Investigation

Everyone gathered in the kitchen late the next morning. Tony and Gibbs had been up first; Tony was making breakfast, eggs, bacon, and toast to order, while Gibbs handed out coffee. Ducky, Jimmy, and McGee were already seated when Ziva came in. Her eyes met Gibbs'; he raised his coffee mug to her in a silent salute. She looked away and blushed, recalling the note she'd found on the nightstand when she'd woken up: Good job. We're off limits.

McGee and Jimmy handled most of the clean-up, rinsing pans and dishes and placing them in the dishwasher. Then they joined the rest of the team at the table.

Gibbs leaned forward. "Impressions?"

Ziva spoke first. "I stayed awake most of the night, watching the werewolves from my bedroom window; I saw two confrontations over status, one between males, one females. They may be staging these fights in an attempt to intimidate us… why else should they happen here, right outside this house?"

"We'll take it up with Daniel," Gibbs agreed.

Ducky cleared his throat. "If I may, Jethro… I think it would be better if I spoke with Aleksandra regarding this issue."

"Yeah?"

"Yes." Ducky tapped a finger on the table. "Granted, I was quite busy last night, but I was able to observe interactions among pack members. They are quite formal, which I suppose is wise, as formality can prevent misunderstandings. When one is a dangerous predator, surrounded by dangerous predators, having an established set of forms –"

"Duck."

"Ah, yes, of course. It seems to me that questioning Daniel as to his pack's actions last night could be perceived as a threat to his position. While I doubt he would react with physical force, he may become less cooperative. And while Patryk's death doesn't truly fall within our purview, we do need the pack's cooperation to investigate the death of poor Petty Officer Haynes."

"In our purview if they're connected," Gibbs pointed out.

"But Ducky, why would speaking to Aleksandra about it be any better?" McGee asked. "Wouldn't she also see it as a challenge?"

Ducky chuckled. "She very well might, if it were coming from Ziva. But I, my dear boy, am not female. And in her eyes, we are equal, speaking shaman to shaman." He seemed very pleased by that.

McGee blinked, then nodded slowly. "The do seem to split rank along gender lines, don't they? But only to a point… Arina wasn't comfortable with Gibbs and Tony."

Tony spoke up. "We don't really understand how this culture works, Boss." Gibbs nodded to him to continue. "I don't think any of us should go anywhere alone. Stay in pairs. We don't know if we have one or two killers to contend with, but either way, we should be watching each other's backs. Even if we're not dealing with a killer, one of us could say the wrong thing and set something off."

Gibbs nodded approvingly. He looked at Jimmy. "Stay with Ducky, Palmer."

Ducky reached over and patted Jimmy on the shoulder. "I shouldn't think Aleksandra would have any issue with you attending me. In fact, your presence may bolster her perception of my own rank."

Jimmy swallowed nervously but nodded his agreement.

Gibbs looked at McGee and Ziva. "You're interviewing the witnesses to Karen Haynes' death. Find out what you can about her history with the pack, ask Arina to help you talk with others who knew her." He glanced at Tony. "We'll tackle Daniel."

"Not literally, I hope," Tony mumbled. He was rewarded with a light tap on the head.

There was a knock on the door. "All right people… gear up. Duck, you run into any problems, call us."

McGee went to the door and opened it to find Arina on the step. "Good morning, Arina."

She smiled, meeting his gaze. "Good morning, Tim McGee." She laughed suddenly. "Meeting you has been very good for me. I have risen even further in the pack since we parted last night."

McGee smiled at her. "Congratulations." He stepped back, inviting her inside. She stood to one side as Ducky and Jimmy approached. Greetings were exchanged, and Arina asked Shaman Ducky if he needed guidance to find Aleksandra's home. Ducky was sure he remembered the way, so he and Jimmy left. Gibbs and Tony weren't far behind; Gibbs told Tony to hold up, then reached out to straighten the collar of Tony's shirt. Tony grinned at him. "Thanks, Jethro." They both greeted Arina, who returned the greeting with lowered eyes and her head turned slightly away; her shoulders, though, remained unbowed.

McGee watched her as they left the house. She watched them, her brow furrowed, in what McGee guessed was confusion. "Is, ah, is everything alright?"

"Oh! My apologies… it is just, well, strange."

"Does your pack have problems with same-sex couples?"

"Oh, no, not at all! Attraction is attraction. It happens among us, but it is never exclusive when it does." She saw the curiosity on his face and smiled. "Mating with one of the same gender cannot produce pups. Same-sex relationships are allowed, but pack must reproduce. The pack must be perpetuated." She looked back at the two agents. "They are fine specimens. It is a shame."

McGee managed to keep himself from laughing. He'd have to find a way to tease Tony about that later.

Gibbs and Tony caught up with Ducky and Jimmy well before they reached the house. Aleksandra and Daniel were waiting for them on the front porch. Daniel was welcoming, shaking hands with everyone, even Jimmy. Aleksandra simply nodded frostily to Gibbs and Tony; she smiled warmly at Ducky and ignored Jimmy.

Daniel led the way into the house, followed by his mate. Aleksandra gestured for Ducky and Jimmy to accompany her into a sitting room at the front of the house. Daniel asked Gibbs and Tony to follow him through the living room into his study; a large room with comfortable leather recliners, a desk complete with a laptop, and a large window looking out on the woods.

"Nice view," Tony commented, as he sat in one of the recliners facing the desk.

Daniel smiled. "I don't know if you noticed, but all the houses are next to the forest. We feel more at home that way." He gestured toward the recliner next to Tony's as he went to his own seat behind the desk. "Please, sit." He smiled sadly. "That was Patryk's preferred chair."

Gibbs sat. "We have some questions for you."

Daniel nodded. "As I expected." He moved his chair forward, resting his forearms on the desk. "How can I help you?"

Tony started out. "McGee and Ziva are interviewing the members of your pack who witnessed Karen Haynes' death… did you know her well?"

Daniel shook his head. "She was new to the pack; she applied to join us once she was stationed at Norfolk. About seven months ago, I think. This was her fourth visit since she became pack."

"Is it common for pack members to join the military?"

Daniel smiled. "Very. Younger, lower ranking pack members especially like to join. They have too much energy to burn and not enough to do. Military rank and structure makes them feel at home. Their accomplishments on deployment can translate into higher rank within the pack as well."

Gibbs sat forward. "Did she know Patryk?"

Daniel sat up, his head tilted to one side. "Interesting question. He never mentioned her, but his status as my second did not require him to report on all his interactions with the pack." His brow furrowed. "I have been trying to think of how their deaths could be connected, but have not made any progress."

Tony sat back, thinking. "At Gibbs' house, you said Patryk didn't have a mate. Could he have been interested in Petty Officer Haynes? Could their deaths have been due to a jealous rival?"

Daniel shook his head. "That would be highly unlikely. Decisions about mating are dependent on rank and on the wishes of the parties involved. As my second, Patryk has – had – the highest rank in the pack barring myself and Aleksandra. Most females would be pleased with his attentions, and males would defer to the female's choice."

"Any particular reason why he didn't have a mate?"

"I really don't know." Daniel's gaze roamed around the room. "He was my second for almost a year. He did say once that he wanted to focus his energy on consolidating his position and working for the pack. The few times we mentioned it, he said he would get around to it soon." He shrugged, focusing on Gibbs. "I'm not aware that any particular female had his attention. There are several females currently on deployment; he may have been waiting for one of them to return."

Gibbs reached up to scratch his cheek. "The basement where Patryk was killed… would that have been a challenge for Patryk's position?"

Daniel shook his head again. "Challenges do not work that way. They are always public, especially those involving high-ranking individuals. Transfer of power needs to be transparent, or the stability of the pack can be threatened. Only pups carry out challenges in private."

"Pups?"

"Rank among juveniles is separate, and does not carry over into adulthood. What happens among the children is often fluid; it is only as they approach adulthood that they begin to establish themselves." He nodded to himself. "Take Arina. I chose her to work with you because she was the dominant female in her litter; as she transitioned to an adult, she lost confidence, probably due to challenging older females too quickly. She has great potential; I hoped her acting as your liaison would build her confidence, and it has. In a single night, she has advanced over two females."

Tony's eyebrows rose. "Is she your daughter?"

Daniel laughed. "No, she is a cousin. Fourth or fifth, I think. Rank is not inherited, and familial relationships are less important than the pack structure."

Gibbs brought the conversation back to Patryk's death. "Did many pack members challenge Patryk once he became your second?"

Daniel thought about it. "There were a few, at the beginning. Testing him. Nothing serious."

"What makes a challenge serious?"

"The degree to which it escalates. A test involves posturing, a few feints, seeking indications of intent to preserve rank. A true challenge becomes a real fight, one in which serious injury is possible."

"Do pack members die in challenges?"

"Very rarely. It is not the intent of the pack to kill members; each member is important. Only when both parties refuse to back down might a challenge escalate to such a level."

Gibbs sat back, signaling Tony to pick up the threads. "Sounds complicated," Tony commented.

Daniel smiled. "Only because you are not pack."

Tony grinned at him. "Was anyone unhappy when Patryk became your second?"

"Not that I can recall."

"What about Erik? You mentioned him at Gibbs' house."

"I did?" Daniel thought for a moment, then smiled. "That's right… I threatened to demote Patryk to omega and put Erik in his place."

"Could Erik have found out about that?"

"I doubt it. It's not likely something Patryk would repeat. And Erik would know it for an empty threat." Seeing the blank looks on their faces, Daniel chuckled. "Sometimes I forget how differently we live. Omega is the lowest ranking pack. There is only one, and being omega is a result of personality. Lack of interest in competing for rank, quick to back down, and so on. Our current omega is a male named Martin… I believe he's around your age, Agent DiNozzo."

"Lucky guy."

"Actually, the omega is very important to the pack. Martin's skills as a hacker have helped keep us off the grid when it comes to the internet. Google Earth has no idea the town is here." Daniel grinned. "The omega serves an important function as peacekeeper, although it is not a comfortable one."

"Peacekeeper?"

"Pack download their stress onto the omega when they have no other outlet. It reduces the number of challenges, contributes toward pack stability."

"Sounds painful."

"It can be, at times. I doubt Martin will be omega much longer. His computer skills can give him status, and he may decide not to back down someday."

Gibbs shifted in his chair; Tony recognized his growing impatience, and brought the conversation back to Patryk's death. "Does Erik stand the best chance of becoming your new second?"

"I think so, yes. He is among the strongest and most confident of us. He ranked just below Patryk, but until a serious challenge, he will not be confirmed second."

"You don't get to choose your second? What if it's someone you don't want to work with?"

"I do not choose, but I can make it clear that some are not welcome. It does them no good to challenge for the position only to have me challenge in return."

"How does that work?"

"If I challenge, I will win," Daniel said simply. "Either he will back down, losing status, or he will fight and lose status. Either way, someone else will be quick to take advantage of the situation and challenge." He looked seriously at Gibbs. "I'm sure you understand the value of having a second you trust."

"Absolutely."

"I can have Erik speak with you, if you think that will help your investigation."

Gibbs nodded his thanks. "Anyone in particular Patryk was friendly with would also help."

Daniel named several pack members, including Erik; Tony wrote them down.

Gibbs looked seriously at Daniel. "We could easily identify Patryk's killer if you'd allow us to take blood samples from your pack members."

Daniel's expression remained calm, but his eyes grew hard. "That I cannot do. Having that data out there, connected specifically to this case, identifying the donors as pack, is too dangerous."

"But pack members in the military have all that data on file," Tony pointed out.

For the first time, Daniel looked irritated. "Yes, but there is nothing to connect them to being pack. Your Dr. Mallard should be able to explain it to you after his meeting with Aleksandra and one of our own doctors."

Gibbs accepted the irritation as a signal to end the interview; he rose to his feet, thanking Daniel for his time.

"It doesn't seem to me that I have been much help, Agent Gibbs." Daniel's expression was calm again.

"Maybe, maybe not. Understanding more about how your pack functions might help us."

Daniel gestured for Gibbs to precede him to the door; Tony wisely hung back and let Daniel follow Gibbs out. By the time they reached the front door, Daniel was in front, opening it and stepping out in front of Gibbs.

The street was full of werewolves, in both wolf and human form. They formed a loose circle around a large grey wolf with black points who faced a tall, muscular man with light brown hair.

Daniel looked at Gibbs. "You are in luck; it appears Erik is about to face his first serious challenge."

The man unbuttoned his shirt, keeping an eye on the wolf. "It's about time, Anton," he said, grinning. "Thought you'd have challenged before Patryk cooled."

The wolf, Anton, flicked his ears back and forth, then growled and took a step forward.

Erik was stepping out of his jeans. "Give me a minute," he protested. "I only just bought these."

He shimmered and popped, shifting into the form of a dark brown wolf. Erik and Anton were close to the same size; the grey wolf might have had a slight advantage. Anton growled again, showing bright white teeth, and moved forward. Erik remained quiet and still, watching intently, his body relaxed and ready.

Tony tore his eyes from the spectacle to look at Daniel. "Do you have a preference?"

Daniel shrugged. "Either would make a fine second. Erik is more laid back, but has many friends. Anton is serious and methodical. Different styles, but they would both get the job done."

Anton charged toward Erik, who remained still until the last possible second, darting to one side, then turning and snapping at Anton's haunches. The grey wolf managed to turn, snarling, and the two crashed together. They became a whirling, furry mass of muscle and teeth, much like Daniel and Patryk had in Gibbs' living room.

The wolves separated for a moment, backing away from each other and circling. Erik had a gash in his side; Anton had one in his neck and he appeared to be limping slightly.

They leapt forward, crashing together and resuming the fight. Erik appeared to be more agile; he turned more easily, and Tony thought that might give him the win. Moments later, there was a loud, high-pitched yelp. The two wolves separated; Anton shimmered and popped into his human form, a dark-haired man who appeared to be a little older than Erik. He lay in the street, hand against his side, blood flowing freely from the wound. "I yield," he panted, supporting himself on his forearm.

Erik remained standing in wolf form for several seconds, then he shifted back, turning to look at Daniel.

Daniel cleared his throat, instantly gaining the attention of everyone in the street. "Are there any who wish further challenge?"

There was some moving and grumbling in one part of the crowd where several large men and a few wolves stood. Erik kept his eyes on Daniel, ignoring it. The motion and sound died down; no one stepped forward.

"Then I declare Erik second in the pack."

Erik relaxed, smiling broadly, then wincing when he stretched the wound in his side. He stepped forward, inclining his head to Daniel, then went to check on Anton. "You fought well," he told the injured man.

The door opened behind Gibbs and Tony; a grey-haired, bearded man came out of the house, followed by Aleksandra, Ducky, and Jimmy. Ducky joined Gibbs and Tony, quietly telling them the man was one of the pack's doctors. He began tending to Anton, while Erik retrieved his clothes and the crowd dispersed.

Several pack members brought a stretcher over; they loaded Anton onto it, then headed off with the doctor towards one of the houses.

Now wearing jeans and carrying his shirt, Erik bounded up the steps, smiling. He lowered his head, murmuring Aleksandra's name, again performed a slight bow to Daniel, then turned to face the NCIS team. Daniel introduced them, and Erik shook hands with all of them. He grinned at Tony. "Wanna get together for a beer later? We've got a nice little pub one street over. I doubt you've had any time to relax." He looked at Palmer. "You should join us."

Jimmy stammered out a reply, lost as Ducky smoothly intervened. "I'm terribly sorry, but Mr. Palmer and I will be leaving shortly. We must get on with our part of the investigation."

An expression Tony couldn't quite read flashed over Erik's face. "Of course, Shaman Mallard. Losing Patryk and Karen – it's a blow." He looked at Daniel, who indicated he could continue with a slight lift of his chin. Erik turned to Gibbs. "Have you made any progress? Is there a way I can be of help?"

"We're good for the moment," Gibbs replied. "We'll see Ducky and Jimmy off, then I think we'd like to take another look at the house where Patryk was killed."

"Did Karen have her own place?" Tony asked.

Erik shook his head. "I believe she was planning to stay with a friend… but your other agents probably have that information by now."

Aleksandra pushed her way forward, looking at Erik's injury. "Come with me," she ordered. "You need that taken care of."

Daniel watched them go, then looked at Gibbs. "Feel free to investigate anywhere and anyone," he said. He turned to Tony. "Agent DiNozzo, bring your Agent McGee with you when you join Erik this evening. There is likely to be some upheaval in the pack tonight. Erik's supporters may be in some conflict with Anton's. There is no reason for anyone to target any of you, but I would be more comfortable if you did not walk the town alone at night."

Tony thanked him. Daniel held his hand out to Gibbs. "Thank you for investigating, Agent Gibbs. Arina told me of your speculations regarding Patryk's death. Such an act cannot be allowed to go unpunished. If we have such a diseased mind among us, we must put it down swiftly. Please keep me updated as to your progress." He went back into the house, leaving the team on the porch.

"Well!" Ducky exclaimed. "It's been quite an eventful time, hasn't it? Come, Mr. Palmer, we must be off." He set off in the direction of their quarters and vehicles. Gibbs and Tony trailed after him. Once they reached the house, they could see through the windows that Ziva and McGee were still conducting interviews. Ducky kept walking until he reached the medical examiner's van. "Mr. Palmer, would you be so good as to grab our bags?"

Jimmy hurried off. Ducky looked seriously at Gibbs. "Watch your step here, Jethro. These are dangerous people."

"Yeah, Duck, I got that impression, what with all the fights and blood and dead bodies."

Ducky shook his head. "No, all that is incidental. I had a fascinating discussion with the lovely Aleksandra. The woman, if that is the proper term, is extremely dangerous. In fact, I believe all of these werewolves might be. Not due to their physical weaponry, but due to their fanaticism."

"What do you mean?" Tony asked.

"Aleksandra was the absolute soul of courtesy during our visit. I never had a chance to ask about the werewolves' behavior last night. She spent most of the time trying to make sure I understood the need for absolute secrecy regarding the werewolves. She made it clear that the pack above all else is to be protected. Every decision she makes, every decision Daniel makes, is for the good of the pack. If they were to decide it is too dangerous to let you leave with the knowledge you have, they'll kill you."

"They'd have no reason to," Gibbs responded thoughtfully. "Once you're safely away, you're our insurance. Killing us would only guarantee exposure."

Ducky nodded. "Yes, I'm well aware. I was only trying to make a point. Aleksandra feels she has nothing to lose when it comes to protecting the pack. As the pack's shaman, she is the guardian of their past and their future. Daniel is the guardian of their present. My professional opinion is that she's quite capable of having killed both Petty Officer Haynes and Patryk if for some reason she found them to be a threat to the pack."

Gibbs reached out to clasp his friend's shoulder. "We'll keep our eyes open, Duck."

Tony frowned. "You really think we're in danger?"

Ducky shook his head. "Honestly, no. Jethro is quite right, once Mr. Palmer and I are safely away, there's no positive outcome to be gained by killing you. They don't want the attention that would get them." He frowned. "I suppose I'm simply rattled by our conversation. It was quite apparent that these are not simply people who can turn into animals; they are something quite different. The way they think is far from human."

Jimmy came out of the house carrying their bags. Tony helped him load them into the truck, and he and Gibbs watched as Ducky and Jimmy drove away.

"I've never seen Ducky so worried, Jethro."

"Me neither." Gibbs stood silently looking in the direction they'd gone. "Alright," he said after a few minutes. "Let's head back to that house. I want to see it in daylight."

Tony fell into his usual place just behind him. "On your six, Boss."

Gibbs stopped and looked at Tony. "Watch yours too, Tone," he said softly.

Tony met his eyes. "Something hinky?"

Gibbs nodded. "Gut says yeah."

Tony took a deep breath. "Lions and tigers and werewolves, oh my," he muttered as they set off.