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 5

Grayson reached for the ringing cell phone sitting on the kitchen counter and answered, "Hey Gunney."

"Hi Gray, you feel like knocking down a wall? I'll supply the beer and steak."

"I'm on the way."

Fifteen minutes later, Grayson walked down the stairs leading to the basement and declared, "Whoa Jethro, she's beautiful. I hope you aren't planning on burning this one too."

A sly smile preceded his reply, "No, this one is a keeper."

Grayson ran her fingertips over the bold white letters painted on the side, "Who is Jenny?"

"Jennifer Shepard, ex-NCIS Director, friend, lover and partner in the field."

"Oh, I remember you talking about her, another beautiful red-head."

"She was one hell of a woman and I miss her."

"At least she left this world on her own terms Jethro."

"That she did. You ready to work up an appetite?"

"Aye, aye."

"Outstanding Marine."

"Ooh rah," the pair chorused before setting to work.

-o-

Grayson woke and promptly fell off Jethro's couch in a tangle of arms, legs and blanket and swore, "Shit!" Standing up, she found the note on the low table advising her to help herself to the refrigerator and shower.

After availing herself of the invite, Grayson drove home, changed clothes then went to the gym inside her garage. Sometime later, she had a light lunch followed by a shower.

Once she was dressed in her Dress Blues, Grayson called a taxi and arrived at the Arlington National Cemetery twenty minutes later. She was greeted by her old unit from Camp Dwyer then took up a position beside Jethro.

"You are still the most handsome Marine Gunnery Sergeant that I've ever seen."

Smirking, Jethro explained, "It's the uniform Captain McCall."

"I appreciate your attendance, you would have liked Mason."

"Marine for life," Jethro simply quoted.

Grayson nodded, "We better go to the assembly point."

The two uniformed friends moved to where a large contingent of Marines had gathered and ten minutes later, the Military Full Honours Service began.

Grayson kept a tight rein on her soaring emotions and remained stoic throughout the ceremony. When she paid her condolences to Mason's family, she was surprised when his mother hugged her and whispered, "Mason told us the truth about your relationship, thank you for protecting him and being his friend. He truly loved you."

"I loved him too ma'am, I just wish I could have done more for him."

"Agent Gibbs explained everything to us yesterday and you did all you could Grayson."

"Thank you ma'am, it was an honour to serve with your son and call him friend."

"Thank you and I hope to see you at the wake."

"I'll be there ma'am."

Mrs Harris let go then embraced Jethro firmly.

-o-

Grayson entered the bar with Jethro, removed her white peaked cap and instantly noticed Tony, Tim and Ziva at the counter. The three Agents were dressed in black suits and Grayson asked Jethro, "Who's minding the office?"

"It's been a slow week and they wanted to show their respect."

"That was very thoughtful," Grayson smiled as they approached the trio.

"What will it be Captain?" inquired Tony. "It's my round."

"Beer will be fine thank you."

"Same for you Boss?"

"Thanks Tony."

Grayson felt the weight of eyes upon her and grinned at McGee. He turned away in embarrassment, but deep brown eyes locked onto her.

"I am sorry for your loss Captain," said Ziva sincerely.

"Thank you Agent David."

When drinks were handed over, the group moved away to a spare space. McGee and DiNozzo took turns at trying to impress Grayson and after a few minutes, she excused herself to go speak with members of her old unit.

Grayson returned to the NCIS Agents a short time later and was carrying a tray of drinks. Afterwards, Tim and Tony left and Jethro went to chat with Mr Harris.

"Did you and Lieutenant Harris set a wedding date?" asked Ziva.

"Negative and you are rather blunt."

"I am sorry. I did not mean to offend you."

"None taken and sometimes the direct approach is the best route."

"I agree."

"Can I buy you another beer ma'am?"

"Yes and please call me Ziva."

"It won't be easy."

"Why is that?"

"Marine training ma'am," Grayson went to the bar counter and returned with two beers and two shots of whiskey.

"Have you known Gibbs long?"

"Nineteen years, I had a terrible crush on him until I met his wife Shannon and daughter Kelly. He was so in love with his wife and Kelly was his pride and joy. Their murders were tragic and utterly senseless."

Ziva leaned in and quizzed, "And now, how do you feel?"

"Jethro is like a father to me and I love him dearly."

"McGee and DiNozzo think Gibbs is romantically attracted to you."

"Well DiNozzo is a Neanderthal and McGee is as mature as a schoolboy when it comes to the opposite gender."

"I totally agree," countered Ziva before sculling her whiskey.

Grayson made light work of hers then reasoned, "Besides, I just lost a close friend and romance is the last thing on my mind."

"Don't you mean fiancé?"

"Negative."

Ziva's right eyebrow rose, "Do you ever relax?"

"Not while I am in uniform."

"I am the same when on duty, but I have slowly learnt to let go and make jokes."

Grayson smiled slyly, "It must be hard keeping up with DiNozzo?"

"I have grown accustomed to his childish behaviour."

"How long have you been with NCIS?"

"Five years, I was formerly a Mossad Liaison Officer before being fired by Director Vance when he took over, then I was reinstated as a Probationary Agent. Since then I have severed all ties with Mossad and my father."

"Don't you miss your family?"

"They are all deceased. My sister Tali was killed in a Hamas suicide bombing while I was a Mossad Operative. She was only sixteen. Ari Haswari, my paternal half-brother and Mossad Agent, went rouge. I was his Control Officer at the time and was responsible for stopping him. I was forced to shoot him under orders from the Mossad Assistant Director. I have not seen or heard about my mother since I was a small child. That was my father's doing and he is dead to me because he used me to gain access to Gibbs. It hurt me greatly when Gibbs lost faith in me last year when I returned to Israel. Gibbs discovered I had been working undercover in Morocco under the direction of Director Vance to uncover a mole within NCIS and not officially dismissed. He, Tony and McGee came to my rescue when I was being held and tortured for information. Gibbs had seen my image on a news report of a bombing and I was presumed dead. I owe Gibbs my life; he has been more of a father to me than my own."

Grayson smiled slightly, "I'm glad it has ended well for you and am sorry about your family. I must read your file one day; it sounds interesting, but also tragic."

"I am also glad to be working with MCRT again."

"I need to eat, would you like to come to my place? I'll cook us dinner."

"I admit I am in need of nourishment, so yes, I will accompany you."

"We better say goodbye to Jethro and the others first," suggested a somewhat intoxicated Grayson.

Ziva replied cheekily, "Affirmative."

Grayson smirked at the Agent, "I must be rubbing off on you."

"That would not be a bad thing," declared Ziva with more than a hint of sassiness.

-o-

"You have a lovely home," commented Ziva as she followed Grayson into the living room of the spacious one storey residence.

"Thank you and just make yourself comfortable while I change. Would you like a drink?"

"Beer would be fine."

After handing a drink to Ziva, Grayson went into her bedroom and shed her uniform. Dressing in blue camouflage shorts and USMC polo, she returned to the living room and asked, "Is steak okay with you?"

"That would be fine."

"You can join me in the kitchen if you like."

Ziva rose to her feet, "Can I offer my assistance?"

"You could make a tossed salad."

"Good, I like to cook, it relaxes me."

"When I cook, it reminds me that I'm actually home. You'll find all the ingredients in the crisper. "

Nodding, Ziva opened the fridge and slid the compartment forward, "That is not very often, is it?"

Grayson stepped in behind her and reached for the tray of meat, "No, since joining the service in 1999 I've only spent about two years total stateside."

"Do you not miss your friends and family?" inquired Ziva while stifling the tingling that was creeping up her spine as a direct result of Grayson's closeness.

Grayson moved to the stove top and handed Ziva a large bowl, "All my friends are Marines and my only family is my mother. She moved to Florida after my father passed away. She blames his death on the Department of Defence and resents the fact I didn't resign my commission."

"That is unfortunate, but I am sure she is only concerned for your welfare."

"I haven't seen her in over a year, but we regularly exchange phone calls and e-mails."

"Gibbs mentioned you have been assigned to the Pentagon."

"That's affirmative ma'am."

"Did you request a transfer because of your engagement?"

"Negative. I had already applied to the Investigations Unit of the Defence Intelligence Agency prior to Mason's proposal."

"You are very hard to read, but I detect a slight furrow to your forehead when you mention Lieutenant Harris."

"That's because I am guilty of not handing over vital information he gave me before he departed Afghanistan."

"The guilt is not yours to carry; it lies solely with Lieutenant Harris for not informing you sooner. I suspect he knew his fate and was happy to receive it because he felt remorse over attributing to Private Rowe's murder. Lieutenant Harris was a highly trained combat Marine and he did not fight for his life. He out-weighed and out-muscled Collins, he could have easily defended himself. You and I both know there are several techniques to disarm someone, even when you are on your knees with a gun pointed to your head."

Grayson finally let go of the emotion she had been holding inside over the stupidity of Mason's surrender to death and the tears fell, "Don't you think I don't know all that? Mason blamed himself because he had befriended a man who sold out his fellow service men and women to the enemy for financial gain. He was shattered and there was nothing I could do to save him. I should have arrested him that night and thrown him in the brig, but in the end, that would have just killed him slower."

"Didn't he love you enough to fight for your life together?"

"Mason loved me, but wasn't in love with me," confessed a tired and suddenly irritated Grayson.

"And you accepted this," retorted a somewhat enraged Ziva.

Too much alcohol and emotion caused Grayson to make the next comment, "Agent David, I don't appreciate being interrogated in my own home and I'll ask you to please leave."

"I apologise for my behaviour and my intention was not to upset you, but to learn more about your life."

"Well you have, I'll call you a cab."

Ziva reached out and placed her hand on Grayson's left forearm, "I am sorry and I will phone for a taxi myself."

Grayson hung her head and Ziva collected her jacket from the back of the sofa then left. She turned around seconds later when she heard the soft pitched voice behind her.

"Ziva wait! I shouldn't have reacted like that. Please come back inside, dinner is ready."

"Are you sure?" inquired Ziva with a tilt to her head.

"Affirmative, it's been an emotional day and I've drunk way too much."

"I was not sensitive to your feelings."

"Let's forget about it and eat."

Ziva bobbed her head and followed the stunning blonde back inside. She knew the pain Grayson was suffering, but had to be honest with herself. It was not only empathy that made the Agent accept the Captain's offer for dinner; it was the growing attraction she felt for the woman. Common sense told her it was an ill-timed and frivolous idea, but she couldn't quell the desire to know the Marine better."

Grayson asked questions about the MCRT as they ate and Ziva answered truthfully. She incurred several laughs from the blonde when retelling a few of the more comical antics with the team.

-o-

"Would you like a coffee?" asked Grayson as she finished the dishes some time later.

"Yes please, I need to sober up a little."

Turning on the kettle, Grayson collected two cups, a jar of coffee and a tea bag, "My guess is you like your coffee white with no sugar?"

"That is a very good deduction."

Grayson looked at the five foot seven, 32B-23-33 form of the Agent and remarked, "Your perfect body shape tells me you don't have too much sugar in your diet."

Ziva placed hands on her hips, "I have 5% body fat and try to avoid sweets on a regular basis." Scanning the blonde's 34B-23-32 physique, she added, "You have a 4% body ratio, weigh 160 pounds and have a BMI of 22 which is just ideal. On every physical and combat fitness test you have undertaken, you have scored a perfect three hundred. You can complete a three mile run in well under fifteen minutes and are more than competitive with male counterparts."

Grayson quirked a brow, "Do you always retain information from files?"

"I am nothing, if not thorough."

The kettle came to boil and Grayson busied herself at the counter. Handing a mug to Ziva, she motioned for her to go into the living room.

"I was surprised you didn't have a date tonight like McGee and DiNozzo," remarked Grayson once she was settled on the couch.

"Don't be fooled, Tim was going to a rock concert with Abby to see the band Plastic Death and Tony had a dinner date with his visiting father."

Grayson smiled faintly, "So what's your excuse?"

"I haven't dated for some time. I have been too busy studying for my citizenship test."

"Well now you will have some free time."

"It must have been difficult to maintain a relationship while in a combat zone?"

"Yes, spare time is a rarity most days, but you adapt to the circumstances. You sneak in little moments here and there. Places for privacy are pretty scarce."

"Why were you not listed as Lieutenant Harris' fiancée on his service record?"

"It was for security reasons. When I commenced the investigation into the trading of combat unit and transport routes, I had no name or division location, so it was a safety precaution in case the leak was in my office."

"Isn't it against regulations for fraternisation between Officers of higher rank and subordinates?"

"Affirmative, but rules tend to be a little grey when deployed overseas for extended periods."

"During the time Lieutenant Harris' house was processed, there were no photos of you located."

Grayson frowned at the observation, "I know where you are headed and in answer to your earlier question, I did accept the fact Mason was not in love with me."

"Why?"

"He needed my protection."

"Ahh, now the nickel drops."

"That's penny and this conversation never took place."

Smiling, Ziva commented, "I understand and I still struggle with English idioms and colloquiums."

"You will get the hang of it."

"Lieutenant Harris was concerned about the DoD's policy of excluding homosexuals from the Military?"

"Affirmative."

"The policy is out-dated," snapped Ziva with annoyance.

"I agreed, but you learn to work around it."

Ziva's phone sounded and she said, "Sorry, I must answer that." Looking at the screen, she answered, "Hey Tony."

"Hey Ziva, sorry to call, but we have a murdered Navy Petty Officer at Quantico to deal with. McGee is picking up the truck and will rendezvous with us at the front gate."

"Okay Tony, see you there."

Grayson stood and went into the kitchen. She returned and handed Ziva a large thermos of coffee and a packet of chewing gum, "You can freshen up in the bathroom if you like. Third door on the left and there's a fresh toothbrush in the second drawer."

"Thank you."

"I'll call you a cab."

Ziva returned moments later and confessed, "I would like to continue our conversation."

"You have my number, so give me a call when you are free."

A taxi pulled into the drive and the driver tooted the horn

"I will and thank you for dinner, you are an excellent cook." Without thinking, Ziva embraced the taller woman and kissed her quickly on the lips. She was out the door before Grayson reacted.

Grayson touched her mouth and smiled. She knew she was in trouble the instant Ziva's lips met hers. Although the peck was brief, it was nevertheless sweet and ignited a fire inside Grayson. Securing the house, she showered then climbed into her queen sized bed. She drifted off with thoughts of Ziva kissing her.

-o-

The second Ziva got out of the cab, the questions started.

"Where's your car? Did you drink too much?"

"Tony, my car is at home and no, I am not drunk."

"Okay then, are you planning on sharing what I hope is coffee?"

"Yes it is coffee and no, I do not feel like sharing with you."

Tony leaned over and sniffed Ziva, "You smell very minty sweet cheeks."

Ziva pulled the packet of chewing gum from her trouser pocket and handed it to Tony, "You on the other hand, smell like beer."

"Thanks for the gum. I didn't have time to brush my teeth like some people. Was it another boring night at home alone Ziva?"

"No, your call interrupted a very pleasant dinner."

"Lucky bastard," muttered Tony.

"What makes you think it was a male?"

"Oh Ziva, stop teasing me," joked the dark haired Agent.

"Here's McGee," announced Ziva, effectively ending the conversation as the Ford E-series truck pulled up to the front gate.

-o-