Hell Hath None 18 boys are back and looking for trouble
Jfc-18 chapters? Damn guys. Well just a heads up, I'm stil writing lol. Sorry I had to take a break for a bit so I am sorry if this chapter is late. Also, I am unsure of how well I wrote the previous one. I find it challenging to write romance/fluff or any type of healthy relationship. So if you guys want to see something or I am writing something wrong, let me know thank you guys so much. I really write this based off of how you guys react so I play off the feedback. Anythign you have to say is a huuuuuge help.
Jack felt like she was getting better slowly. Don would wake from nightmares every now and then, but never how Jack had. However, Jack had stopped waking up screaming and panicking so often. She hardly woke like that but would wake up startled. Most nights Don's didn't wake up from it, much to her relief. She hated waking him up. Jack had also been having a few flashbacks every now and then. Very rarely were they at work. Sometimes when she was walking around the city, she would be thrown back to a war torn Germany for a few seconds. They would throw her off track but could usually snap out of it quick enough.
The flashbacks were worse than the nightmares. She would feel like she was actually still in Germany and drove her up a wall. It was frustrating not being able to determine what is real and what isn't. Jack wondered if she was losing her mind. Even though she was feeling physically better and sleeping better and eating more, the flashbacks terrified her. If she had one that was particularly trying, she would stew over it for at least a day.
Jack tried to hide as many as she could from Don. Every now and then she would have one around him and he would bring her back, but she felt so ashamed. He went through worse for longer and he's fine right? shouldn't she be fine? Why couldn't she get her head on right? It was driving her crazy some days.
June came to an end and the Sunday before the first week of July, Don got a phone call from his sister. Don decided to go to bed early that night, to Jack's confusion. She settled into her green pajamas and climbed in after she had a few glasses of wine. She was out quickly.
Don woke around three to put his plan into action. He grabbed two trunks and began packing. He pulled a small bag out from under the bed. Betty had picked up a few things, such as a bathing suite for Jack, and packed them. HE went and put them in his car. Then he came bac for Jack. He thanked God that she was such a heavy sleeper know and wrapped her in a small blanket form the couch and set her in the car.
They drove for a while and Jack was asleep for the whole ride. They ended up at a large cabin in Tennessee. It was secluded in woods and rested in a large picturesque field. In back of the cabin, a good distance away, there was a large lake and a dock with a small boat. It looked like something out of a movie.
Boyd had arrived the night before with his wife and Norman. Gordo and Grady arrived that morning. Business had been good at the car repair shop and had managed to get the week off. They all sat at the large table. Boyd had stopped to pick up some food. They were all enjoying a nice breakfast and Grady was even behaving. Norman noted they he could actually be civilized. He looked so different when he wasn't covered in blood and gore and mud. He actually looked like a respectable man. Blue collar yes, but still respectable. He was cleanly shaved and not covered in mud. Gordo was cleaned up too and they both wore clean clothes. Boyd looked different in civilian clothes as well and Norman liked his wife. She was sweet and kind. Boyd congratulated Norman on going to university in Washington D.C.
The morning was quiet and peaceful and so was breakfast. It was quiet, at least, until Don and Jack arrived. All chatter stopped when they heard a car pull up and a car door close.
"Is that Sergeant Collier?" Norman asked.
"Man, how would we know?" Gordo told him and elbowed the kid.
"Don Collier, put me down, this instant!" They heard a woman call out. It almost sounded like Jack.
"No way that's Jack. Sounds to nice to be her." Grady said and stood. The rest of the men stood and Began to move to the front, confused and eager to see who Don had brought.
"God Damnit Don! I swear to God if you don't fucking put me down, I'll fucking kick your ass!" Jack yelled and Norman laughed.
"Nope, it's Jack." Boyd said, recognizing the swearing and the men returned to the table as the front screen door opened and closed.
"Jack, knock it off." They heard Don tell her and heard his heavy footsteps down the hall.
"I'll fucking stop when you put me the fuck down! Where the fuck are we?" She yelled and the men laughed as Don walked in with a struggling Jack over his shoulders. Norman tried so hard not to laugh at Jack, he really did. Don nodded in greeting to everyone before setting her down and had to dodge her hand as she tried to smack him. He smiled at her and spun her around to see her boys.
She froze. Jack had to blink at what she was seeing and put her hands up to cover her mouth in surprise. Gordo and Grady stood and made their way to her. Grady picked her up and spun her in a circle. She laughed as he spoke.
"Ah, missed your crazy ass." He told her. Jack grabbed Gordo into a hug.
"Good to see you, man! How you been?" He asked and they took a few minutes to catch up. Don took this time to go bring in their trunks and put them in their room. Don returned to see Jack sitting at the table talking to everyone. Someone had gotten her a mug of coffee. Don took a seat next to her and she slid her mug over to him. He kissed her on the cheek and relaxed into his seat.
"So we're in Tennesse?" Jack asked him and he nodded.
"Don suggested we all visit for the week, for the holiday." Boyd told her. "We all jumped at the chance to get everyone back together." Boyd had sat back in his seat and had his arm around his lovely wife. Her name was Dolores. She had beautiful blond hair and bright green eyes. She was calm and quiet and she had a gentle, calm air around her. Jack liked her, she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders.
Dolores stood and took everyone's dishes to the kitchen before coming back with food for Don and Jack. Jack learned she was a waitress.
"So Norman, when are you moving in?" Jack asked the boy. Norman gave her a small smile and he sighed. "Oh, shit. What's wrong." Norman laughed.
"My parents want to meet the people who signed those forms, make sure you're real." He said quietly with a smile. Jack grimaced and rested her head in her arms on the table. Don looked at her and started to laugh.
"God, I hate parents." She mumbled to herself.
"Don't worry. My sister is coming too. She usually keeps my mother in line." Norman assured. Jack looked up at him.
"Since when do you have a sister?" She asked.
"You got a picture?" Boyd asked. Norman nodded and pulled out his wallet. In it was a picture of him, his parents and his sister. Jack got the picture and shared it with Don. She could tell from the picture his mother was unpleasant. Couldn't even be bothered to smile. His sister had a bright smile and dark brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. She was pretty.
Grady and Gordo saw the picture. Gordo whistled.
"Damn Norman. Who knew your ugly ass had such a good lookin' sister!" Grady said out loud. Boyd and Don snorted and Jack glared at grady.
"Behave yourself!" She hissed. "We have a lady here!" She said pointing to Dolores who laughed at Jack. Norman smiled, irritated and took the picture back. "Ignore them Norman."
The group sat and caught up for most of the day, cracking jokes and joking around. Jack stayed in her pajamas for most of the day. She did go get dressed when they all decided to go out to dinner. Don took this chance to pull Boyd aside. They spoke in quiet, away from everyone else. Don needed a favor and Boyd was more than thrilled to take care of it.
Jack came out in a light green dress with floral prints on it and her hair was curled. She and Dolores were very pretty and Grady and Gordo were surprised with how well Jack cleaned up. And once they were in public, she hardly swore and acted like a lady.
IT took the guys a bit to get used to it. Don and Norman were used to it and Boyd wasn't too surprised, but Gordo and Grady weren't used to not having her swear or yell or throw things at them.
The evening was nice and they returned to the cabin late at night. The sky was filled with stars and Jack took a few minutes to enjoy them. It was difficult to see them in the city and she had missed looking at them. Norman joined her for a few seconds before suggesting they all sit out back for a while.
There were lawn chairs and a fire pit. Gordo started a fire and Grady and Boyd brought out some beer and a bottle of liquor. Dolores didn't drink but didn't mind that the others did. The boys passed the bottle of liquor around and Jack took a few sips. Don and Boyd just had a beer and passed on the hard shit.
"So Boyd tells me you sing, Jack." Dolores said and Jack nearly spat out the liquor she just drank She stared at the other woman in fear and took another sip.
"Bible is lying." She said and glared at Boyd. Dolores laughed.
"C'mon Jack. Just sing. You sang for us in Germany!" Grady argued. Jack glared at him.
"I will fucking shoot you." She threatened quietly and Grady pushed the bottle back in her hands.
"Better start drinkin' 'cause you're fucking singing." He laughed and Jack took a long drink. By the end of the night, they did coax her into singing again. It was a good evening and Jack found a sense of peace to learn her boys were doing ok. She fell asleep easily in Don's arms.
She woke early, a nightmare startling her awake. Jack tried to go back to sleep, she did, but she ended up sitting at the edge of the bed, trying to blink away her tiredness. Around five thirty, she left the room. She was back in her green pajamas and began to brew coffee. She figured she would take the chance to make everyone breakfast. She grabbed eggs and began cooking them. She even brought out some sausage and bacon. She lit a cigarette and smoked it.
Don came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pressed a kiss to her temple and hummed tiredly. She smiled and cooked and smoked. He stood behind her and rested his head between her neck and shoulder.
"It's early." He said. She snorted.
"Go back to bed. It's what, five thirty?" She asked.
"Six." HE said quietly and kissed her neck. "It's six." She laughed and began taking the eggs off the pan and onto a platter. "Come back to bed." He said. She laughed.
"I'm cooking." She told him, laughing. Norman walked in, half awake and yawning. He was in blue pajamas and smiled at the two. Don was shirtless and he could see all of his scars. It was less of a shock but still a sight to see.
"Morning, Norman." Jack called softly and turned to look at him. Norman smiled and nodded. "Coffee?" She offered. He accepted. Around six thirty, more people began to make their way downstairs and into the kitchen. It had a lot of windows and Jack began opening them. Before long everyone was sitting around and eating. Dolores was in her pajamas as well. They were soft pink. Her hair was braided and even in the morning, fresh out of bed, she looked beautiful.
"So what are we doing today?" Dolores asked, looking around.
"I say we go swimming in the lake." Jack suggested. "It'll give me a chance to drown Grady." She whispered to Norman who laughed quietly. Don, hearing the comment, gently elbowed her. It was settled quickly. tHey decided to stay at the lake. Betty had packed Jack two different swimsuits. One was a white and red polka dotted one piece. The other was a two-piece that was sailor blue with white stripes. She went with the red one. Dolores actually wore a daring haltered two piece. It was a beautiful sea green. It was a beautiful day out and the group began walking towards the lake. Some carried towels and others carried nothing. Dolores had on green sunglasses that had been shoved onto the top of her blonde hair.
Half way to the lake, Jack elbowed Norman, getting his attention.
"Hey, kid." She said.
"I'm almost as old as you." He pointed out. She ignored him.
"Race you to the end of the dock." She said as she pushed him and took off running. Norman laughed and ran after her. Grady laughed.
"What are they doing?" Boyd ask as Dolores laughed.
"She challenged him to a race." Don told them.
"My money's on Norman." Gordo said off handedly. Norman was taller than Jack and passed her quickly. Norman stood at the end of the dock and turned. Jack barreled into him and knocked them both into the water. "Told you." Gordo pointed out.
"I like her." Dolores said out loud. "We need more girls like her." She added and put her glasses on her face. They kept walking and saw Jack try to climb onto the dock. Norman grabbed her and pulled her back into the water. Don laughed at them. After he set his towel on the ground he walked to the end where Jack was dunking Norman. Norman backed away and came up for air, laughing.
"I know you can do better than that." He teased. Jack splashed water at him, scowling. She turned and looked up at Don. He was smiling at her.
"Need a hand out?" He asked and stretched out his hand. She looked over her shoulder to the slowly nearing Norman and took don's hand. Don had no slue what was coming. Jack had one foot on the dock when a wicked grin graced her face. Norman grabbed her and she pushed off the dock, making sure to pull don with her as she fell back into the lake.
Boyd howled with laughter from his spot on the dock. Grady and Gordo leaned over and waited for the three to resurface. Boyd and Dolores sat on their towels on the grass, content with watching for a bit.
Don resurfaced and looked at Norman with a gleam in his eye. Norman began to rethink his choices. Jack laughed, knowing she would be safe. She could outswim Don. Jack was a strong swimmer.
"You're a dead man, kid." Don said and dove under the water. Norman swam as fast as he could away and Jack laughed as she got back on the dock, letting her legs hang over. Gordo and Grady jumped past her. She saw Don come up and toss Norman.
Eventually Jack went over and grabbed Dolores, insisting she come swim. At one point everyone was in the water and just enjoying the cool lake water on the hot day. It was July 1st.
Around noon, they headed back for lunch and Norman already was showing signs of sunburn. Grady smacked his back where the burn was beginning to show. Jack smacked Grady in the face. They ate outside and some of them returned to the lake. Jack, Gordo and Grady carried Norman back to the lake and tossed him in. It was a challenge with his struggling, but they did it. Gordo and Grady then tossed Jack in.
"Did you get a chance to go yet?" Don asked Boyd. He nodded.
"What's going on?" Dolores asked. Boyd filled her in quickly before switching the topic as Jack approached, drying her hair with a towel and sat next to Don.
"What are you three talking about?" She asked.
"Just small talk." Dolores lied smoothly. "You know how men can be, all small talk." She teased and sipped her lemonade.
"You better stay out of the sun for a while. Looks like you're beginning to burn, too." Don told her and she rolled her eyes, saying she doesn't get sunburn. Don gently pressed his fingers on the pink skin on her cheek bones and Jack knew she was wrong. She was burning. Jack swore to herself and grabbed her glass of water. As the day went on, clouds began to loom over them. Jack looked up at them with a frown.
"Looks like a storm is coming." She said as she watched them roll towards them and the wind picked up. She set her towel down and stood. "I'll go get the three goofs." She said and walked away.
"We probably need to be inside anyway. Don't need too much sun, now." Boyd said and began grabbing plates and dishes. Don and Dolores helped and they heard a low rumble of thunder. Jack stood over the edge of the dock and called to them. Don watched as they pulled her in and laughed at her shouts of indignance and headed inside. A few minutes later Jack returned with the three men in tow.
Everyone dispersed to their own rooms to shower and dress. Jack had volunteered herself and Norman to make dinner. She wanted to teach him how to make his own meals since he was going to be living alone. She showered and changed into a navy blue dress that had white polka dots on it. She didn't bother wearing shoes, no one bother to wear shoes indoors. She made it into the kitchen and looked out to the raging storm. She jumped at a clap of thunder. The skies had darkened quickly with the clouds.
Norman quickly joined her and they closed the windows before cooking. The others gathered in a stitting room while the two cooked. Jack made sure they started early so she could take her time and teach Norman. He was a quick learner. He didn't just learn how to cook, he also was made aware of Jack jolting slightly at each clap of thunder, something she didn't do often in Germany. He kept it to himself.
The two enjoyed themselves cooking. Norman was a quiet and calm boy and Jack enjoyed the calm. The mood in the house was light and happy. Everyone was getting along well and enjoyed being back together and not having to worry about being blown to bits or shot up.
Jack began cutting up some potatoes to go with dinner and the knife slipped and cut her hand. The cut went down her palm and just ended on her wrist. It began to bleed and she yelped in pain and dropped the knife. Norman walked over to see what happened but stopped short when he saw her face. It had paled and she looked scared, and almost like she was in a whole other world.
Don and the others were playing bridge and smoking. The lights flickered and thunder rolled but no one was too worried about it. Conversation stopped when they heard Jack yelp in pain. Don turned and faced the hallway that lead to the kitchen. He was about to shrug it off when he heard Norman saying something to her. He couldn't hear it but heard his voice talking. The group slowly began to return to the game.
Jack shouted and they heard someone fall to the floor. They all jumped to their feet and heard the back door slam open. Don was the first to see Norman on the ground, holding a bleeding nose and ran out into the storm after Jack.
"The fuck happened to you?" Grady asked as Gordo pulled him off the ground. Norman looked slightly startled.
"I don't know. She was fine but she cut her hand pretty bad. I asked her if she was ok and she, she just punched me and ran out screaming!" He told them. Boyd looked to make sure his nose wasn't broken and Dolores got him some ice.
Jack swung at the Nazi and hit him in the face before turning and running. She didn't have her gun! Where was her gun? Bombs rained down around her as she ran. She had to find her group, where was her group? Jack tripped over a dead body and sprawled into the mud. She was on her hand and knees, covered in mud and blood as someone grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up. She spun and swung wildly. She flinched as a bomb went off. Mud and debris was flying everywhere and soldiers of both sides ran past her in all directions, shooting at someone. Everything was spinning and she couldn't breathe. She needed to find her crew. She was covered in mud and someone's blood. Whose blood was on her?
Don narrowly avoided the swing from Jack as he helped her out of the mud. The storm raged around them and he grabbed her shoulders. He could see the blood on her hand. She managed to get herself pretty good with the knife, but Don had a bigger problem.
"Jack, Jack, it's ok. Jack we're in America. You aren't in Germany." He told her. She struggled and swung her bloodied hands at him. He grabbed her wrists gently. He spoke firmly but kept his voice calm. "Jack, look at me." He told her. "Jack, you're safe. Everyone is safe. Jack, it's ok." He told her. She had been crying and tears mixed with the mud and rain. "Jack, look at me." He told her gently and she met his gaze. He lead her hand to his face, letting her feel that he was there. "Jack, I'm right here. It's ok, Jack." He kept repeating to her and she began to calm down. Her hand drifted down to his shoulder and she grabbed onto the fabric and ran it between her fingers as she began to come back. "Jack, remember where you are?" He asked as she began to calm down. Tears still ran down her face but at a much slower pace.
"America." She answered and looked at his shirt.
"Good. Jack, where in America are we?" He asked gently.
"Lake house. Lake house in Tennessee. Don, I was in Germany, there were bombs going off. It felt so real, it's always so real." She sobbed and Don pulled her into a tight embrace as she began to cry. He held her and ran his hand down her head. "Make it stop, make it stop. I can't do this."
"I know. You're safe now, Jack. You're safe. I'm here." He told her quietly. He felt her flinch at the rolling thunder and began to lead her inside. Dolores had shoved everyone back into the sitting room and came back to help Norman clean up and finish cooking. She began making tea for Jack. She had seen her father flashback several times and knew how to help. Norman and her watched as Don helped Jack inside. She kept Norman from going over to Jack, wanting to make sure she had space. Don lead her away to the bedroom. Jack numbly put on her dry pajamas and Don got her into bed.
Jack settled in and pulled the comforter over her head and Don sat on the side of the bed for a bit, just being there for her. A soft knock announced Dolores's arrival and she entered.
"I brought Jack some tea to help her sleep." She told Don who nodded at her. Dolores approached and set it on the stand nearest Jack. She knelt down and called out to Jack. Jack let the blanket be pulled away from her face. She was exhausted. "Jack, you need to drink some of this tea. It'll help you relax." Dolores told her. Jack sat up and took the mug from the woman.
Don and Dolores sat with Jack for a small while as Jack silently drank some of the tea. It did help her to relax and any time they asked her a questions she would nod or shake her head. She was exhausted. Dolores eventually pulled Don out of the room to let her rest. Jack set the tea to the side and burrowed under the blanket, finding comfort in the dark.
Dolores returned to helping Norman and worked to bring the mood back up. Norman had been startled but he was ok, just a sore nose. Dolores was able to bring the mood back up by dinner. She had turned on a radio that played music for them. They were still a bit shaken up by what happened to Jack, but it wasn't too hard to let go. They had seen her do that in Germany, but she hadn't attacked anyone. She was probably too weak at the time to try. Yes, they worried for her, but they knew she would be ok. Jack was always ok. Right?
As the evening winded down, they began to part and go to their own rooms. Don opened the door and was slightly alarmed by what he saw. Jack wasn't in bed. He looked to the bathroom door that was open and the light was on. He walked in and saw Jack cleaning her hand. They had completely forgotten about her hand. She had on a different shirt as well. IT was her army shirt, the one she wore underneath her uniform. He approached her from behind.
"Jack?" He asked softly and she looked at him from the mirror before going back to her hand. "How's your hand?" He asked as he rested his hands on her shoulders. She sniffed before answering.
"Hurts a bit. Had to clean it out, there was mud." She answered. He kissed the back of her head and watch as she wrapped it up.
"Did you clean it with iodine?" Don teased, referring to the last time she cut herself while cooking. She elbowed him and he laughed as he stepped back. She turned and walked out of the bathroom and climbed back into bed. She began to mess with her dogtags. She always had them on. Don changed and climbed in with her. He pulled her close and she looked up at him. One of his large hands gently closed around hers, closing them around the dog tags.
"Don, I'm tired of this happening." She told him. He looked at her.
"I know, Jack. Just hang in there. They should stop soon." He told her and kissed her forehead.
"What if they don't?" She asked, grabbing onto his shirt.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." He told her. "Jack, do you always have your tags on?" He asked and she nodded. "Why don't you try taking them off. It's over, you don't need them anymore." He told her gently. "Maybe that'll help a bit." Jack was hesitant but nodded and slowly removed them. It was a foreign feeling, having them gone. At first it made her worry more but slowly relaxed as she left them on the nightstand. She felt as if a small burden had been lifted. "I love you, Jack." Don told her and kissed her head.
"I love you, too." She told her and got close to him, needing to feel him there with her. Maye he had been right to tell her to take them off. They reminded her of the war. She had to keep them on in case something happened to her, they could identify the body. It told her that she was still at risk of dying when she wore them. Maybe that stress was pushing her towards those flashbacks.
The next morning, she woke to find the bed empty. She smelled food and heard lively chatter. She grunted and climbed out of bed, making her way downstairs. She entered the dining room and conversation died down. She frowned. Not this shit again. They were going to treat her like glass, weren't they.
"How you feeling, Jack?" Bible asked her. She grunted in his direction, still a bit tired. She passed them and entered the kitchen. Don laughed to himself as she walked by. She grabbed coffee and food and sat between Don and Norman and conversation began to pick up. She looked at Norman and frowned, gently elbowing him in the side.
"Hey." She told him. "The fuck happened to your nose?" She asked quietly. Norman snorted a bit and looked to Grady and Gordo who were sitting across from them. Jack began to sip some coffee. Norman had a bruise on his nose.
"You did." He told her and she began to choke on her coffee. Don looked at her and rested a hand on her back as she coughed.
"The fuck you mean I did?" She asked incredulously.
"After you cut your hand I tried to help, you punched me in the face." He told her with a smile, trying not to laugh at her shocked expression. Her hands went to her mouth.
"Oh shit, I'm sorry!" She apologized and tried not to laugh. "Don't tell your mother." She teased. Norman laughed.
"Don't worry she's hit all of us worse than that." Grady told him and Jack glared.
"You boys deserved it." She told him firmly, pining him down with a glare. Grady and Gordo laughed as Jack drank her coffee.
The rest of the week went by without any issues for the most part. Some days it rained and they stayed inside, playing cards, reading, relaxing, just enjoying each other's company. One day the group decided to go horseback riding. On July 4th they went to go watch fireworks. Another day they went back to the lake.
Towards the end of the week, the phone rang. Dolores and Jack were doing the dishes that evening and Don answered. It was Betty calling. Betty had been getting their mail for them while they were gone and saw Jack had a letter. It was from a Richard Edwards. Don wasn't aware she still had family left.
"Hey, Jack?" He called from the phone. He heard her respond. "You got a letter from a Richard Edwards-" He was cut off when a plate fell and shattered. Jack came running into the room, much to the surprise of the others and snatched the phone from Don.
"Hello?" She asked. "Betty? It's from Richard Edwards? What does it say, did you read it?" She asked hurriedly. Jack did not look happy this man was writing her. "Are you serious?" She asked and the men were startled by her anger. "Ok. Thank you Betty. No, I'll handle it when we get home, thank you. If he calls, do not tell him where I am, ok? Thank you, Betty. Here's Don." She said and walked away. They heard her yell "Fuck!" in the hall.
Jack began to pick up the broken plate and apologized to Dolores for leaving her like that. She assured Jack it was ok. The men were quite confused. Don could have sworn she said she had no family left. Had she lied? Don sighed through his nose. HE didn't like not knowing, but he needed to trust her, right? She wouldn't like unless she had good reason, and that worried him more.
Jack had a tendency to not ask for help, especially when she got in too deep. Don could do nothing except hope she would talk to him about it. If he pushed too hard, she would shut down and not tell him anything. Don trusted her but it didn't keep him from worrying about her. He just hoped what ever the issue was, it could be resolved easily.
Let me know what you guys think. I know PTSD and flashbacks don't work like that, I am sorry. I don't have nay experience wth them and I don't know enough to write accurately. Googling didn't help much.