Letters to Ducky: Year Four: From One Doctor to Another

Dear Dr. Mallard,

Another year has passed and we're settling in to our roles even better than before. Gibbs even seems to enjoy being a consultant now that he's adjusted to the fact that it also made him an assistant director. Vance comes to visit about once a month but he never stays too long. Usually just long enough to rile Gibbs which he could do with a phone call but I think they enjoy the squabbling face to face. Almost like brothers; okay maybe not real brothers but…you get my drift.

Tim's parents retired and amazingly enough are living only a few islands away from my mother. My mom is still living on Maui and Tim's parents moved to Oahu. I guess, from what mom has said, she and Mrs. McGee are starting some sort of bridge club. Your mother used to play bridge didn't she?

I hope you don't mind that I made your house a sort of bed and breakfast for visiting NCIS dignitaries. Well, so far we've had Tim's parents there and Tony's dad even came once. He didn't stay too long though…I get the feeling that the troubled waters in that relationship won't smooth out as quickly as the ones between Agent Gibbs and his father.

Is this considered gossip if no one else sees it?

I started dating…gosh I'm blushing even as I write this. Ziva's been great and yes, she's the one I'm dating at the moment. I didn't think she'd ever see me as anything more than your assistant or now as the chief medical examiner. I did apply for and get an assistant by the way. I had asked Tony for one and he and Tim were great at helping smooth the waters with Vance at getting someone in here.

Abby and Gibbs…I'm honestly not sure what is going on there doctor. At times it seems like they are a couple and at others it's more like they're a father and daughter. Maybe it's just because he's known her for so long and she reminds him of his lost daughter. I guess that could be it.

Tony's little boy Donny…he's such a cutie. For all that he looks like Sarah, he's definitely Tony's son and he loves spending time with his Unca Tim. I know that you were concerned that Tim might not write again, but I think that given enough time, he'll start writing even if it does end up being children's books.

As for Tim and his personal life, honestly Dr. Mallard can the man never catch a break? This last girl seemed perfect…until the day Tony and I sent him home sick and he found his girlfriend in his bed with another man. From what Ziva said, she went with him to make sure he made it okay, he even sicced Jethro on them.

Well, I have to get to work. Our caseload this week hasn't been too bad and I need to finish up some reports before I hand them in to Gibbs. He usually just glances at them before forwarding them to Vance but he does look at them now.

I remain respectfully yours,

Jimmy Palmer

Jimmy sighs as he reads his letter and carefully deletes it from his computer. He'll never admit to writing the letters. At least not to anyone at work and the only one he might admit it to would be the currently absent Tim McGee. Tim is still out sick and Jimmy sighs again, wondering if anyone or anything could be done to help raise the other man's spirits after this latest blow.

"Hello Dr. Palmer."

"Oh, hi Judith. Can you take over for a few hours? I need to go check on a patient of mine and then I'll come right back."

Jimmy smiles at his assistant as she nods her enthusiastic agreement and they head into the other room neither of them noticing the computer screen as it flickers for a moment then turns off again.

Tim McGee's apartment moments later:

Jethro McMutt McGee raises his head briefly then lowers it again as he senses the presence of an old friend. When those same ghostly fingers scratch him behind his ears he sighs his approval and goes back to watching his master sleeping.

Tim is tossing and turning, but calms down as if he can sense the presence of a comforting hand on his forehead.

"Ah, Timothy, you have gotten worn down a bit haven't you my friend? Never fear, I have it on good authority that help is being sent your way. Not the one that usually comes, as she's still deep undercover. For her to break that cover now would be to the detriment of her mission and too many lives are at stake. I need you to relay that message to Jethro when you wake up."

"Ducky"

"Shhh…rest easy dear boy. Here is your help and remember Jethro's message."

"Mission undercover…lives…"

Tim's voice trails off as his faithful companion leads Jimmy Palmer into his bedroom. Jimmy sighs as he sees the condition that Tim is in and picking up his cell phone dials NCIS.

"Autopsy, Judith speaking."

"Judith, it's Dr. Palmer. I'm not going to be back today. Can you finish closing up our current guest and we'll proceed again tomorrow?"

"Of course Dr. Palmer; do you need me to tell anyone else?"

"No, but thank you for asking."

Jimmy hangs up then dials Tony's number.

"DiNozzo here, what's up Black Lung?"

"Tim's still really sick and if he doesn't improve I'm going to insist that he go to the hospital Tony."

"How bad is bad Jimmy?"

"His current temp is 102 degrees. I'm staying with him over the next few hours to see if I can get him cooled down."

Tony looks at Ziva and agent Wilson both of whom are listening in on the conversation with concern. Tony hangs up and smiles when he sees Wilson is already dialing Balboa bringing the other team leader up to speed. Tony runs upstairs to Gibbs office, letting the other man know what's going on. Gibbs doesn't hesitate; he's out the door following Tony who is already on the phone with Sarah.

Gibbs heads for the elevator telling Tony that he'll call him. Tony watches him go a thoughtful look on his face. Ziva comes up to him asking, "What does Gibbs think he can do that Jimmy cannot?"

"Head smack him into believing he's still wanted Zi…"

Ziva nods an angry look crossing her eyes as she recalls walking into Tim's apartment just yesterday and the scene that had greeted them: Tim's supposed girlfriend making out in Tim's bed with one of the agents from the Cyber-crimes unit.

Tim's anger had been such that he'd looked at the dog on the floor and said two words, "get'em." Jethro had started barking and growling and both intruders had hastily donned clothes before running out of the door Jethro snapping at their heels. Ziva had shut the door behind them but the damage to her friend's psyche had already been done.

Gibbs drives like a madman over to Tim's apartment. He's grateful at times like this that he's not a team leader anymore; that he has the added excuse to be out driving as a consultant. Worry for the young computer genius puts an extra bit of lead into his foot as he speeds towards his destination.

Arriving at Tim's he sprints up the stairs and doesn't bother knocking; just lets himself inside. Jimmy is applying a fresh washcloth to Tim's forehead and looks around when Gibbs comes in.

"His fever is starting to break; but he has been asking for you."

Gibbs steps closer to the man on the bed. Tim is starting to toss and turn again and Gibbs silently holds out his hand for the washcloth. Jimmy hands it to him and walks back into the bathroom to get another cloth ready to go.

"Gibbs…"

"I'm here, Tim. Calm down…"

"Ducky…here…"

"Shhh…it's okay, Tim. Ducky can hear you just fine."

"No…Ducky…here…tell…you…"

"Tell me what Tim?"

"Doctor…under…cover…mission…lives…"

"Okay Tim, I get the message. Rest now son, let Jimmy help you."

Gibbs stays there for several minutes helping Jimmy change out the washcloths. Jimmy comes out of the bathroom at one point and looks at Tim who is finally sleeping. Gibbs is sitting there, a poignant look on his face as he sponges Tim's neck and chest and Jimmy has to wonder if Gibbs is actually seeing Tim in front of him or someone else.

"Gibbs?"

"Yeah Jimmy?"

"He's asleep now; and his temperature has dropped. Did you want to stay or shall I call Sarah?"

"I'll stay with him Jimmy. We still need to call DiNozzo though."

"Okay. I'll be in the other room if you need me."

"Jimmy? Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Gibbs sits there, wondering about Tim's words while he was feverish. Did Ducky Mallard actually leave him a message about Laurie Fields? If so, how would he know that she was still undercover? Gibbs runs a hand over his face finally admitting to himself that he misses the blonde haired doctor.

He hasn't missed anyone this much since…Shannon. Oh God, he wasn't falling in love again at his age…he couldn't be!

"Lives at stake…Ducky said…undercover…"

"Shhh…" Gibbs runs a hand over Tim's forehead. It's still a bit warm but not to the extreme it has been.

"Gibbs!"

Tim sits bolt upright and Gibbs grabs him. Jimmy comes running back into the room and helps Gibbs get Tim laid back down.

"Timothy, you did good lad. Now, rest and let Jethro and Jimmy help you recuperate."

"Ducky?"

"Jethro understands lad; go ahead and sleep now; you've done your duty for the day."

Tim finally relaxes and Gibbs looks at Jimmy who smiles wearily.

"It's a restful sleep Gibbs. He'll be fine."

Jimmy pats Gibbs on the shoulder as he heads back to the couch and drops down on it intent on a few minutes of shut-eye before heading back into town. That's where Gibbs finds him, sound asleep half an hour later. The former agent smiles and drapes a blanket over the sleeping doctor before heading into the kitchen to make a fresh pot of coffee.

A/N: Sorry forgot I hadn't posted this yet...and there is still at least one more chapter to come...^_^