Disclaimer: Obviously not mine. You'd've noticed the whole shape-shifting thing on the show if I owned it. Or would you . . . ? :)
Chapter Eighteen
Gibbs cleared his throat and snapped, "Once you two are done playing—"
"They didn't look like they were doing anything," Abby interrupted. The Goth looked at them curiously before her eyes landed on the corpse. "What happened to him?"
Ducky and his assistant crouched near the body. Palmer took one look and blanched. "It looks he was mauled by a dog."
"Yes, I would say cause of death was this bitemark on his throat," Dr. Mallard said. He snapped on latex gloves so he could further examine the body. Placing a gloved hand on the dead Shifter's skin, he frowned. "Jethro, he's still warm. I'd say he's been dead for a few minutes."
Tim, Abby, and Palmer stared at the ME and team leader, then swiveled their heads to Ziva and Tony. She held their gazes steadily. "What?"
The forensic scientist's eyes latched onto the wounds on Tony's neck that were just visible over his shirt collar. "You're hurt." Abby stepped forward and nudged the collar down so she could have a better look. "Ohmigod, Tony, what happened? You too, Ziva."
Ziva's partner snorted and gestured at the corpse. "He bit me. I bit him back. Served him right. I wish I had rabies."
"Need I remind you you'd be dead if it weren't for me?" the Israeli added. She winced and put a hand to her head where one of Ethan's hind paws had struck her. There weren't any marks but it did hurt.
Abby's brow furrowed then relaxed as she figured it out. Ziva could almost see the light bulb go off over her head. "You guys are were—"
Lightning fast, Ziva clamped a hand over Abby's mouth, muffling the end of her sentence. Removing her hand, she lied, "No, we're not, but we don't want a rumor like that circulating around."
"Yeah, sure," the Caf-Pow-loving scientist said quickly.
"Well," Ducky said as he rose from where he was crouched next to the body, "let's bring him to Autopsy. "Mr. Palmer, did you bring the body bag?"
Surprisingly, he had. The two MEs zipped up the corpse and headed for Autopsy carrying the bag between them.
Tony tensed beside Ziva when Abby, who had moved away from them, whispered something in McGee's ear that had the probie shooting furtive glances at his teammates. Ziva, too, stiffened, but for a different reason: Gibbs was giving them his infamous stare.
"You two, here, now," he all but snarled. In a softer tone, he told Abby and McGee to head to Labby. "McGee, what's the status on Nixon?"
"Sorry, Boss, but he's turned off his cell and he hasn't left a paper trail. He's gone off the grid." Then the geek and the Goth left.
If Ziva was in her wolf form right now, she would have her tail tucked between her legs and be cowering in submission. Gibbs was way mad.
"I don't suppose you want to tell me what happened?" he asked in a voice of steel, his pale blue eyes as cold as ice.
"When we arrived," Tony began, "Keane had already shifted and was waiting for us. He jumped me, but I dodged. Keane attacked me again before I could morph. Then Ziva shifted—she was hidden—and shoved Keane off of me. Like I said before, unless we're bitten by another lycanthrope or the weapon that strikes us is silver, we have the ability to heal quickly."
"He tried to take on the two of us," Ziva took over, "and managed to knock Tony off his paws. He would have killed him if I didn't, Gibbs. It was self-defense."
She was relieved to see that the hard look in his eyes abated. "File the paperwork, then rest. It's been a long day."
"You're right about that," Ziva muttered as she followed the other two to the elevator.
...
Hours later the team was chowing down on Chinese, courtesy of DiNozzo (it was his turn to buy dinner). The case was closed to their satisfaction—they'd catch Chris some other day—and Ziva, Tony, Tim, and Leroy Jethro had finished their reports. Of course, both Ziva and her partner were careful to omit any aspects of the case that dealt with their world. Ethan Keane's autopsy would confirm that he was killed by a wolf, but there was nothing they could do about that. And if Abby did run the DNA found on his body, it would be mostly wolf with some human DNA mixed in.
As if the thought of her called her up, Abby came bouncing into the bullpen. She's probably loaded with caffeine, Ziva thought. Still, she listened as the hyperactive black-haired woman said, "What are you guys doing here? It's Halloween! A friend of mine is having a party and she said I could bring friends. You're all invited." She stopped talking and looked at them expectantly. "McGee, are you coming?"
"Uh . . . well . . ."
"Why not, Elf Lord?" Tony teased.
Ziva watched on in amusement as Tim sighed. "Okay. Tony, just don't tease me."
The senior field agent smiled wickedly. "Going as your online gaming persona?"
McGee's flushed skin spoke volumes.
Raising her voice in order to be heard above DiNozzo's laughter, Abby chose her next victim. "What about you, Ziva?"
She glanced down at her long-sleeved black shirt and dark blue jeans. "Sure, Abby. Hears like fun."
"It's 'sounds like fun,' Ziva," Tony corrected.
"Whatever," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Tony, are you coming to the party?"
With a smile, he replied, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Great!" Abby clapped her hands together. "See you there!" She extracted some slips of paper from her pocket. "Here's the time and address." With a wide grin on her face, she skipped towards the elevator, fake fangs back in place.
Briefly Ziva wondered if the team leader should have been invited but shrugged. Gibbs would probably spend the whole night working on his boat.
"See you tomorrow, Boss," said McGee as he followed Abby.
"I'm gonna head too," DiNozzo added, rising from his seat.
Ziva said a hasty good-bye and caught up with the others just as the elevator doors started to close.
...
It was 8:00 at night. Ziva parked her car and headed up the long, winding driveway. She was glad of her night vision; it enabled her to see objects and holes that would trip up Statics.
A dark shadow loomed at the edge of her vision. The Shifter whirled, already positioned in a fighting stance. A low warning growl issued from her throat.
"Ziva, relax," a familiar voice said. "It's me."
She loosened her tense muscles. "Tony, if you value your life, don't ever sneak up on me like that again."
"Yes'm." He grinned, his teeth flashing white in the darkness, and gestured at the decorations. "Creepy, huh?"
Ziva glanced around, taking in the dead trees, fake ghosts, cobwebs, black cats, and tombstones galore. Then she focused on Tony, looking him up and down. "What are you supposed to be—Elvis?"
He shuddered. "God, no." A sly smile lit his face. "I'm a Hollywood werewolf—before the transformation."
She flicked her gaze up casually. "You might be in trouble for that. It's the full moon tonight."
"Good point, my ninja." Then he frowned. "Somehow, I didn't expect for you to come as—"
"Your crazy ninja?"
"Yes."
Ziva glanced down at her outfit—it was what she'd been wearing all day—and smiled slightly. "Do you want to go inside?"
Heat shot through her as he took her hand in his. "I'd like to walk around for a bit first," Tony said. "Care to join me?"
She said nothing, just let him lead as they wandered the grounds. Pale light from the moon washed everything silver and cast deep shadows. Ziva had to fight her animalistic nature; full moon nights always made her edgy.
They stopped when the large house appeared to be five feet tall, in a clearing ringed by trees. All too aware of DiNozzo's closeness to her, Ziva risked stealing a glance and found he had leaned in close. A shiver raced up her spine at the realization he intended to kiss her. Not only that—she wanted him to. And right now she could feel the heat of his body reaching out. Her head tilted up in invitation; the next second, his warm mouth was on hers, hesitant at first but quickly becoming more passionate.
Reluctantly, she finally pulled back. "Now how about we check out the party?"
"Sounds good to me," he agreed.
As they walked back to the house, hands clasped together, Ziva could feel that soul-deep connection she'd heard about: the connection that meant she'd found her mate. Whatever was coming next, they could handle it.
Together.
