Spoiler Alert-- Don't read if you haven't seen 'Leave Out All The Rest'
Disclaimer: All rights reserved for CBS
A/n: After all the turmoil lately, I had to get my feeling out. This is how I did it. Not beta'd, so forgive any mistakes.
Hank
"Tic-tock, tic-tock, tic…" The wall clock ticked on, the only sound in the silent room. "Bong!"
The clock struck the hour and Hank opened his eyes and looked up from his place on the living room couch. He turned his head towards the door, listening for the sound of his daddy coming up the stairs to the door.
Silence.
His eyes drifted to the ticking clock and he snuffled. It was late, almost noon, and his daddy wasn't home. Normally this wouldn't worry Hank, his daddy worked odd hours sometimes, but for the last few weeks he'd been getting home on time, and even going into work later.
Hank was worried. First mom had left and he had missed her terribly, and daddy had been really sad, but things had gotten better. He'd talk to her on the phone, and let Hank listen to what she had to say.
Then something bad happened. Mom came home, but that wasn't the bad thing, the bad thing was that their friend died.
Hank had met Warrick a couple of times, and Hank knew how much mom and dad had loved him. His death had mad them sad, and Hank had been sad too, but he'd also been happy to have his family together again.
Then mom went away again, and dad stopped sleeping. He'd let the phone ring and not answer it, even though he knew it was work, and this worried Hank very much.
Hank had tried to cheer him up. He'd snuggled with him and chased the squirrels in the park when out for his walk, but nothing worked. Hank was starting to think something was terribly wrong with his daddy.
"Tic-tock, tic-tock…" The clock ticked on.
Finally, Hank heard the key in the door. He hoisted himself up and plodded toward the door, happy his daddy was home.
The happiness didn't last long. As soon as the door opened, Hank was assaulted by a strange smell. Hank didn't recognize it, though something about it was familiar. Like a similar scent that had other scents added to it. Hank didn't know what it was, but it smelled really bad. Like that skunk he'd accidently startled at the park that time. A lot of times daddy would come home from work smelling of different things. Hank wasn't sure what exactly his daddy did, but those smells he brought home could be quite intriguing. A scent that triggered long dormant instincts; the smell of the hunt, and a fresh kill, though sometimes the kill didn't smell so fresh. All the same, Hank found that aroma stirring. This, though, was not a good smell.
Hank was worried about his daddy. He looked awful. He was hoping his daddy would smile at him and tell him about his day, because he did that sometimes and it seemed to help to talk things out, and Hank was very glad he could help his daddy that way.
Today, he didn't say anything. He tossed his keys on the table and walked over to the couch, sitting down slowly.
Hank followed, sitting at his daddy's feet, ever the loyal companion, even though he'd rather bury his nose in horse manure than smell this sickly smell. He whined, and rubbed his nose against his daddy's knee.
After a long silence, his daddy finally spoke. "What have I done?"
"Yes," Hank thought, "Something was terribly wrong."
TBC…