A/N: The various chapters will not interrelate. Meaning that while Tony died in the last chapter, he will still be alive in this one. In addition, Ducky's mom is still living at home, so consider it from before she was placed in a nursing home.

Ducky

"I have a knife in my dress, you know," Victoria Mallard said, her voice quavering with a combination of fear and bravado. The dogs milled around her feet, peering up in interest.

"Yes, Mother, I know." Her son, Donald Mallard, was exhausted from a multiple set of autopsies at NCIS. He walked past his mother with nary a glance, exchanging a weary smile with her caretaker, Beth.

"Dr. Mallard, would you like me to stay the night?"

"I wouldn't want to take away from your evening plans, my dear."

"My only plans are some television and a light supper. Let me fix you something to eat while you have a small glass of wine." Beth loved working for the medical examiner. He was such a gentleman, always considerate of his dotty mother's condition as well as worried about the three main caretakers.

"That would be lovely. I will refresh myself and return in a few moments."

The dogs were banished outside, their favorite toys tossed out with them. Beth decided to whip together a casserole, something that would satisfy all of them and could be reheated if any were left over. Beth hummed as she bustled around the kitchen, whipping up a hot meal for the doctor. Just as she was about to put the casserole into the oven, she heard a screech. Wiping her hands on a blue and white dish towel, she walked into the den to see what Mrs. Mallard had gotten into this time.

She walked into a nightmare. Mrs. Mallard was standing over her son, a large and bloody knife in her hand. Dr. Mallard was sprawled on the floor, his hands clutching at a series of holes in his chest. Beth immediately dropped her towel, rushing over to the injured man. On the way she grabbed the knife from the woman's hand, then snatched the cordless phone from the small table near the doorway. She set it on the floor, switching it to speaker after dialing.

"911, what is your emergency?" came the calm voice of the dispatcher.

"I have a stabbing victim, bleeding profusely from multiple wounds. I need an ambulance and paramedics immediately!"

The dispatcher questioned Beth in detail as to the situation, advising her that the needed personnel were on their way. She also advised that the police would be arriving shortly.

Beth felt as if she was losing the battle for her employer's life. She couldn't stop all the blood from pouring out of the various entry points, but did her best. "Tell them the door is unlocked. Come straight inside."

"Understood."

It seemed like forever for assistance to arrive, but soon enough there were men and women crowding through the door, taking over from a distraught Beth Evans. She scooted back on the wood floor, tears flowing down her face.

"Ms. Evans, I need to ask you a few questions regarding this incident." Police Officer Davies leaned down to assist her to her feet. His partner was sitting next to a very confused Mrs. Mallard. Too many strangers around her tended to have her react one of two ways, either becoming uncontrollably feisty or, as now, very shy and withdrawn.

"I don't know what happened, not really." She explained what she did know, watching as the paramedics scrambled to stabilize their patient.

Beth saw the cordless phone accidentally kicked out of the way and retrieved it. She took a deep breath. "I need to call Gibbs. He'll want to know."

"Gibbs? Jethro Gibbs?" Davies asked.

"Why, yes? Do you know him?"

"Oh Lord, I didn't realize. That's Ducky! I didn't connect it. We were told Donald Mallard. I never knew his real first name."

"Yes, I believe that is what everyone calls him. I never did. It seemed disrespectful."

"If you want, I can contact Gibbs for you."

"I…thank you, but I need to do it. If you'll excuse me for a moment."

"Of course."

Before she could step out of the room, she heard the whine of the dogs from outside. She decided to make the call from the backyard, needing the comfort that only an animal can give. Beth sat on the stoop, relishing the warmth of the wiggling Corgi bodies. "Special Agent Gibbs? This is Beth Evans, Mrs. Mallard's caretaker. There's been…Dr. Mallard has been hurt. Yes, sir, I did. They're working on him right now. I don't know. It's bad, s-Gibbs. It's really bad." She sniffled, surprised when a handkerchief appeared in front of her face, offered by Officer Davies. "His mother did stabbed him with a knife, over and over again. I don't know why. I'll ask." She looked up at the dark-haired officer. "Which hospital will they take Dr. Mallard to?"

"Baltimore General would be my guess."

Beth relayed that information to Gibbs, surprised that the gruff man asked to speak to Officer Davies.

"Gibbs, this is Roger Davies. I don't know if you remember me, but… Yeah, the Sanchez case. What can I do for you?" He listened intently, glancing at Beth, currently burying her face in one of the Corgis' fur. "I'll take care of her. And, Gibbs? I'm sorry about Ducky."

By the time Gibbs arrived at the hospital, it was over. There was no time for last minute exchanges of regrets or affection. Gibbs arranged for care of Ducky's mother, still unaware of what she had done.

He went into the room where his old friend was, the Scot features white with the loss of blood. He had been covered with a sheet up to his shoulders, a bit of care that Gibbs appreciated. He sighed as he thought back over their years together. He would miss the man. He said a silent goodbye.