Agape (selfless, universal love)

Ducky couldn't help but stay back as he approached the bull pen where all of the team were currently congregating. Or, should he say, arguing in the middle of. Which was pretty common. Of it was any other group of people he would be it concerned but since it was Team Gibbs, there was nothing alarming about it. In fact, if there was no arguing then you had to start worrying. Bickering was how they showed affection for each other, after all.

His report wasn't necessarily that urgent that he had to interrupt them and he did like to observe this rather odd combination of people he considered his family. At the very least they were amusing. Ah, now, who was ganging up on who today? Usually it was Anthony against Timothy, Ziva normally egging Anthony on but she sometimes pestered Anthony as well, much to Timothy's delight.

Though it looked like neither of those things were happening today. It seemed to be that it was every man, and woman, for themselves. They were all bickering with each other, no one taking a particular side as far as he could tell. Surprisingly, there was only one argument going on, normally when they got like this there were at least three separate ones. How they managed to keep track of such things was beyond him but they always did seem to find away, much to the annoyance of Jethro. He chuckled to himself.

Ducky couldn't help but feel a rush of affection for all of those present. How could he not? They were a rather fantastic and splendid group of people, if he said so himself. And they were his people. How delightful was that? They were people he considered himself to be closest to. He was extremely lucky. Not many people had this... this... well, he didn't know exactly what this was but he certainly held it very close to his heart. Family was probably the closest word for whatever this was but it also didn't feel just right. It wasn't enough in a way but it would have to do.

Jethro, of course, was his dearest friend. A title that made the man smile that half smile way of his. They had been through a lot together, something you would never suspect of a medical examiner and a federal agent but ah, Europe was a funny place like that. Fully of hijinks and memories and more than one illegal encounter. Ah, the stories he could tell. And maybe one day he would. When the Statute of Limitations ran out. When exactly was that for Marseilles? Maybe he should ask the Director that one of these days. On a day she didn't have to deal too much with Jethro.

He may consider the rather gruff man his dearest friend but he was not blind to the fact that he was somewhat rough around the edges. And tended to annoy people with his brusque ways. When those who were supposed to be used to such ways.

Ducky cast his eyes up to the Director's office. Another good friend. A partner in crime, quite literally in the old days. Ah, but those days were gone now. Best left to the past. Though certain things had been brought into the present day. Things that Ducky hoped would bear fruit. It was nice to have Jennifer back. He had missed her wit, her kindness, the easy friendship he had with her. Not to mention her utter lack of fear when it came to Jethro.

Going down the chain, as it were, there was Anthony. Jethro's trusted second in command. The trickster. The jokester. The loyal one. He was bold and brash and pushy and loud. But also, gentle and kind, just hidden. Anthony felt the need to keep a lot of things hidden but if you teased and eased them out of them you were greatly rewarded. A good balance for Jethro. He would be a fantastic leader in time.

Timothy, of course, was the bright one. The eager one. The one who hadn't quite had his innocence rubbed off him. Always chattering about something that Ducky never quite understood but genuinely enjoyed hearing about.

Abigail was the shining light in their little team. Nothing ever got her down for long. Enthusiastic, happy, eager, always on the go. She made him feel several years younger just by watching her. She was a genuine sort of person. No masks or anything for their Abigail.

The opposite of young Ziva who somehow managed to have more masks than Tony and Gibbs combined. Impressive really. Technically the replacement yet she fit in, admittedly, more than Caitlin had. No, he wasn't going to tarnish either woman with a thought like that. They both had their spaces and they were both dearly loved and that's all there was to it. Ziva just happened to be here, that was all.

And what a presence she was. A welcome match for Anthony, not overawed by Gibbs, could rub shoulders with Timothy. Eventually meshed well Abigail, those two were incredibly close despite being polar opposites. Fascinating to see. That was just the word for Ziva David. Fascinating. And she could rival him with stories of her travels. And she was the only person who could appreciate a good cup of tea.

Mr Palmer wasn't up here but he was just as much a part of this family as the rest of them. The shy one. The unsure one. Trying to fit in but never quote managing and had yet to realise that everyone else didn't mind that he didn't because that was what made him Mr Palmer, after all. His student. His protege. The one who Ducky felt like he needed to fiercely protect.

Ah, yes, to love another person was to see the face of God. A truer quote had never been spoken in his mind.

"Tony, you do know that she has a paperclip?" He heard McGee say worriedly, shaking him out of his thoughts.

Only for Ducky to realise that arguing must have taken a rather dangerous turn somewhere because Ziva was seething, Timothy looked somewhat terrified and Anthony had this panicked look on his face. And yes, Ziva was indeed brandishing a paperclip. Time for him to intervene, it seemed.

"Ah, Ziva, would you care for a cup of tea?"

She blinked slowly and turned to him, paperclip still at the ready. She gave him that sweet smile of hers. It came more readily these days; he was glad to see. He was also glad that the simple offer of tea brought it out.

"That sounds perfect, Ducky. I just need to take care of one thing first."

Tony gulped audibly and Ducky shook his head.

"Now, it won't do to spoil a good cup of tea with, ahem, angry thoughts," he tried, giving her a pointed look.

She pouted at him but thankfully put away the paperclip with a sigh.

"This is not over," she informed her partner as she pushed her chair in and walked over to Ducky.

"Maybe you should give her some tea that knocks her out."

"That is extremely immoral, Anthony," he scolded, much to Ziva's delight. "I would never do such a thing."

"I know what tea does that," Ziva offered helpfully. "It is very quick."

Ducky nodded. "Painless too, if we are talking about the same herb."