Title: NCIS – Fallen Hero

Author: D M Harper

Summary: When Naval Criminal Investigative Service's MCRT investigates the death of a decorated Marine, one member finds much more than a motive for murder.

PAIRINGS: Agent Ziva David & Abigail Sciuto; Agent Ziva David & OFC; Abigail Sciuto & OFC.

Rating: MA for Mature readers.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction borrowing characters from a TV series. Other characters are original, but have learnt to play nicely with the others. No profit is gained and no copyright infringement is intended to creators Donald P. Bellisario & Don McGill or Belisarius Productions, Paramount Network Television & CBS Paramount Network Television.

A/N: Please take a dip into the review pool and leave a message. The Muse gets a little hungry!

Chapter 2

Grayson stowed her bags in the main bedroom of her Addison Heights home in Arlington then returned to her navy blue Chevrolet Silverado Z71 truck.

Fifteen minutes later she pulled into the parking lot of the Washington Navy Yard located on M Street, Southeast Washington D.C.

Once the Captain had cleared security, she was escorted up to the NCIS division. Taking off her peaked cap, Grayson followed the Lance Corporal to the middle section of partitioned work stations. She spotted Jethro sitting behind his desk and said, "Thank you for your assistance Corporal."

"You are welcome ma'am."

Grayson hadn't seen Gibbs for five years, not since her father Major Cole McCall was laid to rest in Arlington. The pair had kept in touch via phone calls and e-mails, but their busy careers had limited any in person contact. Grayson walked up to Jethro's work desk and calmly greeted him, "Good morning Agent Gibbs."

DiNozzo openly leered at the khaki uniformed woman while McGee grinned at her like a besotted schoolboy. Ziva had watched the Captain walk past her desk out of the corner of her eye and thought she was the absolute embodiment of female beauty and strength.

Gibbs stood and greeted his friend, "Morning ma'am, I hope your trip home was satisfactory?"

"It was tolerable thank you Agent and you are looking very well."

"I can say the same of you. Let's go somewhere private to talk."

Without introductions, Gibbs led Captain McCall to an interview room. The other three Agents followed a discreet distance behind with DiNozzo saying, "Gibbs is not himself, he seems preoccupied."

"Who could blame him," countered McGee. "Captain McCall is totally hot."

"Really McGee, I would expect that statement from Tony, not you," chastised an unimpressed Ziva.

-o-

The trio stood in the Observation Room while Gibbs closed the interview room door.

"How did 1st Lieutenant Mason Harris die?" enquired the straight backed and square shouldered Captain almost immediately.

"He received a single gunshot to the back of his head delivered by a Berretta M9 9mm pistol."

"Indicating there is more than a possible link to a service weapon being used."

"Precisely. Lieutenant Harris's gun was located in his luggage and it was not the murder weapon. How long were you engaged to Lieutenant Harris?"

"Six months, but you need to know the full story."

"I'm listening ma'am."

Grayson placed her briefcase on the table and opened it. Handing Gibbs a folder, she began, "Twelve months ago I was Commanding Officer of the Military Police Unit at Camp Dwyer in the Garmsir District."

"Was Lieutenant Harris under your command?" asked Gibbs while perusing the file.

"Affirmative, he was my second in command and we became friends over the course of time."

"When did that relationship become intimate?"

"I refuse to discuss that private matter while your team is in the next room listening in on this conversation. Besides, any admission by me at this stage, may lead to a Court Martial."

Gibbs nodded, "Understood Captain."

"Seven months ago I received Intel advising me that a Marine on Camp was selling Military information to a cell of local covert insurgents for a substantial payoff. This unidentified person was handing over maps and coordinates of areas our patrols were due to deploy to. At the time I had no name or description to follow up on, only a rank."

Looking up from the paperwork, Gibbs scowled, "Private 2nd Class. I see here it was a joint investigation between the Intel Section and you."

"Affirmative. Lieutenant Harris was assisting me with inquiries and when we tracked down a suspect, a Private 2nd Class Thomas Rowe from Ordinance, he was executed the night before we planned on detaining him for questioning."

Gibbs closed the folder and noted, "A shot to the back of the head with a Berretta M9."

"Every Beretta service sidearm on base was collected over a period of time and tested, but we failed to find the murder weapon. Private Rowe's homicide gave us cause to believe he had a partner in crime. Our inquiry was hindered by the fact there was no trace or physical evidence left behind at the scene or on Rowe's body. All we had was the shell casing and bullet. Our theory was the killer was amongst one of the many transfers back stateside a week after the murder. My hands were tied as I wasn't given authority to detain any Marine scheduled to travel."

"Did the leak of information continue?"

"Negative, I have a copy of the list of all personnel who returned to the States during that time. It's an extensive catalogue, but three quarters of the names have been eliminated due to solid alibis."

"It's possible the killer has had another tour since then," surmised Gibbs.

"Affirmative and six months ago I requested a transfer to Camp Leatherneck for personal reasons. My command was taken up by Captain Paul Jenkins and I replaced him. All information on Private Rowe's murder was handed over to Captain Jenkins. Lieutenant Harris was one of those Marines who went on leave and after information was given to Captain Jenkins regard Lieutenant Harris and Private Rowe being close friends, the investigation concentrated on Lieutenant Harris."

"At any stage was Lieutenant Harris considered a suspect?"

"Negative, I supplied his alibi when questioned by Captain Jenkins."

"Do you have any theories on why Lieutenant Harris was murdered?"

"Affirmative, I believe the Lieutenant had knowledge of the identity of Private Rowe's executioner."

"Did he disclose this information to you?"

"Affirmative, but I have no further comment at this stage except to say you need to look closely at the whereabouts of a Sergeant Oliver Collins. His name is on that list and happens to have returned here on March 10th, but has subsequently gone missing." Captain McCall closed her briefcase before adding, "The homicide of Private Rowe is still an on-going investigation, but all relevant data given to me on Thursday March 11th has been handed over to Captain Jenkins and Intel."

"Is that all you have?"

"Negative Agent Gibbs, I expect you for dinner at my house 1900 hours."

"I'll be there ma'am."

Captain McCall departed the room and moments later Gibbs was joined by his team.

"Holy crap," remarked DiNozzo. "Did the Captain just give us the killer?"

"She did, so get everything you can on Sergeant Collins and put out a BOLO. We need to find him as soon as we can."

DiNozzo nodded, "On it Boss. McGee you're with me."

"What did you make of Captain McCall?" asked Gibbs once he was alone with Ziva.

"I suspect she will tell you all you need to know tonight at dinner. The Captain is very skilled at masking her feelings and impossible to read."

Gibbs smirked, "She is one hell of a Marine that's for sure and made her father and me exceptionally proud." The conversation was interrupted when his cell phone rang, "Yes Director?"

"My office A-SAP," replied Leon Vance. "I have news on the Harris case."

"I'm on my way Sir."

-o-

Gibbs stepped through the doorway and saw Vance leaning casually against his desk.

"Where are you on the case," asked the dark skinned and moustachioed Director.

"Gathering data on a possible suspect and a BOLO is being issued."

"Excellent, I have just been on the phone with the Pentagon's Intel Commanding Officer and he informed me Captain McCall would be releasing certain sensitive information to you."

"She did Leon and was very helpful with our investigation."

"Good, keep me apprised Jethro."

"Will do," responded Gibbs while departing the office. He joined his Agents who were standing around the view screen, "Report McGee."

"Sergeant Oliver James Collins, thirty six, enlisted into the Infantry in 1994 and currently resides in Brentwood. The Sergeant has been on active combat duty in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001. He received several reprimands on his record for bar brawls during the past five years. There is no family and he drives a black '68 Mustang."

"Okay kit up, I want every inch of his house turned over."

-o-