Thanks to those of you who let me know this got deleted - I don't know where my brain is sometimes!
As always, I very much appreciate all of you who are reading and commenting on this story. It really means a lot to me. :)
xxxxx
"Family of Mr. Callen?" The doctor asked as he walked into the waiting room. "I'm Dr. Fitzpatrick. I performed his surgery."
"That's us," Sam said, appearing visibly anxious. "Is he okay?"
"Well, it was a little bit touch and go during the surgery. He lost a lot of blood and his blood pressure dropped significantly a couple of times. Whoever performed the previous procedure, did remove the bullet, but did a rudimentary job, at best. They were careless and clumsy and didn't do him any favors. However, I do believe we were able to repair the damage that they, and the bullet, did. He also didn't react well to the anesthesia and was quite ill while in Recovery.
"But he's better now?" Sam asked.
"We've stabilized him for the time being. However, I'm not comfortable with putting him in a regular room just yet. I'm having him transferred to the ICU, at least for the next 24 hours. I want his vital signs to be closely monitored and he really needs to rest. I'm also going to limit him to one visitor, at least until early tomorrow."
"The ICU?" Sam asked uneasily, his mind already going into overdrive about possible complications. "That doesn't sound good…"
"It's more of a precaution than anything," Dr. Fitzpatrick said. "Like I said, I just want him monitored closely, in case his vitals suddenly change significantly. In any case, it's on the seventh floor. I'm going to head back now to facilitate everything."
"Thank you very much, Doctor," Hetty said, smiling at him. The doctor nodded and left the room.
"I'd like to stay with him," Sam said, addressing Hetty and the rest of the team.
Hetty gazed at Sam, knowing how much it meant to him to stay with his partner. "That's fine, Mr. Hanna," she said. "I trust you will keep us apprised of his condition?"
"Of course, Hetty," Sam said before turning to Kensi and Deeks. "I really appreciate what you two did for us today. You likely saved G's life by finding us as quickly as you did. I'm not sure how long he could have lasted down there…"
"It wasn't just us, Sam," Kensi said softly.
"We're just glad it wasn't worse," Deeks said. "We'll come by tomorrow. Hopefully, he'll at least be allowed two visitors by them."
"Give him our best," Kensi said. "Tell him we hope he's feeling better really soon."
"Of course," said Sam. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
With that, goodbyes were said and they all began to walk in the direction of the elevators so that Hetty, Kensi and Deeks could head home and Sam could head up to the ICU.
xxxxx
Sam quietly entered Callen's ICU room and took a seat by his bed. Then he gave his friend a once over with his eyes. He was pale and the various wires attached to his body and leading to monitors seemed somewhat ominous to Sam, but he knew they were there to safeguard his friend. He was also grateful that G wasn't on a ventilator, knowing how his partner felt about those.
Callen shifted uneasily in his sleep and then murmured, "Sam? Sam, make him stop. He's hurting me."
Sam knew Callen needed his rest, but he had a good idea what he was dreaming about and knew that was not the kind of rest he needed. Very gently, he placed his hand on Callen's shoulder. "G?" he said softly. "Wake up. You're okay now. You're in the hospital. You're safe."
"Sam?" Callen's eyes opened and he looked up at his partner, appearing drowsy and confused.
"You okay?" Sam asked with concern.
"Yeah…yeah, I'm okay," Callen replied, relieved to be warm and relatively comfortable in a place where he could actually see. "I'm in the ICU?" he asked after taking stock of his surroundings. "Why?"
"It's just a precaution, G," Sam said reassuringly. "Your vitals were a little whacked out during surgery. I guess your blood pressure dropped pretty low. They just want to keep an eye on you and make sure you're stabilized."
"They did more surgery here?" Callen asked, looking worried. "Is everything okay?"
Sam nodded. "They were just making sure Fadhil's man didn't do too much damage when he removed the bullet."
Callen shuddered inwardly and his complexion blanched as he remembered the makeshift surgery. "Felt like he did," he stated. He knew that was one memory he wasn't going to be able to erase any time soon.
"I know… I know it did," Sam said. He ran his hand over his face then looked at his partner solemnly. "You have no idea how sorry I am about that, how much I wished I could have done something to prevent it."
"There wasn't anything you could have done, Sam," Callen said, easily recognizing the guilt in his partner's eyes. "It wasn't your fault."
"I just…I wish you hadn't had to go through that…"
"I'm pretty sure it was much worse on you than it was on me," Callen admitted honestly. What they had done to him had been pretty much the worst pain imaginable, but the thought of watching them do that to Sam, was even more horrific. He would take the pain himself, every time, rather than have to watch his partner go through it.
"Okay, enough talking G," Sam said. "The doctor specifically said you need to rest so try to sleep now. I'm going to be right here."
"You don't have to stay, Sam," Callen said as he let his eyes close, thinking that sleep was actually a really good idea. "You should go home."
Sam didn't answer, but just watched as Callen's breathing evened out and he was once again asleep. He hoped that this time, his partner would have pleasant dreams. He also knew that he wasn't going anywhere. He was staying right there by G's side.
xxxxx
"Hell of a day," Deeks said as he unlocked the front door, then let Kensi step into the house ahead of him.
"I felt really bad for Sam," Kensi said as she walked into the living room and sank onto the sofa with a weary sigh. Deeks patted Monty who was excitedly scampering around, then sat down next to Kensi.
"At least it looks like Callen is going to pull through," Deeks said. "That's the best medicine for what's ailing Sam."
"Hopefully, he'll be okay," Kensi said, still not entirely convinced.
"Why? Don't you think he will be?" Deeks asked, giving her a curious look.
"All I know is I'll feel better when Callen is out of the ICU and even better yet when he's out of the hospital."
"Well of course…that goes without saying," Deeks said. "In any case, I'm really bushed. I'm in favor of a snack and then heading to bed."
"I think I'm going to soak in the tub for a bit," Kensi said.
"Do you mind if I take Monty out for a quick walk and grab a quick shower first?" Deeks asked. He knew he needed one after spending half the day digging and then traipsing through underground tunnels. "Then I'll fill up the tub for you, just the way you like it."
"I'm in no hurry. Thank you, Deeks. That sounds perfect," Kensi said, giving him a smile, "and I'll go with you to walk Monty." After a day like today, she just felt better being with Deeks than having him out there alone.
xxxxx
Hetty poured herself a glass of 2014 Chateau Leoville-Barton and settled down on a comfortable chair in her sitting room. "Mr. Callen, you and your team are going to put me in an early grave if you keep getting into these scrapes," she said as she took a sip of the wine.
She had wanted to stay at the hospital and sit with Callen, at least until she had been able to speak with him. However, when the doctor had specified only one visitor, she hadn't had the heart to keep Sam away from his partner, even for a short time. She had easily seen how torn up Sam was about what had happened and knew he needed to be at Callen's side.
This was one of those times when she had second thoughts about Callen's chosen career path. It was a thought that troubled her periodically, usually when he had been hurt in some way. Although the calling of living dangerously and taking risks seemed to run in his blood and he was just so damned good at it, she couldn't help but wonder if she could have guided him in a different direction if she had chosen to do so. Of course, she had seen his potential at an early age and had never even considered such a thing, but now that she was older, and she hoped wiser, especially on a day like today, she wondered if he could have lived a different and "safer" life. Perhaps he had other hidden talents that she had never even seen. She wondered if he ever had such thoughts or regrets. She really hoped that he didn't. Above all else, she wanted him to be happy.
xxxxx
In spite of the rather uncomfortable chair and the overall hustle and bustle of the ICU, Sam managed to sleep relatively well during the night. He had awoken periodically and each time had been gratified to find Callen peacefully sleeping with his monitor readings appearing to be normal. At 7 a.m., Sam's eyes opened and he glanced over at Callen to see his partner watching him, an amused look on his face.
"Hey G," Sam said as he struggled to sit up and found himself to be sore and stiff as a board. "Damn." He slowly tried to move his muscles without causing himself too much pain.
"That can't feel good," Callen said. "You should have listened to me, big guy. I told you to go home."
"How are you feeling today, G?" Sam asked as he slowly rolled his neck, first to the left, and then back to the right.
"Not too bad, actually," Callen replied. "I managed to sleep pretty well, so that was a plus." He also found that he was still relatively pain-free. He knew this was a result of whatever drugs he was on, but at this point, he was very willing for them to continue to work their magic, not wanting a reminder of his botched surgery in the underground tunnels. "They must have me on some pretty decent meds…I'd say I'm in considerably less pain than you are right now."
"Well that's good, G. You shouldn't be in pain," Sam commented as he studied his partner with his eyes. He looked better than he would have thought he would, after all that had happened the previous day. It made him believe that everything really was going to be okay with him.
Just then, Dr. Fitzpatrick walked into the cubicle. "Well good morning, Mr. Callen," he said, giving his patient a pleased look. "I'm not sure if you remember me or not from Recovery. I'm Dr. Fitzpatrick. I performed your surgery."
"G…I'm going to step out and give you some privacy," Sam said as he quickly got up from his chair and left the room.
"I kind of remember you," Callen said. "So, doc, how am I doing?"
"You tell me. You're looking a whole lot better than the last time I saw you."
"Considering I was throwing up at the time, that's not surprising," Callen said with a bit of a smirk.
"Well, let me take a look at you and we'll find out," Dr. Fitzpatrick said. He then proceeded to thoroughly examine Callen. At the end of the exam, he stood back, looking satisfied. "Considering what you've gone through, you're doing very well. I see no signs of infection and your vital signs were good overnight. If you continue on like this today, we'll transfer you t a regular room on the surgical ward tonight."
"What about the catheter?" Callen asked. "Can I lose it?"
"Tonight," said the doctor with a smile. "I understand how you feel but it's not too far off."
Callen momentarily considered kicking up a fuss, but decided it really wasn't worth being labeled a difficult patient in yet another hospital, at least not yet. "Okay," he said agreeably.
"I'll have some clear liquids sent in for your breakfast and lunch. If you tolerate those okay, we'll advance you to full liquids this evening."
"Sounds good," Callen said, wondering if advancing from clear to full liquids was really anything to get excited about. Not that he was hungry anyhow, so he guessed it really didn't matter.
"Okay, you rest up today. Take it easy and stay in bed. If things remain the same, we'll transfer you out this evening.
Callen nodded. "Thanks a lot, Doctor."
With that, Dr. Fitzpatrick left and shortly after Sam returned to the room. "Hey, G…what did the doctor say?"
"He said if things stay the same, I'll be transferred to a regular room tonight. Until then, I guess I'm supposed to stay put and not cause any trouble," Callen replied with a smirk.
"Probably a good idea," Sam said. "What about the one visitor rule? Did he loosen the reins on that, at least?"
Callen looked at Sam blankly. "One visitor rule?" he asked.
"Yeah…he wanted you to really rest so he said you could only have one visitor at a time."
"That's kind of overkill, isn't it?" Callen asked.
"I don't know," Sam replied with an edge to his voice. "I don't know what the protocol is for patients who have had surgery without anesthesia. Why don't you tell me?"
Callen stared back at Sam, looking both confused and surprised, but he remained silent. Almost immediately, Sam apologized. "I'm sorry, G," he said contritely. "I have no idea why I said that. I didn't mean it."
"No big deal, Sam," Callen said with a shrug.
"Of course it's a big deal." Sam knew he had sounded as if he was blaming Callen for having been victimized by the surgery, which was the furthest thing from the truth. "I really am sorry."
"Its fine, Sam," Callen said, trying to reassure his partner. It was obvious to him that Sam was extremely bothered by what had happened and likely still feeling guilty as well. He was pretty sure he'd feel the same way if the situations were reversed so he was more than willing to cut Sam some slack. "I do think you should head home though."
"Seriously? You're kicking me out over this?" Sam asked.
"I'm not kicking you out, Sam," Callen said calmly. "But I know you could use some rest, a decent meal and from the looks of you, no offense, a shower. You can come back later after you've gotten yourself together a bit. I'll still be here. I'm not going anywhere."
"I don't like leaving you alone," Sam admitted, not meeting Callen's eyes.
"Nothing is going to happen to me," Callen said, trying to put Sam's mind at ease. "I'm going to be okay."
"I'll leave later…after someone else gets here to keep you company."
Callen was about to protest again, but something about the look in Sam's eyes stopped him. He didn't know if it was the brutal way Michelle had been taken from his partner or what, but Sam seemed to be very reluctant to leave his side and for the time being anyway, Callen would go with it. "Okay, but at least go to the cafeteria and get yourself some breakfast," he said. "I've got a delicious clear liquid breakfast coming and I don't want to have to dine alone." He smiled at his partner and was grateful when Sam returned the smile.
"All right, G. I'll go get myself something to eat. I'll be right back."
"Like I said, Sam, I'm not going anywhere." He watched as Sam left the room, then settled back against the pillows to rest until his partner returned.