11:00am- Naples, Italy

Callen paced anxiously, worried that it had been over three hours since he'd last spoken to Sam. He'd tried calling OPS- but there was no answer. Calls to Fatima and Roundtree's cell phones resulted in the same…nothing.

He'd texted Sam, Kensi and Deeks within the last hour- hoping for a signal that they were ok and a plan was in the works. The longer time went on with no communication from his team, the more worried Callen grew.

And he couldn't go back in to Hetty's room without answers…she needed as much peace and quiet to aid in her recovery. Not knowing if the team had taken Ella into custody and all parties were safe and accounted for was NOT how to help Hetty right now.

His phone ringing stopped the lead agent in his tracks. Sam's name came across the caller ID, and Callen answered quickly.

"Sam…what's going on?"

"G, we got a problem."


"You've given us quite a scare, Ms. Lange. I don't want to bombard you with information, but there are some things you need to know."

AJ studied both Hetty and Dr. Young, realizing the doctor was doing his best to keep a positive atmosphere while Hetty….Hetty seemed to be fighting; fighting the sleep she needed, the pain she felt, and most especially, the tube down her throat. It hurt the Admiral to see her this way, but at least it showed she was still willing to battle.

"I don't want you in any pain, Ms. Lange, do you understand? I've been told you usually think eight out of ten means you should think about taking an Aspirin. But from here on out, any pain above a two and you push that call button. The nurses will up the dosage immediately. Do you understand?"

Hetty blinked once while AJ nodded that he also understood.

"We will see how you do the rest of the day and overnight on the ventilator. If you continue aiding the machine with your own breathing, we'll try to pull the tube out tomorrow," the doctor continued.

"Will she still be on oxygen?" AJ asked.

"Definitely," Dr. Young replied, leaning down a bit closer to ensure Hetty heard him clearly. "Ms. Lange, you mustn't try to overwork yourself. Your right lung was damaged and ended up collapsing before we got you in to surgery. It's important that we rebuild your stamina before pulling this tube."

If Hetty was surprised by this information, it didn't show. She simply blinked again, letting Dr. Young know she had heard his warning.

"Now, your left arm and hand….it is going to be extremely important that you limit movement on that side. The burns were quite severe, so we will need to go into surgery a few more times to debride the wounds and then regraft the area. Physical therapy will begin working with you after the first grafts are placed."

AJ flinched, feeling Hetty's fingers clutch his tightly. He could only imagine she was remembering how the injuries occurred in the first place. He wished he could spare her those memories…but it would be a long time, if ever, that she forgot the events of the past few weeks.

"We'll be checking the wounds tomorrow to decide when the next surgery will take place," Dr. Young finished.

Hetty blinked for the doctor, but it was becoming more and more difficult to keep her eyes open. Even more so, she was having trouble hearing the doctor and comprehending all of what he was saying. Though she tried to fight it, sleep quickly claimed the exhausted woman.

"Henrietta?" AJ called, looking to the doctor for assistance.

"It's all right, Admiral. Probably just the increase in pain medication," Dr. Young assured him.

AJ breathed out a sigh of relief, thanking the doctor quietly.

The doctor moved around the bed to stand beside the Admiral. "Anything we can do for you, sir?"

"Make her better," AJ replied, his eyes never leaving Hetty's sleeping form.

"I intend to do just that," the doctor answered, firmly clapping AJ on the shoulder before walking to the door. "Have me paged if there's any change. Otherwise, I'll be back this evening."

The Admiral nodded but still didn't take his gaze away from Hetty. For he feared if he let her out of his sight again, he would lose her forever.