A/N: Please indulge me while I get sort of silly with this next chapter. Just trying to get our Callen back (for the team, of course).

Chapter 35 – Nonsense and Nurture

Hetty returned to Callen's room to find Kensi and Deeks seated on the couch, involved in a light-hearted game of tug-of-war with the bag of snacks Nell had brought. She paused just inside the door, unnoticed, for a minute or two. Her Tech Operator was standing next to the bed rattling off, to Callen, some technical mumbo-jumbo about a brand-new surveillance program. And to Hetty's surprise, Callen was making an effort to focus on Eric, seemingly welcoming the distraction from the incessant shivering.

Nell was standing across, on the other side of the bed, with a cup of water in one hand, and her other hand on Callen's left wrist. She was gently steering his hand down, away from the small bandage on his head that he must have, once again, noticed while listening to Eric's babbling.

Callen turned his head and looked up at the petite red-head who was prohibiting him from investigating his forehead.

"I don't think you're supposed to be touching that," Nell explained tenderly.

With confusion in his eyes, curiosity overruled Nell's counsel, as his trembling right hand now went to the strip of tape. "Something's stuck to my head," he complained hoarsely, sounding more childlike than irritated.

From the doorway, Hetty could easily see Nell's failed attempt to keep her smile under wraps. Although she could not see Eric's face, she was fairly certain he was also amused by Callen's uncharacteristic show of vulnerability.

"It's a steri-strip," Nell explained.

"Why's it there?" he asked with a slight waver in his voice.

"You have a little cut above your eyebrow."

The slightly shivering patient seemed to be satisfied with her explanation, for now, and lowered his splinted hand to his side.

Hetty sighed softly. With the Junior Agents engrossed in their exploration of the treat bag, Nell and Eric finally having a turn to interact with their Team Leader, and Callen in no immediate distress, the room had a certain air of peacefulness.

Outside the room, however? Not so much, as Hetty was sure Sam's blood was still boiling. This new knowledge of his partner's tragic ordeal with Zamora had sent him over the edge. With no punching bag in sight, she knew it would be just a little while longer before her devoted protector felt he could join the ranks of his comrades.

"Give me that!" Kensi demanded rather forcefully, causing all eyes in the room to turn to the pair who were now wrestling over a candy bar. "Nell brought that one for me," she made known to her retreating partner.

Callen raised his head off the pillow and set his gaze toward the door, being the first to notice their boss had returned.

Hetty gracefully made her way over and around the bed and stood beside Nell. Taking a closer look, she could see the blue tinge in Callen's dry lips. Noticing the same discoloration in his fingertips, she reached through the rails and almost shuddered when she touched his ice-cold hand.

Callen looked up at her, his blue eyes pleading for help. "Hetty…," he rasped through almost clenched teeth. "I'm really cold."

Being careful to avoid the IV placement, Hetty took his hand in both of hers and gave his fingers a gentle squeeze. "I know you are," she said sympathetically. "Miss Jones, would you be so kind as to pour Mr. Callen a cup of tea?" she asked, nodding once toward the shelf that contained the large thermos.

"Of course," Nell responded politely, and then immediately busied herself with her assignment.

Still looking at Hetty, Callen's entire body trembled. "Can you make it… warmer in here?"

"I wish that were possible, Mr. Callen. I've already done some checking. The cooling system will only allow a certain temperature range and your thermostat is set as high as possible."

Eric scratched his head, his tech expert "wheels" now turning. "I could try to hack into the hospital's main frame… Override the temperature control for Callen's room."

G looked up at the Tech Operator hopefully.

Hetty shook her head slowly. "Oh, Mr. Beale. That would be an excellent solution, indeed. Except for the fact that the temperature in the hospital is regulated in order to keep the patients healthy. It would be a shame if Mr. Callen were to contract an illness from another patient."

Seeing Callen's look of disappointment, Eric scrunched his nose and looked down at him apologetically. "Sorry."

"Here you are," Nell said cheerfully, offering the cup of tea to Callen.

Sam silently slipped into the room just as Hetty hurriedly reached out and steadied Callen's hands, preventing him from spilling the hot liquid onto himself.

Seeing Callen's teeth practically chattering, she realized that he was not going to manage this on his own. She helped him drink several sips of his hot beverage and then set the cup in the window sill. "Would you like another blanket, Mr. Callen? I believe there is still one in your closet."

Everyone looked at Sam with surprise when he chuckled from where he was standing near the entrance.

Callen jolted slightly and then watched a smile tug at the corners of his partner's mouth as Sam walked to the closet and pulled out the blanket Hetty had referred to.

Still smiling, Sam spoke to Hetty while directing his gaze at G. "He's not really all that strong right now, Hetty. I don't think he's going to be able to move, much less breathe, if you pile any more blankets on him."

With a slight smirk, Callen looked up at Sam, who was now carefully unfolding the blue blanket. "Breathing's overrated," Callen rasped.

Whether from the comfort the additional blanket provided, or from the return of his partner, a look of relief soon washed over G's features.

Eric, Hetty, and Nell stepped aside, allowing Sam to take over "Callen-duty." Hetty picked up the cup form the window sill and placed it in Sam's hand, giving him the unspoken instruction to assist his partner with the warm liquid.

Sam lifted the cup toward Callen's mouth, only to have G reach for it. Sam gently brushed Callen's hand away. "I got this."

"I can hold my own cup," Callen claimed weakly, his expression showing much more frustration than his voice.

"Yeah, right. I saw your version of holding your own cup."

"Sam." G's protest was immediately followed with a short, but intense shudder. A look of embarrassment flashed in Callen' eyes before he conceded and allowed Sam to help him drink the remainder to the tea.

Sam reached in under the covers at the foot of the bed to inspect Callen's feet.

"What are you doing?" Callen objected, jerking his left foot away.

"Remember the sock thing?" Sam reminded. "Making sure you haven't kicked them off again." Sam directed a concerned look at Hetty after making contact with G's left foot. "His feet feel like ice… even through his socks."

"I know, Mr. Hanna," she agreed unhappily.

Eric's eyes suddenly lit up. "Hey! I have some slippers at home Callen can wear. They're really warm and comfy."

Sam shook his head. "I don't think so, Eric. I know the kind of stuff you show up to work in. No partner of mine's gonna be seen up here wearing a pair of pink bunny slippers."

"They're not bunnies." Eric's offended look gradually melted into one of dejection, and he lowered his head. "…they're pigs."

Laughter filled the room, and Nell gave Eric a consoling pat on the arm.

When Kensi was able to stop laughing, she asked, "Do the pigs' noses light up when you walk?"

"No," Eric denied proudly. "They oink."

Hetty and Sam both looked in Callen's direction, and were relieved to see a smile spread across his face. In spite of being miserably cold, and still struggling with lapses of zoning out, he apparently found at least some comfort in being surrounded by his friends and the familiar banter.

Nell made eye contact with Callen. "I'd loan you my warthog house shoes, Callen. But they'd be way too small."

"Whoa!" Deeks cut in. "Are they Pumbaa slippers?"

"Yes?" Nell answered hesitantly. "I got them for my birthday."

"They make farting sounds when you walk?"

Nell nodded. "Yes."

"Wait! I gave those to Hetty for Christmas!" Deeks wined.

Hetty avoided all the looks of anticipation in the room, as well as Deeks' glare. "Eh umm," she stalled, trying to come up with an acceptable explanation for giving away the outlandish footwear. After a moment, she shrugged sheepishly. "So, I may or may not have regifted."

Kensi gave her partner a little punch in the upper arm. "Really, Deeks?" she teased. "Pumbaa slippers? You didn't think that was just a little juvenile to give to your boss?"

Marty shrugged his shoulders. "It's really hard to find something age-appropriate when you have to shop in the little kids' section," he defended.

"I hear you," Eric added.

Sam shook his head and huffed. "You all should know by now, she regifts everything."

"Do you really give away all your presents, Hetty?" Kensi asked.

"Not all of them," Hetty answered and then looked directly at her Lead Agent.

Callen returned her look with a mischievous grin.

"Wait." Deek's chimed in, sounding surprised. "So, Callen gave you something you actually kept?"

Hetty gave Callen a single nod and all eyes went to him, eagerly anticipating his answer. Still exchanging smiles with his boss, he answered softly, "Scotch."

The group grumbled in chorus… "Not fair." "That figures." "Really?" "Well, you've known her the longest." "Liquor? That's cheating."

Still maintaining a weak smile, Callen folded his now trembling arms across his torso. "Gave her another bottle in June." he said hoarsely.

"Now that really is cheating," Deeks said, feigning resentment.

Callen looked at Hetty with a boyish grin. "Takes the edge off. Makes her easier to… get along with."

Hetty pursed her lips to disguise her smile that was fighting to appear. "Me hard to get along with? Without that fine malt at my disposal, I may very well have fired the whole lot of you months ago."

"What about me?" Callen asked.

"Especially you."

"But Hetty…" Callen started, but was interrupted by a brief, but deep chill that took his breath away. "I gave you…" was all he was able to get out before his eyes shut tight with pain, as every muscle in his body seemed to constrict from the sudden surge of cold that took his body hostage.

Sam immediately set out to try to fix the situation, pulling the blankets up over Callen's shoulders, and tucking them under his left side, and under his feet.

On the other side of the bed, Hetty and Nell went to work, mimicking Sam's actions, sealing Callen tightly into the royal blue "cocoon."

As if moths drawn to a flame, Eric, Kensi, and Deeks also moved closer to the bedside. Maybe subconsciously feeling that they would somehow provide warmth, Hetty and her elite team stood wordlessly, surrounding Callen's bed, for a long while.

The shaking eventually eased up some, allowing Callen's features to relax. With his eyes still closed, he began taking in small, quick breaths through slightly parted lips, obviously investing everything he had to control his breathing and fend off the looming chill.

"You good?" Sam asked when G's breathing finally slowed some.

Callen blinked a couple times, opened his eyes and looked up at his partner. "Yeah," he answered in barely more than a whisper. His tired eyes bashfully glanced at each face surrounding him, and then he looked down to his feet. "Sorry."

Sam's first instinct was to lecture his partner for thinking a display of weakness warranted an apology. But instead of a reprimand, he simply put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder.

Hetty held her words, as well. She knew Callen loathed the idea of causing his fellow team members to worry about him. And now that he was becoming increasingly alert and oriented, her orphan-agent was well beyond his comfort zone.

After giving Callen another minute, Nell was the first to speak. "Hetty," she said quietly. "I think we're going to go now. Eric and I are scheduled to relieve David and Chad in Ops at 7:00 in the morning."

Hetty nodded in agreement. "Get some good rest, dear. You too, Mr. Beale."

Kensi moved up a little closer to the foot of the bed and lightly touched Callen's leg. "Looks like Callen could use some rest, too. We're going to head out."

Also noticing the exhaustion in Callen's eyes, Hetty waited a few more minutes and then decided it was time for her to leave, as well. She gathered up her belongings and turned to Sam, who was still standing guard on the opposite side of the bed. "Someone will relieve you in the morning, Mr. Hanna. I'll keep my phone close by, if you should need me for anything." She turned back around when she reached the door. "Oh. There is probably enough tea left for one more cup."

As she strode toward the elevator, Hetty let out a contented sigh. Although she hated seeing Callen so miserably cold, and in such pain, she was thankful that after almost a week, the team had finally been able to gather in once place. As dis-functional as their little "family" might be, it warmed her heart to see them rally around their wounded "brother." A big dose of their customary nonsense, along with a little bit of nurturing, might have just been the best medicine for Callen… for all of them.