Chapter 7

The sun shone through the blinds of the of the window in the room giving a gentle spray of light. It hit Ziva gently in the face, causing her to wake up. She moaned slightly as she twisted, trying to hide and go back to sleep. She stretched over and found the place to her left empty. All she grabbed was sheets and she opened an eye.

Sitting up, she kept the sheet pressed to her chest and looked around. The room was fairly clean even though there were clothes strewn across the floor. She couldn't help but give a slight smirk at the sight before sighing. A lot happened yesterday. She didn't expect Ray to walk in and go to work with them. And she had to pretend that she didn't know him.

A noise caught her attention and she turned in the direction it was coming from. It was coming from the kitchen. Part of her training kicked in, but she tempered it since she didn't hear Callisto growling and it didn't feel uncomfortable. Besides, she could smell what was cooking and they didn't have much time to get to the office without raising suspicions.

Pulling on a large shirt, she buttoned it so she was decent. She walked through what passed as a living room and padded to where the kitchen was. She spotted Callisto laying down and looking like she was being neglected and it made her want to laugh. She remembered the 'rules' that had been instilled with the dog.

At the stove was Ray. He didn't turn around, but he did ask, "Sleep well?"

Ziva smiled, "As well as I could. What are you doing?" She came up behind and peered over his shoulder.

Ray smiled as he glanced at her. Her chin was resting on his shoulder and one arm was wrapped around his waist. He had the pants he was going to wear for the day on having taken a shower earlier. He replied with a hum, "I believe breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. Got do right in terms of health."

Ziva hummed and leaned her cheek on his shoulder. "More like being the gentleman when we first had dinner together."

"When you tried to kill me?"

"You did break into my place." Ziva pulled back and looked at him. "What was I supposed to do?"

"Not try to kill me with your knife." Ray grinned saucily at her.

Ziva could resist punching him in the shoulder. She smirked as she did it and then grabbed him in a hug afterwards. It was one of the few times she found herself thinking she was taking on Abby's habits, but something about the man in front of her made her just do it. And she didn't mind.

Ray chuckled as he turned off the stove and put his attention on plating. He liked teasing her since it was kind of funny. The first time he 'broke' into her apartment, she did threaten to kill him, but he was nonchalant about it. Afterwards, he raided her pantry for an apple and ate it in front of her while laying out the terms of working together. In hindsight, it was probably the most foolish thing he ever did considering he knew what Ziva was capable of, but since Director Shepard brought him on board as her private black ops man, he needed someone to be insider.

It was funny now and things ended up where they are now. He smiled as he turned and handed her a plate and said, "It's not gourmet, but every bot kosher."

Ziva took her plate and looked at the omelet he had made along with the side helping of hummus and pita slices he made. "Hummus?"

"Good for you," Ray replied turning with his own plate in his hands. He dabbed a small piece of pita into his hummus and held it out to her. He waited until she took a bite in pleasure before adding, "See?"

Ziva smirked as she finished the piece and hummed in pleasure at the taste. She walked over to the counter separating the kitchen from the ret of the apartment. She put her plate down and leaned over her plate waiting for Ray to join her. Once he did, they ate in companionable silence, enjoying each other's company.

It didn't take long to eat their meal and Ziva tried to help, but Ray refused. It was an engrained habit, and he was always polite when he had guests over. Ziva felt flattered every time he did that, treated her like a woman and not a fellow agent or that phrase 'one of the boys.' And he was always so nice about it, never making it seem patronizing. True, they had some difficulties at times, the whole thing with Rivkin being a major one. In the end…

Breakfast was a fast affair and Ziva was using the shower while Ray was finishing putting on his choice of shirt. He pulled on a form fitting shirt, giving a smirk since a certain NCIS agent got him hooked into wearing them though he preferred the t-shirts. He was looking at his blazers hanging in his closet when Callisto whined at him. He turned to look at his dog from where she was looking at him. He asked, "What, not liking the look?"

Callisto cocked her head while panting. Ray grinned as he turned to pull the blazer he intended on wearing out and put it on. He did have a couple of nice suits, but he wasn't going to change what had been standard for the last few years. And it was decent enough. It wasn't like he was walking in with board shorts and flip flops. He studied his dog and called in the direction of the bathroom, "You think Gibbs will have a problem with Cal?"

Ziva poked her head around the corner. Her hair was wet and dripping. She looked at the dog and then Ray with a raised brow, "You're not thinking of bringing her?"

"She's a working dog." Ray shrugged like it was nothing. He looked at Ziva before going to pick up his battered satchel bag and checked to make sure that it had everything. He grabbed the lead and the harness for Callisto and put it on. "See you at the Yard."

Ziva pursed her lips and sighed as she watched Ray leave. She realized he only asked just because and sometimes he never was sure of what to say. She didn't blame him really on that. She shook her head before going back into the bathroom to finish drying off. As much as she would have liked to ride with him, it was better that they came in separately.

In the meantime, Ray was smiling as he walked down with Callisto. It was mostly to reassure his landlady since he didn't want to worry her about the things he did. His mind was actually on other business, thinking about the case. He had been able to backburner it when he was with Ziva, giving her his full attention since he always enjoyed being in her company. What was on his mind was business that brought back memories and he felt the burden he had been carrying all these years become heavier.

As he drove to the Navy Yard, he thought about what he had been working on. He had gotten up early and made sure that Callisto was fed. He didn't go for a run like he usually did but instead plunked himself in front of his computer and decided to pursue a lead that he had been toying with ever since a few things became clear. He sat on it because he knew that it was the kind of thing that would get him into trouble.

What he had told Vance and SECNAV was true. He had been threatened with treason if he talked to any of his old teammates. In return, he lied. There was one or two that he could talk to and they wouldn't go blabbing. He could add Flynn to that list, but he was not a member of his old team. In any case, Ray decided to do what he knew would give him some answers to what was going on with their case at Leland. He contacted his old right hand.

Despite him and Simkins being close, Simkins was not his second. There was one other that Ray knew he could trust like he did Flynn. Taking the plunge, he activated a coded chat and typed in, Old wounds have been opened.

It didn't take long for the reply to come through, Who is this?

Ray gave his call sign from his JSOC days and waited for the response. He almost wanted to laugh at the reply. For the most part, he might as well be dead to all that knew him from those days and he did fall off the map so to speak. Mostly. It wasn't the time to laugh and he typed in his apologies and that he needed help.

A side castle needing help? That's rich.

Ray thought about it and decided to direct, DZ may be active again.

The tone changed completely, Don't be stupid. You got burned and were spared because of you. Nothing survived. NOTHING!

While it didn't help on the surface, Ray didn't buy it. He knew that bringing up old wounds was going to be a sore spot. Some of his team failed in their careers and others… they pretended that it never happened. The message was adamant in its demands, but that told Ray that there may be something more going on. He was well versed how people would be pretty much stubborn about things like this but only because they were afraid of something else.

He pressed but received the same adamant reply to drop it. That told him that he should definitely keep it up. He didn't want to, but now he knew that he should. And it put him in a bind. In hindsight, it was best that he did. He was starting to reevaluate the possibility that Dead Zone hadn't been a total failure, that there was more to what he had been told when he had been disavowed.

Whippoorwill mentioned that there was a new bug and wanted to join in.

That was the last thing that had been sent and it felt like it was a concession. That it was done out of sheer politeness since it had been followed with a repeat statement to stay out of it. There was no proof, but it implied that at least one old team member was in on it. He hated to think so, but Dean Zone furnished a lot of resentment after the deed was done. It only told Ray that he was going to have to be on the lookout and not just for himself but for the team. He had to make sure that his new team wasn't in the sights of those responsible for Rawlings' and Connolly's deaths.

The whole thing made the day to start to look foreboding. It had been on his mind when he got ready for work and decided to make breakfast for him and Ziva. It felt like he was lying to her when he didn't let his thoughts show, but they had been together long enough for her to know that there were things he couldn't tell her and why their relationship was rather aloof at times. It was one of the reasons why it blew up in their faces when Rivkin was in the picture.

They eventually talked about it, but Ray felt like he was still lying. And it was all in the name of protecting that which he cared about. And it stunted any real conversation he wanted to have with her, which made him feel like a cad leaving like he did. He would probably pay for it later and what she did would depend upon her mood. It was something he would have to deal with later. Right now, he had to get to work and try to get along with a team that was still suspicious of him.

He perked up when Callisto barked. He looked around and spotted a place he knew had the thing that would help. He grinned at her and rubbed her head. "Nice call, Cal," he said and made a turn.


"How did you know?"

Ray shrugged as he handed everyone their cup of coffee. "Took a guess." He tossed the carrier and set the last cup on Gibbs' desk. "Or maybe psychic intuition."

McGee was giving a raised brow as he sipped his coffee. DiNozzo was looking at Ray with slight suspicion and glancing at Ziva, who was appearing calm about everything. She was sipping her coffee with a nonchalant air. DiNozzo cleared his throat and replied, "Maybe McGeek believes in that, but…"

"It's an olive branch, Tony," McGee countered with a slight eye roll.

Ray sat down at his desk and pulled out his laptop to work. He looked down at his dog as she looked at him and then put her head down on her paws. He tapped a few keys and said, "Actually, all I had to do was ask. The barista was helpful."

DiNozzo narrowed his eyes at that and took a sip. He nodded slightly, but said, "You forgot the nutmeg."

Ray glanced up and caught DiNozzo's eyes and replied, "Better luck next time, right?" He knew that it was a concession to working together. Complete trust took a long time and it didn't happen overnight. Right now, he was just trying to at least make a comfortable setting for them to work together.

"Right," DiNozzo replied sitting back down at his desk.

Ray smirked as he tapped a few keys. He looked through the reports that Abby sent up on her analysis. He also was checking on a few things that Jo sent him and thought about his impromptu call to an old friend. He moved his foot up and down in a nervous tick but against Callisto's side. She responded by putting her paw over his foot and rubbing her head against his ankle. It calmed the nervous tick right away.

"What have you got?" Gibbs rounded the corner and picked up the coffee left on his desk.

McGee tapped a few keys and put up the findings on the plasma. "Abby managed to get a print off the casing that killed Caldwell. Points to a Pierce Laurent." He clicked the remote to pull up a booking photo of their suspect. "He has a record of B&E and robberies, mostly small time. He was released just two weeks ago. No known associates."

Ray had looked up at the mention of fingerprints. That meant that the person who it really belonged to was either sloppy, or he used gloves and the casing was from a supplier. More likely it was the latter, and it wasn't uncommon to use people not associated with the military or similar branches. At least it was something. "Looks like he graduated to murder," he muttered.

"Or he handled the ammo," Gibbs pointed out. He looked at McGee, "Got an address?"

"Yeah. Listed under a girlfriend's address." McGee, wrote the address down and moved to hand it to Gibbs.

"Get on it McGee."

"Right away, Boss." McGee tucked the slip of paper in his pocket and opened the drawer to pull out his Sig.

"Take Salazaar with," Gibbs added almost as an afterthought, but it also sounded like he was annoyed that McGee was forgetting something. "Ziva, DiNozzo… follow up on Leland Biotechnics. Secure the demo tape that was mentioned in the emails," he added, referring to the conversation of a demonstration between Rawlings and Caldwell.

Ray stretched a little as he stood up and grabbed his own weapon. Holstering it, he clicked his teeth to signal Callisto and started following McGee. He wasn't even looking when Gibbs tossed him the keys, but caught them deftly.

"The upholstery better not be ruined."

Ray felt his lip curl at that. It was acknowledgement of his dog and told him that Gibbs didn't mind. He called, "McGee. You drive," and tossed the keys.

McGee caught them just as he entered the elevator. He eyed Callisto a bit nervously as she trotted in and sat just to his left while Ray entered and stood to the left of the dog. Ray studied McGee's reaction and looked at Callisto. She was looking straight ahead, on the job. She loved it when she got to work. He said, "She won't bite. Not unless I tell her to."

"Sorry," McGee replied with a slight clearing of his throats. "Dogs… can make me nervous. Took me awhile to get used to mine."

"Odd, but I'll bite," Ray replied with a slightly raised brow. "Why is that?"

McGee long got over when his now dog Jethro bit him during a bust. He had been wary of the animal during the case. Abby wouldn't talk to him. DiNozzo made fun of him. He wasn't sure how the newest agent on the team would respond. He decided to take the plunge and replied, "He attacked me on a bust. He belonged to Marine handler and… I shot him. In the end… he's mine."

"Better than mine. Cal here was actually going to be retired. Her handler had been killed in Afghan. She saw me and that's that." He left out the fact that she bared her teeth at him at first until he barked at her. A little bit of kong time and they became fast friends and he was allowed to be her new handler.

"So she's…"

"MWD. MPC actually. Cal can detect explosions but also wear tactical gear as necessary."

"Aren't those, special forces dogs?"

"Navy SEAL, McGee." Ray gave a grin and walked out when the elevator opened. He clicked his fingers and Callisto followed. He couldn't help but call back, "Don't worry McGee. She's got your six."

The drive was not very entertaining. McGee was behind the wheel, a little nervous when Callisto would poke her head forward and look forward for a moment before setting back. He wanted to take Ray's word for it that she wouldn't hurt him, but he was no fool. He knew that trained K9 units could be vicious if given the order. It also had him curious, especially when Callisto would poke her head forward and place her head on his shoulder. Instantly, McGee felt a bit calmer and he figured that Ray was right about her and was willing to give a little. It would make at least two dogs that he felt comfortable around.

The apartment complex looked like the projects in most major cities and McGee pulled the car up. Ray peered through the window and scrutinized the building and the surrounding area and listened to Callisto as she made a slight sound. She was ready to go. They were very out of place; anyone could tell by looking at them that they were cops. He checked to make sure that his gun was on his belt and got out and opened the back to let Callisto out.

McGee looked around as he got out to check their surroundings as well. He glanced at the dog and he glanced at Ray. He kept in step with the man as they headed towards the entrance of the building. He murmured, "Seems like a good place to hide."

"Or be a freeloader," Ray replied with a slight shrug. "Laurent could be just using her. Either way, he has ties to the shooter." He glanced around before heading towards the stairs with one hand at the ready to draw his weapon if necessary. He muttered, "Cal. Go."

Callisto let out a slight moan and moved forward. McGee and Ray followed her as they made their way up to the apartment they were looking for. Callisto sniffed and sat. That was the cue to draw weapons and Ray pulled his out and tapped her shoulder to pull her back. He nodded at McGee and stacked up.

"NCIS, open up," McGee sounded out as he knocked on the door.

The shot to the door was the response, making Ray and McGee lucky they were stacked up and not in front. It left a nice size hole since it was a shotgun. Callisto growled as Ray kicked in the door. He shouted a command and Callisto shot forward after the suspect as he called out, "Federal agents!"

There was noise and a crashing sound. Callisto barked. McGee and Ray followed the sound. Making sure to clear the rooms they passed through. The girlfriend was huddled in a corner screaming and they saw their suspect heading for the window being chased by Callisto. Ray took the lead and was blindsided by a second suspect and rammed into a nearby wall. He grunted and threw the guy off. "McGee, go! Follow Cal."

McGee obeyed and followed the escaping suspect. Callisto was already out the window. She was barking, so he followed the sound. He came to a staircase that led to the roof and approached with trepidation. He rounded the corner and found Callisto growling, waiting for him. He noted her posture and kneeled beside her. He had no idea what he was doing, but at least she didn't try to bite his arm. "Cal, you see him?"

Callisto made a slight whine mixed in with a growl. At that moment a shot rang out and hit the rail. McGee automatically ducked and moved to return fire. The angle was awkward and he couldn't get a shot off. He patted Callisto, "Come on," and started up the stairs. He paused when the suspect continued to shoot at him and ducked. It felt like a snail's pace going up for him, but for Callisto, she was trotting up.

In the meantime, Ray was struggling with the second suspect. He groaned when he was rammed into a wall, but managed to bring his fists down on the man's back in retaliation. It gave him time to get into a better position and grapple with the man. Using the suspect's momentum, he got him on the ground even taking a few hits in the struggle. Eventually, he got him down and fished out his cuffs and dragged the suspect across the floor of the living room.

"He didn't do anything!"

Ray glared at the girlfriend before wrapping the cuffs around a pipe for the radiator and cuffed the suspect to it. It was better than nothing and he managed to narrowly avoid being hit by a skillet the girlfriend threw at him. He didn't want to fight her, but he couldn't have her running around and getting their suspect free. So he improvised and left her tied to a pillar in the room with zip ties he found and followed McGee's path.

McGee felt the familiar twinge of fear being on the roof, but it wasn't crippling like it used to be. He still didn't like heights, but he could tough it out and get the job done. Besides, he was in pursuit of a suspect and he didn't want to be shown up by a dog of all things. He kept his eye on Callisto since she had the scent. It was just a matter of going where he could fit. He rounded a corner and slid into a duck when a shot rang out.

Callisto was barking and growling. McGee called out, "NCIS, Laurent. Drop the weapon!"

The response was a shot and McGee ducked, taking cover. There was a snarl and a yelp that was clearly human, followed by a cry of pain. McGee took a chance and came out from his cover. Following the sounds, he came across Laurent on the ground. His gun dropped and clamped tightly on his forearm was Callisto. It was enough to make McGee wince since he knew that for her breed, the pounds per square inch were literally bone crushing.

"Getting this crazy mutt off!"

Callisto was growling low in her chest, but she wasn't letting go. She wouldn't let go until her handler gave the command. McGee held his gun ready while reaching for his cuffs. At that moment, Ray emerged with his gun drawn and approaching, asking, "You okay, McGee?"

"Yeah. Callisto got him."

"That's my girl." Ray gave a command and she released Laurent, allowing McGee to cuff him. "I guess I owe her some kong time."

Callisto barked at that while Laurent growled in displeasure. McGee asked, "What about the other guy?"

"Handcuffed to the radiator and girlfriend zip tied to a column post," Ray answered like it was no big deal as he moved to help McGee get Laurent to his feet. "Called it in."

McGee nodded and hauled Laurent to his feet. He wasn't expecting the spray of blood that hit him in the face, nor Ray tackling him to the ground before a second shot echoed, followed by another. He looked to find Laurent trying to breath and the front of his shirt was covered in a big red spot. He looked up to see Ray holding his gun up and looking for the shooter, blood speckled on his face while Callisto was barking.


A/N: Looks like things are moving forward but their suspect is lost to them before they could even talk to them. Stay tuned for next time.