A/N: Thanks for all who are following this story and have marked it as a favourite. It is most appreciated.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own NCIS LA or its characters. They are the property of CBS, Shane Brennan and R Scott Gemmill. My thanks for creating them and allowing us to play with them.

Chapter 15

Outside the hospital at the pick-up area, Hetty waited with Callen whilst Sam went to get their ride. Shortly he appeared with a SUV from the car pool. Sam got out and took Callen's bag from Hetty and dropped it onto the rear seat.

"What, no Challenger?" quipped Callen, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Sam gave his partner a withering look and rolled his eyes but otherwise remained silent.

"Indeed not, Mr Callen" said Hetty. "I thought a SUV would be easier for you to navigate in and out of rather than Mr Hanna's usual car. He agreed with me."

"Of course he would" muttered Callen under his breath.

"What was that, Mr Callen?" asked Hetty, amusement twinkling in her eyes.

"Nothing, Hetty. It's a good idea" countered Callen quickly. Sam grinned.

"I thought so too, Mr Callen" said Hetty, secretly pleased that her boy appeared to be more himself after his ordeal and enforced stay in the hospital.

Hetty steadied the wheelchair whilst Callen struggled to stand. This is much harder than I thought. I hope I've made the right choice in leaving hospital he thought.

Sam stepped forward and held out his arm for Callen to grab and slowly and tentatively he made his way to the SUV and got in the rear. Hetty had already claimed 'shotgun' and climbed in the passenger side. After taking the wheelchair and leaving it just inside the main door, where a passing porter took it, Sam came out and climbed into the driver's seat.

"You ready, G?" asked Sam.

"Yeah, I'm good" Callen answered and Sam drove away.

During the drive to Dovecote, which was located in Hollywood, Hetty and Sam chatted amicably and Callen chipped in every now and then. When it grew quiet from the back, Hetty turned her head and saw that Callen had fallen asleep.

"He's dozing" Hetty said to Sam, in a hushed voice, careful not to wake Callen.

"He's weaker than he wants to admit" said Sam. "Just getting up from the wheelchair and getting in the car took a lot out of him. He's gonna find it tough."

"Indeed, he is and no doubt he'll make our lives a misery because of his frustration. It'll be unintentional of course but it'll be hard for us all for a short time" said Hetty. "However that's what family and friends are for, to help our loved ones through the bad times" she continued.

Sam nodded in agreement. "Let's hope he sees it that way and lets us help" he said.

Sam pulled up in front of Dovecote, one of Hetty's homes. He smiled. Hetty never failed to surprise him. Waiting for them on the top step was a wheelchair and Hetty had arranged for a temporary ramp to be installed so that Callen would not have to negotiate several steps up to the front door. There was no sign of the medical team, for which Sam was grateful, although he was sure they would be close at hand in case of an emergency. Callen did not need them in his face right now. He just needed to get inside and settled and to relax. The all important rehabilitation work would start in earnest soon.

Hetty had gotten out of the car and went round and opened Callen's door.

"We're home, Mr Callen" she said quietly not wishing to startle him as she knew how drastically he could react when awoken from sleep. Callen opened his eyes and smiled at her.

"So soon?" he said in surprise.

"You've been asleep. We left the hospital a while ago" she explained. "I'll get out of the way and go and put the kettle on. Sam will help you if you need it."

Turning to Sam, she said "Take Mr Callen to the sitting room, the first room on your left off the hall. He can relax there and we can have our tea."

Sam nodded as he went to collect the wheelchair and bring it down to the car. Surprisingly Callen did not complain at having to use it and he was amenable in letting Sam help him from the SUV into it. Grabbing Callen's bag from the back seat, he plonked it on Callen's lap and Callen grinned at him.

"Thanks, Sam."

"No probs, G. I'll get the crutches later. You may need them later for getting around the house. You good?" he asked and when Callen nodded he said "OK then, let's get you inside."

Sam had been to Dovecote a couple of times but he was still amazed by its grandeur. However Hetty still managed to give it a homely, comforting feel. Pushing Callen into the sitting room, he saw Hetty had already got a tray with cups and saucers and a teapot ready on the coffee table.

Getting Callen out of the wheelchair and onto the couch was easy and once assured that he was comfortable, Sam took a seat in an arm chair next to him.

Sam was not a tea person per se but had grown to appreciate some of the blends that Hetty had shared with them. Callen, although a coffee drinker as well, seemed to like the healing and soothing properties of the tea that Hetty had chosen and appeared totally relaxed in her home. Sam knew that Hetty and Callen had a special relationship and had seen glimpses of it in the past but this was a rare opportunity to witness it at first hand. Sam was secretly pleased that Callen had agreed to stay with Hetty and hoped that it would be beneficial for his recovery.

"I like this tea, Hetty" said Callen. "I don't believe I've had it before."

"No, I don't think you have. It's a particular favourite of mine but I choose it for its healing properties. I'm pleased you like it" answered Hetty. "Do you want another cup?"

"Yes, please" said Callen.

Looking at Sam, Hetty asked "Sam, do you want another cup as well?"

"That would be nice, thanks Hetty" answered Sam.

"All righty" said Hetty smiling. She was delighted that her two senior agents were enjoying her brew. "I'll just go and top up the pot. I won't be long. You boys alright to be left alone?" she asked her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"We're good" said Callen and Sam in unison, smiling at the humour of their diminutive boss.

When Hetty had left the room, Sam looked at Callen and said "You good, G? Are you comfortable there? Do you want a cushion behind you?"

"Sam, stop fussing!" answered Callen a little more sharply than he had intended.

A hurt look fleetingly passed over Sam's features as he stammered an apology and Callen was immediately sorry for his reaction to Sam's obvious concerns.

Softening his tone and smiling at his friend, he said "Sorry, Sam, I didn't mean to snap. I'm good here and quite comfortable, thanks. I'm just pleased to be out of hospital. Just for a while I want to forget my injuries and imagine that nothing happened and that I'm here at Hetty's relaxing, enjoying the company of two special people" said Callen in a rare admission of his feelings.

"I can understand that, G" said Sam. "I'm glad you're on the mend but y'know I worry about you. You're my best friend, my brother" said Sam, trying to hide his emotion.

"Hey, big guy, don't you get all emotional and sentimental on me" quipped Callen, grinning. "It spoils your image!"

Hetty was about to enter the sitting room with the teapot when the exchange between Callen and Sam started so she waited outside, anxious not to cause either of them embarrassment.

Pain tugged at her heart when she heard Callen's words. In his life he had suffered greatly both emotionally and physically but it was those experiences which made him an exceptional agent. In their line of work it was inevitable that one would sustain serious injuries at some stage, but her boy seemed to be a magnet for danger. Hetty was pleased that Sam cared so much for Callen and was touched that Callen called Sam and herself 'special'.

Humming to herself to announce her return, Hetty entered the room with the teapot and began refining each cup. Taking her seat and cradling the cup in her hand, she asked "Are either of you hungry? I can prepare something if you want."

"I'm not hungry, Hetty. Perhaps later" answered Callen.

Hetty knew that Callen had not eaten much after he was taken off intravenous nourishment after he had come out of the coma but she decided not to make an issue of the fact. She was just pleased her boy was getting better and that he was here at home with her.

"It's not a problem, Mr Callen. Just let me know whenever you're ready and I'll make whatever you want" replied Hetty. "Sam? What about you? Do you want anything?"

"No thanks, Hetty. Another time perhaps" Sam said. "I guess I should be going. Michelle's expecting me home. G, do you need anything before I go? I could help you to your room" offered Sam.

"No, I'm good. I'm fine here for the time being. Thanks for all you've done. Give Michelle and Kam a hug from me" said Callen.

"Sure thing. I'll drop by tomorrow and see you but just call if you need anything" said Sam.

Hetty rose and walked Sam to the door. "Thank you, Mr Hanna, you've been a great help. It's good that Mr Callen has a friend like you. Please give my regards to your family. I'll see you tomorrow."

Hetty watched Sam get into the SUV and drive away before closing the door and returning to Callen in the sitting room.

"Have you had sufficient tea? If so, I'll clear everything away" she asked.

"Yes, thanks. I'd help you but " and his voice trailed away.

"Pff. Don't worry Mr Callen. You just stay there and relax. I'll be back shortly" she said as she put everything on the tray and carried them out into the kitchen.

Returning shortly she sat back down and they chatted amicably until Hetty noticed that Callen's attention was wavering and he was fighting to keep his eyes open.

"Are you feeling alright?" she asked, a little worried.

"I'm fine. Just a little tired. I think I'll take a nap" he answered, yawning.

"Do you want to go to your room?" she asked

"No, can I say here and lay on the couch?" he asked. "I'll think about going to my room tonight."

"Of course you can stay down here. It's your home, Mr Callen. It always will be so you can do whatever you like" she said.

Hetty and Callen held each other's gaze and an unspoken message was communicated between them. Callen smiled warmly at Hetty and gave her a nod in acknowledgement to her words. Callen kicked off his shoes, laid down, fidgeting until he was comfortable with the cast on his left arm lying across his chest and was asleep in minutes.

Hetty took a throw from the back of another couch and gently laid it over Callen, just as she had done numerous times in the past both here and at work. Careful not to disturb him, she whispered "Sleep tight, son. May your dreams be pleasant ones."

Her heart swelled with love as she gazed at the man whom she had taken in as a fifteen year old all those years ago and whom she had vowed to protect. She knew Callen and she would have some difficult times ahead of them as would the team as well as the medical staff she had engaged to assist in his rehabilition. Hetty had to ensure that Callen kept his promise to take his meds and undertake his exercises to aid his recovery.

Hetty sighed and slowly shook her head. Problems for another day she hoped. Hetty took her book and settled down in her favourite chair where she could watch over her boy who, for the time being, was still sleeping peacefully.