Tony let out a sigh as he took a seat by the window of the plane as Jethro finished putting their suitcases in the cubby compartment. "Boss this case has got to be one the strangest so far." Tony said.
Jethro took a seat next to Tony. A few weeks ago a group of about fifteen marines came back from overseas; three came back dead each killed in a similar manner. Petty officer John Harmon was found with strange puncture marks on him blood completely drained from his body. The other lieutenant John Harrison was found with the same puncture marks blood completely drained. The last a female marine by the name Mia Scott was missing her head. When Ducky inspected the body of the young woman it looked like a fierce animal had ripped her head right off her neck.
The remaining twelve of the fifteen who came back home were different. They were completely different from normal military personnel who return from overseas. They were admitted into a psychiatric ward. Tony and McGee had interviewed some of these marines they completely ignored their question as their eyes wandered. Tony wasn't sure but he thought he saw one of the marines pick up an insect off the ground and eat it.
Vance wanted Tony and Jethro to head to where these marines were all stationed and get answers. So, here they were on a plane heading off to where the marines had been stationed.
"So what's the plan when we land?" Tony asked.
"We'll be heading to the base to ask their superiors what they know about the fifteen marines." Jethro said.
Tony nodded before placing his hand on top of Jethro's. Jethro glanced down at the hand that covered his. "Tony…." He said with a sigh.
Tony pulled his hand away as if he just got burned before looking out the window. Tony wasn't quite sure when their relationship changed of course when it started Gibbs wanted it to be discreet he wasn't ready to go all open and show signs in public. Gibbs wanted to say something to reassure him but nothing came.
"So, Romania huh? That's where the legendary vampire Count Dracula lives?" Tony said with a chuckle.
"Tony…"
"Yea I bet the people there are very vampire oriented like how the people of Salem Massachusetts are big on witches. They probably have some type of attraction to bring in tourist. Oh man I can't wait; do you think we might be able to check out some of the attractions before we have to get down to business?" Tony asked eagerly.
Jethro looked over at Tony who gave him the puppy dog look. He seemed to master that look along with the hurt puppy dog look over the years making it harder for Jethro to say no to him. "By the time we finally arrive in Romania Tony it will be late. We'll need to find ourselves a hotel then in the morning we will get to work, and maybe check out the attractions." Jethro replied.
"Can we share a room with one big bed?" Tony asked while wiggling his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
Before Jethro could answer they heard the pilot speak up from over the intercom. "Attention passengers we will be landing shortly."
When the plane finally landed and they were let out they went to the nearest hotel. Jethro went over to the one receptionist to get there rooms. Tony glanced around the hotel noticing just how dead it was it was eerily creepy. He quickly followed Gibbs over to the reception desk.
"Excuse me…we would like a room please." Jethro said.
"Yeah with one big bed." Tony said with a wide grin. Tony got a swift slap to the back of the head along with a warning look from Gibbs.
"A room with two separate beds please." Gibbs said to the receptionist.
The young receptionist typed everything out on her computer getting everything ready for the transaction. "Okay, Mr. Gibbs I…"
Suddenly and old woman showed up out of nowhere. "You're back, oh no this isn't good he'll be back." She said in a hoarse voice as she came towards Tony and Gibbs.
"Gran what are you going on about?" the receptionist asked before apologizing to the two men for her grandmother's behavior.
"You know exactly what I am talking about! He'll come down from his castle for him!" she said pointing towards the men.
Tony and Gibbs glanced at one another as they shrugged.
The old woman came up to the two men glancing from Tony then Gibbs. She pulled out a holy cross to the two men. "This shall protect you from his evil." She said.
They gave her a blank look. "Take the cross its holy powers will protect you from him. He'll find out you're here and will come for you. He's been searching for you for quite some time now."
"Gran stop scaring my customers." The receptionist said.
The old woman didn't say anything as she placed the cross in Gibbs hands. She then placed another cross in Tony's hands before turning towards her granddaughter.
"Gran honestly…"
"This will protect them from turning up like those marines."
"Gran, that wasn't him that was just some sick weirdo."
"I pray for your safety." The old woman said to Tony and Gibbs before leaving.
The receptionist let out a sigh before apologizing to the two men again. "I shall show you to your room." She said.
"What was all that about?" Tony asked as they followed her.
"Oh nothing really Gran just believes that Count Dracula lives up at the old castle."
"Dracula? That was just a book turned into a movie by Bram Stoker right?" Tony asked.
"That's correct. There is some truth in it Mr. Stoker based the character of Dracula on Vlad the impaler who impaled his victims on sharp iron spikes. Nobody lives up in that castle, not for centuries. Here is your room sirs enjoy your stay." She said.
The two went into their room. Tony frowned at the two separate beds he jumped with a start as Jethro wrapped his arm around his waist and kissed at his neck.
"Let's get some sleep." Jethro said pulling away from Tony.
"You're a real bastard Jet!"
Jethro could only chuckle as he went to get changed for bed. He knew darn well how good he was making Tony hard from just kissing him.
"There's no way I'm going to be able to sleep now!" Tony pouted.
"Well if you're not tired Tony I have an idea to pass the time." Jethro said in a husky voice that Tony could not resist.
"Oh?" Tony said with a Cheshire grin on his face as he wagged his eyebrows.
Jethro came back towards Tony wrapping his arms around him as he kissed down Tony's neck as he ran his fingertips over Tony's nipples making him moan. "Mmm…Jethro."
Jethro bit at his earlobe making Tony cry out as it was one of his sensitive areas.
"Let's go Tony." Jethro said pulling away and heading towards the door.
"What? Jethro! Come on this isn't fair! How can you get me all worked up and then just leave me like that?" Tony asked pouting as he chased after Jethro.
"Where are we going?" Tony asked.
"The castle I am rather intrigued and a bit curious to what the old woman said."
"Are you crazy Jethro? That's where Count Dracula lives!"
"You honestly believe all that Tony? It was just a story and besides at the end of the story Dracula died remember? Besides we got to get to the bottom of the incident with the marines." Jethro said.
"But…couldn't it wait until morning!"
"What's wrong Tony scared?"
"No!"
The two left the hotel to head up to the castle. None of the taxies they got into refused to head up to the castle, so they had to walk.
When they finally got to the castle Tony glanced at the haunting place a shiver ran up his spine. Jethro knocked on the door. "Why bother knocking if nobody lives here?" Tony asked.
"It's proper manners to knock before entering Tony." There was no answer just before Jethro was going to open the door the doors opened themselves.
A young woman with long strawberry blond hair and ruby lips stood before them in a white nightgown. "Yes, how can I help you?" the woman asked.
"Um…we are sorry to disturb you at such a late our Ms.? But do you think we could have a look around?" Jethro asked.
The woman looked between the two men a small smile crossing her lips. "Not at all my master will be pleased to have visitors." She said letting them in.
"Jethro I have a bad feeling about this place." Tony whispered in Jethro's ear.
"It's ok Tony. We might get some answers."
"So what's your name Ms.?" Tony asked changing the subject
"My name is Lucy." The woman said, "I shall inform my master please wait here."
Lucy headed upstairs to inform her master leaving Tony and Gibbs downstairs.
She knocked on a door before entering. "My Lord…it's him I'm sure of it this time." Lucy said.
"I knew I'd find him again I'll be down to greet him in a moment Lucy."
Lucy nodded. "Um… master there is another man with him do you think I could indulge just this once please?"
"Another man!" Her master said a mix of anger and curiosity in his voice. He straightened himself out "Lucy, tell them I shall be down to greet them in a moment."
Lucy gave a slight nod before leaving to inform the two men.
"Ah the time has finally come you've come back to me." He said to a portrait before heading out to greet his guest.
"Jethro I feel really uncomfortable about being here." Tony said.
"it's okay Tony just relax a little."
"That's kind of hard when you're in Count Dracula's castle.
"Tony these people aren't the real thing they are just normal people dressed up like a character from Dracula. It's just a way for them to attract tourist."
"Yea, that has to be it." Tony said relieved that this was just an act.
"Good evening."
The two turned to the flight of stairs to see a tall elegant man with long brown hair in a Dracula costume. The man walked down the stairs looking at the two men with interest it was definitely him he was sure of it. His hair color may not be the same color as he remembered but it was him he'd know those eyes anywhere.
Jethro let out a gasp at the sight of the young man and he wasn't sure why? Jethro for some reason could not find his voice at all as the man came and stood before them. Luckily Tony spoke up for him.
"Hello, we are sorry to disturb you so late, but we wanted to know if…"
"You two must be exhausted from your long journey, we can discuss things at another time come I will show you to your rooms.
Tony and Gibbs looked at one another. It would be rude to not take up the hospitality offered. The two reluctantly followed the man up the stairs and down the hall. The man opened a door and walked inside. "This will be your room for the evening." He said to Tony.
"Um… thank you." Tony said a little disappointed that he wouldn't get to share a room with Jethro this place just gave him the creeps.
Jethro followed the young man further down the hall where he opened another door. "This will be your room."
Jethro glanced around the room. "I hope everything is to your liking. I am glad you're back sweet dreams Jonathan." The man said before leaving.
Jethro turned towards where the man left. He reluctantly shook his head as he got himself ready for bed. He was starting to get a little freaked out himself. He noticed a portrait on the far wall above the fireplace the portrait was of two men standing together. One of the men was the man who owns this castle no doubt or at least a relative of him. The second man the face was fading and all Jethro could see of the face was the clear baby blue eyes of the other man.
He shook his head as he crawled into bed to go to sleep.
The man let out a contented sigh as a smile graced his lips. "Well…?" Lucy asked.
"What Lucy?"
"Can I have the other man?"
"Leave him be for the time being Lucy, if he gets in the way then you can have him. I shall be checking on Jonathan later this evening."
"Is that wise?"
"Lucy, I've been waiting for 126 years for Jonathan I am not going to lose him again Lucy. Not to anyone I wish I could have ripped that woman's throat out. I didn't want to turn Jonathan then I didn't want him to live a tormented life. He begged me a thousand times and each time I refused, in the end I lost him to Mina! But not this time I am not going to make the same mistake again." The man said.