Thank you so much to those of you still reading and commenting on this story. It is very much appreciated. At least I'm doing better on updating. As for this chapter… Umm I really didn't intend for it to go this way. It just kind of happened. We're still near the end, just not quite as quickly as I had thought. It will still be very soon though ;)

xxxxx

"You all set to go home?" Dr. Bolton asked Deeks, a faint smile on the usually serious face of the doctor.

"Really? You're releasing me?" Deeks had been hopeful, but he'd kept thinking something was going to pop up to screw things up for him. "You hear that, Kens? I am outta here!"

Kensi smiled at his exuberance but turned her attention to the doctor. "Does he have any special instructions for going home?"

Dr. Bolton nodded. "Yes, I'll have all his instructions and prescriptions included with his discharge papers. I hope you understand the importance of taking it easy," he said to Deeks. "If you don't, you'll end up back here and the recovery will be even longer next time around."

"I understand," Deeks said, forcing himself to appear serious. "I'll be the perfect patient."

Kensi rolled her eyes as the doctor wished Deeks luck and went to go arrange for his discharge.

"You excited?" Deeks asked, grinning at Kensi.

"I'm happy we're going home," Kensi admitted. "But Deeks, please tone it down if we're going to see Callen before we leave. You don't want to make him feel bad that he's still in here."

"Come on, baby...I know better than that," Deeks said. "I have a good idea how he's feeling. I'm certainly not going to rub it in. What kind of a friend would I be if I did that?"

"I know, of course you wouldn't do that," Kensi said. "I just hope they spring him from this place soon, as well. Somehow, I don't think he'll take too kindly to a prolonged hospital stay."

"Well, I get that," Deeks said. "It isn't something I'd like very much either. In any case, I'm going to get ready to leave so we can just head out as soon as they bring in my discharge papers.

"That sounds like a plan," Kensi said happily.

xxxxx

Sam's eyes were on his partner as Callen shifted about fretfully on his bed, mumbling something about lost children and guns. There was a sheen of perspiration covering his face which had Sam worried. He was about to feel his partner's forehead when Dr. Carlisle came into the room.

"How's he doing today?" the doctor asked as he listened to Callen's heart through his stethoscope.

Sam shrugged unhappily. "I don't think very well. Hopefully, I'm wrong."

"I'll be right back. I want to get his temperature."

Dr. Carlisle left the room and came back a few minutes later. "Mr. Callen? Can you wake up for me?" He gently patted Callen's shoulder and he finally opened his eyes although it was obviously a struggle.

"What?" Callen asked listlessly.

"I just want to get your temperature. Can you put this under your tongue for me?" Callen did as the doctor requested, not really paying him much mind as Sam looked on anxiously.

"How high?" Sam asked when the doctor removed the thermometer from Callen's mouth.

"104." Dr. Carlisle said, appearing discouraged by this latest turn of events. I'll have the nurses keep an especially close eye on him today and see if they get his temperature down. This is the reason I'm going to have to wait until he's totally stable before he's released. The unpredictability of the poison he was given makes his case a very difficult one."

Sam nodded and looked at Callen who had already drifted back to sleep. He could feel the butterflies bouncing around inside his stomach, once again worried about the state of G's health.

xxxxx

"Hey Sam, what are you doing out here?" Deeks asked, a smile on his face as Kensi pushed his wheelchair. He'd agreed to be taken out of the hospital in the wheelchair when Kensi had threatened to have Hetty intervene. "Callen finally kick you out?"

Sam shook his head, his expression seriously. "He's getting a sponge bath...I think they're trying to cool him down."

"Cool him down? Why?" Kensi asked, her expression mirroring Sam's. "Is he running a fever again?"

Sam nodded. "Yeah, a high one...104." He shook his head, looking discouraged. "I just...I don't understand. He was doing so well yesterday and now…" He sighed. "I just don't understand…"

Kensi went to Sam and wrapped her arms around him in a comforting embrace. "It's probably just a temporary setback, Sam. He's going to be okay." She needed to believe that. She couldn't let herself believe anything differently. "We'll stay here with you." She looked at Deeks who quickly nodded his assent.

Sam looked at Deeks who was dressed and ready to go and shook his head. "Hetty will be here soon. You need to go home. I'll keep you posted about his condition. The two of you hanging here all day isn't going to do anyone any good."

"I think we should stay," Kensi said. "Or I can bring Deeks home and come back."

"No. The two of you should go home and get yourselves settled. It's the least you deserve after all you've gone through. I'll call you as soon as there's any change."

"Alright," Kensi finally agreed, still appearing reluctant. "Promise you'll call if you need anything at all or if you want me to come back…"

"I will, Kens...I promise." Sam patted Deeks shoulder and smiled at him. "I'm glad you're going home, man...Don't overdo it. Get some rest."

"Are you sure you don't want us to stay?" Deeks asked, looking as reluctant as Kensi to be leaving Sam alone.

"I'm sure. I'd feel better if you go home, really," Sam insisted.

"Okay...keep us posted."

"I will."

xxxxx

Deeks sat on the sofa patting Monty who had his head contentedly resting on Deeks' thigh. "I've got to say...it feels really good to be home."

Kensi handed him a cold bottle of water and settled down next to him. "I think the elves got into our refrigerator. They took away all the bad spoiled things and replaced them with some delicious-looking fresh foods."

"Hetty?" Deeks asked.

"Hetty. She really does take good care of us."

"Yeah...she really does. She's a nice little woman..."' Deeks leaned his head back against the top of the sofa, allowing his eyes to close.

"Deeks? Honey? Why don't you go lie down in bed? You'll be more comfortable there."

"I'm good here," he murmured sleepily.

"No, come on sleepyhead, get up." Kensi stood up and reached for Deeks' hand, helping him up from the sofa. "Come on. I'll lie down with you." She patted her pocket to make sure she had her cell phone in case Sam called.

"Okay...whatever you say, Fern." Deeks obediently allowed Kensi to lead him into the bedroom, surprised by how exhausted he felt. He laid down and drifted off to sleep almost immediately as Kensi covered him with the comforter.

xxxxx

"I wish we would stop meeting like this, Mr. Hanna." Hetty said quietly as she stepped into Callen's room and sat down in one of the chairs by his bed. "Not that I don't enjoy seeing you, but I'd prefer a different setting, perhaps a nice restaurant." She looked at Callen, her eyes filled with worry. "Has there been any change?"

"No," Sam answered as he rubbed his hand over his face in frustration. "I just don't get it. He was doing so well yesterday. I thought he had turned the corner."

"I thought so too. Nasty concoction he was given. I'll never forgive Bartholomew for what he put the four of you through. I never could have imagined the extent of his evilness."

"You do know this isn't on you, Hetty," Sam said, looking at the older woman intently. "In no way is any of this your fault."

"If it wasn't for me, he would have never focused on any of you. Unfortunately, that is on me, Sam."

Sam shook his head. You've told us that we're not responsible for the actions of others. That goes for you too, Hetty. It's not exclusive to the rest of us."

"That may be true," Hetty said, her eyes sad as they focused on her boy who was murmuring something unintelligible and moving about restlessly in his sleep. "But somehow that doesn't help right now...it doesn't help at all…"

xxxxx

Kensi pulled out some fresh rolls and deli meats from the refrigerator and made sandwiches for her and Deeks for lunch. She grabbed two sodas, a bag of chips and brought everything into the bedroom. She placed everything on the bed and then stretched out next to Deeks. "Time to wake up, sleeping beauty," she said, placing a kiss on his lips. "Time to eat. I'm not going to let you waste away to nothing on my watch."

Deeks slowly opened his eyes and looked at Kensi drowsily. "It's already lunchtime? I didn't realize how tired I was, I guess."

"You're still recovering, sweetheart," Kensi said. "You need to take the time to heal properly."

"Thanks," said Deeks as he took the sandwich which Kensi handed him. "Speaking of recovery, any word on Callen?"

Kensi shook her head. "No and it's worrying me. I wish Sam would let us know what's going on."

"I don't think there's anything to tell us or he would have," Deeks said as he took a small bite of his sandwich. "You can always call him."

"No, I guess I'll wait a while longer. I don't want to bother him."

"I don't think you're a bother," Deeks said.

"I'll wait a little longer before I call or maybe I'll just send a text." Kensi picked at a couple of chips and then turned her attention to Deeks. "How are you feeling? Is there anything I can get for you?"

Deeks shook his head. "I think you've covered everything nicely. I appreciate you playing nurse for me."

"It's the least you deserved. I'm just glad you're okay."

The two smiled at each other and proceeded to eat their lunch.

xxxxx

The first thing Callen realized as he began to awaken was that he was hot, sweaty and his head was aching badly. He opened his eyes and saw Hetty sitting beside him looking very concerned. "Can I have some water?" he asked as he flung the lightweight blanket from his body.

"Yes, of course." Hetty poured him some fresh ice water from the pitcher on his bedside table and put the straw into his mouth.

Callen took a couple of sips of water and then turned his head away. "Thanks."

"Are you feeling any better?" Hetty asked, knowing in her heart that he wasn't. His cheeks were flushed and he looked very uncomfortable.

"I'm fine," he answered as he put his fingers to his forehead and tried to massage the pain away.

"Why don't I get you a cool cloth?" Hetty suggested, wanting to do anything she could to help him feel more comfortable. She went off to get a clean washcloth then proceeded to fill the plastic basin with cold water. She dipped the cloth into the water and folded it into a compress then placed it on his forehead.

"Thanks, Hetty...that feels really good," Callen said as the cool cloth helped to ease some of his pain.

At that moment, Dr. Carlisle came into the room. "Good, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

"Really hot and I have a bad headache."

"Okay, let me get your temperature, if you don't mind."

Callen actually did mind. He was sick and tired of all of this, of feeling okay one day, then feeling like crap the next. He just wanted to feel better and be able to go home. He didn't say any of that though. He put the thermometer under his tongue without complaint.

"What is it?" Hetty asked anxiously when Dr. Carlisle removed the thermometer from Callen's mouth.

"103. Still high, but we're trending downward which is good. Can I get you anything?" he asked Callen.

"Something for my head?"

Dr. Carlisle looked at Callen's chart and nodded. "You're about due to receive some more Tylenol. I'll have a nurse bring you in some and I'll send in an aide to change your sheets andd bring you a fresh johnny. That should help you feel a bit more comfortable."

Callen nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." The doctor looked at Callen kindly. "I can't imagine how frustrated you are with all of this, but just try to stay positive. I have a good feeling we're going to get a handle on this and you'll be feeling better really soon."

Callen didn't say anything until the doctor had left then he turned to Hetty, looking discouraged. "I'll feel better for a day and then I'll just be worse the next day."

"I know it seems like that," Hetty said sympathetically, "but I believe once you've turned the corner this time, it will be for good." Of course, she had nothing to base that on, but she could see how beaten down he looked and wanted to try to keep his spirits up if she could.

"Where's Sam?" Callen asked, registering for the first time that his friend wasn't there. "Did he go home?"

"I sent him out to get some dinner," Hetty said. "He should be back soon."

"He can go home if he wants to," Callen said disheartedly. "Both of you can…"

"Don't be silly," Hetty said. She didn't like seeing him like this. She wished she could throttle Bartholomew within an inch of his life for what he had done. "Why don't you close your eyes until the nurse comes. Just rest, Grisha...it's the best thing for you."

Callen nodded and allowed his eyes to close, grateful to have Hetty there with him. At least he took comfort in the fact that whatever was going to happen to him, at least he wasn't facing it alone.

xxxxx

I know, I know...I have issues. I got stuck though and this is just what happened lol. I really do feel bad for him :)