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 9

For the next three weeks, Grayson immersed herself in work and late night phone calls with Amy.

"You started dating yet?" she asked Amy after a long day of interviewing a suspected drug smuggler.

"No, but I really like a fellow doctor."

"That sounds promising, tell me about her."

"Her name is Elizabeth Wheaton and she is twenty-nine. She has dark brown hair and deep green eyes and makes me laugh."

"Well, she sounds terrific, so ask her out."

"I'll only do it if you ask Ziva out too."

Grayson laughed, "Why would I do that?"

"Come off it Gray, you always mention her during our talks and you need to explore the possibility of actually having a normal relationship with someone."

"Amy, I haven't spoken to her in three weeks."

"Okay, I'll make a deal with you. I'll call Liz if you call Ziva."

"Are you attempting to blackmail a Military Police Officer?"

"Yes I am Captain, is it working?"

"It is and you know I can never say no to you."

"Oh, I do know that. I'll call you tomorrow and let you know how it goes."

"All right Amy and good luck."

"Same to you, goodnight."

Grayson stood up from the couch and headed into the kitchen for a drink. Her phone rang as she walked into the bedroom, "Hello Abby."

"Hey Grayson, sorry to call so late, but I need a big favour," explained Abby in a panicked tone.

"What's up?"

"I'm stuck in traffic on my way back from Quantico. There has been an accident and the road is blocked. It won't be open for at least two hours."

"Why are you in Quantico?"

"Oh, I was attending a forensics lecture."

"So what do you need me to do?"

"I can't reach Ziva and I'm beginning to worry."

"Is there a reason for your concern?"

"Ziva and Tony were ambushed while out in the field today."

Grayson suddenly understood the other woman's concern, "Oh my god, are they all right?"

"Ziva was shot in the leg."

"Say what?" Grayson picked up her wallet and keys from the hallway table and headed for the garage.

"It was only a flesh wound but fairly deep. She is supposed to be resting at home, but she is not answering her phone."

"Is she on any form of medication?" inquired Grayson while climbing into her truck.

"Yes and I'm worried she has had a fall."

"When did you speak to her last?"

"It was over an hour ago."

"Okay, I'm on my way to her place now. I'll call you back as soon as I know anything."

"Thank you Grayson."

"Bye."

Grayson started the engine and reversed out of the garage and raced to Ziva's. She was calm as she ran up the stairs and knocked on the door. After receiving no reply, Grayson peered into the window to the right of the door. She could just see into the living room and what she saw made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Ziva was lying face down on the wooden floor with a pool of blood under her head.

Grayson called for an ambulance while kicking in the front door. Racing inside, she knelt down and felt for a pulse. She sighed with relief when she detected a faint throb. Carefully, Grayson checked Ziva for other injuries. There was a deep laceration to the right side of her forehead, so Grayson ran into the bathroom and returned with a towel. She applied pressure to the wound as her eyes scanned over the rest of Ziva's body. She swore when she noted the blood seeping from the left side of the brunette's navy blue linen trousers, "Shit David, what happened?"

Looking around the room, Grayson spotted a puddle of blood a foot away on the floor. There was a swish mark where Ziva must have slipped and banged her head on the edge of the coffee table.

As the sound of a siren drew closer, Ziva's eyelids flickered open and she tried to move.

"Stay still Ziva, you've had a fall and injured your head. Paramedics are nearly here."

"Captain!" exclaimed a dazed Ziva as she attempted to focus.

"Shush, you'll be okay."

Grayson heard the ambulance pull up outside and two Paramedics raced into the apartment moments later. She quickly gave them a run down on what had happened as she moved out of the way.

As the two men worked on Ziva, Grayson called Abby and informed her of the situation.

"Oh my god, is she going to be all right?"

"They're preparing her for transport now. I'll call you again when we reach the hospital."

"Thank you so much, I'll be there as soon as I can."

"We will be at Georgetown University Hospital." Grayson put her cell phone into the pocket on her camouflage shorts and followed the stretcher out of the apartment. She closed the door then called directory assistance for the number of a locksmith.

-o-

Grayson rushed into the Emergency Department forty minutes behind the Paramedics and flashed her identification to the nurse as she began to ask questions.

"Who do you wish to see?"

"Miss David, she is a Federal Agent with NCIS."

"What is your relationship to Miss David?"

"I am a colleague."

"In that case, I'll have to ask you to take a seat in the waiting room."

"Understood ma'am. Excuse me, but has her boss been notified?"

"No, I was just about to call."

"I'll save you the trouble."

"Thank you."

Grayson went out into the adjacent seating area and called Jethro.

"Is she going to be okay?" he asked after the initial greeting and explanation.

"She has lost a lot of blood and suffered a hard knock to her head."

"Give me ten and I'll be there."

"Affirmative Jethro, I'll be here." She waited patiently until her friend arrived with Defence Attorney Margaret Allison Hart by his side.

After introductions, Jethro went into the ER to check on Ziva's condition. As he was listed as her next of kin, he was given access to her cubicle and a medical update.

He returned a short time later and sat down beside Margaret, "Ziva has concussion and her leg wound has re-opened. She requires sutures to her head and leg and the doctor is going to keep her here overnight for observation."

"That's a relief and good news," said Grayson. "I guess my work is done here." She handed over a set of keys to Jethro and added, "They're for the new lock on Ziva's front door. I'll see you both later."

"Before you go Gray, Ziva asked to see you."

"I don't think that's a good idea and here comes Abby, she will take care of her."

Abby raced up to Gibbs and hugged him while Grayson made an unnoticed exit and drove home. Twenty-five minutes later, she was in bed and fast asleep.

-o-