Title: The Dragon Chronicles: NYDC 2
By: Tiffany F
Pairing: Gil/Nick, Jim/Warrick, Greg/Horatio, Danny/Mac, Speed/Eric
Rating: AO
Warnings: insest (Supernatural part of crossover)
Series: part of The Dragon Chronicles
Summary: This is the continuation of my dragon world. This is an AU story combining all three CSIs, NCIS, Supernatural, Numb3rs, Stargate SG-1, and Criminal Minds. And, of course, it has dragons. These are stories about the community in New York and Washington DC. Enjoy because I know I love writing them. I don't own anything you might recognize.

Mac stared at the paper in front of him in disbelief. He couldn’t believe that life would be so cruel to him at that point. He’d had to fire Aiden and, while she admitted that she was burning out, it still hurt him to do it. She was a good person, a dedicated CSI but just felt certain things too deeply. Danny had spent a couple days with her and it seemed like they were going to be able to keep in touch which made Mac happy because he knew his human loved Aiden like a sister. Then there was Lindsay and Hawkes, two new CSIs; one with field experience but new to the city, the other book smart and sharp as hell but raw in the field. And Mac couldn’t forget Ryan Wolfe, although the young man was fitting in well to the lab, becoming fast friends with both Danny and Hawkes. Mac knew his human was a good teacher so he had no qualms about sending Danny, Ryan and Hawkes out as a three person team, leaving Stella to work with Lindsay and Mac to pick up where need be. He’d just got the lab working the way he thought it should and the city threw this in his face.
 
“All right, what’s wrong?” Danny asked as he poked his head into Mac’s office.
 
“What do you mean?”
 
“Don’t play it, Mac,” Danny said. “I could feel you all the way down in the trace lab. Tell me what’s got you so upset that I don’t got to be in the same room to feel you.”
 
“Danny, this really isn’t the place to talk about it,” Mac said. “Come on; are you at a place where you can break for lunch?”
 
“Yeah.”
 
“Then I’m buying,” Mac said.
********************
 
“So spill it, Mac,” Danny said as they settled onto a bench with sandwiches and coffee. “What’s going on?”
 
“We’re getting a new head medical examiner,” Mac sighed. “Or I guess I should say getting an old ME back. Her name is Peyton and she left to teach.”
 
“There’s history between you, yeah?”
 
“We dated but I never brought it up because it had no bearing on us until now,” Mac said. “It was almost right after Claire died and I thought I could move on but couldn’t. It wasn’t fair to her so we split up but remained friends.”
 
Danny grinned. “And now she’s coming back and might just want to pick up where she left off, huh?” he asked. “I ain’t worried ‘bout it, Mac. I know how you feel and you’ll be fine.”
 
“But will you?” Mac asked. “This can’t be easy on you, Danny. Having to lie to your coworkers like you do, making up a girlfriend so they don’t get suspicious.”
 
“Actually both Hawkes and Ryan know that I’m gay,” Danny said. “Ryan figured it out almost as soon as he met me and finally worked up the nerve to ask one night when we was playing video games at his place. You were pulling a double. Hawkes has sharp eyes and I think he caught us coming out of the storage closet and trust me, the irony of that statement ain’t lost on me.”
 
“I’ve been thinking we should tell Stella too,” Mac said. “Not about everything just that you and I are together. It’s going to be forever so I don’t have any problem with our closest friends knowing.”
 
“I don’t either, Mac,” Danny agreed. “And Lindsay too someday. Montana’s a good kid and a good fit in up here.”
 
“Don’t let her catch you using that nickname, Danny; I don’t want to have to explain to anyone how your nose got broken.”
 
The younger man laughed. “She’s got spirit and what’s the fun of that if I can’t poke at her a little?” he asked. “I’ll behave in the field, Mac, but down time is fair game, yeah?”
 
“Okay,” Mac agreed with a small sigh. “Thanks for being so understanding, Dan.”
 
“You know you might want to call Gibbs and let him know what’s going on,” Danny said. “You know how he likes to keep close tabs on all of us now and he might want to run this Peyton through a few government databases. Just to make himself feel better.”
 
That made Mac laugh and he suddenly felt better about the whole situation. He shouldn’t have forgotten how much his human could help him relax. “I seriously doubt that Peyton has become a terrorist while she’s been at school,” he said. “But if it makes you feel better then I’ll call Gibbs when we get back to the lab.”
********************
 
Mac checked in with all his team members when he and Danny got back after lunch and then made his way to his office. It was still strange to think that there was a larger family that he was a part of, that Mac wasn’t human and he was responsible for Danny on such a deep lever, but he knew he’d never trade this life for anything. He picked up his cell phone with a wry grin and called his friend, and alpha, in Washington DC.
 
“What?” a harsh voice demanded.
 
“If my timing is that bad, Gibbs, I can always call back,” Mac said with a snicker. He knew that half of Jethro Gibbs’ attitude was an act to keep his people in line and working hard but also knew that if need be Gibbs could turn into that bastard in a second.
 
“Talk to DiNozzo.”
 
“This is Tony,” a calmer voice came over the line. Gibbs had obviously handed off his phone to his human.
 
“Hey Tony, its Mac, is everything okay?”
 
“Gibbs is driving,” Tony said as tires squealed in the background. “What’s up?”
 
“We’re getting someone new on staff here at the lab and Danny reminded me that Gibbs has taken to running everyone through your databases to make sure no terrorists are sneaking into the labs.”
 
Tony snorted, sounding remarkably like his dragon. “I’d say he’s paranoid but after some of the things that have been happening down here I know better,” he said. “So who is it?”
 
“Her name is Peyton Driscoll and she’s a medical examiner who has been on staff here before,” Mac said. “She left to teach and now, for some reason, she’s coming back. I told Danny about her because there’s history there and I don’t want to keep anything hidden from him.”
 
“Sound move,” Tony said. “Boss, could you maybe slow down a little so I can write? Don’t glare at me like that it’s important. Ow!”
 
“He smack you?” Mac asked.
 
“No, turned a corner before I was braced for it,” Tony replied. “Do all Marines drive like this or is it just Gibbs?”
 
“I’ve never ridden with him so I don’t know,” Mac snickered. “It sounds like quite the experience.”
 
“The scary thing is I’ve actually seen him turn around to deal with something in the back seat while driving,” Tony said. “I’ve gotten quick at grabbing the wheel if I have to.”
 
“Then the answer is no, that’s just Gibbs’ driving style,” Mac said. “In fact I think the Corps would be appalled to find one of their own driving like that.”
 
“It works for me,” Gibbs snarled. “If you’re done yakking we’ve got a dirt bag to catch.”
 
Mac sighed and rolled his eyes. “I’m not calling you at work again, Gibbs,” he said. “It’s too stressful.”
 
“Then I’ll talk to you tonight.”
 
Danny was a little concerned when he walked past his dragon’s office and saw Mac sitting at his desk laughing. He cracked the door open. “You okay, Mac?” he asked.
 
“I’m fine, Danny, it’s just Gibbs,” Mac said. “I feel sorry for Flack; he’s going to be suffering some major culture shock down there.”
 
“What happened?”
 
“Just Gibbs on a case,” Mac said. He wiped his eyes. “I repeat, if I ever get that bad you are to smack me.”
 
“Okay, but I still say that you won’t ever be that bad,” Danny smiled. “Gibbs is one of a kind which is probably a good thing.”
 
“Yes it is,” Mac agreed. “Did you need me for something?”
 
“Actually yes, Ryan thinks he found a break in the case and I wanted to get your opinion on it before we did anything else,” Danny said.
 
“Then lead the way,” Mac said. “How’s Ryan holding up?”
 
“He’s doing good, I think it helps to know he’s not alone here,” Danny replied. “I know he’s scared someone’s going to figure him out and there’ll be a repeat of Miami but I keep telling him his secret’s safe and there ain’t no one here that’s going to hurt him.”
 
“I’ll kill anyone who touches any of you,” Mac growled. He stopped and blinked a few times. “Okay, that was out of character.”
 
His human’s eyes went out of focus as he counted for a moment. “It is, actually; you’re still a couple months short,” Danny said. “I wonder if maybe your talent could be manifesting earlier than normal.”
 
“I seriously doubt it,” a soft Scottish accented voice said behind them. “Most likely Mac’s natural paternal instincts are being strengthened as he gets closer to his time to bond.”
 
“Mandy, don’t you know better than to sneak up on people?” Mac asked as he turned around.
 
“Of course but I knew I had the answer to that particular question,” she grinned. “You’re always saying that your team is your family, Mac; and I think this just proves it.”
 
“We’ll see,” Mac said. “I have you working with Stella again today.”
 
“Oh good, I was hoping I could see where the work I did yesterday would lead,” Mandy said. “I talked with Donnie last night. He’s settling in just fine and will call you later today, Danny. He’s starting with NCIS tomorrow.”
 
Danny and Mac laughed. “It’s probably just as well its not today,” Danny finally managed to gasp. “Based on what Mac was telling me.”
 
“And what was that?” Mandy asked.
 
“I just got off the phone with Gibbs and he was in ultra-bastard mode,” Mac replied. “If he’s like that with Flack it might be enough to frighten him off from the new federal position.”
 
“Donnie’s stronger than that,” Mandy said. “Don’t linger too long in the halls, I’m hearing the walls not only have ears but eyes these days.”
 
The bond pair watched their young friend leave. “What do you think that means?” Danny asked.
 
“I have no idea,” Mac replied. “But I’ll find out as soon as I look over your case.”

Tony was sitting at his desk watching Kate closely. He knew that Abby was going to be bringing Don Flack up in a moment and there was no way that Tony was going to miss the reaction on Kate’s face. In a way he hoped the addition of the native New Yorker would ease the tension on the team a little as McGee was obviously too scared to do anything other than what Gibbs told him.
 
“Is there a reason you’re staring at me today, Tony?” Kate asked.
 
“Just thinking how nice your hair looks when you wear it like that,” Tony replied, lying easily. It almost scared him sometimes how easily he could lie to people. It made him good undercover but he worked not to do it unless he absolutely had to around his friends and family. The only person he never worried about was Gibbs because he couldn’t lie to his dragon and the ice blue alpha always knew when someone was lying to him.
 
“Wow,” Kate muttered blinking a few times.
 
“What Kate?” Tony asked innocently.
 
“Who’s that with Abby?”
 
“Most likely her new boyfriend and our newest team member,” Tony replied turning to look. “Don, man, welcome to NCIS.”
 
Flack looked around the bull pen with an easy smile. “Thanks Tony; is Gibbs around?”
 
“He stepped upstairs for a minute, should be back just in time to catch us doing something we shouldn’t be,” Tony said. “Abs is all his paperwork in order?”
 
“Sure is, he’s ready to go,” Abby replied. “And I’ve got work to do as well so I’ll see you all later.”
 
“Just think if Mandy does come down for the summer,” Don commented as he watched his human leave. “The trouble those two could get in to.”
 
Tony laughed. “I think Gibbs would be able to keep a tight reign on them,” he said. “So, introductions. Don Flack this is Caitlin Todd, Kate, our profiler and Tim McGee, probie, our computer geek.”
 
“Nice to meet you both,” Don said. “Tony is there anything I need to know?”
 
“Military jargon but you’ll pick that up as you go along,” Tony said. “I’ll help you our where you need it until everything makes sense. Otherwise just do what Gibbs tells you to and you’ll be fine. But get used to a boss who wants things done yesterday and yells until he gets results.”
 
“He really is like that all the time, huh?”
 
“Oh yeah,” Tony said. “Come on, I’ll take you on the tour. Kate, will you let Gibbs know we’re down in the morgue and lab?”
 
Kate and McGee watched the pair leave and then looked at each other. “Okay, that was weird,” Kate finally said.
 
“What’s that?”
 
“Have you ever seen Tony so helpful to anyone other than a beautiful woman?” Kate asked. “I mean we’ve got a brand new team member and he’s still calling you probie.”
 
“I don’t think I can understand anything Tony does,” McGee said. “But if a new guy means he won’t pick on me all the time then I’m happy to have Flack around.”
 
“It doesn’t,” Gibbs said as he stalked to his desk, coffee cup in hand.”
 
“Doesn’t what?” Kate asked.
 
“There’s going to be a few changes around here you both will have to adapt to,” Gibbs said. “And live with.”
 
“Like what?” Kate demanded.
 
“Flack’s a former homicide detective so he’s going to think cop. I want him broken of that habit as quick as possible,” Gibbs said. “But he has talent and if I hear either of you speculating on him again you will be in trouble.” He looked up at them, ice blue eyes firm. “Are we clear?”
 
Kate stood up and walked over until she was standing in front of Gibbs’ desk. “Okay, just what the hell is going on around here,” she demanded. “First Tony and now you, it’s like you’re just bending over backwards for this new guy. I’ve never known you to make exceptions to anything, Gibbs, and that’s exactly what you’re doing here. Is it because Flack is dating Abby?”
 
“Nope,” Gibbs said.
 
“Then what?”
 
“I’m the boss, Kate,” Gibbs commented. “I don’t have to explain myself to you or anyone other than the director. Is that clear enough for you?”
 
“I will find out what’s going on around here, Gibbs,” Kate snapped.
 
“You do that,” Gibbs said. “On your own time. I want to see those reports on my desk in an hour. And where the hells DiNozzo?”
 
“He took Flack down to meet Ducky and see Abby’s lab, boss,” McGee said.
 
“Good,” Gibbs said as he settled into his chair.
********************
 
Mac sighed and looked at the report in front of him again. Ryan had been right that the fiber matched palm fronds and it was most likely from a new club that had opened recently but he didn’t see any good way to get a warrant to search for evidence based off that single fact. He called Danny, Ryan and Hawkes into his office for a meeting.
 
“So we have a body found in an apartment with unknown fibers tying him to the bed,” Mac said as he glanced through the paperwork. “The man died from a stab wound but robbery doesn’t seem to be the motive. Ryan figured out the fibers are from a palm tree and we believe that they come from the Palm Club but at this point don’t have enough cause to go before a judge to ask for a warrant.”
 
“That sounds about right,” Danny agreed. “We was thinking that we don’t need a warrant to go and have dinner though. It might not hurt to have a look around and just see what we can.”
 
“All right,” Mac sighed. “It can’t be any worse than the club with the fighting fish those kids were eating. Let’s go.”
 
Hawkes seemed a little surprised. “Are you coming too, Mac?”
 
“I’m feeling hungry,” Mac replied trying not to smile. There was no way he was going to let Danny out alone if he could avoid it.
 
“I don’t know that there’s a reason for all of us to go,” Ryan said. “If you don’t mind I’ll stay here and look over the evidence some more. We might have missed something.”
 
“All right, Ryan,” Mac said. “But you don’t have to; you’re more than welcome to join us.”
 
Ryan smiled. “One thing I learned in Miami is that two people stand out less in a club than a group,” he said. “I’ll be fine, Mac.”
 
“I’ll stay and help,” Hawkes said. “He’s right and you and Danny are in tune with each other, Mac. You’ll be able to keep each other out of trouble and find answers better than the rest of us could.”
 
“All right,” Mac agreed. He knew he’d have to have a talk with Hawkes soon about what he’d seen but it didn’t seem like the younger man wanted to give away their secret and was willing to keep his own council about things so Mac wasn’t in a huge rush.
********************
 
Ducky was working on someone when Tony led the way into the morgue. “Ah Tony, did Jethro send you down again?” he asked not looking up. “I keep telling him that I won’t have the answers any faster by being hounded all the time but he just won’t listen.”
 
“You know Gibbs, Ducky,” Tony grinned. “He’s a stubborn bastard but that’s not why I’m here. I wanted to introduce you to our newest team member if you’re not too busy.”
 
“Oh I’m just finishing up this suicide,” Ducky said. “And I believe Mr. Palmer is more than capable of stitching him closed.” He took off his gloves and made his way to the sink. “It always saddens me when someone so young chooses to end their own life.”
 
“It may well be the only thing they felt they had control over any more, Ducky,” Tony said. “But it is sad.”
 
“Indeed it is, my dear boy, indeed it is but you are right. One’s life can spiral out of control if one isn’t careful and death may soon be the only option left.” He finished cleaning up and looked over at the young man standing next to Tony. “Ah, this would be Don Flack from New York I take it?”
 
Don grinned. “Let me guess, Abby’s been talking about me.”
 
“She has but I see that you don’t live up to her descriptive abilities,” Ducky said. “I’ll have to have a chat with her about that. Welcome to NCIS, my boy, its good to have you along. Don’t let Jethro scare you too much; his bark is much worse than his bite.”
 
“And his slap is worse than his bark,” Tony said. “Trust me on that one.”
 
“You want to try them all out, DiNozzo?” Gibbs asked. “Tell me which one is the worst?”
 
“No thanks, boss,” Tony said. “Because I already know the answer.”
 
“Good,” Gibbs grinned. “Don, glad to see you in one piece; the coffin didn’t scare you too much did it?”
 
The men all looked over as a loud clang rang through the morgue. “You got a problem there, Palmer?” Gibbs asked.
 
“No sir,” Jimmy replied turning back to his work.
 
“Actually it was too short for me,” Don said. “So we’re talking about getting a bed that won’t cramp me so badly. And when you’ve got a minute, Gibbs, I’ve got a message for you.”
 
“Got time right now, Don,” Gibbs said. “Tony, we’ll meet you in the lab.”
 
“Yes boss,” Tony said.
 
Gibbs led Flack to the elevator and stopped it between floors. “What’s going on, Don? Is everyone in New York okay?”
 
“We’re fine but Mac’s getting close to his time to blend and is wondering if you know a safe spot for him to Change without being seen.”
 
“Damn, I hadn’t thought about that,” Gibbs said. “Tony and I went out into the country and no one saw us far as we could tell. I’ll call Mac later and talk with him; he’s going to have to leave New York but I might send him back to Miami and let Grissom deal with it.”
 
Don smirked. “That beach of theirs is awfully dark at night and it might not be a bad idea to keep our dragons as safe as we can,” he said. “That’s if the Miami group don’t mind us coming down like that.”
 
“I’ll call Grissom too,” Gibbs said. “When Tony and I were talking about forming a community I didn’t realize all the hassle that would come from trying to keep everyone safe.”
 
“But you love it,” Don said. “I can tell.”
 
“You tell anyone and I’ll Change and bite you,” Gibbs said. He started the elevator again. “And that includes Abby.”
 
“If you say so, boss.”

Mac looked up in surprise as the door to his office slammed open and a Scottish whirlwind blew in. He was just glad that she had enough sense to keep away from his desk and the paperwork he’d just spent the past few hours organizing. With a small sigh he leaned back in his chair and watched Mandy pace, knowing she’d start talking when she felt like it.
 
“I don’t understand why Americans place so much value on being so thin you can wrap your hands around a girl’s waist and have your fingers meet,” Mandy said softly. “Horatio told me about this but I was hoping never to see it for myself but I just can’t tell Danny no when he looks at me with those bit puppy dog eyes.”
 
The dragon bit his lip to keep from smiling; he knew exactly what look Mandy was referring to.
 
“Those girls had no business trying to look like models; they’re only fifteen and they bought in to the hype that’s swarming the media right now. It’s so unfair that their parents didn’t care enough to notice what was happening until it was too late.”
 
“Amanda,” Mac said softly. “Honey, sit down and tell me what’s wrong.”
 
The young girl paused in her pacing and sank onto the sofa in the corner of Mac’s office. “The real problem is the bitchwhore in the morgue,” she said. Mandy let her accent change a little as she tried to sound more British than normal. “Oh no you’re too young to be in here. Go away and let us do our bloody job. You’re only playing to be a lab tech, what do you think you’re doing here in the first place.” Her blue eyes pierced Mac. “Where the hell did they drag her from anyway?”
 
“A woman with brown hair and an English accent?” Mac asked.
 
“Indeed.”
 
“That would be the new chief M.E., Peyton Driscoll,” Mac sighed. “I didn’t know she was here today. I’ll have a talk with her; come on.”
 
“Mac, do you think I might borrow Sheldon and put together a presentation for younger school girls?” Mandy asked softly, her accent more pronounced in her agitation. “On the dangers of diet pills and eating disorders? They might listen better if it comes from someone nearer their own age.”
 
“Let Hawkes finish the case he’s working and then talk to him,” Mac replied. “And call Horatio to get his case information. I’m guessing this is about Lindsay’s latest case?”
 
“Yeah, five girls all died because they wanted to be thin,” Mandy sighed. She leaned against Mac. “Why do Americans put so much pressure on women to be perfect?”
 
Mac hugged his young friend. “I don’t know, kiddo, I really don’t,” he said. “But I think you have a good idea and it’d be good public relations for the department too.” They stepped off the elevator and made their way towards the morgue.
 
Peyton was just finishing up one of the young girls when the door opened. Her face lit up when she saw the man walking in the door. “Mac, I was hoping I’d get to see you today.”
 
“Peyton,” Mac replied. “I wanted to introduce you to Amanda Bonnibel; she’s my student and works here at the lab as an intern. I understand you didn’t want her in the morgue?”
 
Mandy stood slightly behind Mac and watched the ME’s face and sighed. “Never mind, Mac,” she said. “I’ll go see if Hawkes needs any help with his case.”
 
“Mandy?” Mac asked. “Are you okay?”
 
“Bloody brilliant,” she muttered. “Thanks for trying, Mac.”
 
“How old is she, Mac?” Peyton asked once they were alone.
 
“Old enough to be here,” Mac replied. “I was expecting you to come down and see me before you went to work.”
 
“Sid was overwhelmed and needed my help,” Peyton said with a soft smile. “So I came in earlier than I expected. I was hoping to be able to get you alone to talk for a bit though. How’d you like to go out for dinner when we get off work?”
 
Mac sighed. “I’m sorry but I have plans,” he said. “Do not chase Amanda out of here again; she has every right to be in any part of the lab.”
********************
 
Ryan and Sheldon were working on a forgery case in the layout room when the door opened and closed behind them. Ryan, the more aware of the pair, looked up and met sad blue eyes. “Hey Amanda,” said with a smile. “Did you finish up with Lindsay’s case already?”
 
“I’ve been reassigned,” Mandy said. “Do you guys need any help?”
 
Hawkes looked up and grinned. “Desperately,” he said. “How good are you at handwriting analysis?”
 
“They’ve been working with me a little but not much,” Mandy admitted. “Anything else I could do?”
 
“Well you could sort these letters into stacks based on month and then order them by date while I check on some stuff,” Hawkes said.
 
“That I can do, Sheldon,” Mandy smiled. “Thanks.”
********************
 
Mac went looking for his human as soon as he left the morgue. He wanted to let Danny know what was going on and the fact that Peyton was going to be a bigger threat than either of them had anticipated as it seemed she still thought that Mac was available and was going to do everything she could to try and catch his affections again.
 
“Danny,” he said as he stepped into the AV lab. “Do you have a minute?”
 
“While this is downloading, yeah,” Danny replied. “What’s up, Mac?”
 
“Peyton is here,” Mac sighed. “And already causing trouble. How do you feel about taking Amanda out for dinner tonight?”
 
Danny looked up with shrewd eyes and smiled at his dragon. “You really love her, don’t you?” he asked. “I saw her in with Ryan a bit ago; I’ll make sure she don’t got no plans for tonight. What else has you all twisted up?”
 
“Peyton asked me out,” Mac admitted. “I turned her down but I have a feeling she’s not going to give up any time soon.”
 
“It might not hurt to go out with her,” Danny said. “See if you can’t figure out what the hell is going through her head. I don’t mind so long as its just dinner.”
 
“Don’t make me smack you,” Mac grinned. “So you think I should take her out and find out exactly what she wants, huh? What if she wants me back in her bed?”
 
“Now you didn’t tell me it went that far,” Danny scolded. He frowned and turned back towards the computer.
 
Mac leaned over and put his mouth right next to Danny’s ear. “It didn’t,” he said. “We tried but I couldn’t perform. And she’d be in for another disappointment if she tried now because you’re the only one who makes me hard; makes me long to feel you against me. Only you, Danny and no one else. Don’t ever worry about me leaving you for any reason. I love you.”
 
“I’m sorry, Mac,” Danny sighed. “It’s just the thought of you with her and I don’t even know what she looks like.”
 
“Dark hair, dark eyes; very close to Claire’s coloring,” Mac said. “Which is probably the reason I wanted to date her in the first place. I was trying to replace Claire. She looks nothing like you and I’m never going to compare the two of you for any reason because she means nothing to me. After what she did to Amanda I don’t even want to be in the same room with her.”
 
Danny turned his head and pulled back a little. “What did she do to Mandy? Do I got to hurt her or something?” he asked. “I can call Donnie and we can get it done this weekend, no problem.”
 
Mac laughed and sat down next to his human. “I don’t think we need to go that far, yet,” he said. “I’ll take care of it but I do want to talk things over with Amanda. This is her home and if she’s feeling uncomfortable here then maybe she could go to one of the other community labs until things settle down here a little. I know Abby would die to have her as an assistant.”
 
“Yeah, but poor Gibbs,” Danny chuckled. “I think sending Mandy away would feel too much like a rejection no matter how it was phrased. I’ll watch out for her if you’ll let me have her as a helper.”
 
“Actually she’s got a community relations project going on and is going to ask Sheldon and Horatio for help,” Mac said. “And I need to call the brass and let them know. It’ll be good press not only for us but the department as well.”
 
“Then I’ll see if she needs another helper,” Danny said. “She’s my little sister, Mac, and I ain’t about to let no one hurt her if I can help it.”
 
“You and everyone in the communities,” Mac said. “See about setting up supper for us?”
 
“Yeah, you got it Mac.”
 
Mac patted Danny’s shoulder and stood to leave and bumped into Stella. “So Mac,” she said. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”
********************
 
Don was working on digging up some background information on a seaman when his cell phone rang. “Flack.”
 
“Hey Donnie, I wanted you opinion on something.”
 
“Danny, can I call you back?” Don asked. “There’s a lot going on here right now and Gibbs wants answers yesterday.”
 
He jumped as his phone was pulled out of his hand. Don looked up as Gibbs put the phone to his own ear. “This had better be important, Messer.”
 
“Gibbs; Mandy might be in trouble,” Danny said calmly. “And I wanted to ask Don if I should hide the body in the sewer or dump it in the river.”
 
“There won’t be a body if I have anything to say about it,” Gibbs said. “You guys take care of that young lady and call if you need help.” He flipped the phone closed and handed it back to Don. “What have you got, Flack?”
 
“Bank records are clean, boss,” Don said. “I was just starting on phone and cell records when Danny called. I’ll have them for you as soon as I can.”
 
“Now would be good,” Gibbs said. “DiNozzo, I’ll be in the lab. You keep these guys on task.”
 
“Right boss.”
 
Gibbs stalked to the elevator and stood glaring at the door the short ride down to the lower levels of the building. “Gibbs, just the man I wanted to see,” Abby exclaimed with a big smile. “I’ve got good news and great news; what do you want to hear first?”
 
“Do you have a solution to this case, Abs?”
 
“That and more, bossman,” Abby said. “Come here and let me show you what I did.”
 
“Just tell me, Abby,” Gibbs sighed.
 
Abby paused and looked at the ice blue dragon. “Gibbs are you okay? I mean, not that you look bad or anything but you’re missing your usual bark and that’s kinda scary.”
 
“Don just got a call from New York and I’ve been debating sending you up to deal with it,” Gibbs said. “Do you think you could be away from Flack for a couple of days?”
 
“Probably if I needed to,” Abby said. She handed over the folder with her results, concerned enough to skip her normal dramatic presentation. “Just let me know, okay?”
 
“I will, Abs; thanks.”

“Mac, do you have a moment?” Peyton asked leaning into his office.
 
“A brief one, yes,” Mac replied. “I’m meeting some friends for dinner and we’re leaving in three minutes.”
 
“You’ve changed,” she said. “And I’m not sure its for the best.”
 
He stared at her; was it possible that she knew about dragons? Mac knew he’d have to call not only Gibbs but also Miami and let Grissom or Horatio know what was going on. Her wording could have only been a coincidence but somehow he didn’t think so. “I’m not sure what you mean, Peyton.”
 
“Before you were so serious about keeping us a secret,” she said. “Not letting anyone know that you were dating again so soon after Claire’s death. Was it because you were ashamed or because we were working together?”
 
“I told you then, it’s because we worked together,” Mac said. “And I’m still not sure where you’re going with this.”
 
“You’re obviously going out to dinner with someone here at the lab,” Peyton said. “What made you relax so much that you no longer care if you’re seen in public with an employee?”
 
“For the simple fact that Danny and I are not dating,” Mac said. “And Mandy is young enough to be my daughter. I’ve never had a problem going out with coworkers in a friendly manner but it was inappropriate for me to flaunt that I was dating someone I worked with.”
 
She looked at him closely. “Just what does this Mandy mean to you?”
 
“Amanda is my student,” Mac said. “I’m responsible for her while she’s here at the lab. She wants to be a CSI and I will not have her made to feel unwelcome in her lab.” 
 
Danny tapped on the glass door and raised an eye brow. Mac shook his head and motioned for his human to wait. “I’ll talk to you later, Peyton,” he said.
 
“I think you’re making a mistake,” she said as she left the office ignoring the pair waiting at the foot of the stairs for Mac.
 
“Gibbs says he’ll take care of it,” Danny commented darkly as the trio made their way out of the lab and onto the street. “All we have to do is let him know.”
 
“I’d rather not have to explain a dead body to anyone,” Mac said. “Come here, Amanda.”
 
She stepped around until she was between her friends. “I am sorry for running out on you like that, Mac,” she said softly. “But I was watching her face and she was about to deny everything to make me appear to be lying to you. I’ve seen the look before and just didn’t feel up to dealing with it.”
 
“I’ll believe you over her any day,” Mac said. “But you need to tell me about problems, kid. Don’t just bottle them up and hide away with another member of the team.”
 
“Even if its Danny?” Mandy asked.
 
“Even then; although he’d probably tell me before he hurt anyone who wanted to hurt you,” Mac replied. “I have to ask; would you feel more comfortable at one of the other labs while things settle down?”
 
“I would but I’m not letting anyone run me out again,” Mandy said. “Sheldon agreed to help me with my project so I’ll be in the computer lab more than anything else for a while and can avoid the morgue.”
 
“I’ll tell the others to let you be while you work on this,” Mac said. “Did Danny manage to convince you to let him help in his free time?”
 
Mandy smiled. “He did and I accepted,” she said. “He’s cute enough that young women will listen to him and remember what he says.” 
 
“Hey if you want looks we need to get Donnie home or fly Nick up from Miami,” Danny said. “But I’m yours whenever I’m free.”
 
“What if I were to tie you down, Danny?” Mac asked.
 
Danny’s eyes darkened a little. “Then I’m definitely your’s,” he said. “Forever.”
********************
 
When Mac and Danny got home after ensuring that Mandy was safely locked in her own apartment Danny went to shower while Mac settled into his favorite chair and called Gibbs’ house.
 
“Gibbs. Talk!”
 
“Jethro, if you or Tony are there pick up,” Mac said. “It’s important.”
 
“Mac, are you and Danny okay?” Tony asked a moment later.
 
“I think we’ve got a problem,” Mac replied his heart slowing a little as he was able to let the alpha pair know about his fears. “Remember that M.E. I called you about? I think she might know about dragons.”
 
There was muttering in the background and the sound of a tool being set down. “What the hell do you mean she might know about us?” Gibbs demanded.
 
“She came into my office at the end of shift and told me I’d ‘changed’ and not for the better,” Mac said. “I just can’t shake the feeling that her choice of words was meant to rattle me into doing something stupid.”
 
“As much as I’d like to doubt that she’s a hunter spy and they’ll be swooping down on us any day now I’m not that much of an optimist,” Gibbs snorted. “Look, you’re close to blending and there’s no way in hell you can do that in the city. I talked with Grissom and he says you and Danny are welcome to come down to Miami and use their beach. It’s isolated and dark and you’ll be safe.”
 
“All right, I’ll call Miami in a bit and talk with them,” Mac said. “What do you want me to do about Peyton?”
 
Gibbs grunted. “I’ll have Abby do some detailed digging on her tomorrow,” he said. “Is that the bitch who wants to hurt Mandy?”
 
“Yes; Amanda’s working on a project that’ll keep her in the computer lab for the foreseeable future,” Mac said. “So I’ll be able to keep her safe but I think Danny’s ready to kill Peyton.”
 
“He’s not the only one,” Gibbs said. “I told Messer; you guys say the word and I’m up there to take care of this problem. No one hurts what’s mine and gets away with it.”
 
“Right,” Mac said. “How’s Don doing?”
 
“He’s confused the hell out of the other two members of my team,” Gibbs laughed. “It’s driving them crazy trying to figure out how come Tony and I are so nice to Don all the time when DiNozzo is normally a pain and I’m a bastard.”
 
“Glad to hear you’re keeping them on their toes,” Mac said. “Thanks for the ear, Gibbs; I’m feeling a little more relaxed.”
 
“Good, now go grab your human and claim him,” Gibbs said. “I’ll call as soon as Abby has something.”
 
Mac pushed the off button and waited a moment before turning the phone back on and dialing a less familiar number.
 
“Hello?”
 
“Nick? It’s Mac Taylor up in New York,” he said. “Is Dr. Grissom at home?”
 
“Yeah, he’s reading; hang on a second.”
 
“Mac, Gibbs said you might call,” Gil said a moment later. “How are you feeling?”
 
“Unbalanced and ready to rip someone’s head off,” Mac replied. “Gibbs said you offered the use of your beach for blending for me.”
 
“We did although I’m a little surprised that you’re ready,” Gil said. “Because I know Speed Changed about a week before you did and he’s not quite ready to try yet.”
 
Mac sighed. “So how long do I have to live with this feeling like I’m being torn in two?” he asked. “Because as it stands right now I’m ready to kill the next suspect who mouths off to me and that’s not a good thing.”
 
“No it’s not.” He could almost hear the Miami alpha frowning. “You do the schedule, why don’t you and Danny plan to come down this weekend and we’ll see what’s going on with you. It’s possible because your Change involved the amnesia that your blending time will be different as well.”
 
“It’s not the same for everyone?” Mac asked.
 
“Horatio managed to blend while in human form,” Gil replied with a snort. “No one can figure out how he managed that but he’s completely blended and in control. I think the best thing for you to do at this point is get down here and let us help you through this.”
 
“Gil, do you know why Gibbs wants me to come down instead of heading to meet him?”
 
“Two reasons,” Gil said. “One the beach here is well isolated and there’s much less a chance you’ll be seen in dragon form. Two, he’s only dealt with his own blending while I’ve helped a couple of other dragons through the process. He’s just using the resources at his disposal and we don’t mind. I know Horatio and Greg are looking forward to seeing you guys again.”
 
“I was going to bring Mandy along,” Mac said. “It won’t cause any problems will it?”
 
“Of course not,” Gil said. “This is her home as much as New York and DC are. By all means bring her along; we’ll be happy to see all of you.”
 
“Thanks Gil,” Mac sighed. “Look, I need to go but Horatio has some contacts doesn’t he. Ones that Gibbs doesn’t?”
 
“I’m sure he does,” Gil said. “What’s wrong?”
 
Mac quickly filled Gil in on the whole situation with Peyton. “I’m not worried about hunters so much as I am what she could do to Danny if she were to work it out.”
 
“It’s possible she has no clue and just meant you’d changed in a more normal sense,” Gil said. “But I agree with you and I doubt it. We’ll do some digging down here and let you know what we find.”

When Gibbs hung up the phone he turned and looked at Tony. “Call Abby,” he said as he picked up his drill again.
 
“And tell her what, boss?” Tony asked.
 
“I want to find out about this Driscoll bitch up in New York and I want everything Abby can find on her,” Gibbs replied. “Marines don’t jump at shadows, Tony; if Mac’s worried then we’re damn well going to pay attention to his warning.”
 
“Right boss,” Tony said. “How long are you going to stay down here tonight?”
 
“That depends,” Gibbs said.
 
“On?”
 
“How hard you try to convince me to go to bed,” Gibbs smirked.
 
Tony laughed. “Not a chance, Jethro,” he said. “The last time I dared touch you while you were working on this boat you spent the next twenty minutes yelling at me for distracting you. I’m not falling for it again.”
 
“If I recall right, Tony; my cock was buried in your ass with the boat holding you up as I lectured you,” Gibbs said. “I’m impressed you remember any of that. I must be losing my touch.”
 
“Come to bed at a reasonable hour and I’ll let you know,” Tony said. “I’ll go call Abby.”
********************
 
Mac was apprehensive when he got to the lab the next morning; something was going to go wrong before he and Danny were able to get down to Miami and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
 
“Relax Mac,” Danny said softly. “All your people are safe; I promise.”
 
“It’s all going to blow up in our faces though, Dan,” Mac replied. “I just don’t know when.”
 
Stella joined them. “Good morning guys,” she said. “Mac, there’s a body in the river; mind if I steal Danny for this one? I haven’t worked with him in a long time.”
 
“I don’t remember assigning that case to you,” Mac said.
 
“You didn’t,” Stella grinned. “Talk to you later, Mac.”
 
Danny laughed and followed his friend back down the hall. “He’s in a bad mood, Stella; I’d be careful teasing him right now.”
 
“Mac’s harmless,” she said. “But how would you know he’s in a bad mood? What’s going on, Danny?”
 
“We met for breakfast,” Danny said. “He’s been helping me with my shooting techniques and I guess I’m just better at reading him now. It all has to do with that new ME we got.”
 
“Peyton,” Stella said. “I remember her from before; she always struck me as okay. What’s going on?”
 
“Not a clue, Stel,” Danny grinned. “You’ll have to ask Mac about that if you want answers. So did you ask me to partner you on this ‘cause you missed me or to give me the third degree?”
 
It was Stella’s turn to laugh. “I miss you, Danny,” she said. “You’re a good CSI, thorough and easy to work with. Besides, I’ve been teaching nonstop for the past two months; it’s time to let Mac deal with the kids. I want a partner who knows what’s going on.”
 
“Don’t forget you ain’t the only one teaching,” Danny grinned. “Ryan and Hawkes are sharp. They’ll do fine.”
 
“Oh don’t get me wrong, Lindsay is a good CSI,” Stella said. “She’d have to be for Mac to bring her into the team. But there are times when she just seems so young and innocent and it’s tiring after a while.”
 
“It’s a shame what this job can take away from you,” Danny said. “I like Montana, she’s a good kid.”
 
“I could tell her you’re still calling her that.”
 
“Do it,” Danny said. “I’ve been meaning to find out how good a scrapper she is.”
 
“Mac would never forgive me,” Stella said. “And I doubt Lindsay would either.”
********************
 
As it was actually relatively quiet in the city for the moment Mac sent Hawkes to find Mandy and get started on their community relations project. The brass had requested they make it a little more illegal drug oriented and Mandy had a meeting with them later that afternoon. Mac just had a feeling that she was going to actually win that argument.
 
He spent the morning helping Ryan and Lindsay finish up their cases and then sent them off to do paperwork. Mac sighed and went back to his office to work on the schedule; he still wasn’t sure how he was going to get time off for that weekend for both him and Danny but he was going to do his damnest to make it happen. They needed the trip and time together.
 
“Mac?”
 
“Ryan, come in,” Mac replied with a smile. “What can I do for you?”
 
“I’m just a little confused about this report I got from the ME’s office,” Ryan replied. “Could you help me make sense of it?”
 
Mac took the folder and glanced over it. “Latin,” he said. “Why the hell would the report be filled out in Latin?”
 
“I don’t know but I couldn’t find the words in the dictionary and I don’t recognize most of them,” Ryan said. “At least I know I’m not an idiot.”
 
“Don’t think of yourself like that, Ryan,” Mac said. “First of all there are no idiots on my team and second there are no idiots on Horatio Caine’s team. You’ve got brains in there and you use them well. I’m glad to have you here on my team.”
 
“Thanks, Mac,” Ryan said. “So the report?”
 
“I’ll go have a talk with the ME and see what’s going on,” Mac said. “It’s possible this was her note sheet and the wrong paperwork was sent to us.”
 
“Okay, thanks.”
 
That was something Mac had been hoping to avoid for the next few days until he was a little more under control; avoiding the morgue. He felt like all it would take was one wrong word from anyone and he’d be ripping their heads off. He had to get to Miami and talk with Grissom; this was driving him crazy. Still he took a deep breath and made his way through the halls of the lab, his lab, his territory to the morgue.
 
He paused outside the door for a second to get his raging emotions under control. There was no logical reason for him to feel like Peyton was coming in and trying to take over his lab. She hadn’t even looked at Danny so he doubted that she was fixated on trying to eliminate the one threat, the one block back into his bed. Mac sighed and pulled out his cell phone.
 
“Caine.”
 
“H, it’s Mac; I don’t have Dr. Grissom’s number here at the lab,” Mac said. “Do you think we could make this earlier?”
 
“What’s wrong, Mac?” Horatio asked obviously concerned.
 
Mac looked around to make sure he was alone and lowered his voice. “I feel like a male tiger whose mate is being stalked by another male,” he said. “It’s like my territory is being threatened and I want to rend someone apart because of it.”
 
“Hop the next flight down, Mac,” Horatio said. “Forget about requesting time off; take emergency leave because this is serious. Get Danny and get down here now. I’m not kidding, Mac; right now.”
 
“I’ve got a couple of things I need to finish and he’s at a scene,” Mac said. “We’ll be there as soon as we can.”
 
“The sooner the better, Mac,” Horatio said. “I’ll let Gil know what’s going on and, while you’re down here, we’re going to load everyone’s cell numbers into your, Danny and Mandy’s cell phones.”
 
“Thanks, H,” Mac said. He tucked the phone away and took a deep breath. “I can do this.”
 
“Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity,” Peyton said walking out of the morgue. “What can I do for you, Mac?”
 
“I have a few questions about this,” he said holding out Ryan’s folder. “The primary one being why it was sent to us like this.”
 
She took the folder and opened it. “Oh I’m so sorry, Mac,” Peyton said. “These are my notes on the body that I made while I was working. I can’t believe I did that. Here, hang on a second; the report is just inside in my office.”
 
Mac watched her walk off and considered; was it really a mistake or did it have a deeper meaning behind it? Could she possible have sent the wrong report down knowing that the CSI on the case was new enough that he’d go talk to Mac about it rather than making waves with the ME? It was possible that it was all a ploy to see him again, to let him know that she was still interested in him; he could smell that and cursed his dragon senses for a moment. The only human he wanted near him was Danny.
 
“Here you are, Mac,” Peyton said. “Tell young Mr. Wolfe how sorry I am about that and he shouldn’t be scared to come and ask me about things like that. I most assuredly do not bite.”
 
“I’ll let him know, thank you Peyton.”
 
“Mac, I was wondering if you’d like to get together later, maybe for coffee and talk.”
 
“I’m sorry, but not this week; I have plans,” Mac said.
 
“Plans that involve romance?” she asked.
 
“Yes.”
 
“Then you’ve moved on?”
 
“I have and I’m happy,” Mac replied. “Happier than I can ever remember being.”
 
She looked at him. “Even when Claire was alive.”
 
“That was a low shot, Peyton, and I’m going to forget you said it,” Mac growled.
 
“When can I meet the woman who took your heart?”
 
“When she’s ready to meet everyone,” Mac said.
******************** 
 
When Mac got back down to the lab he found that Danny and Stella were back from their crime scene. He dropped the new folder off with Ryan and went to the trace lab. “Stella, I’m sorry but something important has come up,” he said. “Danny and I are taking four days of emergency leave effective now.”
 
“What’s wrong, Mac?” she asked obviously concerned.
 
“I can’t talk about it, Stella,” he replied. “But keep an eye on everyone for me, please?”
 
“I will, Mac; they’re my kids too,” she said. “What about Mandy?”
 
“She’s going to Miami for a few days to talk with Horatio about this project she’s working on,” Mac said. “Thanks Stella; I promise to tell you everything I possibly can when we get back.”

“Danny,” Mac whispered as they made their way into the locker room. “I’m not going to be able to wait. I need you now.”
 
Rather than replying with words Danny pulled his dragon in against him and claimed his mouth in a kiss he quickly surrendered control of as Mac’s tongue swept through in obvious possession. Mac was almost out of control and it frightened him as much as having him human near him calmed his racing heart a little. His last conscious thought was that he’d have to have a talk with Gibbs about not warning him that he’d lose control like this as he got closer to blending.
 
Mac ran his hands down to Danny’s waist and under his shirt pushing it up and out of the way. He knew that there wasn’t enough time for them to strip but hoped the little skin on skin contact would be enough to get him to the airport and through the flight down to Miami. Danny’s hands were busy on Mac’s belt and the fly of his suit pants. Mac ran his hands down Danny’s sides and pulled him in closer trying for as much contact between them as possible.
 
“Now Mac, please,” Danny whispered. He undid his jeans and pushed them to the floor before turning around and bracing himself on the wall.
 
“Lube?” Mac whispered.
 
“In my locker,” Danny replied. He heard Mac digging through the things Danny kept on the top shelf and sighed when slick fingers slid into him. “Take me fast, Mac?”
 
“Love you, Danny,” Mac said as he pressed home, moaning at the heat surrounding his cock. “Love you so much.”
 
“Love you too, Mac,” Danny replied.
 
Mac couldn’t recall the last time he felt as out of control as he was as he slammed into his human, only the soft moans telling him that he wasn’t hurting Danny. It was over too fast for both of them; human and dragon longing for contact, but Mac was too wild and out of control.
 
“Did I hurt you, Danny?” Mac asked as he nipped gently at his human’s neck.
 
“No, Mac,” Danny replied. “But we should get going. Hot as this was, something ain’t right and I think we need help to figure out what’s going on.”
********************
 
Mandy grew more and more bouncy as the plane drew closer to Miami and Mac wondered just how happy she was in New York at the moment. He made a note to talk with her once his own problems were out of the way and he could manage to focus again for more than a couple of minutes. It had taken some thought but both Mac and Danny changed into shorts when they swung by their apartment to pack and no one thought twice about two tall guys bare legs touching on a crowded airplane and the contact helped keep Mac more in control than he had been before they left the lab.
 
“Horatio,” Mandy yelled running to meet the tall lieutenant and ended up swept up into a hug.
 
“Hello everyone,” Horatio said. “Gil asked me to come and meet you because we should be at about the same power level and I can control you if anything happens.”
 
Mac glanced at Danny. “So does that mean Gil could control Gibbs?” he asked.
 
“Scary,” Danny grinned. “Thanks for having up down at such short notice, Horatio.”
 
“You’re more than welcome, Danny,” Horatio said. “Do we need to collect any checked bags?”
 
“Nope, it’s all carry-ons,” Mac sighed. “We can’t stay for more than two days; things are just too hectic in New York right now and I only just got out of there. There were a couple guys on nights who wanted to pick up shifts.”
 
“It’s remarkable how a small thing like scheduling at the lab can screw up so many things,” Horatio commented. “Greg and I are trying to find time to take a vacation together but the directors are so impressed with him, his resume and credentials that they want to make him DNA supervisor for the lab and that means juggling two schedules instead of me attempting to work something out.”
 
“That’s a great honor though,” Mac said as they climbed into the Hummer; Mandy in front, Danny and Mac in the back. “Especially because he hasn’t been here that long.”
 
Horatio smirked. “They recognize talent,” he said. “And for all his antics Greg is extremely dedicated to the lab and what he does.”
 
“Antics,” Danny laughed. “That’s a good word for you, Mandy.”
 
“Thank you,” she said. “Horatio, have you found the time to copy those files for me?”
 
“I haven’t, Mandy; I’m sorry,” he said. “Things have been a little crazy at the lab and time is fleeting at the moment. But I can take you there once these two are settled in with Gil and Nick. We can get you everything you need for this project.”
 
“You should get her to come down here and present it,” Danny commented as he ran his hand up and down Mac’s thigh. “From what I’ve been allowed to see it’s gonna be great.”
 
“Then I will certainly have to think about it,” Horatio smiled.
********************
 
When Mac had visited before neither he nor Danny had made it to Gil and Nick’s house although they both wanted to. They found it to be comfortable although Mac bristled a little when he picked up the scent of another dragon.
 
“Why don’t we go out on the deck?” Nick asked staring intently at Mac. “You’ll be more comfortable and we can talk through what’s most likely going to happen.”
 
“Most likely?” Danny asked as he seized onto the word.
 
“No two blendings are exactly the same,” Nick replied as he led the way through the house. “Gil managed it in one go while Jim had to Change twice; Horatio stayed in human form the entire time and I don’t know about Gibbs.”
 
“But based off what I’m feeling from you, Mac,” Gil said from his chair on the back deck, “you’ll manage it in one Change tonight. You’re more tense and protective of your human than anyone I’ve met so far this close to blending.”
 
Mac managed a smile. “This is all a science project to you, isn’t it Gris?” he asked.
 
“What is life isn’t?” Gil asked.
 
“Our refrigerator,” Nick yelled from the kitchen.
 
The two New Yorkers looked baffled; Gil just chuckled. “Nick maintains that I shouldn’t keep science experiments in the fridge in the kitchen,” he said. “Something about it upsetting the rest of the community when they come over for dinner.”
 
“Gil; you had blood in there seeing how it would mold,” Nick said. “Don’t worry, guys; that was months ago. I’ve been keeping a closer eye on it now.” He put down a pitcher of ice tea and four glasses.
 
“Now normally we’d send Danny off with Nick for a quick briefing on what’s going on,” Gil said with a look at his human. “But as I think Mac’s in guard mode we should just run through everything right now and then you two can have some time alone before Mac attempts to blend.”
 
“What color are you again, Mac?” Nick asked.
 
“Green/gray/blue,” Mac replied.
 
Danny snorted. “His color shifts in a constant swirl of those three colors,” he said. “Flack said it’s really rare for a dragon to be more than one color.”
 
“I wonder if that has something to do with the strength of your emotions as well,” Gil said. “It’s something to research, certainly.”
 
“But if his colors are close enough to the water shouldn’t he blend as soon as possible?” Nick asked.
 
“It’s probably too dangerous to try in the day light,” Gil said. “Nick, why don’t you start talking them through this and I’m going to go make a phone call. I’ll be right back to answer any questions you might have, Mac.”
 
Gil stepped inside the house where he could keep an eye on Nick and the others but still have the privacy he needed to make the call.
 
“Gibbs.”
 
“It’s Grissom; I wanted to let you know Mac had a bit of a crisis and is sitting on my deck getting ready to try and blend,” Gil said. “Why didn’t you guys tell us he was tri-color?”
 
“Truthfully I don’t know that I knew,” Gibbs said. “It’s not exactly something we can talk about like you guys do and I wasn’t there when it happened and neither was Tony. So do you think it has something to do with the severe emotion swings?”
 
“I like that; like mood swings but more appropriate to a dragon protecting his human,” Gil said. “And yes, I do. I’ll watch tonight to make sure nothing bad happens but I wanted you to know what was going on. Nicky is talking both Mac and Danny through everything because I don’t dare separate them at this point Mac is so protective.”
 
“I want to know what happened before he left for Miami,” Gibbs said.
 
“I’ll have him give you a call tomorrow,” Gil agreed easily. “Although the blending might wipe him out. I will admit to some concern about his first Change and the draconic amnesia.”
 
Gibbs grunted. “You think it’ll have an effect on what happens tonight,” he said. “You think he’s gonna forget everything when he Changes again.”
 
“It’s a reasonable hypothesis,” Gil sighed. “But I don’t think it’ll be that extreme. I’ve only seen one other pair this dedicated to each other and that’s Horatio and Greg. I think everything will be fine but I wanted you at least alerted to what’s going on.”
 
“How kind of you seeing that he’s my beta,” Gibbs said.
 
“I’m not going to fight with you, Gibbs,” Gil said. “I need to get back to Mac and Danny. Do you have any messages you want passes along?”
 
“They screw this up and I’ll smack them.” Gibbs hung up.
 
Gil was laughing as he made his way back onto the deck.

Mac buried his toes in the still warm sand and sighed. He could hear Nick and Danny talking on the deck behind him but he tuned them out. He needed to focus on everything that Gil and Horatio had spent the afternoon and early evening talking to him about. Mac couldn’t recall the last time his mind had felt so full of information and he knew, deep down, that this was more important than anything he’d learned in the past. All the new dragon lore that he’d been told hadn’t been in any of the books Flack and Gibbs had given him to read so Mac reasoned it came from personal experience. And just about as deep down in his soul Mac was nervous. He wasn’t sure exactly how the night was going to turn out but he hoped he could do this.
 
“How you doing, Mac?” Horatio asked as he settled onto the sand next to his friend.
 
“Probably about as well as can be expected,” Mac replied with a sigh. “Horatio, you didn’t really go into too many details about your blending. What was it like?”
 
“Greg and I were out here on the beach talking about what we were going to do once I’d blending and I more or less jumped him,” Horatio said. “But somehow I managed to complete the entire process while remaining in human form and making love with Greg. It’s also the night Greg and I first met Chrysalis. I can’t tell you exactly what’s going to happen when you Change tonight, Mac, no one can; but stay relaxed and just let it happen, okay?”
 
“And this will give me more control?” Mac asked.
 
Horatio let some sand run through his fingers. “As best I understand it the reason for the lack of control is because the dragon mind is coming closer and more frequently to the front and taking control. After you blend there’s no dichotomy and the minds are one.”
 
“So I won’t be in two minds about everything?” Mac asked with a small grin.
 
“You need to work on your jokes,” Danny said. He kissed the top of his dragon’s head and sat down. “Are you ready to do this, Mac?”
 
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Mac replied. “All right, H; how do we do this?”
 
“Judge your distance for your Change,” Horatio said. “Keep in mind how long you’re going to be so you don’t hurt yourself or Danny. I’ll be keeping watch from the house incase you need anything.”
 
“Okay, thanks H,” Mac said. He waited until they were alone before he stood and pulled Danny up for a hug. “I hope this works, Dan,” he whispered. “I’m worried I might lose control and hurt you accidentally.”
 
“You won’t, Mac,” Danny said. “Now go and Change; I can’t wait to see you in dragon form again. You’re so handsome with your scales shifting colors and your eyes highlighted against the shimmer that comes from your scales.’
 
“Okay.” Mac kissed his human and made his way out into the water. Gil had told him the distance for his favorite thinking spot and once Mac was treading water he focused his will and Changed. The change in how the water reacted to his body was remarkable too; Mac had been warned that dragons floated but Mac hadn’t been prepared for the sudden weightlessness that came with having hollow bones. He dug his claws into the sand and shook his head, drops of water flying everywhere.
 
“Wow,” Danny said as he climbed up onto his dragon’s back. “You blend in perfectly, Mac; if I didn’t know what I was looking for I’d look right past you. I wonder if the shifting colors are a type of special camouflage that the other dragons are missing.”
 
The dragon snorted into the water, the shower drenching Danny, who laughed and sat down. “I can feel it, Mac; you’re more relaxed. Is it working for you?”
 
Mac flexed his wings a couple times; he could feel his human and dragon minds merging to become one and wanted to scream, to roar at the sudden feeling of completion. He Changed back to human form without warning, dumping his human into the water. As Danny surfaced Mac grabbed him and claimed his human’s mouth; his tongue pressing past Danny’s lips to taste him, almost as if he wanted to relearn the young man’s taste.
 
“Take me, Mac,” Danny moaned as Mac bid down on his neck. “Please, I need you so bad.”
 
“Let’s get on the beach, Danny,” Mac growled. “I need to be able to brace my feet.”
 
“Did it work?” Danny asked. He knelt down in the shallows and looked over his shoulder at Mac. “Did the blending work?”
 
“I think so,” Mac replied. He grabbed Danny’s hips and thrust forward, burying himself in his human’s body and thrusting hard. Danny moaned and pushed back for more contact. Both knew that neither of them would last long with how frantically Mac was thrusting and Danny climaxed with a low deep moan, his back arching in an attempt to pull Mac in deeper. The dragon grabbed his human by the hips, lunged forward and came.
 
“Mac?” Danny gasped as he was rolled onto his back and Mac thrust into him again.
 
“I know, Danny,” Mac replied as he set a more relaxed rhythm. “But I still need you; I need this contact.”
 
Danny wrapped his legs around Mac’s waist and pulled him in, the change in angle making both men moan. “I need you too, Mac,” Danny said. “Now and forever.”
********************
 
“I think everything will be okay, Gibbs,” Gil said as he let the curtain drop. “Mac seems to remember who Danny is and isn’t showing any signs of panic or disorientation. It looks like our worries were for nothing.”
 
“Maybe not,” Gibbs said. “There’s something going on up in New York that none of us can figure out but Mac’s been worried. I don’t like it, Grissom.”
 
“That’s your turf but if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know,” Gil said with a grin. “And the beach is open for Don when he hits six months.”
 
Gibbs sighed. “Gil, how did you adjust to running the community and keeping everyone safe?”
 
“I’ve been doing this day by day,” Gil said. “You’ve got a good command presence, Gibbs; you pay attention to what’s going on around you and you care about your people.”
 
“Haven’t you heard, Gil? I’m a bastard,” Gibbs said. “I don’t know how to deal with people.”
 
Gil started laughing. “You think I do?” he asked. “I was known as the ghost of the Vegas lab. No one knew how to deal with the insane bug man who’d rather deal with dead bodies than live people. I know how lucky I am in my beta; trust Mac to help you out and listen to him.”
 
“I know that,” Gibbs snarled. He hung up the phone abruptly, making Grissom jump.
 
“Was it something I said?” Gil wondered aloud as he put the phone down.
********************
 
Stella sighed as she looked at the assignment sheets and spared a moment to wish Mac was back to handle this. The man had an uncanny ability to match a team or investigator with a specific case; she wasn’t anywhere close. Still, Stella knew she had a job to do and went to find her teammates.
 
“Hawkes, you’re working with me,” Stella said. “Ryan, you and Lindsay have a home invasion/kidnapping. We’re working short until Mac and Danny get home so you might be broken up if more calls come in.”
 
Lindsay took the sheet and looked at it. “I think I know where this is,” she said.
 
“Good; then you can drive,” Ryan replied.
 
“Still learning the city, huh Wolfe?” Lindsay asked.
 
“As fast as I can,” Ryan said easily. “I’ve been going out with Danny and Sheldon a couple nights a week.”
 
“So why’d you leave Miami?”
 
“Lots of reasons,” Ryan said. “The main one being that I thought I’d do more good in another city. What about you, why’d you come to New York?”
 
“It was a chance to work with Mac,” Lindsay said with a wide grin. “I’ve been studying his articles and attending his seminars since I became a CSI so I leapt on this chance.”
 
Ryan grinned too. “You’ve got a crush on him don’t you?”
 
“What if I do?”
 
“Nothing,” Ryan said. “It’s just an observation. So what do you think happened at our crime scene?”
 
“Probably a robbery,” Lindsay said. “I just hope no children were involved with the kidnapping and I really hope no one was killed.”
 
“Wouldn’t that have been called in as a homicide?” Ryan asked.
 
“That’s one of the first things I learned about this city is anything is possible and people aren’t always smart,” Lindsay said. “New York is crazy and absolutely nothing makes sense.”
********************
 
Gibbs barely even looked at his team as he stormed through the bullpen and down to the lab. “Gibbs!” Abby exclaimed looking up from her computer. “You can’t be here, yet; I don’t have anything for you yet.”
 
“I’m not here about the case,” Gibbs said. “Tell me about your special research.”
 
“I’ve managed to dig up her work history, resume, personal history, group affiliations and current political leanings,” Abby said. “And so far nothing has stood out.”
 
“Well that just means you need to dig deeper,” Gibbs said.
 
“I will, Gibbs, but you’ve always stressed that the case is more important than anything else,” Abby replied. “I’ve got a ton of work to do on this homicide you guys started working yesterday.”
 
The alpha dragon sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Abs, I’m worried about Mac and Danny,” he said. “They’re the ones that are alone now and if Mac is feeling nervous about something then I’m inclined to believe him.”
 
“You’re thinking about Brass down in Florida?” Abby asked. “His talent of sensing when trouble is about to hit his community or people mean them harm?”
 
“How’d you find out about that?” Gibbs demanded. “And why haven’t I heard about it yet?”
 
“They’re still working on talents,” Abby said. “Mandy asked for my help in this one because it’s such a strange talent to develop. We’re making a list of things to watch out for in our people but as you’re the only one blended at this point we didn’t think it was important.”
 
“So you think that Mac might be mirroring Brass’ talent?”
 
“It’s possible but I don’t think so,” Abby replied. “I think we’re only going to see the one duplicate talent and that’s the one that you and Horatio share.”
 
Gibbs picked up his coffee with another sigh. “Abs, head up to New York and see what’s going on. I want this taken care of.”
 
“I know, Gibbs; I know,” Abby said. “You want answers and you want them now.”

The detective was interviewing two adults in the living room of the apartment when Ryan and Lindsay arrived. He motioned to the back room and went back to what he was doing. Ryan looked at Lindsay and raised an eyebrow; she shook her head and made her way carefully down the hall.
 
The bedroom was that of a teenage girl, an older teen; and it was messy but not in such a way that it looked like anything bad had happened. “There’s a fire escape right outside the window,” Lindsay said as she looked around. “Do you think this really was a kidnapping or did the girl just decide to run away?”
 
“I dunno,” Ryan said. “Does it look to you like there was a struggle here?”
 
“No, this looks more like someone was packing for a trip,” Lindsay said. “I wonder if the parents will be able to tell us if anything is missing.”
 
“Hey Lindsay, take a look at this,” Ryan said as he swung his camera up. “Right here in the picture frame; isn’t this a camera?”
 
She waited until he’d snapped a couple of pictures and moved the lamp out of the way. “I think you’re right,” she said. “So why would there be a camera in here?”
 
“And is there more than one?” Ryan wondered looking around. “You don’t think the parents put them in here, do you?”
 
“I’ll go find out,” Lindsay said. “Do you mind starting the room?”
 
“Not at all,” Ryan smiled.
 
Lindsay left her kit in the hall just outside the door and made her way back down the hall to the living room where the parents were still talking to the detective. “Excuse me,” she said. “But can you tell me why there’s a spy camera in your daughter’s room?”
 
“We thought she had a boyfriend,” the mom replied. “She wouldn’t tell us anything so we wanted to make sure no one was sneaking in in the middle of the night.”
 
“Where does it feed to?” Lindsay asked.
 
“Our computer,” the mom said. “Why?”
 
“I’m going to need to take it with me to the lab,” Lindsay said.
 
“Now wait a minute,” the dad said standing up.
 
“Don’t you want to know what happened to your daughter?” Lindsay asked not backing down. “Because I think the detective here would be happy to place you under arrest for impeding a kidnap investigation.”
********************
 
Once Mac and Danny were settled into the guest room in Horatio and Greg’s house, Mac pulled Danny down and thrust up into him again. Danny’s hands braced on Mac’s chest and he stared down at his dragon. “Is this normal?” he gasped.
 
“I don’t know,” Mac panted. “I just know that I need to feel you around me, Danny. I need to be able to connect with you.”
 
“I can feel it,” Danny said. “Do you think we’re going to bond more closely now that you’ve blended?”
 
“We’ll check with Horatio but right now,” Mac rolled them so Danny was on his side, “I need more of this.” He gripped Danny’s hips and started to trust forward sharply.
 
Danny moaned as his eyes rolled back in his head. *Mac, feels so good* he tried to say but couldn’t make his mouth work for more than gasps and moans.
 
*Love you* Mac moaned as he came bringing Danny over the edge with him.
********************
 
Horatio and Greg were in the kitchen the next morning when their guest stumbled in looking like they hadn’t gotten any sleep the night before. “Coffee?” Greg asked as he bounced around the room cooking. “I’ve also got tea and juice; pancakes, bacon and eggs.”
 
“Is he always like this in the morning?” Mac asked as he sat down at the table and blinked a few times.
 
“He’s like this all the time,” Horatio replied with a fond smile. “So how did it go last night?”
 
“Actually, I wanted to ask you about that,” Mac said. “You said that you managed to blend while making love with Greg. I’ve been craving contact with Danny since I blended and you can probably tell that neither of us got a lot of sleep last night. Is this normal?”
 
“I’d have to check with the others but I don’t believe so,” Horatio said. “But I remember Mandy said something about you having draconic amnesia when you Changed the first time. I think that means that you wanted to be with Danny so much that you basically forgot everything that could keep you apart. As the dragon came more to the fore you became more possessive and it’s possible that it is just being reflected more and more by your overwhelming desire for contact with Danny.”
 
“But did the blending work?” Mac asked. “Am I going to have better control now?”
 
“We’ll test you before you leave,” Horatio replied. “Right now the best thing you can do is eat to keep up your strength. If this overwhelming urge doesn’t go away in a day or so you might have to talk things over with Gibbs.”
 
“Do you think he’d have the answers?” Mac asked.
 
“If not I think we can figure out who else to ask.”
 
Greg brought plates of food over to the table and plopped down in Horatio’s lap. “Mandy is house sitting for Speed and Eric while they’re gone this weekend; she might know more about what’s going on.”
 
Both Mac and Danny turned bright red. “I don’t know if I can talk about my sex life with a sixteen year old,” Mac said. “I’d like to avoid that particular conversation if I can.”
 
“Greg, are you and H wearing matching bracelets?” Danny asked.
 
“We are,” Greg said with a wide grin. “It’s the only thing I could think of to show our commitment publicly. I was tired of women hitting on my dragon all the time.”
 
“My human is smart and cute,” Horatio said as he kissed the side of Greg’s face. “I’ll talk with Gil when we’re done here and see what he has to say.”
 
“Thanks, H,” Mac said.
********************
 
“So I couldn’t find anything to show that someone who shouldn’t be was in that room,” Ryan said as he walked into the AV lab. “If a guy got in there and took the girl he didn’t leave anything behind.”
 
“The parents decided that since their daughter wasn’t talking to them about her personal life they’d put cameras in her room to keep an eye on her,” Lindsay said. “I really hope the mom was the only one who checked these files because if the dad was I think we could get him on some form of child molestation. The girl, Dana, obviously didn’t know about the camera and did everything a normal girl did in her rooms, and I mean everything.”
 
Ryan blushed and looked down at the notes. “I’ll do a search to make sure none of this ended up on the internet or where it wasn’t supposed to,” he said. “Was there anything suspicious last night?”
 
“Absolutely nothing,” Lindsay said. “But Dana did go out the window around midnight so it’s possible that she just ran away from home.”
 
“Well, I know that if I had spy cameras in my room I’d want out of there as fast as possible,” Ryan said. “So what’s our next step here?”
 
“I think we should check medical records and police reports and see if there’s any record of abuse or arrests,” Lindsay said. “And I like your idea of checking the internet.”
 
“Sounds like a plan,” Ryan said. “You’re good, Lindsay.”
 
She grinned. “Thanks; so are you.”
********************
 
The sun was beating down on the back deck. Nick, Danny and Mac were sitting around the table talking about something; Gil and Horatio were watching from just inside the house.
 
“Do you think he’s totally blending, Gil?” Horatio asked.
 
“You know him better than anyone down here,” Gil replied. “What do you think?”
 
“He’s definitely calmer than he was yesterday but I’d feel better if we kept him for another night and let him Change one more time,” Horatio said. “I don’t know what would happen if we sent a half-blended dragon back to work where he’s going to have to be able to be calm.”
 
“And I don’t know that Gibbs would ever forgive us,” Gil said. “There is a test we can do, H; you said he’s been feeling more needy of his human.”
 
“Are you sure you can take him?” Horatio asked.
 
“I’m more powerful than Mac, yes,” Gil sighed. “I just hate using this particular test on newly blended dragons; their control can be shaky at times anyway.”
 
“As always I’ll follow your lead,” Horatio said. “And I trust you, Gil.”
 
“Thanks H,” Gil said with his little crooked smile. Will you protect the humans for me if this goes bad, please?”
 
Horatio nodded and followed his alpha out onto the deck. Gil walked straight to the table and put both hands on Danny’s shoulders. “How are you doing, Mac?” he asked looking across the table at the other dragon.
 
“It wouldn’t work, Gil,” Mac said with a wry grin. “I trust everyone down here not to hurt Danny. I wouldn’t react to protect him here.”
 
“You can still answer the question,” Gil said with a raised eyebrow.
 
“Calmer than I have in six months,” Mac said. “I don’t feel like I’m going to rip into anyone who looks at me the wrong way or anyone who looks at Danny.”
 
“Do you think that you can return to your city and do your job safely?” Gil asked. He sat down next to Nick. “Or do you want to stay for another night and Change again.”
 
“I think I’m okay,” Mac said. “I felt complete last night while in dragon form and I think that means that the blending worked out okay.”
 
Gil and Horatio looked at each other. “I’ll call Gibbs and let him know,” Gil finally said. “You guys are welcome to come down any time you want.”
 
Mac grinned at his red haired friend. “I know; Miami never closes,” he said.

Both Lindsay and Ryan looked up as Stella walked into the AV lab followed by a Goth. “Uh, Stella?” Lindsay asked.
 
“This is Abby from Washington DC,” Stella replied. “She’s a friend of Mac’s and she’s also an extremely talented hacker. I knew you two were having some trouble with the computer you brought back so I thought you could use some help.”
 
“And as I just happened to be in town I offered,” Abby said with a grin. She flopped down in a chair and rolled up to the desk where the computer was sitting. “So whatcha got so far?”
 
“Three spy camera from the bedroom of a young woman placed there by her parents,” Ryan said. “And we’re worried the videos might have ended up on the internet, or worse.”
 
“She goes out the window around midnight but we can’t see if there’s anyone else around,” Lindsay added. “And there are no reports of abuse that we can find.”
 
Abby chewed on her lip for a moment. “So it’s possible she just ran away from home,” she said. “Are you thinking a boyfriend or maybe even a girlfriend?”
 
“That’s the reason the parents say they put the camera in,” Ryan said. “They were worried their daughter had a boyfriend and was lying to them about it.”
 
“Okay, this is just wicked creepy,” Abby said. “Stella, I know I’m not officially on the case but do you mind if I take a shot at this baby? I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”
 
“Go ahead,” a dry voice said from the doorway. “We need to find this young lady before anything else happens to her.”
 
“Mac!” Abby exclaimed. “Just the man I wanted to see. Let me finish up in here and then I really need to talk with you.”
 
“I’ll be in my office,” he smiled. “Stella, you want to brief me on what’s been happening while I was gone?”
 
She looked a little surprised. “Just the normal stuff, Mac,” she said. “And I took the opportunity to mix up the teams a little. Danny, Hawkes could probably use some help in the trace lab; I kinda left him alone with our evidence.”
 
“You got it,” Danny grinned and made his way off down the hall.
 
“Mac, is everything okay?” Stella asked as she noticed the strange look on her friend’s face.
 
“Yes, Stella, thank you for covering for us,” Mac replied. “We got everything taken care of and it won’t happen again. Now tell me about this case you and Hawkes are working on.”
 
“Robbery gone wrong,” Stella said. “Two guards killed and another wounded, the suspect got away with a few million in gem stones.”
 
“Jewelry heist,” Mac said. “What won’t they think of next? Tell me more.”
 
Stella grinned, partly in amusement and partly in relief. She knew she could run the lab, and run it well; she just wasn’t as good at it as Mac.”
********************
 
Abby’s fingers flew over the keyboard as she muttered to herself about firewalls, blocked files, idiots who thought they deleted things when they really didn’t and a bunch of computer jargon that neither Lindsay nor Ryan could keep up with. In all honesty they still weren’t really sure who the woman was, or why she was dressed like a Goth, but Mac and Stella both trusted her and that was enough for the moment for them to step back and let her take the lead in the case.
 
“Yes!” Abby exclaimed. “I’m in; this will tell me everything I need to know about who uses this baby and why.”
 
Ryan looked over her shoulder at the screen. “I’ve never seen anything like that before,” he said. “But, then again, I haven’t done much hacking either.”
 
“Oh this is just the master log for the machine,” Abby said. “I want to see if I can get into their deleted emails and web pages. You’d be surprised how much you can learn about a person by what pages they visit on the web and also who they talk to while online.”
 
“Hey Ryan, check this out,” Lindsay said from across the room. “I think I found someone on the fire escape.”
 
“Really; male or female?” Ryan asked.
 
“I can’t tell yet, but there’s definitely a shadow there,” Lindsay replied.
 
Abby rolled over to the work station. “You have great eyes, Lindsay,” she said. “That’s an awesome catch on the film.”
 
“Thanks,” Lindsay grinned. “So now I need to do this and then this and we should have a shot of the face.” She clicked a few buttons and slowly the picture focused and brightened to show that the person on the fire escape had a ball cap pulled down over their face. “Damn.”
 
“Let me in there for a second,” Abby said. “My boss doesn’t accept things like this so I’ve gotten really good at being creative.” She narrowed her eyes as she looked at the pictures. “There, right there.”
 
“What?”
 
“A reflection, probably as he’s coming up the escape,” Abby said. “Now you just need to flip, focus and sharpen that and you’ll have your face. And I need to go check in with Mac; the computer will be working on some stuff for me so please don’t touch it.”
 
“Thanks, Abby,” Ryan and Lindsay said. Ryan looked up. “By the way, who do you work for?”
 
“Naval Criminal Investigative Services,” Abby replied. “I’m the lab rat for a couple of the field teams. See you guys in a bit.”
 
She made her way through the glass halls, waving at people she recognized and just as she was coming up on the fishbowl office the city had insisted on for Mac, paused and ducked into a handy corner. There was a woman coming out of the office looking far too pleased with herself for Abby’s comfort. Her eyes narrowed; she just knew that was the bitch that had Mac so worried and was making life hell for her younger friend.
 
“Abby,” Mac called from the door to his office. “You may as well come in. You won’t learn anything by lurking in the shadows.”
 
“No, but I look really good doing it,” she laughed. “It worked?”
 
“It did,” Mac replied. He shut the door behind him. “One night, which I’m glad for because things seem to be falling apart around here fast.”
 
“You know all you have to do is ask,” Abby said. “Things are wicked quiet in DC right now; well, with the exception of a homicide that Gibbs is bent out of shape over but he’s always like that. I bet if you called and asked he’d get the case reassigned and they’d all be up here in a second to help you guys out.”
 
“I might do that,” Mac sighed. “Peyton just managed to get me to ask her out to dinner tonight.”
 
“What about Danny?”
 
“He knows and thinks it’s a good idea to find out exactly what her intentions are,” Mac said. “Even though I could probably tell him all she wants is a bed-warmer.”
 
“Well, tell me where you’re going and Danny and I’ll come along,” Abby said. “It’s not like we can’t blend into the shadows and eves-drop on your conversation and having me along will make it look more like an accident. I am from out of town and who can help it if you and Danny just happen to pick the same restaurant for supper?”
 
Mac stared at her for a moment. “Do me a favor, please?” he finally asked.
 
“Anything.”
 
“Don’t teach Amanda to reason like that,” he said. “I have enough trouble with her as it is and I don’t need to be out-logicked by a teenager.”
 
“Oohh, don’t let her hear you say that, Mac,” Abby scolded. “You’ll make her mad and that’s not pretty.”
 
“I know,” Mac said. “So, not that I’m unhappy with your timing but why are you up here without Don? What’s going on?”
 
“Gibbs is worried about you,” Abby replied. “And asked me to come up here and get to the bottom of things. Donnie and I can be apart for a couple of days without any problems but after that either I have to go home or he comes up here so it might be better to call Gibbs in the morning and ask him for help. That way Don has an excuse to come up sooner rather than later.”
 
“I’ll see what I can do after dinner tonight,” Mac said. “But I have a feeling this isn’t going to end the way we want it to.”
 
Abby looked startled. “What, dinner? That’s easy; end it with dessert, preferably chocolate.”
 
“No, this whole mess with Peyton,” Mac replied. “There’s something else going on. And Abby, I don’t like chocolate.”
 
“You don’t? Then what do you lick off of Danny?” she asked.
 
Mac turned bright red and started coughing. Abby grinned. “You need to get more adventurous in the bedroom, Mac,” she said. “I’ll go give Danny some hints. See you later.” She stood and almost ran out of the office before he could get himself under control to catch her.
 
“Damn,” Mac muttered.
 
“You okay, Mac?” Stella asked.
 
“For now, yes,” Mac replied. “But I don’t know about later.”

“So does it meet with your approval?” Danny asked as Abby looked around the restaurant.
 
“This is awesome,” Abby replied with a smile. “And there’s no way they’ll be able to miss seeing us sitting here. Do you really think she’s going to make a fuss about me?”
 
Danny looked at what his friend was wearing. “Abby, you’d stand out anywhere and from the vibes I’ve picked up off of this chick; she’ll have a problem with you being here. Should be fun, yeah?”
 
“Oh yeah, I love upsetting the establishment,” Abby said.
********************
 
The restaurant Mac picked was nice enough to make Peyton happy as she liked the finer things in life but inexpensive enough that no one would raise an eyebrow if they happened to see Danny in there with a date. When Mac and Peyton arrived he glanced around and saw his human and Abby at a table near the one the head waiter was showing them to and tried not to grin. Abby was still wearing what she’d had on at the lab and looked out of place in the fancier settings of the room.
 
“I’m surprised they let her in here dressed like that,” Peyton said as she sat down. “I thought they had higher standards.”
 
“What happened to the freedom to be yourself?” Mac asked.
 
“Personal expression is all well and good but it should be in the proper place at the proper time,” she replied. “And I’ve never understood the more outlandish styles.”
 
Mac grinned. “According to Abby she just picked out what she liked and hasn’t looked back since,” he said. “And I’ve never seen her care what anyone else thought about her or her choices.”
 
“Who’s Abby?”
 
“The young woman you were talking about,” Mac said as he sipped his water. “She’s a friend from DC. I knew Danny was going to take her out tonight but I will admit I’m surprised to see them here.”
 
“You know her?” Peyton’s eyebrows rose in shock. “How did you ever meet someone like that?”
 
“Abby is a federal lab technician,” Mac said. “One of the best, actually; I keep trying to steal her for my lab but she won’t consider moving. She helped out with a case last year and we’ve kept in touch. Amanda and Abby are good friends.”
 
“Yes, I’ve been meaning to ask you about her, Mac,” Peyton said. “Do you really believe it’s a good idea to keep a teenage girl around the lab like you do? It can’t be healthy for her and it certainly doesn’t look good to the public; she should be in school.”
 
“Amanda graduated high school last year,” Mac said. “And recently left college when I offered to get her into the mentor program at the lab. I expect she’ll be returning to school soon enough as she will need her degree to get a job but my staffing choices are not yours to question, Peyton. Just like I’d never question who you want to have in the morgue.”
 
“I suppose there are some things about you that haven’t changed,” she said. “Mac, did I ever tell you the real reason I left and accepted the teaching position like I did?”
 
He shook his head. “No, I didn’t realize you lied to me about it.”
 
“I wanted to give you the space you needed to heal and come to terms with what happened to Claire,” she sighed. “I could tell you were still hurting, especially after what happened that one night and knew you needed the space so I left. But I always hoped that you’d be willing to give us another try when I came back.”
 
“I told you that I’m dating, Peyton,” Mac said. “It’s serious and it’s forever. I’m happy and content and I hope you can accept that.”
 
“Won’t you even give me the chance to show you exactly how much you mean to me?” she asked putting her hand on his arm.
 
“I’m not going to cheat, Peyton,” Mac said. “When I agreed to go out to supper with you tonight I was hoping this wouldn’t come up; that we could be two friends catching up with each other but I can see it’s not going to happen.”
********************
 
Danny growled when Peyton’s hand rested on Mac’s arm. *Don’t you dare touch my dragon you bitchwhore* he thought glaring daggers at the pair sitting across the room. *He’s mine and no one else gets to touch him*
 
“Hey, calm down,” Abby said softly. “Someone’s gonna notice you glaring like that.”
 
“How would you feel if someone touched Don?” Danny grumbled.
 
“I wouldn’t like it but I don’t think I’d be this close to growling at them,” Abby said. “Now settle down and eat your food; we still have some shopping to do.”
 
“I don’t know about this, Abby,” Danny said. “Mac’s pretty reserved.”
 
“Way too much,” Abby said firmly. “You need to get him to relax somehow and this is the best way to start; trust me.”
 
Danny sighed and nodded. He glanced back one more time towards his dragon. *I love you, Mac* he thought. *I don’t know what I’d do without you*
********************
 
Mac almost fell out of his chair when Danny’s voice and emotions rocked through his body. He thought he’d been imagining the words while they were in Miami but now he knew that they had, somehow, managed to bond at the same level Nick and Gil were at and could talk to each other silently.
 
“Are you okay, Mac?” Peyton asked.
 
“I’m fine,” he replied. “I’m sorry; I just lost my train of thought there for a moment. It’s been a long week.”
 
“Yes, I noticed that you ran out of the lab rather quickly the other day and were gone for quite some time. Is everything all right?”
 
“There was an emergency I had to take care of,” he said. “But yes, thank you, everything is fine now. I guess I’m a bit more tired than I thought I was. Do you mind if we cut the evening short?”
 
“Of course not, but I was hoping that you might come see my new apartment,” she said. “And I could offer you a drink.”
 
“That would be inappropriate,” Mac said firmly.
 
“So you’ll go home to your girlfriend then?”
 
“I will,” Mac said. “I’ll see you at work, Peyton.” He picked up the bill and went to the front to pay for their meal. *Danny, can you hear me*
 
*Mac*
 
*Yeah, did you know we could do this* Mac asked.
 
*No, I thought I was dreaming it while we were down in Miami* Danny replied. *Are you heading home*
 
*As soon as I pay for this, yes* Mac said. *Meet me there*
 
*Abby wants me to go shopping* Danny snorted. *But I’ll be home as soon as I can. You should call Gibbs anyway*
 
*You’re right; I should touch base with him. It seems like there’s a lot I need to do that I let slip while I was so upset*
 
Danny snorted *You couldn’t help that, Mac* he said. *And you’ll get caught up. Uh oh, Abby’s glaring at me so I need to go. Love you*
 
*So I heard* Mac grinned. *Love you too*
********************
 
When he got back to the apartment Mac took a moment to open as many windows as he could to try and get rid of the slightly stale smell the rooms had. Both he and Danny had dropped their bags by the door and gone out again, heading back to the lab so Mac took a minute and sorted out the laundry and put it in the hamper to be washed. And then, once he couldn’t find anything else to do, he picked up the phone and called DC.
 
“Gibbs.”
 
“Hey, it’s Mac,” he said. “Is it a good time to talk?”
 
“We just wrapped up a homicide and will be in your city in an hour,” Gibbs said. “Abby turned her project on that Driscoll bitch over to McGee and I don’t like what he found. We need to talk in person.”
 
“Okay; Abby and Danny are out right now, should I call them and get them back here?” Mac asked.
 
“And Mandy too,” Gibbs said. “I want all of us on the same page and we’ll probably call Miami before the night is over. But Gil said you had a smooth Change and blending time. How do you feel?”
 
“A lot more stable but I’m definitely more possessive of Danny,” Mac said. “Oh, and my talent manifested while I was down in Florida too. It seems Danny and I have the same mental telepathy bond that Gil and Nick share.”
 
Gibbs snorted. “That’ll come in handy at crime scenes,” he said. “It’s good to know. Can we all meet at your apartment?”
 
“Sure,” Mac said. “Have you guys eaten? Would you like me to order you some Chinese?”
 
“Please,” Gibbs said.
 
In the background Mac heard Tony’s voice yelling. “Oh my god, Jethro said please! Where the hell is my red marker, I have to write this down on the calendar. I have to call Abby, no wait; there’s no way in hell she’ll believe me when I tell her…ow!”
 
Mac snickered. “You need to stop scaring your human like that,” he said. “Call me when you guys hit the airport here and I’ll order your food. Thanks for coming up, Gibbs.”
 
“Don’t forget to have them include a fork,” Gibbs said. “DiNozzo is hopeless with chopsticks.”
 
“I got it covered,” Mac said. He could only imagine what Tony was doing to have Gibbs so distracted that he forgot that Mac and Danny probably had forks in their apartment. “I’ll let you go, Gibbs.” He hung up and spent a couple of minutes laughing at his friend and how fast Gibbs could switch from bastard to moderately nice and back again before dialing Mandy’s apartment.
 
“Y-ello.”
 
“Hawkes?” Mac asked a little surprised.
 
“Oh, hey Mac; I was closer to the phone,” Hawkes replied. “Hang on a minute.”
 
“Mac, what’s up?” Mandy asked. “Sheldon and I are working on my presentation.”
 
“Gibbs just called; they’re on their way up,” Mac said. “And he wants a full community meeting here at my place as soon as they get here.”
 
She sighed. “All right, I’ll finish up what I’m working on and catch the subway,” Mandy said. “I’m assuming we have at least an hour if not a little more?”
 
“That sounds about right,” Mac said. “Have you eaten? I’m ordering Chinese for the others.”
 
“Oh that sounds delightful,” Mandy said. “Sweet and sour chicken with rice if you don’t mind and I’ll see you soon.”
 
“Tell Hawkes I’m sorry,” Mac said. “I know how rare these free evenings of his are.”
 
“I’ll explain as best I can,” she said. “But I’m sure he’ll understand.”
 
“You could tell him I’ve called you back to the lab for a case,” Mac said. “It’s not exactly a lie; you are coming in to help us with a pretty big problem after all.”
 
“Okay, Mac,” Mandy said. “You’re the boss. See you soon.”
********************
 
Danny’s eyes glazed over in a look Abby recognized from hanging out with Nick down in Miami; he was talking with his dragon. “What’s up?”
 
“Gibbs and the others are on their way to New York,” Danny replied after a moment. “And there’s a meeting at my place. We need to head back; it’ll take us at least half an hour to get there.”
 
“Is everything okay?” Abby asked. She put the bag she was carrying into her black backpack and slung it over her shoulders. “Gibbs was acting pretty weird when I left to come up here.”
 
“Mac didn’t say,” Danny said. “But he didn’t sound overly concerned either. I hope it’s nothing too serious.”
 
Abby grinned. “The way Gibbs was acting it is,” she said. “Come on, we should have just enough time to hide everything before the meeting starts.”
 
“I’m still not sure about this, Abby.” Danny looked towards the woman’s backpack.
 
“Will you trust me?” she asked. “Look, if this doesn’t work then you can smack me but at least try it first.”
 
“Okay,” Danny sighed. “Okay.”

By the time Abby and Danny got back to the apartment the rest of the NCIS team was there eating dinner. Abby flopped down on the sofa next to Tony and Don while Mac pulled Danny to him for a kiss. “Missed you,” he murmured.
 
“Missed you too,” Danny replied. “So what’s up, Mac? What’s going on?”
 
“Gibbs says they found some stuff we need to see,” Mac said. He moved Danny to his favorite chair and pulled him down into his lap. “And it doesn’t sound like its good news.”
 
“Where the hell is Mandy?” Gibbs asked. “I thought you said you called her, Mac.”
 
“I did, Gibbs,” Mac replied from over Danny shoulder. “She had a friend over and said that she might be a little late. Now I have a question for you; what can you tell me about this new ability Danny and I seem to have?”
 
Abby looked up. “Gil and Nick would really be the ones to ask because they share the same talent,” she said. “But from what I understand it’s not what you think.”
 
“How do you know what I think?” Mac asked.
 
“Because you’re a scientist and you’re going to be looking at it from that point of view,” she replied. “You need to forget everything you’ve read or heard about telepathy and ESP and everything else. It doesn’t apply here. The ability to talk to each other mind to mind is just an extension of your bond. You’re just bonded on a deeper level than Gibbs and Tony or Donnie and me.”
 
Danny looked back at Mac. “It sounds like we need to call Miami again,” he said. “Talk to Gil and Nick about this talent.”
 
“That’s not a bad idea,” Gibbs said. “Horatio and I have spent some time on the phone talking about our shared talent.” He took another bite of his food. “You know there are times I feel like we’re one big community rather than two smaller ones.”
 
“But wouldn’t you say that we should use the resources available to us rather than groping around in the dark?” Mac asked.
 
Gibbs snorted and looked towards the door. “Mandy’s here and she’s not alone,” he said. “I smell someone with her.”
 
“Hawkes?” Mac looked towards the door. Danny stood and let his dragon up before flopping back into the chair.
 
“Mac, I found out that Hawkes knows more about us than he let on,” Mandy said as she slipped out of her black leather jacket. “Hello everyone.”
 
“Who’s your friend?” Gibbs asked as he handed Mandy her food.
 
“Sheldon Hawkes, former ME and now CSI on Mac’s team,” Mandy said as she settled onto the floor close to Danny’s chair. “He’s helping me with a presentation on the dangers of diet pills and eating disorders for the local high schools. We were working on it tonight when Mac called and Sheldon informed me that he knew about our world. I thought it was easier to bring him along tonight rather than trying to explain everything to everyone at different times.”
 
Mac snorted and looked at his friend. “Hawkes, how much do you know?”
 
“I knew you had Changed, Mac,” he said. “But I didn’t know how to bring the subject up, especially at the lab or at a crime scene so I just kept quiet and watched to make sure no one else seemed to be watching you guys or seemed too interested. I’m worried about Dr. Driscoll.”
 
“You’re not the only one,” Gibbs snorted. “Well, welcome to the community, I guess.”
 
Tony sighed and rolled his eyes. “Gibbs,” he said.
 
“What, you know I’m not big on words and I want to let Mac know what’s going on before we’ve got to get back to DC,” Gibbs said. “Mac, this is something you need to know about and I don’t want you to leave your human alone for the foreseeable future.”
 
Mac settled in next to Danny and looked at his alpha. “So what’s going on?” he asked.
 
“McGee hacked into the school records where Driscoll was supposed to be teaching and found out that not only was she not there she hasn’t been in the country for a number of years,” Gibbs said. “We tracked her down and found that she’s been hanging out in England and Spain for three years.”
 
“Well she’s from England,” Mac said. “So I don’t see why that’s overly suspicious; at least not at this point.”
 
“A lot of the hunter groups are in these two countries,” Gibbs said. “Tony’s been digging through our journals and found that little piece of information in one of the older ones. It seems they set up clan groups that go out and hunt dragons and they’re slowly migrating to the states.”
 
Danny looked over at Mac. “So do you think she does know about dragons?”
 
“I’ve been saying that,” Mac replied. “Her choice of words when she saw me just seemed a little too coincidental for comfort. So what should we do, Gibbs?”
 
“I’m working on that,” Gibbs said. “But as of right now you and Danny work every case together. I don’t want to risk either of you and I know it’s going to make your job a little harder but I really don’t give a damn.”
 
“We can make it work,” Mac said. “I’ve been meaning to get Danny back on the promotion grid; this will be a good reason for me to shadow him in the field.”
 
“Really Mac?” Danny asked with a grin.
 
“Yes Danny, really,” Mac replied. He kissed Danny. “You’ve improved so much at the range and on the job that you’ve earned the review and placement on the board.”
 
Hawkes looked over at them. “But couldn’t that cause problems or questions in the department?” he asked.
 
“How so?” Gibbs demanded.
 
“They’re a bonded pair so that means they’re lovers,” Hawkes said. “If anyone finds out about that then they can say that Mac only put Danny back on the grid because they’re sleeping together.”
 
Gibbs leaned forward and pinned the younger man with an icy blue stare. “But no one knows they’re bonded or lovers,” he said. “And if anyone does find out we’ll know who to talk to.”
 
“You know you’re as bad as a snake when you do that?” Tony said. He smacked Gibbs on the head. “He wouldn’t be here if we couldn’t trust him, you know.”
 
“I just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page,” Gibbs replied with a snarl.
 
Mac glanced at Danny and they both started laughing. “Gibbs, Shel’s been keeping our secret for a few months now,” Danny said. “He’s the last one you need to worry about talking to anyone.”
 
“If we could get back on task,” Mandy said. “There is a distinct possibility that we have a hunter in our midst who could well call down her companions and we could all be in trouble.”
 
“Amanda’s right,” Mac said. “Hawkes, we’ll talk later but right now we all need to decide what to do about Peyton. Is she a danger to us and our community or is she just an annoying bitch who we need to chase out of town?”
 
“Based on what McGee has found so far I think we need to classify her as a threat,” Gibbs said. He smacked Tony on the back of the head. “Don’t slap me again, DiNozzo.”
 
Tony snickered. “Yes boss.”
 
“Mac, you know her better than anyone here,” Danny said. “Do you think she’ll do anything to you or the rest of us?”
 
“That was one thing I found out tonight,” Mac sighed. “She’s changed a lot while she’s been gone and I don’t know that I know her as well as I thought I did.”
 
“How long did you two date?” Gibbs asked.
 
“A couple of months,” Mac replied. “She left not a week after we broke up. But you said that an unchanged dragon looks no different from a normal human so how would she know that I was a dragon before she left?”
 
“Sometimes it’s possible to recognize a dragon even if they’re unchanged,” Abby said. “Like Nicky knew about Gil and Speed was able to recognize Horatio. Usually it’s the mate recognizing their dragon but sometimes humans can just tell. I suppose it’s possible that this bitch was just able to tell.”
 
“So she could know about me?” Mac asked. “So the dinner tonight could have been a set up and we wouldn’t have known it.”
 
“Now you see why I want you to keep Danny with you at all times,” Gibbs said. “We can’t stay, Mac; the director didn’t want to give us any more time off so I want a nightly report from you until this is over.”
 
Danny snuggled in closer to Mac. “How long until it is over?” he asked.
 
“I don’t know,” Mac said. “But I’ll kill her if she hurts you.”
********************
 
“Stella, can I talk to you a minute, please?” Mac asked as he made his way into the lab.
 
“Sure Mac, what’s up?”
 
Mac shut the door to his office and looked at his friend. “You’ve been asking if there’s something up or a secret that I’ve been hiding,” he said. “The truth of the matter is that I’ve been seeing someone.”
 
“That’s great, Mac,” Stella said. “You’ve been alone too long but why all the secrecy about it?”
 
“Stel, what I’m about to tell you can’t leave this office,” Mac said. “It’s Danny; we’ve been together since just after the subway shooting.”
 
“When he left his gun and phone in your office,” Stella said. “You guys got together that night?”
 
He nodded. “And we’ve been together ever since,” Mac said. “We decided it was time to tell you because you’re such a close friend for both of us and we wanted you to know.”
 
“I can understand why you wanted to keep it a secret,” Stella said with a smile. “I’m happy for you, Mac; both of you. But why now?”
 
“Because there’s problems with Peyton,” Mac replied. “I need you to help me keep an eye on Danny. I’m not entirely sure that Peyton is sane and I’m worried that she might try and do something to him in an attempt to get me back.”
 
“Wait, you and Peyton?” Stella asked.
 
“It was a long time ago, Stel,” Mac replied. “And it’s in the past. I’m more worried about what might happen to Danny or anyone else if she thinks they might be in her way.”

The next week was quiet or as quiet as a CSI lab in New York City could ever get. Mac watched Danny and Stella and Hawkes watched both of them. And they ran as much interference as possible with the rest of their shift and the lab techs so Mac and Danny could still have their time together whenever they needed it.
 
Mac was called to a budget meeting around one on a Friday morning just before he, Danny and Mandy were planning to head down to Washington DC for a meeting with the rest of their community. About an hour later Stella leaned into the trace lab. “Hey Danny, where’s Mac.”
 
“Meeting with the brass, what’s up Stella?”
 
“I’ve got a crime scene that needs to be processed and no one to send out on it,” Stella replied.
 
“All I’m doing is paperwork,” Danny said. “I’ll take it.”
 
“Uh, no,” Stella said. “Remember what Mac said.”
 
Danny rolled his eyes. “Stel, come on; I’ll take Hawkes with me and we’ll be back before you know it,” he said. “Give me the sheet.”
 
“I dunno, Danny,” Stella said. She studied her friend for a moment.
 
“I’ll take full responsibility for anything that Mac says, Stel,” Danny said with a grin. He grabbed the sheet and kissed her on the cheek. “Talk to you later, yeah.”
 
Stella shook her head with a fond smile. There were days that she just knew that she would never understand her friends and she just didn’t want to try.
********************
 
“Danny, are you sure about this?” Hawkes asked as they made their way to the new crime scene.
 
“’Bout what, Shel?” Danny asked in reply.
 
“You going to investigate a scene without Mac along,” Hawkes said. “Not to mention what your friends down south are going to say when they find out.”
 
“They aren’t going to find out,” Danny said. “Because we’re going to do the scene and get back to the lab before Mac gets back. And then everyone will be happy.”
 
Hawkes laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so optimistic before, Danny,” he said. “I like it.”
 
“Thanks, I guess things are finally starting to even out for me,” Danny said. He pulled into the scene area. “This looks like it’s going to be easy.”
 
“Famous last words, Dan,” Hawkes joked as he grabbed his kit. “Famous last words.”
********************
 
Mac got back to the lab a little after three and went looking for his human. He grew more and more concerned as he checked each lab and there was no sign of him. Mac was just about to go into his office when he stumbled and blacked out.
 
Stella was walking past and saw her friend stumble and caught Mac before he hit the ground. “Ryan,” she called, “help me get Mac onto the sofa in his office.”
 
“What’s wrong with him?” the younger man asked.
 
“I don’t know but I can take it from here,” Stella replied. “Thanks so much.”
 
She waited until they were alone in the room before she patted Mac’s left cheek gently. “Mac,” she said softly. “Come on, wake up and tell me what the hell is going on here.”
 
“Stella?” he asked his eyes fluttering.
 
“Yeah, what is going on around here,” Stella demanded. “There’s still something you haven’t told me, Mac.”
 
“Where’s Danny?” Mac said sitting bolt upright. “Where is he?”
 
“Why?”
 
“Damn it, Stella, where the hell is Danny?” Mac shouted.
 
“He’s at a crime scene,” Stella replied, more than a little shocked. She hadn’t heard Mac raise his voice like that in a long time.
 
Mac leapt up and all but ran to his desk and phone. “What the hell is he doing at a crime scene?” he asked. “I gave specific orders that he was supposed to stay in the lab and only go out when he was partnered with me.”
 
“I couldn’t stop him, Mac,” Stella said. “He took Hawkes with him and said he’d be back before you were.”
 
“Where?” Mac demanded. “Where are they?”
 
“Mac, what’s the big deal?” Stella asked.
 
“Gibbs, it’s Mac; we’ve got a problem,” Mac said into the phone. “Yeah, Flack if you can spare him would be great. Thanks.” Mac hung up. “Where are they Stella?”
 
“Somewhere in the Bronx,” she said. “Danny took the sheet. Mac!” She followed him out of the office and down the hall. “Tell me what the hell is going on!” Stella grabbed Mac’s shoulders and spun him around.
 
“Later,” Mac replied.
 
Stella backed away in sudden fear as Mac’s eyes stared glowing. “Mac?”
 
“I have to find Danny,” he growled. He spun back around and ran towards the motor pool. *Danny* he called silently, almost a cry begging for his human to answer him. *Danny, where are you*
 
*Mac* It was so faint that Mac thought for a moment he imagined it.
 
“Taylor,” he barked into his cell phone.
 
“Mac, its Gil,” the Miami alpha said. “Listen to me. Nicky was kidnapped right before we moved to Miami. He was unconscious for a while and I blacked out. When I came to it took roughly half an hour for our link to come back at full strength. Gibbs called and told me something is going on in your city and your human is gone. What can we do to help?”
 
“Talk me through this, please,” Mac said. “Because I think I just let Stella know about us. My emotions spiked and the dragon came to the fore; my eyes were glowing.”
 
Gil sighed. “Gibbs said that he’s sending you some help and wanted me to stay on the phone with you until they get there. We’ve got to keep you calm.”
 
“How?” Mac asked. He let his head drop against the steering wheel. “I can’t feel him, Gil; I can’t hear him.”
 
“I know,” Gil said as soothingly as he could. “Just stay with me and we’ll talk it out. We’ll get you through this.”
********************
 
Gibbs slammed his phone down with a snarl. “DiNozzo, you and Flack get on the next plane to New York,” he snapped. “Messer’s gone.”
 
“What?” Don asked.
 
“You heard me, move!” Gibbs snapped.
 
Tony grabbed his backpack and his friend’s arm. “Come on, Don,” he said. “You know Mac’s got to be going crazy right now.”
 
The alpha dragon watched them leave and picked up his phone. There was no dial tone and he growled when he realized that he’d cracked the plastic when he put it down the time before. He grabbed his cell phone and hit one of the autodials. “Grissom, Mac’s in trouble,” he snarled. “Danny’s missing and he’s hurting. He needs some help.”
 
“I’ll give him a call,” Gil said. “Any details?”
 
“Nothing. I’ve got people on the way,” Gibbs said.
 
“Take a deep breath, Gibbs,” Gil said. “We’ll get him through this and then you can have a nice long talk with Danny about listening to his dragon.”
 
Gibbs snorted. “You have any problems with that?” he asked.
 
“Not yet,” Gil replied with a smile. “But we are having problems of our own. In fact, once this is over give me a call and I’ll see if you guys can help us out.”
********************
 
The darkness was the first thing that Danny noticed followed by a throbbing pain in his head and neck. He opened his eyes and found that the darkness stayed; he was blindfolded. Cursing both himself and his pride he stayed still and extended his senses to see what he could find out about the room he was in.
 
*Mac* he called trying to work past the blinding pain in his head to reach his dragon. *Mac, can you hear me*
 
*Danny* The relief and pain in Mac’s voice would have knocked Danny over had the young human been standing. *Oh my god, Danny where are you? Are you okay*
 
*Just a little headache, no problem* Danny said trying to make light of the situation. *But I got no idea where I am or who took me*
 
*Dan, why the hell did you leave the lab without me* Mac asked. *Why, Danny. Help me understand this*
 
*Stella had a case that needed attention and I was doing nothing but paperwork* Danny said. *It was a homicide and needed us there as soon as we could. I was thinking of the victim, Mac. I would kill myself before I did anything to hurt you. You gotta believe me, Mac*
 
The dragon sighed. *I do, Danny, I do* Mac said. *I don’t blame you; I’d probably have done the same thing if I was in your place and I’d be upset if you weren’t thinking about the victim. Look, I talked with Gibbs and he’s sending up some help. Gil also called and said he and Nicky were in this same place not too long ago*
 
*Someone kidnapped Nicky*
 
*Yeah and Gil was able to talk with him about his surrounding area to figure out where Nicky was being held. So what I need from you is anything you can hear or smell. What does the ground under you feel like*
 
*I haven’t moved, Mac* Danny said. *I’m not sure my kidnapper ain’t here with me and I don’t want to let ‘em know I’m awake. I’m blindfolded and bound; the ground is sharp and feels like gravel. I can feel the wind on my face and hear traffic. But I can’t smell nothing*
 
*You’re on a roof* Mac said. *Danny, where was your crime scene*
 
*You think they’ve got me close into where I was working* Danny asked.
 
*It’s the best place for us to start* Mac sighed. *What about Hawkes, is he there too*
 
Danny was quiet for a moment. *I don’t smell his aftershave* he finally said. *I think I’m alone and I’m getting scared, Mac*
 
*Don’t Dan, I’m right here with you* Mac said. *I love you and I’ll tear this city apart to find you. And then we’re going to see Gibbs and talk with the rest of the community*
 
*Are you gonna let Gibbs smack me* Danny asked softly.
 
*No, but I’m thinking about it myself* Mac replied just as softly. *I love you more than life, Dan; but there are times you drive me crazy*
 
*I’m sorry, Mac* Danny said. *I love you too. You gonna stay here with me until you find me*
 
*I’ll do my best but if I have to talk with anyone else I might lose you for a couple of minutes* Mac warned. *I’m not really good at balancing yet*
 
*We need to practice* Danny said. *And practice a lot*
 
Mac grinned. *We will, Danny, just as soon as I find you*

Flack looked at Tony as the pair stepped off the airplane. “Did Mac say where we were going to meet him?” he asked.
 
“No, but I’m assuming the lab,” Tony replied.
 
“Look, Mac ain’t gonna be thinking too clearly right now,” Don said with a sigh. “Take two minutes and let me give him a call. That way we’re going to be on the same page and can find Danny.”
 
“Okay,” Tony said. “But let’s keep moving and we can… Mac.”
 
The New York beta was waiting just the other side of security. “Danny doesn’t know where he is,” Mac said as Don and Tony fell into step with him. “But he’s being held on a roof top and I think he’s going to be close to the crime scene he was investigating.”
 
“I’ll drive,” Don said. “You talk with Danny and see what else he can tell us. And when we find him, I’m gonna smack him.”
 
“You’ll have to get in line,” Mac growled. *Danny*
 
*I’m here, Mac* Danny replied. *I still haven’t moved but my arms are secured behind me with some kind of tape that I can probably break. The blindfold smells funny, like it’s been in storage for a while*
 
*Dan, do you have any idea who took you* Mac asked. *Walk me through your scene, what you did and what you saw*
 
*Sheldon and I got to the scene, got our kits and made our way into the building* Danny said. *The apartment was on the seventh floor. We took the elevator up to the scene and talked with the detective before we went into living room. At that point we split up; he took the main room and I went in to check the bedroom where the victim was. The ME was there checking things over and that’s about all I can recall*
 
*Peyton* Mac growled his eyes glowing. *What was she doing there*
 
*At that point, working* Danny said.
 
*Tell me about the building* Mac said. *Did you notice anything special about it as you were going in*
 
*It was just another apartment building* Danny sighed. *Do you think I’m up on the roof*
 
*It’s possible and at this point I’m not ruling anything out* Mac said. *I’ve got Flack and Tony with me and we’re on the way to your last known location. Danny, keep your ears open and let me know if you hear anything that can help us figure out where you are*
 
*I will, Mac. I’m not sure where Sheldon is though*
 
*My guess is that you were the target and he’s probably still at the scene* Mac said. *Although getting you past the uniforms on scene should have been a problem. I’ll definitely have to have a talk with them*
 
Danny sighed. *You know how most of the uniforms feel about me, Mac*
 
*Their job is to make sure that the CSIs on scene are safe, Danny* Mac said firmly. *I don’t ever want to hear you minimizing your importance again, do you understand me. And if anyone ever gives you trouble because of your family name you tell me. You are not like your father, uncles, brother or cousins; you are your own man and a valuable member of the department*
 
*What I’m saying is that the uniforms are likely to look the other way if someone wanted to take me from a scene* Danny said. *I doubt you’ll get much out of them*
 
“Mac, we’re here,” Don said as he parked. “What’s our next move?”
 
*Danny, I’ll be right back* Mac said. He focused on his fellow dragon. “It sounds like he was taken from the scene he was processing, Don. Talking with the uniforms is my first priority. I’d like you and Tony to do that while I head up to the roof and look around.”
 
“You’ll be pretty obvious, Mac,” Don pointed out.
 
“I’m going to go up the fire escape,” Mac said. “Follow me up as soon as you’re done with the uniforms.”
 
Don and Tony watched their friend walk into the alley next to the apartment. “So I guess Danny is here somewhere,” Tony finally said. “Mac seems calmer and that means that his human is close by. So you want to go talk with the uniforms?”
 
“Yeah,” Don said. “I want to know how someone managed to get Danny out of a crime scene without anyone commenting on it.”
 
“Me too,” Tony agreed. “Let’s go.”
********************
 
Mac made his way into the alley and Changed, his scales turning gray to match the building he was slowly climbing. He could smell Danny and knew that he was indeed close to his human. As he got near the top of the apartment building he peaked over the ledge and saw his human trussed up in the middle of the roof. Mac scented the air around him and sound that Danny was actually alone. He climbed onto the roof and crouched down in the corner, his gray scales blending in perfectly.
 
*I’m here, Danny?* he said. *You’re alone. I want you to see if you can break your bonds and get ready to leave*
 
*So who took me, Mac* Danny asked as he started moving.
 
*I don’t know, Dan* Mac replied. *I can’t smell anything unusual in the air but…someone’s coming up the stairs and it’s not one of our friends*
 
Danny had managed to snap the tape and it was fairly obvious that he was awake at that point so he sat up and untied the blindfold just as the door opened and Peyton made her way out onto the roof top.
 
“So you’re awake and managed to get loose,” she said. She pulled out a gun and pointed it at Danny. “It’s a shame no one will ever realize what happened up here. You were kidnapped from the scene of a homicide and murdered by your attacker. And then I’ll be able to move in and take care of Mac the way he deserves to be cared for.”
 
“What are you talking about?” Danny asked.
 
“I saw you and Mac in the locker room,” Peyton snarled. “It’s bad enough that he told me he was dating another woman when he should have been with me. But to lose him to a man is unacceptable.”
 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Danny said. “Mac’s my teacher and mentor and nothing else. I think you need to get your eyes checked out.”
 
“You were up against the lockers, your pants down around your ankles and begging him to take you,” she said. “He was wild, I’ve never seen him like that before and Mac belongs with me.”
 
Danny rolled his eyes. “Did you ever think the reason he couldn’t do anything with you was because he don’t find you attractive?” he asked. “And that he’s happy now?”
 
“And he finds you attractive?” Peyton demanded. “I know his secret and he’s going to be surprised when he finds out that I’m his human and not you.”
 
“You kill me you kill him,” Danny said. “Sounds like you didn’t do all your homework. And now you’re in a lot of trouble, bitchwhore.”
 
“I have the gun and you don’t,” Peyton snarled.
 
Mac raised his head and snapped at Peyton. As she stumbled back in shock he knocked her over the edge of the roof and out over the street. Peyton hung in midair for a second before plunging towards the street. Danny ran over to his dragon and hid under Mac’s wing.
 
*You know they’re going to be up here soon* Danny said. *Do you think if we stay totally still no one will notice us*
 
*I don’t know, Dan* Mac replied. *I think we should try and go over the edge and down the side of the building. Stay under my wing and I’ll get us down safely*
 
*Where’s Donnie and Tony* Danny asked.
 
*Inside* Mac said. *We can call them when we get down to the main level* He started moving and tightened his wings to hold his human safely against his body and under his wing.
 
*Thanks for coming to get me, Mac* Danny said. *I’m sorry I put you through all of this*
 
*We’ll talk when we get home, Danny* Mac said. *But I’m not mad or disappointed in you, my human. I know you were only trying to do your job and I think Peyton would have taken you from a scene I was at if she got desperate enough. I don’t think she was sane*
 
Danny grinned. *What was your first clue* he asked.
********************
 
Don and Tony found Mac and Danny back at the department rig. “Where’d you find him, Mac?” Don asked.
 
“Where we thought,” Mac replied. “And it was Peyton who took him. I knocked her off the roof.”
 
“That would explain the crime scene over there,” Tony commented. “Did she hurt you at all, Danny?”
 
“Nope, but she was ranting about how she wanted to be Mac’s human and all she had to do was get rid of me,” Danny said. “So I’m wondering if the hunters have come up with a way to separate the dragon and human and rebond them to someone else.”
 
“How would that be possible?” Mac asked. “Everything I’ve read says that a bonded human and dragon cannot live without the other.”
 
“They can’t,” Tony said. “But mention this to Mandy and see what she’s read. It seems like she’s really good about coming up with information for us.”
 
“The chief is going to want a report from you, Danny,” Mac said.
 
“Maybe not,” Don said. “All the uniforms we talked to said that they didn’t see nothing and heard nothing. So I’m guessing that no one else knows Danny was on the roof with Peyton when she leapt to her death.”
 
Mac sighed. “But why would she commit suicide?” he asked.
 
“You made the comment that she seemed to have changed since the last time you saw her,” Danny said. “Maybe there was something she wasn’t telling us.”
 
Stella joined the group. “Is it true Mac?” she asked. “Did Peyton really commit suicide?”
 
“That’s what it looks like,” Mac replied. “I want you to check the original crime scene and wherever Peyton leapt from. Reports say it was the roof. I’m going to take Danny home and make sure he’s okay.”
 
“What happened to him?”
 
“His cell phone broke,” Mac said. “Call me when you’re done with your investigation. I’m curious as to why Peyton would move back here only to kill herself like this.”
 
“I will, Mac,” Stella said. She looked at him closely. “And then you and I are going to have a nice long talk about what I saw when you were at the lab.”

“Don,” Mac said quietly as he watched Tony talking with Danny by the Avalanche. “Peyton made it sound like she’d spent some time with hunter groups abroad. Do you think you and Tony can go toss her place before Stella gets there and take any books, journals or binders you find to Amanda?”
 
“You really think she knew about us?” Don asked.
 
“I don’t know, Don,” Mac replied with a sigh. “But her autopsy is probably going to show she didn’t jump off the building. I hit her pretty hard and there’s going to be questions and you know how Stella is. I want anything referring to dragons with Amanda before it has a chance to become public record.”
 
“How is it she didn’t see you up there, Mac?” Don asked as they moved to join the others. “I mean you’re one of the larger dragons and your scales are always shifting colors. Yeah it’s dark but the moon shoulda shown her something.”
 
Danny looked over. “His scales were slate gray,” he said. “Not shifting like they normally do. Mac did the same thing when he was down in Miami in the water.”
 
“So you’re a chameleon now?” Tony asked. “I thought your talent was being able to talk to Danny mind to mind.”
 
“I don’t know,” Mac said. “I wasn’t aware I was doing it, let alone that it happened. Look, I need to call Gibbs and let him know what happened. Don, brief Tony on the situation and get it taken care of.”
 
“What’s our authorization, Mac?” Don asked.
 
“I’ll get you something from Gibbs,” Mac replied. “Fed usually over-rules us and as much as I hate it that can only be a good thing tonight.”
 
Don nodded and walked off with Tony following him quickly. Mac knew he was treading a fine line at that point but the deep need to protect his human was boiling through his blood blocking everything else out.
 
“Hey Mac, did they ever find Hawkes?” Danny asked as he buckled his seatbelt.
 
“Yeah, he was tied up in the kitchen of your original crime scene,” Mac said. “It looked like Peyton hit him on the head.”
 
“Is he okay?”
 
“He’ll be fine,” Mac smiled. “And back to work by the end of the week. Danny, I need to know the truth; how do you feel about all of this?”
 
Danny turned and looked at his dragon. “What, you mean her being knocked off the roof or us working a cover up on it?” he asked. “It ain’t like we messed with the scene any or broke the law. She pulled a gun on me and was probably about to shoot. You saved my life, Mac.”
 
“It just doesn’t sit right with me,” Mac sighed. “I swore to protect the people of this city, this country, and I’ve killed before. But this time is different.”
 
“Because you knew the person?” Danny wrapped a hand around Mac’s. “She was sick, Mac. Yeah, maybe we shoulda got her help but when she hurt me that wasn’t an option no more, not to you and not to the community. We’ll deal with the fallout if we have to but I think Stella knows more than she’s saying and will help protect us.”
 
Mac snorted. “I taught her too well for her to cover up a crime just to help a friend,” he said. “But you’re right; we can deal with the problems, even if we have to disappear from New York. I think Horatio and the others would let us come down to Miami for a while.”
 
“Or we could apply for federal protection with Gibbs,” Danny said. “I know I don’t want to make that man mad.”
 
“That reminds me,” Mac grinned. “Gibbs wants to talk with you.”
********************
 
Stella looked around with a sigh. There was something not right about the whole scene but she’d be damned if she could put a finger on exactly what it was that was bothering her. She looked up when a shadow fell over her. “Hawkes, are you even supposed to be working?”
 
“Probably not but don’t tell anyone,” the young man grinned. “Look, Stel, I heard some of the things Peyton was ranting about before she went up to the roof the final time and I’m telling you she was not in her right mind. She was convinced that there were dragons running around who were going to kill her for what she had done and I’m guessing that’s why she had a gun with her.”
 
“That was bothering me,” Stella said. “But everyone has guns in New York and I didn’t find any GSR on her hands. There’s just something about how she landed.”
 
“It’s always possible she fought on her way down,” Sheldon said. “There have been witness reports of people who appear to change their mind in mid-jump and fight with the air they’re falling through to try and live. I think you’ll just have to wait for Sid to finish her autopsy to find out exactly what happened.”
 
“Do you think she jumped?” Stella asked as she stood up. “As long as you’re here you can show me the scene you were working.”
 
Hawkes nodded and followed Stella towards the apartment building. “I don’t know what her mental state was, Stella,” he said. “She attacked me and left me bound inside a crime scene, one she could well have created. I know she had been showing an abnormal fascination with Mac including lashing out at Mandy to get her to leave the city.”
 
“Mandy?” Stella asked. “She’s like a daughter to Mac. Why the hell would anyone see her as a threat?”
 
“I don’t know,” Hawkes replied. “But I’ve been working with her on a project and she hasn’t been happy at work the past few weeks, ever since Peyton first came back to work. Here it is; Danny was processing the bedroom and I was in the kitchen. The original case was a male gunshot casualty.”
 
“What happened to Danny while you were tied up?” Stella asked as she moved carefully through the scene.
 
“I don’t know, you’ll have to ask him,” Hawkes said. “Stel, I’m sorry but my head is really starting to hurt. Do you mind processing me quickly so I can go home and rest?”
 
“You should’ve gone to the hospital, Doc,” Stella teased as she opened her kit. “I’m going to be here all night.”
 
“Call Mac and get some help,” Hawkes suggested. “Because three separate crime scenes is a little much for one person.”
 
Stella snorted. “You’re not kidding,” she said. “All right, let’s get started.”
********************
 
Mac sat back on the sofa and watched his human pace the room, phone held about a foot away from his ear, the loud barking of a Marine Gunny Sergeant flooding through the earpiece.
 
“When we tell you to do something you had better damn well do it,” Gibbs was saying. “Do you have any idea how much danger you placed not only yourself, your dragon but your entire community in by disobeying a direct order from your supervisor? When I received that phone call my heart about stopped because I didn’t know if I was going to lose two people I have come to care about or not. I couldn’t be there to help and I have literally been sitting at my desk with my phone in my hand since I last spoke to Mac waiting for someone to call and update me on the situation. Now I find that one of my people has a dual-talent that we have to investigate, hunter activity is growing in Europe and a woman is dead because she stuck her nose in the wrong place. Do you know what a big mess this is, Messer?”
 
When Gibbs paused for a breath Danny jumped in. “Tell me you wouldn’t do the same if a call came in for a homicide, Gibbs,” he snapped. “I knew that this victim needed someone to talk to and it’s not like I didn’t think before I went. I was alert the whole time I was there. I didn’t let my guard down because I know I don’t have a dragon’s senses and could be in trouble at any time. Yeah it’s a mess and probably is my fault but I wasn’t going to let the person who killed an innocent man walk because I was too chicken to leave the lab without a guard on my ass.”
 
Mac waited for the explosion of sound from the phone and waited and waited; he finally grabbed the phone from Danny. “Gibbs, don’t you dare die on me,” he said. “Because the last thing I want to do is explain to Tony that his dragon died of shock because someone dared to stand up to him.”
 
“Kid’s got guts,” Gibbs finally said laughing. “Why are all the trouble-makers in our community, Mac?”
 
“I don’t know, Gibbs,” Mac replied. “But there is something I need from you. I’ve got Tony and Flack at Peyton’s apartment looking for anything that could help us understand the comments she made about dragons and their bonds. The problem is that at the moment they’re in there without any form of authorization. Do you think you could come up with something?”
 
“Based of what McGee found on the computer I got that covered,” Gibbs said. “Where are they taking it?”
 
“Amanda,” Mac said. “I figure she’s the best one to work through it all.”
 
“Send her down to Miami and get her to work with Nick,” Gibbs said. “I think that, between them, they have the most time studying our world. I’ll give Tony a call and let him know that they need to grab computers and everything.”
 
“You really don’t like technology do you Gibbs?” Mac laughed.
 
“It doesn’t like me.” Gibbs hung up.
 
Mac put the phone down and looked over at Danny. “You okay?” he asked.
 
“I think I’m just glad Gibbs is in DC at the moment,” Danny smiled. “Because he was really mad.”
 
“He was worried,” Mac said. He pulled Danny in for a hug. “We all were. But we also understand that you were doing your job, Dan, and none of us are going to blame you for that.”
 
“Really?”
 
“Yes, really,” Mac said. “Now come on, I still need to make sure you’re okay.”
 
“I’m fine Mac, really,” Danny said.
 
Mac pulled back and looked into Danny’s wide eyes. “So does that mean you don’t want a thorough, skin on skin inspection?” he purred. “Because I wasn’t planning to let you out of bed until tomorrow at the earliest.”
 
“Oh, well, when you put it like that,” Danny laughed. “Lead the way, Mac.”
********************
 
Tony slipped the lock picks back into his pocket and opened the door to Peyton’s apartment. “Whoa, this is wild,” he said as he slipped on a pair of gloves.
 
“She definitely knew something was going on,” Don agreed as he pulled on his own gloves. “How are we going to transport all this stuff, Tony?”
 
“Hang on, DiNozzo. Yes boss. Yes boss. Right boss. Thank you, boss.” He put his phone away. “Gibbs just got us federal permission to be in here with everything going to Mandy. Don’t ask how, just do what he says.”
 
Don laughed. “How many connections does he have?”
 
“I don’t know and I’ve never asked,” Tony replied. “So I guess we start stacking stuff here in the living room and then find some boxes or bags.”
 
“Well, if she got stuff delivered maybe she kept the boxes in the kitchen,” Don said. “Or there might be suitcases in the closet.”
 
“All I know for sure is it’s gonna take Mandy a long time to read through all of these,” Tony commented as he looked around at all the book cases of journals and scrapbooks. “I think she’s gonna need help.”
 
“She’ll have it,” Don said. “From here and Miami.”

Mandy was surprised when someone banged, or rather kicked, her door at ten thirty at night. She double checked that her special stick was still in place and opened the door. “Donnie?”
 
“We are so getting you a door with a peep hole,” Don said as he moved into the apartment and put down the stack of boxes he was carrying. “Tony’s on his way up with more and I’m guessing there’s at least two more trips for each of us. You start looking through these and I’ll explain when we’re done hauling all this shit.”
 
“Okay,” Mandy said. She left the door ajar and opened the top box on the stack. “Tony, is there a logical explanation for why you and Don felt the need to come over at ten thirty at night and dump boxes of books on me?”
 
Tony grinned. “Gibbs told us to,” he shrugged. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
 
Mandy shook her head and stood by the growing stacks of boxes until Don and Tony were finally done and locked the door behind them. “You had to live in a building with no elevator,” Tony said. “Is there anything to drink around here?”
 
“I wasn’t exactly expecting company,” Mandy pointed out, “but there should be some bottled water in the fridge.”
 
“I’d be worried if you had anything stronger,” Don said. “Look, Mandy, I’m sorry to just dump all this on you but you’re the only one we’ve got up here who can make sense of all this.”
 
“I’m listening,” Mandy said trying not to roll her eyes.
 
“We don’t know everything,” Tony admitted. “But Peyton definitely had contacts with hunters. We got to her apartment before Stella and pulled all the books, journals, notebooks, computers and scrap books for you.”
 
“You’ll need to call Mac for the specs,” Don continued. “Peyton kidnapped Danny and Mac knocked her off a building so we can’t question her.”
 
“Are Mac and Danny all right?” Mandy asked.
 
“Shook up but fine,” Don replied. “I don’t know how happy Mac is about what happened or what he had to do but the official report is Peyton attacked Danny and Hawkes before committing suicide.”
 
“All right, I’ll give Mac a ring,” Mandy said. “And I guess start digging through all of this. How long do I have?”
 
“You know Gibbs,” Tony grinned. “He always wants answers yesterday. And trust me; the amount of evidence plays no part in how fast he thinks it needs to be done.”
 
“Then I’d best get started,” Mandy said. “Tell your dragon that I’m working as fast as humanly possible and will call when I have a conclusive answer and not a moment before. Oh, and before I forget, I have something for each of you.” Mandy made her way to her kitchen table and picked up two small sculptures. “I’ve never seen Gibbs in his true form so I had to make some guesses but I hope you like them.”
 
Tony and Don took the dragon sculptures. “Mandy, did you make this?” Don asked.
 
“I’ve had rather a lot of stress to work off these past weeks,” Mandy replied. “And Abby thought the community members would like them so I’ve been working evenings and, well…” She pointed to the table. “I even finished the Miami community.”
 
“This is great, kid,” Don said. “Thanks.”
 
“What he said,” Tony added with a grin. “We gotta get home; call Mac and I’ll bring Gibbs up to speed.”
 
“Will do,” Mandy said. “And I’ll ring when I have something.”
 
“Lock the door behind us,” Don said.
 
“You can even listen for it,” Mandy said. She sighed and locked both the door and chain, smiling at the light thump that had to be Don saying a final good night. Mandy made her way through the maze of boxes and finally found her phone under a notebook.
 
“Taylor.”
 
“Hey Mac, its Amanda. So the strangest thing just happened,” she said. “Don and Tony just dumped twenty five boxes of books and related materials in my living room.”
 
“What size box are we talking?” Mac asked.
 
“30-inch TV,” Mandy said. “They told me about the kidnapping and hunter connection but I’m curious as to why you believe there’s something in all this.”
 
Mac sighed. “That bitch was talking about a way to kill a bonded human and not their dragon and then rebond the dragon to another human,” he said. “She was convinced she could kill Danny and become my human.”
 
“But that’s impossible,” Mandy said.
 
“Are we positive of that?” Mac asked. “Amanda, Gil told me that his bond with Nicky was severed when Nicky was medicated and unconscious in the hospital. What if the hunters are aware of this and have developed a technique to break the bond?”
 
“This is not something we can talk about on the phone,” Mandy said. “Look, I’ll start reading through all this but you need to call Gibbs for me. Tell him we need to have a joint community meeting in Miami. Have him set it up with Gil but we all need to be on the same page.”
 
“Okay Amanda but it’ll probably be next month before we can make it happen,” Mac said. “Are we safe until then?”
 
“We’ll have to keep our eyes open but if we don’t have hunters in our area now I doubt she called anyone,” Mandy said. “Can I borrow Sheldon for a few days?”
 
“He’s on medical leave,” Mac said. “You take a few days while the brass are reviewing your presentation and work on this. And Amanda, call me if you need anything, even if it’s just a sounding board.”
 
She smiled. “I will, thanks Mac.”
********************
 
Sid Hammerback clipped his glasses on and looked down at the body on his table. “Well Peyton,” he said. “You didn’t strike me a suicidal but you were different when you came back. Something happened to you while you were away.”
 
“What’s she telling you, Doc?”
 
“Ryan, come in,” Sid said. “My talking to the deceased doesn’t trouble you?”
 
“No, the ME down in Miami does it all the time,” Ryan replied. “But we told her if any of her victim started talking back then we’d all be pretty spooked.”
 
“As would I,” Sid said. “And so far all the good doctor is telling me is she took a great fall. Have you been to the scene?”
 
“Yeah, Mac asked me and Lindsay to help Stella,” Ryan replied. “The building was at least seventeen stories and she went right into the middle of the street.”
 
“Well I won’t know more until I finish the autopsy but I believe we’ll find she killed herself.” Sid paused for a moment. “It happens to us all but every ME will tell you it’s harder to perform an autopsy on someone you knew in life than it is for a stranger. I wonder why that is.”
 
Ryan shrugged. “Maybe because our culture has almost an ingrained fear of death,” he said. “We always want to remember the deceased as they were when they were alive and by performing an autopsy on a friend you’re robbing yourself of that chance. There is nothing more final than an autopsy.”
 
“You’re right,” Sid agreed. “And no doubt that is a part of it. Give me a couple of hours and I’ll have something for you.”
********************
 
Stella stood on the rood and turned slowly shining her flashlight across the surface. There was nothing that was going to tell her what happened; the roof was a mixed garden/sunbathing area and the ground wouldn’t hold trace or impressions.
 
“Hey Stella.”
 
“Yeah, Lindsay,” Stella turned and looked at the other woman.
 
“I’m done in the apartment,” Lindsay said. “The murder weapon was next to the body and I’ve got all of Danny and Hawkes’ evidence too.”
 
“Okay, good,” Stella said. “I’ll come back in the morning and look around but I don’t think we’re going to find anything up here to prove or disprove suicide.”
 
“Do you think she was pushed or thrown?”
 
“I knew Peyton Driscoll and she abhorred the idea of suicide,” Stella said. “I dunno, Lindsay, I guess I just can’t wrap my mind around it.”
 
“The autopsy should be done by the time we get back,” Lindsay said. “Maybe Sid will have something for us.” 
 
“Yeah, maybe.”
********************
 
Mac settled onto the sofa and wasn’t surprised when Danny curled up next to him using his lap as a pillow. “I’ve got to make one call, Danny,” he said softly.
 
“I knew you’d come get me, Mac,” Danny said. “I was never worried ‘bout that but listening to her, the thought of losing what we got; that about tore my heart out you know. I know you better than I know myself; you’re part of me and losing that would kill me.”
 
“It’d kill me too,” Mac said. “Dan, anyone tries to hurt you or pull us apart is dead; I don’t give a damn who it is. You’re mine.”
 
Danny leaned up for a kiss. Mac growled and deepened it, tasting his human as he pushed Danny’s open shirt off. Danny wrapped his arms around Mac and moved backwards, both working to get the rest of their clothes off so they could feel skin on skin and reconnect again.
 
“Mine,” Mac rumbled, his eyes glowing as he pressed forward. Danny cried out when his dragon hit the correct angle and started pounding into him. His legs wrapped around Mac’s thighs. They moved together to their climax, Mac marking Danny as his.
 
“Damn,” Danny panted. “I thought we was going to fall of the couch, Mac.”
 
“Did I hurt you, Danny?” Mac asked. He braced himself and looked down into Danny’s blue eyes. He could see the love shining at him and leaned down for another, softer, kiss.
 
“What about your phone call?” Danny asked between kisses.
 
“What about it?” Mac asked. He could feel himself growing hard again and made a mental note to ask Gil if it was normal.
 
“It sounded important,” Danny said with a moan as Mac started to move in him again. “Feels so good, Mac.”
 
“You’re important,” Mac said as he licked Danny’s neck up to his ear and nipped at the lobe. “That can wait.”
 
“Not arguing,” Danny moaned again giving himself over to his dragon.
********************
 
“Gibbs!”
 
“Amanda says we need to set up a meeting,” Mac said when he called his friend first thing the next morning. “In Miami with Grissom’s community.”
 
“What’s going on?” Gibbs demanded. “Tony told me what they found in the apartment and took to Mandy. There’s no way in hell she was able to read all that in one night.”
 
“This seemed to be something she already knew about,” Mac said. “But she wouldn’t talk about it over the phone.”
 
“That’s a good precaution,” Gibbs said. “I’ve been meaning to call Gil and let him know Danny’s okay and I’ll set up the meeting then. When can you and Danny get away again?”
 
Mac snorted. “I have so much vacation banked it’s not funny,” he said. “And Danny’s about as bad but probably not until next month at the earliest.”
 
“That’ll give Mandy time to read through everything and be ready to tell us about it,” Gibbs said. “I’ll give you a call later and let you know the dates. I’m leaning towards the middle of the week though.”
 
“Probably a good idea,” Mac agreed. “Weekends always seem to be so much wilder for some reason. And just so you know, Amanda asked for help from Sheldon Hawkes in reading through all those books and notes.”
 
“How exactly does he know about us,” Gibbs asked.
 
Mac paused and sipped his coffee. “I don’t think they ever told us,” he finally said. “At least not that I recall.”
 
“I sure don’t remember it,” Gibbs said. “Far be it from me to question you about your people, Mac.”
 
“But you’ll do it anyway,” Mac laughed. “I trust Sheldon Hawkes with not only Amanda but Danny.” 
 
“I hope your trust isn’t misplaced, Mac,” Gibbs said. “I’ll give you a call when I can.”
 
“Try not to traumatize your team too much today.”
 
The ice blue dragon snorted and Mac could picture the half grin on Gibbs’ face. “That’s half the fun, Mac,” he said. “Hell, you know that.”
 
“I do,” Mac said. “And I wouldn’t want you to ruin your bastard reputation, Gibbs. Talk to you later.”
 
Danny wandered into the kitchen half dressed and could feel his dragon’s eyes on him as he started making tea. “That Gibbs?”
 
“Yep; Amanda asked me to call him,” Mac said. “Dan, did Hawkes ever tell you how he knows about us?”
 
“It ain’t never come up,” Danny said. “Mac, you ain’t thinking he had something to do with what happened yesterday, are you? Sheldon’s been a good friend.”
 
“I know he has, Danny.” Mac wrapped his arms around his human’s waist. “And I told Gibbs I trust Hawkes with your life and you know there’s no higher compliment a dragon can give a non-community member. But it wouldn’t hurt to find out.”
 
“You just live for puzzles,” Danny grinned. He kissed his dragon. “So why were you up so early? We don’t got to be at the lab until ten.”
 
“I want to check on Stella’s investigation,” Mac said. “I need to be sure Peyton’s death is ruled suicide or undetermined.”
 
“You ain’t gonna mess with evidence?”
 
“No, Danny, no,” Mac said. “Shhh, I didn’t mean that. If Sid rules it murder then I’ll help Stella in any way I can but we were never on that roof, remember? I’d rather not have Stella chasing a ghost.”
 
“God this is a mess.” Danny pushed his glasses up his nose with a sigh. “Stella’s smart, Mac; she’ll see right through all this.”
 
“Even if I did manage to hit Peyton hard enough to mark I think she died before anything would have formed,” Mac said. “And any broken bones will likely be ruled because of the fall. After all, there is no known creature or animal in this area that would leave marks like that on a body.”
 
Danny cuddled in close to Mac. “I hope you’re right, Mac,” he said softly. “I just want this mess behind us so we can move on and forget about it.”
 
Mac wrapped himself around Danny. “So do I, Dan,” he said softly. “So do I.”

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