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 24

Jethro stretched out and answered his ringing desk phone, "Agent Gibbs."

"Good morning Agent Gibbs, Colonel Flack here."

"Morning Sir, is there something I can help you with?"

"I'm calling to advise you Eli David has been sighted at his villa in Cyprus."

"That is good news and I assume you're ready to take care of the situation?"

"Affirmative, the operation is well under way."

"Thank you for your call."

Gibbs hung up and looked over to Ziva. She was busy on her keyboard and he took a moment to note the changes in her over the past six weeks. The dark circles were still visible under her eyes and she had lost weight, too much to be considered healthy. He couldn't recall having seen her smile or socialise since Grayson passed away. From his own experience, he knew it was going to take some time before Ziva recovered.

His thoughts were interrupted when Tony stood and asked, "Anyone want a coffee, my treat?"

"Yes thanks," answered Tim and Gibbs.

"I do not wish for one," replied Ziva without looking up.

Gibbs glanced at Tim, "Why don't you give him a hand?"

"Right Boss."

Gibbs got up and walked over to Ziva's desk, "That was Colonel Flack on the phone."

"I hope it was good news."

"It was to some extent. Eli is at his villa and will be dealt with shortly."

"I am glad."

"Grayson wouldn't be too happy to see you are not taking care of yourself."

Tears welled in Ziva's dull eyes, "She would be angry at me and tell me so."

"That she would."

"Gibbs, I'm ready to hear what happened to her. I have put it off long enough."

Nodding, Jethro began, "Avital Mizrachi bypassed the security system as well as the fail safe unit. Grayson was in bed at the time and had just gotten off the phone with Colonel Flack. She must have heard him just before he entered the room. She was able to get to her gun and shoot him in the legs then the head."

"She was excellent at head shots," noted Ziva haughtily. "How many times was she hit?"

Jethro felt the sting of tears behind his eyes, "Four in total, one to the leg, one to the stomach and two to the chest."

"She put up a good fight, I'm so proud of her."

"I wish I could take the pain away Ziva."

"Thank you, but nothing will ever ease the ache, not even time."

"That's so true unfortunately."

Ziva's phone rang and she ended the conversation, "Agent David."

-o-

Two black fatigued figures abseiled down the twenty foot concrete wall and landed silently on the lush grass. The taller of the two motioned to the left and the other nodded while keeping to the night time shadows. The pair separated and moved off in opposite directions.

Using night vision goggles, the smaller figure crept up behind the guard positioned behind the gate and pulled out a bowie knife. The guard had no time to react to the strong arm wrapped around his throat or the blade as it severed his carotid artery. Allowing the body to fall to the ground, the infiltrator moved on to the next sentry.

The intruder stopped when they reached the front door. "In position," they announced into the radio mike. Withdrawing a Beretta M9 with a silencer, the dark figure took out the front light.

"On my way," came the reply.

When the taller person arrived, he advised his partner the security system had been deactivated. Both straightened up and opened the double doors.

With weapons drawn, the pair shot the two guards standing in the hallway then proceeded to clear each room on the lower level. Silently, the duo eliminated six sentinels before systematically checking the upstairs rooms and disposing of two more guards posted outside the main bedroom.

Eli David was sitting behind a writing desk to the left side of the room when the door flew open and the two intruders materialised. He swiftly reached for his pistol as he glared at the uninvited guests.

"Go ahead David," suggested the bigger man.

"What do you want?"

"You David, you broke your contract and we are here to collect in full."

David stood and aimed his gun at the individual who seemed to be in charge, "I will not go quietly."

"That suits me just fine."

Without warning, a shot rang out and David dropped his gun to the floor and clutched at his bleeding right shoulder, "I am not going to America."

"That is correct, you are staying right here. When you entered the States last month and ordered the assassination of Captain McCall and threatened an NCIS Agent yet again, you voided that agreement. Now you will pay for every person you had killed on your behalf."

Eli's eyes grew wider as the two black clothed people moved forward and the shorter one holstered their gun then withdrew a knife from the outside of their right boot.

David raised his hands and protested, "You cannot kill me."

"You left us no choice and the Israeli Prime Minister sends his regards."

Circling behind, the knife wielding interloper grabbed David from behind in a choke hold and whispered into his ear for some time before thrusting the blade into his right side.

David's eyes bulged and he gasped as the dagger was twisted between two ribs then pushed upwards. The only sound in the room was a gurgle as the hold on David was released and he sprawled onto the carpet.

Bending over two minutes later, the assassin felt for a pulse and found none. Both subversives left the room and made their escape out of the villa.

Once the pair was safely at the dock, the leader withdrew a digital detonator from the pocket of his ballistic vest and pressed the red button.

The house on top of the hill exploded into a flaming inferno and the two black figures boarded a small rubber dingy that was tethered to the mooring.

-o-

Colonel Flack unbuckled himself from the plane seat, stood and collected a cell phone from the pilot's cabin. Returning to his seat, he pressed in a number and waited.

"Gibbs speaking."

"It's Colonel Flack Jethro. You can inform Agent David that she is no longer under threat. The problem has been successfully taken care of."

"Thanks for the call Joe." Gibbs smiled then went back to sleep on his couch.

-o-