Cont

"Virgil!"

Scott's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Virgil collapse, "John, Virgil has been bitten, and we're out of antivenom!" He watched as Kayo rolled an amplifier into the bushes to scare the snake away then ran over to Virgil.

John nodded, "FAB, I'll alert base, maybe they can think of something. Get the first guy to hospital Scott, his dose will be wearing off soon."

Kayo nodded hearing John's instructions, "I'm on it."

"You don't know how to fly Thunderbird 1."

"I've watched you enough times. Help Virgil, I'll take our guy," Kayo helped the man to his feet slinging an arm around him for extra support, "we'll be fine, I promise."

Scott watched her go then took Virgil's hand gently examining the bite, "you're going to be okay little brother."

Kayo jumped into the pilot's seat after getting their victim, Nathaniel, strapped onto a stretcher for the journey to Rio, "Thunderbird 1 to International Rescue?"

"Go ahead Kayo, why are you in Thunderbird 1?" Jeff asked, immediately concerned.

"Virgil has been bitten."

Natasha's hands flew to her mouth, "is he okay?"

"He will be, but I need to get our guy to Rio hospital first. We don't have another phial of antivenom for a viper bite."

Gordon nodded, "I'm on it. Scrambling Thunderbird 2."

Natasha got up, "and I'm going with you, I may be able to help."

"FAB, over and out," Kayo's hologram disappeared.

Jeff nodded, "okay Gordon, as quick as you can."

"Yes dad."

Scott stroked Virgil's hair back as sweat shone on his forehead, "how are you feeling Virg?"

"I've been better," he looked up at Scott fondly, "but I'm beginning to lose feeling in my fingers."

"Fight it."

"Do you...think I'll ever be able to play the piano again?"

"I'll put a wager on you will," he grinned tearfully, "stay awake Virgil."

"I'm too sleepy."

"No Virgil, look at me," he looked down at his brother's throbbing hand and quickly pulled out a gel pack, "try to hold this, it might take the swelling down."

"I can't feel it Scott."

Scott watched a tear roll down Virgil's cheek and pushed the gel into his hand for him, "I'll hold it there for you. I'm not leaving your side, okay?" He settled into a sitting position cradling his brother against him.

"I wish I was getting married," Virgil muttered softly before he closed his eyes again.

"Virgil!"

Gordon cursed pushing Thunderbird 2 as fast as she would go, "come on, we're rescuing your pilot."

"How long before we get to the clearing?"

"Five minutes, and it looks like I'm going to have to wreck the foliage if we want to get close."

"Just do it, without antivenom he won't have long."

Gordon sighed heavily, "I'm taking her down, hold onto something."

Scott smiled in relief as the trees shook announcing Thunderbird 2's arrival, branches split and creaked and he rubbed Virgil's shoulder, "hey, wake up."

"He's...going...to scratch her," Virgil opened his eyes wearily.

Scott winced at the thud and Gordon ran over with Natasha, "Gordon, thank god."

Natasha knelt beside Scott's knees, "Virgil?"

"Natasha?"

"Yeah, it's me, sweetpea," she looked up at Scott, "you haven't tied anything or tried to cut the venom out, have you?"

Scott raised an eyebrow, "umm no?"

Natasha smiled as she took a roll of bandages from Gordon, "I used to be a paramedic," she then frowned, "we need to get him to hospital. Those are nasty puncture wounds."

"Can you stand up Virgil?" Scott asked.

"Maybe."

"I'll help him up, it'll take both of us," Gordon slung an arm under Virgil's as Scott did the same, "let's go."

"You'll be okay Virgil, just try to stay awake," Natasha said softly, "the sooner we get to the hospital, the better."

The ship rose through the trees leaving behind a mess of broken vines and Scott smiled at Natasha in Thunderbird 2's medical bay, "a paramedic?"

"Uh-huh, I studied medicine at college and worked as an intern in a hospital in Auckland for a couple of years to get a salary started," she checked Virgil's pulse as he closed his eyes, "snooze sweetheart, but don't fall asleep."

"When did you decide acting was more for you?" Scott continued.

"I've always been a musician and someone saw a video I put online, then before I knew it I was being asked to do hand model jobs and left the medical business behind. Maybe I should have stayed, but then I wouldn't have been in those movies or met Virgil."

Scott nodded, "is he going to be okay?"

"Yes, once he gets the right antivenom, that's some nasty swelling."

Scott pressed the intercom button, "Gords, how far away are we?"

"Five minutes, how is Virgil?"

"Reacting well to the temporary treatment, the venom is being kept in his arm only."

Natasha kissed Virgil's forehead, "just hold on."

They landed at the hospital where a team of staff were waiting to transfer Virgil from Thunderbird 2 to a private ward, on the way to his room the trio bumped into Kayo who told them their first victim was on the road to recovery.

"How is Virgil?"

"He'll be okay," Scott smiled at her, "does base know?"

Kayo nodded, "your dad told me it's up to us, but to keep him informed."

Virgil smiled from his bed as his family walked in, "hey."

A doctor looked up at their entrance, "Mr Tracy? I'm Doctor Goldsman."

Scott shook his hand, "Scott Tracy. Is my brother going to be okay?"

"We've hooked him up to a drip and administered the correct antivenom, whoever kept the venom in the same place should be rewarded."

Natasha giggled, "basic survival skills and some knowledge of medicine."

"How long until he can go home?" Gordon asked standing beside Virgil's pillow.

"He should stay here tonight and if he shows positive results to the treatment, he will be able to leave tomorrow."

Virgil sighed, "that's not too bad."

Doctor Goldsman smiled, "call me on here if you need me," he pointed to a button then left the room.

Scott pushed himself off the wall, "Kayo, Gordon, want to go out for dinner? I think Natasha and Virgil will be okay here."

Natasha sat down on the end of Virgil's bed, "we'll be fine, right Virg?"

"FAB."

"That's settled then," Kayo took Scott's hand in hers, "we should go and get changed first."

"Ohh that means using Brains' clothes invention!" Gordon whooped, "see you later Virgil, Nat."

Natasha watched them leave and Virgil touched her hand, "are you sure you don't want to go with them, Nat?"

"I don't want you to be here alone, we can go to the canteen."

Virgil smiled, "I guess you'll have to walk me."

Gordon looked at himself in the mirror, "this invention is so great."

Kayo looked down at her long black dress, "I must admit he thought of everything. As long as no-one touches us we're fine."

"Eating out in Rio, what are we in the mood for?" Scott asked checking his collar.

"I think we should go for vegetarian," Kayo followed the boys down to the module where the family car was parked and smiled at Gordon who held the door open for her, "thanks, Gords."

Scott checked his siblings were buckled up then reversed down the ramp of the module before swinging the car round to drive out, Thunderbird 2 locked behind them and Kayo checked the map, "we should park somewhere in the centre, you'll be safe with us Kayo."

"I wasn't worried, I can handle myself," she smirked at him, "but thank you."

Gordon chuckled in the backseat, "not even married yet and quarrelling as if you were."

"If I wasn't driving I'd hit you," Scott grinned through the mirror back at him, "there are lots of restaurants here, I'll find somewhere to park."

Sat in a cosy corner of a restaurant, Gordon clicked his earpiece on watching as Scott and Kayo clinked their wine glasses together, "hi dad. Yeah we're fine, just having dinner out in Rio. Virgil is awake and on a drip, Natasha is with him in the hospital and we'll be on our way home tomorrow," he nodded and Scott cast a frown at him, "yep, see you."

Kayo laid her hands on the table resting one on the other, "well?"

"Of course he's not happy we're staying the night, but pleased Virgil is okay."

"FAB," Scott sat back as their mains arrived, "thank you. This looks good," he took the knife and fork out of the napkin.

"Aren't you glad I introduced you to the vegetarian diet?" Kayo smirked.

Gordon smirked, "it's edible, that's the main thing."

"Another dig at grandma," Scott shook his head in disbelief, "I hope Natasha and Virg are having a good meal."

Natasha sat opposite Virgil in the hospital cafe, her eyes wandered to his wrist a needle was stuck into leading up to a drip, "how are you feeling?"

"Just tired. I'm betting this won't make one your best dates?"

"Anywhere with you is fine with me," she laughed, "you know, for hospital food, this isn't bad."

"Agreed, although I'd rather be dining on steak and ale rather than microwaved pasta."

"It's hot, which is the main thing," she smiled having a mouthful of carbonara, "that antivenom is taking a long time to get going," she continued.

Virgil sighed, "I'll be straight with you, I'm slightly allergic to snake venom."

"You're what?"

Virgil nodded, "don't worry, the treatment is working, it just takes longer for my body to react to it. I didn't want to worry you, and neither did my family."

"You should have told me," she frowned angrily, "I could have found something to take the swelling down faster."

Virgil rested his fork in his lasagna, "you saved my life Nat, and that's all I can thank you for. You got me to hospital."

"But deep down I thought I was going to lose you, I haven't done anything like this for years. I just assumed the bite was hurting, not that you were having a reaction to it."

Virgil reached for her hand on the table, "Nat, I'm okay now, I promise."

"Are you really?"

"Yes," he stroked her hand then heard a little voice getting closer.

"Mr Thunderbird, you're hurt!"

"I'm so sorry sir, he just recognised you and before I could stop him, he ran over."

Virgil smiled at the little boy who beamed up at him, "no worries. I'm fine buddy, just a scrape, like you have there," he poked the boy's knee gently as Natasha smiled lovingly across the table at him.

"Charlie, come on. I'm really sorry again sir."

Virgil watched the mother and son walk away, "a celeb, even in a hospital."

"That was the sweetest thing I've ever seen," Natasha chuckled almost tearfully as he looked back at her, "yeah, you're just fine."

Gordon stretched and checked the time, across from him Kayo popped an After Eight into her mouth, "we should get going. Where do you think Nat will stay?"

"They won't let her stay the night I doubt," Scott replied taking out his credit card, "I'll sleep with Kayo and Nat can stay in Thunderbird 2, let her have the bedroom."

Gordon nodded, "we'll go back to the hospital and pick her up."

"I hope we haven't been needed today," Kayo moved up the leather seat as Scott almost touched her arm, "careful sweetheart, you almost blew my cover."

"Sorry."

Once they paid they made their way back to the car which had been locked on a security protocol. Scott pressed a button on his phone and the car shimmered slightly as the electronic camouflage was turned off and he opened the passenger door for Kayo.

"Thank you."

Scott got in last and the engine roared to life, he swung the car round in a perfect one-point turn in the street and followed the road back to where they had left Thunderbird 2, "how many people do you think will be crowded around her?"

Kayo smiled, "none, I activated her optical camouflage, there may be a few people walking around confused."

Gordon laughed, "oh like the time Alan walked into Shadow at the airshow."

"That's what he gets for not believing me. As if I was going to leave her at home."

"I won't be able to see her. Thunderbird 5, are you there?"

John crossed his arms, "where else am I going to be?"

"Very funny. Could you send me Thunderbird 2's location, please? Kayo activated her camouflage."

"FAB, running the check now. How was dinner, and how is Virgil?"

Gordon leaned forward, "Nat is looking after him at the hospital, he's coming home tomorrow."

"Dinner was lovely John, I forced your brothers to try vegetarian for a change."

John nodded, "sounds good. Here you go Scott, in fact, you're coming up to her now."

"I'll de-activate her cloaking device," she clicked a button on her phone which removed the holographic dress and lifted her wrist, "Thunderbird 2 protocol, disengage," a bright chirp confirmed her command and up ahead the trio watched as Thunderbird 2 emerged from the darkness.

"Thanks John, see you tomorrow," Scott saluted his brother then swiped the hologram off, "we'll park her closer to the hospital, I don't feel like leaving her out in the middle of nowhere."

"Not to mention Virgil would kill you for doing that," Gordon said pointedly, "leave me with her and I'll go and get Natasha."

"FAB," Scott replied driving up the lowered ramp of the module.

"Miss Howard?" A nurse walked into Virgil's ward, "I'm afraid this is the final call for visiting hours."

Virgil smiled, "someone is coming to pick her up, don't worry."

Natasha looked round at the nurse with a nod, "ten minutes maximum."

"Alright, I just don't want you being locked in."

Natasha rested her hand in Virgil's on the bed once the nurse had left the room again, "you're looking so much better. I think the antivenom has worked."

"I feel much better too, that's the last time I go to the Amazon for a mission."

"Good thing this happened now and not the day before your brother's wedding."

Virgil snorted, "don't trigger the future, we can't pause callouts. Well, we can, but we don't like to make it a habit."

Gordon ran along the corridor and skidded to a halt outside Virgil's ward, "the best man is here."

"Umm that would be me, Gordon. Good to see you."

Gordon grinned, "I'm here to pick up Natasha and whisk her away from your side, Mr Bump."

Virgil nodded, "where have you parked Thunderbird 2?"

"In the field behind the car park, Scott and Kayo are on the roof in Thunderbird 1."

"FAB," he wriggled under the sheets, "look after her."

"It's Thunderbird 2, I know how to look after her."

"I meant Natasha," Virgil rolled his eyes as he squeezed her hand, "see you tomorrow."

Natasha nodded before kissing his cheek, "sleep well. Let's go, Gordon."

Virgil yawned, "there's a spare uniform in the bedroom if you get cold."

"I'll show her around Virgil, just sleep, well see you tomorrow," Gordon offered Natasha his hand and she took it following him out and closing the door behind them, "he'll be asleep already."

"Will we have to cross the car park or field?"

"Nah I've brought a pod vehicle."

They entered Thunderbird 2 and Gordon locked them inside, turning off the module lights he led Natasha up the stairs to the main corridor and opened a door.

"Make yourself at home."

"Where are you going to sleep?"

"I'm turning the cockpit into a bedroom, this is the main suite."

Natasha smiled, "it's certainly cosy," she remarked eyeing the white bed and green pillows, storage units lined the wall and beside her was a small wardrobe in which a drawer labelled 'VG' was built into.

"The bathroom is literally next door to this," he paused smirking, "but you might not want to flush whilst we're parked."

"TMI Gordon," she laughed, "thanks, see you in the morning," the door closed and she opened the drawer finding a spare flannel shirt deciding it would suffice as a long nightie.

The sun shone brightly the next morning and Natasha kicked the warm covers off herself, she got dressed quickly and made her way to the little bathroom to get freshened up then walked into the cockpit where Gordon was on a call with John.

"Morning Natasha," John smiled seeing her over Gordon's shoulder.

"Morning. When did we change location?"

Gordon smirked, "very early this morning, we want to get Virgil home as soon as possible."

Natasha nodded, "I didn't feel the flight at all."

John turned away, "Scott and Kayo are currently inside his ward getting him signed out. He's much better and the treatment was a success."

Natasha sighed, "that's great news."

"John, he has just left the room with Scott," EOS blinked green and John smiled.

"Thank you EOS. Open the main door, Gordon."

"FAB. I'll go and get our invalid," Gordon winked passing Natasha and she sat down in the co-pilot's seat keeping her eyes peeled for Virgil.

"Think you can walk over to Thunderbird 2?" Scott asked keeping an arm around his brother.

"Yes, I think I can do that easily."

"Your sleeping beauty is inside, well, she was sleeping," Gordon smiled, "good to have you back bro."

"It's great to be out of there. Let's go home."

Kayo kissed his cheek, "race you guys, let's get going, Scott."

Natasha leapt up as the cockpit door opened and she ran into Virgil's arms, "how are you feeling?"

Virgil hugged her tightly, "like I need a shower and a nap, but much better too. My fingers still tingle a little but a warm-up will do them some good."

"Please take your seats, ladies and gentlemen, as we prepare to take off," Gordon smirked hearing the couple kiss behind him, "and no kissing in the aisle."

Virgil rolled his eyes, "I'll be keeping an eye on you as you fly."

"Great, that's all I need."