Authors Note: So sorry for the long wait on this one…but I wasn't sure where to go after the previous chapter. I decided to write this one based around Call of Silence. The sequence of events is out of place, mostly because I focused on the parts of the episode that I really liked…like Kate dancing with Youst-it was so sweet…and I'll admit, to this day when I watch the episode I cry a little. So very sorry that this is a short chapter, but its really a filler of sorts. Hopefully after Christmas and New Years I can get back into writing. I really miss it...and I hate that I've had writers block for so long.
"Do you dance?" Youst asks, looking directly at Kate.
She smiles, flattered and a bit shocked at his question. "Yes," she nods, "I do."
Youst straightens out his jacket and offers a hand out to her. He had been telling them about his favorite trumpet player, before this, and of course the three agents had no idea who he was talking about. Kate smiles and takes his offered hand, and rests her cheek on his head as the heels she was wearing made her a few inches taller than the older man.
Youst begins to sing a soft tune, one she's never heard before, and he pushes them around the bullpen. Tony and McGee are watching the scene unfold between Kate and Youst; both have smiles on their faces. Kate's right hand is being held to Youst's heart, she can't fight back the tear that falls from her face as she's dancing with this incredibly sweet old man.
Gibbs watches from the catwalk and smiles to himself. There is no way that this man murdered his buddy as he claims, and he's going to prove it. If not for his peace of mind, then for Kate's-she's already emotionally attached to Youst, and he's not going to let anything happen to him.
KIBBS
Kate's down in autopsy with Ducky and the remains of the man Youst believes he killed. Gibbs walks in with the outdated .45 still in the evidence bag. Ducky begins his examination and finds that there is a dent in the skull. Ducky looks to Kate with sad eyes and back to Gibbs as he is handed the weapon.
Kate silently prays that the weapon doesn't match and when Ducky gives his confirmation that the dent in the skull is a match with the butt of the pistol, Kate can fee a piece of her heart break for the elderly man.
"No, Ducky," Kate says, "There has to be another explanation."
"I'm sorry, Caitlyn," Ducky says, looking at the young woman with sad eyes. "I can't change the facts."
Kate looks to Gibbs, "Jet, you don't really think-"
Pushing a strand of hair out of Kate's eyes Gibbs shakes his head, "I have to believe it until I can prove otherwise, Katie, you know that."
"But, Jet," she says, trying to calm himself down. "You said it yourself. It's survivor's guilt. He didn't kill Wade."
"Kate, I promise you I won't let Faith take him into custody."
KIBBS
Tony, Kate, McGee and Youst are sitting in the bullpen when Faith and two officers walk in. Faith is fuming mad because they failed to deliver Youst to her when they said they would. As Faith is yelling her disapproval of this, Tony moves Youst's tie over to reveal his Medal of Honor. The two officers and Faith quickly stand at attention and salute the older man as Gibbs comes around the corner.
After hearing what the man had to say, Faith agrees to give Gibbs the chance to prove that Youst is suffering from Delayed PTSD. Watching as the scene before her unfolds in the dark interrogation room, Faith's heart breaks for the elderly man. She can't believe that she was really going to bring this eighty-year old in to be charged for a murder that wasn't supposed to end the way it did. She assures Tony and Kate that Youst is free to go and the charges are going to be dropped.
KIBBS
Kate watches from the window outside the sushi bar, and smiles as Jethro and Youst share a shot of something or other. Even if he doesn't want to admit it to anyone else; Jethro really is the sweetest man she's ever known. She walks in and sits next to Jethro and smiles, "Is this seat taken?"
Youst looks over at the new arrival and shakes his head, "For you, young lady, there will always be an open seat."
Gibbs smiles, "The man's got a point."
Kate looks down shyly before giving Jethro the smile reserved only for him as the man who helped them out earlier that day sits down a cup for her as well as her plate of sushi.