A/N: Thanks for all who have R your comments are important to me
Disclaimer: I own nothing. NCIS LA is owned by CBS, Shane Brennan, R Scott Gemmill. Thanks for letting play with them.
Chapter 14:
Callen looked at Hetty's retreating back, sighed and turned to look at Sam.
"What do you think she's got in mind?" Callen asked his partner.
"Oh I don't know" said Sam. "But you know it'll be nothing that you'll want to do though" chuckled Sam, and was pleased to see Callen's mouth tweak into a half smile.
"Seriously, G, y'know you're gonna have to do as she asks" Sam continued, with no humour in his expression. "You've been seriously injured and it'll take time and a lot of hard work to get you back to any kind of fitness, let alone back on active duty."
Sam looked at Callen whose expression showed signs of depression and hopelessness. Sam felt sympathy for his friend. Sam knew only too well what is was like to be injured in the line of duty and how difficult it was to get back to work fitness and neither of them were getting any younger. He also knew what demons drove Callen, which made him one of, if not the best undercover agent NCIS had. Trying to lighten Callen's mood, Sam continued.
"G, y'know you're Hetty's favourite so I'm sure she's only concerned with your recovery and is gonna try and make it as quick as possible. Besides I'll be around to have your back."
"Thanks, Sam" said Callen, with a little more humour in his eyes. "I appreciate that but y'know how I hate to be molly coddled. I can do this myself. I don't need anybody's help."
"Yeah, well, that's debateable. We've been over this before so I'm not gonna go there again with you. I know the great Special Agent G Callen doesn't need or want anybody's help! He'd rather suffer and be a martyr than to ask for help" said Sam a little more harshly than he'd meant to.
Callen was insufferably stubborn and independent and hated to rely on other people, which made him a massive pain in the butt at times like this. Noticing the slight look of hurt on Callen's face at his outburst, Sam softened his tone.
"I'm sorry, man. I know how hard it is for you to accept help, let alone ask for it. I know you've been hurt before and recovered mostly on your own but for once, can you please believe that there are people who care for you and are only too pleased to help you in whatever way they can? Whichever way is best for you!"
"I know, and I do appreciate it, really I do. It's just that Hetty can be so overwhelming" said Callen.
"I understand, G, however much you think it's manipulation, Hetty is one of those people! She cares deeply for you. You didn't see how vulnerable and broken she looked, sitting by your bedside night after night willing you to wake up. Several times over the months, I had to force her to go home and get some proper rest. Reluctantly she went but always returned within a few hours. She hardly left your side, G."
Callen looked a little shame faced but with a twinkle in his eye, he answered "I bet she had to threaten you as well!"
"Yes, she did. As I said, there are a lot of people who care what happens to you, G, so you may as well get used to it!" said Sam, with a slight chuckle as he saw Callen's resolve weaken.
"OK, you win! I'll do as she wants and I promise I'll accept help. Anything to get out of here and to get the pair of you off my back" said Callen with a smirk.
Sam rolled his eyes and shook his head. He was sure Callen would be true to his word and make every effort to accept help in order to get fit. However, it would be a difficult time for all concerned and Sam was sure there would be tantrums and arguments but they would succeed. If they did not end up killing Callen first!
The partners continued talking and joking until Callen tired and drifted off into a peaceful sleep. The routine continued for the next day or two until Hetty and Dr Rhodes entered Callen's room one morning.
"Good morning, Mr Callen" said Hetty. "How are you today?"
"I'm good, Hetty" replied Callen. Looking between Hetty and Dr Grant, Callen asked "Err, it's there a problem?"
"Not at all" replied Dr Grant. "In fact, I have some good news for you, Callen. You're going to be discharged tomorrow."
"Really?" asked Callen suspiciously. He was extremely happy but wary, remembering Hetty's ultimatum.
"Really" answered Dr Grant "but I'll let Hetty explain. I'll leave you to it but I'll be back later on."
"Thanks Michael" said Hetty and Callen in unison.
They smiled at each other, each weighing up the other. Callen pondered exactly what Hetty had in store for him and Hetty was wondering how much resistance he would bring to bear.
"OK, Hetty" said Callen, breaking the silence. "What do you propose?"
"You will come with me and recuperate at Dovecote. Your old room is ready for you" said Hetty.
Callen nodded in agreement as he continued to scrutinise closely his boss and mentor. So far, so good. This doesn't seem so bad, he thought. I wonder what's the catch?
Hetty thought to herself He took that rather well. May be this will be easier than I thought. She continued. "There will be a medical team in residence to help you with your medication and rehabilitation exercises."
Hetty saw Callen's features darken but it was fleeting and they reverted back to a neutral expression almost instantly. Oh well, perhaps he's going to prove troublesome after all!
"It will only be for a short time" Hetty continued "if you can show that you can be trusted to take your meds and do your exercises and show improvement in your status, then they will no longer need to reside in the house but will come on a daily basis."
"Hetty, I'm not a child!" said Callen, exasperated.
"Indeed, you're not, Mr Callen. If you would stop acting like one though, this would not be necessary" she chided gently.
"OK, I agree" said Callen sullenly.
Hetty nodded before continuing. "When you've improved sufficiently, you will be allowed to go home." Callen smiled at that comment. Hetty added "Where Jethro Gibbs will be to help you further."
Hetty almost burst out laughing as Callen's jaw dropped and he stuttered "Gibbs? Staying with me? I'll be good to see him, I'll admit, but I don't need his help!"
"That's as may be, Mr Callen. It's going to happen" said Hetty.
"No, no it's not. Gibbs can't spend time playing nurse maid to me!" said Callen, his voice rising slightly.
"Yes, he can and he will. Before you say any more, he's already offered and is just waiting for you to be well enough to be at home without medical intervention. If you don't comply, you don't leave hospital any time soon!" Hetty hated being so tough on her boy but she knew he'd benefit from the plans she'd put in place. "And there will procedures in place to make sure you cannot leave on your own accord!"
"Hetty, that's below the belt and you know it!" he said.
"Indeed, it was, Mr Callen. I'm not sorry either. I'll do everything in my power if it helps you recover more quickly." Hetty waited patiently as she watched her boy weigh the situation in his mind, desperately looking for a way out. She felt a little sorry for him when she saw his head drop in defeat and he muttered something.
"What was that, Mr Callen?" she asked, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
He gazed up at her, his blue eyes looking at her sadly. "You win, Hetty. I'll do as you ask and I'll even behave myself."
"Thank you, Mr Callen. I knew you'd see sense and make the right decision eventually" as she smiled at him warmly.
The next day Dr Grant came to give Callen his final assessment before arranging the discharge papers.
"Everything is looking good, Callen. Hetty and I have arranged our own medical team to be in attendance, but I'll be on hand as well. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you feel the need, you've got my number" Dr Grant said. "I'll be back to say goodbye when you're ready to leave."
"Thanks, Michael" said Callen.
As Dr Grant left, Callen looked around his room and saw a pile of clothes that Hetty had thoughtfully brought in for him. He eyed them, grateful for Hetty's insight, for they were loose fitting jogging pants and a sweat top as well as boxer shorts, socks and a pair of slip on casual shoes. Callen knew that he had lost muscle tone as well as a lot of weight since he had been admitted and his normal wardrobe of jeans and a shirt would have been too big for him, without new ones being purchased, not to mention far too difficult for him to manage in his weakened state.
All of Callen's injuries had healed well but his left arm was still plaster because the open wound had to heal first before the bone itself could be properly set. There had been complications, Callen had been told, with an infection which further delayed the plaster cast application.
With a struggle Callen managed to put on the boxer shorts and the jogging pants. He was surprised how much energy it took and he was sitting on the edge of the best catching his breath when Sam walked in.
"Hey, G. I hear you're being discharged today" Sam said. He was pleased for his partner as he knew how deeply distressing Callen found it being confined to a hospital bed.
"Yeah, but I'm just exchanging one prison for another. I have to go and stay with Hetty with a resident medical team!" said Callen.
Trying not to laugh at his partner's expression, Sam said "Really? Well, staying with Hetty must be better than being in here."
"Mmm" muttered. "Don't know about that, if I don't 'behave' she'll send me back to hospital!"
Sam could no longer contain his mirth. He understood how Callen felt, and would be as p***ed as well if the tables were turned, but his partner was acting like a truculent teenager rather than a grown man,
"What?" responded Callen indignantly to Sam's chuckles.
"Man up, G! Learn to take your medicine!" answered Sam, in between a fit of giggles. Sam was pleased to see Callen's features softened and slowly break into his characteristic smirk.
"OK, but stop with the clichés!" said Callen, his mood lightening somewhat. "Make yourself useful. Can you help me out of this robe please? This cast is making it difficult to dress. I might need help with this sweat shirt too?
Still chuckling to himself, Sam did as he was bid and soon Callen was fully dressed waiting and eager to leave the hospital.
Hetty arrived with Dr Grant. "Mr Callen, I see that you are ready and waiting" she said.
"Yes, I am, Hetty. I can't wait to get out of here. No offence, Michael" answered Callen, smiling.
"None taken, G" responded Dr Grant. "Sign these and you can get going" handing Callen the discharge papers. Callen handed them back duly signed.
A porter appeared outside the room with a wheelchair. Looking at it in horror, Callen said "I don't need that. I'm quite capable of walking out of here!"
"Sorry, G" said Dr Grant "It's hospital policy."
Resigning himself to being wheeled through the hospital, Callen rose from the bed to get into the chair but stumbled as his legs gave way under him. Sam's strong arms caught him before he could fell and hurt himself and continued to hold him.
An unspoken message passed between the two men and Sam nodded in acknowledgement.
"Emm, I guess I do need this after all" said Callen.
After another unspoken dialogue Callen was ready to move again and Sam supported him until he was safely in the chair.
Dr Grant dismissed the porter saying that Callen's family would push the chair to the hospital's main door. Dr Grant then handed Callen a pair of crutches.
"You will need these to help you get around until you are stronger. Knowing your resolve, it won't take long" said Dr Grant.
"Thanks, Michael, for everything" said Callen, as he shook hands with Dr Grant.
Sam nodded his thanks as well as he began pushing Callen towards the elevator. Hetty hang back to speak to her godson.
"Thank you so much, Michael, for all you've done. I hope you will come over for dinner in a day or two once he's settled" said Hetty.
"You're welcome. I'd be delighted to come to dinner. Just let me know when."
Michael glanced over at Sam and Callen who were joking with one another, whilst waiting by the elevator for Hetty to join them. He smiled.
"He's a good man and he's lucky to have you to watch over him. It won't be plain sailing and he's going to be as frustrated as hell at times. He'll be angry and he's likely to lash at those around him. The medical team I've put together are good. Are you sure you want to do this, Hetty? I know he means a lot to you but I don't want you to get hurt" said Dr Grant.
"Oh Michael, thank you for your concern but I've handled and survived a lot worse than anything Mr Callen can dish out! We'll be fine I assure you" said Hetty as she went on tiptop to kiss her godson goodbye.
Turning way she went to join Sam and Callen "Gentlemen, let's get this show on the road!" she said as they entered the elevator and the doors closed and hid them from view.