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 23

Wedding plans were finalised during the next two weeks and Grayson returned to duty on Monday. She received a warm welcome and as Ziva was away with the team, she finally accepted an invitation for drinks and dinner with her unit.

Arriving home just before eleven, Grayson showered and prepared for bed. She just got settled when Leon Vance called.

"Good evening sir."

"Grayson I'm sorry to call so late, but I've just been informed Eli David has left Cyprus under a false identity and may be headed to the States. Information is sketchy at present, but I'm led to believe he left via a private jet and is in the company of four other men."

"He will come looking for Ziva."

"I've spoken to Gibbs and Agent David has been informed of the situation. My source told me Eli dispatched one of his men this morning, but he has not been sighted as of yet."

"Ziva needs to be protected sir."

"Already taken care of and the team wrapped up their case an hour ago. They are on the way back to Washington as we speak. Ziva will be taken to a safe location until Eli and his men are located."

"Thank you sir."

"Colonel Flack with be contacting you shortly with further instructions."

"Understood sir and I appreciate the call."

-o-

Colonel Flack phoned seventeen minutes later.

After a brief conversation, he explicated, "So the plan is for you to lure this man to you then deal with him."

"I'm to be the bait while Ziva is protected?"

"Correct, we can only assume Eli David will be seeking revenge against you as well as his daughter."

"That's a given Colonel and I'll keep an eye out for a tail."

"At this stage no identities of Eli's men have been established. Sergeants Anderson and Blake will be at your house within the next ten minutes and will be with you twenty four seven. You are to carry on with your normal routine so as not to raise suspicion if under surveillance."

"Understood sir."

"Grayson, Director Vance has assured me Ziva will be well guarded and I am aware of the fact she is more than just your friend."

"Yes sir."

"That information will not be part of my report. As far as I am concerned, it is not an issue."

"I appreciate your candour sir."

Dropping all protocol, Flack chuckled, "Shit, if they hounded out all the gays in the military, there'd by a mass exodus."

Grayson relaxed, "That is very true."

"Unless I receive any more information tonight, I'll speak with you in the morning."

"Goodnight sir."

Grayson closed her phone and as she placed it on the side table, she heard footsteps in the hallway outside the bedroom door. As she reached for the drawer to retrieve her handgun, the door flew open and a black fatigue attired assailant burst through the doorway firing a bevy of shots in her general direction.

Gripping her fingers around the stock of the Beretta, Grayson rolled onto the floor and felt a bullet pierce her left calf. Coming to a halt, she rose up on one knee and aimed at the man and fired off two rounds to his legs. He grunted while two slugs ripped into Grayson's upper torso. With a steady hand, she fired a shot to her attacker's forehead.

As he slumped forward onto the floor, Grayson's cell phone rang. She gritted her teeth against the searing pain and got to her feet. Stumbling to the bed, she collapsed onto the mattress and picked up the phone.

Grayson answered in a voice racked with agony, "Ziva, listen to me very closely."

"Grayson!" exclaimed Ziva in alarm.

"Please baby, I don't have much time. Oh god, I love you so much and will always be with you. Be safe my love." Grayson heard knocking on her front door and added, "Tell mom, Amy and Jethro I love them."

"Grayson please, what is going on?" beseeched a now terrified Ziva.

There was no reply as a heavily bleeding Grayson fell forward onto the floor and her front door was knocked down by Peter Anderson's right shoulder.

-o-

Ziva turned to Gibbs with tears falling freely, "Something is not right. Grayson is hurt and I need to get home."

"We can't Ziva. Once we land, you will be taken to a safe house."

"Gibbs, she was saying goodbye."

"Call her back," instructed Gibbs, keeping the dread from his voice.

Ziva did and received no reply, "She is not answering."

"We land in twenty, you go with Tony and Tim to the safe location and I'll go to your place."

"Thank you Gibbs. Obviously Eli is behind this. I must not panic and remain useful."

-o-

Gibbs pulled up behind a police car and ran up the path displaying his credentials. As he approached the missing front door, Vance stepped into the hallway.

"Where is she Leon?"

"This way Jethro," indicated the Director as he walked past several military personnel and towards the main bedroom. "One of Eli's men bypassed the security system and ambushed Grayson."

Entering the room, Jethro saw the body to his right and the blood splatter on the walls then his attention was drawn to the pool of blood to the side of the bed and on the comforter. Shoving down his feelings, he asked. "Has the attacker been identified?"

"He is Israeli born Avital Mizrachi, twenty-nine and under Eli's employ in Cyprus."

"I assume Grayson is in hospital."

Vance's eyes brimmed with tears, "No Jethro, she was pronounced dead ten minutes before I arrived."

Gibbs's voice broke and the words were strained, "Jesus Christ Leon, not Gray."

Leon placed his hand on Jethro's shoulder, "I'm so sorry Jethro; I know the two of you were close."

"She was like a daughter and how the hell am I going to tell her mother and Ziva?"

"It's not going to be easy. The Pentagon has closed ranks and taken over the investigation. Our job is solely to protect Ziva through the insanity."

Wiping away tears with the back of his hand, Jethro stated, "At least she took the bastard with her."

"Jethro, officially we are shut out of this case, but I want you to do whatever you can to locate that murdering son of a bitch Eli before he finds Ziva."

"You got it," responded Gibbs with conviction.

-o-

Ziva took one look at Gibbs' drawn face and knew Grayson was gone. "No Gibbs, don't say a word, I don't want to hear it."

Unable to hold back his sorrow, Jethro wrapped his arms around the stone faced Agent and cried. She collapsed onto his shoulder and sobbed heavily. "I cannot do this Gibbs," she whispered a long time later. "I will track Eli down and kill him with my own bare hands. He will suffer before I end his miserable life; he will pay for what he has done."

"No, you will stay here while I deal with him."

"Oh god, I must tell Ashley."

"I'll take care of it Ziva. You stay alert, you are still at risk."

"I understand and will do as you wish."

Jethro stepped back and looked into pain filled brown eyes, "I promise to bring Eli's madness to an end."

"Thank you and I know you are hurting too. Grayson told me to tell you she loves you."

Nodding, Jethro released his hold and left the room. He spoke to Tony and Tim briefly before leaving for the Navy Yard.

-o-

By Wednesday, Jethro had pulled in every favour owed to him in an effort to obtain information on the plane Eli had used to fly to the United States.

He walked into Abby's lab mid-morning and announced, "Hey Abs, I've got the location of the air field Eli landed at. I need you to hack into every security and transport camera you can find. We need to find out where the prick is hiding."

With sad eyes, Abby bobbed her head, "Okay Gibbs. How is Ziva doing?"

"She has retreated completely, but Tony and Tim are keeping a close eye on her."

"I wish I could see her."

"She knows that Abs."

"She does?"

"I told her how concerned you are."

"Thank you Gibbs," replied Abby tearfully. She paused for a nanosecond then added, "Tomorrow's service will be so difficult."

"All we need to do is be there for Ziva and Ashley."

"I'll let you know when I find something."

Leaning in, Gibbs pressed his lips to her right cheek and lingered, "Appreciate it Abs."

-o-

Ziva rolled out of bed and trudged into the bathroom. Turning on the shower, she removed her tank top and boxers. As she stepped into the hard stream of water, she heard her cell phone ringing in the bedroom. Turning off the faucets, she reached for a towel and wrapped it around her body. Ignoring the phone, Ziva went to the door and opened it.

"Timothy, trace the call on my phone."

"You got it," replied McGee while typing on his laptop.

Returning to the phone, Ziva picked it up and answered, "Hello."

"Ziva, don't bother tracing the call, I will not be long."

"What do you want?"

"To take my daughter home and have her pay for her betrayal."

"I did not contribute to your downfall, you spoke to me at the wrong time remember?"

"Yes and see how well that ended for your loyal Captain McCall?"

Hatred for the man who took everything away from her rose in Ziva, "You are despicable and I hate you."

"I am coming for you Ziva."

"I eagerly await your arrival and will take great pleasure in killing you myself."

"That is no way to talk to your father."

"My heart is dead and you are the cause." The line went silent and Ziva quickly dressed before returning outside. "Our position is compromised," she said, then returned to the bedroom to pack.

Tony and Tim were ready to move by the time Ziva exited the room carry her bag ninety seconds later.

"I've spoken to Gibbs," said Tony while the trio moved towards the door. "We are going to the office and he has a lead on Eli's location."

-o-

Jethro, Ducky, Jimmy, Abby and Leon were all waiting in the lobby as the lift doors opened.

Abby immediately raced to Ziva and hugged her, "I've been so worried and I'm so sorry."

"Thank you Abby," replied Ziva emotionlessly. "Gibbs, I refuse to hide any longer. I wish to be part of the search for Eli, please let me do my job?"

"I can't do that Ziva," replied Gibbs regrettably. "Not yet."

"Then I resign."

"I can't let you do that either. You are exhausted and need to sleep."

"What I need to do, is find the man who ordered my fiancée to be murdered."

"No," interrupted Leon firmly. "You need to get yourself cleaned up and go to my office. Ashley is there waiting for you then you can join the team."

Ziva faltered for a split second before the full meaning of the words made sense, "I ... I ... okay."

Abby took her friend's hand and led her to the locker room.

"Gibbs and I went to your house this morning and picked up some clothes for you. They're in your locker."

"Thank you Abby."

"I'll wait for you."

"I will be okay."

-o-

Ten minutes passed before Ziva was dressed in a black pants suit with a black shirt. She slowly made her way up the stairs to Vance's office and when she opened the door and stepped inside, her already broken heart, crumbled again. The pain etched on Ashley's face was unbearable and Ziva fell apart.

"I miss her," she whispered as she collapsed into the blonde's arms.

"I know you do," cried Ashley.

"It hurts so much and I can't say goodbye."

"You don't have to until you are ready."

"I want to go home."

"Gary and Amy are there now."

Ziva pulled back and her body tensed, "Then you should go and I must go kill Eli for what he has done."

"I want you to be safe Ziva. He has already taken too much from us."

Collecting her composure, Ziva replied, "I will see you soon." She exited the room and went downstairs.

"Abby can you take Ashley home?" asked Gibbs.

"Sure."

"Stay at the house Abby," added Leon.

Turning to Ziva, Gibbs asked, "You ready to go to work?"

"Yes Gibbs, I am prepared."

"I want everything done by the book."

Ziva straightened her shoulders, "Understood."

"Then let's gear up."

-o-

D.C. Police and Federal Agents surrounded the Hotel room that Abby had tracked down as the place Eli and three cohorts were staying at. On Leon's command, the room was breached by Jethro, Tony and Ziva. They were met with gunfire and quickly brought down three men.

Ziva straddled the only man still alive and put the barrel of her gun to his head, "Where is Eli?"

"I will tell you nothing."

"Then you are a fool."

Jethro tapped her on the shoulder and she nodded, "Cuff him DiNozzo."

Ziva stood and began searching the room for any clue that may lead to Eli's whereabouts. She found nothing and left the room shortly afterwards.

"Are you okay?" inquired Tim.

"No, I'll never be okay. I am certain Eli will be at the service to gloat."

"We're counting on it," remarked Jethro as his cell phone rang. "Agent Gibbs."

"Agent, Colonel Flack here."

"Yes sir, how can I help?"

"We need to talk. Can you meet me at Georgetown Waterfront Park in thirty minutes?"

"I will be there sir."

"See you then Agent Gibbs."

-o-

Jethro sat on the park bench and Flack joined him a few minutes later.

"So what can I do for you Colonel?"

"We expect David to be at Captain McCall's funeral and I want your assurance that you and your team with not interfere."

"You have my word. My team will be otherwise occupied and I doubt Eli will get close enough for us to nab him."

"I'm sorry NCIS has been excluded from the search, but I'm glad you have continued your own investigation."

Gibbs looked at the dark haired man with a sly grin, "You knew we would and I've a feeling that is exactly what you wanted."

"It was and well done on locating Eli's henchmen. We were just about to raid the Hotel ourselves, but you beat us to it. How is Agent David coping?"

"She is in a lot of pain."

"I'm sorry she is going through this and yes, I know about the true nature of her relationship with Grayson."

"They were very much in love Colonel."

"Jethro, I know Grayson trusted you with her life and as such I do too. Eli David must pay for breaking the contract that Grayson had him sign and he cannot be allowed to leave this country."

"If he is aware his team has been compromised, he may have already departed. He will probably wait and attempt to get to Ziva another time."

"That's a strong possibility and if he has gone, we will soon know of his return to Cyprus."

"If he does, I can't guarantee Agent David won't follow after him."

"I'm aware of that, but can you tell her to trust me to take care of her father? It may not happen straight away, but it will happen. Plans are already in the works if he has indeed left the country."

"I will tell her and NCIS will no longer pursue Eli."

"Thank you for trusting me Jethro."

"Grayson once told me you were honourable and she was an excellent judge of character."

Flack stood, "I'll be in touch as soon as I have information on David."

Gibbs rose to his feet and shook the offered hand, "I appreciate that sir."

-o-

Ziva sat clutching Ashley's hand throughout the full honours ceremony and cried continuously. She was too tired and hurt to hold back her grief. The service was a daze and she refused to attend the wake, opting to go home instead.

One of the Agents on protective detail drove her to the house while the other four took up strategic positions around and inside the abode.

Stripping off Grayson's favourite blue dress, Ziva showered then donned a pair of Grayson's boxers and tee shirt. Crawling into bed, she finally succumbed to her exhaustion and slept.

-o-