Disclaimer: See the previous chapters because we still don't own them.
A/N: For those of you who don't know, I decided to continue this story just a day before finding out that Lissysue had passed away. Because she was a big part of us starting this story, I'm leaving it right here under lissam2. Mystikstorm has graciously been co-writing the last chapter and this one. She'll be collaborating with me until the story is finished. sam1
Chapter 12
Gordon sat as close to John's bed as he could, his hand resting on his sleeping brother's shoulder. "I'm right here, big brother. We're all watching over you, protecting you."
Leaning against the wall, Scott studied his second youngest brother. He knew that the prankster was big-hearted but watching him comfort their brother only served as a reminder just how close he and his brothers were. "Gordy, how come you never mentioned the…what did you call them? Shadows?"
Before he could answer, Jeff spoke up. "He did mention them to his therapist and to me at the time but only because I walked into his room during an episode." He walked over to his fourth born and placing his hand on Gordon's shoulder. "It took his nurse and I a lot of effort and cajoling to get him to see us and not the shadows."
Gordon looked up at his oldest brother. Scott could see, in those normally impish green eyes, a haunted look that he'd tried so hard to forget. In his mind's eye, he could see his baby brother broken and beaten in that hospital bed. The fear of losing him then suddenly overcame him and he felt himself sag against the wall.
"Whoa, Scotty." Warm hands gripped his shoulders, holding him up. Burnt-honey colored eyes locked onto cobalt blue eyes, searching for answers to questions that would never be spoken in front of their family. He briefly touched his forehead to Scott's, softly speaking, "Easy there, brother mine, Gordy's fine now." Glancing over his shoulder, he shrugged then smirked, "Well, as fine as our little brother can be. Between you and me, he's always been a bit off and not quite right." Both men chuckled and the moment passed. And any self-perceived weakness was deflected by Virgil's quick thinking.
Unbeknownst to either Virgil or Scott, their father heard and saw Virgil keep Scott from falling and help calm him with a simple touch and a bit of humor. Lucy had been like that. She had kept him grounded and calm when any of the boys had been hurt as children. A calming touch and a bit of laughter made things as right as they could be. Seeing Virgil care for Scott as Lucy used to though in a brotherly manner, reminded Jeff that he needed to talk to his middle son. "Virgil, may I have a word with you?"
Startled, Virgil looked over at his dad, "Um, yeah, sure, Dad." Gordon looked over at Alan while Scott looked at Jeff, confusion and worry in their eyes. It wasn't like their father to pull them from the infirmary when one of them was ill except when they had to be ordered to eat or sleep.
Jeff had walked to the door before realizing Virgil hadn't moved. "Virgil?"
"Um, you mean you want to talk now?" He asked, stuttering a little as he was wont to do when he was nervous. It was one of the things that he had never outgrown. Casting a nervous glance at his brothers, his gaze fell on John's sleeping form. "Dad, I probably shouldn't leave right now. In case John wakes up, you know? He may need something or Brains may need my help."
Upon hearing his name, Brains glanced up from the data pad in his hand. "I think I h-ha-have things c-co-covered, V-Virgil. I don't an-anti-expect him to w-wake soon."
Dejected, Virgil followed his dad out of the infirmary. He kept trying to think what he may have done or said that would have his dad wanting to talk to him in private.
"Hmm, office? No, that would just make him feel threatened or as if he had to defend himself. Outside on the pool deck would be better, less threatening and a bit soothing with the sounds of the ocean," Jeff thought. Leading the way outside, he spoke aloud, "Let's sit out here so that we can talk."
Virgil swallowed nervously, "O-okay, Dad." He still felt something was off but couldn't figure it out. He sat down in one of the chairs next to a patio table. "Um, what did you want to talk about?"
"Virgil, I…I overheard you talking to John earlier," he started, suddenly unsure. He noticed Virgil tense up in his chair. "Son, I realized today that I had managed to hurt you in a way that a child should ever experience. I can't make excuses for what I did after your mother died because there are none." At once, the great Jefferson Grant Tracy faltered. His eyes filled with hurt and regret and just a bit of self-recrimination. "I always thought that I managed to avoid playing favorites because I love all my boys but I failed…" The sudden blaring of the emergency klaxon drowned out whatever else he had to say and father and son ran towards the lounge.
Scott, Alan, Gordon, and Brains ran into the lounge just as Jeff took his desk, transforming the lounge into International Rescue's Base. "International Rescue, we need your help. Please answer us."
"International Rescue here, what is the nature of your emergency?" Jeff asked. His voice a bit gruffer than John's but no less calming in its directness. His sons and Brains waited for the caller to respond. Gordon had his watch near his ear listening for John in the infirmary.
"We've had a leak that has now been compounded by a fire at a nearby waste station."
"What kind of leak?" Jeff asked, jotting down notes as he listened.
"Nuclear. I'm a representative for Ontario Power Plant. We have employees trapped between the reactor and the fire."
Brains pulled up the coordinates and known specifics, sending them to both Thunderbird One and Two. Each of the four brothers took their places, waiting for their dad to give the word. "I'm sending help now." Muting communications between the representative and Base, Jeff looked at his boys. His grown up boys that had been his reason for carrying on after his beloved Lucy died. "Careful out there, boys. Thunderbirds are GO!"
"Thunderbird One to Thunderbird Two, what is your E.T.A?" Scott stared at the flickering flames in the evening sky. Rescue workers stood ready yet at a safe distance from the heat and flames.
A slight crackling sound and then, "Thunderbird Two to Thunderbird One, we're 3.9 minutes away. You should be hearing us soon. Coming in fast. Gords and Alan have already suited up and have everything ready to go." He stared in disbelief at the sight before him. "Oh shit," he breathed, forgetting that his dad and brothers could hear him.
"Language, Virgil," Jeff's disembodied voice warned.
"Yeah, language, big brother. You're setting a bad example for us young'uns." Gordon and Alan's laughter rang out briefly before they, too, forgot.
"Oh shit doesn't cover it, Virg." Gordon said. He quickly checked Alan's helmet, making sure that it was securely fastened and sealed to his suit. A thorough check showed that gloves and boots completely protected his baby brother. Alan returned the favor, making sure that his big brother was protected from any possible radiation leak. Scott stood outside the ramp, completely suited up as well. "Firefly, Scott?" Gordon asked through the mic within his helmet.
"Yeah, you drive. Alan and Virgil can tag-along until they get to the victims. You bring back the ones who can't walk. Virgil, Alan, you two guide the ones capable of walking back to the safe zone. Rescue workers are standing by to assist. Take some extra oxygen tanks and for my sanity, keep the damn things away from the flames. I don't need to hear another one explode. Gordon."
"I let one canister explode and you never forget," Gordon grumbled, smiling beneath the helmet hiding his face.
Virgil lumbered down the ramp, complaining. "Can't Brains make these a little less cumbersome? I feel like a beached whale." Scott quickly checked his brother over. In his haste and Virgil's squirming, he missed one vital detail. One that could possibly have unfortunate consequences for him.
"Stop complaining and grab a seat. We're going in," Alan said, clambering up on the Firefly. It seemed that time slowed as they made their way to the waiting victims. Virgil kept an eye on the radiation levels, knowing that this could soon become a recovery if the levels kept increasing.
"Mobile Control to Firefly, the victims should be just inside that door to your left."
"Firefly to Mobile Control, we're going in. All personal mics are open," Gordon replied. "C'mon, guys, let's go get 'em."
Virgil jumped down, wincing at the sudden heat. "Damn, it's hot." He followed his brothers into the building. Never once giving thought to the little trickle of cool air that hit his neck once they were in the building. Opening his mic, he called out, "Hello? We've been called in to help you?"
"OVER HERE!" The three brothers turned, hurrying towards the voice. The small office was crowded with five employees. "Are we glad to see you."
Going into total rescue mode, Virgil quickly appraised the two women and three men. "Are any of you hurt? Or unable to walk of your own accord?"
"I twisted my ankle running down some stairs to get in here," one man admitted. "I may need some help getting out of here."
Virgil knelt down next to the man, checking his ankle. "Yep, it's definitely swollen. I'm going to put a splint on it just in case it's worse than we think, okay?" His brothers handed each of the employees a small oxygen canister with attached respirator. "Are there any suits in here?"
"No, they're up on the next level," one of the women said.
"That's not good but here's what we're going to do. We're going to move it once we hit the door. Operative Five and I will help everyone who can walk out. While Operative Four drives him back to the rescue workers." He finished putting the splint on the man. "Now when I say we're going to walk out of here, I mean we're going to run as if the hounds of hell are nipping at our heels. The waste facility is on fire and that fire is threatening this plant just as much as the leak.
"Okay." The men and women all said. Their voices overlapping one another. Gordon wrapped his arm around the injured man and got ready to run. Everyone else fell in behind them.
Virgil brought up the rear. "Alright, Four, let's move it." The door clanged open, hitting the wall and they were all running. Alan led the workers away from the plant just as a deafening explosion rent the air. Debris and flames rained down behind them. The Firefly emerged from the destruction intact albeit streaked with soot and a bit banged up. Alan skidded to a stop, counting four victims as they ran by him.
"VIRGIL?" He yelled into his open mic. Hands clutched at his shoulders as he made to run back towards the plant. "LET GO! VIRGIL!"
