Title: NCIS – Fallen Hero

Author: D M Harper

Summary: When Naval Criminal Investigative Service's MCRT investigates the death of a decorated Marine, one member finds much more than a motive for murder.

PAIRINGS: Agent Ziva David & Abigail Sciuto; Agent Ziva David & OFC; Abigail Sciuto & OFC.

Rating: MA for Mature readers.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction borrowing characters from a TV series. Other characters are original, but have learnt to play nicely with the others. No profit is gained and no copyright infringement is intended to creators Donald P. Bellisario & Don McGill or Belisarius Productions, Paramount Network Television & CBS Paramount Network Television.

A/N: Please take a dip into the review pool and leave a message. The Muse gets a little hungry!

Chapter 25

"Agent David," answered Ziva after picking up her desk phone.

"Agent there is a delivery for you at Reception."

"Okay, I will be down shortly." Hanging up, she stood and went to the Lobby. She returned several minutes later carrying a bunch of purple roses. Placing them on her desk, she reached for the envelope and withdrew the card. She promptly burst into tears and collapsed against the table.

Gibbs was swiftly by her side and hugged her to his chest, "What is it Ziva?"

"Grayson must have organised the flowers before she was murdered." She pulled back and handed Jethro the card:

My Darling Ziva,

I can't wait to marry you next week.

I will be forever with you.

My love always,

"G" xxoo

Tony cleared his throat, "Ahem Boss, you and Ziva need to look at the monitor."

"What is it DiNozzo?" snapped an upset Gibbs.

DiNozzo pointed to the view screen, "It's a news report on Eli David saying he has been killed in a gas explosion."

Both Gibbs and Ziva turned to watch the ticker tape news roll by on the bottom of the monitor.

"I am glad he is dead," declared a still crying Ziva.

"You'll get no argument from me," agreed Gibbs. Rubbing Ziva's back, he added, "Go home Ziver."

"You have not used my nickname for some time and I would like to go home. Ashley arrives at 2000 hours."

"Hey Boss," began Tim. "Isn't that Colonel Flack going up the stairs?"

"Good eyes McGee and when my phone rings, tell the Director I am on my way." Looking to Ziva, he asked, "Are you going to be okay?"

"I will be fine and will see you all tomorrow night." Collecting her bag and flowers, Ziva left as Gibbs' phone sounded.

-o-

Ziva drove the Silverado into the garage and closed the roller door. When she got to the kitchen door, she stopped when she noticed the security system had been deactivated. Putting down her knapsack and flowers, she took off her NCIS cap and placed it on top of the bag. Fearing one of Eli's men was there to finish the job; Ziva took precautions to ensure her safety. Taking hold of her gun, she carefully and silently opened the side door and snuck into the kitchen.

She immediately saw the refrigerator door was open and a patch of blue tiger stripe camouflage material was peeking out from behind the silver frame.

"Federal Agent, show yourself!" she announced sternly.

As the door closed, she gasped, "Oh dear god." She put away her weapon and sobbed, "This is a dream."

"No it's real and do you want to explain why there is nothing edible in the fridge?"

Moving slowly, Ziva inched closer and reached out, "How can you ask about food at a time like this?"

"I'm bloody hungry and by the look of you, you need to eat too."

Ziva ran her fingers over smooth skin, "Oh god, you are really here."

"I'm sorry for just turning up unannounced, but I thought the flowers may have been a clue."

"A clue?" Ziva stepped in and seized smiling lips. The kiss was fierce, hungry and desperate. When she pulled back minutes later, she was panting heavily, "I can't believe you are here."

"Would it help if I took you to bed and made love to you?"

In reply Ziva grabbed a hand and rushed to the bedroom.

-o-

Ziva was crying uncontrollably in bed while being held from behind.

A soft kiss fell against her ear, followed by a whisper, "I'm sorry your heart was broken baby, but I was under strict orders not to divulge my whereabouts to anyone."

Rolling over, Ziva looked into blue eyes, "I am so happy you are alive Grayson. Oh god, I missed you so much and wanted to die."

Grayson trailed her fingers through Ziva's hair, "I missed you too and when I regained consciousness in ICU, all I wanted was you. It tore my heart in two when I was directed not to contact you. Flack realised it was an opportunity to capture Eli if he thought I was dead."

"But why keep us all in the dark?"

"Flack knew you were under heavy surveillance and your reaction as well as the others had to appear genuine. Eli was aware we were a couple and chose to dispose of me to hurt you."

"Well he achieved that and Gibbs wouldn't allow me to go after Eli."

"I know baby. Once I was presumed dead wheels were set into motion and Flack couldn't have you in harm's way."

Ziva leaned in and kissed the raw scar above Grayson's right breast, "How long did it take for you to recover?"

"A month, I was in ICU for a week."

Trailing her lips across to Grayson's left clavicle, Ziva kissed the fresh blemish, "You were very lucky."

"Yes I was. The prick missed vital organs but I was pretty sick at the start."

"You still taste great."

"Mmm so do you my love."

"Your mother will be here in two hours."

"Do we have to pick her up?"

"No darling, she is being collected by Abby and Amy."

"So Amy and Abby are still going strong?"

"Yes, your death brought them closer together and Amy flys over every weekend. She requested a transfer to Bethesda Naval Hospital and will start there in January."

"Wow, I'm so happy for them."

"Gibbs has a new girlfriend. Her name is Abigail Borin and she is a Special Agent with the Coast Guard Investigative Service. She is thirty-four and an ex-Marine with twelve months combat experience."

Grayson grinned, "She sounds perfect for Jethro."

"I agreed and she is a strawberry blonde. She even smacks her team members on the back of the head. Oh and she is quite the looker."

"Is she now?"

"I did not view her in that way, my heart was broken and it still belonged to you."

Grayson started to cry, "Oh baby, I love you."

"Shush, no more tears honey."

"Please make love to me Ziva; I missed our time together so much."

-o-

Ziva opened the door to Ashley, Abby and Amy then kissed and hugged them all before saying, "I have a surprise for you all in the bedroom, but you have to be quiet."

"What are up to Ziva?" asked Abby as she followed her best friend down the hall.

"It is best if you see for yourself."

The three women stepped into the room behind Ziva and gawked at Grayson. She was lying on her stomach with her bare back exposed.

"Oh dear god," whispered Ashley before bursting into tears.

Abby blinked several times at the sight of the blonde, "Grayson."

"Holy fuck!" exclaimed Amy.

Grayson waved her left hand in the air, "I see you still have a way with words Lieutenant George."

Abby raced to the bed as Grayson pulled up the sheet, "Can I hug you?"

"You certainly can Abby," replied Grayson as she sat up.

Ashley looked at Ziva, "Is this real?"

Ziva embraced her, "I asked the same question and yes, it is real. It's a long story that I will leave Grayson to explain."

Amy joined the clinch on the bed, "It's so good to see you Gray. I missed you terribly."

"Likewise Amy," said Grayson through her tears.

Abby stood up and wiped her eyes, "Don't ever do that again or I'll go crazy on your ass."

"I'm sorry Abby, it wasn't my idea."

"Yeah well, just don't leave again." She moved out of the way as did Amy.

Ashley approached her daughter and swiftly fell to pieces.

Ziva, Abby and Amy left the room as Grayson reached for her mother.

"I'm sorry for the deception mom."

"Oh god Grayson," sobbed Ashley. "I can't believe it."

"How long are you here for?"

"Until next Sunday, I'm here to be with Ziva and help her through next weekend."

"The wedding?"

"Yes honey, Ziva has really struggled."

"I know and I hope to make it up to her. She looks tired and has lost way too much weight."

"She gave up on living Gray."

"I desperately wanted to let you all know I was still alive."

"I gather it was all part of a plan."

"Yes mom and our marriage is still on."

"But I cancelled everything."

"I know and I rebooked it all two weeks ago. It was the only time I was allowed to make phone calls."

"Oh Ziva will be so pleased."

"I haven't told her yet."

"Your funeral was a hellish nightmare for her."

"I was so unhappy with having to go that far, but I wasn't aware of it until afterwards."

"Why not?"

"I was heavily sedated in ICU."

"Oh honey."

"I swear I have had enough of hospitals this year."

Ashley giggled, "I think you've filled your quota."

"Mom, let me shower then order some dinner in."

"I'll order, what would you like?"

"Chinese please."

"I'll see you outside."

"I love you mom."

"Oh honey, I love you too."

"Where's Gary?"

"He couldn't get the time off. Is it okay if I call him with the news?"

"It certainly is."

-o-

After eating, Ziva started to yawn and Abby said, "We'll get going and see you all tomorrow, night."

Grayson stood up from the couch and embraced her two friends, "Thank you for being here for Ziva."

"Just take care of her," implored Abby.

"I plan to."

Grayson walked them to Abby's red hot rod and told them the wedding ceremony was still on. They all cried again before Grayson returned inside. She said goodnight to her mother with a fresh round of tears then retired to the bedroom.

Ziva was already in bed waiting. She grinned and lifted the covers, "Hurry up."

"On my way," said Grayson while racing to the ensuite.

When she eased into bed moments later, Ziva wrapped her arms around her.

"What were you doing for the past two weeks?"

"I was tracking down Eli's whereabouts. Once he left here, he travelled to Israel and recruited a new team. He was planning a new assault for next month, but the Secretary of Defence and the President couldn't tolerate Eli's breach of contract again."

"So they ordered Eli be detained for prosecution and authorised the use of lethal force if he didn't comply?"

"Yes."

"Gibbs informed me on Wednesday that Eli had returned to Cyprus."

"Colonel Flack called him from there."

"Colonel Flack led the retrieval team?"

"Yes he did baby."

"You were already in Cyprus, weren't you?"

"Yes and I had your father under surveillance for two weeks. I gathered enough Intel to indicate his intention of having you and Gibbs assassinated."

"The bastard," muttered Ziva.

"When Flack joined me on Monday, the would-be assassins were taken care of and we my love, never had this conversation."

Ziva kissed Grayson's neck then replied, "Of course we didn't darling. What happened next?"

"We knew Eli was returning home via yacht, so we waited."

"Where did he get all the money to afford all this?"

"I traced an account in the Cayman Islands belonging to him and it contained eighty-five million dollars."

"Shit."

Grayson chuckled, "It's so funny to hear you swear."

"I've done a lot of it since you've been gone."

"Sorry baby."

"It was not your fault. The blame is entirely Eli's."

"Eli had managed to recruit thirty-two men since resigning and as you know, four were sent here. Flack and I took out the rest Wednesday after Eli returned home."

"So it was a smoke film about the gas explosion?"

"That's smoke screen darling and no, the gas tanks did explode."

"Eli actually perished in the blast?"

"Yes, but the tanks were rigged to blow."

Ziva's brows knotted, "He was already dead?"

"Yes he was baby. He refused to leave and we had our orders. Eli was out of control and the Israeli government could not risk another betrayal from him, nor could ours. Eli knew his obligations and chose to ignore them."

"He never was an honourable man. How did he die?"

"Slowly and painfully with the full knowledge I was alive. I informed him he had made a mistake in coming after you and me. He died knowing that I was protecting my family and he would never break the heart of the woman I loved again."

"Oh Grayson, you have no idea how much I love you."

"I've a pretty good idea baby. I warned Eli previously what would happen if he ever threatened you again."

"Tell me how you feel?"

Grayson let out a deep breath, "I'm relieved that it's all over and you are now safe."

"Many others are now out of harm's way darling."

"How do you feel about everything?"

"I too am relieved and looking forward to having you home."

"So am I and our wedding is still happening next weekend."

"It is?"

"Yes baby."

"Have I told you how happy I am?"

"Only a few times in the past couple hours."

Ziva yawned and Grayson said, "Time for sleep."

"This will be the first night I will not have a nightmare."

"Oh baby I love you."

"I love you too, now kiss me goodnight."

"I see you are still bossy."

"Indeed I am darling."

Grayson stopped giggling and pressed her lips to Ziva's.

-o-

Ziva welcomed Gibbs at the door with a hug and kiss.

"Hey Ziva, how are you doing?"

"Hello Gibbs and I couldn't be better." She stepped back and added, "Go out to the porch, someone is there to see you."

"What?"

"Do not ask questions, just go Gibbs."

Assuming it was Ashley, he was not prepared when Grayson stepped out of the shadows.

"Oh Jesus Gray," he whispered as she moved closer.

"Hello old friend," she said before cuddling into his chest. "It's so good to see you."

Gibbs kissed her forehead and cried, "I'm speechless."

"I apologise for not being able to tell you the truth."

"I know, it was all for the greater good. It was you with Flack in Cyprus right?"

"Yes it was, but I'll tell you all about it after a few beers and we celebrate Ziva's twenty eighth birthday."

"Welcome home Gray and I love you too."

"So my girl gave you the message?"

"Yes she did and I gather the flowers you sent were a hint."

"They were, but that idea backfired."

"By the way, I gave you an excellent eulogy."

Grayson smiled, "Ooh Rah Marine."

"Jesus Gray, this has turned out to be a brilliant day."

"Come on, let's go grab those beers and stop all this crying."

"You got it ma'am."

-o-

Later that evening, Ziva snuggled into Grayson's side and the blonde asked, "Did you enjoy your birthday?"

"It was a lot more fun then I originally envisioned. Your return made it one to remember."

Grayson leaned down and kissed her lover's ear, "Your present looks good on you."

Ziva touched the diamond stud in her right earlobe and smiled, "You have excellent taste in jewellery my darling."

"Baby you are easy to buy for."

"I shall wear them for our wedding."

"That was the idea when I saw them in the store."

"I believe you have one more present to give me."

"I do?"

"Yes and it starts with you disrobing followed by me."

Grayson giggled, "Oh yes, the wonderful present of sex that keeps on giving."

"I hope you plan on giving for many years."

"As long as I can breathe, then yes."

Ziva laughed then took the rosy nipple on display between her lips.

"Oh I thought it was your present," retorted Grayson before surrendering to the heat permeating from her lover's mouth and hands.

-o-