So, I think there will be mixed opinions about what happens in this chapter. I've been almost afraid to post it lol. Hopefully, you'll still be reading at the end of it. Thanks for all the support.

xxxxx

Sam stared at Bart, looking sick to his stomach. "Whip one of them?" He shook his head. "I can't do that…"

"No?" Bart shook his head, pretending to look saddened. "Well that is too bad, it really is. I suppose…I guess I'll just have to have Burke do it instead. Except, he won't be able to stop at 20 lashes. No, in order to make it worth his while, it will have to be at least 50…yes, 50 is a good, solid number. I think Burke will be very pleased." He looked over at Callen and Deeks. "Sorry boys. I guess one of you is going to have to endure more than double the torture because your friend here is too much of a wuss to do what needs to be done."

Sam glared at Bart. "You're a real sick son of a bitch."

Bart chuckled. "I've been called worse in my lifetime…much worse. Now, I'd better go find Burke. He will be excited. I just know he's been most eager to get his hands on one of you. I'd say the whipping is going to be a good deal harsher this way." He gave a mock shudder. "I'm just glad it's not me having to experience it."

"I'll do it," Sam growled, his eyes dark and angry as he continued to glare at Bart.

"Oh that is good news!" Bart said cheerily. "So, I'll give you a few minutes to make your decision. I know it can't be an easy one. Whipping people is such a distasteful business. I can't say that I would want to do it myself."

"No…we've already discovered that you never do your own dirty work," Sam remarked icily, watching as Bart walked away. He then sighed heavily as he looked sadly at his team members. Kensi looked back at him pleadingly. "Please, Sam… you can't…"

"Don't worry, Kens," Callen said and he proceeded to remove his t-shirt. "I've got this."

Sam cringed when he looked at his partner and saw the deep purple bruise over his ribs. Evidently, Burke was capable of an incredibly powerful punch. He couldn't imagine the damage he could do with a whip.

"Wait a minute," Deeks said. "I should get a say in this too."

"The decision's made, Deeks," Callen said.

Deeks shook his head and looked at Sam. "You haven't said anything, Sam. Tell him you haven't made your choice."

"Deeks…You can't go through that," Kensi began, speaking gently. "You're already hurt and sick."

"Really?" Deeks asked, looking back at Kensi. "Do you not see that bruise, Kensi? Did you not hear him coughing half the night last night? Are you not aware that he hasn't had anything to eat or drink in over 24 hours?"

"Yes, Deeks, I know all that," Kensi said, starting to get upset. "But I sat up with you last night. You were feverish and incoherent and I don't care what you say. You're not well. There's only so much you can take, in spite of what you say. I…I'm not going to sit back and watch you die."

"I'm not going to die from getting whipped," Deeks retorted.

"It's okay, Kens," Callen said softly. "He's not going to have to go through that." He then turned his head towards Deeks. "I'm fine, Deeks. I have a cold…it's no big deal."

"Callen?" Kensi looked at him sorrowfully and with more than a little guilt. "It…it's not like I want anything to happen to you. I hate this. It's just…"

"I understand, Kens," Callen said, managing a faint smile. "He's your partner and the man you're going to marry."

"Sam?" Deeks asked, turning towards the older agent.

Callen turned towards his partner as well. "You know what needs to be done here," he said quietly. "I know you don't like it, but…it's what we've got to do. It'll be okay."

Sam sighed. He'd hurt his partner before in the line of duty, but never like this, never so badly. He wasn't sure he could do it.

"I can take it Sam," Deeks said insistently. "You don't want to have to do that to your best friend, do you?"

"Deeks, keep out of it," Callen said.

"I can't do that, Callen," Deeks retorted. "I'm in this as much as you are."

"No you're not," Callen said stubbornly. "He's my partner. It's between him and me."

"Are you two really going to fight over which one of you I'm going to whip?" Sam asked. He turned to look at Deeks. "I really appreciate you offering to sacrifice yourself…"

"I sense a but coming," Deeks said. "Come on, Sam. No buts."

"But…Kensi's right. I can't do it to you. I just can't. I know you're feeling a little better now because its daylight, but you weren't doing well last night. I don't even want to know what that wound of yours looks like right now." He knew it would be a mess but didn't dare remove the bandage because Bart had taken all of the first aid stuff away from them. He then turned towards Callen, his eyes filled with anguish. "G…"

"Come on, Sam, don't get all sentimental over this, okay?" Callen said, giving Sam his best smirk. "I can take 20 lashes. You know I can."

Sam shook his head, appearing dangerously close to tears. "I know you can," he said softly. "I just…god, G…I don't want to hurt you…"

"I know you don't," Callen said quietly, putting his arm around Sam's shoulders. "I trust you'll do the best you can not to hurt me that badly."

"But I'm still going to hurt you," Sam said. "There's no avoiding it…"

Callen shook his head. "It won't be that bad…I'm tougher than I look."

Sam couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, you're a real bad ass." His eyes then went serious as his gaze locked with Callen's. "I'll try to go easy on you if I can."

"Don't go too easy," Callen cautioned his partner. "You know if you do, he'll just sic Burke on me… I don't want that, Sam." He didn't come out and say it, but Burke's presence made him really nervous. He was pretty sure the man would rip the flesh right off his back if he got the chance.

Sam nodded. He didn't want Burke touching his partner, just the appearance of that bruise made him realize how dangerous he was.

"So, has a decision been made?" Bart came back, grinning widely at the somber team. "Now don't look so sad, it will be over before you know it. Agent Hanna? Who do you choose to be your whipping boy?"

"I…I choose G," Sam said reluctantly.

"Really?" Bart couldn't hide his obvious surprise. "I must say, that's not what I thought you were going to say, but it works for me. Follow me." He looked at Kensi and Deeks. "I want the two of you to come and watch as well."

The group walked over to the other side of the campsite where two trees were growing close together. "Burke? Johnson?" Bart called out. "I'd like for you to tie Agent Callen's wrists to these trees. We wouldn't want him trying to escape or missing even one second of his whipping."

"I sure wish I was going to whip you, boy." Burke taunted Callen with a sinister smile as he tied the rope around his right wrist. "I'd make sure that every stroke counted."

Finally Callen was tied firmly in place and he could feel every one of his nerves standing on edge as he stood waiting for the whipping which was to come.

"I feel sick," Kensi whispered to Deeks who took her hand.

"Here you are, Agent Hanna," Bart said as he handed him the whip. "20 lashes and I want to hear the crack of the whip. If I don't, I'll let Burke have some fun with your partner."

Callen couldn't see Sam or the whip since he was facing in the opposite direction. He clenched his fists and closed his eyes as he tried to prepare himself for the oncoming assault. The first crack of the whip made him flinch, as much as he tried not to, as did the subsequent lashes. At first, it was the sound that affected him more than the actual strokes themselves. They didn't seem to hurt so much, but then the pain began to burn and spread over his back with each stroke of the whip. He inadvertently bit down on his lower lip too hard and it started to bleed.

Sam couldn't remember ever feeling as terrible as he did at this moment. He felt like a monster, to be doing what he was doing to his partner, his best friend in the world. Callen never made a sound, not a groan or a whimper. Sam wasn't sure if that made it better or somehow made it worse. He had to fight the urge to point the whip in the direction of Bart's face, knowing that the consequences to his partner or Kensi or Deeks would not be worth it. When he got to number 10, Sam hesitated, finding it difficult to keep going.

"Only halfway there, Agent Hanna…would you like Burke to take over for you?"

Sam quickly started again, striking Callen harder than he had intended in his haste to make sure Burke didn't get near him. He then steadied himself as he counted down the remaining strokes and breathed a sigh of relief when the task was completed and he watched as Callen was released from his restraints.

"I'll give your team a break before we go on," Bart stated, looking at Callen's pain-filled eyes in satisfaction. "I'll be back." He then walked away, leaving the team alone except for the guards who surrounded them.

Callen started shivering after he was released and he couldn't seem to stop. His legs were also weak and shaky. Sam cautiously approached him. "G?"

"I'm all right, Sam," Callen said as he took a couple of deep breaths and tried to steady himself. He still couldn't seem to stop shaking, even though he didn't feel cold. He wondered if he was having some weird sort of stress reaction to what he had just gone through.

"Callen?" Kensi went to him and cautiously embraced him with one hand on his shoulder and the other lightly on his waist, not going anywhere near his back. Callen returned her embrace and held her tightly. He was suddenly having a very hard time keeping his emotions under control.

"I'm sorry, Callen," Kensi whispered. "I'm so sorry you've had to go through all this."

"I…I'm okay," he said, a slight tremor in his voice.

Deeks slowly walked up behind Callen and looked over his back. It didn't appear to be that bad. He could only see two welts that had opened up slightly, but the rest were just angry and red-appearing. Sam had done an admirable job of not doing any lasting damage to his partner. "Callen? Do you want your t-shirt?" he asked. He wasn't sure why, but he had taken it before they had walked over to the other side of the camp.

Callen turned around and nodded as Deeks handed him the shirt. "Thanks, Deeks," he murmured, not looking the other man in the eye. He couldn't put a finger on why, but he almost felt ashamed of what had just happened to him. He pulled the shirt on over his head and felt slightly better when he was covered up again. At least the shirt was loose-fitting and it didn't increase his pain much.

"I'm sorry, G…" Sam kept his distance from his partner but he couldn't take his eyes off him. "You'll never know how much."

"It wasn't your fault," Callen briefly glanced over at Sam, but then dropped his gaze. "I know you didn't want this, Sam."

"Of course he wanted it," Bart contradicted as he returned to the group. "I'm sure you've done some things to irritate him over the years. Nothing like a little bit of revenge to add excitement to one's life."

"I would NEVER hurt him on my own," Sam growled. "You really need to shut the hell up."

"Or what?" Bart laughed. "I'm the boss here. I'd watch myself if I was you. Words can have consequences."

"Always with the threats," Sam said, shaking his head. "I'd love to see you have the balls to take me on one on one, bet you wouldn't be so full of yourself then…"

"Well, we're not going to have to find that out now, are we? I'm in the position of power here and the four of you are my puppets to manipulate how I want. With the snap of my fingers, I can have any one of you killed instantly or dismembered, burned alive, drowned...so many possibilities. So, as I said, I'd watch myself if I was you, Agent Hanna…unless you'd like your partnership to come to an end instantly."

Sam glared at Bart, but didn't say anything else, knowing he had already pushed the man past where he should have.

Bart nodded, satisfied that Sam seemed to be done. "And now, I'd like to get on with our game, if you don't mind. "I believe it is your turn, Detective Deeks."

Deeks fixed his eyes on Bart as he uneasily waited for whatever this psychotic freak had up his sleeve next.

"So…" Bart said, smiling widely. "Let's cut right to the chase. Would you rather flog Agent Blye five times with a bamboo cane or let Burke over there have his way with Agent Callen?"

"What?" Deeks asked, looking instantly sick with the choice that had been presented to him. "What do you mean…have his way with?"

"I mean he will beat Agent Callen until he's done. Whether that means Agent Callen is dead or merely unconscious, I'll leave to Burke's judgement. Burke has been ever so patient. I wouldn't want to rush him. I'll give you a short time to think it over." Bart then walked away, whistling the theme song from "Rocky" as he walked.

"Burke will kill him," Sam whispered, as he ran his hand over his face. He knew that Deeks had been presented with an impossible choice.

Kensi immediately went to Deeks and hugged him tightly. "I can't," he said, as he held her, already knowing what she wanted him to do.

"You HAVE to," Kensi stated as she pulled back and gazed at him intently. "Sam's right, Deeks. That animal will kill Callen. Five strokes, Deeks. It will be over before you've begun."

Deeks shook his head, his eyes full of tears as he was overcome with memories of his mother being beaten by his father. He couldn't do it. He couldn't hit Kensi. Even one stroke was more than he could bear.

Sam sighed then went over to the young detective and put his hand on Deeks' uninjured shoulder. "Deeks…Deeks…I don't want Kensi hurt either…I can't imagine how difficult this is for you, but…this is life or death."

"Sam don't," Callen said quietly. "Leave him alone. You can't expect him to hurt Kensi…"

Sam turned to his partner, looking like he was about to explode. "You know I don't want him to have to hurt her, but G…that guy will kill you. Look what one punch did to you. He…will…kill…you…" He spoke slowly, emphasizing each word.

"You're not giving me much of a chance, Sam. Do you really have so little faith in me?" Callen asked, trying to smirk, but not really pulling it off. "I was handcuffed when he hit me before. I'll be able to defend myself this time…"

"Really, G? Really?" Sam asked, shaking his head. "You're in terrific shape to try to fight him. You're hurt and weak and you're half his size. You know…you know what will happen… He's been chomping at the bit to get his hands on you. Maybe he'll be merciful and decide not to kill you, but I wouldn't count on it."

Deeks just listened to them, looking shell-shocked and deeply shaken. "Deeks? Deeks, it will be all right," Kensi pleaded softly. "I promise we'll get through this, sweetheart." She put her hand on his cheek and looked at him intently. "I know you would never, ever hurt me on your own. This won't change anything between us."

Deeks shook his head slowly. "I just…I don't think I can do it, Kens…I just don't…" His eyes went to Callen who looked calm and collected now. Seemingly, he had mentally moved past the whipping. It was almost as if he was resigned to his fate. He then looked at Sam who was pacing back and forth, looking very distraught.

"Deeks?" Kensi tried again. "Honey, I'm sorry, but I don't think you have a choice here. You can't let that man loose on Callen. You just can't."

"I love you, Kensi…more than anything in this world. You can't expect me to hurt you like that."

"Deeks, please look at me," Kensi said. "I know you. You are strong and you will get past this, but…if he…if he kills Callen…you won't be able to forgive yourself…Please…you know what you have to do."

At that point, Bart came back over to them. "Well, Detective…I think I've given you sufficient time to make a decision."

"Wait!" Sam interrupted. "Bart…you're a reasonable man…I would like to volunteer to take Callen's place in this little scenario. Surely, you can see that he wouldn't stand a chance against Burke. He's weak. He's had no food or water in over 24 hours. In the spirit of fair play, please let me take his place."

Bart tapped his chin with his fingertips as he pondered or pretended to ponder Sam's offer. "I see your point about no food or water. Although I can't allow you to take his place, I'll tell you what. If the good detective picks Agent Callen, I will allow him to have some lunch and water to drink before the big event. There now, Detective. Doesn't that make you feel better?"

Deek stared back at Bart, his blue eyes filled with hatred and resentment. "No…it doesn't make me feel better you sick bastard."

"Tsk, tsk, detective. Don't be like that. I have given you a perfectly reasonable decision to make. I'm not an animal. Five strokes is child's play, even for a woman and Agent Callen is a trained agent, is he not? You have every reason to believe he can make a respectable showing against our friend, Burke. Size and power aren't everything, well…not always." Bart chuckled in amusement. "Now tell me, Detective, what is your decision? Will you strike Agent Blye or offer up Agent Callen to Burke?

Deeks looked at Callen whose head was bowed as he stared down at the ground. He then turned his gaze to Kensi who looked back at him with love and trust in her eyes as she nodded at him supportively.

"I…I pick Kensi," he whispered regretfully, feeling as if the weight of the world had just been placed on his shoulders.

xxxxx

"I have a feeling that a lot of you might not agree with Deeks' decision but I kept running it through my mind and I just didn't feel that he would allow Callen to be badly beaten and in all likelihood killed by Burke. I know I put him in a horrible situation. Sorry ;)