It was chaotic when they entered autopsy and Gibbs own fear became a reality when he saw his friend at the brink of death…
"Oh Jethro…knew you'd come…"
"Sorry it took me so long Duck. They wouldn't let me in the building."
"I find that hard…" he coughed violently. "To believe."
"Believe it." Gibbs reached across him to make his wounds fully visible. "Get a damn stretcher over here!"
Ducky stared intently up at his friend and managed a wry smile. "This reminds me of the time…"
Gibbs watched as his friend's face lost all expression and knew right then, he'd been too late. Too late to save him, too late to do what he'd promised and too late to hear the last story his friend would ever share…
