14x13 – Keep Going
On the road
Paul Smith: Why you? What did you say?
Ryan Smith: I didn't say anything.
Paul Smith: Well, then why'd you get fired?
Ryan Smith: I didn't get fired, I got laid off.
Paul Smith: Fired, laid off, it's all the same.
Ryan Smith: No, it's not, Dad. The company had cutbacks, and they had to trim five people. I was one of them. It was nothing that I did wrong.
Paul Smith: Of course not. Never is. They only trim their best people.
Ryan Smith: Don't you think that I feel bad enough?!
Paul Smith: I don't know, Ryan, do you?
Ryan Smith: Dad, look out! You all right?
Paul Smith: Damn maniacs. Drive like idiots.
Ryan Smith: There was a stop sign.
Paul Smith: Behind a tree maybe... Where do you want to eat?
Ryan Smith: I'm not hungry.
Paul Smith: Come on, tonight of all nights?
Ryan Smith: Especially tonight.
Paul Smith: All I want for you is to be happy. Just... Get your act together.
Ryan Smith: Nobody wants that more than me... Things just haven't worked out yet.
Paul Smith: How you fixed for cash?
Ryan Smith: I don't know. I got rent covered.
Paul Smith: There's an ATM here.
Ryan Smith: Dad, no. I'll figure it out.
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Parking
Paul Smith: Just take it. For me.
Ryan Smith: Okay.
Paul Smith: Believe me, I long for the day that I can stop worrying about you.
Ryan Smith: Yeah, well, I long for the day that you can finally butt out of my life.
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Car
Ryan Smith: Oh, my God. Dad!
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Street
Renee Prewdome: Oh! Ah.
Ryan Smith: No, no. Dad. Dad. Oh, my God, Dad. Dad? Dad. Dad, no.
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NCIS: Autopsy room
Abigael Scuito: Hey, Ducky. Oh, yay, Jimmy, you're still here.
James Palmer: Yeah, just finishing up. I... Oh, man, are those Abby's Famous?
Abigael Scuito: Yup. The Bunsen burner was still hot, so I figured I'd whip you up a batch.
James Palmer: Oh, they got little skulls on them.
Abigael Scuito: Little smiley-face skulls. You can take them home for your girls.
James Palmer: Oh, don't I wish. Yeah, Breena took Victoria up to visit her aunt's house in Syracuse this week, so I am a swinging bachelor.
Abigael Scuito: That explains it.
James Palmer: Explains what?
Abigael Scuito: Your lack of swinging lately. You've been pouting for days.
James Palmer: Have I?
Abigael Scuito: Yeah.
James Palmer: Oh, so much for my poker face.
Abigael Scuito: I mean, it's understandable. You miss them when they're gone.
James Palmer: Yeah, especially this time of year.
Abigael Scuito: Getting your mid-winter blues?
James Palmer: It's not blues, it's just, it's blah. It's darker, it's colder, minor annoyances seem bigger. I start questioning everything from politics to "Why did I wear these itchy socks today?"
Donald Mallard: Forgive me, Mr. Palmer, but I can't resist the urge to give you one of my all-time favorite pieces of advice... "If you're going through hell, keep going."
Abigael Scuito: I wonder if I could fit that on a cookie.
James Palmer: That is a good one, but I'm not going through hell, Abby, not by a long shot. You know, it's-it's more just, uh, I don't know, heck.
Abigael Scuito:So, you're gonna be okay?
James Palmer: Heck yeah. And now that I got your cookies, I will be even better.
Donald Mallard: And busier. That was Jethro. Yeah, he's requesting our services a scant three blocks from here.
James Palmer: Thanks, Abby.
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Street
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: What's his name?
Nicholas Torres: Navy Captain Paul Smith.
Alexandra Quinn: He landed a long way from his car.
Eleanor Bishop: Left his key in the ignition.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Quinn, check out those surveillance cameras.
Donald Mallard: I've often said this street needs a speed bump.
James Palmer: Or at least a speed limit. It's like the Indy 500 here during the day.
Donald Mallard: Now, get the gurney, please, would you, Mr. Palmer?
Timothy McGee: Boss, this is Renee Prewdome. She's our one and only witness.
Renee Prewdome: It's these kids and their texting. And-and it's not just kids. Grown-ups are looking at their phones instead of the road.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Is that what you saw, ma'am?
Renee Prewdome: Oh, no, we-we didn't see anything. Bruce and I were checking our balance over at the ATM when all of a sudden, the most ungodly sound behind us. The car was gone before we even turned.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: No one else here?
Renee Prewdome: No, the-the man's son. I tried to talk to him, but he-he was crying so hard.
Timothy McGee: And how did you know that it was the man's son?
Renee Prewdome: Oh, the poor kid just kept saying "Dad" over and over.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Where's the son now?
Renee Prewdome: I lost track of him when the cops got here, but he's in his mid-20s maybe, and, uh, he had on a-a red, uh, plaid jacket.
Timothy McGee: Okay, ma'am. And let's-let's step back here.
Renee Prewdome: Okay.
Eleanor Bishop: Gibbs, look.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: McGee, fire department. Ducky, get that body off the street. Torres, you're with me.
Donald Mallard: Quickly, Mr. Palmer, let's get him into the van... Mr. Palmer? Jimmy?
Alexandra Quinn: Oh, my God.
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Ryan Smith: What the hell are you doing?
James Palmer: Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't, don't.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Palmer!
Ryan Smith: Please let go.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: What are you doing?
James Palmer: I'm not exactly sure.
Ryan Smith: No. Please let me go.
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Ryan Smith: Let me go! I don't want to hurt you!
James Palmer: I would love to help you not hurt me, so please don't jump, okay?
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Palmer. What are you thinking?
James Palmer: I wasn't thinking anything, Agent Gibbs. I just reacted, and before I knew it, I was out here.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Okay, come on. Change places with me.
Ryan Smith: No! No, stay back! I'll take him with me!
James Palmer: No, please don't. Please don't. Please don't.
Ryan Smith: My dad's dead and it's my fault.
Nicholas Torres: Come on.
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Apartment: living room
Nicholas Torres: Let me trade places with him. I'm not afraid of heights.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: No, no, no. I can pull them both in if I have to. Yeah, yeah, but Palmer's got it. He's got it.
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Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Palmer... Keep talking.
James Palmer: Okay, hey, listen, listen. If you won't come inside, let's just sit down and we'll talk about this.
Ryan Smith: No, I'm not sitting or talking, man. I'm jumping. No hero's gonna stop me.
James Palmer: No, no, no, I'm no hero! I'm no hero. My name is Jimmy. My name is Jimmy. What's your name, huh? Tell me your name.
Ryan Smith: It's Ryan.
James Palmer: Ryan. Ryan, okay, good, Ryan, Ryan. Listen, Ryan, I-I never thought that I would be a hero. Especially after I screwed up really bad a couple of years ago when I chickened out, but... Then a very good friend of mine set me straight.
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NCIS: garage
Donald Mallard: Yeah, there was a time when I thought I would be an archeologist.
James Palmer: Yeah, what happened? Why did you decide to go to medical school?
Donald Mallard: Well, although archeology carried a certain romantic appeal, I soon realized it wasn't in my bones, so to speak. You have to decide what's in your bones, Mr. Palmer.
James Palmer: Not a spine.
Donald Mallard: Nonsense. You just have a-a well-developed sense of self-preservation. You're training to be a medical examiner, not an NCIS field agent... I have no doubt that you have it in you to die a hero's death, but, for the time being, I'd appreciate it if you could stay alive to help me examine the dead.
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James Palmer: And with that very healthy sense of self-preservation, I ask you to please stay alive, so that we can both die like heroes a very long time from now when we're old and gray, all right?
Ryan Smith: My dad was 53. He was an actual war hero. Thanks to me, he didn't die like one.
James Palmer: Why? Why thanks to you? Why?
Ryan Smith: Everything I touch... I swear. Please, let me go... Oh, no.
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Apartment: living room / Street
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Hey, Quinn. Keep fire down below. We can't risk spooking this kid while Palmer's hanging onto him.
Alexandra Quinn: Okay, Gibbs. Yeah, you got it.
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Street
Alexandra Quinn: Um, excuse me. Uh, Lieutenant? I'm gonna have to ask you not to go up there.
Earl Davis: Excuse me?
Alexandra Quinn: Yeah, crazy, I know, but Navy interests.
Earl Davis: But that's a city building.
Alexandra Quinn: Yeah, I know that, but that's one of our team members up there, and if he dies, you're gonna be dealing with the whole U.S. Navy.
Earl Davis: Engine 52 to all units. Stand down for now. Wait for my command.
Alexandra Quinn: But if you have one of those big bags, you know, just in case.
Earl Davis: All right, boys, let's get the air cushion prepped.
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Eleanor Bishop: Check out these skid marks.
Timothy McGee: I don't see any skid marks.
Eleanor Bishop: Exactly.
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James Palmer: No, no, no, no, no, Ryan. You know, you know, it's funny, it's funny, Ryan, Ryan. Not ha-ha funny, when I think about my wife and my young daughter, who wouldn't think that this is very funny at all, but if I had to do this all over again... You would definitely be out here on your own.
Ryan Smith: No, I'd be dead by now. You're nuts. You have a wife and kid?
James Palmer: Yes, and I love them very much, Ryan.
Ryan Smith: Then let me go. You got too much to live for, man. I don't.
James Palmer: No. I'm sure that you do, too, man.
Ryan Smith: No, not anymore. I'm tired of screwing up.
James Palmer: What's wrong with screwing up? It's fine. It's fine. I-It's evidence that y-you're trying.
Ryan Smith: I just got my dad killed.
James Palmer: Ryan, what happened? Why are you blaming yourself?
Ryan Smith: If I hadn't been laid off, I wouldn't have needed cash. My dad wouldn't have stopped. He'd be alive right now if not for me!
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Apartment: living room
Eleanor Bishop: Gibbs... Take a look. No skid marks.
Timothy McGee: Whoever hit Captain Smith never so much as tapped their brakes before or after the hit.
Eleanor Bishop: Not even a swerving tire pattern to suggest he lost control.
Timothy McGee: So either we're dealing with the steadiest drunk driver in history...
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Or it was no accident.
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Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Ryan, you get a look at the car that hit your father?
Ryan Smith: No, it was going too fast.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Any disagreements your father had?
Ryan Smith: Just with me.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Think. Any enemies? Did he have any enemies?
Ryan Smith: No way. Not the Captain. Everybody loved my dad. He was perfect... He was perfect.
Nicholas Torres: No, no. Hang on, Jimmy, I'm coming!
Ryan Smith: Stop, or I'm taking him with me, I swear!
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Don't do it, Ryan.
Ryan Smith: Then get away, both of you. I don't trust either of you.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Palmer, don't you let him jump.
James Palmer: On it, Gibbs.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: And you do not let him fall.
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Apartment: living room
Nicholas Torres: Where you going?
Timothy McGee: Boss, we can set up a command post downstairs.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: No, there's no time. The squad room's three blocks away. The kid blames himself. Let's go find out who killed his dad.
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NCIS: Squad room
Nicholas Torres: Bishop, you there?
Eleanor Bishop: Just getting back now, Nick. Hold on.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: What do we know, Quinn?
Alexandra Quinn: Victim is Captain Paul Smith. 53, widowed, one child. Gulf War hero, and stationed here at the Navy Yard since May.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Anything on the son?
Timothy McGee: I'm still digging. Uh, so far I've got Ryan Smith, 27. Listed as employed by Kelb Technologies in Annandale.
Eleanor Bishop: Whoa, check out his date of birth... That's today.
Alexandra Quinn: Guy lost his dad on his birthday?
Eleanor Bishop: Hey, Nick, do you know if he's told Jimmy that?
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Nicholas Torres: To be honest, I can't really hear much.
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NCIS: Squad room
Nicholas Torres: Pretty noisy up here.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: McGee, we need to hear him.
Timothy McGee: On it.
Abigael Scuito: Poor Jimmy. What can we do?
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: What do you mean?
Donald Mallard: To help Mr. Palmer. I need to get back there.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: We all gonna fit on the ledge and hold hands? You want to help Palmer? Do your job.
Donald Mallard: Right. Well, Captain Smith is down on my table. Perhaps he can help.
Abigael Scuito: I can be your Jimmy, Ducky.
Alexandra Quinn: Not while we still need Abby, Abby. I spoke to the ATM company. They're sending security footage over to you any moment.
Abigael Scuito: Okay.
Eleanor Bishop: Gibbs, we've got Captain Smith's operation officer waiting in the conference room.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Quinn, come on. You're with me.
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NCIS: Conference room
Cheryl Stanley: I came as soon as I heard. I've been working with Captain Smith on the Freehold for the last three years. He was such a great man.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You know anything about his son?
Cheryl Stanley: Cap talked about him quite a bit. I know that they maintained regular phone contact when we were at sea. Is he okay? I heard it was some sort of car accident.
Alexandra Quinn: Uh, well, we're still determining just how accidental.
Cheryl Stanley: Seriously?
Alexandra Quinn: The captain, did he have any issues or conflicts with anyone?
Cheryl Stanley: Never. No. Everybody loved...
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Everybody?
Cheryl Stanley: I mean, there... There was an... No. No, I can't imagine Morgan...
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Who's Morgan?
Cheryl Stanley: Commander Morgan, our X.O. The captain gave him an unfavorable FITREP last week, and Morgan took it hard. I know words were exchanged.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: What words?
Cheryl Stanley: Strong words, apparently. Bad enough for the captain to threaten Morgan with a court-martial.
Alexandra Quinn: A court-martial?
Cheryl Stanley: A threat. I hear they worked it out, but things have been icy ever since. Morgan's career took a major hit.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: We need Morgan's number and address.
Cheryl Stanley: Of course.
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Nicholas Torres: Well, on the bright side, at least there's no pigeons. They must have, uh, flown south for the winter, I guess.
James Palmer: Actually, pigeons don't fly south for the winter, Agent Torres, but I appreciate your bright side.
Ryan Smith: Hey, how long's he gonna be there?
James Palmer: My guess, as long as we stay here.
Ryan Smith: Unbelievable. I can't even kill myself without messing it up.
James Palmer: In your defense, I'm the one that messed this one up, so don't go blaming yourself.
Ryan Smith: Yeah, but I do... This isn't the first time I thought about doing this... Dad was the only thing stopping me.
James Palmer: You didn't want to break his heart.
Ryan Smith: That and prove him right... I'd already disappointed him enough.
James Palmer: Your dad said he was disappointed?
Ryan Smith: He didn't have to. He, uh, he wanted me in the military, and I chose college, then he wanted me to study business, and I switched to architecture... When I didn't get a job in my chosen field, he thought maybe we'd wasted my tuition.
James Palmer: Come on, hardly anybody gets their dream job right out of school.
Ryan Smith: Did you?
James Palmer: I'm actually one of the fortunate few. Very fortunate, considering I nearly blew it on my third day on the job.
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NCIS: Autopsy room
James Palmer: I am so sorry, Dr. Mallard.
Donald Mallard: Don't make me have second thoughts, Mr. Palmer.
James Palmer: Second thoughts, sir?
Donald Mallard: About you coming to work full-time as my assistant.
James Palmer: It will never happen again, Doctor, I promise. It was an extremely unusual situation.
Donald Mallard: They always are.
James Palmer: See, I was in the shower, and, uh, the doorbell rang, but I didn't know it at the time.
Donald Mallard: I hope this won't become a habit, Mr. Palmer.
James Palmer: No. See, I always answer my door.
Donald Mallard: I was referring to you being late.
James Palmer: Does this mean I have a job?
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Ryan Smith: I'm glad it worked out for you, I am. But I've been bouncing around between entry-level jobs for years now, only to get laid off yesterday.
James Palmer: Yeah? From what job?
Ryan Smith: Associate Systems Engineer. It's a fancy way of saying "apprentice architect."
James Palmer: Yeah, "Assistant Medical Examiner." It doesn't sound very fancy either.
Ryan Smith: Is that what you are?
James Palmer: Yeah, but I love it. I do. Most days. Every job has its ups and downs.
Ryan Smith: Yeah, I was just starting to feel like I was up when they canned me.
James Palmer: Hey, at least you were up, right? Something better will come along, it always does. When one door closes, another one opens. And, uh, it's always darkest before the dawn. And-and they define success by going from one failure to another failure...
Ryan Smith: Hey, what is this, man? Is this, uh, self-help karaoke?
James Palmer: Honestly, I got a million of these. I could do this all night long.
Ryan Smith: Oh, my God.
Nicholas Torres: Hey, are you guys hungry? McGee wants to send us up some food. I'm thinking burgers.
James Palmer: Yes, yes, absolutely. Burgers. About to die anyway, right? Might as well have a last meal.
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NCIS: Abby's lab
Abigael Scuito: Hang on, Jimmy. Hang on, Jimmy. Hang on, Jimmy.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Got the video?
Abigael Scuito: Ugh, you'd think ATMs would have better cameras.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Catch our hit and run?
Abigael Scuito: Barely. Okay, so that's Captain Smith back there getting out of his car. And then he starts to cross, and wham. Just disappears into a blur.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Slow down the blur.
Abigael Scuito: It's just a dark SUV. There's no plate, no visible driver. Not even sure of the color.
Donald Mallard: Consider it black, charcoal, ebony, noir. Whatever they call the paint. Some of it scraped itself off on Captain Smith's watch on impact.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Anything else, Duck?
Donald Mallard: No, no surprises. The captain suffered a crushed parietal bone, which killed him instantly. Poor fellow literally never saw what hit him. Oh, and there's this... The son will want his father's wallet once Mr. Palmer has successfully talked him down.
Abigael Scuito: There's enough paint on this watch to match it to a specific vehicle.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Palmer can't wait. Match it fast!
Abigael Scuito: Hang on, Jimmy. Hang on, Jimmy. Hang on, Jimmy.
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James Palmer: So this building, what type of architecture is it?
Ryan Smith: It's kind of, uh, Beaux-Arts. Elaborate, ornamental. Most newer buildings don't even have ledges.
James Palmer: Yeah, I'm glad this one does.
Ryan Smith: I swear, I actually thought I'd be in Architectural Digest by now.
James Palmer: Yeah, I hear you. In my 20s, conquering the world was always just out of reach. Couldn't wait to make it.
Ryan Smith: Meanwhile, everyone on social media is just kicking butt. Promotions, weddings, vacations.
James Palmer: Yeah, well, there's no B-sides.
Ryan Smith: What?
James Palmer: Everyone only posts their greatest hits. No B-sides. No one talks about their lousy days. Like when my daughter is pitching a fit, and my wife is trying to reason with her like she's a 32-year-old instead of a two-year-old, and I am just the world's worst referee, and... Point is, you can't compare yourself... Oh.
Ryan Smith: You want to sit down?
James Palmer: I do.
Ryan Smith: Okay.
James Palmer: Ah. That's so much better, right? Plus, I wore these really itchy socks today.
Nicholas Torres: Guys, food's here... Hey, no jumping.
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Apartment: living room
Timothy McGee: How they doing?
Nicholas Torres: I'm not really sure, to be honest. We need to make this quick.
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James Palmer: Social media's great for keeping in touch, but there's no substitute for in-person, human contact. Like, at work, when I'm having a lousy day, my friends, they know just how to lift me back up.
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NCIS: Abby's lab
Abigael Scuito: Okay, Jimmy, that does it.
James Palmer: Abby, listen...
Abigael Scuito: No, you listen. You know what's infectious during the holidays? Optimism is infectious. Optimism and joy. And joy and...
Carol Wilson: Kindness.
Abigael Scuito: Kindness.
Carol Wilson: Courtesy.
Abigael Scuito: And charity.
Carol Wilson: Generosity.
Abigael Scuito: And gratitude.
Carol Wilson: Selflessness.
Abigael Scuito: And faith, Jimmy. Faith. Faith is infectious. Life isn't perfect, but sometimes things will work out for the best if you just have faith.
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Ryan Smith: That's a very good friend.
James Palmer: Yeah, yeah, she really is.
Ryan Smith: I don't have friends like that... I'm sorry.
James Palmer: Ryan!
Ryan Smith: Hang on! I got you! Hey! Hey!
James Palmer: You don't want to die.
Ryan Smith: What? Yes, I do.
James Palmer: No, you don't.
Ryan Smith: What are you talking about?
James Palmer: You saved me.
Ryan Smith: I don't want you on my conscience.
James Palmer: What conscience? If you went over with me, you'd be dead, too. That makes no sense.
Nicholas Torres: All right. Dinner's served.
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James Palmer: You wouldn't have saved me if you didn't want to live yourself.
Ryan Smith: You don't know me.
Nicholas Torres: All right, you two daredevils... Two double cheeseburgers, coming right up, special delivery.
Ryan Smith: What are you doing? No!
Nicholas Torres: Well, do you want to eat or not?
Ryan Smith: Not like that. Stay back.
Nicholas Torres: All right, all right... Okay, I guess, Jimmy, uh... Meet me halfway.
James Palmer: I can't, Agent Torres. I can't risk letting him go.
Nicholas Torres: Okay.
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Apartment: living room
Nicholas Torres: How am I supposed to stick this to Palmer if I can't even get close?
Timothy McGee: Okay, in the Boy Scouts, they have a saying: be prepared. I am prepared with a plan B.
Nicholas Torres: Huh? We're gonna tidy up?
Timothy McGee: No. We are going to attach this mini-mic to the outside of the burger box, and push that to Jimmy.
Nicholas Torres: Oh, what happens when they grab the burgers and they chuck the box?
Timothy McGee: Jimmy never litters.
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James Palmer: Just admit it. You saved us.
Ryan Smith: I saved you.
Nicholas Torres: All right, let's try this again.
James Palmer: Okay, I got it. Got it. Aw. Those near-death experiences, they really make you hungry, huh?
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Apartment: living room
Timothy McGee: Nick... Nick, we need a sound check.
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Nicholas Torres: Um... Hey, uh, Ryan, by the way, happy birthday.
James Palmer: Oh, hey, it's your birthday.
Ryan Smith: Yeah. Don't remind me.
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Apartment: living room
James Palmer: I am so sorry. I-I...
Timothy McGee: How's that sound to you, boss?
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NCIS: Squad room
James Palmer: This... This is just...
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Yeah, good enough, McGee. Come on back. Tell Torres we're listening.
Alexandra Quinn: The X.O. is M.I.A., Gibbs.
James Palmer: Not my intention to...
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Commander Morgan.
Eleanor Bishop: No sign of him at home. We're getting nowhere pinging his phone. It might just be turned off.
Alexandra Quinn: The neighbors say he has a black SUV.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Get his plate. Update the BOLO.
James Palmer: You know, I-I normally eat much healthier than this. Under these circumstances...
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James Palmer: Nothing beats a good burger.
Ryan Smith: Yeah. Just like mother used to make.
James Palmer: So, uh... Where is your mom? You haven't mentioned her.
Ryan Smith: She died. It was, uh, cancer when I was 12.
James Palmer: Oh. I'm so sorry.
Ryan Smith: She was diagnosed in June, dead by July... And Dad was never the same.
James Palmer: Yeah? What about you?
Ryan Smith: I was mad, mostly... My dad, he, um... He tried to be all things. He was, uh... Mr. Discipline one minute, and, uh... The next, he'd... Feel bad and baby me, like she used to.
James Palmer: Baby you?
Ryan Smith: Yeah, he'd bail me out. He'd shake his head, all pissed off, and then bend over backwards to fix whatever jam I was in.
James Palmer: You know, m-my dad was never anything like that, Ryan, but-but I work with someone who's close. Remember Agent Gibbs? Remember him? He was here earlier. Tell you what, he might be the toughest guy I've ever met. Now I know it seems, like, uh, some people have it much easier while others have it much rougher, but, uh...
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NCIS: Squad room
James Palmer: I think it's safe to say that there's no one who's has had a tougher life than Agent Gibbs.
Timothy McGee: How does it sound? Reception still good?
Eleanor Bishop: Shh!
James Palmer: Believe it or not, his wife and his young daughter were both killed on the same day. But you never hear him mention it. No, he just... Buries himself in his work. And he builds boats in his basement... He'll kiss Abby on the forehead once in a while, but h-he's not exactly a hugger, you know. At least he's never hugged me... We all rely on him so much.
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James Palmer: That man has the weight of the world on his shoulders... You'd never know it. I really worry about him.
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NCIS: Squad room
James Palmer: But a-as tough as Gibbs is, on my darkest day...
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James Palmer: When our adoption fell through, I mean, Ryan... I lost my kid... Gibbs was the one who comforted me most.
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NCIS: garage
James Palmer: Take it you heard.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Mm-hmm.
James Palmer: Yeah, she, uh, she saw the baby and just... I guess she felt the same way we felt when we first saw him. Can't fault her for that, right?
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You should go home.
James Palmer: I will. Yeah, Breena and I, we just wanted to get all this stuff out of the house, you know. We wanted to give it back as soon as possible.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: We?
James Palmer: Me... She's hurting, too, but, uh... She is so much stronger. She's ready to try again. And, uh, and me... I feel like I can't breathe... I've never felt this bad in my life, Gibbs.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Ah, just wait until it's 3:00 in the morning and your kid's running 104. You're just getting started.
James Palmer: That's the point, I'm not starting. You know? And... Maybe I never will.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Well, then fight for it, Palmer. That's what you do, you fight for your family. And sometimes you fight like hell just to have one.
James Palmer: You want me to fight? I feel like I just went ten rounds with Joe Louis.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Do you want to be a dad, Palmer?! Because, right now, this is being a dad.
James Palmer: Maybe I'm not ready.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You wouldn't feel the way you feel right now if you weren't ready.
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James Palmer: And Gibbs was right. The best advice I've ever gotten. Hugs or no hugs, I... I will never forget his kindness that day. He cared. And, Ryan, as tough as your father was, I'm sure if you think about it, you can think of many times where he was just as kind.
Ryan Smith: Yeah, try all the time.
James Palmer: Yeah?
Ryan Smith: Yeah, if anything, he cared too much. I never questioned whether he loved me, I just... I wasn't sure whether he knew how much I loved him back.
James Palmer: Oh, no, I am sure he did, Ryan.
Ryan Smith: No, I mean, we fought too much. Right up until today. All he wanted was to take me out for my birthday, and... When he found out I'd been laid off, he blew his top. Damn near caused an accident, he was so angry.
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NCIS: Squad room
Ryan Smith: So pissed off, he cut off a whole mess of cars in an intersection.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Intersection?
Timothy McGee: What intersection?
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Where? Palmer. Ask him where. What intersection?
Eleanor Bishop: Uh, Gibbs, it's a one-way speaker.
James Palmer: What intersection?
Ryan Smith: It was, uh... It was around Raymere and Holt.
Alexandra Quinn: How does he do that?
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: McGee.
Timothy McGee: Traffic cams at Raymere and Holt Street. On it, boss.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: And the surrounding intersections.
Eleanor Bishop: I'll call the DMV, put a rush on it.
Alexandra Quinn: I'm calling, too.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Fine. Both of you call. But we need it now.
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NCIS: Squad room
Abigael Scuito: So, this is the intersection in question, about five minutes before Captain Smith was struck.
Timothy McGee: Looks like his car there.
Abigael Scuito: Whoa. That was close.
Timothy McGee: Black SUV.
Abigael Scuito: Okay, I can't read the plate.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Can we I.D. the driver?
Abigael Scuito: No. The windows are tinted.
Timothy McGee: Boss, take a look at this. Abby, play it back... He's going after him.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: That's our guy.
Abigael Scuito: Could that be Commander Morgan?
Timothy McGee: Or is it just road rage?
Abigael Scuito: Or both.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs:One way to know. Find that car!
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Builbing: Cornice
James Palmer: Ah, that hit the spot. Any chance you need a bathroom break?
Ryan Smith: Nope. But, uh, you go right ahead.
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NCIS: Squad room
James Palmer: No. No. I'm good.
Eleanor Bishop: Been up there for three hours.
Alexandra Quinn: Think maybe it's time to let the firefighters do their jobs, Gibbs.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Tell them they can put the pad out down below, nothing upstairs. Don't want to risk Palmer's safety with any sudden moves.
Timothy McGee: Boss, BOLO just paid off. State police just pulled over Commander Morgan's SUV in Richmond, they're holding him for us now.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: McGee, we can't get there in time.
Timothy McGee: I can set them up in MTAC.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Keep listening.
----------
Builbing: Cornice
James Palmer: You think that's as big as it gets? Ah, a person could easily miss that.
Ryan Smith: Well, with my luck, I'd try to miss and land square in the middle.
James Palmer: I would call that good luck.
Ryan Smith: I'm sure you would.
James Palmer: Do you ever think that maybe you are your own worst enemy? Constantly making fun of yourself, comparing yourself on social media. Maybe you are the only one who's keeping score here, Ryan.
Ryan Smith: It's my life. All right? I know the score.
James Palmer: Do you? Really? What counts as a point? How about relationships?
Ryan Smith: I've had my share. Nothing long-term. Can't settle down until I get my career going.
James Palmer: Yeah, yeah. Of course. Who came up with that rule?
Ryan Smith: What do you want from me?
James Palmer: I want you to not jump.
Ryan Smith: This conversation's not helping!
James Palmer: I-I'm just saying that if you change how you measure success, you might actually opt for happiness.
Ryan Smith: What bumper sticker laid that gem on you? Do you "opt for happiness" as an assistant medical examiner? Like you never wanted more?
James Palmer: Of course I wanted more. I... As much as it scared me, but be-be careful what you wish for and all that.
----------
NCIS: Autopsy room
James Palmer: Dr. Mallard. How awesome you're here... Again.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Duck.
Donald Mallard: Relax, Jethro. I'm not here as M.E. Purely in my consultant capacity.
James Palmer: Well, I was just about to tell Agent Gibbs about some nasty old chemical burns I found on Sergeant Hill, our most recent victim. I actually was able to work backward from the contracture of the scarring to establish a likely pH and molarity level of the chemicals involved.
Donald Mallard: Ah. Mm. Clever.
James Palmer: Sergeant Hill likely got these scars in a makeshift lab while trying to create this poison. Making him our prime suspect.
Donald Mallard: Oh, that's very clever.
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Builbing: Cornice
James Palmer: Dr. Mallard's praise that day convinced me to finally finish med school, and take the M.E. test.
Ryan Smith: Really? What happened?
James Palmer: What do you care, Ryan?
Ryan Smith: Oh, yeah, fine. You got me. My dying wish is to know whether you passed the test.
James Palmer: No, I didn't. Not the first time or the second time. That's why I never told anyone at work.
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NCIS: Squad room
Abigael Scuito: I need to talk to Gibbs. Is he still in MTAC?
James Palmer: They still don't know.
Ryan Smith: Know what?
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Builbing: Cornice
James Palmer: About the third time, when I passed.
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NCIS: Squad room
Ryan Smith: You passed the M.E.'s test?
James Palmer: Yeah, I aced it. It was so strange. I-I had spent so long just trying to prove myself, trying to get ahead...
----------
Builbing: Cornice
James Palmer: And when I finally passed the test, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn't want to go anywhere else. I didn't want to leave my friends. Especially not Dr. Mallard. I was happy where I was.
Ryan Smith: So you're an actual doctor?
James Palmer: I am. But still, nobody at work knows. We got a special dynamic, I don't want to mess that up.
Ryan Smith: But you could go anywhere.
----------
NCIS: Squad room
James Palmer: And I will one day. Nothing lasts forever. I have had so many friends come and go. And live and die. But where I'm right now, with Dr. Mallard and Abby and the rest of our team working for what I really think is a noble cause...
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Builbing: Cornice
James Palmer: Why would I want to leave that? I'd rather be happy.
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NCIS: Squad room
James Palmer: So every day, I put on my scrubs or this-this old jumpsuit, I-I go to work, and I "opt for happiness."
Abigael Scuito: Come on.
Eleanor Bishop: Uh, Abby?
----------
NCIS: MTAC
Ted Morgan: What's this about? I left D.C. a few hours ago, heading to Carolina to visit family. Is that a crime?
Timothy McGee: No, sir, but may we ask why you had your cell phone turned off?
Ted Morgan: Didn't want any calls. Needing a few days to get away from it all.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Away from your run-in with Captain Smith?
Ted Morgan: Why'd he have to bring NCIS into this? I apologized. What did he tell you?
Timothy McGee: You apologized for what?
Ted Morgan: Look, I was so blindsided with the bad review and just... Lost my cool.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: He threatened court-martial.
Ted Morgan: Which was the captain losing his cool, until I apologized. I never should have said what I did.
Timothy McGee: What'd you say?
Ted Morgan: I called his kid a loser. Believe me, I said a lot of other stuff, but that boy is his whole world. I had no business saying that.
Abigael Scuito: Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Commander. Stand by. Yeah.
Abigael Scuito: Um, first, I think you should put Jimmy in for a raise.
Eleanor Bishop: I'll second that.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Okay. What else?
Abigael Scuito: I traced the partial plate on from the SUV to a car rental place in D.C. The renter is Edgar Stump. He's listed as a part-time handyman. He has multiple DUIs and a vehicular harassment conviction.
Timothy McGee: So he is just a road-rager.
Eleanor Bishop: He didn't even know Captain Smith.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Address.
Abigael Scuito: Better than that. I've got his GPS signal.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Send it to me.
----------
Street
Edgar Stump: Way to jack up your prices, Abdul! Ow, what the hell?
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Take it easy, Edgar.
Edgar Stump: Why? I didn't do nothing.
Alexandra Quinn: No, you did a lot.
----------
Builbing: Cornice
Nicholas Torres: Hey. So nice and toasty inside.
James Palmer: You know, there's no failure in not killing yourself, right?
Ryan Smith: There's not much of a future either.
James Palmer: Oh, sure, there is. Future's coming, with or without you. You might as well be there.
Ryan Smith: It'll be hell without my dad. No job. I-I got some okay friends, but none like yours. And look at the world. I mean, you turn on the news, and we're all so divided. Yelling and pointing fingers, there's so much meanness out there.
James Palmer: Stop looking for it.
Ryan Smith: Who's looking for it? I mean, you can't get away from it.
James Palmer: Okay, well, then you look around it. You look for the good. It's out there. I promise. I mean, i-if you find meanness, you kill it with kindness.
Ryan Smith: Oh, here we go.
James Palmer: You're damn right, here we go. Open doors for strangers. You let a car go ahead of you in traffic.
Ryan Smith: Who cares?
James Palmer: J-Just smile more. And if you want good friends, be a good friend. They will find you, I promise.
Ryan Smith: Man, you could go all night. But you don't have an answer for my dad.
James Palmer: No, I... No, I don't... But I have seen more dead people than anyone you know. All of them gone too soon and none of them peaceful.
----------
NCIS: Autopsy room
James Palmer: No.
Donald Mallard: I beg your pardon?
James Palmer: No. I... I don't want to.
Donald Mallard: You don't want to what, Mr. Palmer?
James Palmer: I don't want to know how much her liver weighs... I don't want to catalog her scars... Most of all, I don't want to cut open another friend.
----------
Builbing: Cornice
James Palmer: We only get the B-sides on our table. And it is every day. I also see their families, Ryan... Some of them let their loss just knock 'em cold. And they drown in misery, while others, they choose to make their darkest hour their defining moment. They choose to take something bad and turn it into something good. Like your dad did.
Ryan Smith: My dad?
James Palmer: When he lost your mom, he chose to put everything he had into you. Ryan... You are the something good that he left behind... Now you got the same choice to make.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Ryan. The guy who hit your dad... Road-rager... He didn't like being cut off. He'd have come after your dad's car no matter where he stopped.
James Palmer: Means it wasn't your fault, Ryan.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Not your fault. You want to get this guy, we need you to testify at the trial... Palmer.
Ryan Smith: That's my dad's wallet.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: There's something in there you're gonna want.
Ryan Smith: My senior thesis project.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Plenty of miles on that photo. He showed it off a lot.
James Palmer: He was proud of you.
Ryan Smith: Yeah.
James Palmer: And what was it that Dr. Mallard said earlier today? He said... "When you're going through hell, you keep going."
Ryan Smith: You know I never would have taken you with me, right?
James Palmer: I know... Let's go inside.
Ryan Smith: Okay. Thanks, Jimmy.
----------
Nicholas Torres: I got you.
----------
Builbing: Appartment
James Palmer: Thanks, Nick.
Nicholas Torres: Told me not to let him fall.
James Palmer: Hey.
Nicholas Torres: Good job out there.
James Palmer: You were listening the whole time?
Donald Mallard: We all were.
James Palmer: Dr. Mallard, what are you doing here?
Donald Mallard: Where else would I be?1 I'm not gonna leave you out there alone... Dr. Palmer.
----------
Gibbs's house; basement
James Palmer: Agent Gibbs, you wanted to see me? Okay. Look, first of all, I-I didn't know that you were listening last night, and... I might have said some things, some-some highly, deeply personal things about you and your personal life, but I-I just, I just shouldn't have... Gibbs, what I said about your wife and daughter... I was just pulling out all the stops. You know, and then once I got on a roll, I couldn't stop. And then I...
