I sit nervously on the set of the morning television show. For a moment, I'm glad I won't be interviewed by any of the greats - Barbara and Oprah come to mind - who would, no doubt, find a way to bring me to tears. Anderson has given me his word that he won't do that. No waterworks questions. Nothing unplanned. We go over the interview as a lawyer would go over testimony. There will be no surprises and I'm grateful for that. Though I am ill at ease, this set and this show in particular, bring me back to a time when morning talk shows were simple and honest. There are no egos here. We are just two people having a conversation.

Still, it's nerve-wracking, even though I have done this kind of thing for years. I feel exposed without a podium to stand behind. I feel vulnerable being seated. I plant my feet into the carpet on stage, and rotate my wrists slightly, to remind myself I am bound in any way. No chains or ropes. Anderson tells me I am free to decline answering anything I am not comfortable with. That I am free to get up at any time. He has promised not to air any footage of me in captivity during the interview. The best part is that he volunteered all of this himself. I never had to ask for it. Just knowing I have options is a great relief.

Henry is playing backstage in the green room, since Will is away working a case. Henry likes seeing my face on the screen, so I smile. I want him to feel at ease. It's August, 2012. We have been free for six months. We were captive for only a third of that time, and yet, it still feels like yesterday.

The light on the camera flashes red and I sit up a little straighter. I dressed carefully - blue would be too sympathetic, but red, too brazen. Instead, I chose a deep purple shirt and black dress pants. Minimal jewelry. I've grown bangs specifically to cover the scar on my forehead, despite my twelve-year-old niece admonishing me that no one wears bangs anymore, except toddlers.

"And, we're back, with Jennifer Jareau," Anderson says, without preamble. "Welcome," he says. I'm grateful for this. All the extra editing will be done post-episode, with a video package and voice-over about our ordeal.

"Thank you," I respond automatically.

"It's been six months. How are you doing?" he asks, keeping the questions short and to the point, as he promised. But there is an undercurrent of gentleness and support in his tone that I appreciate.

"I'm doing pretty well," I tell him, smiling reflexively. "Back at work…"

"Really? So soon?" he asks.

"Yeah. Unfortunately, the whole mess actually occurred during our vacation time and obviously lasted longer than our planned week. The FBI needs us back and we need to be back. So, it's a good balance," I say, starting to relax into the rhythm of the questions.

"Do you want to talk about what captivity was like for you? I was told to ask you this question, but it's up to you," he says, looking me in the eye.

"Sure, I can talk about it," I agree, but I am instinctively careful. "It was sudden. One minute we were asleep and the next, all these men were on board. My team and I did our best to fight them off, but they had weapons and experience on their side. We weren't armed in any way. My hands were bound and the other end of the rope was attached to the boat. They dragged me for quite sometime. Until I wasn't able to surface for air. When I regained consciousness, I was on… It was this tiny little boat, like a raft…with one of the men. I wanted to get back to my team, but he told me they had been killed. I was the only survivor."

Anderson interjects gently. "That must have been very hard for you."

I nod. "Yes, it was, but I had to survive. So, I did what they told me. I got on the radio and passed along their demands. When they filmed me and gave me lines to say, I said them. I did exactly as they said. It wasn't until the very end that we were all reunited. Turns out, they were all told I had drowned. They were mourning me, and I was grieving for them, but as it turned out…none of us were really gone."

"It sounds nothing short of miraculous," Anderson comments.

He doesn't ask any probing questions about my explanation of how captivity was for me. Instead, he asks how it's been since I've been home.

"An adjustment," I admit, laughing a little. "It's definitely been an adjustment. The free world is so much different than the one we lived in. It took a long time for me to get my stamina up again, because I spent so much time sitting and just not doing a whole lot. Thankfully, I'm back in shape now, though, and so is my team, for the most part."

"Your families must be so grateful to have you home."

I have asked him not to mention Henry - not to mention Jack - or any family members by name. He has honored that, and I am grateful. When Anderson brings out the surprise guest, it isn't a surprise. He arranged for us to meet briefly backstage. I know it's one of the Seals who rescued us.

"We owe you our lives," I tell him quietly, as I stand on my toes to embrace him.

Afterward, I get rid of any evidence I have been crying. I find Henry in the green room, playing with toys. I take a moment and just stare at him. I can't believe my baby is almost four.

"Are you done now?" Henry asks glancing up and launching himself at me.

"You bet. I'm done," I say and smile. "Let's go home."