Disclaimer: NOPE! Not mine!

Been a crazy week but I hope it didn't reflect in this chapter!

Enjoy!

Some Things Never Change

Dr. Emerson handed Virgil two extra strength Tylenol and a bottle of water, smiling as her patient reluctantly obliged. "Why is it those in the medical field are always the worst patients?"

Virgil only rolled his eyes, clearly not impressed. "I told you I was fine."

"A mild concussion does not make one fine, my friend. You're lucky I don't stick you in a bed next to your brothers for twenty-four observation. However, knowing your family will make sure you rest I've decided against it," Amanda chided, picking up Gordon's chart.

"This is one battle you won't win, Virg. I'd quit while you're ahead," Gordon smirked, eyeing his older brother – who sat in a chair next to his bed. The middle Tracy sported a bandage along his right temple and was currently glaring at him. His older brother was currently one grumpy puppy, he mused to himself. Watching as the petite doctor made a note in his chart, the redhead frowned. "Give it to me straight, Doc. What's my diagnosis?"

"Well, your past history aside – I'd consider yourself lucky," Amanda spoke, putting the chart down. As she expected, the doctor noticed she had everyone's attention on her. "You've strained your back pretty good. Lumbar strains can be meticulous. I'm putting you on bed rest for forty-eight hours and then I'd like to start you on a therapy regimen."

"What about his ribs?" Jeff inquired.

"Those will take time to heal. Gordon when you fell, you cracked two ribs. Ice and restrictive movement will be the best thing for you in regards to both injuries. I won't lie, but you're looking total at a possible six week recovery. I'm hopeful with rest that in a few weeks you'll feel much better."

"That's something, I suppose," the swimmer sighed, thankful for the pain meds that were currently flowing through his system.

"You're young and fit. I think you'll be surprised at how fast you'll bounce back," Dr. Emerson remarked, as she moved over toward Alan's bed and began checking the teen's vitals.

"What about Alan?" Scott asked. "Is he going to be okay?"

"With regular treatments, yes. Your family certainly has a team of guardian angels on your side," Amanda commented, and made a note in Alan's chart. "The added exposure to more smoke didn't do the kid's healing lungs any favors, but I've ordered a round of antibiotics to prevent any possible infection from developing. He'll be on a stronger dose of nebulizer treatments and oxygen will have to be around the clock for a while."

"Why hasn't he woken up?" Gordon asked fearfully.

"His body is working overtime to help his lungs heal. The kid is exhausted. Nothing medically is keeping him from waking up. His body just needs time," Dr. Emerson said optimistically and sat down the teen's chart.

"The ARDS hasn't progressed?" Virgil asked worried.

"Thankfully no. Your brother is very lucky."

"Indeed," Jeff remarked and gazed at Alan's sleeping form.

Dr. Emerson turned towards the door. "Do you have any questions? I'll be making my rounds for the next hour, but will be back later to check on each of you. Yes, Virgil you too," the doctor smirked.

Jeff smiled as he glanced at his middle son. "I think you've done everything you can for now. Thank you."

"My pleasure," Dr. Emerson nodded and exited the large room.

"You do realize Virgil that the more you fight her the harder she pushes back, right?" John chuckled, as he sat on the couch that resided against the wall.

"Whatever," the chestnut haired pilot murmured as he leaned back in his own chair. He briefly closed his eyes as he patiently waited for his growing headache to pass.

"Virgil, why don't you lay down on the couch and get some rest. It'll help your head," Scott suggested.

"Don't need to. I'm f-"

"If you say you're fine one more time, I'm going to throw a pillow at you!" Gordon scowled.

"That would hurt you more than me, little brother," Virgil simpered, cracking open one of his eyes.

Gordon smiled devilishly. "It'd be worth it, though."

Inwardly laughing at his children, Jeff sobered as he reached for something that laid upon the side table next to Alan's hospital bed. Thoughtfully rubbing his thumb over the material, the patriarch smiled with pride.

"Is that Allie's medal?" John asked, watching their father.

"Yes, would you like to see it?" Jeff said, gesturing it toward his sons.

They each took turns admiring the gold award, each admiring that their baby brother had been rewarded with such a prestigious award. The medal ended up in Gordon's hands last. The second youngest had seen his own share of medals, but this medal didn't compare to his own Olympic medals. In his eyes, the honor and recognition was so much higher and the redhead couldn't have been prouder of his only younger sibling. He knew each of his older brother's felt exactly as he did.

Laying the medal on his lap, the twenty-one year old looked up at Virgil. "Did you really punch Aaron in the face?"

Virgil chuckled but his expression quickly morphed into small anger at the thought of the Wharton sophomore. "You bet I did. The monster deserved it in more ways than one. For all the carnage he caused, and he pointed a gun at Allie. No one messes with our baby brother and gets away with it."

"He's lucky you beat me to it," Scott growled from the corner.

"So, Tommy Newton was part of it all too?" John asked but it was more of a statement.

"It would appear so," Jeff replied.

"Al even tried to reason with the two crazy kids," Virgil explained. "The Sprout has a heart of gold."

"That he does," Jeff smiled.

"And he's impulsive without fail," Scott groused, as he was sure he had several new grey hairs forming along his hairline after this latest trial.

Gordon couldn't argue with his eldest brother. "Any word on charges against the two fire starters?"

"I haven't heard anything yet, but it's still early," Jeff remarked and turned his attention back to Alan's slumbering form. Clutching his second cup of coffee, the father of five leaned back in his chair. The ex-astronaut smiled at his sons as they continued to speak fondly of their baby brother. Pride seeped from each of their voices as they surrounded Gordon's bed.

"The kid has really come into his own," he heard his eldest speak, walking toward him.

Scott perched himself on Alan's bed, tenderly rubbing his brother's right hand with his thumb. "Where did the years go?"

Jeff smirked, shaking his head. "Son, I've asked myself that same question for years. They only seem to go faster the older we get."

"Hard to believe he'll be eighteen in March," Scott stated as he focused on his baby brother. An oxygen mask and the band aid on the blonde's forehead hindered him from fully seeing his full face.

"It's even harder to believe that he'll graduate in May," Jeff spoke solemnly.

"Speaking of which," Scott smiled as an idea popped in his head. "Has he mentioned anything to you about his graduation present?"

Jeff raised an eyebrow at his oldest, but noticed his three other son's seemed to be looking his way as well. "No, he hasn't. What did you have in mind?"

Scott seemed to beam as he recalled a previous conversation with his kid brother. He's going to love this, he thought. "NASCAR. Al mentioned a few months back he'd like to go to a race. I'm sure he'd be floored at Daytona tickets, but honestly I think he'd be over the moon for just about any race."

"I'll see what I can do," Jeff smiled, taking a drink of his coffee.

"Now if the squirt would just wake up," Gordon sighed.

"He will," John spoke. "Dr. Emerson said he could wake up at any time. His lungs just need time to heal. Sleep is a natural resource for the body to heal."

It was Gordon's turn to roll his eyes at his older brother's stereotypical factual comment. Blame it on the pain meds or his need for a distraction, but the ginger just couldn't help himself. "Johnny, you're like a walking encyclopedia sometimes."

"Shut up! I am not," the blonde objected.

The second youngest looked at his older brother dubiously. "Who else says something like that? Sleep is a natural resource? C'mon!"

"It's the truth!"

"Boys," Jeff policed, but couldn't resist a chuckle as he met Scott's own amused expression.

Some things never changed...

-TB-

The November morning sun shined brightly across Boston, its rays glistening across a blanket of fresh snow. Several layers of powder had fallen overnight setting the scene for the upcoming winter. The sun's glow beamed into one of Mass General's sterile hospital rooms. Its two patients were both sleeping peacefully as their family had yet to return from breakfast. Dr. Emerson busied herself as she checked on her two charges.

Moving over to Alan's bed, she checked the young blonde's vitals and noted them in the chart. Approaching the head of his bed, the brunette was met with a surprise. Confused blue eyes blinked at her. "Well, look at those baby blues. You know, when I said I'd see you in a week I meant it. Not a day sooner, kiddo."

Alan allowed a small smirk to cross his lips as he wheezed into the oxygen mask. "What happened?" his hoarse voice asked.

"You gave your family quite a scare, but you're going to be okay," Amanda smiled reassuringly as she raised Alan's bed up a little. "We've got you on a round of antibiotics to keep any infections at bay. Everything looks good, Alan. I'm afraid you'll be stuck on oxygen for a while and more nebulizer treatments, but in time you'll be just fine. Just a minor setback is all."

Alan only nodded as he felt the cool oxygen enter his lungs. It was a much nicer feeling than what he had felt in the ambulance. "S-shoulder?" he coughed.

"Starting all over I'm afraid. Your shoulder should feel good as new in a couple of weeks. We'll keep you in the sling for the first week and then start physical therapy," Amanda supplied.

"Allie?" a groggy voice called from next to him.

"Hey, Gordon," Alan smiled as he looked to his left.

Amanda smiled at the two brothers and prepared to give them some privacy. "We'll see what the next twenty-four hours bring on your oxygen levels before we talk about sending you home. In the meantime you can keep your brother company."

"You okay, Gordo?" Alan quickly asked, as he met his brother's amber eyes from afar.

Gordon smiled, happy to hear his baby brother's voice. "I'll be fine, Sprout. I'll be laid up for awhile but nothing rest won't fix. Cracked a few ribs and sprained my back."

"Sounds serious," Alan furrowed, his blue eyes worried.

"It's not as bad as it sounds, Al. I promise," Gordon reassured, wishing he could hug his brother.

"Alan!" Scott exclaimed as he and the rest of their immediate family entered the room. "You're awake!"

"Hi, Scotty," Alan smiled weakly behind the oxygen mask.

Virgil joined Scott at Alan's bedside, running a hand through his younger brother's blonde mop. "Nice to see you awake, Sprout. Gave us a scare."

"I know," Alan said, closing his eyes at the familiar touch.

"We're just happy you're okay," Jeff smiled, claiming a chair by his youngest. Now that all of his children were awake and on the mend, he physically felt himself relax.

"Was a rough day yesterday," John said, squeezing Alan's foot and moved to sit by Gordon. The older blonde handed his redheaded brother the comic section out of the morning's newspaper, smirking at the lopsided grin he received in response.

Alan looked up and met Virgil's hazel eyes, suddenly remembering the blood that had once covered the middle Tracy's face. A dark line of scabbed blood now only resided along his older brother's chestnut colored hairline. "What is it, Allie?" Virgil asked concerned.

"Your head?" the younger inquired.

"Oh," Virgil mumbled in understanding. "Mild concussion, but nothing I can't handle. I'm good."

"Virgil has a hard coconut, Al. Luckily we discovered it's not hollow," Scott grinned, nudging his brother.

"Very funny, Scooter," Virgil glared and grabbed a chair next to Alan's bed.

Jeff squeezed Alan's right hand. "How are you feeling?"

Alan met his father's eyes. "Okay, I guess. I feel tired and my chest still hurts a little," he said, his voice slightly muffled by the oxygen mask.

"That's normal," Virgil said. "The smoke inflamed your lungs, and they had to intubate you for a little while until you started responding to the drugs."

Alan only nodded in response, but quickly remembered something that had been bugging him from the day before. "Have you heard anything on Zach? We never found him."

"He's okay, Allie," Scott reassured.

"Fermat stopped by last night and said he's no worse for wear. Looks like you got the worse end of the deal this time," John added.

"Good," Alan sighed in relief, but grimaced as the action caused an ache in his chest.

"You okay, Sprout?" Virgil worried, catching the pained expression.

"I'm fine and don't call me Sprout," Alan replied and closed his eyes, feeling exhausted all of sudden.

"Yup, you're definitely feeling better," Gordon snickered from his bed.

"Get some rest, Alan. We'll be here when you wake up," Jeff urged, patting his son's hand.

That's just what Alan did, smiling as he heard Gordon begin reading his favorite section out of the comics.

TBC…

Lots of fluff and more fluff! Hope you enjoyed! Epilogue coming to wrap up a few loose ends and then this one will be finished. I'm in denial saying that! Thank you all for sticking with me and I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. I can never get enough of our Tracy boys :D