Reflection

They didn't end up calling Erik from the car. Not long after setting out, Vance called Gibbs for an update on the case. Once he got what he wanted, he asked Gibbs for input on the new budget proposals. Gibbs handed his cell off to Tony, letting his senior field agent deal with that.

As soon as Tony hung up after updating Vance, Norfolk police called with some questions about Simon Taylor's charges and the evidence against him. Ziva called to ask what time they were expected in the next morning. Abby called to get her own update and receive assurances that justice had been served. She particularly liked Tony's description of Jessica Porter's interrogation, and was excited to access the video and see for herself. By the time Tony got off the phone, Gibbs' irritation was obvious, and Tony wisely decided not to broach the idea of updating the werewolves until later.

Gibbs and Tony arrived back at the Navy Yard well ahead of Tim and Ziva, who had the task of collecting evidence from Jessica's apartment. They drafted their reports, and Gibbs invited Tony to his place for a steak dinner.

Tony found himself in a pensive mood on the drive to Gibbs' house. He was still angry with Jessica for giving in to Simon's demands so easily and killing her best friend. The drive from Norfolk had given him time to think, and he was also finally letting the experiences of the past week sink in. He parked his car in the driveway, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and headed for the front door with his contribution of beer.

They ate in silence, Tony letting his mind wander where it would, considering everything that had happened since they found Lieutenant Conrad dead in a fountain. He occasionally glanced over at Gibbs, seeing similar thoughtfulness on his partner's face, and kept quiet.

Late evening found them in the basement, Gibbs pouring them each a shot of bourbon before settling down to sand some of the toys he'd been making for the holiday that was still half a year away. Tony seated himself on the steps for a while, watching, before finishing off his drink and taking a seat near Gibbs, picking up a toy boat and a piece of sandpaper.

"How ya doin', Tony?" Gibbs asked softly, keeping his eyes on his wooden car.

"M'ok, Jethro… just – what a long, strange trip it's been."

Gibbs glanced at him and smiled. "You stole that line."

"Yeah – but it's a good line."

"Appropriate, too."

"Yeah."

They were both silent again for a few minutes, then Gibbs spoke up. "I left a message for Erik after I got home."

"Good. Even if Karen was new to the pack, they'll still be happy to know Jessica's been dealt with."

Gibbs grunted in response, then reached for his phone when it started ringing. He frowned at the display. "Vance," he muttered, putting the phone on speaker before setting it down on the table. "Yeah, Gibbs."

"Gibbs, what the hell did DiNozzo do to your suspect when he interrogated her?"

"More than a suspect, Leon, she confessed."

"What happened in interrogation?"

"Interrogation happened in interrogation." Gibbs shook his head, rolling his eyes and shooting a small smile in Tony's direction. "Why don't you tell me what the problem is?"

There was a sound of shuffling paper. "Palmer's lawyer –"

Tony spoke up. "Palmer? Why does Jimmy need a lawyer?"

Vance cursed quietly. "DiNozzo?"

"Here, Director."

"Thank you, Gibbs, for telling me I'm on speaker. Although this does make things easier. What the hell's the girl's name?"

"Porter. Jessica Porter."

"Right. Porter's lawyer called, says he's filing a complaint. Says the girl keeps waking up screaming."

"Because of my interrogation?"

"So he says. Says she passed out?"

"Watch the video, Leon… Tony didn't do anything out of the ordinary. Got a confession, told her off for being an idiot." Gibbs shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

"I'm guessing we're both lucky I couldn't understand that. DiNozzo, what happened?"

"I don't know, sir. She'd confessed, I was on my way out of the room, she screamed and passed out. We got medical help in there pretty quickly."

"You never touched her?"

"Are you kidding me, Leon?" Gibbs growled. "Tony's a pro. Been at this way too long to make that kind of rookie mistake. Maybe the girl's conscience is bothering her. She murdered her roommate so she could keep running drugs."

They could hear Vance sigh. "I'll watch the video. Be available in case I have questions." He hung up.

Gibbs and Tony looked at each other. Tony smiled wryly. "Guess Karen's getting her revenge."

Gibbs considered that. "Think she's haunting her?"

"Maybe… although that doesn't seem like something a werewolf would do. Especially if there's this other dimension they can go to, or whatever."

"Huh." Gibbs sanded for a few more minutes. "Maybe Porter's remembering in her dreams, but not when she's awake."

Tony's eyebrows shot up. "Kinda deep for you, Boss."

Gibbs snorted. "You know better than to call me that at home, Tony."

"Well, Vance called to chew me out. Makes me revert to work settings, or something."

Gibbs smiled, then frowned again when the phone rang. He put it on speaker again. "Yeah, Gibbs."

"Agent Gibbs, this is Erik."

"Hey, Erik!" Tony called out. "You're not out hunting?"

"We were, but one of the kids was too ambitious, went after a healthy buck, got kicked in the head for his trouble. Had to shift human to bring him back to town for some help."

"He gonna be okay?"

"Doc says yes. His head will be ringing for a while, but he should be fine. Many of us learn caution this way."

"Sounds like a blast."

"Probably felt like one, too," Gibbs added, lips quirking into a slight smile.

Tony grinned. "You made a joke!"

Erik laughed. "I did get the impression that doesn't happen too often."

"Used to," Tony said thoughtfully. When Gibbs looked at him, Tony mouthed, 'Kate.' Gibbs tilted his head, thinking, then nodded.

"Anyway," Erik continued, "I got your message. I'm glad to know Karen's killer has confessed."

"Karen got some of her own revenge," Tony commented. "She showed up after Jessica confessed. Jessica could see her, screamed, and passed out. Apparently she isn't sleeping too well; she keeps waking up screaming."

"That's interesting. From what I've been told, we don't usually stick around for that long. Hold on a sec."

It was about a minute before they heard Aleksandra's voice. "Tell me what happened."

Tony described the end of the interrogation.

"What did Karen's ghost look like?"

"Sort of misty, except her face was clearly visible. She changed into a wolf after Jessica fainted, and then just faded away."

Aleksandra was silent for a moment. "She has crossed to the other dimension," she stated firmly. "Thank you for helping her."

"Of course. What are friends for?"

"You've already proven yourself a true Wolf-Friend, Tony," Erik said. "You'll always be welcome here."

"Agent Gibbs," Aleksandra said.

"Yeah."

"I was thinking, perhaps you should be made a Wolf-Friend as well. It would give us an excuse to dance together again." There was a slight growl in Aleksandra's voice.

Gibbs cleared his throat, but was saved from answering by Erik cutting in. "Ignore her, Agent Gibbs." They could hear Aleksandra laughing, the sound fading as she walked away. "She is enjoying keeping a pack leader off balance."

"My balance is just fine."

"No, it's not," Tony interjected, dodging the resulting head slap.

Erik laughed. "We would enjoy having you all visit again, without a murder this time. We could consider it a cultural exchange."

"Could Abby come? Our forensic scientist… she met Patryk and Daniel, but had to stay behind."

"If you vouch for her, she is more than welcome."

"She's gonna freak," Tony said to Gibbs.

"I'll let you go… the doctor wishes to give me an update, and we have a few kills to deal with. Say hi to Tim for me – and your female, of course. Siva?"

"Ziva. Will do, Erik, thanks." Tony reached for the phone and ended the call. "Wonder why he can't remember her name?"

Gibbs shrugged. "Just don't tell her."

Tony shook his head vigorously. "No worries there."

They went back to sanding for a while, until Tony sat back, staring at the table. "Jethro… we were just talking with werewolves. About visiting. The way people visit friends. Human friends. We're going to visit werewolf friends. Oh, and we're ghost magnets. How is this our life?"

Gibbs sighed, set the toy and sandpaper down, got up to pour more shots, handed one to Tony, and sat back down before raising his jar. Tony clinked their jars together, and they both drank.

Gibbs set his jar down and sat back, keeping one hand on the jar and turning it absently on the table top. "It's weird… but without what happened in that hotel, we might not be where we are now." He glanced over at Tony.

"Friends with werewolves and ghost magnets? Not to mention, what did Ducky call that thing… kelpie magnets?"

Gibbs sighed heavily. "Together, Tony. I meant us, together."

Tony grinned. "I know."

Gibbs muttered something under his breath again. Tony frowned. "I think I agree with Vance… probably a good thing I didn't hear that."

Gibbs suddenly laughed. "Know what, Tone?"

Tony smiled. "What?"

"I'll take all the ghosts and goblins if I get you in the bargain."

Tony reached out and took Gibbs' hand. "We haven't seen any goblins, Jethro."

Gibbs shook his head. "Tony…"

"Just keeping you a little off balance, Jethro. Sort of thing a Wolf-Friend ought to do for his pack leader every so often, don't you think?"

From outside the basement window, a stooped form could hear the sound of a hand striking the back of a head and the laughter that followed. It tilted its head, watching curiously as the two men drew closer to each other and kissed before getting up and moving toward the stairs. It watched them ascend, waiting until the light turned off before straightening up to its full height. It stood, too tall and thin to be human, and what might have looked like a cape to someone passing by unfurled to form wings. The creature lifted off the ground and soared away, disappearing into the night.

The End