Always Watching - HL/NCIS
Title: Always Watching
Author: strangevisitor7
Beta: idontlikegravy
Prompt Priorities for NCIS_flashfic and #72: Fixed for crossovers100. My table is here
Fandom: HL & NCIS; Watcher!Abby ‘Verse
Characters: HL: Richie Ryan; NCIS: Ducky
Summary: Ducky has a few issues he needs to discuss with Richie.
A/N: This story is part of the Watcher!Abby 'verse. Links to all stories can be found Here
Always Watching
Richie headed down the steps toward the front door. As he was about to turn the door knob, a small brown furball began barking.
“Knock it off, Countessa” Richie scolded.
She whimpered and pawed at his leg.
Laughing Richie knelt down to scratch her behind her ears. “I’ll be back soon, girl.”
“Countessa has really attached herself to you.”
Richie smiled up at Ducky who had entered the hallway. “Yeah but she’s the only one. Tyson still goes for the kill every time I enter the house.”
Ducky laughed, “Well, he will come around eventually.”
Straightened up, he admitted. “I just feel bad when I come in late and he goes crazy.”
“Are you going out again tonight?” Ducky asked.
“Tony invited me out for a beer. They just finished up a big case and he wants to blow off some steam.” Riche explained. “Don’t worry. I will do my best to sneak past Tyson so he doesn’t wake Mrs. Mallard.”
Ducky drew his mouth into a thin line. “Are you sure it’s wise to go out so late when you have early classes in the morning?”
Richie was taken aback. “I don’t think grabbin’ a beer with a buddy is a big deal,” he said staring at his benefactor; eyes narrowing. “Is there something else going on here, Ducky?”
Ducky took a deep breath. “Yes actually. I’ve been meaning to ask you about your workout routine. I haven’t seen you training in the weeks you’ve been here nor have you located a dojo.” He paused. “I was concerned.”
Richie frowned. “Ducky, I’m very good at what I do. You really don’t need to worry if I take a few weeks off.” He looked at his watch. “Listen can we do this later? Tony’s waiting.
“Of course. I shouldn’t question your priorities but as your Watcher I do feel a certain level of responsibility for you.”
Richie hesitated before responding, he didn’t want to dismiss the older man’s involvement. “I’m really touched but I am a grown-up,” he reminded him
Ducky huffed a small laugh. “Yes you are. But that doesn’t mean I don’t worry that something might happen if you aren’t prepared.”
Richie snickered silently to himself. What was it about him that brought out the paternal instinct in all his friends? Now it appeared that Ducky, too, had added himself to the ranks of his surrogate fathers. He found that realization very comforting. “You know what, you’re right. We should talk and maybe I’ve been lax about my routine.”
He looked relieved. “Thank you, Richard. I glad you understand.”
“Truthfully, it’s always nice to know someone cares that much about where I am and what I’m doing.”
“Well now you know that I do.” Ducky confirmed.
“I promise; tomorrow I’ll find a dojo so I can get back into a routine.” Richie stepped forward and laid a hand on his Watcher’s shoulder. “Will that make you feel better?”
Ducky nodded. “Yes it will.”
“Good, now that we’ve settled that issue,” he grinned as he pointed over his shoulder, “is it okay if I grab a beer with my buddy?”
Ducky gave a hearty laugh. “Yes, my boy, go have fun. I’ll make sure Tyson is outside so he doesn’t attack when you return.”
“Thanks, Duck. I don’t think my ankles can take another full-on assault.” Laughing Richie headed out the door.
Author: strangevisitor7
Beta: idontlikegravy
Prompt Priorities for NCIS_flashfic and #72: Fixed for crossovers100. My table is here
Fandom: HL & NCIS; Watcher!Abby ‘Verse
Characters: HL: Richie Ryan; NCIS: Ducky
Summary: Ducky has a few issues he needs to discuss with Richie.
A/N: This story is part of the Watcher!Abby 'verse. Links to all stories can be found Here
Always Watching
Richie headed down the steps toward the front door. As he was about to turn the door knob, a small brown furball began barking.
“Knock it off, Countessa” Richie scolded.
She whimpered and pawed at his leg.
Laughing Richie knelt down to scratch her behind her ears. “I’ll be back soon, girl.”
“Countessa has really attached herself to you.”
Richie smiled up at Ducky who had entered the hallway. “Yeah but she’s the only one. Tyson still goes for the kill every time I enter the house.”
Ducky laughed, “Well, he will come around eventually.”
Straightened up, he admitted. “I just feel bad when I come in late and he goes crazy.”
“Are you going out again tonight?” Ducky asked.
“Tony invited me out for a beer. They just finished up a big case and he wants to blow off some steam.” Riche explained. “Don’t worry. I will do my best to sneak past Tyson so he doesn’t wake Mrs. Mallard.”
Ducky drew his mouth into a thin line. “Are you sure it’s wise to go out so late when you have early classes in the morning?”
Richie was taken aback. “I don’t think grabbin’ a beer with a buddy is a big deal,” he said staring at his benefactor; eyes narrowing. “Is there something else going on here, Ducky?”
Ducky took a deep breath. “Yes actually. I’ve been meaning to ask you about your workout routine. I haven’t seen you training in the weeks you’ve been here nor have you located a dojo.” He paused. “I was concerned.”
Richie frowned. “Ducky, I’m very good at what I do. You really don’t need to worry if I take a few weeks off.” He looked at his watch. “Listen can we do this later? Tony’s waiting.
“Of course. I shouldn’t question your priorities but as your Watcher I do feel a certain level of responsibility for you.”
Richie hesitated before responding, he didn’t want to dismiss the older man’s involvement. “I’m really touched but I am a grown-up,” he reminded him
Ducky huffed a small laugh. “Yes you are. But that doesn’t mean I don’t worry that something might happen if you aren’t prepared.”
Richie snickered silently to himself. What was it about him that brought out the paternal instinct in all his friends? Now it appeared that Ducky, too, had added himself to the ranks of his surrogate fathers. He found that realization very comforting. “You know what, you’re right. We should talk and maybe I’ve been lax about my routine.”
He looked relieved. “Thank you, Richard. I glad you understand.”
“Truthfully, it’s always nice to know someone cares that much about where I am and what I’m doing.”
“Well now you know that I do.” Ducky confirmed.
“I promise; tomorrow I’ll find a dojo so I can get back into a routine.” Richie stepped forward and laid a hand on his Watcher’s shoulder. “Will that make you feel better?”
Ducky nodded. “Yes it will.”
“Good, now that we’ve settled that issue,” he grinned as he pointed over his shoulder, “is it okay if I grab a beer with my buddy?”
Ducky gave a hearty laugh. “Yes, my boy, go have fun. I’ll make sure Tyson is outside so he doesn’t attack when you return.”
“Thanks, Duck. I don’t think my ankles can take another full-on assault.” Laughing Richie headed out the door.