Rocade Sud Highway- 1/2 mile outside of Algiers
Rocade Sud Highway was extremely busy, making it easy for the small white jeep to blend in with the dozens of other vehicles leaving the capital. Only ten minutes had gone by since the shooting in Hariri Square, yet the four agents were able to get on the highway with no problems. Their easy escape had put Kensi into high alert. She was now sitting upright in the backseat with her pistol in her right hand.
The brunette agent quickly glanced behind her to see if there were any signs of the two men or Algerian police. All she could see were red, white, silver, and grey sedans and cars filled with Algerian residents. Sam watched her for a moment before saying, "Kens, it's midday in a capital city. There's no way police are going to be able to catch us on the highway with this many cars out. The Algerians will probably look for the shooters first. Just relax for a second."
"I guess you're right," Kensi muttered. She placed the handgun in her lap and looked up to see Callen staring at her through the rear view window. "Nice to see you too, Callen. You too, Sam."
"Ha, I'm so touched that you remembered me after Callen," Sam said, feigning sadness, "What happened to you after we had split up?"
"I was going to ask you the very same thing." Before continuing on, Kensi took a moment to take in the appearance of the two elder agents on the team. Sam's arms were scratched up under the long sleeve shirt that he wore. Callen had only one visible scar- a large gash on his cheek. Both looked beyond exhausted just like she and Deeks did.
Speaking of…Kensi stated proudly, "Deeks came to my aid. He was…..a true agent out there. You both would be proud."
"Our Deeks?" Sam laughed. He looked back and saw the probationary agent sitting with his head against the window and his eyes closed.
"Hey, Scooby Doo!" Sam called out to Deeks.
No answer.
"Deeks?"
No answer.
Kensi gave her partner a hard shake and got no response. She touched his forehead, which was very warm. Kensi then slapped Deeks' cheek twice, which got him to wake.
"Huh? Wha-" Deeks muttered. He sat up slowly and brushed his hair out of his eyes. The last thing he remembered was landing on top of Kensi after the shooting. "Did I miss…..anything?"
"Not really. You're in shock though and burning up with a fever," Kensi replied.
"Oh, so the usual?" Deeks joked.
"For you, yes."
"Did we at least kill one of them? That'd send a message….to Lyons-"
"Wait? You think Lyons sent those men?" Callen exclaimed from the front seat. Deeks exchanged a confused look with Kensi before answering hesitantly, "Yes."
Suddenly, Callen switched lanes and quickly pulled off the highway. He turned onto a side road that lead near one of the country's national parks. His partner sat next to him quietly, fully aware of what the lead agent's intentions were.
The younger two agents, however, were not.
Half a mile down the road, Callen pulled the jeep to a halt and Sam jumped out. The ex-SEAL opened the trunk and started pulling out all the supplies they had packed before running into Deeks and Kensi.
"What's Sam- what's he doing?" Deeks asked Kensi.
"I don't know. Callen, what are we doing?"
Up front, the lead agent was pulling every item that sat in the glove compartment into his bag. In his frenzy, he hadn't heard Kensi's question.
"Callen!" Kensi yelled out louder, "What are we doing?"
Callen raised his head and looked back at the younger agents through the rear view mirror. "We're ditching the jeep and walking from here on out," he stated flatly.
"I'm sorry…what?" Kensi exclaimed.
"Grab your things and help Deeks out of the car."
"Callen!"
Callen turned towards Kensi and Deeks. He stated sternly, "The only thing that we can do right now is to get the hell out of Algiers. Lyons probably knows what the jeep looks like and will probably come after us before the police gets a chance to. We need to get to walking ASAP."
Callen threw his bag over his shoulder. He walked past Kensi, who was helping Deeks out of the car. Callen continued, "I have a friend in Birkhadem who may be able to help us. Deeks, Sam will help you walk while Kensi and I carry bags."
"Callen, this is crazy-"Deeks protested.
"I know, but if we were to stay in the city any longer, we'd be caught. If we can make it to Birkhadem, we should be able to recuperate for a few days, get you medical help, and make a game plan on what to do next," Callen stated, "Guys, we don't have a choice."
Sam gave him a nod once he put an arm around Deeks' waist and put the young agent's arm over his shoulder. "Callen's right. We need to get going. Everyone ready?"
He received three nods. "Alright, let's go then."