As promised, later on in the afternoon, Hetty got dressed and went to Callen's room. She stood in the doorway, watching her boy sleeping and Sam watching over him, before quietly entering and standing at the end of the bed. Callen looked pale but his face showed no sign of pain as it had earlier.

Sam, finally aware of her presence, looked up and said "I don't think it's wise for you to be here, Hetty."

"Mr Hanna, I understand how you feel but I'm not here to distress him further. I just wanted to see how he was as I would for any staff member."

"Oh, so now you're only a 'concerned' manager" answered Sam angrily but in voice low enough not to wake Callen. "So you're no longer concerned about him as your son? That's great!"

Sam could see Hetty was distressed by his words; good he thought. She has hurt G enough.

"Mr Hanna. Sam. I'm not here to fight, to upset either of you. I just wanted to see Mr Callen and see that he was alright after the second operation. But I understand, I'll leave but please tell him I stopped by."

As she turned to go, a weak voice said "You don't have to go."

Both Hetty and Sam turned to look at Callen. "G, are you sure? You don't have to see her."

Reaching for his hand, Callen said "Sam, thanks for looking out for me. I appreciate it, I really do but it's OK."

Sam looked down at his friend and searched his face. Satisfied, Sam nodded "OK, if that's what you want, l'll leave you two alone." Turning to leave, Sam shot a look at Hetty.

Seeing the exchange, Callen said "Sam, we're good. Really."

Glancing back at his friend Sam said "OK, but I'll be close" and he left the room.

Callen smiled and shook his head "Sam's always been very protective of me."

Hetty said "Yes. And you're lucky you have him. I'm pleased you have someone to watch over you and care about you."

Callen looked sad at her words and said with a slight crack in his voice "You used to watch over me and care about me."

Hetty sighed and moved a step closer to him "Mr Callen, I still do."

"You've a funny way of showing it" countered Callen, his voice a little cold.

Hetty risked a smile "You're right, there hasn't been much evidence of it lately, though it doesn't mean I've stopped caring, stopped loving you. I just got into a situation where I couldn't express it."

Callen looked at her, his features softening. Hetty didn't fail to notice it and it made her heart jump. "Look, I promised Michael and Granger that I wouldn't discuss this until you were much stronger. Everybody is mad at me and I don't want to give them any reason to get angrier." Callen smiled. "So I will let you get some rest and I will come back tomorrow and see you then" she said. She added uncertainly "If you want me to."

Callen held out his hand to her and she stepped forward and took it. "I would love to see you tomorrow, Hetty." Callen raised her hand and gently kissed it. A small sob escaped her and she smiled, hoping this was the first step towards reconciliation. She bent and kissed him on the forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow, son."

Sam had been watching from outside ready to jump in a stop any sign of an argument. However he smiled, pleased that his friend may well be finally at peace and his relationship with Hetty back on track.

"You can come back in now, Sam" he heard his friend say and as he walked over to the bed Callen added, "Thanks for watching out for me. It means a lot."

"Not a problem, G. You'd do the same for me. Michelle and Kamie send their love and when you're stronger they'll come and visit. Now, you're looking tired. You've been through it, now get some rest. I'll be right here" indicating the chair.

"Thanks, Sam" and Callen slipped into a peaceful sleep. Sam continued to watch his partner and friend sleep for a while until he too fell asleep.

They both woke the next morning to find Hetty sitting in a chair the other side of the bed smiling at them. "It's good to see you sleeping like babies. In this line of work, peaceful sleep is a luxury."

Wiping sleep from his eyes, Sam sat up and taking his cue from Callen, said "Good morning, Hetty. We good?"

"Yes, Mr Hanna. We are. I understand completely why you've acted as you have and I commend you for your loyalty to your partner, to your friend. I will do all in my power to regain the same loyalty from you. From both of you."

Callen conveyed his feelings with a look at Sam and taking the hint, Sam said "You already have it, Hetty. So there's no need" and he got up and walked over to Hetty and gave her a hug. Callen smiled and Hetty beamed with relief.

Hetty looked at each of them in turn and look a deep breath. "I know I've acted out of character lately and have made decisions that may not have been best for the team or for individuals. I'll try to make amends for that behaviour and to regain everyone's trust. I know it hasn't been easy for any of you; I also know I've made it especially hard for you, Mr Callen. However I promised Granger, and Michael, that I wouldn't discuss it now and risk another relapse. Now Granger has indicated that he wants Mr Hanna back in Ops for a new case, so I'm sorry Sam – are you rested enough?"

"I'm fine, Hetty." Turning to Callen he said "G, I'll come by when I can. Get some more rest or you'll have me to answer to" he added as he hugged his friend. A questioning look from Sam, unseen by Hetty, prompted Callen to say "I'm good, really. Don't worry. Now go!" Nodding his understanding, Sam left to rendezvous with the rest of the team back in Ops, leaving Callen and Hetty alone.

Holding out his hand to Hetty, she stepped closer to her boy, a little afraid of what he was going to say, but took his hand and felt him squeeze it in reassurance. "That was big of you to admit that, especially to Sam. Don't worry, I'm not going to get upset or angry. Can we please act like grown ups and put this behind us? I'm tired of fighting with you."

Hetty smiled, although tears were welling up in her eyes. "Oh yes, I'd like that very much. I've hated it as well but couldn't find a way out of the situation."

Still holding her hand, Callen indicated that he wanted her to sit down. Once Hetty was settled, Callen said "Hetty, it was never my intention to hurt you. You know how much discovering my past and my roots means to me. I'm sure Arcady knows more than he lets on. He's a friend but I left him bleeding in a Moscow car park to fend for himself. He's saved my life before and I owe it to him to try and find him. But while it would be nice to know and perhaps have a relationship with my father if he's still alive, you have always been there for me for 30 years or so. You're much more than my boss. You're my mentor but you're the mom I never knew. You will always be my mom" he said his voice full of anguish.

Pleased that the monitor was not changing, indicating that her boy was not agitated in any way, Hetty choked when she heard what Callen said. "I'm so sorry, it was wrong of me. I could see how desperate you were to get back on track. I was as well. Every time one of us tried and we appeared to be making progress, I had to ruin it with a flippant, sarcastic or callous retort. I knew I was doing it but I couldn't stop myself. I could see you pulling further away from me but I couldn't fix it. Even the other day I had to spoil it. I interrupted you when you were doing your job and that intervention nearly cost you your life. Even then and with all that has happened in the past, you still put yourself in danger to save my life – twice! I'm so proud of the man you've become. I know I don't tell you as often as I should but it is the truth. Will you ever forgive me?"

"I forgave you seconds after every incident because that's what family do. You taught me that. And I don't blame you for me being in hospital – it's an occupational hazard. I love you and all I want is to be part of your life again. Just to get back to when we were to be able to discuss the day's events at the end of the working day, to have family dinners and for you to read to me in Russian again. Can we try? Please?" Callen pleaded.

"I'd like nothing more, son. Now you need to concentrate on getting well."

Both emotionally drained, Callen watched as Hetty fall asleep in the chair, He pressed the call button and asked the nurse to bring a blanket to cover Hetty. He thanked the nurse and once he was certain Hetty was settled, he fell asleep himself cheered by the thought that he wouldn't have to leave NCIS after all and confident that their relationship would improve.

"The End"