Jet Lag

Chapter 10: Jack

When your family works together in one tightly knit bundle in the freaking FBI, you'd think that it would come with so many benefits. You'd be correct.

However, you couldn't be more wrong.

"And you make sure he doesn't get these until he's got more movement in his arm." Arms already stacked full of brown folders containing what is no doubt a months worth of paperwork, Jack nods.  

"Make sure your Emily stays in bed, she said she was dizzy this morning so any argument from her is false."

"Go see Reid first, would you? He gets lonely up there all by himself."

Having so many aunts and uncles is never overwhelming.  There's never a time when you just want them all to stop and not say a thing. Things like that never happen.

Garcia, in her normal saint way, leans around the files and kisses Jack's forehead. "Please be careful. There are already too many people in the hospital."

Jack nods and watches his Aunts and Uncles, save Reid and Emily, enter the elevator. 

"Please remember Michael!" It's JJ, leaning out of the elevator and pointing a crooked finger at Jack.

Jack nods, not saying a word but still praying he doesn't forget his blonde aunt's son.

Luckily, for both his aunt and his future his doesn't forget Michael. In fact, he picks him up early. After dropping Micheal off with Henry, Jack heads for the hospital.

The long white halls fill his mind with images of the past, most he'd like to leave behind and a few he'd like to keep forever.

He sees his father's face after the Mr. Scratch attack. Eyes full of un-shed tears and voice on the edge of breaking.

Morgan teaching him poker after he got his tonsils taken out.

Reid teaching him chess after his father collapsed from scar tissue.

Rossi holding him as wept out the fear of losing his father nearly two hours after the chess game.

JJ hugging him hard on the way to see his hospitalized father after Foyett.

Emily actually putting money into a poker game after he broke his arm playing soccer.

Garcia letting him play games on her laptop.

His heart aches to go back to when he was ten. When he was ten what he thought and how he felt ment so much more. He'd made it, he supposes. Maybe it doesn't matter anymore. He just needed to make it.

---

"Have you ever thought about hurting yourself, Jack?"

Going to a therpist wasn't Jack's idea. Jack didn't even think anything was wrong with himself. If anything these stupid meetings always mess him up more.

"Nope." He really didn't like talking to the psychiatrist. Guy looks like Lector from the old movies.

The man moves his left leg over top of the right," why?"

Jack rolls his eyes.

"Every teenager who has ever sat where you are now has said yes. Even my kindest, sweetest patients. What makes you different?"

Everthing.

"If I die, my father's alone. My father doesn't part well alone." He's learned to be honest with the man who looks like Lector.

"Your father?" The man doesn't write this down, it's odd. "You said 'died'. Is it suicide you've thought of?"

Jack breaks the sacred truth of eye contact. "Just because someone thinks something, doctor, doesn't mean they'll do it."

The doctor nods. Jack is not wrong. "You're a bright young man, Jack. You're father is lucky to have such a stunning lad. But, I need you to understand that if you don't take care of yourself then you're no good to your father. If you're hurt, even just emotionally, you're hurting him. And, if there's anything I've learned through our sessions, there's nothing that makes you as uneasy as a threat to hurt your last remaining parent."

"Jack?"

Blinking twice to regain whatever composer he has left Jack turns to Michael. "Yeah?"

"Should I get Uncle Pencer these socks of these?"

Jack looks at the socks held in front of his face," spaceships."

Michael nods," like Star Trek!"

Hospitals always hurt. There's always pain evolved with hospitals.

That makes things so difficult.

"Exactly."

"What?" His mind is numb, he's missed something.

"You zoned out. What're you thinking about?" His aunt's eyes peer back at him, questioning.

"Everything," Jack answers honestly, "and nothing."

Emily nods understanding," well if you want to talk about it I'm all ears."

"Yeah. I'll-... okay."

Emily nods, reaching out and rustling his hair," good."

Michael bounds into the room," you know what I can't wait for??"

"CHRISTMAS!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS GUYS!! Happy Holidays and everything that any of you celebrate. I am so sorry I haven't updated in years! I hope you missed me❤
-S.H.