Wow, I think this is a personal record. A chapter a day never really happens with me, so consider yourselves fortunate. And now, enjoy and let me know what you think. This is probably going to end around 18-20 chapters, btw. And sorry it's so short.
Chapter Fifteen
"Tell me you have something, Ziva," Gibbs said over the phone.
"Gibbs, Keane was here."
"Well, yeah, I know that," he said in a voice rich with sarcasm.
"No, I mean as in he was just here, we saw him, and he bolted. In wolf form. Tony's gone after him."
There was stunned silence for a few seconds. Then Gibbs cursed and said, "You're saying this guy is a werewolf?"
"Shifter," Ziva corrected, "and I'm going to help Tony."
"Ziva—" Gibbs started, but she'd hung up on him. Glancing around to make sure she was alone, Ziva started running towards the copse of trees, discarding her clothes as she went. Then she leaped into the air. When she landed, she was a dark brown she-wolf. She quickly nosed her clothes into a pile, picked up her and Tony's weapons and shields, and sprinted after her partner.
The Mossad liaison easily caught up with him and nipped at his heels. I'm impressed. You're fast. Somehow, she managed not to drop their shields or guns.
Thanks. Now let's go see if we can catch him, Tony thought, putting on a burst of speed. Ziva raced alongside him, their pelts occasionally brushing and sending an electric spark through her from nose to tail-tip. A low growl rose in her throat, slightly muffled by the objects she was carrying. Maybe she should just ditch the SIGs.
I wouldn't do that if I were you, Zi.
Sorry, but my jaws ache. And maybe you should have thought of grabbing your own gear.
Maybe. Just keep going, love. We're right on his trail.
Ziva almost tripped over her own paws. What did you just call me?
He didn't look at her, but he did slow down from their fast sprint to a three-beat lope. I would've thought you'd figured it out already, Zi. His tone was matter-of-fact.
You mean it's my name on your ink? There was a hint of a snarl in her thought as she added, What about Jeanne?
She's a Static and I was just doing my job.
How touching. The unfamiliar voice entered their minds. Ziva bristled and drew her lips back in a snarl, skidding to a halt and dropping her meager possessions. Beside her, Tony growled and took a step forward, hackles raised and tail lifted, showing all the signs of aggression. She scanned the streets for the black wolf and spotted him in the shelter of an alleyway. Had they really run that far that fast? Apparently. Bracing herself for a fight, Ziva dropped the SIGs and their shields and kicked them under a little overhang. Tail low, she crept forward, her weight on her haunches.
Ziva, wait. Tony's voice in her head stopped her from going any further. She looked over her shoulder irritably at him. What? The irritated Mossad officer sent her thought to him directly, using private thought-speak.
It could be a trap.
Then you check it. I'm going in. Her wolf instincts were itching for a fight, and she welcomed the rush that came in the heat of battle. Belly low to the ground, she slunk forward, ears pricked for the slightest sound of movement from their suspected killer.
She'd made it into the entryway when a heavy weight dropped down on her. Ziva rolled with the impact and sprang to her paws, whirling to face her attacker. All she saw was a blur of black fur as Keane leaped for her. She launched herself at him, managing to rake her claws down his side as she did. When they landed, Ziva didn't give him a chance to attack. She pounced on him, burying her fangs in his shoulder. Ethan yelped and bucked, trying to throw the she-wolf off.
Geez. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't be aggressive and kick tail.
Hey, get off me, Ethan snarled.
No, I don't think so, Ziva shot back, sinking her fangs in even deeper. The black wolf went crazy, bucking and twisting in midair to try to loosen her hold. All his efforts earned him was more muscle damage.
Finally Ziva had to breathe. She tore herself free of her adversary and circled him, eyeing him warily. Do you give up?
The green-eyed midnight-colored wolf drew his lips back and growled, tongue flicking out between his teeth. No.
I would if I were you, Tony remarked, trotting up to them. The amusement in his eyes made Ziva want to bite him. Instead, she settled on kicking Keane in the side.
Ow! Geez, what was that for? When neither NCIS Shifter replied, he asked Tony, Why wouldn't I?
Maybe because I'll gladly rip your throat out, Ziva said, placing a forepaw on his neck after Tony tipped him over onto his side. Now, you're under arrest.
Wait, what?
You have the right to remain silent, DiNozzo thought gleefully. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you.
Ethan struggled but stilled when Ziva snapped her jaws dangerously close to one of his ears. Do you not know what the word "freeze" means?
Thankfully, Gibbs arrived, panting. He'd obviously run there from NCIS headquarters. The silver-haired Static froze when he saw the three wolves. "Tony? Ziva? Is that you guys?"
Ziva wagged her tail when Gibbs said her name and Tony barked. She asked, Should we shift back?
Yeah. We're near one of our lairs anyway.
The air between them became charged with static electricity; seconds later, where the two brown wolves had been, Tony and Ziva were.
Gibbs's shock reflected on his face. "So you weren't lying. And guys, put on some clothes."
"Yes, Boss," Tony said, slinging an arm around Ziva's shoulder. She let it stay there as they made their way to one of their hidden lairs. Shifters had set up these little hidey-holes in case of an emergency, so there were plenty of food, blankets, and clothes.
Five minutes later they returned wearing cotton sweatshirts and loose drawstring pants. Ziva had an extra pair for the captured Shifter, who pulled them on once he'd shifted back to human form.
Grinning, DiNozzo pointed at Keane and told Gibbs, "Book 'em, Dano."
