Note: I included this as Day 11 in my Whumptober 2020 one shot collection Whump Time. I figured that since this is in this fic's timeline, I'd include it here. Enjoy! (I added a little something at the end)


2 days after the case

Granger got a call in the middle of the night.

'Hello?'

'Sniff. I need someone to talk to, Owen!' Can you please come over?!' It was Hetty. And she sounded desperate.

'Um, okay! Coming right over!'

Hetty's home

'You okay, Hetty?' Granger asked.

'Yes. I have been struggling with something that I only feel comfortable telling you about.' Hetty responded, with sad eyes.

'Like what?'

'I've been having a lot of bad dreams this past week.'

'Because?'

'Because of the case involving child suicide bombers.'

'Oh Hetty…' Granger said, sadly.

'I keep thinking about those poor kids, and how close Mr. Callen and Mr. Hanna came to being blown up!'

'Well, that explains why she wasn't around much during and after the case!' Granger thought. 'Does this also have anything to do with the mole situation?'

'That too. I'm very worried that we'll never find who it really is, I know that's stupid because we'll eventually find who it is because of how smart this whole team is, but anyway, I'm worried about the safety of this team, I'm worried that the mole is already in the building and we don't know about it, I'm worried…' Hetty rambled.

'Okay okay, calm down!'

'It's too much!'

'Okay, 1st off, we've thoroughly examined everyone who works with us, none of them set off any warning lights. We've also had the whole building swept up and down for bugs, and found nothing. Whoever the mole is, it's not in the building.' Granger reassured her.

'Then, then where is it?! How had this person managed to fool all of us for so long?!'

'I don't know! But as we've known from our years of being spies, There WILL be people who are able to fool us, because we're only human. Yes, whoever this person is, was able to get into this your personal files and our security. But, this is not just us 2 that this person is dealing with, he or she is dealing with a team of agents that YOU have brought together to fight the worst crimes. And they have come through for you for so many years. We'll find who this mole is, and will make that person pay!' Granger said.

Silence.

Looking at him in astonishment: 'Uh. Thank, you, for the kind words. I, think I feel better now.' Hetty replied.

'Oh right. I've never sounded this good.'

'Chuckle. That's for sure!'

'Will you be okay now?'

'I think so. I think I just needed some reassurement.' Hetty replied.

'You're welcome. (kisses her on the forehead). Were you crying earlier? Your eyes are red.'

Looking embarrassed: 'Uh yeah. I may have shed some tears before and after I called you.'

'Want me to stay over tonight?'

Smiling: 'That sounds amazing!'

Next morning, before they left for work

'Thank you for opening up like that, I know that wasn't easy.' Granger said.

'I'm glad I have you.' Hetty responded.