Within a few seconds of Kensi, Deeks and the nurse leaving him alone to change, Callen was out of the ER and into the main body of the hospital. It was easy enough to swipe a doctor's badge, find the doctor's lounge and obtain a change of clothes for his attention getting bloody ones. He had to stop to rest a few more times than he wanted during his caper, but it was all for a good cause; he had to see with his own eyes that Jasmine was safe and well. He grabbed a long white doctor's coat to put over his procured clothing; it helped hide the fact the fit of the clothes was a little off.

Entering back into the main hustle and bustle of the hospital, he next swiped a nurse's card so he could access the hospital's computer system. Callen wasn't as computer illiterate as he often lead people to believe and he soon had access to the information he needed; Jasmine's room number.

Another wave of pain and fatigue washed over him as he sat behind the computer. He felt a wall of darkness trying to descend upon him and he fought it off. After taking a few deep breaths to steady himself, he heavily leaned on the desk to push out of the chair. A nurse looked at him curiously and he flashed her a quick disarming smile. "Long day. Tough case." The nurse smiled back at him understandingly.

As he walked away she called after him. "Doctor, you might want to change your coat before you see any more patients. They might find the blood on your jacket disturbing," she pointed out gesturing to the front left side of his jacket.

Callen looked down and sure enough there was a red stain. Thanking the nurse, he quickly hurried away before she could notice it was a fresh stain and spreading. Covering the area with a clipboard, he cruised a few offices until he found another clean coat to swap out for his bloody one. After that, he headed to the floor where Jasmine's room was located concerned he was running out of time before he collapsed.

Being able to swear fluently in several languages was a plus, as far as Callen was concerned when in situations like this one. Sam and Michelle had not left their daughter's room, for even a second during the last hour while he was waiting to sneak in and visit. He had dozed off or maybe passed out twice during that period, plus he was running out of ways to look like he belonged on this floor. Luckily a shift change had brought him more time when a fresh set of faces, who didn't know his him, appeared on the floor but he knew it was just a matter of time before he was caught.

He was going through a list of ways to get the concerned parents out of their daughter's room for a few minutes when his luck broke and they walked out on their own. Callen waited until the elevator doors closed firmly behind them before he headed into Jasmine's room. Had he bothered to wait a few seconds more, he might have seen them coming back out the stairwell door, having only rode the elevator down one floor before debarking and coming back up the stairs.

Sam quietly moved back towards Jasmine's room while Michelle went down the hall to wait with Hetty. The trap was set and about to be sprung. Michelle almost felt sorry for Callen, but knew it was for his own good and for her husbands who would never live down the guilt if something happened to his partner.

Michelle glanced over at Hetty who patted her on the arm. "I know. Sam would be very upset," and Michelle got the uncomfortable feeling Hetty had been reading her mind as her husband often claimed.

Callen crept into the room and paused by the foot of Jasmine's bed. She looked very small sleeping in the big white bed and he moved over to the side of the bed so he could assure himself she had come to no lasting harm. Her eyes opened as he perched on the side of her bed.

"Uncle Callen!" she said delighted to see him. "Daddy got you out!"

G smiled tenderly at the girl. "Yes he did. Your dad always gets me out, but don't tell him I said that." But he didn't have to worry about Jasmine saying anything because Sam, who was quietly lurking in the doorway, heard it in person.

Jasmine crossed her heart and zipped her lip indicating his secret was safe with her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Good. My elbow and my knees got scraped and they said some smoke got inside of me so they are keeping me here for..." she struggled to find the word.

"Observation," her Dad supplied helpfully coming into the room and causing Callen to nearly fall off the bed.

"Cxnx," Callen swore in Spanish.

Jasmine giggled and tugged on Callen's sleeve. "You just swore. I know that from Grandma's gardener," she whispered.

"Pxtaxn," he said switching languages.

"If you are done giving my baby girl a lesson in vulgar language, perhaps you wouldn't mind stepping out into the hallway with me," Sam addressed his partner in a manner that indicated there really was no choice.

Still, Callen looked up at him sincerely with his blue eyes. "I'd rather not."

Sam gave is partner a slow, saccharine sweet smile. "Please don't make me hurt you in front of my daughter."

"You wouldn't hurt Uncle Callen," Jasmine said seriously to her Dad. "He is your best friend. I have heard you tell Mommy."

Now it was Callen's turn to grin at his partner. "Wow. That's sweet Sam."

"Yes. But friends have to look out for friends. Especially best friends. And sometimes it hurts. But it is for their own good Baby Girl," he replied smiling at Jasmine before switching his gaze to glare at Callen.

Jasmine thought for a moment. "Oh like getting a needle shot? That hurts but it makes you better. I had to get a shot today," she addressed Callen. "And it hurt but I was brave wasn't I Daddy?" Jasmine smiled at her Dad while Callen tried to repress a shuddered.

"Yes you were Baby Girl," Sam replied as he walked across the room, kissed his daughter on the top of the head before clamping a hand on Callen's bicep. "And now it is Uncle Callen's turn. Say goodnight sweetie," Sam instructed as he pulled his partner off the bed and marched him towards the doorway.

She cheerfully waved goodbye. "Night Uncle Callen. And be brave!" she called after them as the two men left the room.

Once they got into the hallway, Sam let go of Callen's arm and his partner sagged against the wall. Out of habit, Callen glanced down the hallway and saw Michelle and Hetty at the far end. Hetty cheekily waved and Callen rolled his eyes and groaned.

"How did you know I was still here?"

"Hetty," Sam answered succinctly and Callen nodded knowingly. "She knew you'd be compelled to check on Jasmine. It was just a matter of waiting until you showed. By the way, really poor job of blending in with your surroundings. So how we gonna play this G?"

"Is you driving me home an option?" Callen asked hopefully until he noticed Sam intently staring at his torso. He traced the path of Sam's eyes discovering what had the man's attention; that damn blood stain was back. "Out damn spot," he joked but Sam didn't look amused.

"Through two layers of clothing. Impressive. How is it you're still standing?"

"Willpower," his partner answered truthfully staring at the growing blot. "How about a compromise," he suggested raising his head. "I will go get a bandaid then you drive me home. No needles. No overnight stays."

Sam glanced down the hall at Hetty and his wife who were headed in their direction. "I'm sure a simple bandaid will suffice," Sam agreed sarcastically. "Here's how this is gonna work. One, I go with you..."

"Shouldn't you stay with Jasmine?"

"Fine, Hetty goes with you..."

Callen quickly back peddled. "You're right. Michelle can stay with Jasmine."

"Two, you behave."

"I always do." Sam gave his partner a 'get real look' and Callen winced. "Ok, maybe always is a strong word..."

"Three, you're gonna do exactly what the Doctor tells you."

"Unless it involves needles or overnight stays." Callen straightened, angled his bloodstained coat away from the approaching ladies and plastered a big smile on his face.

"Mr. Callen," Hetty said coming to a stop by him.

"Hetty," he replied neutrally. "Just on my way back to the ER to get checked out."

Her sharp eagle eyes scanned his person. "I see."

"And Sam is gonna come with me if," Callen turned his attention to Sam wife, "it is alright with you, Michelle. Sometimes I'm not a good patient."

"All the time" and "Do tell," Sam and Hetty remarked respectively.

"It's fine with me," Michelle replied with a slight smile. "Jasmine is resting comfortably. I'll stay with her while Sam goes with you." Turning serious she added, "And Callen, thank you for saving our daughter."

Callen swallowed hard, ducking his head a bit. "I'm real sorry she got dragged into this because of me. If I hadn't taken her to that store..."

Michelle reached out and gently touched Callen's unshaven cheek. "She would have missed a great day with her Best...Uncle...Ever."

Callen didn't exactly flinch at her touch, but he definitely broke contact as quickly as possible by stepping back and moving towards the elevators. Sam shrugged at his partner's behavior then gave his wife a big hug. "Love ya," he whispered in her ear before heading out after his partner.

"Like Sam, Callen has a big heart too," Hetty observed as her men walked away. "Unfortunately unlike Sam, Callen has enclosed his heart in a cage. Every now and then he lets it love, but alas, it hits his self-imposed prison bars and he quickly shuts it down. But make no mistake; he does love your daughter and your husband, on his terms."

Michelle nodded. "I get it and I love that Callen is Sam's partner, I know he will protect Sam with his life but..."

"...you wonder if, God forbid, that day ever comes, how Sam will handle the aftermath." Hetty cleared her throat. "I'll let you get back to Jasmine's room. I needed to pop down to the ER."

"But Callen promised to go."

"In the famous words of John Paul Jones, 'We have not yet begun to fight'."