AN: This is a story I found on my computer that I wrote when I was younger. Reading it back it makes me cringe but there is potential in the plot line. Some of the later chapters had corrupt files so have been rewritten using the slim bits of recovered text I could get off the documents. I intend to go back and change all the chapters up to the standard of writing I'm at now as opposed to about 5 years ago. The ages in this story are tweaked to fit in. There are two years between Scott and John, John and Virgil, Virgil and Gordon and then 4 years between him and Alan.

Lucille smiled down proudly at her boys, all 3 of them with a number four on the way. Jeff may say that he wants a girl this time but Lucille knew he treasured his boys just as much as she does, no matter how much time he spends away in space. Scott offered a small smile up at her before running off to join his friends in the opposite corner of the playground. John, all blue-eyed, a blonde haired beauty stared up at her with innocent, inquisitive eyes and a soft smile while his hands gripped tightly at the book he was carrying. She ran a hand gently through his hair as Gordon or Grace gave a kick from her stomach. She wanted the next one to be blonde and brown eyed to compliment a mix of all her current boys, though she knew honestly that it could come out green with purple dots and she'd still love it the same as all her current boys. A tug on her hand drew out of her musings and her attention back to her final angel, Virgil Tracy, who gazed up with at her with a face that mirrored her own. Scared eyes blinked away tears that were rushing to the surface. Shifting herself to scoop him up she looked into his eyes, only vaguely aware of John scampering off to sit on the bench nearby to read his book. Lucille leant forwards and rubbed her nose against her youngest sons.

"Hey hey hey what's up little baby?" Soft brown eyes gazed into her with love and trust.

"I'm scared Mummy." His little, melodic voice quivered and her heart broke for him.

"Why darling?"

"What if I make no friends?" Lucille couldn't picture anyone not liking her soft-hearted, sensitive boy. Scott was confident and out-going, John clever and quiet, but Virgil was musical and considerate.

"Of course you'll make friends my little champion. You're so special and lovely that people can't help but be your friend." As if to cement her words another small tug was felt on her elbow and moving Virgil slightly Lucille noticed a small brown haired girl staring up at the two of them. Tightening her grip on her little boy Lucille dropped to her knees to speak to the girl better. The girl didn't take her eyes off Virgil who was peering at the girl with an equally interested gaze. Then she spoke, her voice quiet and tentative and a small hand reached out towards Virgil.

"Why you sad?" Virgil's body tensed before he wriggled and slipped out of Lucille's arms, taking the small girls offered hand. He mumbled a reply that Lucille didn't catch but the girl apparently got with ease. She nodded and smiled happily causing a little grin to spread on Virgil's mouth before she tugged his hand and lead him off to another section of the playground near where John was sat reading. At that point another woman ran over.

"Darcy!" The girl looked up from her conversation with Virgil to stare at the woman with wide eyes that Lucille could now see where also brown. The woman paced towards the child, prompting Lucille protective instincts to follow. The woman fell to her knees besides the girl and lay a hand on her head, shooting Virgil almost dark looks. "Are you alright darling?" The girl just blinked and nodded, not comprehending the fuss.

"Yeah Mummy. This's Virgil. M' Best Friend." The woman flung shocked eyes to Virgil who warily nodded and smiled before retaking Darcy's hand, directing her attention back to him. They instantly engaged in fresh conversation that Lucille couldn't understand, and judging by her look neither could the woman. She let out a bewildered sound before standing up.

"Are you going to be okay now Virgie?" Lucille said stepping forwards and positioning herself subtly between the strange woman and her son. Her youngest baby nodded happily at Darcy's mumbled words before turning to properly respond to Lucille.

"Yeah. I gots Darcy, Scotty and Johnny." Lucille smiled reassuringly before closing her eyes and turning away. Her children were growing up so fast she could barely keep up. They were all so intelligent and mature. She laid a hand on her stomach and wished that she'd get a child who would grownup at a slower pace so she could cling to their innocence a bit longer. As Lucille turned to leave the woman who she assumed was Darcy's mother stepped in front of her.

"Sorry if I seemed a bit hostile towards your son. It's just, Darcy usually doesn't talk to kids her age and she's been here quite a few weeks now." Lucille felt her face contort into surprise that the young, seemingly bubbly girl was ever shy.

"Oh that's alright. Virgil only ever has his older brothers for company."

"Though it looks like a little brother or sister is on their way." The woman's eyes flicked to her stomach with an admiring glance.

"Yes my husband wants a girl, as does my eldest son. The rest of us want another boy."

"Rest?" The question was posed not unkindly.

"Ah yes. I have 3 sons. Scott. John. And obviously Virgil." The woman smiled and offered her hand.

"Casey Martin." Lucille smiled and took the hand in a pleasant grip.

"Lucille Tracy."

At that point the bell rang and for a few seconds Virgil looked panicked until Darcy laid a silent hand on his arm. He instantly relaxed and the two of them walked together towards the teacher who had appeared from the door. Scott hugged Virgil quickly as he walked past before Darcy tugged Virgil back away. As they walked into the school, both had smiles on their faces. Anyone could see it was the start of a friendship, but only in later years would it come out how close the friendship was and how desperately both of them would need it.