I think I need to just stop estimating story lengths unless it's a one shot. In any case, thanks so much for reading and for all your support. As always, it is very much appreciated :)

xxxxx

Eric and Nell were whispering in frantic hushed tones when Hetty walked into Ops. She looked at them suspiciously and approached them silently before speaking. "Is something going on I should know about?"

They both started at her sudden appearance. Eric's cheeks immediately flushed and after several long moments of silence, Nell finally spoke. "Hetty… we weren't expecting you. I thought you were at a conference and could't be disturbed."

"As you well know, Miss Jones, I'm always reachable if there is an urgent situation and from the looks on your faces, I'm guessing this could be one of those times?"

"Actually Hetty, that isn't exactly true, because none of us were able to reach you after what happened in Mexico," Eric said.

"Eric, what are you doing?" Nell admonished quietly, shaking her head at him disapprovingly.

"I...sorry," he mumbled, the redness on his cheeks deepening.

"Will somebody please tell me what's going on?" Hetty demanded.

Nell found herself suddenly flashing back to when Sam and Callen had been trapped on the narco sub. Granger had wanted to keep Hetty in the dark, but she had blurted out the truth, which was what she decided to do now. "Callen is missing and we think he's been buried alive."

"What?" Hetty stared back at Nell in shock as she tried to compose herself. "How… when did this happen? Who is responsible?"

"His name is Randy Madison," Nell began.

"And who is that?" Hetty asked.

"He's an ex-convict who Sam put away about nine years ago.. He was recently released from prison and basically did this to get back at Sam."

Hetty sighed sadly. She knew Sam's history and could only imagine what this was doing to him. "Are there any leads?"

"We have Madison in custody," Nell continued. "He's hopefully leading the team to Callen as we speak."

"And does anyone know how long he's been down there?" Hetty asked, unable to hide her anguish.

"Possibly four or five hours." Eric's tone was soft as he delivered this information and he stared down at the floor, unable to meet Hetty's eyes.

Hetty bowed her head and silently began to pray that somehow, some way, her boy would be spared.

xxxxx

Deeks insisted on driving and Sam didn't protest. He sat in the back seat with Madison, allowing Kensi and Deeks to sit in front. He could hear them speaking softly, but he didn't even try to listen or participate in whatever conversation they were having. His head was filled with too many thoughts, all of them bad. Images were coming to him non-stop, a kaleidoscope of non-stop images he was unable to stop: being buried with Bryan, his Navy seal teammate who he had watched die; his wife, slowly suffocating, waiting for help which had never come until it was too late; Callen unable to breathe and almost dying in Mexico; and the frantic search for Amanda Remy. He knew what it was like to be trapped underground. It was something he would never forget, the horror of thinking you were going to die, of having no way to escape the situation on your own, the helpless feeling of waiting alone in the darkness for help that might never come. It wasn't something he would wish on his worst enemy, never mind it happening to his best friend in the world.

"If we're too late, I did try to help, so it's not my fault," Madison said.

"You son of a bitch," Sam growled. "You seriously think this isn't your fault? You're the one who did this to him!"

"Still, if I didn't decide to tell you, he'd die for sure. I could have left him down there and never said a word. At least now, maybe he has a chance."

"You better hope he has more than a chance," Sam snapped. "Because if he doesn't make it, I wouldn't give a nickel for your chances."

"Did you hear that? He's threatening me" Madison whined loudly. "You both heard him. I know you did."

"I'm concentrating on the road," Deeks said. "Didn't hear a thing. Did you?" he asked Kensi.

"Nope. I didn't hear anything either."

Sam just sighed, wanting Deeks to drive even faster but he kept quiet just silently praying they would get there in time.

xxxxx

Finally, they arrived at the house that Madison directed them to. It was an old house, badly in need of repairs and a new coat of paint. He led them to the backyard which was bordered by woods. They only walked a few feet into the woods before they found the hill of packed dirt. Sam thrust a shovel at Madison then he and Deeks started to dig as fast and hard as they could. "I can help, guys," Kensi protested as Madison joined them.

"I know you can, Kens," Sam said. "I just want you to keep an eye on this jackass and make sure he doesn't try any funny business."

It didn't take long for Deeks' shovel to hit the top of the wooden box and he and Sam frantically cleared away enough dirt from the lid for them to be able to pry it open. "Damn," Sam exclaimed when they saw Callen's motionless form. They carefully lifted him out of the box and placed him on the ground.

"I don't have a pulse," Deeks said grimly, shaking his head.

"Come on, G, don't do this, buddy." Sam pleaded as he tilted back his friend's head to start rescue breathing.

Deeks watched Callen's chest for any sign that he was breathing on his own, but there was none so he started chest compressions. "You got an ETA on the paramedics, Kens?"

"They're five minutes out." Kensi had handcuffed Madison once again and was watching the scene in front of her anxiously, praying that Callen was going to come around.

In spite of what seemed to be a hopeless situation, neither Sam or Deeks was willing to give up. Finally, their efforts paid off as Callen began breathing on his own.

"Pulse is weak, but it's there," Deeks said, watching as Sam tried to rouse his partner.

"G? Hey buddy, it's Sam, can you hear me?" There were no signs that Callen was aware of his partner though as he remained still and unresponsive.

After what seemed like forever, the EMTs arrived. They immediately began working on Callen as Sam, Kensi and Deeks looked on helplessly.

"I can't believe this happened," Sam's eyes were filled with despair. "First Michelle and now G…"

Kensi and Deeks exchanged a look. Each still carried their own share of self blame for what had happened to Michelle. "It won't be like that this time." Kensi gave Sam a gentle hug in a show of support.. "Callen's strong...he'll pull through this."

Sam shook his head. "You don't know that, Kens...and even if he does regain consciousness, we don't know how long he went without air. He could have brain damage and who knows what kinds of side effects." The more he thought about what could be wrong with his partner, the more he was convinced that this wasn't going to end well. Callen hadn't had the greatest of lives and now, because of him, just like Michelle, he had suffered one of the cruelest fates possible.