Lost Too Much
Disclaimer: NCISLA characters belong to Shane Brennan. All original characters and this story are mine.
Chapter 3
Sam pulled his challenger into a parking spot near the entrance to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre. He walked inside and scanned the area to see if he could find Callen anywhere. No luck. He pressed the button on the elevator to try the next level. By level four, Sam was ready to give up and just wait for his partner to come back out to his car. Finally he had success! On level four, he found Callen, Gibbs and Bronte talking to a doctor.
Gibbs was the first one to notice Sam's presence. He whispered into Callen's ear before Callen walked over to him. "You can't be here." Callen told him. "Let's go back to your car. We can talk there."
The ride down the elevator was silent between the partners until they climbed inside Sam's challenger. "What the hell is going on, G?" Sam was annoyed his partner had kept him out of the loop.
"I'm sorry, Sam. I only found out myself this morning and I had to ask Bronte, as Hetty had avoided the subject." He took a deep breath and sighed. "Hetty is sick, Sam."
Sam waited a moment to let Callen's words sink in. "What's wrong with her?
Callen turned to his partner. "Cancer," he stated simply.
"Shit, G. This is big! Why have we been kept in the dark?" He was annoyed that they hadn't been told. "And why can't I be here?"
"It was Granger's idea to make it appear Hetty's on vacation." Callen wasn't happy about it either. "Bronte wished he had been honest up front and told us all." He sighed. "The Doctor found a tumour on her liver. They had to remove half of her liver to remove the tumour. But they think they have removed it all and are hopeful she won't need chemo." Callen fiddled with the wrapper of the sour pop he'd found in the car. "No one from OSP can visit Hetty while Bronte's Father is here. He doesn't know either of them are Federal Agents."
"You're on first names with Agent Smith already?" Sam was puzzled over his partner's willingness to trust her so quickly. Sam noticed his partner's avoidance of eye contact. "What has Bronte and her Father have to do with Hetty, G?" Sam tried to get his partner to look at him. "What do you know about her, G, that we don't know? Even you don't trust people this quickly."
"She's Hetty's daughter," Callen breathed out. Sam nearly choked as he heard his partner's words.
"What? Hetty has a daughter?" Callen nodded. "How long have you known?"
"I found out by accident this morning. I drove over to Hetty's as I told you. She had a Frenchman visiting, and it was he who had answered the door. I could tell straight away that something was not right with Hetty, but she didn't let on about it. I waited to see if she would tell me, but before I could, Bronte came walking down the stairs rambling on about her mother keeping her drawings from when she was a kid. And she continued to called the Frenchman, Père."
"French for father!" Sam added.
"Yes. Bronte introduced herself to me, and so I asked her about the fact she had called Hetty her Mom. Hetty sat there amused over her daughter's embarrassment of being caught out by me being there. But she didn't say a word. She let Bronte explain."
"And you were obviously satisfied by her explanation, by the fact you have followed her around like a lost puppy ever since!" Sam chuckled.
"It's not that simple, Sam. When she shook my hand, we both received an electric shock from the contact. I managed to hide noticing it, but she reacted and jumped further away from me."
Sam laughed. "Love at first sight, hey G? Good one. And Hetty's daughter too!"
Callen glared at him. "Laugh all you want, Sam. But there's more. She had a picture she had drawn back when she was growing up, about her family. In the background was a map with her father in southern France making chocolate eclairs with a plane flying from Los Angeles to him. Then there was Hetty, Bronte and Lauren back here in L.A."
"Lauren? You mean as in Hunter?" Another surprise for Sam. Callen nodded.
"Hetty adopted Hunter when she was five from an orphanage. Bronte and Hunter became close and sisters." Callen shook his head. "Then she had drawn a picture of a sad looking boy, surrounded by lots of houses. I asked her who the boy was." Callen looked his partner in the eyes. "She told me the boy was me."
"Hetty told her about you?" Callen nodded.
"That's when Hetty spoke and said Bronte wanted me to live with them, but she told her I couldn't." Silence crept in as Sam took in all Callen had told him. "So I asked Hetty why!"
"Did she tell you?"
"Yes." Sam watched Callen open and close his fists. He could tell it had been hard on him. "She had to keep me safe from the Comescus. And she had Bronte and Lauren to think about."
"Are you okay, G?" Callen could hear the concern in Sam's voice.
"Yeah," he nodded. "I am now."
"So Hetty arranged for her daughter to fly out here to fill in for her, while the rest of us think she's having a relaxing vacation somewhere!"
"Yes. Which is why Gibbs is here. He's worried about Bronte, as she's been through a lot recently, and with Hetty being sick..."
"Bronte Smith!" Sam's mind turned as he thought. "Agent Greg Smith's wife?"
Callen nodded. "Philipe told me after Bronte left Hetty's. I didn't think of the connection and put my foot in it, asking if her husband had come to L.A. with her."
"I remember you telling me the story, because you were worried about me and my family." Callen nodded. "And you also worried for the boy, the one who was spared, because it brought back memories about you and your mother."
"Yes." He whispered.
"I noticed something had happened to her husband when we met. She told me I reminded her of him. I could see the pain in her eyes. He was a SEAL before joining NCIS too." Callen looked over at him in surprise. He hadn't known that. "Wow! She has been through a lot. Do you think she's up to the task, G?"
"I don't know. But she's a brilliant shot with her weapon."
"You like her, don't you?" Sam smiled over at his partner.
"I can't explain it, Sam. When I see her smile, I want to see her smile even more. And she takes my breath away when she laughs. But when I see her sad, I want to comfort her and take her pain away. I don't understand it. I've never felt like this around anyone before. And we've only met today."
"Like I said before, G. Love at first sight." He patted his partner on the arm. "About time too." Sam grinned from ear to ear.
"Huh! It's not that simple, Sam. She's lost too much already, she's afraid to let anyone in again."
"Well you have a whole month to change her mind." Sam chuckled. "Don't worry, G. I will keep this information to myself for now. But if I think the others need to know, I will tell them about Hetty."
"Yeah, I agree. I better go and see her. I'll see you back at the office soon." Callen opened the door to climb back out.
"See you soon, G." Sam watched his partner walk back inside the hospital before driving off. He hoped Hetty's operation was the success Callen had told him it was.
It was only half an hour later, after Sam had returned, when Callen, Gibbs and Bronte walked back into the mission. They seemed happier, so Sam took that to be a good sign. They had a lead, so he, Callen, Kensi and Deeks drove off to pick up and question their suspect in the boathouse. Their suspect turned out it be innocent, but he had led them in the right direction, and before nightfall, they had taken their guilty suspect into custody.
The team were packing up their things for the night and said their goodbyes. Sam noticed Callen and Gibbs left with Bronte and he smiled. He hoped something good happened for his partner. He had been worried over the lack of relationships his partner had of late. He wanted to see him happy and settled down. Like he was.
Dinner at Hetty's went well, but Callen found it odd being there without her. Philipe had cooked the most amazing dinner. For starters, they ate Petits Farcis Niçois (Provençal Stuffed Vegetables). For the main, Philipe had cooked Escalopes de Saumon Gigondas (Salmon with Crayfish and Red Wine Sauce). Then out came the dessert on individual wooden boards. Butterscotch Panna Cotta (with salted chocolate soil, raspberry coulis and fairy floss). Callen had never seen or tasted anything like it, and was totally impressed with Philipe's cooking, presentation and Bronte's tastes. He had heard her earlier requesting a dessert from across the border. Her father had easily obliged to make her favourite. "This is superb. I've never tasted anything like it," Callen declared.
"Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Callen." Philipe smiled at the younger man. He noticed some sort of connection had occurred that day between him and his daughter, and hoped Bronte was ready to give her heart to another man. It had saddened him deeply the violence that had occurred to members of his family. It was new to him and he couldn't understand any of it. He so desperately wanted to see his daughter happy again.
Philipe had poured too much wine into Callen's and Gibbs' glasses, to keep them with him and Bronte for the night. He had conspired this action because he wanted to give his daughter and Callen more time together. He thought his plan had gone unnoticed, but to his surprise, Gibbs made a comment to him on the quiet. "They'll notice you're playing matchmaker, Philipe, if you keep this up."
"Nothing that isn't already there, Jethro. I've seen how Bronte reacts to Mr Callen, every time he makes contact with her. There is no denying, they are both attracted to each other. No matter how much Bronte denies it or fights it."
Gibbs nodded. "I suppose you are right. I've never seen Callen respond so quickly to anyone new in his life." And Callen could need some pushing himself, he thought. He too had noted how distracted Bronte became when Callen was around. Bronte on the other hand needed a lot of pushing. She was still hurting from her grief, but he understood how you needed to move on, or you'd suffer even longer. He only knew too well himself after losing Shannon and Kelly.
It was the end of the week and Gibbs was almost ready to head to LAX for his return flight to D.C. He knew he needed to nudge Bronte in the right direction before he left. But he needed to speak to Bronte on the quiet. He chose sign language to get his message across.
Bronte was shocked when she saw what Jethro was telling her. She studied his hands as they moved, to communicate his thoughts. "You're giving me relationship advice?" She signed back. "You're telling me after four marriages, that I should move on and have babies with—-no, Jethro. I will not. I have lost too much. I can't do it again." Frustration spread across her face.
Nell Jones watched from the upper floor, mesmerised by the body language Bronte displayed when she signed back to Gibbs. She quickly pulled Eric out of the OPS Centre and asked him to translate. She was intrigued by what was going on. Eric stood beside Nell and watched the hand movements. Gibbs had a smirk on his face, but Bronte was not amused. "What are they talking about?" Nell whispered. Eric's eyebrows raised as he realised what the conversation was about: Bronte refusing to love again, and would in no manner start a relationship with anyone, especially Callen. And if he was possessed with any ideas of telling her mother about this, she would kill him. That was when Eric realised Bronte was Hetty's daughter. But before Eric could pass on any of the information to Nell, Bronte looked up and caught him reading her hands.
"If you mention any of this to anyone, Eric, I will personally kill you with my bare hands." She signed up to him. Busted.
Eric gulped! "Sorry." He signed back to her.
Eric quickly returned to his computer, with Nell hot on his heels. "What were they talking about, Eric?"
"I'm busted, Nell. She saw me read her hands and told me not to tell anyone, or she will kill me." Fear could be seen in Eric's eyes.
"Oh!" Damn, thought Nell. Must make a mental note to learn sign language.
From the bull pen, Sam, Deeks, Kensi and Callen watched the silent argument between Bronte and Gibbs.
"Damn!" Kensi whispered. "I don't know sign, and she's not mouthing her words, so I can't read her lips."
"That's exactly why they are signing." Callen advised her. Callen, on the other hand, knew a little of sign language, and had been amused at Bronte's heated argument with Gibbs about him. He was thankful he had never told his colleagues about the deaf girl in his foster home, when he was fifteen. He had felt bad not being able to communicate with her, so she had taught him a little. He was surprised Bronte and Gibbs both were fluent in signing. He was having trouble keeping up with them.
"You need to balance the good back in your life, Bronte." Gibbs continued. "Yes you have lost too much. Tell me someone who hasn't," he challenged her. He knew he was been a little hard on her, but she was becoming stubborn on the subject.
Bronte froze, when she read his hands. She suddenly felt terrible. Of course Jethro had been through the same as she had. Lost a spouse and child at the hand of a drug cartel member. "I'm sorry, Jethro. I didn't mean that you hadn't."
Gibbs pulled her in for a hug. "I want you to be happy again, Bronte. For you, please give Callen a chance." He whispered into her ear.
"I'm going to miss you, Jethro." She hugged him back. As she stood back, she noticed Callen watching them. "I'm not ready. But thank you for your concern," she told Gibbs. "Have a safe flight, and please give Abby a hug from me."
"I will, thanks." As Gibbs turned Callen had moved closer towards them. "Good seeing you again, Callen. Be good to my Bronte."
Callen looked over at Bronte then back to his good friend, and smiled. "I will. It was good seeing you too, Gibbs." They shook hands and moved closer for a half hug. The closest the two old friends ever came to a hug.
The rest of the team came over to farewell the seasoned agent. They had enjoyed getting to know him more in between their cases. Their first week with Bronte at the helm had gone smoothly and everyone was happy with her being there.
After Gibbs left, Bronte dismissed the team for the weekend. They had closed all their cases and she wanted to see her mother. It had been a long week.
Bronte smiled at her parents as she walked into her mother's room. "Hi." She looked around at the private hospital room her mother was staying in and noticed a new bunch of flowers. "Some more flowers? You are a very popular woman."
"From my admirers," Hetty jested. "How was your day, dear?" She understood while Philipe was around, their conversation would be pretty much irrelevant to what really had happened.
"Oh, okay. Not sure if this transfer to Los Angeles is a good one though." She lied a little, as her first week filling in for her mother had gone far better than she had expected. "I'm missing Max." That was true, as she always looked forward coming home to her son at the end of the working day. She was glad she had her in-laws to help out with Max, when she was caught up with work.
"I know you do, dear. But have they been kind to to you at your new job?" It was her way of asking had her team behaved themselves.
"Oh, yes, Mom. Don't get me wrong. They've all been really nice and helpful." Bronte bit her bottom lip.
"But?" Hetty hedge her along.
"I just miss Max." She stayed far away from the subject of Callen.
"And Mr Callen? How have the two of you been getting along?" Hetty asked her.
Damn, she's still asking about him. Bronte forced a smile on her lips. "Yes fine, Mom. What is it with everyone trying to get us together? First Père gave Callen and Jethro too much wine, so they had to stay the night, on Monday night. Then earlier, Jethro had to tell me his thoughts on the subject. And now you?"
Philipe looked guilty, as he realised his daughter had noticed his ploy. "It's only because we love you, Bronte, and want what's best for you. It breaks our hearts to see you so sad." Philipe interjected.
Bronte sighed and sat down in the chair. She nibbled on her bottom lip as she thought on her father's words.
"Bronte." Hetty tried again. She looked up at her mother, sitting in the bed. "I'm sorry if we have pushed too much. We will try to not intervene again." Hetty hoped she could keep her word to her daughter. She hadn't thought of match making her daughter when she asked her to fill in for her. But after seeing the two of them together on Monday, she realised they would be good for each other.
"Thanks, Mom." She turned as she heard a knock at the door.
"Hi. Sorry if I'm interrupting." Callen had heard Bronte's outburst in the corridor. He hoped he had given enough time before he knocked, to give the illusion he had just arrived.
"Mr Callen, it's so nice of you to pop in and see me again." Hetty welcomed her favourite agent warmly.
"You're looking better, Hetty." He smiled, as he realised she did look a lot better than she had on Monday.
"Yes, I am, Mr Callen. I am hoping they will let me home sooner than they said. This place is driving me mad." Hetty smiled at him. He knew she was trying to tell him, she understood how he felt every time he ended up in hospital after being injured or shot on the job.
After visiting for an hour, Callen walked Bronte out of the hospital. "Would you like to grab something to eat?" He asked her. "As friends." He added, hoping she would accept.
"Thanks, Callen. But I've arranged to chat with my son on Skype soon. I have to get home to make the call."
"Tomorrow then?" He asked her, hoping she would agree.
Bronte chewed on her bottom lip as she thought. She fought the feeling inside of her. "Okay." She agreed eventually. "As friends."
Callen smiled. "I'll pick you up at seven." He advised her.
"Seven. Okay. See you." Butterflies fluttered inside of her. She tried to push her feelings away about how she felt about the blue eyed agent. She really couldn't let anything happen between them. She just couldn't. She was afraid. That she knew. Afraid to love again. Because she couldn't risk to lose another person she loved.
