Chapter 17
Pins, bullets and journals
A/N Well, here we are: another chapter of this storyline and indeed, it took a while to finish it. Real life was a bitch these last few weeks… And in fact, I forgot to thank those who reviewed lately. So let me thank you for reading & reviewing it so far. All your input inspired me to continue, and every single input you left was a small gift and encouragement to me!
Kni®benrots
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Los Angeles || NCIS office of special projects
"So?" Nell raised her brows as she addressed Shay Mosley. Since no reply came, she continued "So… I suggest I will call this in with Eric."
Mosley simply cocked her head before she flicked her chin immediately after. "There's no need to do so, Jones. All in all there's nothing really new to mention, is there?"
"There is, since you're asking." Nell breathed in, eager to talk as she was noticing how Mosley was about to interrupt once again. "And I know we don't have much to tell, but in my opinion Eric and Hetty might want to know we found a jacket which definitely was worn by Paul Angelo, since we discovered the small GPS-tracker belonging to our own agency. Callen must've—"
No matter she wanted to continue, Mosley simply overruled her explanation. "As I said, no real need yet. This is only process information you have. I suggest you go and try and find out where this former colleague of yours is right now and see to it there's a full report to brief, instead of those little bits and pieces and possibilities."
"Right," Nell said. She paused a few seconds, hoping that Mosley would come with something else after all. The other woman, however, had taken the small, orange, leaflet from her desk and turned her attention to what she read and she shook her head again.
At this very moment Nell wished she never showed her superior this journal. It didn't matter any longer, since Callen was back and they all knew Paul Angelo was behind it all. Nell now exhaled as slowly as she could, trying to release the tension she felt. Without the usual team around she felt alone and it was as if she had let someone into the privacy of the lead agent without him having a say in it. Now she wondered if Callen were to blame her.
"Right," Nell repeated. She slowly shook her head too and mumbled a 'thanks anyway'. She then turned and trotted out of Mosley's glass office, closing the door without any other greet.
After she left the office, Nell went straight to their usual workplace, where she sat down and stared at the screens where Kaleidoscope footage was shown next to all agencies' intel. Still, she couldn't focus. She didn't really know how to put it in words but it was something like complete disappointment. It was not what she was used to, not the way the team worked. And frankly, she didn't give a damn, not anymore, about Mosley's order. Right here and now, she promised herself it wasn't what she was going to work either.
She got up on her feet, took her tablet and put it into her large purse. Whatever she planned, it was going to be another unauthorized operation. Or well, unauthorized by their boss. She chuckled to herself, grabbed her phone and called her partner.
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Los Angeles || Cedars-Sinai hospital
It wasn't Lee, the usual physician, who came over to help and explain, but a younger and unknown doctor. Callen didn't really pay attention to what appeared an endless list of injuries which the doctor told him about. It would only cause new scars on his body. Worse was the news that his lungs were damaged once again.
The removal of the ventilator was painful - as expected. It totally wore him out. Thinking of what had happened was something he tried to ban from his mind although, being honest to himself, he knew it might cause some nightmares too.
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"So Nell says the tracker was found on the third floor of the apartment. The same floor from where, uhm, from where she figured the shooting took place," Eric explained.
He wasn't too sure whether or not Callen was paying attention to what he said, but Hetty was. Eric noticed how the petite, older and former Operations Manager sat quietly next to Callen's bed. Only half an hour ago, the breathing tube was taken out and replaced by a smaller oxygen cannula.
Minutes ago, the other man had closed his eyes. He still wasn't in the best shape, Eric saw. He hardly saw the experienced senior agent so still and pale. He genuinely worried about Callen, but Eric also knew there wasn't anything he could really do to help him now he was at a hospital.
Hetty just hummed — she understood. She also sensed the worry of the young man. After all, it mostly was Sam who was around whenever Callen was hospitalized, never Eric unless it was to peek around the corner or took a turn when one of the field agents needed a break. "Don't be surprised if he will be running a fever too, Mr. Beale. It's going to be a nasty battle of his body against infections. He'll be alright."
He shook his head, still not too sure. "As I mentioned before… before Callen woke, what should we do in case Paul Angelo is around to try and do something to him, or to you? What if Angelo does come after you, Hetty. I mean, we all know you can look after yourself or find a place to stay put. But what if he hears about Callen in here. I mean... look at him."
His voice croaked "Not dead — or deaf... Beale."
Sure, speaking the words took more energy than he expected and he was beyond exhausted after the previous action and the assaults. Still he heard Eric's question and the concern in the words and it reminded Callen that his team wasn't around. He sighed but forgot his lungs were weak at the moment. The pain in his chest caught him by surprise and it caused a cough which was even more painful.
"You okay?" Eric asked, not sure how the older man whom he considered some kind of tv hero went through the agony of getting shot, tortured and drowning in a couple of days only.
After a silent minute Callen managed a short nod. He carefully inhaled. "Angelo?" He breathed out.
"Disappeared," Eric said.
"Although your supervisor insists she saw he was being shot... but then he fired a shot at you and Mr. Beale too," Hetty added. "It minorly hit you, luckily, young man. It's what they call 'a graze' only and I must say I can agree to that. You might have wanted to tell me you were wounded already, but somehow you didn't."
She loved the immediate smile he sent her. He was perhaps the only one who appreciated her mothering the agents, notwithstanding the anger he'd shown towards her in the past.
"Eric?"
"Nêh. I'm okay, Callen. Shocked though about the shape you were in when I found you."
"Thanks." There were more, much more, words he wanted to express his gratefulness to Eric. But not now. The energy left his body once again.
"Indeed, you should try to rest a little, Mr. Callen," Hetty said.
Inwardly she shook her head. 'A little'… why hadn't Mosley allowed him some time off? Henrietta Lange knew that Callen was Callen, and he hardly showed his deeper thoughts, needs or frustrations. If, when, the office wanted to keep such an excellent agent around, he should be permitted to have a relaxing leave as well. Even though he said he wouldn't need it, Hetty knew he did.
Although Eric already left the room, Hetty stayed around for a while. The pain lines nearly invisible now he quietly slept and he looked so much younger. Innocent too. Once again she wished this man would be happy. Instead, his life was difficult so to say, no matter her own efforts.
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Soft buzzing noises reached his ears and he finally recognized the voices of his co-workers. He'd slept, rested without the usual nightmares or the pain he expected. His eyes still closed he wondered how long he really had been off.
"You... just — sit 'n watch — me sleep?" he asked. Callen hated the feeling of being breathless but at least he grinned at how the three of them who sat next to him, Nell, Eric and Hetty, stopped talking and moved their attention to him.
"Now that, Mr. Callen, is what one calls a cat-nap. Please do promise me you are going to get more sleep next time, will you?" Hetty addressed him, without telling him she actually had watched him even though she discussed serious matters with Nell and Eric.
His smile was less confident this time. Sleeping and resting - it didn't really fit him. Never mind he now longed for a relaxed night in his own bed, though. But in here, with the smells and sounds he detested, the never-ending row of people entering the cube and the knowledge that strangers and friends were observing every single move, wince or twitch of him... nope, definitely far from being able to relax.
Too tired though to feel and discuss his sleep habits, he coughed a few times. "What's it you talk about?"
"Well then, since you're asking, Mr. Callen, it is about our safety, yours and mine, since we don't know where to find Angelo. And while we know he has many allies in many different places there is no way thus far we have any clues about his whereabouts."
"All we know that he was hit. Or well, that was what Mosley concluded," Nell said. "Although we don't know how seriously we're checking if he checked in with any hospitals, ER-rooms and what's more."
Eric pushed up his glasses and nodded softly. "If he isn't there, he will be looking for you, I guess. He knows you were hospitalized. And I just mentioned that he may remember how Hetty usually has her people administered in here."
"You expect him. Or wanna —" he breathed in and continued, "more 'r less invite'm?" He smirked "Let's try."
"You saying you want to... you lay here and be a sitting duck?" Nell shook her head, amazed by his suggestion.
Eric grinned and locked eyes with Callen "I love fishing. Especially with good bait."
The Tech understood and Callen appreciated this unknown side of his younger coworker. Eric continued "I mean, I could leave unseen, come back and ask for Hetty and you. If he's around or has ears and eyes around the administration desk, he'll be in here in no time."
Nell shook her head. "And what you plan to do then?"
"I need a gun," Callen said.
"Ahum." Of course Hetty uttered her thoughts. She let her gaze go over the man in the hospital bed. The previous paleness of his skin changed into a healthier look. Which, she knew, meant the worst was yet to come. "You, Mr. Callen, are in no position to use a gun at all."
He closed his eyes for a brief second and shook his head. "Need to protect myself, Hetty. I can shoot… righthanded, remember?"
She looked at the seasoned agent, who had met so many evil in his life already. The way he was positioned in this cube was exactly in the right angle. Anyone who entered would figure this man was completely helpless. If he aimed at uninvited guests, it would startle the person indeed. Added to that, he looked completely deffenseless. The electrodes, the continuing beeps, the IV… It might work and she knew it.
"You — Nell and you can be out of sight. Help me."
"Oh goodness me… Well now, Mr. Callen. I must say I am not amused by the thought and idea itself, but ever since I cannot think of anything better at all." The former operations manager sighed deeply before she spoke again. "So, Mr. Beale, I suggest you start and get into action indeed. And please do remember to take everything which is necessary back in. Meanwhile I will discuss this matter with Dr. Lee. After all this plan is not lightly to be executed in a hospital at all. And you, Miss Jones, please run through everything we've been talking about once again with Mr. Callen in here."
She got on her feet, nodded at the three younger agents and left this cubicle. She'd explain to Mosley later on. Perhaps the plan wouldn't work, so why worry beforehand?
Thank you for reading. Your reviews are welcome, as ever!