Disclaimer: I don't own the Tracys, International Rescue, or the Thunderbirds.

Broken Silence

In the early morning quiet, the blue eyed boy watched over his sleeping brothers. The slight snoring from his red-haired brother brought a soft smile to his face. If asked, he'd never be able to put into words just how much his brothers meant to him. His gaze settled on the steady rise and fall of his eldest brother's chest. In many ways, Scott had been his protector and the one he'd follow around. He knew he would always be safe with Scott around. Even when Virgil decided to be a big meanie head. "Scotty protects me when Virgie wants to tease me." Scott would never let Virgil torment him too much. "He'd never let anyone else tease me. Scotty gets mad when other kids are mean to me."

Sighing, he slid from the bed and made his way to the window. He pulled back the curtains and opened the blinds so that he could watch the stars fade as the sun began to rise. As the last star twinkled from view, he turned back to his sleeping brothers and climbed back on the bed. He sat with his back against the wall and his knees drawn up. His little chin rested on his knees as he resumed his watch over his brothers.

Comfortable and warm, Scott was not happy to suddenly find himself waking up. His eyes blinked rapidly against the morning sun that shone brightly through the curtains that hung open. Curtains that he was positive he had closed before going to bed the night before. "I know I closed the curtains... Didn't I?" Still not fully awake, Scott glanced to his right where he felt something pressed up against him. He grinned when he saw his red-haired brother tucked up against his side. Running his fingers through his little brother's hair, he whispered, "You're such a tiny terrorist at times but you're our tiny terrorist and I wouldn't trade you for anything."

A soft giggle came from his left. "Johnny? It's awfully early for you to be awake." Johnny shook his head and pointed to the window. "You opened the curtains and blinds?" The younger boy nodded his head. "Still not talking, eh?" Another shake of his blond head. "Well, it was worth asking."

He looked closely at his brother and noticed his eyes had tears pooling. Slowly, he reached out towards Johnny only to be surprised when his brother threw himself into his big brother's arm. "Hey, what's wrong? Don't cry, Johnny, I hate when you cry cos I don't know how to make things better for you." Johnny just hid his face against his brother's neck. His small body shook slightly.

"Johnny, what's wrong with you?" Gordon asked. Johnny blindly reached for his younger brother. "I's right here, Johnny. Scotty, what's you do to make Johnny cry?" Gordon let himself be pulled into the hug.

"Scotty, what's wrong with Johnny?" Virgil asked from the foot of the bed. He'd heard his brothers on his way to the bathroom. Climbing up on the bed, he somehow managed to get next to Johnny and rubbed his back. "It's okay, Johnny."

It was no surprise when Alan ran into the room and climbed up next to them. "I wants a hug, too." In his attempt to get in on the brotherly group hug, Alan inadvertently rammed his knee into Johnny's back.

Johnny couldn't help the small whimper that escaped his mouth any more than he could stop Alan sliding onto Virgil and Gordon as he rolled away from his brothers. Facing the wall, he curled in on himself. "Mommy…I want Mommy." The tears that Scott had noticed in his eyes earlier fell faster until his vision was blurred.

"Allie, gets off of me," Gordon snapped. Pushing his arms out, he shoved Alan away enough that he could get up. Once he was free, he clambered over Virgil and Scott to get to Johnny. "Johnny, don't cry. Allie didn't mean to hurt you. He's just clumsy, I reckon."

"I not eiver, Gordy," Alan argued.

Virgil noticed the petulant expression on his brother's face. As did Scott. "I got Alan, Scotty." Sliding off the bed, Virgil picked Alan up, "C'mon, Sprout, let's go get some cereal and toast."

Distracted, Alan let himself be carried from the room. "Virgie, yous always hungwy." Their voices and footsteps faded as they walked down the hall.

Scott put his hand on Johnny's shoulder. "Johnny, Gordy and I are here for you. We love you. Virg and Alan love you, too. Please talk to us."

At that moment, a small blond blur ran into the room and clambered up on the bed. "Dohnny, I's sorry that I hurted you. I just wants hugs, too." As careful as he could, Alan squeezed himself between Scott and John and hugged his only blond brother.

Footsteps pounded the length of the hall way and Virgil slid past his brother's bedroom. Socks and hardwood floors were not conducive to quick stops. The four brothers in Scott's room watched as Virgil slid past the open door. Alan started giggling first, followed by Gordon and Scott. Johnny held out a moment longer as he scooted off the bed and padded out to the hallway. Virgil was carefully picking himself up off the floor.

"Virgie, you okay?"

Virgil looked around, confused. Only he and Johnny were in the hallway but he could hear his other brothers in Scott's room. "Johnny?"

Shyly, Johnny nodded, "You okay?"

Whooping loudly, Virgil grabbed his younger brother in a tight hug. "I'm okay. You talked. SCOTTY, JOHNNY TALKED."

Johnny rubbed his ear. "Ow, Virgie."

Jeff came out into the hallway, "Boys, what in the heck is going on up here? It's too early for you to be yelling at each other."

"Dad, Johnny talked to me. Didn't you, Johnny?" Virgil asked, his arm still draped over his younger brother's shoulder.

"Johnny?"

Scooting closer to Virgil, Johnny peeked up at his dad. Gordon poked him on his arm, "Say somefing, Johnny, cos we wants to hear you talk."

Johnny shook his head, suddenly shy and uncomfortable by all the attention being focused on him. He dropped his gaze and stared at the floor whilst pushing closer to Virgil. His family watched as he again withdrew from them and retreated into silence.