Here There Be Dragons

ncis_verse

The rain would have normally been a deterrent, but not this time.  He needed to get out of the house, he felt trapped, suffocated and even a little bit angry.  Fate had robbed him of his joy and he was bound and determined to take it back with whatever means possible.

Now that he had been cleared for duty and was restored to full time acting Medical Examiner, there was really no reason that he couldn’t come and go as he pleased.

Passing through the hermetically sealed doors, the familiar scent of formaldehyde and death’s unique aroma greeted him like an old friend.  He breathed deeply and immediately felt calmer, more like himself.

He knew most people were uncomfortable in autopsy.  Abby refused to enter the morgue unless himself or Mr. Palmer were present; McGee and Tony put on brave faces, but he could see the underlying twitchiness in their demeanor while they waited for his results, neither man knew it, but they both unconsciously shook off the feelings the morgue brought on as they exited just as if they were shaking off the cold.  Only Gibbs and Ziva seemed unnerved by being in the room, but neither of them stayed longer than absolutely necessary. 

It was here that he felt most comfortable, where he was at ease and peace, where he was in his element, and where he was king. While autopsy and the morgue were places avoided by some, for him it was… sanctuary.