Spoilers 20x05 - Guardian - if you don't know what happened or haven't seen it, press back now.

So I haven't actually seen the episode yet, but I have seen the synopsis on you tube and I saw that Tim was Acting Director of the agency while Vance was busy. I saw the you tube clip of Jimmy and Tim discussing how he felt to be AD and my mind spiralled.

What if Ducky read that email too? Ducky and Gibbs would remain in touch, they've been friends forever. And we know Gibbs and Tim would remain in contact, they were so close in the end.

So this is my take on the phone call between the two men.


Ducky sat at his NCIS desk in his office, checking through his email. He hadn't ventured far out of his domain for the last week now, very busy with his work when an agency wide memo caught his eye.

He reread the email three times, smiling wider each time he read it. Before picking up his cell phone and dialling the familiar sat phone number.

On the third ring, the person who was at peace, in a happy place answered. "Yeah, Gibbs." he identified himself.

"Ah Jethro. Have I caught you at a bad time?" he asked, his friend was always keeping busy, working with wood or fishing. "How's the weather in Nantok Bay?"

"Cold, Duck. But that's not why you called." Gibbs told his long time friend.

"I've just opened an agency wide memo and you will not believe what I have just read, Jethro." Ducky could scarcely believe it, himself. "As soon as I read it, I knew you would want to know."

"Know what, Duck?" Gibbs asked with a chuckle. He was amused with his friend. Mostly when they spoke, they always managed to avoid discussing NCIS, but in the same breath, Ducky always managed to mention at least someone, mostly Palmer or McGee. The latter man was really good with weekly calls and regular emails, mostly they discussed the kids or his life in Nantok Bay or Tim's life away from work. But he rarely mentioned anything work related and when Gibbs did ask, the question was skilfully deflected. "Don't keep me in suspense."

"Our young Timothy is currently the Acting Director of NCIS." Ducky beamed at him. "Just to think, your green, probationary rookie agent from Norfolk, is now the Acting Director."

"I'm proud of him, Duck." he said, positively beaming and grinning from ear to ear. "Leon and I have been moulding him for the job for the last ten years, at least, maybe more."

"Yes, Doctor Palmer tells me he's feeling apprehensive about it." Ducky said.

"Good, means Tim's not going to mess up. He's going to shine in that role, Duck. When he's apprehensive; that's when he's at his best." Gibbs crowed to him. "Almost makes me wish I was there to see it, Duck."

"He is there because of you. Because you trained him, Jethro. You nurtured him, you moulded him. Maybe it wasn't almost smooth sailing for Timothy, working for you. But he really got into the swing of things and stepped up, after Ziva left. And again when Anthony left." Ducky hypothosised. "With Anthony and Ziva's talents and experience, Timothy was often left in the shadows to flounder."

"But when he shined, he shined brightly. Most of the time, he was my brightest star." Gibbs finished his friends sentence. He knew in the beginning he had played to the shy genius' strength. But after Ziva left, Tim really stepped up. "Wait, it was further back than that. Tim really began to shine, when Vance came on board."

"Ah yes, Vance always appreciated Timothy's talents and his unique skillset, unlike his predecessor, may she rest in peace."

"Duck, how's he doing in the job?" Gibbs interrupted him. He really didn't want to think about Jenny Shepard any more than he had to.

"It's only been a couple of hours, Jethro. Give the lad some time to get acclimatised." Ducky chastised lightly. "I will let you know when I have more. In the meantime, I shall keep an ear to the ground and my nose to the grindstone. Perhaps, Timothy may mention it to you, one day soon. Oh, you and he can not fool me, I know you speak regularly to the dear fellow. After all, he is the father of Poppy's little treasures."

"Not so little these days, Duck." Gibbs quipped with a grin. Delilah had just emailed their school pictures to him, just that morning. " Talk to you soon, Duck."

"Likewise, Jethro."

Gibbs disconnected the call and grinned so hard his face hurt. His heart was bursting with pride and love for the man he has considered his son for the last nineteen years. His Sunday night check in with Tim just got a lot more interesting and he was eager for Sunday hurry up and arrive.