The present
by Stacy L.A. Stronach
June 2004

Gerald Jackson sighed as he listened to yet another of Donald "Ducky"
Mallard's stories. No wonder his predecessor had left a note in the desk
drawer to "invest in a good set of ear plugs". Not that all of Ducky's
stories were boring. Some started out interesting but dragged out and not a
few actually stayed interesting all the way through. Sometimes, Gerald
wished he had Gibbs' clout and ability to make Ducky get to the point. He
grinned while he washed down the autopsy table. Like he'd ever be able to be
so stern with the older man.

If Gerald was honest with himself and he usually was, he had a soft spot for
the good doctor that threatened to turn into something even more, if he let
it. Watching while Ducky sat at his desk, making notes on the latest case,
Gerald idly wondered if the Ducky would even be interested in him like
that. He knew that Ducky was gay. Shortly after he'd started working here,
he'd asked about the pictures in the Duck's office.

"Hey, Dr. Mallard, who's that in the pictures with you?"

Ducky looked at the pictures, a small smile on his face which didn't reach
his sad eyes. He was silent for a few long moments and Gerald was sure he'd
offended his boss. Then Ducky spoke, quietly. "That is Robert Granville. We
were together for almost 30 years. He died three years ago." When he
finished speaking, Ducky regarded Gerald, as if judging him, or his reaction
to what he'd said.

"I'm sorry that he's gone, but at least you had a long time together...and
you seem to have been very happy," Gerald replied.

"Yes, we were, very happy. I still miss him," Ducky said. "So, my being gay
doesn't bother you?"

Gerald shook his head. "Nope. So I assume my being gay doesn't bother you,
either, then?" he asked as he strode past the older man.

Ducky looked after his young assistant, speechless for one of the few times
in his life. Finally, he managed to find his voice. "No, it doesn't bother
me at all. And Gerald?" Ducky continued when the younger man looked up.
"Call me Ducky."

"Will do, Dr--I mean Ducky," Gerald had answered.

Gerald was startled out his reverie by the feel of Ducky's hand on his
shoulder. "Gerald, I think the table is clean enough now."

Laughing, Gerald turned off the hose. "Sorry, Ducky, I was kind of lost in
thought."

"Quite lost, I'd say," Ducky replied dryly before grinning at Gerald.
"Gerald, what plans do you have for Christmas?"

Looking a little surprised at the question, Gerald answered. "Not much.
Jasmine's still at Oxford, she can't really afford to come home. She'll be
okay," he continued seeing the look of concern on Ducky's face. "Her
boyfriend, Kevin, has invited her to visit with him and his family in
Scotland, for their Christmas break."

Ducky knew that both Gerald's parents had died when he was 18 and he'd taken
on responsibility for his then 14 year old sister. He'd managed to put
himself through school and had helped, in fact he still helped her out as
much as he could. She was doing her Ph.D. in cultural anthropology at the
English university. "I'm glad she seems to be doing so well, especially in
chosing a Scottish boyfriend," he said. "Why don't you spend Christmas day
with me, Gerald. My daughter isn't sure she can make it and I'd really
rather not spend it alone."

"Are you sure, Ducky? I mean, if Sarah shows up, won't she mind?"

"No, no, Sarah found you quite charming when she met you, she wouldn't mind
at all," Ducky replied, waving a hand dismissively. "So, what do you say?
Christmas dinner with all the trimmings."

"I'd love to," Gerald said, smiling happily. "When should I come over?"

"Come on the 24th...I like to get up early on Christmas Day, it's still one
of my favourite holidays."

"Sounds good."

"I'm looking forward to the company, Gerald," Ducky said.

"Me too," Gerald said, truly looking forward to Christmas Eve.

*~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~*

Christmas Eve, Ducky's house

"Gerald, this is wonderful!" Ducky said between forkfuls of a sinfully rich
pecan cheesecake. "I had no idea you could bake like this. Really, you
should share more!"

Grinning at the praise, Gerald said, "A man has to have his secrets, Ducky.
Besides if I started bringing stuff into work everyone would _expect_ it
after a while and I just don't have the time." At Ducky's disappointed look,
Gerald amended, "I might be persauded to make a treat for you on occassion."

"That's more like it! Now, let's get these dishes cleaned up, then we'll see
about teaching you how to play Scrabble. I really can't believe you've never
played it Gerald. I'm sure you'll do fine. I'll even let you use the
dictionary," Ducky said, teasing the younger man.

"You'll be the one needing the dictionary, not me!" Gerald replied, putting
their plates and silverware into the dishwasher.

The two men passed the afternoon playing Scrabble. Ducky won the first game,
Gerald the second and the third. Gerald pumped his fist in the air. "Yeah, I
won!"

"Well, having two 50 point words certainly helped!"

"And I didn't need the dictionary at all, did I?" Gerald said, laughing.
"You were a very good opponent, thanks for the challenge."

Ducky looked at him, eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You're sure you've never
played before?"

"I swear to God, Ducky. Never played before. I wouldn't lie to you about
that. Well, not for this long anyway," Gerald knelt beside the coffee table
they'd been playing the game on. "Let's get this put away. We've got some
movies to watch!" He held the letter bag as Ducky picked up the game board,
folded it in half and funnelled the letter tiles into the bag. When he was
done, Ducky reached to take the bag away from Gerald, and his hand closed
over the younger man's.

Both men paused and Gerald looked at where Ducky's hand covered his, then
raised his brown eyes to meet Ducky's blue gaze. The atmosphere in the room
had taken on an almost electric stillness. The only thing Gerald was really
aware of was Ducky's hot gaze and the feel of his hand on Gerald's. Leaning
forward, Gerald gently kissed Ducky and let out a gasp of surprise when the
letter bag hit the floor and he was pulled roughly against the older man.
They wrapped their arms around each other, hands trailing sensuously over
the other's body. Ducky plundered Gerald's mouth with his tongue, relishing
the moans it elicited from him.

Ducky groaned when Gerald slid his tongue into his mouth, tasting and
teasing. Gerald started to gently push Ducky back against the cushions of
the couch he was sitting on.

"Wait, Gerald, I'm a little old for making out on the chesterfield," Ducky
pulled out of their embrace before standing up and holding out his hand.
"Come to bed with me?"

Gerald could hear the nervous tone of Ducky's voice. Smiling, he stood then
took Ducky's hand, letting the other man lead him to bed, his actions the
only answer Ducky needed.

*~~**~~**~~**~~*

The next morning, Ducky awoke slowly, confused at first by the warmth behind
him, but he quickly remembered as he looked at the arms wrapped around him.
Gerald. He smiled, and snuggled closer to the younger man's warmth, sighing
in happiness and contentment. Ducky hadn't felt this happy since before
Robert died and he knew his late lover would want him to be happy. He
squinted at the bedside clock, it was only five a.m. and he decided to let
his lover sleep a little longer, even if it was Christmas. He felt movement
behind him and a sweet kiss was pressed against the back of his neck.
Turning over, Ducky wrapped his arms around Gerald as the younger man
tightened his embrace of Ducky. "Good morning, love," Ducky whispered,
chastely kissing Gerald on the lips. "Happy Christmas."

Gerald smiled, almost goofily. "Mmm, good morning, Ducky," he murmured, his
kiss a little more passionate and most certainly welcomed by his lover.
"Merry Christmas yourself. Shouldn't we get up and open presents, since you
love Christmas so much," he said, teasing.

Ducky brought one of his hands up to caress Gerald's face. "Oh, Gerald, I
don't need those presents under the tree. I've got the most wonderful
present of all here in my arms," he said quietly. "And the best thing of
all? You're already unwrapped," he said and their laughter filled the room.

//**the end**\