Sweet Merciful Morgue Assistants

"So McGee, how does it feel knowing you're probably gonna end up with Palmer for a brother-in-law?" Tony was in a teasing mood.

McGee looked over at him. "Doesn't bother me. Palmer's a good, decent guy. Anyway, I can still put the fear of God in him." McGee winked as Tony chuckled carefully. Finally, laughing didn't hurt so much.

"I thought you hated the little… what did you call him? Pipsqueak?" Gibbs was awake now and catching on to the conversation.

"Well, yeah. But that was before he was with Jasmine. When he was sniffing around Abby, I had no use for him. But now he's moved on. To be honest, I've never seen my sister so happy." McGee shrugged with the irony.

Tony snorted. "Moved on to your baby sister, yeah. I would have thought that would have put ol' Palmer out of the frying pan, and into the fire."

"Nah. Like I said, I can still scare the crap outta him. If he stays with Jazzy, I will have that power over him until death do them part." For having such a baby face, McGee was remarkably skilled in the art of evil grinning.

"Don't think I'll forget that for even a second, Agent McGee," a voice was heard saying.

Palmer cautiously peeked his head around the doorway. He grinned at his girlfriend's big brother, then glanced around the room to Tony and Gibbs.

"I come bearing caffeine." He stepped into the room with a careful flourish, going first to Gibbs, and then in turn to Tony and McGee. Gibbs stared at the cup, in slight disbelief.

Palmer had brought them the extra-large size.

Sweet merciful morgue assistants.

"Does Ducky know you're here with these?" Gibbs asked carefully.

Palmer cleared his throat. "Yes. And no. I was under strict orders to get the small size cups. But I just didn't have the heart to do that, Agent Gibbs."

"You're a good man, Jimmy. Welcome to the family," McGee said, gazing lovingly at the big cup of brew in his hands. He closed his eyes in bliss as he took a sip.

All that could be heard from Tony's bed was a quiet murmur of contentment. "Ahhhhh… hazelnut. Come to daddy," he mumbled, as he brought the cup to his lips.

Palmer shook his head, then went over to each bed in turn, checking the charts at the foot of the beds.

It didn't LOOK like they were being excessively medicated.

Curiouser and curiouser.