Tony and Gibbs exited the elevator onto the third floor a minute later and found Kate waiting for them. She smiled and gave Tony a quick hug, but her attention was on a paper she had made notes on.

"Gibbs, we got a case. I'm not really sure what it is, something about a car that went down a hill. There was a dead marine in the car," said Kate. "Welcome back, Tony, by the way."

"Thanks, Kate. Great to be back," said Tony. "Where's McGee?"

"Getting the car. I was heading out to meet him when you came in."

"Tony, go with Kate. I'll be down in a second with your gun," said Gibbs as he went to his desk.

Tony nodded. He followed Kate back into the elevator quietly.

"You okay, Tony?" Kate asked as they passed by the security guards again. "You're a little too quiet."

"I'm alright. I was thinking about this case. How come there's hardly any information?"

"That's a good question. I intend to ask when we get to the scene."

"Do you know if it's a bloody scene?" Tony asked, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Kate frowned. "I don't think so. The bodies aren't mangled or anything. Are you sure you're okay? Usually, you're the first one to jump on gross scenes."

"I'm fine, maybe a little nervous, but fine. Don't tell that to Gibbs."

"Secret's safe with me." Kate smiled as she climbed into the back seat next to McGee. "Gibbs is driving," she warned once Tony was in the car.

"It's alright. He's been pretty good with his driving lately."

"Might have something to do with you being his passenger," said McGee as Gibbs climbed into the driver seat a minute later.

"Thanks, boss," said Tony when he took his gun from Gibbs.

The team reached the crime scene in a much slower than normal time. Gibbs had driven at the speed limits the entire trip, worried that he would make Tony feel sick or be sick if he drive too fast. But he was happy to see that Tony hopped out of the car and followed his teammates to the side of the road once they were at the scene, looking happy and healthy.

"DiNozzo, McGee, get statements," called Gibbs. "Kate, you're with me. Let's check out the car."

Gibbs waited while Tony and McGee got their interview started, then headed down to help Kate. His mind was still on Tony, however, and on worrying about his senior field agent.

Tony was glad that he had been told to do the interviews. He wasn't sure he was ready to look inside the car yet, despite Kate saying that there wasn't much blood in it. He felt a little unwell and was beginning to doubt that he was ready for work again. He made notes while McGee asked questions, then made a beeline for the hill with information for Gibbs.

"Boss," said Tony from the top of the hill, "state cops ran the mustang's plates. It's a rental car, out of Dulles Airport. I've got a call in to..."

Gibbs looked up when Tony stopped, and fear coursed through him as he helplessly watched Tony tumble down the grassy hillside. He waited as Tony tried to lift himself from the grass at Kate's feet, and when he couldn't, Gibbs said,

"You okay?"

"Just trying to catch my breath," said Tony, who sounded slightly winded.

"Should have taken that extra week off, DiNozzo," said Gibbs as he started back up the hill to hide his worry. "Help him up Kate."

After a couple of minutes, Tony finally got himself up and moved over to the car to help Kate collect evidence.

"Looks like a professional hit," he noted as he looked at the dead marine. "Probably took the hands to confirm the kill."

"McGee told me what you said," Kate told Tony.

"Did he now?" Tony grinned. "Come on, I was joking around. I didn't think he'd really believe me."

"Really? And why is that?"

"Anyone looking at you can tell your breasts are real."

"You told him I had breast implants?"

"No..."

"You know what Tony? I can't believe I worried about you. You're nothing but a..."

"Snake."

"Exactly."

"No. Snake. Big, big, snake. Down there."

Kate looked down and cried out in fear. "Tell me it's not poisonous."

"I think it is."

"Eww. What is it doing?"

"It's wrapping around your leg."

"Do something Tony."

"I'll try and grab it. Just don't make any sudden moves." Tony bent down and reached out slowly.

Kate pulled her gun out. "Screw it, I'm going to shoot it."

"Hey, put that gun away. You're going to blow your foot off."

Tony ignored Kate's comments as he carefully grabbed the snake and pulled it off Kate's ankle. "So, are we friends again?"

"Cool, corn snake," said McGee as he joined the two agents. "Can I hold it?"

"No, McGee, it's poisonous."

"No, actually, Kate, it isn't."

"Yes, it is, McGee," said Tony.

"What about that one you caught in Shenandoah State Park? You had it around your neck for, like, an hour."

"That near fatal illness must have clouded my memory."

Kate glared at Tony and kicked him, pushing him over onto his back. Tony laid there, trying to catch his breath again, and turned his head to the right just in time to spot a bomb beneath the car.

"Freeze McGee, don't move!" Tony said as he got to his feet. "The car's wired to explode. Looks like the detonator's wired to the trunk."

"How far did you turn the key?" Kate asked.

"Almost all the way, I think," said McGee nervously.

"Okay, don't let it snap back, alright?" Tony asked as he took the key from McGee's hands. "Okay, both of you, run!"

"We're not leaving you here," Kate tried.

"I'm a lot faster than you. I'll be right behind you. This isn't up for debate. Go!" Tony watched his friends make it half way up the hill. "Anthony, you should have taken that extra week," he said to himself as he let go of the key and ran as fast as he could up the hill.

Tony finally reached the top of the hill and heard Kate calling for him as debris from the exploding car flew over his head. He dropped down at the top of the hill, out of breath and dizzy. "Boss, remember when I said I've never felt better? I lied," Tony wheezed just before he passed out.