Thanks so much to those of you who have been reading and reviewing this one, which I'm happy to say is complete. For those of you following "Fight to Survive," I'm sorry to say I'm still having trouble with it, but hopefully will figure out where to take it sometime soon. I apologize for the long wait.

xxxxx

Kensi and Deeks sat quietly, watching over Callen as he slept. The only sounds were the beeps from the monitor showing Callen's vital signs and his occasional soft murmurs as he tossed and turned restlessly. About an hour after Deeks had gotten there, Sam finally arrived. "Hi," he said, looking a little bit surprised. "I didn't expect to see you guys here." He looked at his partner and immediately appeared concerned. "Is he okay?" he asked softly, walking to Callen's bedside.

He spiked a fever earlier," Kensi explained softly. "I asked the doctor if I should contact you, but, he didn't think it was really necessary. I've been sitting with him. I think he may be a bit better. His temperature hasn't gone up at all anyway…"

Sam looked at Kensi then back at his partner, not looking particularly happy with this latest development. "I talked to him this morning…he sounded fine then…"

Kensi nodded. "I was in to see him before lunch…he was okay then too." She didn't think anything would be gained by telling Sam how their visit had concluded.

Sam didn't respond to what she said and Kensi and Deeks exchanged an uncomfortable glance. "I guess I should get Kensi back to her room…" Deeks finally said after a couple minutes of silence, assuming Sam would rather be alone.

Deeks' words broke Sam out of his silent reverie. "Yeah…okay…" He directed his attention to Kensi. "Thank you for staying with him…"

"Of course…I'll be back to see him tomorrow," she said.

"We'll check in with you later," Deeks said. "Do you need anything before we go?"

Sam shook his head. "No thanks. I'm good. Hetty should be here soon to visit him." He sighed softly, knowing she would be expecting him to be improved just as he had. He certainly hadn't expected him to have taken a turn for the worse.

Deeks nodded. "Let me know if there's anything I can do," he said. "I'm just a couple of floors away."

"Okay," Sam said with a nod. "Thanks guys…" He watched them as they headed out of the room and he then sat in the chair next to Callen's bed and began to keep watch over his partner.

xxxxx

Deeks pushed Kensi out of Callen's room, relieved when she didn't protest his assistance. They didn't speak until they got back to her room when he lifted her onto the bed and she quietly thanked him.

"You're welcome." He smiled and sat down on the chair next to her. "Are you hungry?"

She glanced over at the dome-covered dinner which had been delivered while she was out of the room and shook her head.

"I wasn't talking about that," Deeks said, lifting the lid and peering underneath it. "I'm not really even sure what this is. It could be chicken or it could just be some kind of undefinable goop formed into a weird-looking patty."

Kensi smiled but only for an instance. "Sam looked really upset…I guess I was wrong not calling him sooner."

"You weren't wrong, Kens," Deeks said, shaking his head. "You were just doing what the doctor told you to do. In any case, Callen isn't any worse. His fever could break at any time."

She nodded. "I hope so…" She sighed then met Deeks' eyes. "This really wasn't a very good day…I'm sorry about this morning. I wasn't very nice to you."

Deeks shrugged. "It's okay. I know you've been having a rough time. I understand."

Kensi shook her head. "Don't do that, Deeks."

"What?" he asked, looking confused. "Do what? What did I do wrong?"

"You let me off the hook for everything… I haven't been treating you well. You've been bending over backwards for me…staying here with me almost every night, going out of your way to get me food and treats that I like, exhausting yourself. I haven't been very appreciative of anything you've done. I sulk and push you away and still you're here, acting like none of it matters…"

"I love you, Kensi," Deeks said , gazing at her. "I just want you to be well and happy."

"Sam stayed here with Callen last night and Callen was worried about him, worried that he didn't get enough rest. We have a dangerous job, Deeks. You're exhausted. I can see it. You're not getting the proper rest that you need. You could get hurt…or something even worse…" Kensi's eyes were filled with tears as she spoke to him, her voice thick with emotion. "I've been so selfish…I'm so sorry…"

"You're not selfish. You just have a lot on your plate."

Kensi shook her head. "That's no excuse."

"I'm fine, baby," Deeks took Kensi's hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing it. "I promise you I am. I can take it."

"You shouldn't have to take it," Kensi insisted, shaking her head. "I want you to go home tonight and get a good night's rest."

"Tonight's not the night for that," Deeks said solemnly. "Sam might need me. I told him I'd be here. I'm not going to leave…I have to be here…just in case…"

"You think something bad is going to happen to Callen?" Kensi asked, obviously upset.

"No. I don't think that. I think he'll be fine. Like I said, just in case…"

xxxxx

"So this is what happens when I go to work for a few hours and leave you here alone, G?" Sam asked quietly. He somehow felt like if he had just stayed with Callen that this wouldn't have happened. He knew it was an entirely irrational thought, but he couldn't seem to get it out of his head.

"What seems to be the trouble, Mr. Hanna?" Hetty asked as she stepped into the room.

Sam sighed heavily. "G hasn't been doing well for the last few hours, Hetty. He spiked a fever and he hasn't woken up since."

"Try not to be so pessimistic," Hetty said as she gently patted Sam's shoulder and then sat in the other empty chair. "I choose to think this is just his body's way of fighting hard against what happened. He'll wake up when he's ready."

Sam nodded. His stomach was churning and his mind was still full of negative thoughts, but he saw no reason to bring Hetty down with him. "Hopefully, you're right."

"So, how did Mr. Deeks do this afternoon?" Hetty asked. "Did he eat his lunch as he promised?"

"Yeah, he ate," Sam said with a grin. "I think he was too afraid not to."

"Good, good," Hetty said nodding. "The two of you need to take care of yourselves. I don't want to be worrying about you and Mr. Deeks in addition to Mr. Callen and Ms. Blye."

"You definitely don't have to worry about me, Hetty," Sam said. "I don't know about Deeks though..."

"Well, I'm sure you'll do your best to look after him," Hetty stated.

"Of course," Sam said nodding, but to Hetty, it was obvious that he was no longer really focused on their conversation. Sam's thoughts were with his partner.

xxxxx

"You feel like some ice cream?" Deeks asked. He had gone out and picked up a pizza for dinner, but oddly, he found himself to still be hungry.

"No, not really," Kensi said. "I really think you should try to turn in early for a change."

"I'm still too wound up to sleep," Deeks said. "Maybe I'll try in a little while."

"Why don't you just call Sam?" Kensi suggested.

"I don't know," Deeks said uncertainly. "I don't want to bother him."

"Then just go to Callen's room."

Deeks briefly considered both options before he pulled out his cell phone and pressed Sam's speed dial button.

"Hey Deeks," Sam answered the phone on the first ring.

"Hi Sam…we were just wondering if there's any change?"

"No…no change."

Deeks could hear the discouragement in Sam's voice. "He'll be okay, Sam," he said, trying to reassure the other man.

"I hope so…"

"Maybe you should try to get some rest…worrying yourself sick isn't going to help him any." Deeks felt like a hypocrite even saying the words. He had spent countless sleepless nights worrying about Kensi.

"Yeah, I'll try Deeks. I'll talk to you guys in the morning."

Deeks heard Sam hang up and then clicked off his own phone. "No change," he informed Kensi who looked unhappy upon hearing the news.

"I hope he's going to be alright…" She gazed at Deeks, looking close to tears. "Deeks? Will you…will you please hold me?" she questioned softly.

"Really?" he asked. When she nodded, he carefully got onto the bed beside her and wrapped his arm around her.

"God, I've missed this," Deeks said as Kensi leaned into him and he held her tightly. "You have no idea…"

"I think I do," she whispered, just relishing the closeness between them.

xxxxx

Throughout the night, Sam kept dozing off and then would wake up feeling anxious. Once awake, he would check on Callen and when he established that his partner was stable, he would fall back asleep and then the cycle would repeat itself. When Sam awoke at 4:30 a.m., he found that Callen's temperature had dropped down two full degrees and by 6:00 a.m. it was down to 99. Sam was debating on whether or not to wake his partner when Dr. Gilbert came in and took the decision out of his hands. "Hello, Sam," the doctor greeted him as he looked at the vital signs on the monitor and gave a satisfied nod as he made notations in Callen's chart.

"Hi, doc," Sam replied. "I see G's temperature is almost back to normal."

The doctor nodded. "Yes, a very good sign. I think it's about time Mr. Callen woke up, don't you?"

Sam nodded. "I think that's a very good idea."

"Mr. Callen? Mr. Callen, time to wake up," Dr. Gilbert said.

Callen groaned softly as the doctor's voice broke through his dreams and he started to awaken.

"Come on, sleeping beauty. You've been asleep long enough, wake up," Sam said, gently shaking Callen's shoulder.

Finally, Callen managed to respond fully. He opened his eyes and gazed drowsily at the doctor and Sam. "Hi…what's going on?"

"Good to see you awake again, Mr. Callen," Dr. Gilbert said. "You spiked a rather high fever yesterday afternoon, but it finally broke and you seem to be doing much better. We took a set of blood cultures which haven't shown grown any organisms yet, which is also a positive indication. How are you feeling?"

"I'm actually kind of hungry," Callen said after considering the doctor's question.

"That's definitely a good sign," Dr. Gilbert said with a smile. "I'll see that you get some breakfast. How's your pain level?"

Callen took a quick mental inventory of his symptoms and then looked back at Dr. Gilbert. "I feel pretty good."

Dr. Gilbert nodded. "Good, very good. I'll be in to check on you again later today. You take it easy. You can take short walks but nothing too strenuous. Don't overdo it. You don't want another setback."

"I'll take it easy," Callen said. "Thanks, doctor."

Dr. Gilbert left the room and Sam and Callen were left alone. Callen looked at his partner curiously when he just sat silently. "Cat got your tongue?" Callen asked, finding that he was becoming defensive when Sam still didn't speak. "What? This wasn't my fault, Sam. I didn't do anything I wasn't supposed to."

Callen's words caught Sam's attention and jolted him out of his reverie. "What?" he asked then shook his head. "Sorry, G…I wasn't paying attention. I know this wasn't your fault."

"What's going on with you?" Callen asked.

"Nothing…Nothing, G," Sam said, shaking his head. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just tired."

"You should go home, Sam," Callen said. "Tell Hetty you're going in late and sleep for a few hours. I'm good. Seriously…go…"

Usually, Sam would have just ignored his partner, but he was pretty much exhausted and not feeling like himself. The lure of his comfortable bed at home was too tempting to resist. "Alright…you sure you're okay?"

Callen nodded, surprised but pleased that Sam was actually going to do as he suggested. "I'm fine. Go."

Sam stood up and slowly stretched out his muscles then bent down and picked up Callen's laptop bag and placed it on his bed. "Here's your laptop. If you need anything else, give me a call later on and I'll bring it."

"Thank you" Callen said. "Go get some sleep, Sam."

Sam nodded. "I'll be back after work, G…I'm really glad you're doing okay."

xxxxx

"That's good news…thanks for letting me know, Sam." Deeks clicked off his phone and looked at Kensi, smiling. "Callen's fever broke. He's doing much better."

"Oh that's great," Kensi said, giving a sigh of relief. "I was really worried."

"I was pretty worried myself," Deeks admitted. "But it seems like he's turned the corner now so hopefully, everything will be fine."

"I'll go look in on him a little later," Kensi said.

"I'm sure he'll appreciate that," Deeks said. "I think I'm going to head home to shower and spend a little time with Monty before work. Sam said he's going in late and Hetty said for me to do the same. Anything particular you want for dinner tonight?"

"Why don't you check with Sam," Kensi suggested. "Maybe we can all have dinner together?"

"That's a great idea, princess," Deeks said, smiling as he kissed her. "I'll see you later. Have a good day."

"Bye Deeks. Please be careful and give my love to Monty."

"He already knows you love him, Kensalina," Deeks said, grinning at her, "but I'll remind him anyhow."

xxxxx

Callen dozed off again after Sam left and woke when his breakfast tray was delivered. He demolished the breakfast of slightly runny eggs, toast and cereal and then fell back asleep. The next time time he awoke, Kensi was sitting by his bedside. "Hi," he said. He was surprised to see her there, but when he really thought about it, he realized that he shouldn't be surprised.

"How are you feeling?" Kensi asked softly. "You gave us a bit of a scare."

"I'm much better," Callen replied. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine."

"That's good…" He smoothed the blankets over his legs, feeling a little bit awkward. "So…I'm sorry about the other day…" He wasn't sure what day that had been. Was it just yesterday? He really didn't know. His sense of time was a little bit off.

"Oh Callen, you don't have anything to be sorry about," Kensi said. "I'm sorry I made you feel that you did."

He shook his head. "I was kind of insensitive."

"No, you really weren't…I was just being overly sensitive. In any case, let's just forget about it, okay? The important thing is that you're doing better now."

"The important thing is that we're both doing better," he corrected.

"And that it's almost time for Maury," Kensi said with a grin.

"That's really an important thing?" he asked, smiling back at her.

"You've got to take your entertainment where you can get it in this place," Kensi said. "Trust me on that."

"I do trust you, Kens…" Callen said, his eyes serious. "Always have and always will."

She smiled at his words and then grew serious herself. "I had a talk with Deeks…a good talk. I think…I think things are going to be better going forward."

Callen nodded. "That's good, just don't push it and try not to be discouraged. It's not going to happen for you overnight."

"I know that," Kensi said. "But I also realize I have a lot of support and I'm going to lean on you guys when I need to."

"We've got pretty strong backs for that," Callen said and then grinned. "Well, Sam does anyhow. Not so sure about me at the moment."

"That's okay. I'll take it easy on you, at least until you get out of this place." She glanced down at her cell phone in her lap and saw the time. "Time for Maury."

Callen picked up the remote and turned on the television set. "I don't remember what channel it's on," he said as he started to scan through the channels. "I wonder if it's another who's your daddy show…"

"Those are like 90 percent of his shows," Kensi said, laughing. "Care to make a wager?"

"On who the daddies are?" Callen asked, smiling. "I don't think I have any money here."

"We don't have to bet money," Kensi said, as she tried to think of a suitable prize. "I know! The winner can pick dinner tonight. I suggested to Deeks that we all have dinner together later. I'm pretty sure they'll let us pick."

"I can go for a nice steak," Callen said. "With a baked potato." He was already feeling hungry again and couldn't help but wonder what they were going to bring him for lunch and what time it would arrive.

"Sorry, but I think you'll be having seafood."

"Most seafood places have some kind of steak dish for those people who don't want fish," Callen commented. "But, in any case, I'm pretty good at telling if these guys are the fathers or not. So, I'll probably be choosing the restaurant."

"Shh…" Kensi said, her attention on the show which was just starting. Her eyes lit up when she saw that it was indeed another who's the daddy show. "Okay, Callen…let's put our powers of observation to the test and see if we can figure these out.

All signs of awkwardness gone, the two friends shared a smile and focused their attention on the television to begin their good-natured competition.