Navy Captain Paul Smith and his son Ryan are driving down the road, discussing Ryan's future after getting laid off from work. Captain Smith is frustrated with Ryan's lack of achievement, but offers him money to see him through.

While crossing the street to the ATM, Captain Smith is struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver.

The NCIS team is called out to investigate the scene, which is a mere three blocks from the office. Jimmy Palmer spots Ryan on a high ledge of a nearby building and runs up to the ledge without thinking.

Ryan threatens to jump if anyone else attempts to join them on the ledge. Jimmy quickly begins forming an emotional bond with Ryan, who blames himself for his father's death.

The team attempts to uncover the truth of the accident while Jimmy continues to talk to Ryan. At one point, Jimmy nearly falls from the ledge, but Ryan grabs him and pulls him back up.

At this point, Jimmy points out that Ryan doesn't actually want to die, since he helped Jimmy back up. Jimmy tells Ryan about his work life and coworkers, and how his friends helped him through difficult moments.

He also reveals that he is a fully-qualified medical examiner but has remained at NCIS because he likes the people and the job. The NCIS team, meanwhile, learns that the captain's death was a result of road rage.

In the end, he convinces Ryan to come back inside, and the NCIS team has a new perspective on their assistant medical examiner. Gibbs personally gives Jimmy a hug.