She had often wondered. Now she knew.
She knew what it was like to be in Jethro Gibbs's arms. To be embraced by him.
Not that, she knew, it had been a 'real' embrace; it hadn't. It had only been for show.
It wasn't the kind she'd seen him give to Ziva upon her return. Or the ones she'd seen him, over the time she'd been at NCIS, give to Abby and Ducky. She had often wondered if she was the only person who hadn't been hugged by him.
Now she has been.
But it changes nothing.
So she knows.
So what?
It helps no one.
Not her.
And not Amanda.
Can she trust him?
Does she even know what trust is anymore?
Can he help her?
Does he believe her?
She doesn't know.
But she knows one thing: whether he believes her or not, she won't be making a move without him being aware of it.
As she closes her eyes and tries to go to sleep, she thinks about the hug.
Real or not maybe it will be enough to banish the look on Langer's eyes as she shot him. Shot him through the heart. Shot him dead.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Set after Cloak. Michelle is in a reflecting mood.