Scott's 16th birthday celebrations are subdued and instead of the lavish party he had been planning for the last 18 months he spent it in his brothers hospital room watching stingray. Once again one of his little brothers has ruined his plans. But for once he doesn't care, he's just happy that he still has four little brothers to call his own.

He has been moved from intensive care into his own private room, which his dad helped him decorate with his posters from home, and photos of his family.

Gordon has been bedridden for 8 weeks, apart from the occasional trip to get his legs x-rayed. He's seen off 15 tutors and his dad has finally given up and is teaching him himself. Having to take time off work to do so.

Jeff is surprised at how clever his fourth son is. He hides is so well! His grades will never match John's but with a bit more effort he could certainly match Scott and Virgil, but he seems to prefer to spend his time thinking up ways to get out of doing the work. Preferring to be read to and not read himself.

Jeff is in constant contact with Gordon's doctors, and they are happy with the way his left leg is healing and advise him that they are ready to remove the cast from both his leg and his arm. His right leg is going to need further surgery though, as the bones are not healing properly.

They have explained the bone graft operation to him, and that they will remove the casts from his correctly healed limbs while he is under anaesthetic.

"How much longer do I have to stay here" is his only question. And the answer of at least 2 weeks makes him want to cry in frustration. Almost breaking the promise he made to himself to not cry in front of his family. He just wants to go home. And get his life back to normal. He even misses school!

Jeff knows Gordon is depressed, it's the real reason he gave up hiring tutors to teach him himself. It was the excuse he needed to give up work and be with his squid. He knows his brothers miss him too. They can't spend much time with him during the week and the longer he remains in hospital the more distant he gets from them.

It is hurting Virgil the most, artistic and sensitive he needs his family around him. Scott has the big brother role played to perfection and John doesn't need him preferring his own company. Alan, try as he will just doesn't understand Virgil the way Gordon does.

The morning of Gordon's operation dawns bright and sunny. It is the warmest day of the year so far and he looks out the window lustfully at the blossoming trees, he hasn't been outside in 2 months. His surgeon has promised him that if this operation goes well he won't need the cage anymore, and he will be allowed to start physio.

"You ready Gords" His dad asks him.

"What if I'm not daddy?" He asks. He wants out of this hospital and he knows this the best route but surgery is terrifying.

"What do you mean?" He asks concerned.

"What if it goes wrong. John said they will cut the cast off with a chain saw and that if the doctors hand slips he will cut my leg off!" Gordon tells him. "Then I will never make the Olympics. And you know that's all I want to do daddy." His palms are sweaty with anxiety, and he can feel his heart beating faster as the minutes tick down.

"Calm down Gords the saw they use is a small buzz saw not a chain saw. And the doctor has removed thousands of casts, and I'm guessing he has not lost a limb yet! As for John I will have a word with him because he should not have told you that." Jeff is fuming, John really needs to start to think before he talks!

"Promise they won't cut my leg off?" Gordon asks him.

"I promise I won't cut your leg off!" The doctor tells him having caught the last part of their conversation.

"Now why don't we get you ready and get those casts off." He tells him smiling.

Waking up 5 hours later Gordon is surprised to see both his legs still there! Even though his right leg is now in a cast to just below his knee.

"Daddy! He didn't cut my legs off" he tells him happily.

Jeff laughs, "he did tell you he wasn't going too! And the operation to reset the break that isn't healing went well too, and in a few days you can get out of this bed and start your rehab. Your leg muscles will need to be built up again, there is no way you'll be able to just walk out of here."

"And I have some more good news for you!" Jeff adds, grinning.

"What?!" Gordon asks.

"You can come home in a about a week!" Jeff tells him.

"Really?!" Gordon can't believe his luck. He didn't have his legs cut off and he can sleep in his own bed soon!

"Yep, I have hired a private physio who will work with you here in the hospital and then when you are ready he has agreed to come out to the house.

Settling back against the pillow he lets out a huge yawn.

"I will let you get some rest, okay?" Jeff tells him.

"Stay with me Daddy" he asks, his eyes already closing.

"I am not going anywhere Squid" he assures him, opening the magazine he bought with him and turning to the article about the new mission to the Oort cloud that he has been trying to read all day. He has played a vital part in planning the mission and in a few years it will be ready for launch.

*TB*

Gordon's physiotherapist is huge. Towering over even his father! His arms are so thick with muscles they're wider than Gordons entire body. He has a solid gold tooth in his lower jaw, a tattoo of a spiders web covering one bicep and a spider about to devour a fly on the other one. His tight white t-shirt clings to his abdominal muscles, and the jeans he is wearing are so tight they look painted on.

Gordon is terrified of him. He knows he is the fly to this mans spider. He tries to sink back even further into the pillow. 'Why would anyone leave him alone with this monster?' He thinks fearfully.

"Gordon Tracy I presume?" The man asks him.

His voice is surprisingly gentle.

Gordon nods. Still wishing he had the ability to run away.

The man is eyeing him up. And Gordon just knows that the man doesn't like him.

"Peter Carter" he holds his hand out for Gordon to shake.

"Today is just to get to know each other. I thought I would go first if that's okay?"

Gordon nods. Nerves threatening to get the better off him.

"I used to be a member of the world navy before I got injured on a training exercise just before the global conflict broke out. So I needed a new career. There I was lying in a hospital bed, I thought my life was over.

"Then I met someone who made me realise that it wasn't, not only that they made me realise that I had been wasting my life. What I really wanted to do was help people. Ten years later and here I am!

"My wife and children are much happier now I'm home more, and my children helped me decide to specialise in physical therapy for minors.

"Your dad told me what you have been through and I'm sorry you have to go through this, but if we work together and you cooperate it will be a lot easier for you." He finishes.

'This guy isn't scary' Gordon thinks. He has been gently massaging Gordon's toes while he talks to him.

"That feel good Gordon?" He asks.

"Yeah it does. How do you learn to do that? When my brothers do it it feels like they're about to break something" he asks.

"Lots of practise kid!"

He works on his left leg, moving it, massaging it. The unused muscles scream in pain and he whimpers, tears springing to his eyes.

He apologises but carries on manipulating the leg. Handing him a tissue when he's done.

"You're going to have to do this up to three times a day, it will get easier but you have been sedentary for so long Gordon, it's going to take time".

"Even weekends?" He asks.

"Every day. On the days I'm not here your dad will help and I will be able to tell if you haven't done it. Once your leg is stronger I want you using crutches, and eventually the parallel bars in the gym. These next few weeks are going to be really hard. But you can do this, you have a fabulous support network in your dad and brothers and the worlds best physio. Trust me I even have that on a mug, so it must be true!" He tells him grinning.

"Daddy said I can go home soon, but you just said I am going to be here for weeks" Gordons face falls in disappointment.

"Sorry Gordo, but I cant let you go just yet, I know your dad is setting everything up that you will need at home, but until he does you will have to stay here, he's right, it wont be long though" Peter clarifies

"I'm not going to tell you it won't hurt. Because it will and it will hurt a lot, but that is what chocolate is for! You do your exercises for me and I will bring Chocolate!"

Gordon promises. Knowing that it is the key to getting out of here. He's not going to do this for the bribe. He's doing this for himself.