The Dragon Chronicles - part 1

Detective Don Flack was raised on stories of dragons and other fantasy creatures until he was ten and his parents sat him down for ‘the talk’. He’d thought it was time to talk about sex and told his folks he’d already gone through the classes at school and they didn’t have to worry. But they still put him on the sofa and started to tell him about their family’s history. About the real world of dragons and how there was a fifty percent chance that he was one. He’d been skeptical at first, what boy wouldn’t, but his dad dug out all the books and journals that had been handed down through the generations and said they now belonged to Don. He’d spent the next week reading them and learned about another world. The world of the dragon communities.
 
And now he was staring at a dragon doing a damn good impression of a statue. “You would have to go against all convention, wouldn’t you, Mac?” Don muttered, looking at the sun playing on the dragon’s scales. They were shifting color from green to gray to blue and back. “All other dragons are one color but you just couldn’t do it. You had to be three.” He sighed and walked closer, freezing when the dragon’s eyes shot open and pinned him. “Danny boy, can you hear me?”
 
“Yeah, Don,” Danny replied. The lump under the dragon’s right wing shifted a little as Danny moved. “I can’t see you.”
 
“You will in a minute,” Don said. “Look, I can’t come no closer so you just have to do what I tell you and please don’t argue. I need you to turn around and press your hands and face up against the body behind you. Then you need to be totally calm, like you’re going to sleep. And do it fast, Danny. We need to get you guys out of here fast.”
 
Danny, who was still in the shifting light world, was puzzled but he could hear the tone in his friend’s voice. Not much scared Don Flack but this, whatever it was, had and Danny wanted to just get it all over with so he could go home. He tucked the cell phone into his pocket and turned until his body was pressed up against the shape behind him. Now that he was thinking a little more clearly he could see that it was scaled, like a reptile, but warm which seemed weird. He moved his hands up in front of his chest and let them rest on the body he was leaning on and closed his eyes with a sigh. It took a moment for him to calm down, to slow his heart beat, but he eventually did and almost fell over when the large form supporting him vanished.
 
Don, who was expecting the Change, leapt forward and caught Mac as he fell forward. “Come on, Danny, my car is this way. Mac’s gonna be out of it for a while. I’m taking you both to my place and we’re all gonna talk.”
********************
 
The world around Mac slowly came back into focus. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment and then opened them again, blinking a few times. His surroundings hadn’t changed a bit; he wasn’t in Central Park. He actually didn’t know where he was.
 
“You back with us?” a familiar voice asked from behind him.
 
“Flack?” Mac struggled to sit up and turn around. “What happened?”
 
“That’s a long story, my friend,” Don sighed. “Stay put until you get some food in you. The initial Change takes everyone differently but I’ve never heard of no one passing out like you did before.”
 
“I don’t pass out,” Mac said. “I was looking for Danny.”
 
Don smiled. “You found him,” he said. “Hey Danno, he’s awake.”
 
Danny appeared in the doorway. “Good, the food should be here soon,” he said. “Now you want to try and explain what happe….omph!”
 
When Mac saw Danny appear in the door he launched himself off the sofa and pushed the younger man back against the wall, kissing him, claiming him.
 
“What the hell?” Danny yelled, pushing Mac away and backing up.
 
“Danny?” Mac asked, confused.
 
“Draconic amnesia,” Don replied. “I’ve read about it but never, oh, now I get it. Maybe it’s a good thing I called my dad.”
 
Both CSIs turned and looked at Flack like he’d lost his mind. “Why would you call your dad?” Danny asked. He was watching Mac closely in case the other man tried to jump him again.
 
“Because he knows more about this than I do and he knows people who can help us out,” Don said. “You guys both need to eat. Danny, I don’t think Mac remembers your fights from this past month so I wouldn’t even bother bringing them up at this point. We’ll get through everything but it’s gonna take twice as long now.”
 
“Don, you said draconic amnesia,” Mac said. “I’ve never heard that term before. What are you talking about?”
 
“I’ll explain after you eat,” Don said firmly. “Besides, I don’t want to face this on an empty stomach and I can imagine you guys didn’t eat today with that case you were working. Can you just trust me for a couple of hours? Please?”
 
Mac and Danny looked at each other. “Okay,” Danny finally said. “But only because it’s you, Don.”
 
“And only until we’re done eating,” Mac continued. “I want to know how I got from the park to here and why I don’t remember any of it.”

Amanda Bonnibel was a slender sixteen-year-old with shoulder length black hair and stunning blue eyes. She was also raised near a dragon community and was attending college in New York. She’d been a little surprised to get the phone call from one of the men her unchanged dragon teacher, William, had introduced her to but after a little explanation realized that she was the only one who could help the newly bonded pair out.
 
Don Flack opened the door to his apartment and stared for a moment at the girl standing in the hall. “Detective Flack?” she asked, a Scottish accent lilting her words a little. “I’m Amanda, Mandy for preference. Your father says you have a problem?”
 
“Yeah, one of my friends just Changed and don’t remember anything from the past two weeks concerning his new bonded,” Don said, letting her into the room and taking her black leather jacket.
 
“And the other?”
 
“Danny has no idea what’s going on and don’t understand why his supervisor just jumped him in the hall,” Don said. “I’m getting a headache from all this. I pulled my books but ain’t told them anything yet. I needed someone around who knew more than I do.”
 
“That’s not gonna be hard.” A blond man joined them in the hall. “This your girlfriend, Donnie?”
 
“No, Danny, it’s not,” Don said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Just go back into the living room and I’ll be there in a minute and we’ll get this all worked out.”
 
“Mac keeps trying to kiss me,” Danny said. “And it’s really freaking me out.”
 
Mandy studied the blond for a moment. “Detective, why don’t you two go out for ice cream for about forty minutes?” she asked. “Let me talk with this Mac and see if I can’t help him remember a few things. You may as well start trying to explain what’s going on to Danny. Just be careful, I’ve been hearing reports of hunters in Nevada and Washington State.”
 
“Maybe separating them for a while would be a good idea,” Don sighed. “We’ll be back.”
 
“You really gonna take orders from a kid?” Danny asked as he was dragged out of the apartment.
 
Mandy had to laugh. Nothing in New York was ever boring. She picked up her black bag and made her way into the living room. There was a dark haired man sitting on the sofa. “Are you Mac?” she asked.
 
“Who are you?”
 
“My name is Mandy,” she said. “Detective Flack asked me to talk with you. He tells me you don’t remember what’s been going on. With a first Change that’s normal but it sounds like you’ve lost a little more than that.”
 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mac said. “Where’s Danny?”
 
“He left for a bit with Detective Flack so we could talk without interruption,” Mandy said, trying not to roll her eyes. She knew she had to be an adult here to be taken seriously. “Okay, so you’re a scientist and know about DNA. I’ve studied some of your cases in school and know that you believe everything is connected in some way. So I guess we’ll start with the DNA side of the equation and move on from there. Did you know it’s actually possible to change DNA?”
 
“How did you get to see my cases?” Mac asked.
 
She grinned and looked, for a moment, like the child she still was. “I’m studying to be a CSI and the PD sends us closed cases to review in class,” Mandy said. “Don’t panic, it’s all stuff that’s through court and the perps in jail. So, take a look at this and tell me what you see.” She handed him one of William’s older books, one that had come from his father’s father.
 
“That’s DNA but it’s not human,” Mac said.
 
“Nope, that’s what your DNA would look like right now if we were to actually map it out,” Mandy said. “That’s dragon DNA.”
 
“Is this a joke?” Mac asked, slamming the book shut. “Did Flack and Danny put you up to this?”
 
“I swear this isn’t a joke, Detective Taylor,” Mandy said. “Look, I know you don’t know who I am or what’s going on other than you want to find Danny, take him to bed and make love to him all night long. But before you can do that you need to listen to me.”
 
“How do you know that?”
 
“Are all marines so damn stubborn or is it just you?” she asked. “Okay, fine, I’ll tell you the truth straight out, you can laugh yourself sick and then we’ll move forward. You went to Central Park tonight to find Danny after having a fight with him in the halls of the CSI labs. Danny left his gun and phone in your office to send you a message. When you found him there was a man with a knife trying to rob Danny and you reacted. You Changed into your true form, that of a dragon, to save Danny. The one person on this planet you cannot live without.”
 
A faint memory stirred in Mac’s mind. A shooting in the subway. “Danny’s been in trouble before and nothing happened,” he said.
 
“Has he ever been in emanate threat of dying?” Mandy asked.
 
“Not that I can recall,” Mac replied. “Why don’t I remember any of this? And why did Danny run away when I kissed him?”
 
“This is an exceedingly rare condition called draconic amnesia that happens in roughly one percent of Changes,” Mandy said. “Basically your mind has taken all the bad things you said and did to your human and erased them so you can be together. The problem lies in that Danny remembers everything and thinks that you’re mad at him. I think Detective Flack can make him see reason but you’re going to have to find those memories and talk with Danny as well.”
 
“How do I do that?” Mac was willing to overlook the whole dragon question as long as Mandy was willing to help him get Danny back. They could debate science and fantasy after he took Danny to his bed.
 
“I’ve only read about this but William had to deal with it and he taught me,” Mandy said. “But you’re going to have to trust me on this.”
 
“Let’s get started,” Mac said. “I want Danny to know the truth.”
 
“And that is?”
 
“I never meant to hurt him,” Mac said. “I wanted him safe and his destructive behavior was going to hurt him in the long run. I thought a slap in the face was better than losing him.”
 
“Is it?”
 
“No,” Mac sighed. “It didn’t work.”

Danny allowed himself to be dragged out of the apartment building but planted his feet once they hit the sidewalk. Flack jerked to a stop and looked back over his shoulder to find his friend glaring at him.
 
“I am not a child that needs to have a treat to soften a blow, Flack,” Danny growled. “Tell me what the hell is going on here.”
 
“I know you’re not, Danny,” Don said, sighing. “Look, we really just needed an excuse to leave and let Amanda talk with Mac for a bit. He’s going to have a hard enough time coming to terms with what happened without you there as a distraction.”
 
“He’s going to have a hard time?” Danny exclaimed. “What about me?”
 
“I think you’re more willing to forgive him than he is you,” Don said. “Admit it, Danny, you aren’t really mad at Mac, you’re upset that he put the lab ahead of everything else.”
 
“He didn’t have my back,” Danny said.
 
“Yes he did,” Don said. “You just didn’t want to see it. Look, Messer, I don’t know where this self-sacrificing shit is coming from but you threw yourself to the wolves without so much as a thought to the fact that the rest of us were busting our asses to find the evidence to prove IAB wrong. I don’t blame Mac for being upset with you but that don’t mean I approve of how he handled it.”
 
“So why didn’t Mac just tell me that?” Danny asked. “Why couldn’t he say that to me? He told me it was his opinion that the bullet from my gun killed the cop. What the hell was I supposed to think at that point?”
 
“Probably just what you did,” Don replied. “I’m on your side, Danny. I’d like to give Mac a piece of my mind but it won’t do no good now. He don’t remember any of it and he probably won’t, even with Mandy’s help. Those memories are gone for good so you have a choice. You can brood on in or you can move on and try to work with Mac; show him what a damn good CSI you really are.”
 
“No one can just forget two weeks of events, especially not Mac,” Danny said. “The man has a memory like a steel trap and there’s no way in hell he don’t remember me screwing up.”
 
Don took a deep breath. “Would you like some ice cream?” he asked. “Not because you’re a kid but because I’m hungry and want a treat while we talk about this. I’m buying.”
 
“Okay, fine,” Danny relented. “But you ain’t getting out of telling me everything that’s going one.”
 
“I wouldn’t try to, Danny,” Don said. “You need to know everything that Mandy is telling Mac and also how to help him because you’re linked to him now and there ain’t nothing that will break it; ever.”
 
“What are you talking about?” Danny asked.
 
“You remember that strange greenish light that was surrounding you?” Don asked. “Along with a scaly warmth behind you? That was Mac in his true form. He Changed to protect you from that dude with the knife.”
 
“There’s nothing alive that’s like that,” Danny said.
 
“Yeah, there is,” Don said. “But they’re considered myth and legend because it’s so improbable that they’re alive. They’re dragons, Danny.”
 
“Dragons,” Danny snorted. “You mean like in the movies. Big and scaly creatures with talons and fangs who breathe fire and are as big as some houses?”
 
“Yes,” Don said so seriously that Danny stopped and stared at him.
 
“You’re serious,” he whispered.
 
“Yes, Danny, I’m serious,” Don said. “Look, I’ve got tons of books and shit you can read through when we get back to my place but the most important thing you need to know is that there is one person on the planet for each dragon. It’s the one person they truly love and cannot live without so they Change into their true form to save them. Only men can be dragons but the mates can be male or female, it don’t matter.” He stepped in closer and lowered his voice a little. “Mac is feeling so bad about what he did to you that when he Changed for the first time he forgot everything so he’d be able to start over with you. He’s just too damn good at keeping to himself for us to know what’s going on in his mind. You two need to work through this and I’m not saying it’s going to be easy but it has to be done because right now what Mac needs more than anything is to make love to you and have you open to him on every level.”
 
Danny swallowed and stared at his friend. “That’s why he kept kissing me,” he said. “Shit, Donnie, I ain’t never been with a guy before.”
 
“I doubt Mac has either,” Don said. “But there’s protection for both of you and I ain’t talking condoms or shit like that. A bonded dragon and their mate can’t hurt each other at all. But you have to trust him and give yourself over to him and he’s gonna have to do the same with you.”
 
“I don’t know if I can, Don,” Danny said. “I’ve been thinking about leaving the city and getting a job where no one knows who I am. Just getting away from Mac and all the shit that’s been going on.”
 
“Running ain’t the answer, Danny, and if you leave now you’ll kill Mac,” Don said. “I mean that in the most literal sense of the word. Once a dragon Changes to save their human they can’t live without them. He’s going to be feeling a pull towards you and he won’t be able to resist no matter what’s been going on at the lab. So you got three choices right now; you can leave and let Mac die, you can go back to the apartment and let him force you and be no better than some of the scum you chase or you can go back and go willingly with him and enjoy one of the closest bonds you’ll ever feel in your life.”
 
“There’s no way I could ever hurt Mac,” Danny said. “Not intentionally. Let’s go back; I want to talk to him.”
 
“You sure?” Don asked. “It ain’t been that long and I don’t know that Mandy will have had time to talk him through recovering all his memories, if he’s got any back.”
 
“I’m sure,” Danny said. “Look, Donnie; I might not understand what’s going on but I want to help Mac. It hurt when he yelled at me but I was ultimately at fault and we’re just gonna have to leave it at that. I never stopped caring or respecting him and that’s what hurt so bad.”
 
“Okay, Danny boy, let’s go,” Don agreed. “But don’t be surprised if you get jumped the second you walk in the door.”
 
“That fast?” Danny asked.
 
“You need more time to come to terms with what’s going on?”
 
“Well I’m guessing I ain’t got the rest of my life so I’m just gonna have to deal,” Danny said. “Seems like that’s how I’ve spent most of my life. Dealing.”

 

The airplane was crowded and Tony grumbled as he struggled to fold his lanky form into the middle seat between Gibbs and Abby. “I’ve been thinking, boss,” he muttered.
 
“No, DiNozzo, we are not flying first class,” Gibbs replied. “We’re government agents and take what we can get.”
 
“Not about that, boss, although more leg room would be nice. No, I was thinking about that question Nick and Speed were working on,” Tony replied. “And I think I might have an answer.”
 
“What, Tony?” Abby asked.
 
“The reason there are so many of these guys around,” Tony said. “It’s all because of cars and airplanes.”
 
Both Gibbs and Abby stared at Tony who continued unfazed. “Think about it,” he said. “Look at Horatio and Greg; they wouldn’t have met if not for flying to that conference in Washington. I think most of the books and journals we’re using are old and don’t take modern transportation into account.”
 
“You could actually be right, Tony,” Abby said.
 
“Well you don’t have to sound so shocked, Abs,” Tony said, smiling. “I actually do think on occasion.”
 
“Coulda fooled me,” Gibbs muttered.
 
“Missed you, boss,” Tony said. “Do we have any details of the case we’re going to be working?”
 
“Kate’s bringing ‘em,” Gibbs said.
 
Tony winced. “You know she’s not going to be happy with us, boss.”
 
“Why?”
 
“Well we did just kinda leave her in the dark and in the office,” Tony said.
 
“So?”
 
“She’s going to argue that we’re a team and we should work cases together regardless of what’s going on.”
 
“So you think we should tell her the truth?”
 
“No, Gibbs, you can’t,” Abby said quickly. “As much as I love Kate she doesn’t need to know. You guys can’t tell her anything about this.”
 
Gibbs smiled. “Yes, boss,” he said, turning to look out the window.
********************

~~**~~**New York~~**~~**
 
“So you’re telling me there’s a good chance I’ll never regain these memories.”
 
“That’s a possibility but I think if you talk with Danny and Detective Flack then they’ll come back,” Mandy replied. “Look, Mac; I know this is a lot to take in, especially the whole dragon thing but the detective has books you can read, I have books you can read and I have friends who will send books for you to read but ultimately you have to trust me.”
 
He smiled. “I don’t know why, but I do,” Mac said. His head snapped up suddenly. “Danny’s coming back. What do I do?”
 
“Fight the urge to jump him until a) Detective Flack and I have a chance to explain a couple of things and b) you’re alone.”
 
“Is it safe to come in?” Don called.
 
“Yep.”
 
Danny paused in the entryway. “Mac, I ain’t gonna lie and say you didn’t hurt me,” he said. “But Don says this is important and I need to work through my feelings towards you. I don’t want you to die.”
 
“Die?” Mac demanded.
 
“We didn’t get that far,” Mandy sighed. “Mac, please, just listen for a moment. Once the dragon makes the initial Change to save their human it creates a bond between them. A dragon cannot live without his human and vice versa. There are a ton more rules and shit but it can wait.”
 
Mac stood and walked over to Danny. “I never wanted to hurt you,” he said softly. “But in trying to protect you I ended up doing it anyway. Can you forgive me, Danny?”
 
“Yeah, Mac, I can,” Danny whispered, reaching up to cup Mac’s face gently. He gathered up his courage and leaned in to kiss Mac, moaning softly when the other man responded. Mac pulled Danny’s body in against his own and deepened the kiss, truly tasting his human for the first time.
 
“So, dinner?” Flack asked once he and Mandy were alone.
 
“Whatcha got?”
 
“I’ve got tons of menus in the kitchen; we could order whatever you want.”
 
Mandy wrinkled her nose. “Do you have any food around? I’m more than willing to cook; I eat enough junk at study sessions.”
 
“Yeah, I think I got some stuff,” Don said. “I don’t cook much.”
 
“You probably don’t have to worry about your figure and what men are going to think.” Mandy paused and looked up at the tall cop. “Do you have a guest room?”
 
“No, why?”
 
She grinned and started laughing, finally leaning against the wall. “Then Mac and Danny are in your bed,” she gasped. “I guess it’s us that’s not thinking.”
********************
 
Mac had never been so glad for button down shirts as he was when he was able to kiss and strip Danny at the same time. He pushed the light blue shirt off and stepped back to pull of Danny’s undershirt and just stared for a moment.
 
“Mac?” Danny asked his voice soft and uncertain. Mac hated hearing it like that and he knew, deep down, it was his fault.
 
“Perfect, Danny,” Mac replied. “One hundred and fifty percent perfect.”
 
Danny smiled shyly and reached out to unbutton Mac’s deep red dress shirt. “That’s a mathematical impossibility,” he said. He pushed the shirt off and ran his hands down to trace gently over the scar. “What happened?”
 
“Beirut,” Mac said simply. “And when you consider that I’ve just been told I’m not a human I think we can have perfection at any percentage we want and say to hell with science.”
 
“You ever do anything like this before, Mac?”
 
“No, but I know the mechanics,” Mac replied. “And it starts with both of us naked on the bed.”
 
“I want to feel you,” Danny whispered, pressing up against his new lover. He looked up and squeaked. “Mac, your eyes are glowing.”
 
“That’s normal,” Flack called through the door. “There’s lube in the table on the right; just pull the blankets down, please?”
 
Danny and Mac looked at each other in shock and fell back onto the bed laughing. They heard Flack’s snort through the door and it only made them laugh harder.
 
“It ain’t that funny,” Flack said.
 
“I’m sorry, Don,” Mac gasped. “We were so caught up in each other that we didn’t even realize we were still in your home. We can leave.”
 
Flack opened the door and peaked in. “No; Mandy says it’s too dangerous right now,” he said. “I ain’t exactly comfortable with the idea but we can flip the mattress when you’re done.”
 
“Condoms,” Danny said, trying to calm down.
 
“Won’t work,” Don said. “Well, maybe for Danny so he don’t spray all over the bed but Mac can’t wear one. A dragon can’t hurt his human and the Change kills all human diseases, including AIDS, so you don’t have to worry.”
 
“You make me sound like a cat,” Danny protested.
 
“Bet I can make you purr,” Mac whispered, his eyes glowing again.
 
“That’s my cue to leave,” Flack said, blushing fiercely. He shut the door quickly.
 
“We obviously have a lot to learn,” Mac said. “Come on, Danny; let’s pull these covers back before we get carried away again.”
 
Danny chuckled and stood up. “Well, at least we know what to get Donnie for Christmas this year,” he said. While Mac stripped the bed down to the fitted sheet, Danny finished pulling off his clothes.
 
“What’s that?” Mac asked.
 
“A new bed.” Danny stretched out and looked up at Mac from behind his glasses. “You like what you see?”
 
“Yeah,” Mac whispered, his voice catching in his throat, “yeah, I do, Danny.” He undid his belt and pushed his pants and underwear to the floor. “I’m not sure what I did to deserve this second chance but I’m not going to screw it up. Not again.”
 
“I trust you, Mac,” Danny said. He reached out and pulled Mac down for a kiss, thinking for a moment how strange it felt to have a partner who pressed him into the bed but groaned as Mac started nibbling down his neck. “I’m never going to be able to work out with you again.”
 
“Why?” Mac’s breath ghosted over Danny’s skin, making him shiver.
 
Danny arched up against Mac. “Because if you ever try and teach me those self defense throws again, I’m gonna get hard,” he said. He took off his glasses and reached for the lube. “Now how ‘bout you put this to good use?”
 
“You sure?”
 
“Flack says we can’t hurt each other and I trust him,” Danny said, spreading his legs. “I said I wanted to feel you, Mac.”
 
Mac stared at the man in front of him and realized that there was another consciousness in his mind, pushing to the fore. He panicked for a moment but the dragon mind was too strong and enveloped him. His eyes took on a steadier glow as he poured some lube into his left hand and slicked a finger.
 
“Oh, god,” Danny moaned as the finger slowly penetrated him.
 
“Too much?”
 
“No,” Danny gasped, “no, don’t you feel that? Add another finger, Mac.”
 
“It’s too soon,” Mac protested.
 
“Please, Mac, do it; trust me.”
 
With a deep breath Mac added more lube to his fingers and carefully pressed them forward. This time he felt what Danny was talking about. The younger man’s body opened for Mac’s fingers, no stretching or prompting needed. “Is this what they were talking about?” Mac asked. “Why is your body opening like this for me?”
 
“This is no time for scientific experiments,” Danny gasped. “Slick your cock and get in me, Mac. I need to feel you so bad it hurts.”
 
“Hands and knees is easier for the first time.”
 
“For normal sex, yeah,” Danny said. “But this ain’t no where near normal. I want to see you.”
 
“Never sex, Danny,” Mac vowed. He lined up and pressed forward, amazed at the tight heat stretching around him. “Any time we’re together like this we’re going to be making love.”
 
“Never pegged you as a romantic,” Danny moaned.
 
“You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

 

“I’d rather be on a military transport being bounced around like cargo than go through that again,” Tony groaned, trying to work a kink out of his back and walk at the same time.
 
“I’ll keep that in mind, DiNozzo,” Gibbs said, moving past his human and up the jet way. “Come on, we’ve got to find Kate.”
 
“Right behind you boss.”
 
Finding Kate turned out to be easier than any of them expected. The special agent was standing off to the right of the gate, her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed. “Where have you been?” she demanded.
 
“Do you have a problem, Agent Todd?” Gibbs asked, moving in close; his voice dropping and his eyes an icy blue that meant he was fighting the urge to Change.
 
“Actually, Gibbs, I do,” Kate replied, not backing down. “We’re a team and that means we work cases together. You and DiNozzo left town, not telling me anything and then Miami calls to thank us for our help in apprehending the marine turned cop killer. I should have been on the assignment with you.”
 
Tony glanced at Abby and mouthed “told you”. He stepped up to his dragon. “Boss, I don’t think the middle of the airport is the best place to have this discussion. Why don’t we go to our hotel, get some food and review our assignment.”
 
“Shut up, Tony, and stay out of this,” Kate snapped.

“I missed you too, Kate,” Tony said. He took Gibbs’ bag and went to join Abby.
 
“Tony’s right,” Gibbs said. “We will finish this in private.”
 
“Gibbs.”
 
“That was an order, Agent Todd, and one you had better damn well obey if you want to remain a member of my team. Do you understand me?”
 
“Perfectly.”
 
“Good; someone find me a coffee stand,” Gibbs said, walking away.
********************
 
The hotel was nice, mid-range and NCIS had booked two rooms. Tony locked the door behind him and pulled his shirt off.
 
“How did you know, DiNozzo?”
 
“It’s been fifteen hours, Jethro,” Tony replied. He slipped off his jeans and made his way to the nearest bed. “I’m starting to feel it and I saw how close you were in the airport.”
 
“No, Tony; how the hell did you know that Kate was going to be so upset?”
 
“Oh, you haven’t seen the looks she gives us when you take me in the field and leave her in the office,” Tony said. “Does that mean you want me to get dressed again, boss?”
 
Gibbs turned towards the bed, his eyes glowing. “No, Tony, I want you just where you are,” he said, pulling off his shirt and undershirt. “But I want to try something different.” He let his pants drop and moved towards the bed.
 
“No underwear is pretty different, boss,” Tony said, staring at his dragon.
 
“You could have taken yours off, Tony,” Gibbs said. “Lift your hips.”
 
Tony had to bite his lip as his erection was quickly engulfed in his dragon’s mouth. It never failed to amaze Tony how good Gibbs was at sucking him off. The combination of tongue, suction and just a hint of teeth had Tony to the edge and over it much faster than he liked but never seemed to be able to hold out.
 
“Ride me,” Gibbs whispered. “I want to see how strong your legs really are.”
 
“Don’t know if I can move after that, Jethro,” Tony panted. He reached for the lube he’d dropped on the bed and slicked his dragon’s cock. “Have I ever told you how amazing that is?”
 
“Only every time I do it,” Gibbs snorted, thrusting into Tony’s slick touch. “Come on, Tony; up.”
 
“Yes boss.” Tony straddled Gibbs’ hips and sank down, taking Gibbs’ cock inside him.
 
“You planning to move, Tony?”
 
Tony braced himself on Gibbs’ chest and looked down into the ice blue eyes he loved so much. “Did I do something wrong today?”
 
“Does this feel like punishment to you?”
 
“Well I’m doing all the work here,” Tony grinned, lifting up and sinking back down. “And I’m probably going to draw this out until we’re both too tired to move and we really don’t want to girls in here.”
 
The world spun for a moment and when it settled Tony was on his back, Gibbs on top and still buried in his ass. “Nice move, Jethro.”
 
“Thanks,” Gibbs grinned, thrusting forward sharply. He leaned down and kissed Tony deeply, tongues dancing together. “This was a good idea, Tony.”
 
“Known for ‘em, boss.”
 
Tony wasn’t sure how Gibbs could maintain his rhythm and kiss him *and* still be able to smack him on the head but as the pleasure hit him, decided his dragon really was that talented.
********************
 
When Gibbs and Tony finally made their way to the room Kate was sharing with Abby they found the sour agent sitting in a chair by the window, still looking furious. “Took you long enough,” Kate snapped.
 
“I had to get my back snapped back into place,” Tony said, flopping down on the bed next to Abby and bouncing her a little. “And then shower so I wouldn’t offend you lovely ladies.”
 
“Whatever, Tony, you were probably just too busy flirting with the maid to care about the…”
 
“Hey!” Gibbs interrupted sharply. “Pull whatever stick you’ve got lodged up your ass out, Agent Todd and stop acting like a five-year-old. You did not go to Miami because you were not needed in the field and you were at the yard. And if you ever question my judgment in the field like that again you will be minus a team and maybe even a job. Am I clear?”
 
“And I suppose Tony was needed,” Kate said. “And Abby. Why didn’t you just call McGee and make a holiday of it?”
 
“Hey, I didn’t like Miami,” Abby protested. “Okay, I did like the CSI lab and the people but that sun was murder. I’m still worried my sun block wasn’t strong enough.”
 
Gibbs wasn’t entirely sure why the normally sane member of his team was acting like his daughter at age two when she didn’t get her way but he was damned if the attitude was going to continue unchecked. He stalked over and leaned down, one hand on either arm of the chair Kate was in. “I do not have to justify my decisions to anyone except the director and he approved my request, Agent Todd,” Gibbs hissed. “Yes Tony was needed because we had to work with the local cops and he speaks their language. Abby was there to help with the lab just like she will be here. Now you can get off your little ego trip and remember that you are a part of this team or you can pack up and go home. It’s your choice.”
 
“Now you want me on the team,” Kate said. “Let me tell you something, Gibbs.”
 
“Dinner,” Tony interrupted, jumping up and heading for the door. “That’s good timing. What did you order, Abs?”
 
“Only your fav.”
 
“Oh Abby, if you weren’t like my sister, I’d marry you,” Tony said. He tipped the waiter and brought the tray into the room. “Where are the files, Katie?”
 
“What?”
 
“Well, I figure you and Gibbs are probably going to be arguing for a while,” Tony said, picking up his plate. “I’ll go ahead and read the files because we’ve got to be at the local CSI lab in an hour and it wouldn’t be good for all of us to be in the dark.”
 
“I’ve already read the files, Tony,” Kate said.
 
He shook his head. “Good for you, Kate,” Tony said. “Where are they?”
 
“Locked in my bag,” Kate said. “And I’m not in the mood to get them out.”
 
The click of a lock caught everyone’s attention. Gibbs tossed the folders to Tony. “I want to be briefed in half an hour, DiNozzo,” he said. “Take Abby back to our room while I finish up here. I won’t be long.”
 
“Right boss.” Tony grabbed the food and folders and started out of the room. “Don’t forget to eat.”
********************
 
Stella was puzzled. One minute she and Danny were walking down the hall to DNA and the next he was gone. There were no side halls he could have ducked down, his phone hadn’t rung and it really wasn’t like Danny to just run off with no explanation.
 
“I think she’s gone,” Mac whispered, leaning back against the closet door. He pulled Danny in against him.
 
“You’re insane you know that,” Danny laughed, kissing Mac gently. “I thought you were kidding; how we gonna make love in a storage closet?”
 
“Quickly,” Mac said. “And quietly. We’ve got those feds coming in today and I need to be able to focus.”
 
Danny flipped them around so he was the one leaning up against the door. “I never thought you’d be the kinky type,” he whispered, feathering kisses over Mac’s face and neck. “But trust me, I ain’t complaining.”
 
“I didn’t think you would,” Mac said, his hands undoing Danny’s black jeans. “Why are you wearing jeans anyway?”
 
“Stella made me go dumpster diving and this was all I had,” Danny replied, leaning against Mac. “I promise I’ll leave a suit in my locker after this, I just wasn’t thinking.”
 
“Danny, hush,” Mac said. “I trust you. I know I have a lot to make up for, even if I don’t remember it but I can see it every time you look at me with fear in your eyes. I want that to vanish. I want you to be happy again.”
 
The younger man wrapped his arms around his dragon and hid his face against Mac’s soft neck. “I know and I will be, it’s just gonna take some time.”
 
“We have all the time in the world, Danny,” Mac said, kissing him gently. “Just always remember that I love you.”

 

Abby bounced into the labs looking for the CSI described as tall with curly hair. She was a little nervous about being sent in first but Kate was acting wicked strange and Gibbs wanted to take another couple of minutes to make sure that the pissy agent knew her place in the investigation. In a way Abby thought that Kate’s attitude would improve if they could only tell her the truth; that Gibbs and Tony were bonded on a level that went far beyond boss and employee but the need to keep dragons hidden outweighed all fights that they could have and was the most important thing they had to do.
 
Stella and Danny looked up when the door to the trace lab opened and a young Goth woman came in. “Can we help you?”
 
“Yeah, I’m Abby with NCIS and I’m looking for Stella Bonasera,” she said.
 
“N-what?” Danny asked.
 
“Now I know why Tony is always complaining,” Abby said, laughing. “I’m the forensic tech for Naval Criminal Investigative Services and they told me at the check in desk that you’re the one working the case with the dead seamen.”
 
“Right, I forgot today was the day you guys were coming,” Stella said. “Danny, do you know where Mac vanished to? He’ll need to talk with the agents.”
 
“Oh, they’re not here yet,” Abby said. “Just me. Gibbs wanted me to get a start on reviewing the evidence so I can brief him when he gets here.”
 
“Okay.” It was obvious Stella was puzzled but she did what she usually did and went with the flow. “Danny, do you mind taking her down to the record room while I finish this test and I’ll be down as soon as I can?”
 
Danny smiled. “Not a problem,” he said. “Abby, why don’t you come with me?”
 
“Great, thanks,” Abby said, smiling.
 
“So your boss don’t mind you dressing like that at work?” Danny asked as they started down one of the maze-like halls.
 
“I never get out of the lab which is in the basement so they really don’t care what I do as long as I look presentable when I go to court,” Abby said. “Besides, I like the looks on people’s faces when they meet me for the first time; that kind of stunned deer in the headlights look, like they don’t know what to say or do. Gibbs is the only one who never had that reaction.”
 
“So I take it that Gibbs is pretty cool?” Danny asked, liking the young woman more and more. He made a mental note to introduce her to Mac.
 
“Gibbs rocks,” Abby said firmly. “He’s a former marine so you’d think he’d be all uptight and big on rules, well, not that he’s not big on rules; he has like fifty of the things that he expects us all to follow or he swats us on the head, but he also knows when to bend them and…” She stopped and her mouth dropped open.
 
“Not all marines are uptight,” Mac said, stepping out into the hall. “Danny, is this one of our feds?”
 
“This is Abby, Mac,” Danny replied. “She’s the lab tech.”
 
“Nice collar,” Mac said, smiling. “Where’s the rest of your team?”
 
“I can’t believe it!” Abby exclaimed. “How long have you been Changed?”
 
Mac and Danny looked at each other. “What?” Mac finally asked.
 
“I was raised in a community so I know all about,” Abby lowered her voice to a whisper, “dragons.”
 
“This is too strange,” Danny said. “Mac, you don’t think…”
 
“I don’t know,” Mac said. “Abby, do you think your boss would mind if you waited before looking at the evidence? I’d like to ask you some questions.”
 
“Well, Gibbs will probably swat me but I’m totally willing to take that chance,” Abby said, grinning. “This trip has been wicked cool; we just met a new community in Florida and now you. I can’t believe it.”
 
“Why don’t we continue this in my office,” Mac said. He held out his arm and, giggling, Abby took it. “Come on, Danny.”
********************
 
When they got to the office there were three people waiting inside. Mac assessed the situation quickly; the silver-haired man was obviously the boss, the younger man his second-in-command and the woman another agent. Danny went in first; the opening of the door caused the older man to look around. His piercing ice blue eyes swept over the group. “Abs, I told you to review the evidence,” Gibbs said, frowning.
 
“Gibbs, I need to talk to you,” Abby said. She moved over to him and leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Look at the detective; he’s a dragon, Gibbs.”
 
Startled, Gibbs looked across the office and made eye contact with the dark-haired man he’d seen in the pictures. He did indeed have the subtle signs that marked him as a dragon but they weren’t obvious so the first Change had to have happened recently. And, even more shocking, was the fact that he wasn’t an alpha.
 
“Detective Mac Taylor,” Mac said, stepping forward. “Welcome to New York.”
 
“Jethro Gibbs, Tony DiNozzo and Kate Todd,” Gibbs said. “You already met Abby.”
 
“I did and she told me something interesting,” Mac said. “I think we need to talk, Agent Gibbs.”
 
“I think we do,” Gibbs replied. “Kate, go take a look at the evidence. We’ll be down as soon as I get a few things straightened out here.”
 
“Why can’t Tony do it?” Kate asked.
 
Gibbs turned and looked at her. “Because I told you to do it,” he said. “Don’t make me send you home, Kate.”
 
“Fine,” Kate said. “Who’s going to show me where they are?”
 
“Stella,” Mac called. “Can you take Agent Todd to the navy case folders?”
 
“Sure, Mac,” Stella replied. “What about Abby?”
 
“She’ll be there in a minute,” Mac said. “I need to ask her a couple of questions first.”
 
“Fine, don’t tell me what’s going on,” Stella said, smiling. “Agent Todd, right this way.”
 
The others waited until the door was shut and Mac locked it. “We’re not totally sound-proof but as long as we keep our voices down we should be okay,” he said. “So, Agent Gibbs, you’re a marine?”
 
“Yep,” Gibbs said. “But for once I’m more interested in your other attribute than your corps history.”
 
“Yesterday in the park,” Mac said, sitting down behind his desk. “Neither Danny nor I had any idea what was going on until one of our detectives told us about it. And managed to find us some outside help too.”
 
“Whatever happened to Mandy?” Danny asked, perching on Mac’s desk.
 
“She’s starting here as an intern on Monday,” Mac replied. “What about you, Agent Gibbs?”
 
“Over two years ago,” Gibbs said. “But, like you, I had no idea and it scared both Tony and me. Abs there is the one who helped us out.”
 
“She mentioned something about Florida,” Danny said. “And a community?”
 
Tony looked up from the folder he was reading. “A community is a group of dragons and humans under the leadership of one alpha dragon,” he said. “Although Gibbs and I are alone right now.”
 
“As to Florida did you see the report on the news about the dragons in Seattle?” Gibbs asked.
 
“Yeah,” Mac said. “I thought they were making up stories for more news time.”
 
“So did we, but Abs was at the convention,” Gibbs said. “Turns out there really were a couple of us there; one underwent his first Change and that’s what made the news.”
 
“But how does it link back to Florida?” Danny asked.
 
“That’s a long story and I don’t think we have the time to get into it right now,” Gibbs said. “I would like to find out about those Navy seamen who have been killed recently.”
 
“Business before pleasure,” Mac smiled. “Danny can show the rest of your team where the records and evidence is and I can bring you up to speed on the case.”
 
“Sounds like a plan,” Gibbs said.
 
Tony leaned over to Abby. “The world is really going to end if Gibbs keeps being nice to the CSI cops we’re working with. Ow!”
 
“Go, DiNozzo,” Gibbs said.
 
Mac laughed as Danny, Tony and Abby scurried out of his office. “I haven’t thought of that technique in years,” he said. “I’ll have to try it.”
 
“It keeps Tony in line,” Gibbs smirked. “So, about this case.”

 

“How much trouble is this Stetler going to cause us?” Jim asked, picking up another slice of pizza and leaning back against Warrick. “I mean, realistically.”
 
“Most likely more than we’re going to be ready for,” Speed replied with a small snort. “That man has had it in for Horatio and, by default, his whole team for as long as I can remember.”
 
“I suppose we should be ready for him to actually listen to Sara’s rantings or call the Vegas lab,” Gil said. “I doubt Catherine would say anything but if Stetler talks to Ecklie…”
 
Nick almost choked on his pizza. “The meeting of the hippos,” he gasped. “They’re both stupid and slow.”
 
“But deadly,” Horatio added as he watched Gil pound his lover on the back. “I’ll keep my ears open for the next few days, gentlemen, but I think the sooner we can get Ms. Sidle out of Miami the better.”
 
“How?” Eric asked, puzzled.
 
“That’s the million dollar question,” Gil sighed.
 
“What if we call the Vegas lab and get Catherine to call Miami PD and ask to have Sara sent home?” Greg asked. “She can tell Stetler that Sara was undergoing a psych evaluation and escaped and they need her back before she hurts herself or someone else.” He looked around at the quiet group. “Not a good idea?” He shrunk back against his dragon.
 
Horatio leaned around and kissed Greg softly. “That’s a great idea,” he said. He looked up at the rest of his community. “Who’s going to make the call?”
 
“You or me,” Gil said. “And it’s probably best if it’s me because I’ve known Catherine the longest.”
 
“I’ll take you to the lab tomorrow so she doesn’t get your new cell number,” Horatio said.
 
“Good idea,” Jim said. “I’d like to ride along and get a look at my new station.”
 
Warrick laughed. “You’re just chomping at the bit to get back to work aren’t you?”
 
“Anything to get out of unpacking the house,” Jim deadpanned.
 
“Has anyone heard from our new friends?” Gil asked, changing the subject quickly but not necessarily smoothly.
 
Greg grinned. “Abby sent me a text right before their plane took off and said she’d call tonight once they get settled into their hotel.”
 
“I’ve been meaning to call Gibbs but didn’t want to interrupt his case,” Nick said. “I want to ask him some more questions about his abilities.”
 
“Why?” Horatio asked.
 
“Because I think you’ll develop the same talent,” Nick told him. “You’ve already got an uncanny sixth sense when someone is lying to you and I think once you blend it’ll only get stronger.”
 
“But if Gibbs already has that ability why would I develop it?”
 
“I’m not positive but I think the talents and abilities are likely per community and not the entire dragon world,” Nick said. “And as Gibbs is an alpha he can’t join our community unless Gil and I die.”
 
“Which isn’t going to happen any time soon,” Jim said. “I didn’t really like Agent Gibbs.”
 
“You just don’t like feds in general,” Warrick teased. “We really weren’t here long enough to get to know any of the DC community well.”
 
Eric got up and moved around the table rather suddenly. “Gris, can I talk to you alone for a minute?”
 
Gil, who had been given a heads up by Nick, nodded and led the young man out on to the beach. “Is this about your family, Eric?” he asked, sinking down onto the sand.
 
“Yeah. It’s just eating me up; I don’t know what to do, how to tell them or if I’m still going to have a family when it’s all over with,” Eric said. “How did you tell your parents?”
 
“I didn’t,” Gil said. “Nick’s the first and only man I’ve been with. My father died when I was a child and my mother a couple years ago. Eric, everyone from Vegas will tell you that I’m horrible when it comes to dealing with the living but I’ll do what I can to help you.”
 
“Speed said that I should talk to you and H,” Eric said. “Because you guys are the leaders of the community.”
 
“He was right,” Gil said. “Why don’t you let me talk with Horatio and we’ll see what we can come up with. Most likely you can’t tell your parents the truth about us dragons but there should be some way we can make them understand your relationship with Speed.”
 
“It’s just that there’s always been so much pressure on me to marry and have kids,” Eric said. “I used to date a lot, Gris; new girl every week or so because I was looking for the perfect one to marry and have a family with. But I’ll tell you the truth, I’m happier here with Speed and the rest of you than I ever was with my family and those women.”
 
“It does feel like home, doesn’t it?” Gil asked, looking back towards his deck.
 
“Yes it does,” Eric replied. “And I’m really glad you guys helped me understand what I’d be losing if I left. I’m home and I’m not leaving; ever.”
********************

~~**~~New York~~**~~
 
“Oh you have got to be kidding me,” Don said, freezing in the door to Mac’s office.
 
“Is there a problem, Don?” Mac asked, looking up from his computer. He and Gibbs were reviewing the murders and trying to find a link between all the victims other than the Navy. The rest of the NCIS team was in the lab with Stella and Danny working on the evidence.
 
“You should’ve called me the instant he got here,” Don said, sitting down. “Do you have any idea how rare this is?”
 
Gibbs snorted. “Not nearly as rare as you think,” he said. “There are four dragons in Miami all in one community.”
 
“Miami?” Mac and Don said together.
 
“Yeah, you know ‘em?”
 
“I might,” Mac said. “What are their names?”
 
“Gil Grissom, Jim Brass, Horatio Caine and Tim Speedle,” Gibbs said. “They were on the news so Tony and I tracked them down and found out they have their own community there.”
 
“Lieutenant Caine and Speed,” Mac said, a smile forming on his face. “Don, would you excuse me for a moment, please? I need to make a phone call.”
 
“Yeah, no problem; I’ll just leave the homicide on your desk until it’s convenient for you to review it.”
 
Mac laughed and held out his hand for the folder. “I can talk and read at the same time, Flack,” he said. “Give.”
 
“Thought that’d get your attention, Mac,” Don said. “So, Agent Gibbs, you mind if I ask you some questions?”
 
The homicide folder was a case that he and Flack had been working for a week and Mac hoped that the detective had come up with some new leads because the evidence was about used up and Mac wasn’t sure where they could go with the information he had. As he flipped through the papers he dialed a familiar number.
 
“Horatio Caine.” The lieutenant’s soft voice hadn’t changed one bit.
 
“Hello, Lieutenant, this is Mac Taylor in New York.”
 
“Mac, how many times do I have to ask you to call me Horatio?”
 
“Sorry, old habit; so I have some friends of yours here and they’ve just told me a very interesting story,” Mac said. “Special Agent Gibbs and his team arrived today.”
 
Horatio laughed. “How many times has Gibbs hit Tony so far?”
 
“Only once that I’ve seen,” Mac said, puzzled.
 
“It’s an indication of how annoyed Gibbs is,” Horatio explained. “So what exactly did they tell you?”
 
“That you and some of your friends are no longer human,” Mac said.
 
“I wonder why they would do something like that.” Horatio asked, puzzled.
 
“Because I went through the transformation, hold on.”
 
“It’s a Change, Mac,” Don said before turning back to Gibbs.
 
“Okay, Change, myself yesterday when someone tried to kill Danny,” Mac finished. “It turns out that Detective Flack Sr. was an unchanged dragon so his son, my detective, knows all about dragons and whatnot.”
 
“Mac, I think it’s best if I come to visit,” Horatio said. “There’s some things you and your human should know that are not safe to talk about on the phone. Would you be able to book a hotel for me and I can be there in a couple of hours.”
 
“If you don’t mind the couch you can stay with me,” Mac said. “I know Stella would be happy to see you again.”
 
“Then that sounds like a plan,” Horatio said. “I’ll have to let Gil know what’s going on and make sure Speed can take care of things at the lab while I’m gone. See you soon, Mac.”
 
“Whenever you get here,” Mac said, closing his cell phone. He turned to the others. “We’re going to have company from Miami.”

 

Horatio grabbed Gil when he and Eric walked up from the beach. “I have to go to New York, Gil,” he said softly.
 
“What’s wrong?”
 
“It seems that there are more dragons than we knew,” Horatio said. “A friend of mine, Mac Taylor, just went through his first Change. Gibbs is there and talking with him now but I’d like to go and visit them.”
 
“I think we can manage for a day or two with you gone but will you be able to be separated from Greg for that long?” Gil asked. “Because I think if you take him along Stetler is just going to get even more suspicious.”
 
“I hadn’t though of that,” Horatio replied. “I’ll grab Greg now and spend the next few hours with him and catch a late flight to New York. Do you think it’s possible there are going to be three communities here soon?”
 
Gil sighed. “I don’t know and without more data I don’t want to speculate,” he said. “Find out what you can from Mac and anyone around him who knows the truth. I want to know why there are so many dragons around when everything we’ve read and heard tells us that this is supposed to be rare.”
 
“I will,” Horatio said. “And I’ll see about bringing copies back for you so you can do more research on everything.” He grinned and moved back to the group. “I think Greg and I are going to call it a night.”
 
“Horatio?” Greg asked, looking up at his dragon.
 
“I’ll tell you when we get home,” Horatio replied almost dragging Greg away from the group towards their house.
 
“What’s up, Gil?” Nick asked when his dragon sat back down at the table.
 
“A friend of Horatio’s in New York just went through his Change,” Gil said. “Nicky, this is getting too commonplace to be a coincidence. We have to be missing something.”
 
“We’ll figure it out, Gil,” Nick said. “Along with everything else. But I have to agree with Horatio; I think an early night sounds like a plan.”
********************

~~**New York**~~
 
Danny, Tony and Abby were off in a corner working through some folders while Kate and Stella reviewed pictures. The New York CSI could tell something was bothering the dark haired woman but didn’t know how to bring the matter up.
 
“How are you doing over there, Kate?” Tony called. “Because from what I’m seeing there’s no way our killer could tell these guys were Navy from their clothes. None of them were in uniform when they were killed.”
 
“We wondered about that,” Stella commented. “Mac thought it was someone they knew and maybe even trusted until it was too late.”
 
“No prints or DNA, that’s going to make this hard,” Abby said.
 
“Don’t let Gibbs here you say that, Abs,” Tony said. “Or he won’t bring you a caff-pow while you’re working.”
 
“I just said it’d be hard, Tony, I didn’t say I couldn’t do anything with what they have” Abby replied, smiling. “Just give me some caffeine and I’m good to go.”
 
Danny laughed. “I’ll be happy to show you where the coffee pot is,” he said. “Tony, there’s some files still in Mac’s office we can grab and look at in the break room.”
 
“Sounds good to me, lead on.”
 
Stella watched the men leave with Abby and tried not to laugh. For feds they weren’t bad. “Would you like to talk about it?”
 
“About what?” Kate asked, looking at another picture.
 
“Whatever is bugging you,” Stella replied. “Look, I barely know you and I can tell you’re upset over something and you might feel better if you were to talk it out with someone. I won’t have any preconceived notions so I won’t judge you.”
 
“Did you ever feel like your team was hiding something from you?” Kate asked.
 
“All the time,” Stella replied. “Especially my boss, Mac; he’s got the poker face from hell and is really good about keeping quiet. But it doesn’t mean anything professionally. Everyone has something they try and keep to themselves, it’s just human nature. It doesn’t mean that they don’t want you around or on the team with them.”
 
“Yeah, well you don’t know Gibbs.”
 
“Is he a Marine?”
 
“He was but I don’t know any details about it. He just has a way of staring at you when you try and bring up his personal life.”
 
“Mac’s a Marine and once a Marine always a Marine,” Stella said. “They can be abrasive, rude, anti-social and tactless but you just have to learn not to take it personally. The best thing you can do is your job and do it well. The bosses will recognize honest effort. But they’ll also come down hard if they think you’re not working.”
 
Kate sighed. “Is it so wrong to want to get to go in the field with someone to learn from them?” she asked.
 
“Not at all,” Stella replied, smiling. “But at the same time when the boss goes in the field they’re going to take their best resource with them and it might not always be the way you want it to be. I remember when I was just starting out and Mac was teaching me and another young CSI at the same time. I used to hate it when I got assigned to work with someone else because it meant I wasn’t working with Mac. But as I looked at the cases with an objective eye, and it wasn’t easy to do, I realized that I wouldn’t be able to help him nearly as much as the other CSI would and Mac actually congratulated me when I figured that one out. Sulking or acting like a spoiled child isn’t a good idea when case assignments are concerned.”
 
“Hey Katie,” Tony said from the door, “Gibbs wants us all in the office upstairs for a briefing.”
 
“I’ve told you not to call me that, Tony,” Kate snapped, storming past him.
 
“That was good advice,” Tony commented in an undertone to Stella as they made their way through the maze of halls to Mac’s office. “I just hope she was really listening because Gibbs is pissed right now and any attitude isn’t going to be a good thing.”
********************
 
“So, Danny,” Tony said as he followed the CSI through the halls after they left Stella and Kate reviewing files, “I know you were taken by surprise by what happened to you yesterday. Do you have any question that I can answer?”
 
“Nothing that comes to mind at the moment,” Danny replied. “Mac and agreed not to talk about it at work because these walls have ears and there’ve been some problems between us that have the higher-ups hanging around.”
 
“Who all knows?” Abby asked, looking around.
 
“Just Don Flack and a young woman named Mandy that he managed to find,” Danny said. “I’m still not exactly sure who she was or what he connection to Don was but she was really helpful.”
 
Tony grinned. “I’ll have to look her up while I’m here,” he said. “Our friends in Miami are trying to figure out why there are so many of them around and I think I might have the answer but I’m not positive.”
 
“Tony’s not exactly known for his deductive reasoning,” Abby added. She ducked and stuck her tongue out as Tony tried to swat her. “Missed me.”
 
“My momma told me not to hit women anyway,” Tony said. “So I suppose we should be at least attempting to focus on our case.”
 
“Which I don’t know much about,” Danny said. He ducked in to Mac’s office and grabbed a small stack of folders. “This is Stella’s case and Mac’s been helping her with it. I’ve worked some of the trace but not much.”
 
“Well then you’ll just have to play catch-up with the rest of us,” Abby said, smiling.
 
“Hey, DiNozzo!”
 
“Yes boss?” Tony asked, spinning around.
 
“Go get Kate up here,” Gibbs ordered. “I want to talk with all of you, now.”
 
“Right, boss.”
 
Once the NCIS team was gathered in Mac’s office along with Mac, Stella, Danny and Don; Gibbs picked up one folder and opened it. “This is the first and oldest of the homicides,” he said. “And also the strangest. Kate, I want you to go and talk with the ME and review the autopsy. There has to be some reason that the killer or killers knows these men are in the Navy. Tony, you and Stella work together to figure out how our vics are being ID’d and chosen. Abby, you’re on lab work.”
 
“I’m glad he’s back,” Tony whispered to Abby. “I was starting to think he was stuck in warped nice mode. Ow.” He looked up. “Sorry, boss.”
 
“Mac and I are going to be working with Detective Flack to review the various interviews they’ve done,” Gibbs continued, glaring at his human. “What are you waiting for?”
 
Mac blinked at the speed the office emptied. “Is it always like that?” he asked mildly.
 
“They know what to do,” Gibbs replied. “It makes my job easier.”
 
“You just put the fear of Gibbs in them?”
 
“Nope; I just glare at them until they get the message,” Gibbs smirked. “It doesn’t take much after that.”

 

Greg followed Horatio to their bedroom without complaint. He knew that his dragon had to be craving him but he was surprised when Horatio sat down on the bed fully clothed. “I have to go to New York for a few days, Greg.”
 
“Why do I have the feeling you mean alone?”
 
“I do; if I take you along then it might raise some questions at the lab that we don’t want asked,” Horatio said. “And Gil agrees with me on this one. I need you to stay here and help Gil as much as you can.”
 
“With the whole Sara situation?”
 
“That and Eric,” Horatio replied. “We’re going to have to tell his family soon and Eric is really concerned about it.”
 
“Okay, I’ll do some research on my own and see what I can come up with to help,” Greg said. “My cousin came out when he was sixteen and his parents booted him so he came to live with us.”
 
Horatio ran his hand through his human’s blond hair. “You do have a big heart, Greg,” he said. “Gil and I are both concerned about how this separation is going to affect the bond between you and me. So I promised him that I’d spend the next few hours with you before leaving and try not to be gone more than a day at the outside.”
 
“So why do you have to leave?”
 
“A friend of mine on the NYPD just Changed for the first time,” Horatio said. “Gibbs and his team are there and I want to pass on some information that I don’t want to risk over the phone.”
 
“Like that Miami is a safe place for dragons and their humans?” Greg asked. He started to unbutton Horatio’s white shirt. “I wish I could go with you. I love New York.”
 
“We’ll have to take a trip up there someday soon,” Horatio replied. “But right now I think my focus should be on you.”
 
Greg grinned and shifted around onto the bed. “Well, okay, but I think this would be so much easier if I were naked,” he said. He let his arms and legs flop so he was spread eagle on the mattress and looked up at his dragon.
 
“Have you always been this much of a literalist?” Horatio snickered, unbuttoning and unzipping Greg’s jeans. “Lift up for me.”
 
“I don’t know, you’d have to ask the others about that,” Greg said. “I know I’ve never been serious about anything in my life unless the case involves kids. I don’t understand how people can hurt kids and not let it bother them. It makes me wish I could do something to make them understand how precious kids are and they shouldn’t ever be hurt.”
 
“How do you do that?” Horatio asked as he slipped off his pants and joined his now naked human in their bed.
 
“Do what?”
 
“Talk without breathing.”
 
“It’s a talent.” Greg moved suddenly and pinned Horatio to the bed. He grinned wickedly and leaned down to kiss the red head.
 
Horatio took quick control of the kiss, his tongue thrusting into Greg’s mouth, and rolled them so he was on top. He wondered how he was going to be able to be away from this for even an hour, let alone a couple of days. Horatio spared a thought to curse Stetler and his pettiness that kept him from taking his human to New York. “Some of us need to breathe, Greg,” he whispered pulling back enough that he could kiss along Greg’s neck.
 
“Need you,” Greg moaned, thrusting up against his lover. “Please.”
 
“I need you too, Greg,” Horatio whispered, pressing home. “I need you so bad it hurts to be separated.”
 
Greg moaned and pulled Horatio’s head back up for another kiss. “I could call in sick,” he whispered.
 
“No, Greg, I need you here,” Horatio said. “I need to know that you’re safe.”
********************
 
Nick finished up the dishes left over from the community’s get together and went looking for his dragon. He finally found Gil in what had fast become the home office/library and just stood in the door for a moment.
 
*Do you need something, Nicky* Gil asked silently, not looking up.
 
*Nope, just appreciating the view* Nick replied.
 
*I think you need to get your eyes checked* Gil snorted. He finally looked up and made eye contact with his human. “I’m still trying to work through why there are so many of us around.”
 
“It could mean it’s the end of the world,” Nick said, moving to sit in the chair next to Gil. “Or it could be nothing more than the simple fact that the books are wrong.”
 
“Or it could be that we’re missing something important and it’s going to mean trouble,” Gil sighed. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “Eric asked me what to do about his family.”
 
“He asked me about it too,” Nick said. “I honestly have no idea and was hoping you or Horatio could help him with it.”
 
“You didn’t see Eric’s reaction when he found out about his bond with Speed,” Gil said. “It made me wonder if there isn’t still a little underlying homophobia with him. I do know that Gibbs smacked Speed to get him to kiss Eric.”
 
“We won’t know how true their bond is for a while but neither of them seem to be getting sick,” Nick said. “I think that Eric was willing to let go of his fears and accept the bond.”
 
“How did you tell your family, Nicky?” Gil asked.
 
“What, that I’m gay? My folks don’t know about it,” Nick replied. “Way I see it who I sleep with or spent the rest of my life with ain’t none of their business. My brother knows and so do two of my sisters but they’ve always been really accepting of it.”
 
“Regardless of how Eric tells his folks I think we should wait until Horatio is home again,” Gil sighed. “From what Speed tells me everyone respects Horatio and he can probably keep the situation in hand better than we can.”
 
Nick grinned. “I’ve noticed that; everyone likes Horatio,” he said. “Well, except Stetler but the man’s an idiot anyway.”
 
“He is; if he was smart he would have tried to court us and see if we’d be on his side,” Gil said. “And then he’d have a man on Horatio’s team.”
 
“I thought you didn’t like politics,” Nick laughed.
 
“That doesn’t mean I can’t come up with some good ideas,” Gil replied. “Like going to bed.”
 
“Best you’ve had in a long time,” Nick said.
********************
 
Early the next morning Gil drove to the lab with Nick, Speed, Eric and Greg. He knew that he had to start learning his new city, her roads and people but he didn’t feel the same urgency to do so as he had when he first moved to Vegas. *I think I’m getting old*
 
*You are not* Nick replied.
 
*More relaxed then*
 
*Only some times*
 
“Stop it,” Speed said, glancing at Grissom. “It’s not only annoying, it’s rude.”
 
“Only if we’re talking about you,” Nick replied. “And we were talking about Gil.”
 
“To change the subject; Nick and Greg, do you have anything you want me to tell Catherine?” Gil asked.
 
“Just that we said hi,” Greg said, grinning.
 
Nick glanced at him. “Are you going to be this bouncy all day?”
 
“Let’s just say that I’m really glad we have that bond with our dragons,” Greg replied, still smiling. “Horatio proved how much he’s going to miss me while he’s gone.”
 
“It’ll be interesting if nothing else,” Gil commented. “To see if we can be away from our human for an extended period of time without negative repercussions.”
 
“Is everything an experiment for you?” Speed asked.
 
“Yes!” Nick and Greg exclaimed together.
 
Eric started laughing. “So that stuff in the kitchen I saw yesterday,” he started.
 
“Is in the trash this morning,” Nick finished.
 
“Nicky, that was a mold test,” Gil protested.
 
“I don’t care,” Nick said. “Science doesn’t belong in our community fridge. Think about it, Gil; we’re not the only ones who eat out of there anymore.”
 
“More than I needed to know,” Greg said. “Especially after that blood test he did at work that one time.”
 
“That’s more than we needed to know,” Speed said. “All right, here we are. Gil, holler if you have any problems or whenever you want to head home.”
 
“Thank you, Speed, I will,” Gil said, making his way into the lab. He unlocked his office and went right to his desk and the phone that had been connected for him, dialing a familiar number.
 
“Catherine Willows.”
 
“Hey Catherine, its Grissom.”
 
“Gil,” she said, sounding surprised. “What’s up?”
 
He sat down behind his desk. “We have something of yours and wonder if you’d like her back,” Gil said. “Sara showed up and got arrested. She’s ranting about big scaly monsters and fairies telling her what to do.”
 
“She was doing that before she vanished too,” Catherine said. “I wonder if she finally cracked, Gil.”
 
“I think Horatio is going to have her evaluated here but we’re wondering if you’d call Stetler and ask to have Sara sent home.”
 
“Truthfully, Gil, Ecklie decided that he’d had enough of her and the problems she’s caused and used this little stunt as the reason to fire her,” Catherine said. “Night shift has finally started coming together as a team now that she’s gone and I really don’t know that I want to do anything to ruin that.”
 
“You need to look out for your team and the lab,” Gil agreed. “And maybe I was trying too hard to keep her around. She came to rely on me too much and that’s what’s caused all the problems we’re facing now.”
 
“Problems?”
 
“She showed up at Nick’s and my new home,” Gil said. “Luckily Horatio was over for supper and arrested her for trespassing but I don’t know what to do now.”
 
Catherine sighed. “Maybe you should go see her,” she said. “Try and make Sara understand that she doesn’t stand a chance with you and she needs to move on.”
 
“I tried that and it didn’t work,” Gil said. “She still insists that I love her and just have to look in my heart to realize it. I think she’s insane, Catherine.”
 
“Well, with all the ranting she did about the huge scaly monsters in the desert I’d have to agree. I wish I could help.”
 
“I wish you could too, but I think there’s a better chance of Sara listening to me than there is of her listening to you,” Gil said. He glanced at the clock. “I’ll let you go; I’m sorry, I didn’t realize what time it was. Nicky and Greg say hello.”
 
“What about Warrick?” Catherine asked, sounding more than a little interested.
 
Gil shook his head. “I didn’t see him or Jim yet today,” he said. “But I’ll pass on a greeting for you. There’s someone knocking at my door, Catherine; I’ve got to go.”
 
“Don’t be a stranger, Gil,” she said, hanging up.
 
It was all Gil to could not to bang his head on his desk. Their one hope of getting Sara away from Miami quickly had vanished and, with Horatio out of town, he didn’t know what they were going to do.

Horatio’s cell phone rang as he was making his way through the crowed airport. “Caine.”
 
“It’s Gil; I just got off the phone with Catherine and Ecklie’s fired Sara and they don’t want anything to do with her.”
 
“So we’re stuck; you know her as well if not better than anyone,” Horatio said. “I think the next move should be yours and yours alone.”
 
“I just want to protect our community and make sure that she can’t bring hunters down on us,” Gil sighed. “I can think of a few ways to do that but they’re not legal. And if we’re going to come out on top we need to be totally above reproach and suspicion.”
 
“Especially if Stetler comes sniffing around,” Horatio agreed. “Do what you think is best, Gil, and I’ll back you when I get home.”
 
“Where are you, exactly?”
 
“Heading to get a taxi but I need to call Mac and find a place to meet him,” Horatio replied. “I don’t want to go to the lab unless I absolutely have to.”
 
“Hang on a minute,” Gil said.
 
Horatio stepped out of the flowing river of people into an alcove where he could see but also have his back to the wall.
 
“Hey H.”
 
“Greg,” Horatio said, a slight growl in his voice.
 
“I know I’m supposed to be working and all that but I just wanted to tell you how much I miss you already and can’t wait until you get home,” Greg said. “And that I love you.”
 
“I’ll be home tomorrow unless something happens,” Horatio promised. “And then I’ll show you exactly how much I miss you.”
 
“Holding you to that,” Greg smiled. “Gil’s glaring at me so I’d better get back to work.”
 
“I love you,” Horatio said softly.
 
“Me too,” Greg replied. “Hurry home my handsome dragon.” He hung up before Horatio could reply.
 
Horatio growled and dialed another number, this one less familiar.
 
“Taylor.”
 
“Mac, it’s Horatio,” he said. “I’m at the airport; is there a place other than the lab we can meet?”
 
“How about that restaurant I took you to last time you were in the city?” Mac asked. “No one at the lab knows about it.”
 
“That sounds like a plan, Mac,” Horatio said. “I’ll see you soon.”
********************
 
Mac snapped his cell phone shut and looked at the dragons and humans gathered in his office; Stella and Kate were off doing an interview. “That was Horatio,” he said. “I’m going to go meet him.”
 
“Why isn’t he coming here?” Gibbs asked.
 
“He didn’t say but knowing Horatio Caine he has a good reason,” Mac replied.
 
“Go with him, Tony.”
 
Tony looked up from the report he was reading. “I’m like half an hour away from figuring this out, boss,” he said. “Why can’t Abby go?”
 
“Because I told you to, DiNozzo.”
 
“Yes boss,” Tony said. “Ready when you are, Detective Taylor.”
 
“Is there a reason he wants you along?” Mac asked once they were in the elevator.
 
“Yep, several actually,” Tony replied. “One, he wants to know what Horatio has to say. Two, there are evil people called hunters who want nothing more than to kill you for your new attributes and three, now that you’ve Changed there are small signs that ID you for what you truly are.”
 
Mac frowned. “Why don’t I know any of this?”
 
“It’s all in the books you should be reading,” Tony said. “I have a good idea what Horatio is going to tell you but, then again, I could be totally wrong.”
********************
 
The restaurant was an out of the way pub where Mac played bass one evening a week when his schedule allowed. He nodded to the bartender and made his way to the table where Horatio’s red hair marked him out.
 
“Hello, Horatio,” Mac said, sitting down.
 
“Mac,” Horatio smiled slipping off his sunglasses. “Hello Tony, have you had a chance to dye your hair yet?”
 
“Nope, Gibbs has kept us running,” Tony grinned.
 
“Hair?” Mac asked obviously puzzled.
 
Tony took off his NCIS ball cap and Mac realized he hadn’t seen the young federal agent without the hat on. “Abby and Horatio’s human, Greg, somehow managed to do this while I was asleep,” Tony said. “Gibbs likes it but holds firm that NCIS special agents do not have electric blue highlights in their hair.”
 
“Greg’s not a name I recognize, Horatio,” Mac said. “Is he new to Miami?”
 
“He’s from the Vegas lab,” Horatio said. “We met at a conference in Seattle and I Changed, having no idea what was happening, and he came to Miami.”
 
“Did anyone know or were you on your own?” Mac asked.
 
“Greg’s supervisor, Gil Grissom and his human, Nick Stokes were there,” Horatio said. “But my Change made the national news and hunters have been following us ever since.”
 
“And that news story is what took Gibbs and me to Vegas and then Miami,” Tony said. “We wanted to make sure they knew the dangers they were facing. Grissom, the alpha in the Miami community was pretty upset when Gibbs suggested he didn’t know what he was doing.”
 
“But part of that was two alphas in the same city,” Horatio said. “Mac, I understand what a shock all this must be for you but there’s some things we’ve figured out that might help you and Danny.”
 
Mac’s head was spinning with all the unfamiliar terms. “I feel like I need a dictionary,” he sighed. “I hope all of this will be explained at some point.”
 
“You kinda pick it up as you go along and meet others,” Tony said. “But this is definitely not the place to talk about it.”
 
“Tony’s right,” Horatio said. “Mac, if you don’t mind me making use of your kitchen I’ll be more than happy to cook supper for everyone.”
 
“I’m not sure what I’ve got,” Mac admitted.
 
“Then I can go shopping,” Horatio said. “Mac, listen, I know you’re not an alpha but I would like to see Danny again as well as Detective Flack as I’m fairly sure he’s another member of your growing community.”
 
“Do you think Flack’s alpha for New York?” Tony asked.
 
Horatio laughed. “No,” he said. “I think Mac is the beta without question and I think that Gibbs is the alpha.”
********************
 
“I’m what?” Gibbs exclaimed, stalking Tony across their hotel room. “How the hell did he come to that conclusion?”
 
“I don’t know, boss,” Tony replied. “But it makes a strange sort of sense if you stop and think about it. We’ve been alone for two years and we suddenly find a community that welcomes us as family and then a lone pair six hours away from us.”
 
Gibbs grabbed Tony and shoved him up against the wall. “I’m not planning to move any time soon, DiNozzo,” he growled. “So how the hell can we be one community?”
 
“Mac Taylor strikes me as a smart man,” Tony said. “He’s a beta so he can take care of the day to day stuff here and report to you while you stay in DC and run the community from there.”
 
“Why can’t they come to DC?”
 
“They’re too smart for that,” Tony said. “Jethro, lets wait and see what Horatio has to say before we freak out.”
 
“I’m not freaking out,” Gibbs muttered. He ran his hands up Tony’s arms. “Did I hurt you?”
 
“Of course not, boss,” Tony grinned. He pulled his dragon against him. “As you pointed out I like it when you take me against the wall.”
 
“Or desk, or door,” Gibbs muttered, kissing along Tony’s neck.
 
“Or boat, or car, shower, bed, kitchen counter,” Tony continued, trying to undo Gibbs’ belt.
 
“Tony…”
 
“Yes boss?”
 
“Shut up.”
 
“Yes boss.”

When Mac got back to the lab he immediately went looking for Stella, who was in the trace labs with Kate and Abby.
 
“Hey Mac,” she said. “I think we might have caught a break. Agent Todd realized that all our victims were at a certain bar on the nights they were killed. They all had the same waitress.”
 
“And while a woman couldn’t carry out the murders she could be scouting for someone else,” Mac said, nodding. “It sounds promising; have Flack bring her in for questioning.”
 
“Already talked to him,” Stella said. “Don’s going to nab her when she comes on shift.”
 
Mac rolled his eyes with a smile and motioned for Stella to join him in the hall. “I need a favor, Stella.”
 
“Sure, what’s up?”
 
“Can you take Agent Todd to dinner tonight?” Mac asked.
 
“Not a problem, once the attitude vanishes she’s really nice,” Stella replied. “Now, do you want to tell me what’s going on and what secret her team is hiding?”
 
“I can’t Stella,” Mac said. “Honestly, I can’t; there’s more to it than I understand and until I do I need to keep quiet. It’s the same with her team but please trust me when I say it’s for your protection.”
 
Stella studied her friend and boss for a moment. She saw nothing but honesty and concern there and smiled. “Of course I trust you,” she finally said. “Just let me know if I can help, okay?”
 
“I will,” Mac agreed. “I need to find Danny, have you seen him?”
 
“Yeah, he and Agent DiNozzo were heading towards the A/V lab the last time I saw him.”
 
“Thank you.”
********************
 
Danny moaned as his back hit the supply closet door. “People are gonna start talking, Mac,” he said as he fumbled for the lock.
 
“Let ‘em,” Mac said, pressing up against Danny and claiming his mouth in a possessive kiss. “The rumors will start tomorrow anyway.”
 
“Mac, what did you do?” Danny moaned as Mac’s hands made their way under his polo shirt. 
 
“You’ll just have to see, won’t you?” Mac grinned and dropped to his knees. “I want to taste you, Danny.”
 
“Mac,” Danny moaned, his head falling back against the door.
 
Mac undid Danny’s tight slacks and gently freed his swelling erection. “Do you have any idea how crazy you’ve been making me today?” he whispered stroking Danny gently. “With that green shirt practically molded to your chest and these pants cupping your ass perfectly. I wanted to jump you every time you were near me.”
 
“Now Mac, please,” Danny begged, his voice broken and strained.
 
His eyes started to glow a little as Mac leaned in and licked the head of Danny’s cock before taking the head in his mouth and sucking gently.
 
Danny groaned in disbelief when his cell phone started ringing. Not breaking his rhythm, Mac fished the offending device from Danny’s pocket and handed it to him. “I don’t know the number,” Danny panted, is hips starting to thrust. “They can leave voice mail.” He dropped the phone as his body tensed and he came down Mac’s throat. “Tell me you’ve done that before.”
 
“No,” Mac replied. He stood up and kissed Danny, tongue pushing into his human’s mouth. He moaned softly when he felt Danny’s hands on his belt.
 
“Need to feel you, Mac,” Danny whispered, kissing Mac’s neck gently. “Please, Mac, please.”
 
Mac put a finger over Danny’s swollen lips. “Don’t beg, Danny,” he said. “Don’t ever feel you need to beg me for anything.”
 
“Okay, Mac,” Danny said softly. He grinned suddenly, “I still need you though.”
 
“Then turn around and brace yourself,” Mac said. He growled softly and his eyes took on a steadier glow when he saw his human ready for him. He slicked some lube over his cock and pressed forward, moaning as Danny’s body opened for him. “You’re so tight, Danny; you feel so good around me. I love you so much.”
 
Danny felt several of his doubts vanish as he heard Mac whisper those words. He turned his head for a kiss. “I love you too, Mac; and I’m never gonna leave you.”
********************
 
Mac looked around his apartment with a wry grin. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had so many people in his home. Gibbs and DiNozzo were reviewing case files on the sofa while Abby and Mandy talked with Flack. Danny was helping Horatio in the kitchen and Mac was setting up the table. He and Horatio had decided it’d be easier to set up a buffet and let people sit where they wanted to eat.
 
“Hey Mac,” Danny said as he set a salad on the table.
 
“Yeah?”
 
“Horatio says we can come down and visit his community if we want,” Danny said. “It might be a good idea because we still have to learn a lot.”
 
“Let’s see what the scheduling looks like,” Mac replied. “But we will make time to go down. You’ll actually get a chance to meet Speed.”
 
“He almost got killed the other day,” Horatio commented, bringing out a bowl of red sauce. “In a jewelry store.”
 
“What happened?” Tony asked, not looking up from his folder.
 
“Speed’s reflexes are faster now and he was able to drop and return fire but it scared all of us,” Horatio said. “Eric still won’t let Speed out of his sight; you’d think Eric was the dragon, not the other way around.”
 
“It all worked out then?” Gibbs asked.
 
“He still hasn’t told his family and it’s eating at him,” Horatio said. He turned and went back into the kitchen.
 
Danny looked around. “I think we missed something.”
 
“Eric’s catholic and doesn’t know how to tell his family he’s gay,” Abby summarized. “Or at least tell his folks he’s in a long-term relationship with a man as I don’t know that a human bonded can really be considered gay when it’s one soul talking to another.”
 
“You’re as bad as Greg,” Horatio laughed bringing in the pasta. “Supper’s ready everyone.”
 
“This looks great,” Mac said. “Are you planning to drop some bad news on us soon?”
 
“Of course not,” Horatio said, picking up a plate. “It’s all good news and family talk tonight.”
 
“Bad news will be given over breakfast,” Tony quipped. “Ow!”

Gil called Jim and asked him to grab Warrick and meet them outside the lab for lunch. It was time for the Vegas people to deal with the threat their former co-worker was presenting to their community. As Horatio pointed out, it was time for Gil’s last move.
********************
 
“What’s going on, Gil?” Jim asked while Warrick handed out the sack lunches they’d brought along.
 
“I called Catherine and she had some interesting news,” Gil replied. “Sara’s been fired so our option there is gone. It’s up to us to solve this problem once and for all. I don’t want Sara to be a risk anymore.”
 
“Short of killing her I don’t know how we can manage that,” Nick said.
 
“I’ve had some ideas but most of them are illegal,” Gil sighed. “And I don’t want to go down that path until we absolutely have to.”
 
Speed joined the group. “We could always take her out to the glades and feed her to an alligator,” he smirked.
 
“Why don’t we save that for a last resort?” Jim sighed. “I don’t think any of us should be involved in outright murder.”
 
“I do actually have an idea,” Gil said. “It’s complicated but it should work. Jim and I’ll be the ones to carry it out but I wanted you all aware of this.”
********************
 
It didn’t take much for Brass to find out where Sara was being held and even less for them to be allowed in to visit her. “Are you sure this is a good idea, Gil?” Jim asked as they made their way down the sterile hall of the county jail to the holding cell.
 
“Can you think of a better one?”
 
“No, but what if someone treating her knows about dragons?” Jim pointed out. “It could bring even more attention onto our community than we’ve got right now.”
 
“I think it’s a risk we have to take,” Gil said. “Besides we’re not going to be Changing while we’re here. We just have to convince everyone that she’s insane and we’re the only ones here who have blended and have that kind of control.”
 
“Although Horatio is getting close,” Jim said. “You need to figure out a safe place for him to Change and blend.”
 
“True, his red scales are fairly obvious,” Gil sighed. “I’m amazed at the headaches I’ve been getting trying to figure all this out.”
 
Jim chuckled. “Better you than me,” he said.
 
The dragons stopped talking as the door opposite them opened and Sara came in. “Gil you need to tell them that this is a mistake,” Sara exclaimed rushing towards them. “You have to get me out of here.”
 
“I have to do no such thing,” Gil said coldly. “We came to let you know that Conrad Ecklie has terminated your employment with the Las Vegas crime lab. Furthermore I am not withdrawing my complaint of trespassing on my property. You will have to own up to your mistakes and crimes.”
 
“Why are you doing this to me?” Sara cried.
 
“You did this to yourself,” Gil snapped, allowing his eyes to start glowing. “You refused to face the obvious or listen to the messages we sent to you. I am in a committed relationship, one that will last the rest of my life. Tony and Abby told you about this and you still chose to ignore them and come out here. If I had my way I would have you put away for as long as the letter of the law would allow.”
 
Sara backed away from the men as Gil was talking. Her mouth was open in shock at the two pairs of glowing eyes staring at her.
 
“It’s time to grow up and admit that you’ve ruined your life and face up to everything you’ve done,” Jim added. “We don’t want you anywhere near us ever again and if you come within a mile of Gil’s home we will call the uniforms and have you arrested again.”
 
“And don’t think you can fool us, Sara,” Gil said. “No one at those houses is human and not everyone has our control. I don’t want you to become dinner.”
 
Both men got their eyes back to normal just as a guard ran in in response to Sara’s screams. He seemed puzzled to find the prisoner on one side of the room and the visitors sitting calmly at the table. It was fairly obvious he thought he’d have to stop and attack of some kind.
 
“Their eyes were glowing,” Sara exclaimed. “They’re not human and they were threatening to eat me!”
 
"I think the shock of learning she’s lost her job was too much for her,” Gil said, frowning. “I didn’t think it would have that much of an effect on her.”
 
The guard snorted. “I don’t think she’s totally sane,” he said. “She keeps talking about huge fire-breathing monsters in the desert and ocean that can turn into rocks. It all sounds like science fiction to me.”
 
Jim and Gil stood to leave. “I hope someone will be in to check on her,” Gil said.
 
“They’ve been here twice already,” the guard replied. “I think this might earn her a permanent trip to the hospital. I’ll have to make the report but it’d make my life easier if she’s gone. Would you like to be called?”
 
“Thank you,” Brass said as the guard maneuvered Sara from the room.
 
Gil let his eyes glow dimly when Sara looked back at him. He felt bad for what had happened to such a promising young woman but remembered what Gibbs had said; Sara was insane. They needed to be sure she received the help she needed.
********************
 
Nick was waiting in Gil’s office when he got back to the lab. Gil shut and locked the door before turning to face his human. “I never want to have to do something like that again, Nicky,” he said. “I may have just forced Sara over a cliff she won’t ever recover from. I didn’t realize she was that sick. She always seemed dedicated to the job and the lab.”
 
“To you, at least,” Nick commented. He moved so he was leaning against Gil’s desk, his legs framing his dragon. “There were times when none of us really wanted to work with her but did because you asked us to.”
 
“I brought her into the lab, she’s always been my problem,” Gil sighed. He ran his hands slowly up and down Nick’s legs. “But I refuse to feel the least bit guilty for protecting our community.”
 
“You shouldn’t,” Nick replied. He leaned forward and kissed Gil gently. “I’m waiting for some tests results; want to have some personal time?”
 
Gil grinned and pulled Nick over and down until his human was straddling his hips. “I don’t know if my chair is strong enough,” he whispered, unbuttoning Nick’s black shirt.
 
“There’s always the floor,” Nick grinned, kissing his dragon’s neck.
 
“I’m too old for that,” Gil moaned softly. “I’ve got an idea though; stand up and strip.
 
When both men were naked Gil positioned Nick so the desk was taking most of his human’s weight. He growled softly as he took in the sight in front of him; the young man just waiting for him, craving his touch. Gil slicked two fingers and used them to carefully drive Nick crazy before he lubed his now throbbing erection and eased into Nick’s body, the magic flaring and keeping the younger man from harm.
 
As much as Gil wanted to draw it out he was well aware of where they were and the fact that anyone could come knock on his door at any time. He started thrusting steadily, angling his thrusts until Nick bit his arm to keep from crying out. It was one downside to the position; Gil couldn’t kiss Nick. When Nick started pushing back to meet each of his thrusts, Gil let the dragon take over and reached around to stroke Nick’s leaking cock. Nick pressed his mouth into the bend of his elbow to muffle his cries as he came. Gil growled deep in his throat and bit down on Nick’s shoulder to dampen his own cry of release.
 
“Love you, Nicky,” Gil whispered kissing along Nick’s shoulder and neck. “Love you so much.”
 
“I love you too, Gil,” Nick replied. He moaned when Gil pulled back and started to clean them both up. “I could stay here all day and be happy.”
 
“Me too,” Gil said. “But you’ve got test results waiting.”
 
“And crime waits for no one,” Nick grinned, getting dressed. “But do I get a repeat performance tonight?”
 
“You can count on it, Nicky my boy,” Gil said. He took Nick’s hand and pulled him into a hug. He claimed Nick’s mouth in a strong kiss, tongue opening Nick’s lips and possessing his mouth.
 
They broke apart at a knock on the door. “Yes?” Grissom called.
 
“Gris, its Speed.”
 
Nick unlocked the door and let their community’s youngest dragon into the room. “What’s wrong, Speed?”
 
“The call came to me because Horatio is gone and I need your help, Gil,” Speed said.
 
“What happened?” Gil asked.
 
“The hospital just called,” Speed replied. “Ryan Wolfe was brought in severely beaten and they don’t know if he’s going to make it.”

Stetler was at his desk working on something when he got the feeling that he was being watched. He looked up into a pair of cold blue eyes. “How the hell did you get in here, Caine?”
 
“I used the door, Rick,” Horatio said. He looked off to the left, hand on his hips. “I understand that young Officer Wolfe is in the hospital. I told you to keep quiet about our investigation.” Horatio turned slowly to look at the IAB officer. “And it seems you were unable to do even that.”
 
“How do you know it was me?” Stetler demanded. “This is a dangerous job after all.”
 
“Yes it is, Rick, but Officer Wolfe was found in the patrol locker room,” Horatio said softly, “so only his fellow officers could have done this. My team is investigating the scene and I’m sure IAB will want to investigate it as well.”
 
“The little fag had it coming,” Stetler sneered when he found himself suddenly pinned against the wall. He looked into the blue eyes no more than an inch away from his face and swallowed hard.
 
“That, sergeant, may be the last mistake you ever make,” Horatio hissed. “I think we’ll go pay a visit to your captain and explain the situation to him. How does that sound?”
 
Stetler tried to sound brave. “It’s your word against mine.”
 
“Exhibit A, Rick,” Horatio said quietly, holding up a small tape recorder, “is your own voice. And if Officer Wolfe dies, I will ensure that you are charged with his murder.”
 
“You can’t prove that!”
 
“You are the only one outside the lab who knew about Ryan’s relationship with his partner,” Horatio said. “And no one on my team would compromise an investigation in this manner. Let’s go, Stetler.”
********************
 
Grissom watched the team as they processed the locker room where the young officer had been attacked. It sickened him that there was still so much pettiness and narrow mindedness in the world that someone would be attacked just because of who he chose to love.
 
“I’ve got the batons,” Calleigh said. “And some of them looked a little too clean.”
 
“Did Ryan have anything under his fingernails?” Speed asked, not looking up from the prints he was lifting.
 
“Some; Eric’s getting DNA reference samples for us,” Calleigh replied. “I just don’t get it, Speed; why would they do something like this?”
 
“Ryan’s gay,” Speed said. “Didn’t you see his chest?”
 
Calleigh swallowed hard and shook her head. “What’s going to happen now?”
 
“We’re going to catch the bastards that did this and make them pay,” Speed said firmly. “And help Ryan heal. Horatio wants him in the lab with us and I think is a good place for him.”
********************
 
When Speed got home he found Eric in the hammock on their back porch. He changed into a pair of jean shorts and a tank top before going out to join his human. “Hey,” he said softly, running a hand through Eric’s hair.
 
“Don’t touch me,” Eric said, flinching away.
 
“What’s wrong?”
 
“What’s wrong? How the hell can you be so calm and collected when one of our own got attacked today?” Eric demanded rolling out of the hammock and started pacing. “He was gay and his coworkers turned on him because of it.”
 
“I already worked out my anger.” Speed held up a bruised left hand. “I punched a wall. And Ryan wasn’t attacked because he was gay, Eric; he was attacked because that bastard Stetler couldn’t keep his fat mouth shut.”
 
“And you don’t worry it’ll happen to us?” Eric asked.
 
Speed took a deep breath and considered his next words carefully. “Eric, I thought you’d moved past all this,” he said.
 
“Past what?”
 
“Your mild homophobia,” Speed said. “I know it’s how you were raised but you have to understand that our relationship doesn’t make you gay. The dragon world is different.”
 
“I’m living and sleeping with another man,” Eric exclaimed. “That makes me about as gay as they come.”
 
“You can leave any time you want to, Delko,” Speed snapped. “Just be ready to die within a month.”
 
“That’s just it; I never had any real say in this,” Eric yelled. “You guys just came along and told me I had to sleep with you or we would both be dead. I was never asked if this was something I wanted!”
 
“Well I’m sorry the world didn’t bend to your every whim,” Speed replied. “I didn’t have much choice either, Delko, and at least you remember what happened out there. I don’t; the first Change causes amnesia. But it wouldn’t have happened if we weren’t meant to be together.”
 
“You know what, I’m leaving! I just can’t deal with this right now.”
 
“Fine, just call and let me know if you’re coming home or not,” Speed said. “I don’t want to drop dead at a crime scene.”
********************
 
It was Horatio who found Speed in the hammock, holding Eric’s pillow against his chest. “Talk to me, Speed.”
 
“Only if you take off your sunglasses,” Speed replied. “I refuse to talk to my lieutenant right now.”
 
Horatio pulled a chair over close to the hammock, sat down and took off his shades. “There,” he said. “Now spill it, Speed.”
 
“The Wolfe case brought out a lot of old fears with Eric,” Speed said. “He’s upset that he didn’t have a say in our bonding and I guess his upbringing and religious beliefs are starting to sneak back to the surface again. He stormed out of here a few hours ago.”
 
“He knows an extended separation could kill you both?”
 
“I told him to call and let me know so I wouldn’t just drop dead at work. I just hope he doesn’t stay away too long. I miss him, H; it hurts.”
 
“That’s the bond,” Horatio said. “It’s still new and wants to feel your mate with you. Do you want us to find Eric for you?”
 
“No, I don’t want him to feel like he’s being forced into anything else,” Speed said. “Let him make his choice, H. But if I am going to die do you think Greg would mind if you make love to me one last time?”
 
Horatio leaned over and kissed Speed’s forehead softly. “I doubt it,” he said. “Come stay in our guest room tonight, Tim. You don’t need to be alone right now and I want to be able to keep an eye on you.”
 
“Do we have to tell Gil?”
 
“Not yet,” Horatio replied. “But if you start getting sick and Eric doesn’t come home then we will. He needs to know what’s going on.”
 
“Okay, thanks H.”

 

“It’s been two days, Horatio,” Greg said softly, looking in on Speed. His friend was lying in bed, tossing restlessly and starting to run a fever. “He’s not going to be able to hold out much longer.”
 
“I know, Greg, I know,” Horatio said. “If Eric isn’t at the lab today I’m going to his parents’ home and dragging him down here.” He kissed his human and slipped his sunglasses on. “Speed is not going to die.”
********************
 
Eric was in the lab working on something on the computer when Horatio snuck up behind him. “Is there a reason you smell like perfume, Mr. Delko?”
 
“Yeah,” Eric said, not looking away from the monitor.
 
“You will come with me, right now,” Horatio said, his tone as soft and deadly as if he were interrogating a child killer. “Right now, Eric, and you will not question me.”
 
Horatio took Eric to the locker room, pausing only to grab Nick who was working on a case report. “Eric, strip and get in the shower,” Horatio ordered, his voice still soft. “I don’t want to be able to smell anything other than soap and lemons when you get out of there. You are in more trouble than you realize.”
 
“What’s going on, H?” Nick asked.
 
“Eric left Speed two days ago,” Horatio replied. “I chose not to tell Gil unless it got serious and now it has. Eric has been out clubbing and maybe more while Speed has been getting sick at my place.”
 
“The Wolfe case?” Nick asked.
 
“According to Speed, Eric is upset because he didn’t get a choice in the matter and we all told him he’d die unless he slept with Speed. There was no way we could prove it short of actually letting them go and now we may lose them both anyway.”
 
Nick groaned. “And Speed’s only going to get worse unless he gets his human back,” he said. “Their bond is still new enough to be unstable unless they’re together a lot.”
 
“And Speed is going to know if Eric’s been sleeping with women while he’s been gone,” Horatio added. “This is a mess, Nick, a big mess that we have to fix.”
 
“I’ll call Gil and get him to your place,” Nick said. “I’m surprised that Eric isn’t sick too.”
 
“You’ve read more than I have but wouldn’t the prolonged separation so close to the formation of a new bond affect the dragon more than the human as it is the dragon’s body that undergoes the most physical changes.” He glanced over towards the showers. “Again, Eric, I can still smell it.”
 
Nick sighed. “That makes as much sense as anything I can come up with,” he said. “Look, H, I’m going to go call Gil and let him know what’s going on. Will you be okay here? You’re getting close to your time to blend and your control might be getting shaky.”
 
“I’ll be fine, Nick, but it anything happens to Speed I make no promises.”
 
“I understand and the other will too,” Nick said. “Good luck, Horatio.”
********************
 
Gil had a key to every house in the community so it wasn’t a problem for him to let himself into Horatio and Greg’s home and make his way to the guest room. He found Speed curled up on top of the covers wrapped around a pillow, his face flushed and obviously not focused on what was happening around him. Gil’s heart sank when he saw how sick and in pain the young man was.
 
“We’ll help you, Speed,” he said softly. “I don’t know how but we will.”
 
He made his way to the bathroom, grinning at the assorted hair care products Greg had scattered around, and dampened a wash cloth with cold water. Gil instinctively knew that the only thing that could truly cure Speed was reconnection with his human and if he didn’t get that he wouldn’t last out the month.
 
After putting the cool cloth on Speed’s neck, there was no way to get him to uncurl from around the pillow; Gil went down to the kitchen. He wanted to make some soup and tea to see if they couldn’t get Speed to eat something.
 
“Gil?” Horatio said softly from the doorway. “How is he?”
 
“Bad,” Gil replied. He stalked across the room and grabbed Eric’s arm. “You come with me,” he growled, his eyes glowing.
 
Horatio fell in behind the pair so there was no escape for the young man. Gil dragged Eric to the guest room and made him look at the figure on the bed. “Tell me it was worth it,” he hissed. “Make me believe you have a legitimate reason for walking out on your dragon and allowing him to get so sick. Take a good look, Eric, because if you walk out of here again it will be the last time you ever see Tim Speedle alive.”
 
“Eric,” Speed whispered. “Horatio, where’s Eric? I can feel him, he’s close but he’s mad at me. Why is he mad? Did I do something to hurt him?”
 
“Shhh, Speed,” Horatio said. He moved to the bed and knelt down, pushing Speed’s sweat-soaked hair back off his forehead. “You’ll be fine, you didn’t do anything wrong. Can you open your eyes for me?”
 
“I didn’t make him sick,” Eric protested.
 
“Does that pillow he’s got a death grip on look familiar?” Gil asked.
 
“It looks like mine,” Eric said.
 
“It is,” Gil snapped. “It smells like you and it’s the only thing he’s holding onto right now. When you left two days ago you didn’t believe what we’d told you because you didn’t have the proof. Speed wouldn’t stop you because he’s got too big a heart and would rather die than force someone to do something they don’t want to do.”
 
Gil pulled the young human down the hall. “I know you’re having issues with your beliefs and family but that is no excuse for your behavior,” he hissed. “I want you to look me in the eye and tell me that sleeping with those women was better than making love with Speed.”
 
“You don’t understand,” Eric said.
 
“Answer my question, Eric Delko,” Gil said. “I may not be Horatio but I’ll know if you’re lying to me.”
 
“No it wasn’t,” Eric exclaimed. “I’ve felt dead since I walked out two days ago but my mother wants to know when I’m going to get married and have children.”
 
“We will deal with that, Eric,” Horatio said. “But if you don’t get in there and help Speed he’s going to die and then you only have a month max. Do you want to explain that to your mother?”
 
Horatio and Gil watched the young man run to the guest room and slam the door behind him. “That’s solved for now,” Gil sighed. “But it’s going to come up again and again.”
 
“We’ll have to talk with them seriously once Speed is feeling better,” Horatio said. “How’d it go with Sara?”
 
“As well as can be expected,” Gil said. “I think Jim and I caused enough havoc with her that she’s going to be committed for a few years. What about you, how was New York?”
 
“Enlightening; New York and Washington DC are one community,” Horatio said. “Gibbs is the alpha, Mac the beta. And there’s a teenager who knows a lot and I think she’ll be coming down to visit soon.”
 
“Maybe she can talk to Eric,” Gil said. “And help with his family.
 
“Good idea,” Horatio said. “Come on, let’s get some lunch.

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