It was a dark and cold winter night in Arlington, Virginia. In a small and dark apartment a young man who appeared to be in his early thirties was sleeping on the couch while local news played on the TV in front of him on mute. The young man slowly opened his eyes when the ring of his cell phone woke him up. He looked at the caller ID and smiled at the sight of his wife's name.

"Hey honey … I was just sleeping … it's okay don't worry about it. When are you coming home? … alright I'll pick you up around 1300 … love you too bye Sarah." The young man hung up his phone then turned the TV off of mute. He watched the news for a few seconds before he was interrupted by a knock on the door. The young man put the TV back on mute and got up.

"Who could be visiting me after midnight?" The man thought to himself. He looked through the peep hole on the door and saw a man clutching his stomach while wincing in pain. He opened the door and asked,

"Can I help you sir?"

"Call 911!" The man said. He slowly moved his hand away from his stomach and held it up. The man's hand and stomach were covered in blood. The guy in the apartment looked at him in horror as the man clutched his stomach harder then fell to the ground.

Around 0630, Special Agent Timothy McGee stepped out of the elevator with his backpack on and a cup of coffee in his hands. He slowly and tiredly walked to his desk. McGee set his bag on the floor and coffee on his desk before he collapsed into his office chair. He crossed his arms on the desk as his head started to fall in that direction.

"Tired McGee?" McGee jumped and sat back up in his chair. He opened his eyes and saw Ziva staring at him from her desk.

"Wh … when did you get here?" McGee asked.

"0500. What has you so tired this morning?" Ziva replied. McGee rubbed his eyes while saying,

"Ah … I was up all night working on my book. My deadline is less than a month away."

"What chapter are you on?"

"Seven and I need at least three more." McGee said as the elevator opened. Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo stepped out of the elevator.

"You better not be writing about us again Probie."

"I've told you guys a million times, the book is not about you."

"So we've heard." Gibbs said as he entered the squad room.

"What do we got boss?"

"A dead marine in Arlington. McGee, go gas the truck."

"Okay." McGee pulled himself out of the chair and walked away.

"DiNozzo, David, let's go."

"On your six boss." Tony said as he followed Ziva and Gibbs to the elevator. Once they reached the garage, they walked to the car.

"Where's McGee?" Gibbs said as he looked around the garage. Tony walked to the back of the van and saw McGee sleeping in the back. He raised his eyebrows and said,

"He's right here boss." Gibbs walked up to Tony and looked in the back. He smirked and said,

"Let him sleep." Gibbs closed the trunk and got in the car with Tony and Ziva.