A/N: Tag to last night's episode, "Jack Knife." I thought McGee's reaction to Gibbs' statement near the beginning of the episode was priceless. So I had to follow up on it--what if McGee's initial assumption had been right?

Dual Partners

"Get Ziva and DiNozzo out of bed," Gibbs said, shining his flashlight around the scene again.

McGee's stomach dropped. "What?"

His boss turned to him and shrugged. "Wake 'em up."

"Oh, oh, oh, right, get them out of bed because it's the middle of the night, and they're asleep." McGee mentally head-slapped himself as Gibbs gave him A Look.

"Yes."

Tim nodded as his mouth ran away from him again. "Individual beds...get them out of individual beds, cause I was confused, I thought we were talking-"

"Need some sleep yourself, do you, McGee?" Gibbs cut in smoothly, beginning to head back toward the car and Werth.

"Uh, no..."

Gibbs swung the flashlight beam into his agent's face. "Got bags under your eyes."

McGee swallowed. "It's a...look that I'm going for." Rolling his eyes at his own stupidity (it really was too early), he pulled out his phone.

--

A dozing DiNozzo groaned as his phone began to go off on the nightstand next to him.

What time is it? he wondered numbly. Cracking an eyelid open, he saw with disbelief that it was only three in the morning. Who is stupid enough to call at this hour?

It could only be one of several people, all calling for roughly the same reason, so he yawned and reluctantly retrieved the device.

"'lo?"

"Tony, time to get up!"

He winced at the all-too awake tone. "McGee, you'd better have a really good reason for the hour of this call, unless you're looking for a head-slap."

"We've got a case. Dead marine near a dumpster."

"How did we get a case in the middle of the night?"

"Tip-off."

"Who?"

"Classified," McGee responded cheerfully. Tony growled but decided he was too tired to argue.

"Fine. Where?"

McGee gave him the location. "Already called Ducky to get the body. You and Ziva'll process the scene, meet us back at headquarters."

"Sure, sure..." Tony was beginning to drift off, until he heard McGee's next words.

"I'll call Ziva, tell her to meet you there-"

"No," Tony said quickly. "I mean, I'll call her. You sound way too chipper, McGee. You know how women are. I'll ease her into it."

McGee snorted. "Right. Good luck with that one."

Tony hung up. He closed his eyes and sighed, then rolled over and considered the best way to rouse the sleeping figure beside him without getting killed.

There was nothing for it. He'd just have to hope for the best. Climbing slowly out of the bed, he took a deep breath and reached forward.

Ziva sat up and grabbed his arm. Inadvertently, Tony squealed and fell onto the floor, pulling his partner across the bed. She hung over the side, smiling at him, and released his forearm.

"Oops."

DiNozzo glared up at her. "You were awake?"

"Of course," she said smugly.

"Well, then you know we have a case, huh?"

She frowned and rolled onto her back. "Unfortunately, yes."

He stood up and began to root through his closet. "We'd better get going. Gibbs doesn't like to be kept waiting."

"Do you think he knows about us?" Ziva asked suddenly, pulling herself into a sitting position.

Tony grinned over his shoulder. "No. Because we aren't dead."

Ziva considered this, and nodded. "Good point."