A/N: Okay, I fibbed. This isn't the last chapter. I decided it would be far too long if I put everything into this one. Thanks to all who have read and left reviews, your comments and kind words are most appreciated. This ride is almost over so read, enjoy and please leave a review.

A/N2: I took down chapter 29 soon after I posted it as I'd omitted to take out a couple of errors. What I didn't realise until Amjm commented in a review is that I'd not deleted it properly but added the amended chapter 29 (in all tense and purposes apparently the same) as chapter 30. Doh! I've now rectified the situation so apologies for the confusion folks.

Chapter 29

Sam continued to stay with Callen and Hetty joined him when work allowed. There were plenty of visitors lined up to see Callen but he found the days dragged, anxious as he was for the end of the week to arrive and the doctor to say he was okay to leave.

Alex and Jake visited most days and Callen was pleased to hear that his nephew's anxiety attacks and nightmares were becoming less thanks to Nate's counselling. However Callen was surprised to hear that Nate had suggested Jake had a phased return to school but understood the reasoning behind the move. Callen also learned from Hetty that the school was co-operating fully with NCIS' requests that Nate be on site to counsel any of the kids involved in the hostage incident as well as Deeks providing additional security whenever Jake attended classes.

Finally Friday dawned and Callen was preoccupied waiting for the doctor to make his rounds.

"Are you listening to me, G?" asked a disgruntled Sam.

"Err, what?" muttered Callen, as his thought was dragged back to the present.

"I said do you know when Jake is going back to school?" repeated Sam.

"Monday morning, I think" answered Callen absently.

"That's good isn't it?" asked Sam. "It shows how far he's come in such a short time."

"Yeah, I guess" agreed Callen. "I just hope it's not too soon."

"Well Nate'll be on hand to keep an eye on him" assured Sam.

"Yeah, I'm glad Hetty brought him in to help but I'm surprised they bonded so well. It's not like Nate's any experience with kids."

"And you have?" asked Sam.

"Yeah, I have! I've been around your kids since they were babies and I had a few good months with Jake before things went south" countered Callen with a little edge to his voice.

Sam chuckled. "I do believe you're jealous."

"Jealous? Of Nate and Jake? Don't be ridiculous!" said Callen unconvincingly.

Before Sam could respond, the doctor entered. "Am I interrupting anything?" he asked.

"No, he was just leaving" announced Callen with a smirk.

Sam shook his head but grinned at his partner. "I'll be outside." Callen nodded as the doctor stepped forward to begin his examination.

The doctor worked in silence until the exam was completed. Callen looked anxious as the doctor began to ask questions. "Have you experienced any chest pain?"

"I wouldn't call it pain exactly, more uncomfortable and only when I cough. It goes as soon as I've stopped coughing."

"And how often do you cough?"

"I rarely have severe bouts of coughing anymore." Callen pondered. "I cough maybe three or four times a day."

"What about at night? Does the cough ever wake you up?"

"Not since I've been on antibiotics and the oxygen."

"Do you ever cough up mucus?"

"Not as often or as much as before."

The doctor looked thoughtful as he wrote on the chart. "What about your breathing? Have you noticed any shortness of breath when you walk or at other times?"

"Sometimes when I walk but again it's not been as noticeable as before."

"What about pain or discomfort from your wound?"

"A little discomfort maybe when I move, but certainly no pain."

"Good" stated the doctor simply before lapsing into silence as the continued to make notes on the chart.

"What's the verdict, doc? Can I go home?" asked Callen anxiously.

The doctor studied the chart and pondered before replying. "It generally takes about three to six months for a patient to recover from pneumonia. With you, we were lucky and caught it early before it had a chance to get a real hold. Being an agent you're generally fitter than the average person so that was a bonus. The antibiotics administered via IV would have worked faster and your temperature returned to normal quickly. It appears the chest pain and production of mucus has substantially reduced which is a good sign. Your stats are steadily improving and, although no way near the normal range, are headed in the right direction. I understand your mobility is improving and you're able to walk further each day. All things considered, I think I can safely discharge you into the care of Miss Lange, who assures me that she will monitor your recuperation closely and ensure you don't do anything untoward."

"Yeah, you can be sure of that" muttered Callen under his breath.

The doctor heard the comment and suppressed a smile. "You will be given mobile oxygen until the pneumonia has improved sufficiently that you no longer require it as well as enough dressings for your wound to be changed daily. I will book a number of weekly appointments for you for the coming month. After the final one, I'll judge what further appointments and/or treatment you need."

"Thank you doc" said Callen, starting to get up.

"Hey, hold on" said the doctor, placing a restraining hand on Callen's shoulder. "Not so fast. I need to arrange the release papers – you won't actually be discharged until you no longer require treatment. I'm afraid you won't be going anywhere just yet."

Callen looked disappointed. "When?"

"The paperwork will be completed by this afternoon but I will however need to discuss the arrangements with Miss Lange before you can leave. Do you know if she'll be coming in later? Or can I contact her?"

"I would imagine she'll drop by but get Sam to phone her" answered Callen. The doctor nodded and went out to speak to Sam.

Callen laid his head back on the bed, frustrated that he had to wait before escaping from hospital. He watched as Sam handed his phone to the doctor who spoke into it before handing it back to Sam. A few more words were exchanged between Sam and the doctor before the latter left. Sam entered the room and looked at his partner, recognising immediately the disgruntled demeanour.

"G, I know that look. C'mon, man, you'll be out of here this afternoon. What's wrong with that?"

Callen sighed. "I know but I really need to get out of here…..now!"

Sam could hear the frustration in Callen's voice and said "Well that's not gonna happen, buddy." Callen shot him a look and Sam sighed before speaking. "Hey, I know how you feel but Hetty's on her way and as soon as she's spoken with the doctor, you'll be able to leave." Callen grunted in response. "Don't make me handcuff you to the bed!"

Callen glared at Sam. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Y'know damn well I would" retorted Sam. He sighed and said "C'mon, G, a few more hours and then you can leave – legally, with the doctor's blessing."

Callen thought a moment and then a smirk spread over this face. "Then at least help me to get dressed so we can go for a short walk." When Sam hesitated, Callen added "I promise I'll be good."

Sam succumbed and helped his partner get dressed into sweat pants, t-shirt and trainers. They took a slow walk down the corridor to the elevators and made their way to the cafeteria. Having purchased some drinks and snacks, they went outside and sat in the sunshine. Callen relaxed almost immediately, savouring the warmth of the sun on his face.

"Mr Callen, Mr Hanna" said a voice. Looking around they saw Hetty approaching. "Whilst it is good to see you up and about, Mr Callen, has the doctor given you permission to be outside just before being discharged?"

"Well, he didn't say I couldn't go out" retorted Callen with a smirk.

Hetty smiled. It had been a long time since she'd heard him sound so normal, pushing his boundaries with her. "Well then in that case I suppose it is alright. I'm going up to see the doctor now. I think it is best that you return to your room as soon as you've finished."

Hetty saw a small shadow flick across Callen's features but he simply replied "We'll be up shortly. I just needed some fresh air."

"I pleased to hear it, Mr Callen. It won't be long until you can have all the fresh air you want….. at home ….at Dovecote." She did her best to keep her voice neutral but a small quiver escaped before you could regain control. She was rewarded with a genuine smile from Callen which touched his eyes and an unspoken message passed between them. Not trusting her emotions, Hetty turned and made her way into the hospital. Five minutes later, Callen and Sam followed her, arriving at his room to see Hetty and the doctor still talking.

"Come on in Mr Callen" said the doctor.

"I didn't want to interrupt" replied Callen.

"We're just about finished" said the doctor. "It's good to see you up and about." As Sam helped Callen onto the bed, the doctor continued. "I can see the exercise has tired you but I'm not detecting any distress in your breathing, which is good. Now I've seen you move about, I'm more than happy with my decision to release you into Miss Lange's care. Having spoken to her, I'm confident everything she's put in place will be more than sufficient. I'll be back in an hour or so with the paperwork and then you can leave."

"Thanks doc" replied Callen.

"Try to rest, Mr Callen" said Hetty. "We'll have you home in no time."

Thankful his time at the hospital was nearly over, Callen laid down, closed his eyes and promptly fell asleep. He was woken by the sound of muted voices and he opened his eyes to see the Hetty, Sam and the doctor chatting.

Sam was the first to notice Callen had awoken. "Hey, those baby blues are finally open" he said with a grin. "I didn't think you'd wake up so quickly; you were really out of it buddy. And I thought you were impatient to get out of here."

"I am" answered Callen and glancing at the doctor added sheepishly "No offence, Doc."

The doctor chuckled and replied "None taken. Now let's get the paperwork signed and you can go." He rose and handed Callen a pen and indicated where he should sign. "Okay, let's get you into the wheelchair."

"I can walk" said Callen. "I don't need the wheelchair."

"Sorry, hospital policy. You leave the premises in the wheelchair or you stay; it's your choice."

"Okay, the wheelchair it is" answered Callen quickly before the doctor changed his mind.

"I'll go and get the car" said Hetty. "I'll meet you out front" she said to the agents and to the doctor "Thank you Doctor. I'll make sure he follows your instructions and turns up for the appointments."

The doctor shook hands with Hetty and watched the formidable, tiny woman stride towards the elevator.

Safely ensconced in the wheelchair with Sam ready to push, Callen shook hands with the doctor. "Thanks Doc for all you've done."

"You're welcome. Now I'll see you next Wednesday but you can contact me anytime if you've got a question and don't leave it till the appointment if you've got an issue. Okay?"

"Okay" confirmed Callen.

The doctor watched Sam push Callen to the elevator and press down button. Only when the doors slid open and the pair disappeared from view, did he go about his business. Hetty was waiting for them at the entrance with the SUV with the passenger door open. Sam helped Callen out of the wheelchair and into the front seat before climbing in the back. They arrived at Dovecote and found Duke waiting at the front door for them. Duke walked down the steps and opened the passenger door.

"Hi Callen, let me help you" said the man as Callen struggled with the seat belt.

"Thanks" said Callen. "It's good to see you Duke."

"Yeah, wish it was under better circumstances though." Callen shrugged and allowed the older man to support him as he got out of the car now he was no longer restrained. Satisfied that Callen was stable and not likely to fall, Duke released his hold. "I'll catch you later" he added as he went round to the driver's door. "Hetty, I'll put the car away. You need to be with Callen. His old room is ready whenever he wants to go up but I've prepared a light snack. I thought you'd all be hungry."

Hetty got out of the car and taking Duke's hand in hers said "Thank you, Duke. Join us when you're done." He nodded and jumped in the car, slid the seat back and drove off. To the others, Hetty said "Come, Duke's prepared a light meal." With Sam supporting his partner, they followed Hetty indoors to the lounge.

Callen sat down in an armchair and looked around the room. "You've decorated since I was last here" he commented.

"Yes, it needed to be updated. Do you approve?"

"Yeah it's…. it's very 'you'. I like it" he replied.

"Thank you, Mr Callen, I thought you would. Your old room has been prepared for you when you're ready to go up but have something to eat. You must be ready for some decent food."

"I am" he agreed as Hetty passed him a plate with sandwiches and some chips. Callen chuckled. "Duke remembered what I like."

"Of course I did" answered Duke as he entered the room. "As I said, it's good to have you back."

"It's good to be home" agreed Callen.