"When did you become an expert on the living Duck?" Gibbs asked as he listened to machines surrounding his friend in the back ground.
"Ever since I became one Jethro…" They shared a short laugh, before the elderly man fell into a coughing fit. "Forgive me…"
"Don't apologize…"
"It's a sign of weakness…" They finished together and shared another short laugh.
"No more a sign of weakness, than an elderly man on his death bed I'm afraid…"
Gibbs eyes saddened at the sound of the word and he averted them towards the window. Ducky reached out and held Gibbs chin his hand as he directed his gaze back towards him. "Looking away, won't make it go away my dear boy…you know that better than me, I'm afraid…"
"Seen a lot of death in my day Duck…it doesn't get any easier…"
"Well perhaps not, but you must do me this favor…"
"Anything…"
He forced a smile onto his face. "Remember the good times…forget the autopsies, forget the cases, forget the injustice….remember our dinners, remember our silly arguments and for heavens sake remember my stories…"
Gibbs stifled a laugh as the lump in his throat grew bigger. "I wont ever forget Doctor." He placed his hand on friend's forehead. "I won't ever forget."