Disclaimer: see chapter one

AN: I'm going to fast forward a few weeks from the end of the last chapter, 'kay? So this will start at the end of Scott's second month of the drip.

Chapter Thirty Six- Secrets and Stalkers

"Hey, Scott, you ready to go?" John called out.

"Just about." Scott replied, while rubbing a weary hand down his face. "Why do we have to go out anyway?"

"There's nothing to eat in the house, remember? Dad asked us to make sure that the fridge was empty."

"I know that. It's called takeaway and delivery, John." Scott interrupted, as he swung Mel onto his shoulder.

"Just let me finish." John muttered, annoyed. "There's nothing in the fridge, and your wife is hungry. Do you know what she did to me?"

Scott shook his head. "I don't think I want to know."

"Fine. But I'll tell you anyway." John heard Scott sigh. "She polished off a whole dessert. When I tried to take the spoon away from her, she growled at me and slapped the back of my hand." John raised his arm to show a red, angry welt.

Scott found it hard to suppress his laughter, much to John's annoyance.

"What," John glared, "is so funny?"

"OK, let me give you a quick lesson in survival. This is vital information if you value your life. It consists of two rules. Rule number one; never take a pregnant woman's craving food away from her. Rule number two; for God's sake John, never, ever, ever mess with my wife when she's holding a metal spoon. It hurts."

John wrenched the door open angrily. "Thank you for telling me that, when the damage has already been done!"

Virgil paused, taking a deep breath in through his nose. It was his first time walking without any aid or support, and it felt good.

No, it didn't feel good; it felt great!

"Excellent progress, Virgil." Carol beamed.

"So, can I get out of here? I just feel like I need a change of scenery."

"In two, maybe three more days." Carol replied. "Four days at the most."

Jeff leaned on the balcony of his island home, swilling the remains of twenty year old whiskey in a glass. He was thinking of starting International Rescue up again, once Virgil was discharged and back on Tracy Island.

Yet something bothered him. It took a while, but he finally figured it out.

His doubts over IR.

Could he really send his sons out to a dangerous site, knowing that there was a high risk that they could come back injured? Could he really send his sons out to a dangerous site, knowing that five sons might become four?

"You are worried, Mr. Tracy." Kyrano placed a hand on Jeff's shoulder.

"You know me too well, my friend." Jeff smiled.

"You are afraid that you are not doing the right thing in starting International Rescue up again."

Jeff said nothing.

"You are also worried that your sons are only doing this to fulfil your own dream, not theirs."

Jeff opened his mouth, but no words came out.

"Do not worry." Kyrano stated simply.

"But I can't help it! Am I really doing the right thing? Aren't the lives of my sons the most important thing?" Jeff questioned, not expecting an answer.

"The lives of your sons are the most important thing. International Rescue helps highlight how important life is." Kyrano explained. "Are you doing the right thing? Only you can decide."

Scott glanced uneasily over his shoulder, as did John.

"What is it?" Tash asked.

"Nothing to worry about." Scott smiled, trying to reassure her while knowing it wouldn't work.

"Listen, I'm getting a strange feeling of déjà vu right now." Tash whispered, as she glanced uneasily over her shoulder, being careful not to wake a sleeping Mel. "You know what happened last time."

"OK, I'll be straight with you. I have a feeling we're being followed."

John nodded in agreement. "If not followed, someone's at least watching us and our every move."

"We're on a powered keg. We can't go back to the flat, because it will lead them right to where we stay. We just have to walk and try and lose them in a crowd. That or we disappear into a corner store."

"How about this for an idea; we find the nearest train or bus station and go back to the flat." Tash suggested.

"No." John shot her idea down. "Again, it will lead them right to where we live, right Scott?"

Scott tilted his head to the left. "It might work. If we go separate ways."

"Explain." John ordered.

"If we take separate routes, we might be able to trick the person or people that are watching or following us." Scott took Melissa into his arms. "Here's the plan. We all have to get back to North Sydney, right?"

Two affirmative nods came in his direction.

"Tash, you up for the direct route?" Scott asked. "Great. Take the first direct train to North Sydney. John, I'm gonna send you a longer way, OK?"

"OK."

"Take the bus to Wynyard. You'll need to change there, so it might help."

"Sweet. What are you going to do, Scott?"

"Take a loop on the bus, and then catch a train. It's the longest route available."

As they were about to part ways, Tash asked one more question. "In all honesty, do you think this will work?"

Virgil was rooted to the spot, his eyes glued to the television screen in the public entertainment room. He didn't even notice Gus sidle up to him, and slip her arm round his waist.

"What's so captivating?" she asked.

"Ssh. This is important."

"This is Lisa Lowe, reporting breaking news. An earthquake has hit Japan, measuring 6 on the Richter Scale. As you can see from the footage behind me, several buildings have been torn down, trapping innocent civilians. Only the Thunderbirds could save them now, if they were running."

Frustrated, angry and disappointed in himself, Virgil stormed out of the room.

Gus stared in horror at the screen, then at Virgil's retreating back, and then at the screen again. She put two and two together to get four.

By the time she managed to unglue her eyes from the drama unfolding on the TV screen, Virgil had made it back to his room.

He buried his head under his pillow, hating himself, since he was the reason IR shut down.

"Virgil, we need to talk." Gus' voice rang out loud and clear through the room. "It's important. I don't want you to keep this a secret from me, so please be honest."

"What is it?"

Gus swallowed. "You're a member of International Rescue, aren't you?"

Virgil nodded. "Yes."

AN: So, Gus knows. How will Jeff react to that? Find out soon. Please review.