A/N: Thank you to all who have followed favoured and reviewed this story so far. It means a lot to me. I hope you enjoy this chapter too. I think there'll be one more chapter after this one.

Chapter 7

Callen went back into Hetty's room. "I told you I wouldn't be long" he said to Hetty who looked relieved at his return.

"What did you do?" asked Hetty.

"I compromised" Callen replied simply and Hetty frowned at him. "They wanted to keep you in for a few more days but I've arranged for you to go home." Hetty beamed at her boy and started to get out of bed. Callen put a restraining hand on her shoulders and said "Not so fast. This is the compromise. You've got to stay here for the rest of the day but they'll let you go home this evening on the condition that your own doctor visits you every day and that you return here for tests when requested." He looked down at the diminutive woman who was like a mother to him and saw that it was not what she really wanted. He added "You think you can live with that?"

"Do I have any option?" Hetty asked already resigned to her fate.

"Not if you don't want to remain here" Callen replied, a slight smile touching his lips.

Hetty held his gaze and considered the alternative. She nodded and said "Alright. I'll do as you've agreed."

"Thank you Hetty for being reasonable. I'll go and let them know. Do you want Mike to look after you?" asked Callen referring to Hetty's godson who was a doctor and often looked after Callen when he was injured. Hetty nodded and Callen added "I'll phone him and make arrangements."

As Callen turned to go, Hetty grabbed his arm to stop him. He looked down at her and was surprised to see her eyes glistening with unshed tears again. "Thank you for getting me out of here" Hetty said softly.

"We had a deal and I always try to keep my promises" he replied.

Hetty smiled back at him and said "Yes you do" and wiped her eyes to stop the tears falling. Callen smiled back at her and turned to leave the room.

Outside EAD Mosley, Dr Mills and Sam were waiting. "Well?" demanded Mosley.

"Hetty has agreed to our terms. She'll stay here till this evening and will return whenever Dr Mills requires tests. I'm gonna phone her doctor and make arrangements. Thank you both for making this happen. I really appreciate it" said Callen.

Dr Mills said "Please ask Hetty's doctor to keep me informed of her status." Callen nodded his agreement. "I've other patients to see but I'll be back later on to give her one final examination before she leaves. I'll make sure that you have the medication required and will give you a letter for her doctor. I'm afraid she'll have to sign a waiver but I won't totally discharge her as I'd like her to come back for further tests in a week or so but I'll contact you nearer the time." Callen nodded again and shook her hand before she left him to face the wrath of Mosley.

"I don't particularly like being played like that Agent Callen" Mosley said sternly as soon as the doctor had gone. Sam was trying to make himself scarce feeling uncomfortable that his friend was getting a roasting from their new boss. Callen was about to speak but Mosley held up her hand to stop him. "However in the circumstances I'll let it go. As you so rightly say, you know Hetty better than anyone and what's possibly best for her. Let me tell you however if I find out that you or Hetty have disregarded any of our conditions or don't come back for tests, then there will be trouble. Understand?"

"Perfectly" answered Callen and he took a deep breath. "As we've just come back ourselves and you've given us a few days leave, can I ask that Sam and the team help me make arrangements regarding Hetty's house?" he asked.

Mosley glared at him but said "Yes but if there's a case comes up after three days I want you and the team available." Callen was about to disagree but caught a slight shake of the head from Sam and Mosley added "That's not negotiable Agent Callen."

Callen sighed and replied. "Okay."

"Good. Please give Hetty my regards. I'll arrange to see her some other time when she's feeling better. Gentlemen" Mosley said and she turned to go.

Sam and Callen both let out a long breath when she was out of ear shot. "You did good G but you really pushed your luck" said Sam.

"Don't I know it" replied Callen "but I had no choice. Hetty's in no fit state to remain in hospital against her will even though we both know this is where she should be."

Sam nodded in agreement. He had worked under Hetty long enough to know how stubborn she was. "What do you want me to do?" he asked.

"Can you go to Dovecote and open it up please? Open the windows and doors and let the fresh air in. Remove all the dust covers too. Ask Kensi and Deeks to go to the store and get some fresh supplies in. Tell them I'll cover the costs then they can meet you at Dovecote and help you" said Callen.

"Do you think it's wise getting them to do the shopping? You know what Kensi's taste is like" asked Sam. "I'll do the shopping and they can open up the house."

"Hey I'm happy whichever way you decide to do it" said Callen. "Hetty keeps a spare key in her drawer at the office. Nell can let you have it otherwise there's one at my place."

"What are you gonna do?" asked Sam.

"I'll contact Mike and make arrangements for him to attend her as her doctor and see if he can come round tonight too. Then I'll have to stay and make sure Hetty stays here" replied Callen. Sam smiled and nodded.

"I'll call Kensi and Deeks and ask them to pick me up and we'll go to the office first. Will you phone Nell and give her the heads up?" asked Sam.

"Yeah I'll do that and Sam, thanks for doing this" said Callen.

"No problem G" answered Sam as he pulled Callen into a hug. "You take care of her."

"Just phone if you want anything, okay?" said Callen and Sam raised his hand in acknowledgement as he left the hospital.

Callen took out his phone and dialled Ops. "Callen!" came the reply from Nell. "How are you all and more importantly, how's Hetty?"

"Hi Nell, we're good. Hetty's been better but I've arranged for her to go home tonight. She's not happy being in hospital and I think she'll respond better at home where she feels safe. Sam's coming to the office with Kensi and Deeks to pick up Hetty's spare key. Can you let them have it? They're gonna open up Dovecote ready her to come home tonight" explained Callen.

"Sure thing" said Nell. "Can we do anything to help?"

"I don't want to get you guys into trouble but I'm sure they would welcome your help. Anything you can do will be appreciated. Perhaps I'll see you tonight. Thanks Nell" said Callen and he disconnected the call.

Next he dialled Dr Michael Grant, who was Hetty's godson as well as her doctor. "Dr Grant speaking" he said as he answered the phone.

"Mike, it's Callen" said Callen. "Just to update you, we got Hetty back."

"How? When? Never mind, you can tell me later. How is she?" asked Mike clearly relieved to hear she was back in the States. Callen had kept him up to date with any investigation into her whereabouts when she was missing and Mike had done all he could to think of places she might have gone although he had no clues when it came to her work, past or present. He had left that to Callen.

"She's been better but considering what she went through she's doing okay. I'll tell you all about it later" said Callen. "Mike, I need a favour. Actually Hetty does."

"Just name it" replied Mike.

"They want to keep her in hospital another few days but she's determined to go home to Dovecote. It's the only one of her properties that wasn't sold" said Callen.

"Of course she is" muttered Mike well aware of her propensity to have her own way.

"I've done some negotiations with my boss and the doctor and they've agreed to let her go home on the condition that her own doctor attends her every day and keeps them updated on her status" explained Callen.

"And you want me to do it?" asked Mike. "Callen it's a done deal; you don't have to ask. What time's she coming home?"

"Around 6pm" answered Callen.

"I got surgery booked for late in the afternoon. If all goes well I'll be able to get there around 6.30 or 7 but may be later if there's complications" said Mike.

"Not a problem Mike. Her doctor here will give her a final exam before she leaves and I'll have her meds and a letter from the doctor for you" said Callen. "Thanks for doing this Mike. Hetty and I both appreciate it and we know how busy you are with your day job" he added.

"Hetty's family and so are you Callen. We do what we can for family, always and with no exception" said Mike. "Please give her my love and I'll see you both at Dovecote later."

Callen disconnected the call relieved that Mike was able to follow through. He had little doubt that he would because, just like Callen, Mike would do anything for Hetty. Callen mentally ticked off what had been arranged and whether he had forgotten anything. He took out his phone and dialled Ops again and it was answered by Eric this time. "Eric, I need a ride. Can you arrange for a pool car to be delivered to the hospital parking lot well before 6pm today? Make it the Mercedes, something that'll be comfortable for Hetty. Get them to call me when they're there and I'll come down and pick up the keys" asked Callen.

"Sure thing Callen" replied Eric.

Satisfied that everything was in place, Callen went back into Hetty's room to spend the rest of the day with her. There was one task he needed Hetty to do and that was to ring the property realtor to take Dovecote off the market. When he entered the room, Hetty opened her eyes and asked "Well?"

"Everything's in hand. I've made arrangements with Mike to look after you. He wasn't about to let anyone else do it" said Callen and was pleased to see Hetty smile at the comment. "He sends his love and will see you this evening. I need you to do one thing for me before you take it easy for the rest of the day" said Callen and Hetty looked at him quizzically. "Phone the realtor and take Dovecote off the market. Please. It's bad enough that you've sold your other properties but I couldn't bear to see Dovecote sold. I would have to buy it myself" he said.

Hetty smiled at the comment. She did not think that he could afford it but then again he lived frugally and was not reckless with his money so perhaps he would be able to buy it. Hetty nodded and took the phone that Callen handed her.

"May I speak to Mr Franklin? This is Henrietta Lange" she said when the call was answered. There was a short pause before Hetty continued "Mr Franklin, please take Dovecote and any remaining properties of mine that weren't sold off the market. I've decided not to sell. If there's any paperwork that you need me to deal with please let me know and I'll send someone to collect it. I'm indisposed at the moment and won't be able to come in myself. Thank you for your assistance Mr Franklin" said Hetty finally and she ended the call.

"Thank you" said Callen "Now get some rest."

"I'll need to speak to my lawyer regarding the properties" said Hetty.

"I'll give him a ring to give him the head's up" said Callen who knew her lawyer well. "You can talk to him at length when you're at home and feeling stronger" he added.

Hetty nodded and closed her eyes content in the knowledge that not only was her boy with her and taking care of her but that it would not be long before she would be ensconced in her own home. When he saw that Hetty was sleeping peacefully, Callen got up and walked outside the room. He first phoned Hetty's lawyer as promised and then he phoned Sam to check everything was in order his end. Satisfied that he could do no more, he went back into the room and sat with Hetty waiting until it was time for the doctor's final exam after which it would be time to take her home.