Brothers in Arms
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS:LA, if I did, I wouldn't have spent the summer stressing over the season finale.
A/N: The beginning of the week was super busy so this chapter is late. My apologies, but this one is longer than normal. I have to say thanks to beverlie4055, Sweet Lu, shestarsky, SunnyCitrus10, Somnium1, Jasmine-Now-Leaves, and Bren Gail for leaving notes. Always appreciated.
Day 12
Callen stretched and rubbed his eyes. He had chosen the best of the three spots Jorge had suggested. Dawn was breaking and he wanted to have the camp packed up before Diego's men woke up. From the scale of the partying he observed last night, they would be a bit slow this morning.
He reviewed the DEA's attack plan in his mind. They wanted to hit the compound in the early afternoon when most of the camp was taking a siesta. Some theories suggested attacking during the middle of the night when people have reached their deepest sleep, but the jungle posed challenges in the dark that were not an issue in the light. Callen supported the plan, mostly because it meant he'd be able to keep an eye on Deeks.
The camp was stored so he closed the door of his vehicle and started the trek to his chosen viewing post. It didn't take long and soon he had himself wedged into the crook of a tree. From this spot he could see most of the base and the buildings. His back was covered and he had snacks. He was good to go...or good to wait.
Meanwhile in the main building, Deeks was desperately holding onto the last dredges of sleep. He'd been brought into the camp the previous night where he'd begged off the night's festivities due to a long plane ride. Diego had accepted the answer, but not until he had joined him for dinner. Not wanting to give him any reason to suspect that there could be something amiss, he had agreed. The firing pins stayed firmly taped to his back the entire time. He was sure someone had tossed his luggage while he was eating, but there was nothing for them to find but some clothes and the various things people collect as they travel, magazines, shampoo, and airline barf bags.
Resigned to the fact that sleep was not coming back to him, he rolled out of bed and dug through his bag for some clothes. He stuffed the bag of firing pins into his pocket, thankful that the baggy nature of the cargo pants and the depth of the pocket hid them fairly well.
He rifled through his bag, checking to see if there was anything vital he wanted to take back home with him. If events occurred the way they were supposed to, he wouldn't be coming back to this room.
A right turn and a quick left brought him to the back door of what was referred to as 'the guest accommodations'. That meant that they were clean-ish and he had his own room. However, the roof leaked and the one wall was dangerously close to leaning right off its foundation. He worked his way out to the edge of the jungle where he found a path beaten into the grass a safe distance away from the foliage. There was a chill in the air and Deeks set off on a slow jog on the path around the compound. It would appear he was exercising, but he was really getting a good look at the whole place.
Two laps later he had the information he desired and had worked up a good appetite. He walked his way back to where they had dinner the night before and found the cook warming up the grill. He nodded to him and found a seat that had its back to the wall. The man set to work and not long after slid a plate piled with beans and rice, a fried egg, sausage, and something that resembled a pancake. A jug of hot chocolate and a mug found its way onto the table as well. Deeks dug in and found it all quite appetizing. He ate slow and once finished he refilled his mug and sipped away at it until Diego made his appearance and took a seat across from him.
"I hear you were observing my compound." Diego gestured for his cook to bring him food.
Deeks shrugged, "I went for a run. I may have looked around while I was doing it."
Diego snorted. "You are a smart one. But I am also smart." He moved to allow the cook to place his plate in front of him. "Ricardo helped with your unpacking last night but the promised shipment was not in your bag."
Deeks pursed his mouth. "It's close." He smiled, knowing that presently he had the upper hand, but he had to play it right.
"I have the guns, you have these pins, and the ammunition is supposedly on its way. Why?"
He thought, tossed the idea of telling Diego the loophole, but decided it was best kept a secret. "We have to break up the shipments to stop suspicion, and this way works well."
Diego stared at Deeks, but after curling his lip, went back to his breakfast and ate it at a record pace. He wiped his mouth and waved his hand. "Come, we must do our business quickly for a raid is planned this afternoon."
Deeks kept his face neutral, but inside his guts were churning. Obviously Diego was referring to the DEA raid that was supposed to be Deeks' ticket out as well as the conclusion to this entire op. "A what?"
"A raid." Diego stood and led him out to his outdoor office situated in the centre of the camp under decent shade. "These foreign agencies, they must run all their plans by the local government first. You see, we as a country do not appreciate these outsiders." A feral grin formed on his lips. "We cry and now we get the information before these raids happen. A well-placed bundle of cash and I know when they know. Therefore, we must abandon the camp no later than noon."
"How do they know where you are?" Deeks was worried that he was suspected.
"It is the DEA so I assume it has to do with all the cocaine we provide to the americanos."
They stood in silence and sized each other up. They were each lost in their thoughts when Diego jerked his chin at a point over Deeks' shoulder. Deeks squinted in confusion, but it all became clear when he felt his arms being wrestled behind his back. He was lifted into the air and dragged out to an open area of grass. He fought, partly because he was expected to and partly because it kept his mind off the things that had happened the last time he'd been captured by these men. He worked one arm free and timed a swing that connected with a kidney. He twisted and aimed for something else with his elbow. A face appeared in front of his and he slammed his forehead into the nose. The head dropped away but his eyes widened as a fist came from behind it. It was huge and it was coming fast; he had no room to evade it. The impact felt like he'd been hit by a Mack truck. His head snapped back with a crack and he collapsed onto the ground.
He may have blacked out.
He definitely blacked out because the next thing he knew, he was on his knees and that same fist was slapping him. He levered his eyes opened and stared up at Diego and Ricardo who stood cross-armed. Deeks worked his tongue through his mouth and found that even though he had some loose teeth and few splits, everything was still intact.
A shake of his head cleared his thoughts. "What the hell?" He tried for indignation, but it came out a bit muffled due to the puffy lip.
Diego took his time answering and while he waited a smug smile grew on his face. "I know tu hermano came with you on the plane. I know he is somewhere close. Maybe with the firing pins, no?"
Ricardo pulled a knife from his scabbard and tapped the tip against his nails.
Diego continued, "Maybe you don't lie, maybe you do have the package. Either way, I will get them."
The sound of guns being cocked came from behind Deeks and he resisted the urge to take a peek. He was in trouble and it was the kind of trouble that required a well armed team not one man with a pistol to come and save him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as Ricardo stepped forward. He felt the edge of the blade being dragged down the side of his face but he steeled himself against reacting.
"I will get my package and I want a discount."
"A discount" Ricardo hissed beside Deeks' ear, "that you will give willingly."
Deeks lifted his eyelids and stared at Ricardo, "how do you suppose that will happen?"
Diego stared out at the trees and shouted out "If I do not receive 15% of the payment back in my account by noon, this man will die. I will put a bullet in him every hour that I have to wait." He pulled a kitchen timer out of his pocket and wound it to an hour. He set it on the ground beside Deeks and nodded at Ricardo. The two turned and left, leaving Deeks on his knees with three men surrounding him.
Deeks dipped his head towards the ground and settled in for a long wait.
Callen had heard Diego's demand and mentally froze. He started going through all the things that would have to be done to actually comply with Diego's demand. They'd never actually handled the money, Eric had seen to all of that. He could do it, but he'd need a computer, a solid internet connection and too much time.
He silently cursed for not realizing that Diego would most likely pull something like this. They had put themselves in a position that was not tactically good. They were relying on a raid being completed by a group of people that didn't know that they existed. The raid wasn't slated to happen until the afternoon and the money was due before that. Not to mention the fact that by then Deeks would most likely have three bullets in him.
He had an hour to figure something out. Or else.
Deeks peered at the timer out of the corner of his eye. In less than two minutes he would be shot. He was debating what the worst part of this was. There was the fact that he'd been shot before and he knew it hurt. He knew the work he'd have to do to recover, if he made it out alive. There was also the fact that he knew exactly when he would be shot. So he could potentially mentally prepare for it. However, the other part was that he didn't know where he would be shot. That was the unknown variable. So what was worse? Fear of the known or the unknown?
He was getting too philosophical. Too much time to think.
The timer started its final round. This was the last minute. Deeks sighed and stared out into the distance. And saw something.
He tipped his head slightly and furrowed his brow. Shapes began to slowly move out of the jungle. A hint of a smile graced his lips.
Diego was smart.
But the DEA was smarter.
His train of thought was interrupted by a white-hot pain that stabbed his leg. The shock sapped the strength from his legs and he fell over.
A shot rang out and Callen had to grab onto the tree with both arms to stop himself from jumping out of his hiding place. His fingers dug into the bark and the tips began to bleed as he watched Deeks fall to the side. Time ground to a halt and Callen ground his jaw to keep from calling out. The logical side of his brain was telling him that the best thing to do was to stay put and wait for the confusion caused by the DEA to give him enough cover to pull him out. He could see it starting up, just...one...more...minute.
But he was just lying there in a heap.
Lying so still.
His fingers were numb and his jaw was in danger of locking. He was staring at the prone form so hard his vision was beginning to blur.
Time moved as fast as Deeks...so not at all.
Somehow, from somewhere, muddied sounds reached Callen's ears. He shook his head and pried his hands off of the tree. He stuck a fist on either side of his jaw and worked his knuckles into the joints. He could feel the relief in his teeth as his mouth popped open. Two deep breaths brought the present and he took stock.
Deeks, still in the same spot, a dark stain on his pants. The two men that had been behind him had fled and the man with the gun, Callen refused to process the fact that he had been the one to shoot Deeks yet, had his back turned and was focused on the raiders.
With a hope and a prayer that no one would see him, Callen snuck out of the woods and shot across the open ground to Deeks. With shouts and shots forming the background soundtrack, he shook Deeks' shoulder. When a blue eye showed Callen wanted to whoop, but instead he slipped an arm under and levered Deeks into a sitting position.
He heard a deep breath being drawn in beside him and when he turned his head he found a determined look set upon Deeks' face. Callen mouthed a count to three, heaving himself and his partner up on the last number. A quick peek behind him gave him confidence that they hadn't been spotted yet. Together on three legs they stumbled towards the trees. Once they were back at his tree, Callen set him down and traced their path back to the edge of the meadow. He pushed the branches back and fluffed the foliage in an attempt to cover their retreat.
Deeks had managed to pull himself up into a sitting position and was poking at his leg. Callen got to him just as his eyes were rolling back in his head. A smack or two to his shoulder and Deeks came back.
"How bad is it?" Callen whispered.
An eyebrow popped up, but it lacked its usual energy. "I've had worse." He hissed when Callen pressed at the edges of the torn jeans. "I think it's just a flesh wound, but it's deep."
"The best thing is to get you out of here and into a cleaner environment."
"It's going to take a while to hike out of here."
Callen turned and grinned. "Who said anything about walking?"
The eyebrow popped up again, but it had more energy this time.
Deeks limped into the clearing and was shocked still. He barked a laugh, turned, and pitched the piece of wood he'd been using as a crutch into the underbrush. He shook his head and hobbled over to the Range Rover parked in the shade. The dust covering its matte black paint camouflaged it and hid it from being spotted from above.
"Where'd you get this?"
Callen pulled open the door, "I procured it. It's an older model, but it's clean inside. I stocked some medical supplies, so we can get you cleaned up."
They stopped and started a few times while trying to figure out how to get Deeks into the back seat causing the least amount of pain. Finally Deeks just backed up to the seat, grabbed onto the door and the frame and hauled himself up. He scooted across the bench seat until his back was against the other door. Callen followed him in and closed the door behind him. Some rummaging below the seat yielded him a bag of supplies.
"Bite on this." Callen handed him his spare belt.
"Why." The question came out in a sigh. Callen held up a bottle clearly marked 'saline' and shook it. Deeks sighed again and shoved the belt in between his teeth. Around the leather he said "Do it fast."
Callen cut some more of the jeans to get a clear look at the wound and without warning, poured saline over the whole area. A muffled scream that ended in some heavy breathing came from beside him, but as soon as he could see where the wound was, he dumped an envelope of powder on it to clot the blood.
That earned him a punch in the shoulder.
He grabbed one of the packs that held large gauze pads and ripped it open. A few swipes around the wound cleaned off the dried and some of the new blood. The others were folded, packed, and used to cover it and almost half a roll of tape made sure nothing would move.
He looked up into a face that couldn't decide between anger, thoughts of revenge, or relief, and said "Done, for now. Keep an eye on it as we drive; if red starts to show through we'll have to do this again." Deeks eyelids fluttered, but Callen guessed he was just rolling his eyes. He climbed into the driver seat. Once settled, he put it into gear and pointed it in the direction of safety.
Deeks gazed out the window and watched the green flash by. By his internal clock they had been driving for a couple of hours. He was sure that Callen was taking a long way around, trying to avoid both the DEA and Diego and his men. As for where they were going, Deeks had no clue. He'd avoided looking down at his leg, but the spot was feeling a bit slick. His memory of the wound cleaning was a bit fuzzy; he thought he may have taken a swing at Callen. He must have deserved it.
He leaned forward and waved at Callen, "I think the gauze is getting a bit bloody."
Callen twisted a bit in his seat to get in eyeline with Deeks, "I think we're only a couple miles out from our stop, so I think we'll hold off until we get you inside."
They each settled back into their seats and waited out the last bit of driving. Finally they broke out of the trees and into a small clearing with a cabin set into a cliff wall. Callen made a turn and parked with the driver's side door close to the entrance to the house. He stepped out and pulled the door by Deeks' feet open. Deeks scooched forward until his feet were hanging just above the ground. Callen reached behind him and set his shoulder to take the weight meant for Deeks' leg. Together they made their way into the cabin. Shuffling along brought them to the couch and Deeks set himself down on the one side.
"You're not going to bleed all over my couch, are you?" came from a sighing man entering from a door off of the room.
Deeks was startled and his eyes cut over to Callen who tensed, and then instantly relaxed. He felt his shoulders loosening, because if Callen trusted the man, he could too.
"You were always overly sensitive about stains. I never understood that from a trained paramedic."
"Just because I was in a messy line of work didn't mean I liked being dirty."
"Deeks, this is Jorge. Once he stops whining, he can take care of that little scratch you have."
Deeks tried for a smile, but the move from the car had produced some adrenaline and his pulse had spiked. He felt himself trembling slightly. Jorge came over and hunkered down for a look at the wounded area.
He glanced up at the partners. "Gun shot?" At their nods, he shook his head, "You two got out clean with only one gunshot wound?"
Callen smirked, "Pretty sure it's just a flesh wound."
Jorge raised his eyes to the roof. "Why could that have ever happened to us? My knee still gives me fits every time it snows. Which is thankfully minimal here." He pushed himself to his feet. "I'll go grab my kit."
Callen eyed Deeks as he tried to push himself into a more comfortable position. "This is going to slow down our return to LA."
"I'd rather not be limping when we make our grand entrance, I feel like that would open us up to a whole bunch of 'I told you so's." Deeks grimaced, "You know they'll grab the opportunity like Monty and a good NPR debate."
The corners of Callen's eyes crinkled, "I'm not sure I get the reference, but I'll go along with it."
Jorge reappeared in the room and propped his box of medical supplies up on the table. They watched as he fished around, occasionally pulling out one or two things, until he had a neat pile. He grabbed and uncapped a needle and advanced on Deeks. He felt a prick in his arm and the world went black.