Chapter 2 Gone
Hi Guys, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the follow and reviews! I apologise for the delay in getting this chapter up, work, uni everything just got in the way! Keep the reviews coming! Hope you enjoy this new chapter
Fast forward 1 month since Callen had been diagnosed.
It had been 1 month since Callen had been given his terminal diagnosis and was still hiding it from the rest of the team.
Nell and Callen were sitting in their kitchen were sitting in their kitchen eating their kitchen as Callen took the anti convulsives and some of the pain medication.
"Headaches are still there?" Asked Nell
Callen inhaled "Yeah, it's like a high school marching band is in my head."
"The tablets aren't helping?" she queries
""For a couple of hours and then the headaches come back."
"Well you have the appointment today with Dr Nolo maybe he can suggest something else that can help."
"If he can suggest something to stop me from dying that would be great too!" he said sarcastically with a frustrated look on his face.
"Callen" Nell whispered as did her best not to cry.
Callen only realised the impact of what he said after he said. He looked up to see Nell visibly upset. He got up and walked over to her, sat down and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. Dr Nolo said there might be some personality changes and I guess I'm just struggling and all I want is for everything to be normal and for this not to be real" he whispered as he sniffled.
"I know, so do I. So do I." She whispered.
Nell has been keeping some news from Callen. About a month before his diagnosis she was late. She had gone to her local doctor who confirmed was infact about 6 weeks pregnant. She had planned to tell him when she had reached 3 months and had successfully gotten through the first trimester, but now with everything that had happened with Callen. She knew she needed to tell him before his illness got any worse.
"Honey" she said as she withdrew from his embrace. "Can I talk to you about something?"
"Sure, what's going on? Is everything okay?"
"About a month ago I went to the doctor and had some tests done."
"Oh my god Nell, are you okay, is something wrong." He said as he took her hand in his.
Nell smiled "Everything's fine. I was gonna tell you this earlier but everything happened with your diagnosis and it wasn't the right time and I.." Said Nell as she started to ramble, but Callen stopped her before she could continue rambling
"Nell, what are you trying to say?" he asked
Nell smiled. "I'm pregnant."
Callen sat their stunned, staring at Nell. "Pregnant? You're pregnant." He said as he did his best not to break down.
"I'm pregnant." She repeated. "Are you okay? I mean are you happy?"
Callen looked up at Nell. "I'm so happy Nell." He said as he pulled her into him and kissed her."
"I'm so happy." He said as he smiled. Then the happiness drained from Callen's face. I'm just upset that I won't be here to see him or her grow up." He said as he held her.
After a couple of minutes Nell looked up at Callen. "We should get ready; we have to be at Dr Nolo's in about an hour."
"Yeah" he said as he removed his arm from around Nell allowing her to get up.
"Nell?"
"Yeah?" She replied as she turned to face Callen.
"I want to ask Dr Nolo if doing any chemotherapy or radiation will help keep me here longer or if there are any trials running that I can participate in. I want to be here with you and the baby for as long as possible."
Nell smiled and nodded. "Yeah we can definitely find out. I want you here with me and the baby as long as possible."
Meanwhile Sam, Deeks and Kensi were already at the mission.
Out of the three of them only Sam knew about Callen's diagnosis. Even though Deeks and Kensi had been picking up subtle changes in Callen's behaviour.
"Anyone seen Callen and Nell this morning yet?"
Hetty walked surprising all of them causing Deeks to jump. "Mr and Mrs Callen are out at an appointment this morning and will be with us shortly." Said Hetty.
"Appointment? For?" Asked Deeks
"That would be Mr and Mrs Callen's business Mr Deeks." Said Hetty. "I suggested you use your free time more wisely Mr Deeks, like for example finishing your coursework that was due last week." Said Hetty.
"I'm all over it Hetty" he said as he held up the course paperwork.
"Hmmm" Said Hetty as she smiled. "I expect the completed paperwork on my desk by end of business today Mr Deeks." She said as she smiled as she walked back to her office. Sam got up and followed Hetty.
"So what do you do you think Kens?"
"What do I think about what Deeks?"
"The appointment Nallen are at?" Me, my money is on Nell's pregnant."
Kensi opened up her mouth to respond but Deeks cut her office.
"Yep, I reakon our Nellosaurus is pregnant."
"You know what Deeks I'm not speculating and you should be finishing your course paperwork otherwise Hetty is going to kill you."
"Come on Kens, speculate with me speculating is fun. Come on Kensi. Fern? Princess?" he said as Kensi sat ignoring him.
In the meantime Sam sat down in Hetty's office.
Callen's appointment with the oncologist is today right Hetty?"
"Indeed it is Mr Hanna."
They sat in silence before Sam broke the silence.
"I'm not looking to break in a new partner Hetty. Hell I don't want a new partner. But Callen, the way he is. Should he be out in the field?"
Hetty just stared at Sam.
"Come on Hetty don't tell me you haven't noticed the subtle changes in his personality. His been struggling with the headaches, he's having some trouble thinking, he's been quarter backing our operations in OPS instead of on the ground, which come on I mean it's unusual and sooner or later those two are going to pick up something's wrong. How much longer does he think he can hide it?"
"I understand Mr Hanna. I will speak to him when he arrives in today."
Meanwhile Nell and Callen had arrived at the hospital to see Dr Nolo
"Mr Callen, how are you feeling?"
"The headaches are getting worse."
"Okay, have you noticed any other changes?"
"My mood, my personality, it's changing."
"I see." He said as he updated Callen's medical file.
Callen looked at Nell who nodded as Callen turned back to Dr Nolo. "Dr Nolo. I know said that the tumour was too big and where it was located you couldn't remove it surgically. What about chemotherapy or radiation or a clinical trial. I want to be here for as long as possible."
"I can start you on Temozolomide, which will help slow down the cancer growth. It may give you a couple of more months. You need to be aware that you may suffer some side effects Mr Callen such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, skin rash, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, insomnia, unpleasant taste in your mouth.
Callen sat and thought for a few seconds before answering. "I guess I'm going to have most of this coming with the cancer anyway Doctor Nolo and I'll just have to deal with it. I want to be here for as long as I can to be able to raise my baby for as long as I can and be with a family with a my wife for as long as I can."
"You are pregnant Mrs Callen?" Congratulations." He said as he smiled softly.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"Mr Callen, you have an MRI scheduled in 20 minutes. I'll have a nurse take you down there. Mrs Callen I just need you to sign some paperwork." He said as he buzzed the nurse in who took Callen down for the MRI.
"Mrs Callen do you remember what we talked about the last time you were here?
"Yes" she replied simply
"Has he made his colleagues aware of his diagnosis?"
"Only one man he is close with and our boss."
"How is he at work?
"There's been some subtle changes, the ones he told you about earlier."
"And you Mrs Callen, how are handling everything along with your pregnancy?"
"I've had some help from Sam, his colleague, our friend. I just feel useless that there is nothing that I can do to help him."
"Have you been the support group that I recommended last time you were here?"
Nell looked away and then looked back at Dr Nolo. "Ah no I...I haven't just been busy at work and helping my husband and the pregnancy."
"I see."
"I will try and get there soon Dr Nolo."
"Please do Mrs Callen it will be a great help to you and the people around your husband."
Nell smiled and nodded. "Uh how long will my husband's MRI be?"
"It should be done in about 40 minutes. You're welcome to wait outside radiology.
"Thanks I'll` grab a cup of coffee and I'll come back.
40 minutes later Callen's MRI had finished and he came out to find Nell waiting for him.
"Done?" She asked
"Yeah, Dr Nolo said he'd call if there was any difference from last time.
"Alright, come on, let's go to the pharmacy get your script filled and then we can head into the office. "
Callen nodded as they made their way to the pharmacy, picked up his script and headed into OSP.
20 minutes later they were walking through the doors of the office to be greeted by Kensi, Sam and Deeks.
"Morning Nallen" Said Deeks
"Nallen?" queried Sam, Nell and Callen at the same time.
"What's a Nallen?" asked Sam
"That's a Nallen" Said Deeks as he gestured to Callen and Nell who were smiling.
"Why couldn't you just say morning Callen, morning Nell like a normal person?" Said Sam
"Because we all know Deeks isn't normal" Smiled Kensi
"And that is exactly why you love me princess." He said as she shot a cheeky smile across to Kensi
"In answer to your question Sam, it's just shorter, easier, comboing the name."
"Comboing isn't a word Deeks." Said Sam
"Combo? Comboing?" Said Deeks to himself.
"Anyway why Deeks is trying to get a grasp on the English language. "How was your appointment?" Asked Kensi
"Appointment?" Queried Callen
"Yeah, the one Hetty said you were at this morning" Said Kensi
"Hetty told you?" Said Callen who had been so fearful about everyone was finding out, had a lump in his throat.
"Come on Callen you had to know we'd find out eventually I mean look at Nell, she's practically glowing." Said Deeks. I was right I called it our Nellosaurus is pregnant!" Smiled Deeks.
Callen took Nell's hand as they looked each other and smiled.
"G?" Queried Sam
Callen looked at Sam. "Deeks is right. Nell is pregnant." He said as he smiled as everyone came in for a group hug while congratulating Callen and Nell.
Hetty walked into find everyone wishing Callen and Nell congratulations. She smiled and walked over to them. "Am I sensing that congratulations are in order Mr Callen, Mrs Callen."
"Yes Hetty."
"I assume this is in relation to your pregnancy Ms Jones.
"Uh yes, how did you kno?"
"Well Mr Callen your wife has had that pregnancy glow for the past couple of weeks." She said as she smiled.
"Mr Callen, can I see you in my office everyone else to the gym, close quarter training.
Nell looked at Callen to make sure he was okay. He shot her back a look indicating he was.
"What about Callen?" Asked Deeks.
"I'll catch up to you Deeks."
"Alright" he said as he jogged up the stairs to the gym along with Nell, Kensi and Sam.
Hetty turned her attention back to Callen. "Mr Callen, how did your appointment go this morning?"
"I had another MRI; Dr Nolo said he would call if anything had changed.
"How are you coping with everything? Now in addition to Nell being pregnant."
"It's not a burden Hetty, Nell being pregnant."
"I know it isn't Mr Callen, it is a joyous occasion." Said Hetty as she smiled. "However I can imagine it will take a toll as both your cancer and her pregnancy progresses."
Callen didn't say anything. He just stared at Hetty with a look that knew she was right.
"Have you been experiencing any new symptoms?"
"No, not yet, but I'm about to start on a course of chemotherapy tablets to try and slow down the progression of the tumour. There might be some side effects from that." He said as he did his best to hold himself together.
"Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness?" She said
"Yeah" he said as he looked down.
"Mr Callen I understand that you don't want this news widespread throughout this office. However your team relies on you to have their backs and lead them, whether that be on the ground or lately from OPS. They put their lives in your hands.
"You're saying they need to know aren't you Hetty."
"Indeed Mr Callen. I understand that it is completely your decision and it is up to you when tell them. Please know that Mr Deeks, Ms Blye and Mr Beale will only want to support you and be there for you and help you in whatever way they can.
Callen paused. "Hetty I don't want to be a bur."
"Stop right there Mr Callen you would not and are not a burden to anyone here on this team. Do you understand me?"
Callen swallowed hard. He wasn't intimated by many people but Hetty intimidated him. "Yes"
"Now about the rest of your team if you would like me to tell them I w"
"No. Thank you, but this is something that I need to tell them."
"I understand Mr Callen." She said as she smiled. "Now is Jethro aware of your situation?"
Callen shook his head. "No, I haven't spoken to him yet. I will though."
Hetty smiled. "Alright I think that about covers it. If you or Nell need anything, anytime off please let me know.
"Thanks Hetty, we will". He replied.
"Now go, go, I imagine Mr Deeks and Ms Blye are about to face off and I know that you will not want to miss that." Smiled Hetty
Callen chuckled and went on his way to the gym.
Right as he was walking into the gym he saw Deeks get taken down by Kensi who was now on top of him and had him pinned.
"Looks like I walked in just in time." Said Callen as he looked down at Kensi on top of Deeks.
"Who says she isn't exactly where I want her." Said Deeks with a cheeky smile.
Sam and Callen chuckled as Kensi realised what Deeks meant, she punched him again and got up off him and removed her mouthguard.
"Deeks! You...I...just..."
Deeks sat up and took his mouthguard out. "I left you speechless again huh princess" he said as he shot Kensi a cheeky grin.
While all this was unfolding Callen pulled Nell aside.
"I talked to Hetty. I think we need to tell them about me about the tumour. "
"Wait, what did Hetty say?"
"She just clarified a couple of things for me."
"Alright, how do you want to do this?" Asked Nell
"I was thinking that maybe we can invite the team over for a BBQ, it's Friday so we don't have to work so far yet tomorrow. We can tell them it's to celebrate the baby news and then we tell them."
"What about Gibbs? Have you told him?"
"Not yet. I'm gonna call him."
"You're gonna do this over the phone? Gibbs is like a father to you Callen. We should go and see him or ask him to come here."
Callen nodded. "Yeah, yeah you're right, we should go and see him." He said as he smiled as he looked at Nell. "I love you Nell." He said as he bent down to kiss her as Kensi, Deeks and Sam looked on smiling.
"Alright lovebirds enough of that." Said Deeks.
Callen and Nell smiled as they withdrew from the kiss.
"Jealous Deeks?" Teased Kensi
"What? No, why would I be Kensalina, you we're practically just straddling me. I can replay that scenario over and over in my mind." Said Deeks as he smiled.
"Deeks, that's just...you know what don't even..."
"Uh guys. Callen and I were just talking we were hoping you all would come around tonight right around 7 for a barbecue and beers to celebrate our baby news."
"Yeah sure" Said Kensi. "Sounds good."
"Deeks? Sam?" Asked Nell
Yeah sure, of course we'll be there." Smiled Sam
"Yeah definitely wouldn't miss it." Said Deeks.
"Great. I have to get to OPS. I'll tell Eric" She said as she kissed him and walked away.
The rest of the day went pretty routine, there were no urgent cases and the rest of the day the team spent catching on paperwork and training.
At around 6 Nell came down the stairs, grabbed Callen and headed out of the office.
"Did you talk to Gibbs?"
"Not yet. I figured that we would just turn up and surprise him."
"Is that wise I've heard about Gibbs."
"It's alright Nell, I know Gibbs and if I call him and tell him we're coming from a visit he's gonna think there's an ulterior motive.
"I hate to break to you honey, but we sort of do have an ulterior motive.
Callen paused. "Okay that's true, but just trust me on this." He said as he grabbed her upper arms. "Please" he said as looked her in the eye.
Nell rolled her eyes "Alright" she said.
Callen smiled as they continued the drive home arriving shortly after and started to prep the food and grill.
7pm came around and the team started to arrive. Sam first then Kensi and Deeks arrived together which didn't go unnoticed and the last to arrive was Eric. Sam took charge of the grill as Nell and Kensi were in the kitchen making a salad with Deeks watching on.
"Kensi hands off the salad princess. I don't want to spend the night in the hospital." He said as he ate a crouton.
Nell laughed as Kensi threw a crouton at Deeks who simply smiled.
Meanwhile outside Callen joined Sam at the grill.
"You didn't just get all here to celebrate the baby news did you? Congratulations by the way."
"Thanks Sam" He said as he smiled. "And yes your right. I talked with Hetty and we agreed it would be best to tell them, their my family they deserve to know." He said as he looked out as he watched them talking and laughing.
About an hour later they had all finished their drinks and food when Callen turned to Nell and she knew what her husband was about to say. She simply nodded as Callen stood up.
"Guys, I just wanted to say thanks for coming tonight Nell and I are glad to have you here to help celebrate our baby news" He said as he reached for Nell's hand and squeezed.
Callen took a deep breath. "That's not the only reason Nell and I asked you here today. A couple of months ago Hetty told you that Nell and I were pulled for a classified mission to cover the real reason why we weren't at work.
Callen exhaled hard and sighed. "I had a seizure and ended up in the hospital." He said as he squeezed Nell's hand. "They did a MRI and uh they found...found.." Callen struggled to speak. Nell stood up and put her hand to his cheek.
"I can do this if you.." Before Nell could finish Callen nodded and Nell took over the speech.
"They did an MRI and they found a tumour a Glioblastoma Multiforme, it's a grade 4 tumour. It's terminal. He has about 12 months left." She said as tears came down her face.
Silence blanketed the group. They had gone from hearing the best news to the worst."
Deeks was the first one to break the silence. He got up and walked over to Nell and Callen. "I know that I can speak for everyone here that we're so sorry that this happened and we'll do everything we can to help you and Nell through this and...after..we'll be..." Said Deeks who was getting emotional.
Kensi got up and walked over to Deeks, put her hand on his back and whispered "It's okay."
"What Deeks is trying to say is when you're not here (Kensi exhaled deeply as tears came down Callen and Nell's face) all of us will be there to help Nell and help raise the baby."
Callen and Nell both nodded as Kensi and Deeks came over to them and hugged them; they were soon joined by Sam and Eric. They stood together as Callen whispered "Thank you"
Next chapter Callen and Nell tell Gibbs, what do you think his reaction will be
Hey guys, please please review. Let me know what you think!