Chapter 7

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The next month Callen's condition had really started to deteriorate, whilst the medication Dr Petrov had given him were helping with the seizures but not with the rest of him. Everyone at the mission had noticed the personality changes in Callen, the random outbursts, one minute he was fine and the other it was like he was a completely different person, like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Hetty couldn't have Callen working when he was like that and had no choice but to put him on leave.

Nell was now 5 months pregnant and was struggling with the pregnancy and dealing with Callen. She knew she needed help. She had called Sam, Gibbs and Nate yesterday and asked them to come around to help her, to help him.

As she woke up she rolled over to put her arm over Callen only to find his side of the bed empty. She looked over at the alarm clock. 7am it read. She groaned as her head feel back against the pillow when she heard a bang come from the kitchen. She sat up quickly, pulled on her robe and made her way to the kitchen.

"You alright?" She yelled.

"Yeah. I'm fine" He said annoyed as Nell came into view.

"What are you looking for?"She asked.

"My meds, have you seen them." He asked not turning to look at his wife.

"No I haven't seen them. Did you check the bathroom? Are you sure left them here?"

Callen slammed his fist down on the counter causing Nell to jump. He turned to face her. "Where did you put them?" He demanded. "They were here last night!" He said as he started to go through the other cupboards. Nell watched on for a few seconds as Callen suddenly stopped, put his hand on the edge of the counter before turning to face Nell who was standing there, with a nervous look on her face.

"I'm sorry" He whispered. "I didn't mean too."

"You scared me Callen." She said as she stood staring at him.

"I know I'm sorry I didn't mean to" He said as he took a few steps towards Nell who remained where she was standing. "I just.. I was just frustrated, that's all. I can't remember.' He said with a frustrated expression across his face.

Nell was nervous, but she approached her husband until they were standing mere centimetres apart. Nell's hand shook as she reached up to his cheek, caressing his face gently as she looked him in the eyes

"I know it's frustrating and I know your trying to deal with this the best way you know how. But I'm your wife Callen. You have family; you don't go through this alone. Not anymore. Remember what we promised, back in the hospital."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry." He said as he started to breakdown down "I just don't know what to do I'm so angry, all the time, frustrated. (Callen took a shaky breath) I just feel so out of control Nell." He said as tears came down his face "It's alright. I've got you. It's alright." She said as she pulled him into her as he cried into her dressing gown.

Outside unbeknownst to Callen, Sam, Gibbs and Nate were pulling up to the house and walking up the driveway and knocked on the door.

Callen withdrew from Nell as he held her hands in his as he looked at her. "Are we expecting someone?"

Nell nodded. "Yeah. It's Sam, Gibbs and Nate."

Callen looked at his wife as he took a deep breath. "You called them."

Nell nodded. "I needed some help, you were struggling. I was struggling. I didn't want to add to what you were going through."

Callen looked at Nell shocked. "You should have said something. I could have done something, been there for you.

"I could see you were going through enough. But we need help Callen. I asked for help, their help." She said she heard them knocking on the door again.

"G, Nell you there." Came Sam's voice.

"Coming Sam." Yelled Nell.

"You're right, you're right. I'm sorry. You did the right thing calling them. Come on." He said as they walked hand in hand to answer the door to find Sam, Gibbs and Nate standing there.

"Sorry interrupt G." Said Sam

"It's all good, we we're just talking." Said Callen as he stepped aside letting them in. Greeting Gibbs with a hug and Nate with a hand shake as they made their way into the living room while Gibbs placed his hand on Nell's stomach amazed at how much her bump had grown since he last saw them.

They spread themselves across the three seater couch and 2 arm chairs in their living room as Nate took the lead.

"Callen, Nell asked us here today. She knows you've been struggling as your tumour progresses. She said your outbursts, whilst we know and she knows it's out frustration, it scares her, she doesn't know if she's going to be getting you or your evil twin." Said Nate as Gibbs didn't take his eyes off Callen.

Nell grabbed onto Callen's hand a squeezed. "I know we um talked about it. Just before you guys got here actually. I already apologised to her, told her…." He paused as he turned to look at her. "I need help." He said as he struggled, looking away from everyone.

The only time he ever had to rely on anyone was through work, never in his personal life. He knew Nell could take care of herself but since she was pregnant he felt like he should be able to step up and support her and not have her supporting him all the time, without him feeling like he wasn't able to contribute anything to their partnership.

Nate started to talk again, but Gibbs cut in. "I got this doc." He said as he leant forward.

"G (Gibbs paused) I know what you're going through it's not easy and to be honest it sucks." Said Gibbs

Callen, Nell and Sam all chuckled as Nate simply smiled. "I've never heard you use the word suck before Gibbs." Said Callen.

"Yeah, been spending too much time with Abs." He said as he smiled. "My point is, it does suck and I get it Callen, it's frustrating but lashing out at the people who care about, who are there for you, your family it's not helping anyone."

"That's what we're here to talk about G" Said Sam. "You need to talk about you G, the tumour, your frustrations. Taking it out on Nell on us, it's not right."

Callen opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by Callen.

"We're here to listen G, you know I'm always here for you, we're always here for you and Kensi and Deeks and Hetty too, but we're not your punching bag. When you get like that you need to talk to someone. I don't care if it's not me, call Nate, Gibbs, Kensi, Deeks, Hetty or Nell, but bottling it all in and exploding, it's no good for anyone.

Callen sat, taking in what everyone had said. "I know and I'm working on it. Trying to not bottle things up"

"I know it's tough, but do me a favour no more bottles" Said Nell as she squeezed.

Callen smiled. "No more bottles. Well not until the baby is born at least." He said as his hand went to her stomach, rubbing circles as the others watched on.

"Do you guys want to stay for breakfast?

"I'm good I've already ate." Said Sam

"I'm good with coffee, thanks Nell." Said Gibbs.

"I'm good" Smiled Nate.

"Alright, your loss." Smiled Nell. "I'll check the bathroom for your pills." She said to him softly as she got up and exited the room.

"I better get going." He said as they all stood.

"Yeah you wouldn't want to incur Hetty's wrath."

"Nope I got enough problems with Renko I don't need anymore."

"Renko? As in Mike Renko, the ever elusive agent that avoids OPS and Hetty at all possible costs."

"Yeah" Said Sam

Callen chuckled. "Good luck with that." He said as he and Sam embraced.

"Remember to talk G." Said Sam

Callen smiled. "I will."

"Good you can start now." Said Gibbs as they let go of each other. "He's all yours Doc."

Nate smiled.

"Nell. I'll meet you outside, take your time."

"Thanks Gibbs." She said as she smiled and headed off towards the bedroom to change. Callen watched from the doorway as she slipped out of her dressing gown and pajamas.

"Nice deception." He said as he walked through the door.

Nell smiled "Thanks" She said as she clipped on her bra and pulled on a pair of leggings and turned to face Callen, her bump on full display.

Callen smiled. "You look beautiful." He said as he kissed her stomach, feeling a slight movement as he did."

"Did she just…?" He asked as he broke contact with her belly.

"Yep, she just moved." Said Nell with a giant smile on her face.

"How long has that been going on?" He asked as he stood up.

"Not long, just a couple of days" She said as she pulled a dress, and reached for her jacket.

"It's amazing." He said as he moved his hands to her stomach, hoping to feel another kick.

"It's amazing for you, but for me, the baby is using my insides as a punching bag.

Callen chuckled. "I love you." He said as he looked down at her.

Nell smiled. "I love you too." She said as she kissed him. "Talk to Nate, remember were you for you. Nate's here to help, so let him help. Okay?" She said as they walked back to the living room.

Callen laughed. "Yeah. I will." He said as he saw Nate waiting for him. He kissed Nell goodbye and took a seat across from Nate.

"How you doing Callen?" Asked Nate.

Callen took a deep breath and stared at Nate, unable to answer.

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