Notes: The song is Nina Sublatti's Warrior
Callen was sitting in the waiting room of a hospital, alone. He had ordered his team to leave to have some rest. The first to leave were Eric and Nell, then Kensi and Deeks and finally Sam. It had been a hard case for all, especially to Callen and they knew it.
G had been waiting more than eight hours and no one gave him any new. He was tired. He hasn't sleep well since the case started. He tried to fight tiredness with many coffees. He was feeling useless in that little room. He couldn't do anything. Just wait. While waiting he cried. He cried a lot. He had never cried so much for anyone. The person he loved was fighting inside. However he didn't lose hope.
Callen noticed a door opening. He turns his head expecting a doctor or a nurse but no. Instead, Hetty appeared. She hasn't appeared since the beginning of the rescue mission and Callen asked himself why. Maybe it was her way of taking pain about the situation.
She stared at Callen with red eyes. Hetty had cried and Callen couldn't believe it. She had stopped, for a moment, being the iron lady. Hetty sat down besides Callen and sighed.
-"I called his father" started Hetty after some minutes in silence. Callen didn't look at her. He knew it was the right thing to do. "He is devastated"
-"Like everyone"
-"It's different for him. I don't know how he could react when he arrives here"
-"Is he coming?"
-"Yes, it's the least I could do for him after all"
Callen nodded. He could feel Hetty was disappointed. She failed in her mission and she didn't keep her promise. Then, sadness filled the room.
-"If we hadn't fought none of this will happen"
-"Don't blame yourself Mr. Callen. You didn't knew the real truth"
Suddenly the door opened and this time a doctor appeared. He was wearing surgical clothes covered in blood.
-"Are you Robert McNamara's family?" asked the doctor to Callen and Hetty
-"Yes, we are" said the lady
-"How is it doctor?"
-"We have removed three bullets. Fortunately no of them touched the heart, although the third one reached the left lung. He had also lost a lot of blood; he needed two transfusions to stabilize him."
Callen and Hetty felt relief for a moment. Robbie was going to live.
-"Can we see him?" asked Callen anxious
-"I'm afraid you can't. He is still unconscious and needs plenty of rest. I don't know when he is going to awake."
-"Can we talk in private?" asked Hetty
The doctor guided her to another room to talk. Callen wanted to know their conversation although he could figure it out. After few minutes, the doctor and Hetty came back to the waiting room.
-"Mr. Callen, you can spend the day here" said Hetty. G couldn't feel happier. He needed to see Robbie and be with him.
-"Thanks Hetty" said G "And thank you doctor for saving his life" He thanked the doctor with a warm handshake.
The two men run through a corridor with rooms at each side until the stopped at room 322. When G entered the room all his joy disappeared. He looked at his boyfriend lying on a bed connected to a medical ventilator and with a bandage covering his head and his right arm. G knew it has to be even worse because part of Robbie's body was covered by a sheet and hospital clothing.
Callen sat right on the edge of the bed. He holds Robbie's hand and looked at him. Seeing him like that broke G's heart. He couldn't help but mourn. G had a mixture of feelings: He was sad about what Robbie has suffered but he was happy that he didn't die in his arms back at the warehouse.
-"You can use the other bed if you want"
-"Thank you doctor but I will fine"
-"Okay, I'll leave you alone"
…
-"You need to get some sleep" said Susan
G was sitting on a chair next to Robbie's bed. He hadn't separated or even move away from it since he reached the hospital two days ago. Susan could tell he was exhausted. She approached him and put her hand in his shoulder.
-"Callen, listen to me"
-"I don't want to listen"
-"Callen, you need to"
-"I need to be with him"
-"It's not your fault. Stop torturing yourself, Robbie wouldn't want that"
-"I can't leave him"
"Please G, I know what you feel but this is useless. He is gonna be fine in here. He has the best ones at his service." G started to cry again. Sixth time in a day. He couldn't help feeling guilty. Susan hugs him from above comforting Callen. "I know you are sad but this does no good for you and for him"
-"I can't go home"
-"Go to the NCIS instead. Refresh your mind, take a shower, and eat something. You don't have to work. Hetty will understand it and your team too. He is safe now"
Finally he came to his senses and left the hospital. He knew Susan was right. Being there was useless and wasn't helping either. G didn't go to the NCIS; instead he went to his house. There he picked their dog and went to their favourite place: Griffith Observatory.
It was full of tourist but Callen didn't care about them. He played with the dog a little trying to clear his mind. "You miss him too, right?" Callen scratched Churchill's head and it barked. The air was refreshing and good. However sadness didn't go away. G felt responsible for what happen although his team tried to convince him. That idea didn't leave his head. His eagerness to have always control of the situation started everything. If he had relied more on Robbie, the English man won't be in hospital.
G decided to stand up and go back to the hospital. When he reached it, G hid the dog in a big travel bag he had in the car because they didn't allow animals inside. "Shh" said Callen moving the bag because the dog was making loudly noises "We are going to get caught". Finally he reached successfully Robbie's room. G was surprised to see three people, two men and a woman, inside near Robbie's bed. The English man didn't seem to have changed.
-"Good evening" started Callen "Did you know this man?"
-"Yes, he works with us" said the lady "You must be Callen, right?"
-"How do you know?"
-"Rob talked about you many times and we have seen you many times with him" said one of the men.
-"How is he?"
-"Doctors said he has been improving slowly but they don't know yet when he is going to woke up"
-"Did the police catch his kidnappers?" asked the lady
-"Yes, they have receive their punishment"
-"Thank god"
-"Hey, why don't you leave to rest? I can be in charge of him tonight"
-"Appreciate it" said one of the men
-"Great, come on Peggy I have work to do"
-"Watching baseball doesn't count as work"
-"Yes it is. You burn calories"
The three of them left the room laughing. Callen smiled at their conversation and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"I have a surprise for you" Callen opened a little his bag so Churchill could show his head and breathe. The little pug barked and licks Robbie's hand. "He missed you and so I am. Recover soon, please" Callen kissed Robbie's forehead kindly. "I leave Churchill back at home and I will come as soon as I can"
...
-"Mr. Callen"
Hetty was trying to wake up Callen who slept at the hospital for the fourth time. He only left the room to eat, to change clothes and to take care of their dog.
-"Yes, Hetty"
-"His father will arrive in any minute"
-"I can handle him"
-"I know you can handle him but"
Callen stood up quickly. He knew what Hetty was trying to say. "You are asking me to leave him, isn't it?" asked Callen displeased
-"It's not a question, it's an order" said Hetty "I don't want more problems with Mr. McNamara"
Callen stared at him. His face was very clear. He was angry at Hetty's suggestion. He didn't give a shit about what the man could think about him. G knew he will do anything for Robbie. He was going to protect him and be with him for ever even if his father didn't want. G was going to fight for his love.
-"Mr. Callen, I just ask you to leave for a couple of hours. Just until I manage him" Hetty tried to argue with him. "There's work to do at the NCIS"
Callen reluctantly accepted because he didn't want to put Hetty in any other trouble. She has enough to deal with the English man. He said goodbye to Robbie with a kiss in his forehead. Before meeting the English man, G didn't understand how an action could mean so much. He considered loving couples weak people because they need another person to live. But now, he looked at them as strong ones. His attitude of loner and tough had disappeared.
After thinking for a while inside his car, G decided to go to the headquarters. He wasn't ready to go back home and spend the evening or even the night. He just spends enough time. When he arrived, there was no one around so he decided to sit at his desk. He crossed arms and slowly fell asleep.
G could have been sleeping for an hour or even more, he didn't know how much he slept, when someone touched his back trying to wake him. It could be no other than his friend and colleague, Sam.
-"Good morning sleeping beauty"
-"What time is it?" Callen scratched his eyes waking up.
-"Quarter past two. How are you doing?"
-"The best I can. Hetty kicked me out of the hospital because his father was coming"
-"And how is he?"
-"Still the same. No signs of improvement although the doctors says he is"
-"He will get out of this. He is a warrior. And speaking about warrior, we have a surprise for you"
-"Kind of surprise?" asked Callen arching his eyebrow. He didn't like Sam's 'surprises'
-"It's at OPS. Come on, move"
Sam helped Callen to stand up and both of them went to the OPS. The room was completely dark; the only light came from the main screen.
-"What's going on, Sam?"
-"You seem distant since the incident. We can't imagine what you're going through. We want you to know that we are helping you because we are a team. Robert is going to get out of this because; as I say he is a warrior. Now, Eric"
Then a video was played in the screen. It was a stage with smoke all over it, lightning at the background and a human figure in the middle. It was a musical performance and Callen guessed who it was. He could not be other than Robbie. G didn't take his eyes off the screen and didn't lose any detail. Every time he saw the English man on stage he fall in love more and more. Even in this case, with Robbie making angry faces. Callen understood Sam's 'pun' because Robbie's song is called Warrior.
-"He is my warrior" G approached the screen and tried to touch Robbie's through the screen
-"Nice song" Callen turned back to see who said that. It was Operational Psychologist Nate Getz.
-"What's up Nate?"
-"You know, confidential stuff" said Nate trying to joke "Who is he?"
-"A friend of mine"
-"He is very good"
Callen nodded. The video ended and the lights were on. There was no one at the OPS. Just Nate and Callen. G didn't like that.
-"We haven't spoken for a while"
-"About what do you want to talk?"
-"How are you?" Then Callen realized. He was going to be psychoanalysed. Boy, he hates that.
-"She brought you here, right?"
-"It's a possibility"
-"I'm fine"
-"Really?"
-"Really"
-"You don't seem fine"
-"My friend almost died"
-"You had friends in here. Sam, Kensi, even Hetty who almost died at least one. But this case is different. Am I right?" G didn't answer Nate. He just looked away. Of course this case was different. It was Robbie, his lover and partner. "Do you feel guilty?" G was about to mourn but he refrained himself.
-"I promised to protect him and I failed"
-"You didn't fail"
-"Yes I do. He is at the hospital because of my fault"
-"Why do you think that?"
-"If we hadn't fight, he will be fine"
-"May I asked what happened?"
-"We have a serious fight about limits in our relationship. He was dancing with another guy and it pissed me off. I tried to argue but I punch the other guy"
-"Why did you do that?"
-"Because I was angry. I felt he was leaving me aside"
-"Why did you think that?"
-"I always felt displaced until I met him. I felt I was in a family again but then all that disappeared"
-"Have you talked about you with him?"
-"Yes, but I wasn't entirely truthful with him. He just knew enough about him"
-"Why haven't you told him everything?"
-"It's not necessary"
-"Don't you trust him?"
-"That's not the point"
-"I think we have reached an important point"
-"I'm leaving"
Callen didn't want to continue with the conversation. How dare Nate say he didn't trust Robbie? When they had that little conversation at his house it was different. They were starting their relationship but now they were mature to talk.
He was angry when he left the OPS. Before leaving, his team was down the stairs waiting for him.
-"So?" asked Sam
-"It was great until Nate started to psychoanalyze me"
-"I swear we had nothing to do" said Sam
-"I know. It was Hetty's plan"
-"I see. Are you going back to the hospital?"
-"Not yet. His father needs time"
-"Okay. We were going to have some lunch, do you wanna join us?"
-"Yes, thanks. But isn't there any case going on?"
-"We haven't received any mission or alert today" said Eric
The lunch with G's team was incredible. He spends nearly all the evening out. Callen finally laughed and relaxed after two weeks. He understood he has to be positive. Robbie was going to get out and he knew it.
He arrived at the hospital when it was getting dark. He reached Robbie's room. Robbie was in the same position as always although he wasn't connected anymore to the medical ventilator. Beside him there was a blonde man. His father. Callen approached slowly to the bed.
-"How is he?" asked Callen to the man
-"Doctors said he is improving in his vital signs"
-"That's great, don't you think sir?"
-"Call me Graham. She told me you haven't separated from his side"
-"I couldn't do that"
-"I've been unfair with you and I am sorry. It's obvious you are different and you love him"
-"More than anything" Callen noticed the English man was very tired. "Do you have a place to sleep? You must be tired"
-"Yes, I am but I don't care"
-"I can take care of him tonight"
-"You don't mind?"
-"No. You need some rest"
-"Thank you" the English man stood up and handshake Callen "I'm sorry for everything"
-"Never mind"
Robbie's father left the room and Callen sat where the man was. G rested his elbows on his tights and covered his face with his hands. He closed his eyes and has a short sleep.
-"You look horrible" Callen look up because he identifies that voice. It was Robbie who was finally awake. G couldn't be happier; his boyfriend was finally looking at him with that cute little smile. Callen hug him kindly and kiss him on the lips.
-"I thought I've lost you" Callen cried a little but this time they were not tears of sadness. They were tears of joy and happiness.
-"You can't get rid of me" Nevertheless, Robbie had not lost his sense of humour.
-"How are you feeling?"
-"Sore" Robbie tried to sit up but Callen stopped him
-"Don't make efforts"
-"G, what happened?"
-"Doctors have saved your life"
-"I wasn't talking about that" Robbie yawned heavily. He wasn't really recovered.
-"Rest a little more" Callen touched Robbie's cheek and give him a kiss. He will tell him everything tomorrow.
-"And you?"
-"I'm fine here"
-"Sleep beside me"
-"I can't"
-"Please"
Callen couldn't refuse Robbie's request. Not today when he was awake. Robbie stepped aside for Callen. G laid on the bed and face Robbie. Both of them look at each other. This incident made them stronger. Callen finally found his soulmate, Robbie. The English man was way too different from him but they shared a common past.
-"G, I am sorry for yelling at you and said all those horrible things"
-"I am sorry for be such a fool"
-"Have you noticed we are always saying 'I am sorry'?" joked Robbie
-"It's because we are different"
-"I like to be different"
-"I like it too" Callen ran his hand over the bandage on his head. Robbie complained a little.
-"Did I hurt you?"
-"No, it's just I have a terrible headache"
-"Get some sleep. You will feel fresh tomorrow"
Robbie approached G and Callen cuddle him trying to make the English man feel safe. They were so close to each other that they feel the other breath and their heartbeats. It came a moment when it seemed they were the same person
...
Callen was sleeping peacefully beside Robbie when he noticed the English man was acting strangely. His leg went into spasm and Robbie started to mumble random things. G looked at his face. Robbie had his eyes were tight and his face betrayed fear. He had his forehead sweating. Callen was started to worry so he decided to wake Robbie.
-"Rob, hey" Callen was touching the young man's shoulder
-"No, please"
-"Babe, it's me Callen"
-"Stop, Dmitry. Please stop" Robbie was having nightmare.
-"Robbie" shouted Callen. Robbie woke abruptly sweating and shaking. G tried to comfort his boyfriend putting his hand on his shoulder.
-"Where am I?"
-"You are at the hospital. I brought you"
-"You?" Robbie was confused
-"Callen" Robbie hugs Callen and started to cry. G runs his hand over Robbie's hand. "You are safe. It was a nightmare"
-"It was so real"
-"I know" Callen separates a little, just the necessary to look at Robbie's scared face "It's gonna be fine"
The two of them were embraced for a long time. Callen didn't fully separate until Robbie stopped crying.
-"Are you calmer now?" asked Callen
-"I think so" answered Robbie "But I don't want to continue sleeping"
-"You have to. It will make you feel better"
-"He will still be there"
-"He won't"
-"How do you know?"
-"Because. Because, he is gone. He won't hurt you again"
-"What happened?"
-"I shot him"
-"You, what?"
-"After him shooting you, I shot him. He fall down and died"
-"You killed my brother?"
-"He wasn't your brother. He didn't act like one"
Robbie rested his head on the pillow.
-"This is so confusing"
-"I know it's confusing" Callen laid aside Robbie. "I use to have those problems. I still have them"
-"What do you mean?"
-"Maybe it's time to tell you my story"
Callen runs his hand over Robbie's cheek and started telling his story. His long story: He was born in Romania. He had an unknown father. His family had a bloody feud with the Comescu's. His relationship with Hetty, etc.
Robbie listened carefully and shocked. He didn't expect Callen to have such a dark past.
-"I'm flipping out. Wow" said Robbie
-"It was time for you to knew it"
-"I-I don't know what to say"
-"That's why I know what you are going through. I had no one to lean on but you got me. I'll help you"
Callen kissed Robbie on his lips. He promised himself to protect the English man and be with him for ever.
-"We aren't so different after all" said Robbie
Callen smirked "Now, are you going to rest?"
-"Only if you promise to protect me"
-"I promise I will protect you forever"
...
-"I completely agree that hospital meals must be healthy and stuff like that. But they could put some salt to this graceless turkey" said Robbie
-"Stop complaining and eat" said Callen
Robbie was still at the hospital. It had been a long week but he was feeling better. He had recovered his mood and character. His character made him the worst patient ever. Callen could only laugh at the situation. He came back to his work but didn't leave Robbie alone. During the day he worked so he could spend the night with him.
-"Be a good boy and eat up your food Robbie" ordered Callen
-"You sound like my father"
-"Maybe I have to act like a father with you"
-"That would be SO weird" laughed Robbie
-"Are you arguing again?" said Graham entering the hospital room carrying a plastic bag with him
-"Robbie don't want to eat his lunch" started Callen
-"I don't blame him. This food is awful"
-"I'm done" said a defeated Callen
The three of them laughed. G was feeling part of a family again. It wasn't his ideal family, because both Graham and Robbie were freaks in their way, but he didn't care. They were two free spirits who do what they want and didn't care about what others thought. Callen liked that philosophy of life. He could put it into practice but he needs time. First he had to discover who he really was. In that quest he wasn't alone, he has new friends.
-"What do you have there?" asked Robbie
-"Burger King Food" said Graham
-"Hurray" said Robbie clapping
-"How could you come in with food?" asked Callen
-"I have my tricks"
-"Sometimes they work and sometimes don't" said Robbie to Callen. G smiled a little bit.
-"They always work"
-"Of course" said Robbie "Well, I'm hungry so give me that hamburger"
Robbie opened the bag but it was empty. His father tricked him. Callen laughed at his boyfriend.
-"You used to be cool" said Robbie
-"I'm still cool" said Graham
-"You've changed man" said Robbie "And you stop laughing"
-"You have to admit it was clever" said Callen
In that moment, his doctor appeared in the room. Normally, it was a nurse who comes to the room to give him the pills, changed bandages and catheter and other medical stuff.
-"Good afternoon, how are you feeling today Mr. McNamara?" asked the doctor
-"I'm surrounded by idiots but I can't complain" said Robbie
-"I'm glad to hear that" said the doctor looking at his folder. He made a medical test to Robbie and touched some of the machines. "I have good news for you"
-"What is it doc?" asked Graham
-"Well, Robert has improved surprisingly quickly so he can continue his treatment at home"
-"That means I" said Robbie smiling
-"Exactly, you can leave the hospital this evening" said the doctor
Robbie, Callen and Graham exploited with joy. They didn't have to come back to hospital again.
-"Can he take a plane?" asked Graham
-"I don't think that's a problem. His wounds are closed and heal. How's your head?"
-"Sometimes it hurts but the pain disappears quickly" said Robbie
-"With some medicine it will disappeared at all and in two-three days you can take a plane"
-"Great, thank you very much doc" said Graham
-"You are welcome but it was my job" said the doctor "I'll see you this evening when the nurse tells you to leave"
-"Bye doctor"
-"What was that question for dad?" asked Robbie when the doctor left the room
-"It's time you to come back home" answered Graham "Don't you think?"
-"Maybe I should leave you two talk" said Callen.
Before leaving he kissed Robbie's forehead. When he left, the room was full of shouts. Callen decided to leave the hospital and leave them arguing. G didn't leave the room, but also left the hospital.
Callen had gone to the NCIS because he didn't know where else to go. He felt useful there because he joined his team finishing a case. His life, for a moment, returned to be the same.
-"So, how's the boy?" asked Deeks
The team was collecting their belongings and preparing to go their houses.
-"He is fine. I'm sure he is at his house right now" answered Callen
-"He left the hospital?" asked Kensi
-"Exactly. He has recovered his sense of humour. The doctor said he will be completely recovered in a couple of days"
-"I'm happy for him" said Kensi "And for you"
-"This calls for a celebration. Who's in?" said Deeks
-"I'm in" said Kensi
-"The last time I joined one of your celebrations I finished with a terrible hangover" said Sam
-"Age doesn't forgive" joked Deeks "What about you Callen?"
-"No, thanks. I'm going to Robbie's. But do me a favour, go to his work and spread the news with the workers"
-"Yes, I know. I look like a military wounded and I am horrible" said Robbie
-"That's not true" said Callen
G entered Robbie's house. It was late evening when he arrived. Almost two hours before, Robbie had left the hospital. He guided Callen to the living room walking helped by a crutch. Looking at the English man, G started to remember that horrible night when he almost lost him. The truth is that Robbie looked like his Russian 'brother'.
-"What?" said Robbie
-"I don't think you want to know"
-"As you like but stop looking at me like that" joked Robbie
-"I've to get use to see you like that"
-"Do you blame yourself?"
Callen looked away blushed. Robbie approached him and hugged him.
-"Leave the past away. I'm alive because of you"
Robbie kissed him on the lips.
-"Get a room boys" interrupted Graham
-"Maybe you and your little friend should get a room" answered Robbie
-"Don't bring Rachel into this"
-"Who's Rachel?" asked Callen
-"My father's new lover"
-"You will like her" said Graham
-"I hope so"
-"Whatever, dinner is already done"
Callen helped Robbie moving to the kitchen. They sat down and eat the dinner Graham improvised. G knew better Graham and asked many things about the life in England. He had to learn so much. He had doubts about whether he would be able to adapt. A new city, new people, new life, new traditions and stuff like that.
The night continued in a fun way. What started as a peaceful relaxing evening soon become a little party. Laughs, games and memories followed until Robbie started to feel tired. He went to his bedroom followed by Callen, leaving Graham watching TV.
-"I can do it myself Callen" said Robbie. The English man was putting his pyjamas on in a clumsy way because he still had his arm bandaged.
-"I know, but I want to help"
Callen help Robbie to dress up. G changed his clothes and jumped to the bed in his underwear. Robbie did the same but slower. G stacked the pillows making Robbie more comfortable.
-"Are you fine?" asked Callen
-"Yes, thanks" said Robbie
-"So"
-"So?"
-"When are we leaving?"
-"Go where?" Robbie didn't know where Callen was going
-"To England. To your home, you know"
-"Why do you speak in plural?"
-"Well, because I'm going. That was my plan"
Robbie started to laugh loudly.
-"Is it funny?" asked Callen
-"You ain't coming"
-"Excuse me?"
-"There is no need you to come"
-"Why? I don't understand"
-"Because I decided to stay here"
Callen was speechless. He was so surprised he didn't know what to say. He just looked at Robbie with his jaw dropped. Robbie closed his mouth with a finger.
-"W-When did you made that decision?"
-"The day you told me your story"
-"You don't have to stay"
-"I want to. I believe in what we have"
-"Rob, I-I don't know"
-"You don't believe?"
-"Of course I believe. Are you completely sure you want to stay?"
-"Yes"
-"What about your life? Or your friends? And your father?"
-"They will be fine; I still can go back whenever I want. And my father. Well, he couldn't be happier. After all I been through, it's time to start again"
-"As Roman Prikhodko?"
-"No, as Robert McNamara. I want to continue using my name"
-"It's not your real name, you know"
-"G isn't your real name but you still use it"
-"It's different"
-"No is not"
-"Alright, I let you win"
-"Appreciate it"
-"Talking about something different, are you sure you want to have a federal agent as a boyfriend?"
-"Well, I have had a federal agent as a boyfriend nearly a year" joked Robbie "But there is a thing I have to do before"
-"What?"
-"I have to say goodbye to Durham. I'll come back in September. Would you wait for me?"
-"I can go there but, yeah, I will wait you"
-"Cross your heart?"
-"Cross my heart"
Robbie innocently made a cross in Callen's heart. Callen do it so and both of them laughed. They looked at each other and they realize they need at each other no matter what. They were made for each other.
-"You are so adorable and innocent sometimes"
-"I can lose my innocence"
Robbie slide his hand over Callen's belly and move it slowly down to his private parts
-"Your father is downstairs"
-"That makes it more exciting"
-"You are not recovered"
-"I am" Robbie put his hand under G's underpants and started to jerked him off
-"Robbie" moaned G
-"What"
-"I hate you right now"
-"Really?"
-"Yes, this isn't right"
Robbie continues jerking Callen off doing things G like it. He increased velocity and finally Callen came in ecstasy inside his underwear. He went to the bathroom to clean himself and changed clothes. When he came back to the bedroom, Robbie laughed at him. In response G jumped above him and started one of their tickle fights.
Callen, since they met, teased Robbie calling him child but he can be childish sometimes. That makes him happy. He was glad to have beside him that English crazy happy man. G won't recognize it but he was happy about Robbie staying with him in Los Angeles.