Chapter Twenty-Three: Skeletons in the closet

Flashback:
A 6 year old Jack knocks on his parents' bedroom door, its 4am.
Christian stirred in his sleep, young Jack glanced at the empty bottle on the bedside table, 'Jack...what're you doing?'
'I had a bad dream daddy...' the little boy responded, Christian sat up in bed, he frowned as he saw his son clinging to the white bunny rabbit Christian had given him two years ago.
'What will that toy do to protect you from your dream Jack? Can you tell me that?'
The boy stared at his father, he clenched the teddy close to his chest, 'Mommy...?'
Margo stirred in her sleep, seeing her son, she smiled softly, 'Hey honey, what's wrong?'
Christian glared at her, 'your son's a coward.'
'He's your son too...' she replied firmly, Christian studied Jack as Margo climbed out of bed and walked over to him, 'come on, I'll come to bed with you,' Jack nodded, he slipped his fingers through his mother's hand, he was terrified but feeling his mother's warmth made him feel safe.
Christian picked up the empty bottle on the bedside table and frowned at it, it was finished already? He groaned and tossed it into the bin.
The glass smashed against the hard wall and fell into the bin.
Jack jumped at the sound, he turned back to see what had happened but his mother continued to lead him towards his bedroom, he peered back at his father.

The next morning: In Christian's study;
Jack fought back tears as he watched his father yelling at him, 'What are you doing in here?!'
Jack tried to speak, but he was too scared, 'I was looking for him-' Jack pointed at the bunny in Christian's bin, Christian frowned at just how heartbroken his son was, he walked over to the little boy. Placing his hands firmly on Jack's shoulders, he said, 'Rabbits are pathetic creatures son, they hear a noise...and they run...but that doesn't remove the problem Jack. It doesn't FIX it. Does it?'
Jack slowly shook his head, sensing it was the answer Christian wanted, Christian's warm alcohol laced breath made Jack grimace slightly, and at the same time having, his father actually hold him, even if it was out of contempt elated him.
Christian almost smiled at his son as he spoke, 'so tell me son. Who can protect you from your bad dreams? That rabbit can't...it will just turn and run. So WHO can save you? WHO can fix your problems?'
'You...?' Jack innocently asked, Christian shook his head as he crouched opposite Jack.
'No, Jack. Only YOU can save yourself, ONLY YOU. ' Jack stared at his father, his father was such a great man, he had heard his friends say how many people his dad had saved, his dad was his hero.
Christian stared at his son, after becoming involved with some of DHARMA's operations. The one thing he had to lose in this world was standing right opposite him. It was Jack, Christian smiled at Jack, for the first time in a while, he felt something more than just disdain for his son, he felt guilt. The guilt of what he had gotten the poor boy involved in, and Jack had no idea. Not yet. Jack didn't know what the island expected of him. Christian glanced at the mirror, he shuddered, feeling as though he was being watched, he turned back to his son.
'Go to school son, you're gonna be late.'
Jack nodded obediently.
Christian stared at the mirror after Jack left, he stared at his own eyes, he had learnt the difference between looking into his eyes and looking at them. Since doing business with Widmore, he had lost his compassion, he could no longer look into his own eyes . He could simply stare at them, like all the outsiders he walked by everyday. He no longer knew himself and he was slipping. He could feel it, the need for alcohol to numb the pain of what he had done on the island was stronger than ever, he craved it. And his son? His poor son, Christian shook his head, if Margo found out that Christian had promised Jack to the island...she would never forgive him. His blue eyes were cold, his detachment from himself managed to surprise him. Since returning, he had been slowly losing his mind.
End Flashback:

'You've had enough to drink Jack-'
Kate picked up the bottle on the table and put it aside, she sat on the table opposite him so she could make eye contact and try to get through to him. Jack stared at the white rabbit sitting on the couch. Kate frowned, she blocked Jack's view by sitting directly infront of him.
'Look at me...Aaron's asleep, I need you to talk to me, to tell me what's happening-' Jack didn't reply, Kate felt her calm grasp slipping, 'Jack...' the vulnerability in her voice drew him out of his trance-like state, 'I'm just as scared as you are...please, talk to me.' His eyes met hers, he climbed to his feet and picked up his jacket.
'Goodnight Kate...'
'Where are you going?' she asked, she didn't want to be left alone tonight.


'I need to...I...' he trailed off, Kate shook her head-she knew why he had fallen silent, he was going out to get even more drunk.
'You're not going anywhere, I NEED you.' The desperation in her voice resonated in his ears, but he couldn't bring himself to respond.
'No, Kate-I should go-'
'Jack?' he looked at her absently, Kate looked torn, 'please.'
Jack stood still for a moment, he glanced at the teddy on the couch, he looked to Kate, 'I've got work tomorrow Kate...I need to sleep off everything I just drank...' he tried to give her a small smile but she wasn't buying it, not today.
'Jack...I was right there with you. You're not the only one who's worried.' She was done being patient now, she had gone from vulnerable to infuriated in an instant, but he didn't blame her. He was being selfish, he knew that.
'I don't-I can't. Be. Around Aaron right now-'
'why?' she pressed, the look on his face let her know that she wasn't getting an answer, she gazed at him longingly, 'what about me?'
Jack didn't answer, 'Kate...I just...I need to go. I'm-I'm sorry.'
Kate followed him upto the door, 'Jack-'
'Please Kate...' he pleaded in a soft tone, 'I need to go.' He couldn't be here. He couldn't be around Aaron, he couldn't risk being reminded of the island or his father...
Kate let Jack walk out. She watched him leave her standing alone in the house.

Jack fought back tears as he numbly walked away from the house. Several thoughts reeled through his mind, neither making complete sense. There was the woman he was in love with, Kate...but with her, there was Aaron, and Jack truly wasn't ready to face his childhood issues, he needed to make peace with his childhood. He needed to get closure. He needed to see him. One.Last.Time.
End chapter twenty-three