Chapter 6

"My, what have you done to yourself?" as Dr Mallard looked at the bites on Tim bottom. "Looks like a few Trombiculidae had dinner. They are commonly known as chiggers here, but in Britain we call them berry bugs or harvest mites. There are several species of Trombiculidae, most bite their host in their larval stage and cause intense irritation and in your case a wheal. Trombiculidae live in forests and grasslands and are also found in the vegetation of low, damp areas such as woodlands and along lakes and streams, and even in drier places where vegetation is low, such as lawns and parks. I would say just calamine lotion."

"See Boss, I told Tony there were bugs in the buggy," as Tim went away to find some calamine lotion.

"Anymore on the deceased, Duks?" Gibbs asked.

"Actually, he too, had a few bites on the legs, but still not so many as Tim, which makes me think, he was walking through the woods, moving."

"Thank you Ducky, I think we got the answer," as Gibbs made his way back up to the bull pen.

-oOo-

"But it is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words, but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?" he heard Tony say to Kate, as he rounded the corner.

"Is that all you ever think about, your stomach? And sex?" as she saw the glint in his eye. "Gibbs, Tony is being annoying again, and I am beyond caring."

"Some people care too much. I think it's called love," Gibbs replied smiling, "Just no #rule12."

"That is just so gross," Kate replied, "The whole idea."

"But, you could always ask yourself, when you wake up in the morning Kate, what's for breakfast? And then ask yourself what going to happen exciting, today."

"Yes Tony, for you both work and food are about as exciting as you will get with me," Kate answered not seeing Tm appear from the elevator.

"Anyone for a donut? They are fresh."

"Ooohhhhhhhhhhh" Kate screamed walking away back to her desk.

"What's eating her?" Tim now enquired.

"Don't ask, but hey Boss what were you going to say?" Tony asked, now munching on the donut.

"It was something Ducky said. Tim helped."

"The Probie helped the Doc? Must be a first," Tony answered getting a slap on the head.

"Yes, it was the bites, Ducky said he must have got them walking through the woods. So….."

"So Saddler walked back up the hill, after speaking to Eric and must have missed Harry, and you saying he started the ride himself. Then jumped in while moving and slipped and cracked his head on the siding and so drowned?" Tim enquired.

"I think so, but did you find out if it is possible to do, to set the ride in mode and then jump in?

"The manager said it could have been but you would need to be very fit, supple," Kate answered from her desk.

"So first thing tomorrow we go back to the park and tell the manager our findings."

"Where are you going now Boss?" Tim enquired.

"Coffee," as Gibbs now walked away.

-oOo-

Next morning early, the four made their way back to the Park in one car. Tony as always, was hungry, having slept in and had grabbed a snack on the way; his stomach was making gurgling and burping noises.

"Oi Tony where are your manners?" Kate shouted from the front passenger seat.

"I don't know, but I bet they're having more fun than I am right now," came the reply, as Tony again burped.

"Think I'm going to be sick," Tim announced.

"Gibbs, please can you tell the children to stop being so childish or I will have to slap them. And how can Tim be feeling sick he hasn't eaten anything or done anything yet. He has done nothing today," Kate whined.

"Hey, people say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day," Tony answered laughing at the back of Kate's head.

"Oi, shut it, we are almost there and yes Tony if you are sick you clean the car, and Tim there are bags in the back pocket now can we get there in silence," as Gibbs put his foot to the metal and the car sped away. All that was heard was a burp.

-oOo-

At the Park the four alighted the vehicle, and Gibbs marched to the manager's office.

"Need to ask a question. Would it be possible for someone to set Le Scoot in motion and then jump in the ride?" Gibbs asked.

"I suppose it could be possible, but very, very dangerous. You think David did manage to set the machine in motion, and then try to jump into the ride?" the manager asked of the team.

"It is the only thing we can think of. My ME just said blunt force trauma and also he had insect bites on his legs. We think Saddler walked back up to Le Scoot, and just wanted to try the ride," Gibbs replied. "We think, it is just an unfortunate accident. Death by misadventure, as my ME so politely put it."

"If that is the case I need to seriously look at security and get dead man's handles on the system. But is there any way I can repay you. I know with Halloween and then Christmas coming up and we will have some good shows on. What if I give your team some free passes for the festive season? How many would you like?"

"Thank you but I think seven passes will suffice," Gibbs now answered shaking the man's hand.

"If you just see my secretary," the manager now replied as he sat down and carried on with his paperwork.

Gibbs collected the vouchers and they made their way back to car.

Epilogue

And so it came to pass that the months leading up to Christmas went quickly in and before Gibbs and the team knew, it was the week before. They had pulled the short straw and were on call so the weekend before Christmas, they, that would be Tony, Tim, Kate, Abby, Dr Mallard and Jimmy and of course Gibbs, assembled at the parking lot of the Navy Yard and climbed into 3 cars, the travelling arrangements argued about as usual, who was driving who. As usual Gibbs won and he and Kate zoomed off, followed by Dr Mallard and Jimmy, with Tony, Tim and Abby in the third car.

When they arrived at the complex they discovered that some of the rides had been renamed for the festive period and that some of the facilities also changed. But collecting their maps of the Christmas layout they, proceeded into the park.
Gibbs was trying not to feel out of place and all Ducky wanted was a nice cup of English tea. So giving the team the tickets, Gibbs and Ducky began to do the civilised tour of the drinking dens, starting with Grogans's Pub in Ireland, followed by Cobblestone Ale & Spirits, in Merry England. Gibbs knew he could rely on Tony to drive them home.

As, they sat in the Cobblestone, the roaring fire, giving off a heat. Ducky sipping his English tea, and Gibbs a glass of whisky. They hoped the rest of the team were having a fabulous time. It may be Christmas, but death knows no time. The two just hoped they would have a quiet uneventful time.

The End.