A/N: Thank you to all who are still following this story and I'm sorry you've had to wait so long for this chapter. I got caught up on I Should Have Waited which demanded a lot of my time – you know how it goes. Also I apologise in advance as it's a bit of non-entity as far as chapters go. I'll do better next time. Please read and review as I love to know what you're thinking.

Chapter 29

The next few days followed a similar routine. Callen would arise early and swim for about thirty minutes before breakfast. After breakfast, he would do as many of the hand exercises he could without his hand hurting. Under the watchful eye of Gibbs or Hetty, he would go on the treadmill to walk for an hour as he had not yet been cleared to run. He would relax before lunch and after a short break, would swim for an hour. He would then do other exercises as prescribed by his physiotherapist before relaxing for the evening.

One day exercising under Gibbs' watchful eye when his phone rang. "Gibbs" he said as he answered the phone.

"Hey Gibbs, why haven't you called?" asked Abby getting straight to the point.

"Abby? What's up?" asked Gibbs, a little worried.

"Nothing's up" replied Abby.

"It's lovely to hear from you but if nothing's wrong then why are you calling?" asked Gibbs.

"I haven't heard from you since you arrived in LA. We were worried" said Abby. "Okay, I was the one who was worried. The others said you'd be fine."

"Well they're right. I'm good" Gibbs replied. "It's been a bit busy here since I arrived. How're things there?"

"Not too bad, the usual" Abby answered. "How's Callen? Can I speak to him?" Her voice was bubbling with excitement.

"He's good but he's in the pool" said Gibbs.

Callen had heard Gibbs talking and stopped swimming. Resting his arms on the edge of the pool Callen looked quizzically at Gibbs.

"It's Abby. She wants to talk to you" said Gibbs.

"Okay. Tell her to hold on. I'll be right there" said Callen as he hoisted himself out of the pool, which earned him a scornful look from Gibbs. Callen shrugged. "I'm good Gibbs. Quit worrying" said Callen.

"He's getting out of the pool" Gibbs said to Abby and handed the phone to Callen. In a whisper Gibbs said to Callen "I'll quit worrying when you stop pulling stunts like that!"

"Yes Mom" said Callen with a smirk and Gibbs shook his head. "Hey Abby, how's my favourite forensic scientist?" asked Callen by way of a greeting.

"I'm good, very Special Agent in Charge G. Callen" answered Abby. "How are you doing?"

"I'm getting there" Callen answered. There was a pause and Callen sensed there was something Abby was not saying. "Abs, what's up?" he asked concern evident in his voice.

"You tell me Callen" was all Abby said with a hint of anger in her voice.

"What do you mean?" asked Callen feeling a little confused by Abby's question and the way her mood changed so quickly. "I really don't know what you're on about Abs" Called added.

"You can't fool me G Callen" said Abby. "I know everything."

Gibbs was frowning at the one sided conversation that he could hear and the look of confusion on his friend's face. Callen said "Oh you're talking about my hand aren't you?" When Abby indicated that was indeed what she was referring to Callen said "How the hell did you find out?" Then he answered his own question. "Eric! He must have told you."

"Yes and I'm glad he did" said Abby. "You obviously weren't going to tell me" added Abby now with more than a hint of hurt in her voice.

"That's because it's no big deal Abs" said Callen trying to appease his friend. Callen glanced at Gibbs who was laughing at Callen's discomfort, being on the end of one of Abby's indignant tirades. Callen mouthed to Gibbs "That's not helping y'know" and Gibbs just smirked and shrugged.

"How can you say that Callen?" asked Abby. "You cut your hand with glass and it severed the tendons."

"Well I didn't do it on purpose, it was an accident" said Callen by way of explanation "and they weren't severed, just pierced."

"Don't get smart with me" said Abby and then added. "I worry about you. I don't like the people I care about hurt."

"I know you don't Abs" said Callen, touched that Abby cared for him and was worried about his well being. "I'm fine, really. If it was serious I would've told you."

"Well, okay" muttered Abby. "As long as you're sure the injury isn't too bad" she added somewhat appeased.

"It's a little sore but my doctor says it will heal perfectly" assured Callen. "Look, why don't you come out and see for yourself. You must have leave due to you" he asked.

"Me, come to LA? Are you sure?" Abby said.

"Yeah I'm sure. Hetty has plenty of rooms here and she'd love to see you" said Callen. "Both Gibbs and I would love you to come and I know Eric will be excited too. Just promise me you won't get kidnapped by some psycho again" joked Callen, referring to the last time when Abby was kidnapped and nearly killed by a serial killer who had stalked her on line.

"Don't even joke about it Callen" pleaded Abby. "That was really scary but thank you again for rescuing me."

"You're welcome" answered Callen "but it was your signing that led us to where he was holding you so Sam and I could get to you in time."

"Let me have a word with Director Vance to see if he'll let me take some vacation time" said Abby.

"I'm sure it won't be a problem. If it is, let me know and I'll set Hetty onto him!" said Callen and he was rewarded by Abby laughing at the thought. "If you can come, just call when you know when your flight is and we'll meet you at the airport. Do you want to speak to Gibbs again?" Callen asked.

"Yes please" said Abby. "Bye Callen. I'll speak to you soon and don't you dare do anything stupid to hurt yourself again."

"I'll try not to Abs" answered Callen with a chuckle in his voice. "Here, I'll pass you over to Gibbs." Callen held out the phone to his friend who took it and spoke to Abby.

"Hey, you gonna try and get out here?" asked Gibbs.

"Yeah, if Director Vance will let me" answered Abby.

"I'm sure he will" replied Gibbs. "McGee has stood in for you before and if there's an emergency, we can get you back soon enough. I'll be good to see you. It'll cheer Callen up" added Gibbs.

"Is he really okay Gibbs?" asked Abby obviously still concerned for his welfare.

"Yeah, he's good. A bit frustrated that he's put his recovery back but he's doing fine" assured Gibbs.

"Okay. Well I best go and see Director Vance and I'll keep you posted" said Abby. "Please keep an eye on Callen and see that he doesn't do anything silly" pleaded Abby.

"I will, promise. Speak to you later Abs" said Gibbs as he disconnected.

Gibbs went over to Callen who was drying himself and getting into his sweatpants and t-shirt. "What made you invite Abby out here?" asked Gibbs.

"Seemed like a good idea at the time" said Callen smirking. "Besides I haven't seen her for a while and I think she needs a break."

"Y'know she'll try to smother you with kindness" warned Gibbs.

"Yeah but then you can help me out if she does" replied Callen.

"No way, you're on your own there I'm afraid" said Gibbs smiling. "Abs is a force of nature that's hard to stop when her mind's set on something."

Callen grunted his disapproval and said "Some friend you are! Seriously, it'll be good to see Abs again and catch up with all the gossip on the East Coast. It'll also be good for you. You can show her the sights so you don't have to be stuck with me."

"Callen, I see Abs every day back home. I don't need the distraction and you're not going to get rid of me that easily. If she gets the leave, we'll figure out how we're going to occupy her time as well as keeping you to your schedule."

At that moment Hetty appeared with a tray of drinks, which she placed on the table under the parasol. "Gentlemen, I thought you might be thirsty." Callen and Gibbs sat down and helped themselves to the drinks.

"Thanks Hetty" said Callen. "Abby just called" he added.

"How is Miss Sciuto?" asked Hetty.

"She's good" answered Callen. "She was worried about Gibbs because he hadn't called her since he got here" said Callen with a touch of disapproval in his voice.

"Don't forget to tell Hetty that Abby was also angry at you for not telling her about the injury to your hand" countered Gibbs smirking at Callen's discomfort under Hetty's stare.

"Yeah, well" stuttered Callen. "How was I to know that Eric would tell her?" he added in his defence.

"Gentlemen" said Hetty. "Miss Sciuto is extremely fond of both of you and it's in her nature to worry about those she cares about."

"Yeah I know" said Callen. "Anyway I've invited her out here if she can get Vance to give her time off. That's okay isn't Hetty?"

"Yes of course, Mr Callen. It'll be good to see her again. She's like a breath of fresh air. And she'll prove a distraction for you too" said Hetty. "Oh, if she has problems with Leon, just let me know and I'll have words with him."

Callen and Gibbs both laughed causing Hetty to glare at them. "That's what Callen told her" explained Gibbs.

Later on Hetty received a phone call from Director Vance. "Henrietta, how are you?" he asked.

"I'm very well Leon" answered Hetty. "To what do I owe this pleasure" she asked already sure of the reason.

"Miss Sciuto came to me earlier and asked for some leave so she could go to LA" explained Vance.

"So I understand" stated Hetty.

"Oh so you know about it?" asked Vance.

"Yes Leon I do" replied Hetty. "Why would you imagine that I didn't? It's not a big secret and I'm happy to accommodate Miss Sciuto's visit. I'm sure she could use the break and it would be beneficial to both Mr Callen and Jethro."

"How's Agent Callen doing?" asked Vance.

Vance heard a sigh from Hetty before she continued. "He's getting better but he's had a setback. He collapsed and hit his head as well as damaged the tendons in his hand with glass." Hetty heard an intake of breath on the end of the line. "He's fine. His doctor's said it'll heal perfectly well but it's causing him some discomfort and frustration as he can't exercise properly until the hand heals sufficiently to allow him to continue with his regime."

"I see" replied Vance. "Luckily it's a little slow over here so I've no problem in granting her request. I just needed to ensure you were on board with the visit and of course we need to make a contingency plan in case we need her expertise."

"Well I understand Agent McGee has stood in before in an emergency and we can get Miss Sciuto to the Ops Centre so she's got access to technology and can lend a hand. We can always get her a military or commercial flight back if she's desperately needed in DC" said Hetty.

"Thank you for being so accommodating Henrietta" said Vance. "Please give my regards to Gibbs but especially Callen. I hope he gets better soon. I understand his team is missing him. Please keep me updated Henrietta."

"Naturally Leon" replied Hetty.