This was going to be a one shot story about Callen's demise and how it affects everyone at OSP. However I decided to turn it into a multi chapter. Nell and Callen are married in this story. Hope everyone enjoys! Reviews are always appreciated.
"Agent Callen I'm sorry to have to tell you this but we found a tumour in your brain. It is a Glioblastoma Multiform. It was what caused your seizure. "
"I have cancer?" He said as lay in the hospital bed with Nell by his side.
"Yes and unfortunately due to the size and location of the tumour, it is a grade IV
Is there anything you can do?" Asked Nell as she squeezed Callen's hand tighter.
"Unfortunately when the tumour is the size that it is and in the location that it's in, we are not able to remove it surgically.
"What about chemotherapy or radiation?" Asked Callen
"Unfortunately we know that these types of tumours are difficult to treat as they are resistant to chemotherapy and conventional medicine. However we can offer you medication to manage the symptoms caused by the cancer.
"How.. how long do I have? Stuttered Callen
"Given the size of the tumour I would say around 12 months, possibly less.
"Oh My God" Said Nell as she started to breakdown, while Callen sat shocked at the news he just received.
"Are you…are you telling me that I'm dying?" he asked as he sat up.
Dr Nolo took a deep breath and nodded "Yes. I'm sorry
Callen squeezed her hand tighter. Nell had never seen her husband look so lost and scared.
Nell turned to Callen. "We have to tell Hetty."
Callen started to shake his head. "No, I can't tell..No."
"Callen. I'm not saying that we have to tell the rest of the team right now, but Hetty needs to know."
"I'm dying Nell." He said as he tried to hold himself together.
"I know" she said as kissed him as tears started to form. "I'm going to call Hetty. I'll be just outside." She said as she pulled out her phone and dialled Hetty's number.
"Hetty." She said in shaky voice as Hetty answered.
"Nell, what's going on? Are you and Mr Callen alright?"
"No. Callen has a seizure last night. They did an MRI and they found a tumour." Said Nell whose voice was breaking up as she tried desperately to hold herself together. The doctor said there is nothing they can do."
Hetty felt her heart stop. She looked at Callen like he was her own son and she was going to lose him.
"Hetty?"
"I'm sorry Nell where are you now?"
"Callen and I are heading home from the hospital now. We're both going to need to take some time to.."
"Consider your time off approved"
"What about the team?"
"What about them?"
"If they ask why we are not in."
"Unless you would like me to tell them the truth Ms Jones. I will tell them that you were needed for a classified OP."
"Thank you Hetty."
Nell smiled as she hung up the phone and went back into see Callen while Hetty was still reeling from the news that Nell had just shared with her. Hetty looked out to see Sam, Deeks and Kensi laughing and joking in the bullpen.
Meanwhile back at the hospital Nell had re-joined Callen to find Dr Nolo standing with him, handing him some medication. "These are anti-convulsives; they should help with the seizures."
Callen turned to Nell. "You told Hetty?"
"Yeah."
"How did she take it?
"She took it like Hetty." Said Nell
Callen smiled.
"Doc, can you do anything about the headaches?"
"Headache's? You're having headaches." Queried Nell
"Just a couple, I didn't think it was anything serious, but they're getting worse now." He said
"I can give you something for the pain." He replied.
"Thanks Doc. Can we go home now?" Said Callen as started to get up.
"Just hold on a moment, let me get your discharge papers and I'll be right back. Mrs Callen, can I speak to you for a moment.
"Sure" she said. She turned to Callen, "I'll be right back." As they stepped outside.
"A cancer diagnosis is tough not just for patient, but those who surround him. The hospital has a support group that deals with things that come while supporting a family member with cancer. I think it would be good for you to go."
"Thank you Dr Nolo. I'll have a look into it." She said as she gave him a small smile. When is Callen due for his next appointment?"
"I've scheduled it down for 1 months time. At the appointment I'll assess where he is at and adjust or add any medications."
"Okay" she said as she turned to leave.
"Mrs Callen" Nell turned to face Dr Nolo. "Does your husband, does he have a support system, people he can depend on, aside from yourself?"
"His sister, mother and father are dead, my family is so far away, but the people we work with are our family, but he doesn't want to tell them.
"You're going to need some help, especially as his cancer progresses. It is a lot for one person to take on by themselves."
"I know I'll try and convince him to tell them. Thank you." She said as she returned to Callen discharge paperwork, medication in hand.
"Are you ready to go?
"Yeah." He replied as he got up out of the bed and they headed out of the hospital and headed home.
Meanwhile back at OSP.
"Has anyone seen Nell or Callen?" Asked Sam
"No, I haven't seen them. Maybe they're just running late."
"Or maybe they're rolling around naked in bed with one another."
"Deeks!" Exclaimed Kensi
"What! It's a valid scenario Kensalina."
"The fact that you thought of Callen and Nell naked. That's just.."
"Creepy." Piped Sam.
"Yes, Sam, thank you! Creepy is exactly the word I was looking for." Laughed Kensi.
Hetty was walking past their desks when Deeks asked. "Hetty, Hetty."
Hetty turned to face Deeks armed with that gorgon stare that everyone had seen before causing the smile to be wiped from Deeks's face, which caused Kensi to chuckle.
"We were just wondering where Nell and Callen are? They're just normally in by now."
"Mr and Mrs Callen have been loaned out on a classified mission."
Sam stood up from where he was seated on his desk. "What classified mission, what agency?"
"Do you or do you not understand the meaning of CLASSFIED Mr Hanna." Said Hetty as she walked away.
"Something's not right." Said Sam.
"Look, I'm sure everything's fine. Hetty wouldn't have allowed them to go if it wasn't." Said Kensi
"Yeah, maybe." Said Sam who got up and walked away.
Meanwhile Callen and Nell had arrived at home.
"I know this is a stupid question, how are you feeling?"
"I just, it doesn't feel real, you know. I don't even know what to feel right now. I feel angry, sad, frustrated. I mean why me. Is it because my life is good right now. Job is good, I have amazing wife, did some up there just say hey everything's good right now, let's just screw Callen over again! He said as he collapsed into the couch with his head hanging in between his legs and his hands running through his head.
Callen sat down next to her husband and touched his arm softly. "You're not alone in this Callen." She whispered. "You've got me, you've got my family, Sam, everyone at OSP."
"I don't want to burden them with this not Kensi, or Deeks or Eric."
"Or Sam?" You're not a burden Callen, they don't see you like that, we're a family" Smiled Nell.
"Come here." He said as he pulled her into him, holding on tight not wanting to let go.
"I don't want to let you go Callen." She whispered
"I don't want to go Nell." He whispered back.
Back at OSP Sam walked up to Hetty who was now sitting back in her office opening the mail.
"Hetty, what's really going on with Callen and Nell? I know they haven't been pulled for a classified op. Callen would have said something, especially to me. If they're in trouble I need to be there to help them."
Hetty sat staring at Sam for a few seconds. "You need to talk to your partner Mr Hanna."
Meanwhile back at the Callen's Nell was trying to convince Callen to tell Sam about his diagnosis.
"I know that you don't want to feel like you're burdening him by telling, but he deserves to know G. You two are so close, like, like brothers. He would only want to be there for you and support, just like I know everyone else will.
"How am I going to tell him that I'm dying Nell and be responsible for his pain?"
"He's going to be in more pain if you don't tell him and he finds out when you start to get sicker."
Callen knew there was no winning this argument with Nell. He knew she was right. He had to tell Sam. He pulled out his cell phone and dialled Sam's number.
Sam pulled his ringing phone out of his pocket and saw Callen's name on the caller ID. "G, what's going on where are you and Nell? Hetty tried to tell me you were on a classified op."
Callen put his hand over the speaker and turned to Nell. "Hetty told Sam that we were pulled for a classified OP?"
"It was cover, in case anyone questioned our time."
Callen smiled and turned his focus back to Sam.
"Nell and I are at home. "Can you come around?"
"I'll be there soon." Said Sam as he exited the mission, jumped in the charger and headed over.
Sam knocked on the door as Nell answered. "Hey Sam, come on in."
"What's going on? Where's Callen?"
"I'm here" Said Callen who was laying on the lounge looking a lot worse for wear than when Sam saw him last.
"G? Are you okay? You look a little worn out" Said Sam as he took a seat in front of Callen as Nell left them alone to talk.
"There something I have to tell you Sam. I'm um I'm dying. I have a brain tumour. The doctors, they say there's nothing they can do." Said Callen who was doing his best to hold himself together.
"What, when did you find this out."
"I uh had a seizure last night; they did an MRI and found the tumour. The oncologist at the hospital confirmed it."
Sam pulled Callen into him and hugged him tight not wanting to let him go with his eyes closed as tears streamed down his face. "I'm sorry G." he whispered.
Sam let Callen go from the hug. "I'm so sorry G. Did the doctors say how much time you have left?"
"Yeah, um, they think about a year, maybe less."
"Does anyone else know?" he asked
"Just you and Hetty right now."
"Are you going to tell Deeks, Kensi, Eric?"
"I will soon I'm just not ready to right now. I'm still processing I guess."
"Processing?" Chuckled Sam. "Nell really has rubbed off on you."
Callen smiled and grabbed Nell's hand as she sat down back down next to him.
This was a particularly hard story to write.
Please let me know what you think by reviewing!