DiNozzo's plan was good, but risky, it was simple to walk into the barn, place McGee as close to Ducky as possible, then take down Sproule and Fallaise – Gibbs wasn't 100% sure about it, but after some tweaking, the team came up with something they felt comfortable working with.
Again the team cautiously approached the barn and took their positions. With a nodded it was a quick one, two, three, four through the door, and waiting inside were Sproule and Fallaise. They had Ducky standing in front of them by about ten feet, while they stood about the same distance apart, forming a triangle, more or less.
"Ducky, are you okay?" Gibbs asked as he stared down the barrel of his gun which was pointed at Sproule.
Mallard steadied himself, trying not to put any weight on his leg, "I've been better, Jethro," he said awkwardly.
"Shut up Doctor," Sproule barked. His gun was on Gibbs, while Fallaise's was aimed at the doctor.
McGee stepped forward and crouched down, placing his gun on the floor, before he stood up slowly watching each man. He inched forward until he was ordered to stop – he kept his hands visible and his eyes shifted back and forth to each man. Ducky stared at McGee knowing the young agent had placed his life on the line in what seems like a hopeless situation.
"Drop the gun, Sproule. You too Fallaise," Gibbs ordered as DiNozzo and David took their places. Tony's gun was fixed on Sproule while Ziva was ready to take out Fallaise. The room was silent until, Sproule opened fire. His shot, grazed Jethro's left leg, throwing him to the ground where instantly McGee moved to get Ducky out of harm's way, but he reeled hard sideway and to the floor with the shot from Fallaise's gun. Tony hit Sproule in the upper chest causing him to fly backward while both Ziva and Gibbs fired at Fallaise who dropped awkwardly to the ground. Again the room was silent.
"Jethro, you've been hit," Mallard observed.
Tim slowly sat up as Gibbs limped forward, "McGee?"
"I'm all right, Boss. The vest took it," he said as he slowly got to his feet - his side hurting like hell.
Gibbs moved closer to the medical examiner who now had a strange look on his face. Gibbs' eyes widened, "Ducky, you've been hit," he said moving to his friend as Ducky slowly looked down and swallowed deeply, "So I have," he whispered as he opened his suit coat revealing the wound to his lower right side. His blue shirt was quickly stained deep red and he began to sink to his knees, but Gibbs caught him and helped him to the floor; cradling him in his arm as he used his free hand to try to stop the bleeding, "Get and ambulance now!" he yelled. Tony ran hell bent for leather out to the cars; surely to God the two way radios would reach Bethesda Naval Hospital and NCIS Headquarters.
Ducky blinked, "I'm cold," he said looking up at Gibbs. He had a strange look on his face, one of betrayal mixed with personal hurt.
Gibbs nodded, "Get a blanket from the car," he looked at Tim who nodded and quickly dashed off.
"Hold on Duck," Gibbs said pulling his friend closer to his body, hoping to help warm him. Gibbs untied the doctor's bowtie and undid the top two buttons of his shirt hoping to help him feel more comfortable. "I want everything bagged and tagged," he stated as he stared across the floor at the single shell casing that he fired. He drew a deep breath and looked down at his now unconscious friend and began to wonder if in fact he had shot Ducky. "Hold on, Ducky," He whispered and hugged Mallard gently. Gibbs closed his eyes praying that it wasn't his bullet.
Tony was able to get through to the hospital and also Director Vance, who had spread the word about the shooting.
The ambulance arrived at the scene within a half and hour and the paramedics were quick to get Ducky stabilized, onto the gurney and into the back of the ambulance. Jimmy Palmer arrived on the scene with several other agents that Vance send to investigate and collect evidence, there was hardly any banter as Ziva, Tony and Tim watched Gibbs with the paramedics and Ducky.
"He feels responsible," David said.
"We don't know yet," McGee snapped.
"Let's get his mess sorted out," DiNozzo finally ordered and began to take photographs.
Gibbs climbed into the back of the ambulance and one of the EMS workers closed the door, patting it hard a few times indicating that they were ready to roll. The yard was light with flashing red, whit and blue lights and anyone near by must sure be wondering what was happing at the abandoned farm. The ambulance left, leaving the NCIS team to finish mapping, photographing and tagging the evidence and when all was said done, there were exactly five shots fired and five shell casings – one bullet hit Fallaise – one hit Sproule – one hit McGee – one hit Gibbs – only four were fully accounted for, unless they factored in the one that hit Ducky and things were not looking good for Jethro Gibbs – perhaps his off balanced shot in fact did hit Ducky.
Abby and Director Vance were at the hospital when the ambulance pulled in. Several doctors were also there as the back doors opened and the gurney with Ducky was carefully pulled out and quickly wheeled into emergency. Gibbs was slower to get out of the ambulance – his leg now bothering him as he too limped toward the opened doors.
Abby rushed forward, "Oh, Gibbs!" she said throwing her arms around Jethro's neck. "What happened?" she asked as she backed off.
Gibbs looked terrible, "I don't know. It happened so quickly," he said in a hushed voice.
"How is Doctor Mallard?" Vance asked as he stepped forward and assisted Gibbs into the hospital.
"The medics say he's stable," Gibbs said looking over to Abby who stood holding her farting hippo, Bert, tightly to her chest. It was rare that she would take the push toy out of her lab, but given the circumstances it seemed somehow appropriate.
ER was a hustle of activity surrounding Ducky. Gibbs stood watching and slowly looked over to Abby, "That could be my bullet," he said. Abby didn't know how to respond to what Gibbs just said, "It can't be," she said softly. "You'll see," she smiled slightly and wrapped her arm through Jethro's squeezing gently for comfort. Gibbs sighed and looked over to one of the doctors who was working on Mallard, "I want that bullet," he said firmly.
"We'll get that in surgery," the doctor reported solemnly. "This man is in pretty bad shape," he stated as they wheeled Ducky off to the operation room.