One of the stories, really.
His name was Nicholas, and thanks to indifferent parenting, Ducky cared for Nicholas like a son.
And then Nicholas died.
Credit: Robert Voets/CBS
The dead Marine foiled the attempt, saving Duckys life but losing his own in the process.
Gibbs is shocked to hear Ducky has a brother, but Ducky explains that he died years ago.
Simms isnt the guy who tried to kidnap Ducky, but Simms accomplice matches the description.
Then they discover Simms body hanging in the house.
Abby determines that he drowned in the pool and his suicide was staged.
He performs life-saving surgery on a field marshal.
In fact, Ducky tracked down Angus Clarke to get the barristers advice on the custody suit.
(Remember the late Angus?)
Ducky says hell resign his commission to raise Nicholas as his son if they can win custody.
Nicholas is my life, he tells Angus.
This quite simply is not a decision that requires one second of thought.
And then, mystery!
Abby determines that the ink is only three weeks old and the DNA on it is from Duckys brother.
Ducky is knocked sideways.
I spent the last half of my life believing that my brother was dead.
And all that time hes been out there somewhere.
Ducky mutters that even if they find him, theyve still lost a lifetime together.
Ugh, this is tragic.
And both David McCallum and Adam Campbell (as young Ducky) kill it tonight.
Anyway, they track Simms recent activity to a pawn shop.
Lets digress to an unhappy marriage here for a second.
Um, no, dude; theres a corpse on the table.
But they retreat to the garage where an unseen McGee is processing the van.
Is… is that the attitude we want NSA employees to have?
He says hell do whatever it takes to repair his marriage.
But Bishop says no.
Their marriage wasnt working, and they both knew it.
Its over, Jake, she says, as McGee unashamedly eavesdrops.
Or is it his innate Gibbs-ness?
And why does DiNozzo sound like Batman when hes whispering?)
Ducky checks on the field marshal, whos relieved to be alive.
But she doesnt want it and drags a screaming Nicholas away from Ducky and into the cab.
But…his name is Nicholas Mallard, he lives in the area, and he has an accent.
Seriously, what are the odds?
Anyway, Ducky slumps sadly into a chair.
), and further, that hearing Nicholas was dead almost killed him.
And it never improved.
Then four wise people arrive in the morgue with gifts.
DiNozzo hands Ducky a copy of those plane tickets to Albania.
McGee hands him a name change software in 1974.
Bishop hands him an app for U.S. residency from 1987.
Ducky approaches a white-haired man sitting alone.
I think you may have dropped this.
You got my letter.
You found me, Donnie, he marvels.
I told you I would, Ducky replies, and Nicholas stands to hug him, face alight.
Its a bittersweet ending for the two brothers and a guaranteed weepy finish toNCISfor the year.
See you back here in 2016, everyone!
