Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or any of its characters…just my imagination xP
I – Iced Tea
It was a hot summer day and everyone at NCIS was restless. There were no cases for a change, so the team was able to go home. Ducky, however, asked the team to his house for some iced tea. McGee, Tony, and Gibbs had politely declined, but Abby and Ziva agreed to go. So there the three of them were, sitting in Ducky's air-conditioned charming kitchen with a pitcher of ice cold drink.
"So Ducky, what's new with you?" Abby asked as she put down her glass. "This is really good, by the way."
Ziva nodded in agreement. "Yes, it really is. You made this yourself, yes?"
Ducky chuckled. "Yes I did, thank you. My mother actually taught me how to make it." He thought for a minute as the women waited patiently for him to continue. "That's something I've wanted talk to you two about, and I suppose now is as good time as any."
"What did you want to talk to us about, Ducky?" Ziva asked.
"Family." He looked at the two young ladies sincerely. "Now I know you two have been through so much and have lost so many people. I know you've both found a new family here – and that I am extremely happy about, mind you. But…I just do not want you two to end up like me."
Both ladies looked at him curiously, silently urging him to continue. He took a breath.
"Look at me. I am getting old now, and what do I have to show for it? Yes, I have a nice house and job and you people at NCIS. But when I go to the park I hear and see parents and grandparents playing with their children or grandchildren. I never got that chance. Careers are all wonderful, but in the end, you are not going to want paperwork to be sitting at a chair next to your deathbed. In the end, it is not going to matter how many people I've autopsied or how many criminals you've caught. What is going to matter is who you have, not what you have. I know you two have life-threatening jobs, especially you, Ziva, and you both have lots of emotional heartache and baggage. But trust me – do not let the past get in the way of the future. Now, I wanted to talk to you two about this separately from Tony and Tim. Because, as much as it hurts us men – you two, you two could miss out on the opportunity to become mother; to have that incredible feeling of giving life to another human, having a child grow inside of you. I do not think you want to miss out on motherhood. No job is certainly worth it." He looked at each of them sincerely. "Trust me on this. It is something you do not want to miss out on. Family is the most important thing you can have in your life, more than any job or accomplishment. Do not pass it up because you are worried about your life situation. If anything, you should embrace it sooner, and enjoy every second of it when you can. You never know when it will be too late."
By then, the two women had finished their iced tea. They both nodded, with slight tears in their eyes.
"Thank you Ducky. I understand." Ziva said. Abby nodded in agreement.
Ducky studied them both for a minute, and then nodded at them "Good, I'm glad. Now, does anyone want more iced tea?"