Chapter Four

Memories and Superman

Scott couldn't stop his tears from falling when Virgil's body suddenly went limp.

"No, please no," Scott whispered to himself, as he pulled half of his brother's body into his arms and buried his face in Virgil's hair.

"Why Virgil, why?" Scott whimpered lifting his face so that it was just above Virgil's much too pale one.

Scott closed his eyes as he let the tears flow freely down his face. He felt something sting his cheek, he tried to brush it off but it stung him again.

Scott's eyes shot open; could it be? He gently placed his hand in front of his brother's mouth. He could have jumped for joy, Virgil was still breathing, it was shaky, but he was breathing. His baby brother was still alive.

"Yes, yes. Hang in there Virgil, you hear me? Hang in there," Scott said gently placing his brother's head into his lap and turning to his watch.

"Gords, you have to hurry, we're running out of time," Scott said franticly as he rubbed his brother's arms trying to keep him warm.

"I'm trying Scott, Alan was restocking things in here when we got called out remember, all he was able to put back on was one of everything, the only pry bar we had is buried down there with you some where; I've got a wedge bar, a metal cuter, a wire cuter, an oxygen tank and mask, and a first aid kit," Gordon said, the urgency in Scott's voice scared him, and he added, "What's wrong?"

"Virgil's unconscious, his breathing is shaky; we have got to get him out of here fast," Scott said he left out the part about when he thought he had lost him and spoke again, "Listen, the wedge bar will have to do, I know it's small but I think I can make it work. Also send down the metal cuter, the oxygen, and first aid kit; Virgil's got a metal stake pinning his leg to the ground, hopefully with a little luck I can cut it off without causing more damage. Do what you have to, but keep the line open, I want to be able to talk to you if I need to."

"F.A.B big brother, I'll let you know when I'm sending the stuff your way, Gordon out," Gordon said, Scott could still hear everything Gordon was saying or doing so he knew the line was still open, he sighed and turned back to Virgil.

"Oh Virg, you always seem to manage stuff like this, and if it's not you, it's Gordon." Scott sighed again as he gently stroked the good side of his brother's head.

"You know; I remember the day you were born Virg, you were so small, you had all these wires attached to you, I didn't really understand why you had them, I mean I was only four year's old after all. Dad told me the day after you were born that the doctor said that you weren't going to live, and that I had to be strong for John's sake, John was only two and wouldn't understand if you just went away." Scott had tears flowing down his face but talking to Virgil was all he could do at the moment so he continued.

"I remember the first time I got to hold you and dad said it would probable be the only time. You may have been small and weak, but I could have sworn that you squeezed my hand, and right then and there I knew you were a Tracy, you were a fighter and I knew you were going to be ok. You proved me right, and from the day you came home from the hospital on I have sworn to protect you." Scott's voice began to shake as he went on.

"Right after you turned two Gordon came alone, you tried to help but usually dad took the three of us to the park after I got home from school, and your idea of helping turned into the idea how many piggy back rides can I get from Scott in a day or before he falls over, which ever came first ." This memory made Scott laugh a little though his tears were still flowing.

"You started showing signs of a very good artist very early, when you were no more then three years old you brought your coloring book and proudly showed me your picture you had colored, and to my surprise it was beautiful, you had every color in the lines, not all the colors matched, but you could tell what it was, and believe it or not I still have that drawing to this day," Scott checked his watch nothing from Gordon yet so he continued.

"When you were four you started watching mom at the piano, you would sit on her lap and she would guide your fingers to right keys, I think that was year you knew you wanted to play the piano." Scott started rubbing Virgil's freezing left hand as he went on.

"Then when you were five, Alan came alone, you could help a lot more with him, mom would have you watch Gordon and some times she would even let you watch Alan in the family room while she worked in the kitchen, that was your favorite time," Scott paused when Gordon's voice came back over his watch.

"Here comes the oxygen Scott, it's going to take a little while to get the rest of it down to you," Gordon's voice creaked as he signed off.

Scott looked up and caught the tank as Gordon lowered it down; he quickly unhooked the mask and gently placed it over Virgil's mouth. As he tightened the straps he continued to talk.

"I remember when you were six years old, mom made a Superman suit for you for Christmas; you wore it under your cloths for weeks-you thought it made you indestructible. I haven't thought about that since, you were old enough to join the thunderbirds, when we pinned those wings on you; this has been my nightmare, ever since. I'm going to get you out of here Virg, you're going to fine," Scott whispered as Gordon's voice crackled again.

"Scott I'm sending down the rest now, I'm going to do it as slowly as I can, but be careful, it could cause the wall to crumble," Gordon's voice was full of worry.

Scott watched as the bundle came towards him, just as he thought it was safely down the wall began to crumble, Scott through himself over his brother and shielded him with his own body as the dirt fell around them.

T.B.C