A/N: Well, you haven't had to wait as long for the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks to all who are still with me on this journey. Your support is appreciated more than you know. Please read and review. I love to hear your comment.

Chapter 22

Later in the day, the doctor made his rounds and examined Callen, checking his stats. After updating the chart at the bottom of the bed, he said "Now you've regained consciousness and are breathing on your own, I'm going to raise the head of the bed, which will help you recover more quickly." Once this had been down, he helped Callen move into a more upright position.

"Thanks, Doc" murmured Callen as he gritted his teeth as a sharp pain shot through him.

"Did that hurt?" asked the doctor, clearly concerned.

"A bit" admitted Callen.

Hetty interjected. "Mr Callen has an exceptionally high pain threshold, Doctor. If he says it hurt, then it was more than a bit." Callen shot Hetty a look, which she ignored.

The unspoken challenge between his patient and the diminutive lady was not missed by the doctor. "I see. Mr Callen, where does it hurt?"

Realising that he was not about to get away with anything but the truth, Callen answered. "Just here" indicating the area in question.

The doctor asked Sam and Hetty to step back as he lifted the gown and gently applied pressure to the area, causing Callen to wince. "Hmm, it does appear to be rather tender and there's some blood seepage from the stitches. I'll arrange for a scan" he advised as he pulled the gown down "but if it gets worse, let a nurse know immediately. Do I make myself clear?" He scowled at Callen leaving him in no doubt as to his expectations.

"Yes" conceded Callen.

The doctor nodded and continued. "Looking at your medical history I can see you're no stranger to this type of injury and most likely know exactly what needs to be done to help the healing process."

With this potential early setback, Hetty and Sam knew that Callen would soon become frustrated by being confined to bed. "As I told you last night, I'm afraid Mr Callen does not make a very good patient, Doctor" said Hetty. "He doesn't like being confined to bed however seriously he's injured." When Callen made to protest, Hetty looked at him and raised her eyebrows, which made him reconsider what he was about to say.

The doctor tried not to smile at the continued silent exchange between the two. "In that case, I will reiterate them. As soon as we get the results of the scan and if there's nothing amiss, we'll proceed with these exercises. It's important to practice deep breathing as well as coughing, but hold a pillow against your wound until it has healed sufficiently that they'll be no risk of splitting your stitches. You'll also be given an incentive spirometer, which I suspect you've used before. The IS measures how deeply you can inhale and will help you take slow, deep breaths to expand and fill your lungs with air so it should be used in conjunction with the other exercises. It's important that you do them as they will help to improve your breathing and clear your lungs as well as lowering your risk of pneumonia. You should also change your position often which will help to make your breathing and coughing exercises work better but don't move on your own just yet; call a nurse or perhaps one of your friends could help you."

"I understand but when can I get out of bed?" asked Callen.

"Mr Callen!" exclaimed Hetty, exasperated by her agent. "You've just regained consciousness. You need your rest."

"It's okay" intervened the doctor, placing a hand on Hetty's arm. "It'll do him good to get out of bed but only after we have the results from the scan." The doctor supressed a smile as Callen shot Hetty a 'I told you so' look. "When I give the go ahead, you'll be allowed to get up but only with help at first. You can sit by the window but if you intend to go outside, you'll need to be in a wheelchair and accompanied."

Callen pulled a face at the mention of a wheelchair, which was not missed by the doctor, Hetty and Sam. The news was better than he'd hoped but he still pushed his luck, asking "Thanks, but when can I walk about?" which resulted in another glare from Hetty and a suppressed snigger from Sam.

The doctor sighed. Perhaps the diminutive woman was correct after all. "You'll need to work up to that, perhaps in a day or two but only short walks to start with. As long as you don't overdo it, you can walk two to three times a day. It'll help prevent blood clots and promote faster healing." He studied his patient's face as a look of resignation passed over it and Callen nodded his understanding and agreement. "Now, I've got a scan to arrange as well as other patients to see." He turned to go but stopped at the door and turned his head back towards Callen. "Don't forget, if the pain gets worse…."

"I'll let someone know immediately" promised Callen.

After the doctor left, Sam and Hetty went and sat down beside Callen's bed. "Really, Mr Callen, you do push your luck" Hetty said. Her words sounded harsh but there was softness in her voice and in her eyes which told Callen she wasn't too upset with him.

"That's what you love about me" he replied, with a twinkle in his eye. Hetty muttered something under her breath causing Callen to ask "What was that?"

"Nothing, Mr Callen" answered Hetty, smiling at her lead agent.

The trio chatted amicably until Callen drifted off to sleep, leaving Sam and Hetty to continue talking in muted tones until they were interrupted by vibrations from Hetty's phone

"Excuse me, Mr Hanna" said Hetty as she rose and left the room, answering the phone as she left. Sam watched her as she spoke on the phone and then came back into the room and sat down. "That was Mr Getz. He says that Alexandra has agreed for Jake to visit Mr Callen" said Hetty, her voice a whisper as her boy was still asleep.

"That's good news" replied Sam in a similar tone. "Did Nate say how the boy was doing?"

"Yes, he's had more nightmares which seem to focus on Mr Callen's demise and the boy blames himself. He's got issues with his mother too as he doesn't understand her attitudes towards her brother."

"I'm with him on that one" agreed Sam. "You'd think with Garrison gone, she'd welcome Callen's presence."

"That's as maybe" said Hetty "but her attitude has changed since last night when she appeared to be concerned about her brother and showed remorse regarding her previous actions. She's reverted to her previous stance and I fear she blames Mr Callen for everything."

"That's hardly fair" countered Sam. "Doesn't she know how hard he tried, and what he was willing to sacrifice, to prevent the exchange?"

"Apparently she does but it doesn't seem to make an iota of difference to her. She doesn't want Mr Callen in her life and that includes contact with Jake as well" replied Hetty, feeling her anger and resentment towards the younger woman rise.

"Then why is she allowing Jake to visit Callen?" asked Sam.

"We know how persuasive Mr Getz can be." A smile came over Sam's face and Hetty grinned, continuing "Oh I know the team are immune to his tactics but he is very good at his job. It appears he's laid the blame squarely on Alexandra's shoulders should Jake's problems get worse. He has told her what he believes the cause of her son's troubles is and that the boy needs to see with his own eyes that Mr Callen is alright" she explained.

"Well, relatively alright" added Sam. "We don't know whether this pain he's experiencing is anything to worry about."

"Indeed. Hopefully the scan will tell us and we have to trust Mr Callen will be true to his word and will tell us should the pain get any worse."

"We can only hope but when has Callen ever admitted that he's in pain, however bad?" asked Sam. "He'd consider it a weakness and you know how he feels about appearing vulnerable."

"Indeed, and it's one of his less attractive traits" conceded Hetty. "Anyway let us worry about that once he's had the scan and we have the results."

Sam gave a tilt of his head before asking "When is Nate proposing to bring Jake here?"

"Oh, tomorrow morning I believe" replied Hetty. "Both Mr Getz and I believe it will be beneficial to both Mr Callen and his nephew."

"I agree" said Sam "but what of Alex? How will she react to seeing Callen and Jake together and obviously pleased to see one another?"

"That indeed is an issue that has been troubling me. If she reacts badly and in front of Mr Callen, I'm afraid he may do something which will cause a relapse."

"Then we'll have to make sure she doesn't" said Sam.

They were about to continue when a sleepy voice interrupted them. "What are you two planning now?" They looked towards the source of the interruption and saw that Callen was awake.

Ever the professional and ready for all contingences, Hetty said "Oh nothing to concern yourself about. It's just that Miss Blye was going to seek retribution on Mr Deeks when he ate the last donut."

Callen frowned at the reference but a spasm of pain hit him, causing him to groan.

"G? Are you okay?" asked a worried Sam.

Gritting his teeth, Callen could only nod until the pain subsided.

"Is the pain getting worse?" asked an equally concerned Hetty.

Callen shook his head and said "No and it's only the second time it's happened. Don't worry."

"Of course we'll worry" answered Hetty. "Your welfare is our utmost priority."

Callen gave a weak smile at Hetty's words and looked towards the door as it opened. A male nurse entered followed by a porter with a wheelchair. "The doctor arranged for a scan. We're here to take you" he said.

"We'll wait outside" said Hetty as she and Sam got up to leave.

"Let's get you into the wheelchair" said the nurse as he stepped toward the bed and helped Callen into the chair, ensuring the IV stand and nasal oxygen came with him.

As he was wheeled past Hetty and Sam, Callen said "Don't worry. It'll be fine."