A fic about dragons and the navy
For Christmas I gifted nakeisha with a DragonRay AU/NCIS crossover fic. With her kind permission I'm reposting it here for everybody.
It is Fraser/Ray and there are hints of Gibbs/Ducky. Rated...oh G.
A Meeting of Worlds
Gibbs got up slowly. His head was pounding and he had no idea where he was. He knew he wasn’t where he should be as he was outside, out of the office, in what appeared to be woodland of some sort. He glanced about and saw the rest of team spread about around him, groaning
“Everybody okay?” he asked.
Abby was first to answer, bouncing to her feet. “I’m great, Gibbs. “
“Erm…yes, Boss,” DiNozzo held his head. “I think I broke something.”
“Probably your ego,” Ziva replied, she appeared unscathed.
“Hey!”
Gibbs looked about and saw McGee quiet and staring. “McGee?”
McGee turned to face him. “I’m fine, Boss, erm…”
“What, McGee?” Gibbs asked, slightly impatient. At least McGee appeared to be okay.
“It’s Doctor Mallard,” McGee said. He stepped back to reveal a medium sized, white duck standing in front of him.
“Ducky?” Gibbs asked in disbelief.
“Yes, I don’t think I’ve broken any bones but…” the duck paused. “What are you all staring at?”
“You, Ducky. Duckman is an actual Duck,” Abby said.
“Oh dear,” Ducky said looking down at himself.
Gibbs knew then things were going to get a lot weirder.
A couple of miles away from the stranded NCIS agents a human and a dragon were at the river.
“Benny, are you sure this is a good idea?” Ray asked, looking suspiciously at the water.
“Ray, fishing is a perfectly safe exercise,” Fraser replied, wading into it. He held a small wicker trap and a spear, his fishing tools.
“But you’re going into a river.”
“I can swim, Ray, the water isn’t very deep and there isn’t much current. I also know if I get into difficulties you’ll help me.”
“I will. I just don’t see why you can’t use nets like other humans,” Ray muttered.
“This method is closer to hunting, it requires more effort but it’s safer for the environment. It also means you won’t get your wings tangled up in the net.”
“Hey! It only happened once,” Ray said, checking his wings, just in case.
“This way we can also spend lot of time outdoors.”
“Okay let’s, fish,” Ray replied.
Diefenbaker and Lester were already splashing each other, running about and enjoying themselves.
Meanwhile the NCIS agents were still confused and trying to make sense of their situation.
“What are we going to do, Boss?”
“I don’t know, McGee, any ideas?”
Abby raised her hand. “Maybe we’ve been sucked into an alternate dimension.”
“Oh come on, Abby, if we were in an alternate dimension wouldn’t there be aliens?” DiNozzo asked. “Maybe this is some sort of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure style situation.”
“Who are Bill and Ted? Friends of yours?” Ziva asked.
“It was a movie, Ziva. Keanu Reeves, pre-Matrix of course. In fact before he..”
“DiNozzo!”
“Sorry, Boss.”
“Anyone got any other ideas?”
“Jethro, perhaps we could find someone to help, presumably someone brought us here.”
Gibbs was still a little unnerved at the sound of his friend’s voice coming from a duck. “Ducky’s right.” Gibbs picked Ducky up. “Come on, let’s go.”
He started to walk and the kids scrambled to follow him. Ziva had already drawn her gun. Gibbs just hoped they could find someone with answers.
Fraser with his spear had managed to catch three fish and caught another four in his wicker trap. Ray just enjoyed watching his partner fish. He was almost tempted to get into the river himself. However, before he could do so, he heard someone or something coming through the woods.
“Benny?”
“Yes, Ray?” Fraser replied, as he came onto the bank, picking up a towel to dry himself.
“Did you hear that?”
Fraser stood and listened. “Yes, it appears to be coming from the woods.”
Just then the party of NCIS agents appeared in front of them.
“A dragon?!”
Tony, Ziva and McGee all drew their guns.
Ray stepped in front of Fraser and tried to look menacing.
“Who are you and what do want?” he asked, not trusting the strange new humans.
“We’re just lost, we need some help,” Gibbs said, softly.
Fraser patted Ray in reassurance. “It’s all right, Ray. If I could ask you to put away your weapons.”
Reluctantly they lowered their guns.
“Why are you carrying…guns?” Ray turned to Fraser to check the word. Fraser nodded.
“I’m Special Agent Gibbs, NCIS.”
“Why are you carrying a duck?” Ray asked, frowning.
“This duck is my ME.”
“What’s an ME?”
“It’s a type of doctor, Ray,” Fraser paused. “I don’t think they come from here.”
“You think they’re from the other world?”
“Yes, Ray.”
“The other world, what’s that?” Gibbs asked, grateful for information.
“We don’t know, exactly,” Ray replied.
Fraser took up the conversation. “It’s a different dimension from what we understand. It’s mostly legend that sometimes people pass from your world into ours.”
“Very interesting,” Ducky said.
“I didn’t know they had talking duck doctors in the other world,” Ray noted, taking a good luck at Ducky.
“I’m not actually a duck, normally speaking. I’m afraid this isn’t my usual form.”
“That might explain why you’re here.”
“It might?” Gibbs asked, intrigued.
“Sounds like somebody put an enchantment on you, him, whoever.”
“The name’s Ducky.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Special Agent Gibbs has already introduced himself, and we have Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, Officer Ziva David, Special Agent Timothy McGee and Abigail Scuito with us.”
Ray was confused. “Erm…”
“I’m Tony.”
“Ziva.”
“McGee.”
“Abby.”
“Nice to meet all of you,” Fraser said, shaking each of their hands.
“Gibbs, we need a way of getting back home,” Ziva reminded.
“And one for turning Ducky back into Ducky,” Abby pointed out.
“We can help you with that,” Fraser replied.
“Well, we can try,” Ray said.
“Yes. We didn’t introduce ourselves did we? I’m Constable Benton Fraser, RCMP and this is my partner, Ray.”
“Funny name for a dragon,” DiNozzo said.
“It’s the one my mother chose,” Ray replied, huffily.
It was then that Diefenbaker barked and Lester nudged Fraser’s legs. “Oh, and this is Diefenbaker, and this is Lester.”
“Awww they’re so cute!”
“Abby,” Gibbs paused. “So you can help us turn Ducky back into Ducky?”
“Technically, Jethro, I’m still Ducky.”
Ray nodded. “We can find a way to make him look like a human again, yeah.”
“If you’d like to come back to our cave with us.”
“You live in cave?”
“Dragons live in caves DiNozzo.”
“Oh, yeah, right, boss, of course.”
“Yeah, it’s not far from here,” Ray reassured them.
“Just let us pick up our catch.”
“You’ve been fishing?” McGee asked.
“Yeah.”
“So, dragons live in caves and fish? Okay…” DiNozzo said.
Ray corrected him. “No. Benny fished, I watched.”
Fraser had picked up the fish and placed them in the bag. With the bag over his shoulder he smiled. “Ready, Ray.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
As they walked back through the woods Gibbs felt it was appropriate to ask some more questions. Their hosts seemed to be helpful and knowledgeable.
“Can you tell us anything about where we are?”
“This is Chicago,” Ray said.
“Chicago? I thought that was a city.” Ziva said, confused.
“Maybe where you come from but here it’s a forest,” Ray replied.
“There are villages and there’s a town but nothing like a city, no,” Fraser added.
“So you’re a Mountie?” Abby asked.
“Yes. Do you have those where you come from?”
“Yeah, they wear red a lot.”
“Oh very obvious, Probie.”
“Benny used to. Or he did when I met him.”
“I’m not a Mountie here, well, I’m still a Mountie but I don’t have any official capacity here.”
“What do you do?” Ducky asked, clearly interested.
“I do odd jobs around the village. I try and help people. It enables me to get enough food and goods to support Ray and our family.”
“Benny’s really popular with the villages. I’m not. I mean dragons; most people see me and run away.”
“Or try and shoot you,” Ziva noted.
“They would if people here had guns.”
“You have a family?”
“Ray, Diefenbaker, Lester and myself. That’s my family,” Fraser said, proudly.
Abby smiled. “Aww that’s so cute.”
They stopped outside a cave. It was situated in a clearing, where the trees were shorter, it was quite welcoming.
“We’re here,” Ray said.
“Nice place,” Gibbs noted.
“Thank you kindly.”
They all walked inside. The cave walls were painted and there were lights that kept it nice and bright.
“Benny did most of the decorating,” Ray said.
“I did the painting; Ray did most of the handiwork.”
“It’s very, homely,” McGee said looking around.
“Are you all right Duck?” Gibbs asked as Ducky shifted in his arms.
“I’m fine, Jethro. If you could put me down I’m sure I’m capable of walking the rest of the way.”
“Okay, just be careful.” Gibbs placed Ducky onto thee floor and watched his friend waddle off to admire one of the paintings. He turned to Fraser. “You think you can help him?”
“Yes. We just need to find out who put the enchantment on him and what the reversal is.”
“Benny’s got a book about that somewhere,” Ray said.
“Yes, but first perhaps you would like some food, you must be hungry.”
“Food would be great, thanks.”
“I’ve caught enough fish for us all. Unless you’d prefer venison?”
“Deer? You eat deer?” DiNozzo asked.
“Yes, dragons have very large appetites,” Fraser explained.
“When we’re hungry.”
“Which is less often than a human, dragons only need one meal a day.”
Ray nodded. “But since I’ve been living with Benny I have as many as he does, just smaller ones.”
“You don’t like venison?”
McGee spoke up. “Boss, I’m not sure that I could…I mean it’s like eating Bambi.”
Abby elbowed him. “Don’t be silly, Timmy.”
Gibbs raised a smile. “Fish will be fine.”
“I’m not sure I can eat any sort of meat in my current state,” Ducky said.
“We’ll get you some vegetables,” Fraser promised, and was as good as his word.
Once they had eaten Diefenbaker and Lester cajoled the younger agents and Abby into a game of tag. At least it looked like tag. It was so manic that it was unclear what exactly it was, it involved rolling about and shouting and panting.
Fraser and Ray watched on for the cave mouth with Gibbs and Ducky.
“I don’t think Diefenbaker has had this much exercise for a long time,” Fraser noted.
“Well, you did say he needed it,” Ray pointed out.
“Is he a wolf?” Gibbs asked.
“Yes, at least part of him is. We’re not sure what the other part is.”
“Probably dog,” Ray added.
Ducky was paying close attention. “It’s remarkable to see a rabbit and a wolf hybrid getting on so well.”
“Yeah, well, we’re an unusual family.”
“How long have you been together?” Gibbs asked.
Ray looked slightly worried. “It’s that obvious?”
“Only to someone who knows.”
“Ray and I have been together nearly two years now.”
“Best two years of my life,” Ray said, nuzzling Fraser.
“We appreciate you not judging our relationship,” Fraser added, stroking his partner’s muzzle.
“You’re very welcome. After-all I’m a duck at the present and Jethro isn’t.”
“Ah, you’re…”
Gibbs dipped his head. “Yeah.”
“I see.”
“So, who do you think did this?”
“We were hoping you could help us.”
“Usually enchantments like this are put on people by annoyed witches. Or witches under contract,” Ray said.
“Are those witches who practice so called magic?” Ducky asked.
“Yes, you’re familiar with them?”
“Only by reputation. We have legends of women with black cats and broomsticks.”
“Yeah that’s them.”
“So, a witch did this to Ducky?”
“And brought you here.”
Gibbs frowned. “Why would she do that?”
“In order to see the results of her work. And possibly to exact further revenge,” Fraser replied.
“What we need to find out is who would want to take revenge on you enough to hire a witch from our world,” Ray said.
“Are there any women you’ve had relationships with who would bear some ill feelings toward you?” Fraser asked.
“Three ex-wives.”
“Three?! Great that narrows it down…”
Fraser was thoughtful. “Did any of them seem witchlike?”
“Not really. Although they did all have red hair,” Ducky said.
“That doesn’t help.”
“Why do you think a woman is behind this?” Gibbs asked. He wouldn’t argue with that assumption.
“They usually are.”
“Ray is right. To quote Shakespeare ‘Hell hath no fury…’”
“Like a woman scorned,” Ducky added.
“Indeed. So, we need to find which woman arranged this.”
Ray looked at the setting sun. “But it’s getting late. You want to stay?”
“If it’s not too much trouble,” Ducky said.
“Not at all.”
“We’ve got some spare beds at the back of the cave.”
Gibb smiled. “That’d be great.”
The NCIS agents slept fitfully. They weren’t used to sleeping on straw beds. Gibbs ahs a the most restful night and made sure he kept Ducky close. The next morning after a quick breakfast of stored pemmican they set off to see the witch. Gibbs and Ducky in front walking next to Fraser and Ray with the others further back. Diefenbaker and Lester would alternate between the two ‘groups’.
“Where are we going?” DiNozzo asked.
“North DiNozzo.”
“I guessed that, Boss, but whereabouts north?”
“I am sure that this dragon and his friend know the way,” Ziva said.
“Isn’t anyone else creeped out by the fact we slept in the same cave as a dragon?”
“Not really,” McGee said.
“Well, you wouldn’t be, elf lord.”
Abby was smiling. “I think it was kinda cool. I mean dragons actually exist. Think about what that means. Scientifically I mean.”
Ray had been observing the to and fro. “Do they always argue like that?”
“Oh yeah.”
“They’re nearly as bad as my family.”
“Ray. Your family are very welcoming.”
“And loud,” Ray added.
“Well, yes.”
“Where exactly are we going? Just out of curiosity?” Ducky asked.
“There’s a tower about two miles from here, a witch lives there, she does enchantments for money.”
“A witch for hire?”
“Yes, she certainly has the capability to do something like this.”
It wasn’t long before they arrived at the tower. It was dark and imposing, just the kind of tower you would expect to find a witch. There were even vultures circling around the top. It was so big even Ray would be able to go up it.
Gibbs stood in front of this team. “You stay out here, we’ll go and see the witch.”
“It would be safer if we came with you,” Ziva pointed out, already reaching for her gun.
“No. I don’t want to spook her.”
“But Gibbs!” Abby protested.
“No buts. Stay.”
Despite their misgivings the kids stayed outside. Abby was pouting, and McGee looked worried, but Gibbs was confident at leaving them behind. He didn’t want this witch to do anything to them, not after what she’d done to Ducky. Diefenbaker and Lester had been told by Ray to guard the door and they seemed to be taking that job seriously.
So it was Gibbs, Ducky, Ray and Fraser who entered the tower and climbed the stories to the top.
“I’m glad she widened this stairway, not that it helps,” Ray grumbled.
“Are you all right, Ray?” Fraser asked with some concern,
“Yeah I just don’t like having my wings crushed.”
“We’re nearly there.”
A few more steps and they found themselves in a large room. They walls were filled with shelves full of books and bottles of potions. A cauldron stood in the centre but the place was relatively clean. There was a desk covered with papers on which a black cat was sleeping and a broomstick was propped up against a cabinet.
There were greeted by a tall, relatively young and attractive looking witch with red hair who smiled as they entered.
“Ah, hello, gentlemen.”
“Hello Laurant,” Fraser replied.
Ray nodded.
“I see you brought some friends.”
“Yes, we did, we need your help,” Fraser said.
“Want me to put an enchantment on the village priest, Fraser?"
Ray sighed. “Not that kind of help. Someone put an enchantment on this guy’s friend.”
“And you think it was me?”
“Yes.”
She came closer and peered at Ducky, held firmly in Gibbs's arms.
“Ah, a duck.”
“You did this?” Gibbs asked.
She flashed him a predatory smile. “Yes, I may have done. But for the other world.”
“They’re from the other world,” Ray told her.
“Oh, interesting. Yes I put together that enchantment.”
“Can you tell us who erm...ordered it?” Fraser asked.
“Yes.” She picked up a large open book off the desk and ran her finger down the page. “Let me see. It was a Mann.”
Ray frowned. “Are you sure it was a man? I thought this was the kind of thing women did.”
“No. Her name was Mann. Missy Mann.”
“Missy Mann?” Gibbs said.
“You know her?” Ray asked.
“I know a Hollis Mann.”
“She have a sister?”
“I don’t know.”
“What was your relationship to Hollis Mann?” Fraser asked.
“We were, together, briefly, but it ended…not badly.”
“Perhaps her sister didn’t see it that way.”
Ray turned to Laurent. “You know where we can find this Missy Mann?”
“She’s at a tavern in Toronto.”
“Canada?” Ducky asked.
“No, it’s a village not far from here,” Fraser said.
Gibbs looked at the witch. “Can you undo this enchantment?”
“If you bring me Missy I’ll undo it. You need to persuade her to withdraw it. I hate it when sisters get involved in their sister’s love lives.”
“Thank you kindly,” Fraser replied.
They quickly made their way out of the tower. Gibbs’s pace was so quick he didn’t stop as they reached the bottom and went outside. The kids were forced to quickly start walking, just to keep up. Lester and Dief leapt onto Ray’s back to get a lift and keep up.
“Where are we going, Boss?” McGee asked.
“Toronto.”
“Canada?”
“Nope, a village. Let’s move.”
“Gibbs seems a little on edge,” Ziva whispered.
“Well, he’s got to carry Ducky about, he’s worried,” Abby said.
“So are we.”
The village wasn’t faraway, at least not at the pace Gibbs was going. He only slowed to get some sense of which way to go from Ray or Fraser. It was a small village, around twenty or thirty houses, what looked like some barns and other buildings that seemed to be a tavern and store of some sort.
As soon as the villages who were milling about in the streets caught sight of Ray they ran.
“Argh! Dragon!” they cried.
“Oh, great. Why does this always happen to me?” Ray asked, unhappily.
“At least it will make it easier for us to locate Miss Mann.”
“Always looking on the bright side, Benny.”
Fraser grabbed a fleeing villager, although very politely. “Excuse me, could you tell us where we could find a Miss Mann?” he asked.
The villager just stared at Ray. “Dragon!”
“Yes, Ray is a dragon but we need to find a woman.”
The villager trembled. “Look, you won’t hurt me?”
“No,” Ray replied.
“Try the tavern.”
Fraser let the villager go and he carried on fleeing, looking back at Ray the entire time.
“Find out where she is, Boss?”
“The tavern, DiNozzo, let’s go!”
They made their way across the village to the tavern, the only building in the village with a sign. They crept up to the door.
“So, she’s in here?”
Fraser nodded. “It seems likely; it would be a logical place to stay if she wasn’t familiar with this world.”
Gibbs put Ducky down. “You stay here, Duck.”
“I want to come, Jethro. I want to see the woman who did this.”
“It’s dangerous,” Gibbs replied, though he was already feeling his resolve weaken. He drew his gun for the first time since he’d found himself in another world.
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Ray promised.
Gibbs nodded. “Okay. DiNozzo, Ziva, you go round the back, make sure she doesn’t try to escape. McGee you’re with me. Abby…”
“I’ll wait out here, Gibbs,” she replied petting Diefenbaker and Lester.
Gibbs smiled and gave her hair a kiss. “Thanks.”
Gibbs and Fraser opened the door and led the way. Ray and Ducky followed. They found the bar straight in front of them and approached it.
“Excuse me do you know where we can find a Miss Mann?” Fraser asked the barman.
The barman looked at their odd party. “Erm, yeah, she’s over there.” He pointed to a private booth near the back of the bar area.
“Thank you kindly.”
Gibbs and Fraser went first. Ray lagged behind as the bar hadn’t been designed for dragons. Gibbs approached the table with purpose. He lowered his gun but kept it on plain view. “Missy Mann?” he asked the lady seated at the table.
She looked up and smiled. “Well, well, well, Special Agent Gibbs,” she said peering down at Ducky. “And, oh look, Doctor Mallard. Who are your friends?”
“Just friends.”
“So, is there a reason you’re here?”
“Yeah, we’re here to get you to fix what you’ve done,” Gibbs said sitting down opposite. He placed his gun on the table.
“And what makes you think I want to fix it?”
Fraser coughed. “You’re not familiar with this world, are you, Miss Mann?”
“Who are you?
“Constable Fraser. I doubt you intended to stay here, you were waiting until you’d seen your complete revenge and then you would ask Ms Laurent to send you home.”
“So what?”
“We know Laurent. She owes us a favour,” Ray said, speaking up. “We could make sure you don’t get home.”
“What?!”
“It’s a simple choice,” Gibbs told her. “You tell her to reverse this curse or you don’t get to go home.”
“This is blackmail!”
“You know the villagers around here don’t like people who hire witches,” Ray said, menacingly.
“All right, all right!” Missy held her hands up. “I’ll tell her to remove the curse.”
Suddenly there was a loud crack and smoke and Laurent appeared. “Well, that makes things easy,” she said.
“How do you do that?” Ray asked.
“I’m a witch, Ray.”
“Oh, yeah, right."
She turned to Missy. “Goodbye Miss Mann, I can’t say it was a pleasure doing business with you.”
She clapped he hands there was another crack and more smoke just as DiNozzo, McGee and Ziva came in through the back door, probably alerted by the earlier noise.
“She’s gone.”
“Yeah, DiNozzo.”
“She will not cause nay more trouble?” Ziva asked.
Laurent smiled. “No. I never did like a woman who didn’t even want revenge for herself. I’ll make sure you’re all right.”
She clapped her hands and there was more smoke. It enveloped Ducky and, when it cleared, Ducky was Ducky once more.
Abby ran over and out and hugged him. “Ducky! You’re back!”
“Abby, I told you to wait outside,” Gibbs said, trying to sound stern.
“And miss all the fun? Gibbs.”
“It’s good to have you back, Ducky,” McGee added.
Gibbs just smiled at his friend.
“Can you send them home now?” Ray asked.
“Of course.”
“Thank you for your help, Ray, Fraser,” Gibbs said, shaking the latter’s hand.
“It was our pleasure,” Fraser replied.
“Yes, thank you for your help and your hospitality,” Ducky added.
“You’re welcome.”
“If ever you’re in Chicago, this Chicago, you’re welcome to visit,” Ray said.
“We’ll bear that in mind,” Gibbs said.
“Bye. “
“Bye Dief, bye Lester,” Abby said , ruffling their fur.
“Goodbye,” Ziva said.
Then with a loud whooshing noise and more smoke, so much Ray coughed. When it cleared they had disappeared.
Ray and Fraser were then left alone in the tavern.
“So what do you want to do now, Benny?” Ray asked, giving him a kiss.
“We could go fishing, Ray.”
Ray smiled. “Yeah, let’s go.”
With that their family left the bar and headed back toward the river, it was a pleasant walk. Along the way they decided to pay one last visit to Laurent.
Gibbs got up slowly. His head was pounding but he was where he should be. The whole team were back where they should be, in the NCIS building.
“Everybody, okay? Ducky?”
“I’m fine, Jethro, I’m me,” Ducky replied patting himself to make sure.
“DiNozzo?”
“I think I bruised something again.”
“Ziva?”
“I am fine, Gibbs.”
“McGee?”
“Fine, Boss.”
“Abby?”
“I’m great, Gibbs.”
“Did what I think happen, happen?”
“I guess we’ll never know, DiNozzo.”
Later on in autopsy Gibbs and Ducky were sharing a quiet moment, discussing the events of the last forty eight hours, when they heard a loud whooshing noise. They turned around to see Ray and Fraser standing in autopsy. Ray looked a little cramped.
“Hi,” Ray said.
“It’s good to see you gentlemen, gentleman," Ducky replied, unsure if Ray was a gentlemen in the strictest technical sense.
“We had to make sure you got back safely,” Fraser explained.
“We appreciate it.”
“And we wanted to give you this,” Ray said, nudging Fraser.
Fraser came over to Gibbs and handed him a small glowing ball.” It’s a device which will allow you to come back to our world whenever you like,” he explained.
“Don’t forget the instructions,” Ray prompted.
“Ah yes.” Fraser handed them a book. “It’s relatively easy once you get used to it.”
“Thank you,” Gibbs said, as the ball began to lose its glow.
“We’ve got to go now but we’ve never met anyone who didn’t mind what Ray and I are. We’d like to thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome,” Ducky said.
Both Fraser and Ray smiled before there was another loud whoosh and they disappeared.
Gibbs turned to Ducky. “You fancy some bedtime reading, Duck?” He passed him the book.
Ducky took it and examined the cover. “It seems a very good idea, Jethro.”
Somehow they both knew that they’d be seeing Fraser and Ray again and that reading the book was just the start. The start of a wonderful friendship.
And with kind permission I can now reveal the sequel Here
It is Fraser/Ray and there are hints of Gibbs/Ducky. Rated...oh G.
A Meeting of Worlds
Gibbs got up slowly. His head was pounding and he had no idea where he was. He knew he wasn’t where he should be as he was outside, out of the office, in what appeared to be woodland of some sort. He glanced about and saw the rest of team spread about around him, groaning
“Everybody okay?” he asked.
Abby was first to answer, bouncing to her feet. “I’m great, Gibbs. “
“Erm…yes, Boss,” DiNozzo held his head. “I think I broke something.”
“Probably your ego,” Ziva replied, she appeared unscathed.
“Hey!”
Gibbs looked about and saw McGee quiet and staring. “McGee?”
McGee turned to face him. “I’m fine, Boss, erm…”
“What, McGee?” Gibbs asked, slightly impatient. At least McGee appeared to be okay.
“It’s Doctor Mallard,” McGee said. He stepped back to reveal a medium sized, white duck standing in front of him.
“Ducky?” Gibbs asked in disbelief.
“Yes, I don’t think I’ve broken any bones but…” the duck paused. “What are you all staring at?”
“You, Ducky. Duckman is an actual Duck,” Abby said.
“Oh dear,” Ducky said looking down at himself.
Gibbs knew then things were going to get a lot weirder.
A couple of miles away from the stranded NCIS agents a human and a dragon were at the river.
“Benny, are you sure this is a good idea?” Ray asked, looking suspiciously at the water.
“Ray, fishing is a perfectly safe exercise,” Fraser replied, wading into it. He held a small wicker trap and a spear, his fishing tools.
“But you’re going into a river.”
“I can swim, Ray, the water isn’t very deep and there isn’t much current. I also know if I get into difficulties you’ll help me.”
“I will. I just don’t see why you can’t use nets like other humans,” Ray muttered.
“This method is closer to hunting, it requires more effort but it’s safer for the environment. It also means you won’t get your wings tangled up in the net.”
“Hey! It only happened once,” Ray said, checking his wings, just in case.
“This way we can also spend lot of time outdoors.”
“Okay let’s, fish,” Ray replied.
Diefenbaker and Lester were already splashing each other, running about and enjoying themselves.
Meanwhile the NCIS agents were still confused and trying to make sense of their situation.
“What are we going to do, Boss?”
“I don’t know, McGee, any ideas?”
Abby raised her hand. “Maybe we’ve been sucked into an alternate dimension.”
“Oh come on, Abby, if we were in an alternate dimension wouldn’t there be aliens?” DiNozzo asked. “Maybe this is some sort of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure style situation.”
“Who are Bill and Ted? Friends of yours?” Ziva asked.
“It was a movie, Ziva. Keanu Reeves, pre-Matrix of course. In fact before he..”
“DiNozzo!”
“Sorry, Boss.”
“Anyone got any other ideas?”
“Jethro, perhaps we could find someone to help, presumably someone brought us here.”
Gibbs was still a little unnerved at the sound of his friend’s voice coming from a duck. “Ducky’s right.” Gibbs picked Ducky up. “Come on, let’s go.”
He started to walk and the kids scrambled to follow him. Ziva had already drawn her gun. Gibbs just hoped they could find someone with answers.
Fraser with his spear had managed to catch three fish and caught another four in his wicker trap. Ray just enjoyed watching his partner fish. He was almost tempted to get into the river himself. However, before he could do so, he heard someone or something coming through the woods.
“Benny?”
“Yes, Ray?” Fraser replied, as he came onto the bank, picking up a towel to dry himself.
“Did you hear that?”
Fraser stood and listened. “Yes, it appears to be coming from the woods.”
Just then the party of NCIS agents appeared in front of them.
“A dragon?!”
Tony, Ziva and McGee all drew their guns.
Ray stepped in front of Fraser and tried to look menacing.
“Who are you and what do want?” he asked, not trusting the strange new humans.
“We’re just lost, we need some help,” Gibbs said, softly.
Fraser patted Ray in reassurance. “It’s all right, Ray. If I could ask you to put away your weapons.”
Reluctantly they lowered their guns.
“Why are you carrying…guns?” Ray turned to Fraser to check the word. Fraser nodded.
“I’m Special Agent Gibbs, NCIS.”
“Why are you carrying a duck?” Ray asked, frowning.
“This duck is my ME.”
“What’s an ME?”
“It’s a type of doctor, Ray,” Fraser paused. “I don’t think they come from here.”
“You think they’re from the other world?”
“Yes, Ray.”
“The other world, what’s that?” Gibbs asked, grateful for information.
“We don’t know, exactly,” Ray replied.
Fraser took up the conversation. “It’s a different dimension from what we understand. It’s mostly legend that sometimes people pass from your world into ours.”
“Very interesting,” Ducky said.
“I didn’t know they had talking duck doctors in the other world,” Ray noted, taking a good luck at Ducky.
“I’m not actually a duck, normally speaking. I’m afraid this isn’t my usual form.”
“That might explain why you’re here.”
“It might?” Gibbs asked, intrigued.
“Sounds like somebody put an enchantment on you, him, whoever.”
“The name’s Ducky.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Special Agent Gibbs has already introduced himself, and we have Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, Officer Ziva David, Special Agent Timothy McGee and Abigail Scuito with us.”
Ray was confused. “Erm…”
“I’m Tony.”
“Ziva.”
“McGee.”
“Abby.”
“Nice to meet all of you,” Fraser said, shaking each of their hands.
“Gibbs, we need a way of getting back home,” Ziva reminded.
“And one for turning Ducky back into Ducky,” Abby pointed out.
“We can help you with that,” Fraser replied.
“Well, we can try,” Ray said.
“Yes. We didn’t introduce ourselves did we? I’m Constable Benton Fraser, RCMP and this is my partner, Ray.”
“Funny name for a dragon,” DiNozzo said.
“It’s the one my mother chose,” Ray replied, huffily.
It was then that Diefenbaker barked and Lester nudged Fraser’s legs. “Oh, and this is Diefenbaker, and this is Lester.”
“Awww they’re so cute!”
“Abby,” Gibbs paused. “So you can help us turn Ducky back into Ducky?”
“Technically, Jethro, I’m still Ducky.”
Ray nodded. “We can find a way to make him look like a human again, yeah.”
“If you’d like to come back to our cave with us.”
“You live in cave?”
“Dragons live in caves DiNozzo.”
“Oh, yeah, right, boss, of course.”
“Yeah, it’s not far from here,” Ray reassured them.
“Just let us pick up our catch.”
“You’ve been fishing?” McGee asked.
“Yeah.”
“So, dragons live in caves and fish? Okay…” DiNozzo said.
Ray corrected him. “No. Benny fished, I watched.”
Fraser had picked up the fish and placed them in the bag. With the bag over his shoulder he smiled. “Ready, Ray.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
As they walked back through the woods Gibbs felt it was appropriate to ask some more questions. Their hosts seemed to be helpful and knowledgeable.
“Can you tell us anything about where we are?”
“This is Chicago,” Ray said.
“Chicago? I thought that was a city.” Ziva said, confused.
“Maybe where you come from but here it’s a forest,” Ray replied.
“There are villages and there’s a town but nothing like a city, no,” Fraser added.
“So you’re a Mountie?” Abby asked.
“Yes. Do you have those where you come from?”
“Yeah, they wear red a lot.”
“Oh very obvious, Probie.”
“Benny used to. Or he did when I met him.”
“I’m not a Mountie here, well, I’m still a Mountie but I don’t have any official capacity here.”
“What do you do?” Ducky asked, clearly interested.
“I do odd jobs around the village. I try and help people. It enables me to get enough food and goods to support Ray and our family.”
“Benny’s really popular with the villages. I’m not. I mean dragons; most people see me and run away.”
“Or try and shoot you,” Ziva noted.
“They would if people here had guns.”
“You have a family?”
“Ray, Diefenbaker, Lester and myself. That’s my family,” Fraser said, proudly.
Abby smiled. “Aww that’s so cute.”
They stopped outside a cave. It was situated in a clearing, where the trees were shorter, it was quite welcoming.
“We’re here,” Ray said.
“Nice place,” Gibbs noted.
“Thank you kindly.”
They all walked inside. The cave walls were painted and there were lights that kept it nice and bright.
“Benny did most of the decorating,” Ray said.
“I did the painting; Ray did most of the handiwork.”
“It’s very, homely,” McGee said looking around.
“Are you all right Duck?” Gibbs asked as Ducky shifted in his arms.
“I’m fine, Jethro. If you could put me down I’m sure I’m capable of walking the rest of the way.”
“Okay, just be careful.” Gibbs placed Ducky onto thee floor and watched his friend waddle off to admire one of the paintings. He turned to Fraser. “You think you can help him?”
“Yes. We just need to find out who put the enchantment on him and what the reversal is.”
“Benny’s got a book about that somewhere,” Ray said.
“Yes, but first perhaps you would like some food, you must be hungry.”
“Food would be great, thanks.”
“I’ve caught enough fish for us all. Unless you’d prefer venison?”
“Deer? You eat deer?” DiNozzo asked.
“Yes, dragons have very large appetites,” Fraser explained.
“When we’re hungry.”
“Which is less often than a human, dragons only need one meal a day.”
Ray nodded. “But since I’ve been living with Benny I have as many as he does, just smaller ones.”
“You don’t like venison?”
McGee spoke up. “Boss, I’m not sure that I could…I mean it’s like eating Bambi.”
Abby elbowed him. “Don’t be silly, Timmy.”
Gibbs raised a smile. “Fish will be fine.”
“I’m not sure I can eat any sort of meat in my current state,” Ducky said.
“We’ll get you some vegetables,” Fraser promised, and was as good as his word.
Once they had eaten Diefenbaker and Lester cajoled the younger agents and Abby into a game of tag. At least it looked like tag. It was so manic that it was unclear what exactly it was, it involved rolling about and shouting and panting.
Fraser and Ray watched on for the cave mouth with Gibbs and Ducky.
“I don’t think Diefenbaker has had this much exercise for a long time,” Fraser noted.
“Well, you did say he needed it,” Ray pointed out.
“Is he a wolf?” Gibbs asked.
“Yes, at least part of him is. We’re not sure what the other part is.”
“Probably dog,” Ray added.
Ducky was paying close attention. “It’s remarkable to see a rabbit and a wolf hybrid getting on so well.”
“Yeah, well, we’re an unusual family.”
“How long have you been together?” Gibbs asked.
Ray looked slightly worried. “It’s that obvious?”
“Only to someone who knows.”
“Ray and I have been together nearly two years now.”
“Best two years of my life,” Ray said, nuzzling Fraser.
“We appreciate you not judging our relationship,” Fraser added, stroking his partner’s muzzle.
“You’re very welcome. After-all I’m a duck at the present and Jethro isn’t.”
“Ah, you’re…”
Gibbs dipped his head. “Yeah.”
“I see.”
“So, who do you think did this?”
“We were hoping you could help us.”
“Usually enchantments like this are put on people by annoyed witches. Or witches under contract,” Ray said.
“Are those witches who practice so called magic?” Ducky asked.
“Yes, you’re familiar with them?”
“Only by reputation. We have legends of women with black cats and broomsticks.”
“Yeah that’s them.”
“So, a witch did this to Ducky?”
“And brought you here.”
Gibbs frowned. “Why would she do that?”
“In order to see the results of her work. And possibly to exact further revenge,” Fraser replied.
“What we need to find out is who would want to take revenge on you enough to hire a witch from our world,” Ray said.
“Are there any women you’ve had relationships with who would bear some ill feelings toward you?” Fraser asked.
“Three ex-wives.”
“Three?! Great that narrows it down…”
Fraser was thoughtful. “Did any of them seem witchlike?”
“Not really. Although they did all have red hair,” Ducky said.
“That doesn’t help.”
“Why do you think a woman is behind this?” Gibbs asked. He wouldn’t argue with that assumption.
“They usually are.”
“Ray is right. To quote Shakespeare ‘Hell hath no fury…’”
“Like a woman scorned,” Ducky added.
“Indeed. So, we need to find which woman arranged this.”
Ray looked at the setting sun. “But it’s getting late. You want to stay?”
“If it’s not too much trouble,” Ducky said.
“Not at all.”
“We’ve got some spare beds at the back of the cave.”
Gibb smiled. “That’d be great.”
The NCIS agents slept fitfully. They weren’t used to sleeping on straw beds. Gibbs ahs a the most restful night and made sure he kept Ducky close. The next morning after a quick breakfast of stored pemmican they set off to see the witch. Gibbs and Ducky in front walking next to Fraser and Ray with the others further back. Diefenbaker and Lester would alternate between the two ‘groups’.
“Where are we going?” DiNozzo asked.
“North DiNozzo.”
“I guessed that, Boss, but whereabouts north?”
“I am sure that this dragon and his friend know the way,” Ziva said.
“Isn’t anyone else creeped out by the fact we slept in the same cave as a dragon?”
“Not really,” McGee said.
“Well, you wouldn’t be, elf lord.”
Abby was smiling. “I think it was kinda cool. I mean dragons actually exist. Think about what that means. Scientifically I mean.”
Ray had been observing the to and fro. “Do they always argue like that?”
“Oh yeah.”
“They’re nearly as bad as my family.”
“Ray. Your family are very welcoming.”
“And loud,” Ray added.
“Well, yes.”
“Where exactly are we going? Just out of curiosity?” Ducky asked.
“There’s a tower about two miles from here, a witch lives there, she does enchantments for money.”
“A witch for hire?”
“Yes, she certainly has the capability to do something like this.”
It wasn’t long before they arrived at the tower. It was dark and imposing, just the kind of tower you would expect to find a witch. There were even vultures circling around the top. It was so big even Ray would be able to go up it.
Gibbs stood in front of this team. “You stay out here, we’ll go and see the witch.”
“It would be safer if we came with you,” Ziva pointed out, already reaching for her gun.
“No. I don’t want to spook her.”
“But Gibbs!” Abby protested.
“No buts. Stay.”
Despite their misgivings the kids stayed outside. Abby was pouting, and McGee looked worried, but Gibbs was confident at leaving them behind. He didn’t want this witch to do anything to them, not after what she’d done to Ducky. Diefenbaker and Lester had been told by Ray to guard the door and they seemed to be taking that job seriously.
So it was Gibbs, Ducky, Ray and Fraser who entered the tower and climbed the stories to the top.
“I’m glad she widened this stairway, not that it helps,” Ray grumbled.
“Are you all right, Ray?” Fraser asked with some concern,
“Yeah I just don’t like having my wings crushed.”
“We’re nearly there.”
A few more steps and they found themselves in a large room. They walls were filled with shelves full of books and bottles of potions. A cauldron stood in the centre but the place was relatively clean. There was a desk covered with papers on which a black cat was sleeping and a broomstick was propped up against a cabinet.
There were greeted by a tall, relatively young and attractive looking witch with red hair who smiled as they entered.
“Ah, hello, gentlemen.”
“Hello Laurant,” Fraser replied.
Ray nodded.
“I see you brought some friends.”
“Yes, we did, we need your help,” Fraser said.
“Want me to put an enchantment on the village priest, Fraser?"
Ray sighed. “Not that kind of help. Someone put an enchantment on this guy’s friend.”
“And you think it was me?”
“Yes.”
She came closer and peered at Ducky, held firmly in Gibbs's arms.
“Ah, a duck.”
“You did this?” Gibbs asked.
She flashed him a predatory smile. “Yes, I may have done. But for the other world.”
“They’re from the other world,” Ray told her.
“Oh, interesting. Yes I put together that enchantment.”
“Can you tell us who erm...ordered it?” Fraser asked.
“Yes.” She picked up a large open book off the desk and ran her finger down the page. “Let me see. It was a Mann.”
Ray frowned. “Are you sure it was a man? I thought this was the kind of thing women did.”
“No. Her name was Mann. Missy Mann.”
“Missy Mann?” Gibbs said.
“You know her?” Ray asked.
“I know a Hollis Mann.”
“She have a sister?”
“I don’t know.”
“What was your relationship to Hollis Mann?” Fraser asked.
“We were, together, briefly, but it ended…not badly.”
“Perhaps her sister didn’t see it that way.”
Ray turned to Laurent. “You know where we can find this Missy Mann?”
“She’s at a tavern in Toronto.”
“Canada?” Ducky asked.
“No, it’s a village not far from here,” Fraser said.
Gibbs looked at the witch. “Can you undo this enchantment?”
“If you bring me Missy I’ll undo it. You need to persuade her to withdraw it. I hate it when sisters get involved in their sister’s love lives.”
“Thank you kindly,” Fraser replied.
They quickly made their way out of the tower. Gibbs’s pace was so quick he didn’t stop as they reached the bottom and went outside. The kids were forced to quickly start walking, just to keep up. Lester and Dief leapt onto Ray’s back to get a lift and keep up.
“Where are we going, Boss?” McGee asked.
“Toronto.”
“Canada?”
“Nope, a village. Let’s move.”
“Gibbs seems a little on edge,” Ziva whispered.
“Well, he’s got to carry Ducky about, he’s worried,” Abby said.
“So are we.”
The village wasn’t faraway, at least not at the pace Gibbs was going. He only slowed to get some sense of which way to go from Ray or Fraser. It was a small village, around twenty or thirty houses, what looked like some barns and other buildings that seemed to be a tavern and store of some sort.
As soon as the villages who were milling about in the streets caught sight of Ray they ran.
“Argh! Dragon!” they cried.
“Oh, great. Why does this always happen to me?” Ray asked, unhappily.
“At least it will make it easier for us to locate Miss Mann.”
“Always looking on the bright side, Benny.”
Fraser grabbed a fleeing villager, although very politely. “Excuse me, could you tell us where we could find a Miss Mann?” he asked.
The villager just stared at Ray. “Dragon!”
“Yes, Ray is a dragon but we need to find a woman.”
The villager trembled. “Look, you won’t hurt me?”
“No,” Ray replied.
“Try the tavern.”
Fraser let the villager go and he carried on fleeing, looking back at Ray the entire time.
“Find out where she is, Boss?”
“The tavern, DiNozzo, let’s go!”
They made their way across the village to the tavern, the only building in the village with a sign. They crept up to the door.
“So, she’s in here?”
Fraser nodded. “It seems likely; it would be a logical place to stay if she wasn’t familiar with this world.”
Gibbs put Ducky down. “You stay here, Duck.”
“I want to come, Jethro. I want to see the woman who did this.”
“It’s dangerous,” Gibbs replied, though he was already feeling his resolve weaken. He drew his gun for the first time since he’d found himself in another world.
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Ray promised.
Gibbs nodded. “Okay. DiNozzo, Ziva, you go round the back, make sure she doesn’t try to escape. McGee you’re with me. Abby…”
“I’ll wait out here, Gibbs,” she replied petting Diefenbaker and Lester.
Gibbs smiled and gave her hair a kiss. “Thanks.”
Gibbs and Fraser opened the door and led the way. Ray and Ducky followed. They found the bar straight in front of them and approached it.
“Excuse me do you know where we can find a Miss Mann?” Fraser asked the barman.
The barman looked at their odd party. “Erm, yeah, she’s over there.” He pointed to a private booth near the back of the bar area.
“Thank you kindly.”
Gibbs and Fraser went first. Ray lagged behind as the bar hadn’t been designed for dragons. Gibbs approached the table with purpose. He lowered his gun but kept it on plain view. “Missy Mann?” he asked the lady seated at the table.
She looked up and smiled. “Well, well, well, Special Agent Gibbs,” she said peering down at Ducky. “And, oh look, Doctor Mallard. Who are your friends?”
“Just friends.”
“So, is there a reason you’re here?”
“Yeah, we’re here to get you to fix what you’ve done,” Gibbs said sitting down opposite. He placed his gun on the table.
“And what makes you think I want to fix it?”
Fraser coughed. “You’re not familiar with this world, are you, Miss Mann?”
“Who are you?
“Constable Fraser. I doubt you intended to stay here, you were waiting until you’d seen your complete revenge and then you would ask Ms Laurent to send you home.”
“So what?”
“We know Laurent. She owes us a favour,” Ray said, speaking up. “We could make sure you don’t get home.”
“What?!”
“It’s a simple choice,” Gibbs told her. “You tell her to reverse this curse or you don’t get to go home.”
“This is blackmail!”
“You know the villagers around here don’t like people who hire witches,” Ray said, menacingly.
“All right, all right!” Missy held her hands up. “I’ll tell her to remove the curse.”
Suddenly there was a loud crack and smoke and Laurent appeared. “Well, that makes things easy,” she said.
“How do you do that?” Ray asked.
“I’m a witch, Ray.”
“Oh, yeah, right."
She turned to Missy. “Goodbye Miss Mann, I can’t say it was a pleasure doing business with you.”
She clapped he hands there was another crack and more smoke just as DiNozzo, McGee and Ziva came in through the back door, probably alerted by the earlier noise.
“She’s gone.”
“Yeah, DiNozzo.”
“She will not cause nay more trouble?” Ziva asked.
Laurent smiled. “No. I never did like a woman who didn’t even want revenge for herself. I’ll make sure you’re all right.”
She clapped her hands and there was more smoke. It enveloped Ducky and, when it cleared, Ducky was Ducky once more.
Abby ran over and out and hugged him. “Ducky! You’re back!”
“Abby, I told you to wait outside,” Gibbs said, trying to sound stern.
“And miss all the fun? Gibbs.”
“It’s good to have you back, Ducky,” McGee added.
Gibbs just smiled at his friend.
“Can you send them home now?” Ray asked.
“Of course.”
“Thank you for your help, Ray, Fraser,” Gibbs said, shaking the latter’s hand.
“It was our pleasure,” Fraser replied.
“Yes, thank you for your help and your hospitality,” Ducky added.
“You’re welcome.”
“If ever you’re in Chicago, this Chicago, you’re welcome to visit,” Ray said.
“We’ll bear that in mind,” Gibbs said.
“Bye. “
“Bye Dief, bye Lester,” Abby said , ruffling their fur.
“Goodbye,” Ziva said.
Then with a loud whooshing noise and more smoke, so much Ray coughed. When it cleared they had disappeared.
Ray and Fraser were then left alone in the tavern.
“So what do you want to do now, Benny?” Ray asked, giving him a kiss.
“We could go fishing, Ray.”
Ray smiled. “Yeah, let’s go.”
With that their family left the bar and headed back toward the river, it was a pleasant walk. Along the way they decided to pay one last visit to Laurent.
Gibbs got up slowly. His head was pounding but he was where he should be. The whole team were back where they should be, in the NCIS building.
“Everybody, okay? Ducky?”
“I’m fine, Jethro, I’m me,” Ducky replied patting himself to make sure.
“DiNozzo?”
“I think I bruised something again.”
“Ziva?”
“I am fine, Gibbs.”
“McGee?”
“Fine, Boss.”
“Abby?”
“I’m great, Gibbs.”
“Did what I think happen, happen?”
“I guess we’ll never know, DiNozzo.”
Later on in autopsy Gibbs and Ducky were sharing a quiet moment, discussing the events of the last forty eight hours, when they heard a loud whooshing noise. They turned around to see Ray and Fraser standing in autopsy. Ray looked a little cramped.
“Hi,” Ray said.
“It’s good to see you gentlemen, gentleman," Ducky replied, unsure if Ray was a gentlemen in the strictest technical sense.
“We had to make sure you got back safely,” Fraser explained.
“We appreciate it.”
“And we wanted to give you this,” Ray said, nudging Fraser.
Fraser came over to Gibbs and handed him a small glowing ball.” It’s a device which will allow you to come back to our world whenever you like,” he explained.
“Don’t forget the instructions,” Ray prompted.
“Ah yes.” Fraser handed them a book. “It’s relatively easy once you get used to it.”
“Thank you,” Gibbs said, as the ball began to lose its glow.
“We’ve got to go now but we’ve never met anyone who didn’t mind what Ray and I are. We’d like to thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome,” Ducky said.
Both Fraser and Ray smiled before there was another loud whoosh and they disappeared.
Gibbs turned to Ducky. “You fancy some bedtime reading, Duck?” He passed him the book.
Ducky took it and examined the cover. “It seems a very good idea, Jethro.”
Somehow they both knew that they’d be seeing Fraser and Ray again and that reading the book was just the start. The start of a wonderful friendship.
And with kind permission I can now reveal the sequel Here