A/N: Thanks to all your reviews. Your comments mean the world to me. Here's the next chapter – hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 8

When Sam returned, he found Callen asleep and Turk sitting quietly by his bedside. He glanced up as Sam entered.

"Here" said Sam "I've got you a coffee and a Burrito. I hope it's okay."

"Thanks" said Turk. "I'll admit I'm hungry" taking the offered food and drink from Sam. "You see Kensi?"

"Yeah, I took her a burrito and coffee too. Deeks is still out" said Sam. "How's he doing?" nodding towards Callen.

"Kept getting twinges of pain but when the painkillers finally kicked in, he fell asleep. Been like it a while now" answered Turk.

"It'll do him good to rest" said Sam as he sat down heavily in a chair, thankful to get the weight off his injured leg.

The two men sat in silence each alone with their thoughts until Turk asked "You thought any more of what Callen said?"

"Yeah but I'm not leaving. Kensi and Deeks should go home as soon as they can but I won't leave my partner" said Sam vehemently.

"Geez, you're a stubborn SOB!" retorted Turk.

"I don't know about you but I'm loyal to my partner and I'll always have his back" said Sam, his voice full of anger once again.

"Even if it puts him in danger?" asked Turk. "Wouldn't want you as a partner!" added Turk as he got to his feet to leave the room.

Sam was so incensed that he rose and went to hit Turk, who easily sidestepped the punch, causing Sam to stubble. Strong hands caught him before he fell, and the two men stood glaring at one another when they heard Callen stir. Glancing towards the bed and not wanting to wake him, Turk whispered, his voice hard and menacing "I suggest you think hard about your decision and decide whether it's truly in his or the others best interest." Letting go of Sam's arm, Turk turned and left, leaving Sam once again shamefaced and unsure.

Sam slumped down in the chair and took a bite of his burrito but he put it down as his fight with Turk had left a bad taste in his mouth. Sam took a swig of his coffee instead and the liquid revived him somewhat. Knowing he had to keep his strength up if he were to stay with Callen, he took another bite and then another, until the burrito was finished. Sam put his head in hands and then ran them over his head, finally gazing at the ceiling as if the answer would magically appear there. Sam realised that he must have fallen asleep because he was awoken when a nurse entered the room to check on Callen. He was surprised to see that it was morning.

"Lo siento señor no quise despertarte" said the nurse as she looked up when Sam stirred.

"No hay problema. ¿Como es" said Sam.

Switching to English, the nurse said as she completed the chart at the foot of the bed "His stats are still low but they're improving. The Doctor will come later to check on him."

"Gracias" said Sam as the nurse left.

Sam sat quietly lost in his thoughts until a slight movement caught his eye. He turned to look at Callen, whose blue eyes were drearily opening. "Hey" said Sam.

"Hey" replied Callen his voice croaky.

"You want some ice chips?" asked Sam and when Callen nodded, he rose to get them, handing them to his partner who took them gratefully. The two men sat in silence whilst Callen sucked on the ice chips and was relieved that they eased his sore throat.

The mood was heavy between the two men, neither wanting to bring up the subject that was causing a conflict between them. Finally Sam spoke. "Turk says he's got a hunting cabin in the mountains not far from here which he's offered it to us. I'll speak with Kensi and Deeks later on. If Deeks is discharged and if they want to stay, we'll hide out there until you're well enough to be medevaced out. Okay?"

"I'd be happier if you all went back to the States where I knew you were safe but …" Callen paused as a fit of coughing hit him. Sam leapt up as quickly as his injured leg allowed him and handed Callen a glass of water. When the coughing had subsided and he had got his breath back, Callen continued. "Thanks Sam, I know you want to be with me but I do believe it'll be safer for us all if we separate." Sam still did not look convinced. "I'll be fine with Turk" assured Callen. "He's come through for us several times already."

"Yeah he has" admitted Sam "but I'd be happier if I had your back."

"Ordinarily so would I" answered Callen "but you're far from fit." Callen was pleased that Sam gave a short nod as if agreeing with him. They lapsed into a comfortable silence until they were interrupted by the doctor.

"Buenos Dias gentlemen" said the Doctor. "I'm pleased to see you awake. How are you feeling?" he asked directing his attention to Callen.

"I've been better" admitted Callen "but considering the alternative, not too bad."

The doctor nodded. "I understand you experienced some pain last night and the nurse gave you some painkillers."

"Yeah, when they kicked in I was able to sleep" said Callen.

"What about now? Any pain?" asked the Doctor.

Callen shook his head and said "Not as such, just sore."

"Hmm, that's to be expected" the doctor mused. "Let me examine you." As Sam made to leave, he added "It's okay, your friend can stay." Sam sat down again taking the weight off his injured leg.

The doctor checked Callen's blood pressure, blood gases and temperature, all of which he appeared satisfied with. He then looked at the sutures and the site of the surgery before proceeding to press and tap Callen's ribs and abdomen causing him to wince. "Where does it hurt?" asked the Doctor.

"It hurt when you touched my ribs on the left and a bit lower, around my gut" admitted Callen, who had been about to deny any discomfort but thought better of it as he had given himself away by wincing.

"Yesterday I thought you had only bruised your ribs, now I'm not so sure" he said. "I'm going to arrange for some x-rays and a scan to see what else is going on. Otherwise I'm pleased with your progress. Your stats are low but are improving. You need to take it easy as you've just had major surgery and you need to be careful with the wound. It'll be a while before I can allow you to get up. There's a high possibility that the liver will start to bleed again so you need to remain still with no sudden movements." Callen was disappointed at the news but thanked the doctor.

"Have you seen my other friend yet, the one with concussion?" asked Sam.

"No but I'm on my way to see him now" replied the Doctor. "I'm hoping he can be discharged today. I'm sure his girlfriend will let you know the outcome."

"Thanks Doc" said Callen and Sam in unison as they watched him leave.

They did not have long to wait until Kensi came to their room with news on Deeks. "Hey Callen" she said as she approached his bed and gave him a hug, careful not to squeeze him too hard. "how're you feeling?"

"Better but considering the alternative" Callen responded, leaving the thought unspoken. "The doc's pleased with me but he's not letting me leave anytime soon."

Kensi frowned at the comment and Sam elaborated as Callen started coughing again. "He says the liver can start bleeding again if he gets knocked or moves suddenly. G's in pain so he's gonna check to see if anything else is going on."

Kensi looked worried but having recovered from his coughing fit Callen said "Don't worry, I'll be fine. How's Deeks?"

Kensi smiled. "He's okay. His stats are near normal and he's gonna get a final scan soon and if the doc's happy with it, he'll discharge him later on today, probably after lunch."

"That's good news" said Sam and Callen nodded his agreement.

Kensi noticed a look between Callen and Sam and asked "What's going on?"

Callen nodded to Sam to tell her. "Callen wants us to leave and go back to the States." He left the statement hanging in the air, judging her reaction, knowing that they had spoken about it yesterday and that she and Turk had discussed it further. "What do you want to do?" he asked.

Kensi looked at Sam and then at Callen and paused before answering. "My gut instinct is for us all to go home but if Callen has to stay behind, I won't be comfortable abandoning him" she said.

"You won't be abandoning me" said Callen softly, for he was feeling tired and a little uncomfortable. He took a paused before continuing. "I'd be happier if I knew you guys were safe, besides Turk will be here."

Kensi looked at Sam and saw he was struggling with the notion of leaving his partner, especially leaving him in the hands of someone else. Kensi rang her hands through her hair. "Turk's a capable man, Sam. He'll look after Callen. Whilst I'm not happy about leaving, you've got to admit as a team we're not exactly firing on all cylinders. Neither you nor Deeks are fully fit which only leaves Turk and myself and we're not exactly equipped to deal with an armed assault."

"What does Deeks think?" asked Callen.

"I've not spoken to him about it yet" said Kensi.

"What about using Turk's hunting cabin?" asked Sam. "What if we hide out for a couple of days? If anyone's looking for us, it'll look like we've left and we can assess the situation again. Maybe in a day or two G'll be in a better position to be moved" said Sam hopefully.

Kensi did not look convinced but said "Perhaps, it might work and we'd be close enough to help out if need be."

"Have a word with Deeks. See what he thinks" said Callen. "Sam'll go with the majority decision." Sam shot his partner a glare but nodded his consent.

A/N2: as per Google Translate

"Lo siento señor no quise despertarte" means "I'm sorry Sir, I didn't mean to wake you."

"No hay problema. ¿Como es" means "No problem. How is he?"