Chapter 2
"Jimmy, where's Ducky?"
"He took a personal day Agent Gibbs."
Gibbs frowns. "What? He told me to meet him here today to discuss the case we just completed."
"I can give you the paperwork but not the insight agent Gibbs."
Gibbs takes the folder with a scowl and turns to leave. He hits Ducky's number and listens to it ring and ring then it goes to voicemail.
The team's working at their desks as Gibbs receives a call…
"Get your gear…someone call Palmer…we've got a dead Marine."
Tony looks at Ziva and Tim. "Palmer…were's Ducky boss?"
"I don't know DiNozzo…took a personal day."
Ziva grabs her bag and followed to the elevators.
"I saw him this morning…he looked fine and told me he planned on having lunch with Abby."
McGee followed into the elevator.
"That's weird because I was to meet him later today to help him with his new phone."
Gibbs rolled his eyes. "I'm sure Ducky will call us or tell us what's wrong tomorrow. Right now we've got a job to do."
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The body of Marine Corporal David Field's is lying in the bushes of a park near Langley Virginia.
Tim scanned the man's finger to get the information. All the Marine's identification as well as his car and wallet are gone. There are car tracks nearby.
Gibbs leans down to look at the body. "Palmer…anything you can tell us."
"Well, he has been dead 6-8 hours so that means he died before sunrise and the rest will have to wait for Dr. Mallard. I wonder if he's done with his medical emergency yet?"
The group is taking pictures of the taped off area and pauses with Palmer's question.
Tony speaks first. "Medical emergency?"
Gibbs frowns at them. "Palmer…start at the beginning what happened this morning?"
"Dr. Mallard took a phone call and then gathered his medical bag putting medications and a lot of bandages in his bags before leaving out the back door saying he needed a personal day."
Ziva asks. "What was the phone call about?"
"Well, he answered and you know I thought it was strange at the time but he asked how did you get this number…yes I know where that is…. Dr. Mallard said hello again as if speaking to someone new… I work for NCIS now…I understand…my loyalties yes…and then Dr. Mallard said…I understand…I will come straight away."
McGee looks at DiNozzo. "What do you think that cryptic message means Tony? You always have a film comparison to link things through."
"Hummm….let me see McGeek…I think the main phrase is loyalties…so the question is, who would Ducky be reminded of loyalties by…obviously not NCIS because he told them he worked for us now…thus implying that…"
Ziva picks up where Tony pauses. "That he must have worked for them in his past. Gibbs who did Ducky work for in the past…I know he was in a branch of the British military…anyone else?"
Gibbs frowns at the conclusion. if it is Ducky's old job... something bad is going on...why else would Ducky need a medical bag.
"That's good enough isn't it."
Tony frowns perplexed. "What's good enough boss?"
Gibbs hits Tony upside the back of his head.
"Oh right boss the British SAS…Ducky was…I get it…so it is a secret British thing going on…oooww that might be bad…those secret agent type thingies always mean trouble."
Ziva hits Tony upside the head also. "What's do you mean?"
McGee smiles at the attack on his tormentor Tony. "Yeah Tony, tell the former Mossad agent what you mean."
"That's enough out of you double 00 DORK…I meant no disrespect Ziva but you have to admit that if Ducky is in bed with the Queen again…it may mean trouble."
"Tony…I really don't think you should say it like that…Ducky may take offence, as a British gentleman."
Gibbs opens his arms to the scene beneath him and the dead body.
"Hey…focus. Dead Marine remember?"
The team relays the information found that is not much, and help Palmer load the body in the truck to return to base for autopsy.
Tony and Ziva stay behind to question the ones that discovered he body. After they head to CIA, HQ nearby to see if for once they will be cooperative and give them any surveillance they may have on a park so close to their base.
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Ducky is telling stories to M on their way back up to the suite. M is laughing at his charming tales of his youthful escapades in rural Britain and by the sea.
Tanner sets upon M as soon as she returns to the suite. Ducky excuses himself to check on the agent…Bond…my wouldn't Tony have a field day with that one…he wonders if his given name is James…he had better not ask.
M walks into the room. "How is he Doctor?"
"My dear…I insist you call me Ducky."
M smiles as she stands beside the bed looking down at the man. She grasps her hands in front of her as a way of stopping herself from reaching out and touching the man. Ducky recognizes this and looks at her.
"There is nothing wrong with showing concern for one of your own."
"I…I'm... but it would not be professional."
"I think that is says a lot, you care and concern about one in your command is hardly a crime. I assume that you exude a though exterior for work…I am well acquainted with the type."
"I assume you are referring to your agent Gibbs and his relationship with his group."
"My…my… you do your homework…again...should I be frightened or flattered by this?"
"Please be flattered, I'm interested in your wish to move here and make a life for yourself. You have no family here so I deduced that your work has become your family much like mine…just don't tell them I said that."
"I think he will be fine and I will come back tomorrow to check on him."
"I was going to ask you about that Ducky…do you think you could stay here…in the hotel and keep an eye on Bond? I have to go to a meeting with Tanner and I would like someone here should he wake up."
"I do have other obligations."
M looks coyly at the good doctor hoping that it may influence his decision. Ducky is very astute but so is she, and the signal that he's giving her, clearly shows attraction and M is not above using that to the benefit of her people.
"If we both admit that we are too old for casual flirting, I will promise to share breakfast with you in the morning."
"Well, that is very tempting my dear. How long do you need me to stay so that I can contact my work and make arrangements."
"Three days and you cannot tell them about any of this…I am sure you understand this and I would like to disable your mobile for the duration of your stay. I will give you a phone to use while you are here."
"My contacts are…"
"You will find that our Q branch has already uploaded all your contacts to this phone and it is untraceable."
"You are thorough."
Ducky hands M his phone and takes the one she supplied. He cannot help wondering that if she were not a stunningly attractive woman, if he would be so quick to agree with all her demands.
M has a way of making it seem natural to do exactly what she wants you to without question. Therefore, Ducky concludes that M is a very dangerous woman.
"I don't suppose your number is included?"
M levels a smile at him and arches her eyebrow.
"It's included in this mobile but you will have to ask very nicely before we part to get mine for your personal mobile. I will always be able to contact you, as you already know or you would not be here now."
Ducky calls Gibbs from his new phone and gets the answering service.
"Gibbs…this is my new number and I will be out for 3 days…I will call Palmer and let him know also. I will see you in three days."
M excuses herself to leave with her assistant Mr. Tanner to where ever she needs to go. Ducky gently rolls the agent over to begin using rubbing alcohol on his abrasions and checking his dressings.
The agent groans and opens his eyes and looks at the stranger, doctor above him with bandages.
"M…M…is she…safe?"
"Yes, lad she has me here to take care of you so lie still while I get you some medication for the pain."
"No…M…need to see her."
"M and Mr. Tanner have gone to a meeting."
"Damn it! Why is that woman so bloody stubborn? When did they leave?"
"Only 30 minutes ago but I've no idea where they were going."
Bond moves to sitting and grimaces in pain as the doctor hands him some water and pills.
"You shouldn't be moving unless you just need to use the facilities, and in that case I will help you."
"I do...but I can manage."
Bond walks back out of the bath stretching, through what Ducky can only assume is extensive pain.
"I have to go look after my wayward stubborn boss before more trouble manages to find her."
"You are in no condition to go anywhere and you should not drive in this condition."
"I can solve that problem if you go with me Doctor?"
"Dr. Mallard but everyone calls me Ducky."
"Well, Ducky I assume you work for MI6 or you would not be in the same room as my lovely, recklessly stubborn boss."
"No…I don't."
"WHAT! You're English…I assumed…"
"Yes, and I was in SAS years ago but I live and work here a Navel investigations as a forensic pathologist."
"Why are you here?"
"Your boss, M impressed upon me the need to live up to former oaths and my Hippocratic one also. I can assure you I am not a physical threat to any of you and I do not think you should leave this room. Call her if there is an issue and she has two guards."
"That doesn't mean much…her last bodyguard tried to shoot her."
Ducky looks shocked by this. "Who would want to kill such a charming woman."
Bond's gathering his clothes and supplies, checking his gun and getting ready.
"Charming…are we talking about the same woman?"
Ducky laughs. "As her employee you may have a different view but I do believe she is very charming when she wants or needs to be."
Bond pauses and stares at the older man wondering if…could he…would she…has M?
"Ducky, how much time have I been out?"
"I came here several hours ago and your injuries suggest they happened within the last 6-8 hours. This is why you should spend the rest of the day in bed."
Bond takes his mobile and contacts Q.
"Where is M…give me coordinates. Did you contact her? Well, I don't know if I can trust them…no I trust Tanner but…a Marine not a Royal one…American…I see. There is something going on and M's in danger. Contact Tanner and tell him to watch EVERYONE…I am on the way and will take over security….I know M will not want to see me at that meeting but what if they infiltrated it…better safe than sorry. Can you please have someone send my dress uniform...yes the banquet tomorrow...have them leave it at the desk."
"Doctor let's go find my charming boss, before a rogue Marine kills her like they tried to do early this morning."
The two men leave the suite and head towards the car park.
Ducky looks concerned and nods to the agent. "I never got your name besides Bond."
"Bond, James Bond."
"Of course you are…you know I have a friend, Tony who would absolutely love to hear you say that."
To be continued...