Changes

Chapter 8

Callen refused to leave Mackenna's bed side the entire night even when the night nurse threatened him. He simply sat there and watched her sleep. It was never a good idea to leave an injured agent unattended in a hospital. There were too many things that could go wrong. And if the guy who shot her had a partner he may try something.

It was almost eight am when Callen felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Deeks. "Hetty needs you in the office. She said to go home, shower and change first. I told her I'd stay here today."

Callen looked down at a sleeping Mackenna and shook his head ok. He leaned down and kissed her on the temple before heading out. Deeks promised to call if he needed anything.

It was around ten when Mac finally woke up. She looked confused to see Deeks sitting there. "Hey, how did you get Callen to leave?"

"Told him Hetty needed him."

"Good one. He really did need a break."

"Yeah he looked all in, I doubt he slept at all last night."

"Deeks can I ask you something?"

"Sure." Deeks got comfortable and waited for the question.

"Callen said something yesterday that has me a bit confused." She took a breath then continued. "He said he doesn't date cops."

"He has that rule because of his ex-wife."

Mac looked even more confused. "He has an ex-wife?"

"Well not a real ex-wife, his CIA Partner ex-wife. The entire thing was faked for a cover. But I guess they got very close and she screwed him over big time. So now he doesn't date cops."

"Ok than what the hell is he doing with me?" Mac looked hurt. "He acts like we're a couple. He really freaked out over me getting shot then goes and tells me he doesn't date cops."

"Well I guess he changed his mind when he met you. Believe me the guy has it bad." Deeks really didn't know what to say to her. Everyone knew Callen had a thing for her.

Deeks didn't have to say anything else as the doctor came in to check Mac over. He told her she could go home the next day but wanted to keep her one more day just to be on the safe side.

Deeks gave Callen a text letting him know Mac could go home tomorrow. Once the doctor left Deeks put on the tv and they watched some game shows until Mac fell asleep again from the pain meds.

Back at OPS Sam and Granger quickly found out which cop had been the one to clear the house. They had asked him to meet them at the boat shed to go over what happened but he never showed up.

"Eric do we have a location on Officer Hooper yet?" asked Sam as he entered the room.

"Sorry Sam nothing so far. He never showed up for his shift today. LAPD is also searching for him."

"How much do you want to bet he's the partner?" asked Granger.

"Who's the partner?" asked Callen as he joined them.

"Officer Hooper. He's the cop who cleared the house." Said Sam.

"Agent Callen shouldn't you be at the hospital?" asked Granger.

"Deeks is there and he's armed." Granger seemed satisfied by this.

"We think that Hooper is our bombers partner." Said Eric. "He never showed up for his shift today and was the officer in charge of clearing the house."

"He's the one I almost punched yesterday." Said Callen looking at his photo on the big board. "If he caused all this I'll do more than punch him."

The others knew better than to say anything. No one wanted to get in Callen's way or in between him and Hooper.

Callen went in search of Hetty while Eric tried to find Officer Hooper. When he found Hetty he told her Mackenna could come home the next day.

"Good, I'm glad she is doing so well. I'm sure Miss. Blye will be happy to hear this also." Hetty noticed how tense Callen was. "Mr. Callen is there anything you need to say to me?"

"No Hetty I'm good. I just want to get this guy. If a cop is part of all this he needs to be brought in and fast."

"I agree. I've already spoken to Mr. Deeks. He know Officer Hooper and will keep an eye out for him at the hospital."

Just then Sam came down the steps. "G we got to go. Eric found him." Callen jumped up and headed out the door with Sam. Kensi was close behind as well. They found Officer Hooper back at the house. He was closing his trunk when they pulled up.

"Federal agents." Yelled Sam as he pulled his gun. Hooper reached behind his jacket and pulled a gun.

Callen pointed his weapon at him just waiting on a chance to shoot him.

"If I were you I'd put the gun down or my partner here is going to shoot."

"Don't come closer or I'll blow the contents of the car and all of us with it." Hooper stated to move towards the driver side door. What he didn't realize was Kensi was behind him. She knocked the phone out of his hand and put her gun in his back.

"Go ahead give me a reason." She said. "That was my partner that got shot yesterday, and his girlfriend." Added Kensi as she gestured to Callen.

Callen looked like he was waiting on Hooper to make any stupid move so he could shoot him. Kensi and Sam got him cuffed and moved to put him in the back of the Kensi's car.

Sam managed to keep himself between Hooper and Callen the entire time. "We got this G why don't you go check on your girl."

Callen glared at the man in the back seat of the suv. "G trust me walk away. We got him." Callen took Sam's keys and walked off.

Kensi called Eric to get the bomb squad out there to take care of the car. They had no idea where he had all that stuff stashed. The house had been gone over with a fine tooth comb the day before.

Callen stopped and got some take out and headed for the hospital. Deeks was sitting facing the door his gun in his lap under his jacket. Mac was poking at something that the hospital considered food.

"Who wants Yummy yummy heart attack?" He held up the bag and Deeks smiled and reached for the container Callen was handing him. "Got you friend rice Deeks figured that would be ok for you to eat."

"Thanks man."

Callen handed Mac a container of sweet and sour chicken and she quickly started eating. "Ok I'm probably not supposed to be eating this but boy is it good." Callen smiled and started eating his own lunch. After they finished he told them what had gone down that morning.

"So we had a cop blowing up military personal. That is just so wrong." Said Deeks.

"Well we don't know how involved he was yet. Sam and Kensi are dealing with him"

"I'm surprised you didn't beat him to a pulp." Said Deeks.

"Sam wouldn't let me." Callen looked at Mackenna she had eaten almost half her lunch and looked exhausted again.

"Take a nap if you're tired." Said Callen as he took the box from her and closed the lid.

"It's these damn pain meds they keep giving me." Callen understood completely. He hated the pain meds they gave in this place. He reached out and took Mackenna's hand in his once more.

"You can head home if you want to Deeks."

"Ok. I think I'll stop by the boat shed see if I can be any help." Deeks re-holstered his gun then put on his jacket. He took his left overs for Kensi. "Call if you need me for anything."

"They want you as far away from this guy as they can get you huh?" asked Mac.

"Yeah but I can't blame them." Callen closed his eyes for a second. "It took every ounce of my self-control not to just shoot him today."

"Well he's off the streets now so hopefully this case is over and done with." Mac squeezed Callen's hand. "None of this was your fault."

"I know."

"Well I will be glad to get out of here tomorrow. I want to sleep in my own bed."

Callen smirked at her. "I'm glad Deeks will be close by if you need anything during the day."

"I'll be fine." Mac smiled at him. She yawned and decided a nap was a good idea.

Callen already knew he would be spending the nights at her place. He didn't think Mackenna would have an issue with it. At least he hoped she wouldh't.

At the boat shed.

Sam and Kensi were watching the monitor trying to figure out what to do next. So far their suspect hadn't said a work. He just sat there all twitch, which was getting on Kensi's nerves.

"Hey guys how's is it going?" asked Deeks as he sauntered in.

"Deeks good to see you but what are you doing here?" asked Sam.

"I know this guy let me talk to him."

"Deeks you're not cleared." Said Kensi.

"Let him try we're not getting anything from him." Said Granger from across the room.

Deeks gave Kensi a quick kiss then headed into the room.

"Hey Tim want to tell me what the hell is going on?"

"Deeks it's none of your business."

"Well that's where you're wrong. You see your partner had a gun aimed at my girlfriends head. He shot her partner and you were the one who let that happen. Now either you can talk to me or you can talk to her boyfriend, and believe me the guy is pissed. He wouldn't balk at having to end you right where you sit."

"Deeks they have Janet." He looked down at his hands. "I didn't have a choice. Either I helped or they would kill her. She may already be dead."

"Who's Janet?" asked Sam.

"No idea." Said Kensi.

"Ok who has her? If you tell me we can help you. Otherwise this is all going to fall on your head. You pointed a gun at two federal agents you are already looking at time."

"I'll tell you everything I know. I'm sorry about your friend, is she going to be ok?"

"Yeah she'll be fine."

Half hour later Sam, Kensi and Granger had the rest of the bomb crew in cuffs. They were shocked to find out that Janet was Tim's girlfriend, and that she had been using him. She was really part of the crew."

Kensi found Deeks talking to Hetty when she got back to OPS. "Come on Hetty let me come back. I can do desk work."

"Mr. Deeks you have not been cleared yet. You still have several more meetings with Nate as well as a physical to pass. Plus I believe Mr. Callen wishes to have you close by Miss. Taylor the rest of the week."

"Fine but I really want to come back."

"I know Mr. Deeks." Hetty then decided to switch tactics. "Mr. Deeks I may be able to get you back sooner if you would sign those papers I gave you."

Deeks glanced back at his desk. "I would have more control of the process if you were one of my agents."

Deeks stood and nearly ran to his desk. Kensi gave him a look as he dug thru a pile of folders finally grabbing one and heading back to Hetty. He sat down and she handed him a pen. In less than a minuet the paper work was signed and Hetty was very pleased with herself.

"Now I will need your badge." Deeks handed it over to her. Hetty put it in her desk and handed Deeks a new NCIS badge. "It's about time you were carrying this, Agent Deeks." Hetty sat back and smiled. "Now go tell Miss. Blye before she falls out of her chair."

Deeks laughed and headed back to Kensi. Sam and Granger were now there as well. Deeks smiled and handed Kensi his badge.

"Is this a joke Deeks?"

"Nope as of right now I am officially an Agent."

Kensi jumped up and hugged Deeks. Sam gave him a bro hug and even Granger shook his hand.

They decided to wait till Mackenna could come with them to celebrate.

Back at the hospital.

Mackenna had gotten checked over again by the doctor. He said everything looked good and she could go home in the morning. He took the time to explain to Callen that the wound would need to be cleaned and bandaged twice a day to check for infection. Callen promised it would get done. Once the doctor left Mackenna told Callen to go home and take a break. He said he'd leave later only because he wanted to get something done. She didn't know what it was but was glad he wasn't going to be spending another night in that plastic chair.

This time when the night nurse told him to leave he agreed. He once again gave her a kiss on the temple before leaving telling her he'd be back in the morning.

The next morning Callen walked in with a bag. "I stopped and got you something to wear home." He put the bag on the bottom of the bed. "I also stocked your fridge."

"You picked my locks didn't you?" Mac gave Callen a look but he only smiled.

"Nope I have your keys." He dangled them in front of her. "I also have your gun and badge."

Mac rolled her eyes at him. Soon she had her discharge papers and Callen ran to get her meds and supplies for cleaning her wound. A nurse helped Mac get dressed while they waited on Callen to come back.

Once home Mac went straight to the couch. "Ok I'm very happy to be home." Callen smiled down at her.

"I'll make you something to eat then I need to get to work."

"Ok but these meds have my stomach a bit upset so nothing too heavy."

Callen made her a sandwich and a glass of OJ then waited for her to eat it and take her pills.

"I'll be home around six hopefully. Deeks is going to stop by later to check on you."

"Ok but you realize I don't need a babysitter?"

"I know but just let me look after you ok."

"Fine." Mac didn't want to start a fight over this. Right now she just wanted some alone time.

Once Callen was gone Mac went to her room and crawled into bed. She sent Deeks a text telling her to just pick the lock if he wanted in. He texted back he had a key. Good lord who on the team didn't have a key to her place.

Right now she just wanted to sleep. She'd deal with Callen and his over protective nature later. She would never admit it but she liked all the attention he was giving her.