Tightrope

Phoenix was exhausted, pure and simple. He was in pain and frustrated.

“Look kid…” The officer in his hospital room was looking at Phoenix as if he was an idiot.

“Look Officer…” Phoenix raised himself as much as he could so that he could face the man without being in a vulnerable position. “I am politely requesting an alternate officer be brought in since you obviously have preset ideals based on what information the hospital gave you. Information that was not their right to give you. Information they are allowed to share was based on my gun shot wound and nothing more. That they shared not only my gender but also gifted status means that I have a case against them. I’ve dealt with discrimination due to both since the day I was given into the care of my mother’s sister and her husband. I’m not about to let my case be handled by a bigoted asshole.”

“Now see here!” The officer attempted to pump himself up to appear bigger than he was and more important.

“No…You see here. I’ve already called in my lawyer and am getting ready to file charges against you and this hospital. I’ve requested repeatedly that you leave and get another officer in here to take my statement. Something that you refuse to do.” Phoenix sneered at the man before shaking his head. “Obviously this won’t go anywhere…” He pressed the call button and waited, ignoring the officer until the one nurse that was nice enough to help him appeared. “I’m checking myself out Against Medical Advice. I refuse to remain in a hospital that allows this sort of thing to happen. Officer if you attempt to stop me I will defend myself.” Phoenix looked at the nurse as she came and started removing the monitors and iv. “My father was a decorated detective at Scotland Yard that took out the Death Mark Killer along with my Godfather. I know how an officer of the law should act and you sir leave a lot to be desired.” He sneered.

The nurse got him his medical files and his things that had been brought in with him before he turned to the door when an another showed up. “Oh good…You can give me a ride home if you would?”

“You’re home is a crime scene.” The officer sneered.

“The hall in front of my home is the crime scene if anything inside my home has been searched I will be suing the city. For I was not at any point in my apartment when the crime against me occurred. I was in the hall when I confronted Mor MacBay. I was in the hall when I was shot and when Mor was shot by officers on scene. My apartment was then secured by Agent Spencer Reid of the FBI when he gathered my wallet and phone so that I’d have the medical information needed for the hospital.” Phoenix made sure to maintain eye contact with the officer. “Just because I’m a sub and a carrier does not make me a meek doll that will roll over and flash my throat for anyone.”

“Bravo…” A voice spoke from the hall and Phoenix looked to the door to see that David Rossi was standing there.

“Can I help you Mr. Rossi?” Phoenix asked carefully.

“I’ve kept an eye on you kid…Your father intrigued me when he reached out across the pond, as he put it, to ask for assistance in closing the case of the Death Mark Killer. When I learned that he’d been killed with your mother in a car accident caused by a drunk driver I’ll admit that I didn’t look into it that much. Then I met you at the guest lecture that ended your professor’s career and witnessed as you didn’t take shit then, so I thought I’d look into it some more. Then I find out from my friend Gideon that his protégé met the kid I’d been looking into. Not only met him but was involved in helping him in an altercation. I thought I’d come and see what how you were doing and find you once again standing up for yourself.” David said while stepping into the room. He shook the lawyer’s hand, nodded to the nurse, and then turned to look at the officer that had been sent. “Now…I know that I’ve been out of the field for a little while, but I also know that one does not go about antagonizing the victim of the crime nor is it acceptable for one of the officers of the law to be victim blaming due to any reason.”

“Who the hell are you to tell me what is right?” The officer sputtered.

“I’m David Rossi, former Supervisory Special Agent of the FBI, behavior analysis unit. I was also a sniper in the marines.” He smirked in response to the officer. “Ah good Michael you’re here…” He looked toward the door. “Your officer here was attempting to strong arm an injured victim and dismissing everything that he was being told. He was given information that was in no way pertinent to the case of which this young man was the victim. And was using this information against the victim. Lord Potter’s Lawyer here is already prepared to take on the hospital for the release of private medical information.”

‘Michael’ was the Chief of Police for the Quantico district that they were in. When he heard the way the officer had been acting he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. The officer looked at who the former FBI agent was talking to and blanched when he discovered who it was. He then turned back toward the brat that he’d been talking to originally.

“Lord?” The officer sneered. “Thinking pretty high of yourself aren’t you?”

“Not in the least. I received the title of Earl when my father died and was also named my godfather’s heir when he passed without children. I prefer to be known as Doctor Potter but…” He shrugged the shoulder that wasn’t damaged from the gun shot. “Little I can do there.” He looked at Mr. Rossi. “Thank you for coming and bringing Chief Carter.”

“You’re welcome Dr. Potter.” Rossi nodded before handing over a business card. “I’d like to keep in touch now that I’ve had a chance to discover just who you are.”

“I’d like to that…I found my father’s journal about that case and so I knew how you’d helped him and Uncle Siri…I had been looking forward to talking to you after that lecture but then the crap happened.” Phoenix smirked. “Hey Selvaggio,” Making sure to call his lawyer by her last name. “Make sure that you don’t mess with the whole hospital, I only want those that felt it was alright to give an officer, private information that didn’t pertain to the case.” He looked at the dark skinned Italian woman, Fiamma ‘Blaze’ Selvaggio, that was his lawyer.

“Will do…” The woman nodded before leaving the room knowing that the kid was in good hands until this was cleared up enough to that she’d be able to take the kid home.

What followed was three hours from hell in Phoenix’s opinion as several doctors and nurses came in to ‘examine’ him, but in reality, they were trying to figure out why he wasn’t a meek little sub that just let others do what they wanted or followed the orders that he was given. They were also attempting to stop him from suing them for giving out the private information to the officer. No one would listen as he was already in the process to check out AMA, they were determined to keep him there and figure out how he worked. He’d all but bitten their heads off in the anger that flowed from him at the way they were viewing subs let alone carriers, there were more than a few times he heard the term that he was an anomaly or odd, though one doctor got a personal dressing down for saying he was a freak by going against the nature of his being. He’d never like the term and he never would.

Finally though he’d gotten home from the hospital and was allowed to go up to his apartment only to snarl and entered the space while pulling a pair of letters off his door and pulling out his phone. He started speaking as soon as the person he was calling answered.

“So…Uncle Lee…I kinda need you to come and keep me from hunting down some officers and committing murder…” Phoenix sighed as he looked around his apartment.

:What’s up kid?: An older man’s voice asked over the line as Phoenix put it on speaker.

“Soo…how mad would you be if I told you that I was shot yesterday evening…” The clock on the stereo read 1:30am

:What the fuck! You know you’re supposed to call me? Why wasn’t I informed?:

“Because I’m was still cognizant and refused any major pain killers? It was in the right shoulder and therefore not even close to the heart…Nor did it come close to the lung or a major artery…” Phoenix sighed as he opened the letters. “Oh I’m definitely getting in contact with Agent Reid from across the hall. I know for a fact that he locked up and didn’t let anyone in…The bloody bastards are lying out their arses…”

:Your British side is showin kid.: The voice said amused as Phoenix’s posh accent that Nix had done his best to train out of himself leaked through his voice.

“I’ve got a right to…the Idioti sanguinari (bloody idiots) are attempting to say that they have a legal right to enter my home after it had been secured, by Agent Spencer Reid of the FBI, even though the whole of the altercation, including the firing of the officer’s gun that killed the one who shot me all happened in the hall. Hold on I need to check something.” Phoenix moved though the apartment, his injured arm in a sling, he was just grateful that he was ambidextrous after too many ‘falls’ growing up, usually caused by Dudley in ‘rough housing’, that broke his previously dominate arm. He’d been 15 and just buried Sirius and Remus when his Aunt in a fit of anger had told him about her older half brother and complained about why they couldn’t have sent Phoenix to him in the US, mainly that they’d have lost the money they were given for taking care of him from the government and the estate. He’d been curious to learn about the man and had shown up with his birth certificate and information that his Aunt had reluctantly given him to the door of one Leroy Jethro Gibbs. With his help he’d gotten double citizenship and was able to start his schooling in the states at the universities there, though the scholarships he’d gotten for his intelligence didn’t hurt in the least either. “The fuckers!” He stormed back into the kitchen area where he’d left his phone. “I had reclaimed the necklace I told you was missing and that I couldn’t find…Agent Reid had brought it in and told me that he’d put it on my dresser…my whole dresser is destroyed the drawers dumped and clothes spread everywhere…”

:Was there any sign of a warrant? There should’ve been one left behind that gave them permission.:

“Of course there wasn’t. There was a handwritten note explaining that the officers had entered with the landlord’s permission to make sure that I wasn’t hiding anything that would lead to an upstanding citizen as Mr. MacBay’s attack on myself. Bloody bastard told me that I deserved to be shot since my father put his father in the ground.” Phoenix sighed as he settled on the kitchen stool. “I didn’t touch anything in the room…and I’ve only been in the main part of the apartment since I returned.”

:I’m almost there, kid. I’ll call in my contact in the FBI…:

“Agent Fornell, right? Tell him he can talk to Agent Reid in the BAU…” He looked at the business cards that the agent had given when he handed over his phone and wallet, he’d slipped the card into Phoenix’s wallet. “The Agent is my across the hall neighbor, and technically was first on the scene since he’d just gotten home from work when the events took place.”

:I’ll let him know…I just pulled up outside. I’ll be up shortly.:

“Doors unlocked Uncle.” Phoenix sighed as he shifted the sling to a more comfortable position after pressing the button to end the call.

“Tobias I need you to come to the address I’m gonna be sending you…” Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Phoenix’s Uncle Lee, older brother of Petunia and Lily through a previous marriage of their mother, was talking on his phone as he entered Phoenix’s apartment. “There is an Agent Reid across the hall that works at the BAU…I need you here because this is about to become a FUBAR situation for the local precinct…”

Phoenix just leaned into the touch from Gibbs as he pulled his nephew in close and let the exhausted kid rest against him. Phoenix closed his senses to the rest of the world around him, he was pissed at having the spirit gift at the moment because right now the bastard Mor was chewing him out.

“What was the kid’s name again Little One?” Gibbs asked carefully, Phoenix was one of the few that he allowed to see the soft side of the former Marine.

“Mor MacBay…his father was Lucas Merricks…they changed their last name to their mother’s after their father was found to be part of the group that was behind the Death Mark killer…” Phoenix sighed as he opened his eyes and looked to the side where Mor’s spirit was standing though they were now being yelled at by Nix’s Dad while Mom stood glaring a the one who’d shot her baby. He couldn’t hold back a chuckle at the look on his mother’s face.

“Lily’s givin the idiot hell isn’t she…” Gibbs said with a chuckle when he saw the way that his nephew was acting.

“Oh…like you wouldn’t believe and Dad’s chewin their ass out for blamin me for their dad being an idiot to fall for the charisma of Taggart and the rest of the idiots that were part of that gang.” Phoenix sighed as he continued to lean against his Uncle. “The idiot landlord is evicting me because of what happened…one of the officers must have let him know that I’m a submissive carrier because the bastard listed it as the reason that I’m being evicted for refusing to disclose my status and true gender in the contract.”

“Have Blaze deal with that idiot.” Gibbs snarled as he looked at the second letter on the island, the first he’d looked through and saw that it was clearly a rushed letter left by one of the officers as an excuse for it. “There are laws in place that protect you from that sort of idiocy.”

“You know it won’t matter…even if I won against them I’d be forced to leave. There would be nothing done for repairs they’d do anything to let others in…they’d attempt to Dom me even though I won’t let anyone do that…The rent will be raised until it would be smarter to leave…” He sighed as he leaned back against his Uncle letting him support him, Uncle L was the only one he’d let Dom him even though it was never done in a sexual way, and it was only to keep him healthy.

“Then move in with me until we find a space that won’t be idiots…” Gibbs shrugged as he kept his hand as a grounding weight on the back of Nix’s neck. “I’ve got space…”

“I know you do Uncle…but I wanted…” Nix sighed as there was a knock on the door and Gibbs yelled out that it was open.

“I understand Little Bird…” Gibbs sighed as he kept up the grounding pressure on Phoenix’s neck. “Tobias…thanks for coming so quick…”

“I was already being tasked with the case after the District Chief reached out to the Bureau about how since Agent Reid was first on scene it was FBI jurisdiction…though the officers used the youth of the agent to make it seem as if it was theirs. The chief is doing an internal investigation…” Tobias Fornell said as he entered the apartment and looked around. “This is gonna be a shit show isn’t it?”

“Yep…and I can’t help…” Gibbs sighed.

“Why not?” Tobias looked at Gibbs carefully.

“I’d like you to meet my nephew Phoenix Hadrian Potter…his mother was my baby half-sister. My ‘mom’ was actually my dad’s second wife. The first couldn’t deal with his attitude and treatment. It’s a Burke family trait to not be the normal submissive that most expect.” Gibbs chuckled as he looked at his friend. “My blood mom and my little sister Lily were…unique.”

“They were bitches who made sure that people knew they wouldn’t submit to just anyone.” Phoenix smirked into his Uncle’s shoulder. “They didn’t let anyone tell them what to do and stood up to those that attempted to tell them where their place was in the world.”

“Very true…though Petunia wasn’t a submissive or dominant though she attempted to be…she had the tendency to be just a normal housewife who refused to speak up…” Gibbs sighed as he shook his head.

“Oh worse then that…” Phoenix sighed as he looked at his uncle. “She was in contact with Mor and offering to share the money that they thought they would get with being my last living relatives, Tunie refuses to acknowledge Uncle Lee…” Phoenix looked over at the Agent who’d come in. “She refuses to acknowledge that I might have taken steps to make sure that there is no way they’d get a dime, especially since they had to pay everything back…I think Uncle Vernon is still enjoying time in prison for fraud and embezzlement.”

“Last I checked yeah…” Gibbs nodded.

“Anyway…Mor routinely helped themselves to my things, it wasn’t until after I finally had enough and found the printed emails between Tunie and Mor that I realized what actually was going on. The bastard was keeping evidence against Tunie in case she tried to double cross.” Phoenix leaned against his uncle as he looked at the agent. “If you look in my bedroom, you’ll see the dresser ‘searched’ I had asked Agent Reid to place the necklace that I took back from Mor into the room. It was given to my mother by my father upon my birth it was a diamond and ruby water lily locket. He let me know that he’d put it on the dresser, though on the business card he left me it stated that it was in one of the drawers. I’ve looked through the mess without touching anything and there is no sign of the necklace.”

“Is there a way to verify the necklace belonged to you?” Tobias asked, he trusted the kid but wanted to know if there was a way to verify.

“Simple, on the inside of the locket, which has a hidden hing and clasp which most don’t know how to open, is the initials, J.F.P. with a heart and L.J.P. And the words in celebration of P.H.P. Also, there are three groups of hair clippings, a dark black, a mahogany red, and a baby fine curl glued within so as not to be lost.” Phoenix replied with a shrug of his good shoulder.

“And it means?” Tobias was taking notes as he looked around at the mess, he also had his phone out and was taking pictures, he made sure to take pictures of the notes that Gibbs gestured to laying on the island counter.

“James Fleamont Potter loves Lily Jean Potter in the celebration of Phoenix Hadrian Potter. It was given as I said upon my birth. And the hair added upon my first haircut just before my first birthday.” Phoenix again shrugged in response before moving from the stool to the kitchen, thankfully they hadn’t tampered with anything in there, at least he hadn’t thought so until he went to the canister of coffee grounds that he used and bit back a snarl. “Uncle Lee…I want them fired…”

“What is it kid?” Gibbs walked over to see what the issue was. “The fuck they trying to do?”

“Gibbs?” Tobias stepped over and he saw the canister which had been tipped on its side with the grounds spilling out and the words ‘Subs should know’ written in the grounds. “Should know what?”

“Our place…” Phoenix said with exhaustion starting to weigh him down. He had ignored the fact that his books and research had been strewn all over the space of his office. He’d mostly ignored the fact that they’d been through his personal things in his room along with the fact that his computer was smashed. But this really shook Phoenix up because it was something he’d heard since he was a babe and living with the Dursley’s. “Those that are submissive are to know their place and stay within it. We’re not supposed to have Doctorates or Degrees of anything beyond how to manage our households and raise the children we are entrusted with. We’re to let a Dominant control us to a slavish degree and whenever we step outside of our place we’re met with scorn and outright hatred in some places. Those that are also Carriers are abominations and freaks…”

“You are NOT a FREAK! I want that out of your head now! My little sister is a bitch and a half!” Gibbs snarled and turned Phoenix to look at him instead of the coffee grounds. “You are perfect the way you are. I’m more than impressed in your language skills. I’ve wanted to bring you in to our division to translate some things more than once, but they never let me…”

“What do you want translated?” Phoenix cocked his head to the side.

“Our newest liaison has been having issues with remembering to turn in her paperwork in English…also there are messages that she’s sending to an unknown that Tony’s found that are also in her native language.” Gibbs sighed.

“Hmm…who is it and why is she getting away with it?” Phoenix asked with his head cocked to the side before he quickly looked over at where his parents had stood before they took Mor away for further scolding. “And why the hell is the killer of a suspect being kept on staff?”

“What do you mean?” Gibbs and Tobias straightened up.

“I…” Phoenix looked at his uncle before looking back at the spirit and then at Tobias. “How much do you trust those that are gifted Agent?” He asked seriously.

“More than those that claim to be but have no signs.” Tobias said with a questioning tilt to his head.

“I’m first generation twice blessed.” Phoenix said after getting a nod from Gibbs. “I was able to help Uncle Gibbs after his coma, while the rest of the team he works with thought he was in Mexico…well he was actually with me. It was at a point that my ‘roommate’ at the time was actually in a relationship and living with their partner.” He looked at Tobias again as he explained. “I’m able to see and communicate with spirits…It’s helped Uncle Gibbs a few times in the past…”

“Hmm…” Tobias nodded before they all turned toward the door at a knock.

“Excuse me a moment.” Phoenix nodded to the two and went to check the peep hole, after all it was the middle of the night or very early in the morning which ever you want to say. After looking through he took a deep breath and opened the door. “How can I help you, Agent Hotchner?” He’d seen and briefly been introduced to the FBI agent a few times in the past when he’d come to bring something to Agent Reid, though he hadn’t had a chance to be introduced to Agent Reid until yesterday.

“I was notified that one of my agents was in an altercation at their home and that you were involved…” Agent Hotchner asked before looking over the head of the young man and seeing Agent Fornell and someone that he’d seen from time to time with the other FBI member. “Ah…I see that the case has been handed over already?”

“I was called in as soon as it was discovered that FBI was first on the scene even though the local PD attempted to take it over and thoroughly botched the job. If it wasn’t that the perpetrator was dead via cop, we’d have had to completely throw the case…” Fornell grumbled.

“What do you mean?” Hotchner looked at Phoenix for permission to enter and he stepped aside letting the other in. He stopped in his tracks as soon as he entered the first room. “What the hell?” He looked around in shock. “I heard it took place completely out in the hall…” He looked back to see the area that was still cordoned off with blood staining.

“It did…I asked Agent Reid to place something in my apartment for me and to get my phone and wallet so that I could take care of the things necessary…” Phoenix replied, he’d never been able to get a clear read on the other as he had a very clear resting ‘bitch-face’ as one of his spirit companions liked to joke about. “I was taken to the hospital where the officer that came to talk with me after I was cleared to be interviewed was given private information that was not needed for the case since Mx. McBay was also a carrier and submissive so it wasn’t a hate crime as some would see…” Phoenix shook his head as he moved back into the reach of his uncle. “Agent Hotchner may I introduce my uncle, NCIS Agent Gibbs, he's here as support and to help me gather what I need to stay with him for a while though…” He looked around his space some more before looking at the papers on the counter. “It might just be better to purchase some things.”

“He’s had personal property removed, slurs written, destruction of personal property, and forced eviction.” Gibbs said with a snarl as he looked at the Agent that had showed up.

“Fornell…whatever assistance you need the BAU will help.” Hotchner said as he looked at the two letters before taking in the rooms he could clearly see again. “One of our own was harmed in this…”

Phoenix raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side. “One of your own?”

“Your Uncle is an Agent, in another agency sure but still an Agent. We don’t take kindly to those that would harm one of our own. After all it makes them not want to protect those they were sworn to do so.” Hotch said with a raised eyebrow of his own.

“Huh…” Phoenix looked perplexed. “Interesting…” He then moved to the area where the pictures of his parents and godparents were only to snarl so as not to sob.

“Little one?” Gibbs asked gently, startling both Hotch and Fornell for they rarely saw the man so.

“They’ve destroyed my pictures…” Phoenix wanted to react but right now he was just exhausted. “I was going to grab the pictures to take with but…” Gibbs walked over and placed a gentle hand on Phoenix’s shoulder before looking at what he’d noticed and bit back his own snarl.

“Fornell, I want their guts for garters…” Gibbs snarled out as he looked at how the pictures had been shredded and those that hadn’t been were simply defaced.

“Are we sure it was officers?” Fornell walked up beside the pair and was shocked at the rage that went into the sight before him. He turned to Hotch. “We’re going to need the BAU…this is more than just a hate crime…” Hotch raised his eyebrow again before stepping out and making a call. “Gibbs…take the kid home…We’ll take care of this kid…I promise you that.”

“Don’t use Sacks…” Gibbs snarled as he looked at the damage again before wrapping his arm around Phoenix and making sure he had his meds and supplies that he got at the hospital before looking back at Fornell. “If you need help let us know…Tony can work it with you if needed…”

“Better keep it to one agency…we’re already going to be stepping over things with the local PD.” Fornell replied as he looked around. “I’m going to need to secure things. Are his prints on file?”

“Yep…he’s consulted with his gift of languages in several federal cases…” Gibbs nodded. “His DNA as well for the same reason.”

“Thanks.” Fornell nodded as he watched Gibbs lead a now apathetic Phoenix away from his apartment. He then turned back to look at the mess before him. If this turned out to be more than one or two officers, even any officers, this was going to be a shit show.

“What can you tell me about the victim without breaking confidentiality information?” Hotch asked as he entered again having helped Gibbs get his flagging nephew into the vehicle downstairs.

“Not a lot…Name is Phoenix Hadrian Potter, he’s the last Earl of Potter and Black…” Fornell said with a sigh as he looked at the information Gibbs had given him in a notebook that the man carried all the time. “He’s a Doctor in Languages, including several ‘dead’ languages. He’s also a Doctor of Criminal Psychology…he’s an orphan, raised by the maternal aunt and uncle…father was an officer of Scotland Yard, mother a doctor of neurology…” Fornell took a deep breath. “I’m only telling this part because it was told to me, and it is clear from some of the things that are shown in the papers on the counter and the destruction around the apartment that it was leaked to whoever did this shit…” He glared at Hotchner. “He’s a male carrier submissive…the one that was killed earlier after shooting Dr. Potter was also a carrier, though non-binary, and submissive as well.”

From there the pair started work in documenting the scene and waiting for crime scene techs along with the rest of their teams to arrive, though Fornell did listen this once to Gibbs and didn’t call in Sacks, he knew how the underling felt about Submissive’s that were in positions that many didn’t accept them as being strong enough for.

In another part of the city Phoenix is on the phone once again, this time with his lawyer wanting to make sure that even with the late/early hour they were prepared for the coming fallout from the fucked-up situation that had begun. He looked out the window of his uncle’s home, the room had belonged to Kelly until Phoenix had moved to the states and then while they finished out the citizenship for an emancipated minor to live and study over here. It was when unknown to those that were part of Gibbs team at NCIS that he went about locking his door, he went back to leaving it unlocked after Phoenix moved out.

“No…no…Damn it no!...Come on I know it’s late and I know that you’re tired! You don’t think I’m exhausted?! MY NEST WAS DESTROYED! My Sanctuary was invaded! Damn it…call me when you’re not being an ass.” Phoenix hung up on Blaze before dropping down onto the bed with tears flowing down his face. He looked up at the rumble of a soft question from the door. “Why does all this crap have to happen to me? What did I do to deserve this? Am I truly cursed because of who my godly parents are? Was Petunia right?” He asked with his voice showing just how tired he was.

“NO! Petunia wasn’t right in anyway about that. You are not cursed…” Gibbs walked into the room and once again placed his hand calmingly on the back of Phoenix’s neck. “It is simply so that when the time comes for you to find your soulmate or mates that you’ll know the blessing that is all yours. You’ll have so much happiness in your life because the bad is getting taken care of now…” Gibbs chuckled. “Get some rest little bird…”

“I don’t think my mind will quiet enough…” Phoenix sighed as he looked at the pillows on the bed with a tired expression. “I was supposed to go into Homeland to help with a case…”

“I’ll call Marrow and explain when I know he’ll be in the office. You’ll be okay here on your own today? I’ve got to be in the office with a case…” Gibbs said gently.

“I’ll have to be…” Phoenix sighed in response.

“When you wake up come to the office…” Gibbs said gently. “I don’t want them to get the idea that they can do anything to you. I want to make sure your protected.”

“Okay…” Phoenix nodded as he laid down finally and allowed his uncle to make sure things were secure around him. A weighted blanket for pressure was the last thing that Gibbs placed on him before running his hands through the long hair.

“Rest kiddo…you’re safe here.” Gibbs whispered as he watched over his nephew until the bedside clock read 5 am. He then went down and prepared some coffee, he set out the few tea things that he kept hidden in a cupboard for when Phoenix woke up. He then grabbed his go-bag and locked the door as he left. In the car he looked at the seat where Phoenix had sat when he was riding home and snarls as he remembers the broken look in his kid’s face. Pulling out his phone placing it on speaker as he pulled out of the driveway and headed for the naval base. “Marrow…there’s a consultant that’s supposed to come in today for a language translation…Dr. Potter…”

:I know…I’m the one that asked for him.:

“He was shot yesterday…He’s mostly fine, he was hit in the right shoulder. He’s not going to be making it in though. Only Fornell and the BAU team know this but he’s going to be staying with me for safety reasons. I’m going into the office to put in the paperwork needed to make Tony his bodyguard while I deal with our latest case.” Gibbs explained.

:What’s going on?:

“He’s my nephew…his place was trashed after the events that lead to him being shot. The only ones that would be allowed near the space were cops. The FBI’s takin over the case, since one of theirs lives across the hall from the kid's apartment.” Gibbs sighed as he made the turns that were needed to get to the naval building where he worked. “I’m worried that when word gets out that a Lord of two English noble houses is goin after the cops that responded to a ‘domestic’ at his location that there will be blowback.”

:Keep me informed…I may no longer be your superior but if the kid’s a noble then it likely will come to Homeland and others…:

“You mean Interpol’s gonna be butting their heads in.”

:Likely.:

“Like to see them try…” Gibbs grumbled as he showed his badge and moved to park and get up to the bullpen. He stopped before he entered the building still with his call connected to Marrow but not on speaker. “I need a favor…” He looked at the building and took in the surrounding area. “I need you to look into someone for me…Jenny placed her and my gut…” His eyes narrowed as he saw the one who tinged his gut so often enter the building with a smug air about her. “Let’s just say there’s somethin rotten in the MCRT and it ain’t by choice…I’ll send you the information…” He ended the call and entered the building and then bullpen shortly after.

“Hey boss!” Tony called out in greeting handing over his coffee as he did so. “I’ve got my paperwork done…”

“Good…I’ve got a job for you to do…I’m going to take care of things to make it work but I’m gonna have you workin with a BAU member to look after someone for me.” Gibbs nodded as he went to his desk and started working on the paperwork he needed to do, yes he didn’t like computers but thanks to his nephew he was no longer a pointer finger finder type style, he wasn’t as fast as the others but he had a decent understanding. “David…I’ve told you that you need to make sure your paperwork is submitted in English not Hebrew. Stop expectin Tony to correct it for you.” He growled looking over at the smug seeming agent. “McGee, just know that JAG is gonna be talking with you about this book that you want to get published…even if Jen gives clearance it has to go through them first.”

“But Boss?!” McGee looked over in shock, he hadn’t told any of the team about his book that was in talks for publishing.

“No buts probie…” Gibbs snarled. “Any Agent in any agency that writes a story that is a work of ‘fiction or non’ needs to have it cleared by the company lawyers. Pure and simple and explained in your contract.” He growled looking over at the computer expert. “And I better see the proper paperwork needed for your computer finds in the last case. Until we’ve got a new case, we’re gonna be working on makin sure the previous ones are properly filed don’t want someone slipping through JAG’s hold because of sloppy work.” He’d tried to be more lenient until the explosion but then Phoenix had helped him remember there was a chain of command for a reason as well as proper police procedure, he knew that James had to be helping the kid in his scolding. “I’m having someone show up later that will be helping us if they’re up to it. If I find out anyone pressed them in anyway, we’ll have to go back through the training…” There was one thing he didn’t stop doing and that was ‘train’ them to be as good of a shot as he was, or as best as they could get in the case of McGee he had a ways to go.

“Boss?” Tony cocked his head to the side, he was grateful for the fact that Gibbs had come back memory intact and willing to put people in their places, it had kept him from being pulled into, what turned out to be with a little looking, an unsanctioned operation of a Honey-Pot for the Director.

“I’ll explain later.” Gibbs growled out as he looked through the files and sent them off easily. “I want you at my place until the kid’s ready to come here…he can’t drive himself at this moment due to GSW in the right shoulder, not that he drives in the first place.” Gibbs pulled the key to his house out and tossed it to Tony. “You’ll need this.”

Tony grabbed the key and looked at it before simply raising an eyebrow and then grabbing his badge and gun.

“Kid should be sleepin if he’s not then bring him back here. If he is stay put until he wakes…If one of the BAU team shows up let them in. This one time we’re working with them though they have jurisdiction.” Gibbs growled.

“Yes Boss!” Tony nodded in response and was gone before the others could question him any further.

“Get on it with the case Probie!” Gibbs growled at McGee. “David! Make sure that you’re only workin on the case.” He looked over and watched with the discrete mirror that he’d posted on the bullpen that allowed him to see when the members of his squad were actually working, he saw how she quickly closed out what she had been looking through and made a mental note to take a look at her search history again.

Phoenix came down the stairs into the main living space at 10 am after waking from a nightmare of epic proportions of a possible past life, seriously why would he dream of someone that looked more snake than man and had blood red eyes it wasn’t something that he’d ever think up on his own. He stopped when he saw the men that was sitting on the couch and looked around the room before looking back at him.

“Huh…” Phoenix blinked before he actually moved his left arm to his right and pinched himself. “So I’m not hallucinating two of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen in front of me…” He ran his left hand through his tangled long hair. “And while I look shit at the same time.”

Tony and Derek couldn’t help but laugh at the muttering that they caught. Both couldn’t help but think how handsome the man in front of them was.

“So few questions…who are you and what are you doing here?” Phoenix sighed as he finished coming down the stairs, he was in a pair of loose pajama pants that his uncle gave him to wear, with his chest bare and a clear view of the bandage covering the gunshot and the multitude of scars that covered his body, for though the Dursley adults hadn’t been physically abusive they hadn’t stopped Dudley and his friends who enjoyed scaring his body. His long hair was hanging in waves down his back with a multitude of tangles. “Also would one of you be able to help me manage this mess?” He gestured at his hair, he knew they were safe because his parents spirits indicated it, his mom had a look in her eyes that made him nervous.

“I’m SSA Derek Morgan, I work with the BAU and am on the same team as Reid…” Derek smiled gently and pulled out his badge so that the young man could see it. Phoenix took it in his left hand and with ease flipped it open reading the information, he’d worked with enough Alphabet agencies to know what was authentic and what was fake. “I was sent by my boss Hotch and Fornell to help make sure that you’re safe during this case. From the way they destroyed your apartment this isn’t a first time attack, and their aggression is building.”

“I’m Senior Special Agent Tony DiNozzo, I work with Gibbs, he asked me come to keep an eye on you while he dealt with the paperwork…Didn’t tell me who you are or why you need protection but that he actually let you sleep here and that he actually locked his house up tells me more than you can believe.” Tony said with a smirk, handing over his own badge. “As for your hair sorry…there’s a reason I keep mine as short as I do…” He chuckled.

“I know how to deal with unruly hair and after we get something in you to eat I’ll help you with it.” Derek chuckled in response while Phoenix smirked at Tony’s answer.

“Okay…” Phoenix handed back both badges and sighed. “I’m Phoenix, my friends call me Nix…” He looked toward Tony with a smirk. “Agent Gibbs is my Uncle on my mother’s side.” He smirked at the stumble that caused in the suave agent that Gibbs had told him about. “Food would be great…I had to work late yesterday on a translation only to end up being confronted by a crazy ex-friend and shot before I could get dinner…hadn’t even had lunch because of the crazy translation…” He shook his head as he moved to the kitchen. “Really don’t want to take pain killer on an empty stomach and I’ll soon be needing another dose…” He smiled as he spotted the electric kettle and tea things. “Either of  you want some tea?”

At their denial he shrugged his good shoulder and set about fixing himself some tea with an ease that disturbed the pair watching, he was too talented doing it one handed in their opinion. Tony was having his whole world view thrown on its head when it came to Gibbs because this man before him was not what he expected from someone related to his boss. Derek was watching and cataloging everything, before Phoenix had come down the stairs he’d been talking to Tony, they’d met up at the Y to play basketball from time to time, and they both liked to talk through their past in different Police Departments. When Derek had explained some of the case to Tony that they were working on he’d been pissed. For now they’d be protective detail for a young intelligent man that had a shit ton of things piled on him and the need for a chance at seeing that the world wasn’t out to change him. After Tony made a quick omelet for Phoenix, Derek worked on detangling the mass of hair, which was an incredible amount, before working it into a French braid at the man’s request.

“Gibbs wanted me to bring you to the office so that he could check on you. I think he also wanted Ducky to take a look at your shoulder.” Tony said as Phoenix came back down the stairs in his jeans from the day before, which thankfully didn’t have any blood on them, and one of Gibbs’s button down shirts over a white tank top. “Derek needs to go to the office and see where his team is…” He looked over at the other agent who had a slight scowl on his face from the message he’d received.

“Then lets go see Uncle Lee…” Phoenix sighed as he gathered his phone and slipped it and his wallet into the front pocket of his jeans. He was actually a little excited to be going to the NCIS office because he’d get a chance to meet the rest of Uncle Lee’s team and he’d be able to do a little discrete snooping if he was needed to deal with the little upstart that was frustrating his uncle. “Tell me…is Jenny still the Director?” There was a look in Phoenix’s eyes that spoke of incredible mischief ahead while Tony simply nodded.

“This is going to be a shit show isn’t it?” Tony leaned over to Derek before leaving as he watched the young man drag on his jacket zipping it up with ease over his arm with the sling.

“Very much so…I’ll have to see if Garcia can get me the video from your bullpen when the shit show goes down.” Derek chuckled as he clapped Tony on the shoulder. “I’ll follow you guys to the base and then continue to the office.”

“Thanks…” Tony nodded as he opened the door to his car for Phoenix to slip into, the other had a look of appreciation for the sleek vehicle.

“You’re welcome.” Derek nodded with a smirk as he climbed into his FBI issued SUV, after all he was on the job at the moment. Mentally he knew this was going to be an interesting case and while he might be interested in the young man they were protecting it was that of an older brother feeling for the young man. He thought back to the talk his mother had given him when he was younger and two phrases showed up on his arm.

~*~*~Flashback June 6, 1973~*~*~

“Mom!” Derek looked at the mirror on his right arm there was a phrase that didn’t make sense to him at all and a similar had appeared over his heart.

“What is it baby?” Fran asked as she entered the room only to stop with a light smile on her lips. “oh Darling you are blessed.”

“What happened ma? I swear I didn’t go and get a tattoo!” Derek was panicked he could say that honestly, he knew that he was going to get hell from Coach Buford for this.

“No…I know you didn’t sweetie…Happy Birthday baby…” She reminded him of what day it was. “You’ve gotten your mate marks…”

“What do you mean?”

“When someone turns 17 they can either get one to three mate marks there is rarely anyone that has more than that. It marks who your soulmate will be. It’s said that the words over your heart show the one who will hold yours, while if there is one somewhere else it will be a platonic soulmate…someone that will support you and help to protect your heartmate.” Fran explained gently as she walked over and looked at the writing. “It’s always written in the main language that the person claims as their own…and it is the first phrase that your soulmate thinks when they see you.”

“How do you know then that their your soulmate?” Derek asked carefully.

“When you have discovered them you’ll be able to tell…” She smiled with a tight heartbroken smile as she thought back to her soulmate. She looked at the phrases on her son and had to smile again. “You’re going to be alright baby…”

~*~*~End Flashback~*~*~

It was during one of the pick up basketball games that Derek and Tony had participated in that they’d discovered they were platonic soulmates, they’d finally been introduced to each other after multiple attempts to be set up by the others that met with them. ‘How about that another handsome face having to deal with asshats with me…’ was amusing to see on Tony’s right arm, it had wrapped around his forearm and been covered in a wrap that had been created years before by those that wanted to hide marks so that people wouldn’t get ideas. He found out that the language on his arm was in Italian when he'd been in college and a girl had attempted to say that her first thoughts had to be his, though he’d had no interest in her. ‘Ora questo è un bell'uomo’ (now that is a handsome man), could’ve been from the many through the ages but the first time they shook hands they felt the heat flare through their arms. Derek couldn’t help but ask if he’d thought he was handsome with a smirk causing Tony to laugh as he said that Derek had thought it first while agreeing that the others were asshats. Their friendship had for the most part remained hidden from the others after all even platonic they were two men in a soulmate match that were both Dominant and it wasn’t acceptable. Now they got to work on a case together and after the heat that had flared through Derek when he’d touched Phoenix he had to think that they might have the same soulmate for he’d seen the look in Tony’s eyes when he’d come down from helping the other into clothing for the day.

He gave a brief honk when he saw Tony get through the guard gate at the base before he moved through traffic to the headquarters that they were working out of for the time of the case, they were in Washington offices instead of the Quantico offices.

“So Hot Stuff what’s bringing you in so late?” Garcia asked as she looked up from where she was working, since they were still so close to home they had her come in with them.

“I was watching over the victim…he’s with Agent DiNozzo at NCIS right now, figured he’s safe with his Uncle there…and I could see where we are here.” Derek responded by squeezing her shoulder, she’d become a little sister to him.

When Phoenix stepped off the elevator into the main bullpen of NCIS he had to stop and blink for a moment. “How does no one get a migraine working in this space?”

“Who the hell are you?” A prim voice spoke from the stairs close by.

Phoenix turned and looked at the woman red hair that came to her shoulder and looked her over carefully. “You must be Director Shepard…” He smirked with a look that his uncle recognized as pure trouble. “I’ve heard so much about you…” He held his hand out to be a gentleman. “I’m Dr. Phoenix Potter, I specialize in Criminal Psychology and Ancient Languages…My Uncle has told me so much about you.” He made sure his English accent as clear in his voice as a roguish smirk crossed his lips.

“Is your uncle Doctor Mallard?” Director Shepard asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No…” Phoenix smirked before looking over at the MCRT section of the bullpen. “I’m related to Agent Gibbs.”

There was a collective intake of air showing that there were several that were listening in. Tony was watching from beside the pair with a tilted head taking in everything. McGee had actually stood up from his desk though he was currently typing something bent over slightly, likely sending a message to Abby. Gibbs was standing sipping his newest coffee with a smirk in his eyes but otherwise no expression on his face. And Ziva seemed nervous briefly before brushing it aside as she took in the skinny injured look of the young man and marked him as a non-danger in her mind. Jenny simply raised an eyebrow in question.

“I didn’t know that Jethro had a nephew…”

“I didn’t know he allowed anyone to call him Jethro that wasn’t family…And usually that is when someone is scolding him…Huh…oh I see…” Phoenix looked at the woman with a careful expression before leaning forward as if to share a secret. “You can’t replace someone’s soulmate…no matter how you change yourself. You were a fling if you were anything for Uncle Lee…” It was clear that he wanted to pat her cheek in a condescending manner but didn’t. “Now…if you’ll excuse me…I’m here to see my Uncle.” He straightened up and walked through the bullpen. He stopped briefly at the area where he could see the screen that Ziva had left open and raised an eyebrow. “Is there a reason you’re sending a message concerning the movements of an undercover operative while written in Ancient Hebrew?” He looked up at the screen where they displayed information on a new case and there was nothing at the moment. “Is it part of a case you recently had that she’d send a message to a…Eli David…about a…a pair of foreign movements that…huh…looks as if it is from a different section of the naval movements…”

Ziva seemed to unfreeze and close out the page though she didn’t send it thankfully she was rethinking her initial assessment of the nerd not being a danger.

“What the fuck?” Tony asked looking at Phoenix before looking at Ziva and Gibbs. “Boss?”

“Agent Balboa…I ask that you take Ziva David into custody on charges of espionage and treason.” Gibbs snarled before looking at Jenny. “And you will sit down and shut up while I contact Internal Affairs. After all you were the one that put her on the team as a favor to her father.” He stepped up to Jenny with a snarl. “Wouldn’t want to to seem as if you were assisting in the espionage.”

“What are you talking about? How could he tell from…”

“Didn’t you hear his doctorates as he told you his specialties?” Gibbs asked carefully. “He specializes in Ancient Languages. My nephew has a reading speed of 5,000 words per minute in a language outside of English he reads 7,000 words per minute in English.” He glared firmly when Ziva looked ready to attack. “If you resist arrest, we will gladly hunt you down. As it is you’re looking for time in a black hole.” He looked at Tony. “Call down to those in charge of internal affairs and HR…also let them know that if need be, we have an expert in ancient languages on site in the form of Dr. Potter who is currently in the protective custody of NCIS and the FBI.” He looked over at McGee. “If I found you did anything for her that would lead to her being able to send sensitive information, I’ll make sure you join her in the black hole.” He then moved to his desk and picked up his own phone.

“Who are you calling?” Jenny asked with a snarl.

“I’m calling Director Marrow at Homeland since this has become an international situation with a threat against the armed forces, I will also be contacting the SecDef and SecNav about this.” Gibbs snarled. “Now sit down and shut up!”

Jenny let her mouth snapped shut with a glare, she didn’t like it when someone Domed her even if she was a switch, or at least that was what she tried to tell herself.

Phoenix leaned against he cubical that belonged to his uncle and took a look around, he could see the discreetly placed mirrors that allowed him to have sight line without putting him at risk of sniper and smirked at the thought of ‘Constant Vigilance’ that was screamed in his mind. With a sigh he sipped at the coffee that he’d brought with him after having a cup of tea with breakfast. It was going to be an interesting time but if it helped protect his uncle he’d be a little shit with no qualms.

At the FBI headquarters, Derek broke into laughter after a text from Tony with a picture and short paragraph from what had been happening, the picture was of a shocked looking Director Shepard and a furious and cuffed Ziva David.

“What’s so funny Chocolate Thunder?” Garcia asked looking up from her monitor, thanks to the video security that Spencer had out in front of his apartment, which they had finally been clued into and were happy to hear about, they’d been able to determine that it was actually officers, though there were a few civilians that had joined them at one point.

“Just a text from Agent DiNozzo who’s currently protecting Dr. Potter.” Derek looked up with a smirk. “Dr. Potter is being a little shit and throwing a wrench in several plans from the looks of things. He’s already ‘caught’ Liaison David sending sensitive information in Ancient Hebrew to her father.”

“How was he able to do that?” Reid asked looking up from the folder in front of him, while he was involved he’d been cleared to work the case as long as he didn’t take part in any of the take downs and there were others able to sign off on things.

“He’s got a 5,000 word reading speed in the languages that he specializes in…” Derek said after a moment when Tony answered that exact question that he’d sent back. “She had her screen readable from the corner that he came in at and in a glance he was able to see and translate what she was sending. He asked about it in a casual ‘is there a reason you’re sending xyz in Ancient Hebrew?’” Derek chuckled again. “Tony sent me a picture of David being arrested by Agent Balboa.”

“Huh…” Reid cocked his head to the side in slight shock before turning back to what he was working on. They’d found several other similar cases against that department that had been ‘swept under the rug’ or dropped and found that there was a tied against a set of doctors in the hospital that Potter had been taken to the night before. “This is a purest group.”

“Purest group?” Gideon looked up from his own forms. “How so?”

Thanks to Garcia they’d been able to get a bunch of the information that had been properly gathered before the case was dropped or ignored and left to go cold. Spencer stepped up the group of white boards they’d had brought in and the pictures of the covered the different boards. Each had a similar look and then Reid went through and started labeling things.

“They always leave a message…typically ‘subs should know’…there is always one piece only missing. And it usually is tied with a sub against sub crime…always taken on by a group of dominants or switches with dominant tendencies.” Reid said looking at the different groupings. “They’re similar to the Death Mark Killer group that was in England in the 1960s to 1980s. That group was also of those that felt that those who were submissive, carriers, or gifted were ‘freaks’ or ‘abnormal’…this group is very similar if you look at some of the writing…There was speculation that the whole group was bigger than thought.”

“Every one of the victims had ties with the movement…” Garcia started typing quickly. “Even the latest, Dr. Phoenix Potter was the only remaining child of the pair that were able to take out Taggart and see him behind bars. He died in prison for having attacked children as well as mutilating children. Even the one that shot him was tied with the group in that his father was the right-hand man of Taggart…oh Mr. Rossi was a consultant who helped Lords Potter and Black find out the connection and that it wasn’t only one killer but a group.”

“Were any of them recently released or released without conviction that have moved to the states?” Gideon asked as he looked at the information tight a new perspective. He pulled out his phone and sent a request to Rossi to come in to talk over the case and what he remembered from the information he shared with the pair that were behind the take down.

“No…but there are notes before the death of the Potters and in talks with Lord Black before his death, that the group wasn’t completely taken care of and that they were bigger than anyone could know…Also there was speculation on the part of Lord Black that there was someone else that was behind it all and pulling Taggart’s strings.” Garcia speculated as she continued to type. “All notes that Taggart had were written in Ancient Roman…Latin…and Irish…all in the same journal and entry…the things made no nonsense what-so-ever to those that translated it for the authorities.”

Reid looked at the information again in the photos on the boards before moving to the table where they had the hand-written notes that had been written and placed at every location. “This isn’t just tied with the hospital…” Reid said as he looked at one folder and then another. “This is…shit this is big…someone is in the archives…”

“Archives?” Hotch asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes…someone is able to get in the registry that is created in every major country that has the information on the tests given in school to determine Dominant/Submissive, as well as if someone is a carrier or not. There are also notes on if someone is gifted but it is in a separate archive…” Reid said looking at the information before him.

“What makes you think this?” Derek leaned forward his gaze intent.

“How does every victim end up at the hospital?” Reid asked back as he moved back to the boards and flipped on to write on the other side. “They are attacked…typically by another submissive or a switch with more submissive leanings. When the officer comes to interview they are either likely confirmed or denied as submissive themselves and whether they are a carrier or not in those submissives that identify as male or non-binary. There are also likely going to be attacks against those that are any part of the LGBTQ+ community.” He looked at the different folders.

“The group is likely headed by someone older, someone that was raised before the changes started happening in the 60s that started recognizing the rights of those who identified as submissive, carrier, etcetera.” Hotch said with a glare at the board as he recognized what was being said. “We need to expand the horizons. Perentis I need you to reach out to your Interpol connections we need to know what they had on the Death Mark Killer group and what led to the arrests that did happen. Morgan get to the NCIS we need to have 24/7 protection on Dr. Potter. Garcia see if you can get anything they have electronically that would lead us to those that have the archive access and if it is simply in one area or the another. Gideon…”

“I’ve already called in Rossi, he’ll be here shortly. He was in town due to following the actions of the kid after he witnessed him help with one of the professors being released from his tenure.” Gideon looked up from his phone which had sent a confirmation from David. “He was actually the one that got the District Chief to call us in to take over when he arrived and witnessed an officer attempt to begin to blame the last victim for what happened.”

“Guys…we’d have been given this eventually…” Garcia said with horror covering her face. “If the sub didn’t drop the case and bond as was fitting or whatever these bastards seem to think is right…their dead…I just did a deep dig…a majority ended up bonded to ‘traditional’ dominants, but there are several deaths.”

“Well shit…” Derek groaned as he got up and gathered his things. “I’m working from the NCIS bullpen until their latest case is taken care of…then we’re taking the good doctor to get him somewhere safe.”

“Keep us up to date when you can.” Hotch nodded, normally they didn’t do the protective custody, they let other divisions or the Marshals deal with that but this was something of a special situation.

“Will do.” Derek nodded before making sure he had everything he needed. “Make sure they’re aware that I’ll be armed at all times and to not protest it. I’m not takin chances.”

“I’ll let them know.” Hotch nodded before he watched Derek leave with a quick step.

In a hidden location someone sat before a large bank of computer monitors and watched chaos that was happening around several different locations, most notable was that of the apartment of Phoenix Potter and a location where there was a female shaking in fear or anger it was unclear at the moment from the blurry video. On the desk beside the main monitor was a list where a majority of names were crossed out.