Title: Passing the Torch
Rating: K
Disclaimer: Much as I wish they were, Jimmy and Ducky are not mine. No infringement intended.
Summary: Ducky realizes that he's been having an influence on his young assistant. No pairings, just Ducky and Jimmy folks! Oneshot.
Dr. Donald Mallard and his assistant, Mr. Jimmy Palmer, stood on either side of the stainless steel autopsy table, carefully scrutinizing the body before them.
"Even without toxicology, Mr. Palmer, I think we can safely say that this man was three sheets to the wind when he died." Ducky shook his head at the stupidity of their latest unfortunate.
Jimmy took on a thoughtful look. "That's an interesting analogy, Doctor. Actually, that phrase comes from the world of seafaring, and the term sheets refers to one of the types of ropes that held the sails in place." Ducky gave Jimmy an odd look, one that the older man failed to realize was more or less the same look that he received so often from others when he himself began to wander off topic.
"When one of ropes, or sheets, came loose, the sail would flap in the wind," Jimmy continued, waving his hand in the air as a free-flying boat sail might. "When two of them came loose, the ship's progress would become unsteady. But if three of them came loose, they caused the ship to reel, like a drunken sailor."
Ducky gave his assistant a blank look, as he bent over slightly and leaned on the edge of the table with his elbows. Jimmy suddenly looked down at him, and smiled warmly.
"Digression, Mr. Palmer," Ducky started to say, when Jimmy smiled again and held up a finger.
"Is the sincerest form of flattery, Sir."
Ducky smiled. "That's not quite what I was going to say, Jimmy. But it works."
Jimmy grinned at this, then turned, eyes sparkling with mischief and amusement, and picked up a tray of vials. "I'll get these over to Abby right away for toxicology. I think she'll find this guy's BAC will be through the roof."
Ducky watched his assistant thoughtfully as the young man picked up a clipboard and walked out of the morgue, vials and evidence custody documentation in hand. The old man paused a moment as he sighed with sudden contentment and satisfaction.
"Ah, Mr. Palmer," he said to himself softly, "the torch of digression has been successfully passed on to yet another young storyteller. Yes, dear fellow, you will do quite nicely someday."
