AN: Just a little thank you for the continuous reviews! This chapter is what I like to refer to as a 'Filler' chapter. A chapter that the story doesnt really 'need' but just to make things feel more settled and less quick paced its essential. There will be a few of these coming up to give the readers a slight break from heartbreak but for added insight into 'normal' life for the McCords!

Enjoy

Chapter Forty-Five - OK!

'Why do you even read that crap?' Jason snorted at Alison as he walked into the kitchen after school. Alison rolled her eyes and ignored him as she continued to bury her head in a gossip magazine.

'Ohh mom's on the front, that's why' he mocked and she pulled it down, slamming the spine of the magazine on the table.

'No! Actually It's because, OK! Magazine happened to be doing a piece on young fashion bloggers and I was interested. I haven't even read the part about Mom, it's always crap and you know it' She resorted and Jason shrugged as he joined her at the table, snacks in hand.

'You do realise Dad will be home from work any minute and is going to moan at you for eating junk before dinner?' She raised an eyebrow at him but he just tipped his head back, threw an m&m in the air and caught it in his mouth.

'Jerk' Alison mumbled as she picked her magazine back up. They both sat at the table in silence for a few moments before Henry came home, bursting through the front door and walking straight to the kitchen.

'Afternoon kids, everyone have a good day?' He greeted

'Fine thanks'

'It was shit, but you know that already' Jason mocked

'Language!' Henry scorned. 'Yes, your teacher did call me. Jase, this behaviour needs to stop, you got off lightly last week after punching that kid, your tutor was understanding what with everything going on, but you cannot go around threatening kids!' Henry groaned in frustration as he walked around to face Jason.

'I didn't threaten him, that's an overstatement!' Jason scoffed as he sunk lower into the chair.

'So what happened then?' Henry raised an eyebrow at his son, his patience growing thin with him recently.

'He was mouthing off to an overseas student about how they should go back to where they belong! I just reminded him who my mom is and how she can have anyone removed from US soil, all I had to do was call her.' He replied and Henry stood In anger shaking his head.

'And the DS agent bit?' He pressed his son for further information.

'I might have said that they will kick his arse one day' Jason pressed his lips together swallowing his laughter.

'I'm glad you find this funny because I don't. One; you need to get your information correct if you're going to use it as a defence weapon, you're mother cannot just have 'anyone' removed from US Soil at the click of her fingers, especially not an American, two, whilst I think it's noble of you to defend the other child, It does not redeem your actions. You're grounded for two weeks' He huffed

'What!' Jason snapped, he stood to his feet, his body squaring up to Henry.

'You want to try that?' Henry raised a warning eyebrow to his son.

'You're so unfair! Two weeks means I will miss the rally next week!' He moaned and Henry just shrugged it off.

'Be thankful it's me talking to you and not your mother. She wanted to go for a month' He warned and Jason threw his body back down into the chair with a large huff.

'Great so Mom knows, that means I'll be grounded at her's this weekend then'

'That's correct' Henry walked away from Jason and began to look in the fridge and cupboards to rustle up some dinner for the family. Alison hadn't moved, she had placed her magazine down on the table but just sat in silence watching the scene before her.

'Of course your mom knows, did you think the school wouldn't call her after you literally used her as a threat? Grow up Jason" Alison rolled her eyes at her younger brother as he sat and sulked.

'I know things have been tough, but I thought we talked through most of that in the last few weeks when your mother visited. Jason, your teachers are concerned about you, you're talking with your fists! We didn't raise you like this. It needs to stop' Henry continued to bite, as he roughly chopped some vegetables.

'Yeah mom came down three weeks ago, with the promise of us seeing her more and that hasn't even happened' He snapped back. Henry placed the knife down on the board loudly as he glared at the back of Jason.

'That is not true! Your mother invited you on the first weekend but you said no because of some social event, last week she was away with State and this weekend you're going. DO NOT drag your mother down because of your behaviour. That woman does everything she can for you, and more.' Henry barked to her defence.

'Woah dad, sounds like you actually care about her there, but that can't be true otherwise you wouldn't be getting a divorce' Jason mocked and Henry inhaled deeply through his nose, his anger building as he wanted to scream and yell at Jason.

'I am going to ignore that for your sake' Henry breathed deeply as he returned to chopping veg.

'Jase quit it' Alison warned. Jason's hands wandered across the table, pulling the magazine closer to him and flicking to the page which included the article about his mother.

'Don't' Alison hushed as she glanced at Henry who hadn't noticed Jason's movements. 'I know what you're going to do and he will kill you, Don't' She warned again but Jason ignored her.

'Elizabeth McCord the Secretary of State seems to be glowing and looking every inch fabulous as a newly single woman. Sources report that she has expressed a new found happiness, and revealed that she can't wait for her divorce to be settled so she can move on with her life. Elizabeth is pictured below with what sources say is the new man in her life. Could Madam Secretary have moved on already?' Jason read the fabricated article from the magazine.

Henry was seething, he inhaled and exhaled through his nose as his son continued to speak.

'Looks like she doesn't need you to defend her dad, seems like she has a new boyfriend-'

'GET UP STAIRS NOW!' Henry bellowed as he marched over to Jason. The knife fell to the floor as he thrust it down in anger, missing the side. Alison dipped her head into her hands and willed her brother to shut his mouth. Jason rose to his feet and turned the page to his father.

'Wonder who this is?' He mocked as he thrust the magazine into his fathers chest, watching it fall as Henry stood before him, the red mist enveloping him.

'Upstairs now Jason, before I speak to your mom and get her to remove your disobedient backside from this house' He warned, hushed pants escaping him as he tried hard to remain in control. Jason rolled his eyes and flung his body out of the kitchen and up to his room.

'I don't think that article is true dad' Alison tried to appease the situation. Henry picked up the magazine and threw it down onto the table.

'Dinner will be done in an hour' he mumbled in response. Alison had come to learn all too well that when her father was in a mood it was best to leave him alone. She signed heavily, grabbing the magazine and following her brother's footsteps upstairs to the privacy of her room. She sat on her bed and slowly reached for her phone, tapping out a number and dialling.

*Ring, Ring*

'Hey Noodle' Elizabeth greeted her daughter warmly

'Hey mom" she replied glumly

'What's up baby?'

'Dad and Jase just had a huge fight'

'Oh…'

'Dad has been so grumpy since you left a few weeks ago, can you talk to him?' Alison pleaded

'That bad Huh?' She asked

'So Bad Mom, I swear he was going to knock Jason out a minute ago' Alison confessed, the dramatics in her voice making Elizabeth chuckle a little.

'Well, Jason can be difficult, Oh Darling I don't think speaking to your Dad will help right now. I'll speak with Jason at the weekend.' She offered, knowing all too well that Henry was in a mood over something, she had been on the receiving end of it earlier today when they discussed Jason.

'Fine. I miss you Mom' she sighed

'I miss you too Noodle, tell me about your day. I've got a free hour so we have plenty of time. `` She smiled softly into the phone as she listened to her daughter chat about things that were important to her. Elizabeth's heart danced as she reconnected with her family. Desperate for the weekend to arrive as soon as possible so she could spend some time with them.