Evening

"Dress me Ducky," Tony commanded, and Ducky looked down to see Tony dragging one of Ducky's scrub gowns and a scrub hat across the floor. He laughed out loud and motioned Tony back to the desk. There he managed to tape enough of the gown to let Tony's hands and feet protrude, though it looked like the boy had been swallowed by a balloon. The hat was a bit easier to tighten, since it had strings, and when he finished he told Tony to go look at himself in the mirrored door. Tony did, and struck several poses.

Satisfied, he announced, "Yo creci y ahora soy un medico. I am a grownup now, Ducky, and I'm a doctor, too."

Ducky smiled and returned to the petty officer he was autopsying, a man who had been attacked so brutally that his jaw and leg had been smashed. He worked methodically and with expertise, and was not surprised when he saw Tony approach the opposite side of the autopsy table. Having grown up around NCIS, bodies on Ducky's table were a usual sight for the little boy. Tony had dragged Ducky's step ladder with him, and he positioned it close to the bed, completely absorbed in his task. He shot back across the room and returned pushing a tray table, which he positioned across the body from Ducky, and then he went back a final time to retrieve his stuffed monkey.

Ducky was impressed as he watched Tony climb on the step ladder and place his monkey akimbo over the tray table, then look over to see what Ducky's tray table contained. "I forgot the instruments," he announced, climbing down once again and running to Ducky's desk, where the good doctor had relegated tools and instruments for Tony's visits. Upon his return he laid the implements out carefully beside the monkey and requested, "Will you give me a specimen jar?"

Ducky did so, trying to contain his amusement. He was actually proud of the baby, and he beamed and asked conspiratorially. "What's your monkey's name?"

"His name is Lieutenant Mono."

"What's wrong with him?"

"That's what I want to find out," Tony explained. "I will make the inquision."

"Incision," Ducky corrected.

Tony paused, holding the jar in one hand. "Is inquision Spanish or English?"

Ducky smiled with pride. "That, young Anthony, is an English term. I am not sure of its equivalent in Spanish, but we can certainly ask your abuela later."

The next several minutes were spent with Tony copying Ducky move for move, and comment for comment. He was completely absorbed in his task so missed the elevator ding a half hour later announcing the arrival of his father.

Jethro burst out laughing when he saw his toddler's outfit and activity. Ducky looked up and smiled broadly as Tony saw his daddy and scrambled to jump down.

"Ducky, he looks like a Cossack!"

Tony threw himself at his father and Jethro swung him up, kissing him all over his face.

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, guess what? Guess what?"

Jethro moved him over to sit astride his hip, brushed his lips across Tony's hair, and answered, "You tell me, ok, Son?"

"I saw The Muppets Christmas at the movie and Miss Piggy was funny and she likes Kermit! Kermit's the frog, Daddy. She wanted to kiss the frog."

"That's right, I remember. Were you a good boy with Mrs. Mallard?"

Ducky answered for him, "Indeed he was, Jethro. Mother was most pleased with his deportment."

Jethro smiled in relief. "Thank you both so much for keeping him today. Maria felt terrible about having to ask you."

At mention of Maria's name Tony put his hand on his father's cheek and turned his face towards him. "I want to see Abuela, Daddy. I want to see her now, please. Call her and tell her to come home for me."

"Tomorrow, Son, you'll see her tomorrow. I promise. Jump down now and let's get ready to go home." He put Tony down and his father added, "Clean up your toys, Tony."

As he scurried off to obey, Jethro made his way to the table. "What can you tell me about the case, Duck?"

Tony stopped filling Ducky's empty desk drawer with his belongings. "The petty officer's mancible is broken, Daddy."

Jethro nodded somberly, "Thank you, Anthony, for letting me know."

His son beamed and resumed his task.

Ducky filled him in on his findings thus far and Jethro asked several questions about the injuries.

Tony finished putting away his belongings and made his way back to Jethro. Climbing on top of his father, he placed one of his tiny feet on top of each of his dad's larger ones, and wrapped his arms around his dad's thighs. Jethro bent down and swung him up, upside down, then deposited him to sit on top of his shoulders. "All right, I'm finished here. I appreciate it, Duck. What do you say to Ducky, Tony?"

Tony grinned down from his perch. "Thank you for taking care of me, Ducky. I love you, and I was a very good boy!"

Ducky smiled indulgently, "Yes you were, Anthony, and the pleasure was all mine, believe me. Good bye, Lad."

"Bye," father and son chorused, as they made their way to the elevator.