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 19

Amy and Ashley visited the hospital later in the day and were pleased to find Ziva and Grayson laughing. Ashley brought an overnight bag for both of them and was encouraged to see Grayson looking a nicer shade of pink.

Ashley and Amy returned everyday as Grayson continued to recover physically and when she was discharged on Saturday, her memory of the past two years still eluded her.

Ziva rode Grayson's bike home while Ashley drove Amy and Grayson back to Arlington in the Z71.

When Grayson entered her house, she stopped and scanned the framed black and white photo of her and Ziva hanging on the hallway wall.

"I took that snap last Sunday when you proposed," explained Ashley. "I put it up yesterday."

"It's wonderful mom, thank you so much."

"You and Ziva belong together," added Amy as she passed by with the bags.

"I've had that feeling ever since Ziva told me who she was," responded a smiling Grayson.

Ziva went through to the kitchen and took the bags off Amy, "Excuse me while I put the dirty clothes in the wash."

"I think I'll go lie down for a while," declared Grayson as she wandered off down the hall. She found Ziva sorting through their bags, "Hey there."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yes and when you are done, will you lie down with me?"

"I won't be long," answered Ziva while leaving the room. She returned moments later to discover Grayson in bed with a sad look on her face. Without thinking, Ziva stripped down to her underwear and slipped in under the sheet, "What is bothering you?"

"I'm just frustrated because I don't remember our life together. We look so happy in the picture mom put up in the hallway, but I don't have a single memory of that time."

Ziva draped her arm around Grayson's belly, "It has only been a week Grayson, your recollections will come back, but you have to give it time."

Wiping a lone tear from her eyes, Grayson asked, "When and how was I shot?"

"You were on a covert operation in Tel Aviv ten days ago. Your mission was to shut down the Director of Mossad."

Grayson's face scrunched up and she removed the bandana covering her shaved scalp and the incision that arched from the front of her left ear to the middle of her forehead. She scratched her scalp and inquired, "Eli David, any relation?"

"He is my father and cease that rubbing of your head."

Grayson's eyes lit up, "Holy shit and my surgical wound is so itchy."

Ziva climbed out of bed and returned from the bathroom with a tube of ointment, "I will fix your problem."

"So tell me about this op, I assume you know all about it."

"I do."

As Ziva gently applied the salve onto the still sutured incision, she told Grayson all about the incident. When she was done, she went into the ensuite to wash her hands.

Grayson took the opportunity to process what Ziva had just told her and to leer at the incredible body that Ziva possessed. Grayson had successfully suppressed her sexual arousal all week, but was now struggling to rein in her desire for the woman she found amazingly intoxicating.

When Ziva slipped back into bed, she carefully settled onto Grayson's right shoulder, "Has the itching stopped?"

"Yes thank you. Why did you fall in love with me?"

"When you walked into NCIS wearing your uniform, I was mesmerised by your beauty and air of confidence. Your physique held my attention and my heart was racing. I looked at you and wondered how it would feel to know you better."

"Oh my," gasped Grayson. "So we met at the Navy Yard?"

"Yes, but not that day. You were there to see Gibbs and we were not formally introduced until the following morning."

"Why was I there to see Gibbs?"

"You were being interviewed. You were so calm and stoic and I was absolutely entranced by your professional attitude while dealing with the questions."

Grayson's chest rumbled with a giggle, "Did I notice your attraction?"

"Yes, but you refused to respond. You stated you didn't do relationships, but I was not discouraged."

"What changed my mind?"

"Your desire to settle down with the one you loved."

"I've never been in love before."

"I know this about you. You once said to me that your career and family were all that mattered to you until you fell in love with me and I was now part of your family."

"Did we date?"

"Yes."

"We didn't have sex on the first date, did we?"

The question brought a chuckle from Ziva, "No, we waited because we both had previous relationships based purely on sex and we wanted more between us."

Grayson smiled then changed the topic, "I think Amy is interested in Abby."

"I agree."

"You and Abby used to be lovers?"

"Yes."

With brows arched in surprise, Grayson said, "Oh okay and I am all right with that?"

"Yes as I am with Amy."

"Uhm, when was the last time we made love?"

"It was quite a few weeks ago."

"How come it was so long back?"

Ziva took her time and explained her concern with the Eli situation and Grayson nodded in understanding.

"Is me not remembering frustrating for you Ziva?"

"Yes, I miss our intimacy and have to stop myself from wanting you."

"That's grossly unfair and I apologise."

"It is not your fault."

"Before this business with your father, did we have a healthy sex life?"

"Very much so, our normal routine was one or more times every day."

Grayson sighed loudly, "I'm extremely attracted to you, but realise it's purely physical at this stage and you deserve better."

"I comprehend."

"I do appreciate your patience though."

Ziva was too choked up with emotion to reply and after a few minutes she heard Grayson's breathing become shallow. Easing out of the bed, Ziva went into the bathroom to shower and relieve the burning ache she had for her fiancée.

-o-

Grayson awoke from her dream covered in heavy sheen of perspiration and the need to speak with Amy. After taking a clumsy shower, she struggled into a pair of boxers and USMC tee shirt. She went outside and located her friend sitting on the back porch.

Sitting down, she asked, "Where's mom and Ziva?"

"Grocery shopping and Jethro and Abby are coming to dinner."

"Can you please take a look at my sutures, they are really itchy?"

"Sure, let me just grab my med kit from my room."

"Thanks."

Moments later, Amy was wearing latex gloves and examining Grayson's scalp, "The incision has healed nicely and the sutures are ready to come out."

"Can you do that for me?"

"Of course I can Gray." As she prepared a kit, she hummed a tune.

"Amy did we use to meet in my quarters?"

"Yes we did, do you remember?"

"I dreamt I was holding you up in a handstand and performing oral sex when you slipped and banged your elbow on my footlocker."

Amy halted her procedure and looked down at Grayson, "That actually happened. Do you recall any more of the dream?"

"I was laughing so hard that I collapsed on the floor then you ended up on top of me and demanded satisfaction."

"Gray that is exactly how it occurred."

"That's all I remember."

"It's a terrific start."

Grayson had a flash of imagery when Amy said, "I'm done Gray."

"When I returned to Camp Dwyer after you reconstructed my arm, I visited you at the hospital and you dragged me into the linen closet. You said "I'm done Gray" after we exhausted all our energy."

Amy knelt down in front of Grayson and took hold of her hand, "Yes I did, oh my god, you are remembering."

"Your favourite colour is purple and you have a piercing your mother knows nothing about."

"That's true on both counts."

Grayson closed her eyes and let the memories flow, "It's your belly button and you like having it played with."

"This is really good Gray, keep going."

"You enjoy listening to Mozart to relax and you have an intricate tattoo of an ankh on your lower back."

Amy's smile widened, "Wow, it's all coming back."

"We stopped having sex after you wanted me to handcuff you to the bed and whip you."

With a tilt of her head, Amy confessed, "Uhm, that's true and I knew at the time that would turn you off."

"You didn't want me to do that?" queried Grayson.

"The handcuffs yes, the whipping no."

Grayson laughed, "I think I'll sanitise most of that when I tell Ziva."

"That's a very smart idea."

No more memories came back to Grayson and both Ashley and Ziva were pleased to hear of her progress when they arrived home a short time later.

Ziva tenderly placed her hand on Grayson's knee when she sat down beside her on the porch, "This is good news."

"It's terrific Ziva and hopefully more will return over the next few days."

"How are you feeling?"

"Strange, my head is foggy when the images of my past come to me and I'm sorry I have none of you yet."

"We will be patient my love."

Amy stood and collected empty glasses, "From what you have remembered Gray, it appears your memories are returning in chronological order. Your last memory of me is from late last year."

"Why haven't I remembered other stuff from that time?"

"I have no idea, but don't try to force it."

Grayson felt a sharp pain to her forehead and asked, "Who's Mason?"

Amy headed for the door, "That one is all yours Ziva."

"I'll make a start on dinner," suggested Ashley as she rose out of her chair.

"Are you in agony?" inquired Ziva.

"I have a bad headache."

"I will go get your pills."

Ziva returned with two tablets and a bottle of water and handed them over to Grayson.

"Thank you Ziva."

The brunette waited until Grayson was finished drinking before starting, "Marine Lieutenant Mason Harris is the reason we met."

"I gather he was why I was interviewed by Jethro?"

"He was and Mason was also your close friend and fiancé."

Grayson dropped the bottle of water and clutched at her skull, "What the hell?"

Ziva grabbed the blonde's forearms, "Do you require Amy's assistance?"

"No it will pass," replied Grayson through clenched teeth.

"Maybe it would be best if you lay down," suggested a concerned Ziva.

"I'm tired of being in bed Ziva and the pain is easing."

"It worries me greatly when you hurt."

Grayson looked into tear filled eyes, "I can see why I fell in love with you. Can you tell me more about this Mason?"

Ziva took a seat beside Grayson and told her everything.

Grayson's face was blank when she turned to Ziva, "I think I'll go take a hot shower and try to alleviate this headache."

"Do you require help?"

"I'm good to go."

Realising Grayson wanted to be on her own for a while; Ziva didn't push the issue and remained on the porch.

-o-

During dinner, Grayson excused herself and after she failed to return, Amy went to check on her. She found her reclined on a deckchair by the pool.

"You okay Gray?"

With a slight wave of her hand, Grayson answered "Yeah, I just needed some fresh air."

"I can't even begin to understand how frustrating this must be for you."

"It's more infuriating for Ziva. She looks at me with nothing but deep love in her eyes and I know she wants me."

"Gray, about two months ago we had a phone conversation and you admitted how different it was for you when you and Ziva made love."

"I did?"

"Yes, you said it wasn't about the sexual act, it was about the love you felt for her and the connection."

Unbidden, tears rolled down Grayson's cheeks, "Ziva is being hurt by my lack of memory and all I want to do is hold her. My heart aches when I witness her sadness. It's like I know I love her, but I just don't feel it."

"You and Ziva have a special bond, so tell her how you are feeling."

"I don't want to inflict anymore pain on her."

"That's understandable Gray."

"Amy, can you say goodnight to everyone for me? I'm tired and am going to bed."

"I can do that for you. I'll talk to you in the morning."

"Goodnight and thanks for the chat."

-o-