Tony had already been wheeled back to his room and was very much asleep when Gibbs came calling. He had sat in that car for hours outside the hospital just waiting to see if he should really go in. He got his answer though, when he saw the light go off in Tony's room. His hand was planted to his shoulder as he walked into Kate's room, "Hey Duck." His tone was flat, dry, and held a tired twang to it.

"My dear what is it Jethro? Something is quite wrong with you, I don't believe I've ever seen you so...dishelved."

"All men have their breaking points..."

"Yes but you are not all men, you are Leroy Jethro Gibbs Senior NCIS Agent. Not all men."

"Ducky...I don't need this now..."

"Yes you do."

"No, I really don't."

"Need has no law Jethro, you can't fight what you need."

"Fine do whatever you want, but don't expect me to listen."

"Now Leroy Jethro Gibbs, I give you and your team plently of leave when I talk of medicine. But tonight you will not get out of listening to me!" For once Ducky was angry, and horribly so his voice alerted Gibbs that he was in no mood for messing with him tonight and he reluctantly nodded. "Very well then, have you ever heard of the musician called Meat Loaf?"

"Ducky...I don't get music." Gibbs stated plainly his head directed towards the ground.

"Yes well, I knew that I was hoping though." He mused before going on, "Anyway he made a song called A Kiss is a Terrible Thing To Waste..."

"I don't need anything about love right now..."

"It's not about love, now shut up." Ducky spoke once more with an angry tone, "One line states, 'The loneliest words you'll ever know 'If only if only it were so,' The emptiest words that there'll ever be, 'It coulda been me, It coulda been me.' I do believe that line has signifigance here Jethro. You can't keep living as if you could change what happened to Abigal or to Rebecca. Even Caitlyn and Tony, who are remarkably alive owe no grievance to you for their injuries. It is not your fault and if you keep playing the 'If only' game then we will be burying three very good people. I personally can't stand putting to rest another friend Jethro..."

"Duck..."

"No you listen and that is final," He shoved a finger in Gibbs' face and just glared at him until Gibbs dropped his gaze once more. "Yes it could be you laid out on my autopsy room table tonight but it's not and you are going to have to get over that fact Jethro, because personally I'm grateful to Rebecca and Abigal for taking your place. This world needs you, and that was proven today."

"Ducky...I...I'm sorry."

"You better be Jethro."

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Sorry for the delay and for the shortness but alas it has been a busy couple days. I'll try to get this up sooner but I really wanted to leave it as the two understanding each other. This storry is a long time coming, and I suppose I want to make it the best I can. So if there is a delay, don't worry the chapter will be coming just slower than normal. That usually happens when I don't have any inspiration, but once it's there you have your chapter.

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