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 6

Grayson groaned in protest as she reached for the cell phone on the bedside table. Looking at the unknown number, she answered in a deep, gravelly tone, "Hello."

"Hello Captain McCall."

Recognising Ziva's voice, Grayson sat up and valiantly ignored the thumping in her head, "Agent David, is there something I can help you with?"

"I would like to invite you to my apartment this evening for dinner."

"I accept, what time?"

"1900 hours and the address is 3558 Volta Place, Northwest Washington."

"Got it, how did your call out go?"

"Case closed two hours ago."

"Have you slept?"

"No, we worked straight through."

"You better go the bed and I'll see you tonight."

"Did I wake you?"

"Affirmative."

"It is 1115 hours. Do you normally sleep this late?"

"No, only when I stumble into bed at 0500 hours. I went out with my old Unit last night and drank too much."

Tittering, Ziva suggested, "I think you should go back to sleep."

"You have a cute laugh and I intend to, see you later."

After putting down her phone, Grayson rolled over and snuggled into her pillow.

-o-

Grayson was surprised when Abby answered her knock on Ziva's door.

"Hey Captain McCall, you're the last to arrive."

"Hello and please call me Grayson."

"Sure thing, come on in. Ziva is in the kitchen cooking up a storm."

Grayson watched as Abby walked up to Ziva and kissed her on the cheek, "Ziva is an outstanding chef."

"Hi," said Ziva before wrapping her arms around Abby and returning the kiss, "Thank you Abby."

"I'm only telling the truth babe."

Feeling like a complete fool as she witnessed the intimacy exchanged between the two women, Grayson blurted out, "I only dropped in to tell you I can't make dinner. I have a personal matter I have to attend to in Hagerstown and have to leave immediately."

Ziva frowned and stepped away from Abby, "Maybe another time then?"

"Sure, goodnight." The blonde let herself out and departed quickly. She jumped into her truck and headed north.

Inside the house, Abby turned to Ziva, "That went well."

"I think I just made the wrong impression."

"Ya think, she obviously thought we are a couple."

"I should call her and explain."

"You better hurry before she gets too far away."

Picking up her cell off the counter, Ziva pressed in Grayson's number and waited.

-o-

Grayson ignored her ringing phone and continued towards Hagerstown. Ten miles out from her destination, she pulled to the side of the road and made a call.

"Hey Gray, this is a nice surprise. After our conversation this afternoon, I thought I wouldn't hear from you for a while."

"I had a change of plans and am a few minutes out."

"Great, I'll leave the door unlocked. You know where to find me?"

"Indeed I do." Pocketing the cell phone in her leather jacket, Grayson pulled into the line of traffic then parked outside an apartment building four minutes later.

Riding the lift to the fifth floor, she raced to apartment six and locked the door after entering. She undressed on the way down the hall and grinned broadly when she stepped into the bedroom.

"You're out of uniform Marine, just the way I prefer it," teased the naked person in the bed.

Grayson's reply was smug, "I know exactly what you like Lieutenant."

"Good, then get into bed so I can fuck you all night long."

"You have a dirty mouth Lieutenant."

"That's why you like me so much."

-o-

Opening her eyes, Ziva smiled at the sleeping from that was cuddled into her shoulder and whispered, "You are nothing but trouble Abigail Sciuto." Carefully, she eased out of bed and went into the bathroom. She was enjoying the warm water on her back when Abby joined her moments later.

"Good morning Ziv," said Abby cheerfully before seizing the brunette's lips in a fiery kiss.

Both women were panting heavily when their mouths parted some four minutes later.

"I see you wish to begin the day as we ended it last night," sniggered Ziva as she kissed along the spider's web tattoo on the left side of Abby's neck.

"I do and what better way is there to start the week?"

"You know, we should really stop having sex just because it is convenient for both of us."

"Ziv, we have been over this before, no strings and no commitment, remember?"

"Yes, but it has been months since you last stayed over and being with you only confuses my feelings."

"Babe, you are feeling guilty because you are attracted to the hotter than hot Marine Captain and ended up having sex with me to satisfy your sexual frustration."

"You are correct Abby and that is not fair on you."

"Ziva, I used you too and it's always been that way between us. We would be hopeless together in a relationship as a couple."

Ziva ran her hands over Abby's face, "That also is true."

"We both want different relationships at the moment and you need to settle."

"I want that so very much."

"Then concentrate on winning Grayson's heart," advised a smiling Abby.

"I am not even certain if she is interested in me."

"I admit she is hard to interpret."

"She is unreadable and keeps her emotions well hidden."

"Then you will have to dig a little deeper babe. Now, let's make it one for the road, shall we," suggested Abby before lowering her lips to Ziva's again.

-o-