Scotty – The Smother Hen.

Scott stared into the flickering flames of the camp-fire, feeling the heat on his face. His brothers hunched around him, pressing close to him, for warmth or for comfort? They had been through a lot these past few years and had come through it all…more or less. They had recently had their father return to them, having been missing for more than two years, then Kayo's disappearance at the hand of her evil conniving uncle had knocked them all for six; Scotty especially.

Her return to Tracy Island had taken longer than any of them were comfortable with, and still she had refused to discuss in full the things she had gone through at his hand. They knew she would when she was ready, but the haunted expression in her eyes had become almost a permanent feature, and it broke everyone's hearts to see her like that. Instead of joining her adoptive brothers on their holiday, she had decided to visit with Lady Penelope instead. The invitation had come at the time when Kayo was feeling at her lowest, and she desperately needed a little pampering to help bring her out of herself. At least, Scotty mused, Lady P knew how to take good care of her guests. Kayo would get a real break, and fun to boot. That made this impromptu camping holiday all the more relaxing, because they no longer needed to worry about her.

If only his brothers had not asked him such a personal question. If dad had come with them, Scotty could have left this question to dad to answer…but dad had declined to come. Having lived for two years in the Amazon jungle, he had no desire to return to living rough. He wanted to enjoy a nice holiday in the peace and luxury of his own home.

"Scott? This was your idea, Scotty." Virgil reminded him in his soft voice. "Good therapy you said. But you don't have to answer if you really don't want to."

Scott shook himself and smiled at his brothers.

"Sorry, I was just…So you want me to explain why I am such a…what did you call me?

"Smother Hen!" Gordon supplied with a chuckle. "We know you care Scott. You're a brilliant big brother, but you must admit you do go overboard at times."

"Smother Hen." Scott repeated almost under his breath. He looked round at them and sighed. Some things were better left in the dark. What would dad say when they got back? Would he be glad or sorry that he had told the others about Neil? He looked up.

"Okay…the real reason? I am terrified of losing one of you guys. I love you all too much to risk losing you. You might almost call it a…a…phobia."

"That's why you get mad when we risk our lives, even though you are often risking yours?" Alan asked, trying to understand. "We're just as scared of losing you, Scott. We love you and need you too."

Scott ruffled his baby brother's hair fondly.

"I know, Squirt, and I am sorry. The thing is…I…"

They were moved to see a tear roll down Scott's cheek. Scotty never cried in front of them! John leaned in to him.

"You need to tell them, Scott. It's about time they knew."

"Tell us what?" Virgil asked, looking confused. Scott looked at John in surprise.

"You know? how do you know? Did dad tell you? Did Grandma?"

John shook his head.

"No, I remember. I know I was only two, but I've never forgotten him. He deserves to be remembered, Scotty. Go on."

Scott nodded, deriving strength from his oldest sibling.

"Okay, well…I know I am the oldest of us…but I was not Jeff and Lucille Tracy's firstborn son. When I was born, Neil was three years old."

Virgil, Gordon and Alan stared at him, their eyes popping in shock.

"Neil!?"

Scott nodded.

"Named after the very first man in history to step foot on the moon. Neil Armstrong Tracy. He was my big brother. He had blue eyes and auburn hair, and he could have taught Gordon a thing or two about pranks!"

There was silence for several seconds as the others digested this news. Finally, Virgil touched Scott's knee to bring him back out of his reverie.

"What happened to him, Scott?"

Scott glanced at John and saw pain on his face that reflected the agony in his own heart. He saw John give him a slight nod. Scott sighed, and noticed distantly that his hands were shaking slightly.

"He was everything a big brother should be, guys. He looked after me, and when John came along, he watched out for Johnny. When John was two and I was four, Neil was seven years old. Mom and dad were at the hospital…mom was having Virgil, and we were at home with grandpa and grandma. It happened so quickly. We were playing ball in the garden, when the ball went into the road. I went to get it, and Neil pulled me back and said the road was dangerous and I could get hurt. He waited until the road was clear and then walked out to get the ball. At that second, some crazy guy in a big blue truck came zooming around the corner and knocked him into the air. N. was dead before he hit the g.g. ."

Suddenly, Scott was weeping, silently, his face averted, his shoulders shaking. Tears were in John's eyes too. The three younger brothers were stunned to learn of the big brother they had never known, and heartbroken at Scott's grief, only now being allowed to show. They bunched closely round their oldest brother, all hugging him until finally Scott regained a measure of control once more. He managed a genuine if wan smile.

"Guys, Neil taught me how to be a good big brother. Losing Neil made me swear to myself that I would be like him and make him proud of me. I also promised him that I would never let anything happen to Johnny or the new baby."

He glanced at Virgil with a smile.

"I know what it feels like to lose a brother, and I don't ever want to feel that way again. Sorry if I come over too strong sometimes with the smothering bit, but I can't help it. You guys mean so much to me. Our big brother Neil would be so proud of you all too."

The silence was broken by the occasional sniff, until Alan's slightly teary voice cut across the crackling of the flames.

"I wish we could have known him Scotty. Can you tell us more about Neil Tracy?"

Huddling down together, staring into the now dying flames, Scott wiped away more tears, and started to talk.