Ducky: Violated is the least of what I'm feeling…
--
"You used your own team? I'm sorry Jethro, but this whole fiasco has gotten out of hand. You aren't even certain Langer was not involved."
"This isn't just about Langer; it's about finding and catching who's behind this."
"By any means necessary?" Ducky interrupted intentionally. "My word Jethro; Anthony and Ziva were not only hurt physically; but emotionally. You cannot count that as collateral damage."
"They can handle it."
"Ah, the awaited phrase. They can handle it. Well, contrary to popular belief, not everyone can handle what you can handle Jethro."
"I know my team." He pointed at himself. "I know what they can handle better than they do."
"And what happens if you're wrong?"
Gibbs didn't respond right away but understood what his friend what was trying to say. "Point made Duck."
"Good. Now what in heavens name possessed you to steal a body from me?" He threw his hands up. "Did you ever think of asking?"
"You would've said no."
The response seemed to come before he had finished asking the question. "You do not know that. I am a team player. I would have understood."
Gibbs stared in silence for a few moments. "You telling me you would've said yes?"
"Well, we'll never know now, will we?" He started to pace a bit. "I do know however, that I am not keen on being used. And for a man who claims to know his team better than they know themselves; would've known that."
Gibbs took a step towards him to stop his pacing. "If there was another way…"
Ducky interrupted once more. "The truth Jethro. The truth."
"I understand how you feel." Gibbs stated plainly and watched as Ducky seemed to calm down a bit.
"I suppose we've all been used, haven't we?"
Gibbs nodded and placed a hand on his friends shoulder. "Not for long Duck, not for long."