Second Chapter! I really just wanted to post this! Thank you to the reviewer who pointed out that my description for the story was wonky. I fixed it the best I can!
Please enjoy the second chapter of this little story! It is updated and ready to go!
"I do not like this guy boss. My gut is telling me he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Pardon the pun." Tony said, watching Ziva interrogate Daniel from the other side of the glass. Gibbs hummed in agreement, drinking from a fresh cup of coffee. Both men watched the interaction closely. Ziva was quietly giving the man before her a once over, while Daniel had his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at the Jewish woman before him.
"Well get on with it! I don't have all day." Daniel spat. Ziva cocked an eyebrow at the man for his sudden outburst. He was nervous about something it seemed. So Ziva pushed him a tad bit more. She studied him, eyes critical, before asking her question.
"Did you and Raphael get along well?" Ziva asked. Daniel snorted.
"As well as we can. Raph was a boot licker. Did everything Ze'eva asked him to. He was a kiss ass and he always had Ze'eva's back even when the stupid she-wolf was wrong." Ziva wrote down what he said, then looked up.
"What was the assignment Captain Ze'eva sent him on?"
"There was a couple of navy sailors that went into the woods for a bit o fun. Most of them came back. One didn't. His buddies said that he went AWOL so the base called us. Asking for discretion on our part and to bring the snot nose brat back. Ze'eva was annoyed that the Navy was contacting us to find him, but none the less let us in the loop. Raph offered right away to do it. I ain't gonna lie the kiss ass does know how to track. Ze'eva sent him out to the camp site. He shifted and went looking for him. Two days we got nightly reports. After the second day, Raph disappeared. Ze'eva wasn't too worried. Raph liked dogging in and out of communication, but once the third day hit she sent us out for him. Liss was the one to find him." Daniel ranted, stopping when he ran out of breath. Ziva narrowed her eyes and stood up.
"You said your Captain is wrong sometimes. How so?" Ziva asked. Daniel snorted, glaring at Ziva with harsh green eyes.
"She is too soft. Sometimes we need to go in with brute force and here she is using diplomacy and a gentle touch. She's a woman that's what's wrong with the whole damn thing." Daniel snarled. Ziva lost her temper at that moment and stood up, walking slowly to the door.
"You may leave Lieutenant." Ziva said in a clipped voice, closing the door after her. Gibbs sighed, crumbling his cup of coffee and throwing it into the trash. He swung his door open and he met McGee in the hall.
"What do you got for me McGee?"
"Well, according to Melissa, her and Raph had a relationship going on. Captain Ze'eva knew about it and didn't mind as long as they did their jobs. The twins said that Raph was a good marine and did his job well. All three of them said Daniel has a problem with Raph and Captain Ze'eva, especially the fact that Sky was a girl and in charge of him. The last one of the group I thought you would want to interview boss. Or at least get Abby up here to do it."
"Why is that McGee?" Gibbs asked, cocking a curious eyebrow. McGee was more than capable to do a interrogation, ignoring the fact he called Captain Ze'eva by a nickname. McGee stumbled before he continued with his explanation.
"Sargent Derrick House is mute Boss." McGee explained, watching a flicker of surprise cross his Boss's face. Gibbs ran a hand through his silver hair then followed McGee to another interrogation room where Sargent Derrick waited. Gibbs walked in, signaling to the group behind the glass to start a video recording instead of a voice recording. Gibbs voiced his questions out loud first, before signing them.
"Was Raphael a good marine?" Derrick nodded, signing something else to Gibbs.
"He was. He did his job right and got along great with everyone besides Daniel. He was gonna purpose to Melissa." Gibbs repeated outloud. Derrick nodded.
"Did you ever have a problem with him?" Gibbs asked/signed to the man. Derrick rolled his eyes and signed back.
"No. Raph and I were good friends. He didn't make fun of me for being mute and he was the only one besides Captain Ze'eva to learn sign to talk to me. He was my best mate." Gibbs sighed after repeating what Derrick signed.
"Did he and Daniel have problems with each other?" Gibbs asked/signed. Derrick signed something slowly, narrowing his eyes at the table in front of him.
"Daniel always had a problem with Raph. Raph earned his title as beta for the pack when his credentials made it better then Daniel's. Daniel wasn't happy that some boot camp kid took a spot that was supposedly his. Raph never had a problem with Daniel unless he disobeyed Sky or flirted with Melissa." Derricked signed back. Gibbs paused before he asked another question.
"Who is Sky?" Derrick silently laughed before signing back.
"My apologiez. Sky is Captian Ze'eva's nickname because we cannot pround her real name to save our souls." Gibbs nodded stiffly to the Marine, stood, and shook hands with Derrick and motioned that the interview was done. Derrick followed him out of the room. Tony smiled at him and took him to the bullpen where the rest of the team was waiting. Shamayim jumped up, signing to the man, where he signed back. Shamayim smiled and turned to her group.
"Get your asses home. Don't leave base. I fucking mean it. Daniel, you're bunking with Derrick. Cause any trouble and I will have you chaptered out of the Marines faster then you can fucken breath. Go home, eat, and rest. We will be helping Team Gibbs if they need our help." Shamayim said, releasing the shifters. The group left, arguing about somewhere to eat. Shamayim sighed when the elevator doors closed after Melissa and dropped dramatically to the floor. McGee and Tony jumped at the solid 'thud' her body made on the floor. Shamayim sighed again looking at the ceiling. The view was abruptly cut off when Tony stood over her.
"Like my carpet?"
"Damn straight. Smells like freedom." Shamayim bit back sarcastically. Gibbs raised an eyebrow at her from his desk then beckoned McGee over without breaking eye contact with the down shifter. Shamayim grimaced, finally realizing that Gibbs was staring at her cuts and remembering that she was supposed to go see Ducky about getting stitches.
"McGee, take her to Ducky . Make sure she gets her stitches. DiNozzo, David you both with me. Gotta go talk to Abby." Gibbs said moving away with Tony and Ziva on his heels. Shamayim snorted and laid on the floor. McGee crept closer, looking down at Shamayim. Her dress jacket was off, and he could see some of the more expressive scars now. One was on her face from eye ridge down to the corner of her mouth. Another was from her throat to her collar-bone. McGee held out his hand, and Sky took it, letting McGee haul her up.
"So let's get this done. I hate stitches, so this won't be pleasant." Shamayim grumped, letting McGee lead her into the autopsy room. Shamayim followed in, eyes wide with wonder and fear.
"Ah there you are my dear! Let's get to it shall we? Timothy would you be so kind as to help Shamayim? Perhaps hold her hand? She does have a dreadful fear of needles and stitches." Ducky said, bustling forward and leading Shamayim to a table, a meschivious twinkle in his eyes. Oh he noticed that dear young Timothy McGee was interested in the young marine captain. Oh yes indeed! Sky winced as she sat on the cold steel table, watching Ducky warily as he gathered his supplies to stitch her face and shoulder. McGee stepped forward hesitantly, offering the marine his hand. Shamayim looked at him, before she smiled small and held onto his large calloused hand. Ducky came back and smiled gently before he wiped the wounds with disinfectant and injected a numbing agent.
Shamayim growled ferally at the bite of the needle, but relaxed as McGee started talking to her, his voice soothing to her fear filled mind. She paused and spoke out loud, her jaws barely moving.
"What's the story between Ziva and the one who smells like over priced man perfume?" Shamayim asked, smirking as Ducky chortled and McGee laughed. She must have described the smell of the other man perfectly to get them to laugh like that.
"Do you mean Tony my dear?" Ducky asked, finishing her facial stitches. Shamayim nodded her numb head, watching Ducky move to her shoulder. McGee ran a soothing hand along her arm on her other side, watching her relax before he replied.
"In case you didn't find out, and I will deny everything if you tell them I told you, Tony and Ziva have a thing going for each other. They both deny it with a passion, but you can see Tony would die for Ziva and Ziva would kill for Tony." Shamayim chuckled. She had gathered that from the heated stares her friend would throw at the man in the bullpen when they thought no one was looking. Sometimes it was a curse to have an inner wolf who seemed to have an observant factor to it.
"Ziva was always a Helion. She loves with all that she has, even Eli could not destroy that from her. Tony would have his hands full if he ever made a move on my sister." Shamayim rasped, her eyes widening in comedic fear. Her head came up when her sensitive ears caught the sound of heavy footsteps coming twoard them.
"Someone is coming." Just then Tony busted through the doors, Abby hot on his heels. Shamayim froze up, real fear grazing her face at seeing to unknown people coming at her. Her face contorting into a half snarl before she relaxed as Gibbs and Ziva walked in at a slower pace.
"How you doing brat?" Ziva asked, handing Sky a cup of warm coffee.
"Oh you know, same old same old. Can't feel a fucken thing yea?" Cue the headslap from the amused Isralie.
"Watch your mouth. Anyways, we didn't find anything from the lab. Abby tried real hard. She found black wolf fur, and a blood type, but we matched them to your man." Shamayim eyes widen and pitched forward, woozy from the numbing agent, and spilt coffee now on the floor and down her front.
"Raph wasn't a black wolf. Raph was a Caspian Sea wolf. He was a tan gold color." She crumpled, hitting her knees as she went down and she shifted. The pony sized wolf stood and wobbly legs, ragged pants coming from an open maw. Ziva rushed forward holding the gigantic head to her chest as she spoke softly in hebrew. The group watched as the infuriated wolf fought Ziva's hold, drool now coming from her mouth as she struggled to get to the door, yet holding back enough not to hurt Ziva with her size or paws.
"Ziver, let her go. DiNozzo, McGee follow her." Gibbs said, standing next to Ducky, out of range of the she-wolf's fury, Abby standing behind him for saftey. Ziva let go of the she-wolf, watching her as she charged out of the sliding doors. Tony and McGee followed at a fast pace.
"Ziver, what were you telling her?" Gibbs asked, looking down at Ziva whom was still kneeling. Ziva looked at him with a grim smile.
"I reminded her how to use her teeth." Ziva said simply.
"Jesus probie she-wolf can run fast." Tony said, following the she-wolf in the charger. McGee nodded, a frown on his face. The two men had followed the she-wolf on a winding and twisted course as early evening set in. Shamayim moved like a tremendous machine, her teeth in a perpetual snarl and her ears forward as she called on her energy reserves to make her paws move faster, annoyed that Gibbs put a tail on her. She swerved down an alley, her claws scrabbling for a purchase as she jumped a metal gate and snorted in mirth as she heard the charger come to a violent stop and Tony cussing.
"Tell Ziva to look for the red paw. I am on my way to take care of a miscreant."
She screamed mentally, turning with a click of her claws on concrete and disappearing. Tony and McGee looked at each other, gulping. Gibbs was going to be pissed that Shamayim had managed to slip away from them.
"The red paw?" Tony asked, looking at the spot that Shamayimwas a moment before. McGee shook his head just as confused as his brother agent. He walked to the fence and stared at the spot the grey wolf was just standing a moment before as Tony called Gibbs. He heard Tony end the conversation and felt him walk up on his right.
"Well McWolfman, we got some hunting to do." McGee looked sharply at Tony, noticing the smile on the man's face.
"So you do have a crush on her eh?" Tony teased, watching McGee's cheeks flare with color. Tony cackled, but he didn't see the violent head slap come from the probie's large hand. McGee turned on his heel and headed back to the charger, slamming his door. Tony followed, rubbing his head ruefully, revved the car up, and they took off.
Shamayim panted, her paws slowing as she took in her surroundings. She was near the old warehouse where she knew a certain idiot was. She lifted a paw, sliced it open from toe to heel with one of her fangs, and left a trail of red paws all the way to the warehouse's door where she lifted it and placed a last one on the frame. She shifted, fixed her jacket and marched in. The blast of music and flashing lights greeted her as she walked up to the bar. The bartender looked up and smiled, a partly broken smile.
"Well yous a sight for sore eyes there Shamayim. Usual?" The bartender asked, getting an old fashioned cup from the top shelf, and yelling something at another bartender whom was running down the line.
"Sure Sammy. I'll take my usual. Is Conner here tonight?" Shamayim asked, sitting down at the bar. Sammy placed a large old fashioned cup of beer in front of the marine captain, watching in amusement as Shamayim took it and smiled as the song changed. She took a drink and smiled as the malty taste of the beer slid down her throat.
"Naw you mention it, he should show up sooner or later." Sammy said, cleaning some glasses behind the counter. Shamayim grunted, making short work of her beer before turning to the dance floor. A mob of shifters where dancing with each other, bodies thrumming and swaying to the beat as the lights flashed and danced with the bodies on the dance floor. She was half tempted to join in on the fun. She smothered her inner wolf whom as warning her to be on alert. She handed a waiting Sammy her dress jacket, before slipping out onto the floor. She found a group of young dancers and joined them as another song came on. She swayed and danced around a young man, letting herself cut loose before she felt her wolf roar to life. Her wolf senses kicked in and she smiled, slipping away from the dance floor. Her blue eyes collieded with a big handsome man at the bar drinking a beer.
"Nice to see you again Connor." She whispered into the man's ear as she slipped up behind him. The man looked to her, playful green eyes staring at her. Her smiled coyly, pulling her close to him only to have the she-wolf slip out of his grasp deftly.
"What do you want black back?" He growled, taking a shot of Tennesse Honey Whiskey from Sammy, using the shifter's community name for the marine captain. Shamayim smiled, taking a drink of a beer that Sammy placed next to her before replying to the large burly man.
"Do you know of any shifters with black fur Connor?" She asked bluntly. Connor choked on the shot Sammy gave him and then glared at the small woman. All hints of flirting or teasing was gone from his face.
"What it to you black back? You know we are mostly hidden from view and the only reason why I would know anything is cuz you want something with the military."
"Someone with black fur killed Raph." Shamayim snarled back, not liking how the conversation was going already. Connor glared at her, his features getting more burly. Shamayim looked at Sammy who wisely made himself scarce after alerting the club that a fight was about to happen. Which usually meant some form of police were involved later on. The music was cut short and everyone wisely made themselves scarce.
Connor was known to loose his temper super fast with anyone he deemed that broke the Shifter rules. Shamayim didn't need poor Sammy to be mauled by the bigger shifter inside the club. Then she shifted on the fly. She hit a solid wall of brown fur as a Grizzly Bear with a white back rose up roaring on it's hind legs. Shamayim fell back, calculating how she could bring Conner down and alive to get her answers.
She snarled suddenly, snapping at the legs of the monster bear, shoving him backwards outside the club. It was the least she could do for Sammy, whom was somewhat used to shifters having fights in his cub over spirits and girls/guys. Conner dropped to all four paws roaring his anger at the smaller wolf. Shamayim snarled, her teeth bared as the bear took a swipe at her body. She ducked the flying nine inch claws and dove for the stationary paw. She sunk her teeth into the paw only to feel grizzly teeth tear into her hindquarters, just above her tail.
She howled, her teeth digging in deeper as she failed her paws around trying to do damage to the large bodied bear. Connor lifted her, and she came away with a chunk of meat and fur in her mouth. The bear dropped her, roaring in pain. Shocked that the small wolf had actually wounded his considerable bulk. Shamayim hit the ground with a yelp, before she scrabbled up, aiming for the throat. Her teeth met her mark. The bear stood up, using his good forepaw to swipe at the dangling wolf. Claws tore through her chest making Shamayim cry out. She held on tighter, tears dribbling from her eyes as pain exploded behind her eyes. She held on for dear life now, knowing if she fell, Conner would crush and end her with his massive paws.
A lone gunshot came out of the battle sounds. The bear roared, staggering a step forward. Shamayim cried out again, this time letting go of her prey. She hit the ground panting as blood pooled from her chest and hind quarters. Connor hit the ground beside her, panting as blood pooled from his back, lower legs disabled from the gunshot. Shamayim looked at him, blood dribbling out of her nose.
"Tell me Connor. Please, I am begging you as a shifter to another shifter. Raph was my best man. He has kids on the way and he's gone. Who in the shifter world has black fur?!"
Connor looked at her, blood coming from his torn paw and ruined back.
"There are a lot of shifters who have black fur Shamayim. Black wolves especially."
Connor chuffed, passing out from his wounds before he could say more to the broken she-wolf. Shamayim groaned, and laid her head on the ground. She heard multiple hurried footsteps and she opened a blue eye to look at the blurry people standing above her.
"Zivaleh?"
She rasped. Ziva smiled at her friend before she kneeled down and stroked the bloody face. McGee ran up behind her, his gun trained on the bear. He looked down at the wolf, asking Ziva with his eyes if Shamayim was ok. Ziva shook her head, putting pressure on the blood coming from the she wolf's chest. Tony hurried forward, Gibbs right behind them. Sky looked up wearily, and strained to shift. When she was able to shift, the wounds looked horrendous. Her back had deep wounds, some to where the white bone was seen and her chest was a mess of torn muscle.
"Jesus, McGee help Ziva. DiNozzo take care of the damn bear. I'm calling a bus." Gibbs barked, taking his phone out. McGee holstered his gun and dropped to the ground, taking off his sweater and wrapping it around the lower wounds on Shamayim's back. Shamayim's eyes rolled wildly, hand coming up to touch McGee's chest.
"Need ...h..h...him alive." She coughed. McGee nodded, looking at Tony. Tony had kicked the bear, prompting him to shift. He put a compress on his bullet wound. Shamayim smiled, and winced glad that the agents were able to discern her faint voice from the chaos around her. McGee traded positions with Ziva, laying Shamayim's head on his lap.
"Can you feel your legs?" He asked quietly, getting a water bottle from Gibbs and giving the wounded marine a small drink. Shamayim took a sip gratefully, and looked at McGee through clouded eyes.
"Barely. Connor has a good swipe. Heh." She coughed again, blood coming from her mouth. McGee wiped the blood away gently with a cloth, looking at Gibbs in worry.
"Don't worry McGee. This marine doesn't want to die. Looks like she has some unfinished business to attend to." Gibbs said, leaning down to examine the bloody face of the younger marine. Fear gripped his heart as she opened her eyes, glassy with pain. Was she fading before their eyes?
"Dad? Don't worry. I'm one tough marine. And quit reading my feelings old man. I thought you would have done something about it already." Shamayim coughed, the sounds of an ambulance washing over them. Gibbs felt his heart tighten at the use of the word "dad." Did Sky think he was Jahir?
"Why would I do that kid?" Gibbs asked tersely. Sky laughed quietly before going limp and closing her eyes.
"Cuz you're my dad." She whispered. McGee panicked then, gently shaking the she wolf. Ziva stood up and raced for the ambulance.
Shamayim felt lightweight, even as the EMTs lifted her into the ambulance. She did not know who rode with her. All she felt was the EMTs screaming at each other and the cool hand gripped her's more. She smiled and slipped into a dark ocean.
Shamayim walked in the dark expanses of her mind. She was use to the dreamscape. It was a safe place for her during her years at Mossad. She kept walking in the dark, a hum coming from her chest and throat, showing how at ease she was with the situation. Then a voice startled her as it echoed around her, yet sounded so close at the same time.
"Whatcha doing here boss?" Shamayim turned around and found Raphael smiling at her. She smiled back at her right hand man, happy to see him if only for a moment in her dreams. She smirked at him, winking like she did when he was alive.
"Oh you know Raphy, just causing trouble." Raphael smiled, then frowned. He stepped closer to her, poking her in the forehead.
"You shouldn't be here boss. Ain't your time yet." Shamayim raised her eyebrow.
"Oh? Why Raph? I'm sure Danny boy would be thrilled I'm dead. You got pups on the way. Sly dog you." Shamayim said back, sitting on the ground. Raphael followed suit, sighing sadly as the news.
"Yeah boss I know. Can I ask you something?" He asked, tears forming in his eyes. Shamayim nodded, laying down with her hands behind her head. She knew what was coming. She sorta expected it.
"Take care of Lissa. I know it is hard for me to ask, but please take care of her. She was my world boss. Now that I do know she...that we have a baby on the way she needs help. She's proud, you know that. Can you please just make sure she is taken care of?" Raphael begged, his brown eyes shining with hope. Shamayim sighed and held out a hand to her man. He took it. A silent agreement between the two.
"Bout time to wake up boss." Raphael said, cutting her off from saying anything. Shamayim looked at him in confusion before she was pitched forward violently. She gasped, coming into the living world. A cold sweat ran down her face, her chest wrapped in bandages. She panicked, throwing her head around. A soft hand was on her forehead in an instant.
"Shush, shush. Shamayim you are in the hospital. Shush Ze'eva." Ziva whispered. Shamayim looked at her, her breath coming out in short gasps. The room had McGee and Gibbs sitting in the chairs, dead asleep. Shamayim's eyes flashed in the dark, calming down at the peaceful scene before her. She turned her eyes to Ziva, pain flashing in the blue irises.
"How bad Ziva?" She asked quietly. Ziva looked at her friend, fighting the pity that threatened to eat at her.
"It is bad my friend. At least two months in a wheelchair. Daily bandaging of the wounds, and you must be careful when you move." Shamayim cursed loudly, waking McGee and Gibbs up with the foul language her mouth was spurting out. She smiled weakly at the two men, sheepishly that they heard her cussing and the fact they had to see her injured and dying. Gibbs got up leaning over the hospital bed. His blue eyes were stern as he studied the yong marine.
"How you doing Captain?" He asked gently, his voice coming out caring. Shamayim closed her eyes, a tear forming. Why did he have to sound like Jahir? Why could he not remember anything for the life of him?! Curse his silver head!
"I'm alright Gibbs. Did Connor talk to you guys?" She looked hopeful, tears making her eyes glassy. Gibbs looked at McGee, whom nodded.
"He was adment that he didn't mean to hurt you." Ziva snorted. Shamayim looked crossly at her.
"I told you to follow the red paw. Just like the old days sister dear." Ziva snorted before poking Shamayim in the forehead. The she wolf growled in annoyance. Gibbs and McGee watched the exchange in confused amusement. Did the two use the red paws in Mossad before?
"Yeah kid we got him to talk. He had some interesting things to say at the least." Gibbs said, sitting back down in his chair. Sky bit her lip pensivelly at the cryptic news. She was hospital bound unless she can shift and right now she didn't want orderlies to come in and see her as a wolf. Would cause too much trouble. As if reading her mind, Ziva asked outloud.
"Shamayim where are you gonna stay?" Ziva asked, bluntness hiding her fear. Sky looked at her, cocked an eyebrow, and half grinned.
"Think your medical examiner can use a lab dog?" Ziva gave her a head smack, smirking gently at the cockiness of the marine. She winced and smiled lopsided.
"Ok bad idea. I don't know. I heal faster when I am shifted, so unless you want to slap a collar on my furry neck and have me near your desk every day then I say I am stuck in this damn bed." Sky said. Gibbs raised an eyebrow at that tibit of information and looked at Ziva, an idea forming in his mind. It was that simple? She was a wolf and healed faster?
"You guys had dogs in Mossad?" He asked. Ziva nodded. Gibbs smirked and beckoned to Ziva to follow him. Ziva smiled gleefully, following her boss out the door.
"Stay with her McGee. Ziver and I have some shopping to do." The duo swept out of the room, Shamayim looking after them suspiciously.
"I think they are going to the pet store." She murmured, cocking a questioning gaze to McGee. McGee smiled and held out his hand, knowing the woman was internally freaking out by being in a hospital. Where the big bad needles were hiding. Shamayim lifted her hand and winced as the torn muscles in her chest twinge with the movement. McGee pressed a button and in came a large robust nurse.
"Well deary! I'm glad to see you awake. Not many people can survive a black bear attack!" She trilled, dosing the marine with a large syringe of pain killers straight into the IV drip.
Once the nurse left, McGee took Shamayim's hand as she marine began to feel the effects of the medication coursing through her viens.
"Thank you." She whispered, falling back asleep. McGee smiled and hummed , rubbing his thumb across the back of Shamayim's torn up hand. He kept the motion up for the duration of their alone time only stopping when he heard someone shifting bags outside the door. There was a knock on the door, and Tony poked his head in. McGee motioned that he be quiet, pointedly looking at Shamayim whom was snoring softly, and Tony nodded, sneaking in with food. Shamayim cracked an eye open, her sensitive nose taking in the smell of meat. She smiled as the boys focused on their food, before she not so quietly interrupted them.
"Hand over the medium roast beef sandwich Tony. I wont kill you if you do." She giggled as Tony jumped, holding the offending sandwich in his hand. He cracked a smile at Shamayim and placed the sandwich on her lap where she could easily reach it with her broken upper body. She smiled at him before she tore into the sandwich. Manners of a wolf. She polished off the sandwich and was on her second bottle of ice water when Ziva and Gibbs walked back in with a bag. She raised an eyebrow at her adopted sister. Gibbs took his sandwich from Tony who held it up with a fresh cup of coffee. Ziva dove for her sandwich and tea, tackling Tony in the process. The trio watched the two scuffle, rolling their eyes at Tony and Ziva's antics.
"So what you buy?" Shamayim asked. Gibbs smiled, and lifted the bag.
"Think you can shift again?" Shamayim nodded, blue eyes focused on the bag. Curiosity would definitely kill her if she was a cat. Gibbs placed it on her bed and she dragged it closer, glaring at the group as they tried to do it for her. She stuck a battered hand in and she growled in shock.
"Really Ziva?" She asked, taking out a Mossad Military Dog vest and collar with a long line. Ziva held up a dog tag and Shamayim groaned, her head hitting her pillow in embarrassment. Tony and McGee looked confused.
"Team, meet Shamayim. The cadaver dog that Mossad has so graciously let us borrow for this investigation." Gibbs said, smiling. Tony busted out laughing, holding his sides as he laughed at the discomfort of the marine. Shamayim glared at Tony, growling in annoyance. Tony stopped laughing, afraid that Ziva or Gibbs would head smack him for teasing the injured woman. The group laughed at his worried expression. McGee made dog woofing noises at him, Tony socking him in the arm for the teasing.
They finished eating in silence before Ziva shooed the men out of the room to help Shamayim get ready for her new role. Shamayim was already moving her legs with her hands to the side of the bed. She waved Ziva off as Ziva got closer to help, before she shifted. The wolf slowly placed her forepaws down, sitting down on the hospital tiles awkwardly. She sighed and slowly stood. Ziva wrapped a second leash under Shamayim's pelvis and before her hips, Helping her support some weight. Ziva gently ran her hand through the thick fur, noting all the scars and the new cuts on her hindquarters and chest. Shamayim smiled a wolfy smile, nudging Ziva softly with her large snout.
She wobbled over to the dog items that Ziva was supposed to put on her. Ziva slowly lifted the Kevlar dog vest, placed the vest on her back, and began pulling the strap around her barrel. Sky grunted as Ziva buckled the modified vest and she glared at the now offending collar and dog tag as Ziva teasingly held it up. Sky snorted, flicking her tail around to smack Ziva in the face. The collar, once placed on Shamayim 's neck was thick and heavy. She huffed, allowing Ziva to clip the long lead on and she followed at a slow painful pace outside the hospital. She glared at the snickering Tony, whom was head slapped by Gibbs. Shamayim snorted, leaning into the older marine with tired eyes drooping.
"She's coming to my house. Have everyone come over around 7. Steaks are on me. McGee get Abby and come up with some side dishes. gibbs, DiNozzo, go make a beer run. Ziver get some heavy stuff for Shamayim here." Ziva said opening the door for the large wolf to crawl into the back seat.
"On it boss!" The two chorused, while Gibbs grunted. Ziva snorted, closing Shamayim 's door for her and hurrying to the driver's side of the car, getting in and buckling up. Shamayim looked up, blue eyes filled with pain as she started the car and began driving.
"Chayal, sister, why do you ... where did the burn scars come from?"
Ziva looked in the review mirror and thought quietly to herself. She was taken oh so many years ago, and it taken nearly two years for her to come back to being close to normal. Shamayim wasn't there when it all happened, not even in Mossad.
"Sham, I...it is a long story. Just like it is a long story about Ari. Let us save it for when you are stgronger." Shamayim 's eyes hardened, her face turning into a painful snarl at the mention of the man's name. Shamayim had loved Ari with all her heart. She was Ziva's younger counter part, assigned to Ari and Ziva's team when she first joined Mossad. Ari had been fascinated by Shamayim 's blue eyes and had taken the young Mossad officer under his wing. Shamayim closed her eyes, pain and memories flooding her. Ari had loved her, and she had loved him. She shook her head, shoving the memories aside, opening her eyes to see that the car had stopped moving and Ziva was looking at her. She looked back at her, waiting for the words she knew were to come.
"It's ok to cry Sham. You loved him." Ziva said gruffly. Shamayim put her head down on her paws, and waited for Ziva to open the door, where she slid out, nearly collapsing on the ground. She growled as Ziva tried lifting her up, forgetting about her chest wounds. She stepped back with his hands held up in surrender, watching as Shamayim gathered herself and stood on weary paws. She followed Ziva inside her her well furnished apartment, letting Ziva help her by using the leash to support her lower body again just like at the hospital. Ziva placed her on the sofa, letting Shamayim shift before moving away.
"Still haven't figured out that you don't need all these knick knacks sister?" Shamayim called out. Ziva snorted from the kitchen, taking out the steaks from the fridge along with some marinade. Shamayim all but crawled into kitchen, pulling herself into a barstool. She laid her head on the cool marble island top, her blue eyes watching Ziva rummage around the kitchen, smiling when she heard a car coming up to the house and parking.
"Looks like the others are here sister dear." Ziva looked up, frowning. She really hated the fact that some of the powers of shifting; such as the hearing and sense of smell, were never really dormant once shifted to a bipedal form. Gibbs came bustling through the door, carrying several 24 packs of beer. Shamayim raised an eyebrow. Heineken. The imported ones.
"Oh Gibbs dear, marry me?" Shamayim asked, making a puppy dog face at the senior field agent. Those little words made everyone walking into the house look up in fear, horror, or amusement. Shamayim cracked up laughing at their faces. Ziva walked up behind her, smacking the back of her head so damn hard her teeth rattled. She winced, glaring at her adopted sister. McGee came in next, Abby trotting behind him carrying several bowls of potato salad and honey glazed carrots. Then came Ducky and Palmer each carrying a dessert, while Ducky also brought a large beef roast in the house. Shamayim 's eyes pricked in interest, a large smile gracing her face as she caught sight of the beef roast.
Tony came in last carrying a big glass bowl. Shamayim 's eyes lit up and she moved to go to Tony when her legs gave out a step from the barstool. She closed her eyes to brace herself for smashing into the floor, but she felt a pair of solid hands catch her shoulders instead of the cool tile of the kitchen. She blinked in surprise when she was lifted and placed gently in her barstool, looking into the face of McGee. She smiled warmly at him, before looking at everyone else.
"So wolfy, Zee-vah asked me to make this wierd sweet dish she made me eat one time and what the hell is it? It's so good I swear I got diabetes from looking at it." Tony ranted, placing the bowl he was carrying on the island. Shamayim laughed, waving a hand at Ziva.
"I am literally McGee's age Tony. When I was welcomed into Mossad's ranks it was my birthday. Ziva, A...and some others made me a dinner without Eli knowing what the hell they were doing. We didn't have the ingredients for a cake so what they did believe it or not was make something up for dessert." She looked at Ziva and laughed. Inside the dish was a sugar paste substance with some chocolate scrap.
"We called it mutt chow for her. Shamayim isn't full Israeli so her nickname was mutt. A derrogative term for her back then before she proved she was Mossad. This is made from some fine sugar, brown sugar, coarse sugar, butter, flour, vanilla, some cinnamon, and chocolate shavings. We melted it once and put it with milk and made a shake. We froze it and had treats for days, that night however we had all of it with some roasted goat, a salad, and some barely beer." Ziva said, letting the memory hit her full force. Shamayim had been younger, a mere puppy in the midst of trained hunting dogs. She had been assigned to Ziva's unit, and the group wanted to welcome here. Once Ari had found out it was the young girls birthday, he jumped on the chance to welcome her with a birthday celebration.
Shamayim stole a scoop of the paste, chewing it with fervor. She smiled, looking like a kid in a candy shop. Gibbs heart ached at the scene, wishing with all his might that Kelly was there. Shamayim looked at him, smiling slowly. Gibbs crossed his arms, looking back. She snorted, and if she had her wolf ears they would be folded to the side showing she meant no harm. Gibbs nodded, and took the plate of steaks out back. Tony followed along with Ducky, Palmar, and McGee, each carrying a beer. Shamayim rolled her eyes and looked at Abby and Ziva.
"So... can you hand me a Heineken?" Shamayim asked. Ziva laughed hugging her friend and then handed her a beer. Shamayim smiled, and hit the head of the beer on the island, watching the lid pop off.
"Ok you two, update me on all the crap that has happened. Ziva since I uhh died and it is a nice pleasure to finally meet you Abby." Shamayim said, swigging a long drink from her beer. Abby smiled and began rambling, happy to see that Shamayim wasn't anything like a Probie Ziva. Shamayim smiled and laughed at all the blackmail she received, looking at Ziva with devilment clear in her eyes. Ziva shook her head.
"Now now, I didn't do anything bad to you." Ziva started before Shamayim asked out loud.
"So you and Tony eh?" Ziva blushed. Abby squealed happily. Shamayim snickered, taking another drink of beer.
"I like him." Ziva said quietly. Shamayim raised an eyebrow, the bottle to her lips. She lowered the beer, looking at Abby.
"It is easy to see Zivaleh. Even McGee has told me that you try to keep your feelings from him. It is no small feat isn't it?" Shamayim asked . Ziva shook her head. Abby placed a hand on Ziva's shoulder, comforting in silence.
"You should tell him one day Ziva." Ziva smiled at her two friends, her eyes locked on Shamayim 's scarred face. Shamayim looked back, urging her friend with her eyes to be able to do what she couldn't all those years ago.
"Trust what Abby is saying. I didn't get the chance and I will forever regret it now." Shamayim said lowly, taking a longer drink of beer. Ziva's eyes widened in surprise and anger. All this time she thought Shamayim had told her brother, but she assumed wrong. Abby watched the two, dark eyes wide as she saw Ziva get a tad bit angry.
"I thought you told him long ago."
"For what Ziva? He saved my life, he befriended me, I didn't know he was gone though!" Shamayim snapped. She tried standing, thought for a moment before yelling out the door.
"Hey McGee can you help me real quick?" McGee poked his head around the corner, coming in when he saw Shamayim trying to stand from her barstool perch. He supported her body with his side, wrapping an arm around her waist, partially lifting her. She smiled at him and the duo went outside to bug everyone out there. Abby and Ziva looked at each other in surprise.
"Do you think?" Abby asked, thinking back to what they both saw. Ziva nodded, a small smile gracing her lips as she thought quietly to herself. Finally it would seem that Shamayim found a small measure of happiness like that which Ari had given her. The two girls set about working in the kitchen, setting up the large kitchen island with plates, knives, forks, napkins and drinks before they heard the group that was outside coming in. Shamayim was supported between McGee and Tony, of whom which she was duo sat her in a bar stool before the group crowded around the island. Gibbs placed the steaks in the middle smiling at his family.
"Well my group of bonnie misfits. Let's say grace before we dig in." Ducky said cheerfully, watching Sky smile at him. Each of the group held each other's hands, bowing their heads. Gibbs smiled and began a simple prayer for safety, love, and family. Once done Shamayim and Tony dove for the steaks, Shamayim claiming the most tender one from Tony's fork.
"Hey! That one was mine!" Tony whined. Shamayim smiled and turned to place the steak on Gibbs plate. Gibbs raised an eyebrow, but he was surprised to see Shamayim , taking each steak and placing it on everyone's' plate saving the smallest and toughest for herself. She then began serving everyone potato salad, corn on the cob, a spoonful of carrots, and then she served herself last again. The gang just smiled at the small gesture Shamayim gave them in thanks for taking care of her. She ate slowly and rationally, laughing when Tony and McGee began arguing like brothers.
"So Shamayim , are you going to stay here?" Tony asked. Shamayim looked at him.
"No shit DiNozzo. I ain't going anywhere with you." Shamayim said bluntly. McGee guaffed, Ziva and Abby laughing gently. Tony hurrumped in mock anger at the put down Shamayim gave him. Shamayim looked at Ziva, smiling at the fun she was having.
"You know even shifted I ain't sleeping on the air mattress sister." Ziva smiled shaking her head at the act of rebellion. The injured marine turned to Abby.
"Sorry Shimayim, but I got plans tonight before the case is pushed full force tomorrow." Abby said quicky. Shamayim turned to Gibbs, hope in her eyes. The older marine just grunted before Tony joined in.
"Why not hang out with McGeeky?" He suggested, innocently. Shamayim looked at the group eyes narrowed and suspicious of what they were plotting, then her blue eyes flashed to McGee.
"Got plans tonight Tim?" She asked. McGee shook his head, looking at the group. Gibbs sighed, already guessing what the others were planning for the duo closes to him at the table.
"Ok kid, go hang out with McGee. McGee if anything happens to her, please let me know. Tony, Ziva, Abby, start cleaning up this dinner so we can have some mutt chow and pie." Gibbs said. The girls plus Tony jumped to do the cleaning, Shamayim setting desert up and serving everyone again like she did before. She didn't wait, tearing off a chunk of the mutt chow and chewed on it happily.
"So tell me the full story on how this was made." Ducky said, looking at Ziva. Ziva smiled, chewing on her small piece before swallowing.
A smaller Shamayim stood before Ziva. Ziva looked her over before rolling her eyes. Her father was an idiot.
"What is wrong sister?" Ari asked coming behind her.
"Father has given us a new recruit. Look at her Ari. She isn't full Israeli, she is a mutt and a puppy to boot." Ziva hissed. Shamayim's eyes hardened. Ari caught the look before shooing his sister away.
"What is your name?" Ari asked, looking at the smaller girl. She stood at attention, saying her name, rank, and age.
"My name is Shamayim Ze'eva. I am a lieutenant for the Mossad appointed by Director Eli David. I just turned 21 today...sir." Shamayim mumbled, looking behind Ari in embarrassment. Ari's eyebrow rose. 21. Just turned into an adult and a new Mossad officer. This gave him an excuse to celebrate. He threw his arm around the young officer's shoulders and dragged her into the room. He introduced her let everyone know it was her birthday then he whisked everyone away to do stuff. Shamayim shook her head and went to her rack, unloading her sparse belongings and laid in the bed. She was half way asleep when all of a sudden she heard Ari come storming into her room. She leapt up, head colliding with Ari's head. She yelped, apologizing to her CO in a panic. Ari laughed, grabbed her hand and walked her to the lounge area.
Shamayim gaped in amazement. Before her was a spread of food. Roasted goat, some fresh vinaigrette salad, and a bowl of sugar paste. Shamayim had a tear prick the back of her eye before she turned to the group.
"Thank you."
Shamayim laughed, chewing some more of the mutt chow. Tony was snorting, trying to contain his mirth. McGee however looked confused. He looked at the Israeli woman and the apparently half Israeli.
"You two didn't get along right away?" He asked. Shamayim laughed, holding her damaged chest in pain from the laughter. Ziva giggled, the amusement Shamayim was projecting was starting to infect the other woman.
"Oh no McGee. We hated each other. Shamayim saved my life not a month later, that is when I saw her as a trained Mossad officer." Ziva explained. Shamayim nodded in conformation, a smile over her lips. It was Abby's turn to ask a question then.
"Is that when you found you can shift?" Shamayim looked startled, looking to Ziva with wide blue eyes. The duo had never spoken of the mission at which Ari, Ziva, and Shamayim had become close to each other. She turned to Abby, a hesitant smile on her face.
"Yes. That mission was when Ziva and... some others found out I was a shifter. I only found out I was a shifter when they were captured." Abby bounced up and down excitedly.
"Can you tell us more?" Shamayim hesitated, her canine teeth biting at her lip. She sighed and took another bite of mutt chow.
"My father was from...Arabia believe it or not and fell in love with my mother whom was from Israel. He always told me his family was descended from the sacred councilors from the Court of the Wolves. He was a shifter and he loved me deeply when I was born with the family wolf's eyes. He always told me I had a gift. I did not believe him. So he passed away from the wars, my mother moved back to Tel Avi and encouraged me to join the military. I took it as a challenge and went for the Mossad. When I was accepted, I was assigned to Ziva's team. Not two days after my assignment, we were sent on a mission. It went to hell. Shit actually. In desperation to save what family I had left I wished I had the magic of my family in me and I felt the harshest pain. I...changed. I did not think. I charged into the fray, being shot at, cut up, and beaten to get to my family. When I got to them I had slaughtered the people whom where going to kill them." Shamayim rambled quietly. Tony asked a question, holding Ziva's hand under the table in comfort.
"The court of wolves?" Shamayim smiled.
"My father always told me it was the Sultan's court of magicians. Some had the ability to talk to the animals, some the gift to change into the animals they loved so much. My father was from that decent. I inherited the family's inner wolf's color eyes so my father knew I had the...magic." Shamayim growled in pride. McGee then asked a different question.
"Did the group know you were there to help them?" Ziva blushed while Shamayim laughed uproariously.
"McGee, Ziva shot me in the shoulder when she found out whom saved her. Only...only one of the others saved me from a bullet to the head that night. Ziva was Eli's daughter back then and anything with magic was to be eradicated." Everyone gaped at Ziva, Shamayim snickering in the corner chewing on her mutt chow.
"Ziver is that true?" Gibbs asked. Ziva nodded hesitantly. Abby joined in the laughter, holding her head in her hands. Shamayim laughed harder, leaning on McGee who was to her left. McGee looked at the laughing wolfess, horror running through his head. His teammate nearly killed Shamayim just for being... well relaxed, smirking at Ziva.
"Our..our CO stopped her and when I shifted back I was bigger then Ziva. I was bleeding yes, but I felt stronger." Shamayim said, smiling. Ziva snorted. The group laughed at the dynamic. Shamayim then realised she was still leaning on McGee, sitting up straight with a faint red tint to her tan cheeks. Shamayim then sighed, her eyes turning hazy. Ziva touched her arm, pain lacing through her own eyes as she caught the look of pain in her friend's eyes. Shamayim stood straight then, eye hardening.
"Enough about my past. What about you? What have you all done?" Shamayim asked lightly. Tony laughed. She needed some work on her deflection technique. Steady murmur kept up the rest of the night. The beer and food were finished, the beef roast in Ziva's oven, and Shamayim was on the couch sandwiched between Gibbs and Ducky while everyone was spread out on the floor or stools joking drunkenly.
"Agent Gibbs, I don't think anyone is leaving." Gibbs snorted, looking at Ducky who was rambling about some long ago war story to the group whom were giggling like hyenas. She took another sip of beer, watching Gibbs finish his last one.
"Let's get them into the guest rooms. You crashing next to the fireplace?" Gibbs asked, standing. Shamayim nodded, shifting to avoid the pain and painstakingly walked to Ziva and Tony whom were leaning on each other laughing.
"Get up idiots. I am tired. We are working tomorrow and I am not going to enjoy shoving hangover cure all down your fucking throats."
Shamayim snapped teasingly, hauling Ziva up by her shirt collar and dragging her to the room that had a large bed, Tony hanging onto her tail. She dropped Ziva on the doorway, swinging Tony around so he will join Ziva climbing into the bed. The duo laughed fiendishly, crawling together. Shamayim snorted turned and got out-of-the-way of Gibbs who was helping Ducky to the extra bedrooms while Palmer and Abby followed. She snorted, looking for the last one in the group. McGee however seem to have passed out on the couch. She snorted, and padded over to the fireplace. Using a long talon she stoked the fire, smiling at the warmth. She heard McGee groan, making her turn and look at him.
Gibbs was at the top of the stairs watching. His blue eyes were gentle. He watched as Shamayim limped over to McGee, saw him shivering and went to fetch a blanket from the closet. She came back with a thick grizzly bear blanket and placed it over the shivering agent. She thought another moment, and limping into the kitchen, dragging back the sink trashcan. She placed it near McGee's head, then limped to her spot on the floor. She laid out carefully, sighing a wolf sigh and closed her eyes. Gibbs smiled at the scene, his heart filling with warmth. Before he could stop himself he stage whispered.
"Night brat. Love you." He saw Shamayim 's ears twitch, and he continued to air mattress waiting for him in Ziva's main room. Shamayim lifted her head and whispered back.
"Love you too da. To the moon and back."
This is a second chapter! It isn't suppose to explain anything just give you a taste of what the story is based on. Please read and review! I hope you enjoy it!
-Sky