Disclaimer: They belong to others.
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Thank you so much to all of you for reading and reviewing. Hope you enjoy the update... With a very shameful ;) addition to it. hehe...
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* This next section of stories are titled 'FALL OUT' and continue straight after 'A BROKEN HEART' (Previously titled: Jealousy)
* If there are any areas of the boys lives you would like to see covered in this fic then let me know
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UPDATED - Spelling/grammar issues.
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Chapter 26: Fallout, part 4: Morning Thoughts.
6.30m:
Everything became clearer here… It was the place where he came to celebrate a job well done, to tire his mind when he was worn out after a mission had lasted more than 24 hours, and where he headed when emotions were running high after a rescue had failed. It was where he came when trying to cool his temper after an argument with a brother, or just when he simply needed his own space. That particular morning he'd woken with a million thoughts all chattering away at once, and they weren't letting up. So, he had kissed the head of the beautiful woman lying next to him and made his way to the pool. As always, the cool water and the exertion he was releasing as he swam lap after lap helped him to compartmentalize the previous day's events…
Alan and Tin-Tin's news had been delivered to an obvious enraptured response from everyone, which included tears of delight from his grandma, Kyrano and, although he would never admit it, his father. Champagne had been opened and was about to be enjoyed when, typically, a call from Brains who was still manning five until John's return called in with a rescue. As Scott was still technically off duty until the end of the weekend and he'd had a beer earlier in the day, Alan, despite his news was handed control of Thunderbird One, and Virgil had gone out in two.
He felt awful for thinking it, but he had been glad that he hadn't been needed. With Virgil away, he had felt able to relax and enjoy the evening's festivities with the woman he loved, not that Virgil would have objected to him being affectionate with Penelope. In fact, he knew that when Virgil had caught up on his sleep he would probably be issued with a lecture on why he shouldn't be changing his habits just because of him. Typical of his brother, he was always putting others first over his own emotional wellbeing, but that had to stop. Virgil really need to think about himself for once, and seeing him and Penelope together wouldn't help him to heal… So, since Virgil had quite rightly insisted that he and Penny didn't break up, he would keep doing the next best thing to help. Which meant, no matter how much Virgil protested, laying off the kissing, hand holding, and everything else when he was around, and he knew that if Virgil did decide to let Penelope in on what was happening she would also agree.
Which brought him onto that day's dilemma... It was Penelope and Darcy's last day before leaving later that evening for London, and he desperately wanted to spend it with Penny without being in Virgil's face… 'There must be some solution,' he pondered slowing his pace down, so he could give a quick 'morning' nod and wave in the direction of his eldest brother as he headed towards the beach for his morning run… 'Wait the beach, that's perfect,' he suddenly thought, if he suggested a picnic on the beach that would get them both out of the way. Plus, with Virgil arriving back home around an hour ago he would most likely be asleep until lunch, and when he did wake hopefully he would seek their grandma out for another chat, or perhaps speak to Scott about what was going on…
Gordon felt the tension ease as he spun himself around and launched himself into another lap… 'Swimming,' he smiled to himself, 'always does the trick!'
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7.30am:
Hot and sweaty after an intense run, Scott Tracy switched the shower on and let the warm water cascade over his body… A contented hum sprang forth as his mind happily drifted onto the announcement from the previous evening… He was going to be an uncle, and couldn't wait to meet the little tyke. Although, he still couldn't believe it was his youngest brother who was going to be the father. In his eyes Alan was still a baby himself, it had only felt like yesterday when he had been helping his parents to change his diapers, and now Alan would be the one with the changing honours. Of course, he would be there to show him how to do it one handed and with his eyes closed… Well, he was a pro and it would be impolite not to offer he expertise!
Bringing his humming to a close, Scott's thoughts turned to his other brothers. Thankfully John was very happy, and very much in love with a wonderful young lady, but Gordon… Well, he wasn't quite sure what was wrong with him. He was also definitely in love with Penelope, and she with him… However, for some reason Gordon had been twitchy yesterday afternoon, but as soon as Alan and Virgil had flown off he seemed to relax again. Then this morning when he had headed out for his run he'd spotted him in the pool, he had been doing his usual morning laps and looked deep in thought. However, on his return whatever had been bothering Gordon had seemed to have vanished as he floated contentedly on top of the water after his workout. Maybe whatever it was that had been bothering him had been sorted? He really hoped so. Why all four of his bothers couldn't be content at the same time was beyond him…
Which brought him onto Virgil… Unfortunately, there was definitely something wrong with him, and despite his and John's efforts they hadn't yet discovered what it was, and unfortunately this particular morning wouldn't yield any answers. Not after a late return from a rescue which would see both Virgil and Alan asleep for a few more hours yet. Scott sighed, turned the water off, stepped out of the shower, and grabbed his towel… He would let his brother sleep, but later that afternoon he was getting answers, whether Virgil liked it or not!
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8.30am:
Rolling over with an elongated yawn, Virgil unhappily gazed at the clock. He hadn't arrived home until 5.30am, and had finally reached his bed just before 6. However, despite the tiring but thankfully successful rescue, sleep, just like the previous evening had eluded him.
To be honest, he had been glad to have the distraction of a mission, plus the added opportunity it had provided to escape the bombardment of questions from his two eldest brothers. Not that he didn't want to talk to them, both John and Scott had always been fantastic listeners in the past and deep-down Virgil knew that this time would be no different. Nevertheless, before he did open up he had really needed the headspace to gather his thoughts, feelings, and more importantly how he was going to handle telling Penelope what was going on, even though he didn't want to, but after observing Gordon's change of behaviour with her when he was around he knew it needed to be done.
Yet, despite the flight back from the rescue and the past three hours of non-existent sleep giving him the chance to think through what he would exactly say, he still hadn't come up with the right words, and if not handled correctly then he could see everything becoming a bigger mess than it already was! 'Maybe it is time to bring in the big guns?' He inwardly questioned as he checked the time again. Noting only five minutes had passed since he had last looked helped him make his decision… Blankets thrown off, he clambered out of bed and headed for his shower. Hoping that once they were filled in, his big brothers would be able to offer the help he desperately needed.
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TBC