Thank you so much once again. And to those I can't respond directly - I really appreciate your comments, thank you.

"How could he? That stupid, hypocritical…"

"Gords, stop," Scott muttered quietly. He sank down onto the sand, his leg no longer supporting his weight. He only just avoided the water's edge, but didn't move further than that. What was the point? It wasn't as if they had anywhere to go now.

Gordon whirled around to face him, his eyes bright and shining with anger. They stood out in sharp contrast to the paleness of his skin, forcibly reminding Scott his brother had also been hurt.

"How can you say that? He's taken the boat and gone! We're going to die here because of him…"

"It's not his fault." Scott's voice was quiet but his tone firm. Gordon swallowed back his retort, moving towards Scott and sitting down beside him. Scott knew he wasn't the only one comforted by Gordon's shoulder brushing against his. They sat in silence for a moment, then Gordon spoke again.

"You know what he did to Kevin to make him break, don't you?" Gordon had dropped his own voice now. His anger had vanished and Scott knew he was too exhausted to bring it back. Scott's eyes shut and an echo of pain spread through his body as he thought back to the agony the man had put him through. He had been screaming and the Hood hadn't touched him. He wasn't surprised Kevin had broken – he had been missing for almost a week before Scott had been dispatched after him.

He nodded and Gordon swore.

"He…" Gordon broke off, swallowing hard. "He did it to you too, didn't he?"

Scott nodded again. There was no point in lying to Gordon. His brother had more than proved his worth and Scott knew he didn't need to protect him from the truth the way he had done when Gordon was young. He glanced up to see Gordon go even paler than before.

"I'm fine," Scott murmured, knowing what Gordon was about to ask. Gordon still opened his mouth and Scott caught his gaze and held it.

"I said I'm fine," he repeated firmly and Gordon sagged, nodding. It wasn't as either of them could do anything about it now anyway. Gordon climbed back to his feet, pacing the stretch of sand in front of Scott. Scott watched him for a few moments, knowing he needed to vent. Sitting down was helping and Scott felt some strength return to him. Digging his hands into the sand, he started to push himself upright. He would have fallen if Gordon hadn't seen what he was doing and grabbed him by the wrist, hauling him up.

"Please tell me you have some sort of plan or I'm letting you fall on your ass again."

Scott grinned at Gordon's words. They both knew he wouldn't let go.

"We need to find cover. We're too exposed here, anyone could see us from a mile off."

"That would be good, right? We do have people looking for us."

Scott shook his head. "Kevin's escape will be enough. They'll know whoever was holding him would be aware of his escape. When nothing attempts to fire on him, they'll risk it. They want the person behind this as much as they want the weapon destroyed. They'll come for us. But if we stay here…"

"That creep will come after us and shoot us before they get in range?" Gordon's tone was light-hearted but his eyes were serious.

"Something like that. The rocks over there… Will they give us enough shelter?" Gordon had seen more of the beach than he had and Scott knew he would have scouted it to some degree when he had first landed. He had needed a starting point for finding Scott. The forest lined the entire beach and Scott marvelled that Gordon had found the correct path. He didn't want to leave in case they missed a rescue. But they couldn't stay out in the open either.

"Better than anything else." Gordon's expression was calculating and Scott had never seen him look so serious. This wasn't the immature youth he had left at home when he had signed up. WASP had made Gordon grow up. Scott hoped it wasn't too quickly considering his brother's missed year of training.

"You head to them. I'll cover our footprints." Gordon gave Scott a small push as he spoke. Scott nodded. He couldn't keep standing like this. He limped towards the rocks. A glance back showed Gordon had grabbed a branch and was beginning to brush at the sand. Scott hobbled on as fast as he could.

Once he was behind the rocks – and out of Gordon's eye-line – Scott let a pained gasp escape him. He leant shakily back against the rocks, using them to support him as his hand rested on his leg. Even through the rough dressing they had tied around the wound, he could feel the heat radiating from it. Gordon had been right – they needed to clean it properly. But Scott knew he couldn't do that until they were off the island. He should have cleaned it while he was at the water's edge, but the idea of limping back there right now was too much for him. He had to hope he had enough strength to carry on until they were rescued. For Gordon's sake, he had to. Gritting his teeth, Scott quickly redressed the wound and pushed himself upright. Twisting around, he peered over the rocks to see where Gordon was.

Gordon had moved up the beach, removing their footprints. But the smooth sand he was leaving in his wake was just as much of a give-away as to where they were. Gordon sensed his gaze, for he looked around and bit his lip. Scott knew what he was thinking. They were an easy target for the Hood. Together on the beach, the Hood could potentially take them both out in one shot. They wouldn't have a chance. As soon as he knew what his brother was thinking, Scott realised what Gordon was about to do.

"No!" Scott lurched forward, almost falling again as Gordon started walking in the opposite direction. They both knew a rescue was on its way. Split up, at least one of them had a chance of escaping the island. By leaving Scott on the beach, Gordon was trying to ensure that it was the older brother who made it off. But Scott had no intention of letting Gordon put himself in harm's way and made it to his feet properly. He stumbled out from behind the rocks.

"Scott, no!" Gordon shouted. "You know this gives us a chance."

"Get back here, Gordon!"

If Gordon heard the authority in Scott's voice, he deliberately ignored it as he quickened his pace. Scott swore, knowing there was no way that he was going to be able to catch him up. Gordon might have been pale from the blow to his head, but Scott felt like his leg was on fire. He didn't stand a chance at matching his brother's speed. He knew ordering Gordon back wouldn't work either; Gordon had always had selective hearing when it came to doing what Scott told him.

"Gordon!"

Gordon sped up and disappeared into the treeline. Scott gritted his teeth and carried on after him. He could hardly concentrate on keeping himself safe when he couldn't see Gordon. They might be a target together, but Scott knew it was only by working as a team that they had any chance of stopping the Hood.

Scott hadn't expected an answer to his call, knowing Gordon was fully capable of being silent when he wanted to avoid detection. He stopped once he was off the beach, staring into the forest as he tried to work out what direction Gordon had gone in.

When a strangled yell echoed out from the forest, Scott felt his heart stop for a split second before it compensated and worked twice as hard. A rush of pure adrenaline (and fear) instantly masked the pain in his leg and Scott was running in the direction of the noise before he realised he had moved.

"Gordon!" He didn't bother keeping his voice down. If Gordon had run into trouble, Scott didn't care who heard him as long he got Gordon back to safety. He hoped his brother would answer him again, but the silence sent chills down Scott's spine. He moved as fast as he could, only stopping when the foliage blocked out the sun entirely and he had to let his eyes adjust. Inwardly, he was cursing. It would have been easy for Gordon to be caught unaware as he reacted to the change in light.

"Gords?"

A soft click was the only answer. Scott froze, not daring to take another step. He knew that sound. It was the same as when Kevin had pulled a gun on him only hours earlier. Someone was armed. Gordon had still been holding the gun from earlier, but Scott was sure Gordon would have fired by now if the Hood was in sight. The fact no shots had been fired meant the Hood was still a threat. But it also meant Gordon was still alive if he wasn't the one holding the gun.

Scott swallowed hard. Moving as quietly as he could, he took a few steps further into the trees. He didn't have to go far. By the time he rounded a dense clump of them, he had found Gordon. His heart leapt into his throat and he started forward. The Hood heard him coming though and hauled Gordon around. Scott stopped, eyes locked on the gun trained on his brother.

"Let him go!"

Even in the dim light he could see there was blood running down the man's arm and knew Kevin had been telling the truth when he said his shot had grazed the maniac. But that didn't stop his grip on the gun being true as he kept it jammed under Gordon's chin, forcing the aquanaut to tilt his head back in order to be able to swallow. The Hood's other arm was looped around the base of Gordon's neck and considering Scott could see both of Gordon's hands pushing, it was an iron grip. Gordon wouldn't be able to get out of it on his own.

"Back up to the beach!" the Hood snarled, any mocking note from earlier having vanished. There was cold fury present this time and Scott knew he was going to kill them both. He didn't seem surprised to see Scott there and Scott assumed the man must have heard him coming.

"Run, Scott…" Gordon gasped. The Hood kicked out and Gordon's knees buckled. He had to grab the man's arm to stop the grip around his throat being the only thing holding him up. Gordon choked for a moment before he got his feet back under him. He looked up and Scott could see the fear in his brother's eyes. Gordon knew what he did; the Hood wanted them dead this time. At least, he wanted Scott dead. Whether he still had plans for Gordon or whether they had been too much trouble for him to proceed, Scott didn't know. But he knew he didn't have time to find out.

The time for games was over.

"Back up."

Scott took a deep breath, knowing he didn't have a choice. The Hood could kill Gordon in a number of different ways if Scott even thought about walking in the wrong direction. He raised his hands until they were level with his head, trying to make everything about his movements calm and unthreatening. He tentatively took a step back, then a second. As he continued to back away, the Hood followed him out of the forest, his eyes locked on Scott even as his grip on Gordon remained steady. The younger man was stumbling and Scott was sure he was paler than before. Scott was sure Gordon's previous yell had been the Hood causing him to drop. Gordon was too alert for the man to have snuck up behind him. The idea of the man using his power on Gordon made him snarl but he could do nothing but edge backwards.

"Keep walking until you reach the water," the Hood ordered.

Scott tried to appear calm. But he wasn't; his heart was racing and he felt like it was about to jump out of his throat. He knew he would be killed when he reached the water's edge. Yet with Gordon being held so securely, there was nothing he could do but continue to back up.

"Scott…" There was a plea in Gordon's voice as the three of them left the forest behind and moved steadily across the beach. Scott had a feeling Gordon too knew what was going to happen when Scott reached the water. Scott tried to smile reassuringly at his brother. His leg was throbbing again and it was taking all of his focus not to let it collapse underneath him.

"It's going to be okay…"

"No more talking!" the Hood snapped. He pressed the gun closer into Gordon's throat and both Tracys fell silent. Gordon didn't have a choice - breathing was hard enough with the barrel of a gun pressing into his windpipe - and Scott was quiet because of Gordon. His mind was racing, desperately trying to think of something to get them out of this. But the only thing he could use as any sort of weapon was the driftwood that the sea had washed up. He might have been able to do some damage if he had a piece in his hand, but he knew that he wouldn't have time to bend down and pick one up. Not without Gordon taking the consequences.

Far too soon, he felt the water lapping around his ankles. He froze for a second before looking the Hood directly in the eye, trying to lift his chin and hide his fear.

"Keep going," the man ordered, bringing Gordon to a stop at the same time. Scott swallowed. The Hood was going to shoot him and then let the ocean take his body. The man clearly didn't want to get his hands dirty with dealing with a body himself. Scott knew he had to do something but all he could do was carry on wading out until the water was over his knees. He hissed in pain as the salt hit the wound. It was finally getting the clean it needed, right when it was too late.

The water was up to his thighs, lapping higher. Scott looked at the Hood. But it was Gordon who drew his attention. A look of hope and desperation shot across his face and at the same time, the Hood snarled in fury. Scott froze. He wanted to turn, but couldn't risk it – the Hood could shoot him in the back. But the look on their faces was enough for him to hope and pray there was someone behind him. If there wasn't though… Scott had to hope there was. For if not, he knew he was dead. Gordon gasped as his legs were kicked out from under him and he dropped to his knees. The Hood bent over, keeping his arm looped around Gordon's neck, but aiming the gun at Scott.

"This is the end for you," he snarled and Scott could only stand there and stare with his heart racing.

"Drop!" Gordon suddenly yelled, breaking off and choking as the Hood restricted his grip yet again.

Gordon wouldn't have shouted if he didn't have a good reason. Scott threw himself down, shutting his mouth just in time to avoid swallowing the water. The waves lapped over his head and Scott forced himself to stay under as he heard rapid gunfire above his head. But he kicked for the shore.

Gordon was right in the middle of it all.

Panic struck at Scott with more intensity than he had ever known. The guns had clearly been poised to fire – aiming for the Hood even when Scott had been in the way. They didn't care who was in the way as long as they took him down -it wasn't as if either he or Gordon were civilians. He lurched up out of the water, coughing and spluttering as he did so. The Hood saw him, swinging the gun to aim straight at him. But Scott's leg finally gave way and he was sent pitching to the ground just in time. The bullet – instead of striking true – whizzed harmlessly over Scott's head. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Scott managed to splash his way to the shore, although how he managed to avoid being shot, he had no idea. All he could think about was getting to Gordon.

Scott thought his heart was going to stop when he realised Gordon was lying on the floor in front of the Hood as the main fired back at whoever was out there. There came another flurry of bullets and Scott saw Gordon try and move. His brother was alive; he was staying low. The Hood pressed his foot onto Gordon's back, holding him down and Scott saw red. Without any thought for his own safety, he lunged forward. Someone must have finally registered his movement, for the firing stopped as he closed the distance between him and the maniac.

The Hood turned, eyes glowing. Scott didn't know whether he had run out of ammunition or just wanted to make sure that he finished off the pilot himself.

But he did know the pain that blossomed through his body. For a second, he tried to keep walking until he found himself falling forward. It felt as if every nerve in his body was screaming at him and the only thought that was registering in his mind was that he couldn't scream. Not this time, not with Gordon here.

But as suddenly as the pain had started, it stopped again. Coughing and gasping for breath, Scott sat up as Gordon mirrored his actions and also sat. The Hood seemed thrown off balance and Scott knew Gordon must have been able to get free from under his foot, possibly even striking out at the man. As Scott watched, the Hood lashed out, kicking Gordon squarely in the ribs and throwing the younger man back with a gasp. But it was enough time for Scott to leap to his feet. The Hood turned glowing eyes onto Scott, but there was only a flicker of pain. Scott looked up at the Hood to see the yellow flickering and his eyes returning to their normal colour. Clearly the Hood had used too much of his power and didn't have the strength to attack with it again.

Scott's fist connected before the man realised Scott was on the move and the force of the punch was enough to knock the Hood backwards off his feet. Scott quickly bent down and plucked the gun from the man's now unresisting hand, holding out his own arm towards Gordon to repay the earlier favour and help his brother to his feet.

He felt Gordon wince as he was pulled upwards. Scott glanced over his shoulder to see his brother had one arm wrapped around his midriff as he tried to support his ribs. Scott kept the gun pointing steadily at the Hood, trying to resist the urge to shoot him. The punch had dazed him – he was in no state to use his powers on anyone now. Scott took another look behind him, trusting that Gordon would be quick to announce whether the Hood was about to move or not. Four small but fully laden boats were racing for the shore now the shooting had stopped and Scott felt the relief seep into him when he realised they were armed and ready for action.

It wasn't until they had landed and were splashing towards them, guns drawn, that Scott fully appreciated that they were safe.

Gordon was hurt; Scott knew he had to get to him. But his leg didn't take it. As Gordon stepped forward, Scott stumbled back. Somehow, both brothers ended up sitting on the sand again. The Hood moved slightly as he began to recover from the punch, but WASP had arrived on the scene by that point. Two men Scott vaguely recalled seeing on the ship but couldn't name sprang forward, grabbing the Hood by the arms and cuffing him. Scott made to open his mouth to warn them about the man's powers, but his words were stolen from him as they yanked a black cloth bag over the Hood's head and began dragging him back towards the forest. He now knew it wasn't coincidence they had arrived when they had. Kevin had made good time and had given the men some sort of briefing on what the Hood could do.

"You okay?" Scott murmured softly to Gordon, realising his brother was leaning against him, still clutching his ribs. Gordon grunted in response and Scott knew that was as good as he was going to get. The military part of his mind was telling him to get up, to try and offer assistance and brief the leader of this clean-up operation about what to expect. He had to report that his mission had been successful and that the weapon had been destroyed. But the big brother side of his mind won out and he instead stayed sitting where he was, keeping Gordon propped up. Eventually, three men walked towards them and Scott recognised one as being the most senior man present.

"Captain," the man said, nodding at Scott as he stood over them. Scott noticed the way his eyes narrowed as he looked at Gordon. He followed his gaze and then glared at this commander, warning him not to even attempt to say anything by his stare alone. Gordon was pale and his fist was clenched in a way that suggested he was in a lot of pain. Scott knew there was very little he could do to help Gordon escape the trouble he was in. He just hoped he could play up how if it hadn't been for Gordon, both he and Kevin would have been turned and the weapon still operational. It had to count for something. Scott was prepared to have that argument right here and now – anything to draw the attention away from Gordon until he had at least healed.

"Situation is secure, Sir," Scott muttered. He hoped it would be enough to tell the man that Scott's mission had ultimately been completed. It was safe to be on the island, as long as the Hood remained contained. Scott turned to look for the maniac, only to find that twisting caused another wave of pain to shoot through him and he gritted his teeth.

"Do what you need to. I need them travelling in half an hour," the commander ordered, gesturing to the men either side of him before backing away. Scott took one look at the strips of colour around their arms and knew that they were medics. That was enough for him to sag completely, knowing someone was there to make sure that Gordon was alright. The two men moved in, one to each brother, but Scott let his mind drift. He was barely aware he had reached out to clasp Gordon's arm as a needle sunk into his upper arm and flooded his veins with pain relief. He didn't notice when his leg was unwrapped, the drugs masking the pain as it was finally cleaned and he was given a shot of antibiotics. But he did notice the other man teasing Gordon's shirt up and forcing his brother to sit still while he wrapped up his ribs and examined the lump on the back of Gordon's head.

But it was only when they were helped into the boat and Gordon instantly stretched out and closed his eyes that Scott truly knew that it was over. As the engine started and they were pointed towards the open sea, Scott allowed the rocking of the boat to soothe him.

Both brothers were asleep by the time they reached the main ship.