Thank you so much once again!
Even though several hours had passed, no one had moved from the infirmary. John had made another call to Alan after his younger brother kept trying to get in touch to find out what was going on at the island, Brains had flitted in, looked at their faces and gone again. Even Kyrano was keeping his distance.
No one knew what to do. Jeff was sitting on the edge of Gordon's bed, his hand resting lightly on his son's chest as if to reassure himself that the redhead was still breathing. Even though it wasn't directed at him, he could almost feel Scott's gaze from across the room, and knew that his eldest son was watching the aquanaut with the same intensity as his father. John and Virgil were sitting next to each other beside Scott's bed, Virgil's ankle across the end of the bed, since his older brother had insisted that Virgil kept it elevated. The look the medic had given his brother in response had been so scathing that Jeff might have found it funny if his mind hadn't been so preoccupied.
He knew he had failed the boys as a father after Lucy's death. He had distanced himself, buried himself away in his work so he didn't have to face the reminders each day that he was coming home to a house with no wife, no mother for his children. He couldn't face the cold, empty bed, nor the spare place now at the table. So he had pushed himself in a way he had never done before - and almost lost his boys because of it. But as he had returned to his place in their lives – although he wasn't naive enough to believe that the elder three needed him in the same way, not after he had forced them to cope without him – he had sworn that he would never let them down again.
Instead, he had striven to make International Rescue a reality, seeing the excitement light up their faces as if they were boys at Christmas again as they had thrown themselves into the process. He hadn't asked them to give up their lives, they had offered when they realised the difference their father was trying to make. He had been by their sides every step of the way, congratulating them on a rescue well done, helping soothe and nurse them when one of the boys had managed to get themselves injured. He had pushed them to do well, determined to turn them into respectable young men. What he hadn't expected was what he had got in return. He never would have thought that it would have been possible to be so proud of five individuals on a permanent basis in the way that he was, yet it was true. He couldn't take back what he had done to them as children, the impact of not only losing their mother, but practically their father at the same time, but he could try and make amends, make sure that he never failed them in that manner again.
But now, watching Gordon lying sedated on one of their own beds, Jeff felt like he had broken his promise. Even when the same son had lain in a hospital bed and Jeff had listened to the doctors' claim that if his son even lived, he would never walk again, Jeff had known he had to be strong for Gordon, give him a reason to fight. Lucy would have been able to stay strong for their son, she always made sure their children didn't see how she was feeling if she had to nurse them better. Jeff knew that he never managed to control his emotions in the same way that she had. If she were here, he had a feeling that none of this would have been happening, she would have made everything better just as she had always done when the boys were children. She would have been able to save Gordon…Now more than ever, Jeff wished the events of so long ago had turned out differently. He was here for Gordon, he would help him to fight just like before, yet it wasn't the same.
How could his son honestly fight when he didn't even have control of his own mind? The father couldn't help but feel the Hood had been playing with them. Every single time they thought they had done something in order to help, that they had given Gordon a fighting chance, something had happened to make them doubt that. He knew full well that it was only through the fact of there being so many of them to come and save the day that they were all still alive now.
"Dad?"
Scott's quiet voice cut across the infirmary and Jeff jumped. He had been so lost in thought that he hadn't noticed time slowly passing, and, looking over towards his oldest son, he smiled. John was staring out of the window, the vacant expression on his face showing that he too was thinking. His father could only hope that his son's thoughts were less troubling than his own, but considering he could see the way John's hand was screwed into a fist, he had a feeling they were just as bad. But it was Virgil who made him smile. He knew that his son's ankle was paining him and that, coupled with the sheer intensity of the emotions he had been through that day alone, meant his body had given into exhaustion. Jeff knew Virgil had been the one taking the watch first thing that morning, so had been up far earlier than he was used to. It was clearly showing now, for his head had fallen onto John's shoulder as he slept. In a way, Jeff was glad. It meant that John had no choice but to stay there. Jeff didn't want any of them off alone right now; he wanted his boys where he could see them.
"How you doing, Scotty?" Making sure his voice stayed soft and quiet, Jeff twisted slightly so that he could engage his son in conversation, but made sure that he left his hand resting on Gordon's chest. If anyone was to ask, he would have claimed it was so that he could feel the moment Gordon began to awaken, due to the change in his breathing pattern. If he was honest though, Jeff knew it was a way of reassuring himself, a habit he had picked up whilst waiting to see if Gordon was going to awaken from his coma after the hydrofoil accident. Why was he getting such a strong sense of déjà-vu?
Scott shifted, wincing as he did so, but before Jeff could stop him, he had swung his legs over the side of the bed. Reluctant to leave Gordon but knowing that he had to stop his son, Jeff half rose, but the look on Scott's face had him sitting back down again, more memories flickering to the front of his mind. He hadn't been the only one to refuse to leave Gordon's side during that time in the hospital, and he knew that Scott needed to be at his brother's bedside almost as much as Jeff did. It proved how lost in thought John was for he barely even blinked at his brother's movement, glancing fondly at Virgil before returning his gaze to the window.
Part of Jeff knew that he should get up in order to assist Scott considering he clearly wasn't going to back down on this. But he found that he couldn't move, watching his eldest son struggle across the room and sink into the seat next to Gordon's bed with a groan, his face going deathly pale as he did so. Seeing Scott looking so vulnerable was a sharp reminder of just how wrong things were going for the family. Normally, even if he had been hurt on a rescue or something along those lines, Scott was still up and fighting, ready to make sure that his younger brothers were safe and happy. But the look in his eye showed Jeff that John wasn't the only son having troubled thoughts. Scott looked almost as haunted as Gordon had.
Scott shrugged in answer to Jeff's question as soon as he was settled in the chair, but winced almost immediately, a clear sign that particular action was going to be off the agenda for a little while. His eyes automatically sought out Gordon's face, and Jeff could see him relax slightly. Asleep like this, there was absolutely no sign of what was going on in Gordon's mind, no clue as to the fierce battle for dominance they knew was going on just under the surface. He looked peaceful, calm even. For the first time since they had got back from the rescue, Gordon looked at ease. Frowning, Jeff leant forward, brushing a stray lock of hair back with his free hand before sighing heavily.
"He looks so young," he muttered quietly, feeling like he needed to say something to Scott, but not knowing what. He had tried reassurance before, tried to tell them that everything was going to be okay. But how could he say it now considering it wasn't only Scott who had been hurt?
"He's tough though," Scott responded softly, shifting as he tried to navigate himself into a vaguely comfortable position, his fingers playing with the edge of the sheet. Scott was no good at sitting still. When he had to, he could go for hours without moving. But when something was troubling him or playing on his mind, he was as bad as Gordon for fidgeting.
"Is he tough enough?" Jeff said sadly, adamantly not looking at Scott as he delivered those words. Once again, he couldn't help but think that if they had been in any other type of situation, there would be no way doubts would ever cross his mind; he trusted his boys. But with something like this? Even everything Kyrano had suggested had backfired on them. And if Kyrano wasn't sure, Jeff had no idea. He was a practical man; he liked to see things in front of him. Dealing with issues of the mind was something way out of his league, and judging by the look on Scott's face, his son had followed in his footsteps in that area.
"I'm so used to fixing things for him," Scott muttered, pain clouding his eyes. Mental or physical, Jeff was not sure, but he hated that look on Scott's face more than anything. If Scott was feeling that he was out of his depth with something, it meant that Jeff had no chance. "When Alan broke his toy fish - you know, the one that used to swim? - he came to me with it, thinking I would be able to do something. I gave it to John and Virgil. Those two were always better with their hands, even as kids. They fixed it, I gave it back to him. I told him it was them, but the smile he gave me... I swore that I would always look after them, Dad. I promised Mom that I wouldn't let anything happen to them."
"That wasn't your promise to make, Scott." Jeff found that his voice was getting close to cracking. "That should have been what I promised. I know I failed you then. All of you, but especially you, son. But you weren't the only one to promise him after the accident that you were never going to give up on him. Looking at him now... I just don't know what to do."
Neither of them heard the door open as they conversed in quiet voices. It wasn't even a conscious move in order to make sure they didn't wake Virgil up, it was simply because they didn't have the energy left in order to say more. The last fight had taken it out of Jeff, making him realise they were out of their depth with this one. But Kyrano slipped softly into the room, moving with a quiet ease that he had mastered over the years of working for the Tracys. He handed both Jeff and Scott mugs, the smell of coffee even causing John to twitch slightly. Leaning Scott forward, he slid a pillow behind his back to keep the eldest son in a more upright position, something he knew would be much better for his ribs. Then he picked up another mug from by the door, crossed the room and handed it to John. Even as the blond Tracy smiled his thanks, a look that by no means met his eyes, Kyrano was drawing a blanket over Virgil. The whole room almost held its breath as Virgil snuffled slightly in his sleep, a frown crossing his face as he let out a noise that sounded like a whimper. But John's free hand combed through his hair and Virgil fell still again.
"Old hospital trick," the astronaut muttered, and Jeff sighed again. Another thing that had emerged from Gordon's time in the hospital. Their lives had been changed so much by that event, a miracle taking place that none of them could explain. But right now, Jeff couldn't help but wonder whether that miracle had just caught up with them.
"He needs the rest," Kyrano said softly, his tone as peaceful and gentle as ever. Jeff nodded his agreement, turning back to Gordon as he did so. Virgil would be fine; John would make sure of that. He knew the elder of his two blonds hated it when he was stuck on the space station and something was troubling his brothers. Having a younger one literally fall asleep on him in a way that hadn't happened for years was definitely reassuring him, especially considering the fond smile on his face as Virgil relaxed into him once more.
"Scott, you should try and get some sleep yourself. I know you've barely slept over the last few days, even when it wasn't your turn to sit with him. You'll heal better if you rest." Jeff was expecting the shake of the head which accompanied his words, but he was not expecting Kyrano to move around the bed. The Malaysian had seen by the set of Scott's jaw that he wasn't moving anywhere, and could see the same stubbornness reflected in Jeff's eyes. The father felt like he had failed one son, he was going to try his hardest to make sure the others listened to him. But knowing that if they were to start arguing, it would simply spiral out of control considering how high emotions were running, Kyrano decided to put a stop to it before it even started. Picking up another blanket that had been resting over the end of Gordon's bed, he draped it over Scott, being mindful of his wounds.
Scott looked surprised, opening his mouth to protest, but Kyrano simply ignored him and stepped away again. He didn't need to look at Jeff to know the father would be shaking his head, forcing his son to back down and submit to being looked after for once. He might not be related to them by blood, but Kyrano considered the men around him to be family, and if there was one thing he knew how to do, it was how to look after them.
He didn't move very far though, instead coming to stand by the head of Gordon's bed and brushing his fingers across the young man's forehead. Kyrano's eyes fell shut and a frown of concentration emerged as he kept the contact with Gordon.
"Dad..."
"Shh." Jeff found that he was barely daring to breathe as he watched Kyrano. Even though he was frowning, the man's face had begun to slacken, almost as if he was falling asleep. Before Jeff could figure out what was going on, Kyrano suddenly breathed in deeply, opening his eyes again and removing his hand from Gordon.
"He has a strong grip," he muttered regretfully, and his tone of voice made it clear that he didn't mean Gordon. Jeff could see Scott's jaw drop in astonishment as he realised that Kyrano had just done something to feel inside of Gordon's head, and out of the corner of his eye, he could see John sitting up, a careful hand making sure Virgil wasn't disturbed by the movement. Ignoring his sons, Jeff locked eyes with his old friend, a plea spiralling out of them.
"Is there anything you can do?" he asked quietly, knowing that he was sounding close to begging. But Kyrano was possibly the only one now who had a chance of breaking Gordon free from the Hood's hold, everything else they had tried had failed. But at the same time, Jeff didn't exactly feel a rush of relief shoot through him even as Kyrano gently nodded. The man's face was grave and serious, nothing at all like the normal look of reassurance present. Whatever it was he could potentially do, it was dangerous.
"I shall attempt to enter his mind myself."
"What?" Scott's yelp was enough to make Virgil grunt slightly in his sleep, but even as John once again set about soothing his younger brother back into peaceful dreams, the pilot fell back in his seat, going deadly pale and gasping slightly as one hand clutched at his ribs. The blanket slid onto the floor and stayed there in a heap. Jeff sighed sadly, standing up and moving behind Scott, resting a hand gently on his shoulder after placing his coffee down on the side. With Scott like this, he wouldn't be drinking it any time soon.
"You'll hurt yourself," he scolded gently, but Scott was tense and rigid under his hand. It was clear that the oldest brother didn't care at all whether he hurt himself, for his gaze was fixed almost fiercely on Kyrano, occasionally flickering down to look at Gordon's sleeping face. He didn't even notice his father taking his own mug out of his hand.
"Isn't that dangerous? I mean, he is already battling the Hood in his own mind, as far as that is even possible. Wouldn't having someone else there be too much for him to handle?"
"For most people, yes." Kyrano glanced down at the sleeping young man, a touch of a smile on his face. "But Gordon's mental capacities are far greater than you give him credit for."
"What do you mean?" Despite knowing by the tension in Scott's body that he would be on his feet in an instant if it meant preventing something from happening to his younger brother, Jeff let go, balancing his hands instead on the back of the chair. Judging by the way his fingers immediately dug into the furniture, it was obvious to anyone who glanced his way how much he was struggling to keep his emotions in check. He didn't understand any of this, but despite previously denying that such things were possible, his son's life was on the line. Considering the strength of the Hood's hold and the promise he had made to Scott about not walking away from it, potentially the whole family were in danger unless they could do something to help.
"How do you think one copes with not being able to move their body for so long? After his accident, young Gordon here would have extended his mental abilities. He wouldn't have realised that he was doing it; he would have just been trying to relieve the boredom. He put up mental shields when he tried to stop you finding out how badly he was hurting."
"He didn't," Scott muttered, leaning forward and resting his hand over Gordon's. "He broke down to me, more than once."
"But did Alan ever find out how he was truly feeling?"
Scott didn't have an answer, instead glancing over his shoulder to his father. Jeff slowly shook his head, and Kyrano smiled.
"He hid how he was feeling from the person closest to him. Have you ever been able to hide how you are feeling from Virgil, Scott?"
Scott switched his gaze, now looking towards where his younger brothers were sitting. Despite the conversation and everything that was happening, he had to smile at Virgil's positioning before slowly shaking his head.
"He always caught me out. And I always catch him out."
"See? He's stronger than you give him credit for. John could potentially withstand it, he holds more in than the rest of you on the best of days, but if anyone has a chance here, it's Gordon."
"Does he though? Have a chance, I mean?"
"If Gordon didn't have a chance, you would have been killed in the silos. In fact, you might not have made it back from the rescue zone."
Kyrano's blunt words made Jeff run a hand through his hair in agitation, trying to get his own mind around the situation at hand. Their family had been through so much over the years, wasn't it time the world just left them alone and stopped trying to take everything from him?
"So you could really help him?" There was something back in Scott's voice that up until now, Jeff hadn't realised had been missing. For the first time since the Hood had almost killed him in this very room, Scott sounded hopeful. Kyrano's attempt at explaining how strong Gordon was had changed something in the oldest brother. Until Kyrano had said that, Scott had been following in his father's footsteps regarding not knowing what to do in order to help his brother. Scott always knew what to do when it came to helping out his brothers, so to be left on the sidelines and be able to do nothing but watch must have been killing him. Especially considering that normally when Scott was stressed, he took to running. The Hood had made sure that the pilot wouldn't even be able to find relief in his normal outlet.
"Scott, listen to me." Kyrano moved from the head of Gordon's bed and took a step towards Scott before pausing. He seemed to realise that John was listening just as intently to this conversation, so instead changed his position until he could address all of them at the same time. "This is dangerous. I was not joking when I said the Hood had a strong hold on your brother. If I go in there, it could do... could do terrible things to Gordon's mind. But I do have a chance at holding my brother back, at least giving Gordon time to regain a little strength, to give him the push he needs. He knows that you are all here, but I can reinforce that."
"He wouldn't give up," John said from across the room, making sure to keep his voice down so as not to disturb his sleeping brother.
"He did before," Scott responded quietly, knowing that Gordon would rather this all ended than make his brothers watch him suffer. It was exactly what he had said before after his hydrofoil accident. He didn't want to suffer, and he didn't want the knowledge pressing down on him that it was making the rest of the family feel the same. John looked like he was going to argue with Scott for a moment, to adamantly claim that Gordon would never give up on anything, it was the reason why he could walk now. But one look at his brother's face and he snapped his mouth shut again. Scott was clearly lost in a memory he would rather forget, and John knew the pilot had been by Gordon's side after his crash almost more than the rest of them put together.
"So you understand what I am trying to tell you?" Kyrano pressed, needing at least one member of the family thinking straight before they agreed to let him do this. If it went wrong, he could either get Gordon killed, or leave the aquanaut trapped in his own mindforever, almost like a coma, regardless of whether the Hood was still present. The consequences were severe, but at this given time, he didn't see another way out of it.
"Can't I do it?" Scott asked, locking eyes with his old friend and finding that his voice had taken on a pleading note without him realising. "I've always been there for him, can't I go now? He knows me, knows what my presence feels like more than yours. He must do. I am his brother after all."
"And if the Hood turns his powers on you? No, Scott, I am afraid I can't allow that, and neither should your father. Just as Gordon knows you, I know the Hood. I know what he feels like, not just in reality, but in the mind as well. He is responsible for more than you know, but up until now, I have always managed to hold him off. You have to trust that I am the best chance at this working that Gordon has."
"But..."
"Scott."
Jeff's one word, so quietly uttered and sounding so defeated was all that was needed to make Scott shut his mouth again. John carefully navigated himself out from under Virgil, making sure his brother didn't slip at all as he rested him back in the chair, and slowly came over. Without saying a word, he perched on the edge of Gordon's bed and brushed back his brother's hair.
"He looks so young like this." The words he didn't speak caused Scott and Jeff to exchange looks, knowing what John meant. Gordon looked so vulnerable, lying on a stark white bed, strapped down and pale. It was what Jeff had been getting at when Scott had first made it across the room.
"You can help him?" Unlike Scott's words to Kyrano, John was not asking a question. He was pleading, begging their friend to be able to do something. He wasn't asking really asking Kyrano if he could help their brother, but telling him to do so. The look in his eye was enough to tell Kyrano that he had the consent of at least one family member.
Kyrano nodded softly, moving around until he was standing next to John. Getting the hint, John stood up again and let the man sit on the bed in his place.
"Scott?"
Scott sighed heavily, glancing between Kyrano and Gordon. He understood what the man had told him about what he was going to try and do, but the pilot was still finding it hard to get his head around how that was even possible. He did accept, however, that Kyrano was the best chance that Gordon had. What did he know about matters of the mind? Glancing at John, he lowered his eyes and nodded. If John trusted Kyrano, then Scott had to do the same. His brother was the smartest man that he knew, and if he didn't see an obvious flaw in the plan, the chances were that there wasn't one other than what Kyrano had already told them.
"I need you to say it, Scott," Kyrano practically whispered, twisting in his position until he was looking at Scott and no one else. He had to hear the words come from the oldest brother, knowing that if something went wrong, Scott wouldn't be thinking straight. He needed to know for his own peace of mind that the most protective Tracy had agreed to let him do this, whether he liked it or not.
"Do it."
Kyrano turned back, stretching out his hands towards Gordon again. They were hovering over the young man's temples, hands sure and steady. But he didn't touch.
"Jeff?" It wasn't often Kyrano addressed the father by his first name, but considering what he was about to try and do, he didn't think that formalities had a place here.
Unlike Scott, Jeff didn't hesitate. If both of his sons could trust the man, the least he could do was the same. It wasn't as if he could think of anything else that would help his son.
"Yes," he whispered softly, and Kyrano moved even closer.
"Wait."
Without hesitating, the Malaysian froze, still not coming into contact with Gordon. Scott had to give it to him, the man's reactions were quick even as they all turned to face John.
"What about Virg?"
Knowing what he meant, Scott bit his lip, turning to face his sleeping brother.
"And Alan," he added softly. The three of them had just potentially made a decision that could cost Gordon his life without consulting the rest of the family. But it was Gordon himself who answered that question.
Even as they all froze, he suddenly whimpered, a frown slowly beginning to appear on his face as his hand twitched in the restraint.
"The sedative is wearing off," Scott stated softly, glancing at the rest of his family as he did so. What did that mean for Gordon?
"Mr Tracy, if I'm going to do this, I have to do it whilst Gordon is still under. I have no chance of holding the Hood off if he is properly awake."
"John, wake up Virgil," Jeff ordered, moving to take Gordon's twitching hand, gently holding him still. He didn't want his son to wake up and panic the way he had done last time. "We might need him to administer something else. Or just to keep an eye on things, he's done more training than the rest of us. Once he is awake, I need you to summon Brains, fill him in as much as you can. Again, there might be something he can do to help."
"F.A.B." John confirmed, moving away from the bed and heading back across the infirmary towards his sleeping brother. His father's orders had brought a slight smile to his face, though. It might be Kyrano who was about to enter his brother's mind, but the rest of the family were still needed.
"Kyrano... do it." Taking a deep breath, Jeff shakily lowered himself into a chair, closing his eyes momentarily. He had no idea what he had just told his friend to do.
"Tell Tin-Tin I love her."
Before anything else could be said to question why the man thought there was even the possibility that he wouldn't be able to tell his daughter himself, Kyrano shut his eyes and touched the side of Gordon's head. Once again, a frown overcame his face, and Gordon moaned again, his body shifting as he whimpered. Scott didn't say a word, just mirrored his father's actions, holding Gordon's other hand. Neither of them needed to ask what was happening, it was obvious that Kyrano was entering the mix.
The suspicion was confirmed when the Malaysian's body suddenly sagged, Scott's Field Commander reactions meaning he moved in order to stop the man from collapsing onto Gordon. Letting out a gasp at the weight on his battered body, Scott felt a rush of light-headiness hit him, forcing him back down into his seat. As Virgil slowly began to wake up, John hurried back over and somehow navigated Kyrano until he was resting across the top of Gordon's bed, still in close contact with the younger man but not at any risk of either falling off or hurting Gordon.
Now all they could do was wait.