N/A: I know, I know, not a lot of action last chapter, let's try to fix it.

Chapter 11

The evening had just started when Callen got out of the cave. Some minutes before he succeeded at eating a protein bar and he injected himself a painkiller, a high dose of adrenaline and B12 to be able to walk and resist the pain for what was going to come. If the information Eric sent him before the operation was still in force, he hadn't much time to loose.

With the help of another wooden stick and trying not to put all his weight on his left knee, he set out on descending the mountain. Tired and dizzy he arrived to the spot that served as meeting point for the helicopter. The memory of his fall gave him chills; he didn't know how the hell he survived, but he promised himself that if he'd get out of this one, he'll train harder on the climbing wall even with Hetty. Feeling weak, he rested for a while and tried to control his breathing. He knew that the effects of the adrenaline shot weren't to last much longer, so getting up with all the determination he could gather, he headed west and entered the forest.

Two hours and another adrenaline shot later, G arrived exhausted and in pain to the bad illuminated dirt track that the locals considered as the main road. Two directions, two plans. To the south Antalya, the beach, the Mediterranean Sea, a cargo ship every two days to Greece, Italy and Spain. Once out of the county he could contact his team, till then, he was still a ghost.

To the north, Konya. With his face injured it would be more difficult to get unnoticed in a big city, but a high speed train to Ankara and maybe a plane to flee out, wasn't a bad solution.

Destiny, or rather the Süha Turizm bus company, decided for Callen. Hidden on the last trees of the forest he wipe off the sweat of his good hand against his pants and produce a charged pistol form his pocket. The bus was approaching his position. His side was killing him with each inspiration, but he knew he only had one opportunity. The fast beating of his heart was pounding hard on his ears. His mouth, dry. His senses alert. Just when the bus was reaching his tree he aimed to the metallic bumper and took the shot. As he hoped, the sudden noise startled the driver who stopped the vehicle to check what was going on. Callen get out as fast as he could and, taking advantage of the driver's indecision who was considering if descending or continuing his route, he managed to open the trunk and sneak inside. Surrounded by the piled luggage, he didn't have much room. Thinking on Sam and his claustrophobia and thanking God for not having the same problem, he cut open with the yagatan an old leather suitcase and stole a black burka that he got to put over his head. Then he cut a piece of leather and placed it between his teeth. The bus started and with it the four hours of torture that awaited Callen's broken bones on the bumpy road.

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The sudden noise of her personal phone took Hetty out of her reverie.

- "Mr. Hanna, any progress?" - she asked rubbing her face with her right hand – "I see… yes…no…"

Kensi approached her boss's desk guessing what the call was about and not wanting to get excluded of the conversation.

- "No Sam, I'm not happy with the idea of losing another agent… and actually the doctor doesn't give you an all clear from your broken finger."- she can heard Sam laugh's on the other side of the line.- "I'm glad you find me funny, Mr. Hanna, but you certainly know that I'm right."

- "Hey Hetty!" – Interrupted Kensi – "is Sam going to Turkey? I'm in!"

- "One second Miss Blye…" – Hetty stopped her agent rising a finger while Sam explained the plan on the phone. – "All right then, you have my word that I'll cover your back with Granger, but promise me that if you can't find him in the next two days you'll come back here for Christmas…your word, Mr Hanna?... Thank you. Listen Sam, you do take care out there… and now go and bring our boy home." – She added cutting the communication off.

- "Hetty, is Sam going to Turkey?" - Asked anxiously Kensi sat on the edge of the wicker chair – "Where is he now? I'll get Deeks and…"

- "No so fast Miss Blye" – Said Hetty arming herself with patience – "Effectively Sam is going to join a group of marines who'll head to base of the NATO in Cyprus. From there he'll try to jump to Cappadocia.

- "Hetty, Sam needs back up there, I already lost one friend on the field for not staying, and I'm not ready to risk another one. I need to go."- affirmed Kensi.

- "I understand you, Kensi, believe me. I'd be the first one to go in that plane if just for one second I think I could possibly find Mr. Callen, but right now is not the case."

- "But Hetty…"

- "Let me explain the situation: Mr. Hanna's visit to Camp Pendleton has been fruitful. Colonel Harrison was aware of Mr. Callen's actions rescuing Captain Washington and confessed Mr. Hanna that once the helicopter landed putting Washington safe, the SEALS contacted secretly with one of his men infiltrated on the Turkish police in order to search for Mr. Callen."- she paused letting her words to take effect.

- "And? Any clue?" – Kensi asked.

- "Not exactly; apparently the man went to the area the next day and he found Callen's helmet and the body of an unidentified man, presumably one of the terrorist."

- "But Hetty, if Callen was able to kill that man it means he is alive!"- exclaimed the agent.

- "Unfortunately we cannot know that, KEnsi. The only thing we know for sure is that he was injured, and even if his probabilities are against him, we don't know to what extent; he could be hidden on the area, he could have been captured for the terrorists, or he could be trying to get out the country."

- "I don't think so, Hetty, if Callen is trying to escape he would contact us on the first opportunity!"

- "Are you sure of that, Miss Blye?"

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The sudden stop of the bus gave Callen a start when he came to. He was covered in a cold sweat, and he felt weak, sick and hurting all over. Awkwardly he managed to inject himself the last dose of adrenaline just before the door of the truck was open. He could see the legs of the people approaching to get their suitcases. Adjusting the burka as much as he could, he kicked with his good leg a light bag that flew from the bus. The proprietary, grumpy started to yell at the driver and soon, they started a fight. The confusion created allowed Callen to get out the bus and to reach the bus station where he reached the lady's toilet without being noticed. He barely managed to block the door and kneeing on the dirty floor he vomited the little content his stomach had. Exhausted he sat down against the wall overwhelmed by the pain. He took him for ages to gather enough strength to stand up again and get out the stall. Clumsily he took the burka off and he look himself on the mirror for the first time in five days. He didn't recognize himself on the image reflected on the glass. The sticky beard, the red eyes surrounded by dark circles, the rest of blood, the swelling of the bruises, the deep cut from his front and well passed the eyebrow.

- "Yeah, definitely if Hetty could see me right know she would be really pissed off." – He thought.

Opening the faucet he tidied himself up the best he could, disinfected his wounds and dressed himself again with the burka. He needed to do some shopping before going to the port.

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Sam's feelings were a rollercoaster since his meeting with the Colonel. Secretly was more than upset with the possibility that the SEALS, his family, could have leave Callen without even trying to rescue him. He understood their silence, an operation like that one was always on the hands of no more than five people, however, he needed to know what happened to his friend so bad that he nearly punch the marine.

Now he had Hetty's blessing and he was leaving, finally, in half an hour. For a moment he imagined Callen hurt, alone, dying little by little in the other side of the world, but quickly he erased the image of his mind and tried to focus in that 5% Eric announced. The only thing G needed to do was his speciality: to survive. He was going to find him.