comfortable if we both stuck to what we know, especially with our vehicles if it's alright with you." Tim hedged cautiously.
"Of course, dear boy." Ducky smiled like a cat that had just spotted the cream. "I wouldn't have expected any differently."
"Thanks for understanding." the younger man answered almost shyly, as if he'd been embarrassed to turn down the older man's request to drive the sporty Porsche Boxter.
"Rest assured dear boy, I most certainly do understand." Without further ado, the M.E. got in the car and fastened his seat belt in preparation for the drive home.
Tim wanted to talk to him but didn't want to give him a reason to be concerned about the ride home and so he kept his mouth shut until they reached the driveway and he'd turned the car off. "Ducky, do you mind if I ask you something?"
"Not at all, young man." Ducky was surprised Tim would even feel the need to ask such a thing.
"Are you getting ready to retire on us?" Tim's question was full of dread since he feared he and Jimmy were both right.
Ducky breathed out a sigh of tired resignation. He'd known this conversation had been coming from this astute young man who'd been both staying with him and watching him carefully over the past several weeks. He hadn't missed the concern in Tim's eyes or the way he'd taken extra steps to save Ducky some work - around the house and with making sure he ate and got enough sleep, as well as with the driving back and forth to work.
Still, the idea of having this conversation more than once drained him. With the upcoming arrival of his Assistant for this very conversation, the M.E. decided that he would just confide in both of them at once, saving him the trouble of having to repeat himself.
This brought to mind his good friend Leroy Jethro Gibbs. When the younger man who led the MCRT had fled to Mexico some years back when the job and the injuries had become too much in the wake of having been in a coma and the subsequent temporary memory loss, Ducky had been angry and it had taken him a very long time to get past that anger.
And although he wasn't fleeing the country or planning on disappearing as the younger man had done, he did feel it was only right that he alert Jethro in person of this major change both in their working relationship and in his personal life and soon. In fact, in his normal thought process, he would have already had the discussion he was now realizing he still needed to have. It was a priority. In fact, he'd take care of it in the morning, first thing.
Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, Ducky finally addressed the young man, but not to answer his question; at least not yet. "Timothy, I will need to get to work early in the morning. I will drive myself in so you do not have to be ready so early."
"Ducky, it's not a problem. I don't mind leaving here early and I'll make myself scarce when we get there. I enjoy getting work done early, before Tony gets there, believe me."
The M.E. couldn't help but smile. "I'm sure the level of peace and quiet is quite remarkable that early in the day."
"Definitely. There's nothing like it." Tim admitted. "Guess this means you're not going to answer my question, huh?"
"Not at all, Timothy. It simply means I need to await my after-dinner guest's arrival before we can begin to discuss the matter further, as I would prefer to have this discussion only once." The M.E. stepped out of the car without another word and headed inside the house without looking back or even waiting for Tim.
Ducky's abrupt departure from the car left Tim feeling like he'd just pissed the man off. He seriously hoped he hadn't. Letting out a deep sigh, he got out of the car, locked it up and followed in the older man's wake, into the house, hoping he hadn't just seriously mucked things up.
***NCIS***
By the time eight o'clock had almost rolled around, Tim was nervous even though he was also deliberately keeping himself busy with preparing coffee and tea and even setting up a small plate of crackers, all so Ducky wouldn't have to go through the trouble. It had become Tim's habit to do all he could for him since the day he'd glimpsed the man's frailty; he didn't seem to be able to stop doing it. Luckily, Ducky had yet to complain about it, just as he had yet to comment on it.
Leaving the snacks and drinks set up in the den where he'd requested they sit and get comfortable, Tim headed to the door to save the older man the trouble of getting up. Even though it was only eight and Ducky didn't appear to be near as tired as he'd been lately, Tim had already programmed himself to do all he could for him and so had stopped asking if he wanted it done, but instead continued to do things like answer the door for him.
Admitting Jimmy into the house, Tim quietly led him to the study where Ducky immediately bid him welcome and invited him to help himself to food or drink so they could talk.
Jimmy wore his nervousness as clearly as he was wearing his shirt and it nearly broke Ducky's heart to see it. He knew the change would be hardest on his Assistant but he also knew the lad was actually more than ready to move ahead, if he so chose. Change was as inevitable in life as it was hard. It was unfortunate that the time for this change had come; made all the more difficult and painful for the young people who would be left behind to carry on and learn to cope and adapt to that change rather quickly as the job demanded it.
With that thought, came the reminder of the upcoming necessary conversation with Jethro. Talking with the Director had been hard enough, they weren't even close to the friends he, and Gibbs had been all these years. Ducky only hoped the younger man would be able to set his initial reaction aside and be there for him as the long-time friend he'd been through thick and thin until now, but he certainly wouldn't hold it against him if it took him some time to adjust first.
Looking at the young men before him now, waiting to hear what he had to say, brought Ducky;s heart up to his throat. With a calmed breath, he opened his mouth and began the conversation exactly where he needed it to go.
"Gentlemen, I do not wish to delay this conversation any longer so I shall come directly to the point. Jimmy, I can see your unease and worry as clearly as I see the shirt on your back. I do apologize, for I did not mean to bring things to such a point."
"It's okay, Dr. Mallard. I know you've had a lot on your mind." Jimmy let him off the hook quietly.
"Thank you for your understanding, dear boy. Now, Timothy, you asked me outright for an answer earlier this evening and Jimmy, I believe you are concerned as well. I'm sure you've been worried that things are beginning to change at work." Ducky offered sympathetically.
As the two younger men nodded in agreement, he forged ahead, knowing this next bit would be the hardest to get out and to get through. "Unfortunately, Jimmy, in that, you are correct. In fact, you are both quite correct. I am retiring."
"I see." Jimmy managed to get out. "How soon, Dr. Mallard?"
"Very soon, I'm afraid. In fact, my retirement will take effect two weeks from today."