Another update so soon? Yeah why not.

Chapter 17

Sam had been right, the bullet had merely grazed his arm but it didn't diminish the sting he felt, on his flesh and in his soul. He sat opposite a concerned Hetty, nursing a cup of hot tea and avoiding her gorgon stare. "I told you I'd be ok Hetty," he tried to appease her.

"Really? Because from where I stand Mr. Hanna, one of us has a bullet injury and it isn't me," stated Hetty rather curtly.

Sam shied away nodding appeasingly but he was determined to defend his actions and those of Callen's. "Callen caught onto the plan. Everything went as expected. This was just payback…it was Callen being Callen." He was trying to convince Hetty that he was fine with the whole ordeal. He was trying to brush off the incident. But the truth of the matter was that Sam had felt fear; the petrifying fear of being on the receiving end of Callen's gun. It had shaken him to the core. However this was his issue. He could deal with it. He had to for the sake of their partnership. He couldn't allow Hetty to see through him. Maybe that was wishful thinking. That's how it was going to be.

Hetty could see right through him but she also noticed that Sam had shut down the conversation and she really didn't want to cause him any more pain. Her boys were hurting enough. "Fine Mr. Hanna I know when not to meddle in a lover's tiff." Sam smiled as he sipped the tea.

Suddenly a voice erupted from the Ops centre, "Hetty, Callen's back at the centre."

"Thank you Mr. Beale…try the intercom in the furture. It's in perfect working order." Turning to Sam, "Mr. Hanna shall we adjourn upstairs."

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The first thing Shah saw was the fear on Aadil's face as he and Callen walked in. "The American dog is no longer part of this world," said Callen coldly, knowing that the bait had been taken and he was about to reel in the big fish.

Shah nodded, "Aadil, does he speak the truth?"

Aadil composed himself. The words stuck in his mouth. "Aadil? Is the soldier dead?" asked an annoyed Shah. Callen smirked.

Finally Aadil spoke, his voice quivered and waivered, "Yes. Aziz shot him 4 times in the chest. We checked his body. He was dead then we dumped him in the bay. It was quick and brutal." Shah looked at Aadil closely and then at Callen. There was a certain amount of tension between Aadil and Callen and Shah wasn't too sure what to make of it.

"Aziz how did it feel to have revenge?" asked an inquisitive Shah, whilst keeping his eyes still on Aadil.

"I want more. It is not for the faint hearted as Aadil can testify to. I want to take them all out. I want to make a statement so big that it will shake their security," said Callen vehemently but secretly hating every word. Aadil stiffened at the verbal innuendo of his lack courage. He couldn't quarrel with Callen's words because it was simply the truth.

"Come and sit down." Callen moved towards Shah with a backward glance at Aadil who refused to make eye contact with Callen. "We have been planning an attack on Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton." Callen kept his cool as everything he was hearing was being relayed to OPS. He needed Shah to talk. They needed that information. "It has been meticulously planned. We were waiting for the shipment of explosives. Now that it has arrived we are ready."

"I am at your disposal Shah…anything. I will do anything," said a calm Callen. He couldn't seem too anxious and displayed the right amount of excitement.

"Make your peace with your maker Aziz. It is planned for tomorrow at 11 hundred hours. You will drive a van into Camp Pendleton through the service entrance. We have a friend at the gate that will let you through. Your papers and your ID are being delivered as we speak. Once you're in, you will proceed to gate 3…only gate 3. You will be met by five men who are posing as cleaners. You will give them each a mop and a bucket from the van then they will go to the most populated places in the building," explained Shah, waiting for a reaction.

"What? A mop and a bucket?" asked Callen dumbly whilst laughing, masking his true intent.

"Brilliant is it not? The mop handles are filled with Octanitrocubane. It is the most powerful non-nuclear explosive around. The detonators are in the top cap of the mop. All that needs to be done, is for the cap to be depressed, it detonates the explosive and KABOOM!" explained a maniacal Shah.

"It is very well organized…very ingenious. But that explosive, it is very hard to come by, almost impossible," asked a worried Callen. This was serious. This was absolutely serious. He could almost see the shock on his team's faces. It was bigger than they had imagined.

"Yes indeed but we have friends, friends in high places with a lot of influence. Actually you may have met Slakov…he is a powerful fence for the buyers and the sellers. He supplied Raza with all the firepower he needed and he supplied us. He is well connected and has no allegiances...well only to money," laughed Shah at his own joke. It made Callen sick inside.

"The other brothers, they are committed?" asked Callen trying to extract as much information as possible.

"Yes, here look," he pulled out his phone and showed Callen the images of the five young boys. "This one is Pashir Ashwani, this one Owan Kadir, Salam Mugahir, Iole Mushala and Aadil's son Patel Maram. These men have all pledged their soul and their heart to the cause. They will be rewarded Aziz, as will be with the glory in the afterlife."

"Yes…but you haven't mentioned my role," asked Callen moving the conversation along.

"Yes…yes. After the bombs have been delivered, you take your own, using an access card we managed to duplicate and head into Pendleton's Top General's office on the top floor and detonate it at 11 along with the other five. The place with be razed to the ground and we will give a press release stating our reasons for the attack. This will show all of them that they can and must be held accountable. They will pay for their actions," explained Shah looking intently at Callen.

"Good. It is a good plan and I will do my very best. Thank you for this opportunity Shah. My soul will be cleansed with the deaths of the infidels and I will enter the afterlife whole," answered Callen suppressing all the emotions detrimental to undercover work: anxiety, fury and fear.

"Do you have anywhere to stay tonight brother?' asked a concerned Shah, moving closer to Callen, his back stiffening.

"No," the answer was brief.

"You can stay here. It is sheltered, warm and it has the necessary basics. I need to return home and be with my family. Til tomorrow Aziz." Shah gave him a brief but warm embrace. Callen responded in turn. He watched Shah leave and relieved to finally be alone with his thoughts when he felt eyes on him. He had felt like he was being watched for a while. He turned and Aadil was sitting on a stool staring at Callen. He didn't know what to make of the man. He had absolutely no idea what was going through his mind.

Callen walked over to Aadil and sat next to him. Neither spoke a word for a while until Callen broke the silence, "Aadil is something wrong?"

Aadil's face contorted with anxiety and worry. He was unsure how to breach the subject with Callen. But he started nonetheless, "You are certain of tomorrow?"

"Of course, have I not proven myself?" answered a confused Callen. He still couldn't reconcile the mixed feelings he had about this man.

"Yes, yes…"

"Then what is it?" asked Callen still trying to get a handle on the conversation.

"One of them is my son," finished Aadil.

Callen knew this and it was not what he had expected. He tried to remain in character yet what did one say to a father who was going to lose his son? "Yes I know. You must be very proud."

"Proud? Proud that I will lose my son, proud that I will not see him graduate…he is 17 and knows no better." He turned to face Callen, his eyes red with yet unshed tears. "You Aziz, you have suffered at their hands and I understand your need for vengeance, but my son, what does he know about suffering? What does he know about war? What does he know about death? I left Pakistan to escape the violence and the poverty. My life here is good and my children have a future without war and without terror. I can't let him go through with it and I can't stop him."

Callen was shocked. The idea that Aadil was not the radical he thought he was threw him. He took a moment to steady his thoughts and breathe through the pain that was radiating through his body. Aadil appreciated the silence but had become nervous. Maybe he was wrong to confide in this stranger? "Have you tried talking to him?" was all Callen could muster.

"Yes, as has my wife and his siblings but it has changed nothing. What can I do, Aziz? Can you help me or do you think I'm weak?" asked Aadil, those unshed tears now streaming down his cheeks.

"Your son has no place in this war. This is a war for the souls who have lost everything and everyone. I will do what I can to help him, to get him out before the infernal hour," said Callen hoping that Hetty and his team would be able to find and keep him safe.

"Patel, his name is Patel and the splitting image of me…please Aziz…get him out tomorrow please," begged Aadil placing his head between his hands.

Callen sat with slumped shoulders. It seemed that everyone was depending on him lately and he found the burden so very very heavy. He just couldn't save everyone. He had saved Sam and his team, but many lives had been lost as well; innocent or guilty they were people nonetheless…with hearts, souls and minds. He had nearly lost his own life on the way. He sighed deeply. "Goodnight Aziz," said Aadil. Callen didn't have the fortitude to answer.

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Across town Hetty, Sam and Eric sat in the quiet and dark OPS centre hanging onto every word being spoken. Sam stared at the dark blank computer screen and sighed. He felt Callen's pain and he felt Callen's altruistic spirit thrash against reason. Saving Patel could compromise the mission and could compromise Callen, forfeiting his life for yet another innocent victim. Hetty walked over to Sam, "Yet again we are met with a hurdle Mr. Hanna and Mr. Callen is at the centre of it. What should we do?"

Sam paused as his eyes took on a sullen inevitable look, "I didn't want him going in but we can't intervene until we identify the other members and we can't find them before tomorrow. Do we help Patel? No. He is guilty as the rest. We arrest him tomorrow with the others. We place Camp Pendleton on alert and organize a reception party for them. As soon as they congregate around the delivery dock, we move in and shut it down. This has gone on for long enough," stated Sam, factually and concisely.

"Yes, yes it has. Mr. Hanna what about Mr. Callen and his habit of putting his life on the line for others?" reminded Hetty.

"He won't need to do anything other than show up…but I am making sure G gets out in one piece," promised Sam looking up at Hetty. Hetty nodded agreeing wholeheartedly with Sam.

"I'll get on the phone and brief Camp Pendleton. I wish we could contact Mr. Callen," then she turned to Sam, "to let him know he's not alone."

"He knows that Hetty now more than ever." Sam's words dripped with memories of a better time.

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Morning came too soon for Callen. The sun's rays pierced through the window directly onto his face causing Callen to wince in agony. He ached and he ached bad. Every nerve ending and every muscle screamed for the release of pain. He took a deep breath and held it until he dragged himself up, then he exhaled it slowly and steady, bracing himself for the aftereffect. He ran his hands over his face and begged for release from this case. He was simply so tired.

He mentally listed everything he knew about the mission. It eased his anxiety. Lost in his thoughts and managing his pain, it surprised him when Shah appeared in front of him, "Aziz, you look terrible brother. I brought you some food." He placed it on the table. Callen looked over and the walk seemed insurmountable, but he got up and walked over masking the pain.

"Shah…thank you," said Callen opening the warm container of homemade food. He was hungry so he ate carefully relishing every bite.

"Good huh? Eat. My wife should be on Masterchef," said Shah laughing as he did.

As Callen finished the last mouthful, Aadil came into the hall; the two men exchanged a brief and collusive look. Shah turned to Aadil, "Ah! Where have you been Aadil?"

"Checking the equipment Shah," answered Aadil, trying to avoid Callen's gaze.

"Good, good. Now we to go through the details and get you ready Aziz," stated Shah eagerly. Callen nodded and thought let's finish this!

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The team at Ops had everything they needed to come down on Shah and his terrorist group. Camp Pendleton was on alert and undercover operatives were ready. They were given strict orders not to shoot but to apprehend the five young men including Callen as quickly and efficiently as possible. It was risky but Callen's alias was too valuable to burn. Sam didn't like it neither did Hetty. It meant another delay for Callen but Granger always had the last say. Kensi and Deeks were waiting patiently in her car a block away from the hall that housed Shah with a several other NCIS operatives masked in black SUVs.

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Another disguise another story thought Callen. He gingerly slid into the driver's seat of the van and turned on the ignition. Shah extended his hands out urging Aadil to do the same and chanted a prayer. Callen had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. The end seemed so near he just wanted to get it over and done with. "May our father be with you," said Shah.

Callen smiled and drove off. He was tired of the game. The drive was stressful. If anything would happen to the van, the fallout would be devastating. Callen drove steady and carefully. Finally he reached the outer gate of Camp Pendleton and was greeted by a man in uniform. "Hey! I'm supposed to take this to Dock 3," said Callen casually looking around taking in the perimeter.

The guard looked at him and smiled, "ID and papers please."

Callen smirked back. He recognized the guard. It was Nick Falter, a NCIA junior agent. Nonetheless Callen turned and grabbed the clipboard and showed him his ID. Nick did his job perfectly, "Seems in order. Dock 3 is to the left and whatever happens keep undercover. The boss gets peeved if the delivery is exposed." Nick paused and Callen smiled nodding. He got the message. He had to take the fall with the rest of them.

"Ok," answered Callen. It was a short drive to Dock 3. He spun the van around and backed it in very carefully. He got out taking off his jacket and walked round to the rear. He buzzed the intercom announcing his arrival when the huge roller door started its weary way up, bumping and grinding. Facing him were five young men dressed as cleaners. Callen froze…they were so young. "We need to get our supplies or else we'll be late and our supervisor won't like it," said the younger looking of the five.

"Yes of course," said Callen slowly opening up the back doors of the van. Suddenly like a rain of fire, marines came from every orifice of the delivery dock; guns aimed and primed, shouting GET DOWN, HANDS ON YOUR HEAD AND GET DOWN. The five young men did as they were told; the shock impeding their rational thoughts. They were scared and hadn't expected this. They didn't hesitate. They didn't think of heroic acts. They just did what they were told. They immediately fell to the floor and laid face down with their hands on their heads. Callen followed suit. That's when he saw Sam and he couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face. Sam had kept his promise...despite the bullet graze.

Meanwhile on the other side of town, the call rang out, "Alpha team, GO. Tango Team, GO!" Kensi and Deeks led the raid. Shah, Aadil and a handful of the faithful fell to their knees. "Hands behind you heads NOW!" yelled Deeks securing Aadil as Kensi placed ties around Shah's hands.

"What are you doing? We have done nothing," pleaded Shah. Aadil didn't utter a word. He was relieved. If they had discovered their plot, his son was safe. He wondered if this was Aziz's plan or divine intercession.

Kensi didn't bother replying. She just read him his rights and escorted them and the others to the waiting vans.

"Not bad for a day's work. Got the baddies, saved Callen and saved the world…well maybe a very small tiny fraction," said Deeks cheerfully.

He received a pat on the back, "Yep…one for the good guys. Hope Callen's ok?"

Indeed that concern was on everyone's mind.

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