Vengeance: Chapter 25

...

Anxiety had tempers flaring as Deeks' medical condition became urgent. Even though the pilots were pushing the jet to its limits, it didn't stop Sam and especially Joe from taking out their frustrations on the men. Kensi was barely holding herself together and snapped at anyone who spoke to her, including the medics who were doing their best to help Deeks with the limited equipment and supplies they had on board. Callen spent most of his time on the phone with Hetty, but when he wasn't, he kept checking the flight time with the pilots who were now in a defensive mode and answering all questions with decidedly short replies. Mack just tried to stay out of everyone's way by sitting in the far corner of the bedroom, sadly watching Deeks struggle, his breathing extremely labored and his body and face slick with sweat as his fever continued to climb. He occasionally shouted out obscenities, but then would cover his face with his arms as if waiting to be hit. His low moans and pleadings for water and death left everyone shaken, even Hank and Chavez, who were becoming as frustrated as everyone else as they tried everything they could to lower his fever.

"Hank?" Callen sent a questioning look that needed no words.

"104" Hank said. "If it gets any higher I'm afraid he'll go into convulsions and I'm not sure we'll be able to stop them."

"Isn't that your job?" Kensi asked harshly.

"Kens," Callen said sharply. "They're doing the best they can."

"I know. I'm sorry guys," she said with regret, her eyes suddenly wet with tears. "I just can't bear to see him like this."

"Yeah? Well we're not too happy about it either," Chavez snapped back.

Sam came into the room just as the medic spoke and grabbed him by the shirt.

"Hey! Watch how you talk to her," Sam said in the medic's face.

The two men struggled briefly with each other until Callen put his hands on each one's shoulder.

"Enough," Callen's voice was low and controlled and the two men took a step back from each other, their anger still fresh.

Then they all paused as they felt the plane begin to descend.

"Thank God," Mack said softly, a light smile flickering on his face.

Unwittingly, he reached out and gripped Deeks' forearm, causing him to go rigid and then pant heavily as his eyes opened in shock. He turned his head to look at Mack and the young man smiled at him and Deeks looked confused for a second, but then smiled back before slowly closing his eyes. His breathing seemed to ease a little then and everyone turned to stare at Mack.

"What? I touched him without thinking," Mack quickly tried to explain. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. I think you're the only one who's smiled at him since we brought him on board," Sam said.

"Plus, you don't look very threatening," Callen said as he started toward the main cabin.

"Prepare for landing," one of the pilots announced over the intercom, lightening everyone's mood as Ramstein Air Base finally came into view.

"I really appreciate this jet, but I can't wait to get Marty off of it," Joe said, voicing what everyone was feeling.

...

When the plane finally taxied to its designated area an ambulance and tactical squad was waiting, making everyone aware that Hetty was now in charge and using her considerable pull to get them everything they needed. She was on the phone to Callen as soon as the plane stopped rolling, giving him information on the tact squad leader, the doctor who would be treating Deeks and the assumed name he was being admitted under. The team stood silently as Deeks was carried from the plane on a gurney, still shivering with fever. Hank went with him in the ambulance after a brief argument with Kensi, who was only persuaded to give in by the tactical squad leader who offered her a private car and driver to follow them to Landstuhl Medical Center. The squad leader tried to convince the others that they should go to the safe house that had been provided, but the looks he received made him realize he wouldn't win the argument.

"You want to stay with your man," Agent Shields said with understanding. "My team is at your disposal, Special Agent Callen. Miss Lange has apprised us of the situation and we have been given permission to be the only guards Agent Deeks will have during his stay."

"Call me Callen," he said briskly as he headed for the waiting SUVs. "Deeks will be checked in under the name James Ruston and no one is to be given access to him except his doctor and the three nurses assigned to him and the people you just met. One of us will be with him at all times and you don't do anything until you clear it with me. Your men are not to enter his room unless he's in danger. Are we clear?"

"Yes sir," Agent Shields replied. "Anyone we should be on the lookout for, sir?"

"You'll be receiving that information from our tech Eric Beale," Callen said as he got in the lead car.

"Callen?" Mack called out quietly. "What about me? Where do I go?"

"For now, you're with us," Callen said. "The plane is staying here in case we need it. Hetty has already spoken to your boss and you've been temporarily reassigned to OSP and are now a member of my team."

Mack looked stunned and had to rush to keep up with the fast moving agents.

...

The day turned into a waiting game for the exhausted team. They hadn't seen or heard anything about Deeks since he was taken off the plane and that did nothing for their state of mind. Kensi especially was near the end of her endurance and if Sam and Joe hadn't talked her out of it, she would have stormed into the back rooms of the trauma center and tracked him down.

"It's been over three hours," she said angrily. "Why hasn't anyone come and talked to us? I need to know how he is. Where's Hank? He went with him in the ambulance. He has to know something."

"Calm down, Kensi," Chavez said sharply, unaware of the danger his comment put him in. "They're putting him through all kinds of tests and..."

She didn't allowed him to finish, getting in his face before anyone could stop her.

"You think I don't know that?" she shouted, her hand clutching and pulling at the front of his shirt.

"Kensi," Sam said softly and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulder and walked her away from the shocked paramedic.

"Callen, I was just trying to help her understand," Chavez said.

"She's not thinking rationally right now, Chavey," Callen said. "She's scared. We're all anxious to know how he is."

Mack came in and hesitated, sensing the mounting tension in the private waiting room. He had brought everyone lunch and silently began passing out sandwiches and soft drinks. Kensi paid no attention to him or the sandwich, staring blankly at the double doors to the trauma center.

"Find her some candy bars or donuts," Joe said softly to Mack. "Deeks always said she ran on sugar and I think she could use some right now."

Mack nodded and headed back the way he came. He returned quickly with a handful of different candy bars and a box of donuts, causing Sam and Callen to smile at each other and breathe a little easier. He piled them all in front of Kensi and then sat down beside her.

"I got these for you, Kensi." He unwrapped a chocolate bar and held it in front of her face until he got her attention. She took it from his hand and quietly ate it and then noticed the donuts and picked one up, smiling gently at him as she slowly finished that off as well.

"Thanks," she said quietly. "Deeks used to bring me candy when I was upset."

"It worked for my sister too. She used to live on sweets," Mack said. "My dad would always take her out for dessert whenever he was home. Man, could she put it away. Funny thing was, she never gained any weight."

"Sounds like you're close to your family," Kensi said softly as she picked up another candy bar. "You should call them. They might be worried about you."

"No need, Kensi," Mack said as he stood up. "Anything else I can get you?"

"Mack?" Kensi reached up and took his hand. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just trying to make myself useful," Mack said hastily before walking away.

She was about to call him back when she saw a familiar face coming into the waiting area.

"Dad!" Joe said as he hurried to embrace his father. They held on to each other for quite awhile, until George finally stepped back and looked intently at his son, his hands placed firmly on his shoulders.

"You look pretty ragged, son," George said. "How's Marty?"

"Haven't heard anything yet." Joe said.

George nodded without a word and then saw Kensi standing behind Joe, her face vulnerable and her eyes shining with tears. In two strides he was in front of her and enveloped her in one of his signature hugs, not letting go as she began to cry softly into his chest, releasing all the pent up emotion she had been holding in check. He held her tightly and whispered to her until she was back in control. Then he walked her back to the couch and sat down next to her as the others moved closer in support.

"No one will tell us anything," she said, wiping her face with a hanky George gave her. "His fever was so high he was delirious, saying awful things about wanting to die. George, we got him out but he still believes Jürgen is going to find him and kill him."

"You're not gonna let that happen, are you darlin'," George stated with a calming smile. "He's out of his head, but you know the people in this room will do everything to protect him. Marty's strong, Kensi. He's alive and you and I both know he's fighting, no matter what he's saying now, deep down he's a fighter."

Kensi smiled and gripped his hand tightly and took a deep breath.

"I'm glad you're here, George," she said. "He's been calling your name."

"Guys?" Hank called out as he entered the room. "Sorry. I tried to come earlier, but they ended up rushing Deeks into surgery, and I stayed until the doc gave me an update. One of his broken ribs punctured his left lung and it partially collapsed. Probably happened when he pulled Chavey over on top of him."

"Is he gonna be okay?" Joe asked tightly with worry.

"Eventually," Hank said. "Doctor Standish doesn't have all the labs and test results back, but he did tell me his liver and kidneys are badly swollen from the beatings he took and he's suffering from sepsis, a blood infection, which accounts for the low blood pressure and high fever he was running. Hetty arranged for a specialist to work on his broken hand and ankle, so he'll be in surgery for quite a while. Then he'll be placed in ICU."

"When can we see him?" Sam asked.

"Soon as they get him into a room," Hank answered. "One of his nurses will let us know."

"When can we get him home?" George asked.

Hank looked over at Callen with a questioning look, having no idea who was asking.

"This is Joe's dad, George Atwood," Callen said.

"Marty's like a son to me, young man," George said pointedly. "So I'm anxious to see him and to get him back to familiar surroundings."

"Understood, sir," Hank said. "I'll have to let his doctor give you that information. Sorry. They're a little pissed at me right now."

"You being pushy again, Hank?" Chavez laughed.

"Something like that," he answered.

After he and Chavez headed off so he could get a quick lunch, the team resumed their various places, waiting for the doctor. Kensi stayed close to George and Joe while Mack hovered around Callen and Sam.

"You guys look like hell warmed over," Nate said, as he stood unnoticed in the doorway. He was dressed casually in jeans and a sweatshirt that read "Air Force" in big bold letters.

"You join up, Nate?" Sam asked with a big smile, fingering his shirt as he broke from their hug.

"Didn't have any warm clothes where I was working," Nate said softly, with a self-deprecating smile. "So I had to buy these when I got off the transport at Ramstein. Not used to the cold weather."

"Gonna tell us where you've been or should I just guess and keep it to myself?" Callen asked.

"Guess so," Nate said as Kensi gave him a warm hug. "How is he?"

"He's in surgery," she answered. "Nate, this is Joe Atwood and his dad, George."

"I've heard a little about you both," Nate smiled as he shook each man's hand warmly. "Hetty has nice things to say about both of you and how much you helped Deeks after the Lee Chao op. I understand you have taken him into your family."

"He saved my boy's life," George said. "And after I got to know him a little, he was kinda hard to let go of."

"Is it true he learned to ride a horse?" Nate asked with a grin.

"He walked bow-legged for a bit and used up all my horse liniment, but he finally got the hang of it," George laughed.

Nate talked comfortably with George and Joe, but soon excused himself and sought out Callen and Sam for a first hand report on what Deeks had gone through.

"How bad was it, Callen?" Nate asked.

"It was brutal," Callen said. "A former Stasi agent tortured him for eight days."

"Nell sent me the file on Jürgen," Nate said. "Bad news."

"That's an understatement," Sam said, his anger plain for Nate to see.

Callen described in detail what they did know about Deeks' physical ordeal and watched as Nate's usually placid features took on the same look of outrage they'd all had when they'd discovered what Jürgen had done to him.

"How are the rest of you handling this?" Nate could see the turmoil in all of their eyes.

"We should have killed that asshole when we had the chance," Joe said bitterly as he joined the group.

"And you think that would help Deeks' cope with what happened to him?" Nate asked him. "Or would it help you deal with it?"

"Both." Joe's anger coursed through him for all to see. "He's terrified of that fuckin' monster and is convinced he'll captured him again and kill him. We should have made sure that wouldn't happen."

"We couldn't risk a firefight right then, Joe, and you know it," Callen said, barely containing himself as he took a step toward Joe.

"We'll deal with him," Sam said, stepping between the two men. "Right now we need to concentrate of making sure Deeks is safe."

"Sounds like you all have unresolved anger over this," Nate said. "And that's understandable, but you can't take it out on each other or you'll lose your ability to work as a team. You need to trust each other or this won't work."

No one said anything after that. They each retreated, finding their own way of dealing with the waiting. Nate had gone in search of a coffee machine when George approached him.

"Love's a funny thing isn't it?" George said as Nate sipped his coffee. "So much more powerful than the word sounds. Each one of those men loves Marty in their own way, but they really don't know how to express it when something bad happens, so they strike out."

"They're used to physically dealing with any threat that puts one of them in harm's way," Nate answered. "They're men of action, so waiting brings out all sorts of side effects."

"Joe lost his older brother in Iraq," George said. "When we got the news, he tore up a bar, threatened anyone who came near him with a gun and went to jail. The day they let him out, he joined up."

"Revenge is one way to deal with the pain of such a great loss," Nate said softly.

"He and Deeks are like brothers," George told him. "When Joe thought he had lost him, he almost fell apart. There was no one to take his hurt out on except himself. Now he's afraid of losing him again and he's angry and I'm not sure he can control it."

"What about you George? How are you taking this?" Nate asked.

"I love Marty like he's my own son and it would kill me to lose him," George said, staring off into space. "I know love is powerful, but so is hate and I'm afraid hate might just win out if Marty doesn't survive this. I don't know much about the man who did this to him and Joe won't tell me how badly he treated Marty, but the sonofabitch will have his hands full if he tries to get to Marty again. I might be just an old cowboy, but I don't let anyone mess with my family."

The last sentence was spoken quietly, but dripped with venom and complete conviction and Nate instinctively took a step back from the man. He knew people were never what they seemed on the surface, but this man and the words he had spoken had surprised him and that didn't happen very often.

"I train horses for a living, Nate." George looked solemnly into the psychologist's eyes as he spoke. "And I've seen quite a few abused horses in my time. I understand what they went through and what it did to them. It's how I knew Marty had been abused as a child. Some abused horses are beaten so badly they never recover and are no good for anything and some blossom when they find out not everyone is gonna hurt 'em, but some just become downright mean and dangerous and might as well be put down before they hurt somebody. I'd say this Jürgen guy is like that, meaner than shit and needs to be put down. If he comes near Marty again, I'll do just that."

George nodded at the stunned psychologist and walked silently away.

...

It was dark outside before they were able to see Deeks in the ICU. He was allowed two visitors at a time and all of them stood back to let Kensi and George be the first in to see him. He was hooked up to multiple machines and monitors and was on intravenous fluids, antibiotics and pain meds and had been intubated and placed on a ventilator to help him breathe. He was swathed in warming blankets and George seemed shocked when he saw him.

"Why did they shave his head?" he asked quietly.

"I think that was Granger's doing," Kensi told him as she reached out and took Deeks' good hand. "The nurses must have shaved his beard to get to all the cuts on his face. He looks so young this way."

She turned to look at George when she spoke and saw the glint of tears in his eyes. His face hardened and his jaw was clinched tight as he slowly pulled the covers down to reveal the telltale crisscrossed marks from the ropes that had held him so cruelly for so long, his body dark with multiple bruises. He looked shaken and had a tight grip on the bed railing as his eyes traveled over the body of the man he called son. Then he broke. Tears streamed down his face and Kensi quickly wrapped him in her arms, holding onto the tough old cowboy while he grieved for his battered son.

"He didn't deserve this," George choked out as Kensi pulled the blankets back up to cover him. "I knew it was bad, but the men who did this need to be run to ground and shown no mercy."

"George, he'll need our help to get past this," Kensi said. "He needs to know he's not alone."

"He needs to know they're dead," George said as he rested his calloused hand on Deeks' bare shoulder.

Kensi hadn't known George very long and now was certain she didn't really know him at all. He had always seemed kind of folksy to her, gentle and kind and loving, which he was, but now she saw a different side of him, a side that revealed the depth of his feelings for family and his determination to protect that family at all costs. She could sense a hardness there in the core of his being, brilliant in its intensity and cold in its unrelenting nature and she found herself slightly taken aback by it.

"George, we'll take care of Granger and Jürgen," she said. "You just need to be here for Marty."

"I won't leave his side until this is over," his voice was deep and strong and his eyes never left Deeks' face, his strong hand firmly planted on his son's shoulder.

...