- Jack Sloane: And the key to why has to do with Afghanistan.
- Leon Vance: [to Gibbs] And this is usually the time you tell me that you've already sent a team on route.
- Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Sent McGee and Bishop this morning. They should be at Camp Russell any minute.
- [Gibbs leaves]
- Jack Sloane: Don't ask me. I - I don't know how he does it either.
- Jimmy Palmer: You know, I can't imagine a more difficult detail for a Marine to be assigned than escorting fallen brother or sister home.
- Colonel Park: I suspect your job is not much different, Doctor.
- Jimmy Palmer: Yeah. It's a - it's a struggle at times. But I take comfort in knowing that we're providing some closure.
- Colonel Park: My comfort is inconsequential. Those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country deserve be brought back home with honor.
- Donald Mallard: Well consider it a parting gift.
- Jimmy Palmer: Parting gift? You going somewhere?
- Donald Mallard: Indeed, I am. You can call it a globe trotting adventure.
- Jimmy Palmer: But - you just got back.
- Donald Mallard: [Small chuckle] . You have proven yourself more than capable, Dr. Palmer. I have no doubt that you will continue to hold the fort while I'm gone.
- Jimmy Palmer: Sure, but you will be back, right?
- Donald Mallard: Of course, and when I return in the new year, I shall have many more stories to relate.
- Jimmy Palmer: That's great. What's the first stop on your vacation going to be? Something exotic - maybe the Pyramids, Great Wall of China? The Serengeti?
- Donald Mallard: Mount Rushmore.
- Jimmy Palmer: South Dakota - in the middle of winter. You are one in a million, Doctor.
- Donald Mallard: True.
- Donald Mallard: The cause of death was a fracture to the c3 vertebrae.
- Jimmy Palmer: But it wasn't from the fall into the water. The victim was dead beforehand.
- Timothy McGee: So, not a suicide?
- Jimmy Palmer: Not unless he broke his own neck and then somehow managed to roll himself into the water.
- Donald Mallard: Broke his own neck and rolled himself into the water? I don't have a story for that one. Well, *that's* never happened before.