Everyone looked up expectantly when the elevator opened. A nurse stepped off and asked if they were there for Callen. After telling her yes, they all piled on the elevator and went up to the ICU. The nurse informed them that only two people would be allowed at one time and they could stay no longer than five minutes.

Sam and Kensi were the first ones to go in. Kensi immediately felt the tears run down her cheeks at the sight of Callen. He was nearly unrecognizable. Ugly purple bruises and stitches marred his normally handsome face. The cuts on his neck were visible. His arms and chest were wrapped up in white bandages and there was a splint on his right wrist. His fingers still had a slight purplish hue to them. Several IV lines were attached giving him the fluids and medications he needed. Kensi could sense Sam tense up next to her.

They walked to Callen's bedside. Kensi gently reached over and stroked Callen's head. "We're here for you G, you hang in there."

"Hey G," Sam spoke softly. "I'm sorry man, I let you down. You should never have had to go through all of this."

Sam sighed and Kensi knew he was angry with himself.

"We could have saved him so much suffering Kensi."

"Sam, don't…"

Before Kensi could finish, Sam turned and left the room.

Kensi shook her head and looked back at Callen. She very carefully leaned down and softly kissed his forehead. "You keep fighting G, you'll get through this. I know you will."

She gently squeezed his hand before leaving the room. When she reached the hall, Sam was nowhere to be seen. Everyone looked at each other knowing how hard Sam was taking it. Nate shook his head and Kensi realized Sam must have warned him not to follow him.

"I'll go talk to him," Kensi sighed and walked down the hall to look for Sam.

Dom and Eric went in to see Callen. Eric felt his stomach tighten at the sight of Callen lying bruised and bandaged in the bed. Dom had never known someone who was so badly injured and wasn't quite sure what to say or do. Eric walked over to Callen.

"Hey man, I'm glad we got you back. We're all here for you Callen, whatever you need."

Dom stepped up next to Eric. "You hang in there Callen. I know you'll get through this."

The two of them stood for a few more seconds then returned to the hall. Nate and Hetty were the last two to enter Callen's room. Hetty took a deep breath.

"Dear God, what did that animal do to him?" she asked to no one in particular. She walked over to G and gently took his hand in hers. Nate stood beside her and put his hand on her shoulder.

"He'll make it Hetty. You know G as well as I do. He's tough and he's not giving up without a fight. "

Hetty nodded as she gently caressed the back of G's hand with her thumb.

"You stay strong Mr. Callen. We'll be here waiting for you to come back to us."

They stood quietly for a few minutes before Hetty placed a light kiss on Callen's hand and squeezed it gently. She placed his hand back on the bed and she and Nate walked back out to the hall.

To everyone's surprise Hetty sat down in the chair just outside the room and broke into tears. Nate gently rubbed her shoulder as Eric and Dom stood in awkward silence.

"Don't worry Hetty, we'll get him thorough this," Nate said quietly.

Hetty nodded slightly and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Indeed we will Mr. Getz."

**NCIS**

Kensi caught up with Sam just outside the doors to the ER.

"Sam!"

He slowed his pace but didn't stop and Kensi picked up her own pace to reach his side.

"You know this is not your fault right?"

"We should have found him sooner. I let him down Kensi. I promised him after he got shot I would never let him get hurt again, that I would have his back."

"Sam, you know in our line of work…"

"Yeah Kensi, I know!"

Kensi was taken aback by Sam's outburst.

Sam sighed. "I'm sorry Kenz."

"Just stop it Sam, we did the best we could. Don't you dare blame yourself or anyone else on the team for any of this. If you want to blame anyone, blame the psycho who did this to Callen."

Sam finally stopped and turned to face Kensi.

"Do you think he'll be all right?"

"I think he might need some help along the way. Good thing he has such a great group of people for support."

Sam nodded. "You realize that between his hand and his leg he'll probably never qualify as a field agent again."

"We'll have to cross that bridge when we get there. Right now we just need to stay positive and encourage Callen to recover. You know it's not going to be easy."

"Yeah, even after the physical injuries heal, his head is going to be a mess. That bastard really did a number on him. Maybe Nate can help him. I know G trusts Nate more than he would some other doctor."

"I'm sure Nate will do everything he can to help. Everybody will do what they can. We'll get him through this Sam. It's going to take time, but I think we can do it."

Sam just nodded again.

"Come on, let's go back inside."

She held her hand out and Sam took it and together they headed back inside to Callen's room.

**NCIS**

Once the two of them met up again with the rest of the team they discussed where they stood as far as Sergei Alexandrov was concerned. He had not shown back up at the cabin and the Park Police and NCIS were planning a full search of the park as soon as day broke. Hetty had called for two agents to be stationed at the entrance to the ICU as a precaution. Sam had also stated he was not going to leave until Callen did. No one argued with him, as they knew it would be a waste of time.

Eventually, Kensi, Nate, Dom and Eric went home to get some much needed sleep (after Hetty ordered them to) with the promise they would be back to check on G the next day. Hetty stayed a short while longer to make sure all the necessary safe guards were in place to protect her agents.

Sam settled himself in the chair across the room from Callen and watched his partner laying silently in a drug induced sleep. He knew G was going to have a lot to deal with when he woke up and made a promise to be there every step of the way.

_NCIS_NCIS_NCIS

So, that's the end. I know this sucked, I realized it about halfway through but figured I'd post the whole thing anyway for anyone who was reading it. (I might delete it.) Oh well, I tried to write something different and it didn't quite work out the way I wanted. I guess I'll stick to what I do better, ones shots and smut! LOL.

Well, thanks to anyone who actually followed this to the end and to anyone who actually liked it. Also thanks to everyone who was honest enough to say this sucked!

Don't look for the second part any time soon (if at all) as I have changed my mind about posting it.

Oh yeah, ONE MORE TIME-BRING NATE BACK DAMN IT!

Well, bye for now!