Abby Scuito hadn't left his side throughout the entire service. He was appreciative but only had one hand free to extend his gratitude to those in attendance. Gibbs stood by as the stoic friend, while Tony, McGee and Ziva stood at a distance in case they were needed. Each of them had met Ducky's mother on occasion, but none of them were as close to her as Gibbs, and of course, Ducky himself.

Gibbs had met her most frequently over the ten plus years he'd known the Doctor. He would never forget the first time they'd met, and how surprised he was to watch Ducky wait on her hand and foot. He truly was a Mama's boy, if Gibbs had ever seen one. At the time it revealed a lot to Gibbs about his new friend and how loyal he would prove himself to be in the future. Gibbs knew that first dinner at the Mallard home, how truly precious a heart his new medical examiner really had.

"Take you home Duck?" Gibbs approached him solemnly after the group had dispersed. Everyone except Abby of course.

"Thank you Jethro." He walked with Abby still clinging to his left arm and gave her a soft kiss before entering through the car door Gibbs had just opened for him. "I'll be alright sweetheart. Thank you for not leaving my side, you are a dear."

Abby returned the kiss. "I have my phone on me 24-7 Duck man, call or text anytime, day or night."

He nodded to ensure her that he would and watched her walk away slowly. "She really is something special Jethro."

Gibbs motioned for him to get in. "Special wouldn't be the word I'd use…" He managed a small smile before closing the car door and heading to the other side. He turned the key over and watched his friend stare relentlessly out the window. "Ready Duck?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

The ride to his home was silent and Gibbs figured he wouldn't be much for talking. Not now. Not after losing so much of what he lived for. He watched his friend get out and walked him to the front door.

"Thank you again Jethro, I'll be okay from here."

Gibbs gave him a kind stare.

"Really, I'm quite capable of being alone."

Gibbs was reluctant. "I can stay."

"I'm flattered, but really, I must face this feat alone."

Gibbs shuffled his feet and thought to himself for a few seconds. "When I lost my family, I thought I needed to be alone, and I pushed everyone away. Shocker, I know. But those first few days were the hardest days of my life, and I regret to this day, not having someone there with me…you don't want to do this alone, not yet."

Ducky was taken aback by the openness of his friend in that moment, but was just as relentless. "I'm not like most people, wouldn't you say?"

"At the very least…but fine. You can't text me 24-7, but you can call."

Ducky nodded. "Will do."

He entered through the front doors and set his things down. It was a full five minutes before he took a step in any direction. Perhaps his friend was right, perhaps it was too soon to be alone. He reached for his keys, and opened the front door to be startled by the familiar face staring back at him.

Gibbs looked down at his watch. "Five minutes…not bad Doctor."

Ducky set his keys down and let his friend in. Perhaps his friend was right; after all, when wasn't he?