Gibbs: Four years ago…
Vance: She saved your life. By shooting and killing her half brother Ari…I told you the chair was big. Ari was out of control, so her father sent her to eliminate him. She kills Ari…earns your trust. Two birds, one bullet. Eli played you…
--
Gibbs fifth glass of bourbon had yet to take the edge off. He stood alone in the middle of his empty basement and stared relentlessly at the top of the stairs…he wasn't sure how many glasses later before he was holding his very own sniper rifle in his hands.
"Come at a bad time?"
Gibbs squinted at the figure. "Yes…"
"Usually is." Ducky took each step slowly. "I phoned a number of times." He watched Gibbs attempt to pour him a glass when he took it upon himself. The bottle was nearly empty… "I suppose I should have brought my own."
Gibbs ran his hand over his rifle slowly. "Need something Duck?"
The Doctor quickly noticed the slurring in his speech. "Me? No…You? Yes."
"I'm good…you can go."
"I'm afraid I cannot."
Gibbs set his rifle in its rightful place and fumbled with the keys for a full minute before locking it. "Simple…go out the same way you came in…"
He watched his friend finish off his glass before stumbling towards the stairs and tripping ever so gracefully on the first step. He took his arm slowly but soon found Gibbs hands on his chest shoving him away.
"Don't need you here…"
Ducky dusted himself off as he gathered himself. "You do not know what you need…"
Gibbs sat on the step and held his head in his hands. "She's not coming back."
"You do not know that either. Even if she stays I am sure she will keep in touch with a phone call here or there. I realize it will not be the same but…"
"No," Gibbs shook his head. "She'll die there Duck…and I'll be the one who left her behind."
"Jethro…"
"Not the bourbon talking…its my gut."
Ducky sighed outwardly. "Perhaps your gut will feel different in the morning."
Gibbs allowed his friend to usher him up the stairs until they reached the top. It was there they came to a dead halt. "No it wont…"
Ducky's hand was now hovering over the light switch. "Come now…I'll put on some coffee…"
But Gibbs' eyes were fixated on a single slab of stained cement… until his basement was captive to darkness…
"Some things are better left in the dark Jethro…"
Gibbs swallowed hard. "No…they're not."