Hi all. Sorry for the confusion but I was not happy with the chapter I started so I took a step back. We are going to Afghanistan but with a twist. Thanks to Stef, Donna and Honus47 for their input. I hope you enjoy this next adventure for our newlyweds.

Disclaimer: I don't anyone you recognize from TV and credit to Tess DiCorsi for Ira Weiss and Miguel Morales from her story "Scattered"

I do believe in Ghosts - Part 1

Sunrise

A lone figure sat on a board facing the horizon. Lt. Marty Deeks loved this time of day. It was his thinking time and he had a lot to think about. It started with an email to his wife from a ghost.

"Aggghh! Cramp cramp cramp!" Deeks yelped. He had finally finished up the last of his paperwork from the Sidorov case. Deeks was wiggling his fingers, making faces in the process.

"Drama Queen!" Kensi looked up from her laptop. She knew better than to give in to his whining, no matter how cute it was. "What's the problem?"

"In completing our paperwork, I have worked my fingers to the bone. I would think you'd care as you have a vested interest in these fingers." Deeks gave his partner a lecherous grin while wiggling his digits.

At that point, Callen's head shot up. "ENOUGH you two. You promised to keep it out of the bullpen." He then did an over exaggerated shudder. But in truth, it was nice to have the team back together. The team leader was happy to see everyone getting along. He was concerned after what happened between Sam and Deeks but with Nate's help and Michelle and Kensi encouraging their spouses, differences were resolved and harmony restored. Actually it was better than before. And in spite of his misgivings, Deeks and Kensi were better as work partners than he could have imagined. Callen realized that his prejudices, based on his past, were not fair and told the couple so.

Kensi rolled her eyes at Callen and went over to her partner, took his hands in hers and started to massage them. Deeks looked over at the team leader and did what any mature law enforcement officer would do in this situation. Stuck his tongue out at him. Kensi swatted his shoulder and went back to her desk. Paperwork never ends. Sam just chuckled. He learned to stay out of the silliness.

As Kensi sat back down in front of her laptop, a new email notification popped up. As she started to read it, she gasped, loud enough to catch the team's attention.

"Kens?" Deeks watched the color drain from his wife's face. "Babe, what is it?" Still no answer. He got up and went to her desk, as he looked over her shoulder Deeks made the exact same sound. "It can't be?" He was reading an email to Kensi from Jack Simon.

Jack! The one who left Kensi.

Jack! The architect of Kensi's border walls.

What in holy hell could he possibly want from his wife? More importantly, how did he get this email address?

Deeks shook his head at the memory. It led to the official second fight they had had since they were married. The first being right before they were extracted to rescue Nate. Ironic, this second fight was also CIA related. At least this time he had a friend, a trusted friend within the CIA. He would also be calling in the Marines, specifically a Marine Major, to find out what Jack Simon could possible want with his wife.

One month earlier

Hidden among the foothills of Kandahar were a series of caves. A small city of staggered openings. Most were used as refuge for the shepherds during rain and wind storms. But several were the satellite headquarters of the Taliban.

Much like the boatshed used by OSP, the caves were meeting places. The Taliban had a well organized network of mercenaries from various countries. Some former military, hoping to cash in on any opportunity and some were made up of locals who knew the safety of their tribes depended on the goodwill generated by "cooperating" with the insurgents.

And then there was Jack Simon.

Jack was former military and current CIA operative. He was also a double agent. He figured out how to get the best of both worlds by burning the candle at both ends. And up to now, he hadn't gotten burnt. But his contact in the foothills had suddenly cut off communications. The CIA also seemed to stop taking his calls. Jack was finally able to contact one of his military insiders and found out there was a change in command. Major Miguel Morales, USMC, arrived 2 weeks ago and as one usually does when you move in to a new location, you clean house and he cleaned EVERYWHERE.

Jack's contact warned Jack that the Major was a by the books, no nonsense guy. Slowly but surely he was cutting off the pipelines of those who were making a profit off the troops. Jack needed to find out all he could about this guy and make sure that all the work he had put into his little operation would not be undone. There must be a way to get around this guy, but how?

As Jack sat at his laptop researching Morales, a file popped up, "Cherokee". It was encrypted but not impenetrable, at least not for him. He opened the file and started to read the story of a daring rescue of an asset trapped in Iran. Jack recognized the name Ira Weiss. He met him once. They were supposed to work an assignment together, but Weiss backed out. He found out that Weiss wanted someone else, seemed he didn't trust Jack. Whatever. Some people just think they are better than everyone else.

He kept reading. Seems Morales had a long association with Weiss. And then he saw a name, he NEVER expected to see - Kensi Blye, NCIS, codename Xena.

Jack smiled, he may just have found his ticket out of this mess.

Deeks quietly entered his home. It was 8:00a.m. and he wasn't sure if Kensi was up yet. He felt bad sneaking out but he needed to sort out his head. The words exchanged first in the bull pen and then at home still swirling in his mind.

Kensi was still frozen at her desk. Callen and Sam joined Deeks, looking over Kensi's shoulder. Deeks looked up at Callen. "How did Jack get this email?" Callen knew it was time for reinforcements. He put his fingers up to his lips and whistled, loudly. Sam smirked at his partner, he just shrugged back at Sam. "Why not?"

A very confused Nell and Eric appeared at the top of the steps. Callen didn't waste any time. "Kensi just got an email from a Jack Simon. Need you two to trace it and give me everything you can find on this guy." The Wonder Twins nodded and went back to their lair. Callen nodded to Sam to join him at Hetty's desk. He didn't like how Kensi was reacting. He especially didn't like the niggling feeling that something was very wrong and after all the team had been through, he was not going to let anyone disrupt the peace they had settled back into. Deeks stayed behind to talk to his wife.

"Kens? Look at me please." Kensi blinked and looked up to see a pair of very concerned blue eyes. She was still trying to process what she just read.

"How did he find me?"

"Callen's got the twins looking into that. We'll find out what's going on and more importantly, if it's even him."

At that Kensi sat back away from her partner and glared at him. "What do you mean IF it's even him? It must be him, he's asking for help. I can help him." She then looked back at the email.

Deeks knew he had to tread very carefully. Not only as her partner but more importantly, as her husband. He remembered what happened with the Talbot case. He remembered the memories that were churned up and the tears that he dried. But he was confident that Kensi had come to terms with what happened and had moved on to the life they were building together as husband and wife. He did not want her to go down that rabbit hole and he will do everything he can to make sure that didn't happen.

Later that evening after dinner, Deeks decided to try again to talk to Kensi about the email. He gently suggested that maybe a call to Ira Weiss could get them some answers and see what kind of trouble Jack was in. Deeks thought it was a reasonable request. His wife, not so much. She could not understand why Deeks was questioning her. He tried to explain that it was not a matter of trust in her, he was questioning how after all these years, Jack finally got in touch and more importantly - how did he know she was with NCIS.

"Why can't we just ask Ira to look into this. Find out if Jack is, indeed, with the CIA and what he was up to. Do you trust Ira to tell you the truth with whatever he finds?" Kensi half nodded. "We also have Nell and Eric looking into this. Once we have their intel, then we'll know. I just want us to be safe. If this is legit, I will be right there with you. Please Princess, let's vett the email."

Kensi was lost in thought. All the memories she thought she had packed away. Why was Deeks not more open to helping Jack. What was he afraid of? Kensi went to their bedroom and got ready for bed. Not even a nod towards her husband. Deeks sighed as he cleaned up and got Monty settled for the night. By the time he entered the bedroom, Kensi was asleep with her back to him. Marty scratched the back of his neck. "Just great." He grumped.

Deeks found the note Kensi left him saying she was going in early to workout. What was missing from the note, the little heart she usually put with her initial. He took advantage of being alone to make a call that would surely cause more strife between he and Kensi but sometimes you just had to protect what was yours. He got the SAT phone out of the desk in their home office and pushed the first speed dial number.

"Dean! You finally decide to jump ship and come work for me?" Deeks chuckled at the use of his undercover identity.

"Good to hear your voice Uncle Jeff." Deeks' favorite of Ira Weiss' undercover alias was Jeff Hyman of the Ramones. That and the memory of the great restaurant they had met at. But that was another time and he had no regrets about going back to OSP.

"Ira, I need a favor and you need to know that I am going behind my wife's back to ask it."

"I thought I raised you better than to cross Kensi." Ira tried to lighten the mood that was coming through the phone. Ira knew Deeks worshiped his wife. For him to go behind her back must be something very serious.

"What do you know about Jack Simon?" Deeks heard the gasp from Ira. That was not helping the hairs already standing on the back of his neck.

"I know that I don't trust him and I just got some intel from our favorite gunny that he may be part of a group of mercenaries dealing in secrets for profit in the Kandahar area. What does this have to do with Kensi?"

Deeks sighed. He did not like sharing things about Kensi without permission but he already crossed that line just by making the call to Ira. "He and Kensi were engaged about 10 years ago. He dumped her and disappeared. It was rough on her and I thought she had moved on first by joining NCIS and then to me. I guess some wounds linger no matter how deep you bury them."

Ira heard the hurt in Deeks' voice. He cared deeply for the detective and his wife. He wanted to recruit the pair but understood their loyalties to NCIS. He would be forever grateful for their efforts in rescuing Nate. So for Deeks to contact him, it must be serious. He assured Deeks he would dig around and would get back to him. "Your gut is still your strongest barometer Marty. Trust it. You're not wrong about Simon. Now we just have to figure out what his game is. Take care Marty." With that, Ira disconnected the call.

Deeks finished getting ready for work. He promised Kensi he would never lie to her. But was an omission of truth a lie? All he knew was that he would protect Kensi with his life. Deeks hoped it wouldn't come to that and that Kensi would understand. His marriage depended on it.

Kandahar Province

Major Miguel Morales was finally settled into his new command. He was surrounded by a staff he trusted and was going about the slow process of cleaning house. Any member of the military who had the slightest hint of improprieties was immediately sent back stateside where they would be greeted by a special task force investigating the recent uptick of money leaving the area.

Migs had also tapped into a special resource to do background checks. Ira Weiss was a trusted confidant. He would double check any information that did not pass the smell test. A sort of measure twice, cut once guarantee.

Migs stopped what he was doing when his SAT phone buzzed and grinned when he saw the caller ID. "I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon. Why do I get the feeling you are adding to my to-do list?"

"Because I am and you are not going to be happy." Ira knew that Migs cared deeply for Marty and Kensi. The bonds they formed rescuing Nate were strong. It was very evident when everyone reunited for Migs' wedding to Vita. It was quite the party.

"Talk to me Ira."

"What do you know about a Jack Simon?"

"That he's a ghost. The locals actually refer to him as Spin Pairay - White Ghost. I've been sending out my team looking for intel on him and they keep coming up empty. Why do you ask?"

"I may have some intel about him." Ira pauses. "At one time he was engaged to Kensi. He recently reached out to her for help. Marty called me asking for help. I don't like it gunny."

Migs was floored. He wants this guy so bad but does he dare suggest they use Kensi to draw him out? "Ira, what does Marty think?"

"I think you should call him. But tread lightly. Kensi didn't know he's checking."

"Roger that." As a newlywed himself, Migs had a new appreciation of the risk Deeks was taking going behind his wife's back. He knew the hell he would pay if he ever did the same to Vita. The major made a note to call the detective later. He needed to think through how he was going to convince his friend to support his wife coming half a world away to catch a ghost.

-TBC-