Hey! Here's a new story. In my writing group we were talking about the fact that we never really find out HOW Palmer met Breena. This is my idea of how it could have happened. This will be a little different then my usual style. It will be in first person from each of their points of view. Please read AND review! Thanks!
Palmer's POV
I was cleaning up the autopsy lab after finishing a particularly gruesome case. I had just put away the cleaning supplies when my cellphone rang.
I answered it without looking at the ID. "James Palmer here."
"Jimmy, it's Jacob." stated the voice on the other end. My dad had killed himself after years of PTSD due to Vietnam. Jacob Stanton is my stepdad of three years, and if he was calling, the news couldn't be good at all.
"Hi, Jacob. What's going on?" I asked nervously.
"Boy, there's no easy way to say this. Your mom's gone." he told me.
"Gone? Gone where?" I inquired, trying to pretend I didn't know what he meant.
He sighed. "She's dead, Jimmy."
"WHAT?! Are you sure?! How do you know?! HOW did it happen?!" I demanded running a trembling hand through my hair.
"She was asleep when I woke up this morning, or so I thought. I got up to make coffee. When I went back to check on her a few minutes later, I noticed she wasn't moving. When I tried to wake her, she didn't wake up. She must have passed in her sleep." Jacob calmly explained.
I forced myself to focus and stammered, "O-ok. I'll just...I'll just wrap up here and be right over."
"Alright. I just thought you should know. See you then." Jacob answered abruptly before hanging up. I sunk down into the desk chair and put my head in my hands.
A few minutes later I heard Dr. Mallard enter and start to ask, "Mr. Palmer, have you finished clea..."
I looked up slowly when he stopped short. I quickly wiped my eyes and began gathered my things and answered, "Just finished, Dr. Mallard. I'll see you tomorrow."
Before I could rush out of the room, I felt his hand on my shoulder. "My boy, what is wrong?"
"Nothing. I just need to get going." I lied.
"Jimmy?" Dr. Mallard repeated.
That stopped me in my tracks. He hardly ever calls me by my first name. I knew then it was pointless to avoid the subject. "My stepdad just called. My... mom... She..." I couldn't finish.
"She what, my boy?" came the gentle question.
"She died." I replied in a little above a whisper.
"Oh, dear. I am so sorry." was the reply.
"I'm heading over to their house now. I need to talk to Director Vance about bereavement leave." I explained.
"You go up and do that. I will gather my things and drive you. We can return for your car later." my mentor offered.
"You don't have to do that, Dr. Mallard." I tried to dissuade him.
He gave me a pat on the back and insisted, "Nonsense. You shouldn't be alone at a time like this. You shouldn't be driving when you are so upset."
"Ok. Thanks. I'll meet you in the parking lot." I relented.
Dr. Mallard agreed and about twenty minutes later, we were in heading out in his little foreign car.
He got me to my mom's house and stayed with Jacob and me, supporting us in any way we needed. Jacob and I discussed the funeral arrangements and it was decided that I would go to the funeral parlor to make the arrangements with them the next day. Dr. Mallard took me back to my place and told me he would pick me up the next day and accompany me to the funeral parlor the next morning. Last thing I remember after that was collapsing into bed with pure exhaustion.
Breena's POV
I sat at the reception desk at nine AM. My dad came in and asked, "Dumpling, do I have any appointments in the next hour?"
"Yes, Dad. A Mr. James Palmer is coming in at ten AM to make arrangements for his mother, Eunice."
"Send them in when they arrive." came the order.
"Will do." I replied.
It wasn't long before the customer arrived. I looked up into the saddest but most beautiful hazel eyes I've ever seen.
"May I help you?" I asked.
"Um, I'm James Palmer. I'm here to see an Edward Slater regarding funeral arrangements for my mother, Eunice Palmer." the man haltingly replied.
"Oh! Of course. I'm his daughter Breena Slater. I help my father run this place. If you could wait over there, I'll go tell my father you're here."
"Thank you, Ms. Slater."
"Would either of you care for something to drink? Water? Tea? Coffee?"
"I'd like some water, if that's alright." said the sad man, softly.
"Ah yes. And some tea for me, if you please." added the older man with him, speaking with what sounded like a British accent. I later found out that his name was Dr. Donald Mallard and that he was there to support Mr. Palmer
I got them the drinks and then headed to the back room. "Mr. Palmer is here, Daddy."
"Thanks, honey. Tell them I'll be right with them." I gave a short nod and left the room.
"My father will be right with you." I informed the two men once I returned to the waiting room. I tried not to stare at the adorable man with the sad eyes. It really wasn't the appropriate time for flirting. When I looked up a few seconds later, I caught him looking at me. He smiled a small smile at me before looking away. Daddy came in and called the two men back not long after that. Dr. Mallard declined, but Mr. Palmer insisted. He seemed to be anxious about the whole thing. I wondered where his actual father was.
The two men stayed in with my father for half an hour. Before they left, Mr. Palmer told me goodbye and thanked me for my help and kindness.
He came by again the next day with his stepfather to bring an outfit to dress Eunice's body in. I helped prepare Eunice so she looked beautiful. I feel that the families deserve to remember their loved ones looking their best.
At the funeral, I couldn't help tearing up when I saw Mr. Palmer with tears on his face. I couldn't understand it. A funeral had never affected me this way before.
There was no way I would let myself believe that I was attracted to Mr. Palmer. He was a customer and nothing more.
After the service, Mr. Palmer approached me and said, "Thank you for making my mother so beautiful. You did a wonderful job."
"I do what I can, Mr. Palmer." I replied.
"Please, call me Jimmy.
"Well then, you can call me Breena." I permitted.
"Thank you again for everything, Breena." He said to me. With another squeeze of my hand, he left with Dr. Mallard and his stepdad and other family members.
Palmer's POV
I was on leave for a week, and when it was time to go back I was really ready. It was nice to see the little biological family I had left but I was actually getting homesick for autopsy and my NCIS family. When I walked into the building, I was hugged by Ziva and received pats on the back and handshakes from Tim and Tony.
Gibbs gave me a gruff, "Good to have you back Palmer." and Dr. Mallard greeted me with a hug as I reached the elevator. Before going down to Autopsy, I headed to Abby's lab.
As soon I called out her name, she came running and threw herself into my arms. "Jimmy! Welcome back. I'm SO sorry about your mom. Are you ok?"
I pulled away and told her, "Well, honestly I still feel a little shaken up. I guess I just didn't think this would happen for another twenty years." She rubbed my shoulder and gave me a sad smile.
"So Ducky told me the daughter of the funeral home owner is really pretty. AND she couldn't keep her eyes off of you.
I felt my face grow hot as I cleared my throat. "Well, um, I guess she could have been pretty. I was kind of preoccupied with, you know, my mom's funeral arrangements."
Abby gave me a look that clearly told me she didn't believe me. So I added," I mean, she probably is friendly to all the customers. It IS her job."
Abby raised her eyebrows. "Jimmy."
"She's beautiful. I'm not her type." was my next excuse.
"Jimmy Palmer! Stop putting yourself down! Any girl would be lucky to have you. You're sweet, loyal, smart, and also very good looking. You should go for it." Abby insisted.
I hesitated. "I don't know. I didn't get her number."
Abby scoffed and reminded me, "Jimmy, you know where she works. Just go to the funeral parlor and ask her out."
"I guess I could do that. I'll go on my lunch break." I decided.
"Good plan. Now get outta here. We both have work to do." Abby ordered with what I hoped was mock sternness.
"Thanks, Abby." I declared, giving her another hug before heading to the elevator.
Breena's POV
It was early afternoon and I was hungry. It was almost time for my lunch break. I quickly finished up the spreadsheets and called out, "Daddy, I'm going to lunch. Want me to bring you back anything?"
"That's ok, Dumpling. I brought my lunch today." was his reply.
"Ok. Be back in a while." I answered before getting my coat and heading towards the door. At that moment the door opened and the last person I ever expected to see entered the reception area. "Jimmy? What are you doing here?"
"H-hi, Breena. I, um, well I think you're very nice. I was impressed by the way you treated me when I came in last week for my mom's funeral. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you."
I giggled nervously. "I thought about you, too. I wondered how you were doing."
"I'm doing well. I'm back at work. I'm actually on my lunch break. But that's not why I'm here."
"It's not?" I questioned.
Jimmy shook his head and stated timidly, "No. I-I really wanted to ask you... Well, would you maybe like to go to a concert or a movie or something, sometime?" And just like that, I was rendered speechless.
Well, there's the first chapter. Will Breena say yes the first time or will Palmer have some hard work ahead of him? This will be a two shot, so the answer will be in the next chapter. Tune in Saturday to find out. Thanks! Catch ya later!