Author's note: This new story you are about to read is going to be the prequel to 'Missing in Action' which is in the middle of a rewrite at the moment. The reason I'm writing it now is because it is based on a true story that happened two weeks ago saturday. I'll tell you what happened at the end of the story because if I tell you now it will spoil that whole thing. Thanks to Purupuss for letting me use your idea of the connection between Scott and Virgil. Enjoy.

Down Hill Run

"Please dad, please can I go, please," Sixteen year old Scott Tracy was nearly on his knees begging to go on a camp out in the woods three hours away with his friends.

"I don't know Scott- you just got your license, and I don't really want you driving those roads. They can be tricky and I really don't want you to drive them with your friends in your truck." Jeff said as crossed his arms over his chest in deep thought.

"Dad, I won't have my friends in my truck, I'll be following them, the only reason they need me to drive is because they need the extra room for camping stuff, I would be alone, does that help?" Scott asked his eyes pleading with his father.

Jeff sighed, "When is this trip?"

Scott gulped, "Its-um-tomorrow, through Saturday. I'd be home in time for dinner."

Jeff shook his head but then looked at his oldest son and smiled, "Alright you can go, but you said you'll home for dinner on Saturday and I expect you to be here, understand?"

Scott broke into a smile, "Thank you dad, thank you, thank you, I'll be back by five, I promise."

...........................................

"Alright, I have all maps, tent, sleeping bag, pillow and backpack, everything in check Virgil?" Scott asked turning to his twelve year old brother who was helping him pack.

Virgil held up the clip board in his hand, "check, check, double check, and check, yep, you're good bro. I wish I could go with you."

Scott smiled, he was closest with Virgil even if John was between them, why he had no idea. He and Virgil just had a-connection, "Maybe next time Ace, we will go camping soon I promise."

"Sure thing Sparky," Virgil said with smile, he knew that Scott meant it when he said that they could go camping later, and he wanted him to have fun with his friends and not worry about leaving him out, "You just have fun this weekend, maybe we could go somewhere closer and go camping together before school starts."

Scott smiled, "You bet Ace, sounds like a plan."

Movement from the house made Scott look up to see John and their father walking towards them.

"Well Scott, you better get going don't you think?" Jeff asked as he and John walked up to them.

Scott nodded and clapped Virgil on the back, "Thanks for the help Ace, I'll see you tomorrow night alright?"

The twelve year old nodded and smiled, "Sure thing Scott, have a great time."

"Thanks Virge," Scott said ruffling his brother's chestnut curls.

"Your meeting them at the school right?" Lucy asked looking at her son with a small smile.

Scott nodded, "Yep, we're meeting there and then heading up to the camp ground, don't worry mom, I'll be fine."

"Just make sure you call us when you get there, I know you'll be out of cell range until you reach the camp ground, but right away okay?" Lucy said handing Scott his cell charger.

Scott smiled, taking the charger, "Yes, mom."

"Alright, have fun bro, but too much," John said patting his brother on the back.

Scott laughed, "Sure thing John, same goes for you, don't party to hard with our little brothers tonight."

John grunted, "Right a real party, a night of watching Finding Nemo."

"Hey, I told you I would watch Star Wars with you tonight, Gordon and Alan can only stay awake to long," Virgil said with a smile.

"I know, thanks Virge," John said ruffling the boys curls yet again.

"What is it with you guys and my hair?" Virgil asked putting his hand on his head, not that he really cared, his curls could never be tamed anyway.

Both his brothers laughed, then Scott turned back to their parents, "Okay, now I really need to go, I'll call as soon as I there I promise."

"Have fun, but be safe," Jeff said as Scott got into the driver seat of his truck.

"Sure thing dad, I'll be fine, see you all tomorrow," with that Scott started his truck and drove in the direction of the school to meet his friends.

As they watched him go, Virgil suddenly felt a knot in is stomach, he had a very bad feeling about this weekend. He wasn't sure what, but some how he knew something bad was going to happen.

.........................................................................

That night was indeed filled with what John was dreading, Finding Nemo, ever since Gordon had first seen it he head fallen in love with it. Of course they knew why, give Gordon a movie about anything to do with the watch and fish and you loose him to the wonders of the sea. Finally it was eight 0' clock, Scott had called at five saying they had made it safe and sound, and now Gordon and Alan had to go to bed.

"Yes, finally," John said as their mom took the two younger ones upstairs.

"Alright John, you and Virgil can watch one Star Wars and then its to bed for you two too understand?" Lucy asked from the top of the stairs.

"Yes mom," Both boys said together.

Jeff followed her and then turned around at the top of the stairs, he held up two fingers and mouthed "two" just before Lucy called him and he jumped making both older boys giggle. He looked at them with a mock scared look and disappeared down the hall. Still laughing quietly John turned to Virgil.

"Well, guess we can watch two, which ones do you want," John asked with a smile.

Virgil shrugged, "I don't care care."

"Okay, how about the second one and the fourth one, those are my favorite," John said as he began looking for the DVDs in question among their large collection.

Virgil shrugged, "That's fine."

John paused the first DVD in his hand and looked at his brother, "You okay bro?"

Virgil sighed and nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine, start the first one."

John shrugged and put in the first DVD and started it.