Chapter 8 Gone

Hey Guys, So sorry about the delay in getting this chapter up, things have been a bit crazy, hope you enjoy this new chapter and remember to please review!

"It's okay if you don't know. It's completely normal." He said as he looked across the room at Callen. "I know you're not one to share how you feel." He said as he smiled softly. "I know that you don't like to rely on people to help you, that you'd rather do everything by yourself."

"I know and I know I need help. I just feel like such a burden Nate and I'm only going to get worse and Nell's she's been amazing I mean helping take care of me and dealing the pregnancy you know she has enough to deal with, she doesn't need to deal with my mood swings, sometimes I wake up and I feel like I'm a different person, this morning I blew up at her. It scares me Nate; it scares me because I don't know what I'm capable of when I'm like this. I know Nell is scared of me when I'm like and I don't want to do anything….I don't want to hurt…When I'm….not…in…control" He said as he struggled to speak as his hands ran over his face

"Callen, you would never hurt Nell, tumor or no tumor. I'm not going to say that I understand completely what you're going through because I can't no-one can, but you're not a burden to any of us, we're here and we're going be here for you and Nell. Always."

"I'm scared of what's to come Nate. If this is what it's like now, what's it going to be like when I get worse? I don't want to die." He said as tears began to stream down his face as he covered his face with his hands as Nate moved over to comfort him.

Meanwhile Gibbs had gotten Nell out of the house giving Nate the chance to talk with Callen. They had arrived at the local mall as they began perusing in the baby section as Nell's mind appeared to be elsewhere.

"I'm sure he's fine." Said Gibbs suddenly as they walked through the department store.

"Sorry what?" Said Nell as she snapped out of her trance.

"Callen, I'm sure everything's fine."

Nell smiled and chuckled. "Have you met my husband Gibbs? He's a stubborn one"

Gibbs smiled and chuckled. "Yeah Nell I have, but you know what he loves you and this little one (Gibbs placed his hand on her growing bump) and he's doing this for you and her, his family."

Nell smiled. "I just want him to get some help."

"Don't worry, he will." He said. "Now come on, I said I'd help you out, shopping." He said.

"Never thought of you as the shopping type Gibbs." She said

"I'm not" He said simply. "But that's my grandchild in there" He smiled proudly.

Nell smiled as she walked over to the cribs. "So many options." She said as she looked around.

"It's all been taken care of."

Nell shot Gibbs a surprised look. "What do you mean? Did Callen organize something?"

"Yes" Smiled Gibbs. "It was going to be a surprise for you, but I'm making a crib for her from scratch, out of wood."

Nell smiled. "Wow, that's amazi.. Wow…Thank you Gibbs." She said as she hugged him as the continued their journey through the department store

Meanwhile Sam had arrived at the mission and was greeted with Hetty moments after he entered.

"Good Morning Mr Hanna."

"Good Morning Hetty." He said as he smiled.

"I believe your intervention for Mr Callen was this morning."

Sam nodded.

"Please provide a SIT-REP Mr Hanna." She said.

Sam chuckled. "SIT-REP, Hetty? This isn't a mission." He said.

"Mmmm, it feels like one Mr Hanna." She replied.

Sam chuckled. "It went fine, we helped Nell communicate with Callen and we told him how we feel and that he needed to talk to somebody, even if it's not us, but somebody who can help and understand. We left Nate with him we figured he'd be able to encourage Callen to open and Gibbs took Nell out of the house. Shopping trip."

"I'm sorry Mr Hanna, I think I mis-heard, you said Agent Gibbs accompanied Nell on a shopping trip."

"Yeah, that's right." Said Sam, ever so casually.

"And he wasn't coerced, blackmailed, he did this of his own volition?"

Sam nodded as Hetty walked away smiling.

"What was that about?" Said Deeks as he and Kensi walked up.

"Just filling Hetty in about Callen, that's all."

Kensi started to ask how everything was going when a whistle came from above. "New case on deck." Yelled Eric as the team headed for the stairs to brief on the new assignment.

Meanwhile back the Callen's Nate had been comforting Callen and getting him to open up.

Nate had moved onto a lighter topic, scared that Callen withdraw if he kept on down this line of questioning. He began asking him about Nell and his unborn child, which immediately brought a smile to his face.

"She's doing great, she's amazing Nate, she's got this glow about her, so beautiful." He said as she smiled as he thought about his wife.

"Did you find out what you're having?" Asked Nate who had been out of the loop since he had left.

Callen smiled. "Yeah, we're having a girl." He said

"Congratulations Callen." He said.

"Thanks." He said as he smiled softly before it disappeared from his face.

"Callen?" Queried Nate. "What are you thinking? What's going through your mind?"

"Just frustration that I won't be there to see her grow up, I won't be there to see her first steps." He said as he sniffled.

"Hey" Said Nate as he smiled softly. "You know what Callen, you're not one to go down easy. You've been shot multiple times, stabbed, almost blown up."

"Are you trying to make me feel better Nate?" He said sarcastically.

"Yes (Nate paused) but my point is that you're not one to go down without fight. So why are you giving up, so easily." He said as he looked at him.

Callen locked up for a moment. His attitude had changed the last couple of months. He kept seeing the negative in his diagnosis instead of enjoying the time he had left and fighting as best he could.

"Your right Nate I have just given up. I didn't think there was any point you know I mean I'm going to lose this fight in the end, but that doesn't mean I have to make it easy." He said as he smiled.

"Thanks Nate. I know I'm not the easiest sometimes to get to open up."

"It's alright Callen, you're a challenge, keeps me on my toes." He said as shot him a smile.

Callen chuckled. "I was wondering Nell and Dr Nolo spoke to me about going to some support groups when I was first diagnosed. At first I didn't want to go. I didn't want to see what was coming, but now, especially after we talked about, it got me thinking it might not be a bad idea to go and try it out."

Nate smiled. "I think that's a good idea Callen. I'll remember to thank Nell." He said as he laughed.

"Yeah." Chuckled Callen. "Hey uh Nate, do you think if I asked Sam and the others to come with me, they would come?"

Nate smiled. "Baby steps." Thought Nate. "I'm positive they will come Callen, remember we're all here to support you." He said

Callen nodded. "Do you think we can head to the mission? I'd rather ask them in person" He asked.

"Sure I'll let Hetty know were on the way." Said Nate as he pulled out his phone and dialed Hetty's number, of which she answered after a few rings.

"Hetty, it's Nate."

"Mr Getz, how is everything with Mr Callen?" She asked

"Good, good. He actually had something that he wants to ask the team. Can swing by?"

"I'll hold the team here pending you and Mr Callen's arrival." She said as she hung up the phone and headed up to OPS as Nate and Callen jumped in the car and headed to OSP. Nate pulled out his phone and sent a text message to Nell and Gibbs to meet them there, which she received and they headed to the car and headed to the mission.

Hetty headed up to OPS and opened the door. As she did she was nearly run over by Renko, who quickly apologized.

"Quite alright Mr Renko, but I highly suggested you slow down your pace for future run ins." She said.

"We were just heading out to the crime scene Hetty, what's going on?" He asked.

"The crime scene can wait. Mr Callen is heading in with Mr Getz, with something to ask of you all.

"Is everything okay Hetty?" Asked Kensi

"I'm sure everything is fine Ms Blye. Headed to your desks they will be here shortly and may I suggest Mr Deeks that you take some of this downtime to complete your outstanding paperwork." She said as she stared at him.

Sam chuckled as that sat down awaiting Callen's arrival.

20 minutes later Callen and Nate arrived at the mission. He got out of the car and put his hand on the door handle and paused.

"You can do this Callen, remember we're here for you." He said as he nodded took a deep breath and opened the door, he looked around and headed straight for their desks where they were waiting.

Meanwhile Nell and Gibbs arrived at the mission and saw Nate's car was here. They got out and entered the mission and saw Callen being greeted by the team, they hung back so that they could still what was going on, but were out of sight.

"Hey Callen, how you doing?" Asked Deeks.

"Better, thanks Deeks." He smiled.

"Kensi" He said as he smiled as they hugged.

"Good to see you up about G" She commented.

"It's good to be up, fresh air does a world of good." He said as he smiled softly.

"That's good to hear G. Hetty said you had something to ask us?" Said Sam

"Uh yeah. I've been um talking with Nate and I was thinking about attending one of the support groups at the hospital. Dr Nolo was talking to Nell about it. I think it would be a good idea to go and I was wondering, well (Callen chuckled slightly) hoping you guys would come with me. I mean if you don't it's okay I unders.."

"Of course, we'll come with you G." Said Sam as he pulled Callen into him.

"Easy there big guy" He said as Sam let him out from his hug.

"We're with you Callen. Just let us know when and where" Said Kensi

"What she said" Said Deeks as he smiled as he shook his hand and pulled Callen into a hug. "We got you Callen." He said softly.

"Thanks Guys." He said as he did his best to remain composed.

Nell smiled as she and Gibbs walked out of the shadows. "Don't worry Callen I'll be there too." Said Gibbs causing Callen to turn and see Gibbs and Nell walking towards him.

"You heard that?" He asked her.

"Every word." She said smiling at her husband. "I'm proud of you, you know for asking." She said as she wrapped her hands around her Callen's waist.

Callen smiled. "Well I spoke to Nate and he cleared a few things up for me." He said as he pulled her into him.

"I am glad to hear that" Said Nell as she leant up to kiss him.

"Alright, you two enough of that!" Said Deeks. "That is unless I can kiss Kensi right here right now."

"Nope, no way! Not happening!" Said Kensi as Callen and Nell broke their kiss, foreheads still touching.

Hey guys, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Remember I love getting your thoughts! Remember to please review, let me know what you think!