Officer Dozerman was worried about Tanner. He had a gut feeling that Tanner had done something to Deanna, but without a confession, they couldn't really do anything. Dozerman decided he would go to extremes and call NCIS. It wasn't a criminal investigation as of yet but with Tanner being enlisted in the Navy, maybe they could pull some strings to get Tanner to open up about the accident.

"NCIS. This is Special Agent Gibbs." Jethro Gibbs said as he answered his phone.

"Gibbs. Officer Jake Dozerman. I have a bit of a situation on our hands and I need your help." Dozerman said.

"What kind of help are you needing?" Gibbs asked as he sat on the corner of his desk at the NCIS headquarters.

"I have a guy that's enlisted in the navy that is also one of our officers. He's scheduled to ship out next month. But I think he might have been part of a brutal beating of his girlfriend." Dozerman explained.

"Well we normally don't take cases until they are criminal." Gibbs said.

"I know but I really need to get this officer to talk. His girlfriend can't remember anything for the accident. She nearly died when we got to her. Please Gibbs I begging you. Fly out here and interrogate this kid, before he ships out and we may never know who did it." Dozerman begged.

"Ok fine we will be on the next plane out there. Can you give me some details on where we need to meet you?" Gibbs asked.

Hearing that they had a new case caught Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo's attention. The fact that they were going to get to fly somewhere made it even more exciting.

"Ok I'll call you when we get there. My teams on their way." Gibbs told Dozerman as he hung up the phone. Gibbs grabbed his cup of coffee before turning to his agents who were eagerly waiting to hear what their next case was.

"Grab your things we're heading to Oklahoma." Gibbs said starting to walk out the door.

"Wait a second Oklahoma, why Oklahoma?" Kate said not understanding the situation.

"Yeah come on boss. There's not even water close to Oklahoma. It's like in the center of America. Very landlocked." Tony said with a smirk.

"Ok fine it's about a young lady…" Gibbs tried to explain but before he could finish Tony jumped in.

"Oh ok we are talking about a 'young lady', you know I'm in." Tony said with enthusiasm.

"I work with pigs." Kate said shaking her head.

"Can I continue?" Gibbs asked getting impatient.

"Yeah boss" Tony said trying to pay more attention this time.

"We've got a petty officer who works for a police station in Oklahoma. One of his officers called and is worried that the petty officer is the one behind his girlfriend being beat beyond recognition." Gibbs went on. "Grab your gear. We are taking a little trip to the heartland."

With that they were out the door.

Deanna's condition improved immensely. She still looked like shit and had a throbbing headache but all and all she was getting better. Some of her memory was coming back. She could now tell you who she was and who her parents were, but as far as telling about the accident, she couldn't remember. Doctor Woodland was very impressed with how well she was doing. He thought it would be better if she continued her healing process in the comfort of home. However, her apartment was still considered a crime scene. Her parents agreed that they would take her in and care for her. She was to start physical therapy the day after she got out of the hospital. Deanna felt like physical therapy was more for people with real kinds of injuries, ones they had a good story about, not for someone who had no idea how she got them. She talked Dr. Woodland into letting her do her physical therapy at the gym she was a member of. They had sports doctors on hand just in case she needed them. Hesitant, Dr. Woodland agreed. But first she had to spend one more night in this hospital room for good measure.

Team Gibbs arrived in Oklahoma early on a Tuesday morning. Officer Dozerman and Captain Holt met them on the tarmac of Tinker Air Force Base.

"Welcome to Oklahoma NCIS. I'm Captain Holt. This is Officer Dozerman." Captain Holt said shaking Gibbs hand.

"I'm Special Agent Gibbs. This is Agent Kate Todd and Agent Tony DiNozzo." Gibbs said showing off his team.

"Thank you for coming. I haven't been able to get ahold of Officer Perry today but I figured I could go over to his house and pick him up for you." Dozerman explained. "We have you guys staying in the Skirvin Hotel here in Oklahoma City. I hope you find your stay enjoyable."

"Skirvin, that sounds like a fancy hotel." Tony whispered to Kate.

"I am not staying in the same room as you and Gibbs again. A lady needs her own room." Kate said disgusted.

"Here let me take you to your hotel. Dozerman go ahead and go check on Perry." Captain Holt said.

The teams ride into the city was a little on the bumpy side. They didn't realize that the states capitol would be ridden with potholes seemed like every few feet. Kate thought to herself 'we are a long way from D. C.'

"So exactly how often do you guys have tornados here?" Tony asked the captain.

"Every year we have several. Our last fairly big one hit south of here in 2013." Holt explained.

Tony turned to Kate "You know if a tornado comes it would be just like that movie Twister we could go out tornado chasing!" Kate just rolled her eyes. Tony and his movies. "Oh come on Kate, you know Twister was filmed in Oklahoma!"

"Actually Tony, I didn't know that. I don't sit around with my nose in a television all the time. I actually have a life." Kate said.

"Oh really? And when was the last time you've been out with a guy?" Tony smirked.

"Ok it's been a while. But I'm working on it." Kate said trying to defend herself.

"Agents do I need to pull this car over or are you two done arguing." Gibbs spat.

"Actually there's no need agent Gibbs because right here is your hotel." Holt said.

The hotel was tall and beautiful. It reminded Kate of a castle. As the agents got checked in they found that they each had their own room, which was a relief to Kate.

Dozerman went over to Tanner's house. His car was there and so was his police car. It was a bit strange because at this time of day, Tanner was always out doing something. He knocked on the officer's door. When there was no answer he pulled his gun out as a precaution. He twisted the door knob. To his surprise the door was unlocked. Dozerman had a very uneasy feeling about this. Something inside him told him to run but he kept going, his curiosity getting the best of him. As he walked into the kitchen he found a note and a bottle of whiskey on the table. He looked around with no sign on Tanner. He looked out onto the patio. There laid a dead bird that looked like it had been shot. Suddenly he heard a voice behind him.

"You shouldn't have come here." The voice said.

Dozerman turned but didn't see anyone. He feared his imagination was just getting the best of him. He went into the bedroom and seen the gun safe still open. He knelt down to see if any firearms were missing. As he began to look, he felt a stinging sensation on his arm and something warm. It was when he touched his arm that he realized he had been shot. Before he could find his shooter, another shot hit him in the head and one in the chest.

Deanna was able to start her physical therapy. She tried to lift a weight but instead it fell to the ground. She could hear a man snickering at her. She turned and seen this handsome guy with green eyes looking over her way. Now she was really embarrassed that she couldn't pick up a measly 2-pound weight.

"A bit too much for ya?" Tony asked as he was lifting weights himself.

"Yeah just a little bit. I just got out of the hospital and I guess I'm not as strong as I used to be." Deanna explained.

"Where are my manners. I'm Anthony DiNozzo but you can call me anytime" Tony said in all his charm.

Deanna blushed. This guy either really liked her or he was the biggest flirt she had ever met in her life.

"I'm Deanna Carter." Deanna said shaking hands with Tony. She winced in pain.

"So what happened?" Tony asked.

"To be honest I don't remember. All I know is I broke my arm and had to have surgery on it. And now I'm here." Deanna explained rubbing her arm. "I should probably head back home before my parent's start worrying about me."

"Will I ever get to see you again?" Tony asked "How about we go for a quick cup of coffee?"

"Ok but really quick."

The two walked a little ways from the gym to a little whole in the wall coffee shop. Tony that she was the prettiest thing he had ever laid his eyes on. She was small, had reddish brown hair and blue eyes. Her skin was that of a porcelain doll. The bruises on her forehead and around her eyes and nose were still very visible, but even in this state, Tony felt something, something different than he had with any other girl. Most girls were just one night stands; ones he would send honey dust to at Christmas. But Deanna was different. His heart skipped a beat just looking at her. He wondered if he could kidnap her and take her back to Washington with him. The two sat down at a booth near a window. Even when Deanna would look away, she would catch Tony staring at her.

"So tell me your story." Tony said

"What do you want to know about?" Deanna asked.

"I want to know everything about you."

"Well I was born and raised here in Oklahoma. I work or as I should say worked at a news station here in town before the accident. But I will let in on something."

"What is that?" Tony asked his interest perked.

"I really don't want to work in news. It has become so mundane. I would rather be out on the frontlines."

"Like as a reporter?" Tony asked

"No. I want to work for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. But my real dream is to work for NCIS." Deanna said.

This totally caught Tony off guard. She was hot plus she wanted to work for NCIS. Deanna for the win here. He put his chin in his hand.

"Really NCIS?" Tony asked with a smirk.

"Yeah it just seems like a neat job to be able to get your hands on doing some forensics."

"You don't say" Tony was loving this. His attention was snapped away when his cell phone started ringing.

"I am so sorry let me take this." He turned to answer it.

"Come on Gibbs this has got to be important."

"Get you butt down here now! I will send you the location."

"You got it boss."

Tony really hated to cut this coffee date short, but knew Gibbs would hunt him down if he didn't get to the scene.

"I am so sorry but that was my boss, I've got to go to work. Raincheck?" Tony asked.

"Sure" Deanna said very disappointed.

"Here tell you what. Here's my card. Call or text me tonight and I'll take you to dinner." Tony said

Deanna took the card and examined it. It readSPECIAL AGENT TONY DINOZZO NCIS. She had to take a double take. Special Agent? NCIS? She caught Tony on the way out the door and grabbed his arm.

"Tony wait?" Deanna exclaimed.

"Ah couldn't go five minutes without me?" Tony smirked.

"Very funny. Why didn't you tell me you worked for NCIS?" Deanna questioned.

"I was going to tell you tonight." Tony grinned.

"Is that who called was your NCIS boss?" Deanna asked

"Yes. Something about we have an accident that we need to go work."

"If isn't too much to ask…can I come with you to see what a real NCIS special agent does?"

Tony knew Gibbs probably wouldn't like this idea, but considering she was the reason they were brought to Oklahoma, surly Gibbs wouldn't mind.

"Sure but we have to go now!" Tony exclaimed.

With that the two hurried out to Tony's car and headed to the crime scene.

What will Gibbs think when their key witness shows up at a different crime scene? Plus, will Officer Dozerman survive and who shot him? And what will come of Deanna and Tony's dinner date? Next chapter will be posted tomorrow!