Chapter 57

Michelle, Julia and Joelle took their turn. Michelle remembering being in Kensi's shoes, waiting to see if the love of her life would make it through surgery when he'd been shot not so long ago. Her man had made it through and she was convinced Marty would too. If he didn't, then it would make her worry about Sam even more the next time he was hurt. She knew what they did was dangerous and they couldn't think about one of them not making it home, it would make it impossible for them to do their jobs, but the reality was that it was a possibility each time they walked out the door. She watched his chest rise and fall, finding comfort in the steady beeping of the monitor.

Julia had been here. She had lost the love of her life, first to the job, then to a man trying to cover up his own wrongdoings. She looked through the glass at the man who held the place in her daughter's life that Don had held in hers and knew she would have to be strong for her daughter if the lovable young man didn't survive his injuries. She wouldn't let her daughter shut her out again. She would be there for her no matter how hard Kensi tried to say she didn't need her. When, not if, Marty was awake and well enough, she was going to have a talk with him about his and Kensi's future. These two belonged together and she wanted to let him know that she approved. She was pretty sure he already knew but she had never said the actual words to him. Her mind wandered as she pictured a small girl with Marty's blue eyes and Kensi's beautiful dark hair. Any child these two people she loved most in this world created, would be loved and cherished beyond anything. She prayed they would get that chance.

Joelle wasn't sure how to react, what to think. She and Marty weren't as close as she and Kensi but she knew how important he was to Callen and she genuinely liked him. She shrank back from the glass a little, wondering if she would be able to deal with this if it were Callen lying in that bed. She had known in her head that his job could take him away from her forever but now she was dealing with the reality of it in the form of the silent detective. She was a schoolteacher, she read the newspapers, watched the news but it was all happening to people she didn't know. This was too close to home. She started to feel faint and swayed a little. She wasn't surprised when both Michelle and Julia put their arms around her waist, giving her strength. She looked at both and saw the understanding in their eyes. One had lost; the other had to live with the fear of it each and every day. She knew if something happened to Callen they, along with Kensi and Nell, would be there for her. She needed to be there for them now. She smiled at them tentatively, trying to emulate their strength. The two smiled back at her and then turned back to watch Marty, knowing that every minute that passed, brought him closer to surviving this brutal attack.

When Craig came back to tell them it was time to go, Michelle joked a little with him as they walked to the elevator, asking "Did you think you would end today playing usher and elevator operator, taking people back and forth between ICU and the waiting room?"

He smiled at her as they entered the elevator. "No, not really what I had planned for tonight but I'm glad I can help in some way. Some of the nurses taking care of your friend have remarked on how many people have come to support him. He must be someone special."

Michelle nodded. "He really is. His actions saved my life and have done the same for each member of his team over the time he's been with NCIS. And they've done the same for him. They're all really something special." He nodded, having seen the way the team supported each other.

They entered the waiting room where Joelle went to stand at Callen's side, needing to feel him near her, safe and sound. Michelle did the same to Sam. Julia went to Kensi and put her arms around her shoulders, her heart swelling when her daughter leaned into her, silently thanking her for being there. They all watched as Cassie, Paula and Talia left for their turn, Cassie and Paula holding tightly to each other, Talia tall and silent. As she left the room, she turned back and met Kensi's eyes. The two women nodded at each other and Talia turned to follow the others.

She expected it to be Cassie who broke down when they saw his condition. Surprisingly it was the more reserved Paula who started to cry. It was Cassie who stood strong and comforted the sobbing woman in her arms. Talia looked through the window at the man she had just today realized she loved. She knew she would be devastated if he didn't make it and that, even when he did, she would still have to move on. There was no one for Marty but Kensi. She knew the attractive nurse was interested in her and that, under different circumstances, she would've already been all over that. She looked over at him, catching him watching her, thinking it was kind of cute that he blushed when she caught him. She wondered if he just might be the key to her getting Deeks out from under her skin. She wouldn't want to use him but maybe they could enjoy each other's company once the detective was on the mend. She turned back and tried to will Deeks back to them.

Craig was shy when he told them it was time to go, this federal agent fascinated him. He had gotten caught watching her and she didn't seem upset about it. He knew the ill man meant more to her than just a friend, but he also knew that the other federal agent downstairs was involved with him. He would be willing to be a diversion if it meant being able to spend time with her. He pushed down the thought that this woman could break his heart; he was still willing to give it a try if she was. He caught her eye again in the elevator and she smiled at him a little, making his pulse pound. Yes, she could be dangerous to him, but it would be one hell of a ride. His thoughts cut off when they exited the elevator and he took the next group up.

He and Tara talked softly during the ride; they had known each other for quite a while now, Tara bringing people into his hospital for them to patch up. He'd meet Dave once or twice in social settings when he'd gone out for drinks with some of the paramedics. Dave was used to the world his love worked in. She would often come home, upset when a particular patient got to her. She could be very descriptive when telling him about the scenes she would work, finding talking to him cathartic. He had thought he was well prepared but hadn't accounted for the emotional aspect of seeing his old friend so hurt. His heart stuttered and he felt Tara take his hand. She'd known what to expect as she'd been the first responder and hadn't even recognized him at first. They stood together at the window, Tara knowing that the machines were helping him. Seeing his heart beating strongly gave her hope. She tried to pass that hope onto Dave, telling him what each machine did and what the numbers meant. He seemed to take in all in, looking a little less pale with each word but wasn't upset when Craig told them it was time to go.

Neal and Cheryl were the last to go up to see Marty. He was glad the FBI agent had been selected to go with him although he wasn't sure if he should be ashamed of himself for being attracted to the woman while his friend was fighting for his life. He still wasn't sure why she wanted to go see a man she didn't even know. Taking a chance he asked her "Can I ask, why you are interested in seeing Marty, Agent Leary?"

"It's Cheryl and for some reason I feel invested in his surviving this. I saw what was done to him and I know that it could be me or anyone else I work with in this situation. I also see the kind of people who are here for him and I think it must mean he's someone worth knowing."

"I'm Neal and you're right. He really is. He seems to be able to get to anyone. Neither the Admiral nor Mrs. Shelton had much use for him when they first met and now they consider Marty family. I tried my best to hold him off but he just wouldn't take no for an answer. Now we're friends and he's teaching me how to surf. There aren't many like him out there and I'm glad I got the chance to know him. I just pray that I'll have many more years to enjoy his company."

"It's my hope that I'll be able to get to know him as well. One can never have too many friends, you know."

Neal smiled at her and then the elevator doors opened. Craig led them to the window and Neal paled when he saw what was waiting for them. Cheryl had already seen him but still found herself swallowing hard as she took in the amount of damage inflicted on him. Not thinking about it, she reached out and took Neal's hand in hers, wanting to give comfort as much as to receive it. He looked at her gratefully and turned back to the window. He remembered the last time that he and Deeks had gotten together to surf. The younger man had seemed so at home in the water, more fish than man. They'd had so much fun that day and he hoped it wasn't the last time they would get to spend together. You just never knew what life held in store for you and you had to enjoy what you had, while you had it.

Craig came up behind them and said "You're the last group and I'm sorry, but we need to head back down now." Neal and Cheryl took one last look through the window and turned to follow the nurse back to the elevator. When they reached the waiting room, everyone was still there. It seemed like no one wanted to leave, afraid something would happen if they did.

Hetty finally put her foot down and sent her agents and the rest home. Craig walked Talia out to her car after they both said their goodbyes to Kensi and gave her one last hug. When they reached the car he finally got up the nerve to ask her out for coffee once the detective was out of the woods. She hesitated at first, making him sure she was trying to find a way to let him down easy, but then she nodded and gave him her number before getting in and driving away. He walked to his own car feeling like something was starting, something good on a day full of horrors.

Neal and Cheryl also walked out together. They stood talking by her car, neither one wanting to walk away, when Neal suggested dinner, as friends of course. She had answered yes immediately and they agreed to meet at a small restaurant both discovered they favored.

Back inside the hospital, Hetty pulled Nell and Eric aside before they left and said "I want to go over that video tomorrow. Just the two of you, Granger and myself. From what you've told me about it, I don't think the rest of his team should see it just yet. If I could, I would also not let you watch it but you've already seen some of it and we'll need your help to see if we can glean anything from it to help track down McGonagle and Robinson. I'm sorry that you'll have to deal with this."

It was Nell who answered "We know Hetty, but we'll do everything we can to find those two. Even if it means watching that video again. We all want them caught and punished." Her voice fierce.

"Thank you, Miss. Jones. Now, both of you, head home and try to get some sleep. We'll need your best efforts tomorrow." The two nodded and headed out. Looking around, she saw that her agents hadn't listened to her. They were bunched in the corner, trying to look inconspicuous, Michelle, Julia and Joelle standing by them. She stalked over to them, watching them close ranks and stand defiant. She sighed; she couldn't control what they did in their off hours, at least not much. Truthfully, she hadn't planned on leaving herself. "Very well, if none of you plan on leaving, could someone at least go get us something to eat? It's going to be a long night."

Granger's voice came from behind her. "I'll drive."

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A/N - thanks to honus47 for reviewing and some great ideas that I incorporated in these last two chapters!

Also, sorry if this is a little wordy but I had a couple people ask for everyone's reactions and it just took on a life of it's own.