A/N: This is my second NCIS story. I really didn't want to write another story right now but the plot bunny insisted on keeping me up at night until I did so here it is, Tiva with a little McAbby thrown in for good measure. ;)

A Dance With The Devil

Ziva walked into her apartment, a groan escaping her lips as she stretched her tired muscles. Her badge and gun were tossed aimlessly on the table as her legs carried her into the kitchen.

She opened her refrigerator only to be greeted with bare shelves and a growling stomach. She pursed her lips, closing the door and picking up a takeout menu laying on the counter. She picked up the phone but before she could dial she was interrupted by a knock at her door.

Who could it be at this hour? Shrugging her shoulders she went to the door, slowly pulling it open and revealing a man in a suit standing in front of her.

"Ms. David?" the man had asked. She nodded and kept her guard, her eyes resting on the badge clipped to the mans waist band.

"What can I do for you mister.."

"Reynolds, call me Agent Reynolds. I understand you had a relationship with a Mr. Ray Cruz from the CIA." he said in a deep charming voice.

"Yes I did, are you from the CIA as well?" she asked warily. Agent Reynolds pulled his badge and offered it to Ziva.

She examined it carefully and handed it back. In one swift motion she opened the door and let him inside.

"Are you working an investigation against Ray, I mean agent Cruz?" she questioned. Agent Reynolds only nodded as he observed the pictures of Ziva and the team perched on top her entertainment center.

He stopped on a picture of herself and Tony, her arm wrapped around his waist as he held up to fingers behind her head giving her the infamous bunny ears. She was fuming when she developed the film and found that photo. But after finding herself admiring it more and more she decided to frame it, putting it right in top of her television.

"Would you like some coffee Agent Reynolds?" she asked when the man failed to tear his gaze from the photos. Turning to face her he merely nodded and followed her to the kitchen, perching on one the stools located in front of the island.

"So how did you meet agent Cruz?" he asked when she had opened the cabinet to retrieve two mugs before setting them on the counter.

"We met while I was on a trip to Miami. It was not romantic at first, although we did keep in touch after I returned to D.C. Over time the relationship progressed and he had propose to me." she said simply. She poured two cups of the steaming black liquid, offering one to agent Reynolds. He accepted it after jotting something down on his notepad.

"And when did he propose to you Ms. David?" he asked, taking a sip from the mug and setting it back down.

"The day he was discharged. I was going to give him an answer until I found out what he had done. The relationship ended right there at the hanger." she told him. he nodded and scribbled in the pad again.

"Uh-huh and during your relationship did you notice any strange behavior on agent Cruz's behalf?" The question made her think, taking the time to recall the many encounters with her then boyfriend. She smiled when she thought about the things he had brought her from his trips, the way he gently cupped her face when they kissed.

The smile quickly disappeared, replaced by a frown and a growing sense of frustration when when she remembered the young woman's body down in the morgue, a reminder of the evil he was capable of. Clearing her throat she answered the question as best she could.

"Recently he had been canceling alot of our meetings. Saying that work was too busy and he needed to take care of something although he did not specify." she sighed and took a sip of the coffee, letting the burning liquid slide down her throat, warming her body.

"And he didn't give you any details?" agent Reynolds asked, his eyes a mixture of curiosity and distrust.

"He was not obligated to discuss the case with me. You should know that." she said accusingly. Agent Reynolds held up a hand and apologized.

"You're right. I was just making sure we were being honest with each other." regaining her composure Ziva drained the last of her coffee and washed the cup, drying it and putting it back into the cabinet.

"Well Ms. David it looks like I have all I need for now. Thank you for your time." he stood and offered her his hand. She gave it a firm shake and walked him to the door. He opened it and stopped before making his exit.

"Ms. David I want you to know I'm awfully sorry about this." he said in a slow somber voice. Confusion and a feeling of unrest entered her mind as her guest turned and looked at her with dark eyes.

"Sorry about what?" she asked. Her question was answered with a searing pain in her head, her hand reaching up and feeling for injury. She pulled it back and saw her fingers were red and sticky with blood. She heard herself gasp and take a few steps back, stumbling as the room around her began to spin.

The man in front of her had pulled a gun out of his jacket, the barrel now red and wet as the blood dripped to the floor, a small puddle forming at his feet. The kind and welcoming smile from before was no longer there, instead he looked emotionless as he stepped towards her, his arm raised in a threatening stance.

Too dazed to defend herself she could only close her eyes as she braced herself for another round of pain before the world around her slowly dissolved and she was met with nothing but darkness.