Disclaimer on chapter one.

AN 1: chalk this up to being annoyed: Ok I've gotten two reviews that just annoyed me. First off if you don't like my story that is fine and you can tell me that and I'm ok with it. But tell me why...and don't tell me you don't like it because it doesn't have your desired pairing in it...If I remember correctly I put in the AN of the opening chapter it might be kibbs...if I remember correctly in no way shape or form did I say there would be tate...am I wrong? and if I remember correctly...this is NOT in the romance section anyway...sorry but it just annoys me. I think I am done.

AN 2: That said...Hope you enjoy this chapter...Sorry xyber if you are confused! I don't mean to be confusing just elusive...is it working? Anyway, here you go chapter four. Let me know what you think, dark rolling sea.

Chapter Four

Tony sighed audibly catching McGee's attention. They were searching Lt. Quinn's personal residence, after hours of travel. McGee opened another small box and started to leaf through the contents, finding mostly pictures.

"What's the matter, Tony?" McGee asked as he flipped through more pictures.

"This case is really starting to get on my nerves," Tony replied as he stood and stretched his legs walking across the small space of the room.

"Yeah," McGee replied as he closed the box, setting it back in place. He then looked around the room.

"Where the hell are those letters?"

"Maybe he took them with him."

Tony stared at the wall for a moment as the fatigue of the days travels caught up with him. Gibbs had instructed them to find whatever they could at Quinn's residence to find him. So far they were coming up empty handed.

Tony frowned and leaned his head back on the couch closing his eyes for a moment. McGee continued to look around the small apartment wondering if they were missing something. He tossed the book he had in his hand back into the cabinet and frowned when it hit the back wall.

"Tony?" McGee asked confused. He pulled the book and other items out of the cabinet and set them on the floor. Tony lifted his head and opened his eyes staring at the younger agent.

"What, Probie?"

"This cabinet backing sounds hallow," McGee replied tapping his knuckles against the wood. Tony stood from the couch and walked up behind McGee.

"Let me see," Tony said nudging McGee to the side. McGee slid over and Tony stared at the back wall a moment before he started rhythmically taping the wood. He then pulled his hand back a bit and slammed his fist into the wood causing it to splinter.

He then pulled at the wood and opened up a hole large enough to see into. McGee grabbed a flash light and held it out. Tony switched it on and shined the beam into the hole he had just made and smiled.

"What is it?" McGee asked.

"Looks like letters to me, Probie," Tony replied as he reached in and grabbed a handful out. He walked back to the couch leaving McGee to gather the rest of them. Tony sat down and looked over the envelopes he had retrieved.

They had a multitude of return addresses but Tony thought the handwriting all looked extremely similar. There was no name to go with the return addresses. He looked at the post marks and opened the oldest letter first.

He read three more letters before he shoved them aside and looked at McGee, who was still looking around the apartment. Tony stood and collected what was close to him and walked out to the truck. McGee followed shortly after and they headed back for headquarters.

Kate had exhausted her search options for Grayson Wilson in the state of Indiana and she was frustrated. Gibbs had set a cup of coffee on her desk when he had returned and she sipped from it now. She closed her eyes and took a break from everything as she cleared her mind.

When she opened her eyes a minute later she felt a little better, but the frustration was still there. Grayson Wilson seemed to have disappeared into thin air. She decided to take a shot in the dark and simply typed his name into Goggle and waited. Nothing of interest came up in the first of many hits.

She continued to sift through the web links, quickly reviewing each one before moving on. She had been looking for over five minutes before she clicked on a link to an old newspaper article from California. She started to read the page and a smile came over her face. She looked up at Gibbs, the movement garnering his attention.

"Found something," she beamed. Gibbs stopped writing and stood from his desk. He walked over and leaned in behind her, looking over her shoulder.

"What?" he rumbled squinting at the screen.

"It's a newspaper article on a kid that pulled himself together and graduated at the top of his class."

"Ok," Gibbs said not impressed.

"The kid's name was Grayson Brown."

"We're looking for Grayson Wilson."

"I know, but I think this is our guy."

"Why?" Gibbs asked shaking his head and heading back to his desk.

"I read the article and it's pretty sketchy but they do give a little bit of background on the kid. He lives with his uncle Levi Brown, started in that school system at sixteen. His uncle and he are evasive about his past but they say he came from Indiana where he had lived with his mother until an unfortunate accident took his family away from him."

"Ok, that's getting interesting," Gibbs replied sitting back in his chair and waiting for more.

"Says that Grayson struggled when he first arrived with the schooling, actually getting held back a year but then over the summer with the help of his uncle he managed to not only catch up but go ahead of the rest of the school as well. I guess the kid was really smart just needed help applying it."

"Great. That's good to know. So he ended up in California. Get in contact with Levi Brown; see what he has to say about Grayson Wilson or Brown or whatever his name is now. Look up Grayson Brown."

"Will do," Kate said as she picked up her phone and dialed the number for the California DMV. After her conversation she looked down at the few notes she had taken. Her thoughts were interrupted by Gibbs standing in front of her desk once again.

"And?"

"Grayson Brown acquired a driver's license when he was sixteen. It has since lapsed and he never renewed it. They do not have a current address for him. Levi Brown is still a registered resident of the state of California and I have his phone number and address," Kate told him.

"Get on the phone and contact Brown. How'd they get this kid a driver's license under a false name?"

"It happens quite often, Gibbs," Kate replied with a small smile as she placed the phone to her ear. Her call was directed to a voice mailbox and she left a message for Levi Brown to call her back, leaving both the main NCIS line and her cell phone numbers. She looked at Gibbs and shook her head before going back to the computer looking for more information.

Grayson was pacing the front porch when Levi and Dusty pulled into the driveway. He let out a deep breath as he climbed down the stairs. Levi got out of the truck and headed towards Grayson while Dusty stood leaning against the door observing the surrounding area.

"Long time, Kid," Levi said softly as the two embraced.

"Yeah, sorry, been busy with Wilma," Grayson with a hint of sadness in his voice. Levi nodded and looked beyond the younger man at Zack on the porch. Grayson glanced over his shoulder to see his brother fidgeting.

"That him?" Levi asked with a slight point of his chin.

"Yeah," Grayson replied softly as he let out a deep breath.

"Don't worry Dusty will keep him safe."

Grayson could only nod. He knew his friends would do everything in their power to protect him and his brother, and he hoped it was enough. It was then that it struck Grayson that Levi had said Dusty would protect Zack.

"What about you?" he asked cautiously. Levi leveled his gaze on Grayson, his eyes serious.

"Somebody's got to watch your back," he said evenly. Grayson started to protest, but Levi simply walked around him and headed up the stairs. He gave the younger brother a wide smile as he extended his hand. "Name's Levi Brown."

"Lt. Zack Quinn," Zack replied as he gripped Levi's hand.

"Lieutenant, huh? Navy?"

"Yes, sir," Zack replied stiffening his posture a bit showing his pride.

"Good. Army man myself. Grady tells me you got yourself into trouble."

Zack could only nod as he stood in front of the stranger. His gaze traveled to the man leaning against the side of the truck. He was not very tall but powerfully built. Zack could see the muscles flexed under the clothing the man was wearing. The man's face looked as if it were made of stone, his eyes hidden by the mirror sunglasses he wore.

"Zack, Dusty is going to take you to the cabin. You'll be in good hands," Grayson said as he came up beside Levi.

"That Dusty?" Zack asked as he pointed to the man at the truck.

"Yeah, he just looks scary," Levi said with a grin. Zack nodded slightly as his eyes remained on Dusty.

"Levi, can I talk to you?" Grayson asked as he headed into the house. Levi gave Zack another smile and patted his shoulder on the way by before joining Grayson in the living room. Zack stayed on the porch observing Dusty who was still leaning against the truck.

"All right, Kid, you were evasive on the phone. You got me here, alone, now spill," Levi said in an even tone as he stood in the middle of the kitchen looking around. Janie walked into the room at that moment and stopped, glancing at Grayson.

"Nice to see you again, Lee," she said with a smile. He nodded to her with a grin.

"Been a while," he returned. She turned and left still unsure if she wanted to know what Grayson had gotten into. Once she was gone Grayson snatched up the letter Zack had brought with him. He eyed it for a moment before handing it to Levi.

"Zack got this four days ago and ended up here. NCIS is on his trail I'm sure of it. I don't know if they can connect us but if they do their jobs right they'll get my name from the court cases."

"Slow down, Grady. Start from the beginning and explain what the hell is going on."

Grady nodded and then took a deep breath. He started at the beginning and told Levi everything he knew. When he was finished he waited, watching Levi mull the information over. He read the letter and then looked up at Grayson with confused eyes.

"It's from him," Grayson said looking down at the floor.

"From who?" Levi asked afraid of the answer.

"The Storm. I…"

"The guy you said was dead?"

"Yeah. I guess I was wrong. Look I need to make some more phone calls but…"

"I'll tell Dusty to get him out of here. Even if they connect you to me, I'm sure no one would connect Dusty in all this."

"Let's hope not," Grayson replied softly as he glanced at the front door.

Levi nodded and handed the letter back to Grayson before walking from the house. He instructed Dusty to take Zack and leave. Once the two were on the road Levi headed back into the house and found Grayson sitting at the table deep in thought. He touched the young man lightly on the shoulder, knowing that it would startle him.

"Zack and Dusty are gone," Levi told him. He simply nodded and returned his gaze to the table top. "What are you thinking about?"

"The day my life ended."

"Grayson," Levi began in a stern tone.

"I know I know, but really it all went south that day Hank beat on Zack. I…"

"It's in the past, Kid, you got to move forward. Focus on this."

"Right. I need to get away from this house. I can't endanger Aunt Janie and my grandmother."

"Where do you have in mind?"

"Washington DC."

TBC…