Disclaimer on chapter one.

AN: Here we go again. Have at it, and leave a note. Thanks for stopping by. dark rolling sea.

Chapter Seven

Grayson tried his best to relax as he sat in the coffee shop waiting for Levi to show up. His eyes continually scanned the street, not sure what he was looking for, but too nervous not to be ready. He finally saw Levi coming down the sidewalk, a tall, silver haired man right behind him.

Grayson sat up straighter in the chair he occupied, as the two men came through the door. Levi scanned the tables before spotting him. Grayson gave him a nod and Levi led the agent to Grayson. He stood as they came to his table.

"Grady, this is Agent Gibbs," Levi said. "Agent Gibbs, Grayson Wilson."

"You go by Wilson now?"

"I go by Anders now," Grayson replied with a shrug. "Makes it easier to hide."

"Hide?"

"You're looking for my brother, Zack. You can stop."

"No, I can't," Gibbs said shaking his head. Grayson sat down heavily and looked at the table. Gibbs took a seat across from him as Levi stood and watched the door. "He's wanted for murder, you understand that right?"

"You're looking in the wrong place, for the wrong guy."

"Not according to my evidence."

"Is there a connection between Zack and Corbett?"

"Actually there is. You."

"The connection is me and Corbett. Zack doesn't even know who he is. I hadn't even seen Zack for almost fifteen years before now."

"I should be suspecting you in this murder, but the evidence is pointing towards Zack Quinn."

"Because that's what he wants you to think," Grayson hissed through clenched teeth. He closed his eyes and took a breath. When he opened them again he could see the Agent studying him.

"Who?" Gibbs asked with a slight head shake.

"The guy who set up my brother and is trying to pull me out in the open. I took a big risk in coming here to see you."

"I think you need to explain. Right now for all I know you're just trying to throw me off the trail of your brother."

"What do you want to know?"

"Why you think your brother is innocent, who this he is your talking about, and why you think I should believe you."

"My brother is innocent because he's being framed. The guy, call him Storm, that is causing all this, and is the true murderer, has a grudge against me. I can't give you anything to make you believe me. I just have to hope you see my side of the story."

"Enlighten me," Gibbs said losing some of his interest. Grayson watched as his eyes wandered the room.

"I guess I need to start back a couple years ago," Grayson said, taking a deep breath. Levi looked at him questioningly. "This is something I'm not supposed to talk about. I'm not allowed, but in this case I think it needs to be said."

"I'm listening," Gibbs said leaning back in the chair and crossing his arms over his chest.

"I was…recruited for a job a couple years ago. My superior officer picked me because of my skill in the field. My ability to move without notice and to blend in was what they were looking for. My assignment was to go in and take out a rogue member of the squad."

"What are we talking here?" Gibbs asked skeptically.

"In the Army, special forces," Grayson said locking eyes with the older man.

"No record of you being in the Army," Gibbs said shaking his head.

"I can give you the number of a guy who will vouch for me. He runs the Special Forces branch," Grayson returned deadpan. Gibbs nodded for him to continue. "My job was supposed to be simple. Track and eliminate the problem. But it didn't exactly go as planned."

"What went wrong?"

"Everything. Someone had slipped Intel to my target. He knew I was coming. It was my own ability that kept me alive. I managed to set the charges but I couldn't get clear before I had to detonate."

"You survived."

"Barely. And we had thought he had died in the blast. But I'm positive now that he survived as well."

"Why?"

"A letter he wrote to my brother," Grayson replied as he pulled the paper from his pocket. Gibbs looked at it before holding his hand out. Grayson handed it over. Gibbs pulled it from the envelope and eyed the letter. He then looked up at Grayson.

"Mind if I keep this?"

"Let your lab do whatever to it. I'm sure…"

"It'll match some of the letters we already have," Gibbs replied tucking the letter into his pocket.

"What letters?"

"From your brother's apartment," Gibbs replied with a smile. "Why is this guy killing a Gunnery Sergeant and in your opinion framing your brother?"

"He wants me. He couldn't find me. I've managed to disappear from public life, with the Army's help. My family took me in."

"Your mother doesn't claim you exist."

"My mother," Grayson started in anger. He stopped himself and took a deep breath. "I live with my aunt and grandmother. They are from my father's side."

"Records show that your mother didn't know your father."

"You've done your homework. She never told me. Levi helped me find my father."

"Why'd you kill your step-father?" Gibbs asked as he watched Grayson's eyes. Anger and hatred flashed through them as the younger man clenched his teeth.

"He was a fucking bastard," Grayson said in a low voice as he ground his anger between his teeth. "That asshole was beating us."

"Your mother claims differently and your brother never collaborated your story."

"Zack was in shock. He…I never meant for him to go through something like that," Grayson said shaking his head, eyes focused on the floor. "My mother was in denial. She is still in denial. She disowned me, sent me away."

They were all quiet for a moment as neither knew what to say next. Gibbs was still skeptical of the boy's story, but he had worked enough into the story for him to keep an open mind. Levi shifted over and dropped a gentle hand on Grayson's shoulder. The boy dropped his eyes to the floor.

"Why now?" Gibbs asked finally.

"He's finally recovered? I don't know. I know I'm just starting to function with some normalcy."

"What injuries did you sustain?"

"They basically had to piece my left side together. I got caught up in the concussion of the blast and tossed thirty feet. I hit a brick exterior wall."

"Surprised you survived."

"So were the doctors," Grayson said with defiance. "They also told me I wouldn't walk, and my arm may have been permanently damaged."

"Well I haven't seen you walk, but I've seen your arm move. I got one more question."

"I'm all ears."

"What handed are you?"

"Right," Grayson replied immediately giving Gibbs a quizzical look.

There was movement in the window and Grayson glanced up out of habit. His eyes locked onto the figure that was pacing the far side of the street. Agent Gibbs had said something but his attention was completely focused on the figure across the street. His blood ran cold as his mind placed the familiar face. He pushed from the table ignoring the pain in his leg as he did so. Agent Gibbs pushed back in his chair, slightly startled by Grayson's sudden leap.

Levi followed Grayson's line of sight, trying to locate what had grabbed the younger man's attention. Grayson darted around Levi and headed for the door, leaving the two older men startled. He ignored the pain pulsing through his leg as he sprinted to the street. He slowed enough to check for cars before taking off after the man he saw. He was sure it was him; he'd never forget those eyes.

The man ran from Grayson weaving through people and cars as he bobbed from the street to the sidewalk and back. Grayson was struggling to maintain a decent speed as the pain in his leg increased. He was breathing heavily but he was determined to catch him. This could end now his mind screamed at his failing body.

They came down an alley, Grayson slowly gaining ground as his head began to pound wildly. The man in front looked back over his shoulder, and the leering smile cut Grayson to the core. He felt his stomach turn and wasn't sure if it was due to the smile, or his running. They were nearing the opening to the street as Grayson pushed himself harder and faster. He felt something straining in his leg but ignored it. His shoulder burned with each pump of his arm in time with his legs.

He had no idea if the others were following him, but he knew he had to catch Storm before he got away once again. It scared Grayson that he had found him in Washington. He didn't think they had left a viable trail. He felt the sweat running down his body as he pushed forward.

The alley was opening up into a street and Grayson saw Storm slow for a moment and look over his shoulder. Grayson felt the moment of panic a second before he felt the car coming along. He did his best to stop his forward momentum as he heard the screeching and grinding of brakes.

The pain rocketed through his head as his eye bounced off the door frame of the car. The wind was knocked out of him as the rest of him hit the side panel. The car came to a rest as Grayson fell to the ground. He could feel the blood gushing down his face, leaking into his eye. His side ached as he struggled to get air into his lungs. He frantically tried to get up, searching above him waiting for Storm to come at him. He saw shadows, causing him to struggle even more.

"Dammit lay still," Levi growled as he grabbed Grayson by the shoulders forcing him flat. "You just got hit by a car."

"He was right there," Grayson slurred out as his head began to swim, still struggling to get to his feet. "Dammit let go of me." A second pair of hands came down and forced Grayson to the ground. He finally submitted and let himself be laid prone as he assessed his injuries. He cursed himself internally for letting himself be made the fool. He never should have taken off like that.

He heard Agent Gibbs call for an ambulance and he closed his eyes. He was so close. He had almost caught him, a couple steps. He cringed as Levi bumped his left leg. This was going to be hell to pay. Fear struck him next as he thought about Zack, if Storm could track him down he surely could find Zack.

"Lee," Grayson said as he grabbed the older man's shirt. Levi looked down at him with concern.

"Just relax, Grady."

"No, Lee, call Dusty. Make sure they are all right."

"They're fine, Grady."

"Damnit, Lee, that was him. If he can find us here he can find Zack and Dusty."

"It's ok, Grady, just relax. I'll take care of everything."

He knew this was bad, his heart rate was high. The running had that effect, but he couldn't help himself. Once Grayson had spotted him, he baited the other man to chase him. He knew Grayson was weak as well, that the running would wear on him just as much.

He watched now from a safe distance, under the cover of a crowd, as Levi and the Agent came to Grayson's aid. The car had nearly done his job for him, which had been his intention as soon as he realized the opportunity. As he came out of the alley he saw the car speeding at him. Luckily, the driver was too stunned to find his horn.

He had slowed and glanced back, knowing that Grayson would push harder to catch him. The grin that spread over his features when Grayson slammed into the side of the car was enormous. He had stopped in his tracks and thought about approaching his prey, but when he heard the shouts of Levi Brown he knew he must move under cover.

His mood slid slightly when he realized Grayson was flopping around on the ground, signaling that he was still alive, but it didn't completely kill it. Score one for him he thought, fear was a wonderful ally. As he heard the sirens approaching he moved deeper into the crowd, before making his escape out the back.

He would take his time, plan his revenge. This was not something to act rashly in. He would draw Grayson out alone, and then it would be time to exact the torment and torture he had dreamed of. The smile was cemented on his features as he walked gingerly away from the accident scene.

TBC…