It's a very dark night in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Two men in the United States Marine Corps are out for a hike in the late night hours.

"Tell me again why we're going trekking through the woods in the dark." One man said.

"It's therapeutic for me Rob." The other guy said.

"How's that Jason?" Rob asked.

"My dad used to take me out here every year and since… you know… he's gone, I like to come out here every once in a while to clear my head." Jason said.

"I see." Rob said. He ducked under a branch. "How do you see anything out here? It's pitch black."

"It's called a flashlight Sayers." Jason said. He was about to turn on his flashlight when out of nowhere, Jason was hoisted up and was now hanging on a tree branch by his ankle. "Whaah! What's happening?" Jason asked frantically. Rob raised his flashlight to see that a rope was caught on his friend's leg.

"Only you would get yourself caught in a hunter's trap." Rob said.

"What's that supposed mean?" Jason asked as he dangled from the tree. "Never mind, don't answer that."

"How are you going to get down?" Rob asked.

"I don't know." Jason said as he tried to reach the top of the branch. "This is an awkward position." Rob jumped up to try to reach the branch to help Jason when all of a sudden, three loud gunshots rang out. Rob took cover behind the tree then once the shooting stopped, he ran back around to see if his friend was okay.

"Jason, Jason are okay man?" Rob asked anxiously. Rob raised his flashlight up to Jason's face to see if he was okay. He dropped his flashlight, jumped back and gasped in fear. Rob stared at Jason's lifeless body as it started to loose color and blood spilled out of the back of his head. "Oh my god." Rob said. He ran as fast as he could to find help.

The following morning, Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo was just getting into work at NCIS. He walked into the squad room and noticed that something, or someone, was missing. Ziva was not at her desk which was unlike her since she usually gets to work a few hours before Tony and the others. Tony looked up to see if McGee was there.

"Good morning Probie." Tony said.

"Hey Tony." McGee said sleepily.

"What's wrong with you?" Tony asked.

"I was up late last night." McGee said.

"Huh." Tony said. He was curious and feeling nosy. "Up late on a school night, very un-probie like."

"Actually it happens all the time." McGee said.

"Really?" Tony said. "Well I know it's not a girl, so what has been keeping the McGee up?"

"How do you know it's not a girl?" McGee asked.

"Because it's you." Tony said. "My guess is you were up late writing about me."

"Why would I write about you?" McGee asked.

"Isn't Special Agent Tommy one of the characters in your book Mr. Gemcity?" Tony asked.

"How many times do I have to tell you, my books are pure fiction." McGee said.

"Are we going up this street again?" Ziva asked. Tony jumped and turned around because Ziva seemed to appear out of thin air.

"When did you get here?" Tony asked.

"An hour ago." Ziva said. "I was getting coffee for McGee."

"McWriter doesn't deserve coffee." Tony said. Tony looked at McGee who looked nervous since the last time his book was brought up didn't end well. He took the coffee from Ziva and took a sip. Tony coughed after one sip and said, "Oh my god, who drinks this kind of coffee?"

"I do." Gibbs said. He took the coffee from Tony then walked to his desk.

"Boss, if McGee writes another book, do I have permission to shoot him?" Tony asked.

"Nope. That'll be my job." Gibbs said as he gathered his things together. Tony walked over to his desk and got his gear when he saw Gibbs grab his gear.

"We going somewhere boss?" Tony asked.

"A Marine was shot and killed in Shenandoah last night." Gibbs said.

"That's a good idea; want to go to Shenandoah with me tonight McGee?" Tony asked.

"Let it go DiNozzo." McGee said as he flung his bag over his shoulder. "I wasn't even home last night, I was with my sister."

"You're hung over!" Tony said smiling at McGee as the elevator doors closed.