A/N: Thanks for all who are following and reviewing. Your comments are appreciated and welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS LA. It is the property of CBS, Shane Brennan and R Scott Gemmill. Thanks for creating it and letting us have fun with the wonderful characters.
Chapter 17
Callen woke in the early hours thankful that he had slept peacefully and had not been plagued by nightmares. At least he did not remember if he had which was a good thing in itself and he felt rested. Mindful of not waking Hetty, whom he assumed had retired to her own bedroom, Callen rose from his make-shift bed and, with the aid of the crutches, made his way first to the downstairs bathroom to relieve himself.
Afterwards Callen filled the sink and immersed his right hand into the warm water. Careful not to wet the cast, he dipped the fingers of his left hand in as well and wiggled them around. This cast is a pain in the butt. The sooner I can get rid of it, the better he thought. Using his right hand, he splashed water in his face to refresh himself. Taking a towel he patted his face dry and wiped his hands dry.
He would dearly love to take a shower but did not think it was a good idea just yet. He was not able to stand unaided for too long and he knew he should not get the cast wet. He did not like the idea of relying on anyone, least of all Hetty, to assist him in washing. He knew that he had endured sponge baths whilst in hospital but he had been in a coma and was unaware of it. Anyway was not a sponge bath given by a nurse every hot bloodied male's fantasy? He gave a little laugh. He would have a word with Hetty and perhaps they could come up with a way he could have a shower without standing and without any assistance.
Leaving the bathroom, Callen made his way to the kitchen where he made a pot of coffee. Pouring himself a mug, he sat on a stool at the breakfast bar and pondered whether it was too early to eat. He felt quite peckish but could not make up his mind what to have.
Deciding he would like eggs and bacon with toast, Callen then thought whether that was going to be too ambitious in his current condition. The toast was not going to be an issue; he could pop the bread in the toaster and when it was done, he would have no trouble spreading it.
Callen poured himself another coffee whilst he pondered his dilemma.
Satisfied with his decision, Callen rose and using just one crutch made his way to the fridge where he got out the eggs and walked back to place them next to the cooker. He went back for the bacon and spread and placed them next to the eggs. He went back to the fridge for the orange juice and placed the carton on the breakfast. He then got two glasses out of the cupboard and placed them one at a time on the breakfast bar.
Callen, deciding that he would have tea with Hetty, got two cups and saucers and a teapot out of the cupboard, putting the teapot next to the kettle and the cups and saucers on the breakfast bar. Callen selected a blend of tea that Hetty normally had for breakfast and placed it next to the teapot ready for when he made it. Although tea should be brewed, he did not want it to stew waiting for Hetty to come down so he would not make the tea until he heard her moving around.
Callen got a frying pan out of the pan drawer and put it on the hob before fetching a couple of plates and put them in the oven, which he had just switched on so that everything could be kept . He looked around seeing what he'd forgotten. Knives and forks and something to lift the eggs he thought.
Getting those items, he placed the cutlery on the breakfast bar, another knife beside the toaster and the slotted turner next to the cooker. He looked around again. Did he have everything? He believed he did so he took a stool and placed it next to the cooker where he could perch and steady himself whilst cooking.
Callen sat down and took a breather. He was finding this quite tiring and it was taking far longer than he had anticipated but he was not going to admit defeat. Seeing the time, Callen decided he would cook the same for Hetty as she normally came down at 7.30 am.
Not one normally to opt for the healthy option when it came to food, Callen was anyway mindful that grilled bacon was perhaps the easiest option for him. Callen lit the grill and placed five rashers of bacon on the pan and slid it into place. Sam'll be proud of me grilling rather than frying the bacon; hey, baby steps! he thought.
Hearing Hetty moving about upstairs, Callen, having already taken four slices of bread and put them in the toaster, pressed down the levers to start it. Next he cracked four eggs into the frying pan which already had a little oil heated in it.
Callen checked the bacon and turned them over. The toast had popped up and Callen reached over and took the slices out one at a time and spread them, placing two on Hetty's plate and two on his own.
The bacon was done so Callen turned off the grill and placed two slices on Hetty's plate and three on his before turning his attention back to the eggs. Both he and Hetty liked them sunny side up and he placed two eggs on each plate.
Hearing Hetty coming down the stairs, Callen reached over and turned on the kettle. When it boiled, he placed a small amount of water into the teapot to warm it. He then turned the kettle on to bring it back to the boil. He threw away the water in the teapot and added a couple of spoonfuls of Hetty's tea and poured the boiling water on it. He replaced the lid and carefully carried it to the breakfast bar to brew.
Hetty walked into the kitchen as Callen got her breakfast plate out of the oven and placed it on the breakfast bar.
"Good morning, Hetty. I knew you don't normally have a fried breakfast but I thought I'd cook for you as well. Sit down, your tea should be brewed in a minute of two" he said.
"Good morning to you, Mr Callen. You didn't have to do this though I must admit it's a very pleasant surprise" she said, climbing onto a stool.
Callen got his plate out of the oven and put it down on the breakfast bar. He turning off the oven, moved his stool back to the bar and sat down.
"It took longer than I thought" he said "and it was quite difficult to do one handed but I think it turned out OK."
"It's delicious" Hetty said taking a mouthful. "Shall I be 'mother'?" she asked indicating the teapot. "Do you want a cup?" she asked Callen.
"Yes please" he answered as she poured tea into his cup and then her own.
They ate their breakfast in companionable silence. When they had finished, Callen went to clear away the dishes.
"No, let me do that. You've worked hard enough already" said Hetty as she put the plates on top of each other and piled the cutlery onto the top plate and moved them to the dishwasher.
"Do you want more tea before I clear it away?" she asked.
"No, I'm good, thanks Hetty" Callen answered as he watched his mentor busy herself with clearing up.
"When's my appointment to get this cast off?" he asked.
"I'll have to check but I think it's next Wednesday" she answered.
"Oh, not till then,eh?" he muttered.
"What's the problem? I thought you were managing alright with it?" Hetty asked.
"I am. It's getting in the way at the moment. It might be better once I can move about without the crutches but …" His voice trailed off.
"Yes, what is it, Mr Callen?" asked Hetty.
"I really want a shower but I mustn't get it wet; and I can't stand unaided for very long" he said dejectedly. "I'd really like to swim as well."
"Oh" said Hetty, smiling. "Is that all? I think we can get round that. Would it be any use if I put a chair or a stool in the shower?" She smiled as Callen's face lit up in a smile. "You can wrap a plastic bag or Clingfilm round the cast. Swimming will have to wait I'm afraid."
He bent down and kissed her. "Hetty you're a genius! Why didn't I think of that!" he said gleefully.
Hetty beamed back at him. "However someone needs to be here in case you get into difficulties" she added. His smile faded but Hetty continued to grin at him. "It doesn't have to be me. Would you be happier if I asked Sam to come over later on?" she asked.
"I'd rather not have anyone at all but if I have to, I'd rather it be Sam" conceded Callen.
"All righty" said Hetty. "I'll speak to him and he can phone and let you know when he'll be here. What do you intend to do in the meantime?"
"I'll sit outside and read most likely. Then I'll take short walks to build up my strength" answered Callen.
Hetty nodded. "That's fine. Just make sure you don't overdo it. I don't want to receive a phone call saying you've fallen and broken something."
"I'll be careful, I promise" he said. "If there's any paper work you want help with, just let me know" he offered.
"That's very kind of you but you're on sick leave so no getting involved with any cases, is that clear?" Hetty said.
"OK" answered Callen dejectedly. Hetty came and gave him a hug and a kiss which he reciprocated. "Have a good day, Hetty. Say 'hi' to everyone."
"I will, Mr Callen. I'll speak to Sam and he can come over and keep you company for a while. Until tonight, then" she said as she turned and went to work.
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