Although the cabin was tantalisingly close, Gibbs made them dump their backpacks a few meters from the structure. It was encircled in yellow tape.
Gibbs addressed his group: "This entire building is a crime scene. We have about an hour of daylight to do the outside then we're going in. Leave your boots on the front porch. We're expecting cold weather tonight so we'll start with the fireplace so we can light a fire when we're done, then the beds and the food preparation area. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Boss", came the exhausted chorus.
"OK I need photos, sketch and bag and tag." Gibbs started.
McGee put out his hand, "bag and tag", he volunteered. Tony grinned at him and McGee realised Tony knew the reason for his choice. His hands, arms and legs were so shaky that he couldn't do justice to either photos or sketches. It was always dangerous to admit a weakness around Tony but it was even more dangerous to try and hide it from Gibbs. They would have found out during analysis anyway so he might as well admit defeat now.
Ziva hadn't noticed as far as he could tell but that all changed when they went to check out the chimney. For some reason, he was always the one kneeling in the dirt while some woman stood on his back.
"Can't you stop shaking!" said Ziva in exasperation.
"No!" he said in annoyance, "I'm doing it just to bug you?"
She stomped her foot hard on his kidney causing him to cry out and crumple against the inside wall of the fireplace.
"Keep still!" she growled.
Once Ziva had ascertained there was nothing of interest in the chimney she let him free. Extracting himself from the fireplace and straightening his back, McGee looked around the small one room cabin. It was fairly basic with a fireplace, two double beds, four rather ratty lounge chairs arranged around a beaten up coffee table and a small kitchen. Oh and a chalk outline of a body and splatters of blood everywhere. He was trying to filter those bits out.
Everywhere he looked the team was busy sketching, photographing, dusting and tagging. Every inch of the place seemed to be under attack.
Tony dumped a load of logs in his arms. "OK, boy scout", he said, "Start the fire".
McGee grimaced but took the pile and crouched to his aching knees again.
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Dinner was a sordid affair with hiker rations eaten in silence from the battered chairs. Gibbs gave them ten minutes 'break' after dinner and then it was back to work. Hour upon hour they slaved guided only by torchlight and firelight.
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McGee had heard the term 'asleep on your feet' but he hadn't fully appreciated that it was a real phenomenon until now. Every time he blinked, his eyelids seemed to glue together and he kept starting awake to find himself swaying. On one occasion, he snapped awake to find Tony's face in front of him.
"You OK, Probie?"
"Ah, Yeah..", he could tell he was slurring but there wasn't a lot he could do about it. "Is there somewhere I could……I just need to sit down for a moment."
Tony looked around for a vacant spot. Almost everything was under scrutiny but McGee's breathing was slow and deep, he was clearly going to drop any second. "Boss, are we finished with this bed?" he called out to Gibbs.
"Yeah, why?" Gibbs replied not even bothering to look up from his notebook.
"Just need to…" and he suddenly made a diving hug as McGee's eyes closed and his knees buckled.
McGee started awake again, blinking and taking a deep breath in an attempt to stay awake. He was confused. Was Tony hugging him? He was just too tired to care.
"Got a place for you right here, Probie", said Tony, lowering him to sit on the bed.
McGee sat gratefully and his eyes slid closed. Swaying unsteadily, his chin sank to his chest and his shoulders slumped. Gently Tony tilted him to one side until his head was on the pillow. McGee didn't stir. Then Tony lifted McGee's legs and placed them on the bed. He heard Ziva unrolling a sleeping bag. She brought it over and placed it on top of McGee, tucking it under his chin. As McGee sighed contentedly, Ziva bent over him, said a quiet Yiddish word Tony couldn't quite catch, and kissed him on the forehead.
Gibbs walked over wearing an expression of annoyance, "What the.."
"He's exhausted, boss", Tony wearily defended McGee and his own actions, "we all are. There's a point of diminishing returns and I think we've well and truly reached it."
Gibbs looked from Tony's haggard face to Ziva's haggard face and back. "OK", he relented, "Let's call it a night".
Tony let out a deep sigh. "Thank God". Then he looked at the beds. "Ziva?"
Ziva took a step closer to Gibbs.
Tony was hurt, "What makes you think it's safer to share a bed with him than me?"
"Something Jen told me", she replied mysteriously.
"Which was?" Gibbs prompted.
Ziva looked up at him for a moment and then gave up "Hair not red, Gibbs safe in bed." She chanted.
Gibbs gave broad smile. "She said that, did she?" he chuckled.
"Of course, you could always share with Probie", Tony suggested, "It's not as if he's going to do anything to you tonight."
Ziva screwed up her face. "I have seen and heard many terrible things in my life", she said, "but that teeth grinding thing just cuts through me like a knife" and she walked over to the other bed with a shudder.
Tony sidled up to Gibbs "You know she snores?" he whispered in a conspiratorial tone. Gibbs smiled at him, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small plastic bag containing two ear plugs.
"You came prepared for her boss?" Tony was impressed.
"They were so I didn't have to listen to you all night, DiNozzo".
Tony pouted at him. "Did you bring some for me so I don't have to listen to the wonder muncher?" he whined indicating McGee grinding his teeth in his sleep.
"Nope", Gibbs gave him a sly smile and headed for the other bed.