A/N: This chapter is shorter. Only because it's Gibbs' and Emily's thoughts after the situation at the coffee shop. It's also this short because I'll be posting another chapter after this one by the end of the night. Enjoy!

Chapter 5

"It's a terrible thing, to be praised after a tragedy." - Unknown

[Emily POV]

By the time I'd finished giving my statement to the police it was already six. Gibbs offered to drive me to my hotel and I accepted. The car ride was silent. I think we were both processing.

I get to the hotel and it's seven thirty. I take a thirty minute shower, until there is no more of the man's blood in the drain. I scrub myself clean and when I step out, the bathroom is filled with steam and my skin is bright red. It feels nice. I put on a t-shirt three sizes too big and my underwear. I lay on my bed for ten minutes contemplating and compartmentalizing the day. Gibbs - I trust him. For some reason we're able to connect. In the coffee shop, we read each other's minds. We don't second guess each other. It's like we're one in the same. Am I attracted to him? Yes. He has piercing blue eyes that are like a lake of a god, if that makes any sense. His mind is complex and intricate. And I can tell, by the way people act when they're around him, they don't understand it. But, for some reason I do. And he understands mine.

I turn on the tv to the news. I'm on it.

"Special Agents Prentiss and Gibbs were involved in an apparent hostage situation at a coffee shop in Washington, DC this afternoon. The whole thing was caught on tape. Here, we see the man shoot a woman with the DC metropolitan police. The man seems to be out of control. No police or ambulances came until after Special Agent Emily Prentiss, with the FBI, shot the criminal while Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, NCIS, distracted him. Agent Prentiss and Gibbs were able to stabilize the criminal before the EMTs arrived; Prentiss stated she felt obligated to save the man so he could stand a fair trial, and be sent to prison. We thank Special Agents Prentiss and Gibbs for saving the day. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service should both be very proud of these two stellar agents."

Of course it was on camera. My phone rings. Strauss it reads.

"Hello Ma'am. Good evening." I say formally.

"Hello Agent Prentiss! I just wanted to congratulate you on a job well done today. Your heroic act is being broadcast nationally almost nonstop. You and Agent Gibbs are a phenomenal team. Be expecting calls from the Directors of NCIS and the Bureau, as well as Agent Hotcher."

"Thank you Ma'am. It really was a joint effort between the two of us." I say modestly and slightly annoyed.

"Well, goodnight Emily. Turn in early, get some rest. You deserve it."

"Thank you, goodnight to you too, Ma'am." I sigh and hang up. I run my hands through my hair and decide Strauss was right. I am tired. I go to sleep.

[Gibbs POV]

When I get home from dropping Agent Prentiss off at her hotel, I still haven't completely processed what happened in the coffee shop. So I do the only thing I can do to calm my nerves.

While sanding down structure of the boat I turn on the radio.

"Special Agents Prentiss and Gibbs were involved in an apparent hostage situation at a coffee shop in Washington, DC this afternoon. The whole thing was caught on tape. Here, we see the man shoot a woman with the DC metropolitan police. The man seems to be out of control. No police or ambulances came until after Special Agent Emily Prentiss, with the FBI, shot the criminal while Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, NCIS, distracted him. Agent Prentiss and Gibbs were able to stabilize the criminal before the EMTs arrived so that he will stand a fair trial, and go to prison for this terrible crime. We thank Special Agents Prentiss and Gibbs for saving the day. The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service should both be very proud of these two stellar agents."

Are you kidding me? I scoff at the radio and turn it off.

A/N: Next chapter, Emily will speak more with the rest of the NCIS team. Looking for more suggestions for the chapter after the next.

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