Gibbs: You should've come to me as soon as it happened…before you murdered two men.

--

Gibbs wasn't too keen on cemeteries. He believed more in the memories that lived in his heart than the body in the ground. But also believed that everything had its place. He navigated his way through the burial plots until he reached his destination; laying the flowers down and bowing his head.

"Am I under investigation?"

"Should you be?"

"I'd like a straight yes or no sir…"

Gibbs squeezed his eyes shut tight as the memories replayed in his head. All the three dollar words. All the nights of shared beers in his basement. All the wisdom he'd tried to impart through the years. All for nothing it seemed.

"I told myself I wouldn't come here until I set things right. I know you trusted me and I let you down. But I wouldn't have quit until your name was cleared. I hope that counts for something." He placed a soft hand over the flowers and shoved down every emotion forcing its way out. "You were a good Agent…and I'm…" He closed his eyes a second time before finishing. "I'm sorry."

He stood up and after a few more moments of reverence he turned his back. Not to the memories; but to the past. And as he walked away he swore he could hear Langers voice reassuring him.

"Thank you sir."

Gibbs turned back but only for a moment. And left knowing that somehow Langer had understood. And that meant more to him than anything.