A/N: I've been trying to write this chapter for awhile, but every attempt that came out worst than the last. And as my readers, you only deserve the best of what is written by me.

The beginning may be a little confusing, see as we left off where we did, but PLEASE stick with it.


Chapter Nine: Something Went Right


Callen sat staring at the wall. He was supposed to protect her. He had promised Tony, that he would, but now. Now Nikki was in surgery. Three bullets in her chest and six stab wounds. The three bullets weren't even for her, they were for him.

He had come "home" to find her lying on the living room floor. She was still breathing, it must have only just happened. He held her hand tightly, as he reached for his phone.


Then there was a creak behind him and Nikki's eyes went wide. Callen pulled out his gun and turned to protect her. There in the doorway was the officer that had greeted them on their way in, almost a month ago.

"Admiral Travoularis, how nice of you to join us," said the officer pointing his gun at Callen, "how very nice indeed."

"What are you doing Marine," Callen said, stalling until back-up could arrive. However the marine did not answer and instead decided to open fire on the two agents.

Callen kicked the coffee table onto its side to protect Nikki, as he continued to take fire from the crazed Marine.

Soon the marine began to get the upper hand on Callen, whose worry for Nikki,, began to take over his instincts. Callen tripped over the ataman, sending his gun flying through the air, landing beside the television cabinet on the other side of the room.

He stood to retrieve it when the marine shot three more times, straight at him.

It must have taken all the energy that Nikki had, but she jumped in front of him quickly. She had taken the bullets for him.

Nikki and Callen both fell to the floor, as Sam, Deeks and Kensi burst through the front door.


She had been in surgery, since they arrived at the hospital. That had been almost eleven hours ago.

Callen continued to stare at the wall. It was all he knew at the moment. The wall, and the bench that he sat on. In his hands he held Nikki's stuffed panda, that he had given her two weeks into the operation.

"G," Sam said, "you need some rest."


"No, what I need is to be here, when she gets out of surgery," G said as he stood to pace in front of Sam. Sam sighed, but watched as Callen continued to worry about Nikki.

Nikki sat on a bench in Benjamin Bannekar Park, watching the children play happily. Couples strolling by hand in hand.

"Hey Nikki," said a voice from behind her. She turned to see Kate Todd standing behind her. The smile that had once graced Nikki's face was gone and in its place, was now a frown.

"You're dead," Nikki stated. Kate laughed.

"Yep."

"Am I?"

"That's undecided."

"Huh?"

"You could choose to stay here or you could choose to go back," Kate explained. Nikki nodded.

"If I decide to stay here?"

"You'll pass on, leaving your grandmother to bury someone else that she loves dearly."

"And if I go back?"

"You'll live on with your life. Get married, have kids." Nikki nodded. The decision was no contest. She couldn't leave Grams to bury another family member, and Callen...Callen had her have only gotten started, she wasn't going to give up that easily. Trying to breathe began to become very difficult, as she felt her chest begin to get tight.

"Nikki?"

"Yeah," Nikki answered, with some difficulty.

"Don't let him go."


Everything was bright when she opened her eyes. Her breathing was still constricted and she began to choke on the breathing tube that was down her throat, which resulted from her panic. She heard Callen call for the doctor.

"Nicole, do you want the tube out?"

She nodded.

"On the count of three, I want you to cough, then you'll be able to breathe on your own," the doctor explained. Nikki nodded her head, showing that she understood, what he wanted her to do. The doctor counted down from three and the tube came out.

"G," she called. He came forward, grabbing her hand. Nikki smiled tiredly at him, as he kissed her hand, glad that she was okay, somewhat okay.

He brought his other hand to her face. She turned her face into it, kissing his palm, as she did.

"I'm so glad, you're alright," G whispered, as he caressed her face.

"So am I. Did we get him," Nikki asked, as she squeezed the hand that she was holding.

"Kensi shot and killed him," Callen answered.

"Way to go Kensi," Nikki tiredly cheered. Her eyes drooping as she spoke.

"Nikki, sleep, I'll be here when you wake," Callen said, pushing her hair out of her face She msiled at him, closing her eyes to get some sleep.


"She still asleep, G," asked Kensi, as she came in with a cup of coffee for him. He nodded. His eyes not moving from Nikki. Kensi handed him the coffee, which he gladly took.

"Tony and Gibbs are on their way from Washington," Kensi said, as she listened to the monitors beep from all around her.

"No doubt, to kick my ass," Callen answered.

"Kicking your ass probably has a high priority on their list, but she probably has a higher priority," Kensi said, looking at Nikki. She looked vulnerable and weak. It broke her heart to see her best friend like that, desperately holding onto Callen, as if he was her only life line.

"Does Hetty know?"

"She's aware, and is making arrangements for Nikki's care giving when she leaves the hospital and is on sick leave," Kensi stated. Nikki groaned from the hospital, grabbing both agents attention.

"Kensi, Callen, you are not to leave me with her, okay? She'll drive me insane with all her tea drinking, and her knowing everything about anything. Please do not make me suffer more than I already have," Nikki said, as squeezed Callen's hand tighter, than she already was.

"We'll see."


A/N: And that's the end. I know that this is short, but I've been busy and I really have to get past all this. Next chapter...Nikki leaves the hospital and Callen takes her on their first date...plus special appearances by Gibbs and Tony.