Thanks to all of you who read and commented about the last chapter. Here we are at Chapter 50. I'm really sorry, but Bart isn't going to get his comeuppance in this chapter, but next one for sure. This is one of those transitional chapters I sometimes get carried away with. I hope you still are still able to enjoy it :)
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"Ready to blow this popsicle stand, G?" Sam asked as he entered his partner's hospital room, pushing an empty wheelchair. Callen was sitting on the edge of his bed, wearing too loose jeans and a blue plaid shirt. Sam couldn't help but note the visible weight his friend had lost as well as the paleness and gauntness of his face. Oh well, the most important thing was that he was alive. Spending some time with Hetty at Dovecote would hopefully put some color back in G's cheeks and some weight on his bones.
"Here, I brought you a jacket," Sam said, handing it to his friend. "It's unseasonably cold out today."
"This isn't one of my jackets," Callen said, looking over the blue jacket with a tag hanging off the sleeve.
"I bought it for you. Call it a coming home gift."
"I can pay you for it."
Sam shook his head. "Come on buddy, it's no big deal. Now put it on and let's get out of here. Unless you've grown fond of this place?"
Callen shook his head as he took the tag off the jacket, slowly put it on and zippered it up. He then took a seat in the wheelchair, deciding not to even kick up a fuss. "Okay, Sam. I'm ready. Let's go home."
xxxxx
"Welcome home, Mr. Callen," Hetty said as Sam and Callen stepped into the foyer of Dovecote. "Come in and sit down."
Callen did as Hetty asked. He walked into the living room and carefully sat down on the sofa. Just the short ride from the hospital and the small amount of walking he had done had exhausted him.
"Can I get you some tea?" Hetty asked as Sam sat down beside his partner, "or perhaps something a bit stronger?" She knew he wasn't on any more medicines. His main goal now was to eat well, rest and work towards regaining his strength and good health.
"Tea is fine, Hetty," Callen replied.
"Do you need some help?" Sam asked.
"No, no, Mr. Hanna," Hetty said with a smile. "You stay here and keep your partner company. I'll be back in a jiffy." She then walked quickly out of the room.
"You good?" Sam asked, looking at his partner with concern. Callen hadn't said a word during the ride from the hospital and Sam couldn't help but wonder if something was going on with him that he was keeping close to the vest. Maybe he wasn't doing as well as everyone thought.
Callen nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine, Sam. Just glad to finally be out of the hospital."
"If you don't mind me saying so, G. You don't really seem all that glad…"
"What?" Callen gazed back at Sam, looking upset. "Of course, I'm glad, Sam. You think I want to be in the hospital?"
"No, I'm sorry, G, " Sam said, shaking his head. "Of course you're happy to be out of there."
At that moment, Hetty came back into the living room, carrying a tea tray with three cups of tea and a plate full of assorted cookies. "Here we are," she said, ignoring the tension in the room. "This will make you feel much better."
"Thank you, Hetty," Callen said, picking up one of the cups and taking a sip. "Mmm… this is really good, a new blend?"
Hetty nodded and smiled as she sat beside Callen, leaving him in the middle between her and Sam. "It is. I got it from Pierre Leblanc, a wonderful man and exceptional tea vendor I know. He gets tea from all over the world and always notifies me when he has new stock. This is one of my favorites."
"It is good," Sam said, taking a sip. In all honesty, he wasn't exactly a tea lover, but at this point, he just wanted to keep his partner calm and happy. They'd all been through a lot but he knew G had gone through the most and he just wanted him to recover fully.
They sat quietly after drinking their tea and eating a few cookies, Sam got to his feet. "I think I'm going to get going," he said. "Get some rest, buddy."
Callen nodded. "Thanks for picking me up, today, Sam."
"Let me walk you to the door," Hetty said as she stood up as well. She and Sam then walked to the front door which Sam opened before turning back to Hetty.
"Are you sure this dinner tonight is a good idea?" he asked. "G doesn't exactly seem like he's in the best of moods."
"I think he's just overtired, Sam," Hetty said. "I'll make sure he gets some rest today. "I think tonight will be fine. Plus, we need to finalize our plans for tomorrow."
Sam nodded. "Okay, Hetty. Whatever you think is best."
"Don't worry about your partner. I'll take very good care of him." She closed the door behind Sam and then walked back into the living room where Callen was already sound asleep on the sofa. "You have been through a rough patch haven't you." Hetty reached for the light blanket on top of the sofa, unfolded it and gently draped it over Callen. "Don't you worry, I'm going to have you feeling better in no time."
xxxxx
Callen slept for a little over two hours. When he awoke, it took him a few seconds to gain his bearings and realize where he was. He rubbed his eyes and once he was fully awake, he pushed the blanket aside and slowly got to his feet. He then carefully refolded the blanket and put it back on top of the sofa. He could smell something cooking in the kitchen and immediately recognized it as Hetty's homemade chicken soup. "You're determined to spoil me now that I'm here, aren't you," he said as he walked out into the kitchen.
"Well, I must say, you're looking better." Hetty stepped back from the stove to take a look at him. "I'm sorry if you disapprove, but yes, it's true. I think you deserve some spoiling and I'm determined to do so while you're here. Do you really mind?"
Callen thought for a moment then shook his head, a smile on his lips. "No, I don't mind, Hetty. I have to admit, it's kind of nice." She'd been the first person in his life to really spoil him at all and it brought him back to simpler days, when he'd first moved in with her and escaped the horrors of the foster care system for good.
"Good," Hetty said, smiling back at him. "Now sit down and I'll bring you some soup."
He obediently did as she said and she brought over a bowl of soup for him along with some crackers. She then brought another bowl over and sat down across from him. "So, how are you feeling?"
"I'm definitely feeling better," he said, after contentedly swallowing the first mouthful of soup. It had plenty of chicken and vegetables and was one of his favorites. It had been ever since the first time Hetty had served it to him when he'd been sick as a boy. "I'm afraid I was kind of a grouch to Sam earlier though."
"I'm sure he understands," Hetty said. "You've been through a lot. He knows that."
"I'm not the only one though," he said as he took some crackers and crumbled them into the soup. "The whole team went through a lot, not just me."
"And I can't tell you how sorry I am about all of it," Hetty said, looking said. "I can never apologize enough for having brought Bart into your life."
"Come on, Hetty. You couldn't have known what a whacko he was."
"No, but he didn't treat you very nicely when you were a boy, either."
Callen nodded. "I didn't even remember him at first, but he was just a jerk. I never really thought anything about him after we met. Please don't beat yourself up over this. It wasn't your fault. None of us blame you and we don't want you to blame yourself."
Hetty forced a smile and nodded. "I'll try my best."
"Try hard," Callen said, giving her a heartfelt look before returning to his lunch.
xxxxx
"I hope G's in a better mood this evening," Sam said as he, Kensi and Deeks waited for someone to come to the door. "He definitely wasn't this morning."
"Maybe he was just tired," Kensi said.
"I think it's going to take a while for him to be back to normal," Deeks stated.
"I know you're right," Sam said, discouraged. "I guess I just want my partner back."
"You'll get him back," Kensi said. "Just give it a little time."
The door opened and Callen greeted his friends with a smile. "Hi guys, come on in."
"Hey Callen," Deeks spoke first as they followed him into the house. "How are you? You're looking good."
"Thanks. You look pretty good, yourself."
He led them into the living room where a platter of cheese and crackers had been placed on the coffee table. "Make yourselves comfortable. Dinner won't be ready for a bit. Do you want something to drink?"
They all shook their heads, not wanting to put Callen to any trouble. "You're looking better, G," Sam said as he sat down.
"I'm feeling better." Callen shot his partner an apologetic look. "Sorry about earlier today. I was just overtired. I pretty much conked out right when you left."
"It's no problem. I'm just glad you're doing better."
At that moment, Hetty came into the room. "So nice to see you all here together out of the hospital. How are you feeling, Mr. Deeks?"
"I'm good, Hetty," Deeks answered with a smile. "Doing much better."
"Good, good." Hetty nodded approvingly. "Dinner will be ready shortly. I also have a very fine wine which will be accompanying our meal. I think it will be quite a treat for all of you."
The group slipped into easy conversation which continued as they made their way into the dining room for dinner. Hetty had prepared a garden salad, prime rib, au gratin potatoes, green bean almondine, and hot dinner rolls.
"Wow, Hetty, you really outdid yourself," Kensi said, admiring the delicious-looking spread on the table.
"I'm glad you approve, Miss Blye, now please, all of you sit down. We don't want this to get cold."
The team seated themselves around the table and began eating the delicious meal which Hetty had prepared. Except for the many compliments bestowed upon her, the conversation was at a minimum until they had all eaten their fill.
"I haven't had a meal like that in a long time," Deeks said, patting his stomach. "Food at its finest."
"It was really good, Hetty," Callen said. "Thank you so much."
Sam and Kensi echoed their praise.
"Hetty, why don't you go relax in the dining room. Deeks and I can do clean up duty," Sam said as he got to his feed. Deeks nodded in agreement.
Hetty was about to protest, but then acquiesced. "If you insist, gentlemen. Thank you very much. Mr. Callen, Miss Blye, why don't you join me in the living room. We can rest our stomachs a bit before dessert."
xxxxx
After Sam and Deeks finished clean up duty, they joined the others in the living room and Hetty brought out some decadent chocolate mousse parfaits.
"I don't think I can eat another bite," Callen said, after finishing about half of his. It was the most he had eaten in quite some time and he was afraid he had overdone it.
"Everything was so delicious, Hetty," Kensi said. "I can't remember when I've had a nicer meal."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it dear," Hetty said, pleased by how the evening had gone.
Sam looked over at his partner and couldn't help but notice that his eyelids appeared heavy. He knew it had been a long day for him. "So," he began looking at each member of his team. "Are we all clear about tomorrow?" Everyone nodded.
"I still wish he was going to get all of what he deserved," Deeks said, obviously still angry about what had happened to them.
"We all do, Mr. Deeks," Hetty said, "but if we at least give him a taste of his own medicine, I think it will give us some measure of satisfaction."
Deeks nodded. "You're right, Hetty. This will have to do."
"I think it's time we all got some rest then," Sam said. "Hetty, thank you for a wonderful evening."
"You're very welcome, Mr. Hanna," Hetty said.
Deeks and Kensi followed Sam's lead as well and also stood up and echoed his words of thanks. "So...we'll see you tomorrow morning?" Deeks asked.
"We'll see you then," Hetty said. She and Callen then accompanied the others to the front door and wished them a good night.
"Well, I think we should get some sleep," Hetty said, looking up at Callen, noting his obvious fatigue.
Callen nodded. "I have to admit I'm pretty tired. Good night, Hetty. Thank you for everything you did today."
"No thanks necessary, my dear boy," Hetty said, smiling at him. "Sleep well. Tomorrow is going to be a big day."