Callen hit the brake as hard as he could and the car turned around, ending sideways on the road. The car behind them tried to brake as hard as he could be he couldn't avoid Callen's car. He slammed into Callen's side. Sara braced herself as the car slammed into theirs.
"G, are you alright?" Sara asked but there was no response. G?"
Sara looked over to Callen and saw he was unconscious. He had a pretty nasty head wound. Before Sara knew it paramedics were pulling her out of the car. She was more worried about Callen. The paramedics didn't take any chances and put a collar around Sara's neck.
"Please, I need to know how my boyfriend is doing."
"Don't worry ma'am. He's taking care off. We'll take you to the same hospital. Let's check you out first. Does it hurt anywhere?"
"No, nowhere. But could you check, I'm pregnant."
"Alright ma'am. How far along are you?"
"12 weeks."
"Alright, just relax. We'll check you out."
The paramedic moved a device over Sara's stomach. They heard the baby's heartbeat.
"It's seems like your baby is doing fine, but we'll check you out in the hospital. Is there someone we can call?"
"My daughter, her name is Marisa. Her phone number is in my phone."
"Alright we'll call her."
They were brought to the hospital and the desk clerk called Marisa.
"Hello," Marisa answered the phone.
"Hello, this is Rick Stevens form Pacific beach memorial."
"Is everything alright?" Marisa asked, worried that something had happened to her parents.
"There was a traffic accident and your parents were involved."
"Oh my god, how are they?"
"I'm not sure. You're mother told us we could contact you. The doctor will explain more."
"I'm on my way."
"Everything okay?" Zac asked once Marisa had hung up the phone.
"It's my parents. They were in an accident."
"How bad?"
"Don't know. I've gotta go."
"I'll go with you."
They headed to the hospital and Marisa asked the desk clerk where her parents where. A doctor overheard her.
"Hello, I'm Doctor Mason, I treated your mother."
"How is she?"
"She's fine. Just a bruised wrist."
"And the baby?"
The baby is doing fine. We checked her and the baby out. They're fine."
Marisa let out a relieved sigh. "And my dad?"
"I didn't treat him but they've taken him up for surgery. Your mother went up with him. Surgery is on the 3rd floor."
"Thank you doctor."
Marisa and Zac went upstairs and saw Sara in the waiting room.
"Mom," Marisa called as she walked up to her.
Sara stood up and threw her arms around her daughter.
"How's dad?"
"He's in surgery. There was some internal bleeding and the doctor was concerned about the head wound he had," Sara replied in tears.
"Will he be okay?"
"I don't know. It looked really bad," Sara spoke as she sat down. Marisa sat down next to her.
"Dad's gonna be okay. He's strong. He'll pull through. He did before when he was shot. He'll be fine."
"I hope so."
They sat around waiting for Callen to come out of surgery. About 2 hours later the doctor came out.
"How is he doctor?" Sara asked as she stood up follow by Marisa and Zac.
"We managed to repair the bleeding but he has lost some blood. There was some swelling in his head. We won't know the extent of that until tomorrow. We'll make another CT-scan in a few hours so we can see what's going on."
"Will he be okay?"
"It's hard to say at this moment. The first 24 hours are critical. You can see him if you like."
"Yes please."
The doctor showed them to Callen's bedroom. When they walked in they saw Callen lying motionless in the bed hooked up to all these machine. There was a tube down his throat. Sara walked up to him and grabbed his hand.
"G, please wake up honey. I need you, our baby needs you. Please wake up G."
Sara placed a soft kiss on his head. Marisa couldn't believe her father was lying there. She stepped out of the room to call Sam.
"Hey Marisa," Sam answered the phone.
"Hey Sam."
Sam heard that something was wrong. "What's wrong Marisa? Is it G?"
"My parents were in an accident. Mom's okay but dad is worse. He's in the hospital. He had some internal bleedings and a head wound. The doctor said there was some swelling in his head."
Sam breathed deeply. "Will he be okay?"
"It's too soon to tell. They'll know more in the morning."
"Are you and Sara in the hospital now?"
"Yes we are. You can drop by if you like."
"I'll stop by shortly."
"That's fine. We're in room 324."
"Alright thanks."
Marisa hung up and called Hetty to tell her what happened. After that she walked back into the room.
"You okay?" Zac asked.
"Yeah I'm okay, just had to make some calls."
"Your dad is gonna be fine."
"I hope so. Mom and dad were finally happy and now this. What if he's not the same?"
"He will be, you have to have faith in that. Like you said, your dad is strong."
"I just hope he'll be alright," Marisa spoke as she leaned against Zac's chest and Zac put his arms around her.
They sat next to Callen's bed, hoping that he would wake up. Sam dropped by a little later.
"How is he?"
"Not much change, it's just a waiting game now," Marisa answered.
"He'll be alright Sara," Sam spoke as he squeezed her shoulders. "G's strong. He'll pull through."
"I hope you're right," Sara sobbed.
"I'm sure G's doing everything he can to come back to you. He loves you too much to just give up. And I know he wants to be there for you and your baby. He'll be alright Sara."
Sam, Marisa and Zac stayed for a little while longer. Callen was taken away for another scan. The swelling had stayed the same. It hadn't gotten bigger which was a good sign.
"You sure you don't want me to stay here mom?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Go get some rest."
"You too, call us if something has changed."
"I will I promise."
Marisa gave her mom a hug before she left. Zac went with her to her place.
"You call me the minute you hear something," Sam told them before they got into their cars.
"I will Sam."
It was pretty late already so Marisa and Zac went straight to bed. Marisa lay her head down on Zac's chest. Zac held her close. A little later he heard her sobbing.
"Mari, are you okay?"
"Why did this have to happen?"
"I don't know, sometimes these things happen. But I'm sure your dad will be okay. We've gotta stay positive."
"I know, it's just hard. What if he doesn't wake up?"
"He will. You've gotta believe that."
I just hope he's doing better in the morning."
"Just get some rest Mari."
"Can you hold me?"
"Of course, I'm here for you."
"Thanks."
Marisa had trouble sleeping that night. She kept thinking about Callen. Sara had crawled into bed with Callen and lay with her head on his chest.
"Please wake up honey, I need you here. Please wake up and come back to me."
Callen heard Sara voice somewhere faint in the background. It felt like he was floating. He opened his eyes and he stared out into the ocean. He looked around and realized he was on the beach in Romania. He saw a woman sitting on a beach chair. She looked so much like his mother.
"The view is beautiful, isn't it," the woman spoke.
Callen walked closer to her as he recognized her voice. "Mom? What are you doing here?"
Clara stood up and faced her son. "The more important question is what you are doing here."
"You're dead, you can't be here. Unless….. Am I dead?"
"Not yet my son."
"What happened?"
"What do you remember?"
"I don't know. I was driving the car and then… there was a big accident. I tried to avoid it….. Oh my god. Sara, I've gotta go see her. I need to make sure she's alright."
Callen tried to walk but he couldn't move.
"You can't go to see her, not until you wake up."
"How can I wake up?"
"I don't know son, that's up to you. You've gotta find the way back, back to Sara and Marisa."
"You know about Marisa?"
"Yes son, I do. She's a wonderful woman. I can see she's your daughter. She really is a lot like you when you were younger."
Callen felt weird by seeing his mother. How could this be? There were so many questions he wanted to ask his mother but wasn't sure how.
"You've grown up real nice my son," Clara told her boy as she put a hand on his cheek. "You've become a wonderful man. You have a good heart. I'm sorry for what happened to you when you were a child. I've always watched over you."
"Why don't I know anything about my past mom? Until a couple of years ago I didn't even know where I came from until I went to Romania to rescue Hetty. Recently I found out who my father was. Why doesn't anyone know my name?"
Clara felt for her boy. He didn't have it easy.
"What do you mean you don't know your name?"
"When I came to America no one knew my name, only on my bag stood G. Callen. I never found out what the G stands for. Only Sam and Sara call me G the others call me Callen."
Clara's heart broke. No one had bothered to tell her boy his real name.
"Your real name is Gabriel. I used to call you Gabi."
Callen took in the words. He stared at her for a moment. Was this really his first name? Did he really just learn his first name, Gabriel?
Clara saw the doubt in her boy's eyes. She pulled out his birth certificate and handed it to him. Callen took the paper and looked at it. It was his birth certificate. There stood his name. Gabriel George Callen.
Gabriel was his first name. He finally knew his first name. But there will still a lot of unanswered questions. He wanted to ask Clara some more questions. He looked up and he couldn't find Clara anymore.
"Mom," he yelled.
He looked around but he couldn't find anywhere. He felt someone squeeze his hand but he didn't saw anyone.
"G, baby, please wake up," Sara told him as she squeezed his hand.
Callen heard her but he couldn't get to her.
"Sara," he called but he couldn't get closer to her.
He slowly felt himself slipping away again. He felt her hand slipping out of his.
….
It had been two weeks since the accident. Callen was still unconscious. Sara was there with Callen 24/7. She didn't want to leave. During the visiting hours people dropped by. Marisa was there a lot too. She hoped her father would be alright. She couldn't lose him. She needed her father and so did Sara and the new baby.
The doctor was concerned about Callen's situation. The swelling had gone down but he still hadn't woken up. The doctor couldn't explain why. All his vitals were normal.
"Gabi, you have to go back," Clara spoke to her son.
"I don't wanna leave you mama."
"I know my son, but you've gotta go back. They people there love and care about you and want you back. Your girlfriend needs you, Marisa needs you and your new baby needs you. You can't stay here, you have to go back. Your life isn't over yet."
"I don't wanna leave you mama," Callen cried.
"I'll always be watching over you Gabi. You're never alone."
Clara gave her son a hug. Callen held onto her tight. Before he knew it she started slipping out of his hands.
"I love you my son," Clara's faint voice spoke.
"I love you mom."
Callen felt himself slipping away.
Sara sat by his bed and saw his eyes moving.
"G, baby. I'm here. Open your eyes honey," Sara spoke as she held his hand.
Slowly Callen started to open his eyes. He looked to his side and found Sara's eyes. Sara's eyes were staring back at him.
"Thank god, you're alright," Sara spoke as she hugged him. "I was so worried about you."
Callen moved his arms around her and held her close.
"I'm here Sara. I'm here."
Sara lifted her head up and looked into his blue eyes. She moved closer and planted a kiss on his lips.
"I'm glad you're alright. I was so worried about you."
"I know, I could feel it."
"You felt it?"
"Yes I did. And I felt your hand holding mine. I wanted to come back to you but I didn't want to leave my mother."
"You saw your mother?"
"Yes I did. She told me to keep fighting and came back to you, Marisa, and our baby."
"I'm glad you did." Sara kissed him again.
"Are you okay? Is the baby okay?"
"We're both fine honey. Don't worry about us. I'll go get the doctor."
"In a minute. I wanna hold you in my arms just a little bit longer."
They lay like that until Marisa came in. She saw her parents lying on the bed together.
"Dad," Marisa spoke softly.
Sara and Callen looked up.
"Oh my god, dad. You're awake." Marisa walked up to him and flew in his arms. "I'm so glad you're awake. I was so worried about you."
"I'm fine sweetie. Don't worry about me. I'm fine."
Sara went to get the doctor.
"Well it's good to see you awake, Mr. Callen," the doctor spoke as he walked in. "How are you feeling?"
"I've been better."
"You were lucky. It could have been a lot worse."
"How long was I out?"
"For 2 weeks."
"Damn that's long."
"I'm just gonna check you over sir." The doctor checked Callen over, everything was normal. "You have a couple of bruised ribs and a bruised ankle. We had to do surgery to repair some internal bleeding." The doctor told Callen what had happened after the accident. "Do you remember what happened?"
"I was driving my car and suddenly there was an accident. I tried to avoid it. I managed but another car crashed into ours. That's the last I remember."
"Do you know the date?"
"Yes of course," Callen said the date.
"Do you recognize these people?"
"Yes, that's Sara, my pregnant girlfriend, and that's Marisa, our daughter."
"Alright, your memory seems to be working normally."
"How long till I can get out of here doc?"
"Sir, you've been in an accident and you were unconscious for 2 weeks. I'd say in about a week."
"Great," Callen sarcastically spoke. "No offense doc, but I hate hospital."
"It's alright sir, most patients do. Rest up, I'll be back later to check on you."
The doctor left.
"You've gotta stay put, you know that dad."
"Yeah I know," Callen replied but he wasn't happy about that.
"Don't worry Marisa, I'll make sure he stays put."
"Why don't you go home for a sec mom, get changed. You've been here for 2 weeks straight."
Sara looked at Callen.
"Don't worry honey, I'll be here when you get back."
"You better," Sara spoke as she gave Callen a kiss.
Sara left and Marisa sat down next to Callen's bed.
"Are you sure you're alright dad?"
"I'm fine Marisa, don't worry about me."
Callen looked up to the ceiling remembering what had happened when he was unconscious.
"What's the matter dad? What happened while you were unconscious?"
"I saw your grandmother."
"Clara? You saw Clara?" Marisa asked astonished.
"Yes I did. I don't know how. But I was on the beach in Romania and I saw her. I knew I had to go back but I didn't want to leave her."
"I can understand dad. Did she tell you something?"
"She told me my real name is Gabriel. She used to call me Gabi."
"So you finally know what the G stands for?"
"Yes I do. I wanted to ask her more but I couldn't. Every time I tried my mother would disappear."
"You at least now know what the G stands for. You'll get the other answers one day."
"Maybe. How are the others?" Callen asked, changing the subject.
"They are fine. Sam was worried about you. He was here a lot too. Mom was here 24/7. She wouldn't leave your side."
"She wouldn't?"
"No, she was even afraid to go to the bathroom. Afraid that you would wake up with her not there."
"She was?"
"Yes she was. But don't worry dad. She and the baby are doing fine. We made sure she ate and drank enough."
"Alright, good."
Sara had called Sam on the way home and he stopped by the hospital.
"Hey G," Sam called as he stepped into the room.
"Hey Sam, it's actually Gabriel."
"Gabriel? Your first name you mean?"
"Yes, Gabriel is my real name."
"How do you know that?"
"I saw my mom while I was unconscious."
"You saw Clara?"
"Yes I did Sam. You may think I'm crazy but I really saw her."
"Hey, if you say you saw her I believe you. I'm glad you're back partner," Sam told him as he squeezed his shoulder. "How are you feeling?"
"I've been better, but not as worse as when I was shot."
"Which time?" Sam joked.
"Funny, Sam."
"Just telling the truth G."
"You're sticking with G?"
"Do you want me to call you Gabriel instead?"
"I don't know. I'm still getting used to it. My mom said she used to call me Gabi. But I've gotten used to G so you can still use that if you like."
"I'll see what I'm gonna call you, Gabriel."
Sara was back a little later just as Sam was leaving.
"Hey Sam," Sara spoke.
"Hey Sara, G's doing very well."
"Yes he is, I'm afraid he'll push himself too hard again."
"I'll make sure he doesn't and so will Marisa I think."
"He's lucky to have a partner like you."
"I think it goes both ways. Take care of him."
"I will."
Marisa went home a little later, leaving Callen and Sara alone.
"You know, when I was unconscious, I saw my mother. I talked to her and she talked to me."
"Did she tell you anything?"
"She told me what the G stands for."
"She did? What does it stand for?"
"Gabriel. She used to call me Gabi."
"Gabriel, little getting used to. I've been used to G for so long."
"Yeah I know, me too. But I'm glad I finally know what it stands for. A little piece of the puzzle again."
"You'll find the rest honey, I know you will."
Sara sat next to him on the bed and Callen put his arm around her.
"I'm glad you two are alright," Callen told her as he put his hand on her stomach.
"Yeah, I was happy to know that the baby is doing fine. I have to go back in 2 weeks again. The gynecologist checked me out and everything was fine. Our little baby is going strong and big."
"I'm glad to hear that. I love you so much."
"I love you too."
Callen gave her a kiss. Sara liked feeling his kisses again. Callen playfully bit down on her bottom lip and swept his tongue over it. Sara eagerly opened her mouth and Callen slid his tongue inside. Breathless she pulled away from Callen.
"G, we can't do it here."
"Sure we can," Callen spoke and wanted to kiss her again.
"As much as I want to do it, we can't. You just woke up. You need to heal."
"I can handle it."
Callen moved his lips down to her neck and kissed her. It took Sara all of her willpower to push him away.
"No, G. We have to wait. You're still hurt." Callen wanted to kiss her again, not caring about what she said, but Sara pushed him away. "No G. Not yet. As soon as you can, I promise we'll do it until we're too tired."
"I'm looking forward to it. I want you," Callen whispered in her ear.
Her pregnancy hormones weren't helping her. She wanted him. But she knew it was too soon for Callen. But her pregnancy hormones were already making her feel turned on. Suddenly she got an idea.