Please keep all the wonderful reviews coming. They inspire me to write.

Odyssey

Chapter Ten

Odyssey - An extended adventurous voyage or trip

Sam lay on his stomach watching the pirate's lair through powerful binoculars. He had found a spot on a crumbling hillside at a higher elevation than the building. He was partially screened by bushes which were wilting in the harsh climate. There was enough activity to convince him that he was in the right place even though he hadn't seen any sign of the hostages. He had been at his post long enough for the sun to traverse the sky and begin its descent behind the hills to the west. It was a relief to be out of the direct sunlight now that shadows were lengthening among the rocks.

Through the long afternoon he'd worried about his partner. Callen was weak, disoriented and incapable of protecting himself. The longer this went on the greater the risk that the infection would do permanent damage. Even knowing that, he was reluctant to call for the rescue team without visual confirmation of the hostages' location. They would only get one shot at this.

A sudden escalation in activity caused an unpleasant jolt of concern. Two flat-bed trucks screeched to a halt outside the building. Boxes and crates were carried out and loaded. The armed guards who had been relaxed before were now hyper-vigilant. Something had spooked them.

The sound of a vehicle approaching at speed from the direction of the town made Sam duck down behind his inadequate barricade. He cautiously raised his head just in time to see two men carry an inert body from a jeep. Sam's stomach plummeted. He scrambled backwards until it was safe to stand. By keeping a tight rein on his emotions he was able to punch the numbers into the satellite phone with a steady hand.

"Hetty, it's Sam. We've got a problem."

NCISLA

Deeks was still dozing when the door opened and the room filled with armed men. He shook off his stupor and climbed painfully to his feet. Over the course of the last few hours his abused muscles had tightened to the point that any movement was a challenge. He turned his head to lock gazes with Kensi. "Stay behind me and be ready," he whispered. "I don't like the look of this."

The guards moved aside to allow Taban Ali a clear passage. He looked furious. "Bring the woman." He pointed at Kensi.

"You're not taking her anywhere." Deeks glared at Taban.

"You are not in any position to stop us."

While one of the men raised his rifle two others advanced on Kensi and Deeks.

"Interfere and you will be shot," Taban continued. "Stand aside."

"No." Deeks held his ground. From the corner of his eye he could see Karen and Vincent Morgan backing away from the confrontation. They clearly had more sense than he did.

"Don't be a fool." Wheller walked over to confront Deeks. "They're going to take her anyway."

"Fuck you," Deeks retorted angrily.

"It's okay, Scott." Kensi's voice wavered. She stepped away from him. "Don't hurt him," she said to Taban.

"Leave her alone!" Deeks swung a punch at the nearest pirate.

Wheller intercepted the blow, pinning Deeks' arms against his body. "Settle down before you get us all killed."

Through the agony caused by the pressure on his damaged ribs Deeks still tried to break free. He kept up his struggle until Kensi walked out of the room and the door was slammed shut. Wheller released him but a sudden surge of adrenalin made Deeks forget his injuries. He launched himself at the older man and they tumbled to the ground grappling for superiority. He twisted, trying to find enough leverage to knee his opponent in the groin. When that failed he went for the throat. Every move he made was countered before it could do any damage. With a deep growl of anger he punched Wheller in the side of the head. There was momentary surprise on Wheller's face before a blow to the ribs caused Deeks' vision to darken. While he was gasping for breath Wheller flipped him onto his stomach using his weight to hold him in place.

"Why don't you give it up?" Wheller asked.

"Why don't you go to hell?" Deeks gasped.

The pressure on his back disappeared allowing him to roll over. Wheller was looking at him speculatively.

"Spoilt rich boys don't fight like that. That was low down street fighting. So, who are you?"

"NCIS," Deeks spat. "Part of the team sent in to rescue you. After what you just did I'd happily leave you to rot."

There was a moment of stunned silence. "They sent a hippy and a Barbie to get me out? Unbelievable!" Wheller said and then he began to laugh.

NCISLA

Fear breeds acquiescence. Kensi meekly followed Taban Ali down the stairs even though terror had weakened her legs. Her palms were slick with sweat. Breathing became quick and shallow, leaving her light-headed. There was an unpleasant feeling in her bowels accompanied by an acidic turmoil in her stomach. She could have overcome the physical and mental symptoms but that would not be in character for Miranda Fairfax. In order to maintain her cover Kensi had to allow the fear to dictate her actions.

Not knowing what she was walking into necessitated holding something back. From the looks Taban had given her there was a real risk that she had been separated from the others so that he could assault her. That wasn't something she could allow to happen. She was sure the same thought had occurred to Deeks. He would be frantic with worry and she almost pitied Wheller for being stupid enough to put himself between her and her partner.

They reached the main floor. Kensi frowned when she saw all the activity. Before she could frame a question she was ushered into a room. It was simply furnished with a table, two chairs and a camp bed. The bed was occupied and Kensi caught her breath when she realized it was Callen. He wasn't moving causing her to wonder if she had been brought here to see his dead body in order to provoke a reaction.

"I have a lot of questions," Taban said, taking hold of her arm and pulling her around to face him.

"Is he…dead?" Her voice caught on the word.

"He's sick. I shot him when he tried to escape and the bullet wound has become infected."

"You have to get medical help."

"There is no doctor here. You will take care of him. Soon we will move to a safer place and then you will all tell me the truth."

"There's nothing to tell," Kensi protested.

Taban drew back his arm and slapped her face. She gasped in shock, tears springing to her eyes. Instead of intimidating her, the blow fuelled her anger and it took everything she had not to show it. She pulled away and went to kneel by the bed. When she put her hand on Callen's forehead she could feel heat radiating from his skin. He mumbled incoherently, whimpering in pain when he tried to move.

"I need cool water and a cloth," she said. "Do you have any medical supplies?"

"I will send one of my men with what you need." He watched her for a moment longer before walking out.

Kensi looked over her shoulder. One armed man remained in the room to guard them. His presence would make it impossible to contact Sam. It wouldn't be difficult to neutralize the guard but what would that gain? Callen clearly couldn't move unaided and she had Deeks and the others to consider as well. She wouldn't sacrifice them for her own safety. She returned her attention to her team leader, deeply worried about his condition. He was saying random words, nothing even remotely close to complete sentences. He seemed to be following a twisted train of thought and trying to make sense of something only he was seeing.

Kensi remembered having a severe case of tonsillitis when she was in her teens. Her mother had told her afterwards how frightening it had been when the fever spiked. She had become incoherent, unable to recognize familiar people and places.

"Callen? Can you hear me?" Although his eyes were now open he clearly wasn't aware of his surroundings. She was also concerned that in his delirium he might inadvertently say something damaging.

"Kens?"

"It's Miranda. You remember? Miranda and Scott. Your name is Jared. It's important that you remember that."

A puzzled look crossed Callen's face. "Where's Sam?"

"You have to concentrate. I know it's hard. You're very sick but if you say the wrong thing we could all die."

"Where are we?"

"Somalia. We were captured by pirates."

"Pirates? Why…?" Callen quickly lost his train of thought, his restless gaze wandering while his hands opened and closed convulsively.

Kensi sat back on her heels. She wasn't sure where he had been shot, although a restless twitching in his right leg gave her a clue. She carefully slid her hand under his thigh feeling a sticky dampness. Callen reflexively tried to squirm away from her touch. When she removed her hand she found smears of blood on her fingers. Given his agitated state she would need help to roll him over so that she could take a look at the extent of the damage.

"It's alright," she said soothingly. "Try to rest. I'm not going to leave you."

There was so much she needed to know and Callen wasn't in any state to answer her questions. How and where had he been captured? What had happened to Sam? Had he left Callen alone? Was this part of the plan or an unforeseen disaster? She rubbed a hand across her eyes while a dozen different scenarios played out in her mind. Taban had spoken of moving somewhere else. The pirates knew something was wrong and that would put them on their guard. Suddenly the chance of a successful rescue was not looking good.

Tbc

Caroline

October 2013