A/N: Thanks to all who have read and reviewed - your comments are very much appreciated.

Chapter 7:

Sam continued to talk to Callen, play him messages and music. Sam was dozing when Granger entered the room. "What you doing here?" asked Sam when he woke and found the Assistant Director sitting the other side of the bed.

"I couldn't sleep. So I thought I'd come here and see how Agent Callen's doing and spell you for a bit" answered Granger.

"Still not waking up but otherwise he's doing OK." Sam sighed. "Y'know I'm at a loss what to do or say now. Nothing seems to work. And it's hard going to work without him. It's like not having my right arm, y'know? I know the others feel the same. We're used to working apart on cases if one or more of us are undercover but we're still together, still a team. When one of us isn't here – like Kensi in Afghanistan or Deeks going back to LAPD or G lying here – it's not right."

"You're a great team; generally regarded as the best NCIS has, certainly in this field. That's why I'm so hard on you all. Any animosity you feel towards me, helps you all focus and work better as a unit. Not that you need it. I'm proud of you all and I'm actually very fond of you all too but don't tell anyone." Seeing Sam's reaction, Granger continued "Yeah, yeah I know I don't show it! But it doesn't make it any less true. In our roles, Henrietta and I have to remain aloof so that we can be objective and make the correct decisions. But we do worry about you every time we send you out."

"Hmm, Hetty said something similar to me when we were sitting here" admitted Sam.

"How's your family holding up? I guess between work and here, you're not home much" asked Granger.

"They're good. Michelle knows the score, being a CIA agent and she understands my relationship with G. She feels the same as he's part of the family. The kids know what we both do in general terms. Michelle had to tell them to explain why I got shot and why Michelle is away so much, but we're careful not discuss specifics so that she and Aiden are safe and we're not compromised. She's young but she's bright. She knows she must keep to our cover stories. Aiden's at Military Academy so he knows how it is. They also know that G's an agent too. I'm gonna bring Kam in to see him in the next day or so. She's been pestering me to see her Uncle Callen," Sam said smiling.

"It's hard enough when you've no family; I can only imagine how it is for you and Michelle. You must be proud of them though."

"Yeah, we are – they're good kids."

"I'm happy to stay here for the rest of the night. Do you want to go home to your family?" asked Granger.

"Thanks – I will. I'll see you tomorrow," said Sam gratefully.

Granger stayed with Callen until Hetty came in first thing in the morning. "Owen, what are you doing here?" she asked, surprised to see him.

"I couldn't sleep so I came in to spell Sam. We had a good chat before he went home. He's gonna bring his daughter in to see Callen soon. Apparently she's been asking about him."

"Yes, Mr Callen is a regular at the Hanna house and Kamran really likes him a lot. Sam doesn't trust his kids with many people but Mr Callen's an exception. Now his injuries have healed it shouldn't be traumatic for her to see him. Jethro Gibbs should be here this morning too. I spoke to him last night, hoping he'd send a video message but he said he'd come in person, either coming by a military flight or by red-eye." Glancing at her watch, she continued "So he should be here shortly.."

"You know for someone who is a loner and doesn't trust anyone, Callen sure has a lot of people who care about him and will do anything for him" commented Granger.

"Yes, he certainly does" answered Hetty "and you're one of them, Owen!"

"I guess I am, Henrietta, but don't tell anyone; it will ruin my reputation" he said smiling.

"I think it is too late for that, Owen. You have already shown everyone in the team the more caring side of you. It's nice to see that you've mellowed" said Hetty, patting his hand.

They continued to talk until Hetty heard a familiar voice. "Hetty, Assistant Director, how are you both?"

"Special Agent Gibbs, it is good to see you" said Granger.

"Jethro, thanks so much for coming" Hetty said. "Oh my, you've got company" she added looking behind him to see Abby Sciuto bringing up the rear.

"Yep, she wanted to come as well; she says she hasn't thanked Callen properly for saving her life last year," answered Gibbs.

"Hello everyone" said Abby "I had to come with Gibbs to see Special Agent G Callen. Can I go in and see him while you're all chatting?"

"Of course, my dear" said Hetty. "Take as long as you like. We've got things to discuss."

Abby entered Callen's room and stood for a moment before going over to him and kissing him on the cheek. "Hello, G. It's Abby, Abby Sciuto from DC. I've come to see you. Sorry I haven't been able to come sooner but we've been busy." She continued to natter to Callen whilst the others watched and waited outside. Granger said his goodbyes and promised to return.

Gibbs smiled warmly when Abby bent to kiss Callen. "She's a special lady, Hetty. A bit nuts, but very intelligent and very caring. She's been really upset since she heard – we all have – and has been pestering me for ages to bring her to LA to see him. She's very fond of G especially since he rescued her last year. I was going to come when he was up and about – I thought he might need me then – but from what you've said, I might be of more use now?"

"Yes, Jethro, I hope so. As I said on the phone, he's healing well but he won't wake up. His doctor, a good friend of mine, says there's nothing physical that's keeping him under. The brain scans are good; there's normal brain activity and no sign of any more bleeds or brain damage. Undoubtedly it was a traumatic ordeal and he suffered terrible injuries but he's been badly hurt before and as you know nearly died a few years ago. We're all at a bit of loss."

"Something obviously happened that's bothering him. Guess we won't know for sure until he wakes up."

"The only thing I can think of is he befriended a young man – Charlie Connor – whilst he was undercover. From what I know of Charlie's background, it is similar to Mr Callen's. He didn't know his father and his mother wasn't around much – in prison I think – and he was in and out of foster homes and got in with a bad crowd. I think Mr Callen took to him and wanted to help him."

"What happened to Charlie?" asked Gibbs.

"He was killed by the white supremacist leader. Mr Callen witnessed it I think."

"That could well be the key to G's problem" Gibbs said.

"Yes, Nate thinks so too. You remember him, from your time in LA when you worked with Mr Callen and his team?"

"Yes, I do. How is he?"

"Very well. He progressed from being the Occupational Psychologist to being a field agent – a good one too. He's back in LA, helping out. He'd like to see you I'm sure."

"I'm not sure how long we have here as we came primarily for Callen. But I'd like to see your new offices – Abby raves about them - and catch up with the team" Gibbs nodded towards Callen's room where Abby had just hugged him goodbye. "Looks like Abby's just about done; I'll go in and stay with him for a bit."

"Thank you Jethro. I'll take Abby back to the office so that she can catch up with Eric and the rest of the team. Give me a ring on my cell when you're ready. I'll come and collect you then take you back to the office."

Abby came out and ran to hug Gibbs. "I don't like people I care about getting hurt. Promise me you'll always be careful, Gibbs."

"Always, Abby. Now Hetty's going to take you back to the office so that you can catch up with Eric while I stay here with G. That OK with you?"

"Yes, it'll be great to see everyone again."

"Then let's go, my dear" said Hetty as she led Abby away from Gibbs who was now opening the door to go into Callen. He moved the chair so he was in a position he liked, took off his jacket and sat down facing Callen. He looked at his friend . He then took Callen's right hand in his left and placed his right hand on his arm, which he patted gently and started talking to him quietly, almost in a whisper.

"Phew! You've really been in the wars this time, Callen. What am I gonna do with you? Still your doctor says he's pleased with your progress; everything's healed nicely. Now you've just got to wake up for us so that we can get you fit enough to go back to work. You want that don't you? Hey, I remember those times we worked together – the times I saved your butt; yeah, I know and the times you've saved mine!"

Gibbs recounted some of those incidents and quietly laughed at some of the scraps they got themselves in "Those were good times, G. It's far more complicated now. I often wonder whether to jack it in – whether it's really worth the pain we go through, the sacrifice we make."

Jethro was silent for a while & took a deep sigh before continuing. "But y'know what? It is worth it. We do make a difference. You make a difference. I've seen first-hand the work you do; I know how good, how committed you are; I also know that it takes its toll. It's has to or we'd be no better than those we're fighting against. I also know how well you're respected as an Agent, not just in NCIS here in LA but in DC and other NCIS offices here and abroad; and other agencies as well – those you've worked in before joining NCIS and those that have worked with you on joint task forces. Tobias Fornell speaks very highly of you and always asks after you. I also know – and can see - how many people love and care about you. I can see that from the cards here waiting for you to read them when you wake up; from the number of people who've taken it in turns to sit with you day and night so you're not alone with strangers. All those who are trying to get through to you so that you will come back to us. Please don't let it be a waste of time. The world needs people like us – whether they realise it or not – and we need you, G. We need you to come back to us so you can continue doing what you're best at, what you were born to do. It's in our blood, it's in your blood."

Jethro paused again. "We may not be in touch as often as I'd like but you're family. And I don't have any left now Dad's passed. You may be on the other side of the country but if I needed your help, I know you'd come whatever the reason, whatever the consequence. I hope you know I'd do the same for you. You'd only have to ask. I know you still have trust issues – and I do as well – but trust me when I say there are people here you can trust and who will love to help you if you'd let them. I'm one of them and I will do everything in my power to get you well. So please wake up and let me help you."

Gibbs sat in silence for a while before tiredness caught up with him and he dozed still holding Callen's hand. He was waken an hour or so later by a nurse. "Sorry to disturb you sir, but I have to do some physio on him. Could you please wait outside?"

"Of course" said Gibbs as he got up & moved the chair. "Nurse, can you show me what to do? Perhaps I can do it so that you can do something else."

"Yes, Dr Grant says it is OK and a couple of his friends have been doing them already." The nurse showed Gibbs the exercises for the arms and hands and then went on to perform the exercises for the legs. She made sure that Gibbs was doing them correctly before leaving him. Gibbs continued to talk to Callen whilst he did the exercises.