Hope Shepherd

Talking About It

Warning: hey quick warning this chapter goes deeper into Hope's rape not graphic or anything but may be a sensitive topic.

POV Owen: I felt Amelia crawl back into our bed. "Is Hope okay?" I asked. "Yea she is," Amelia replied sounding happy. "Guess what?" She awake me. I rolled over to face her, "hm?" "Hope called me mom," she exclaimed with a big smile on her face. My mouth fell open, "Really?! I though she'd never do that." "Yea I can't believe it either," Amelia said still in shock. I gave her a hug as she cuddled up against me.
The Next Morning....
POV Hope: I yawned as I woke up from last nights activities. I looked over at my clock and saw it was already 11:00 am. I put on a Grey Sloan hoodie and black sweatpants and headed down the stairs. Amelia and Owen were sitting at the table having coffee. "Good morning princess," Owen greeted. "Hey mom and dad what are you both doing home?" I asked. A moment of panic passed through my head as I wondering if I really called Amelia mom last night. Neither of them had a big reaction so I assumed Amelia told Owen what I said. "Yes Hope, I do know about what happened last night," Owen revealed. I blushed not knowing what to say about it. He opened up his arms and I decided to go over and give him a hug. Amelia smiled wide. "So you guys haven't answered my question yet," I repeated  knowing usually one of them was at work if the other was home. "Uh we decided to use our vacation days to spend time with you," Amelia explained. I raised an eyebrow. "Is this an intervention or something?" I asked half joking. Their faces became a little more serious. I sighed knowing what was coming for me. "You know it's been a few weeks and we've given you your space, but we haven't talked about it yet," she spoke gently. "It's no rush, we have the whole week to get through it. But no one is leaving this house till we get it all out okay?" Owen announced. I nodded, then stood there shifting uncomfortably.

Amelia patted the seat across from them and I sat down. She handed me a plate of pasta with tomato and mushrooms while Owen ran his hand through his hair. They both stared at me as I started to eat. "So... what's been happening up in your head recently?" Amelia started. I shrugged, shoving some more pasta in my mouth not really wanting to dig up all the thoughts that have been taking over my head.

POV Amelia: I really want Hope to talk and I know if she doesn't soon she could have a really bad PTSD episode. She's been carrying too much on her shoulders, while I've been talking to Owen and going to AA meetings. "Look, I know it's hard to talk about but we better do it now before something explosive happens. Remember when I told you I kept my drug addiction to myself and shut out my friends? Well I eventually just lost it and it caused someone to lose a life," I recalled my time at oceanside wellness. Owen put his arm around me and I leaned on his shoulder. Hope took in a deep breath, "Alright, so I've been having nightmares which you both know." "What usually happens in them?" Owen asks. Hope sat silent for a few seconds. "He always slashes me with a knife and repeatedly..." she trails off. "Repeatedly rapes you?" I finished. She nodded tearfully. Owen took her finished plate to the sink and we all made our way over to the couch. Owen sat on the armchair while I laid longways on the couch pulling Hope to lean against my chest. She takes my hand and holds it tight.

"Mom? Did he ..r..rape you too?" Hope choked out looking at me. "No honey, he beat me up pretty bad but he didn't hurt me like he hurt you," I explained. "Why me?" she asked. "I wish I knew," I answered. Owen was clenching his fists the father in him displayed pretty clearly. "Dad, it's okay. Don't stress yourself out about what already happened," Hope said. I was glad she's starting to call us mom and dad more. "I know princess, I just hate that this man did that to you," Owen admitted. I stroked her hair, "were you okay while you were in the hospital without either of us?" She shrugged receding back to being closed off. "Who was there?" I continued, trying to see if focusing on small details would help. "Um Jo was my doctor and Jennifer from the FBI was there," she replied. "Oh I remember Agent Jareau she seemed very kind," Owen recalled. Hope nodded. "Yes, I really liked her too," I remarked. Hope randomly burst into tears. I immediately wrapped my arms around her and pulled a blanket on her because she was shivering.
POV Hope: Talking about JJ brought back memories from the hospital. It was scary and somehow felt unnatural. I felt arms around my waist.
Flashback 8 years ago
I was upset that my dad was leaving for awhile for "work" and my mom was making hot chocolate to get my mind off of it. I started to cry because I already missed my daddy. My mom scooped me up and told me everything would be alright and that he'd always come back for me.
POV Amelia: Hope was shuddering and very clearly having some sort of flashback. I wasn't sure whether it was from the kidnapping or from her childhood. The best we could do is make sure she's safe and wait it out. Owen went and grabbed some tissues and a bottle of water. "Hey, are you alright?" I asked when she seemed to calm down a little. Owen handed her the water and she took it gratefully. "What was happening?" I gently questioned. She stuttered, "I th.. think a..after we talked a..about JJ it m.made me th..think about the h..ospital. I g..got nervous. When y..you hugged me it... just reminded m..e of my biological mom.." I grabbed a tissue and wiped her face. I could tell she was exhausted and emotionally drained. Owen sat down next to Hope seeing if she was going to move away. When she didn't, he leaned her onto his chest and let her tears run down his shirt. "Okay we're done for today," I said rubbing her back.