Ok, this is just for fun. I have written the majority of it but need to proof future chapters if you want to read it. In a way, it's really different but that comes later.

The County Sheriff was setting at his desk with his feet up on the corner dreading the phone call that he had to make. Thoughts mainlined thru his brain at the speed of light, bringing back what he had tried so hard to forget and finally after a year had come to grips with. Until today.

"Monty and I talked about it and we want you to go to Mammoth with us"

"I want to be bold with you Deeks"

"All in?"

Today, tomorrow"

"No Marty I can't marry you. It's too soon. I'm not sure we were meant to be 'us'- -I just need some more time to figure it all out, to be sure we belong together forever, that uh, well that nothing else might come up that could be a problem. We've only been together for 9 months"

"Wow, does that mean you're on the lookout for someone better? Well good luck" and Deeks left. The one reason he couldn't and wouldn't stay and fight for her was what she just said in so many words, what if someone else- - -. Maybe she's just scared but we're past non-communication. All she had to do was say, I want to get there but it's too soon and he would have understood.

He had gone home gotten drunk and passed out. He didn't go into work the next day. The senior agents quizzed Kensi on his absence and got a glare thru red eyes but no response. Deeks, after waking up had loaded Monty, clothes and a couple other things into his truck then did the same at Kensi's. He left the key in the middle of the kitchen table and just drove-for 3 days. Till he ended up here. Here was a sleepy little town in Northern Indiana by the name of Middlebury. Mostly rural farm people. Hardworking, honest as the day is long, open, caring and very religious. A big Amish influence in the area served to re-inforce the strong religious ties in the area. They had needed a County Sheriff and he needed a job. He'd been given a temporary appointment based on qualifications and then won the special election 3 months later with ease. The downside-or-maybe upside he sometimes thought was that the only water in the area was Lake Michigan and some fishing lakes. He had met NCIS agent Brody from the Great Lakes Office on a couple occasions but had convinced her to not blow his 'cover' by talking to LA. Past that he'd had no contact with NCIS anywhere nor did he want any, especially from OSP. Just the same he hadn't changed his phone number or his email. Now Brody was gone to New Orleans but now his worlds were officially gonna collide and he was nervous, scared, worried-actually petrified of the phone call he had to make if he wanted to continue to do his job.

It had been a year since he had thought about that fateful day and 1 ½ years prior when he had left LA with no word to anyone. He just disappeared one morning and never showed up at LAPD or NCIS. He had taken care of his resignations, mail, the apartment and the rented furnishings from the road or in the evenings, via computer or cell phone, along with retirement, insurance and the 100 other 'little things' that had to be handled when one just left someplace with no warning. At night he slept under the stars in some park, in the back of his truck. He always found a 'free Wi-Fi' hot spot. He and Monty would stretch out and deal with things plus email a few friends that had bothered to look for him. Monty missed Kensi and reminded him of it regularly.

. Now he had to make a phone call that would cause all hell to break loose around him and, just maybe, cause him to run again. Dialing a number he would never forget he waited for a response.

On the other end the recipient of the call looked at the caller id 'Middlebury, In. Sheriff' was what she saw. Picking up the receiver she answered "Lange" and then her world took a 100 mile an hour 180 and she screamed "Marty where the hell are you and where have you been? Are you ok?" This got the attention of the 3 agents in the bullpen who immediately gathered around her desk. Kensi was hanging back a little. She had lied to her friends, telling them Deeks had just left after she caught him cheating with Talia. She hadn't even admitted that he had proposed. That lie was in jeopardy at this moment and she was dreading it. "You're on speaker Sheriff." This caused the agents to look at each other with questioning faces. Sheriff, where the hell is he, why is he a sheriff" went thru 3 minds at once

"Ms. Lange, basis NCIS bolo # 432321-A-LA-notify only. I am notifying you that I have found the body of seaman first Marcel Jones. His body was found this morning at the house of his aunt here in town. I have just finished going over the scene for evidence. I got notice of ID about 20 minutes ago. Past that I am clueless as to what you want him for. I have processed the entire scene and all relevant evidence is bagged, tagged and labeled, ready to turn over basis signing chain of evidence forms. How do you want me to proceed" and then there was silence.

"Are you sure the crime scene techs were thorough" was Hetty's response.

"Maam, I am sheriff, crime scene tech, deputy, occasional lawyer and D.A. as well as EMT and fire chief so yes I am sure. I have the training to do the job as you well know."

Sam then butted in and Deeks heard "Marty talk to us, what the hell caused you to bolt" in a very shaky voice. "Did you really cheat on Kensi?"

"So 18 months later and she hasn't fessed up so to speak? Wow, new meaning to bury the past. So I'm a cheater huh" and Deeks let out a loud snicker. Going on he offered "Since she's still in denial I'm not gonna blow her cover. It's up to her to tell the story. I don't have the time or courage to rehash that crap again. I just got the all clear from the shrink to 'go be normal' and now I'm gonna have to go back and relieve all the crap again. Did you find #1-huh Kens? How do you want me to proceed Ms. Lange?" Deeks was then silent waiting for a response.

"I realize this case starts and ends back here in LA but we need to figure out how it is tied to a seaman stationed at Great Lakes so I am sending 3 agents your way. Do you have a motel in town?"

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