Date: 2022
Location: Tracy Island
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John woke with a start as Virgil sat straight up in bed with a gasping cry. Looking over, he saw Scott quietly reassuring their little brother as he gently pushed Virgil back down onto the bed.
Assured that his brother was in safe hands, John turned over to go back to sleep only to sit up gasping himself as everything came back to him and he realized his daughter was nowhere to be seen.
John looked up at his brother as Scott approached, his voice still scratchy from sleep was tinged with panic, "Where is she?....Why didn't you wake me when we got home? How long have I been asleep? Where's Raeden?"
Scott happy that the antidote Brain's had given his brother had worked smiled reassuringly at John, "Calm down John. Raeden is in the kitchen with Onaha, Katelyn, Ciara, and Lady Penelope's friend Lilith. They're trying to work out a menu for her. Dad didn't want to wake either of you when we got home. He's been extremely worried since we found the two of you. Virgil's still having some residual effects but Brains said he should be fine by tomorrow. You've been asleep for seven hours so if you feel up to it Lilith wanted to see you about Raeden. She wanted to hold a family meeting in the dining room as soon as you're ready."
John nodded and moved to get out of bed, giving his older brother a disgruntled look when Scott insisted on helping him, "I can get out of bed on my own Scott. I'm not an invalid you know."
Scott rolled his eyes before giving his brother a stern glare, "You just woke up after being kidnapped and drugged, I think a little help is perfectly in order. And besides, I promised my daughter that nothing else bad was going to happen to her two uncles. So suck it up brother of mine, I do not like my daughter being disappointed. And where do you think you're going Virgil Grissom Tracy? Get back in that bed right now!"
Both older brothers glared at the shaky young man as he slowly maneuvered himself off the bed.
Virgil, gripping the bed frame tightly, glared right back his breathing still uneven, "I do….believe you….just said…..that a…… family meeting……was being held…..Last I checked…..I'm still apart of…..this family, unless….you think otherwise….. and I want to…….hear what this doctor…..has to say about……my other niece…… so with or without…….your help…… I'm going…….whoa!"
Scott and John both lunged forward to catch their brother, crying out as Virgil's knees gave way beneath him, "Virgil!!!"
Scott glared down at his younger brother being held tightly between them, his voice a low growl, "Don't take that tone with me Virgil. Of course you're a part of this family. I'd put you back in that bed but I know what you'll do. You can only come with us on two conditions, one you ride in the wheelchair and two you promise to come back as soon as you get too tired. Agreed?"
Virgil looked from one older brother to the other before sighing in defeat, "Fine….I agree….to your conditions….and thanks…..Scott."
Scott smiled as he took over supporting his younger brother while John fetched the wheel chair, "No problem Virge. I understand why you want to be there, I want to hear what she has to say myself. Virgil what's wrong?"
Virgil's chin dropped to his chest as they helped him into the chair, his voice soft and forlorn, "It's….. not just…..that…..I…..I don't……want to be……..alone……I want……to stay…..with you……guys……Please don't……leave me…….alone….. Scott!"
John gasped and placed a gentle hand on his younger brother's shoulder as Scott crouched down in front of the chair, his voice soft, "Virgil, of course I won't leave you alone, none of us will. What is it little brother, what's going through that head of yours?"
Virgil raised blue eyes tinged with fear, "I….I'm afraid…..I'll wake up……back in that …….room…..Scott…..and that man……I know it's……silly, but……"
Reaching up, Scott gently grasped his little brother's other shoulder his blue eyes dark with pain and anger on Virgil's behalf, "It's not silly Virge. The drugs are still causing problems and even without that, considering what you've both been through, I expect it's going to take a while for you to feel safe again. I wouldn't worry though between the way I feel and how Dad has been acting neither of you will be left alone much for quite a while."
Virgil gave his older brother a sad smile, "Thanks….. Scott."
Standing up, Scott took over pushing the wheel chair and the trio slowly made their way to John's and Virgil's rooms for quick showers and a change of clothes before heading down to the dining room for the family meeting.