The Grey Woods Beast

By Kushie

I do not own NCIS: I do not own Anthony Dinozzo, L.J. Gibbs or any other team members.

Please understand that some English spellings and types of dialogue differ from the American

ones. Some of us put the letter 'U' in a lot more word endings. I'm sorry if you find this awkward

It's second nature to me. As is putting certain words, in front of the verb, instead of after

This story bears no relation to any of my other stories. It is set in a totally different Universe.

Warning! Alternate Universe. Many Characters act out of Canon! Don't like don't read.

Chapter Three: Camping

The Helicopter carrying the NCIS personnel landed at a small airstrip, on the outskirts of

Racine. Tony spotted the hotel almost at once. The Hampton Inn certainly looked plush. But his hopes,

of a free berth, within it's walls were soon dashed. Gibbs led the way across the field to where a fleet

of Army Trucks stood waiting. Biting his tongue, against making a complaint. That would probably get him

head swacked. Tony scrambled up into the back of the third one in line. Ziva made it up and into the

interior before him. Again Tony decided against commenting. The joint agencies had set up a Base Camp,

in a forest clearing, just beyond the Town of Elkhorn. Tony shivered as he alighted from the truck.

The whole place was creeping him out. He couldn't explain it. He'd never been to Wisconsin before.

Yet!

The area seem familiar. He shivered a second time then groaned As he beheld the tent city being erected.

He hoped he'd be billeted with Tim or Jimmy. Not any outsiders. Already he was getting a lot of stares.

He saw Fornell approaching and a step behind him. The dreaded, Agent Sacks. The man swaggered up,

peered at Tony, then sniggered to a buddy

"Reg'lr little Snowflake in't he."

"More likely a Snowdrop." his mate jeered back. Jethro scowled at Fornell, who snapped

"Cut it out you two. We all have to work together We don't need you at each others' throats.

The two FBI Agents became stony faced then Sacks muttered.

"Come on Harris." Let's hit the mess tent." Jethro led his team across the same tent, a few minutes later.

Silence fell as Tony entered. He blushed as virtually every head swiveled to look at him.

Then Sack's caustic voice rang out.

"Hey Dinozzo! How's my little Flower feeling?" Jethro turned to Fornell and bellowed.

"For crying out loud Tobius. Can't you exercise some control over your minions. I've always thought them

ill-mannered. But for Christ's sake. That sort of belligerency is spiteful and uncalled for." Sacks went

bright red, as a dozen other people echoed Jethro's response.

He lowered his head and concentrated on his meal. Jethro made sure he led his team to a table as far from the

FBI one as possible. He'd already decided, to ensure, Tony was billeted in his tent. He knew Ducky was

going to want to be with the other medical personnel. Particularly Doctor Baines from JAG. The pair were

old friends and were already deep into a discussion. About the possibility of getting some fishing time, in the

nearby Devil's Lake.

Despite Jethro's defense of him. Tony felt small and humiliated. Half of him wished the kidnapper would snatch

Sacks. "And you can bet your last dollar I wouldn't hurry to save him." he mentally told himself.

Out side it was growing dark. It was already an hour past Sunset. Tony sensed an air of nervousness descend

over the camp. Armed sentries patrolled the perimeter. Jag seemed to have accepted responsibility for this job.

Tony was glad. He followed Jethro back to their tent. He again felt uneasy.

But he was tired and put the feeling down to this. His new condition meant, he was no longer as strong as he'd

once been. He grew weary a lot quicker and had twice fallen asleep while watching a movie.

Hence he was happy to slide down into his quilted sleeping bag. Relieved he had his own. Palmer didn't own

one and had been issued with an army bag. Mcgee of course was used to camping out, with his boy scout troop.

Ziva had a Mossad type. Abby! Well! Tony grinned. She had bought almost as much camping equipment as

Forensic machines. Her's and Ziva's tent was packed tight. He rolled over and felt for Vinni. Jethro lowered

the lamp. Plunging them into darkness. Tony didn't mind the dark. His eyes which were next to useless in

daylight Now came into their own. He had fantastic night vision. He wasn't aware of falling asleep.

But he suddenly jerked awake. From outside people were yelling. Three of the sentries were firing guns at the

tree line. From every Bivouac people began emerging. Jethro pushed Tony behind him. The shape flittering

between the arc lights was fast and big. Tony felt his stomach lurch. He instinctively reached for Vinni.

His other hand, his left, curled around his staff.

"Our guns aren't having any effect," he heard a young private say. The voice was laced with fear. The camp

was ablaze of light and yet the creature still advanced into it. The private was right. Bullets just seemed to

bounce of the creature's hide. Ziva ducked as it spun a hand towards her. Abby wisely stayed in her tent.

Tony moved. He didn't know where the knowledge came from. It just came.

He ran forward and raised his staff. The glare from the lights reflecting off it. Making it seem more a ball of

glowing fire, than a lump of amber coloured glass. To the astonishment of everyone. The creature suddenly

cowered. It's triumphant roaring died and it, retreated . Tony jabbed his staff at it. Driving it back to

the forest. Tony paused at the camp's edge, no one else followed the monster, either. Clearly it wasn't safe

to chase the beast in the dark. Fornell had a Navaho Tracker. He would pick up it's trail in the morning.

But at that moment..

Every eye was again, focused on Tony. Sacks was no longer jeering. The creature had made a grab for him.

He had evaded it. But had been closer enough, to be clawed. He had a, blood gushing, hole in his right shoulder.

Medics were already moving to attend to the wounded. Sacks wasn't the only casualty. Seven others had

sustained injuries. Two life threatening. All eight were despatched to the field hospital. Prior to being flown

home in the morning.

TBC

A/N Before you ask! Nope! It ain't a Wendigo.