All characters and all rights at Navy CIS LA belong to CBS and Shane Brennan Productions. The following story does not serve any commercial purposes, but was written only for the pleasure of fans. An injury of Copyright is not intended. All further persons belong to the authoress.

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Chapter 4 - Awakening

It was a hard time for G. As far as possible, he drove to the hospital morning and evening and sat at Joann's bed so long as the nurses let him. He told her about his day, amusing stories from his colleagues and sometimes something quite personal. But there were also days, when he sat just in silence beside her and dwelled on his thoughts. G always held her hand and kissed Joann goodbye on the forehead or cheek.

G felt totally helpless because he did not know if she ever became aware of him.

Sam kept his word. All of the team, even Hetty, visited Joann regularly. Finally the day came when the doctors got her out of the artificial coma. Everybody waited tensely for the fact that Joann woke up, but nothing happened. "We have to wait." No one mentioned the possible brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation, but all were thinking about it. "Go on talking to the patient, read out to her a known book or run her favorite music. Some coma patients say they have noticed these things." Then the doctors went.

"We should go to MacKenzie's flat and watch for books and CDs." Kensi turned to Hetty. "Do we need to contact the FBI?"

Hetty smiled. "I do not think it will be necessary, Miss Blye. I'm afraid but in the excitement I have completely forgotten, to hand over the private property of Agent MacKenzie to the FBI."

Sam gently pulled an eyebrow. "You have 'forgotten' something, Hetty?"

"Well, if you remember, Mr. Hanna, the ladies have changed their cloths for the reception in the boat house. Miss MacKenzie has left her private clothes and her handbag there, thinking she can change cloths there again after the assignment. I have taken her things to me, to send them to the FBI, but in the whole mess that this deployment was followed, it must have slipped my mind." The smile vanished from Hetty's eyes and made space to absolute hardness. "So far no one has asked about Miss MacKenzie's property and as far as I know, the FBI has kept informed itself even by telephone about her state of health. It seems they will hardly mind if we care about her now."

Sam shook his head. "From other operations we know that the FBI sometimes behaves strange. But it is even unusual for them that not even the direct colleagues of this assignment or from MacKenzie's department ask about her." He hesitated. "Has that something to do with the sealed file?"

"I can't comment upon that, Mr. Hanna." Hetty looked at him motionless. "But whatever the reason for the lack of interest may be, it won't stop us from doing the right thing." Her eyes wandered about her team.

Kensi and Callen entered Joann's apartment and looked around curiously. "It is quite...colorful."

Kensi laughed. "Unambiguously she likes colored rooms. And books!"

Both considered a little stunned the number of shelves, almost bursting filled with thrillers, fantasy, science fiction, love and historical novels.

"How are we supposed to find one that Joann is fond about?" Kensi shook baffled her head.

In the living room G discovered also piles of books on the floor.

"Well, we'll have it easier with the CDs." Between the bookshelves was a lonely CD shelf, which was not even full. "Music doesn't seem to be Joann's thing." Kensi looked at the covers.

"No, you're wrong." Callen pointed to a tray with numbered USB flash drives and handwritten sticky notes. "Hard Rock, Rock 'n Roll, 80s, film music and a lot of mixed. The only thing I can't discover, is classical."

"This explains the lack of stereo."

While Callen glanced over the books, Kensi went into the bedroom. She came back with a small travel bag and a book. "I don't think we need a travel bag for a book and a few USB sticks, Kens."

"I thought that Joann would perhaps have her own things when she wakes up. So I packed up some clothes and some toiletries. She certainly prefers this as low-backed hospital nightdresses and disposable briefs."

"I don't know whether I wanted to know this exactly." Callen was a little embarrassed. "What about the book?"

"It was laying on the bedside table, with a bookmark in it. Probably the last book she read."

"This one here I found on the kitchen table, also with a bookmark." Callen waved around with another book right in front of Kensi's nose. "And on the couch is another one."

"She reads three books at once?" Kensi was stunned completely.

"Moreover, she seems to prefer science fiction, dance and martial arts films. Oh, and we should clear the fridge. Something grows in it."

"With 'we' you don't mean me, Callen?" She put the books and USB sticks in the bag. "Make the times yourself."

G looked at Joann. After his visit to her home he had realized that he didn't really know anything about her. With her book taste Joann was apparently open for everything, even if there were, like with music and films, main focuses. He had met a woman who was able to think analytically, a very attentive observer, she looked stunning, and could fight like an elite soldier. Joann also had a soft side. Her apartment was set up loving, a real home where one could feel comfortable. On the walls had hung photos, in their own way probably holiday snaps. But none with people. G couldn't imagine that a woman like Joann had no friends or family. Also her behavior was ambivalent. On the one hand, Joann had behaved extremely distant and cold. But during her common dance she had been gentle and affectionate. She had felt comfortable in his arms, G had been able to feel that. All in all she was a complete mystery. Whether he could ever unravel it?

The voice, she knew it. But from where? She didn't just come up with it. She opened her eyes and didn't know where she was. But the voice was still there. Slowly, she turned her head.

"Hy, Little One, nice that you're awake at last." Callen's voice trembled slightly. "You really took up a lot of time."

These blue eyes! She could have sunk in them. The thought confused her.

"Jo?" She showed no reaction, neither on her name, nor at him. But she held his gaze.

Her head was hurting and she was tired. Quietly sighing she closed her eyes and fell asleep again.

Callen was dumbstruck. Finally Joann was awake and she didn't recognize him!

When he told Sam about it, he tried to calm him. "G, you heard what the doctor said. It is not unusual for coma patients that they have memory lapses with the first awakening. Don't give up hope, buddy."

There it was again, that voice. She opened her eyes and looked around. A hospital room. Then she turned her head toward the voice. A man who was reading from a book. He looked up and there they were again, those incredible blue eyes. She smiled. "Hello, Callen."

The sun rose. The woman to whom he had given his heart was awake, smiled at him and recognized him. G could hardly believe his luck.

"Hy, Little One, finally slept well?"

Joann confused wrinkled her forehead. "How long have I been here?"

"Too long. They had to put you into artificial coma, but when the doctors wanted to wake up you, you didn't become awake. You have given us a real scare." G took her hand and smiled. "I'm going to tell the nurses that you're awake." On the way to the door he turned around again. "But don't fall asleep again, okay?" He was almost on the floor when he heard her calling.

"Callen?"

"Yes?"

"Don't call me 'Little One'!"

Laughing with relief, he went to the nurses' station.

The team was moaning about paperwork when Hetty came up to them. "Mr. Callen has just called. Miss MacKenzie has woken up and recognized him. The doctors examine her, but she seems to be well."

"Wow, that's good news!" Kensi beamed.

Sam smiled to himself. He thought of the day when the doctors were sure that G would recover. Today, his friend felt like he did on that day, and that was a good feeling.

"It was about time! Now Callen can do his paperwork on his own again." Marty grinned broadly and then had to take cover, because something was thrown to his head by all sides. "I'm just saying..."

Joann finally had all the investigations behind her. She felt sleepy again, but that was normal, according to the doctors.

"I'll come back tomorrow. Better you rest yourself now, so you can quickly get out of here." All the time Callen had remained in her vicinity. On leaving, he leaned over her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Startled, she jerked back. G was stunned by Joann's reaction. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to scare you ... I'll see you tomorrow." Confused, he went.

"He has done that every time when he has gone."

Joann didn't even notice that the nurse had entered the room. "Who did what?" She looked uncomprehending at the woman.

"Your visitor, Mr. Wolinski. In the past few weeks he was here almost daily, often several times. He sat on your bed and told you something or read something to you. He held your hand and when he left you got a kiss on the cheek or the forehead. You have to mean a lot to him, Miss MacKenzie. Also to your other friends. You really had visits constantly."

Why did the nurse call Callen 'Mr. Wolinski'? And who had been the friends visiting her? Joann had to process these news first.

There was clearly an attraction between her and Callen, she had realized that at the reception. But at least there seemed to be more for Callen. Did she have, nevertheless, blackouts? About this thought she fell asleep.

"I have said goodbye to her, as usual, and she has winced as if I wanted to hit her." Callen was still confused by Joann's reaction.

"Besides, you forget something, Callen: MacKenzie has never noticed. You have spent the last weeks at her bed and have given thought to your feelings. She knows you just two days and has to process what has happened. For MacKenzie, you're practically a stranger. A farewell kiss on the cheek is a confidentiality, that women only accept by men whom they know well." Nate looked at Callen seriously. "And if you are honest with yourself, you even don't know her, too."

"One can learn a lot about a person when you see her apartment, Nate. Her apartment is...", G was looking for a suitable description. "It is warm and friendly, a bit chaotic and somehow very feminine. The opposite to her work." He shrugged his shoulders, couldn't clothe his feelings better into words. "Our job requires us to recognize and categorize people and environments quickly. I don't think to be wrong with her."

"That my already be, Callen. Just hold you back a little and give her time to get to know you. Give you both the time."

When Callen went into the hospital the next day, Joann was awake. She sat in her bed, which was covered with newspapers and magazines. Joann was reading so concentrated that she didn't even notice his commitment. "Hy, MacKenzie. Already back at work?"

Joann looked up from her reading, startled. "Oh, hello, Callen. I have to make up leeway to be up to date again."

The distance in her voice hurt him, but he was determined to heed Nate's advice. "I didn't know what your favorite flowers are, but I thought a little bit color would do good to this room." A little embarrassed Callen gave her the colorful bouquet.

"My favorite colors!" Surprised she looked at the pink and purple flowers. She faced G. "They are beautiful. How did you know?"

"Kensi and I had been to your apartment. The two colors have prevailed."

Joann was immediately suspicious. "Why have you and Agent Blye been in my apartment? How did you know where I live and who gave you my keys?" The invasion of her privacy made Joann really furious and her voice was ice-cold.

It was incomprehensibly heavily for Callen to stay calm with this tone. "The doctors were of the opinion that we should play familiar music to you and read you something. Since neither your colleagues nor anyone else from the FBI took care of you, Agent MacKenzie, we assumed that. Your key was with the things you had left in the boathouse, and your address was on your driving license. Kensi has packed your own clothes and toiletries. She was of the opinion that you would rather prefer them, Agent MacKenzie, instead of the hospital equipment." His tone was hard. "We did not intend to offend you." Callen took a deep breath. "I'll ask the nurse to bring a vase for the flowers." Then he was gone.

"He has to like you very much, Miss MacKenzie." The nurse came in with a vase.

"Who?"

"Mr. Wolinski."

"What do you say?" Joann was genuinely surprised.

"Why else should he sit here every day with you? Or look at this bunch. No packaged goods in bulk, but particularly arranged for you. This may not have been so easy with these colors. Nevertheless, Mr. Wolinski has made this effort. You are really lucky to have such a friend." She laughed softly to herself. "I've been married eighteen years and my husband still doesn't know which flowers I like or my favorite colors." Joann watched in silence as the sister arranged the flowers. Before she left, she turned again to her. "He's a good man, believe me."

With staggering blows the sand bag was mistreated. Over and over again. Nevertheless, he didn't feel better. Why was she so resistant and cold? He and Kensi had respected her privacy and did nothing inappropriate. Damn women!

"Should I guess or do you tell me what's going on? Possibly the sand bag so will get a chance to survive." Sam looked at his friend.

"Bloody women! Crazy, them all!"

Now Sam couldn't help more of a grin. "What a world-shaking discovery, G. We other three billion men on earth haven't noticed this yet." Sam didn't suppress his laugher any more. Finally he pulled himself together. "Okay, buddy, tell me what she has done."

G stopped his attack on the sandbag. "She messed with me, because Kensi and I had been in her apartment. She was furious."

"So what? What did you expect, G? There had been two strangers in her home. How would you have reacted in that situation?"

Callen murmured something unintelligible, and struck again on the sand bag.

As there was a knock, Joann looked up. "May I come in?" Kensi stood in the doorway.

"Of course, Agent Blye, you're welcome."

"Please, call me ,Kensi', Agent MacKenzie."

"Joann."

The two women surveyed themselves. Then Kensi discovered the bouquet. "Is that of Callen? It looks great. Those are your favorite colors, right?"

"Yes, but I am afraid, I was not quite...", Joann hesitated, "behaving properly."

"Because of our visit to your apartment?"

"Yes. It could be that I've been reacted a bit extremely."

"You don't like strangers in your home.", said Kensi factually.

"No, I'm a little sensitive with this."

"We haven't sniffed. And Callen was not in your underwear. I packed it together." Kensi had to smile. "This is a task that you should never let do a man, whether he knows you or not."

This comment brought a smile to Joann. The ice between the two women had been broken. "Kensi, why does the nurse always calls Callen 'Mr. Wolinski'?"

"That is the current alias under which he is living."

"Oh, I understand." And she really did.

Callen stood in the hospital hallway and heard the laughter from Joann's room. She was only awake for three days, but had recovered incredibly fast. When he stepped into the doorway, he saw Kensi sitting besides Joann's bed. She told her something about a fast car and talked with hands and feet. Joann listened to her spellbound and clearly had fun at the vivid description. Callen stayed where he was and watched the two. This was the woman from the apartment, not the impersonal agent. The woman he wanted to get to know.

"How long do you want to stand there, Callen?" Kensi had noticed him first.

Joann looked embarrassed at him, a soft blush on the cheeks. "Good day, Agent Callen."

He nodded to her. "Agent MacKenzie. As I can see you are doing better."

"Yes, thank you." Silence spread.

"I 'm going to get a coffee. See you." They both followed Kensi with their eyes.

Joann composed herself first. "I'm sorry, Agent Callen, that I was so rude yesterday. I am a little...", she faltered. "I am a bit special if it concerns whom I let into my apartment and whom not. That's why I overreacted. Please forgive me."

He scrutinized her. "Only if you stop calling me 'Agent Callen'. Simply 'Callen' or 'G'." He looked at Joann of full warmth.

After some hesitation, she answered his gaze. Then she held out her hand. "Joann."

When Kensi came back, the two talked peacefully.