A/N: Thanks for your patience, which has been rewarded as I've decided to post an extra long chapter because I'd not updated the story for some time. I look forward to your reviews. Thanks to all who are still sticking with this story.

Chapter 26

While Hetty said goodbye to Michael, Gibbs talked to Callen regarding everything that had been said to him. However Callen was sullen and unresponsive.

"G, I know it's a set back and you're disappointed and frustrated. Why don't you do some of the exercises?" said Gibbs sensing his friend's mood.

Callen felt down hearted and was reluctant to do anything. "What's the point?" he asked.

Gibbs knew how Callen felt. He himself had been in the same position many times. Both men were very much alike in that respect, neither man willing to accept help nor having the patience to wait for what they wanted which was to get well and back at work. However Gibbs knew he had to put his own reservations aside and remain positive to order to help Callen through this latest obstacle. "The point is the exercises will help your hand to heal as long as you don't overdo it" said Gibbs with all the patience he could muster. Callen was acting like a child and although Gibbs understood, it still irked him. "The sooner it heals, the sooner you can concentrate on getting fitter and back to active duty" he added.

Reluctantly Callen started to do the exercises that Michael had shown him but soon became frustrated when his hand started to hurt and he found it difficult to hold the dumbbell. Getting up Callen tossed the small dumbbell down on the chair and stormed off to his room. Gibbs shook his head in despair but decided the best course of action was to allow Callen his privacy and let him stew.

Hetty came back into the lounge and asked "Where's Mr Callen?"

Gibbs answered. "He's gone to his room. He's frustrated that he can't do the exercises. Certainly not as many as he wants to do anyway."

"I suppose he's trying too hard" assumed Hetty, shaking her head.

"You got it in one, Hetty" agreed Gibbs. "I know how he feels but he's not making it easy for anyone, least of all himself."

"Oh Jethro when did Mr Callen ever take the easy option?" asked Hetty with a sad smile on her face.

"Never as far as I can recall" answered Gibbs, his countenance matching that of Hetty.

"What are we doing to do with him?" said Hetty. It was a rhetorical question and she did not expect an answer. However Gibbs answered her.

"I'd like to give him a head slap!" said Gibbs exasperated.

Hetty looked at him in surprise, her mouth open not sure of what to say in response to his comment. Instead she laughed and was pleased when Gibbs followed suit.

"I'm letting him stew for a bit" said Gibbs by way of an explanation.

"Wise decision" agreed Hetty.

"I thought so" said Gibbs. "I'll go chat with him later on." Hetty nodded in acknowledgement.

After about ninety minutes Gibbs decided Callen had been alone for long enough and it was time to talk to him. He went to his room and tapped on the door but received no response.

"Callen?" said Gibbs as he tapped a little louder, still receiving no answer. Afraid that Callen had slipped out of the house without anyone noticing Gibbs quietly opened the door and peered into the gloom of the room. Gibbs was relieved to see a shape lying on the bed. "Callen, can I come in?" asked Gibbs and was rewarded by Callen turning his head towards his friend and grunted. "I'll take that as a yes" said Gibbs as he walked into the room and over to the bed.

Callen sat up and turned on the bedside lamp which illuminated the room in a soft glow. Gibbs sat down on the bottom of the bed and looked at his friend. "Feeling better?" he asked.

"Not really but I'll get over it" said Callen reluctant to engage in conversation.

Gibbs spotted the box of Get Well cards that Hetty had saved for Callen and he nodded in its direction. Callen picked up on his unspoken question and said "Be my guest."

Gibbs reached for the box and started to look through the cards and read the messages. He shook his head at the black humour on the card sent by the Five 0 team and then chuckled when he came across the card Abby had sent. Gibbs held it up and showed it Callen.

"I know" said Callen smiling. "She writes like she's speaks. She's a good friend."

"Yeah, she is" agreed Gibbs. "There're a lot of people who care about you G."

"Yeah I know" said Callen. "I don't deserve it, not when I act like that!"

"It's understandable" said Gibbs.

"Perhaps, but not acceptable" said Callen, dipping into the box and pulling out a handful of cards. The two friends spent the next half hour looking at cards and swapping them so the other could read them. Hetty then appeared at the door and watched the two men interact, neither of them apparently aware of her presence.

"Here you are" she said as she tapped on the open door. "Do you want supper? It's ready if you want to join me."

"Oh hi Hetty" said Callen, now in a better frame of mind. "We've been going through the Get Well cards and messages and I guess we lost track of the time."

"It's not a problem" answered Hetty. "I'll see you in a few minutes then?"

"We'll be right down" said Gibbs.

They ate supper and Gibbs helped Hetty clear away the dishes whilst Callen settled himself in the lounge. Afterwards Hetty and Gibbs joined him and they each had a single malt scotch whisky and talked for a while before retiring to bed. The next morning after breakfast Michael arrived with the results from the blood test. They were all sat around the kitchen table waiting anxiously for Michael to speak.

"Nothing abnormal has shown up on the blood tests. It's safe to say that there's nothing seriously wrong nor is there an underlying problem" said Michael and they all breathed a collective sigh of relief. "We know Callen's normal blood pressure is low because of his fitness. However, dehydration can sometimes cause a person's blood pressure to drop although dehydration doesn't automatically signal low blood pressure. Fever, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, strenuous exercise and of course not taking in enough fluids, can all lead to dehydration." Michael paused letting his companions absorb the information. Directing his next comment to Callen, Michael continued. "I think your collapse was caused by a combination of heat stroke, dehydration and over exertion. While I'll still investigate the medication and check the side effects, I just need you to take things easy and make sure you eat and drink regularly. Let me know if you still feel dizzy at any time and tell me if you experience pain in your fingers or hand."

"Thanks Mike" said Callen. "That's a load off my mind."

"One more thing" said Michael "I've arranged for you to have a scan on your hand this afternoon."

Callen was not pleased at the news of the scan. "I don't need it" he said vehemently. "I'll do exactly as you instruct and won't over do things."

"G I know you don't like hospitals but you don't have to stay" said Gibbs.

"Gibbs is right G" said Michael. "Come in and have the scan, it'll take an hour at most. I'll be on hand to look at the images as they're scanned and will be able to give you an immediate diagnosis. If I see what I expect then I can perhaps allow you to swim as well as doing those other exercises" he said hoping this would convince Callen. "However I will want to look at the images in closer detail afterwards."

Callen looked unconvinced. He knew what an MRI was. He had had enough of them in his life. He knew that MRI stood for magnetic resonance imaging and it scanned using strong magnets to create pictures of the body or in his particular case, the hand which would include the wrist, fingers, and the surrounding muscles and other tissues. He looked around at those in the room and only saw concern in their faces and recognised their desire to do what was best for him.

"I won't be admitted?" asked Callen.

"No. I promise you'll come in, have the scan and go home again" answered Michael. "You can't drive so someone will have to bring you of course. They can stay with you but they won't be allowed in the room whilst you're having the scan." Michael looked at Callen and could see the turmoil his mind was in. He knew Callen hated to be pressurised into doing something he did not want to do. Michael added "Look, I only want what's best for you G. We all do." Michael let his words sink in before continuing. "The scan's arranged for 3pm and you need to be there 15 minutes before hand. I hope to see you there but if not, it's no big deal. The decision's entirely yours."

"All I can promise is that I'll think about it" said Callen. Michael nodded but Callen knew he was disappointed as was Hetty and Gibbs.

"That's all I ask G" said Michael as he prepared to leave. "I hope to see you this afternoon" he added.

When Hetty returned from saying goodbye to her godson, Callen could see from her demeanour that she was not best pleased.

"You may as well spit it out, Hetty, before you choke on it" said Callen a little callously.

"Mmm, I thought I'd raised you a little better than that, Mr Callen" she said, with disapproval in her voice.

"Hetty! I'm a grown man. Don't I have the right to make my own decisions?" he asked his voice thick with emotion. He never liked Hetty being upset with him.

Hetty snorted. "Well stop acting like a spoilt brat!" she said harshly. "Michael's gone way beyond what anyone's asked of him and I thought you'd at least have the decency to be more appreciative of his efforts on your behalf. I no longer care what you decide. Do what you want, Mr Callen, you always do!" and she turned and stormed out of the room before anyone noticed the tears that had began to fill her eyes.

Callen sighed and dropped his head. He knew he was being an ass. He turned and looked at Gibbs who had remained quiet throughout the exchange but he sensed Gibbs' disapproval. "I suppose you agree with Hetty?" he asked, sure of the response.

Gibbs looked at him and tilted his head to one side in his characteristic way and a frown formed on his brow. "You think?" he answered every bit as harshly as Hetty's retort.

"Thought so" said Callen. "I guess I'd better go and apologise to Hetty."

"Yeah, good luck with that" laughed Gibbs although there was no humour in his voice.

Callen went to look for Hetty and found her in the kitchen. She had her back to him when he entered and she wiped her eyes when she him approach. It was a movement that Callen did not miss and it only made him feel worse.

"Hetty, I'm sorry for my behaviour" he said approaching her, hesitantly.

"I'm not interested in your platitudes Mr Callen" she said harshly. "Do what you see fit. I won't try to persuade you with my wishes. You obviously know what's best for you."

Callen was stung by her words but knew he deserved them. His initial reaction was to turn tail and erect the barrier that only Hetty was ever able to dismantle. After a moment's hesitation, Callen decided to stay and face his accuser. He walked slowly across the kitchen until he was within touching distance of his mentor. His head was bowed and he remained silent, mulling over in his mind what to say.

Finally he spoke. "I deserved that" he said in a quiet voice.

"Yes you did" answered Hetty still not facing him.

The silence hung between them so thick that it could be cut with a knife. Finally Callen spoke and what Hetty heard broke her heart anew. "I'm scared" muttered Callen in a voice so quiet but also full of emotion. "I'm scared at what the scan will reveal. What if I can never be a field agent again? I don't think I could take that."

Hetty turned to look at her boy, who stood dejected with his head bowed looking at the floor. Hetty took a step towards him, reached out and clasped his uninjured hand although he did not react. "Mr Callen, look at me" she said softly. Still he did not react. Hetty squeezed his hand gently and begged "Please, son, won't you look at me?"

Slowly Callen lifted his eyes so that he could see her and Hetty saw his eyes bright with unshed tears. "Come here" she said gently as she gave a tug on his hand.

Callen moved closer as instructed and Hetty reached up with her other hand and stroked the side of his face before putting her hand behind his head and pulling him gently towards her. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the forehead, an action which opened the floodgates of his tears. Pulling him into an embrace, Callen knelt down in front of her and let Hetty hug him.

"I'm sorry" he sobbed. "I never meant to upset you" he continued between sobs, his voice full of emotion.

"Sshh" she soothed. "It doesn't matter. Everything's going to be fine."

As Hetty held Callen and gently rocked him in an effort to give him comfort, she thought about how her boy always protected himself from life's horrors, pain and disappointment by compartmentalising the experiences and feelings behind a barrier, which no-one could penetrate. This ability made him perfect for the undercover work but made him appear callous and cold hearted to those who did not know him. She was privileged to know the true nature of the man in front of her and she knew him to be thoughtful, caring and generous especially to those he thought of as family and to those who could not protect themselves. She knew how deeply he felt things and how effected he was by them. Finally his tears subsided and Callen tried to pull away from Hetty's embrace, ashamed by his display of emotion and weakness. Hetty was not having any of it.

"Please don't be embarrassed" she said quietly, still holding him but at arms' length. She smiled lovingly at him and continued. "I'm proud of you for letting your feelings show, for finally allowing those cracks in your armour to break. I certainly don't think any less of you, my dear." Callen was not convinced. "Look, you've been through such a lot in a short time and now you've had this latest set backup. You're bound to be worried and upset. It's okay." Hetty looked him straight in the eyes. "It's only natural and it's certainly not a weakness so don't ever think it is." She put her small hand under Callen's chin and tilted his head upwards. She smiled at him warmly again. "Now do I get to see that wonderful smile of yours?" she asked.

Callen looked into Hetty's face which was expectant with a hint of encouragement and he could not help himself. He broke into a grin and this time his eyes twinkled with mirth rather than tears.

"That's better" said Hetty beaming as well.

"Y'know I've just broken Gibbs' rule # 6" said Callen. Hetty raised an eyebrow and he elaborated. "Never apologise, it's a sign of weakness."

"Whilst I think most of Jethro's rules are admirable, I've got to disagree with that one" said Hetty. "In my opinion it shows great strength to admit you're wrong."

Callen smiled at her and accepted a cup of tea that Hetty insisted she make for him. They sat in silence sipping the tea and Callen could feel its restorative features working their magic. Finally he spoke.

"Hetty, I've decided to keep the appointment. Will you come with me please?" he asked.

"Of course. It'll be my pleasure" Hetty answered. "Are you positive you want to do this?" she asked.

"Yeah" Callen said. "As you said Michael has done a lot for me and has made special arrangements for me to have the scan." He paused before continuing. "If I have the scan, I'll know categorically what damage I've done to my hand. If it's bad, then the worst scenario is that Mike should be able to fix it with surgery, right?"

"I trust it won't come to that Mr Callen" said Hetty. "Positive thinking, my boy."

Callen smiled. "Yeah, positive thinking" he echoed.

Callen told Gibbs that he had decided to keep the hospital appointment and that he had asked Hetty to drive him. If Gibbs was disappointed that Callen had chosen Hetty to take him, he did not show it.

"That's good G. You've made the right decision" Gibbs said. "I guess you've patched things up with Hetty too?"

"Yeah we're good" said Callen.

Later on Hetty chivvied Callen along. "If we don't leave now, we'll hit the traffic and will be late for the appointment" she said.

"I'm coming Hetty" said Callen as he looked towards Gibbs and raised his eyes.

"Have fun" said Gibbs as Callen hurried after Hetty.

"Yeah right!" said Callen in response and Gibbs laughed.

At the hospital, Hetty parked up and she and Callen made their way to Imaging Department where they found Michael waiting for them. He smiled as they approached. "I'm glad to see you G" said Michael as he shook Callen's left hand in welcome.

"Yeah, well" started Callen a little embarrassed. "Let's just say I saw the light."

Hetty smiled and patted Callen's arm in support and looked at Michael. "Oh I played no part in it, Michael" she said earnestly. "It was totally Mr Callen's decision."

Michael looked between Hetty and Callen and caught the look that passed between them but wisely decided not to say anything. "I'm just glad you came" he said. "Let's get started, shall we?" and Callen nodded.

Michael went through the preliminaries with Callen and then led him to the room where the MRI equipment was housed. "Hetty, if you can wait here please" said Michael indicating a waiting room. She nodded and took a seat as Michael led Callen into the room. Callen turned his head towards Hetty, who nodded her encouragement to him before he disappeared behind the closed doors.

Callen was given a set of scrubs to wear and he went into the changing room. When he came out Michael was waiting for him and walk him over to the MRI machine. It was not as Callen expected for it did not have a table to lie on or the conventional claustrophobic tunnel that he had encountered before. "Hey this is new" he said.

"Yes, we've had it a few months now. It's an open upright MRI scanner and it's better for patients who are claustrophobic" answered Michael. "You need to sit here" indicating a seat within the MRI machine, and Callen did as he was asked. Michael handed Callen some ear plugs which he inserted and then gave him an emergency buzzer and explained that he should use it immediately to indicate to the MRI technologist that he was experiencing difficulties and the scan could be halted. Michael then indicated the TV screen that he could watch whilst the scan was being done. Callen was impressed.

Michael then extracted what Callen could only describe as a mini MRI tunnel which Michael placed in front of Callen and it was held against the wall by suction pads. Once it was plugged into the machine Michael indicated that Callen should place his hand in it, having previously had all the bandages removed.

"You comfortable?" asked Michael.

"Yeah" answered Callen.

"Okay. I'll be in the next room with the MRI Technologist and we can communicate with you" said Michael and Callen nodded. "Whilst this is nowhere near as bad as the closed MRI, if you feel uncomfortable, use the buzzer. Understand?"

Callen nodded and grinned, causing Michael to shake his head as he left Callen and went to sit by the MRI Technologist.

"Okay, Callen. Keep still. We're starting scanning" said Michael as the machine started.

In the adjacent room Michael watched the computer screen intently as each slice of the image of Callen's hand appeared. The MRI Technologist pointed out the area where the shard of glass had touched the tendons. Michael nodded and requested a different view, which was immediately visible. Michael let out a sigh of relief as he scrutinised the images. When the procedure was finished, Michael went back into the room and removed the 'mini MRI tunnel' so that Callen could get out.

"Okay?" asked Michael.

"Yeah" said Callen. "Much better than the conventional scanner, I must say. What's the verdict, Mike?" asked Callen.

"Looks good" answered Michael. "Get changed and we can go and tell Hetty. I'm sure she's worried." Callen nodded and went into the changing room and put on his own clothes.

He came out and found Michael with Hetty. "Let's go to my office" Michael said. "It's more private and I need to bandage your hand again."

Once in Michael's office, Hetty and Callen sat down whilst Michael asked a nurse to get him the supplies he needed to tend to Callen's hand.

Michael could see that Hetty was anxious so without preamble he said "I'm pleased to say that the MRI did not show any irreparable damage to the tendons or ligaments." Hetty let out a sigh of relief and took hold of Callen's good hand and squeezed. Callen looked at her and smiled.

"As you know, the MRI procedure uses a strong magnet linked to a computer to create a picture of the internal structures in black and white and shades of gray. Because an MRI shows the soft tissues as well as the bones, it is particularly useful for diagnosing injuries to the cartilage, tendons and ligaments, as well as areas of swelling" he explained. "The wound where the shard of glass pierced the tendon is clearly visible. Whilst it has damaged the tendon, it hasn't severed it which is what I feared. Whilst that scenario wouldn't be a disaster, it would've meant surgery. I can categorically say that this will heal perfectly well."

Michael could see the relief etched on Callen's face which was mirrored on Hetty's as well. He loved his godmother and he knew how much Callen meant to her, not just as an agent but as a son she never had. Michael liked Callen very much as well and probably considered him a close friend if not a brother. To be able to help them and to bring them good news made his job worthwhile.

"Let's get that hand bandaged" said Michael.

"When do you think I can swim again, Mike?" asked Callen as Michael cleansed the wound before applying a new gauze patch and a bandage. "The exercises you gave me are good but I can only do a few before the hand starts aching" he explained.

Michael looked into Callen's blue eyes which showed uncertainty. Michael said "As your hand improves you'll be able to do more of the exercises."

"I appreciate that" answered Callen "but in the meantime my overall fitness suffers."

Weighing up the pros and cons in his mind, Michael continued. "I'd really want the cut to heal completely before you start swimming again. It would be easy to get it infected otherwise." Seeing the disappointment flash across Callen's face before he quickly controlled his features, Michael added "However I understand what you're saying about your overall fitness suffering and how it's important for you to maintain it. I think I've got an idea that would satisfy both our needs." Callen looked at Michael with hope in his eyes. "If you can wear a waterproof covering, like a latex glove for example, over the bandage, then I'll allow you to swim."

Callen broke into a grin and said "Thanks Mike. I can do that."

"If the hand hurts at all, however slightly, you must stop. Don't try to work through the pain" ordered Michael. "It may just be an indication that something is wrong."

"I promise" said Callen.

"Okay then" said Michael. "We've got a deal. Now get out of here" he added jokingly.

Callen used his left hand to shake Michael's hand. "I won't let you down" added Callen as he turned to go.

Hetty hugged Michael and said "Thank you Michael for all you've done especially allowing him to swim. It means a lot to him."

"Yeah I know but I mean what I said Hetty" said Michael. "He mustn't overdo any of the exercises and must stop swimming immediately if his hand hurts."

"I'll make sure he does" said Hetty "as no doubt will Mr Gibbs."

"Phone me if you need me otherwise I'll come out again in a few days to see how Callen's getting on" said Michael. "I'll phone you when I've made a decision about the medication especially if I need to amend the dosage."

Hetty turned and left Michael's office and went to find Callen who was waiting by the car. He beamed at her when she approached. "I take it that you're happy with the result?" she asked.

"Yeah, I am" he said. "And don't worry, I'll do everything Mike has said. I just want to get on with getting back to normal and hopefully back to work at some stage."

"Get in Mr Callen, let's get you home" said Hetty as Callen climbed in the passenger seat and took out his phone to tell Gibbs the news.

"Couldn't that wait until you got home?" asked Hetty.

"I'm afraid not, Hetty" said Callen grinning like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland.

A/N: Description of the Open Upright MRI scanner was from ComfortableMRI (Hand/Wrist) at CDA Spine as shown on YouTube