When the group made it back to Amy's floor, Connie was waiting. "Oh thank goodness Mrs. Russell, Dr. Burke's been waiting for you. He wants to check you over to determine whether or not to send you home today."
"Oh, I'm sorry." She said walking towards the room as fast as she could. Callen went with her while the other went into the waiting room at the other end of the ward. They walked past Dr. Burke who was waiting at the nurses' station. Amy looked at him and gave him an apologetic look; fortunately, he didn't appear to be upset by the wait.
Connie and Callen helped Amy back on to the bed as the doctor walked in. "Good morning Mrs. Russell. I heard about your excitement this morning. It's never a dull moment with you around is it?"
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Is it really that bad with me here?" she gave him a worried look.
"No Mrs. Russell, I'm joking with you. You're keeping everyone on their toes and the nurses have enjoyed the eye candy as they call them. I think you, Agent Callen have been nicknamed Special Agent Sexy. Connie, what do you call the blonde?" he said looking at the nurse.
Connie was thoroughly embarrassed, "I plead the fifth, Dr. Burke."
Amy and Callen laughed. "I seem to recall that he called you sweet cheeks or something like that." Callen told her.
"Callen, don't tell her that. He didn't give you a nickname, but he was admiring you assets as you walked away." Amy told her.
Connie buried her face in her hands and laughed.
"Now Agent Callen, are you going to be providing protection for Mrs. Russell if she's discharged tonight?" Dr. Burke asked obviously concerned for Amy's safety.
Callen scratched his head. "Probably not, I will be returning to my office in LA tomorrow morning if my Operations Manager has her way. We might be able to have and Agent from the office on base stay with her, but it won't be me."
The doctor thought for a moment. "How are you feeling Mrs. Russell? What's your pain like?"
"I'm a little sore from the walk but otherwise, I think I'm doing pretty good." She told him honestly.
"Are you at all concerned about your safety if you go home?" he asked.
"I am." She admitted, looking at Callen. "If it would be alright with you, I'd like to stay at least one more night, just to be on the safe side."
Callen was happy with Amy's decision and nodded his approval. "I think that's a very wise decision, Amy. I'm sure Hetty will have Kensi and or Deeks stay with us tonight."
The doctor looked from Callen to Amy and back again. "Alright, I agree that's the best option right now. Let's take a look at you incision and I think Connie here is going to help you shower if your incision looks ok."
Amy looked at Callen and blushed, remembering their conversation last night and what it led to. As the doctor pulled on the blue sterile gloves, she pulled her gown up; making sure nothing was showing and stuck her tongue out at Callen. He frowned in response. Connie caught the exchange and gave them a curious look.
The doctor peeled back the tape and gauze pad. "Wow, Connie look at this. The incision looks like it's at least a three or four days old, not a day."
Amy looked down at her incision, if you looked past the iodine stained skin and dried blood; the incision was nothing more than a wide pink line.
"Have you ever had surgery before?" the doctor asked her.
"No, I mean I had my wisdom teeth out in high school and the only other time I had stitches was when I sliced my finger, I was twenty-one." She told him.
"You could technically go home today, but given the situation and the attempt on your life last night, I'd rather keep you here as long as possible." He told her taking off his gloves. Dr. Burke shook his head in disbelief. "Connie, she can go ahead and shower."
"Agent Callen, would you like to come with me so Mrs. Russell has some privacy. I'd like to talk to your Operations Manager see if we can't keep you and your team here as long as she's staying with us." He said leading Callen out of the room.
Callen turned around and smiled at Amy she laughed and stuck her tongue out at him again.
Once Callen and Dr. Burke closed the door, Connie looked at her. "Ok, spill it Mrs. Russell."
"Please call me Amy." She told her.
"Alright Amy, what's the deal with you and Special Agent Sexy. I walked in last night to find him on the bed with you and then you stick your tongue out at him twice in a matter of ten minutes. Is there something going on with you two?" Connie asked with her arms crossed, leaning on the counter.
Amy sighed and smiled. "Yeah, I guess you can say we're working towards something, if that makes sense?"
"But you're married, Amy!" Connie exclaimed.
"Nothing serious has happened or will happen until after I file for divorce." Amy assured her.
Feeling bad for her outburst, "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to judge you like that."
"No, I know. That's the hardest part of all of this. I'm trying so hard not to let things spiral out of control or go too far. I planned on filing for divorce before I met Callen. He's just added incentive to do it as soon as possible." Amy told her.
"After the way your husband acted yesterday, I take it things aren't good at home?" Connie asked.
"No not at all, Rick has some issues and I'm done dealing with them. It's not healthy for the kids or me to be around it." She said.
"If you don't mind me asking, what's going on?"
"Rick's got a five month old daughter with another woman." She said, seeing Connie's reaction, she continued. "Oh, that's just the tip of the iceberg."
"Holy shit. I'm sorry. I can't imagine what it's like living with that every day. How have your kids handled it?"
Amy shook her head. "The kids have been troopers, but it's getting harder for them and I feel it's time to make an exit."
"Ok, so back to you and Callen. How long have you known each other?" Connie asked.
"Oh wow, we met April second, three days before my birthday. He and his partner; Sam came to my house asking about my neighbor's husband's death. He didn't talk very much, except for asking questions. I talked more with Sam than Callen. Sam came back on my birthday with flowers and Callen came by on Saturday, and they started staying at my house on Sunday I think it was."
"You've only known each other for two weeks? Oh my gosh." She said shocked.
"Yeah, two weeks, it's been the worst, best week of my life." Amy told her smiling.
"Why do you say that?"
"You've seen Callen, it's hard to stick to my morals and values. I don't believe in having an affair." She said feeling ashamed.
"You've stayed faithful to your husband?" Connie asked.
"Through the entire time we've been married. Rick's been fooling around for the last six years." Amy told her ashamed for staying so long.
"Six years, damn, you should be sainted. You stayed for the kids?"
"Yes and no. Can we talk about something else? All this bullshit with Rick depresses me." She laughed. "I'm still second guessing myself, the choice between Callen and my husband of twelve years is tough."
"Amy honey, seriously. Callen wins by a mile" Connie told her smiling as she went to the bathroom to get everything ready for Amy's shower.
"Well the short woman that we went downstairs with, just informed me that my Great-grandmother left me her house. She presented me with a key to the house, a lease agreement and a check. The kids and I will be moving in after they get out of school and we have some renovations done, so June." She said taking off the robe and walking to the bathroom.
"I bet you can't wait, can you?" she smiled. "So do you want to get married again?"
Amy stopped and thought about it. "I don't know. I've been married twice already. I'm afraid if Callen and I get married it'll end up just like the first two."
"Amy third time's the charm." Connie told her.
"True, but it will be a while before I'll be ready to get married again." Amy said untying her gown.
"Have you guys talked about it?" Connie asked starting the water.
"No, but he said there was something he wanted to talk about tonight after everyone left. You don't think that's what he wants to talk about, do you?" Amy asked suddenly afraid.
"Amy, the man clearly loves you. He came into your life for a reason. I think if you let him go or let this opportunity pass you by you'll regret it for the rest of your life." She said stepping back to let Amy get in the shower. "I'll be right out here if you need me."
"Alright." Amy said enjoying the feeling of the warm water on her skin.
Fifteen minutes later, Amy and Connie were walking towards the sitting room. Callen saw her and smiled. He thought she looked cute in the light blue scrubs. The pant legs were rolled several times, but Amy was still stepping on them and the shirt hung to one side off her shoulder. Quickly, she pulled it back up and pulled it closer to her neck, letting the back sag. Her wet hair was combed like she usually had it, parted on the side and tucked behind her ears.
Callen moved out of the doorway so they could pass. She didn't smell like she normally did after a shower, but she still smelled good. Amy smiled at him as she passed and patted his stomach. Connie made sure she was sitting down before she turned to everyone else and asked that they keep her sitting. Everyone agreed and Connie left the room. Callen walked over to sit next to her and asked how she as feeling. He had to laugh when she told him she felt human again.
Hetty was talking to Agent Wrath while the rest were talking amongst themselves. Finally, Hetty turned to Amy and smiled. She asked Deeks to close the door and began addressing the room. "Alright, Dr. Burke decided to keep Amy at least one more day. Callen, I assume you're going to be staying here with her?"
"I'd like to if it's alright with you." He told her.
"Yes, of course." She turned to Kensi and Deeks. "I would like the two of you to remain here with them this evening. I'd rather have our team here than the MPs. Sam, you can either go home or stay with them. Nell, Eric I need you to start running background checks on everyone, government contractors as well, who work at SOI. We have to know if there is anyone else out there who is working with Awan. Where are we with finding out exactly who this Kahn person is?"
Nell and Eric looked at each other. Eric waved her on. "Well, we've managed to trace the origin of the communications through several different IP addresses and routers worldwide. Whoever he is, he's gone to great lengths to hide himself. Eric's been working on finding his actual location and has pretty much pin pointed him here in the United States, where exactly, we're still working on. As soon as we find his location, we should be able to find out more about him."
"Very well, thank you Ms. Jones." She sighed, turning to Agent Wrath, "When is Awan scheduled to be transferred?"
"Last I heard, sometime today. I don't know where they're taking him. Hopefully as far away from Amy and Kathy Mason as possible." He told her.
"I don't think he's interested in Kathy right now," Hetty admitted. "He's taken on Amy as a challenge. He's toying with her. Amy, since Richard has spoken to Awan in the past, do you think there is any way he could be involved in all of this?"
Amy sat silent for a moment, horrified by the notion. She looked at Callen and then at Hetty. "I never really thought of it. I hope to God he's not."
Callen put his arm around her and pulled her close.
"Still, we can't take any chances. Nell, start looking at Richard as well." She saw the pained look in Amy's face and turned back to her. "Amy, I'm just covering all the bases. I pray he's not involved for your sake and the children's."
Rick stepped off the elevator and walked towards Amy's room. Jenny ran ahead and stopped when the room was empty. He called her back to him and walked to the nurses' station to ask where she was. Connie took one look at him and her blood began to boil. "Staff Sergeant Russell. I didn't think we'd be seeing you until later today. Are you looking for Amy?"
"Yes, I have an appointment and I can't take out daughter. I was hoping it would be okay with Amy if I left her here for a while." He told her.
"I'm sure she'd love to have her here. Let me go tell her you're here." She said and took off for the sitting room. She knocked on the window and opened the door. "Amy your husband is here with your youngest. He says he has an appointment and can't take her with him. Typically it's against hospital policy, but given the circumstances."
Amy stood and walked to the door.
Connie stopped her before she left the room, "Act like you're in pretty bad shape, so when he's told that you're not coming home today he can see why."
Slowly, Amy walked next to Connie. Hunched over and a pained look on her face, she walked to Rick. "I've got an appointment with my lawyer and I can't take Jenny. Can she stay here with you for a while?"
"I can't take care of her, Rick." Amy said.
"Well, Callen's still here, right?" He retorted.
"Yes, but he's here to protect me, not babysit Jenny." Amy countered.
"Sounds like the same thing to me, whether it's you or Jenny." He said looking at his watch. "I've got to go; I have to be there in fifteen minutes. Can she stay here or not?"
Amy looked at Connie. "It's okay I guess, if it's alright with you."
"It's fine Mrs. Russell. I'll walk the two of you back to the sitting room." She said and the three left Rick standing by himself.
As soon as Jenny saw Callen, she ran into his waiting arms. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and a nice tight hug before he turned her around to sit on his leg. Everyone who hadn't met Amy's kids commented on how much Jenny looked like Amy or how cute she was. Jenny soaked up and loved the attention. Sam walked over and picked her up, giving her a hug too. Jenny asked when his daughter was going to come play with her again and Sam told her soon. She was content with the answer and squirmed to be put down. Jenny walked hesitantly over to Hetty and hugged her legs. Hetty bent over and gave the girl a proper hug.
The conversation was put on hold while Jenny was present, so they turned cartoons on and watched with her. Hetty stepped out to make a phone call.
Rick got to base legal with five minutes to spare. He checked in and took a seat to wait for his lawyer. Within minutes, he appeared in the doorway and called him in. They shook hands and walked into the office.
"How are you Staff Sergeant?" the officer asked.
"I'm here, given the situation." Rick said.
The middle-aged lawyer sat back in his chair and pulled a file from the drawer behind him. "I received a call from your Warrant Officer shortly after I got off the phone with you. What the hell are you doing?"
Rick shook his head.
"The Warrant Officer, said you stopped taking your meds, stopped seeing the Psychiatrist, neglected to check in with the First Sergeant as ordered, you're still talking to and meeting with other women- disobeying the direct order to stop and that you disappeared for two day, thus leaving you daughter to call Special Agent Callen to take your wife to the hospital. This is not at all good for your case."
"You think I don't know that?" Rick spat.
"Staff Sergeant, you're skating on very thin ice. He also told me about you wanting a restraining order against Special Agents Callen and Hanna. Tell me what happened."
"I think there's something going on with my wife and Special Agent Callen. When I finally went to the hospital to see her, he and Special Agent Hanna were there with her. Words were exchanged and I pushed the hospital bed hurting my wife. Special Agent Callen started to walk towards her and I stopped him, pushing him back, telling him to stay away from my wife. He grabbed my hand and told me to treat her as such and that if I ever put my hands on him again he'd break them. He said this while twisting my wrist. Then Special Agent Hanna grabbed me and threw me against the wall, said I didn't know who he was or what he was before he became an agent, that he'd kill me and that he'd always outrank me."
"What did you say to Special Agent Hanna for him to threaten you like that?" The Captain asked.
"Special Agent Hanna told Special Agent Callen to stop so I turned around and asked if he was Callen's keeper. Agent Hanna got in my face and told me that if anyone was going to hurt me it would be him. I basically dared him and told him I could take him. That's when he put his hands on me and made the threat." Rick said.
"Why didn't you answer you phone when they tried calling you. I understand after Special Agent Callen and your wife arrived at the hospital, he tried calling you. Then the surgeon called you."
"I'd left my phone on the charger in the truck." He told him.
"Were you with another woman?" The Captain asked, knowing he was.
"Yes, I was." Rick said.
He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Damn it Staff Sergeant. You're digging yourself one hell of a hole. You have to stop this behavior. No ifs ands or buts. If you do this shit again, I'll throw you in the brig myself. I don't care what you have to do, permanently attach your lips to your wife's ass if need be. I don't want to get another call like this again."
"What about the restraining order?" Rick asked.
He laughed. "Rightfully, neither of them should've put their hands on you or threatened you like that. However, given the fact that they've been assigned to protect your wife and your behavior, they were justified in their actions. There is no way a restraining order can be issued for your wife and children, only for you. Since they are protecting your family, they are also protecting you. All you can ask is that someone other than those two continues the detail."
"So you're advising me against the restraining order?"
"I am. You can ask your wife to stop whatever you suspect is going on between her and Agent Callen. Ask for someone else to watch your family. I will not be petitioning for a restraining order for you. You're going to have to deal with it." He told Rick.
"Fine. Whatever." Rick said stood and walked out. He'd hit a dead end. Rick knew that asking for someone else to watch Amy was foolish. The only thing he could think to do was waiting until the case was over and tell, not ask Amy to end things with Callen. He knew she would because she rarely went against his wishes.
He stepped off the elevator and walked down to the sitting room. He opened the door and saw Jenny asleep in Callen's arms. While it made him angry, he realized that he stood to lose Amy and the kids to him. He couldn't allow it. Amy saw him and stood quickly, then doubled over in pain and fell to the floor. Everyone thought it was an act, but Amy didn't get back up. Kensi and Sam ran to her side and saw the genuine pain on her face. Rick ran back down the hall to the nurses' station and got Connie. When he returned to the door, Amy was still in the fetal position on the floor.
Connie took one look at her and yelled for someone to find Dr. Burke. Callen still had Jenny in his arms, looking at Rick to take her. When the doctor pushed through the door, Connie had Amy on her back. Amy's scrub top was soaked with blood. Another nurse ran into the room, then ran right back out again yelling for help. They cleared the room so there was enough space to maneuver around Amy. The nurse returned with an armful of sterile gauze pads, saline, towels and tape. The door slammed closed, leaving the other to stand in the hall.
Rick walked to Callen and offered to take Jenny from him, but Callen said he was fine with her. They stared each other down for a few moments before Rick turned and walked away. He leaned against the wall and slid to the floor. Everyone stood watching as Rick buried his face in his hands.
"I've never seen anything like this. She was healing fine." Dr. Burke said as he applied pressure trying to stop the bleeding.
"Do you think she just stood too fast?" Connie asked unwrapping more gauze pads.
"She must have, but to tear the incision and stitches open like that?" The second nurse; Diane said trying to calm Amy. "Did she completely reopen the incision or just partially?"
"If we could get it to stop bleeding, I could get a better look." He told her.
"How are you doing Amy?" Connie asked, knowing Amy was in excruciating pain.
"Oh my God, what happened?" Amy cried.
"You tore the incision open. I told you to be careful." Connie told her.
"We've got to get her to a more sterile environment so I can stitch her back up. Call for a gurney, drape and everything needed for sutures." He instructed.
"Are we taking her up to an OR?" Connie asked.
"No, I can do it here." He told her.
The door opened and Diane ran out, they tried to see what was going on inside before she closed the door. They heard her rummaging through the supply cabinet and medication locker. She stacked everything they needed on the gurney and ran it back to the sitting room. Sam opened the door for her and helped her wheel it in. He glanced over at Amy sprawled on the floor and blood everywhere.
Once she slammed the door in his face, he told the others what he saw. They all grew silent as he described the scene. Kensi walked over to Rick to let him know what was going on. Callen watched as she sat beside him and began talking.
Rick looked at Kensi, then over at Callen. "He's in love with her isn't he?"
Kensi looked at Callen and back at Rick. "I don't know. I know he cares for her."
"I might as well throw in the towel. He can give them everything I never could." Rick sighed resting his head against the wall.
"I don't know the entire story, but…" she started
"I've been a horrible husband and father. I can't help but think she wouldn't be in here if it weren't for all the shit I've done." He told her.
"You can't blame this on you. This was just some fluke. I know these types of things aren't common." Kensi told him
"What should I do?" he said looking to her for answers.
"Rick, I can't tell you what you should or shouldn't do. I can't even give you advice on this." She told him honestly.
"I sure fucked this up." He said with tears in his eyes.
Kensi looked back at Callen who was watching the conversation. She gave him a look of desperation. He handed Jenny off to Sam and walked over to Rick and Kensi. "Rick, how about you and I go for a walk and talk for a few minutes.
Rick looked up at him and saw no aggression in his face. He thanked Kensi, stood and the two walked down to Amy's room. Everyone watched them walk in and shut the door behind them. Sam tried to hand Jenny off to Kensi, but Hetty stopped him.
"I think Richard just had and ah-ha moment. Let them talk Mr. Hanna, I doubt anything will happen." She said.
"Alright Amy, we're going to lift you onto the gurney so we can work on you easier." He said and counted to three. Amy screamed out in pain as they lifted her and set her down.
Connie was measuring a dose of local anesthetic from a vial, placed the cap back on the needle and sat it next to Amy. Diane was prepping the needle and thread, while the doctor cleaned the wound with saline and iodine.
"Should we give her something to relax her a little more?" Connie asked.
"Yes not too much, Demerol. Diane, call Dr. Atkins up from the ER to assist, please. I know you two normally don't do stuff like this." He said watching Connie run to the door and Diane run to the phone. "Amy, we're going to give you something for the pain and also make you sleep. Are you doing okay?"
Amy nodded with tears streaming from her eyes. She wished Callen was there, she needed him.
Rick sat on the bed as Callen closed the door, and then leaned against the wall. "Look, Rick, I want to apologize for yesterday."
"No, I shouldn't have stopped you. You're in love with her, aren't you?" Rick asked.
Callen wasn't sure what type of reaction his answer would bring. He thought before he spoke. "I am. Nothing has happened, except that I've kissed her."
Rick shook his head instantly seeing the mental image of them together. He let out a ragged breath. "Has she filed for divorce yet?"
"No, she was going to wait until June when the kids got out of school." Callen said, knowing it may have been too much information.
"Are you two going to get together afterwards?" Rick asked already knowing they were.
"I'd like to see that happen, but Amy's mentioned needing some time." He said.
Rick sat silent again. "Are you going to take care of them the way they deserve?"
"If you will allow it to happen, yes. Look Rick, I have no intentions of taking your place as their father, but I love them as much as I love Amy." Callen said stepping away from the wall.
"All I ask is that you let me see them." Rick said looking at the floor.
"I wouldn't have it any other way and I know Amy won't keep the kids from you." Callen reassured him.
"I'll be as cooperative with this as I possibly can." Rick said looking Callen in the eye.
"Can I ask why this sudden change of heart?" Callen asked.
"There's been a lot. The kids talked about you non-stop last night. Seeing the way you looked at Amy yesterday when I shook the bed. Walking in and seeing Jenny asleep in your arms and the look of sheer joy when you looked down at her." Rick said with his eyes tearing.
"I'm sorry Rick. I never meant for any of this to happen. I never intended on falling in love with Amy." Callen said.
"I know you can't control who you fall in love with, or who you fall out of love with. Do you think she still loves me?" Rick asked not expecting much.
"She does, that is what has made her decision so hard. She does still love you and always will, but she realizes that she can't change what has happened. We're both hoping that you will get some real help now, not for the sake of the marriage, but for the kids." Callen said slipping his hands in his pockets.
Rick nodded, "I will this time and I mean it. I never wanted to lose Amy, I do love her, but I need help."
"I'm here for you if you ever need to talk. I don't want things to be awkward between us. We both love them and want what's best for them." He said.
"Thank you." Rick said.
"We need to work together on this. It's going to be a very long and difficult road, but I hope we're all better off for it." Callen said.
Rick stood and smoothed out his cammies, then looked at Callen and offered his hand. Callen shook his hand and smiled. "We should probably go back out before they thing we're beating the hell out of each other in here."
"Yeah, and check on Amy too." Rick laughed.
Rick smiled wildly as he followed Callen out. His plan worked perfectly.
Kensi and Deeks were standing next to each other when Sam walked up to them. Looking at the door, Deeks asked "What do you think they're talking about?"
"Since we don't hear screaming and yelling, I think they called a truce." Sam said looking down at Jenny.
"Rick's taking responsibility for Amy being in the hospital. He's beating himself up pretty bad." Kensi said.
The door opened and neither man was bleeding or bruised, in fact both were smiling. Kensi looked at Sam and Deeks, then Hetty. All appeared to be relieved, but none trusted Rick. They walked back over to the group when Rick realized he should call work and let them know what happened to Amy. He stood with the rest of them as he placed the call. When the Warrant Officer questioned him about the legitimacy of his claims, Rick offered to hand the phone to one of the agents. He was instructed to stay at the hospital and call as soon as he knew anything about Amy. Rick agreed and hung up.
Another doctor in scrubs stepped off the elevator and ran to the sitting room, he threw the door open and closed it quickly. Dr. Burke told him what had happened and that Amy had already been given something for the pain which had also put her to sleep. Dr. Atkins stepped to the other side of the gurney opposite Dr. Burke. Diane handed him a pair of gloves and they watched as Dr. Burke injected the local anesthetic around the wound. When he felt it was sufficiently numbed, they began stitching her back up.
Callen and Rick both looked at their watches, it had been an hour since she went down they couldn't imagine what was going on with the woman they loved. Callen turned Rick's attention at the Warrant Officer who was coming out of the elevator. Rick called to him. He was shocked to see Callen and Rick standing together and not fighting. Callen and Rick explained what happened and what they knew. Callen introduced the Warrant Officer to the rest of the team. He too found himself holding up the wall while they waited for news.
Thirty minutes later, Connie emerged from the room. She saw all the faces staring back at her with anticipation. "She's fine, tore the incision open. Dr. Burke and Dr. Atkins sewed her back up, but she's on strict bed rest for the rest of the day."
Callen and Rick looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief. They looked around at the rest of the smiling faces. Connie ran back to the room with a gown and closed the door quietly. Five minutes later, Diane came out with a bag full of the bloody scrubs, gauze pads and towels. Jenny woke us and wanted Callen. Rick didn't argue or put up a fight. When Diane returned, she told the group that they were going to be wheeling her out and they'd need to stand back.
Amy was asleep and covered with a blanket when they brought her out. Jenny took one look at her and started crying. Callen and Rick tried to explain what had happened and she eventually calmed down. Diane walked ahead to clear the room so they could get the gurney in. Connie went to the nurses' station and called for housekeeping.
Once Amy was back in bed, Dr. Burke and Dr. Atkins walked out to talk Rick, Callen and Hetty. "She needs to rest for the next couple hours. Once she wakes up, only a few in the room at a time. We need to keep her as still as possible, she's going to be in a lot of pain." They were told.
"Can I bring the kids up to see her this afternoon?" Rick asked.
"I don't see any reason why not, as long as nothing happens like yesterday." Dr. Burke warned, looking between Callen and Rick.
"I promise, never again." Rick told him.
"I don't want her to do too much; no one is to sit on or with her." He said looking at Callen. Hetty raised an eyebrow at Callen how nodded in response.
Rick smiled and patted Callen on the back, "Sorry."
"Ms. Lange, are you keeping agents here tonight along with Agent Callen?" he asked.
"Yes, at least two; Special Agent Blye and Detective Deeks will be here. I've given Special Agent Hanna the option of either staying or going home to be with his family." She told him.
Dr. Burke looked down at himself, "I need to go change. I'll be back up in a couple hours to check on her. You can go in and see her, if you'd like."
"Thank you, Dr. Burke." Hetty said as he walked away. "You three can go in, I'll go talk to the rest of the team and see if I can't think out the herd a little. Richard, if it's alright with you, I want Mr. Callen in that room with her at all times."
"That's fine." He said and disappeared into the room.
"Mr. Callen, a moment before you go in." Hetty said
"What is it?" he asked, not fully trusting Rick alone with her.
"I'm going to go tell the Warrant Officer that he will be here for a while. Do you think Sam or Kensi would mind picking Ricky and Kristy up if Rick doesn't want to leave?"
"I don't see any reason why not. Sam would probably be the best one to send. The kids know him better." Callen said before he walked into Amy's room.
"Now, remember, your Mom's supposed to be resting, so no goofing off or being loud. If you guys need help with your homework, one of us will help you." Sam told them.
"I like your car Sam." Rick said from the back seat.
Sam smiled and looked at him through the rearview mirror. "Thank you; she's pretty cool isn't she?"
"So how did my Mom reopen the incision?" Kristy asked.
"I'm not sure how, but she stood up really fast when your father came to the door and saw your sister asleep on Callen." He told her.
"Was Daddy mad?" Ricky asked.
"He may have been, but when he saw your Mom hit the floor, he was worried." Sam told him again.
"What do you think Callen and my Dad were talking about when they went to my Mom's room?" Kristy asked.
"I don't know, but there was no yelling and they came out smiling." He said looking at her in the passenger seat, then back at the road.
"Interesting." She said and looked out the window as they passed the airfield.
Sam smiled and looked at Kristy. "I thought so too. Are you guys hungry?"
"Yes!" They shouted, seeing McDonald's coming up on the right.
"What do you want?" he asked laughing; his daughter's response was always the same when McDonalds was involved.
"I want a chicken nugget meal if that's okay?" Kristy asked.
"No problem, what do you want to drink?" Sam asked.
"A Hi-C orange, please." She said.
"Ricky, what about you?" he said looking in the rearview mirror.
"A double cheeseburger meal with a Dr. Pepper, please." He said.
Sam eyed him, "Do your parent's let you drink soda?"
"Yes, they do." Kristy told him. "Not all the time, though. It's been a few days since he had a soda last."
"We had soda Friday night when Callen ordered pizzas and we watched movies." Ricky added.
"Alright, but if your Mom or Dad gets mad at me, I'm going to get the two of you." He laughed and turned into the parking lot.
Sam pulled the Challenger into the drive thru and waited. Within ten minutes, he had ordered and received their food. He was waiting for traffic to clear when his phone rang. Kristy looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Michelle. Sam told her she could answer it. Kristy talked to Michelle while Sam drove relaying information between them. By the time they arrived at the hospital, Michelle had decided that she and their daughter would head up to spend some time with them.
They walked out of the elevator to find the hall virtually empty. Outside Amy's room stood Kensi, Deeks and Hetty. He looked behind them at the sitting room and saw no one but the cleaning crew steam cleaning the carpet. They waved at Connie as they passed the nurses' station. The kids ran up to Hetty and gave her a hug, then moved onto Kensi and then Deeks. They stood and talked for a few minutes before going in to see their mother, eat and start their homework. When Jenny saw that they had McDonalds, she got mad and started yelling. Sam kicked himself for not getting her anything, but Kristy offered to share her chicken nuggets and fries. Fortunately, Jenny calmed down, but not before waking up Amy.
Everything that had happened was a blur. Pain gripped her as she tried to lift her head to see everyone. Callen saw her move and went to her. Rick just sat back and watched, then joined Callen at her bedside. Amy looked at them confused. She honestly thought she'd woken up in some alternate universe since the two weren't at each other's throats or giving one another the evil eye. Both smiled down at her.
"How are you feeling, Amy?" Callen asked.
She moaned her response fearing the slightest movement would inflict pain.
"Do you want more pain medication? I can go get the nurse." Rick said.
Amy weakly nodded and looked to Callen as Rick walked away. "What happened?" Callen began to explain that she'd reopened the incision when she stopped him. "No, between the two of you, it looks like you're getting along."
"I apologized for yesterday and we talked for a while." He told her.
"What did he tell you?" she asked
"He said he was going to get help, step back so we can be together. We'll see what happens." He told her brushing her hair back with his hand.
Connie followed Rick in and brought an automatic IV drip machine. Amy looked at her right hand and noticed that somewhere in amid all of the chaos they'd given her another IV.
After Connie set up the machine, she turned to Amy. "You scared the shit out of us, Amy. Please don't ever do that again. This is going to give you a little bit of pain medication over the next few hours. It should be enough to keep the pain at bay."
Amy smiled and thanked her.
"Is there anything I can get you before I head back out?" Connie asked.
"Some of those damn French fries would be wonderful." Amy said with a shallow laugh.
Callen turned to the kids and saw a few fries left in Ricky's carton. He stole a few and fed one to Amy.
"Alright, I'll be back in a little bit to check on you, do you want to sit up a little?" Connie asked.
"Sure, just a little, my back is starting to hurt." She said and grunted as Connie raised her head a few inches.
"Alright, I'm off. Stay still." She told Amy before leaving.
Sam stuck his head in the door and saw that Amy was awake. She saw him and waved him in. "Michelle's on her way up." He told her taking her hand.
"She doesn't have to. Traffic's going to be a nightmare." Amy told him.
"Sorry to burst you bubble, she's not coming up to see just you. I'm staying here tonight." He laughed.
"Sam, you really don't have to. I'm sure Callen, Kensi and Marty can take care of everything." She said grimacing through another wave of pain.
"You okay, Amy?" Callen asked.
"Just some pain, I'm okay." She told him smiling.
"Can one of you help me with my math homework?" Ricky asked standing at the foot of Amy's bed.
"Sure." Sam said getting ready to walk over to him, but Rick stepped up.
"I've got it, Sam." Rick said. "Go ahead and talk with Amy."
"Where'd everyone else go?" Amy asked hoping she got their names right.
"Hetty sent them back to the office. She figured they weren't being productive if they were just standing around. They said they'd call if they got anything. Agent Wrath's wife came to get him and the Warrant Officer went back to work." Callen told her leaning on the bedrail.
"Oh, ok. Is Hetty still here?"
"Yeah, she was outside talking to Kensi and Deeks when the kids and I got here." Sam told her.
"Why did you go get them?" she asked looking at him oddly.
"So Callen and Rick could stay here with you, Callen thought the kids would come with me easier than they would have if Kensi or Deeks had gone to get them.
"Yeah, you're probably right. What time is it?" she asked hungry.
Sam looked at his watch. "It's almost four thirty. Why?"
"I apparently slept through lunch." Amy laughed. "Damn, please remind me not to try to laugh it frigging hurts."
"Do you want me to see when they're bringing dinner in?" Callen asked.
"Please, if you wouldn't mind." She said and he walked out.
Looking at the kids, she realized that she hadn't gotten any love from them since they came in. "You know what, I haven't gotten one hug or kiss from you guys since you got here. You'd better get over here and show me some love." She said.
Instantly, Kristy and Jenny were up and at her side. Sam lifted Jenny so she could kiss Amy. Jenny wanted to lay with her, but Sam told her she'd hurt Amy if she did. Kristy was tall enough to reach her mother without help. Amy touched her face and saw she was about to cry. "I'm ok baby."
"You need to be more careful. I want you to come home soon." Kristy told her.
"I know I'm trying to get better so I can come home. I miss you guys so much." Amy said, pulling her closer.
"I know you are, but you have to try harder." She cried.
"I will, ok. I won't go for any more walks and I won't take anymore showers until I get home, okay?" Amy smiled.
"Ew, no you can shower." Kristy laughed.
"I'm done with my homework." Ricky said appearing next to Kristy.
"Very good, did you thank Daddy for helping you?" Amy reminded him.
Quickly he turned around and ran to Rick. "Thank you for helping me with my math, Daddy."
"You're welcome, Bubba." Rick said pulling him in for a hug.
Amy thought she was going to be sick by Rick's fake show of affection. She knew he was up to something and if she had to bet on it, it wasn't good. Her thought trailed back to the conversation in the sitting room when Hetty asked Nell to thoroughly check Rick out. On one hand, she prayed they found something, on the other that they didn't.
Ricky came back to the bed and put an arm around Amy's head. "I love you, Mommy."
"I love you too Bubba." She said kissing his cheek.
"Amy, I think I'm going to take the kids home. Get them dinner and let them play outside for a while." Rick said walking to the bed.
"Ok, but they haven't been here very long and they just finished their homework." She said almost in tears.
"They're getting antsy being cooped up in here." He said smiling.
"Do whatever you want, Rick. I'd like to spend some more time with them." She told him.
"My wife's on her way with our daughter, she was looking forward to seeing the girls." Sam said trying to convince him to stay a while longer.
"I'd rather stay here with Mommy." Ricky said looking up at his father.
"Me too." Kristy added.
Rick sighed, looking down at their pleading faces. "Fine, a little longer."
The kids cheered. Callen walked back into the room and wondered why the kids were excited. "What did I miss?"
"Daddy said we could stay a while longer instead of going home." Ricky said.
"Oh good, because Hetty just ordered pizzas and a lot of them; she ordered bacon and cheese and pepperoni and sausage with black olives. I think she said she ordered a combination pizza too." He said.
The kids cheered again and high fived each other. Amy smiled at their exuberance. Rick looked perturbed. She eyed Callen who gave her a curious look in return.
Michelle and her daughter came in just as the pizzas were delivered. Callen and Sam got slices of pizza for the kids before the adults ate. Callen brought Amy a slice of her pizza and put the head of the bed up a little more. The pizza tasted so good. As good as the food was from the cafeteria, this was heaven. She could only eat one slice before the pressure on her stitches got to be too much. Dr. Burke walked in and Hetty immediately offered him a slice of pizza. He commented that he hadn't eaten all day and gladly accepted a slice of the combination pizza.
Shortly after Ricky had his fourth slice and Kristy her third, Rick announced that they were leaving. The kids complained as they got their backpacks and jackets. Each kissed Amy and gave hugs to everyone else. Then they were out the door. Amy was sad to see them go and Callen could see that. A few minutes later, Hetty announced her departure, but said that she would return in the morning. By seven, Sam walked his wife and daughter down to her car and said goodbye.
She sat at the old weathered desk and dialed the number she knew so well. It wasn't like Amy not to call her back within a couple hours, she knew something was wrong. Last week when they talked, she was very strange. All she told her was that she and the kids were fine, but that they had a lot of stuff going on that she really couldn't talk about right then. This was her third call today; the first was in the morning before she left for Chemotherapy, she called again before she left the treatment center and now. Carole looked at the clock on the wall and knew Amy was either in the middle of making dinner or eating. Regardless, she needed to know Amy was okay.
Kristy was coming in from playing to get something to drink when she heard Amy's phone ring. She picked it up, saw a picture of her grandparents on the caller ID and smiled as she answered. "Hi Nina, how are you?"
"Kristy, honey, I expected your Mom to answer, is she around. I've called a couple times today and haven't heard anything back. Is everything okay?" she asked loving the sound of her granddaughter's voice.
"Shoot, no one ever called you. Mom's in the hospital." Kristy told her.
"Hospital, what happened?" she asked panic in her voice.
"She's alright Nina. Mom got sick Saturday night, so Callen took her to the ER. They had to do surgery."
"Who's Callen and what kind of surgery?" she asked quickly.
"It was something about her hernia. Callen's one of the NCIS Agents who's been staying with us for the last week or so." She said.
"Where's your father?" Let me talk to him." She ordered.
Kristy walked into the garage where Rick was organizing his gear for the field op at 29 Palms. "Daddy, Nina's on the phone and wants to talk to you about Mommy."
Rick cursed under his breath and took the phone. "Hi Carole, how are you?"
"I'm fine, what's going on with Amy?" she asked.
"She had a para-esophageal hernia. Her stomach had passed through the Hiatis and the circulation was being cut off. It was a minor surgery, she'll be fine." Rick told her.
"Why didn't you call us to let us know and why did an NCIS agent have to take her to the ER, where the hell were you?" She scolded.
"I wasn't home Carole." He said
"Why is NCIS staying at your house?"
"Amy got her nose into some shit she shouldn't have and two agents were assigned to protect her and the kids." He said sitting in the recliner. He knew the rest of the conversation was not going to be good.
"What room is she in?" Carole asked.
"I don't know what number, but she's on the fourth floor. If you call the Quarterdeck, they should be able to tell you." He told her.
"Alright, thank you Rick. Other than this is there anything else I should know? How are the kids?" She asked.
"The kids are fine, and there's nothing else." He said wishing Kristy hadn't answered her mother's phone.
"Okay, good night. Sorry to have bothered you." She said hanging up before Rick could say another word.
Carole stood and walked into the kitchen, she looked from her husband to her daughter and son-in-law. "Jason, Pat do you have the number for the Quarterdeck at the Naval Hospital?"
"Sure, why?" her Pat answered.
"You're sister had surgery and no one called to tell us. Rick wasn't home when it happened and an NCIS Agent had to take her to the ER. He doesn't even know what room she's in." Carole said sitting at the table.
"What kind of surgery?" her husband; Joseph asked.
"Something with her hernia." She said.
"I'll call the hospital." Her Pat announced.
The phone at the nurses' station rang three times before Connie ran back to answer. "Four west nurse's station, this is Connie."
"Yes, Connie, my name is Carole Vincent. We were just informed that our daughter is a patient there. We were hoping you could give us a little more information about her condition." She said.
"Alright, what's the patient's name?" Connie asked.
"Her name is Amelia Russell. She may be admitted under the name Amy."
Connie stopped and looked over at Amy's room. "Can you hold on just a moment, please?"
"Sure." Carole said.
Connie ran to Amy's door and knocked. "Special Agent Callen, I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to talk to you for a moment." She said and turned to walk back to the phone.
Callen followed her out and stood next to the desk. "What's going on?"
"I've got someone on the phone claiming to be Amy's mother. She's asking about her condition. What do you want me to tell her?" She asked.
Callen stood there for a moment. "I'll talk to them." Connie handed him the phone and took the call off hold. "This is Special Agent Callen, is this Mrs. Vincent?"
"Yes it is, please tell me what's going on with Amy. I called home and talked to Rick, but he really didn't give me much information." She said.
"I can tell you that Amy's doing well, but I can't give you much more information than that. I will have Amy give you a call in the morning, she's asleep right now." Callen told her.
"I guess that would be alright." Carole said. "Rick said something about a paraesophagael hernia.
"Yes Ma'am, do you know what that is?" Callen asked,
"Yes I do. Do you know when she might be released?"
"She had an accident earlier this morning and re-opened the incision, so she's going to be here a couple more days. Do you want to take my number so you can call me directly?" He asked smiling at Connie.
"Sure, what is it?" she asked ready with a white board marker in her hand.
Callen gave her his number and the number for Amy's room.
"Thank you so much Agent Callen."
"You're welcome, Mrs. Vincent." He said and handed the phone back to Connie.
After the kids finally went to bed, Rick returned to the garage to finish looking for his field gear. He pulled a box off one of the shelves by the water heater and a white envelope fell on the ground. He knew exactly what it was when he saw it. Rick whispered, "That Bitch" under his breath. He opened the envelope as he walked to the recliner and pulled out the contents as he sat down.
On top was a lease agreement with Amy's name on it. He noticed there was no start date and it hadn't been signed. Below it was a copy of her Great-grandmother's will and below that was a certified check for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. By the time he read through the stack of papers, he was furious. Rick put the papers back in the envelope and took it in the house.
