Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.
n4d1n3, orangetails, JaniceS, Mulderette, Navyfan, countrygirluk56, guest: Thank you all very much for your kind reviews. It is nice to hear you do want to know how the story evolves. So here it goes...
Callen was shocked by the sheer intensity of the pain hitting his senses. He cried out and felt his adrenaline piquing. He went into survival mode. Pushing past the pain he managed to throw his head backwards, head banging his opponent and ramming an elbow into his stomach. The guy doubled over. Callen turned around and scrambled to his feet, he fought off the second guy attacking him by ducking under his fist and hitting him hard on the jaw. Once, Twice. Then he quickly grabbed his gun lying on the ground nearby, aiming it at the two perps "Stop it, our I'll shoot you!" The two perps stilled immediately and Callen secured them by binding their feet and hands with zip-ties he produced from his rear pocket.
Callen felt dizzy and leaned against a crate, the pain of his stab wound overwhelming him. He fumbled with his earpiece as during the fight he had lost connection with OSP. When he finally could receive a signal he heard Eric's frantic call: "Callen, do you hear me? Callen? Sam is in trouble! Callen?!" "Copy Eric", Callen answered through clenched teeth. "We need backup here!"
"Sam is in the back yard with Garcia and his companion, you need to hurry, Kensi and Deeks are 3 minutes out!" Eric yelled. "On it!" Callen pushed past the pain and started running off in the direction of the gate on the rear end of the warehouse, his concern for Sam making his blood run cold.
Sam felt his time running out. He heard a shot ringing but instead of feeling an impact he saw his attacker falling to the ground next to him, a bullet hole in his head. Turning around he spotted his partner panting for air with his smoking gun now aiming at Garcia "Don't you move!" he threatened.
At the same time a silver Crossover came racing into the yard and was brought to an abrupt halt. Kensi and Deeks jumped out taking in the scene right away. Kensi secured Garcia and Deeks went over to the obviously dead man to double check.
Sam got up slowly and turning towards his partner he was ready to attack. „That was close, far too close, PARTNER!" Shouting he emphasized the last word. "Where were you, CALLEN? Sam spit out. You couldn't even keep up running! I can't rely on you!"
Callen felt himself deteriorating fast. He felt weak after the run and in a daze he heard Sam yell at him. Being called Callen rather than G by his best friend made his heart twinge, Sam didn't trust him. He felt cold all of a sudden "I am sorry, Sam," was all he was able to get out as Sam stormed away furiously: "That is NOT enough, Callen!" he shouted and headed for the Challenger not seeing his friend sway dangerously.