Disclaimer: I wished I owned Alex Rider or NCIS, sadly not all wishes come true. (I also do not own 'It's raining men'!)
AN: The first NCIS/AR meeting!
Chapter 4: It's raining men. Hallelujah. (~3,100 words)
They should have listened to the forecast.
Sunny with a chance of rain.
That it would be raining dead bodies was not specifically mentioned - but who cares about these technicalities?
Eagle watched his girlfriend sleep peacefully in his arms.
Her head was tucked away in the crook of his arm which held her in place. The long blonde hair spread like a halo around her, covering her bare shoulders and his chest. She smiled sweetly. (He guessed, she was dreaming about something amusing.)
Her left hand was lying on his abdomen, unconsciously hugging him gently closer to her.
One of her legs was entangled with his.
He had seen all her scars, the big and small ones, and she had seen his.
Snake once had told them about the branding which he had seen for himself two nights ago.
It infuriated him like nothing else to think someone had hurt her intentionally and felt the need to proclaim her as the victim, to add insult to injury. Though the Russian inscription made him smile, being something typical Alex.
"It basically means 'I'll survive whatever the heck you throw at me,'" she had explained.
Seeing the individual results of their past job-experiences added a new level of understanding to their relationship.
But looking at Alex now, sleeping so peacefully in his arms, he was sure, he had never seen anything more beautiful in his life.
Alex smiled when she felt his lips on her forehead.
"Princess, I'm sorry to have to wake you. Ben's going to barge in anytime now. And I don't think he'll give you the benefit of the doubt today."
"Just one more minute?" she tried to bargain.
He smiled, a bit sad to have to deny her her wish. "I would love to be in this position forever. But I don't feel particularly suicidal today."
Alex groaned. "Alright. You win. I'm not particularly good at reviving people."
He chuckled and kissed her softly, before getting out of bed.
She sat up, wrapping her body in the sheets. "You know I look forward to going swimming today."
"And why is that?"
Judging by the look she sent him, he would too.
"First of all, you are going to be there. Secondly, I can show off with you. Thirdly, Lemming will regret ever insulting me."
"Fourthly, you are wearing a bikini."
"We'll see about that."
He laughed under his breath and kissed her one last time before going to his room.
Sabina knocked at the door just when Alex was finished changing in her blue bikini and one of Chris's white cotton shirts.
"Good morning, sunshine!" Sabina greeted cheerfully.
"You are worse than Chris in the mornings," the spy decided.
Ben grinned, feeling reassured in his trust from yesterday. "Be down in twenty."
Then he went.
As soon as he was out of sight, Alex glowed.
"So, no nightmares?" Sabina teased.
"No. I actually had this really nice dream that included a yacht, my boyfriend and peace."
"I'm guessing you're wearing his shirt and he just left?"
"Pretty much."
"Aww, young love..." Sab made an exaggerated Julia-on-the-balcony-gesture.
"Shush. We'll get you your lifeguard today," Alex promised.
Sabina added grinning: "And I get to see your hunky boyfriend without his shirt on. Six-pack?"
Alex simply crooked an eye brow in Sab's direction, smiled and pulled some shorts on.
"So is that a yes?"
"Maybe... He is quite athletic you know?"
"Okay. Details. Or I'll drool over him later."
"Alright. He has a tattoo on his biceps, an eagle, and one on his ankle. It's the SAS-motto. And yes, he has a six-pack. Or whatever. The tan is actually mostly his regular skin tone."
"Nice," Sabina drew the word out to a full-blown sentence.
"I know. Just don't encourage the consumption of any sugar-related dishes."
"I'll try my best. And other than that, how was sleeping with a man opposed to a girl?"
Alex blushed. "Different."
Sabina thought this over, before smiling. "I have been wanting to ask. Can you get pregnant?"
"I think so."
"Honestly?"
Alex sighed. "Well, I'm not taking chances. Snake thinks it's possible."
Sabina hugged her friend. "You are way too vulnerable. I really hope, he treats you well and you'll live to be ninety together."
"I hope so too. But I don't know..."
"...if he cares for you as much as you do?"
"Yeah."
"Don't worry. That's what I'm here for."
They ate breakfast together with the rest of the group.
Eagle smiled widely when he saw his girlfriend wearing a shirt she had stolen from him underneath a denim jacket.
"Good morning, Princess," he greeted cheerfully.
Sabina grinned. She hadn't heard Alex's nick name before.
"Morning, birdbrain," Alex acted her usual moody self. Her traitorous eyes were shining with suppressed laughter, though.
Sab giggled. "Are they always like that?" she asked Snake who happened to sit next to her.
"Pretty much. They are crazy together but it's funny to watch," Snake admitted.
Sabina laughed. "I gathered that much."
"Shut up! It's not even eight yet," they heard Alex growl in Eagle's direction.
She glared at her smirking boyfriend.
"C'mon. Just once," he begged.
"No, I'm not going to use a water slide," she replied, clearly exasperated.
"Please?"
Sabina bit her lip, trying not to burst out laughing.
"No."
"Yes."
"No-oh."
"Ple-ease?"
"No!"
"Pretty please?"
"Shut. Up."
"Once?" he whined.
"No. Not even once."
Only Sabina noticed that they both appeared to smile by now and minutely grew closer as if trying hard not to kiss, seemingly not able to resist some kind of pull towards the other.
The rest of the group were too busy ignoring the couple to note the mischief twinkle in their eyes.
Sabina suspected some of that bickering was show and seeing her surrogate sister like that - happy, carefree and deeply in love - eased her heart.
They drove to the hotel the Pleasure's were staying at (it had a pool).
Sabina had to sit between Wolf and Alex who was again sitting on Eagle's lap.
"What do you guys plan for tomorrow?"
"Sightseeing," Eagle answered.
"I'm going to visit the espionage museum," Ben added.
"You would do that..." Alex shook her head.
"Why not? It's interesting."
"What were you planning on, Cub?" Snake wondered.
Alex looked out of the window, suddenly saddened.
"I was going to ask for a ride to the cemetery," She looked up. "Jack's buried here."
Chris hugged her closer to him. She relaxed and leaned back.
"You know, Jack would have loved to meet Chris," Sabina said.
Alex grinned. "I know. And then she'd add something like 'The good ones are always taken.' and complain about her bad love life."
Sabina and Alex snickered.
The sun shone and was reflected by the clear water in the outside pool. People were laughing and kids screamed and played with the water.
It had been a beautiful day so far, swimming, relaxing and enjoying the company, Alex found.
Her mind wandered to Chris and his water fight - which she won, hands down. It ended with both of them kissing, pretty similar to their first Salsa dance, while they tried hard not to laugh.
Around Chris she didn't need to be someone different.
And she liked to mess with him just as much as he loved to annoy her.
Sabina had decided to up Chris's rating to a 19, after seeing his abs.
Nobody had commented on Alex going swimming with the shirt on - the scars would raise even more questions - and the weather had stayed nice.
So all in all, it had been a wonderful day.
Until now.
Alex heard a faint splash and looked up because the hairs in the back of her neck tingled.
Something wasn't right.
Then she spotted what was wrong.
The body was blue and slightly bloated but there was no question as to how he died - a bullet through heart and head.
A professional. Great. And he needs to dump his little friend on me when on holiday.
A woman screamed when she saw the floating dead man.
And that was how the once wonderful day quickly went downhill. Somebody called the police while a mass-panic ensued.
Alex calmly climbed out of the pool. The cops would want to talk to her for sure.
Sab and her exchanged a knowing glance.
Trouble ahead.
"Go to your room. I'll take care of this. Don't worry. I'm going to call if something comes up," Alex assured her friend.
"Alright. I'll get your clothes."
"You can't. I'm not going to be thinking clearly. I'm just a shocked teenage girl on holiday. I don't want PA to find out."
"Good luck then," Sabina hugged her.
Then she went to be soothed by the new lifeguard.
The other one was currently floating upside down in the pool.
Alex smiled sadly.
Gibbs rushed into the bullpen. "We have a case. Someone dumped the body of an ex-marine in a hotel pool, almost on top of a girl."
Ziva grabbed her jacket and was ready to go.
"Where?" McGee wondered.
"Family hotel, downtown. Now come on."
"What about the girl?" Tony threw in.
"What about the girl?" Gibbs repeated.
"Is she pretty?"
He earned himself a cuff to the back of his head.
Alex played the shocked teenager so well, Chris doubted her himself. She clung to him, sobbing miserably, while describing how someone had dumped the dead man on her. He had to give her brownie points for creativity.
They were both pretty sure that this event wasn't a coincidence.
A new car parked and four people walked towards them.
Alex stayed in character but assessed the new people the way Yassen had taught her.
It was less suspicious.
There were three very diverse men and one woman.
The woman had to be a former spy or assassin. She had the same fluid moves than Taipan and herself. She had eyes that gave nothing away but seemed to pierce everyone else.
Probably from the middle-east. She looks similar to the Mossad-director...
The woman would for sure detect her if she was around Alex too long.
The oldest man had gray hair and blue eyes. His face gave nothing away as well, but his eyes were expressive.
A former soldier. Possibly SO.
The next man was clearly a nerd. He seemed to be responsible for their technology, judging by the device in his hands. He was pale and a bit pudgy, not as hard as the other three.
Lastly, the cocky brown-haired man that obviously wanted to come across as smooth. He took pictures of the scene (and of the female agent's butt as far as Alex could tell.)
Alex tapped something in Chris's back. He blocked their view and kissed her softly for the benefit of the watching cops.
"I'll be right back, okay?"
"Okay. And tell Dad I might be late for dinner."
"I will."
Chris went before the new people saw his face.
Alex did her best to look horribly crushed. She had to be on her best performance if she wanted to fool the older guy or the assassin.
One of the cops came towards the NCIS agents. Gibbs turned to him right away.
"The girl is with my partner. She is still a bit... unstable. It was a huge shock to her," the officer told Gibbs.
"Thanks."
Ziva was busy examining the body so Gibbs took Tony with him. Usually females flew on his easy smile and flirtatious attitude. The other officer left the girl after introducing the two NCIS agents.
The teen looked as if she had cried - her eyes were red-rimmed - and she wore a blue bikini underneath a wet shirt. Her long blond hair was tousled and messy and she stared listlessly at her hands.
She was clearly shocked.
Tony thought she looked beautiful even though she had just been almost drowned by a dead body.
"Hi, I'm Gibbs. Who are you?" Gibbs introduced himself, kneeling in front of her, so their eyes were at the same height.
"A-Alex," the girl stammered, still not looking up.
"I'm very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. But you can call me Tony."
"We just want to ask you a few questions. Alright?"
The girl nodded. Not even Tony's flirting had brought her out of her shell.
"Can you tell us what happened up until you saw the...man?"
"My dad, a few family friends, me and my boyfriend were invited here by one of my friends who usually lives in California."
The girl seemed to relax somewhat at the memories.
"She liked the lifeguard," the girl added, smiling almost.
"Really?"
"Yes... She has a thing for older guys."
"And when you got here, did you notice something out of the ordinary?"
"No. The sun shone and Chris started a water fight. My friend commented on the missing lifeguard and went to drool over the new one," the girl's ghostly smile vanished and her lip trembled. "Then... T-then I heard a splash a-and..."
Tears dropped on her semi-transparent shirt.
Gibbs pitied her. She seemed to be a good girl.
"Did you see someone suspicious walking away?" Tony wondered.
The girl wiped the tears away. "No... I was a bit busy with getting away from...from..him."
Tony and Gibbs exchanged a glance.
"Could you come with us? We fear that someone might be after you and we need to have your testimony recorded officially."
"S-sure..." the girl was still not reacting, reliving the memory presumably.
"Do you have your clothes?"
"Y-yes."
"Our female agent Ziva can accompany you, okay?"
"O-okay," the girl mumbled.
Gibbs waved Ziva over. She introduced herself to the girl who nodded. Alex went with her, not saying another word. She seemed uncomfortable around the female agent.
"Did you see the tattoo on her chest?" Tony wondered. "Well, I think she had a tattoo there anyway. I'll ask Abby to check the security cameras. It's unusual for a girl like that to have a tattoo there, don't you think?"
"Yes. If she had one, then something doesn't add up."
Ziva waited in front of the bathroom. Alex currently changed into a black shirt - Chris must have put it there - and she smiled.
His scent always calmed her. She slipped into her jacket and a pair of Sab's jeans.
'What am I supposed to do? Lie or give them my real name?' she texted Mr Smithers.
Give them an alias. Unless you need to, keep your cover.
Alright. There might be a problem though. A Mossad agent.
Doesn't matter. Keep your cover.
Alex put on a bit of makeup - she was supposed to be a regular girl - and shouldered her bag.
Ziva watched the girl closely. The grace in her moves reminded her of an assassin or a dancer, probably ballet. She wore a shirt that smelled faintly like aftershave which probably belonged to the boyfriend she had mentioned. She still looked miserable, but now there was something else. Maybe hope?
"How old are you?" Ziva tried for small talk. The girl intrigued her somehow.
"Eighteen. And you?"
"I'm twenty-eight," Ziva answered surprised by the girl's response. "So you graduated this year?"
The girl nodded. "Yes."
"How come your boyfriend is with you?"
"My father invited him to come along. He likes him," she explained, smiling slightly.
"Where did you two meet?"
"At a dance. I needed a partner and he was the best dancer of the ones left," the girl glanced at her. She had sparkling brown eyes.
She is an innocent with eyes like that.
"So you are a dancer?"
"Yes," the girl confirmed. "Chris likes Latin dances."
"And you?"
"I like all kinds of dances as long as he's my partner."
Ziva had the impression that Alex hinted at something other than dancing. She imagined Gibbs' face if he ever heard that out of her mouth.
The girl was a beauty, Ziva knew. She had to be one of the most popular girls. However, Alex had a sense of humor that matched Ziva's.
"What are your hobbies then?"
"I like to hang out with my friends, sports, dancing and reading."
"What does your Dad do?"
"He is an overseas manager for a bank. I'm thinking about that as well."
Ziva couldn't picture the girl behind a desk, calculating.
She was too lively.
"Do you know anyone who might want to scare you?"
"No... But you have to ask my Dad that. He usually tries to shield me from pain. Ever since..." The girl saddened again. "My birth parents died and he took me in. He isn't my real father. But I love him like one."
The girl sounded strangely conflicted. "He is the only one I have left."
"We'll try to find the guy who did this," Ziva, uncharacteristically maternal, promised.
The girl reminded her of herself before she joined the team.
She is stronger than she looks.
"Thank you."
Tony and Gibbs waited patiently for the others to return. When they saw Ziva chatting with the girl, they knew she had to be special.
"We'll try to find the guy who did this," Ziva promised with a strange glint in her eyes that only the other team members saw. It looked like she genuinely cared about the girl.
'That's a new one.' Tony thought.
Gibbs and he exchanged a glance.
"Are you ready?"
"I think I am."
"It is nothing you have to be afraid of," Tony promised.
Ziva chuckled about something the girl had mumbled under her breath.
When Alex was done, McGee tried to run a routine background check on her name.
When he typed 'Aleksandra Daniels' in the FBI data base, he was suddenly fighting firewalls without end in sight.
What is so special about the girl that the files are that highly encrypted?
In the same moment, Alex's work phone rang. Ben, Chris and her stared at it for a second.
All of the happiness vanished from her face, leaving the 'spy mask' in it's place.
Alex answered the call and went inside her room.
"Mrs. Jones? What do you want?" was the last thing they heard.
AN: Promise, the pace quickens after this chapter. Please leave a review with your opinion on the story so far! Love, W