A/N: Thanks to all who have read and reviewed - your comments are very much appreciated. I apologise if what I've written is medically inaccurate but it fits the story. Also I hope I haven't offended anyone who has lived with or experienced brain injury; it isn't my intention to offend anyone with my stories.

To Mulderette: I'm updating so quickly because I had already written the story to a certain stage. All I've had to do is break it down into chapters and re-read to refine when I have the opportunity. Glad you're enjoying it.

Chapter 6:

The routine continued for another three weeks before Dr Grant made a point of meeting with Hetty.

"Is there something wrong, Michael? I would have thought he'd have woken up by now."

"Yes. I'm a little concerned. I've done further tests and there is no physical reason why he's still under. There's normal brain activity and everything else is healing nicely. I can only assume there's something going on in his head that's stopping him waking."

Hetty looked at him quizzically.

"He's undergone a very traumatic ordeal both physically and mentally. It seems to me that he doesn't want to wake up – not yet anyway."

"I see. Any idea how long?" asks Hetty.

"I'm at a total loss I'm afraid, Hetty. I don't know him well enough to even suggest a scenario that would keep him under. Only he – or his closest friends – would be able to answer that. I can only work on his physical state."

"Thanks Michael. Let me see what I can come up with." Hetty took out her phone & dialed a number.

"Mr Getz, where are you?" Hetty asked when the phone was answered.

"Hello Hetty. I've just landed and I'm actually on the way to the hospital to see Callen. What's up?"

"No, that's good. I'll tell you when you arrive."

On arrival, Hetty met Nate outside the room. Although Callen was no longer critical he had been kept in a private room. Nate looked passed Hetty into the room. "Oh I would have thought he'd be conscious by now."

"That's the problem. His condition has improved significantly so he is no longer on meds to keep him in a coma. But he has yet to wake. The Doctor says there is nothing physically keeping him under. It is as if he doesn't want to wake up. I'm worried about him, Nate. Would do you think?"

"I agree with the Doctor. He's suffered a traumatic ordeal especially physically. But he's been badly hurt before. I would say he is normally mentally strong. What was the nature of the assignment? And what made it different from the rest?"

"I wish I knew then I'd perhaps be able to help him. Here's what I know" said Hetty as she gave Nate a brief run down.

"Could it have something to do with Charlie Connor?" wondered Nate.

"Perhaps" answered Hetty. "Go in and sit with him. As you've been away, you haven't had a chance. Talk to him; perhaps he'll wake up for you."

Nate gave a little laugh "Oh I doubt it, Hetty. None of the team particularly like the head shrink aspect of my work but I'll go in." Hetty watched her Occupational Psychologist turned Special Agent sit and speak to Callen, his hand resting on Callen's arm but she couldn't hear what was said.

"Hey, Callen. How y'a doing? Sorry I haven't been here before now but I've only just got back into the country. I'd tell you where I've been and what I was doing but I'd have to kill you. I've always wanted to say that but I guess in the circumstances it is bad taste - sorry. I wish you could tell me what's keeping you under. We're all worried about you y'know. Everyone's taken turns in sitting with you even Granger, I've been told. Hetty and Sam have hardly left your side. We all care about you and we want to help but you've got to trust us and let us in. Look G, I know you find it hard to trust and don't talk about your feelings so I won't push it. But I'm here as a friend – not a psychologist – whenever you're ready." Nate continued to chat about mundane non-threatening subjects before he said. "Looks like someone else is here to see you so I'll go but I'll come back again"

Just after Nate went into Callen, Hetty's phone rang "Jethro, thank you for getting back to me so quickly."

"A pleasure, Hetty. What can I do for you? Callen's not had a relapse, has he?"

"No but it does concern Mr Callen. His Doctor is worried – we all are – that he's showing no signs of waking up even though it's been nearly four weeks since he came off the life support and no longer in a medically induced coma. As you have worked together and I know he respects you and regards you as a good friend, I was hoping that you could send a video message that we could play to him."

"I can do better than that. I was going to take some time to come and see him when he was awake but I guess I could come now. I'd have to clear it with Leon but it shouldn't be a problem. If all goes well I could hitch a lift on a military flight or fly red eye to LA so could be with you tomorrow morning."

"Marvellous and thank you - it would be good to see you again, Jethro."

"If there's a problem, I'll contact you but otherwise I'll see you tomorrow."

Nate came out of the room as Hetty terminated the call with Gibbs. He was frowning slightly and looking over her head. "Nate, what's wrong" she asked.

Continuing his stare, he just nodded in the direction he was looking and Hetty turned round to see Tuhon standing there.

"My God, Tuhon. What are you doing here?"

"Hetto Hetty. I've been following Callen's progress. It was time I came to see him."

"My old friend, I'm delighted that you're here but is it safe for you?"

Tuhon just shrugged and continued "My safety is not an issue. I've come for Callen"

Nate was getting a little nervous "Hetty, is there a problem?"

"Oh no, Mr Getz, everything is fine. This is Tuhon, an old friend of mine and Mr Callen; in fact he was Callen and Sam's first case – it's a long story. Tuhon, this is Nate Getz, one of my team."

They shook hands and Nate said, "I'll be off but I'll come back at another time. I'll stick around as you're short staffed – if the team needs me, I'll be here."

Hetty thanked Nate and said goodbye as Tuhon went into Callen's room. "Well my friend, you've been in the wars. I hear that you're doing well but won't wake up. When we first met, I called you A Tribe of One. I know that you still have that tendency but you're no longer that as you've now found a family in your partner and your team. That's good. I saw it myself when we met last. You have grown and evolved and for that reason, I want to present you with this." He placed the blade that he had made himself in Callen's hand and gently closed his fingers around the handle. Tuhon took his other hand and ran it over the weapon, careful not to cut him.

Hetty was watching through the glass. She placed her hand over her mouth in surprise and felt herself getting emotional. Tuhon had given her one as well and it was considered a great honour.

Tuhon continued "You know I made one for Hetty and now I have made one for you. These are only for warriors who have earned the respect of the Tribe. It's been a privilege to work beside you and I am proud to see how far you've come. I know you will cherish this and treat it with the respect it deserves. For the time being I'd best give this to Hetty to look after for you" as he gently removed the weapon from his hand. He thought he felt some resistance.

"I'm sure the hospital staff won't like it on show. Concentrate on getting better and resolving whatever conflict is stopping you coming back to us. When you awake I will be in contact with you again. Adios amigo."

Tuhon went out to Hetty and said, taking his hands in hers "Tuhon, what an amazing gesture – he'll be thrilled."

"He deserves it. At our last encounter he proved that he has matured into a great warrior. Y'know when I was taking if off him, I'm sure I felt a little resistance."

"Perhaps he's starting to come back to us. I hope so, the tribe isn't as strong without him. They're worried about him, as am I."

"How's Sam taking it?" asked Tuhon

"He's strong but distracted, obviously. Mr Callen is like a brother, part of his family so he's very concerned. Will you have time for dinner or a drink tonight? It would be good to catch up"

"Yes, of course; I'd like that, but then I must get back. But I'll keep in touch and will come back when Callen is up and about. I think he will need more help then."

"Good. Sam will be here soon. He will be pleased to see you."

At that moment Sam walked in and although surprised to see him, greeted Tuhon with affection. After a few minutes, Tuhon took his leave and promised to meet Hetty later on. Hetty spoke to Sam about Nate's visit, the gift Tuhon had left for Callen and the call she had with Gibbs.

"I'm sorry I missed Nate but it'll be good to have him back for a while. We all miss him. I was surprised to see Tuhon. I didn't know he knew about G."

"I don't know where he's living now but we have a means of keeping in touch especially for emergencies. I thought he should know about Mr Callen. He's been getting regular updates on his status" confirmed Hetty.

"OK. That was great gesture giving G the tribal blade. I hope it wasn't his imagination that there was resistance when he took it away. It could be a sign that he's beginning to wake up. It'll also be good to see Gibbs again too; it's a long time since he was out here on that case we all worked on – the one that ended in G being gunned down. It'll be good for G too; he and Gibbs have history; let's hope he can get through to him. I'm running out of ideas of what might stimulate him. Kamran's been asking about him a lot and wants to see him. Now his injuries have healed and he looks like he's asleep, I think I'll bring her in. Michelle would come in again too now she's back in the country."

Hetty took her leave and went to meet Tuhon at the pre-arranged location leaving Sam to sit with Callen through the night as he had done almost every night since his partner and friend had been admitted. Sam spoke to him about the day's work, how the rest of the team are, what they were up to; Sam told him about Michelle's latest case taking her out of the country again; he told him about how Aiden was doing at the Academy and about the things Kamran was up to at school and outside of school hours. He told him that Kamran was always asking when Callen was coming to see her.

"Michelle and I have told her that you were badly hurt and are in hospital so can't come and see her. If you don't get your butt out of here soon, I'm gonna have to bring her in to see you. So you've been warned, G." Sam head slumped as if in defeat and he let out a big sigh. "G, I don't know what else to do. I know you went through a terrible ordeal, but you've been through stuff as bad if not worse. What's troubling you so much that you won't wake up? We all miss you. We love you, man and want to help you but you've got to let us in. You've got to wake up so that we can help. I hope you can hear us because you'll know how many people love and care about you. Tuhon even came out of hiding to come and visit you. And look at the gift he gave you. Hey, that's a real honour, G. We're all getting on with life, with work. We're functioning but that's all we're doing. It's not the same without you – you make us strong. We need you, bro."