Oh goodness. Oh my. Callen's hurt. How bad is it and what affect will his injury have on his relationship with Nell?

I only own my own characters which include Stefan and Mark in this story.

Anything in italics within single quotes is a quote from my one-shot "Can't Stay Away". Anything in italics and double quotes is thoughts.

Nope…no matter how hard I wish, NCIS LA nor any of the characters on the show are mine. And sadly, they never will be.

Reviews are always welcome. They inspire me to keep writing for you. If you want me to keep updating twice a week, throw my minions a bone and leave a review. They're threatening to take away my computer privileges because they say I'n not pleasing my readers. If you are enjoying this story, drop me a line and tell me why.

Enjoy.

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CHAPTER 7: First Attempt

"G, hey G, talk to me man, are you okay?" Sam looked over again and could see that the blood was continuing to drip down onto the pavement. That and G's continued silence brought Sam's mother hen feelings out with a vengeance and made the memories of when G had been shot five times rush back into his mind. "Come on G, say something. Don't mess with me. Answer me and Let me know you're okay."

It seemed like an eternity before Callen answered Sam. "I'm...I'm okay Sam, the bullet hit my upper arm. I'm pretty sure it's a flesh wound, nothing to worry about. It's a good thing you moved back when I passed in front of you and a good thing I turned when I did…otherwise…well...it would have hit me center mass." Callen hissed. Sam could hear him breathing heavily as he tried to control the pain he was feeling. Callen was obviously in a lot of pain and just like always, he would never admit it. Sam knew he was downplaying what had happened.

"You're bleeding like a stuck pig G so don't tell me it's just a flesh wound. The hell it is! And I wouldn't believe you if you tried. I know you too well man." Callen never wanted to admit his vulnerability even if he was half dead. It was just the way he was and every time it happened, it pissed Sam off...every single time.

"Just stay where you are G until we're sure the shooter is gone. Then you're going to get checked out." Sam heard Callen start to say something and continued "And don't you dare say you're okay. You've been shot and if I have to, I'll get Hetty to order you to get checked out."

"Okay, geez Mom; you're being a little over-protective, don't you think?" Callen leaned his head back against the car while holding onto his arm to try to control the bleeding. He wasn't having a lot of success because the blood continued to drip down his arm and onto the pavement.

"Hell, no! You're a disaster magnet." Sam grumbled in reply.

"Isn't that supposed to be Deeks?"

"Shut up G. You're both disaster magnets. You're almost as bad as he is."

While Sam and G were talking, the police radioed for additional help to try to find the shooter. "It sounded like it came from the hill to the south" Sam called over toward the police.

"We've got a squad on the way there now. Just stay put for a little while" one of the officers yelled to Sam.

"Staying put. We're going to need an ambulance, my partner has been hit."

"One's already on the way" came back.

"Sam, I'm fine, I don't need an ambulance. I keep telling you it's just a flesh wound" Callen groused. "Oh God, Nell heard everything from OPS. Shit! Can this day get any worse? I should have stayed in bed this morning. Nell must be going out of her mind with worry and it's all my fault. I hope she's keeps it together in OPS. I don't want Hetty to find out about us just yet. I don't want her interfering in this like she did with Deeks and Kensi. It's none of her business anyway."

"Shut up G. You're going to the hospital" Sam growled. Callen could tell he was still pissed.

"What did I just say to him?" Sam didn't know whether to punch Callen or his Challenger. "Did I not just tell him he was getting checked out? And he's still trying to get out of going to the hospital to have his arm looked at. It is so typical for him to downplay any injuries and it's really pissing me off! Doesn't he realize he is not indestructible! He should know that by now." Hearing the pain in Callen's voice from the bullet wound brought back additional memories of when he had been ambushed in the drive-by and almost died.

Sam couldn't get the image of Callen's blood dripping down to the pavement out of his mind and he wanted so badly to punch something at that very moment. His anger was white hot at the person or persons who had shot Callen and the memories assaulting his mind weren't helping at all. "He watched the bullets impact Callen's body while he stood there momentarily frozen. He would never forget what it felt like to see Callen's body jerking as the five bullets hit him before he collapsed to the pavement. He hadn't thought anyone could have survived the onslaught of that many bullets hitting their body, but Callen did. He remembered holding him in his arms and yelling for an ambulance. Callen's eyes were open, but glassy and all he could do was repeat the mantra to Callen to 'stay with me man, stay with me'. Callen had felt like a broken doll when Sam had taken him into his arms yelling for him to hold on. When Callen closed his eyes, Sam thought he would never open them again. He had prayed as hard as he could for Callen to be all right. He never wanted to feel so helpless again."

Before he could tell Callen not to start arguing with him again, he and Callen both heard Hetty over coms. "Mr Callen, I will see you at the hospital. That is an order. You won't be cleared for duty until you are seen by a doctor and I get his report. Is that understood?"

"Yes Hetty" was all Callen could reply. He really didn't want to get on her bad side. An all-clear was heard a few minutes later and Sam rushed over to begin wrapping Callen's arm while waiting for the ambulance. "Sam, I'm fine, leave it alone" Callen hissed.

"Just shut up G, you're bleeding all over the road. You're not fine." Sam was now yelling and when he looked at Callen, Callen could see the anger, pain and yes...deep worry, in his eyes, so he decided to stay quiet and give him a break.

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The ambulance arrived a few minutes later. The paramedics took one look at Callen's pale face and the amount of blood he had lost, then pointed at the gurney and made him sit. Before he could even begin to say he was good to climb up into the ambulance by himself, Sam gave him a look threatening murder if he didn't shut up and follow orders. Besides, if he was being completely honest with himself, he was feeling like shit. He was light-headed and his legs were trembling. He decided giving in gracefully to what Sam wanted was the best solution at that point he just lay back on the gurney like ordered and let the attendants do their job. They checked him out thoroughly and were concerned once his blood pressure was taken and found to be quite low. "He definitely needs to be seen by a doctor." one paramedic said looking over at Sam.

"Where are you taking him?" Sam asked.

"UC Medical Center" the attendant said.

"I'll follow you there." Turning away he notified the team back in OSP where Callen was going. He then got in his car and followed the ambulance.

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The sniper on the ridge line couldn't believe his shot had missed its intended target. He had his rifle aimed center mass on Sam but at the exact moment he pulled the trigger, Callen moved in front of Sam to get to the car door, which prevented the shot from reaching its intended target.

The two men looked at either other in horror. Both knew their boss would be extremely angry that the plan hadn't worked out. The sniper of the pair couldn't believe he had missed his shot. He never missed! He turned to the man with him and began swearing in Romanian. "Ce dracu ! Acest job este blestemat , eu vă spun, blestemat ! Am avut împușcat . Niciodată nu mi-e dor și -a vizat masă perfect centru pe Sam Hanna . Nu pot să cred ce noroc am . De ce a muta G. Callen în fața lui la fel cum am apăsat pe trăgaci ? Stefan va fi atât de supărat . Nu Aștept cu nerăbdare să -l am ratat Hanna spune și răniți Callen . Știu că nu l-am ucis . Glonțul a lovit brațul lui . La naiba sunt eu probleme ."

Neither of them were looking forward to reporting back to Stefan, but they had to get away before the police sent men to search the area. They cleaned up their brass, making sure they left nothing behind and hightailed it away from the accident scene.

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AN: Translation of the Romanian: "What the fuck! This job is cursed, I tell you, cursed! I had the shot. I never miss and it was aimed perfectly center mass on Sam Hanna. I can't believe my luck. Why did G. Callen move in front of him just as I pulled the trigger? Stefan is going to be so angry. I'm not looking forward to telling him I missed Hanna and wounded Callen. I know I didn't kill him. The bullet hit his arm. Damn am I in trouble."