Beyond The Oath

Laid To Rest

At Gibbs funeral a couple of days later.

Fornell: "Nice place, always pictured a lot of ex-girlfriends crying."

Tony: "I was thinking the same thing."

Vance walks up behind the two and double head slaps them, they all stand there in shock.

Vance: (Chuckles) "Now I see why Gibbs liked doing this."
Abby: "Did he just?"

McGee: "I think he did."
Kayla: "Dad, that's rude."
Vance: "Uncle Gibbs always did it."
Kayla: "It's rude."

Vance: "What did he always say?"
Ducky and Fornell: "A slap to the face is an insult, a slap to the back of the head is a wake up call."
Vance: "That's it."

Kayla: "I guess that makes sense."
All: "Yes, yes it does."

They all sit down and listen to the service. Then it's time for them to say a few words about Gibbs.

Ducky: "The untimely death of a friend so dear. They are never to be forgotten. A friendship expected to last a lifetime, but ends so abruptly. Death took away a lifelong bond. The memories of the best moments, disappeared with the departed. Tho it is key to the coming life. Moments in which death cannot take away. In the end death is always the winner of the play. Death will always find its way. Nature entrusted its duty to it. We have to accept the reality of this principle. Yet we will never forget the person that was taken too early from our lives."

Abby: "A simple act of bravery, a simple selfless act. They become the things of legend. But even legends start out as fact. No one wants to be the hero at the end of the story. For the price is far too high. Most will do little just to get by. Sometimes someone will come along and do the impossible, just to change the course of someone's fate. Just to make sure someone lives. Even when it may seem somewhat impossible. Some may be lucky. Most pay for their selflessness. Heroes will live forever, as we tell their stories."

Tony: "There are people who walk among us who have received praise time and time again, for a brave act that people tell over and over again. These people will always expect someone to be there to praise them for what they did. But then there are some men who walk amongst us, not seeking glory or praise. They don't seek recognition for their thoughtful caring ways. They live life in deep commitment and loyalty to those they care for."

Vance: "Jethro Gibbs......- ah hell, I planned this whole speech, but it sucks, so I'll get on with it. There's this poem by Robert Southev it goes like this: "The loss of a friend is like that of a limb; time may heal the anguish of the wound, but the loss cannot be returned." It wasn't till today that I realized how much Gibbs meant to all of us, so today I'm going to tell you "suck it up and deal with it." as Gibbs said to many of us. (Light chuckle in the room) Thank you."

Fornell: "Jethro was a stubborn old bastard, and I think that's why we got along so well, well that and shared misery. (Light laughs) Some may have seen him as a man who spits acid and has fangs, now I can't confirm nor deny that, but the truth is, he was a good friend and good man. We've helped each other through good times and bad, sorrowful times and the stupid times. That may have gotten us into trouble from time to time (Light Chuckle) He was always there for me, he's the best friend I could ever ask for."

Preacher: "Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy. There is no good way to say goodbye to them. But saying goodbye can ease the pain and grief they left behind and let you remember all the good times you had. Tho I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil; For thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff comfort me."

The funeral ends with "TAPS" "21 Gun Salute" and the folding of the flag.

Marine: "On behalf of the President, the Marine and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as our appreciation for your loved ones honorable and faithful service."

A couple of weeks later the team is back together. Jack moved back from Afghanistan and was reinstated as NCIS's Psychological Profiler. Tony and Ziva moved back to D.C as well just to be closer to the rest of them and so Tali could be with her cousins. Ducky went back to being the full time M.E, with Jimmy's great appreciation. Abby also moved back, but continued to support Clayton Reeves's foundation in D.C.

Ducky: "Dr. Palmer what is that?"
Palmer: "I don't know, let me take a closer look."

Palmer: "It's a piece of shrapnel, but this is different from the other pieces."

Ducky: "I must ask Jeth-"

Palmer: "It's okay Doctor, we all miss him."
Ducky: (Leaves autopsy)

Palmer: "Agent Gibbs, if you're in here just help me help them."

As Jimmy is trying to "talk" to Gibbs, he feels like he's being watched. Then all of the sudden he feels a small tap on the back of his head.

Palmer: "I just want to help them Gibbs, how do I do that?"
Ducky: "Who are you talking to Jimmy?"
Palmer: "Are you okay?"
Ducky: "No, now take this up to Kasie for analysis."

Palmer: "I will Doctor, I'm sorry."

In the squad room the team is just finishing up a case, but Torres is distracted by Gibbs empty desk, him and Bishop are just standing there staring.

McGee: "What do you-are you okay?"
Bishop: "No."
Torres: "I feel like he should be sitting there."
Bishop: "Or walking in with a coffee asking for an update."

Vance: "Or abruptly busting through my door without knocking and telling me what you guys have on our suspect."

Jack: "Or busting through my door asking me for a profile on our victim and the suspect."

McGee: "Or at any moment he'll just sneak up on us and hear what we're saying."

Abby: "Hey guys.'
Vance: "Ms. Sciuto."
Abby: "Director."
Abby: "How are you guys doing?"
McGee: "As good as we can."
Jack: "How are you doing?"
Abby: "Same as you guys."

McGee: "I have to ask you tho, why are you here?"

Abby: "I just wanted to check in on you guys."
McGee: "We're doing the best we can."

Abby: "Okay.'
(McGee's phone rings)

McGee: "Abbs we got a body."
Abby: "Go, go do your super agent duties."
(They leave)

Abby: "Jack are they actually doing?"
Jack: "It was rough the first couple of days, but they're finding the pieces and putting them back together."

Abby: "How are you doing?"
Jack: "The best I can."

Abby: "Call if you need something."
Jack: "You too."