I appreciate those of you who added this story to your alert list, you know who you are, thank you! I would be eternally greatfull if you would leave a review as well, good or bad. The best gift that an author can be given is feedback on their work. I know that the chapters are short for now, but they will get longer once I get into the swing of the story, I promise.

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Fighting to remain upright in his seat, Tony turned over his left shoulder to look at Gibbs, who was driving with his usual look of serious determination firmly set.

"What've we got this time boss?"

With his usual bluntness, Gibbs turned to answer Tony. " Dead Marine's wife." He turned his eyes back to the road just in time to swerve the big NCIS truck around a slow moving mini van. As the van took a sharp right, Ziva lost her balance and ended up half laying across Tony's lap. Helping her sit back up, he couldn't let the opportunity pass him by, "Ziva, how many times have I told you, not at work." He earned himself an elbow to the ribs for his efforts. The familiar gesture sent a jolt through him. It was just a brief sense, and a flash of another pair of eyes before his, but it was enough to throw him off track. He didn't think he would ever get used to that feeling. It had been almost three years, and he had still not forgotten her eyes. If he was completely honest with himself, he probably never would. Most of the time he could put it to the back of his mind, but little things like Ziva using Kate's usual form of retribution would bring it all flooding back. Luckily for him he had become fairly adept at hiding it.

As the truck came to an abrupt halt outside of a house roped off with crime scene tape, there was a crash and a muttered curse from the back. Throwing open the doors, they piled out, grabbing the gear from the back. As they ducked under the crime tape, McGee continued to mutter under his breath. Catching the door key that the Marine Sergeant in charge of securing the scene, Tony turned back in time to watch Ducky berating poor Palmer for getting them lost once again. "You would think that after all of this time, you would have taken the time to learn how to navigate Mr. Palmer."

The baffled M.E.'s assistant knew by now that it was no use trying to argue with Dr. Mallard, and turned to pull his kit out of the back of the morgue van, "Yes Doctor."

Walking towards the house, they caught up with the rest of the team. As tony opened the door, the smell hit him like a wave. Blood, mixed with the sweetish rotting smell of decomposing flesh. Although he had been coming face to face with scenes like this for years now, the smell was one thing that he would never get used to.

Stepping to the left and into the living room, Ziva stopped dead, confused by what she saw. The dead woman was laying on her side between the coffee table and the sofa, her face covered by her auburn hair. There was not a drop of blood to be seen, so where in the world was that smell coming from? Turning to face the others, Ziva raised her hands in a 'you've got me' gesture. Not saying a word, Gibbs stepped over the body and into the next room. His team followed, exchanging bemused glances. Passing through the doorway, they stopped in their tracks again, but for an entirely different reason this time around. There was blood spattered everywhere, bits of flesh and other body parts were strewn about the room. Covering her mouth with her hand, Ziva stepped up to Gibbs side.

"I thought only one was dead?"

Turning his back on the massacre, he spoke to his team at last, "There is only one PERSON dead. If you look closely, you will see that these are the remains of at least one animal."

Ducky, followed by Palmer, pushed past the others and into the room.

"You would be correct Jethro. If I am not mistaken, these are the remains of two canines. Do you know if the family had any pets?"

Pulling his notepad out of his pocket, Gibbs began assigning tasks. "McGee, pictures, DiNozzo, measure and sketch, Ziva, you're with me, lets go talk to the husband. When you two finish, bag and tag everything."

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Once again, any feedback would be appreciated.

Erin