Disclaimer: It's copyrighted. It doesn't belong to me. I'm only writing fanfiction. I'm definitely NOT making money off of this.

Authors Note: I left Gibbs and Ducky for last in this arc because I knew they'd be the toughest to write. They didn't disappoint me. I tore up Ducky's story twice before I settled on this one. And I'm not really sure about this one. Anyway, this brings to an end my tags for "A Man Walks Into A Bar". This series of chapters has made my story "You Can See A Lot Just By Observing" the most popular in my portfolio. For that I'd like to thank everybody who put it in their favorites, and on their alert list. As usual a big Thank You to my regulars who read my stuff and review it. I'd also like to thank some new readers who apparently liked this story enough to drop a review. So, Madances, katesari, Long Live BRUCAS, Kristi, xteamgibbsx, anna, mikiss, luzma, Livy, Angelus 320, Is, thanks a lot. If I missed anyone trust me it wasn't intentional. So enough author BS, on with the story!

Spoilers: See the previous chapters. I've given you guys enough warning.

Autopsy, NCIS HQ, 1710hrs.

Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard surveyed his domain. All the "guests" of the Mallard Inn were in their "rooms" and the Autopsy suite was sparkling clean, ready for whatever tomorrow might bring.

Mr. Palmer really did a very nice job. I must remember to compliment him tomorrow.

Dr. Mallard pulled on his coat and grabbed his hat heading for the door. As he reached the light switch, the door swished open and Forensic tech Abby Sciuto wearing her coat stepped in, pigtails bobbing.

"C'mon Duckman, the others are already headed out!"

Chuckling, Ducky flipped off the lights and stepped into the corridor causing Abby to back up.

"Coming my dear. Is Gibbs joining us?"

Abby made a face.

"No, he's in MTAC with the Director. It's just you, me, Tony, Timmy, and Ziva. Jimmy's got class."

The last few days had been caseless, so Abby decided an all hands trip to Charlie's was in order. As they walked to the elevator, Ducky offered his arm and Abby placed her arm through his.

"Lead on kindly light."

Charlie's Bar 1725hrs.

The group of NCIS agents pushed through the doors of Charlie's. Seamus Dolan the evening bartender looked up from the drink he was pouring at the service bar. He smiled and gave a little wave at the chorus of "Hi Seamus'" that greeted him. Charlie's was hopping. Between March Madness and it being payday, the joint was jumping. The group took the last vacant table in the bar area. Seamus was wiping his hands on a bar towel as Team Gibbs' waitress walked up.

"Two Glenlivet's , one on the rocks, one neat, a Zombie, a Harps, and a mojito."

"Got it Rose."

Seamus swiftly turned to and the drinks rapidly appeared on Rose's tray. As she picked it up, Dolan spoke.

"Tell 'em this round is on me."

Rose cocked an eyebrow.

"I don't think Frank is gonna like that."

"Rosie darlin' you leave our esteemed manager to me. Just serve the nice people their drinks, eh."

The owner of Charlie's gave Seamus some leeway when it came to handing out freebies. Frank didn't like that, but the boss was an old Navy man and told him to just get over it. Dolan didn't abuse the privilege so Frank had to swallow it. There was another big rush, so Seamus sort of lost track of Team Gibbs. When he finally had a chance to look up their table was empty. From his left he heard a voice with a Scottish burr.

"Can I get a refill my good man?"

Seamus turned to look into the smiling face of Dr. Mallard.

"Sure Doc. Comin' right up."

Ducky watched the bartender retreat down the bar to make the drink. He'd never spoken to Dolan much, mainly because he wasn't in Charlie's much. Over the last ten days however, he'd heard Dolan's name a lot. Apparently the team came to Charlie's individually to drink and talk to Dolan. Uncharacteristically it made Ducky a little jealous. Usually his friends came to him with their problems. Ducky smiled to himself.

O beware my lord, of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.

"Here ya go Doc."

Dolan's voice snapped Ducky back to the here and now.

"Thank you Dolan. And thank you for the drink earlier."

"Ta' failte romhat."

Ducky smiled delightedly.

"You speak Gaelic?"

"Aye, my folks kept the old language alive at home. I had to take lessons three times a week until high school."

"And then?"

Seamus smiled.

"I had me own little Rebellion. Told my ma and dad that it was unbecoming of a high schooler to be takin' language lessons in a language I'd never use outside the neighborhood."

"What happened?"

"My dad whupped the tar outta me for being so presumptuous. But the lessons stopped."

"So he saw your point?"

"After a fashion I guess. Excuse me Doc.."

Dolan hustled away to serve other customers. Ducky watched him as he traded digs and laughter with the other patrons. Ducky nursed his drink and eventually Dolan made his way back.

"Can I get you another Doc?"

"No thanks, and call me Ducky please. All my friends do."

"Sure Ducky."

Dr Mallard took note of the tattoos on Seamus' forearms. Knowing that Seamus served in Vietnam he gestured.

"We have something in common, I too was in Vietnam. Where were you stationed?"

Dolan smiled and propped a foot on the bar.

"Dong Tam. You?"

Ducky leaned back.

"Vung Tau. I was seconded from the Royal Army Medical Corps to the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps. The idea was to give RAMC surgeons combat medical experience in case the Russians came over the border in Germany. I was at the First Australian Field Hospital."

Dolan nodded.

"I was there in '68. You?"

"1969."

"Same-same. Number 10 all around."

Ducky laughed.

"Indeed. Then you came home and became a Boston policeman."

"Yeah, in my neighborhood you either became a cop, a crook or a priest."

From down the bar came a voice.

"Hey Dolan! Ya gonna bullshit or tend bar?"

"Excuse me Ducky. Hold your water you, I'm comin'."

When Seamus returned, he propped his foot on the bar again.

"So what brought the crew out tonight?"

"Well, we haven't been out as a group for a while. Abby thought it would be good for morale. It's been a trying couple of weeks."

"Kate's sister?"

"Quite. Having her here opened doors some people would have preferred to keep closed."

"I know. Everybody's been in here at one time or another. Except you of course Doc."

"Caitlin's death like those in Vietnam defy justification. But I mourned her as much as the others. One thing age does is offer some perspective. Plus unlike Anthony and Timothy I was not with her day in and day out. Nor was I her best friend as Abby was."

Ducky's face grew sad.

"She was what Mother would have called 'plucky'. She gave both Gibbs and DiNozzo as good as she got."

The doctor's face then grew stony.

"And nothing gave me more satisfaction as being able to weigh Ari's liver."

Dolan's face remained impassive.

Sounds like even though he didn't need to, he needed to vent some.

Ducky finished the last of his scotch.

"And now I'll bid you good evening Seamus. I think I shall stop in more often. Maybe we could compare Vietnam experiences."

"I'd like that Doc. Stop in anytime."

With a wave Dr. Mallard departed for home.

Seamus' apartment, Sunday 1815hrs.

One of the good things about working at Charlie's was Dolan's commute to work. It was very short. He lived over the bar. In the Twenties and early Thirties, the second floor of the bar was a house of ill repute. In the Sixties, after falling into disrepair the second floor was turned into apartments.

So now on his day off he was on the couch dialing his phone. He made this call several times a month. It's been two weeks since his last call. After three rings the phone was picked up.

"Saint Francis Rectory."

"Hello Mrs. Ryan. Can I speak to my brother please?"

"Of course Seamus. Father Dolan!"

There was the sound of the phone being handed off. A softer version of Seamus' voice came over the line.

"Hello?"

Seamus grinned. His younger brother Paddy always was the quiet one.

"Hello squirt, how've ya been keeping…?"

A/N: Kudos to alix33 for figuring out who Seamus talks to. So, the arc comes to an end. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Some Mike stories are next I think.