McGee watched as Tony and Ziva bickered with each other as they packed away for the day. It was late, like it normally was when they got a case on a Friday (There were never any easy cases on a Friday) and yet they still had the energy to argue over something. He didn't have the energy to think never mind argue. Watching them made him feel more exhausted so he just tuned them out. He had plenty of practice at that.

"Hey, McGee! Back me up here!"

Well, he could when he wasn't being dragged into the middle of it."

"Not getting involved," he replied without looking up from checking he had everything in his bag.

You know what? It was probably best to go over it again, just to make sure. That way he wasn't going to have any accidental eye contact.

"McGee!"

That was from both of them, when had it turned into an argument? And why did they always have to involve him?

"Still not getting involved."

Though, he knew that was a lie. They would eventually drag him into it. They always did.

Thinking of those two, something had... shifted between them. Yeah, shifted, that was the right word. He wasn't sure what had shifted or why it had happened but it had definitely happened. Things were just... different. And not in a bad way. No, definitely not a bad way. Because they were kind of getting back to normal. Back to their obnoxious selves where they didn't understand the concept of personal space or personal boundaries. There hadn't really been any personal or invasive questions yet but he was sure that they'd be coming. The first step was this being in each other's space and then basically draping themselves over each other unnecessarily like Ziva stretching over Tony's shoulder to try and get something or Tony moving Ziva's arm so she was pointing at something different. They had done both those things just in the last week. McGee didn't think they even realised they were doing it. They were even starting to do that weird mirroring thing again where they basically moved the same way when they were walking together, like they instinctively knew where the other was and knew exactly what they needed to do without even talking or looking at each other.

It was almost creepy, if you thought about it. If it was anyone other than those two, anyway. But since it was those two it was to be expected. Was it appropriate? Definitely not but when had those two ever cared about what was appropriate. Even now after the summer they had all had.

Or maybe it was just all in his head. Maybe this was what they were like... before. Yeah. Before. That was a healthy way to refer to it. Not. Anyway. Before. Yeah, maybe they were like this before and all the adventure and trauma and relief had just messed with his memory. That was a thing, wasn't it?

"I can find you all more work to do if you don't want to leave," Gibbs said, reappearing suddenly.

Which, of course, had the intended effect of making them all scatter - suddenly having all their stuff packed away.

Tony and Ziva tried to beat each other to the elevator which just ended up in them being crammed in the doorway. That didn't last long because Ziva found a way to do something to Tony that made him yelp which made him twist in a way that made Ziva dart into the elevator. She had a very smug smile on her face. McGee decided that he didn't want to know and side-stepped Tony (who was pouting and rubbing at his side) to get in next to her.

"Hey, you can't just jump the line, McGee!"

"There's no line for the elevator, Tony."

"Well, beauty before brains."

"You believe yourself to be beautiful, Tony?" Ziva asked mischievously.

"Of course. But the word you're looking for there is handsome, Ziva."

"I know what I said. And what I heard you say."

"Are you getting in or not?" McGee asked impatiently, wanting to get away before Gibbs really did find something else for them to do.

"I am pressing the button," Ziva threatened which made Tony slip in.

There may not be that much space in the elevator but did Tony and Ziva really need to stand that close together? No wonder half the building was convinced they were a couple if they stood that close. And yes, he had heard the rumours. Mainly because people kept on coming up to him and asking. Honestly, those were the stupid ones. They should just get in the building wide pool like every other normal person.

He watched them nudge each other, their heads basically touching. He had given up understanding them. So maybe things hadn't actually changed and it was more things were back to normal. And that was good, wasn't it? He wanted things to go back to normal just as much as they did. He hated all this tiptoeing around each other They were doing. Lile they were scared that the other was going to break. Which, in Tony's defence, Ziva had looked like that for a while. Not anymore though. She was looking much healthier, for one. Had put on a bit of weight, not enough because she still looked like you could blow her away but it was better than her near skeletal frame he remembered supporting back in the summer. He shuddered at the memory. He didn't ever want to feel something like that again.

No, she was much healthier now. There was something to her. She was stronger. She wasn't going to break. He believed that now. And Tony was looking better. Not as worried. Looked like her actually been thinking.

Two sets of indignant noises came from behind him and he shook his head, smiling. He pushed the button to get out of here without looking at them.

Yep, it was good that things were getting back to normal.