Chapter one

Raven

"Happy birthday, dear Raven! Happy birthday to you!" I beamed as everybody in the restaurant sung to me. I closed my eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles. All 14 in one blow. Everybody cheered.

My name is Raven Jones. I am the 14 year old daughter of the governor of Hawaii. I have waist length black hair and surprisingly blue eyes. People say I'm mature for my age, but I don't see how.

"What did you wish for, Rave?" Mom asked me from my right side (I'm sitting at the head of the table). She's a Navy SEAL. We're lucky she was able to be here tonight.

"I can't tell. Then it won't come true." My friends agreed.

"Exactly. You should know that honey," Daddy teased to my left. I giggled lightly. "So, cake or presents first?"

"Presents!" The people around us laughed softly at my enthusiasm, but I didn't care. I knew they meant no harm.

I opened boxes of jewelry, games, clothes, shoes, and books. Everybody got a hug in return because I will cherish all of my gifts. Just as I was about to Daddy for the cake, a silver heart necklace was lowered and clasped around my neck.

"Sorry for being so late. Her flight didn't exactly land on time," a voice said behind me. I turned around and shrieked when I saw who it was.

"Steve, Ziva! You made it!" I got up to hug both of them. If you don't know, Steve is Commander McGarrett from Five-O. Ziva is Special Agent Ziva David of NCIS.

"We wouldn't miss your birthday," Ziva replied. We sat the long table with them sitting beside my parents. My dad started cutting the cake.

"How do you know them, Raven?" the snobbiest of my friends asked me, putting slight emphasis on 'you.'

"My dad was a SEAL when Steve was. And my mom helped Ziva and her NCIS teammates with a case." Her lips tightened slightly, and I smiled sweetly at her.

"Do you like your necklace, Rae?" Steve put in.

"I love it. It's beautiful." I touched the heart with a hand, smiling at him. Pieces of cake were passed around.

"I would give you my present now, but it's not allowed in the restaurant," Ziva replied, accepting the cake.

"When can I get it?"

"It's at the house now." I started bouncing up and down with excitement (and from the candy I ate earlier).

"I can't wait!" The adults chuckled, and we enjoyed our cake.

20 minutes later, I got out of the car and ran to the house. All of the guests had followed us home to see what Ziva had gotten me. I threw open the door, and a huge dog tackled me to the ground.

"H… hey! Cut that out!" I laughed as it licked my face happily. Ziva whistled.

"Sheppy! Come here, girl!" The dog ran to her obediently; I got up and brushed off my party dress. "Raven, this is my present to you. Sheppy is a German shepherd."

"Really? She's mine?" I kneeled beside Sheppy, petting her.

"All yours. Can I trust you to take care of her?" I nodded. "Good. I need to head back to the hotel now. The team's waiting for me."

"K. Night Ziva." She hugged me tight.

"Night, birthday girl. Take care of Sheppy." She walked to the line of cars.

"I'm her Ride. Happy birthday, Rae," Steve replied. He leaned down so that I could kiss his cheek.

"Night, Steve. Tell Cathy I say hi." He followed Ziva to the cars. I bid the others adieu before leading my new pet into the house.

~Line Break~

The next morning, I awoke to the feel of being licked. I giggled as I hugged Sheppy.

"Morning, girl. Ready for breakfast?" She barked twice, so I got out of bed. I changed into some shorts and a t-shirt before running downstairs with my dog beside me. "Mommy! Daddy! I'm up!"

I stood at the last stair when I was met with silence. That's weird, they're normally awake by now. Sheppy suddenly started barking and running towards the kitchen. I followed her closely.

"Sheppy, what's…?" I gasped and froze when I saw the kitchen. My mom and dad are…. "NO!" I ran to their bodies and shook their arms. "Wake up, Mommy and Daddy! Please wake up! PLEASE!" Tears started streaming down my cheeks.

I heard a whine and looked over to see Sheppy looking at me with sad eyes. She licked at my tears. "Oh Sheppy. What am I going to…? Ziva! I'll call Ziva."

I ran to the cordless phone and dialed her cell number. "This is David," she answered on the 3rd ring.

"Ziva, I need your help! Mommy and Daddy are dead!" I heard rustling from the other end.

"Where are you now, sweetie?" I looked at Sheppy as she started barked furiously.

"In the kitchen of my house. Sheppy smelled something and led in here. Ziva, there's so much blood in here."

"I'm on the way with the rest of the team. Don't touch anything. We need to search the house."

"Yes, ma'am. I won't tou…. Mmm!" A hand covered my mouth, stopping my words. Sheppy was grabbed and carried off.

"Rae? What's wrong?" My wrist was slammed into the table until I let go of the phone; a man picked it up. "Raven?!"

"Raven is unable to be at the phone right now. She is… occupied," he said. I bit the hand over my mouth, making the person let go.

"Ziva, help!" I was grabbed again. This time, the man pulled my hair back; I shrieked in pain.

"Leave her alone!" Ziva yelled through the phone.

"No can do, Ms. David. She's too valuable." He dropped the phone and broke it with his foot.

"Let me go!" I struggled against the hands holding me.

"Knock her out so can go." A cloth was pressed over my mouth and nose just as I took in a breath. I was soon unconscious.