A/N: Idea from losingmymind2

Idea Thirteen: Termites

Tony DiNozzo always loved a new crime scene. It was part of a puzzle, a puzzle that needed to be solved. Justice would prevail and they would win through in the end.

He did not enjoy finding dead bodies. Dead bodies meant a family who would mourn, who would demand answers faster than they could provide them. Dead bodies smelt and had the potential for ruining his clothes, should the Probie decide to barf.

The locations were sometimes nice. More often than not, the location was a filthy motel room, a back alley, a dumpster… the list went on seemingly forever. But sometimes they got lucky. A state park was beautiful, especially in the early morning, even if it meant an outdoor crime scene and all the complications that came with it.

This location was unusual. And he was rather happy to see this particular person dead.

Gibbs' basement had been turned into a crime scene, much to the boss' displeasure. Someone, probably Ziva as she was the only one who had a death wish, had draped the half-finished wooden boat in bright yellow crime scene tape.

And Director Leon Vance lay on the cold concrete floor beneath it, definitely dead.

From a distance, he looked as though he was merely sleeping. But up close, it was clear that something had eaten him. Lots of somethings. Small somethings.

Because of the location, Tony had found himself in charge of the team. He had immediately dispatched the McGeek to question Gibbs, not daring to have that conversation himself. Ziva was busy taking photos while Ducky and Palmer were examining their soon-to-be latest guest.

"Time of death?" he asked the medical examiner.

"Somewhere around ten o'clock last night," Ducky finally declared. "Does that help Jethro?"

"Seeing as he was in the squad room with all of us until eleven," Ziva piped up. "It would let him off the reel."

"Hook," Tony corrected. "Found a cause of death yet?"

Ducky sat back on his heels, smiling slightly. "I believe I may have. Do you remember Jethro mentioning having to bring in the exterminator again?"

Tony shook his head. "The man barely speaks," he noted. "I would have remembered if he said something about it."

"Gibbs has termites," Ducky told him, almost conspiratorially. "And it appears that the termites were attracted to our late Director."

"So they ate him alive?" Ziva's eyes lit up at the thought of such a gruesome death.

"Abby's going to love this," Tony muttered. "I nominate Ziva to tell her."

"Gladly," Ziva grinned. "This would be a most effective way of killing someone. It would not leave a trace and anyone would attribute it to natural causes."

Tony made a mental note to run screaming from his apartment if he ever saw a termite. It might be embarrassing, but knowing Ziva it would be lifesaving.

"If I am telling Abby, do you wish to tell McGee?" she asked suddenly.

He looked over at her in confusion.

"If it is okay with you, I shall arrange for our Director to be moved," Ducky interrupted.

Tony turned back to the doctor. "Yes, yes of course." He'd almost forgotten Ducky was there.

"Do you want to tell McGee?" Ziva repeated slowly.

"Why?" he demanded.

"If McGee is afraid of maggots, he may not like termites," she pointed out.

A slow grin formed on his face. "Finish up down here," he ordered. "I'll be with the Probie."