A/N: Apologies for the delay in continuing with this story. I hope you enjoy it and sorry for the mini cliff hanger. Thanks to all who have reviewed, followed and makes as a favourite story – it is much appreciated.

Chapter 4

On the helicopter, Sam checked Callen once again anxious that his condition might have deteriorated since he had last checked minutes before.

"Sam, sit down" said Turk. "He's stable for the time being but you're bleeding – a lot. Let me look at it."

Reluctantly Sam did as he was told and allowed Turk to look at his wound. Turk took the helicopter's first aid kit and prepared to re-stitch the wound in Sam's leg. "This'll hurt" he said as he inserted the needle into Sam's flesh and Sam gritted his teeth against the pain. When he had finished Turk applied a gauze dressing. "You'll need to get that seen to at the hospital."

"Yeah when I know Callen's okay" said Sam.

"Look, I know you're worried about him but that's a serious wound you've got, not to mention the cuts and burns you've got from the accident. You all need medical attention" Turk said glancing around at Kensi and Deeks. He paused before continuing. "I'm taking you to a hospital far away from Los Mochis. They know me and they are generally good people who just want to live their lives and help people. However the drug cartels, arms dealers like Williams and corrupt men like the General have a far reach and much leverage. Don't give your true identities but stick to the story that you're tourist whose car crashed, caught on fire and exploded when you got caught up in a shoot out between two rival gangs. Unfortunately that's the norm in these parts so they won't question it. It'll hopefully give us some breathing space and for that boss of yours to arrange medevac."

Sam and Kensi nodded their understanding and anxiously watched over their team mates while the helicopter closed the distance between their attackers and safety.

The helicopter landed on the hospital roof and Turk rushed down into the hospital urgently demanding assistance. If the hospital staff were surprised by a helicopter landing on their roof or by the appearance of a group of military looking personnel they did not show it. On the contrary, a team of doctors and nurses rushed out with a couple of gurneys on which Callen and Deeks were placed and were rushed into an assessment area where the beds were separated only by a curtain. Kensi went with Deeks and Turk had gone with Callen as Sam, much against his wishes, had been taken to another bed to be assessed. While the doctor worked on Deeks, he asked a nurse to check over Kensi and deal with her injuries.

There was much activity in Callen's area and Sam got off his bed and went to look. A nurse tried to forcibly remove him but Sam was not budging. Turk went over and took him by the arm and led him outside to a waiting area. "You're doing yourself no good. He's in good hands. They say he's bleeding internally and because of that his blood pressure and stats have dropped dangerously low. They're trying to stabilise him before getting him to surgery."

"We've gotta get him home. He can't have surgery here" said Sam.

"Be realistic. If they don't stop the bleeding, he'll not make it home. This is his only chance" said Turk bluntly. In a softer voice he added "They are good doctors; they knew what they're doing. He'll be okay."

Sam nodded and slumped down in a chair, his head bowed. Suddenly all the fight went out of him and he felt exhausted. His mind was in turmoil. How did this go so wrong so quickly? Perhaps Callen was correct in saying he was a liability with his injury. Back in the States it all seemed so straight forward. It was a mission to rescue Mosley's son from his father who had abducted him. This was about family and we do anything for our kids so we would help Mosley get hers back. Callen had promised Mosley he would help and he was a man of integrity but he did not want the team involved but Sam had had other ideas. However it was ultimately Williams himself who had forced them to go quickly without adequate planning as they had Intel that an arms deal was due to take place in two days and after that he was likely to disappear.

Kensi came to sit down next to Sam. She took his large hand in hers and squeezed. "Turk's right, Sam. Callen's badly hurt and if he needs surgery then he's got to have it" she said gently and saw Sam nod his head in agreement.

Without changing position, Sam swivelled his eyes to look at her and said "How's Deeks?"

"They've taken him down for x-rays and scans" she replied "but he was conscious. He doesn't remember the accident but he knew me."

"That's good. How're you Kens?" he asked remembering that she had been in the driver's seat and the front of the SUV had taken the brunt of the damage although she had been able to help him with Callen before Turk came to the rescue.

"I'm good considering" she replied. "A couple of deep cuts that needed stitches and some nasty burns but otherwise just scrapes and bruises. What about you?"

"Much the same although they think I've got an infection in my leg wound. They gave me a shot but want me to take antibiotics. They also want me to have a scan but I don't know…." Sam's voice tailed off as the curtains to Callen's cubicle parted and he was wheeled out. A doctor paused briefly to speak to Turk before hurrying after the gurney.

"They stabilised Callen sufficiently for him to go to surgery" said Turk. "A nurse will take us to a waiting area when we're ready."

"You two go" said Kensi. "I'll wait till Deeks comes back and then join you when I know what's happening with him. Let me if there's any news before I get there okay?"

"Will do" said Turk and he and Sam, who was limping badly and leaning heavily on a borrowed crutch, followed the nurse to the assigned waiting area.

The seats were none too comfortable but Sam gratefully sat down and accepted the chair that Turk placed in front of him so he could rest his leg. "You need to let Hetty know what's going on" said Sam handing Turk the sat phone. "She'll need to know where to send the medevac and when."

"We'll have to wait till Callen's out of surgery before we can tell her when, but I'll go and update her on the situation" said Turk taking the proffered phone from Sam. "What's the number?"

"It's programmed into the phone; just press the button" replied Sam.

Outside the hospital, Turk pressed the button and was connected to the OPS centre. "It's Arlo Turk. I need to speak to Hetty" he said.

"I'm here Mr Turk" said Hetty. "I trust you are all safe?"

"As safe as anyone can be in Mexico" he answered. "Sam's asked me to update you."

"Yes indeed" answered Hetty. "How is everyone?"

"Kensi and Sam are walking wounded, just cuts, bruises and burns although Sam had opened his leg wound again and it's infected" answered Turk. "Deeks is now conscious and has been taken for x-rays. Until he's back I don't know his condition but he doesn't appear to be badly hurt. Callen however is in surgery." Turk heard a slight hitch in Hetty's voice and wondered if there was more than just concern for her agent. He let it pass. "Until we know his status you'll have to hold off the medevac."

"I realise that Mr Turk but thank you for the update" said Hetty not unkindly. Since the incident she had been extremely worried about Callen and the team and was much relieved when Sam connected her once Turk had rescued them. "Where are you?" she asked.

"I've taken them about a hundred miles away in Navojoa and we're at the Clinical Hospital San Jose. They know me here so won't ask any questions. We should be far enough away to be safe for the time being but …"

"I understand Mr Turk" replied Hetty. "We're still monitoring the area of the General's ranch but so far they don't appear to be actively looking for you."

"That's good" agreed Turk "but we shouldn't relax. The General has a long arm and we don't know who he has in his pocket."

"Understood. As soon as Mr Callen's out of surgery, please update me so that I can arrange the medevac. I would suggest that you get the others back into the US as soon as possible, but I know Mr Hanna would not leave Mr Callen nor Miss Blye leave Mr Deeks."

"No kidding" said Turk. "We need to stay together for the time being and stick to the story that they're tourist."

"Indeed. Mr Turk, you do realise that you will have to return to the States with them? I believe you'll no longer be safe in Mexico for which I am truly sorry. However I'm extremely thankful that you saw fit to help my team, not once but twice."

"You're not going soft on me are you Hetty?" said Turk with a chuckle. "Yeah I do know I've gotta leave and I'll be sorry to go. I had a reasonable life there but who knows one day I could go back. Look I'd better get back and see if there's any news."

"Please call as soon as you know anything and Mr Turk, thank you once again. I believe I'm in your debt this time" said Hetty.

"And I'll hold you to that Hetty" Turk replied before he disconnected the call.

"I'm sure you will" said Hetty to herself.

When Turk got back to the waiting area, Kensi had joined them. On seeing her he asked "What's the latest on Deeks?"

"I was just telling Sam. They've admitted him for observation because he was out for so long. There's no sign of any head injury so it's precautionary. However he has got a broken ankle and cracked ribs as well as severe bruising to his chest and abdomen where the seat belt restrained him" she explained.

"Well he's extremely lucky" said Turk having seen the burning wreckage of the SUV. "Now we've just got to wait on Callen. Any news?"

"Not yet" answered Sam. "What did Hetty say?"

"She asked about you guys. She's obviously very concerned" replied Turk. "She'll wait 'til we know Callen's status before she sends the medevac. She wanted you and Kensi to leave ….." and before he could continue they both made it clear that they would not leave their team mates and partners. Turk chuckled. "That's what she said would happen. Anyways she's monitoring the General's ranch and they don't appear to be looking for us." Kensi and Sam both sighed in relief. "Don't take that as gospel. He's got a long reach so we must stay on our guard but hopefully we're fairly safe here, at least for the time being."

Kensi looked at Sam and then Turk before asking "Should we be making plans for a safe refuge in case Callen's not able to be medevaced out?"

Sam shot Kensi a look but Turk said "She's right. Callen's got a serious injury and transferring him, even by medevac, could put his life in danger."

"Any more than it is here?" asked Sam clearly not happy with the thought of staying.

"Turk's right Sam, y'know he is" said Kensi softly. "I wanna get back to the States as much as you do. Deeks'll be able to travel but with internal bleeding and who knows what other damage that shrapnel did, I don't wanna risk his life. I don't think you do either."

"Yeah, you're right" said Sam.

"But if he can't be medevaced out then he won't be well enough to leave the hospital" said Turk, speaking rationally as he did not have the emotional attachment that the others had. "And we could have a problem." Sam shot Turk a withering glare but Turk held steady under it. "If Callen has to stay in hospital and the General or his people find us, I don't want the hospital staff put in any more danger than they already are."

"You think I do?" asked Sam angrily.

"No but look, we're outta options. You're here under false pretences so you can't go to the Embassy plus it's across the other side of the country. We've got limited arms but I don't want a blood bath here."

"What do you suggest?" asked Kensi.

"We need to get the three of you away from here" replied Turk and before Sam could interrupt he continued. "Four Americans together in this part of the country is rare even for tourists. Your continued presence could be a beacon for those in the payroll of the drugs cartel or the General."

"You've changed your tune. What happened to 'we need to stick together?' And what about you?" asked Sam seething at the suggestion put to them. "You're American."

"The situation could change and I'm planning for that contingency. Yep I'm American but I've lived down here for years. They know me and whilst I've likely burnt my bridges if the General or his men recognised me, I've still got enough friends who are willing to help me." Turk paused and let his words sink in. "I can say Callen is my brother visiting me. Two Americans together wouldn't be quite so obvious. I can get him into a private room which would give a limited amount of protection and privacy."

"I don't know" muttered Sam. "I don't like the idea of leaving Callen."

"I don't like it either" intervened Kensi "but I think Turk's right. We need to get away from here, whether that's back to the States or hole up in a remote location close by."

Sam nodded but asked "Can we at least wait until he's out of surgery and see what the doctor says? If the doctor believes he can't be transferred immediately then I'll do it."

"Yeah we can wait till then" agreed Turk.

"We can't get Deeks out until tomorrow and we'll have to tell Hetty" said Kensi. Sam and Turk both grimaced at the thought of advising Hetty that they were abandoning Callen even if it was for his own safety.

"That's hope tomorrow is not too late" said Turk.