"MOM!"

John jumped slightly as he heard Virgil yell from the neighbouring room, his book falling from his hands. He glanced at the clock beside his bed…2:00am…great. Placing his book upon the table, john quietly snuck out of his room, glancing every so often at the door opposite his own.

Dad had insisted John have the room opposite his...he always was over-protective of his children, John most of all, due his slighter build and his sensitive nature. Tiptoeing carefully down the corridor, avoiding all the squeaky floorboards as he paused outside of Virgil's room.

"Virgil?" he whispered as he eased the door open. The room was relatively tidy, especially in comparison with Alan's and Gordon's…not that it took much. It had several easels in it, all of them containing some form of art. All along the walls, were various posters of different bands and in the corner was a guitar….their mother's guitar.

"Virgil?" Upon entering the room, John spotted his brother sat on the side of his bed, head buried in his hands as his shoulders shook silently,

"Virgil?" Virgil's head shot up, his eyes red from crying,

"John!" He sniffed and quickly wiped his eyes, "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up!" John kept quiet, he had already had several lectures about his late night reading from his family, especially his Dad and Virgil.

Sitting down beside Virgil, John rested his hand upon the others shoulder…which was still shaking slightly,

"Do…do you want to talk about it?" Virgil glanced at John, and then sighed,

"It was just a stupid dream…."

"I still have nightmares about…that day too you know…"

"It's different for you John!" Virgil winced as his voice echoed around the room, and they both glanced at the door worriedly…silence. Virgil shook his head and continued in a quieter voice,

"You were there John, you-"Virgil paused at the distant look in his brothers' eyes and decided to change the subject slightly.

"I was still in the lodge, choosing the perfect photos of the holiday for the photo album…I only experienced everything second-hand…I shouldn't be having these nightmares"

"You still lost Mom Virg…same as everyone else in this family. I'd be concerned if you weren't having nightmares!"

"It was five years ago!"

"So?"

"I should be over it!"

"Again…you lost Mom, it's coming close to the anniversary. Everyone has bad dreams this time of the year, no matter how long it's been."

"…Is that why you just don't sleep at all this time of the year?" John chuckled,

"Let's face it Virg…I don't sleep much at any point of the year. Feeling better?" Virgil nodded, starting to settle back into bed as John got up to leave,

"Yeah, thanks….would you mind staying though…please?" Smiling, John agreed, and together the brothers settled in for the rest of the night. Each protecting the other.

…Cut to Thunderbird 5, years later…..

John yawned and stretched as he began to switch Thunderbird 5 to automatic. His Dad had been on the phone earlier, lecturing him on getting enough sleep whilst he was up here, threatening to drag him down to Tracy Island and getting Virgil to sedate him….he didn't feel like testing his Dad's patience….especially not at this time of the year. Before John could fully stand up to go to bed, the vid-com light flashed, indicating an oncoming call from Tracy Island. Pressing answer, John smiled as his brother, Virgil's face filled the screen.

"Virgil…" John yawned again "…what can I do for you?" Virgil smirked at his brother,

"I'm under strict orders to make sure you actually sleep tonight" John rolled his eyes and mock frowned,

"Well, I would have been if it hadn't have been for an over-protective family…."

"You know why we do it…."

"Yeah I know…Are you okay?" Virgil grinned,

"Yeah…it's that time of the year again. You've always helped us, and now that you're alone up there, it's time for me to help you."