Unspoken

Disclaimer: would love to say I own them but I don't.

How do you cope when you lose the one thing you need most to do your job? John is about to find out. This is a special story and a birthday present for a very dear friend and author on here. Happy Birthday Darkflame, hope you enjoy John's suffering. Have a wonderful birthday and know I love you very much.

Chapter 1: Illnesses never stay secret for long.

John awoke and stretched out on his bed. As his hand hit the soft headboard behind him, he remembered he was at home and smiled. The smile quickly faded as his body was taken over by a coughing fit. When they finally subsided, he sank back onto his pillow. Not the best start to the day and he knew he was now in for some smothering from his brothers once they realized he was ill. He was actually quite surprised that Virgil wasn't already in here after that coughing fit. Slowly, he sat up and swung his legs off the bed, pausing for a moment in case there was another cough to come. This time he was in luck and he made his way to the bathroom. What he really wanted to do was climb back into bed for a few more hours but he knew he was due back on Five today so he couldn't.

Once he was dressed and ready for the day slowed by frequent bouts of coughing and sneezing, he left his room heading for the kitchen. Before he reached the door the klaxon sounded and John knew he would be safe for a few more hours, well as long as he could keep how he felt hidden for a few moments longer. He knew he wouldn't be asked to go on this rescue as he was due back up on Five later. In many ways, he was relieved because he knew he wasn't up to it but a part of him couldn't deny he wanted to go. He'd barely been on any rescues this rotation and it was frustrating him. Why did all the rescues seem to happen when Alan was down and not him?

John headed towards the lounge knowing he needed to at least show his face or his brothers would worry something was wrong. He walked in to see Virgil headed for the panel that would lead to Thunderbird Two. Scott had already disappeared through his.

"I'm sorry, John, but with you going back to Five today its best if you sit this one out," said Jeff. He knew John wouldn't really be happy with that but he didn't want to tire him out or worse injure him before a stint up in space.

"Its fine, Dad," he replied, surprised by how croaky his voice suddenly sounded.

"Are you okay, Son?" Jeff asked hearing the hoarse sound of his son's voice.

John coughed in an attempt to clear his throat, "Yeah, I'm fine, Dad, just a bit dry. As you don't need me, I'll go have some breakfast," he replied, quickly heading to the door before any more questions could be asked.

He was gone but had missed a younger brother still in the room. Gordon paused at the elevator down to two, "Keep an eye on him, Dad," he said.

"I will, Son. Don't worry," replied Jeff, not surprised that Gordon like himself had picked up that John wasn't right. Although he didn't make it obvious, Gordon had moments when he could be really astute especially when it came to Alan or John.

As soon as the others were on their way, Jeff went to find his stargazer. John was not in the kitchen as he'd claimed so Jeff headed to his bedroom. The door was open and he could see John stretched out on the bed, asleep. As he quietly drew closer he could see how pale his son was and the faint sheen of sweat running across his forehead.

Suddenly, John sat up and began coughing, Jeff was instantly by his side and rubbing his back as the young man was once more racked with coughs. When the coughing finally subsided, John leant back against his father suddenly needing the strength his dad always had.

Jeff smiled relishing in the opportunity to hold his second eldest. It wasn't often John let him do this anymore

"You need to get back to the rescue," said John, finally pulling away.

"Yes and you need to get some rest," replied Jeff, smiling down at him.

John nodded and laid back down on his bed and in less than a minute he was fast asleep. A sure sign he was ill. John had always been one to sleep off an illness. Jeff pulled a light blanket up and over his son. "Sleep well, Son," he said softly.

Gordon sat behind Virgil his foot tapping impatiently on the floor as they began their journey home from the rescue.

"Please, tell me you're not going to do that the whole way home," moaned Virgil.

"Sorry but I just want to get back and check on John," replied Gordon and instantly regretted his words as Virgil spun round to face him.

"What's wrong with John?" he asked.

"Think he's ill, he looked really pale and hot," replied Gordon, knowing there was no point trying to play it down.

Virgil turned back ground and pushed the throttle making Two fly faster. Normally, he didn't like to push the engines on Two but today they needed to be. John was the one of them that seemed to get ill the least so it always came as a bit of a shock when he did.

Gordon felt the power shift in the engines and was glad. Although, he knew Virgil was going to go into his paranoid, smothering brother mode he needed to let him know. This way they got home quicker and he could reassure himself that his big brother was okay. John would just have to put up with the smothering.

"Thunderbird One to Thunderbird Two, everything okay?" called the voice of their older brother.

"Yes, everything is fine," replied Virgil, rolling his eyes. He wasn't surprised that Scott had called when he'd noticed that two was going faster.

Gordon stepped up to stand beside his brother, "We're just hungry and need some lunch, right Virge?" he added, knowing that only Scott could out smother Virgil. He didn't want Scott stressing about John and flying home dangerously.

"Yeah, and we can't have you eating it all before we get there," agreed Virgil, though he could see Scott wasn't buying it.

"See ya at home, bro," added Gordon and closed down the communication.

Virgil was not surprised to see that Scott had slowed down so he could keep pace with them. Scott would have easily realized there was something going on but at present he clearly thought it was them. Virgil had no intention of changing that until they landed. He knew that was what Gordon was thinking, too.

"He gonna babysit us all the way back now I take it," said Gordon, moving back into his seat.

"Yep, you know what he's like," replied Virgil.

"Yeah, like you, only worse," muttered Gordon.

"What was that?" asked Virgil, turning round to face his younger brother.

"Nothing, oh chilled out brother of mine," he replied with a grin.

"Like you can talk, you're the one dying to get back to him," said Virgil as he turned back round.

"Nicely played," admitted Gordon with a grin. Though he may be closest to Alan, he couldn't deny that Virgil had an amazing ability to cheer him up whenever he needed it. In whatever form it was required.

John awoke again feeling more like himself only to find two of his brothers in his room, watching him. "Jeez talk about giving a guy a heart attack," he said.

"Sorry, bro, just wanted to see how you are feeling," apologised Virgil, walking closer to bed.

"I'm okay, just feel a bit rough," he replied and allowed Virgil to check his temperature. As much as he hated being smothered, he'd learnt it was easier just to let Virgil get on with it.

"Your temperature is a little on the high side but not majorly so. Your chest is clear, too," replied Virgil, reaching into his pocket and pulling out some tablets. "These will help," he said holding them out.

John took the tablets and swallowed them as he was asked to do. He then laid his head back against the pillow, closing his eyes. A couple more hours wouldn't hurt and then he sighed as a cool towel was placed on his forehead. "Thanks, bro," he said without opening his eyes.

"You're welcome, just rest, okay?" said Virgil, softly.

Virgil lead Scott to the door and pushed him out when his brother hesitated in the doorway. "He's not going to sleep with you breathing over him," he said as he closed the door.

"I'm not breathing over him," he muttered, indignantly.

"Not yet but you were about to. He needs rest not a dragon," retorted Virgil as he pushed Scott along the corridor and away from John's room. He knew there was nothing more they could do for John right now, he just needed to sleep.

Scott glared at his younger brother and then wandered off to find his father. Virgil just grinned and shook his head wandering off in the opposite direction.

A couple more hours passed before John awoke again and this time he actually felt a bit better. Oh, sure he was in no way recovered but he didn't feel as tired. His room, however, felt so hot and stuffy. What he really wanted was some fresh air. He knew Virgil would probably tell him he was supposed to stay in bed but he wasn't here. Fresh air is meant to be good for you when ill and he could always come back in if he felt worse again. Moving slowly, John climbed out of bed and changed his clothes. A quick detour to the bathroom and he was ready to leave. Getting up and moving about actually made him feel better so hopefully he was on the mend. He exited his room and paused in the hallway listening for any sound his brothers were nearby but the corridor was quiet. He quickly made his way to the door that led out of the villa and down to the pool. He'd decided to rest by the pool for a bit meaning he wasn't far from his room and could be found easily when the two smother hens he called brothers realized he was gone.

John took a deep breath in allowing as best he could the scents of the ocean to wash over him. Fighting back the urge to cough he moved further into the sunshine. Its warmth felt good on his cool skin. This was one of the things he missed most when he was up on Five. Although being up amongst the stars was one of the most incredible views he had ever seen, there was nothing like feeling the sun on his face and the salty briny sea air.

John sank down onto one of the sun loungers suddenly unable to stand anymore. Maybe he wasn't as well as he'd thought or should that be hoped. The fresh air did feel good and it was certainly cooler out here but maybe his bed was a better place to be. The question was did he have enough energy to actually get up and walk back to his room. The temptation to stay where he was and just rest was high but he also knew he was right in the sunlight. Plus, in all honesty, he was actually starting to feel nauseous now and a bathroom was going to be his first stop he feared.

John took a deep breath swallowing down the nausea threatening to surface; he was not puking on the pool side, no way. Slowly, he stood up but the world still spun alarmingly. Taking more deep breaths in an attempt to clear his head, John stumbled forward. This was not good. He needed help, blackness was creeping into his head and he fought desperately to stay in control of his body. He was losing though and now he couldn't even see where he was going anymore. Another stumble forward and suddenly the ground disappeared beneath him but John had given into the blackness and didn't know he was headed into the pool.

Gordon slung his towel onto a nearby lounger and stretched his arms up ready for a long morning swim, turning to face the water his heart stopped. There face down was the body of his older brother deadly still in the middle.