A/N: Sorry it's been a long few weeks, but finals unfortunately take priority. Also, sad to say the next chapter is the last one, but it will be extra long with some (I believe) great scenes to wrap up my little story. I'll also try to get that in earlier than in a week for you. This chapter has some good information, but is more necessary than exciting, and it sets up the last chapter. Again, thank you all so much for the continual support!
Callen spent four long weeks in the hospital healing from all the injuries he'd sustained. After the first week, Kensi and Deeks had been called back by Hetty. The junior agents had been reluctant to leave their team leader so soon, but someone had to provide support back at Ops. Sam was given time to stay with Callen as long as necessary to ensure his full recovery. Hetty also instructed him to update her on his mental state, and whether or not he believed Callen would be ready to return.
Sam had stayed in the hospital those weeks helping Callen with his recovery. Most days he'd spend a few hours talking with his partner, whether it was arguing about the most insignificant things or making sure he complied with the doctor's orders. In a way, it was great for both of them to return to a sense of normalcy with their familiar banter. Sam's mood had lightened since finding his partner and the weight he'd been carrying had lifted off his shoulders. As for Callen, the relief wasn't coming as quickly. He would engage in normal conversations and, for the most part, seemed to be returning to his normal self. However, Sam could tell Callen was holding something back. A few times, Callen had been quite withdrawn, barely making conversation before making up an excuse to avoid Sam's prodding questions. At other times, Sam would try to get him to open up, trying to find the root of the problem that was still bothering his partner. Callen would always give him a brief answer; honest, yet not revealing nor detailed. Sam knew Callen still felt uncomfortable about everything that happened, and figured he just needed more time to process it.
As the end of the fourth week began to draw near, Callen could barely contain himself for much longer. His injuries were slowly healing and he had put on a little more weight, so Sam promised him to see if he could get him released. One conversation with Callen's doctor and a convincing call to Hetty was what it took for Sam to inform Callen he could sign out in a couple days, without having to be transferred to another hospital in Los Angeles. Of course, this meant Callen would have to spend his time at home resting. Having no intention of staying bed ridden, Callen readily agreed to get himself out of the hospital.
Now, the two agents found themselves well into their long flight back to Los Angeles. Hetty had arranged for a more comfortable flight for Callen than commercial, so naturally, Sam and Callen were headed back to California on a private plane.
Soon enough, their plane landed in the City of Angels. It was late afternoon, the bright sun advancing in its descent in the sky. They weren't off the plane even a minute before Hetty called Sam's phone. She informed him that she arranged for his Challenger to be waiting for them in the parking lot, and that Callen would not be going anywhere but a place where he could rest. While Sam was unhappy with the idea of someone else driving his precious car, he thanked Hetty anyway and led his partner through the airport to the parking lot outside.
Callen slowly eased his battered body into the passenger seat as Sam ignited the engine. The Challenger soon pulled out of the airport parking lot and onto the streets of Los Angeles. As Sam drove, he couldn't help but notice the way Callen curiously observed the streets and atmosphere they passed. Knowing the glass half empty kind of guy Callen was, Callen probably figured he wouldn't have survived so far as to ever even see the city once more. Several minutes of silence passed between the friends as Sam maneuvered the Challenger and Callen stared out the passenger window. When Sam took a different turn that expected, Callen came out of his reverie.
"This isn't the way to your house." Callen stated with a questioning tone. He knew from experience Hetty wouldn't approve of him staying at the mission nor a cheap motel in Venice, which left Sam's house as the final option. Unless he was staying with Hetty, which was a thought Callen would rather not cross his mind ever again. Besides, Sam wouldn't do that to him, would he?
"No it's not. It's the way to yours. You're going to need a shower and some extra clothes if Michelle is going to let you step one foot in her house." Sam teased.
"Wait, I still have my house?" Callen stopped. He never believed he really needed a house even after Hetty had handed him the contract, however he assumed that if he had been declared dead, Hetty would've sold it.
Sam nodded. "After you'd been 'dead' for several weeks, Hetty figured she'd have to declare it as a deceased estate. I convinced her to hold off, in return for checking up on it every now and then."
"Why?" Callen asked, again taken back.
"For one, I knew that if there was any chance you'd return, it'd be impossible to get you to stay put in any other place," Sam joked.
Callen made a knowing smile, barely reaching his eyes. He paused before sensing there was something else. "And?"
Sam tilted his head as he made a right turn into a residential neighborhood.
"Well," he started, "I just knew you were still alive somewhere."
The conversation died off after Sam's answer, and they continued to ride the short remainder of their trip in silence. Sam pulled onto a familiar street and parked on the side of the road. Callen carefully exited the Challenger and remained in his spot on the sidewalk, observing the house and its surroundings. Sam walked around his car and patted him on the back before walking ahead to the front door. Callen quickly began the journey up to the front door.
The partners entered the house, instinctively checking its interior before confirming nothing was out of place. Callen went to shower and change while Sam seated himself in the single chair by the fireplace. He glanced up to find the tea box, still resting on the mantle.
After a few weeks at Sam's, Callen desperately needed some alone time. He loved Sam's family, but he needed to be in his own house, recuperating on his own. Callen managed to convince Sam he was capable of taking care of himself and needed some time alone. While Sam would rather have Callen stay at his house longer, he didn't want to push his partner too far, so he agreed.
Another four weeks had passed with Callen on his own. Sam would call every few days to check up on him, and a few times Sam had even come over, insisting he join his family for dinner. Callen had obliged, knowing Sam was shamelessly playing the role of a mother hen again and not wanting Sam to worry about him.
Sam had noticed that sometimes when he'd drop by, Callen wasn't home. It wasn't surprising considering the nature of his partner, however he couldn't help but want to know what he was up to. After all, Callen was always one to attract trouble. At the end of the fourth week, Sam stopped by his friend's house before work to find it once again empty. Callen had come over for dinner the night before and had been unusually distant, even more so than he had been since his return. What really caught Sam's attention was his obvious disinterest when asked about how much longer he had before returning to work. He had decided to make sure the agent was doing alright, but once again he found no sign of his partner.
After several moments of internal debate, Sam pulled out his phone and called Eric. A quick conversation let Sam know that his cell was off, but the gps on his car tracked to an area to the north, right along the coast. Sam knew the area, and wasted no time in heading off in that direction, away from the mission. He also told Eric to inform Hetty why he would be late before shutting off the line.