Tsunami

Disclaimer: NCISLA characters belong to Shane Brennan. All original characters and this story are mine.

Chapter 12

Undisclosed location — three days later

It was like a strange dream for Callen, when he opened his eyes, he was in an unfamiliar room, a monitor beeped, but he wasn't inside a hospital. The smell would have told him that immediately. He turned his head, Sam sat in the chair, dozing.

The door opened and Franklin popped his head in. "You're awake. About time, bro. Thought we'd have to bring Savannah in to kiss you awake."

"Are you always like this?" Callen's voice was husky.

"Only when you scare the crap out of us, and fall unconscious for three days."

He couldn't remember anything after firing at the guards on top of the wall. "Is everyone safe?"

"Yes, thanks to your firing. You gave us the time and cover we needed. Thanks."

"Anytime."

"I think I'll pass on having to rescue you like that again though." He sat on the edge of the bed. "How's the pain?"

"Better than when you were lifting me over that wall."

"Yeah, sorry about that, but we had no choice."

"Jennifer, is she…"

"She's doing okay. She's in the next room, sleeping."

A silence fell between them. Franklin had a lot to say to his older brother, but he wondered if now was the time. But at the same time, if he didn't say it now and waited till he was better, there was a good possibility that George wouldn't listen. So he took his chance. "You know Dad loves you, like he loves Brad and I. We didn't know about you or Amy, not until he had the stroke. But we remember Dad locking himself in the shed and crying. Neither of us understood it, but after our mom told us about you, it all made sense." Franklin paused, giving his brother time for this to sink in before he continued. "She gave me this," he handed a letter over to him.

"What is this?"

"Read it. It's from our father to my mother, written about six months after you left them."

Callen tried to sit up, Franklin assisted him, puffing pillows up behind his back and head. He felt dizzy and held his hand out for his brother to stop.

"You lost a lot of blood, George, and suffered a concussion. It will be a few more days before you feel like sitting up properly."

Callen laid half propped up and closed his eyes for a moment. He hated to feel so helpless, but his body and head betrayed him. When he felt a little better, he opened his eyes again and looked at the letter.

My dear Gloria,

My time here at Virginia Beach PC has given me the time to heal from the guilt and the pain. I'm sorry I've not been there to help you during your pregnancy, but the doctor says I can come home soon, I hope before our baby is born.

You have always been my strength since losing Clara and our children, and especially so when I asked you to help me adopt George. You have a kind soul, always thinking of others before yourself. I saw my son settle a little around you, I think if I hadn't asked Tom to help me prove that his last foster father had abused him, you may have helped him.

But I can see now that he was afraid of me. Whatever that man did to him, it destroyed any chance I had to get my son back. I know I fell apart when you needed me the most, but what I saw happen to my son, it was too much.

I tried to get to both of my children, but the odds were stacked against me. I was betrayed by men who I thought were on our side. Someone burned Clara and before I knew it, I had lost everything that mattered to me. Until you came into my life. You've given me a purpose and I'd hoped that together we could have helped my son, loved him like he deserved.

I am trying hard everyday so I can come back to you. Tom visited me yesterday, he told me that the man who'd hurt George has been arrested. But it doesn't give me much comfort, knowing that my son is out there alone with no one to love him.

I miss you everyday. I promise to be there for our baby and for you.

All my love,

Baxter x

Callen wiped the tears from his cheeks. He was thankful Sam was still sleeping in the armchair. His chest hurt, he had no idea that his father had had a breakdown after he left.

"I couldn't understand why they didn't fight for me."

"From what I understand, it broke Dad to see you suffer. It tore at him for years after. One minute he'd be happy, playing with Brad and I, then a dark cloud would come over him and he'd have to walk away. We'd follow him, but he locked himself in the shed." He sat back down on the edge of the bed, his eyes took on sadness from the memory.

"Mom had just found out she was pregnant with me, when you left. She felt helpless and was suffering from morning sickness pretty badly from what she told me. She wanted to help you. They'd hoped when you returned for your bag, that she could persuade you to stay with them. But then your social worker showed up and you suddenly spoke to the woman. You hadn't said one word to either of them the whole time you'd been there." Franklin gripped Callen's shoulder for comfort. "I think that was when they realised that they couldn't help you and that they had failed you."

"All I wanted was to be wanted. But I was only nine. I misunderstood things. I thought Baxter, Dad, was angry at me, not for me. It took me years before I felt happy in a home again. Five years later, I spent three happy months with a Russian family, the Rostoffs. But I was moved from them again, and that's when I went downhill. Thrown in to juvie, where I taunted the guards so they'll beat me again with their sticks. I was numb. Had nothing left to live for. So I broke out, stole a vehicle and was about to be hauled off to jail at age fifteen. Then for some unknown reason, this woman, so small I wasn't sure she was real, arrived and spoke to me like I was a human being, not an animal. She treated me with respect and said that I could live with her for as long as I wanted.

"Hetty Lange."

"Yes. She worked with my mother, they were friends and she watched over me from afar, until I was fifteen. She saved me that day. If she hadn't come to take me home, I would have ended up in prison and most probably would have died. Instead, she gave me a safe home and a purpose. She fought for me, Franklin. For the first time in my life, I had someone who fought for me."

"I'm sorry, George. I wish our father could have fought for you. My mom too. I would have loved having you as my brother growing up."

"Me too." Bradford entered the room and stood beside the bed.

"Do you mind keeping your volume down, I'm trying to sleep here." Sam opened his eyes, pleased to see Franklin and Bradford talking with his partner. "About time you were awake, G."

"You worried about me again, Sam? I told you, I don't need a mother." He stopped short, it had been a running joke between them for years. He looked at his younger brothers who looked between the two partners, shaking their heads.

"You do need a mother, why do you think Hetty's had you moved under her watchful eye for all of these years? You need looking after, G. When are you going to accept it?"

"I'm with Sam on this," Franklin added.

"Me too." Bradford smirked that familiar family trademark.

"Now I have three brothers ganging up on me. Where's the fairness in that?"

"Now you know how I feel, when you and Sam gang up against me." Deeks and Kensi entered the room, a smile spread across both of their faces to hear the banter return for their team leader. "This is refreshing to see you on the other end of the firing line, Callen."

"Don't listen to any of them, Callen. How are you feeling?" Kensi leaned over and gently kissed his temple, careful to avoid his wound.

"Better, thanks. But it's getting a little crowded in here."

"We'll leave you to get some more rest then." Franklin stood up. "Think about what I said, George." He took the letter and refolded it and placed it inside his jacket pocket.

"I will. Thanks, Franklin."

"Call me Frank. Everyone else does." He smirked and strolled out the door, Bradford following him.

"Looks like your brothers want you in their lives, G."

"Yes, it does." He furrowed his brow and looked between his colleagues. "What happened with Sacha and the rest of them?"

"Well after your shooting escapade, we escaped, Donati, Wiles and Hudson were picked up by their teams and arrested by their superiors. Donati provided the location of the stolen weapons and they've arrived safely back at Pendleton four hours ago."

"Sacha?"

A smile spread across Sam's face. "You shot him, G. He died before he made it to the hospital. That was one hell of a shot you made from that wall in the condition you were in." Sam shook his head, he still couldn't believe it. "Michelle, Frank and I had to help you down from that wall, you were lights out."

"I fell unconscious on the wall?"

Sam nodded. "It's a good thing we were all there, you could have fallen and killed yourself. And how would I be able to explain that to Savannah?"

"She must be worried sick…"

"I have been." Savannah entered the room, relieved to see her husband awake. She studied him, but he looked like he was going to be okay. She moved in and laid down beside him on the bed.

"How did you get here? Whose looking after Samuel and Nathan?"

"You really don't know where you are?"

"No."

Savannah pressed her lips on his cheek. "You're back in Los Angeles. This house is Frank's. He brought you back here to recover."

"I am?"

"Yes. You have no idea that I've been laying beside you for the past day and a half since you arrived?"

"No. The last thing I remember is shooting from the wall, outside Prague."

Savannah looked over to Sam. "Thanks for sitting with him while I fed the boys."

"No problem, Sav. We'll leave the two of you alone."

"Thanks, Sam. For having my back over there and rescuing me."

"Anytime, G. Anytime."

They left them to be alone, it had been a long almost two weeks apart for the newlyweds. They found Franklin and Bradford talking outside, Franklin had just gotten off a call and was pressing numbers to place another. Neither of them looked happy.

"Wonder what that's about?" Deeks motioned to the brothers outside.

"I've never seen them like this. Franklin's usually quite jovial," Sam replied. Curiosity getting the better of him, he walked outside to join them.

"What's the matter?" Sam approached Bradford, while Franklin remained on his cell.

"Mike Russo's body was found washed up on the beach, half a mile from here. He was the only agent other than Frank on this op besides your team who weren't rogue. Frank is furious and worried."

"Deeks and Kensi took Lance Young down two days ago. You think there's someone else out there causing trouble?"

"Not sure. The crew you were in with have all been arrested, thanks to all your intelligence gathering. Frank thought we had everyone taken care of, either dead or arrested."

"We should move from this location, it's not safe to stay."

"I agree."

"Hetty has a house large enough for all of us. I'll call her."

"Good idea. I'll let Frank know."

Sam walked back inside to Deeks and Kensi. "We have a problem."

They narrowed their eyes and looked at him with concern. "Mike Russo's body washed up on Long Beach a few hours ago. Franklin's worried, he thought they had everyone arrested or killed."

"What?" Shock rocked Deeks, he'd hardly had time with the guy, but he didn't deserve to go out like that.

"Was there anyone else at the firm beside Lance and Franklin's alias, Tom, that were working for Sacha Pajari?"

"I'd only worked there a day, came here for the party and then left with Lance for Prague soon after."

"Did Lance hint to you about another player?"

Deeks shook his head. "No. He was on his cell a great deal, only mentioned Tom's name to me."

"Lance knew. He knew that both you and Franklin were agents." Sam looked around the property. "We need to move everyone out of here, now." They moved swiftly, Sam dialled ops to update them and Hetty agreed to meet them at Dovecote. It was a hard task to move Callen and Jennifer in their states and Savannah with their babies. But they got them out just before a crew of armed men stormed the property.

Franklin and Bradford called for back up and LAPD sent a SWAT team their way. Kensi and Deeks stayed behind while Sam took the others to Hetty's place, half an hour's drive away.

The perimeter was big, Eric and Nell kept a close watch on the security feeds around the house, to be the eyes in the sky for the four remaining agents. Their agents were secure within the house, but it would only be a matter of time before the house was breached.

"Got an escape route out of here, Frank?" Deeks looked over to Callen's younger brother for direction.

"There's a tunnel, no one knows about it but me. I made sure it was kept hidden from Lance and all other operatives brought in."

"We better use it then. Where does it come out?"

"A mile away, to the north of here, in the middle of Blair field."

"I'll let Eric and Nell know we need a ride from there."

They held off for as long as they could, but the invasion was too strong for them to hold off much longer. They were coming to tie up loose ends, they thought they had the head guy Sacha dead, so who was calling the shots? They ran along the tunnel, it was dark, but Frank knew the way. Numerous fake offshoots built to confuse intruders went off to the side. Suddenly, Frank made a turn and they headed in a different direction. They were thankful they had Franklin to lead the way, it saved time and their lives. After what appeared like a real long time, they arrived to a small opening. It was a good thing that Sam had taken the others away, there was no way he would have survived that long down there.

Franklin pressed in the code and the hatch unlocked. The sunlight streamed down the hole, causing them all to squint, it was a shock to their eyes after the darkness. They exited and waited in the shadows of the trees until they saw their ride. A navy blue SUV pulled up, Granger stepped out, and they ran over to him. They drove off to Hetty's home, while the armed men were surrounded by LAPD SWAT and two SEAL units from San Diego.

Dovecote

Franklin paced the room on the ground floor of Dovecote, thinking. Who had he missed? He went over everyone he'd met since going in as Tom Chidley, two years earlier. He couldn't work it out.

"What about Lance's uncle, Leo Clark?" Deeks watched Franklin's mind tick over.

"Possible. But I never saw Lance deal with him over Sacha. I think it's time you and I returned to the Firm."

"You think it's safe for us to go there?"

"What choice do we have? We'll be forever looking over our shoulders if we don't."

"I have a better idea, Mr Worthington." Both men turned and looked down at the petite older woman.

"Hetty?"

"I think it's time I had a new lawyer to tidy up my estate. How about it, Mr Hill?"

Deeks laughed nervously. "You're not dying yet, Hetty. Can't this wait?"

"I would think that while I'm still alive is the perfect time. Shall we?" She winked over to Franklin. "You stay here. For now, Mr Deeks' cover appears to be the only one in tact."

Franklin nodded, "keep us posted."

"You're brooding, Frank."

He looked up at his younger brother. "I missed something. I never miss a detail such as a major player."

"It makes you human like the rest of us."

Sam walked over to them. "You sound like someone else I know."

Franklin and Bradford looked over to the former SEAL. "George."

"Exactly. Always fighting a battle to make sure he gets it right, every time. Cocky when he does, serious when he doesn't. Shuts down and erects walls around him."

"I don't shut down or erect walls."

"No I suppose that's from growing up in the system."

"What's he like?"

"A pain."

Bradford laughed. "Sounds like you, Frank."

"Who are you calling a pain?"

Nell cleared her throat, she'd entered the house moments earlier. She flushed when she saw the two pairs of cerulean orbs stare back at her. It was hard enough having her sister married to one of them, but those Worthington men were handsome.

"You two sound like Callen and Sam." She looked out the window to check they were in the clear.

"Expecting someone?"

"Precaution, after what just happened down at Long Beach, none of us can be too careful."

Franklin nudged his younger brother, who still had his eyes on the Intelligence Analyst.

Bradford smirked, he decided he liked what he saw in Los Angeles after all.

Sam chuckled. "Come on, Frank, let's make the rounds of the property."

Frank smirked as he left with Sam, holding in the chuckle that threatened to escape. "I think my little brother is in love. I noticed a month ago at George and Savannah's wedding."

"I think Nell likes Brad too." He knew Nell for a few years and had assumed something was going on between her and Eric, but when nothing more than friendship eventuated, he stopped thinking about it. Until Callen and Savannah's wedding. He saw Nell blush and he looked over to who had caught her attention. The youngest of the Worthington brothers. "G's going to get a kick out of this."