Just the Way you Are

Grief

Granger had been away for the day to attend a meeting. When the meeting had ended, he was heading home when he got a call from Callen.

'What's up Callen?'

'We lost an NCIS agent today. And I think it's someone Hetty knew.' Callen answered.

'Oh dear. Is Hetty still at work?'

'No. She was in OPS when the agent was killed. She went home.'

'I'm heading home now.'

At home

She had sent him on a mission that he wanted to go on. It was going well, until the bomb went off. And he was in the building. She saw it all. It had happened so fast. She was in complete disbelief. Up to the point when she was told his remains were in the building.

The whole thing reminded her of when Dom was killed, along with 2 other agents. All very terrible events that shook her to her core.

Hetty went home, and collapsed on the couch. Devistated by the loss.

She had been there for a couple hours when she sensed that her husband had come home.

A part of her was telling her to sit up, put on a brave face and tell him that she was okay, but deep down inside, she felt too tired and too miserable to do so.

Granger walked in, turned on a lamp, and saw her lying on the couch.

'You okay Hetty?' He asked.

'Ye, yes.' She softly answered.

Kneeling beside her, 'No. You're not.'

Hetty tried to answer, but all that came out of her, was a crying sound.

Granger gently picked her up and hugged her. And she cried for the terrible loss.

'Shh shh. It's okay.' He soothingly said.

'It happened so fast!' She cried. 'I saw it all! I didn't want anyone to see me cry so I left! Like, why didn't I stick around?!'

'Shhh. I'm sorry I wasn't around today to help you.'

'Would it have helped?! Could it have stopped the bomb from suddenly going off?! I saw a good man die today, Owen. What could possibly make me feel better about that?!' Hetty cried out.

'This hug? This kiss I'm about to give you?' And he kissed her on the cheek.

'Whimper whimper'

'Want to come to bed? I'll carry you.' He offered.

'Sounds good.' Hetty quietly said.

Granger gently carried her to the bedroom, let her go to the bathroom, and was waiting for her when she eventually came to bed.

Gently stroking her hair, 'Maybe in the morning, you can tell me about him?'

'Mmm'. She quietly murmered.

'I know. It's never easy when this happens. I'm here for you, right now, and every other step of the way.'

He watched as she fell asleep. And worried. Hetty was known for not taking the loss of agents well, and since she knew who this person was, it hit her really hard. He hoped that giving her hugs and kisses would be enough to comfort her during this difficult time.

In the morning

Granger woke up, and saw that Hetty was slightly awake.

'A long time ago, I got very ill. I didn't want to go to the hospital. I called him, and asked for help. He stayed with me the whole time. I vowed to pay him back one day. So, I got him a job at NCIS.' Hetty said.

'Sounds like a great guy.'

'He was. He didn't deserve to die.' She said sadly.

Granger saw her then look at the clock, saw that it was the time they usually left for work. And saw that she didn't look like she wanted to go to work.

'I'll tell you what, I'll go to work today, And you stay home and rest.'

'Are you sure?'

'You look really tired. The team will understand. Can I make you anything?'

That evening

'Hey. Did you move much from that bed?' Granger asked when he saw that Hetty was still in bed.

'I got up to go the bathroom and eat. I tried to motivate myself to do something, but for some reason, I just couldn't seem to get up the energy.' Hetty responded.

'That's understandable. Do you want dinner?'

'I'll come down, just give me a minute or two.'

Downstairs

'Feeling better?' Granger asked.

'A bit. I keep telling myself before each of these missions about the possibility of this happening, but. I'm never prepared for when it happens.'

'Because it's an unthinkable thing.'

'Exactly.'

'You're, coming back to work eventually, right?' Granger asked, knowing that she's attempted to quit before after losing an agent.

'Yes. Just, needed time to myself. And, thank you for last night. I don't think I would've moved from that couch if it wasn't for you.' Hetty responded.

'It's what husbands do.'

'And it's why I love you.'