Ok everyone, here's the new chapter!Thanks to everyone who reviewed and favorited this story! The response is shocking, I'm still happy about the attention this is getting.
Once again, there are some acts of torture. If this is something you do not want to read about, please don't read.
A little note before you read. This chapter has some medical procedures, treatments, and vocabulary. I'm not a medical doctor, and neither K or I have a degree in anything to do with medicine. This is information comes from watching many seasons of EMERGENCY! Please do not use this information for real medical treatments or for self-treatment. Just saying!
Disclaimer: Considering I'm scraping just for gas money...I'd say not. Maybe in my dreams though!
A few hours later...
Nell held Eric's hand tightly. She was afraid. She knew it had been at least a few hours since they were taken, but she wasn't quite sure. And no one had found them yet. She gazed back at her partner, blinking with worry. Eric gave Nell's hand a squeeze. The pain was finally starting to get to him. The cuts all hurt like hell. The men walked into the room. Nell pulled Eric close to her. She glared at the men. She was NOT going to let them take him.
"What do you want from me?"
Deeks was still pouring through the files with Kensi and Sam, when Callen shouted from the balcony. "I think we got a match!" He ran down the stairs. "Facial recognition gave us a match. Danny Daumer. 25, lives in Santa Barbara. I also got a match on the plate from the security footage. It doesn't match Daumer's car, however it came back as stolen. Owner was John Gothman, 59. He reported it stolen yesterday, from a parking lot outside his work." He said.
"Does Danny have a criminal record?" Sam asked. Kensi skimmed through the files, looking for a mention of Daumer.
"One case of drunk and disorderly," Callen answered.
"Here!" Deeks said. "Case under the name of Emily Daumer." He pulled the record.
"That would be his wife, deceased." Callen confirmed. "He also had a daughter. She died too." Deeks rummaged further.
"Laura Daumer, Age 9. The file says she and her mom were kidnapped from their house. According to the coroner's report, Emily was tortured. Cuts, bruises, broken ribs, skull fractures. She was being held for 2 days before they found her, however she was DOA. Laura made it long enough to give a statement. Says she was forced to watch her mom's torture. Coroner found evidence of a beating: multiple broken ribs, a skull fracture. Evidence of sexual assault was also found. Laura died in the hospital when one of her broken ribs punctured her lung."
"How was Nell involved?" Callen asked. Kensi pulled the report up on her laptop.
"Nell was acquired on to the case to try and track the bastard and find Emily and Laura." She looked up. "I bet Daumer blames Nell for not finding them before they were hurt." Callen searched.
"1617 Reich Street. I'll get us a warrant."
"I hope Nell and Eric are there..." Kensi whispered. She hoped they weren't hurt.
"I hope so too Kens..." Deeks said quietly, as they all grabbed their guns. Sam got his keys and they all ran out to the car, Callen catching up moments later with the warrant.
"I want to make you suffer Nell Jones! My family suffered because you couldn't find them. Now, move away from Mr. Beale." He shoved Nell.
"Nell, let them take me. I don't want you to get hurt..." Eric murmured, weakly. Nell winced, but didn't move.
"No! You aren't touching him!" She stood between him and Eric, and lifted her leg, then kicked him in the crouch. Daumer groaned and doubled over in pain. The other man started beating up Nell.
"Let her go!" Eric yelled, trying to get to his feet. Daumer recovered and roughly tied Eric to a chair. He started cutting Eric's legs. Eric bit back his screams. Nell fought back, trying to get over to Eric. She gasped in pain, tears streaking her cheeks.
"No!" Daumer finished with the knife, then began punching Eric. Eric gasped in pain, blinking back tears. The other man punched Nell repeatedly in the stomach. She finally collapsed, and pulled her knees up, trying to protect her chest. "Stop!"
"L-Leave Nell alone!" Eric choked out, before being punched in the face. The guy started punching Nell in the ribs anyway. She was crying and her chest was tightened with pain. Daumer had enough of it all and punched Eric in the head, then in the stomach.
Sam pulled to a stop outside the address.
"Kensi, Deeks, you take the front. Sam and I will take the back." Callen said. Deeks nodded.
"Got it." Kensi said. She and Deeks took out their guns and got in position at the front door. Sam and Callen positioned at the back door. He turned on the COMMS unit.
"Ok. On the count of 3. 1. 2. 3." Deeks kicked in the front door, then entered, Kensi behind him, as they started clearing the front of the house. They could hear Sam and Callen doing the same. Deeks froze, hearing a scream. He pointed to a door. Kensi nodded. She counted off on her fingers. 1. 2. 3. Then she kicked open the door, making her way down the stairs, with her gun in front of her, Deeks right behind her. Deeks gun trailed on the men. Sam came down behind them
"LAPD!"
"NCIS! Drop your weapons now!" The men started firing, and Kensi quickly double tapped the first, while Deeks and Sam each put one bullet in the second guy. Kensi holstered her gun and ran over to Eric and Nell, quickly cutting Eric loose. She laid him on the floor as Sam and Deeks ran over. Nell was weakly trying to sit up.
"Nell, lie down," Deeks said gently, pushing her lightly back. Eric's eyes flickered.
"K-Knew y-you g-guys would c-come.." Then his eyes shifted to Nell, worried about her. Deeks saw Eric's gaze.
"She'll be ok soon, Eric.." He said carefully. He was more concerned about Eric. His entire body was red and his legs were covered with blood. Nell blinked slowly at Deeks. Callen came down the stairs.
"Medevac just landed." He said. He went over to Nell and Deeks.
"Medevac?" Deeks asked, shocked.
"Yea." Callen looked at Nell, then nodded up.
"Ok, Nell. Let's get you out of here." Deeks said, putting a smile on his face. He lightly picked her up and headed for the stairs.
"E-Eric..." Nell asked, her voice weak. Deeks reached the top of the stairs.
"He'll be up here soon." Nell shut her eyes and passed out. Deeks quickly took her out to the helicopter and settled her on a stretcher. One of the medics stayed with Nell, and the other 2 followed Deeks downstairs.
Callen knelt next to Eric.
"Eric, don't you think we're going to carry you out of here. The medics are going to bring down a nice, somewhat comfy bed for you to lie on. Ok?" Eric gave a small nod. Kensi held his hand gently. She glanced over all his injuries, immense worry in her eyes. He was hurt pretty badly. She hoped he and Nell would both be ok. Eric's eyes slowly drifted shut. He took slow, shallow breathes, his ribs hurting pretty bad. All his cuts were burning with pain. He was fighting to stay conscious. Sam was on the phone with Hetty, telling her they found Nell and Eric. He squeezed Kensi's shoulder gently. The 2 medics, Roy and Mitch, brought down the stretcher, with Deeks behind them.
"Ok Eric, I'm sorry...but we have to get these clothes off..." Mitch said gently.
"Can't that wait til he gets some pain meds?" Deeks said. He knew Eric was in pain.
"I'd rather not...I'd like to get at least his shirt off. We have to clean these out."
"He needs something for the pain." Deeks and Callen both insisted.
"He's been through enough of it already." Callen added.
"If he was hit in the head, I can't." Mitch said. He looked at Eric. "Can you handle it?"
"Yeah...I'll be fine guys..." Eric said quietly, trying to reassure Deeks and Callen. Kensi slowly released his hand and moved out of the medics way, then stood beside Deeks, clutching his hand tight. Deeks rubbed her hand softly in return. He watched as Mitch carefully began taking the gown off, and then his shirt. He carefully made sure the shirt wasn't caught on any of the cuts.
"Roy, pass me the peroxide." Roy passed it over, and Mitch began cleaning Eric's cuts out. Roy checked Eric's eyes with the penlight.
"How's your head feel?"
"Hurts pretty bad..." He said through clenched teeth. He gasped and tried to hold himself together as the cuts were cleaned. It hurt so bad.
"I'm...I'm going to go check on Nell..." Kensi released Deeks' hand and rushed upstairs.
"Ok, we'll have the doctor look at at your head." Roy carefully noted any bumps. Mike finished. He carefully applied gauze to all the exposed cuts.
"Hanging in there?" Mitch asked, going for an IV. Deeks glanced after his partner, but decided to give her a few moments. Eric nodded. He glanced at Callen and Sam, wondering how Nell was doing. Callen gave him a gentle smile.
"Ok Eric, let's get you out of here." Roy said. Mitch finished the IV, then held it between his teeth as he and Mitch carefully moved Eric to the stretcher. They covered him with a blanket. Deeks, seeing Eric was being moved, went after his partner. Eric shut his eyes, trying to relax. Nell was safe now and so was he. Sam led the way upstairs. Callen lightly squeezed Eric's hand.
"Hang in there bud." He said, before going upstairs. Mitch and Roy took Eric out to the chopper.
Kensi blinked. If only the men wouldn't have gotten past her...if only she would have fought harder..then Nell and Eric wouldn't have been taken. Nell wouldn't have gotten hurt worse and Eric would be ok. She shook these thoughts from her head and went over to the Medevac. She gazed gently at Nell, before brushing the hair out of Nell's face. "I'm sorry..." She whispered. Deeks sat down in the chopper, next to her.
"They are bringing Eric up now." He glanced at her. "You ok?"
"I'm fine." Kensi said quietly, glancing at him. Deeks smiled gently, then shifted over to make room for Eric. They loaded him in. Kensi leaned forward, her thigh brushing against Deeks'. She squeezed Eric's hand. Eric murmured something they couldn't understand, then passed out. The copter took off, and Deeks watched out the window as Callen and Sam left. Kensi released his hand and sat their, silently. The Medevac took off. Deeks glanced at Kensi, then lightly squeezed her hand, before smiling gently. Nell whimpered, but didn't wake up. Kensi leaned her head to his shoulder and smiled slightly, glancing at Nell. Deeks put his arm lightly behind her, then squeezed her to his side gently. Nell finally blinked awake.
"Hey Nell, how are you feeling?" He asked.
"Hurts..." Her voice was so weak and quiet that they almost couldn't hear it.
"You'll feel better soon..." Kensi assured her gently, relaxing against Deeks. Deeks gave a light smile, which disappeared when Nell passed out again.
"How long until we are there?" He asked the medic.
"About 5 minutes." Kensi sighed softly. Eric had woken up since he was loaded in, and Nell passing out again was definitely not a good sign.
"Would've been faster if I'd have driven." She said under her breathe, worried.
"Well it would not have been safe with your headache. Easy Wonder Woman, we'll be there soon." Deeks whispered. 3 minutes later, the helicopter started descending to the landing pad.
Callen and Sam waited by the landing pad at the hospital, Hetty beside them. They watched as the copter landed, and the medics opened the door. Nell and Eric were immediately rushed inside to the ER. Deeks hopped out, and Kensi hopped down beside him. They all went inside.
"How were Ms. Jones and Mr. Beale doing?"
"Nell...I think she got her head whacked a bit. She passed out when I was loading her in, woke up while we were on the way here, and passed out again, not even a minute after waking up." Deeks whispered.
"And Mr. Beale?"
"He hasn't woken up since he was loaded in." Kensi said. "He was unconscious the entire ride."
"And Daumer and his accomplice?" Hetty added.
"Awaiting their trip to the morgue." Callen said, coldly. "At least it stopped with this bastard." Nell probably wouldn't be able to take much else.
"Yea. Thank God for that." Sam said. Kensi nodded, then gingerly touched her stitches and winced.
"I'm gonna get some coffee. Anyone else want any?" Deeks and Callen both nodded.
"If you could find me a tea, I'd appreciate it." Hetty said. Deeks sat down. He had seen Kensi's wince, and he was concerned. Callen's eyes narrowed.
"And take a pain pill." He said. Kensi ignored Callen's comment, and glanced at Sam.
"Sure. Thanks Kensi." Kensi went down to the cafeteria. Deeks sighed, and Callen rolled his eyes, knowing she ignored him.
"Mr. Deeks, is your partner ok?"
"Yea, she's good." Hetty blinked as Deeks looked away.
After 10 minutes, Kensi returned with the coffee and tea for Hetty. She passed out the drinks. Everyone said thanks, and Deeks took a small sip of his coffee and then set it down. Kensi just held her coffee in her hands.
After about half an hour, Deeks got up and went over to the receptionist. He couldn't take the wait anymore.
"Nell Jones and Eric Beale. Any news on their condition yet?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Not yet? Not yet? Have they even been looked at yet?"
"Sir, take a seat, and we will tell you about their condition as soon as we know." Deeks frowned.
"I'd like to talk to the doctors." He demanded.
"I'm not sure if they are available."
"Make them available." Deeks turned, feeling a hand on his arm.
"Deeks..." It was Kensi. Sam, Callen, and Kensi all stood up as 2 doctors walked into the room. Kensi gently led Deeks over to the doctors.
"Dr. Cornwell, Dr. Coulter, how are Ms. Jones and Mr. Beale?" Hetty asked.
"Eric has a major concussion. I've stitched up most of his stitches, and put steri-strips on the smaller ones. He also has 2 broken ribs and one cracked rib. We have to monitor his condition closely because of the possibility of infection." Dr. Cornwell said. Deeks blinked.
"And Nell?" Callen whispered. Dr. Coulter blinked, before speaking.
"Nell has 3 broken ribs, a broken arm. We also did a CT scan and discovered that she has a skull fracture. She's currently in a coma. We don't know when...or if she's going to wake up."
Well, I hope everyone liked it! I have to say I was shocked about how almost all the reviews were about how they hoped Eric was going to be ok. But, I do agree with you! You all know the deal, Reviews would be really appreciated!
-A and K