Ducky: I am not a patient man…
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"It's over. Happy now?" Gibbs entered autopsy just as Lee's bag arrived on one of the tables. He was met with a less than enthusiastic ME.
"I would've waited a month if it would have meant a different conclusion." He started towards the body but turned back. "Are you alright?"
Gibbs simply nodded; his eyes fixated on the new arrival.
"From what I understand you had no other choice." He stated cautiously, then watched as his friend remained silent. "I see. Well, you clearly know the cause of death, so would you care to enlighten me as to your visit?"
"Didn't know I needed a reason."
"Ah the mummy speaks…" Ducky prodded taking a step towards his friend. "I can see you are troubled; would you like to…"
"Talk about it?" Gibbs interrupted. "No."
"I was going to say…stare aimlessly at her body bag." He pulled up his desk chair. "Perhaps this will make you more comfortable."
Gibbs stepped away and paced towards her body. He stood over it and ran his good hand over his face. "I didn't have a choice."
"I know." Ducky was solemn in his response; keeping himself at a distance.
"He had wounded a civilian…"
"I know."
"Just missed shooting a kid…"
"I know."
Gibbs snapped his head towards his friend. "I couldn't have made any other shot."
"I know." The ME chose now to offer his condolences. "I am sorry Jethro. It must've been very difficult."
Gibbs gave a final glance at the table before moving past Ducky towards the doors. Only to stop as they opened and turn back. "I'm sorry…about before. Taking the body. Not telling you…"
Ducky dismissed the apology. "You didn't come down here for me Jethro…" He thought for a moment before he continued. "You came down here to assure yourself that you had no other choice. But no one knows that for certain; except you. The moment Agent Lee took all of this into her own hands; she took that choice away from you. You did your duty Jethro. And now you must lay this to rest."
Gibbs simply nodded before turning to leave and hitting the elevator button. As he took a step inside; he was in essence one step closer to leaving it behind. Placing this choice on the shelf of other choices he's had to make but wasn't necessarily proud of. And never would be.