Chapter 26
AN: Jack has a tough time regarding his abuse. This is about two weeks after the last chapter takes place, so it's mid-March
"Boy, why don't you come over here?" Mrs. Havens asked, gesturing to Jack.
"Yes ma'am" Jack replied hesitantly, making his way toward her.
"It's hot in here, why don't you take something off and cool down?" she suggested, waiting for him to do it.
"Mrs. Havens, can I get something that might help us? I'll be really quick, I promise" Jack asked.
"Yes of course" she replied.
He reached into the middle pocket of his backpack and grabbed a knife, stabbing it into her neck and watch her bleed out.
"Jack! Are you alright?" Hotch asked, having been awoken by his son screaming on the couch.
"She tried to touch me again…and she was about to do it…" Jack cried, barely choking out the words.
"It's okay Jack, it's just a dream" Hotch reassured him.
"But…I killed her" Jack cried.
"Jack, you were having another one of your dreams" his dad reminded him.
"Dad, will the dreams ever stop?" Jack asked, sitting up on the couch.
"I don't know, just keep doing what your therapist says" his dad advised him.
"Thanks dad, I know you wish you could have a normal son" Jack commented.
"Of course, I don't, you're the best son I could ever hope for" his dad reassured him.
"I'm still sorry for ending up like this, and for being a worthless fuckup" Jack told his dad.
"Jack, I need you to listen to me. You don't need to apologize for the things that have happened to you, and you're not a worthless fuckup" Hotch told him.
That afternoon Jack Hotchner had finally gotten up from the couch and was grabbing some leftover chicken for lunch.
"Hey dude, do you want to go somewhere later today?" Troy asked, joining him in the kitchen.
"No Troy, I just got up and I need to stay inside" Jack replied angrily.
"Chill dude, I was just asking" Troy replied, concerned about his friend.
"I know, I just need some space" Jack told him.
"Let me know when you're done with this" Troy said, going back up to Jack's room where he had been sleeping for the past two weeks.
"Jack, is everything okay with you and Troy?" Hotch asked, walking into the kitchen soon after Troy left.
"No dad, it's not" Jack replied.
"Do you feel like talking to me about it?" Hotch asked, sitting down across from his son.
"I don't really know where to start" Jack admitted.
"Anywhere is fine with me" Hotch reminded him.
"He doesn't have the dreams…even though she did it to him too" Jack mentioned.
"Different people react to trauma differently, you know that" Hotch replied.
"I know but I thought maybe I wasn't going through this on my own" Jack admitted.
"You're not going through anything on your own, I'm always here for you and he would be too if you would let him know about it" Hotch told his son.
"He doesn't care, he just wants me to be normal again" Jack replied.
"I know it's rough right now but he's the only other person who went through what you went through, try not to let him go over something that'll be over soon" Hotch advised his son.
"I'll try, but he probably won't want anything to do with me" Jack replied.
"If that happens I'm here, but I think you'll be fine" Hotch reassured him.