Author's Notes – No such luck...not mine.
Another chapter! This story has been pretty easy to write. At least up til now. I anticipated things would get a little more difficult once I ventured closer to the medical issues Nell is dealing with. Please be patient as I wade through the murky waters of medical jargon. I am honestly not going to include a ton of the specifics, but I have spent the last several days doing quite a lot of research about what is going on with Nell and I hope to make it as accurate as possible.
Please continue with the comments and suggestions. It really does make for a more well-rounded story as some points given make me look a little deeper, whether it's lack of clarity or something just doesn't seem to fit with the characters. Thank you to everyone who is following this story and are keeping watch on when more is posted!
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Eric and Callen arrive at the hospital and move quickly to the location Nell had given him earlier in the day. Walking through the doorway, Eric takes a quick glance around the waiting area. Not seeing Nell, he turns to the person sitting behind the desk, "Nell Jones?" The woman types the name into the computer in front of her and lets Eric know the procedure started early. Apparently there was a last-minute cancellation and Nell was put in that slot.
His head drops momentarily before he turns to face Callen, "I thought we would make it back before the procedure started." He is mentally kicking himself for wasting so much time. He should have traced the team leader from the beginning.
Callen, looking a bit confused, pulls Eric just outside the doors before speaking quietly. "What procedure, Eric? What is going on?" The tall man looks at his hands and shuffles his feet uncomfortably.
"I can't tell you, Callen." He sees the look from the man in front of him and quickly talks again, "I really would if I could. But it's not my place. That's why I tried to get you here before. So you guys could talk. So you would know what was happening."
Before Callen gets a chance to respond, the desk attendant calls for them to return. "Family of Nell Jones." The two men walk back into the room and listen as the woman relays the latest development. The procedure only took half an hour and they apparently arrived at the end of it. She lets them know someone will come for them once Nell gets a little more oriented. After that, it will be just a short time longer and she can go home.
Callen looks at Eric, "I really need to know what is going on, Eric." He knows the odds of getting any answers is not high, but he has to try. "What procedure did she have?"
Knowing Callen isn't going to drop the subject, he changes the subject. "Why don't you head back to her place and make sure everything is ready for her to come home." Eric ignores the look he is receiving from Callen and continues with his instructions. "Clean sheets on her bed. Make sure there is water in the fridge..."
His words are interrupted by the one-word warning issued by Callen, "Eric." He really hates when Callen makes his name sound like a death sentence.
Eric shakes his head, "Talk to Nell, Callen. You have to talk to her." Before any more objections can be made, a nurse appears at the door asking who is going back to see Nell. Eric takes this as the perfect opportunity and disappears through the double doors before Callen can say another word.
Coming around the corner, Eric sees her resting and is happy to see she appears comfortable. He walks slowly up to her side and sits quietly in the chair offered by the nurse. He waits until she stirs before speaking, "Hey, Nell." Eric reaches up and holds her hand as she opens her eyes.
"Hey, Eric." She blinks her eyes several times trying to clear her vision before speaking again. "Where were you? I tried call, but there was no answer."
He smiles softly, "I was taking care of something. Sorry, I wasn't here before you went back." Eric reaches up and moves the stray hairs away from her eye before speaking again. "How you feeling?"
She stays silent for a minute as if cataloging how her body is responding. "I'm good. But that's probably more the drugs than anything." The nurse appears from the other side of the curtain and checks Nell's vitals. Pleased with the progress, she lets them know everything will be ready for her to leave in about ten minutes. Slightly confused by the nurse's gaze on him, Nell speaks in an effort to clear the air. "The nurse needs to go over the instructions with you before they will let me go." He gives a nod of confirmation which prompts the nurse to step out on the other side of the fabric. "I kinda told her you would be staying with me for the next couple days."
He laughs at Nell's words. "Well, I'm sure we can arrange something so you aren't alone." The nurse reappears with what Eric can only assume are the instructions. This will be easy enough. Make sure Nell rests, stays hydrated, takes pain meds if necessary. Then, she moves on the the next set of instructions and Eric's confidence drops. He nods in all the right spots knowing Nell just wants to get out of this room, but he isn't convinced he should be the one following through with any of the things the nurse just covered.
As soon as the nurse walks out of the room, Nell bursts out in laughter. "Ow. You can't make me laugh Eric. It's slightly painful you know."
He looks over at his partner in confusion, "Me make you laugh. What exactly did I do to make you laugh?"
"Your expression. It was classic. I thought you were going to pass out for a minute there." She straightens her body slightly in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort. "I can handle the last part, Eric. Don't worry. You're off the hook."
Eric nods slightly hoping she is right. Because that part would not be something he is interested in doing at all. Sure, they are close. But that crosses a boundary he isn't even willing to approach, let along step over. Even for his best friend. Well, maybe he would cross it if no one else was able to help. But, unbeknownst to Nell, Callen is waiting in her apartment for just that purpose. To be there for her. To stay with her. To help her with whatever she needs.
After signing the necessary paperwork and gathering the prescription slips handed over by the nurse, Nell and Eric head towards the exit. A nurse waits with Nell while Eric pulls the car up to the curb. Once Nell is secure and the seatbelt is adjusted to avoid as much discomfort as possible, they pull away from the building.
The ride home is tinged with only a minor amount of arguing about whether Nell should go to the pharmacy with him. Eric assures her he will pick the up the necessary medicines after she is resting at home. He refuses to let her come along, even under the notion that she doesn't feel that bad. Eric is well aware that's the medicines talking and, well, those will eventually wear off and he has no intention of her being at a pharmacy when it happens.
Pulling into the parking lot and finding a spot close to the entrance, Eric helps Nell out of the car and towards her apartment. Unlocking the door, he takes a quick look inside before entering. Not seeing Callen, he silently hopes the man didn't disappear again. "C'mon, Nell. Let's get you over to the couch."
After getting her settled, he grabs a blanket and covers her frame with it before stepping back and taking in the scene. Nell is still pretty tired from what Eric assumes is equal parts the procedure and the medicines. "I'm going to grab a bottle of water from the kitchen for you before I go. It won't take long at the pharmacy." He sees her give a tired nod as her eyes close shut.
Walking towards the kitchen, Eric is hoping to find Callen in the small room. Going around the corner, he is happy to see his assumption is correct. Looking at him, Eric speaks in a hushed tone. "I was beginning to think you disappeared again. Why are you hiding in here, anyway?"
Callen steps forward matching the hushed tone. "I didn't exactly have much information to go on here. Does Nell even know I'm here?" Eric shakes his head before grabbing a water bottle from the bottom shelf of the fridge. Motioning for Callen to come with him, the two men walk back into the living room.
Seeing Nell sleeping peacefully, Callen places his hand on the man's arm. "Don't wake her up, Eric." He walks over the chair beside her head and takes a seat. "I'm sure there will be plenty of time to talk after she gets some rest."
Eric looks between the two and knows Callen is right, "She does need rest. That was one of the things the nurse said before we left. Let her rest as often and as much as possible." Setting the bottle down, "And keep her hydrated." He glances over at Callen, "And make sure she takes the pain medicine whenever she needs. I have to go to the pharmacy to get those. Nell tried to swindle her way into going, but I told her I would go after she was settled at home."
Callen smiles slightly at the man in front of him. While the team is used to all this medical stuff; taking medicine, resting, hydrating, and the like, Eric was clearly not used to any of it. It's like he is checking off a list burned into his brain and he is afraid he is going to forgot some key component. "It's fine, Eric. I'll watch over her." Just as the man reaches the door, Callen turns. "Is there anything I need to know before you go, Eric. Any instructions other than those?"
Eric thinks over Callen's words before speaking, "Just the taking care of the drain. But Nell said she would do that..." he stops for second as if checking the mental list again, "so I guess there isn't anything."
Before Callen can inquire as to what Eric is talking about, the man is gone and the door is shut. Muttering under his breath, Callen is left in confusion. "Drain?"