Title: The Dragon Chronicles
By: Tiffany F
Pairing: Gil/Nick, Jim/Warrick, Greg/OMC
Rating: AO
Series: part of The Dragon Chronicles
Summary: The Vegas community has moved to Miami and are ready to start their new lives there. However there is one small problem; Horatio's change in Seattle made the national news and now some folks in DC are interested in them. I don't own anything from any of the shows and am only playing around.

/Did you see that last news item?/

 

The older man glared at the offending IM window on his computer monitor for a moment before replying. /Aren’t you supposed to be working on this case?/

           

/I am, I’m just waiting for some information to download. You’d think the government could develop faster web pages. So did you see it?/

           

/Let’s pretend I was actually doing my job and didn’t./

           

 /I wish I could tell when you were kidding. Someone saw two dragons in Seattle Washington two days ago. A black one and a red one./

           

/Do you think they really did or are just trying to get air time?/

           

/I don’t know, you’re the historian around here. Are there any communities in Seattle? Do you think we should go check it out?/

           

/We can’t leave in the middle of an active case. There’s no way to fudge the explanations and I don’t even want to try. Go downstairs and see if Abby saw anything./

           

/Why?/

           

*smack* /Don’t make me come over there and do that for real. Abby just got home from that forensics thing in Seattle and she knows what to look for. See if she saw anything./

           

/But what about my info search?/

           

Gibbs pushed back from with desk with a growl that made most of his team huddle down and focus on their assigned tasks. No one dared asked what had him so upset and they all watched as he stalked towards the lab. Tony shook his head and took a minute to close both his and his boss’ IM windows before anyone else could read their conversations.

                                                ********************

           

“Abby!”

           

“Bossman! Didja miss me?”

           

 “Like I’d miss the flu,” Gibbs replied, returning the hug. “Abs, we’ve got dragons poppin’ up on the news. Did you see anyone at the conference you were at?”

           

“Yeah I did,” she said. “I was so totally going to call and tell you about it but then I met this guy who knew like ten new ways to hack a hard drive and I kinda got sidetracked.”

           

“Abby.”

           

“Okay, sorry; there was this one guy from Vegas, his name tag said Gil Grissom and he was definitely one,” she said. “And he had his bonded mate with him too. I only saw them once when I was moving between sessions. What did the news say?”

           

Gibbs sighed and settled into Abby’s desk chair. “One black and one red.”

           

“Oh Grissom was totally the black one,” Abby said. “He was in this black shirt and slacks combo that would actually look really good on you with your silver hair. I did see him talking with a guy with red hair and wearing a red wine shirt but that dude wasn’t wearing any name tag that I could see and he didn’t show any signs.”

           

“A first Change?” Gibbs asked.

           

“Could have been, there were tons of people around and red could have found his mate,” Abby replied. “It would also explain why they were seen on the streets like that. There’s no controlling that first Change if the bonded is in danger. Want me to do some digging for you?”

           

“Would you? And I guess I’m going to have to figure out a way to get Tony and me to Vegas. I need to have a little chat with this Gil Grissom.”

           

“Ohh, could I come along? They have the second best record in the country, Gibbs, the country; second only to our friendly feds,” Abby said, bouncing. “Grissom is a well-known entomologist and I would totally die to get a chance to talk with him for five minutes.”

           

“Abs, you were just at a conference with him,” Gibbs sighed. “Why didn’t you just say something then?”

           

“Because they vanished early,” she said. “I only saw them that one time, remember? I think they took off early.”

           

“Which would support our theory,” Gibbs said. “See what you can find and I’ll see what I can do.”

                                                ********************

           

“DiNozzo, conference!” Gibbs snapped as he strode through the bull pen area. Tony looked up in shock for a second before following his boss to the elevator.

           

“What’s wrong?” he asked, once they were secure from everyone else.

           

“It looks like the report was legit,” Gibbs said. “Abby is looking into it but she said there was at least one dragon at the conference. Finish up your reports, I’m going to talk to Morrow and see if I can get us out to Vegas for a few days.”

           

Tony grinned. “We’re not going to be gambling, are we?”

           

“Nope; we’re going hunting for some of our brothers. They need to know what’s really going on.”

~~**~~**~~**~~**~~

Miami

           

“Nervous?” Gil asked Nick.

           

“A little,” Nick replied. “It’s going to be weird to see the sun while I’m working.”

           

Gil laughed. “You’ll do fine. I’m looking forward to seeing the lab.”

           

“We’ll find you an office when we get there,” Horatio commented from the driver’s seat of his hummer. “Although it might be half of mine for a while.”

           

“As long as you don’t mind some reference books,” Gil smiled. “How about you, Greg. Are you nervous?”

           

“Nope; I can’t wait to see my new lab and meet everyone,” the young man said, bouncing a little. “This is just such an adventure.”

           

“My team is excited to meet you as well,” Horatio said, smiling at his human. “I’ll work on sounding them out as to how they feel about homosexual relationships, but I don’t believe it’ll be much of a problem.” He pulled into his usual parking spot. “Here we are; gentlemen, welcome to the Miami-Dade crime lab.”

           

Gil stood by the hummer for an extra moment, taking in his surroundings. He’d been nocturnal for close to fifteen years and was finding it hard to reset his internal clock but refused to miss Nick’s first day on the job.

           

“Worried?”

           

“I just want the rest of the community here,” Gil replied, looking at Horatio. “I’m worried for Warrick and Jim.”

           

“They’ll be here in a week,” Horatio reminded the other dragon. “I can’t blame them for wanting to drive rather than fly and it ensures your more delicate things aren’t broken in the move.”

           

“True, but with hunters out there I’m just going to worry until they’re here and in their house.”

           

Horatio had been right. There was a new gated community that had houses for sale and priced very reasonably for Miami. The dragon community had chosen houses that had private beaches, pushing the price up a little, but nothing they couldn’t afford with combined salaries from the county. Gil was also getting ready to advertise his availability to the local universities for seminars and that money would go to the community rather than just himself and Nick.

           

“Come on, let’s go inside and get to work,” Horatio said. “Miami never closes.”

           

“That’s good; lots of work to keep us busy and Nicky and Greg out of trouble,” Gil smiled.

           

“I’ll keep a close watch on Nick today if you do the same for Greg,” Horatio said.

           

“That sounds like a deal.”

                                                ********************

~~**~~**~~**~~**~~         

DC

           

“You’re going where?” Kate asked.

           

“Las Vegas,” Tony replied, packing his backpack. “I don’t know why, Gibbs just barked at me and told me to be ready in fifteen which is up in…”

           

“Let’s go DiNozzo!”

           

“Now,” Tony grabbed his bag and coat. “Coming boss! Catch you later, Kate.”

           

Gibbs was waiting by the elevator, coffee cup in hand. “What did Kate want?” 

           

“She wanted to know where we were going,” Tony said. “I told her Vegas but you shouted before she could ask me more. Are we ever going to tell her?”

           

“You know it’s a need to know basis only,” Gibbs replied. “The last thing I want is people around here finding out about me and trying to stick me in some damn lab because of the way I was born.”

           

Tony laughed. “I don’t think anyone is stupid enough to try and put you somewhere you don’t want to be,” he said. “Besides, you could just break out of there.”

           

“If I wanted people to know I’m a dragon,” Gibbs said. “The whole point is to stay hidden, Tony. That’s why I want to check in with this Grissom. With the reports of hunters we’ve been getting he needs to know that he has to be careful.”

           

Abby bounced into the car. “So are we going or what?”

           

“How exactly did you get this time off again, Abby?” Gibbs asked.

           

“Okay, so I had to take personal time but I am not giving up a chance to meet Gil Grissom,” Abby said. “I don’t think the director is that happy but he didn’t fight it which surprised me.”

           

“I might have mentioned something to him,” Gibbs said, a small smile curving his lips up at the sides.

           

“Gibbs, you rock!”

 

“So what are we looking at, Frank?” Horatio asked, slipping off his sunglasses.

           

“Neighbors say they heard shots and called 911,” Frank Tripp replied, looking at his notebook. “Horatio, do you know who lives here?”

           

“Should I, Frank?”

           

“He’s one of ours,” Frank sighed. “Patrol Officer Jeremy Travis, on the job fie years.”  

           

Horatio bowed his head for a moment. “What kind of an officer was he, Frank?” he finally asked. “Did he have any enemies?”

           

“I don’t know, but I intend to find out,” Frank said. “Uh, Horatio?”

           

“That’s Nick Stokes,” Horatio said, not turning around. “He’s one of the new CSIs that transferred in from Vegas. Speed, there’s a patrolman in there, extra care; okay?”

           

“You got it, H.”

           

Horatio watched as Nick followed Speed and Eric into the apartment. “Frank, where’s IAB?”

           

“You that anxious to see Stetler?”

           

“I don’t want him in my crime scene,” Horatio said firmly. “How much can we bed the rules?”

           

“Aw hell, Horatio, I don’t like him any more than you do but I can only give you about fifteen minutes,” Frank said. “Plus however long it takes him to get through the traffic.”

           

“Let me know when he gets here then,” Horatio sighed. He hated Stetler and his politics. It made him think of Conrad Ecklie in Vegas; more concerned about image than the people he worked with. He nodded to Frank and made his way into the crime scene.

           

The apartment was neat and his team already at work. “Back bedroom, H,” Eric said when he saw his boss walk in.

           

“Thank you; Eric, what’s it look like out here?”

           

“Nothing out of place so far, no signs of a break in,” Eric reported. “Do you think he knew his attacker?”

           

“I don’t know,” Horatio said. “I don’t know but we are going to find out.” He hugged the wall as he made his way down the hall. “Alexx?”

           

The ME looked up. “The poor baby was executed, Horatio,” she said, eyes sad. “He didn’t stand a chance. There’s a single shot to his head. He went quickly, in the end. I’ll know more when I get him back for post.”

           

“All right, I’ll find you,” Horatio said. “Speed?”

           

“I’ve got some kind of trace on his wrists,” Speed said from where he was still snapping pictures. “It’s not tape adhesive. I’ll know more when I get it back to the lab.”

           

“Thank you; Nick?”

           

“I’m not seeing a weapon anywhere,” Nick said from the corner of the room. “I heard Detective Tripp say he’s patrol so where’s his weapon?”

           

“That’s a very good question, Nick,” Horatio said. He slipped on his sunglasses. “Let me know when you find it.”

                                                ********************

~~**~~**~~**~~

Vegas

           

“Oh come on Gibbs, just once,” Abby said, looking out the window of their rental car.

           

“No.”

           

“Please, I just want to be able to say I did it,” Abby continued. “You and Tony could go to the lab and talk with everyone and then come pick me up.”

           

“No.”

           

“Abs, I’d quit now,” Tony said, looking at his dragon. “Gibbs is getting that look in his eyes and I don’t think you want to push him any more right now.”

           

“Besides, I thought you wanted to talk with Gil Grissom,” Gibbs added.

           

“I do, I just think that would be so much fun.”

           

Tony rolled his eyes. “Abby, only you would think that diving naked into a swimming pool would be fun,” he said. “We’re kinda here on business anyway. Please don’t tick Gibbs off.” He winced at the smack on the back of his head. “Sorry, boss.”

           

“Abby, what did you find out about this lab we’re going into?”

           

“The assistant director is named Conrad Ecklie,” Abby said, turning her attention to the man in the front seat. “Grissom is the night shift supervisor and it’s his team that has the good ratings. The other shifts just don’t have the skills or the team work angle going or something but as far as I could tell, Ecklie hates Grissom and wants him gone.”

           

“The miracle of government databases,” Tony smirked.

           

“No, actually, this was from a lab rat friend of mine on the day shift,” Abby said. “Bobby Dawson is a ballistics expert who used to work nights with Grissom and was more than happy to fill me in on a few dynamics questions. It’s all about who you know.”

           

“And I can’t wait to see their reaction to you, Abs.”

                                                ********************

           

“What?” The shout echoed through the halls of the lab.

           

“Sounds like they’re glad to see us, boss,” Tony snickered, looking around. “Why do we have that effect on everyone?”

           

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, DiNozzo,” Gibbs replied. He faced forward as an irate man stalked towards them. “Special Agent Jethro Gibbs…”

           

“I don’t give a damn who you are,” Ecklie spat. “Or why you’re here in the lab when there is no call for feds to be lurking around. Just tell me what the hell you want and get the hell out of my lab.”

           

Tony’s hand drifted towards his belt while Abby dropped back a little. Gibbs’ eyes hardened and he tilted his head a little to study the man in front of him. “Your folder says you play politics,” he finally said. “And not very well if this is any indication. I just thought it’s be more polite to announce ourselves before talking with some of your people but if you don’t do polite here in Vegas than I can be just as rude as you. I want to talk with Dr. Grissom. Now.”

           

“He’s not here,” Ecklie spat.

           

“Then tell me where I can find him,” Gibbs said.

           

“I don’t know and I don’t care. He handed in his resignation, took half the night shift with him and vanished,” Ecklie said. “He absconded with one of my CSIs and left her handcuffed on the edge of town. If I ever find him he’s in a lot of trouble.”

           

Gibbs’ eyes narrowed. “I think you’re the one who’s in a lot of trouble, Ecklie; you just don’t know it yet,” he said. “You can make friends or enemies with one word in this game and you just made an enemy you don’t want or need. Give me Grissom’s cell number.”

           

“I don’t..”

           

“I don’t give a damn what you don’t, Ecklie,” Gibbs snapped. “Give me the number. This is not a request. I don’t need a warrant and you don’t impress me one bit.”

           

“I wouldn’t make him wait,” Tony added. “I really wouldn’t.”

           

“The only number I have for him has been disconnected,” Ecklie said. “So have the phones for everyone who went with him. I’m telling you I don’t know where they are.”

           

“Then I need to talk with your people to see what they know,” Gibbs said.

           

“The hell you will.”

           

Gibbs stepped up into Ecklie’s personal space, his voice no more than a whisper, but ice-cold. “This is not a request, this is a federal matter that you are impeding,” he said. “How much of a disturbance do you want here because I can make this very uncomfortable for everyone involved.”

           

“Or you can give us what we need and we’ll be out of your hair,” Tony said, noting that Abby had vanished. “Think about it in terms of the lesser of two evils.”

           

“Which is?” Ecklie asked.

           

“Me; he’s the hard way,” Tony replied, pointing towards his boss. “The last person who stood in the way of an investigation still hasn’t been found, not all of him anyway, and no one is brave enough to ask Gibbs where he is.”

           

Abby snuck up behind Tony. “I got what we need,” she whispered. “Can you tell the bossman?”

           

“Yeah,” Tony whispered in reply. “Hey Gibbs, I think we should try another route into the lab, one without so many snakes on it.”

           

“Let’s go, DiNozzo,” Gibbs snarled, turning on his heels.

           

“Bye!” Tony smiled and waved at Ecklie, trying not to laugh at the expression on the man’s face.

           

Once they were outside and back in the car, Gibbs turned to look at Abby. “So what did you find out while I was in that pissing contest?” he asked. “How could anyone stand to work for that worm and still respect themselves in the morning?”

           

“They’re in Miami,” Abby said. “Grissom, Nick Stokes, Greg Sanders, Warrick Brown and Jim Brass. Bobby says that something weird was going on right before they left too; Brass, who’s a detective not CSI, was telling a couple of people that group was in trouble but they couldn’t say anything else without putting their friends in danger. Then Nick was kidnapped by one of the other CSIs and Grissom got like wicked sick for a bit before storming out and taking Ecklie and the trace tech almost hostage in the trace labs. Then they took Sara Sidle, the CSI they thought helped with the kidnapping and everyone vanished.”

           

“A community?” Tony asked, looking at Gibbs.

           

“Yes.”

           

Everyone in the car turned and looked out Tony’s window, which was open. An older man stood there, leaning on a metal crutch. “I’m Dr. Albert Robbins, chief ME and unchanged. But you,” he pointed to Gibbs, “you have and are an alpha if I ever saw one.”

           

“Can you fill us in, please?” Tony asked. “We saw a news story about two dragons in Seattle and have been trying to find them.”

           

“May I sit down?”

           

Abby opened the door and let Doc Robbins into the car. “Thank you,” he said. “My community has moved to Miami as hunters had located us here and twice tried to kill Gil and Jim. I believe you saw Horatio’s first change which was in Seattle. That was the main reason they left. I stayed behind because I’m not known as an unchanged so I’m safe and I can keep an eye on the situation here.”

           

“So why just tell us all this stuff?” Abby asked. “We could be like hunter spies or something and you’d have just killed everyone.”

           

“No dragon would join a hunter,” Al said. “Besides, you don’t like Ecklie and that’s proof enough for me. Would you be willing to help me in a small matter before you move on to talk with Gil?”

           

“What can we do?” Tony asked.

           

“I know you’re not part of our community but Sara is plotting ways to get to Miami and bring Gil back here,” Al replied. “That’s interstate and, while I know you’re Navy CIS, could you maybe scare her a little? It’d really help me out as I’m on my own here without a lot of options. I don’t want to reveal myself just yet as a dragon, unchanged or not.”

           

“I think we can do something,” Gibbs said. “Just point us in the right direction.”

 

When Nick got back to the lab he went looking for Gil. Speed could tell how upset his friend was that the first case he pulled was a cop murder and thought a few minutes with someone familiar would do wonders for his nerves.

           

The office the lab gave Gil was in the back, really no more than a broom closet but Gil didn’t mind a bit because it not only had enough space for some of his experiments and new books, but no windows and a lock on the door. It would easily become the best meeting place for dragons and their humans in the lab and, as Gil wouldn’t be there all the time, he had no problem giving Horatio and Jim keys to his door.

           

“Nicky?” he asked, looking up from his arranging. “I could feel how upset you were but didn’t want to call while you were in the field. What’s wrong?”

           

“Someone murdered a patrol cop,” Nick replied, locking the door behind him. “H took control of the scene quickly but IAB still tried to walk all over it. I never thought I’d meet anyone I disliked more than Ecklie but I think I have now. Watch out for Rick Stetler. According to Speed the dude has it in for Horatio and anyone who works with him.”

           

“Do you need help with the evidence?” Gil asked.

           

“No, I just needed a minute,” Nick sighed. “It’s always hard when a cop is killed but this wasn’t just murder, Alexx said he was executed. Someone restrained him and shot him point blank in the head.”

           

Gil pulled Nick in for a hug. “You’ll find who killed him,” he whispered. “Just follow the evidence. You’re one of the best CSIs I ever trained, Nicky. Go out there and do what you do best.”

           

“Thanks, Gil,” Nick sighed. “Speed’s really easy to work with and he’s got a dry sense of black humor that’s funny at the worst times. I know Horatio was wondering about it once or twice while we were working the scene.”

           

“Are they going to be looking for you any time soon?”

           

“Speed told me to come talk to you,” Nick said. He cuddled in closer to his dragon with a more contented sigh. “I think he could tell how upset I was.”

           

“Go back out there and make me proud, Nicky my boy, and tonight I’ll show you just how proud that is,” Gil purred.

           

“So we can’t do anything now?”

           

“Not until I have a better feel for this lab,” Gil said. “Besides, you’re the one who put the work rule in place. Go on and get back to work; I’ll come out in a bit and see what you’re working on.”

           

Nick laughed. “Which means I won’t see you until we leave for the night.”

                                                ********************

           

“Better?” Speed asked, not looking up from his microscope.

           

“Much thanks,” Nick replied. “So, do you still want me to take a look at that notebook I found in the bedside table?”

           

“Yeah, I told H about it and he thinks it might be an important clue,” Speed said. “I’m still trying to figure out what this substance on the Vic’s wrists was.”

           

Nick moved around the table. “Can I take a look?”

           

“Be my guest.”

           

“Hey Speed,” Calleigh said, walking into the trace lab, “are you going to introduce me or not?”

           

“Nick, this is our ballistics expert, Calleigh,” Speed said. “Cal, are you here for the gun?”

           

“Well Alexx just got me the bullet so I need something to compare it to,” Calleigh said with a smile. “Do you have Officer Travis’ duty weapon around here somewhere or is it still in evidence?”

           

Speed picked up the box and handed it to Calleigh. “Eric dusted it for prints and found something he wanted me to take a look at,” he said. “I’m done so it’s all yours. Let me know what you find?”

           

“When do I ever keep you in the dark?” Calleigh asked. “Nick, it was nice to meet you. Welcome to Miami.”

           

“Thanks,” Nick said. “Speed, I think this is some kind of sap.”

           

“Sap.”

           

“Yeah, like from a plant rope,” Nick continued. “I only saw it once out in Vegas but it threw our trace guy for a loop and we had to listen to him bitch about it for months afterwards.”

           

“So our suspect may know plants,” Horatio commented from the door.

           

“You get used to it,” Speed said in an undertone to Nick. “H, you’re even worse now.”

           

Horatio chuckled in the throat. “That’s good to know, Speed,” he said. “Thank you. What about the weapon Nick found?”

           

“Eric’s working on prints right now and I’ve got something from the slide and trigger that didn’t belong,” Speed reported. “Nick just got here; he was talking with Grissom for a minute, and is going to start on the notebook.”

           

“Excellent work, gentlemen, thank you,” Horatio said. “Speed, find me when you get the trace done.” He slipped on his sunglasses and left the room.

           

“It’s weird,” Nick commented, sitting down and pulling on a pair of gloves.

           

“What?”

           

“Hearing someone say thank you for the work you’re doing on a case,” Nick said. “Gil is a very focused man and he’ll walk right over you if you let him and that includes during a case. I got real good a ducking and covering when he was my mentor.”

           

Speed snorted. “H is a very hands on supervisor,” he said. “But believe me when I say you don’t want to piss him off. Forget everything that happened since Seattle, he’s always had that temper. I think it’s because of his red hair. He keeps it in check most of the time but I’ve seen him lose it and that’s not pretty.”

           

“Same thing with Gil and….whoa, this is a nasty code,” Nick said, opening the notebook. “I think this might take a while.”

           

“How’s Grissom with puzzles?” Speed asked.

           

“Real good,” Nick replied. “Give me a second.” He focused his attention on the bond he had with his dragon. *Hey Gil*

           

*What’s wrong*

           

*Nothing, I was just wondering if you felt like helping with a puzzle*

           

*Where are you* Gil asked.

           

*Trace lab with Speed*

           

*I’ll be right there*

           

“That’s really freaky,” Speed said.

           

“Handy thought,” Nick smiled. “I’ll be interested to see if H and Greg or Jim and Warrick are able to do it too.”

           

“Yeah, then we’ll all be at a disadvantage,” Speed said.

                                                ********************

           

“Greg, what do you have for me?” Horatio asked letting the door to the DNA lab shut behind him.

           

“So far the only blood I’ve ID’d comes from the vic but it’s not surprising based on what I heard,” Greg said. “Why would anyone want to kill this guy, Horatio? From what I’ve been hearing he was just a good man doing a job he loved.”

           

“In Miami it’s all too easy to step on toes,” Horatio replied, resting his hand on his human’s shoulder. “And it’s possible that’s what happened here. I wasn’t hoping for much on the blood tests but have you received a package from autopsy yet? Alexx said she found signs of trauma and was going to run a rape kit.”

           

The normally rambunctious man lowered his voice. “Do you think he was raped?” he asked.

           

“I don’t know, Greg, I don’t know,” Horatio said. “But it’s our job to find out. Will you call me when you’re done with the kit, please?”

           

“Sure,” Greg said. He let his voice drop to a whisper. “Are we still on for dinner tonight?”

           

“As long as the paperwork doesn’t bog me down,” Horatio replied. “I’ve got to check on the others. From what I’m hearing you are doing a great job.”

           

Greg’s smile lit up his eyes as well. “What can I say? I’m good at what I do.”

           

“Yes, Greg, you are,” Horatio replied. He let his eyes say what he couldn’t out loud, not in the lab where there were cameras and cops and IAB. He let Greg know how much he loved him.

                                                ********************

           

“You never said it was a word/number code, Nicky,” Gil said, looking over his glasses at his human.

           

“I didn’t know it was,” Nick replied. “I’ve never worked a code crack before and honestly don’t know where to start.”

           

Speed looked over at the pair. “The simplest code is alphanumeric, A-1 etc. Then you have the smart asses who like to throw in addition or subtraction to make it harder. At the top of the scale are the people who can make up their own and you have to be a genius to break ‘em.”

           

“Bookworm,” Horatio commented fondly, letting the door shut behind him. “I heard there’s a secret code in the lab, gentlemen, and wondered if I might have a look at it.”

           

“Horatio!”

           

The red dragon sighed and straightened up. “Rick, what do you need?”

           

“Who is this?”

           

“Dr. Gil Grissom, Rick Stetler, IAB,” Horatio said. “Dr. Grissom is the new consultant in the labs, Rick and he’s helping with a highly advanced code we found at our victim’s apartment this morning.”

           

“The bug guy,” Stetler sneered. “I thought he was going to work with bugs.”

           

*And snakes, apparently* Gil muttered. He raised an eyebrow as Nick started coughing. “Are you all right, Nick?”

           

“Fine,” Nick croaked. “I’m just going to get a drink of water.”

           

“Rick, if you want this case solved you need to leave my people to their work,” Horatio said. “I was just on my way to the print lab so I’ll walk you out.”

           

Speed waited until they were alone before he turned to Grissom. “Okay, what did you say that made Nick react like that?”

           

“What makes you think I said anything?” Gil asked. “Do you have a blank notebook I could use?”

           

“Your eyes go a little unfocused when you’re talking to each other,” Speed said. “It’s a dead giveaway.”

           

Grissom’s eyebrow went up. “You’re good,” he commented. “I did make a comment and Nicky overheard it. It wasn’t intentional. We’re still working on our barriers for this and I guess with us so close together it leaked over.”

           

“It leaked,” Speed said.

           

Gil laughed. “I didn’t think you’d buy it,” he said. “I look forward to working with you, Speed; you’ve got a sharp mind.”

                                                ********************

~~**~~**~~**~~**~~

Vegas

           

“We can’t just kidnap her, Abby,” Tony said. They were sitting in the back parking lot of the crime lab waiting for one Sara Sidle to get off shift.

           

“We don’t have to, Tony,” Abby replied. “I’ll just tell her that we have a message for her from Grissom and I think she’ll at least follow us. From what I’ve been hearing she’s like totally gone on this guys and doesn’t realize that he’s not coming back to her.”

           

“I suppose it won’t hurt to try,” Tony sighed. “Do you think Gibbs is safe where we left him?”

           

“As long as he stays out of sight until we get there, yeah, he’ll be fine,” Abby said. “I know there are hunters in the area and you’re worried about your dragon and all that but I need you here.”

           

Tony snorted. “I think she’d be more willing to follow you if you were alone,” he said. “You know, that whole girl-trust thing that most people have going on.”

           

“Shut it, Tony, there she is. Wish me luck.”

           

“Yeah, like you need it, Abs,” Tony muttered. He watched as his friend approached the other woman and was amazed that Abby seemed to be right. Tony couldn’t imagine being so gone on someone as to blindly trust anyone who even claimed to have a message from them. “You can ride with her, kiddo, but I’m leading.”

           

Tony pulled the rental car out onto the street and headed back towards the desert house where they’d left Gibbs. He wasn’t happy that his dragon wanted to do this but understood the reasoning. They had to scare Sara to get her to leave one of their brothers alone. It didn’t mean Tony had to like leaving his dragon alone in an area they knew to be crawling with hunters and he planned to have a few words with Gibbs about his plans when they were alone. There was no reason to give Abby any more reason to smirk at them.

           

The house was empty when they pulled in but Tony could feel his dragon near by. He parked in front of the house and hopped up the stairs to look inside and wasn’t surprised when he found it barren. “Okay, where are you boss?”

           

The snort of air surprised him and Tony had his gun drawn before he realized he had it in his hand. “Don’t do that,” he scolded, putting it away. “They’ll be here any minute, are you sure this is the best way to get her to lay off?”

           

The ice blue dragon head nodded. Tony snorted, “Then you’d better pull back before they come in or it’s going to spoil the surprise.”

           

“Tony!”

           

“Abby!” he called back, a smile in his voice. “Is this Ms. Sidle?”

           

“I’m Sara Sidle,” she said, looking around. “Your girlfriend said you’ve seen Gil Grissom recently and have a message for me.”

           

The young Goth shut the door behind her and turned around. “You don’t know about Grissom, do you?” she asked. “What he is, what he’s become?”

           

“What are you talking about?” Sara asked, starting to get nervous.

           

“The message is from Grissom via a close friend here in Vegas,” Tony said. “He wants you to forget about him and move on with your life. You deserve happiness and a family, Sara, and you need to let Grissom go. He’s getting married soon and wants to be left alone.”

           

“To who?” Sara demanded. “The last time I saw him he was kissing another man and no state is going to recognize a homosexual marriage.”

           

“But his new community will,” Abby said. “And they’re the ones that matter here. You wouldn’t know about any of this because you didn’t need to before now and it’s a secret. You tell anyone else about it and we’ll find out. Bossman, you hanging out?”

           

Gibbs looked into the room and focused on Sara before making eye contact with his human. The blue dragon used his head to indicate that he wanted the CSI brought out into the backyard so she could see it wasn’t a trick.

           

“You sure, boss?” Tony asked. He ducked when Gibbs hit the side of the house with his foot. “He’s sure. Abs?”

           

“I’ll make sure she doesn’t bolt,” Abby said. “Sara, Gibbs won’t hurt you. Dragon’s can’t digest humans so they won’t attack unless provoked. This is what Grissom is now and why you need to forget and move on.”

           

“There’s no way Gil is a monster,” Sara insisted. She managed to get around both Tony and Abby and into her car.

           

“Well, I think that went well,” Tony said. “Ow!”

           

“You deserved it,” Gibbs said, lowering his hand. “Come on, I think we need to make our way to Miami and see if we can’t find Dr. Grissom. I don’t like the way this is going at all.”

 

“You know, Gibbs, not that I’m doubting you or anything,” Abby said, “but do you really think that showing her your true form was the smartest thing to do? I mean there’s the whole need to know thing and the community rules and everything.”

           

“Abs, she’s fixated on this Grissom,” Gibbs replied. “She knows where he is and I’m thinking he’s going to be getting a visit from this girl real soon. I wanted to get a look at her while in dragon form so I could smell her.”

           

“Gotcha, Gibbs,” Tony said. “What’s going on with her?”

           

Gibbs grinned. “She’s insane,” he said. “There’s not a chance in hell we’re going to be able to get her here; too many damn friends. I’m counting on her ranting about me before she leaves and it’ll only reinforce the fact that she’s crazy. People will think she was pushed over the edge by Grissom leaving and she wants revenge. We need to get to Miami and figure out a way to arrest her to keep us all safe. Still questioning me, Abby?”

           

Tony spun in his seat. “Jethro, it’s been 23 hours,” he said out of the blue. “We need to get a hotel room now, at least for a few hours.”

           

“What?” Abby asked, looking between the dragon and human.

           

“It’s not anything you need to worry about,” Gibbs said, eyes glowing.

           

“Gibbs, you can not get on a plane like this and I won’t let you,” Tony insisted, reaching out to cup his dragon’s cheek. “Come on; let me take care of you for a while. Jethro, please.”

           

The dragon looked at his watch. “We can spare six hours,” he said. “Find me an out of the way hotel, DiNozzo.”

           

“I’m going to find out what you’re talking about,” Abby said, crossing her arms over her chest.

                                                ********************

           

The hotel was a middle priced one off strip that no one blinked at them asking for the rooms for a few hours. Abby just rolled her eyes and commented that you had to love Vegas and took her room key with bad grace. Tony just smiled at her and waved before Gibbs’ hand shot out of their room and pulled him in.

           

“Boss,” Tony gasped as he was pinned against the door. “Can we at least make it to the bed this time around?”

           

“Why?” Gibbs asked, his eyes glowing in the dim room. “I thought you liked it up against the door. Hell Tony, I thought you liked having me take you anywhere, including under my desk. Although those tapes were hell to get out of the surveillance room. So what’s wrong with the door, DiNozzo?”

           

“We’ve let it go too long,” Tony said, trying to get his clothes off as fast as he could. “You’re going to need at least three times and I know I can’t stand for all that. Besides, I wouldn’t put it past Abby to stand in the hall and listen at the door.”

           

“So I take you here first and then we move to the bed,” Gibbs growled. “You were right, Tony; I let it go too long and Changing only made it worse. I should have claimed you in the desert and would have if not for Abby. Why aren’t you naked yet?”

           

“Getting there.” Tony grabbed the lube from his backpack and handed it to his suddenly naked dragon. “You have to tell me how you do that.”

           

“Skill.” Gibbs slicked up his erection and pressed into his human, the magic of their bond flaring to keep the human safe. “You feel so good, Tony,” he whispered. “I’m going to let him out; can you handle it?”

           

“Do it,” Tony moaned, bracing himself against the door. He knew that if the dragon mind took over while Gibbs stayed in human form he was in for several rough rides. He took a moment to thank their bond so he wouldn’t be hurt or walking funny when they saw Abby the next time. She really didn’t need to know what they were doing while she was sleeping.

                                                ********************

~~**~~**~~**~~

Miami

           

“Gods, Gil,” Nick moaned, arching up against his dragon. “Now, please.”

           

“What’s your hurry, Nicky my boy?” Gil asked, nibbling on Nick’s neck. “I’ve been thinking about this all day and have been dying to get you alone for a few minutes.”

           

“Then how have you been able to hold out for half an hour?” Nick asked. “I need to come so bad it hurts.”

           

“Then come for me, Nicky,” Gil replied. He bit down harder in a place that wouldn’t leave an obvious mark and followed Nick over the edge.

           

Gil rolled them so they were still linked together but he wouldn’t worry about crushing his human. “Did you bring the code home with you?”

           

“Yeah, Speed is going to come over in another hour to help us with it,” Nick said. “He’s bringing some books along.”

           

“So why didn’t he just come over after work?” Gil asked, his eyebrow rising.

           

“Because he knows about dragons and knows we need our time,” Nick said, kissing Gil, running his tongue through his dragon’s mouth. “And we still have an hour. You planning to do anything or are we just going to lie here and rest?”

           

“Up,” Gil said, rolling onto his back. He could feel himself hardening as Nick leaned down to nip at his nipples. “You want to be in control this time around?”

           

“No,” Nick moaned, thrusting his hips down against his dragon. “I just want to feel us connecting again. And again and again and again.”

           

Gil pulled lightly on Nick’s neck and claimed his mouth in a deep kiss.

                                                ********************

           

Gil wasn’t surprised when not only Speed but Horatio and Greg showed up for supper and to work on the code. “Come in, guys,” he said. “Nicky is just finishing up in the kitchen and we’ve got notebooks set out in the dining room.”

           

“When did you get this?” Horatio asked, looking at the dry erase board on the wall. “It’s not exactly what I would call common decoration.”

           

“Nicky and I don’t usually eat in the dining room so we thought this could be our meeting area for the community,” Gil replied, smiling. “I know my handwriting isn’t the best but I went ahead and copied the first entry from the notebook up onto the board.”

           

Horatio sat down next to Greg and looked towards the board. “It looks like the numbers and letters have been swapped,” he said. “So we’re looking at mainly letters.”

           

“But we don’t know what kind of code this dude decided to use,” Speed added.  “I mean look at it, this could take weeks.”

           

“We don’t have weeks, Speed,” Horatio said. He took the plate Nick was holding out. “Thank you, Nick; we need answers now.

 

5        6  17  I  K  J  0  0  K

23    17  6  19*  15  20  4  11  10*  5  9  21  9*  21  6  25  23  20  4*  20  11  11  1  8  10 23*  9  6  17*  24  13  1  11  25*  9  1  19  19  10  23*  6  25*  24  26  7  35  4  10*  11  4  10  11  4  1  23  25  1  19  12*  23  10  24  21  20  19  9  10  9*  25  20*  12  20  20  9  10  1  12  13  25*  3  1  24  24*  23  10  8  1  21  23  20  8  6  25  10  9*  21  13  20  19  10*  19  26  5  7  10  23*  EEE-IJZV*  8  6  4  4*  11  20  23*  19  10  16  25*  15  10  10  3  10  19  9*  19  10  10  9*  25  20*  7  26  17*  24  26  21  4  1  10  24*

 

 “Well, when you consider that that’s probably a phone number in the middle of it there,” Speed said, using his fork to point to a group of letters in the middle of the numbers, “then I’m guessing we could say that ‘E’ equals ‘5’ and go from there.”

           

“But if ‘E’ is the most common letter in the English alphabet, why don’t we see more of it in the numbers?” Greg asked. “There’s only three that I see and that really doesn’t make any sense.”

           

“Then he had to have done what you said, Speed, and added or subtracted a key number to make it harder to break the code,” Nick said, leaning against Gil. “So if we go with the ‘E-5’ thing, what’s the most common number in that group?”

           

“Ten,” Gil said. “And I think the asterisks must mean a break in the words.”

           

“And the first line has to be a date,” Nick said. “I flipped through the whole book and every entry has a short line like that at the top of it.”

           

“So how do you get from five to ten?” Speed asked. “Either by adding five or multiplying by two. So why don’t we assume that ‘E’ is ten and go from there.”

           

Nick jumped. “Gil, you put your phone on vibrate again, didn’t you?”

           

“Yeah, excuse me.” Gil pulled his cell phone from the pocket Nick had been leaning against and moved into the kitchen. “Grissom.”

           

“Gil, its Al.”

           

“What’s wrong?”

           

“We just had a dragon show up at the lab looking for you,” Al said. “He saw Horatio’s change on the national news.”

           

Grissom sighed. “So what happened?”

           

“Well he took on Ecklie and won,” Al said, snickering. “And they said they’d help out with Sara but she’s been talking about scaly monsters in the desert and hunting you down so I don’t know exactly what happened there.”

           

“I just don’t know what we can do about her,” Gil sighed. “Did you tell this dragon how to get in touch with me?”

           

“Yeah I did. He’s an alpha, Gil, but I don’t know if he has his own community yet or not,” Al said. “He’s coming into your area to help you so try and keep yourself under control as much as you can, please. Right now we need all the contacts to the dragon world that we can find.”

           

“Did you happen to see the news story?” Gil asked.

           

“No, but Archie is searching for it,” Al replied. “I told him it was for you so he knows to keep it quiet.”

           

“Thanks, Al; have you heard from Jim or Warrick?”

           

“Yeah, they’re doing fine,” Al said. “Jim’s going to call you in the morning from the road and let you know where they are and how much longer they’re going to be. He knows you’re worried but they’re really enjoying themselves.”

           

Gil laughed. “Thanks, Al, it’s good to know,” he said. “I’ll give you a call in a day or two and let you know what happens when the other dragon shows up.”

           

“He’s a fed, Gil.”

           

“What bureau?”

           

“They didn’t say. He’s traveling with two humans, one of whom is his mate although I don’t know which it is,” Al said. “But they both know about our world.”

           

“Thanks for the heads up,” Gil said. “We’re working on a real beauty of a puzzle here and I need to get back to the group. I’ll talk to you later.”

           

“Bye, Gil.”

           

“Nicky,” Grissom called, putting his phone away. “Are we ready for coffee and dessert?”

           

“Not yet, Gil,” Nick called in reply. “But I think we’ve got a name.”

           

“Speed’s mind is quick,” Horatio said. “This bit here, the 23,17,6,19,15,20,4,11, and 10 is a proper name.”

           

“Is it someone you recognize?” Gil asked, sitting back down at the table.

           

Speed shook his head, not looking up from the notebook in front of him. “This officer should have been in the detective division,” he said. “This is really good although not impossible. Here, let me show you.” He stood and went to the board. “Gil, you got another marker laying around here somewhere?”

           

“Top drawer.”

           

“Great. So, as near as I can tell he took the first thirteen letters and added five so his numbering system actually starts at six rather than one,” Speed said, scribbling on the dry erase board. “Then for the remaining thirteen letters he subtracted eight. And if that wasn’t enough for any numbers he had to use he took the odd and multiplied by two and divided by two for any even numbers.”

           

“So what’s it say, Speed?” Horatio asked.

           

“I think it’s a sex diary,” Speed replied. “I’ll need some more time to look through it and see what names start showing up.”

           

Grissom shook his head. “Oh, I did some digging and found my notes on the case with the plant rope in Vegas,” he said. “Nicky mentioned that he thought he recognized the sap.”

           

“Thanks,” Speed said absently.

           

“And I thought you were bad,” Nick commented, looking at his dragon. “So who was on the phone?”

           

“Albert.”

           

“What’s up in Vegas?” Greg asked, bouncing into the room with a large mug of coffee.

           

“Are you planning to sleep tonight?” Horatio asked, looking at his human.

           

“You can wear me out.”

           

“We’re going to have company soon,” Gil said, trying not to laugh and encourage Greg, not that the younger man needed it. “It seems that your first Change made the national news, Horatio, and a federal dragon saw it and is looking for us.”

           

Horatio cocked his head. “A federal dragon?”

           

“Al says he’s a fed and a dragon,” Gil sighed. “But he doesn’t know the agency. They’re on their way out here to find us with a message it seems. Oh, and they tried to help with Sara.”

           

“I still think we should eat her,” Horatio muttered. “She’s never going to leave you alone, Gil, and she could make a lot of trouble for us in the long run.”

           

Grissom rubbed his eyes with a sigh. “I know,” he said. “But we can’t eat her. Nicky says that humans make dragons horribly sick.”

           

“You could just chew her up,” Greg said. He paused as everyone looked at him. “Sorry, I don’t know where that came from.” He shifted over to sit in his dragon’s lap.

           

“We’re all tired,” Horatio said. “Gil, I’d say we should call it a night and get back on this tomorrow.”

           

“Probably a good idea,” Gil agreed. “I was going to stay in and do some work around the house unless you need me tomorrow.”

           

“I can call or come get you,” Horatio said. “Are you thinking about that dragon?”

           

“Yeah,” Gil said. “I’ll admit to being more than a little curious about other communities.”

           

Nick snorted. “Just don’t kill him with questions before we get here.”

 

“Hey, H, got a minute?” Nick called when he saw the red dragon making his way through the halls of the lab.

           

“Always,” Horatio replied with a smile. “What’s wrong, Nicky?”

           

“Is there somewhere we can talk?”

           

“My office?”

           

Nick frowned. “Somewhere there’s no chance IAB could overhear us?” he asked.

           

“Let’s take a walk,” Horatio said, slipping on his sunglasses. “Although I do have to say that if I find out IAB has bugged my office, legal affairs will be the least of their worries.”

           

“It’s almost a shame we can’t show them what they’re really dealing with,” Nick laughed. “Okay, so Speed turned the notebook over to me with the key he worked out because he caught another case. I’ve been going through it and I think Officer Travis was killed because he was gay.”

           

Horatio paused for a moment, a small frown appearing on his face. “Will you explain that for me, please?”

           

“Speed was right, our vic kept a diary of who he was sleeping with and when,” Nick said. “The twist is that it’s all men and all from the department. H; we just found motive.”

           

“Indeed you did,” Horatio agreed. “Who was the last man named in the notebook?”

           

“An Officer David,” Nick said. “Speed made the comment that we’ll need to talk with everyone named in here.”

           

“Yes we will,” Horatio said. “And we’ll start with Officer David. Nice work, Nicky.”

                                                ********************

           

“So, Gibbs, how exactly are you planning to find Dr. Grissom?” Abby asked. She dug in her bag for sun block. “Hang on a minute, guys; do you know what the sun will do to your skin?”

           

“We’ll go to the PD and see if anyone there knows him,” Gibbs said. “If they don’t, I still have Dr. Robbins’ phone number and I’m sure he’ll be able to set up a meeting for us.”

           

“Wouldn’t that just be easier, boss?” Tony asked. “I think the fewer people who know we’re in town the better and if Robbins could just set up the meeting then we could just go to him.”

           

Gibbs sighed. “And possibly lead Ms. Sidle to him as well,” he said. “I want this to look as official and unplanned as possible so no one has any reason to suspect we want anything other than official help.”

           

“Good point,” Abby conceded. “Although I think we should hit the crime lab rather than the police department. Are you guys sure you don’t want sun block? I wish I’d known we were coming here; I’d have brought my parasol along.”

           

“Oh, come on Abs,” Tony said. “We’re in Florida, you’re supposed to get in the sun and enjoy it, not hide away.”

           

“Tony, I’m a Goth,” Abby said. “I don’t do sunshine.”  

           

“Enough,” Gibbs said. “Are you two coming or not?”

           

“Yes, boss,” Tony said.

                                                ********************

           

Greg was just making his way back into the lab after lunch when he spotted another dragon. The man had silver hair and piercing blue eyes that rivaled his dragon’s own. There were two humans with him, a young man and woman. Greg stopped on the steps and waited until they were almost level with him. “Are you looking for Gil Grissom?” he asked in an undertone.

           

“How’d you know that?” the younger man asked and was promptly swatted on the back of the head by the dragon. “Sorry, boss.”

           

“Yes, we are,” the dragon said. “I’m Jethro Gibbs, NCIS and this is Tony DiNozzo and Abby Sciuto. I take it you know what’s going on?”

           

“Yep, in fact I think my bonded is the reason you’re here,” Greg replied with a smile. “Although the national news was a little much. People really need to find other things to focus on.”

           

Abby laughed. “Who are you?”

           

“Oh, sorry; Greg Sanders, DNA analyst for the crime lab. Come on, I’ll help you get checked in and we can find Horatio.”

           

“Does this seem a little too easy to you?” Tony asked Abby as they followed the hyper young man up the stairs and into the cool lab.

           

“I recognize him, Tony,” Abby said. “He was one of the guys I saw with Dr. Grissom in Seattle. And if he knows about the communities there’s no reason he shouldn’t be able to know about Gibbs. I think we just got our first break and you’re being too negative about it all.”

           

“Greg,” a commanding voice broke through the conversation, “I see you found our visitors. Have you had a chance to call Gil?”

           

“Nope, I thought I’d get them signed in so they have access to the lab,” Greg replied. “And then find you. Special Agent Gibbs this is Lieutenant Horatio Caine.”

           

“Lieutenant,” Gibbs said. “I think you’re the reason for our visit.”

           

“Indeed I am,” Horatio replied, smiling. “If you don’t mind waiting for a bit I can take you out to see Gil and we can talk after the rest of us are done for the day.”

           

“Sounds like a plan, although I think Abby here might like to look around your lab, if you don’t mind,” Gibbs said. “She’s our forensic tech in DC.”

           

Horatio smiled. “Absolutely. Greg, why don’t you show her around while I talk with Gibbs and…?”

           

“Tony DiNozzo.”

           

“Welcome to Miami, gentlemen.”

                                                ********************

           

One thing Grissom loved about the community’s new homes was the easy access to the beach. He loved to swim and had found out rather quickly that dragons could not actually swim. They floated. But Gil also figured out that if he changed while in the water, tucked his wings and stayed still he looked like a rock pile until he opened his eyes. So when he sensed strangers outside his house while he was swimming, Gil Changed and settled in to watch and wait.

           

“Gil,” Horatio called, striding out onto the beach. He was still in his suit so he looked more than a little out of place on the white sand. “Our feds are here and want to talk with you.”

           

Grissom opened one eye and studied the men standing on the beach with Horatio. The dragon was an alpha, just as Al had mentioned and his bonded was close to Nick’s age. He snorted into the water and Changed. “Gentlemen.”

           

“Gil Grissom this is Special Agent Jethro Gibbs and Tony DiNozzo, NCIS, out of Washington DC,” Horatio said. “I have to get back to work, Nick thinks he found a motive in our officer’s murder and I’m a little concerned IAB will get wind of it before we can interview everyone involved.”

           

“I was about to have lunch,” Gil said. “You’re more than welcome to join me.”

           

“Thanks, I’m starved,” Tony said. “Gibbs wouldn’t let us eat before we left Vegas and airline food these days is a joke and I didn’t have time to get anything at the….” He ducked and Gibbs’ hand went through the air where his head had been. “Sorry, boss.”

           

Gibbs swatted the back of Tony’s head. “Behave,” he said. “Dr. Grissom, do you know why we’re here?”

           

“Because of the news story,” Gil replied. “Horatio, could you have Nicky call me when he has a moment free? I’m not sure what he was planning for supper tonight.”

           

“Sure.” Horatio nodded to Gibbs. “I’ll see you later.”

           

“It’s not just because of the news story,” Gibbs said. “There are hunters around and you really need to be careful about exposure.”

           

Gil took a deep breath. “I’ve had hunters try and kill me twice,” he said, his tone soft and deadly. “They kidnapped a member of my community to lure me into the open. I have two members driving here from Vegas without protection to try and confuse the trail as much as we can. We’ve been monitoring the news since we learned of the story about Horatio and its being played off as a hoax right now and the hunters will start looking in Seattle. Those that attacked us in Vegas are dead. Right now there are only a select few who know where we are.”

           

“Including one very insane young woman who is determined to find you no matter what,” Gibbs said, not backing down. “I was able to smell it on her, Grissom. Sidle is insane and I’m guessing she’ll go to any lengths to get you back.”

           

“You can smell that?” Gil asked, distracted for a moment by the new tidbit of dragon lore. “Can you and your human talk mind to mind?”

           

“Nope,” Gibbs said. He sat down at the table and looked over at the dry erase board. “Number puzzle?”

           

“Part of an ongoing homicide investigation,” Gil replied. “I’m sorry for snapping at you, Agent Gibbs, but I don’t like feds and this is my community. I’m doing everything in my limited power and knowledge to keep it safe. We have one human who knows about the dragon communities. The rest of us are learning from him as best we can but it’s hard. Anything you can share would be very welcome.”

           

Gibbs smiled. “I don’t have that long of a vacation but I’m sure we can work something out,” he said.

           

“We can always email, boss,” Tony said. “And talk on the phone as long as we’re not at work.”

           

“I don’t know that leaving traces of our communities on the computer would be the smartest move,” Gil said. “But phones could work. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can so I can take care of my people.”

           

“Like any good leader would,” Gibbs said. “So far Tony and I are alone in DC if you don’t count Abby.”

           

“Don’t let her hear you say that, boss,” Tony winced.

           

“Abby?”

           

“Our forensic tech at NCIS,” Gibbs said. “She knows about the dragon world but isn’t bonded to anyone. She’s great at helping out with keeping the secret, especially when Tony and I have to disappear for a while at work.”

           

Gil laughed. “Nicky and I learned early on that was the hardest thing to work around,” he said. “And we worked a lot of cases together so we’d have an excuse to be away from the lab together.”

           

“Cameras can be a bitch,” Gibbs agreed, grinning. “But that didn’t stop Tony.”

           

“I said I was sorry, boss,” Tony said.

           

“We can stay for a few more days,” Gibbs said, stroking the back of Tony’s head. “I got the feeling that Sidle is on her way here and I think you’ll need all the help you can get.”

           

“Then I’m very happy you’re here,” Gil commented.

 

“Hey Speed?” Greg poked his head into the layout room. “H needs me for something.”
 
“So?” Speed asked, looking up from his microscope.
 
“So, this is Abby,” Greg continued, as upbeat as ever. “She’s with that DC group Doc was talking about.”
 
Speed nodded. “Right, private meeting,” he said. “She can stay here. I’m still working on that plant stuff.”
 
“Great, thanks,” Greg smiled. “Abby, I’ll catch up with you later.”
 
Abby watched the hyper young man leave and then turned to Speed. “So what exactly do they do when they have a private meeting?”
 
“You don’t want to know,” Speed replied.
********************
 
Greg shut the door to Gil’s office, locking it behind him. “You needed me, H?”
 
“It’s got to be Gibbs,” Horatio growled, his eyes glowing. “It’s got to be because he’s here. I thought I had this under control.”
 
“Hey, don’t fight it,” Greg said, moving quickly to hug his dragon. “Gil and Jim are still jumping Nick and Warrick about every eight hours. It’s normal to feel like this and Gil made sure we have a safe area for when we need it.”
 
“I need you so bad,” Horatio whispered, kissing Greg’s neck. “I need to feel you against me.”
 
Greg pressed in closer and tilted his head. “Then take me,” he said. “I need you just as bad.”
 
“On the floor?”
 
“Wherever,” Greg moaned, untucking Horatio’s blue dress shirt. “And whatever you want. Don’t be afraid of hurting me.”
 
Horatio growled deep in his throat and took Greg carefully to the floor, mindful of hurting his human. He sat back for a moment and just looked at the body spread out in front of him. Greg’s bleached hair was spiked and looked like he’d just climbed out of bed. His black shirt had pulled out of his black jeans, a sliver of skin showing pale against the dark material.
 
“Slip off your pants,” Horatio whispered, his hands working at his belt and fly. “We’ll have to talk with Gil about certain supplies to keep in here.”
 
Greg reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a small tube. “Nick’s idea,” he said, blushing. “Although he keeps his in his kit.”
 
“I’ll have to keep that in mind,” Horatio rumbled, slicking the lube over his erection. “Let’s see how quiet you can be, Greg.”
 
Greg brought his legs up and wrapped them around Horatio’s thin waist as the dragon thrust forward, burying to the hilt in a single movement, the bond magic stretching Greg to keep him safe.
 
Horatio’s eyes started glowing as he pulled back and thrust forward again, his body setting the rhythm the dragon in him craved. Greg reached up and pulled Horatio’s head down, lips meeting in a deep kiss. The young human carded his fingers through his dragon’s red hair before snaking them down to play and pinch the dragon’s nipples. Horatio moaned and started thrusting faster, losing his rhythm as he got closer to the edge. He paused for a moment to savor the feel of his human before pulling back and thrusting forward one final time, swallowing Greg’s scream as he came. Horatio rode through the contractions around his cock, thrust a dozen more times and finally came, mouth still attached to Greg’s.
 
“There’s someone outside,” Horatio whispered.
 
“Do you think it’s Stetler?” Greg asked.
 
“He’ll vanish if it is.” Horatio reluctantly pulled out and stood up, quickly cleaning up with a towel he found in Gil’s desk. “Get dressed, Greg.”
 
“H, it’s just me.” Speed’s voice came through the door. “Eric called; he needs us at the marina.”
 
Horatio opened the door and motioned Speed inside. “What’s going on, Speed?”
 
“Coast Guard found a boat with two bodies,” Speed said. “And one missing. They’re getting ready to head out.”
 
“Let’s go.” Horatio pulled Greg in for a last kiss. “I’ll see you later.”
 
“Love you,” Greg whispered.
 
“I love you too,” Horatio replied.
********************
 
“Speed?” Horatio asked once they were in his Hummer.
 
“It’s weird, H,” Speed replied. “I was expecting it to hurt more or to be jealous but I’m not. You’re so happy with him and I know I’ll find my bonded soon. I can just feel it.”
 
“Thank you,” Horatio said. “I still love you, Speed, and Greg knows that. But I can’t even begin to describe how deep my feelings for him are.”
 
“I know,” Speed said. “I see it every time you look at Greg. He’s a good kid and he’s good for you.”
 
Horatio smiled. “I have a hunch who your bonded is,” ‘he said. “And if I’m right then you’re going to have your hand full.”
 
Speed grinned. “Calleigh?” he asked, only half serious.
 
“I’m not going to spoil the surprise,” Horatio replied. “But I also believe you’re the dragon and will Change when we least expect it to happen.”
 
“I’m just full of surprises,” Speed said. “Oh, I almost forgot, I managed to work out the name of the last man our homicide victim slept with. It was his partner.”
 
“This case makes no sense, Speed,” Horatio said. “From what you’ve told me, Nicky figured out at least a dozen male officers in that journal, none mentioned more than once. Why was Officer Travis recording the names and details of the men he slept with?”
 
“Maybe his partner can tell us,” Speed said. “He’s mentioned at least six times on different dates; including that first one the community worked on.”
 
Horatio nodded as he brought the Hummer to a stop. “What was his name?”
 
“Ryan Wolfe,” Speed answered. “I think Nick is going to talk with him while we’re out with Eric.”
 
“All right, I’ll check with him when we get back.” Horatio slipped on a glove and reached under the dash and pulled out a mini tape recorder. “And remind me to give this back to Stetler, would you? Minus the tape, of course.”
********************
 
While Horatio wasn’t fond of taking boats out minus a full crew, his dragon instincts made him order everyone but Alexx to stay behind and he called off the Coast Guard. Something just didn’t feel right.
 
“What’s wrong, H?” Speed asked as Eric drove them to their floating crime scene.
 
“I don’t know,” Horatio replied sunglasses firmly in place as he scanned the water around them. “Something just doesn’t feel right.”
 
“Maybe it’s some new dragon thing we didn’t know about,” Speed whispered. “That’s why you sent everyone away, isn’t it?” 
 
“I think so,” Horatio said. “I just wish I knew for sure.”
 
Speed smiled. “You’re still learning,” he said. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.” His attention turned to the boat in front of them. “You think that’s our crime scene?”

“Yep,” Horatio said. He waited until everything was secure. “Eric, in the water please; and see what you can find. Alexx and Speed with me and let’s see what we have.”
 
Speed watched as Eric changed into his wetsuit and gear before slipping into the water. Horatio just smiled and followed Alexx to the other boat.
 
It was Speed, who couldn’t keep his eyes off the water, who noticed the shadow moving swiftly towards Eric. “H!” he yelled, diving into the water.
 
Horatio watched as his former lover dove into the blue water and surfaced as a large bronze dragon. “Alexx, stay here,” Horatio ordered, diving into the water as well. He Changed and stuck his head under the water just in time to see Speed catch a large shark in his jaws and drop it on the deck of the police boat. The red dragon exhaled and Changed back and swam to the police boat.
 
“Horatio, what’s going on?” Alexx asked.
 
“Not now, Alexx.” He picked up the radio. “Eric, I need you out of the water, now.”
 
“H, what’s that?”
 
“That’s Speed,” Horatio replied. “Eric, listen to me. You need to touch his neck and help him calm down. He won’t hurt you but you’re the only one who can help him.”
 
“H, I don’t know….”
 
“Eric,” Horatio said. “We need Speed to Change back to his human form and get you home as fast as we can. Trust me, Eric, please. I’ll explain everything but I need you to trust me.”
 
He watched as Eric surfaced and swam slowly towards the agitated dragon floating angrily on the surface. “That’s it, Eric,” Horatio coaxed, keeping his voice calm. “Touch his neck and let him know you’re okay. Then let’s get both of you back on the boat.”
 
Eric was nervous as he pulled off his glove and placed his palm against the bronze scales that were reflecting in the sunlight. He was fascinated by the play of light and almost didn’t notice when Speed was suddenly treading water next to him.
 
“Come on, guys,” Horatio called.
 
“Eric, what happened?” Speed asked as his friend helped him swim to the police boat. “Why am I in the water?”
 
“I’m not sure,” Eric replied.  “H seems to know though.” He paled when he saw the shark on the deck. “Where’d that come from?”
 
Horatio handed Eric a towel and bent to wrap one around Speed. “It was after you, Eric.”
 
“Oh shit, I Changed,” Speed said. “What happens now, H?”
 
“I’ll call Gil, we process as fast as we can and then you two will take the rest of the day off,” Horatio said. “Eric needs more of an explanation than we can give him.”
 
Alexx finished checking Eric and knelt down next to Speed. “Are you okay, baby?” she asked.
 
“Yeah,” Speed said. “You’re taking this well.”
 
“I know you’ll tell me what’s going on when you can,” she said. “Horatio, our two victims were shot.”
 
“Murder-suicide?” Horatio asked.
 
“No; they were both murdered,” Alexx replied. “And I don’t think our shooter went in the water. Those wounds are almost execution style. I think there was another boat waiting for our shooter.”
 
“Hmmm,” Horatio said. “Then let’s see what he left behind for us.”

 

Gil brought lunch out onto the deck and settled into his chair. “So, Agent Gibbs, how long have you been Changed?”
 
“Two and a half years,” Gibbs replied. “DiNozzo and I were working a stakeout that went bad and the suspect grabbed him. Neither of us knew what was going on until Abby stepped in. She was raised in a community.”
 
“You must have been surprised.”
 
“Scared DiNozzo,” Gibbs smiled. “I like it, honestly. I can smell when someone is lying, if they’re insane, or telling the truth. Comes in handy for interrogation.”
 
“What scared me the most was the fact that you had three ex-wives and you suddenly wanted me,” Tony said around a mouthful of tuna sandwich.
 
Gibbs swatted him. “Real attractive there, Tony,” he said. “Sorry ‘bout that, Dr. Grissom, but we tend to eat on the run and we’ve all fallen into bad habits.”
 
“That’s fine,” Gil said. “And you may as well call me Gris or Gil. I’d like for you consider this a second home, even though you have your own community. With hunters around I have a feeling we’ll need all the safe places we can get.”
 
“You’re probably right,” Gibbs agreed. “Although I’m sure we’re going to have more than one fight; both being alphas and all.”
 
“Play nice, boss,” Tony said.
 
Gil picked up his water. “I do have one question for you,” he said. “Can you speak mind to mind?”
 
“What?” Gibbs asked, frowning.
 
“That’s probably a no,” Gil replied. “My human, Nicky, and I can speak silently, no matter how far apart we are, although it’s stronger the closer we are. None of the others can and we were curious to see if it just took time for the ability to develop.”
 
“Nope, never had anything like that happen,” Gibbs said. “But can you do the smell thing?”
 
“No,” Gil said. “So I wonder if each dragon will develop a different talent to augment the community.”
 
Gibbs nodded thoughtfully. “That’s not a bad idea,” he said. “But how long does it take for these talents to show up?”
 
“Well, if we use Nicky and me as an example, six months,” Grissom said. “Which means Jim and Warrick should be coming into theirs soon.”
 
“That’s the dragon pair driving from Vegas?” Tony asked.
 
“Yeah, Jim doesn’t like airplanes,” Gil replied. “I heard from Jim this morning and they should be here no later than the day after tomorrow.”
 
“I’m looking forward to meeting them.”
 
“So there aren’t any other dragons at NCIS?”
 
“Not that we’ve been able to find,” Gibbs said. “And Abby doesn’t think so. But you’ve managed to find so many around you it makes me wonder, now, if we’re overlooking something.”
 
“I don’t think you could overlook anything, boss,” Tony said. “They could be in other bureaus and we’re just not interacting with them.”
 
“But they could have seen us,” Gibbs commented sourly. “They’re not exactly keen on sharing information with us.”
 
Grissom snorted. “I wouldn’t mind trying to figure out how many Changed dragons there are,” he said. “The problem would be finding out about them without letting the hunters know what’s going on or their locations.”
 
“So not exactly something we’ll be able to do,” Gibbs said dryly. “At least not until we have a better feel for how many hunters are out there.”
 
“Somehow I have a feeling it’s going to be more than we were expecting and they’ll…” Gil broke off as his cell phone rang. “Grissom.”
 
“Gil, its Horatio; Speed Changed.”
 
“Did anyone see him?”
 
“Just Alexx and she won’t say anything,” Horatio said. “We’re just finishing our scene and then I’m going to send Speed and Eric to you. Eric has no clue.”
 
Gil sighed. “At least Speed does,” he said. “I’ll dig out the books again. How does Eric feel about Speed?”
 
“They’re best friends but Eric is a lady’s man. And I mean that in the truest form of the word, he has a new girlfriend every week.”
 
“So Eric might reject the bond?”
 
“He might indeed,” Horatio said. “This may not work out well, Gil.”
 
“Horatio, you know as well as I do what’ll happen if either of them hold back,” Gil said.
 
“They’ll both die,” Horatio said. “Speed knows that too. I’ll get the others out of the lab as fast as I can tonight and we’ll come help you.”
 
“Thanks; I think I’m going to need it.” Gil put his phone down and looked at Gibbs and Tony. “We have a problem….”
********************
 
Eric kept looking at Speed as the older man drove them to a part of the city he wasn’t familiar with. He wasn’t sure what was going on but had overheard part of Horatio’s conversation. He hadn’t understood what his boss was talking about, Eric didn’t know how both he and Speed could die anytime soon, unless someone shot them, but he didn’t want to ask questions either. Speed seemed tense about something and was more quiet than usual.
 
“Come on,” Speed finally said as he parked in a driveway.
 
“Where are we?” Eric asked.
 
“This is Gil’s house,” Speed replied. “The new lab consultant from Vegas.”
 
“Okay, so why are we here?”
 
“I’ll explain once we’re inside.” Speed opened the door and walked in without knocking. “Gris?”
 
“We’re on the deck,” Gil called in reply.
 
Speed made sure the door was locked and walked through the house. It was obvious to Eric, who was trailing behind, that his friend had been here before and was comfortable around this Gil Grissom which really surprised Eric.
 
“Tim Speedle, this is Special Agents Gibbs and DiNozzo,” Gil said as the two young CSIs joined the group at the table.
 
“It’s Speed” he said. “This is Eric Delko.”
 
Gil took off his sunglasses and looked at the younger man. “I saw you the last time I was in the lab but didn’t have a chance to stop and talk. How much did Horatio explain?”
 
“About what?” Eric asked.
 
“Speed’s Change today,” Gil replied.
 
“I heard him talking to someone on the phone and Speed and me,” Eric said. “But it didn’t make any sense. None of this is making any sense.”
 
“For this to make sense, Eric, you have to forget everything you know about humans,” Speed said. “And be willing to believe what you’re told because it’s pretty crazy the first time you hear it.”
 
“Nicky will be able to fill in a lot of the gaps,” Gil said. “He’s our historian but basically Speed isn’t human and he Changed to his true form to save your life. You two now share a bond that is deeper than any other connection there is. The catch is that you have to complete the bond within 24 hours of Speed’s first Change of you’re both going to die.”
 
Eric shook his head. “So that sea monster I saw out there today was my best friend?” he asked. “That’s crazy.”
 
“No, you calling me a monster is crazy,” Speed said. “Gil, you got any coffee made?”
 
“Inside,” Gil said. “And there’s still some cake from the other night. Eric, everyone will tell you that I’d rather deal with bugs than living people but I’m going to do my best to explain this to you. Gibbs and Tony can help but honestly Nicky is the one who can answer all your questions.”
 
“He’s telling you the truth,” Gibbs said. “Gil’s a dragon and I’m a dragon. We can Change to prove it to you because we’ve already blended so we can control when we Change. Speed there won’t be able to for a while so he can’t Change again until after you complete the bond.”
 
“Complete the bond,” Eric said. “How?”
 
“Sex,” Gibbs said. “Pure and simple. You’ve got to sleep with him.”
 
“What?” Eric yelled.
 
Tony sighed. “I wondered if this was going to happen, boss,” he said. “I think we’ve got us a cut and dried heterosexual male who bonded.”
 
“Eric, this bond cannot be denied,” Gil said seriously. “If you don’t make love with Speed within 24 hours you will both die. As far as I understand it the soul doesn’t make mistakes and if you weren’t made for each other, you wouldn’t have bonded.”
 
“There’s no way in hell I’m going to sleep with my best friend,” Eric said, bolting for the door. He ran into his boss and landed on the deck.
 
Horatio took off his sunglasses and looked down at the young man. “Then I suggest you go and tell your family good-bye, Eric,” he said softly, “and apologize to Speed.”
 
“What, why?”
 
“Because if you leave this house, you kill him,” Horatio said. “And I know Speed. He will not force you to do anything you are not comfortable with and neither will we. If you don’t embrace this bond with everything you have, your heart and your soul, both of you will die. Think about that Eric, think about it hard because it might be the last decision you ever have the chance to make.”

“It scared me to death, you know,” Tony said, sitting down next to Eric on the beach.
 
“What?”
 
“When Jethro Changed the first time,” Tony continued, smiling. “I had no clue that dragons even existed outside of the movies and suddenly there’s this huge ice blue one staring at me with my boss’ eyes. But I was drawn to him and touched his scales and then he Changed back. Our friend, Abby, knew about the dragon community and told us what we needed to know but, man, I was freaking out.”
 
“Why?”
 
“Because I knew my boss had three ex-wives, was a Marine gunnery sergeant and, well, was my boss,” Tony continued. “Then there was the fact that I’d never looked at another man before, not seriously, and here was Abby telling me that I had to go and sleep with Jethro. I didn’t know how to take it and she had to talk me through a panic attack. Gibbs smacked me too, which helped a lot because it made everything seem normal again.”
 
Eric looked over at the man sitting next to him. “How could sleeping with a guy be normal?” he asked.
 
“Because it was Gibbs,” Tony said. “He was a man I trusted and admired, tried to be like and that got me more than one slap on the back of the head but once the initial freak factor was gone I realized something. Sleeping with Jethro didn’t make me gay. It made me a bonded human in the dragon community where the soul is more important than the package. And we’ve been bonded for just over two years now, not that you’d know it if you saw us work together, and I’ve never regretted it.”
 
“I just don’t know that I can do it,” Eric said.
 
“Catholic?”
 
“Yeah.”
 
“Well, if you’ve been raised to know the difference between right and wrong then tell me how love can be wrong,” Tony said. “A love so deep that your dragon Changed to save your life rather than life without you. Yeah, your family may not understand at first but if they love you and they’re able to see you’re happy, then that should be all that matters in the end.”
 
“Are there any benefits to all this?” Eric asked.
 
“Well, speaking as one human to another, yeah,” Tony replied. “Apart from the most intense sexual experiences of your life, you’ll live longer and be healthier than non-bonded humans. You’ll know that you’re spending the rest of your life with your soul mate and, from what I understand; you’ll get to live on this beach which is pretty cool if you ask me. Ow.”
 
Gibbs smirked at Tony. “Living on the beach is not a benefit of joining a community, Tony,” he said. “Eric, I could fall back on my military training and tell you that you should just suck it up and do it for the benefit of your dragon but that would be dishonest and against our general rules. Go talk to your dragon rather than sitting out here on the sand all alone. See what he’s feeling and work this out. A partnership is about telling each other everything.”
 
Tony coughed something that sounded suspiciously like “bull shit” and smiled innocently up at his dragon. “So are you going swimming, boss?” he asked.
 
“No, DiNozzo, I’m not,” Gibbs said. “Gil says that dragons float and we don’t want any planes seeing us. I’m going back up to the house to read some of the journals they have here.”
 
Eric watched the silver-haired man leave. “Is he always that grumpy?”
 
“That wasn’t grumpy,” Tony smiled. “That was polite and charming. You don’t want to see grumpy. But he’s right; go talk to Speed and see what he’s thinking. You’re in this together.”
********************
 
Speed was stretched out in the hammock on his back deck, sunglasses firmly in place, just staring at the sky. Of all the stupid tricks his life had played on him this had to be the worst. He was unhappy when he had to break up with Horatio but seeing the love shining between dragon and human made him realize that he was being petty and he stepped up to support his lover. He’d wanted that kind of love for himself and when Gil and Nick told him that he was a part of their community Speed was excited. He knew it was a chance to find his human or dragon as no one was able to tell which he was until a Change actually happened. When he’d realized what happened out on the boat he was both excited and nervous. Speed knew Eric’s reputation as well as anyone in the lab, more if you considered they went clubbing together, and he knew that Eric was only interested in women. So he was screwed.  Maybe this was life’s revenge for being so bitter and sarcastic all the time. He wondered if Horatio would be able to make love to him one more time before he died; he thought Greg would understand.
 
“Hey Speed?”
 
“What, Delko?”
 
“Can we talk?” Eric perched on the railing and looked at the man in the hammock.
 
“About what?” Speed asked. “It seems someone screwed up somewhere and bonded us when we shouldn’t have been. I guess the joke is on me because I was looking at Gil and Nick, Jim and Warrick, H and Greg and thinking that I had a chance for that kind of love myself if or when I Changed or caused someone else to Change. And instead I get rejected. That’s what I get for hoping.”
 
“I didn’t reject you,” Eric said.
 
“No, you just called me a sea monster and tried to run out the front door when you found out the truth,” Speed replied. “If you have that big a problem with it, Delko, then I suggest you take H’s advice and go spend the night with your family. I’ll explain everything to Alexx and then spend my time with my community; it’s not like I have any other family.”
 
Eric sighed. “This is so messed up,” he said. “I don’t want to die and I don’t want to kill you.”
 
“Then you know what you have to do,” Speed commented. “I’m not going to force you because it wouldn’t make a difference if I did. H told you the truth; if we hold anything back if we bond then we die anyway and the only thing that happens is I basically raped you. Make your decision because if it’s my time to die then I want to go and see Alexx one last time.”
 
“How can you be okay with this?” Eric asked. “I mean, sleeping with a guy, doesn’t it freak you out?”
 
“No.”
 
“Why not?”
 
“Because H and I were lovers for two years,” Speed said. “I faked interest in all those girls to keep you and the others at the lab happy because the last thing we needed was for Stetler to get wind of the fact that Horatio is gay. But I knew when we started dating that I wasn’t his human and he might leave me someday if he Changed; which he did up in Seattle when Greg’s life was in danger. Was I upset, yeah; but all I had to do was look at the way they interacted to see how much H loves Greg. And they brought me into the community and gave me a home. I still love H, but I love Greg too because he makes H so happy and complete in a way I never could.” Speed finally turned his head and looked over at Eric. “This is why you wanted off the Travis case, isn’t it? You have homophobia.”
 
“No, I don’t,” Eric said. “I just don’t believe in the lifestyle and didn’t think I could be objective. But I still haven’t mentioned that to H so how did you know?”
 
“I heard you talking with Calleigh,” Speed said. “I told you, I’m not going to force you into anything you don’t want to do and neither will anyone here.”
 
“I might.” Gibbs stepped out of the shadow of the deck. “Speed, Grissom and I figured out that each dragon in a community will develop a different trait, or talent and mine is being able to tell when someone is lying. Normally I have to be in dragon form to do it, but the scent is just rolling off your human there. I think its fear, plain and simple.”
 
Speed rolled out of the hammock. “I’m still not going to force him into anything, Agent Gibbs,” he said.
 
Gibbs smacked the back of Speed’s head. “Go over there and kiss him,” he ordered. “If his scent changes and he doesn’t want anything to do with you then I swear I’ll tell you but I’ll be damned if I stand by and let two men die because they’re too stubborn to see the truth.”
 
Eric backed up against the railing, his eyes wide as he stared at the stranger who had just hit Speed and got away with it. He pressed up against the wood even more as Speed advanced on him, eyes glowing slightly behind the sunglasses. The older man cradled his face in his rough hands and just stared at him for a moment.
 
“Well, go on,” Gibbs said. “But you might want to take your glasses off first. They can pinch like a son of a bitch.”
 
Speed growled low in his throat, ripped off the sunglasses and leaned in to claim Eric’s mouth with his own. He deepened the kiss, claiming his mate and pressing in against him. Gibbs watched the young human to make sure that his fear didn’t get in the way of his breathing and cause him to pass out. When Eric moaned and relaxed into the kiss, Gibbs smiled and snuck away; they’d be able to work the rest out for themselves.
 
“Mine,” Speed growled, nipping at Eric’s neck.
 
“Speed, wait a minute,” Eric said, pushing on the other man’s chest. “Just a minute; we’re out on the deck and there are places I don’t want to get sand.”
 
“Does that mean you’re willing to complete the bond?” Speed asked, pulling Eric towards the house. “Are you willing to open to me completely?”
 
“I’ve never felt anything like that in my life,” Eric said honestly. “And if that’s what the bond is going to feel like then I’m all yours. That special agent was right, it was fear, nothing else. I just didn’t understand.”
 
Speed’s eyes softened. “You thought it would be rough and painful,” he said. “More like a rape than making love.” He smiled. “I’d never do that to anyone, least of all you.”
 
“So where’s your bedroom?” Eric asked.
 
“Our bedroom,” Speed replied. “You get to move in with me. Just think you’ll be able to dive just outside your back door.”
 
“I can’t wait,” Eric said. “I am worried though.”
 
“About your family?”
 
“Yeah,” he said. “We’re really close and they want someone to carry on the family name and I’m the only son. How do I tell them about you?”
 
“That’s something to ask Gil about,” Speed said. “Because I honestly don’t have the answer and won’t lie to you. Gil’s our community’s leader; any problems go to him. If you can’t find Gil, talk to H or Nicky.” He pushed Eric back onto the bed. “I’ll explain more about the politics later; right now I just want to see you naked.”
 
Eric moaned and sat up to strip off his shirt. “It’s been a strange day,” he said, watching as Speed stripped. He’d seen the other man naked in the showers at work but it was different in a bedroom, and a little scary.
 
“I won’t hurt you,” Speed whispered, climbing onto the bed. “In fact, I can’t; bonded pairs have a special magic between them. Let me show you what I mean.” He pulled Eric’s pants off and leaned down and took his erection in his mouth. As Eric’s hips thrust up, Speed pushed a slick finger into Eric’s ass, feeling the magic as his human’s body stretched to welcome him in.
 
“It doesn’t hurt at all,” Eric said. “Why?”
 
“Because your body knows where I belong,” Speed said, slicking up his cock. He rolled Eric onto his side and spooned up behind him. “This will still be easier for your first time,” he whispered, pressing forward slowly, letting his human’s body stretch around him.
 
“Speed,” Eric moaned, pushing back.
 
“I know,” Speed said. He pulled back and thrust forward, setting a slow but steady rhythm. “Can you feel it, Eric? Can you feel the bond growing around us?”
 
“It all feels so good,” Eric managed.
 
“It’s only going to get better.” Speed changed his angle a little and smirked when Eric cried out. He sped up a little, his hand going to his human’s erection and stroking in a counter time to his thrusts. Speed could tell that Eric didn’t know which way to move and his smirk turned to a grin. His eyes started glowing as the dragon in him came to the fore and he bit down on Eric’s shoulder, pushing his human over the edge, and following him. Speed knew that there was no way to tell if Eric had given himself over to the bond but time. He pulled his human in close and hoped that he had because Speed was looking forward to a long lifetime with Eric by his side.

 

“So you’re saying that if you add that glitter gel to the blue it’ll turn florescent under dark light?” Abby asked.

           

“Yeah, I tried it back in Vegas,” Greg replied. He looked up from the sample he was working with. “We’ll have to hit one of the clubs while you’re here; if we can get away from the adults anyway.”

           

She laughed. “I don’t know if Miami has my kind of club,” Abby said. “But I’m always willing to try something new.”

           

“Sanders, you’re supposed to be working,” Stetler snapped from the door. “Not flirting with your girlfriend. How’d you get her in here anyway? Horatio not paying attention to what’s going on again?”

           

“First off, I am working,” Greg said, putting the small glass vial into the mass-spec and turning it on. “Secondly, Abby isn’t my girlfriend. She’s with NCIS from DC and is signed in at the front desk. And thirdly…”

           

“The code is more what you’d call guidelines than actual rules,” Abby said.

           

“I was going to say DNA doesn’t run itself,” Greg commented, trying to keep a straight face.

           

Abby laughed. “According to Gibbs it should and it should only take a minute,” she said. “He has no patience when he’s on a case and wants the answers yesterday.”

           

“Rick.” Horatio’s calm voice interrupted the conversation. “I trust you’re not harassing my lab techs.”

           

“Of course not but you should have told someone that there were feds visiting the lab,” Stetler said, turning around.

           

“I did,” Horatio replied. He looked off to his left. “Although I believe Abby is a lab rat and not a special agent.”

           

“I’m as ratty as they come,” Abby said with a grin. She signed something to Greg, who grinned and shook his head, signing back. “If you insist.”

           

“H, I think Nick was looking for you,” Greg said, not looking up from the clipboard that was suddenly fascinating.

           

“Thank you, Greg,” Horatio said.

           

“How does he do that?” Abby asked, as Horatio left, not making a sound.

           

Greg snickered. “I don’t know but it’s handy huh,” he said. “Did you need something else, Sergeant Stetler, because I really do have a lot of work to do…” He and Abby jumped as the door slammed behind the irate man. “Was it something I said?”

                                                ********************

           

Nick was in one of the interrogation room with Officer Ryan Wolfe. “Is this about Jeremy?” Ryan asked, looking around.

           

“Yes,” Nick replied. “Do you know anyone who would want to kill him? Have you had any problems while out on patrol, any threats that you guys might have forgotten?”

           

“No and I’ve been thinking about it,” Ryan replied. “Jeremy didn’t have a girlfriend and liked to stay home and play on his computer when he wasn’t at work. We’ve been partners for about a year now and you get close to each other.”

           

“I know, I started as a street cop in Dallas,” Nick said. “I just wanted to do more and switched sides. So you haven’t had any strange things happen to you while you were on patrol, what about off-duty. You personally, have you had any phone calls or threats made?”

           

“Nothing that comes to mind,” Ryan sighed. “Do you think I could be next?”

           

“You were partners,” Nick said. “Officer Wolfe, were you aware of the existence of this notebook?”

           

Ryan looked at the picture of a blue spiral bound notebook in a drawer. “I’ve seen it before but never looked in it,” he said. “What did Jeremy write down?”

           

“He kept fairly detailed records of his sex life,” Nick said. “It was encoded and it took us a while to break but once we did we found names, dates and locations.”

           

The younger man paled. Nick smiled in as reassuring a way as he could. “Yeah, you’re thinking right,” he said. “But my boss hasn’t released the information to anyone else at this point. Do you know any reason Officer Travis would keep such a detailed notebook in a location so easily accessed?”

           

“No and I didn’t know he was seeing anyone else,” Ryan said softly. “It makes me look like the killer doesn’t it?”

           

“No,” Horatio said from the door. “We’ve checked and you were on duty when he was killed, in the middle of a traffic stop. What we need from you, Officer Wolfe, is any reason you can think of for anyone to want your partner dead.”

           

“It seems that notebook would be reason enough,” Ryan laughed sourly. “I don’t know anything. I’m sorry.”

           

“So am I,” Stetler said from the door. “I’ll have to report this, Horatio.”

           

The red dragon turned and looked at the man who had followed him into the room. “If you do that, Rick; if you do that, young Officer Wolfe’s career will be over. There is no rule that says you have to report findings of this nature and I believe it would actually be considered discrimination. Report this, Rick, and you’ll find you have more problems than you could ever dream of.”

           

“Are you threatening me?”

           

“Um, no,” Horatio said. “That was a simple statement of fact.” He turned back to the table. “Officer Wolfe, if you ever want a change of scenery, there’s an opening in my lab. You’re more than welcome to join us. Thank you for coming in and if you can think of anything that would help our investigation, please call. Nick, can I talk to you please?”

           

“You got it, H.” Nick gathered up his folders and followed Horatio outside. “I’m sorry about that, Horatio; I could have done the interview somewhere else, but I wanted to keep it as formal as possible.”

           

“Its okay, Nick, there’s no harm done,” Horatio said. “I actually wanted to ask you a question about the community.”

           

“Shoot.”

           

“From what I’ve read we’re supposed to be rare and yet Speed just Changed,” Horatio said. “That makes four here and at least one in DC. I was wondering if the reports could be wrong.”

           

Nick sighed. “It’s possible but I don’t think so,” he said. “I’ve been a little puzzled by the number we’ve found and have been trying to avoid doing the math to work out what the odds are that we all found each other. Let me talk with this agent from DC and see what he has to say and I’ll try to find a solid answer for you. But it’s possible that we’ve got our community complete and won’t find anyone else.”

           

“Is there any way to get in touch with other communities?”

           

“I’ll have to do some research on that too,” Nick sighed. “This case has tied up all my time. I just want to try and find out who would kill a seemingly innocent traffic cop.”

           

“Keep me updated but we’re going to try and escape early tonight,” Horatio said. “Eric was fighting the bond when I left and I’m worried about Speed.”

           

“You think we might lose them?”

           

“I hope not.” Horatio slipped his sunglasses back on. “Excuse me a moment, Nick.” He started back towards the front door of the lab. “Stetler.”

           

“What now, Horatio?”

           

“If you want to know what I’m talking about in my Hummer,” Horatio said softly, pulling out the small tape recorder, “you should hide your surveillance better.”

           

“There was a tape in here,” Rick said.

           

“There was,” Horatio smiled. “I’ll buy you a new one if you’re that concerned about it. Stay out of my Hummer.”

                                                ********************

~~**~~**~~**~~**~~

Vegas

           

Catherine sat in what was now her office and looked around. The room just didn’t look right without all the books, the bugs and things floating in jars. She’d wanted to be a supervisor but not like this. She had Ecklie breathing down her neck and a team of CSIs who couldn’t work together tied in with a new DNA tech that didn’t fit in. Catherine was worried about Grissom, Brass, Warrick, Nick and Greg. Jim’s last words that night in the lab that they were in trouble but couldn’t tell her because it would put her in danger kept echoing through her mind. She knew Lieutenant Caine was a good man who took care of his people but Catherine just flat out missed her old shift.

           

She pulled out her cell phone and flipped it open for the fifth time that night. Every time she started dialing the number she had for the Miami crime lab she chickened out and snapped the phone closed. Catherine knew she had to make the call because Sara was missing and was probably heading towards Florida to try and track down Grissom.

           

It had shocked everyone in the lab when Grissom and his gang, for lack of a better word, had dragged Sara out of the lab and left her tied up outside a club in the desert. Catherine had listened to Sara ranting about Grissom leaving and how the young woman was going to get him back. She was amazed a CSI could be so blind to the fact that Grissom had kissed Nick in a rather possessive manner in front of the entire shift. It was fairly obvious that Gil was in a committed relationship with another man but Sara just couldn’t seem to see it. Catherine’s concern only grew when Sara came in talking about large scaly monsters in the desert.

           

“Lieutenant Caine’s office,” a chipper and familiar voice came over the line.

           

“Greg?”

           

“Oh, hey Catherine; what’s up?”

           

“Is the lieutenant there?” she asked. “I really need to talk with him. Or can you get a message to Gil for me?”

           

“I suppose,” Greg replied cautiously. “What’s wrong?”

           

She sighed. “Sara’s disappeared and all she could talk about since you left is how she was going to find Gil and bring him home,” Catherine said. “I’m not sure she’s sane though, she kept muttering about monsters in the desert.”

           

“Thanks for the heads-up, Catherine,” Greg said. “I’ll be sure to let Gil know and we’ll deal with it.”

           

“Greg, I know it’s probably none of my business but Jim made that comment that you were in danger,” she said, “and I’ve been worrying about you guys. Is everyone okay?”

           

“Yeah, we’re all fine,” Greg said. “This place is so much cooler than Vegas, well not in a literal way, but relaxed and friendly. I’ve got to go, Catherine. I’ll let Gil know what you said.”

           

Catherine closed her phone with a sigh and paused; when did Greg start calling Gil by his first name?

 

“Horatio has a point,” Gil commented, looking around at the others. “Why so many dragons together all of a sudden?”

           

“I don’t know,” Nick admitted. “I went back to the books but there’s nothing there. Agent Gibbs, are you positive there are no other dragons working with you?”

           

“Only fools are positive,” Abby said.

           

“Are you sure?” Greg asked, grinning.

           

“Yeah, positive,” Abby replied, finishing the movie quote. They stopped giggling when all the older adults looked at them. “Oh come on, none of you have seen Fern Gully?” she asked.

           

“On that note, remind me not to let the two of you out alone together again,” Horatio said, eyeing the red and purple highlights in his human’s hair. “I don’t want to think what other trouble you’ll get into.”

           

Greg moved over and sat in Horatio’s lap. “Oh come on,” he said. “Abby’s so much fun.”

           

“Don’t look at me,” Gibbs said. “I’ve never been able to control her.”  

           

“Oh, please Gibbs, like you really try,” Abby laughed. She sat up straighter and frowned as he pressed the first two fingers of each hand together, fingertips meeting in a vee shape before he pointed at her. “Not nice, Gibbs; not nice at all.”

           

Gil laughed. “My mom washed my mouth out with soap the first time I signed that,” he said. “I was nine. But if we could get back on topic, please?”

           

“Speaking of off topic,” Greg said, “Catherine called today.”

           

“That was random,” Speed said.

           

“Not really, she wanted to talk with Gil to let him know that Sara has left Vegas and they think she’s on her way out here to kidnap him and take him back to Vegas and force him into some version of domestic bliss. But she was also babbling about scaly monsters in the desert so Catherine thinks that Sara’s insane.”

           

“Pause to breathe,” Horatio whispered, kissing Greg’s cheek. “It makes you easier to understand.”

           

“That’s so not going to happen.” Warrick and Jim walked onto the deck. “Nice directions, Gil, we only got lost three times.”

           

Jim was staring at the men from DC. “Who’s this, Gil?” he asked softly.

           

“Special Agents Gibbs and Tony DiNozzo, NCIS,” Gibbs replied. “No we’re not here to join or take over your community so relax. We’re just passing through.”

           

“We saw a news story about Gil and Horatio and wanted to make sure they knew about the hunters,” Tony continued. “And they invited us to stay for a few days.”

           

“Yeah, but the sun is murder,” Abby muttered.

           

“I thought you weren’t going to be here for another day or so,” Gil said. He moved closer to Nick to make room for the remaining members of his community.

           

“Al called and told us about Sara,” Warrick said. “We took turns driving to get here before she did. We didn’t want to walk into the problem.”

           

Nick stood and walked towards the house. “You guys need anything?”

           

“Just our own bed and about eight hours of sleep,” Jim muttered. “I’m too old to sleep in the car like that.”

           

“Coffee if you have it,” Warrick said. “We ate before we came out here.”

           

“Your house is the one to our left if you’re facing the house,” Gil said. “That one. Horatio and Greg are on our other side and Speed and Eric are just past them.”

           

“Speed?” Warrick asked, looking at the other man closely.

           

“Today,” Speed commented. “You remember Eric Delko.”

           

“The diver,” Warrick said. “How you doing, man?”

           

“Shocked, stunned, overwhelmed, concerned, bonded,” Eric replied with a smile. “I almost killed Speed by running out of here when they told me what was going on.”

           

“But we worked through it,” Speed sighed. “With a little help from Gibbs there.”

           

Gibbs smirked. “Always glad to lend a hand,” he said. “Or paw as the case may be.” He looked at Abby and Greg. “See, no one gets my jokes.”

           

“Right, Gibbs,” Abby said, rolling her eyes. “So where are we all sleeping tonight?”

           

“Tony and I are here,” Gibbs said. “I think Greg and Horatio have a spare room with your name on it, Abs.”

           

“Sweetness!”

           

Horatio groaned. “I’m in trouble, aren’t I?”

           

“Why would you say that?” Abby and Greg asked in unison, innocent smirks on their faces.

                                                ********************

           

“I know I asked you this once, Nicky, but do you know why Sara would be talking about monsters in the desert?” Gil asked as they were cleaning up the kitchen.

           

“Well, if Gibbs Changed around her, then she’d probably think he was a monster,” Nick replied. “I’ve just been so wrapped up in this case and trying to work all the others we have as well that my community time has really been slipping.”

           

“It happens, Nick, and I’ll make sure to ask Gibbs about it in the morning. I was just curious is all.”

           

Nick snorted. “I wonder why so many people think you’re monsters when you guys Change,” he said. “I mean, Sara, Eric…”

           

“Well, not everyone has your appreciation for us, Nicky my boy,” Gil said fondly.

                                                ********************

           

Gibbs waited until the noises of the house settled down before pulling Tony towards him. “We never did get an answer.”

           

“To what?”

           

“Why there are so many dragons here,” Gibbs said, kissing Tony gently. “I like it; this place feels like home.”

           

“Two alphas, not a good idea,” Tony said. “We’ll find our community, boss; it might just take a while.”

           

“Just as long as there are no feds in it,” Gibbs muttered. He pulled Tony’s body in closer and rolled them so he was on top, pinning his human to the bed. “But I could live with other cops.”

           

Tony laughed and pulled Gibbs’ head down for a harder kiss. “It sounds like we have a place here, at least to visit,” he murmured against Gibbs’ mouth. “I like these guys, they’re all sane.”

           

“Except for Greg,” Gibbs said. “But I think there’s something else we should talk about.”

           

“What’s that, boss?”

           

Gibbs shifted around, forcing Tony’s legs apart and settled between them. “How many times I can take you before you pass out on me again.”

           

“I’d like to see you try,” Tony smirked. He wrapped his long legs around his dragon’s hips and pulled, guiding his cock home. “I dare you.”

           

“Do you know what happened to the last person who said that to me, DiNozzo?”

           

“Nope.”

           

Gibbs kissed Tony and trailed over to his ear. “Neither do I because he disappeared before I could take a second shot at him.”

 

“Hey, I think I got something,” Speed said, joining Nick in the layout room.
 
“Is it contagious?” Nick asked looking up from the shirt he was working on.
 
“What?”
 
“Whatever you’ve got,” Nick replied, smiling. “Is it contagious?”
 
“You know what, you’re weird,” Speed said.
 
Nick laughed. “I try my best; so all kidding aside…”
 
“Maybe I should just go and find H and tell him,” Speed grumbled.
 
“No, I’ll be serious,” Nick said. “What did you find?”
 
“Another notebook in our cop’s uniform shirt,” Speed said. “It has more detailed notes in it, specifically about non-uniforms he was sleeping with.”
 
“Okay, what is it with this guy and his diaries?” Nick asked. “It’s just weird.”
 
“Yeah, but this entry could break the case open,” Speed commented. “It took me a couple hours to translate, once Eric was asleep, and I think I know who killed Travis.”
 
“I hope you do because the plant thing was a dead end and I have this home invasion homicide,” Nick said. “I’d just like to put the cop killer away so we can tell his family the bastard won’t hurt anyone else.”
 
“Gentlemen,” Horatio said from the door.
 
“It takes time to get used to it, but you do,” Speed said. “You need to quit sneaking up on people, H.”
 
Horatio smirked and took the offered folder. “It’s not nearly as much fun, Speed,” he said. “Besides, you’d be amazed what you can hear when people don’t know you’re around.”
 
“So any good gossip today?” Speed asked, running the ALS over the pants that went with Nick’s shirt.
 
“Nothing I’m sure you haven’t heard already,” Horatio replied. “Did either of you run this name through the computers?”
 
“No, I came to check in with Nicky first because he’s been spending so much time on the case and then I was going to find you,” Speed said. “And then, I think, Eric if you can spare him for half an hour or so.”
 
Nick and Horatio laughed. “Maybe it’s a good thing Gil isn’t here today,” Nick said. “It gets better, Speed.”
 
“I hope so because I really don’t like feeling this out of control.”
********************
 
“So, Gil, what’s with inviting the strange dragon to stay at your place?” Jim asked, sitting down on the deck next to his friend. “It’s not like you.”
 
“Gibbs has been Changed for two years,” Gil replied. “He knows a lot of dragon lore that we don’t and has been sharing. Besides, we talked about this and we need to learn as much as we can about the various dragon communities.”
 
“I just wish you’d told me about it,” Jim said. “I don’t know why I’m so touchy about other dragons being around Rick but I don’t like it.”
 
Gil’s eyebrow rose. “I’d say it’s because you’re a cop and not a CSI but Horatio doesn’t have the same problem,” he said. “And he’s a lieutenant. It’s just one more thing to write down to ask an older dragon if or when we meet them.”
 
Both men turned at a shriek from the house. “What was that?” Jim asked, turning back to Gil.
 
“I’m going to KILL Abby!” Tony yelled, storming out onto the deck in his jeans, his chest bare. “She snuck in last night and did this!”
 
Gibbs’ laughter drew everyone’s attention. “I like it, Tony,” he said mildly. “But we’re going to have to dye it back before we go back to work. NCIS field agents do not have neon blue streaks in their hair, no matter what our lab tech might think.”
 
“How the hell did she manage this?” Tony asked.
 
“I don’t know,” Gibbs replied. “Good morning, Gil, Jim; any coffee left?”
 
“There’s a fresh pot in the kitchen,” Gil said. “So anyway, Jim, when do you start at the department?”
 
“Not until next week,” Jim replied, staring at the men from DC. “I wanted to start today with Warrick but they didn’t need me. So he said I could spend the time organizing the house.”
 
“Or we could plan what we’re going to do when Sara finally arrives,” Gil said. “I have a feeling she’ll be here soon and we’re not going to have as easy a time dealing with her here as we did in Vegas.”
 
“Do you think she’s bringing hunters with her?” Gibbs asked, sitting down in what was fast becoming his chair.
 
Gil sighed. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’d like to think she’s just going to try and abduct me but not knowing her current frame of mind really puts a crimp in our plans.”
 
“We could just act like there’s nothing going on and have uniforms pick her up,” Jim said. “She’s been acting crazy for a while not, why not just carry on with that story?”
 
“That’s probably best but there’s an IAB man at the lab that has it in for Horatio,” Gil said. “And anyone who works with him, so that will soon include you, Jim. He already hates me.”
 
*Hey, Gil*
 
*Yes, Nicky*
 
*Can you get a ride down to the lab? We need you to look at something*
 
*Use the phone, Nicky my boy* Gil scolded.
 
He could feel Nick smirking. *But this is so much faster and it annoys Speed* he said. *So will you come*
 
*That depends, what are you offering*
 
*Thanks, Gil, now I’m blushing and Speed’s laughing* Nick grumbled. *But H says you can bring the others with you, so please*
 
*We’ll be there as soon as we can* Gil said. He looked at the others. “Nick says they need me at the lab. Do you want to come along?”
 
“Why didn’t he just use the phone?” Jim asked.
 
“You don’t want to know,” Gil replied. “You really don’t want to know.”
********************
 
“All right, Tony!” Abby exclaimed when the group walked into the labs. “You are so ready to go clubbing with Greg and me tonight.”
 
“Abs, I just want to know how you did that,” Gibbs said, pointing to Tony’s hair, “When I know for a fact that you can’t sneak up on me even when I’m asleep.”
 
“Yes I can, Gibbs, you just don’t know it,” Abby said, smiling. “I have like super powers that you don’t know about yet. So you gonna join us, bossman?”
 
Horatio and Gil exchanged an amused look. “No, Greg, we’re not keeping her,” Horatio said firmly. “Abby belongs in DC. Now then, gentlemen, Speed found an additional notebook in Officer Travis’ belongings and translated it last night. He believes he found our killer but there is a snag.”
 
“What’s wrong, Horatio?” Gil asked.
 
“He’s a marine set to deploy in two days,” Horatio replied. “I contacted the local NCIS bureau but when they learned that Gibbs was in town they deferred to him. Something about not wanting to piss him off.”
 
“Just point me in the right direction,” Gibbs said. “I’ll be more than happy to have a little talk with him.”
 
“Thank you,” Horatio said. “Take Speed and Nick along, please? They’ve been working this case the longest and want to see it through.”
 
“Normally I’d say no, but I like you,” Gibbs said. “Let’s go, DiNozzo.”
 
Tony closed his mouth. “I think the world just ended and we don’t know it,” he said. “I’ve never seen Gibbs agree to cooperate with anyone so easily.”
 
“NOW, Tony.”
 
“Bye,” Tony said, jogging to catch up with his dragon. “You feeling okay?”
 
“I like ‘em,” Gibbs replied. “They know what they’re doing and I know they won’t screw with us on the case.”
 
“I knew it,” Tony muttered. “It is the end of the world. Ow.”

 

Sara sat in her rental car and stared at the houses. It should have been hers; the house on the beach, Gil, everything. She knew she could get it back but it was going to take some work and the first step was to get Gil away from everyone else so he could see how much he loved her. Sara had watched as Grissom made his way into the house and waited a few minutes before following him. The front door was locked but a little scouting showed a path around to the back and the beach but the sliding door was locked as well. She sighed, toed off her shoes and made her way to a pile of rocks to sit and think. Gil would have to show up at some point and she’d be there when he did.

                                                ********************

 

“Uh, Speed,” Eric said as his dragon led him into an office, “what’s going on?”

           

“Can’t you feel it, Eric?” Speed asked. He locked the door and pulled off his shirt. “I need you.”

           

“Speed, we can’t have sex at work,” Eric protested. “What would H say if he caught us? Or Grissom; isn’t this his office?”

           

The dark-haired dragon stalked his mate around the small room, finally pinning him against the back wall. “Gil knows we’re in here and his control is better,” Speed growled, unbuttoning Eric’s shirt. “As for H, he told me where the lube is to make everything go easier. I need you, Eric, please don’t tell me no because I know you can feel it too. The bond between us is demanding contact.”

           

“Speed, stop a minute, just stop.” Eric caught the hands unfastening his belt. “You’re not making any sense. Why this sudden urge to have sex? We’re at work and in the middle of some cases that need our attention. We can’t do this now.”

           

“I don’t think it’ll take that long,” Speed said, his eyes starting to glow. “Okay, basic history and you can ask anyone about this and they’ll tell you the same thing. When a pair first bonds the physical pull between them is extreme. I think Nicky and Gil were every four hours for a couple weeks. It gets eased as the bond strengthens but the need is still there and will get more and more powerful if not sated. And sex is the only way to take care of it. There’s no way in hell I’m going to be able to focus on anything until I get the chance to reconnect with you.” Speed snaked his hand down Eric’s pants and took a hold of his cock, stroking it softly. “Tell me you don’t feel that and I’ll stop,” he whispered.

           

“Oh god, Speed,” Eric moaned softly, his head falling back against the wall.

           

“Tonight I’m going to show you how it feels to be made love to,” Speed said. He pushed Eric’s pants down and reached for his own belt. “Stretch you out over our bed so I can kiss and lick every inch of your body, learn all your hot spots and then suck you dry.”

           

“I didn’t know you were such a romantic,” Eric gasped, turning to lean on the wall, his legs shaking a little.

           

Speed slicked his erection and eased forward into his lover’s body. “We both have a lot to learn about each other,” he whispered, thrusting gently. “But we have the rest of our lives to play discovery. Right now I just want to reconnect.” Speed’s eyes took on the golden glow that meant the dragon was coming to the fore. “I’m your’s and you’re mine; forever.”

                                                ********************

           

It was all Horatio could do not to laugh when he walked out onto the deck and saw Sara Sidle sitting on the rocks down by the water. He relocked the door behind him, slipped out of his jacket and made his way out onto the sand. “You’re trespassing, Ms. Sidle,” he said. “And I think you need to leave.”

           

“Grissom invited me,” Sara said. “He just had to run inside for a moment and he’ll be right back and tell you what’s going on.”

           

“I think it might be a little hard for him to go into the house right now,” Horatio said, a smile tugging at his lips. He was never going to let Gil live this one down.

           

“And why’s that?”

           

“Because you’re currently sitting on his head,” Horatio said.

           

Gil sighed and opened one eye. He had been hoping when he called to Nicky to tell him that Sara was at their house and asking him to call one of the others that Jim would be the one to show up to help. But it had to be Horatio and Gil just had a feeling that he was in a lot more trouble than an insane woman sitting on him.

           

“I’m sorry, Gil,” Horatio said, laughing. “I really am. Would you like me to move her so you can Change?”

           

The black dragon reached up and plucked Sara from his head and held her up for inspection. It looked like Gibbs was right; she didn’t look good and was probably more a danger to herself than to anyone else. With a sigh he put her down on the beach, where Horatio quickly restrained her, and Changed. “Hello, Sara,” he said, picking up his towel. “Tell me why I shouldn’t just have you arrested for trespassing and be done with it.”

           

“Because you love me,” Sara exclaimed.

           

“Oh boy,” Gil muttered. “I’m sorry if I ever gave you that impression, Sara, but I don’t. I love Nick and only Nick. I think you need to go back to Vegas, plead for you job and move on with your life.”

           

“Hey, when did she get here?” Jim asked, joining them. “Why didn’t anyone call me?”

           

“About an hour ago and I tried to get Nick to call you,” Gil replied. “But he called H instead.”

           

“And I got here to find her sitting on Gil’s head,” Horatio said. “While he was in dragon form doing his best rock impression. It makes me wish I had a camera.”

           

Gil growled, his eyes starting to glow. Sara took a step back in fear and fell to the sand. “This is serious,” Gil snarled. “We have a trespasser in our community who could tell hunters how and where to find us and you’re making jokes.”

           

Jim blinked at his friend. “Okay, Gil, okay; we’re being serious,” he said. “Why don’t Lieutenant Caine and I take her downtown and book her for trespassing? That’ll get her out of our hair for twenty-four hours at least and then we can decide what to do with her.”

           

“And if she tells someone about us?” Gil asked his voice still low.

           

“Then we deal with it,” Horatio replied. “I doubt anyone will believe her if she starts talking about us anyway. Look at it this way, everyone knew she was coming this way to try and kidnap you. She comes back and sneaks in again we can just shoot her and claim self defense.”

           

*Gil, can you calm down, please* Nick asked. *We’re heading out to talk with our suspect and you’re so upset right now that I can feel you all the way over here*

           

*Sorry, Nick; Sara’s here and we’re trying to decide what to do* Gil replied. *Good luck with the marine. Love you*

           

“What did Nick want?” Jim asked.

           

“Just for me to calm down,” Gil sighed. “Horatio, I think by the time you get back to the lab there will be a suspect waiting for you in interrogation. Jim and I can deal with Sara.”

           

“Actually, no you can’t,” Horatio replied. “Jim’s not official and you’re a consultant. I’ll have to take her in, Gil; but I’ll make sure she understands the gravity of the situation. She doesn’t strike me as stupid.”

           

“She’s not, just fixated,” Jim said. “Good luck with that, Horatio.”

           

“You’ll probably need it,” Gil said. “Sara, you’re not welcome here and if you come back we will have you arrested again.” He turned back to the ocean and dove into the waves, surfacing with a snort and tucked his wings in against his body.

           

“You want to ride along, Jim?” Horatio asked. “That’s how Gil likes to think of late and I don’t think he’ll be much of a conversationalist for the next few hours.”

           

Jim laughed. “It shows how little time you’ve actually spent around Gil Grissom,” he said. “Gil doesn’t really talk at all. You get used to it. Nah, I’ll stay here and watch. She might not have been alone.”

                                                ********************

           

“How’re you holding up?” Nick asked as Speed pulled the hummer out of the parking lot. “Horatio was really worried about you and Eric.”

           

“I think his religious beliefs were the main problem,” Speed replied. “Honestly if not for Agent Gibbs I doubt I would’ve kissed Eric and completed the bond.”

           

“You’re welcome,” Gibbs commented dryly.

           

“Eric did ask me how we’re going to tell his family,” Speed continued seriously. “He’s the baby, the only boy and now the family name is pretty much dead. I don’t think his folks are going to be too happy or supportive about all this.”

           

Tony leaned forward. “Do you think they’d do something like disown him or anything stupid like that?”

           

“I don’t know and I’m almost afraid to find out,” Speed admitted. “I don’t want him hurt if I can help it.”

           

“There is one thing we can do but it’d be breaking the rules and might put the community at risk,” Nick said. “Where I grew up there were some families of bonded humans living in the community there. We could invite Eric’s parents over for supper and basically come clean.”

           

“I told Eric we’d ask Gil,” Speed said. “One thing I remember from the books I read as a kid is that only those who absolutely have to know, do.”

           

Gibbs took a long sip of his coffee. “You should at least have them over for supper,” he said. “Make sure they understand it’s a family gathering. You don’t have to go into detail about exactly what type of family it actually is. If they truly love their son they they’ll support him no matter what.”

           

“And if it all blows up in our faces?” Speed asked.

           

“Then the community will be there to support Eric and then you can take care of him,” Gibbs said.

           

Tony glanced over at his dragon. “Did someone drug your coffee or something because you’re really freaking me out here, boss.”

           

“No, Tony; no one touched my coffee,” Gibbs replied. “Just because I’m always a bastard doesn’t mean I can’t have nice moments. It almost makes me wish I wasn’t an alpha because I really like it down here.”

           

“I’m getting a sun lamp for your desk at work,” Tony said.

           

“What?”

           

“Well you’ve been mellow, more or less since you’ve started spending so much time on Gil’s deck and it’s been really sunny so maybe that’s what we need to do to…ow!”

           

Gibbs wrapped a hand behind Tony’s head and pulled him in for a kiss. “If it’s bugging you that bad, Tony,” he whispered, “then I’ll be a bastard again. Just for you.”

           

“Agent Gibbs, why do you always smack Tony on the back of the head?” Nick asked. “And the whole bastard thing…”

           

“Gibbs is spelled with two b’s,” Tony said, interlacing his fingers with his dragon’s.

           

“The second b is for bastard,” Gibbs said. “Let me run this part of the investigation and you’ll see why.”

           

“We have to,” Speed said. “Your jurisdiction. Nicky and I are just along to watch and help.”

           

“See, I told you,” Gibbs said to Tony. He turned back to the human in the front seat. “As for the head-slap it’s a wake-up call, focus, attention getter that has morphed into a chance to touch Tony without anyone suspecting a thing.”

           

“You forgot shut the hell up,” Tony snickered. “I get swatted more than anyone else on our team but I push half the time, now, for an excuse to have him touch me.”

           

Nick laughed. “Cameras?”

           

“Tons,” Tony confirmed. “And no dead zones anywhere in the building. We’ve got the head and the elevator and can’t make too much use of them.”

           

“Just another reason for me to be a bastard,” Gibbs smirked. “No one suspects Tony and I are together.”

           

“I think Abby is suspicious,” Speed commented, pulling into a parking lot. “She wanted to know about the private meetings.”

           

“What did you tell her?” Gibbs asked.

           

“That she doesn’t want to know,” Speed replied.  “Our suspect is in 214.”

           

“Think there’s a chance of a back door?” Tony asked.

           

“Not on the second floor, DiNozzo,” Gibbs said.

           

“We should probably check anyway,” Nick said. “There might be a fire escape back there.”

           

Gibbs thought for a minute. “Tony, you and Speed check it out. Nick, let’s go see if our boy is at home.” He paused and reached back into the hummer. “DiNozzo!”

           

“Yeah boss?”

           

“Wear your hat,” Gibbs said, tossing it to him. “You still have those highlights.”

           

“I thought you like them, boss,” Tony teased, slipping the NCIS ball cap into place.

           

“I do, the regs don’t,” Gibbs said. “Well, what are you waiting for, DiNozzo?”

           

Tony just grinned and pulled Speed away with him. Gibbs looked over at Nick. “What are you smirking about?”

           

“Oh, nothing much,” Nick said, following the dragon up the stairs. “I wouldn’t mind seeing your team at work.”

           

“For all that Tony plays goof-off, everyone is really well trained,” Gibbs said. “One glare from me and they all seem to know exactly what needs to be done.” He paused and put his ear to the door. “I hear a TV.”

           

“Then he’s probably home,” Nick commented. “Maybe even packing.”

           

“Let’s find out.” Gibbs knocked on the door. “Sergeant Green, NCIS; we’d like to talk to you for a moment.”

           

From inside the apartment came a loud crash and then silence.

 

Gibbs was livid and fighting the urge to Change. “You know, moron, throwing things out closed windows isn’t a good idea,” he hissed. “But throwing a loaded gun from a second story window bordered on idiotic. Do you have any idea how close you came to killing one of my agents?”
 
“I don’t have to talk to you.”
 
“No you don’t, dirt bag,” Gibbs said. “But you have to listen. I know you killed that Miami city cop and the gun you tossed when I knocked on your door is going to match the bullets we pulled from his body. If we run your DNA will it match the rape kit too? Did you think you were above the law because you were a Marine and about to ship out overseas to protect this country?” He got in the man’s personal space. “I’m turning you over to the city for prosecution. I’m sure JAG will be involved here very soon but your life is over.”
 
“Hey boss,” Tony called. “I think we’ve got a problem in here.”
 
Gibbs nodded to the uniforms to take the suspect away and walked into the crime scene. “What’s up, Tony?”
 
“What was Sergeant Green’s specialty?”
 
“I never saw his packet,” Gibbs replied. “What did you find?”
 
Nick and Speed ran past them. “A bomb,” Nick said. “We need to evacuate this place now!”
 
“Damn it!” Gibbs yelled.
 
Tony grabbed the lap top while Gibbs grabbed the computer tower, not caring that he broke the monitor as he yanked to break as many of the connections as he could. “Go on, DiNozzo,” he snapped. “I’ll be right behind you.”
 
“In what shape?”
 
“I don’t know, Tony; it depends on how far away you get,” Gibbs snapped. He cut the last cord and followed his human out of the building, fighting the urge that was telling him to Change to save Tony. He didn’t need to switch to dragon form, not with all the police officers around. He didn’t need to expose their world. And he didn’t believe a word he was telling himself. He was relieved to see the uniforms knocking on doors and Gibbs thought he could see Speed on a cell phone, hopefully calling for the bomb squad. The NCIS agents joined the Miami CSIs behind the hummer, all of them hoping the bomb wouldn’t detonate any time soon.
********************
 
“Horatio!”
 
“Yes, Rick?” Horatio asked, taking off his sunglasses. He sighed; it really was too bad that dragons couldn’t digest humans. But Stetler would probably taste stale.
 
“I don’t believe you ever told anyone that you were involved in a kidnapping while you were away on that trip,” Stetler said.
 
“Which trip are you referring to?” Horatio asked, his eyebrows going up. Sidle was a quick thinker and had found the one person in Miami likely to help and believe her. He only hoped that she hadn’t mentioned dragons or, as she was calling them, big scaly monsters.
 
“Don’t play stupid, Horatio, it insults us both,” Stetler said. “The trip to Seattle where you sidestepped into Vegas. You never mentioned that you kidnapped one of the CSIs from the lab and left her tied up in the desert.”
 
The red dragon only just refrained from rolling his eyes. “Have you spoken with the young woman I just booked for trespassing at my home?” he asked.
 
“Yes, Ms. Sara Sidle and she was really helpful,” Stetler replied.
 
“She’s also insane,” Horatio said. “Did she tell you about the giant lizards she’s been seeing? Or the small fairies that have been guiding her for the past few months? I couldn’t decide if she was a danger to the community or herself so I recommended one of the department doctors look at her before she’s released in the morning. I’m not sure where the story of a kidnapping came from. One of the CSIs was kidnapped, Nick Stokes, who is now on my team. He was found in a club in the desert tied up in the office with a bomb strapped to his chest; a bomb which I disarmed so the Vegas CSIs could process the scene.”
 
Stetler was slowly turning red. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, Horatio, but it won’t work,” he said. “There’s something going on here and I’m going to find out what it is.”
 
“Rick, IAB wouldn’t know a piece of evidence if it bit them,” Horatio said. “Why don’t you leave the mysteries to us and go chase your version of criminals. In fact, check in with NCIS Special Agents Gibbs and DiNozzo. They just brought in the suspect in our cop killing and now you can stop leaning on Officer Wolfe.”
 
“You stay out of that, Horatio.”
 
“Harassment is an ugly word, Rick,” Horatio said quietly. “I wouldn’t want to think IAB would leak to the department at large that there was a homosexual man working with them. If Ryan ends up in the hospital, I’ll know who put him there.”
 
“Is that a threat?”
 
“No, Rick, as always, it’s a promise.”
********************
 
“She did what?” Jim asked, walking out onto Gil’s back deck. “Oh this is so not good. Hang on; let me see if Gil can come to the phone.” He walked down across the sand to the large black dragon that was still resting in the ocean. “Gil, it’s Horatio; he needs to talk to you.”
 
Gil snorted and Changed. “What’s wrong, Jim?”
 
“I’m not handing you the phone while you’re standing in the water,” Jim said firmly. “You’re the only one who has a clue how to lead this community and I will not be responsible for fried dragon.”
 
“Is everyone all right?” Gil asked, wading onto the shore. “I didn’t feel anything so I know it’s not Nicky.”
 
“It’s Sara,” Jim replied, handing over the phone. “She’s hit a new low.”
 
“Horatio, what’s going on?” Gil asked.
 
“It seems that Sidle has been talking with Rick Stetler,” Horatio replied. “She told him about her kidnapping and now he’s investigating me.”
 
“You mean all of us,” Gil sighed. “What did you tell him?”
 
“That she spent the drive into the department ranting about big lizards and fairies that have been telling her what to do,” Horatio said, a small smile evident in his voice. “But I think we need to have a talk with everyone tonight.”
 
“I think you’re right,” Gil agreed. “I’ll order pizza and we can meet on the deck. Thanks for the heads-up, H; and good job covering that one.”
 
Horatio laughed. “I love lying to Rick Stetler; it keeps him on his toes and he never knows what the truth is anyway.”
 
“Just don’t go overboard,” Gil said. “I’ll see you guys when you get home tonight. How’d it go with Nicky and his case?”
 
“They ran into a small problem by way of a bomb but Gibbs handled it well and they’re all fine,” Horatio said. “A little spooked but that’s understandable.”
 
“There are days I hate that I can’t be Nick’s guard 24/7 but he’d kill me,” Gil said. “I’ll talk with him when he gets home.”
 
“Don’t be too harsh on him, Gil, he did fine.”
 
“Who said anything about lecturing?” Gil asked. His eyes started glowing. “I was talking about claiming.”

Gibbs paced back and forth on the deck, cell phone against one ear. Tony and Abby sat and watched him. They both knew something was wrong, they just didn’t know what. “Pack,” Gibbs snapped, hanging up the phone.
 
“What?” Tony asked, puzzled.
 
“I said pack, DiNozzo,” Gibbs said. “That was Morrow; we’re being sent to New York to investigate a string of shootings involving Navy crewmen there on leave.” He turned to find them still sitting on the bench staring at him. “Why are you still here?”
 
Gil came out and handed the irate dragon a mug of coffee. “You really are a bastard,” he said idly. He watched Tony and Abby scurry away. “So I guess this means you’re heading out?”
 
“Yeah,” Gibbs said. “And I hate to say it, but I really don’t want to leave. I like it here.”
 
“It wouldn’t work in the long run,” Gil said. “We’d be fighting all the time and I’d rather not draw too much attention to us down here or you guys in DC. But you’re welcome to visit any time you can get away.”
 
“And we have to stay in touch,” Nick added, joining his dragon. “Just think of how much trouble, I mean fun we can have.”
 
“You don’t need help getting into trouble, Nicky my boy,” Gil said fondly. “Gibbs thanks for all your help with Sara. One of us will call and let you know how that turns out.”
 
“You’ll have to come and visit us in DC,” Tony said, handing Gibbs a bag. “I packed your things too, boss. Can we get a ride to the airport?”
 
“I’ll take you,” Speed said, peaking out the door. “Someone needs to pick up the pizza anyway.”
 
Gibbs looked at Grissom. “I think I might scare Tony again, but thank you for everything, Gil,” he said. “I’ll talk with you later.”
 
“The world is going to end if he keeps that up,” Tony whispered to Abby, who nodded. “Ow!”
********************
~~**~~**New York**~~**~~
 
Danny waited until his boss’ back was to the door before he crept back in and placed his gun and cell phone in Mac’s guest chair. His co-workers didn’t know how quietly he could move because Danny went to great pains to always keep a part of himself separate from work. It helped prevent heartache in the long run.
********************
 
The strange ring tone caught Mac’s attention. It wasn’t his cell or desk phone and he looked around his office, puzzled. When he stood up he noticed the items lying in the chair across from his own. He picked up the cell phone and flipped it open. “Mac Taylor.”
 
“Mac? What are you doing answering Danny’s cell phone?”
 
“Stella, turn around,” Mac said, catching sight of his friend. When she spun towards his office he held up the phone and flipped it closed. “It was in here when you called.”
 
“So why would Danny leave his phone in your office?” Stella asked, obviously puzzled.
 
“It was on top of his gun which I know he took with him,” Mac replied, picking up the other item in question. “He left when I had to take a phone call.”
 
“Could he have come back?”
 
“I had my back to the door but I would have heard him,” Mac said. “I think he’s trying to leave a message here, Stella. His gun and his phone but not his badge.”
 
Her eyes narrowed. “Call when you want to fire me,” Stella said. “Mac, exactly what were you and Danny talking about before you gave him back his gun?”
 
“He talked to IAB before our prelim report was delivered in the subway shooting,” Mac said, sitting down. “I had ordered him to the hospital and then a desk until we had everything figured out. I also told him not to talk to IAB until our report was done and he went against my orders.”
 
“Okay, but that’s not enough to make him think you want him fired,” Stella said. “You said something else to him, didn’t you?”
 
“We talked about some things that related to the case,” Mac said. “Things that are between me and Danny and will stay between me and Danny.”
 
“So you basically lectured him and kicked him out on his ass,” Stella said. “Oh that’s great, Mac. Now we’ve got to find him before something happens.”
 
“He probably just went home.” Mac picked up his desk phone and dialed a number from memory. “Danny, this is Mac. If you’re home, pick up; Stella needs to talk to you and I’ve got your cell phone. Ignoring me isn’t the answer, Danny. Okay, if you don’t want to talk to me, call Stella on her cell phone as soon as you get this. I’ll hold on to your things until morning.”
 
“So he’s not home,” Stella said. “You call Flack and I’ll get Aiden. We’re going to find him, Mac. Something just doesn’t feel right with all of this.”
 
“We could just put out a general watch for him.”
 
Stella snorted. “And have him picked up like a common criminal?” she asked. “Right now Flack’s the only cop in this city that doesn’t want to beat the crap out of Danny for what happened in the subway. They are not getting a hold of him first, Mac. And then you two are going to sit down and hash out whatever the hell is wrong between you.”
 
“There is nothing wrong.”
 
“If that were true, Mac, then Danny wouldn’t be missing and thinking he doesn’t have a job any more.”
********************
 
Mac figured he was the only one who knew where Danny liked to go to think. After sending Stella to Danny’s apartment and Aiden to check his favorite restaurants, Mac made his way to Central Park and the trees that Danny liked to sit under when he wanted to hide. It really wasn’t in Mac’s nature to feel bad about his decisions when dealing with his people but he had to wonder if maybe he hadn’t gone too far with Danny. He’d just have to watch his young friend for the next few weeks and see exactly what was going on.
 
His sharp eyes caught the glint of a knife before he could make out the face of the attacker. All Mac could see was Danny being attacked. He reached for his gun and started forward and then everything went black.
********************
 
The light surrounding Danny was green, a moss green that shifted to blue and then gray and back to green. It was beautiful but confusing as hell and Danny had no clue where he was or what happened. He was relieved when he saw a cell phone at his feet. Danny picked it up carefully, noticing a deep rumble when he moved away from whatever was behind or around him. When he flipped it open he found it was Mac’s phone. With a puzzled sigh, Danny opened the address book and started looking through the contacts, only vaguely noticing that his name was the first on speed dial.
 
“Flack,” Danny said. “I need help.”
 
“Yeah you do, Danny boy,” Flack replied seriously. “I think you need your head examined. What the hell were you thinking?”
 
“Mac already drove home that I wasn’t,” Danny said softly. “So can we just drop it for now? Look, Don; I was in Central Park and some dude decided to rob me. Next thing I know I’m surrounded by this weird green light that keeps shifting and I’ve got Mac’s cell phone but he’s not here. Can you come find me, please?”
 
“All right, where were you?”
 
“In the trees, thinking,” Danny replied. “I didn’t have my phone or I would’ve called you sooner.”
 
“All right, I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Flack said. “I’m not that far away.”
 
“Thanks man,” Danny said. “Can we stay on the phone? It’s really freaky in here all alone.”
 
“Sure, what do you want to talk about?”
 
“Anything but how I messed up at work,” Danny said. “Did you know that someone told Mac not to hire me because of my family? He obviously didn’t listen but he told me about it today and said it was the first time he’d questioned the decision. It made it sound like he wants me gone, Don.”
 
“Oh no way, Danny; that’s not Mac’s style,” Flack said, making a mental note to talk with Mac the first chance he got. “If he wanted you gone, you’d be gone. Give it some time, Danny, and he’ll come around. Mac’s a good guy; he just expects everyone to be a marine like him and I don’t think he knows how to deal with it when someone can’t live up to that.”
 
Danny sighed and shifted. “So why the hell did he tell me all that shit then?” he asked. “I coulda done without knowing someone in the higher ups didn’t want me around. I ain’t gonna let it affect my work or nothing, but to know that Mac is starting to believe he made a mistake hiring me; now that hurts.”
 
“I know it does, Danny boy,” Flack said. “And I think Mac will be lucky to keep his balls if Stella ever finds out about this.”
 
“Forget Stella, what about Aiden?” Danny laughed.
 
“Bottom line, those girls find out the boss is in trouble,” Flack agreed. “Okay, I’m in the park and heading towards those trees you love so much. Oh boy.”
 
“Don, what’s wrong?”
 
“Hang up the phone, Danny,” Flack said. “Things just got way more complicated. You’ll be able to hear me soon enough. Everything will be okay in the long run.” He clicked his phone shut and sighed. “In the very long run.”

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