Jackson: He spent all this time out in the garage working on some project…we didn't even have electricity out there…

--

After stepping foot onto his basement steps he couldn't help but stand there for a moment and stare down at the unfinished project. His trip home had caused a flood of memories to spring forth; recalling every project he had never finished. It was a long list. Then he couldn't help but remember all the boats that had come before this one. Everyone he'd never gotten quite right. But somehow a new determination had risen up inside him. This one he would finish. This one he'd take out on the water. This one he'd enjoy.

He took each step in stride and arrived at his work bench. He set out a few materials before he saw a familiar face making its way down the stairs. "Duck?"

"Evening Jethro…"

Gibbs looked a bit confused. "Something I should know about?"

"Other than my Mother's birthday dinner? No."

He almost head slapped himself. "Ah Duck; I completely forgot…we just got in an hour ago. Been a long couple days."

"I can only imagine. Care to indulge me?"

Gibbs nodded. "Care to work?"

Ducky removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves. "Little manual labor never hurt anyone."

Gibbs had to smile. "What do you want to know Duck?"

"Well anything pertinent…no need to carry on with endless details."

He hid a laugh before starting his work. "We got the guy. I got a new car. 'Bout it."

"I see. Well I got that out of Abigail within the first thirty seconds of our conversation. I was hoping for a bit more."

"Surprised you didn't come see for yourself Duck."

"I was tempted. Unfortunately I work for more investigators than just you Jethro. Not to mention the preparation for Mother's dinner, didn't want to disappoint my guests."

Gibbs picked up on his tone. "I would've been there, you know that. Just something my Dad said got me all fired up."

"Fathers can have that affect. What was it he said?"

Gibbs shrugged it off. "Just something about all the projects I used to work on. Made me realize how many I didn't finish…"

"And you now have a renewed determination to see this one thru?"

He nodded and ran a hand over the hull. "I'm gonna finish her."

"That you will my boy." He was silent for a moment as he examined the look in his friend's eyes. "Unfinished projects weren't all that was recollected was it Jethro?"

Gibbs shook his head and gestured towards his work bench. "Now that question calls for a night cap."

"You wouldn't happen to have any brandy?" He watched Gibbs send him a quiet smile before handing him a glass of scotch. "Shaken not stirred?"

"You been hanging out with DiNozzo?"

He stifled a laugh as he held the glass up in the air. "What shall we drink to?"

"The future."