All characters and all rights at 'NCIS: Los Angeles' belong to CBS and Shane Brennan Productions. The following story does not serve any commercial purposes, but was written only for the pleasure of fans. An injury of Copyright is not intended. All further persons belong to the authoress.

English is my second language, if you find any mistakes in my story please send them back to me for correction.

I also would be very glad to get your reviews.

Chapter 6 - First Victories

Joann treaded water, while Kensi gave Deeks artificial respiration.

"Come on, Marty, breathe at last!" Joann was panting from the exertion. Desperate, she again started to pull on the anchor chain. Then she heard the typical sound of a helicopter and looked into the sky. The Coast Guard approached them. "Come on, Marty, try harder! Help is right there! Don't give up!" Joann did not even notice that tears were running down her cheeks, which already were wet with salt water.

Stubborn as she was, Kensi did not let herself get worked up. And finally had success. Deeks coughed and at least breathed on his own. However, he remained unconscious.

The rescue helicopter had taken up position and one of the men jumped off.

"How is it going, ma'am?"

"Just before your arrival, he has started to breathe again, but he doesn't come round." Kensi gasped slightly from the effort.

"I have seen how the hijackers have hit his head hard on the deck. He also was bashed up before. So he could have a head and internal injuries." Joann controlled herself again.

The lifeguard of the Coast Guard relayed the information to the helicopter. Immediately the rescue basket was lowered. To get Deeks in it was difficult, the anchor chain was a significant obstacle. As Deeks finally was in the rescue cage, they could not get him into balance.

"You've got to get into it, Kensi. Go ahead!" Joann gave her friend a little push, and then the basket was drawn up.

"Now you, ma'am!" The lifeguard held the belt out to Joann.

She shook her head and pointed to a spot behind the lifeguard. "Over there is my taxi! See to it that you bring my colleagues to the hospital!" Briefly Joann nodded to the man and then swam toward the approaching powerboat.

Exhausted, contorted with pain, Callen leant against the rock wall. The nightly fight had been pretty intense. They had almost caught him. He was saved by a lucky shot. One of his hand grenades had hit the house with the ammunition dump. The explosion had been violent. Its power had Callen thrown hard against one of the ruined houses. A ricochet also had hit him. His head throbbed, his back hurt like hell and his shoulder felt as if a fire was burst in it.

Laboriously Callen pulled up and lit a small fire. Then he spotted his prey. Callen had used most of his hand grenades in his escape. But the explosives with accessories and nearly the complete ammunition were there. With relief Callen noted that the radio was left undamaged.

While he packed up his stuff, he became thoughtful. For the first time since he was fleeing, Callen had the feeling that he had shaken off his pursuers. He had no idea what caused it, but Callen was grateful. What he now needed was a breathing space, and he had received it.

"Miss Jones?"

"I have forwarded the latest satellite images, Hetty. Agent Hanna should have them at his disposal any minute."

Hetty nodded. Nell proved again that her place in this unit was entitled. On one monitor she watched the rescue operation for Deeks. If necessary, she assisted Eric. On the other monitor she continuously had updated satellite images and information about the area in which the rescue operation for Callen took place. She forwarded this information to Sam. In addition the search for the source of this whole mess was running in the background.

"Deeks is on his way to the hospital, Kensi accompanies him. The Cost Guard arrested the hijackers. The others left for the cars."

Relieved Eric passed this information. He also was capable of multitasking. Eric conducted the ship of the Coast Guard and the rescue helicopter, had ordered the police to the marina and passed all the information on to Renko. He also had the search for their opponent running in the background. At that moment, Hetty's cell phone rang.

"Lange." Hetty listened very concentrated. "Thank you, that's good news."

Curious Eric and Nell turned to their boss.

"The FBI has blown up the slave trafficking ring. All suspects were arrested."

The curiosity of the two computer technicians has been replaced by amazement.

"Hetty, when was the FBI brought into it?"

"When Mr. Deeks has sent the distress signal. The L.A.P.D. has amazingly willingly shared its information with the FBI."

A contented smile played around Hetty's lips.

Tired Sam and his people set up their camp. They had ridden a brisk pace, only because the horses they had been resting in between. It would also be a short night's sleep. They wanted to ride before sunrise. While Sam took care of his mountain pony, one of the Seals approached him.

"Sir, a message for you."

"Thank you."

Sam took the small computer. Hetty had seen to it that they were fitted with the latest communications technology in the style of the OSP in addition to the standard equipment. Sam opened the encrypted message. He then went to the team leader.

"Looks as if we had made the right decision." Sam showed him the satellite photos that were attached to the message. "There had been a lot of explosions at our destination."

"A violent action." Attentively the team leader watched on the recordings. "How certain do you feel that this is your agent?"

Sam shrugged. "Under the given circumstances? Dead certain. He has done what your man assumed. Provided himself with everything he needs."

"And how certain do you feel, Agent Hanna, that your agent has survived the action?"

Sam looked daggers at the Seal. "As long as no one proves me otherwise, G is alive. He has survived quite another things. We are on a rescue and not on a salvage mission."

The two men measured each other with their eyes, then the team leader nodded.

"All right. We have to adjust our plan. After this fight Agent Callen certainly didn't stay in the vicinity of this village."

Using the latest satellite photos the existing plan was revised.

With chattering teeth and blue lips Joann sat in the powerboat and thought of Deeks. Thanks Kensi he was still alive, but still no one knew whether they had been fast enough. She shook her head. The man had more lives than a cat.

"Joann?"

She lifted her head and looked at Nate's worried eyes. Despite the chattering teeth Joann tried to smile.

"I'm good, Nate."

"Sure." Nate sighed. "Here." Worried, he put his jacket around Joann's shoulders.

"Thank you." Joann hesitated briefly, and then continued, however. "I hope we got Marty out of the water fast enough...It took so terribly long time before he breathed again..."

Nate nodded understandingly. "You and Kensi, you have been much faster than it occurs to you now. Deeks is damn tough and has a hard head. He will soon be back on his feet."

Joann just nodded. Slowly, the adrenaline disappeared from her blood and left exhaustion. In addition, the water had been very cold and she was shivering miserably. Nate's jacket was an affectionate gesture, but did not warm up her. Joann gritted her teeth, to stop the rattling. But it did not help against the tremor.

Thoughtfully, Callen looked at the radio. Enough time had passed that a rescue team could be close to him. At the same time a radio message could betray his position. Callen frowned. The whole time his pursuers had been close at his heels. Since his 'visit' in the village no one had shown up anymore. What had changed? Callen had no idea. He was not even sure if that was important at the moment. Still thoughtfully, he leaned against the rock wall. A sharp pain shot through his shoulder, Callen gasped. The matter was decided. He urgently needed medical help.

Frowning, Callen thought about what he should send. He was sure that Sam was at the rescue team. From this nothing and no one would have kept off his partner. So he should choose a code that only Sam knew. Callen was trying to think, but he found it harder and harder. He had a slight fever, which would certainly be worse, so he should better hurry.

A faint smile appeared on his face. The right code just came up to Callen. He grabbed the device and radioed the code.

The rescue helicopter had flown directly to hospital. Kensi walked restlessly up and down. A friendly nurse has provided her with dry clothes. Now Kensi waited for a doctor who would put her on Deeks' condition.

He had not regained consciousness during the flight. Kensi suppressed her fear, because the paramedic had made an optimistic impression. Deeks' vital signs were good; the man had reassuringly repeated that.

Kensi stopped before the window, staring into space. It was not the first time that she was worried about a colleague. Again and again, someone of them came in a dangerous situation or was injured. Or killed. As Dom. Vigorously, Kensi repressed this idea.

"Sir, there is a strange radio message. Your name is called and then follows a series of numbers." The man held out a piece of paper to Sam. "The message was repeated three times. Now, we receive nothing. Could that be Agent Callen?"

"Very likely." Sam was relieved. His partner was still alive! Then he looked at the numbers, the radio operator had given him. "What's that?" Sam was confused. "These are not coordinates."

"No, sir, I've already checked that. That has to be a code. If someone intercepts the message, he can't locate Agent Callen. I was hoping that you could decipher the code, sir."

"I care about it." Sam looked around and waved Ray nearer. "G has sent his coordinates encrypted. We need to crack the code."

"Okay, let me see it." Ray glanced at the paper. "He has addressed you, Sam, so you should know what a code this is. Callen will take only one that you both know. Have there been many cases where you used a numerical code?"

Joann now was so cold that she needed Nate's help to get off the boat. Renko opened the car and gave Joann a blanket from the trunk. While she sat in the car, Renko turned the heater on full. Before he could depart, however, Nate knocked at the side window.

"I have a problem." Nate pointed to Kensi's Cadillac SRX. "Kensi has the key."

Renko grinned. "No, she doesn't. Just like Jo she has emptied her pockets before she jumped into the sea." He gave Nate the key. "I've been wondering when you will notice it."

In spite of trembling and chattering teeth, Joann had to grin. Nate had learned a lot and had become a good agent. But sometimes he still was the little impractical, helpless-looking psychologist.

At headquarters Joann went straight to the showers. She left it up to Renko and Nate to inform Hetty. It took a while till Joann was no longer cold. After her teeth had stopped chattering, she could think clearly again. Until her arrival at the headquarters, there had been no new information about Deeks.

"What's going on?" Just as silently as Hetty, Joann had approached the bullpen.

Nate was surprised by her, while Renko just smiled. It was not the first time that Joann did this.

"We are just waiting for you to go to the hospital. Kensi has just called. There's nothing new." Renko stood up. "All right?"

"Sure, I'm good." Joann went to her place. Renko had stored her belongings there. Quickly, Joann stashed her weapon, her badge and other penny-ante stuff again in her jeans. "I'm ready, we can go." Invitingly Joann held out her hand at Renko.

"You and Kensi, you are sometimes frighteningly similar." Laughing Renko shook his head and gave Joann the car keys.

With clenched teeth Callen changed his makeshift shoulder bandage. The injury caused by the ricochet shot looked bad. He needed a doctor. Or at least a paramedic.

"Damn, Sam, get in touch!"

Frustrated Callen looked at the radio. Maybe it had not worked. Sighing, he decided to send the message again.

"Kensi?"

Relieved the agent turned to her friends. "Still no news. They make all kinds of tests with Deeks, but no one has yet said anything to me except that I must have patience."

"Well, then I'll get us some coffee." Joann set out to find the nearest coffee vending machine.

"It's certainly not so bad, Kensi. The doctors just want to be thorough." Nate placed a reassuring arm around his colleague. "I told it Joann before. Deeks is too much of a pig-headed to be sick for a long time. He will soon be back on his feet."

Kensi smiled weakly.

"Unless one of the nurses promises him a sponge bath." Renko grinned at Kensi. "Then he will surely stay a bit longer."

This comment drew a grin even on Kensi's face. "Deeks and his sponge baths!" Then she looked at her two colleagues. "What do men enjoy on it?"

Before the answer could bring the two of them in trouble, Joann appeared with the coffee. In addition, she even had raided the sweets vending machine.

"Wow, what's that?" Pretty flabbergasted Renko looked at his current partner. "Is the machine empty now?"

"No!" Outraged Joann looked at him. "I just could not decide what I wanted..."

All three had to laugh while Joann blushed. Before anyone could continue to harp on the subject, she quickly distributed the coffee.

"Hetty, we just received a message from Sam. Callen has sent an encrypted message. At the moment, Sam and Ray try to decipher it. At least we now know that he is still alive."

"Thank you, Miss Jones. Have you talked with the colleagues in the hospital?"

"Eric is just doing this. Still no news about Deeks."

"All right. Contact Agent Hanna and ask him if he needs help by you or Mr. Beale to decrypt."

"Already done, Hetty. Sam guesses that it must be a code, he and Callen had used before. Eric and I are already working on it."

Hetty nodded. "What about our other 'project'?"

"We make only slow progress." Nell hesitated. "I suspect that we are sent on the wrong track."

"Why?"

"In the beginning, Eric and I had trouble finding even a trace. It was camouflaged very well. But when we had found it once, we could follow it without any problem. That was too easy. I think someone wants us to believe that the office of the SECNAV is in it, although this is not the case."

"Do you have evidence?"

Nell shook her head. "So far yet, but Eric and I are also working on it. It's all very time consuming." For a moment Nell looked very tired, but then she was back under control. "At least we have eliminated the slave trafficking ring. And we know that Callen is alive."

"Yes, at least some good news." Also Hetty looked tired for a moment. "Well, Miss Jones. Current priority is to decrypt the code. We need to find Mr. Callen. "

"Of course, I could have come up on it earlier!" At the same time relieved and frustrated Sam wrote on the decrypted code. "Here are the coordinates."

Ray imported them on the map. "If we ride tomorrow the same brisk pace like today, we can be there around noon the day after tomorrow." In thought, he looked at the area. "Is it possible to send a helicopter there?"

Meanwhile, the team leader had arrived, too. "No chance. Everywhere in this area are Taliban, which are equipped with air defense weapons. They would shoot down the helicopter. We are the only chance for Agent Callen."

"Well, then we respond now." Sam gave a series of numbers to the radio operator. "Send them on the frequency used by G. Three times in a row."

"Yes, sir."

"And what now?" Ray looked questioningly at Sam.

"We wait for an answer."

Callen took a moment to realize that the voice he suddenly could hear did not come from a dream, but from the radio. As Callen moved, the pain in his shoulder brought him to moan loudly. His face contorted with pain, he wrote the numbers in the sand. The clear thinking was hard for him. His shoulder injury had become infected and caused for a higher fever. Callen gritted his teeth and focused. After he had deciphered Sam's message, he immediately sent his reply. Now he could only wait and hope that Sam and the Seals reached him faster than his pursuers. He was too ill to continue to flee successfully.

"Doctor?" Kensi got up and took a step to the doctor. "How is my partner?"

"He was lucky. We could not detect any internal injuries. However, he still has not regained consciousness. The cause is probably a severe concussion, as our examinations have shown no cerebral bleeding." The doctor looked at the four agents. "We only can wait."

An oppressive silence fell.

Nate recollected at first. "Thank you, Doctor. Can we see him?"

"Yes, of course. It is important that you talk to him. When Detective Deeks hears familiar voices, perhaps it helps him to wake up."

"Yes, thank you, we know."

The doctor was clearly surprised by Nate's answer, but said nothing further, and sent them to Deeks' room.

Renko called the headquarters and passed by the information of the physician. Then he listened intently to Hetty. After he had finished talking, Renko looked at his colleagues.

"Sam has located Callen. But they need one and a half days to reach him."

Slowly Hetty poured herself a cup of tea. She wavered between relief and concern. Relief that Deeks and Callen were not vanished anymore. Concern about the medical condition of her employees. Frowning, Hetty sipped her tea. She thought about Nell's guess. If the analyst was right, that would explain a lot. After Nate has given a talk to her, Hetty had wondered a lot, but she could not remember anyone at the office of the SECNAV, who fit Nate's description. Of course that did not mean that there was no one suitable. Hetty frowned. Who could get going such a game of hide and seek?

"What's on, Nell?" Eric looked at his colleague. Something made her worry.

Nell shrugged her shoulders. "No idea, Eric." She hesitated a moment before she finally called a file. "What do you think of this?"

Eric looked carefully through the data. "Someone is giving us the runarounds. This explains why so many of our research came to nothing." Thoughtfully Eric looked up from the data. "Does Hetty know?"

"Yes, I have told her my guess earlier." Nell sighed. "We have to do the search differently."

"We have to start all over again." Eric looked pretty tired.

Nell, no less tired than her colleague, merely nodded. "Let's get going."

Nate, Joann and Renko stayed in the waiting area while Kensi was sitting at Deeks' bed and talked to him. Joann suddenly realized how her friends had felt when she had been the one in the bed.

"Thank you that you had been there for me back then, although you didn't know me." Joann looked at Nate.

He smiled thoughtfully to himself. "It was a strange time."

Renko cleared his throat and looked concerned at Joann. "You also should undergo a medical check, Jo. You've been pretty hypothermic."

"I'm good, Mike." Joann smiled reassuringly at her current partner. "The shower had warmed me up again." Renko's look still was skeptical. "Honestly, Mike, I'm good. I am no longer cold and I'm relieved that Marty isn't seriously injured. Although I'm still worried because of his head injury."

"Okay." Renko was not convinced, but he also knew that he could not get somewhere with Joann.

The three made themselves ready for a longer waiting time.

Sam gritted his teeth, while Ray swore openly. The weather had become even worse. It came down with torrents and the temperature has decreased further. As a result, their pace had slowed dramatically. Frustrated, Sam had sent an according message to Callen. His pretty short answer 'Hurry up!' was not a good sign.

"I don't believe it! How can one have so much bad luck?" Frustrated Ray unsaddled his pony. Then he turned to Sam, worried. "We're running out of time. Is there really no way that Callen comes to meet us?"

Sam sighed impatiently. "If he could, G would have informed us, Ray. I also know that we have to hurry." Sam frowned. "Either his pursuers are on his heels or something has happened to him."

The mountain pony felt Ray's nervousness and restlessly stamped its hooves. Sam sharply looked at his young colleague, which made Ray pull himself together. He spoke reassuringly to the animal and then looked after it furthermore.

"Tomorrow morning we will ask Nell for the latest satellite images. Maybe we can ride a more direct way to G." Sam looked up at the dark sky. "Maybe the weather is improving, too."

Thereupon Ray did know nothing more to say.

"Nell, have you seen that?" Eric pointed to a section in one of the programs that they had worked through the whole night.

"Let me see..." Nell looked attentively at the data. "Why didn't I see that the first time! That is pretty darn clever." Nell immediately typed like a whirlwind on her keyboard.

Eric took a quick look at the data that appeared on Nell's monitor, then he continued to work through his own data.

"Have you found something?" Hetty appeared silently behind them.

"There's a sequence in one of the programs that we have not yet discovered. I think that will bring us further." Eric looked up at Hetty. "News from the hospital?"

"No, sorry, Mr. Beale." Hetty glanced at the second monitor next to Nell. "What about Mr. Hanna?"

"Extremely bad weather hampers our view and the progress of the rescue unit. I edit the images as well as I can. But if the weather doesn't improve, they'll reach Callen twelve to twenty-four hours later than planned."

Kensi sat besides Deeks' bed a felt eternity and held his hand. She felt totally exhausted. The last few weeks had been physically and emotionally exhausting. And now, for the second time since Deeks was her partner, she sat at his bedside, waiting for him to wake up. That's how Callen felt while Joann had been in coma. At the moment, it seemed to Kensi that this has happened in another life. Wearily she leaned back in the uncomfortable chair and looked at Deeks' face. Bruising, a black eye and scabbed lips were traces of the beatings he had received.

"Why must you always have such a big mouth, Deeks? Will you someday learn to restrain yourself? Or do you plan to continue making available your face as a punching bag for everyone?"

"This is just a cherished habit."

"Deeks!" Relieved Kensi jumped up and gave her friend an exuberant kiss.

"Ouch!"

"Oh, Marty, I'm sorry!" Kensi had not thought of his injured lips. Affectionate and gently she stroke with her finger over them.

"Much better." Deeks tried to grin at Kensi, but quickly gave up. It hurt too much.

"I quickly let the others know." Kensi went to the door, but then turned to her boyfriend. "Just don't run away!"

Deeks' laugh was somewhat forced.

Kensi had to smile in front of the door. Nate had his head leaning against the wall, snoring softly. Joann and Renko shared the worn out couch. Joann had drawn up her legs and her head was on Renko's thigh. He had folded his jacket for a pillow and laid his head on the backrest. A peaceful scene. Kensi cleared his throat.

"Kensi? What about Marty?" Contrary to her usual habit Joann was back to 100 percent after her awakening.

The two men began to stir, and looked concerned at Kensi.

"Deeks is just woken up. I let now the doctor know. But I thought it's better you have an eye on him, so he doesn't do nothing dumb."

Relieved, everyone laughed.

It was still raining when Sam and his squad set out again. But Nell's infrared satellite images had shown them where their opponents were staying at present. Accordingly, they had adjusted their route.

Apart from the clatter of hooves and the patter of the rain nothing could be heard. Each man watched carefully the surroundings. The satellite images were a help, but did not guarantee their safety. Each time a hostile local could appear. Periodically, Sam controlled by GPS if they were on the right way. For his safety Callen had chosen a difficult-to-reach hideout.

Ray could not loose his uneasy feeling. He felt observed, although there was no evidence. Ray sighed. At the first stop Sam had made them search saddles, bridles, and the animals for hidden transmitters. There was nothing found. But that did not mean that no one followed them or that there was no transmitter somewhere.

The team leader rode up to Sam. "How far do we come on horseback?"

Sam looked at his electronic toy. "About another two hours."

Concerned, the man looked around. "Not a good area. More hiding places and opportunities for an ambush as before."

"I know." Sam looked around, too. "But also a good place to get rid of pursuers and find a safe hiding place." Sam turned back to the Seal. "As soon as we're on foot, I'll inform G. Then he shall come our way. Our time is running out."

"Thanks for the info." Eric ended the conversation and looked up. Hetty had to have psychic abilities. She turned up every time when he had news. "That was Kensi. Deeks has regained consciousness and is doing well under the circumstances. He still stays in the hospital for observation. Kensi remains there, too, so he doesn't do something stupid."

Hetty chuckled. "This is good news. What about the rest of the team?"

"They all want to go home and get some sleep. They are back here in a few hours."

"All right. You both should do that, too." Hetty saw the uncomprehending looks of Nell and Eric. "Take a few hours sleep."

Eric shook his head. "We have new tracks, Hetty. Once the perpetrator realizes that he could make them disappear."

"In addition, Sam is waiting for my updates. I still have some satellite photos and intelligence news to edit." Also Nell shook her head. "Not a good time for a nap."

"I understand that. But if you are tired out, you could miss other tracks. Or you make mistakes, which are not to make up for." A smile appeared on Hetty's face. "I know very well what you both are doing here. That's why I need you rested."

Eric and Nell looked at each other briefly. Then Eric shrugged his shoulders. "We can sleep in turn. I lie down on the couch downstairs. Wake me in..." Eric looked at his clock. "In two hours. Or when something happens."

Questioning the two looked at Hetty. She nodded. "Agreed. Sleep well, Mr. Beale." Hetty waited until Eric had left the ops. "What about Mr. Hanna, Nell?"

The young woman did not show her surprise. It was not often that Hetty addressed her people by their first names. Nell quickly called on the current GPS data from Sam. "They are not far away from Callen. Nevertheless, their time is running out."

"Inform me, Nell, as soon as they have reached Callen."

"Of course, Hetty."

Three men took care of the horses, the other made their way up to Callen's hideout. The rain had become even stronger and the temperature dropped. Sam set a brisk pace.

"What's up, Sam? What has Callen answered?" Ray was right behind Sam and easily held the pace.

Sam growled something to himself, but did not give a clear answer to Ray.

"Sam?"

Finally he relented. "I believe that G is injured or ill. The response was very delayed and not very...clear." Sam could think of no better word to describe Callen's strange radio message.

"That would also explain why he didn't meet us." Ray thought for a moment. "We have problems, if we have to carry Callen as well."

"I know. His state of health will determine which way we can take."

"That's why you didn't send away the horses."

Sam nodded and then focused again on the way up. How the hell has Callen made his way up here when he was so ill that he could not send a clear message? Sam increased his pace a little.

Deeks looked at Kensi, who laid asleep half in her chair and half on his bed. He could hardly believe his luck to be back with her. In between, he was absolutely sure of not surviving the operation. Kensi had told him briefly what had happened after the slave traders had knocked him out. Deeks frowned and groaned slightly. His face had been got pretty badly. As soon as he was moving a muscle, it hurt.

"What?" Tired, Kensi looked at him. The moans had waken her up.

"All's well, Kensi. I am still looking for the spot on my body that didn't get hurt." Deeks tried to grin at her, but that failed.

"If you found it, Deeks, tell me about it. Then I know at least where I can give you a blow."

Deeks was not sure how serious Kensi was about that. Finally he took the risk and put his question. "Why do you want to give me a blow? Didn't I get enough strokes?"

"Apparently not. How could you be so stupid and accept this assignment? But you must have realized that this is a trap. Why didn't you cancel it? Or asked us for help earlier?" Now Kensi was fully awake and gave free rein to her frustration and her anger. "You promised to get in touch with us when you're in trouble! Why didn't you do that? Why did you break your word?"

"I haven't done that. When it became risky, I sent the distress signal." Deeks swallowed. "Kensi, I'm a cop and arresting slave traders is my job. Whether the operation was a trap or not, to bust those bastards is never safe." Deeks suddenly sounded very determined. "I was just doing my job. And you yours. You had sprung me, as it became tight."

Callen sat up and moaned softly. He felt certain to have heard noises that came from approaching people. With clenched teeth, he crept closer to the exit of the small cave that had served him for the last few days as a hideout. At that moment, the radio came to life.

"Hanna to Callen. Come in please!"

"Here Callen."

"According to my GPS, we are just in front of your hideout. So don't shoot at us."

Callen moved his head a bit more forward. "I can see you. You are a little below me, about fifty yards southwest. I'll come your way."

Sam looked up. Because of the rain, he took a moment but then he could see his partner. After he had disappeared briefly, he finally came back with a bundle and began the descent. With concern Sam noticed Callen's slow, ponderous movements. They met on a small ledge.

Sam got straight to the point. "You're hurt, G."

His partner nodded. "A ricochet shot hit my shoulder. The injury has become infected. Moreover an explosion has hurled me against a wall. Could be that my back got hurt. Maybe I also have a concussion."

Sam was stunned. Actually, he had expected, that G would respond with his usual 'I'm good'. Callen had to be badly off, when he voluntarily confessed to being ill and injured.

"We have a medic with us. He will take care of you. But we must hurry, so we get our taxi." For a brief moment, the concern on his face was replaced by a slight smile. "If we miss it, we need to walk to L.A.."

Callen looked at him, slightly puzzled, then he struggled to smile. "Hetty."

Joann awoke from a much too short nap. It took a moment, then she realized what had woken her up. She quickly grabbed her cell phone. 'Callen found, he's good.' was the text message.