You were so supportive of the last chapter and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Thank you all so much :)
xxxxx
"These are really good, Deeks," Callen said, after he had swallowed a mouthful of the blueberry pancakes that Deeks had made for them. "I've got to say, you really are quite a cook. I'm getting kind of spoiled with all these fancy breakfasts."
"Thanks, Callen," Deeks said, looking pleased at the compliment.
"Oh Callen, all this praise is going to go straight to his head," Kensi said, smiling.
"I notice you're not exactly turning your nose up at my pancakes," Deeks said to her. Just then, his cell phone rang and he grabbed it and turned it on. "Good morning, Hetty. Uh huh…uh huh…okay, we'll see you then."
"Hetty's coming over?" Callen asked after Deeks had clicked off his phone. "Why?"
Deeks shrugged. "She didn't say. Just said she was giving us notice this time instead of popping in unexpectedly."
"How much notice?" Kensi asked. "When is she coming?"
"Twenty minutes," Deeks said, grinning.
Callen rolled his eyes. "Wow…that's a whole lot of notice."
"At least we have time to finish up with breakfast," Kensi commented. "Speaking of which, you wouldn't be able to make a few more pancakes, would you?" Kensi gave Deek a pleading look.
"Well…if you insist, do you insist?"
Kensi rolled her eyes. "Yes, Deeks, I insist on having a couple more of your truly wonderful pancakes. Happy now?"
"Yes." Deeks said as he headed over to the stove and the still hot skillet. He then began to pour the batter. "How about you, Callen? You want any more?"
"No thanks, Deeks, I'm pretty full," Callen said, patting his stomach. "I'm going to go take a quick shower and get dressed before Hetty gets here. Thanks for breakfast though. It was great and just leave the dishes. I'll do them when I come back down."
Kensi shook her head. "That really isn't necessary, Callen."
"I want to," Callen insisted.
"We'll leave them for you," Deeks said.
Callen gave Deeks a grateful smile and headed upstairs to shower.
"Deeks, it really isn't necessary for him to do the dishes," Kensi said. "I can do them."
Deeks shook his head, his attention on the pancake batter. "I know it isn't necessary, Kensalina," he said. "It's good for him though."
"Why is it good for him?" Kensi asked with a teasing smile. "So you don't have to do them yourself?"
"Of course not," said Deeks, shaking his head, his eyes serious. "It makes him feel useful, Kens…he doesn't like being dependent on us for everything. I wouldn't like it either. It sucks to be in that situation. If there's stuff he wants to do, we should just let him do it."
"As long as he doesn't hurt himself…"
Deeks chuckled. "Come on…it's not like he's out shoveling holes in the ground or on top of the house fixing the roof. What's going to happen to him? Dishpan hands? He's fine, Kensi. He doesn't need to be mothered. Trust me on that."
Kensi sighed and spoke quietly, even though she could hear the water running and knew Callen was in the shower. "I know, Deeks. It's just…he's still having nightmares and not sleeping well. He looks really tired today or didn't you notice?"
"Yes, I noticed," Deeks said, coming back to the table and putting a couple of pancakes onto her plate. "I still think that everyday routines help. We've been keeping an eye on him. He's recovering physically. He's definitely not worse. If we try to smother him, he's only going to push back and that's not going to help anyone."
"I guess you're right." Kensi reached for the syrup and poured some generously onto her pancakes as Deeks sat across from her.
"In this case, I know I'm right, Kensi. Let him do stuff if he wants to. It's only going to help."
xxxxx
"Come in, Hetty," Deeks said as he opened the door for the operations manager. "How are you today?"
"Fine, Mr. Deeks, just fine," Hetty said as she made her way into the house. "How are you?"
"I'm good," Deeks said. "Why don't you have a seat?"
"Good morning, Hetty," Kensi said with a smile as Hetty walked to the sofa and sat down next to Kensi.
"Good morning, Ms. Blye, are you doing well?" Hetty asked.
"I am," Kensi said and was about to say more when her eyes went to Callen who was coming down the stairs.
"Hello, Hetty," Callen said.
"Good morning, Mr. Callen…" Hetty turned to Deeks and Kensi. "Would it be possible for me to have a word with him alone?"
"If you want to talk with me, Hetty, why don't we just go out?" Callen asked, not wanting to put the couple out of their house once again.
"You really don't have to," Kensi protested, but Hetty had already gotten to her feet. "An excellent suggestion, Mr. Callen. It really is quite a lovely day. Some fresh air will do you good."
The two walked outside and got into Hetty's convertible. "Any preference to where we're going?" Hetty asked, glancing over at her head agent.
"Wherever you'd like, Hetty," Callen replied.
She nodded and the two drove in silence until she pulled up to an isolated spot along the beach. They sat silently for a few moments watching the waves pounding on the shore. "Walk with me, Mr. Callen," Hetty finally directed as she got out of the car and Callen did the same.
"You look tired," Hetty said after they had walked along for a bit.
"I'm a little bit tired," Callen admitted, "but I'm fine, Hetty."
"Hmm… You have a doctor's appointment this afternoon," Hetty informed him. "There was a cancellation and Dr. Bryant called me. He thought it would be good for you to take the open spot."
Callen rolled his eyes. "Isn't it customary for the doctor to call the patient, Hetty? Why didn't he call me?"
"Why you don't have a phone, Mr. Callen," Hetty said with a smile. "I actually brought you a new one. It's in my car."
"About time," Callen murmured under his breath.
"What was that?" Hetty asked.
"Nothing."
"That's what I thought," Hetty said with a knowing smile.
"Do I get to know what time my appointment is or is he going to just show up at the door unexpectedly?" Callen asked.
"No, no…You'll be going to his office. Your appointment is at 12:30. Mr. Hanna will pick you up and take you there."
"Sam?" Callen perked up a little bit at that news.
"Yes, Mr. Hanna was quite insistent on being involved with your plan of care when we first came up with this plan in Seattle. Of course, he did expect you'd be staying at his home."
"Sam needs time with his family."
"You're his family too," Hetty said, looking up at him.
Callen sighed. "I know that, Hetty. Things are fine right now though. I'd just prefer to leave them the way they are, unless you're going to relent and let me return to my own place?" He gave her a hopeful look.
Hetty looked back at Callen thoughtfully, but didn't answer his question. "So, how did things go with Nate yesterday?" she asked.
"Really, Hetty? Is that what its dependent on?" he asked in an aggravated tone. "You know…I could go home if I wanted to. I may work for you, but you really don't have any say over what I do in my personal life…"
"No, but when you were in the hospital, you did agree to stay with either Mr. Hanna or myself until it was deemed that you were able to stay alone. I took you at your word that you meant what you said."
"I really think…"
Hetty interrupted him. "Perhaps you don't recall exactly how poorly you were doing when you were in the hospital? Your frame of mind was not good, Mr. Callen. Shall I go over it all for you? How you refused to believe that Mr. Hanna was alive, even when he was right in front of you? Should we go over all your symptoms? Your nightmares? Your fears?"
"Alright! God, Hetty…sometimes I think you enjoy baiting me," Callen said, clearly frustrated. "I'll stay where I am, unless you insist on me going back to Sam's house."
"No. It's fine for you to stay with Mr. Deeks and Ms. Blye. I can see that it's been good for you. And I don't enjoy baiting you," Hetty responded. "But sometimes you can be very stubborn."
"Yeah…well that's the pot calling the kettle black."
"Perhaps so," Hetty said agreeably.
They walked along in silence for a few minutes before Hetty spoke again. "Now…about Mr. Getz…"
"I can't work with him, Hetty," Callen said after another silence. "I gave it a lot of thought, I promise you I did, but…I just can't do it. I really just don't trust him…"
Hetty nodded. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised. I suppose I had hoped you would be able to put your differences with him aside, but I understand why you're not able to."
Callen didn't say anything. He had noted the waterboarding incident in his report after it had happened, but he had never recorded the things Nate had said. He hadn't thought it was necessary at the time. Sam had dragged some of it out of him, but he had never spoken to Hetty about it and had no plans to do so.
"Do you have any idea who you are going to work with? You are going to have to talk with someone and I mean a professional, not one of your teammates. It needs to be someone who can make an informed decision about when you will be allowed to return to work."
"I'll find someone."
"Well see that you do," Hetty said. "Because this isn't a debate. If you don't find someone who is able to give a qualified opinion, you will not be allowed to return to duty."
"I get it, Hetty. I said I'll find someone."
"Good. You let me know when you have. Now, I'm going to have to bring you back as I need to go into the office. "
Callen breathed a sigh of relief. He loved Hetty, but sometimes it was painful to have to deal with her. They headed to her car and then she drove him back to Kensi and Deeks' place. Before he got out of the car, she handed him his new cell phone. "Agent Gibbs has been trying to reach you," she said. "He was quite concerned about you. I told him I would have you call him back."
Callen nodded. "I'll call him later on today."
"Alright, well let me know how you make out at your appointment."
"Won't Dr. Bryant be reporting to you?" Callen asked with a smirk.
"Yes…I suppose he will be… well you have a nice day."
"You too, Hetty. Thanks for the phone. I'll talk to you soon."
"Goodbye, Mr. Callen."
xxxxx
"You weren't gone long," Deeks commented, looking up from his laptop as Callen came back into the house.
"Really?" Callen asked. "It seemed like forever."
"That bad?"
"Oh yeah," Callen said as he sat down in a chair across from where Deeks and Kensi were sitting. "She thinks I'm her kid, her five-year-old kid."
"Oh that's a little bit of an exaggeration, isn't it?" Kensi asked.
"No…not really. I have a doctor's appointment today, which she made for me, because God forbid I make my own appointments."
"She just cares about you, Callen," Kensi said.
"Yeah, I know…but I really wish she'd dial it back a little bit."
"I can give you a ride to the doctor," Deeks said. "What time?"
Callen shook his head. "Thanks Deeks, I appreciate the offer, but Sam is actually going to take me and I guess I need to do a few things before I go. She really doesn't give much notice for stuff." He stood up, shaking his head as he went over to the kitchen to do the dishes.
"Cal…"
"Kens…don't," Deeks said, shooting her a look.
"But he needs to leave soon," she protested.
"He can handle dishes."
"I can, Kensi," Callen called to them, grinning. "I've still got a half hour or so before Sam will be here."
Kensi blushed, Deeks chuckled and Callen quickly got the dishes washed, dried and put away. He then went back to the living room to wait for his partner to arrive.
xxxxx
"So…you make a decision about Nate yet?" Sam asked as the two men sat in the waiting room, waiting for Callen's name to be called.
Callen nodded. "Yeah, I've decided to find someone else. I have no idea who, but…I don't think I can work with him."
"Well…I've got to say, I think you're making a good choice," Sam said. "After what he did to you, I can't say I trust him either."
"Mr. Callen?" the receptionist called his name.
"See you in a bit." Callen got up and followed the medical assistant into a small room where she proceeded to take his vital signs. He then waited for a few minutes until Dr. Bryant came in.
"How are you doing, Callen?" the doctor said as he shook Callen's hand. "Haven't seen you for a while."
"No offence, but I kind of wish we had kept it that way," Callen said with a grin. "How have you been?"
"Can't complain." He skimmed through Callen's chart. "Well, your vitals look good. No fever. You still taking the antibiotics?"
"Yes," said Callen, nodding.
"Good. Let's have a look at you." Dr. Bryant then proceeded to carefully examine Callen. "Are you making sure to do some deep breathing exercises daily?" he asked after he had gently prodded Callen's rib areas.
"Well…"
"It's important, Callen," Dr. Bryant scolded gently. "You don't want to wind up with pneumonia, do you? Are you taking anything for the pain? It will enable you to breathe easier."
"I'll try to remember to do them regularly."
"Do more than try. Do them, Callen. I don't think you want another hospitalization added to your chart."
"No…you're right about that. I'll do them. I promise."
"Alright, I want to keep a close eye on you. Make an appointment with the receptionist to come back in a week."
Callen's first instinct was to complain, but he didn't, realizing that he needed to follow the doctor's instructions. He really didn't want to end up getting sick. "I'll do that."
Dr. Bryant smiled. "Okay then. I'll let you get on with your day. I'll see you next week."
Callen nodded. "Have a good day."
Callen made the requested appointment and then went over to his partner who was standing by the door. "Come on, Sam, let's get out of here."
"Everything go okay?" Sam looked at his partner curiously as they walked through the parking lot to where the Challenger was parked.
"Yeah, I'm good," Callen said with a nod.
"You want to get some lunch?" Sam asked after the two men had seatbelted themselves into the car.
"Okay, sure."
"Where do you feel like going?"
"Wherever you want, Sam. It doesn't matter to me."
"Is a double-double calling your name?"
Callen smiled. "Well, I'm not going to say no to a double-double."
Sam nodded as he pulled out of his parking space. "In-N-Out it is then." They drove to the closest location. When they got there, Sam turned to his partner. "You want to eat inside?"
"Why don't we order from the drive-through and eat at the beach," Callen suggested.
"Sounds good." Sam ordered their lunch and after passing the food off to G, drove to the nearest beach. "This good?"
"Yeah, perfect." Sam pulled off the road and the two men got out of the vehicle then went and sat on the stone wall alongside the beach. "So things going good with Kensi and Deeks?" Sam asked, as he took a bite of his burger.
Callen nodded. "Yeah, things are fine."
"Listen G…I just want to say, I'm sorry if I or my family did or said anything that made you not want to stay with us."
Callen gave Sam a stricken look. "Come on, Sam… Of course you didn't. You and your family have always been good to me. It's what I said. I just thought you deserved some family time without me butting in all the time. Kam should have some daddy-daughter time."
Sam shook his head. "Trust me on this, G…Kam would like nothing more than to have some time with her Uncle Callen."
"I'll make time for her, Sam. I promise."
Sam shook his head. "I'm not trying to pressure you into spending time with Kam, G…I just want to make sure you know that you're always welcome…that you're a part of our family.
"Trust me, Sam, I know," Callen said, gazing back at his partner emotionally. "You and your family have always made that very clear to me."
"Alright…I guess I just wanted to make sure…"
"You're my best friend, Sam…my brother," Callen said emotionally, wanting to assure his partner of the truth behind his words. "That's never going to change."
"Thank you, G…" Sam smiled at his partner. "You already know the same goes for me, but it bears repeating."
Callen smiled and the two men returned to their lunch. They ate quietly, making some small talk, but mostly just content to enjoy the day and each other's company.
