A/N: Thanks to all those who have left a review. Your support and kind words are most appreciated. We don't do it for the praise or recognition but it certainly helps! It also lets us know whether we're doing justice to the story. So thanks once again. Hope you're all keeping well. I think there'll be one more chapter after this one so the journey is nearly over.
Chapter 28
Sam slipped into Callen's room quietly so as not to disturb him after Nate had vacated it. He sat down in the chair by the bed and resumed his vigil. How many times have I done this? Way too many Sam thought. He refused to let his mind think about the alternative so he picked up a magazine and started to read. Outside, Hetty, who had been preoccupied giving Kensi and Deeks their orders and saying goodbye to Alex and Jake, intercepted Nate after he exited Callen's room and asked him "Did you get to speak to Mr Callen?"
"Yeah, he was tired but in good spirits. We had a good chat" he replied, smiling at a memory of their conversation. Hetty gave him a quizzical look and Nate added "Callen's well past ready to bust out of here." Hetty raised her eyebrows and Nate added with a grin "It is precisely that reaction from you and the fact that you and Sam will gang up on him that he's behaving himself."
"I'm pleased to hear it!" Ridiculous boy! Never one to do as he's told even when it's in his own interest she thought to herself but a soft smile briefly touched her lips as she thought of Callen. "I'm glad you got to talk to him. What are your plans now?" she asked.
"I'll check in with Alex and Jake and see whether the boy needs me to stay tonight. If he doesn't, I'll go home and go back sometime tomorrow. I'm happy to stay if it'll help the lad but it's better if Alex can give the comfort he seemed to get from my presence. I guess he's not going to school just yet?"
"I don't believe so. It's my understanding Alex is keeping him at home for the time being" answered Hetty. Nate nodded. "In your professional opinion, should he still be isolated?"
"I can understand Alex being wary of letting him go back to school. After all that was where he was snatched. However a touch of normality and being with his friends could help him immensely. Lessons will take his mind off everything too. I may suggest to Alex to let Jake go back for a morning and see how he reacts to it. I'll have to judge Jake's reaction to going back but I think he's getting bored at home" said Nate.
"We can arrange for additional security at school if that is what Alex is worried about" suggested Hetty.
"That might not be a bad idea" agreed Nate "especially if it's someone he knows. I'm not sure whether the school will have a counsellor on site or if any of the kids have issues with what happened but perhaps they'll let me use an office for the period he's in school."
"I would imagine they would welcome any help they can get. I will contact the school Principal and suggest it" said Hetty. Nate thanked her and left the hospital, leaving Hetty to go and join Sam.
At the safe house, Jake was in his room playing a video game. A soft tap on the door interrupted him. He paused the game and turned towards the sound to see his mom standing there. "Can I come in?" she asked.
"Sure" answered Jake.
Alex entered and sat down on the bed beside her son. "I have something to tell you" she said. The boy looked at her quizzically. She cleared her throat and said "I'm afraid I've been very unfair to you and to Callen lately. I'm sorry. I should've realised that you needed your uncle to help with your feelings of loss when Grandpa was taken away. I was hurt and angry but it's no excuse. Jake, you're very precious to me. I love you very much so I thought by keeping Callen away you'd be safer. Then you were kidnapped ….. " Her voice faltered as you remembered the incident. "I realise that perhaps you'll be safer with him in your life." She paused and looked into her son's eyes. "I've told Callen that we'll keep visiting him in hospital but when he's better and at home, he can come over for a meal. We'll see how it goes and take it from there."
The boy launched himself at his mom and wrapped his arms round her neck "Thanks mom."
"It won't be easy as I've got issues which I need to work but I'm willing to do this for you….and for our family" she added.
"Nate can help you" stated Jake.
"Yes I'm sure he can but he's got his own work to do. I doubt that he can stick around to help me" replied Alex.
"I'll ask Auntie Hetty. She'll make it happen" resolved Jake.
Alex had to chuckle at the certainty of her son's words. However she said "I'll speak to Nate and Hetty and see what they say. Now, are you hungry?" Jake nodded. "C'mon then, let's go make lunch."
When Nate arrived, Alex was laying the table. Looking over at him she says "Hey, you're just in time for lunch." He sat down at the table, joining Kensi, Deeks and Jake. When Alex had laid a platter with a range of sandwiches and wraps with different fillings and a large bowl of salad, she joined them.
After lunch, Nate chose to help Alex clear up which gave him the opportunity to talk to her. "Thank you for lunch. It was delicious." Alex shrugged. "How was your visit with Callen?" asked Nate.
"Okay." Alex paused before adding "It actually went well. I'll admit I was apprehensive." She finished washing up and wiped her hands on a towel. Folding up the towel, she turned and faced Nate. "Actually I've asked Callen over for a meal, when he's better and out of hospital, of course. I realise Jake needs him in his life. I'm willing to go it a go."
"That's great. Have you told Jake?" asked Nate.
"Yeah, he's very excited as you can imagine. Wants it to happen straight away of course" chuckled Alex.
Nate smiled, and then asked "Do you want me to stay with Jake tonight?"
"Why don't you ask him? He seems to have bonded with you and if it's helping him, that's great" said Alex. "I do realise that you can't stay here forever….."
"It's not long since he was abducted so I'm expecting to be around for a while longer especially if he's still having nightmares. If something comes up that means I can't be around, I'll arrange for another psychologist to take over, someone you and Jake would be comfortable with. In the long run, however, you will need to learn the techniques I use to help him through." Alex nodded. "Have you thought about sending him back to school?"
Alex looked horrified at the thought. "It's too soon. I'm not sure…."
"Look I understand how you feel but I think the normality and structure of school will help him. What I'm suggesting is that he goes back for a morning and see how he reacts. What do you think?" Alex hesitated and Nate added "Hetty said she'll speak to the Principal about having additional security, someone Jake knows and is comfortable with, perhaps Kensi or Deeks."
Alex looked uncertain but said "May be. I guess we can give it a go."
"I'll mention it to Jake and gauge his reaction but won't make definite plans until Hetty has spoken to the school" Nate confirmed. He turned to go and find Jake, but hesitated. Turning his head to Alex he added "I appreciate it'll be difficult but I think you've made the right choice regarding letting Callen back into your lives."
The safe house had a large garden screened from prying eyes by a tall wooden fence and trees. There was ample grass but also a paved area backing onto the garage which had a baseball hoop on the wall. This is where Nate found Jake with Deeks, who was giving a non-stop commentary on the action which had the boy laughing. Nate smiled. Deeks was using humour and acting the clown to distract the boy from his troubles. It seemed to be working.
On seeing Nate approached, Deeks throw the ball at him. "C'mon, man, with that height advantage you must be good at basketball!" the detective said, grinning.
Taken by surprise, Nate fumbled the ball but got it under control and shot at the hoop, landing a basket. "If I must say so myself….." answered Nate with a grin, leaving the sentence unfinished.
Jake stared at Nate and said "Wow, nice shot."
Sensing that Nate wanted to speak to the boy, Deeks made an excuse to leave. "I'm gonna get some drinks. Be back shortly."
Nate smiled as Deeks passed him, high-fiving him. "Shall we play?" asked Nate. Jake nodded and Nate collected the ball and threw it to the boy. As they continued to shoot at the basket, Nate opened the conversation. "Your mom told me Callen'll be coming for a meal when he's better. Are you pleased?"
"Yeah. I miss him a lot. Mom's still not sure but she said she's willing to give a go. For my sake and for that of the family, she said."
"That's good isn't it?" asked Nate and Jake nodded. "I said I'll be around for a while to help her if she's got problems." Nate paused than asked. "Are you bored here?"
The boy shrugged. "Sometimes. It's nice but it's not like I've got all my things and I miss my friends."
"I'm afraid you can't go home yet but what would you think about going back to school?" Nate ventured. He was watching Jake closely and didn't miss the slight shudder and hesitation before he answered.
"I don't know. I guess I should get back. I've done some school work here but ….I don't know ….. it was where it happened."
"I know it'll be hard but I was thinking that perhaps you can go back for a morning and see how it goes." Jake looked uncertain. "I can understand your apprehension. Hetty said she'll arrange extra security while you're there and perhaps the school will let me use an office so you or any of your friends can come and see me if you want." Nate watched the boy's face as he processed the information. "Would do you think? Would it work?"
"What if I freak out?" asked Jake.
"If you do, we'll handle it and you wouldn't have to go back until you're ready to try again" assured Nate. "Do you want me to put plans in place?" Jake hesitated then nodded his agreement. "Okay, when Deeks comes back, I'll go and speak with Hetty. Also, do you want me to stay with you tonight?"
Jake beamed. "Yes but perhaps after that I could try it on my own."
Back at the hospital, Hetty slipped into the room and joined Sam. "He's still sleeping, I see" commented Hetty.
Sam nodded. "There have been a few twitches but they've not amounted to anything. I've been watching his stats and they're stable."
"Good. I've just had a conversation with Mr Getz and it appears young Jake is happy to give school a try. I'll speak to the Principal tomorrow and get things in motion. I should think we should aim for Monday." Hetty paused. "I'll need to speak to the Director to see how plans for the mission are progressing. They should be finalised by now."
"Do you think it'll work?" asked Sam.
"We've planned for all eventualities so it should be a success but there are some possibilities that one cannot plan for" replied Hetty. Sam nodded. "I am hopeful." Hetty's phone vibrated and she left the room to answer it, returning shortly. "Speak of the Devil. That was the Director. The mission has been cancelled" she announced. Sam looked at her quizzically. "The details are not clear but it transpires that Pavel Volkoff has been killed." Sam's jaw dropped and he frowned. "The reports, although sketchy, say it was at the hands of his own people. I suppose his unpredictable actions were making them nervous" Hetty concluded.
"Well, that's a turn up for the books" said Sam. "At least we don't have to worry about repercussions from the mission."
Callen chose that moment to awaken. "What's happened?" he asked.
Hetty divulged all she knew and watched as he processed the information. He blew out his cheeks and muttered "It couldn't happen to a nicer guy."
"Indeed" agreed Hetty and Sam chuckled. "How are you feeling, Mr Callen? Mr Hanna tells me you've been asleep for a while."
"I'm feeling okay Hetty" Callen replied.
"The cough? And your breathing?" she inquired.
"Not coughing too much, every now and then I get a bout but with the extra oxygen, my breathing's improving" he said, with a little frown. "Why do you ask?" he added suspiciously.
"Can I not enquire about the welfare of one of my agents?" Hetty said, a twinkle in her eye. Callen didn't respond but continued to watch her closely. "Besides a little bird told me that, quote 'you are way past ready to bust out of here' unquote."
"Hey, I thought there was something about doctor-patient confidentiality" Callen muttered, knowing exactly who the little bird was.
"He also mentioned that it was only fear of my and Sam's reaction that you're behaving yourself." Hetty added.
Callen looked uncomfortable and Sam chuckled, causing Callen to glare at him, which made Sam laugh out loud. "Sorry, G" said Sam, trying to contain his mirth.
"Do not blame Mr Getz, he has your best interest in mind when he divulge the information" said Hetty. "I intend to ask the doctor whether you can be discharged into my care and if not immediately, how soon that may be permitted."
Callen couldn't believe his ears. Hetty usually insisted he remained in hospital for the duration. "Really? You'd do that?" he asked incredulously.
"Indeed I would. You have to realise that there will be strict compliance to the rules imposed by the doctor and myself or there will be consequences" Hetty stated.
"Of course there will be" muttered Callen under his breath.
"What was that, Mr Callen?" asked Hetty, trying to suppress a smile.
"Nothing. I'll agree to just about anything to get out of here" Callen said.
"That's settled then. I will ask the doctor in the morning but don't get your hopes up just in case he refuses to discharge you" said Hetty.
The night at the hospital and in the safe house passed without incident and the occupants of both awoke to a new morning. Callen was on tender hooks, despite his best efforts to remain aloof to the possibility of getting out of hospital. The doctor made his rounds and was pleased with his patient's progress and although his stats were not normal, they were heading in the right direction. Callen watched through the glass wall of his room as Hetty spoke to the doctor. He was nervous as there appeared to be a lot of head shaking from the doctor.
The doctor came back into the room. "I suppose you're aware of what has just been asked of me?" Callen nodded. "Well, normally a patient with your injuries and the added complication of pneumonia wouldn't be discharged early but I understand the extenuating circumstances here." The doctor paused before continuing. "What I have agreed is that if your condition continues to improve and your stats have reached a certain level by the end of the week, I will release you into the care of Miss Lange under the express instruction that if she feels that you are not thriving or your condition worsens, she will return you to hospital as soon as possible." Callen beamed. "There is one other condition. You will return to the hospital once a week for a check-up."
"Understood" said Callen simply. "Thanks doc." The doctor smiled and nodded before leaving the room.