A/N: My gratitude to those who continue to read, review and support this and my other stories. I'm humbled by your words which encourage me to continue and improve. Thank you.

Chapter 23:

Callen woke up and was surprised to find the room in total darkness. Have I really been asleep that long? Not knowing the exact time but feeling thirsty, Callen sat up. A soft groan escaped his lips as his injuries from the fall made themselves known.

"Where do you think you're going?" said a voice in the darkness.

Callen started. "Dammit Jethro, don't do that! You scared me half to death!"

"Slight exaggeration G but I get your point" Gibbs chuckled. "Where you going?" he asked.

"To the kitchen. I'm thirsty" answered Callen.

"I'll get it. What do you want?" asked Gibbs.

"Water's fine. Thanks" replied Callen.

When Gibbs came back, he found that Callen had turned on the table lamp so the lounge was bathed in a soft glow. Gibbs handed Callen a glass of water and sat down on the couch opposite him. An angry bruise had formed on Callen's left cheek and Gibbs made a mental note to check on it later on.

"How ya feeling?" Gibbs asked.

"Okay I guess but a bit sore" answered Callen.

"That's understandable. Do you remember what happened?" asked Gibbs.

"It's a bit patchy but mostly. I fell and got glass stuck in my hand. Hetty got Mike to come over to check me out as I didn't want to go to hospital. Never mind me, what are you doing down here so early?" said Callen.

"We thought you'd be more comfortable on the couch as you didn't want to go to bed and I stayed to keep you company. You laid down and eventually dropped off to sleep. I guess I did the same. I don't remember Mike leaving or Hetty going to bed" explained Gibbs.

Neither man was known for willingly sleeping in a bed or for sleeping much at all for that matter. Callen barely slept for more than four hours and would normally get up and tinkle with some household equipment, taking it apart and putting it back together again. Gibbs was renowned for building boats in his basement but he did not have that luxury at Hetty's house. He would have to find something else to occupy his time when he was not keeping his friend out of trouble.

The two friends chatted until dawn started to break through the curtains when Gibbs went to make coffee. He handed Callen a mug and sat down again with his own.

"Good morning gentlemen. Couldn't sleep?" asked Hetty standing in the doorway.

"Hetty" said Callen "we didn't mean to wake you."

Hetty smiled at Callen. "You didn't, my boy. I woke quite naturally and thought I'd come and check on you. You were both sound asleep when I came in from seeing Michael off" she said.

"That early eh?" said Gibbs.

Hetty nodded. "I imagine you were both exhausted. Oh my, that bruise has come out now. Michael said it would. Let me have a quick look at it." Hetty cupped Callen's chin in her tiny hand and tilted his head so she could get a better look. "Your eye's a bit bloodshot. Does it hurt?" Callen shook his head. "Is that the truth? I don't want you acting the hard man. If there's a problem we need to sort it."

"No Hetty, my eye doesn't hurt and I can see out of it perfectly well" said Callen with all the patience he could muster. "The cheek is sore though."

"Mmm, it would be. You hit the edge of the kitchen island when you fell" explained Hetty. "Michael's coming back around noon so he'll look at it then."

"Why's he coming back?" asked Callen suspiciously.

"You were supposed to start your rehabilitation today if you remember. The injury to your hand means that it'll have to be postponed until it's healed sufficiently. Michael's coming to check on your condition and to explain what you can and can't do. I'm afraid you won't be able to swim for a while and you must keep flexing your fingers" Hetty explained.

Callen sighed and looked despondent. He had been pleased with his progress so far and was starting to feel normal although he knew he had a long way to go before he would be allowed back to work, let alone back in the field.

"I'm sure it won't be long" said Gibbs recognising his friend's disappointment. "And there must be something you enjoy that Mike will let you do."

"Exactly" concurred Hetty. "I know you're disappointed but it's just a small setback." As long as you've not done any serious or permanent damage to the tendons and there's not an underlying reason why you collapsed she thought.

Clasping her hands together with a small clap, Hetty looked at the two men. "Is it too early for breakfast, gentlemen?" asked Hetty. They both shook their heads. "How do eggs, bacon and toast sound?"

"Great!" said Callen. "Can I help?"

"No, thanks, just relax and keep Jethro company. I'll call you when it's ready" answered Hetty as she went towards the kitchen. At the door she paused and turned and asked "Do you want tea and coffee while you wait?"

"Yes please" said Callen.

"I'll come and get it. What do you want G?" asked Gibbs.

"Tea, please. Hetty knows which one I like" Callen answered. Gibbs nodded and went to join Hetty.

In a hushed tone, Hetty asked "How's he been, Jethro?"

"Good. I'd been awake since 3am and didn't hear him stir so I think he slept soundly most of the night till about 4.00am when he went to get a drink. I told him to stay put and got it for him as I didn't want him falling again" answered Gibbs, who was looking at Hetty's reaction carefully. He continued. "I sense there's something that you're not telling him."

"Michael and I are a little concerned as to why he collapsed, as I'm sure you are" said Hetty. Gibbs nodded. "He's coming back to run some tests to see if there's an underlying reason for it or whether it was just due to overexertion. He also wants to check on his hand to ensure that there is no permanent damage to the tendons" Hetty explained.

Gibbs raised his eyebrows and tilted his head in his characteristic way which always reminded Hetty of Callen. Gibbs said "I thought Mike said he hadn't done a lot of damage to the hand?"

"Well, he doesn't think he has but he needs to examine it again to be on the safe side. You know what it means if there's permanent damage?" asked Hetty.

"Yes, it would end of his career, at least as a field agent" stated Gibbs. "That would kill him as it's his life" he added. Hetty nodded gravely. "You also know the risk you're running by lying to him?" asked Gibbs.

"Indeed" said Hetty. "However last night was not the time to mention it. He was distressed enough as it was and I believe Michael thought it was too soon to say something as well. I'll ensure he tells Callen all possible scenarios today when he sees him. He appears a lot stronger after a good night's rest, don't you agree?"

Gibbs nodded and said "I'd best take these drinks out or he'll become suspicious".

"Yes" agreed Hetty. "He's like you in that respect, Jethro. He's also got an uncanny instinct of when something's not right or when I'm keeping something from him."

Jethro chuckled. "My gut feeling! You've got it too, Hetty. I think all good agents and law enforcement people have it to some extent. It keeps us alive" Gibbs said.

"Indeed" agreed Hetty. "Now take the drinks out or breakfast will be ready before you get the chance to have them."

Gibbs handed Callen his cup of tea and they chatted until Hetty called them in for breakfast. Hetty was pleased to see that Callen had a good appetite and finished all his food. Afterwards Callen sat on a stool whilst Gibbs helped Hetty clear away the breakfast things and then they adjourned to the lounge where they sat and had further drinks. As Hetty feared, Callen was not satisfied by her earlier explanation as to why Michael was coming to see him again.

"Why's Mike really coming back?" asked Callen and, seeing a look of evasion in her eyes, added "Please don't lie to me Hetty."

"I'm not lying to you. Michael's coming to check on your injuries and to suggest some rehabilitation exercises you can do until your hand heals" she said.

Callen's blue eyes scrutinised her face but there was no humour in them, only sadness and suspicion. Hetty's eyes never wavered under his gaze but she risked a glance at Gibbs whose expression was non-committal which Callen saw.

"There's something going on that you're not telling me" he said starting to get angry. "What is it? I have a right to know."

"Yes, you do" said Hetty, letting out a deep sigh and watching Callen carefully and pleased to see him relax a bit. "However you're not going to like it. Whilst what I told you earlier is true, Michael wants to examine you thoroughly and run some tests."

"I'm fine. I don't need any more tests" stated Callen.

Gibbs could see Callen was getting agitated at Hetty's words. "It's just a precaution, G" he said.

"Why? What does he think is wrong?" demanded Callen.

"He doesn't know which is why he wants to run tests" said Hetty. "Hopefully it's nothing but he wants to be sure. We're worried about you."

"I'm fine" stated Callen again.

"Then why did you collapse last night?" said Gibbs, his tone a little harsher than he had intended.

Whilst neither man was renowned for accepting help, Gibbs knew that it caused difficulties for those who cared for them. Gibbs also understood what Callen was going through. Callen needed to be in control of the situation and clearly felt he was not, which was one reason why he was being difficult. He also hated relying on others but most of all Callen hated to feel vulnerable and for others to see him that way. What was, in fact, love and concern, Callen saw as pity and disgust. His early life experiences had left him with a desire to protect those who could not protect themselves. It also moulded him to be a perfect undercover agent but it had also left him with a natural distrust of people. Over the years Callen had slowly allowed a select few behind his defences and Gibbs was proud to be one of them. However it did not always make Callen the easiest person to deal with.

"I don't know. I got dizzy" said Callen in a quiet voice.

"Healthy people don't get dizzy" said Hetty. "There has to be an underlying reason which is what Michael is looking for." She looked at her boy and saw that he was secretly worried as well. In a softer voice she added "I know you're worried too but we're hopeful it's nothing more than overexertion from playing with the kids in the pool yesterday. After all, you'd already done some exercises as well as swimming before they'd arrived."

Callen looked up and their eyes met. "Why didn't Mike say something yesterday?"

"You were disorientated by the fall and distressed by the damage you'd done, which by the way is of no consequence" answered Hetty, noticing that Callen's memory of the broken tea set was upsetting him again. "He thought it was best to let you rest. He's going to speak to you when he comes today. I promise we'll not keep anything from you."

Callen was thoughtful and looked between Hetty and Gibbs. "Okay" he said "but I'll hold you to that promise."

After a while Callen announced that he wanted to have a shower and then get some fresh air.

"Is that wise, considering what happened last night?" asked Hetty.

"Hetty, I can't act like I'm a fragile piece of porcelain. You know that's not me" he said. "Look, I've still the stool and hand rail that Sam put in when I first came home. I can wrap my hand in cling fling so it doesn't get wet. Hey, I'll even leave the door open with Gibbs on guard outside." He paused, waiting for her response. "Please?" he pleaded.

"Alright" Hetty agreed. "But you do exactly what Jethro says and when you go outside, someone must be with you. If you don't, all bets are off and you'll be confined to the house until Michael or I say otherwise. Understood?"

Callen sighed "Yes, m'am" he said.

"Don't you 'Yes, m'am' me, young man" said Hetty, trying to keep the grin off her face. "I care about you and don't want to see you suffer further, especially from your own stubbornness." She looked up into his face and saw his eyes twinkling with mischief and her heart swelled with the love and pride she held for him. "Now go along before I change my mind" she added.

Callen bent and kissed her on the top of her head and went off to have his shower. Gibbs watched the exchange with amusement.

"He'll be the death of me" said Hetty fondly, shaking her head. She became aware of Jethro watching her. "Don't say a word, Jethro, I know I'm too soft on him."

"I wasn't going to say a thing" answered Gibbs smirking, another characteristic that reminded Hetty of her boy.

"Mmm, you'd better go after him. You know what he's like. He'll say one thing and do another. Watch over him, Jethro" she said.

"You got it" said Jethro as he went after his friend.

Gibbs entered Callen's room and saw that the door to the shower room was ajar. True to his word, Callen had put cling wrap over his hand and was using the stool. Gibbs announced his presence and Callen called out to him.

"I left my towel on the bed. Can you get it for me please?" he asked.

"Sure" answered Gibbs who picked it up and entered the ensuite. "Here you are" he said handing Callen the towel. "You good or do you need a hand?" he asked.

"No I'm fine" replied Callen. "Be with you in a sec."

Shortly Callen came out with the towel wrapped around his waist and sat down on the bed.

"How do you feel?" asked Gibbs.

"A bit tired but okay, I guess" answered Callen. "Can you get me clean t-shirt and boxers from the top drawer" he asked.

Gibbs did as he was asked and handed Callen the t-shirt and underwear. "What about socks?" asked Gibbs.

"Naw, these ones were clean on last night so they'll do" Callen said as he got dressed. "Give us a hand taking this wrap off please" and Gibbs did as he was asked depositing it in the basket.

"Do you want to rest?" asked Gibbs noticing how pale Callen suddenly looked.

"I need some fresh air. Let's go out to the garden. Hey, sorry man, do you need to freshen up or anything? I'll wait till you're ready, promise" said Callen, suddenly remembering that his friend only arrived yesterday and had slept in his clothes last night.

"Yeah I do need to shower and change. I won't be long. Will you stay here? I don't want you attempting the stairs or the garden on your own" said Gibbs.

"I'll be right here" said Callen. "Scout's honour."

"Were you ever a scout? Never mind" said Gibbs looking at Callen's grin. "I'll be back shortly" he added.

Gibbs had returned to Callen's room within 10 minutes and found him asleep on the bed. The day was already heating up to be another warm one but the room was cool so Gibbs did not feel the need to cover his friend with a blanket. Gibbs checked that Callen was breathing normally and did not appear to be suffering from a fever. Gibbs went downstairs to find Hetty. She was sitting in the lounge reading the paper. She looked up as he entered the room.

"Where's Mr Callen?" she asked a little concerned. "Has anything happened?"

"No, he's fine. He's showered and followed your instructions to the letter" he said. "He insisted I freshen up which I must admit I needed. When I went back to his room, he'd fallen asleep. He appears to be sleeping peacefully but I'll sit with him just in case he's not well" said Gibbs.

"Thank you, Jethro. You're a good friend to him. I'll bring you up a coffee" Hetty said and she watched Gibbs go upstairs to watch over her boy.

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A/N: Thought I'd leave it there before I continue with Michael's visit as the chapter was getting too long. Hopefully I'll be able to post another chapter shortly.