Time for another multi-chapter fic! I was blocked for a long time, but thanks to an awesome prompt from Obligatory Abandoned Warehouse I'm finally rolling again. This chapter isn't long, but as per my standard routine I posted it to hold myself accountable. FYI - this story is not anywhere close to finished, and I've got a lot going on right now so I can't promise that chapters will go up quickly. But I can promise that I don't leave anything unfinished. Ever.

I still don't own NCIS or the characters, yadda yadda. And I thrive on feedback. Can't wait to see what y'all think about my latest attempt, and thanks again to Obligatory Abandoned Warehouse for giving me the nudge I needed.

-abby

"That really doesn't sound right," DiNozzo lounged in his chair, feet propped on the desk while he frowned at McGee and shook his head in annoyance. "No, I don't think that's right at all. Are you sure?"

Amused, Ziva watched from the safety of her desk as the two men argued.

Tim retorted hotly, "Gee, Tony, I don't know. Who is the computer expert between the two of us? You?"

Tony narrowed his eyes and dropped his feet to the ground. "What, you're saying I'm too dumb to understand basic programming functions?"

The younger man raised an eyebrow, his expression a combination of irritation and incredulity. "I didn't say you were dumb," Tim responded slowly and deliberately, as if to a child. "I simply said that you're not a computer expert."

The furious glimmer in Tony's green eyes was absolutely unmistakable. Ziva was about to step in and attempt to defuse the situation, just as Gibbs descended the stairs.

"HEY!" the silver-haired man barked loudly, stopping DiNozzo short. "Gear up," Gibbs continued, ignoring the daggers his two agents continued to fire at each other. "We've got a missing sailor. McGee, gas the truck. Let's move, people!"

With one last glare in Tony's direction McGee grabbed his gear and stalked toward the NCIS garage. Gibbs lightly smacked the back of his senior field agent's head as Tony opened his mouth to get the last word. "Let it go, DiNozzo," the older man warned softly.

Ziva lifted an eyebrow as the senior field agent scowled and grabbed his own gear without a word. Once he was out of earshot, she spoke quietly to Gibbs. "They are fighting a lot lately, yes?"

"Yes," Gibbs replied with a sigh. "They're just restless...it's been a boring couple of weeks. We've finally got a case. They'll snap out of it."

"I hope so," Ziva murmured as she followed her superior out of the bullpen.

But an hour into working the crime scene, Tim and Tony hadn't let up a bit. They bickered and sniped, elbowing each other aggressively as they crossed paths while bagging evidence in the victim's bedroom.

"Move it, McGeek!" Tony said, much louder than necessary, as he shoved his partner out of the way.

Tim responded in kind, shouldering DiNozzo aside. "YOU move it! I was here first!"

Ziva had a hard time believing her ears when she caught the remainder of McGee's sentence – a single muttered word. "Jerk."

But she had no problem hearing DiNozzo's irritated retort. "Ass!"

Gibbs' patience was wearing very thin. "HEY!" he yelled again. "That is ENOUGH! Keep it up and you'll both be looking for a new job!"

McGee had the good sense to look somewhat abashed, but DiNozzo completely ignored his boss – instead choosing to kneel, lift a corner of the comforter and peer beneath the bed.

Ziva watched from the doorway, simultaneously fascinated and worried, as Gibbs' ice-blue eyes glittered with fury. He stormed across the room in two steps, reaching his senior field agent just as Tony rose to his feet.

With one fluid motion, DiNozzo swept both McGee and Gibbs toward the door and attempted to shield them with his own body. There was only time for one word.

"BOMB!"