AN: I apologize for the long delay with more tags; I hope they will be worth the wait :)
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Palmer: Doctor, look out
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The following morning came sooner than the ME realized and he knew he'd be facing that always difficult notion of 'the show must go on.' He'd done it after countless trials in his life and he would do it now; but first there was someone he needed to speak with.
"Mister Palmer," he began, entering autopsy a few minutes later than his usual arrival time.
"Good morning Doctor." He responded partly out of habit and partly out of nervousness.
"I am fine Jimmy; there is no need to be nervous."
Palmer didn't bother to question how he could've picked up on that from a simple good morning; but it wasn't important. What was important was that Ducky was alright.
"I apologize for being so short with you yesterday; I was a bit out of sorts…"
"No need to apologize Doctor…"
Ducky put his hand up. "But there is a need for gratitude. You not only gave an effort to warn me, but physically removed the woman from hurting me further…I realize that in the madness of the incident I did not thank you, so I am thanking you now." He put his 'good' hand out for Jimmy to take and he did so without hesitation; allowing Ducky to pull him forward into a soft embrace. "Thank you…"
Palmer managed a smile as they released. "Im just glad you're alright."
"Alright is and always will be a relative term Mister Palmer but I am indeed no worse for wear. Shining light into a dark place often brings relief."
The young man quieted himself for a moment. "You know Doctor; this might sound a bit melodramatic…but you're one of the bravest men I know…"
Ducky placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Then the bravest man would be you my boy…"