A/N: Sorry, I know I was doing semi-well with my updates, but I had a brain clog, and I was busy. But on the bright side (if anyone cares), I went to a Debate meet, and our school- which would be my partner Jeni and I (yes, Jenni and Jeni)-placed 3rd. First tournament ever, and we were 3rd. No one cares, but I thought we were AHmayZING! And now that I'm done, please enjoy the latest installment of True Colours. By the way, does anyone still want me to put summaries of what has happend before I post each chapter?


Ducky smiled softly as he walked back into Autopsy to find Gibbs staring softly at Abby's body. He watched as Gibbs' shoulders heaved silently, and he knew his friend was sobbing, however silently. Ducky thought back about the first time he had met Abby; how she made him smile, and how she had been anything but what he expected.

Ducky shook himself before he got too into the memories of how she had been one way on her interview day, but less than a week later, she had been in pigtails, short skirts and overdone black eyeliner. And more to the point, how she purposely did it to make everyone, even her boss, stare.

Clearing his throat, he walked over to his sobbing friend and lay a hand on his shoulder. To both of their surprise, Gibbs turned and continued his cry on Ducky's shoulder. Ducky awkwardly put an arm around Gibbs and let him cry.

"Jethro," he murmured softly. "Jethro, calm down please."

"I- She- We were- I loved her Duck," he whispered, already collecting himself.

Ducky released his friend and looked him in the eye. "Jethro, we're going to find the bastard, and you're going to kill him. But to do that…" Ducky looked apologetically at the white sheet.

Gibbs followed his gaze and stood squarely in front of the table. "You'll have to cut through me first."

"Jethro, this is ridiculous, move out of my way please."

"No!"

"Jethro, I won't even probe her body with a 40 foot pole, unless you say so, okay? Will that help any?"

Gibbs shook his head stubbornly. "No way, I don't trust you to even pull back the sheet."

"Jethro, be reasonable. What if you hold all of my tools and take them upstairs." Ducky gave him a pointed look, which he obviously misinterpreted.

"Fine then, I will." Gibbs set about picking up all of Ducky's tools; from his stryker saw, which they all still thought looked like a warped golf club; to his weird hammer with a hook thing, that he insisted was just called a hammer with hook; even all the scalpels and razor sharp bread knives.

Gibbs took them upstairs to Abby's lab, locked them away in her cupboard and locked up the lab. When he returned to Autopsy, Ducky was standing looking at him in the doorway, shaking his head. Gibbs merely shrugged, not caring what his friend thought as he strode past him and to the body, determined to treat it as just another victim.

Gibbs stared long and hard at the lifeless body before making a request. "Duck, would you- Cover Abby's head please? And her hands and feet as well?"

"Of course I will Jethro." Ducky smiled at his friend and went to get black tarps. He placed them gently over her head and feet, then covered her hands with little black, hand-shaped bags. "Now, may we start the pre-lim?"

Gibbs nodded and wordlessly helped Ducky take the white sheet off of Abby's body. The white dress was long and had reached her ankles, but now it bunched up around her knees, revealing the long legs she had loved to show off. Gibbs swallowed hard as he took in everything on the outside of her body, carefully making himself focus on the task at hand.

Something slammed against the door, and Gibbs turned to see Kate already rushing into the room. She breezed right past Ducky, almost shoving him out of the way, even as he moved, and up in front of Gibbs. She jammed her finger into his chest.

"How dare you? How dare you?" Hot tears came to her eyes, but she brushed them away impatiently. "You swore to me Gibbs; you swore." She started to cry now, unashamed and not even bothering to wipe away the multitude of tears. "No autopsy; you swore it," she whispered.

Just then, Tony burst in too. "Kate! Leave them alone." He turned sheepishly to Gibbs. "I'm sorry boss, I swear I- I mean, she twisted free and- I'm sorry?" He tried hopefully.

Kate spun around angrily. "He swore to me Tony. I knew this would happen. But no, no one listens to the best friend, because she'd too damn emotional, right?"

She stormed off again with her hands on her hips.

Tony looked from Gibbs to Ducky, then back again. "Sorry, but they were best friends." After he looked sheepishly at his feet, he rushed off, calling Kate's name.

Ducky and Gibbs looked at each other.

"Go home Jethro."

Gibbs shook his head. "We've got to get this done Duck. Just not, you know, not the whole thing…"

"Then you will go home."

"Home? Probably not, but away from here, yes."

Ducky glared at his friend and boss, a very rare thing from anyone, least of all Ducky. "You will go home. Did you ever consider that Ari might be there, waiting for you? You could have a perfect opportunity to get the bastard, before it's too late." Ducky looked over at Abby, then back to Gibbs. "Go now Jethro; she'll wait."

"How do you know he's there Duck?"

Ducky leveled his gaze with the stubborn ass in front of him. "My gut. Now go, before I tie you down and drive you myself."

"But Abby-"

"-Will be fine with me. Kate and Tony can come say goodbye. I'll make them calm down. Go home and relax for an hour or two, even if he's not there."

"Ducky, you know I can't do that. I'll be back as soon as possible. Thanks." Gibbs smiled briefly and hugged his friend. Before Ducky could fully react, Gibbs was out the door and running to his car.

Ducky chuckled. "I love you too, my friend."