The ending's not the greatest, but...Let me know what you think!

After a long day at the office, Elizabeth wasn't exactly looking forward to the chat she was going to have with Jason, but as she walked into the house that evening she knew it was prime time.

"I'm home," Elizabeth announced.

"In here, babe," Henry called from the kitchen.

"Hey, guys," She greeted, "What are you up to?"

Henry and Stevie both shot each other a look.

"All I'm saying is, he got off pretty easy," Stevie insisted.

"Stevie, please, just drop it," Henry pleaded.

"She's right, dad," Alison cut in, "He never gets in trouble."

"Please, enough!" Henry whistled, "We're taking care of him." Henry quickly shifted is attention to Elizabeth. "How was your day, babe?" He asked, placing a slight peck on her lips.

"Busy, how is he?" She whispered, not wanting spark another argument."

"Good," Henry shrugged, "He's up in his room." Elizabeth sighed, she knew what "good" meant, and it wasn't making her task any easier.

The dinner table that night remained relatively quiet that night. Elizabeth watched as Jason picked at his food, his gloomy disposition vibrantly on display.

"This is fun," Stevie commented, cutting the silence. She was quick to spot the eyeroll from Henry.

"Is there something wrong, dad?" She asked.

"Yeah, you're trying to instigate something," Henry replied, "Stop acting like you're twelve."

"Hey, at least I wasn't drinking when I was twelve."

"Stevie," Henry hissed through his teeth.

Jason dropped his fork and abruptly left the table.

"Jason!" Henry yelled.

"Very mature of you, Stevie," Henry said as Jason left the room.

"Sorry," she quietly laughed.

Henry got up and followed Jason but Elizabeth stopped him.

"I've got him, let me do this," She said.

She entered Jason's room to find him curled up on his bed.

"Hey, Jase," she smiled. But he didn't move nor say anything.

"I'm not here to interrogate you," She assured walking toward him, "I just want to talk. Will you talk?" When he didn't respond Elizabeth sat down beside him and smoothed the fabric beneath her fingers. She could see he was veins on the side of his head became more pronounced, his lip quivered, he wasn't a complete stranger.

"Are you disappointed?" Jason asked, his eyes stayed fixed on the wall. Elizabeth was taken aback by his question. She took a moment to collect her thoughts, knowing she had to answer carefully.

"No. No," She said, although, if she was being honest, that wasn't completely true, "No, I just want to know why."

"Why I was drinking?" He asked.

"Yes," She answered softly.

"I don't know," He admitted.

Not knowing what to say Elizabeth let the room fall silent. She gently gripped his shoulder hoping he would turn over and face her.

"Mom," He said, "I didn't want to."

"But you still did it," She reminded.

"I wasn't trying to, I just-" Jason sighed in frustration.

"You what?" Elizabeth questioned.

"I don't know!" Jason yelled.

"Okay, calm down...Calm down," Elizabeth soothed, "I'm just asking."

"Can we be done?" He asked.

"Jase, I just want to know why you were drinking." She replied.

I DON'T KNOW!" He yelled once more, and turned over on his back, She could see the light stain of tears already on his cheeks.

"I didn't mean to, I swear!" He continued, "I keep trying to tell dad that but he never listens. Mom, I didn't mean to," He cried.

"Shh, it's okay Jase," She whispered as she stroked his hair

"No, it's n-Not," He choked, "Dad hates me."

"He doesn't. Come here," She said catching him in her arms, "You know what I think?" She whispered.

"What?" He sniffled.

"I think you're scared to talk to him-Scared he'll be disappointed.

"He is!" He cried.

"Have you talked to him?"

"All he does is yell at me."

"He just cares about you, Jase-He doesn't hate you." Elizabeth let go of him and whipped away his tears. She smiled, he still needed her.

"What?" He asked, his voice appearing more calm.

"It's just…" She paused, "...This, I miss this-I miss you."

"I miss you too, mom" He embraced her once more.

"There's my snuggle bear," She cooed.

Instead of protesting she felt his embrace tighten and that was all she needed.