A/N: As promised the next chapter is here. The premiere was awesome but I don't want to be influenced by it or any subsequent episodes so I'll be trying to finish this real quick without rushing it. Thanks for staying with me and taking the time to read and review. Your comments mean to me than you can imagine. Enjoy (hopefully)
Chapter 7
"It goes from bad to worse" muttered Sam after hearing the news.
"Well there's good news too" said Turk smirking. "They're not looking for me."
An angry scowl formed on Sam's face and he made to rise but was stopped by a sharp retort from Callen although his voice was far from strong as he was still weakened from his injuries and the surgery. "Sam!" and he turned his head to face Callen, who continued "Turk means they don't know he's helping us. We could use it to our advantage."
Turk nodded and Sam turned to look at him shamefaced. "Sorry man, I thought…. I wasn't thinking."
"No problem but Callen's right, we can use it to our advantage. We just need to come up with a plan."
"Go and let Kensi know" said Callen. "I need to speak with Sam."
Turk nodded and without preamble left to go and find Kensi, leaving Callen and Sam alone.
Back in the US Eric had continued to monitor the General's ranch and surrounding area of the hospital for activity but so far found nothing out of the ordinary. He was also monitoring the known phone numbers of Williams as well as any phone activity in the area but again they appeared silent. The phone rang, making him jump, and he pressed his blue tooth to answer it.
"Is Hetty there? I need to speak to her urgently" said a female voice.
"Assistant Director Mosley, is that you?" asked Eric.
"Yes" came the reply.
"Where are you? We've been trying to locate you" Eric said excitedly.
"I'm in the States with my son but I can't tell you where" Mosley replied. "I need to speak with Hetty. Is she there?"
"Yeah, I'll put you through" said Eric, who then patched the call through to Hetty's office. "Hetty I've got EAD Mosley on the line for you."
"Assistant Director, where are you?" asked Hetty, getting straight to the point.
"Derrick and I are safe but in hiding from Williams. I fear a reprisal but why so formal Hetty? I phoned to thank Agent Callen and the team for what they did."
"Well you can't speak to Mr Callen or any of the others as they are still in Mexico" said Hetty, trying hard to contain her anger.
"What?!" exclaimed Mosley. "Why?"
"Because General Vasquez and his men were waiting for them and blew up their car with a rocket" explained Hetty and was satisfied to hear a gasp from Mosley.
"Are they ….?" she asked unable to finish the sentence.
"Thankfully no but Mr Deeks and Mr Callen are both in hospital having sustained serious injuries. Mr Hanna's leg wound reopened and got infected but he's not being hospitalised. As I understand it Miss Blye escaped relatively unscathed" continued Hetty.
"My God, I'm so sorry. I never meant anything like this happen" cried Mosley, devastated to learn the fate of the team. "I just wanted my son."
"Yes and because of that I don't have mine!" said Hetty unable to restrain her anger. "He's not dead as I at first feared but he's still in imminent danger as are the other members of his team."
"What can I do?" asked Mosley, clearly still reeling from the news.
"I think you've done quite enough as it is. I suggest you think about the consequences of your actions and how you're going to explain them to Director Vance" said Hetty. "I'm sure he's aware of what's happened by now." Hetty was all too aware that Mosley was her superior but she was in no mood to be deferential to her.
Hetty disconnected the call, not trusting herself to continue with the conversation. She too had a lot of thinking to do. She needed to come up with a viable plan to extract her team from the jaws of death and it may have to entail leaving her boy behind as Turk suggested. Hetty removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose in an attempt to stop the headache that was beginning to form. I can only hope for a miracle but I think I might have used them all up thought Hetty as she fervently hoped Turk was having better luck in Mexico.
Back in Mexico, Turk found Kensi sitting by Deeks' bedside. Turk glanced at the younger man, who was still unconscious, and then at the young woman. "How's he doing?" asked Turk quietly.
"Better" answered Kensi. "The doctor says he's got some swelling on the brain but it's already subsiding and with rest he should make a full recovery" she added, her face still stained with blood and dirt and etched with worry." Turk thought she sounded relieved but not fully convinced.
"He's strong. He'll pull through okay I'm sure" said Turk encouragingly.
Kensi nodded. "Have you news of Callen?" she asked.
"Yeah, he's awake and Sam's with him" replied Turk. "He told me to come and tell you what I've found out. There's a dead or alive bounty on your team so you'll need to be extra vigilant" added Turk, handing her a hand gun, which she tucked into her jeans at the small of her back after checking it. It had nothing to do with whether she trusted Turk but it was second nature. "It's not much but it's all I've got at the moment. One good thing is I don't seem to be on their radar which is in our favour."
"I don't suppose Callen's come up with a plan?" said Kensi.
"Not that I'm aware" replied Turk. "He's seriously hurt and not firing on all cylinders but staying together is not an option in my opinion." Kensi made to protest but Turk stopped her. "I know your instinct is to stay together and fight; strength in numbers and all that but you and I are the only ones able to do so at the moment despite what Sam believes. If they find us, we won't stand a chance. Williams has a lot of men, as well as the Cartels, on his payroll and you've already seen what the army can do."
"What d'you suggest then?" asked Kensi.
"You won't like it" said Turk.
"Go on" said Kensi, thinking she knew what Turk was going to suggest as he had mentioned it earlier.
"The three of you need to leave; certainly the hospital and preferably Mexico so that you can recuperate. Leave Callen here for me to protect, which'll be easier to do" suggested Turk and all the time he was speaking Kensi was shaking her head with a clenched jaw. "Deep down, y'know it makes sense. Callen can't fight, Sam can hardly stand and even if Deeks is discharged in the morning he'll not be much better than Sam." Turk could see tears welling in Kensi's eyes as the truth hit her and reluctantly she slowly nodded, not trusting her voice, as she wiped the hot sting of tears away with her hand. "Get some rest but keep alert. I'll be back later with more news" said Turk, putting his hand on her shoulder in comfort and support before he turned to exit the room, leaving her to watch over Deeks.
Meanwhile, Callen and Sam were having a heated discussion. Callen was tiring but needed his partner to see sense. So far that was not happening. "Sam, y'know I'm right" said Callen again. "However much you hate to admit it" he added almost under his breath.
"I'm not leaving G! We're partners and my job's to have your back. I can't do that if I'm not with you or even in the country" said Sam fiercely. He could see that Callen was getting tired and he was a little paler than before with beads of sweat forming on his brow. Sam knew they needed to stop arguing but he thought Callen was being stubborn and not listening to reason.
"I need you to take Kensi and Deeks and get the hell away from here" said Callen trying again. "I can't travel yet, not even by medevac. None of you are fully fit. You and Deeks need more medical help and rest. I can't have you all in further danger because of me" said Callen his voice full of anguish. "I can't be responsible for anything else happening to you because of my choice to help Mosley."
"As I recall, both Kensi and I made the decision ourselves. You didn't force us to come" said Sam. "And I can't leave you alone with Williams and the General after you" replied Sam, his voice full of emotion. "I can't lose you too. I'd never come back from it."
"You won't lose me Sam" promised Callen. "Turk'll be with me and we've got a better chance of slipping under the radar if I'm the only one here."
At that moment there was a tap on the door, and the partners looked round to see Turk standing in the partially opened doorway. Callen beckoned him in. "Did you speak to Kens?" he asked.
"Yeah" replied Turk. "I also gave her a gun 'though hopefully she won't have to use it."
"Good" said Callen. "How's Deeks?"
"Still unconscious but I hope he'll still be discharged in the morning" Turk replied. "You look like crap! You need to rest" he added and Callen nodded. Seeing the beads of sweat on Callen's brow, Turk asked "You in pain?"
Callen nodded and Sam got to his feet slowly and said "I'll get the nurse for you and then pick up some food from the cafeteria for us."
"Let me go" said Turk "you shouldn't be on your feet" but Sam ignored him and leaning heavily on his crutch walked out of the room. Turk made to stop him.
"Let him go" said Callen. "He's mad at me cos I've told him to leave and take the others with him. He needs to figure this out for himself." Callen winced and closed his eyes tight against the pain.
Turk was pleased when a nurse entered and went to Callen's IV. "That should help with the pain, Senor" she said. "Do you need anything else?" Callen shook his head unable to speak.
Turk said "Gracias enfermera. Llamaremos si necesitamos algo más." Turning to Callen he added "Get some rest. I'll stay close by until Sam gets back."
Callen nodded and said "Thanks. Turk, you need to get them to leave here as soon as they can. Preferably back to LA but if not somewhere not known to Williams or the General and where no-one can stumble across them."
"I'll see what I can do" said Turk. "I might've convinced Kensi but Sam…."
Callen winced again and he saw concern in Turk's eyes. "I'm fine. Get Hetty to order them home if necessary. Sam just might listen to her" said Callen. He paused as another spasm of pain hit him as he tried to move. "Sam knows I'm right but he's loyal and extremely pig headed."
"Hmm" muttered Turk, "I think that's what he said about you!" Turk was pleased to see a small smile flit across Callen's lips at the comment but his eyes grew heavy as the painkillers finally started to work and Callen fell asleep.
A/N2 : Translation as per Google Translate:
Gracias enfermera. Llamaremos si necesitamos algo más.
means
Thanks, nurse. We'll call if we need anything else
