The afternoon was quiet, with the usual buzz of the crime scene investigation team moving around the perimeter. Jimmy Palmer, the NCIS medical examiner, was doing his best to assist with the case, his usual attention to detail heightened by the recent string of complicated cases. As he carefully examined evidence near a car, he turned quickly and bumped into someone—causing them both to stumble slightly.

"Whoa! Sorry about that!" Jimmy blurted out, catching his balance. His eyes widened as he looked up.

Standing before him was Dr. Aurora, another medical examiner assigned to assist on the case. she was gorgeous. For a split second, the world seemed to slow down. His heart skipped a beat.

"I’m, Jimmy Palmer. I mean, Dr. Palmer," he stammered, instantly regretting his slip-up. "I—uh—I usually don’t run into people like that." His face turned a shade of red, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

And from that moment on, Jimmy found himself distracted by the idea of seeing Aurora again, his mind already racing ahead to what that future could look like—if only he could figure out how to talk to her without making himself look like a fool.