Chapter 5

When arrived and walked into autopsy he wasn't surprised to see Ducky there obviously waiting for him; he caught him lowering his phone. Gibbs had to have called to give Ducky some idea what to check for. He knew Tony to well to trust him completely to tell Ducky of all of his injuries.

"Come on Anthony…jump up on one of my tables so I can have a good look at you," requested the ME.

When Tony didn't obey immediately, Ducky added, "Do you really want me to inform Gibbs of your unwillingness to obey me?"

Tony shook his head and hurriedly got on the table where the examination would take place.

"That's a good lad, now does this hurt?" he asked as he gently manipulated Tony's ribs.

"Ow…not so hard Ducky," responded Tony.

"I take that is a yes…I think we have better be safe and have an X-ray of yours ribs…Mr. Palmer?" he called to his assistant who had just entered the room.

"Yes, Dr. Mallard."

"Please bring in the x-ray equipment; we need to take an X-ray of Anthony's ribs," requested the kindly ME.

"And while Mr. Palmer is doing that I'll have a look at cut above your eye…it seems that a butterfly bandage will suffice, and easily cleaned and bandaged the wound finishing just as Palmer returned with the equipment.

It was only a matter of minutes before Ducky was looking at the

X-rays to determine that Tony's ribs were only bruised and not broken. "You are in luck Anthony nothing is broken; you will only be sore for a few days…that's not counting what Jethro plans to add."

Tony paled at the statement and watched with dismay as his boss walked into the room. "How is he Duck?"

"Nothing is broken; his ribs are bruised and he will probably sport a black eye for a few days but he can return to duty immediately," Ducky reported.

"Good…hey Duck why don't you and Palmer take a break…I'm sure you can use one," requested Gibbs pointedly.

Ducky took the hint but Palmer was a bit slow and said, "Oh that's okay Agent Gibbs; I've only just arrived."

It only took for one intense glare from Gibbs to cause Palmer to change his mind and add, "I do think I could do with a Danish and cup of coffee now that you mention it," and left hurriedly with the ME.

"Jethro, please try and not be too hard on him," Ducky requested before leaving the two men behind, knowing that it probably wouldn't do any good.