Guilt and Reassurances

Jimmy Palmer was a wreck.

Ducky had tried to reassure him that he'd done nothing wrong, but Jimmy would hear nothing of it. "I shouldn't have left them alone, Dr. Mallard. This is my fault."

Ducky shook his head sadly and placed a comforting hand on Jimmy's back. "Jimmy, you couldn't have known, my boy. This is a federal office building, after all. You had every reason to believe they'd be safe by themselves. You were only 10 feet away."

"Ducky's right, Palmer," Tony said from the doorway. "This isn't your fault. I don't blame you and I'm sure McGee doesn't either."

He walked over to the distraught assistant medical examiner. "Jimmy, you've got two kids of your own. You're a great dad and I know you would have fought like a damned wildcat if you could have." But Tony's attempts at reassurance were in vain.

Finally, Tony sat down. "Jimmy, remember when JT was around 6 years old, and he stole your voice recorder?" Ducky smiled. "The young lad filled the entire thing with farting noises." The word sounded odd coming from Ducky. Palmer smiled slightly at the memory. "I went to transcribe my notes and all I could write was "The victim most likely died from chronic flatulence." Tony chuckled softly. "And he had an accomplice, Caitlin was in on it, too. She stole that farting stuffed animal from her Mom's lab for them to use. McGee told me she 'fessed up after Abby discovered it was missing. And in the end, both Caitlin and my adorable son managed to get away with a slap on the wrist."

Jimmy smiled weakly. "They looked at me with those big beautiful eyes… and I didn't have the heart to prosecute," he shrugged.

The three men were silent for a moment, then Tony spoke again. "Palmer, my point is, JT and Katie are smart kids, and they're resourceful. Nobody's more scared than Abby and Tim and I, but we can take comfort in knowing that they're actively trying to help us find them."

Jimmy sighed. "I know, Agent DiNozzo, it's just that… it doesn't matter how smart or resourceful you are when you're 8 years old. The world is still bigger and stronger than you are when you're that young."

Tony glanced sadly at Ducky, who smiled comfortingly at him. Ducky turned his attention to Palmer.

"Jimmy, why don't you take the rest of the day off. I'm sure you will be able to take some measure of comfort from being with your own children. Anyway, I'm sure that Michaela and Jeremy would love to have you around for the afternoon."

Jimmy nodded, then arose, and started towards the door. Tony followed behind him, and before Palmer could exit through the doorway, Tony laid a hand on his arm. "WHEN we find them, we'll let you know, immediately. No worries," he said. "And for the last time, you're a full fledged M.E. now, and we've known each other a long time, long enough now that I really am okay with you calling me Tony. McGee prefers Tim, by the way." Tony smiled warmly.

Jimmy's eyes flashed gratitude, as he said, "Thank you, Agent Di… uh, Tony," then turned around and headed out.

Tony turned back to Ducky. "How is he, REALLY?"

Ducky shook his head sadly. "Terrified, doubting himself, guilt-ridden. All of the expected emotions. He's been severely torn between staying here to ensure for himself that your children are found, and rushing home to reassure himself that his own two are safe." Tony nodded, saying, "Hm." Before he left, he said, "We'll let you know as soon as we have any updates." Ducky thanked him, and then he turned and headed down the hallway.