Chapter 16

The hall behind the Mosque was rather large and separated into three spacious rooms. Callen could hear their traditional music filling the evening air. Callen had just found himself again, but he was afraid of this alias. Aziz's identity had implanted itself firmly in his psyche. He was the only one that understood the horror he'd been through. Was he becoming schizophrenic allowing Aziz to have so much reign over his conscience? He wasn't sure and he found it disconcerting. However this time he was on home soil and he had his team to back him up. He wasn't alone.

Callen took a deep breath and slipped into his alias so naturally. He walked carefully and warily. He arrived at the door and was greeted by a few older teenagers laughing and pushing each other around. He kept up his guard. They just pushed past him and continued their game. Callen looked at them nervously. He couldn't afford any cracks to show. He had to play this cool. He pushed through the door and the old frayed beaded curtain that hid behind it. He looked around scanning the inside. It was spartan. There was a collection of mismatched plastic chairs, some old card tables and a variety of rugs and books stacked in a corner. He kept looking around. Some cast him sidelong glances, others whispered, then a man disappeared through a right exit. It caught Callen's eye. He continued to walk around slowly when an older man approached him. "Hello and welcome brother. I am Aadil Maram. Is this your first time at our gathering?"

"Yes. I am looking for Shah Haklemi," said Callen not wasting anytime whatsoever. His demeanor was serious and urgent, and rather pitiful.

"I am sorry but there is no one here by that name, brother." His kind eyes suddenly became deadly. "You are mistaken."

"No. I am Aziz Umar. I survived the massacre at Wana. Raza spoke to me about his cousin Shah Haklemi. Please I need help. I need to see him," Callen sounded desperate and he was. Time was of the essence and he needed that information yesterday. He feigned collapsing.

Aadil steadied Callen, "Brother you are ill?"

Callen played his part beautifully exaggerating the already ailing state of his body, "I have not eaten in days and I am still hurting from the wounds. Please I need to see him." Aadil motioned to another man who led the way while Aadil escorted Callen. They walked through the middle room and Aadil told Callen to wait. He parted the curtains and entered. After a few moments Callen saw Aadil motioning him to enter.

Callen took a quick glance and recognized Shah as the man from the surveillance photos. He kept his gaze downward while Aadil spoke, "Shah, this is him."

Shah stood up and took Callen by the arm. Callen sheepishly looked at him cowering and lowly. "Please brother, we are all equal here. Come sit. Aadil get the man some water. So you were at Wana?" asked a shocked Shah.

Callen grabbed the cup and drank quickly trying to emphasize his thirst and nodded. "You survived?"

Callen placed the cup down and wiped his mouth with the ratty sleeve of his tunic, "Barely. I wouldn't have if a friend of mine had not come looking. He organized for me to come here."

"Why here brother?" asked Shah quite mystified, "Of all places. One would think you would find a place far away from the infidels."

"No!" Callen looked at them disbelievingly. "You wouldn't say that if you saw what I did. It was hell."

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend. I want to know what happened Aziz. Please tell us. Tell me about my cousin and how he was robbed of his life," apologized Shah. Callen had them eating out of the palm of his hand.

Callen took another drink and held the cup between his hands with a slight tremble, "The night of the attack, Raza organized a small celebration. We were relaxed and enjoying the momentary lapse of vigilance. However Raza was always thinking…he was concerned about the prisoners. He didn't want anything to happen to them until he got his demands met. He asked me to check on them. I did as he asked. He was such a great leader and a visionary. When I reached the area towards the south wall, I heard explosions from within the camp and then the shooting. I ran towards the prisoners' cell. But I was too late. The prisoners had already escaped in one of our vehicles…ones that I fixed for Raza. I watched them drive away. Then I took a shot here." Callen pulled the tunic down from his shoulder exposing the still healing wound. He saw their concerned faces.

"I fell but I got up and started to go back to see if Raza and Hussein were fine..." Callen's gaze went distant and his voice monotone. "That's when I saw them coming, like infernal serpents in the night sky. I knew what they were. The Americans love their Patriot missiles. I ran as fast as I could…I'm sorry. I showed cowardice. I didn't die for my cause. I ran and was thrown by the explosion…I thought I was going to die. I don't know what happened to Raza. But he was in the centre of the compound, at the heart of the explosion."

"Raza died a true martyr, like his followers," contemplated a sad Shah. "So you came to tell me what happened?"

Callen stood up quickly shaking his head in annoyance, "No…yes. Isn't it obvious why I came to you? I was a coward. I ran away and I survived. I disserted my cause and my brothers. I'm here to make amends, to seek vengeance on the Americans. I can't do it on my own. I have nothing. I know nobody. I am alone."

Silence and shock permeated the room; Shah, Aadil and another man froze stiff. Callen noticed their disposition and wondered whether he had pushed them too far. "I am sorry," he said quietly collapsing in the chair, "Maybe I was wrong coming to you. I'll find another way. I can see you have made a life here and have Americans as friends. I should not have come." He got up wearily and started to leave when Shah's voice stopped him.

"Wait please Aziz. Stay."

"No, no. I only came here because Raza told me about the plans you and him had talked about…he missed you. He called you the general. I thought you could help me. But I will find another way. I will redeem myself," finished Callen.

"The general…I had forgotten…yes when we were children. Stay Aziz, we may have a way for everyone to get what they deserve."

Bingo! Callen was in. The last piece of information had sealed it. "Ok…"

Sam waited patiently sitting on egg-shells listening attentively. The optic fiber sewn into Callen's tunic was letting them into Callen's world of espionage.

Back at Ops

The optic fiber was working effectively and Callen's team was privy to everything that was being said and it gave him a sense of safety. It dared him to go further. "How does he do that?" said Deeks shaking his head in wonder. "That general thing, wasn't real was it?"

Hetty raised her eyebrows, "No Mr. Deeks, it wasn't. Mr. Callen has dealt with so many of these types of people. He knows the right way to approach them. It's called memory suggestion…he was playing on Shah's sentimentalism concerning his cousin. Risky but in this case, a risk worth taking."

"Hetty…" continued Deeks.

"Ummm," sung Hetty.

"How can you be so certain about Callen's methods and actions? Your faith in him is scary."

Hetty smiled and looked at Deeks sweetly, "Mr. Deeks the answer is simple. I trained him, and it's in his blood. Now start with the searches and surveillance on Aadil."

Sam hadn't moved from his position next to Eric as he observed Deeks and Hetty's interaction. He needed to take the lead on this one. Things were going just too slow for Sam and he was worried about Callen going undercover for an extended period. He walked over to Hetty who had reassumed flicking through a folder of files. She didn't stop as she said, "Yes Mr. Hanna?"

"Do you think it's a possibility that Shah might ask G to prove himself before divulging any information?" asked Sam quietly, not wanting to spook the others.

Hetty stopped in her tracks, "It is a possibility Mr. Hanna. But we are hoping it won't come to that."

"But it happens in 9 out 10 cases. There are too many variables…including G's life. The sooner he's out, the better it is. So what if we take control of this operation? What if a target was handed to them on a silver platter?" suggested Sam.

"Continue…"

"We give them someone to kill. Someone they hate," said Sam flatly.

"And you have a suggestion Mr. Hanna? I have a feeling I'm not going to like it," said a worried Hetty, now looking up at Sam.

"Me. I'll get on their radar. G will have to kill me," answered Sam.

"Ohhh dear Mr. Hanna. You are not seriously suggesting that I put you in such danger. I almost lost you once I cannot go through that again," said Hetty closing the file and shaking her head.

"You won't. We've done this before Hetty. We need to move this along," said Sam forcefully.

She took a deep breath then aspirated saying, "What do you have in mind?"

"I feel like taking a walk around the Peace Gardens, that's where most of the Islamic youth hang out. Word will get around. It won't take long." Sam was enthused.

"Fine. But you wear a vest at all times, Mr. Hanna. That's non negotiable."

"Agreed. I feel like stretching my legs anyway."

Back at the Youth Centre

A few hours had passed and Callen had been cleaned up and fed. They spent the time talking religion, their beliefs and of course, Callen's time at the compound. When quite abruptly Shah stopped and looked at Callen intently, "I admire your will Aziz and you fervor for redemption. However you are not a soldier and I fear that you will not have the resolve to complete your wish."

Callen froze. Where did I go wrong? They were eating out of my hands, thought Callen. "No, you are wrong. I left everything I had: my family, my career, my life to fight for my beliefs. These are not the actions of a pencil-pushing coward. I will not go to the afterlife without having my revenge and my fill of infidel blood. It seems I have more courage than all of you put together."

Before anyone could respond to Callen's soliloquy, Aadil's phone rang. "It's Patel…my son," said Aadil looking at Shah. He got up and moved away. Callen looked at him walk away avoiding Shah's scrutiny. He couldn't make out what Aadil was saying and it frustrated him. This was taking longer than he thought. Suddenly Aadil's face paled as he looked at the image on his phone. Without wasting a second, he rushed over to Shah and showed him the image. Shah stood up shocked.

"Our maker works in great ways." He nodded to Aadil then looked at Callen smiling. Callen was on the defense. "You speak eloquently about your need for revenge Aziz. This is your chance to prove it." Shah showed him the image. "He was one of the prisoners. I saw him on TV. He is alive and my cousin is dead. You prove yourself. Kill him and we will give you what you want."

They were right. The man in the image had been a prisoner at Wana but he was also his brother, the man he went to save…the man was Sam. At first desperation ran through his veins but soon his training overtook his fear, and logic prevailed. Sam wouldn't be so careless, he wouldn't expose himself…this was a plan. Callen knew they wanted a reaction and he wasn't going to disappoint them. Standing up he yelled, "He is here. I will kill him. Then I will come back and I will demand that you help me, or I swear I will kill you. Give me a gun. Tell Aadil's son to follow him until I get to where he is."

Aadil did as told.

Shah nodded and Aadil lifted several boards from the corner of the room and pulled out a Russian Baikal Viking MP-446 and handed it to Callen. He looked at it then checked it out like a pro, "Raza taught me many things in our short time together."

He gave them a last stare down and started walking out when Shah yelled out to Callen, "Wait! Aadil will come with you. He'll pass on his son's messages." Aadil nodded at Shah and at Callen. They were all agreed. Sam was going to die.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Hetty heard everything that transpired between the men in the hall. Sam's plan was working. However there was one problem: Aadil was with Callen and she was nervous how Callen would play it out.

"Mr. Hanna, Mr. Callen is on the move but he has a watcher. Be careful," she said softly.

"I'm all set. Pablo worked his magic with the vest. Just make sure Deeks waits a while for the rescue." There was silence for a few very pregnant seconds.

"Mr. Hanna?"

"Sorry Hetty…I see him. There's someone with him. Ok It's on," said Sam as he turned around and made eye contact with Callen.

Sam was impeccable…as soon as he saw Callen, his face blanched with fear of recognition. Keeping his eyes on Callen, he started to walk faster. Callen picked up his pace as well. "He recognizes you!" said a convinced Aadil.

"I knew you doubted me. Keep up," growled Callen. He started to cut through the parked cars, avoiding the pedestrians and picking up the pace. Suddenly Sam broke into a run. Callen did the same. He recognized the streets and realized where Sam was going. Clever Sam, very clever, thought Callen. "Slow down Aziz, I can't keep up," yelled Aadil.

"I can't lose him," screamed Callen as he continued the chase, through some tight alleyways until he emerged at the pier. He stopped for two reasons; he needed to make sure Aadil witnessed the murder and he needed to rest. He was just out of hospital and he was hurting. He was not well and his mind started to wonder whether it had been wise to stop Hetty telling him the truth about his health. Suddenly he heard Aadil's faint footsteps and he took off again towards the pier. He slowed his running to a jog. Ignoring the stares of the resident fishermen, he took in the area and saw Sam. The look that transpired between them was a look of acceptance, of trust, of loyalty and of something Sam hadn't seen before. Aadil missed their moment as he caught up panting. "Stay here," ordered Callen.

"No I will follow," argued Aadil.

"NO!" whispered Callen harshly, "Do as I say." Aadil didn't recognize the person that had just spoken to him. There was a ruthlessness to his voice. It froze Aadil on the spot. He was suddenly afraid.

Sam had gone as far as he could. He was at the end of the pier like a trapped animal and Callen was meters away. They were alone. "There is no where to run, dog. You will suffer like my brothers," yelled Callen, walking slowly towards Sam. They were playing their roles perfectly.

"No please you don't understand…it wasn't my fault," Sam pleaded holding out his hands nervously, "Please don't hurt me."

Callen stopped and smiled. Suddenly Sam saw something in Callen's eyes that he didn't recognize. He frightened him. He knew Callen was acting and he was a master, but this was different. Callen was absent. There was hurt and pain in his eyes. They were telling Sam how angry, how wounded and how disappointed he was. This was payback. Sam just shook his head ever so slightly. Please no Callen…please no. He was suddenly afraid that Aziz had re-emerged.

"I won't hurt you, dog. You will simply die." Callen raised his gun and fired four shots straight into Sam and a fifth one in the arm. Blood splurted from the punctures as Sam fell first to his knees and then slowly slumped onto his back. Callen walked over to Sam's lifeless body and looked down. Aadil finally joined him. He saw the blood oozing from his torso. He saw the blood trickling from the big man's mouth. Callen bent down and placed his fingers on Sam's carotid artery. "He is dead." Then he turned to Aadil and flashed him a sickly smile, "Help me push him into the water and make him more dead."

Afraid of Callen's murderous side, Aadil obeyed diligently. Sam's body was rolled off the pier in the freezing water. Aadil and Callen watched as his body floated for a while before sinking slowly down into the depths of the bay. Callen threw the gun in after him. "No evidence. Let's go."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Moments later, a very sore and very wet Sam was helped into a boat hiding among the shadows underneath the pier. Deeks and Kensi had dragged him in slowly not anticipating the true weight of a wet Sam. "Whoa man…I shouldn't hired a crane," joked Deeks grabbing Sam's belt and heaving him in. Sam was silent. He didn't even shoot Deeks a grimace. Deeks was chagrined.

Sam gathered himself. He sat shivering as Kensi threw a thermal blanket over him and wrapped it tight when Sam jolted, "Ummm."

"Sam? How bad does your chest hurt?" asked a concerned Kensi looking directly at Sam.

"Chest is fine. My arm…I need you to stop the bleeding," Sam answered avoiding Kensi and Deeks glares.

"What happened?" asked Deeks moving closer to Sam, concerned and worried.

Sam looked at Deeks and looked away. "Callen shot you?" asked Kensi incredulously.

Sam nodded, "Just a flesh wound."

"No Sam, Callen wouldn't miss. He shot you," confirmed Kensi. Then she turned to Deeks, "What are gawking at? Drive…Sam needs medical attention." For the first time ever, Deeks didn't answer back and did what he was told. This was big and he wasn't interested in getting in the middle of the Sam and Callen war.

"It's all good. I deserved it. I know G. It was his way…payback. Last time it was a left hook followed by a sharp deep jab in the abdomen. I'm thinking this deserved a bullet graze. For a split second I thought he had regressed and become his alias, but no…it was all G. He's good but he's no Pacino," finished Sam slowing his pulse and his anger.

"There's no excuse Sam…no excuse," said Kensi eyeing him with concern. Sam may have been taking the incident on the chin, but Kensi could see the pain in Sam's eyes. Things were supposed to be getting better not worse, thought Kensi as they sat in silence for the duration of the trip.

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a/n You probably noticed the use of the chosen one…after watching the episode I decided to use the term to explain what Callen needed to do.

All rights belong to Shane Brennan and the team.