Fire Place

Rushed wits

The next morning

Nick was rushing around the house. He had woken up later than he had wanted to and there was no time for breakfast. He just got dressed and Gibbs was yelling at him.
"What's taking so long?"
"Sorry- I mean. It won't happen again."
"Eh, it's your first day back since the accident, I'll let it slide. But I am your boss."
Nick smiled then laughed, "Thanks, Gibbs."
The two walked out the door and drove together to work.

At work

"Oh, there they are!" McGee was pacing around and very excited for their arrival.
Ellie was nervous but trying to push it aside.
"Are you sure it's really them this time McGee?"
The elevator dinged open and Ellie gawked her mouth as she saw Nick in a black turtle neck with his beady- brown eyes peeping around the office.
"Welcome back!" Ellie exclaimed.
"Thanks. I missed you two. Can't wait to get back to work!"

Get back to work... for real. Unlike that damn  dream I've been having.

Everyone sat down except for Ellie who went over to her partner's desk.
"Hey, you okay Nick?"
"Yeah, you don't need to worry about me."
"I didn't say I was. It's just- you know. You nearly died! I just couldn't imagine what it'd be like-"
"Stop it. I'm here now, aren't I? Now how about we get some work done." Nick assured Ellie she could move on and that was cue for Gibbs to say;
"We got a body. Gear up."
"On it, boss." McGee stated loyally.

After the crime scene

Nick sat down at his desk.
"What'd doing?" Ellie asked curiously.
"What'd think I'm doing?" Nick replied, angrily.
"You don't have to be mad. It's just, you're usually floating around the office but instead you're actually sitting at your desk." Ellie replies, trying to stay cool.
"So? Things have changed." Nick was flustered.
"Of course they have changed, Nick! You nearly died!"
Nick yelled back, "Yeah, well I did it for you! You are my partner, I had to protect you..."
"It's not like I asked you to!"
Nick snickered, "Why would you."
Just before Ellie could reply Gibbs walked in.
"Hey! Stop it, you two! We've got more important things to handle right now. Put your personal issues aside."
(Both) "No, no, nothing-"
"I said enough!" Gibbs shook his head.
"Why don't you two go check out our suspect, the brother."
(Both) "Okay."
After Ellie and Nick left, McGee said something to Gibbs.
Nervously laughing, "Those two! Can't get enough of each other."
Gibbs grunted, "Mm."

At the suspect's house

"Wow, he sure has a lot of land." Ellie remarked.
"That's for sure." Nick replied.
The brother of the victim had what appeared to be 50 acres of land which were heavily wooded.
"Where should we start?" Nick asked.
"The house, I guess. Let's see if we can surprise him."
"Sounds good."
The partners agreed for what seemed the first time that day.

Not a good day back. I have to prove myself. I can do this.

Ellie knocked on the brother's door.
"NCIS! Open up!"
"No response."
"I'll kick it down!"

Finally something exciting to do today.

Nick kicked down the door and the two agents stormed inside.
(Both) "NCIS!
-Steve Vangoose, we know you killed your brother!"
(Whispering) "Hey, I thought we could surprise him." Nick said to Ellie, confused.
"Plans change."

Shit, Ellie! We can't do this, not while chasing a suspect.

(Nick still whispering) "We have to be able to trust each other . We're partners."
"We can talk about this later."
"Okay, babe."
"I said don't call me babe!"
Nick laughs.
"Hey, over there!"
Ellie spotted their suspect across the field.
"Let's go."
Ellie and Nick start pursuing their guy.
The man knew his property better than the Agents so he had an advantage.
"Let's spilt up."
Nick ran left and Ellie ran right so they could try and meet up in the middle.