Double Take

Disclaimer: NCISLA characters belong to Shane Brennan. All original characters and this story are mine.


Chapter 29

Washington D.C.

Callen had been sleeping an awful lot over the past month, much to his frustration. Not that he had much choice in the matter, for since his rescue, he was still too weak to check himself out of hospital. He was however, thankful for the fact he was now back on U.S. soil, but was fed up with hospital food and being wheelchair bound, if he wanted to go anywhere. Sam had kept him company while he was still in Prague, helping him pass the time, which he appreciated. Tony Dinozzo and Marty Deeks had formed a friendship during their stay in the Prague hospital, and the two were often found down in Callen or Jackson's rooms entertaining them. Callen was sure the nurses were relieved when they were discharged, as the ward had become quiet again. Callen and Jackson had been too weak to visit each other, but Sam and Charlie often swapped rooms to see the how the other was doing, to break up the monotony of having the same visitor all the time.

John had stayed with them for a while, however he had disappeared for a week while they were being transferred to D.C., and Callen supposed he had gone home to Dallas to see Beth. He didn't blame him for it, in fact, he was glad he had gone, as Callen didn't want to be the cause of any more problems between them. He felt his father had gone beyond what anyone had required of him when he came with them to Prague, and he was thankful he had been there to backup Sam, after he had been captured.

But Callen was bored and wished only to be reunited with Nell. Dreaming of Nell and their baby was what had kept him from going insane. He practised his Romanian, Czech and Russian when in the Prague hospital, but now that he was in D.C., he wished Nell was there with him. He had spoken to her on the phone, yet he hadn't he asked her to come, as he didn't want to her to feel like she had to come. His abandonment issues still hung around in his head sometimes, even though he knew Nell felt the same for him. Well she did fly to Hawaii to see him after all.

Callen also worried about Jackson, and the guilt of what had happened to him, haunted him. His memory still hadn't returned, so he was puzzled as to why Jackson and his father were there in Prague with them, and not Kensi. He knew when he saw Jackson in the warehouse he was tortured pretty bad, and that he seemed to be worse than himself. He couldn't fathom as to why this had happened to either of them. The last thing he had remembered before waking up in that warehouse, was sitting beside Nell's bedside in hospital. He had just told Nell the news that she was pregnant with his child. It was that news that had kept him going for the past six weeks while he was separated from her.

He had seen the guilt in Sam's eyes, and knew he was holding back in telling him everything. What had happened that was so bad, for Sam to feel this guilt? He had tried to ask him what was on his mind, but Sam would put on a smile and say everything was fine. Callen shook his head. That was the term he used when he really wasn't okay. He had a feeling it had something to do with why he and Jackson were captured and badly beaten. Callen noticed a figure sitting it the corner of his room. It surprised him, as he hadn't had any visitors other than Charlie, since he had been in D.C. As the person lowered the newspaper, Callen was surprised to see it was his boss.

"Director." Callen's voice was husky voice from barely waking up.

Leon Vance looked up and smiled at his seasoned agent. "Agent Callen, it's good to see you are recovering better than expected."

"Not quick enough," he replied. "I'm surprised to see you here. Is everything okay?"

"Oh yes, everything is fine. I thought I would take this opportunity to see how my two agents are faring, after their ordeal." Leon stood and walked closer to the bed, so Callen didn't have to strain his neck.

Callen noticed the Director held a black velvet case in his hand. The last time he had seen a case similar to that one, was when Gibbs had showed him his Silver Star, which he kept in the bottom of his desk drawer. But Callen knew that was a medal from when he was a marine, so he was puzzled as to why the Director held one in his hand, while he visited him.

Leon noticed Callen eyeing the case, and decided then was the time to give it to him. He would have preferred to have waited till Callen and Jackson had improved enough to been released from hospital, so he could have given it to them in front of their teams. They deserved that much at least, Leon thought. However, it was a rather long recovery for his two agents, and the SecNav had insisted he give it to them sooner, rather than later. There was never to be a grand ceremony for the bravery of these two men on a highly political operation, due to the fact their existence and involvement in such a highly classified operation was classified in itself.

"Agent Callen. I wish I could have given you this in front of your team," he began.

Callen frowned as he was confused.

"It gives me a great honour to present you with the National Intelligence Medal of Valor for the bravery you and Agent Jackson have shown, in taking down the Jankovics in Prague. What the two of you have suffered during this operation, is far beyond what this country requires of you, and what I require from any of my people."

Callen received the medal and held it in his left hand while the Director shook his right hand of congratulations. But Callen was speechless. He was puzzled as to why this operation was the reason for him and Jackson to receive this medal. Was it because all the men who stood at the top of this Agency watched it from MTAC, due to its highly sensitive tension with the Czech Republic? He opened the case and studied the medal. He shook his head. "I don't understand, Director, why? We put our lives on the line everyday in our job, why now?"

"This medal has come from President Obama himself, Agent Callen. He was horrified to hear what you and Agent Jackson suffered at the hands of the Jankovics." Leon hoped this would satisfy his seasoned agent, as he knew the man didn't trust easily. But the truth was, they all had been horrified when they saw the footage, when Sam and John found them in the warehouse. No one expected either of them to live. For every operation from their agency, they read the reports, but seeing it live made every detail so very real and sickening.

Callen nodded and accepted the medal for now, as he didn't want to make a big thing of it with the Director. "Thank you, Director."

Leon could see that Callen was still very exhausted from his ordeal, even after a month in hospital. "I'll let you get some more rest. It was good to see you again, Agent Callen."

As Leon exited the room, he noticed Callen had another visitor. He nodded as he passed them in the doorway.

As Callen watched the Director leave the room, he noticed her petite figure standing by the doorway and his face broke into a broad smile. "Nell!"

She seemed hesitant as if she wasn't sure whether to enter his room or run in the opposite direction. His smile disappeared and worry appeared on his face. "What's wrong, Nell?"

Nell took a deep breath. She had been over this moment a thousand times in her head on seeing Callen again. She had missed him terribly, and hated the fact Sam had told her it wasn't safe for her to fly to Prague. It had been six horrible weeks without him, but now she was there, it took every strength in her body to walk towards him. She feared she would see what Sam had had kept from her. What he had really suffered in Prague.

Callen watched Nell's movements across the room with bated breath. He reached his arms out to her and pulled her in for a hug, once she was in reach. "Hey Nell, it's okay. I'm okay," he reassured her. "Please don't cry."

Nell shook with emotion. "It's these damn hormones, they make me cry at anything," she told him. "Oh, G! I've missed you so much."

"I know, babe. I know." He moved over on his bed to make room for Nell. Now that he had her in his arms, he wasn't going to let her go.

Nell carefully laid on the bed next to him. She studied him carefully, to make sure he really was fine. His blue eyes looked tired, she noted, but his sparkle seemed to return when he saw her. "Sam told me some of the things..." She really didn't know how to say what she really wanted to say. "I need to know what happened, G?"

Callen sighed. He really didn't know the answer himself. "I don't know, Nell. I can't remember anything of the operation." He told her what he last remembered and she suddenly realised he had no memory of their second trip to Dallas, which included what happened to Kensi. "I think you know more than I do, Nell." He watched her and realised there was sadness in her eyes. Whatever she was thinking had made her sad.

"I was...um, asking about you, G? What happened to you?"

He looked her straight in her hazel eyes and knew exactly what she wanted to know. What he had suffered. "You're sad Nell, why?" he asked her, trying hard to avoid answering her question.

"You're not answering my question, G. Why won't you tell me?"

He could see concern in her eyes. Callen gently brushed her soft skin with his rough hands, over her jaw and down her arms. He wanted to reassure her he was going to be okay. But he also knew Nell Jones was highly intelligent and needed answers. "I've suffered four broken ribs, bruising to my torso, wrists and a concussion from being gun whipped."

"You've suffered those things before G, and it's been hard to keep you in hospital overnight." She gave him the look Hetty would give him when she wanted more answers from him. "What aren't you telling me, G?"

He sighed and pulled her in closer to him. "There was some internal damage from the bashing." He watched her closely as he saw anger cross her face. He knew it wasn't directed at him, but for him. "The doctors had to remove half of my liver, as it was so badly damaged, and they had to repair my spleen, intestines and kidneys." He felt her shake. "Hey. It's okay. I'm getting better every day. The doctor here thinks I'm doing really well and should be released within the next week," he reassured her.

Callen rubbed her back to comfort her, and as he moved his hand over her hip, he noticed a small bump where her flat stomach used to be. He smiled and kissed her gently. It was soft and warm, and comforted her. She responded and deepened the kiss. He was safe, and back with her, she told herself. She had missed this; being able to feel him and kiss him. They broke apart when they heard a kitchen staff enter the room with Callen's lunch. The woman smiled and asked Nell if she wanted one as well, which she kindly accepted.

They sat side by side eating their lunch thinking about what Callen had said. She noticed he was still much weaker than his usual self and felt herself tense up over what he must have been like a month ago. She understood why Sam had kept her in the dark from the rest of his injuries, because he didn't want to worry her. But she had worried just the same.

"You know, Sam has kept me in the dark about a lot of things too," he admitted to her, as if he could read her thoughts. "I see guilt in Sam's eyes, and he refuses to tell me what's happened. It's just so frustrating not being able to remember any of this. Like why Kensi didn't come on this op. We're a team, but for some reason only part of our team went and Jackson and my father came instead." Callen had finished eating and laid back on his pillow.

"You wouldn't let Kensi go to Prague, G."

He turned and looked at her with a frown.

"Firstly, once you had read the file you decided no female agent was going to on this operation because of the Jankovic's treatment of women. That is why Charlie didn't go and you asked Jackson instead."

"Secondly?" He asked. "Because when ever someone starts off with a firstly, there is always a secondly."

Nell frowned. "My mistake," she admitted. "Kensi's pregnant."

"For real?"

She nodded.

"Kevin's?"

She nodded again.

He noticed Nell's composure had changed when he mentioned his brother's name. "Poor Kensi."

Tears welled up in Nell's eyes. She wiped them away hoping Callen wouldn't notice, but knew that he would. "Please, G, don't ask."

He frowned and she could see he was trying to work out what had happened that he couldn't remember. He wanted answers, but he didn't want to push Nell, as he didn't want her upset anymore. "Sshh!" He consoled her by pulling her close to him again and holding her. They both fell asleep and were woken up by Callen's doctor walking in the room to check on him, an hour later.

"Hello, Mr Manning, how are you today?" Dr McIntosh opened up Callen's chart and studied the updates the nurses had written on the chart. "Your test results have come back with good results on your blood, and the ultrasound on your liver shows it has returned to its normal size. But I must stress to you, Mr Manning, the importance of a healthy diet and no alcohol. The medication you are on has made you more tired, but in time we expect you to get back to your usual physical self.

Nell was surprised Callen had been checked in as George Manning, but she shouldn't have, because it was in fact his real name, and hadn't she used his real name when she talked about him to her family? She was still recovering from the information Callen had told her about his injuries. Now it was Callen's turn to be in shock by the news the doctor had given him.

"What? Not alcohol?" He was not happy with this news.

"Yes, Mr Manning. None whatsoever. Your liver has been through a lot of trauma, you cannot afford to have anything weaken it again. It you want to continue to live a healthy life and return to work, it is imperative that you don't."

The news shocked him. No alcohol. No beer. No scotch with Hetty. He was not a happy man.

"You are lucky to be alive and be able to return to work within the next two months. But, going back into the field will be another five months, I'm afraid. Your body needs time to recover from the trauma you have suffered from a month ago, Mr Manning. I will refer you to a doctor in Los Angeles, who you will need to visit once a month for check ups. I will ask the nurse to provide you with all the necessary information on your discharge care. The fact you haven't had any weeping or infection, is a good sign." He said his farewell as he left to see his other patients, leaving Callen to think over his words.

Both Callen and Nell laid on the bed snuggled up together in silence, from the news he had been given. Nell was just thankful he was going to be okay. However, Callen was having trouble adjusting. He liked his beer and scotch with Hetty. As they laid there, they heard a familiar voice.

"Hello?" They called from out in the hallway.

"Abby?" Callen recognised the Goth Forensic Scientist's chirpy voice.

"Oh hi there, Callen. Hi Nell," Abby greeted them. "I can come back if I'm imposing?"

"Oh no, Abby, you're most welcome to visit." Callen smiled at her. He appreciated her visit to distract them from the doctor's visit.

Abby walked over and gave them both a hug. "Eric told me about you two." She grinned. "I wish Tony and Ziva would admit their feelings and put the rest of us out of our misery," she confessed. "Not that Gibbs would allow it with his rules and all." She chatted to them telling them all about what was happening with everyone in the team, and how Tony was back to his usual self, complaining. "I asked anyone who knew you to sign this card for you." She handed Callen a very large envelope.

Callen took it off Abby and opened it. He sat up again and read the words in the card. He chuckled when he read Tony's comments about how come he was so special to be given a get well card when he didn't get one, when he was shot. He smiled at Gibbs' scribble in Russian, which he knew very few would understand what it said. "Thanks, Abby, this is my first ever get well card."

"Your first? You mean you've never received one before?" Abby was in shock. "Not even after you were shot?"

"They're not as thoughtful as you, in L.A., Abby."

She grinned at him. Nell punched him in the arm.

"Ouch, Nell. What was that for?"

Nell glared at him. He smirked. He had bated her, and she bit. "G!"

"See what I have to put up with in L.A.?" he teased.

Nell was pleased he had lightened up, as she missed the Callen she saw in Hawaii.

"Well it's a good thing I bought you one too," Nell quipped. She quickly took a card out of her bag. She smiled at Callen and Abby, as she watched him read it. She saw his eyes glisten.

Callen was touched by Nell's card. She had put her heart and soul into the card, and he loved her more for it. She had touched his heart, which is why he was having trouble finding words for her, especially with Abby present. He kissed her briefly on the lips and whispered thank you in her ear.

"Well it must be your lucky day, son." John walked in with flowers, balloons and a get well card in his hand. Neither of them had noticed John standing in the doorway listening in on their conversation.

"Hi, Dad! Wow! Thank you." John gave Callen the card as he attached the balloons to his bed and placed the flowers on the table.

"Hang on, you're Callen's dad?" Abby had heard from Kensi all about Callen meeting his brother and father in Hawaii.

"Yes, I am." John turned to greet the dark haired woman. "Hello, I'm John Manning."

"Hello, John, I'm Abby Scuito. Callen saved my life a few years back when a serial psyco kidnapped me and was about to kill me. He came falling through the sky light on a fire hose shooting at him."

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Scuito." John kissed Abby on the back if her hand and smiled.

"Oh I can see the family resemblance," Abby stated. Abby gave John one of her Abby hugs and he was surprised by Abby's friendliness.

"Abby works in our D.C. office as the Forensic Scientist for Gibbs' team." Callen told his father.

"Aha! Good man that Gibbs," John responded.

The four of them chatted for the next hour or so, until John and Abby realised both Callen and Nell had fallen asleep. They left quietly, so not to wake them.

John was pleased to see his son smile again, it had broken him to see him when they found him and Jackson in the warehouse. He was also thankful for his timing with Abby visiting, as it left him free from explaining to his son why he was in D.C. and not in Dallas. He didn't want to go there. Not with George, or with anyone.