A/N Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. I am encouraged by all your positive comments. I'm from England and for those who were wondering Chalk and Cheese is an English saying meaning that two people are not alike or have nothing in common. Also a fortnight is another word for 14 days or two weeks. It is derived from an Old English word meaning fourteen nights. While I don't believe Hetty is supposed to be English, she does say some very English words such as 'Bugger'. She has also mentioned King and Country when England had a King up until early 1952.

Chapter 9:

After Sam had taken Kamie out of the room and passed her over to Gibbs, he went back inside. He stood quietly in the doorway as Hetty, who had her back to him, was standing by the side of Callen's bed talking to him. She was gently caressing his head whilst she tenderly wiped away the tears.

"My sweet boy. You have this hard man 'don't mess with me' veneer. And that's just what it is – a veneer, an act. When it comes to work, yes, you can be determined, bloody minded and ruthless – but not with your team. In your personal life, you just want to have a family and be loved. And you do and you are – more so than you know. We all love you – well maybe not Granger, but he respects you and cares about you – even if you are a massive pain in his butt! And that's good, Granger needs to be kept on his toes."

Sensing a presence, Hetty looked up and saw Sam, smiling at her. He nodded for her to continue as he went to the other side of the bed and sat down taking Callen's other hand.

"You know that we're all very concerned about you. At least one of us, may be two, have been here by your side every single minute of the day and night, sitting with you, talking to you, just so you wouldn't be alone. So you would see someone you knew when you regained consciousness. When you were taken off life support but didn't wake up, we continued that vigil, doing whatever we could to get you to wake up. It wasn't just the team and me, Nell and Eric have been here as has Granger and Nate. Even Arkady has done his bit. Agent Gibbs and Abby Sciuto are here now and Michelle and Kamran have come too."

She paused as she looked at Callen's face, now showing no signs of the injuries he sustained. She then looked over at Sam and took a deep breath before continuing as she knew she was going to voice her feelings and Sam would hear them, though she already knew he had a good idea how she felt. She was also aware that Michelle, Kamran and Gibbs were still outside.

"Whatever conflict is keeping you from us, it can't be so bad that you can't discuss it with one of us. If it is about Charlie Connor, then I know more than the others what that means to you. You have come a long way, Mr Callen, in lowering your defences and learning to trust a select few. Let those friends, the members of your 'family' help you. Sam and I have had many a chat whilst watching over you and I've told him a few secrets that I've never divulged to anyone else. You all know that I'm a little unorthodox in my management style and that those under my charge, past and present, are not just assets to me. You are all names and faces who will stay with me always and I have great affection for you all. I try not to show favouritism but you and I have history, through your mother and through your early life. You are like the son I never had, G, and I love you very much. Please make a silly, old woman happy by waking up."

Sam, who had tears in his eyes, looked at Hetty and saw that she was emotional as well. "Hetty, that was very brave of you especially in front of me" he said tenderly.

"Pff! We've spoken about it before and although I've never openly admitted it, it was often intimated and you've got a very good idea of how I feel about him."

Turning back to face Callen, Hetty said "I'm so sorry that it's taken something terrible to happen to you for me to openly tell you how I feel. G, can you ever forgive me?"

Placing a kiss on his forehead and not expecting an answer, Hetty was about to leave when she felt pressure on her hand. She looked down and felt, and saw, Callen squeeze her hand again. She quickly looked at Sam who had also seen the movement, and they both looked at Callen, whose eyes were now open.

He was trying to speak but he was making no sound. Hetty bent closer, putting her ear to his mouth, hoping to hear what he was trying to say. When he kissed her on the cheek Hetty shot up in surprise and saw Callen was smiling. Sam, who had got some water, held the beaker with a straw to Callen's lips and he took a couple of sips before nodding his thanks to his friend.

He swallowed and tried again. His voice was very quiet and hoarse through lack of use but they heard him say "Hetty, you called me G!"

Laughing and crying she said "Indeed I did."

"Welcome back, G. We've missed you. Look whose here" said Sam as he pointed out through the window to Michelle, Kamie and Gibbs who were now all smiling and crying as well. Callen managed to raise a hand to wave at them.

Kamie broke away from her mom and ran into the room, jumped onto the bed and hugged Callen. The others followed her into the room. "I love you, Uncle Callen." Still holding Hetty's hand, he hugged her with his other arm. He whispered "I love you too banana hanna" using his nickname for her.

Sam lifted her down, "You can come again & see G; he's needs to rest"

"But Daddy, he's been asleep for months!"

The others laughed. Callen looked at his friends "Michelle, Jethro" he said hoarsely, acknowledging them.

Just then Dr Grant arrived as Sam had pressed the call button.

"Well this is a happy sight. I was beginning to doubt if I'd ever see it, Mr Callen"

"G, this is Dr Michael Grant, a friend of mine. He and his team have been looking after you since you were brought in. Michael, I can't thank you enough" Hetty said hugging him. Turning her attention back to Callen, she said "I'll tell the others and when you're feeling up to it, they'll come and visit." To the others she said, "Come on, let the Doctor do his job and leave G to rest. We can come back later."

As the others left the room, she turned to Sam "Sam, I'm afraid I rather hogged the moment - sorry. Why don't you stay for a bit after Dr Grant's given him the once over. I'm sure it will be OK and you'd both like that."

"Thanks Hetty but it's not a problem. I'm just glad he's awake. I will stay for a bit. Gibbs and Abby should spend some time with him too before they have to go back – they came a long way to see him."

"Yes I know and they should. I promised Jethro that I'd show him the offices. I can then find out how long he and Abby can stay. I've got to tell Director Vance as well" and planting a kiss on Callen's cheek, she said "I'm glad you're back with your family. I'll see you later."

Callen hugged her and whispered so that only she heard "Thanks for all you've done. I love you"