Present Day

NCIS was bustling with activity. It wasn't unusual for there to be several cases ongoing at once for the MCRT and other branches within the NCIS building. Even with two cases solved in quick succession, there was no reprieve from work giving them hardly any time to celebrate.

More trouble was on its way when The Lead Agent's desk phone rung. Gibbs' eyes remained focused with only a hint of concern. That in its self spoke volumes. Tony had tiredly dropped his bag on the desk.

"What is it, Boss?" Tony asked as he secretly prayed that there was nothing to it.

In his usual way, Gibbs kept silent. Instead, he motioned for his team to stand next to him so they could watch the ZNN report. It looked absolutely chaotic as the woman reporter tried to keep her composure. Firefighters rushed by and one advised her to keep back.

"It's hectic scenes in Maryland, today. An explosion in a popular tourist shopping spot has caused chaos. It is not determined what caused the explosion or how many people were injured. The Enterprise Carrier is in port. More details will be given as soon as they emerge," The newsreporter said. The scene cut to the newscasters sitting at their newsdesk.

The phone rung again, bringing everyone out of the shocked state. Tony, McGee and Ziva turned their heads in synchronization to see what their next order was going to be. The silence again was deafening. The short phone call lasted an eternity.

"There's one person reported missing," Gibbs pointed the clicker at the plasma screen. "Stan was on shore leave as well but failed to report back to duty," Gibbs stated. He wanted to keep it professional. There would be time to be concerned later.

"Stan's there?" Tony looked up.

'This just in… 3 bodies have been recovered and one injured has been taken to the Hospital with major injuries. No identification has been established' the newsman on the television spoke clearly.

McGee studied the photograph of the Agent Afloat intently. There was something familiar about the light brown haired guy. Slight wrinkles on the man's face showed experience and a not easygoing life.

"There's something familiar about him. Think I've seen him before," McGee said as he continued to look at the photograph.

"Last saw him in February," Tony reminded him. It was the last time he was in DC and they had a few drinks at a get together.

"That's not it. I don't know. His face looks like… Ah forget it," McGee couldn't explain it. It just felt like a weird feeling of déjà vu. "Forget it," he stated.

"Gas the truck," Gibbs threw the keys in the air. He didn't bother specifying who to do it. Ziva snatched the keys.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Unknown Location

Stan didn't open his eyes at first. His ears still rung from the explosion so he cupped one hand over an ear to block out the noise. Wind sounded like it was howling right through. To expel the taste of dust, he coughed hard and it took him awhile too stop.

Then he tasted something else other than dust and debris. He reached into his throat and pulled out what appeared to be a long piece of grass. For a moment he closed his eyes in attempt to dispel the growing headache.

"What?" He found himself walking too the side of the road and almost dropped to one knee as dizziness and nausea took over. It looked as if he was on a farm and it seemed deserted. Nothing else could be seen for miles.

Dust was kicked up as an old style black car stopped right in front of him. Stan examined the black, dirty exterior.

"You're right there?" The young man asked. He couldn't be more than twenty years old.

"I've got identification," Stan reached into his pocket and then into his trousers.

"Hop in… I'm going into town," the younger man reached over and opened the door and he looked at the watch that Stan had attached to his wrist.

"Thank you," Stan responded. He looked down at his watch.

"That's some fancy watch… Haven't seen one like that," the man in the car said eventually.

"It's a standard Government issue," Stan used his hand to shield his eyes from the unforgiving sun.

"You're with the Government. Wow. Hey is that about Mister Woody and his son. There was an apparent commotion out there not long ago. Spotted something up in the sky. Strange ain't it. Man, you look bad," the man observed. While steering the car with his wrists, he pulled out a cigarette from a packet and put in his mouth before lighting up. "Sorry, you want one," he held the packet out.

"No thanks," Stan waved his hand in refusal.

"Alright then. By the way I'm Mac," Mac extended his hand.

"Stan Burley," Stan shook it.

"Good to meet you," Mac responded as he breathed out some smoke. "Lucky you caught me. A long hike to town and looks like you're not having a good day," Mac continued on.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Stan's logical mind tried to make sense of it. The blow to his head must have knocked him senseless and he was disorientated. Probably got dumped out in the field and come across an antique car enthusiast. But now he was in town, it looked more like something out of the fifties.

There was a public telephone near the diner. At least he'd be able to call NCIS or the Enterprise. Something was wrong. The thin boxy phone looked foreign and didn't have a handset… Instead there was a strange funnel thing in its place.

"What the?" Stan asked. It looked and felt authentic.

"Hey," somebody said in disgust as Stan snatched the newspaper from under their arm.

ROSWELL DAILY RECORD!

"Roswell?" Stan asked quietly. He couldn't think where Roswell was. And why the hell he was there or what happened. "Hang on a minute," he said as he began to feel a nauseating headache.

Date: Thursday 26June 1947

The bold and italic text stood out. The world around him spun until it blurred into one running mess. Stan felt like was going too throw up but didn't.

"Oh, God," was the last thing he remembered saying before nothingness engulfed him.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Baltimore, Maryland

Guilt was what Tony felt. When they went to see the three bodies at the morgue, Tony was relieved and kind of glad that Stan Burley wasn't among them. That deepened the mystery.

"What's it like to be back in Baltimore?" McGee asked.

Tony grunted in response. It sounded like one of Gibbs' grunts when something rubbed him up the wrong way. It was hardly surprising that Tony rarely set foot in Baltimore considering the two didn't part ways quietly. They ended up in the hospital where the survivor was.

"I'm Doctor Jo-Anne Fields," Doctor Fields introduced her self after looking at the NCIS identification. "Mister James Reinhart is resting at the moment. He has some cuts and bruises and a concussion. If it is necessary to question him then I respectfully request you keep your time minimal and don't stress him out. As soon as he shows distress that's it," Doctor Fields told them the rules.

"You really have a way with female Doctors, Tony," McGee made the passing comment.

Tony turned on his heels to face McGee. His green eyes almost flashed with anger before he was able to reel his feelings in. Some wounds still ran deep. Like a scab over a sore… It doesn't take much digging to make it bleed. He turned back around and continued to the room where James was bedded.

"Hello Mister Reinhart… We're here to ask you questions," Tony said.

"Three of you?" James asked in a quiet voice.

"Yes," Ziva said.

"We can dispense with the usual hoo-ha questions. The LEO's will see to that," Tony said. "But we want to know if you saw this man around the area it happened," Ziva showed him the picture of Stan Burley.

James studied the picture a bit. "Yeah. I think he was there. He was dressed a little casually though. Was talking with an assistant buying a suit. Other than that I can't elaborate," he shrugged apologetically.

"Did you notice anything suspicious? Someone acting strangely or leaving a suspicious looking package perhaps?" Ziva asked the standard question.

James thought for a moment but slowly shook his head. Pale complexion showed his discomfort. Doctor Fields stepped in at that point and took the man's pulse. "I think that's enough," she responded firmly and was thankful there was no argument from the federal agents.

Xxxxxxxxx

The Block

Baltimore, Maryland

Gibbs motioned for Tony, McGee and Ziva to go under the crime scene tape and approach with a subtle hand movement.

"They've found an explosive device. Going to send the details to the Lab," Gibbs told them.

"Thought Abby was on vacation," McGee responded.

"There was a positive ID that Stan Burley was in the store when it happened," Tony stated what they had been told.

"There was two more bodies recovered," Gibbs said as he watched a van drive off. "Stan has not been found," he said coolly. A couple of things could cause that and neither sounded good. He ran his fingers through his silver colored hair.

"DiNozzo. I want you t circulate pictures of Stan at the PD and Bus and train area," Gibbs gave the order.

"On it, Boss," Tony responded automatically.

"Ziva… I want you to go to the Enterprise and find out what Stan was working on lately. Any unresolved investigations or somebody holding a grudge," Gibbs stated.

"Yes," Ziva stated before heading off in the rental.

"Too boldly go where no agent has gone before," Tony chuckled slightly. A glare from Gibbs stopped that. "Going to the department, Boss," Tony corrected himself. Fortunately, there wasn't far too travel from the block to the Baltimore Police Department.

"McGee. Go with Tony," Gibbs nodded in Tony's direction.

Xxxxxxxxx

Roswell, New Mexico

"He's awake again."

Stan blinked a few times before keeping his eyes open. His first feeling was that he was damn hot. There were a doctor and a nurse talking.

"It's really hot. Aircon's broken?" Stan asked as he wiped some sweat.

"Air con?" The nurse asked.

The Doctor shrugged his shoulders. "His brain must still be scrambled. Got a nasty bump on the back of the head. He's been muttering something," The Doctor said. He sounded just as confused.

"Must have. Had a weird dream. It was so real I believed I was way in the past," Stan rubbed his brow and laughed.

"People who've suffered blows to the head often experience strange stuff. But I can assure you… Mister Burley is it? That you are in 1947," he smiled in a friendly manner.

Stan's eyes widened. He remembered what the newspaper said. "So, it's June 26 '47?" Stan asked. That sounded crazy as he said it. Even for some delusion it was a strange date to be deluded about.

"27 actually. You've been out of it for almost a full day. Now I get that you " The Doctor asked.

"1927?" Stan was even more bewildered, he didn't think that was possible. But was starting to feel panicked.

"June 27 1947," The Doctor said. "Do you know your full name?" He asked, needing to gage how badly the patient was injured and see how long the damage would last.

"Stanley Owen Burley," Stan answered. At least that was something he was certain of.

Then he went through the usual round of questions. The Doctor shook his head solemnly. "I think we should keep you in for your own safety," he said and wasn't about to be persuaded otherwise and folded the arms to stress the point while waiting for Stan to agree. Satisfied with the slight defeated nod, he went off to complete his rounds.

"Oh man," Stan rolled his eyes.

"I'm Nurse Bianca Jamerson," The nurse introduced herself.

Stan acted disinterested. He was somehow misplaced somewhere in time. If he tried to argue that point he'd probably be locked up in some mental institution. The safest course of action was just to keep the mouth shut. That's just what he did. The young blonde wasn't about to let things lie.

"What?" Stan still had his eyes closed.

"I believe you," The young nurse responded.

Stan looked amused. He rubbed his forehead and had a look of annoyance on his face. "You look like a nice woman… But you really don't have to humor me," he told her as nice as his annoyance allowed.

"I was looking through some of your things. We were trying to solve the mystery of you," Bianca said as she reached into her pocket and pulled something out. "This is what convinced me. It is a watch. Tells the time, I know… Says the same time as mine. But doesn't have a clock face," she handed Stan the watch over.

Stan turned around in his hands before showing the digital face to the nurse. "It's a standard digital piece. I'm glad I had new batteries put in just before…" Stan's mind drew a blank. He remembered going to the shops and looking at a real nice suit and then waking up on a farm.

"Do you have somewhere to stay? Of course you don't. You can stay at my place if you want to… At least until you can get your own place or go back," Bianca suggested. She hoped he wouldn't mind.

"I don't know," Stan responded. He hadn't given much thought about where or how he was going to survive until or even when things were going to right it's self. "Guess I don't have much of a choice," Stan surrendered to that fact. He wasn't even sure why the Roswell name sounded so familiar and so did the date. Someone mentioned it a lot too him but his headache was blocking his recalling.

Bianca looked closely at Stan and then at the watch. "Its just an offer. You can refuse if you want. I have to go. We'll talk later. After my shift," she told him. She gave him a smile when he nodded.