Chapter 16

Early morning light streamed through the window's blinds filling the room with an angel like glow. Henry sat on the sofa by the window with a strong but pretty dire tasting hospital coffee. He grimaced as he took another sip. He was exhausted from nurses dipping in and out to monitor Gordon's condition overnight, prodding and poking him at intervals to check the various vitals were within the right parameters. Just after midnight Henry had to help Gordon to the bathroom where he was still dizzy.

Henry sniffed his vest; he'd really have to go to the hotel and get a fresh set of clothes soon. All he had was the vest and some jogging bottoms the man from IR had given him and some slippers the hospital had given him.

He 'd insisted being dropped here by International Rescue straight away because he'd needed to stay with Gordon. He still couldn't believe he had met the elusive International Rescue. One of the things that struck him as unusual was the amount of personnel they seemed to have for he only saw one man throughout the rescue, which when you heard about some of their feats was just astounding! How they did it he didn't know but he was sure grateful to them for rescuing him and his friend. He wondered about their lives outside of the organisation. What kind of backgrounds had they had before and why so secret? If Henry was a betting man, he would have guessed ex-emergency services maybe even military as they often transitioned into emergency services or enforcement roles after service. It would certainly be his dream job. Having caught a brief glimpse of that colossal aircraft it was obvious they needed skilled pilots. Mind you they would have been on better wages than most serving personnel he knew to afford kitting out a global rescue organisation or maybe they went into it with a hefty inheritance? He was just musing about where they might hail from when the door opened. A tall well-dressed man slipped into the room with an overnight bag in hand. His attentions were directed solely towards Gordon.

Henry shrunk into the sofa a bit further, he didn't want to intrude but he also didn't feel like announcing his presence, maybe he could just slip –

"Hello Henry. You been here all night?"

"Yes sir. I needed to know he'd be alright." Jeff tucked the bag under the bed and before claiming the other end of the sofa. He didn't want to wake Gordon.

"Doctor tells me he might need surgery to mend his eardrum but it's a pretty routine procedure and much more refined these days than the previous treatment available." Henry nodded. "Has he been awake much?"

"Several times in the night for routine checks, although with his lack of hearing and exhaustion he's nodded off easily enough again."

"Good. So Henry, this conference; any idea how my son might have got there?" Jeff's face was inscrutable, his body turned towards Henry. Henry tried not to back up from the sudden proximity. He debated for a moment, he didn't want to get his friend into trouble, well any more trouble so he figured he best come clean…...sort of? He sighed.

"I may have given him a lift, I was staying in Sydney and figured I might as well pick him up on route. I thought he told you he was getting a lift?" Henry wasn't good at looking innocent but in the short time he'd known Gordon he knew he was a damn sight more authentic than him.

"I see; well you know all you had to do was radio and you could have landed?"

"Ahh where's the fun in that?" He lips quirked in a mischievous gesture.

Jeff shook his head, there was a reason his kid got on with Henry like a house on fire, they were of the same ilk. Even Henry's mannerisms reminded him of Gordon at times. He knew Henry was covering for Gordon. "Look Mr Tracy, I'm sorry. I know Gordon was meant to be somewhere else but he's really struggling with normal life lately. You know what its like, he misses those days. The action, the travel and the underwater exploration. Life as lovely as it is in the paradise you've created is a bit of a slower pace than what he's used to and he detests office work. Scott seems to have a natural affinity for business but let's be honest Gordon's not the office type."

Jeff chuckled quietly. If only you knew. "I know it has been a challenge for him to adjust and I recognise I was too harsh on him this time. He's a grown man now I shouldn't be dictating when and where he can take leave but those lines blur when he's also under my employment at my company. Just promise me next time, you'll stop by for a drink – and maybe announce yourself when you're in my airspace.

Henry held out his hand. "Deal."

Jeff shook it firmly his eyes dancing with amusement. Henry wasn't a bad kid. Jeff looked over to the bed his son was still resting. "How's your parents?"

"They're well thank you. My mother Has just taken on a patronage with a local Equine rescue and my Father is still active in the property investment market even though he really doesn't have to be but he likes to keep busy. You know you and the family should come over one long weekend my mother would love hosting you all and my sister would be thrilled."

"I'm not sure we could all make it but thank you for the invitation, it would be good for us to get away as a family. Now you look shattered; why don't you go and get a change of clothes and some kip? I'll be here for the foreseeable."

"That sounds like a plan. Can you drop me an update in a bit?"

"Sure, give me your number?"

Harry rattled it off before stretching awkwardly and grabbing his gear. "I'm sorry he got hurt, we were only meant to be at a conference…. It wasn't meant to end in this way. We were very lucky that International Rescue found us when they did. They are simply an amazing organisation. What I wouldn't give to fly that beast of a machine, I only saw inside the belly of the thing but what a cargo craft. Those pilots are lucky devils!"

Jeff smiled the skin around his eyes crinkling with warmth. "I've heard its pretty impressive. Shame we don't know who they are but I am sure they know how grateful the public are that such an organisation exists."

"Well I certainly thanked them from the bottom of my heart, so I only hope they know how sincere I was."

"I'm sure they did."

"Bye Jeff." Henry quietly glided out the door. Jeff sighed and got up to sit in the chair by the bed. Gordon really was sleeping well; he must have done a number on himself reflected Jeff. He sat in silence for a few moments before turning his wrist outwards to view the face of his watch. No messages or calls…maybe he should check in - let the boys know he got here? Make sure they were holding the fort. He went to hit the dial button when the sheets rustled next to him. Gordon rolled on his side towards Jeff before his eyes started to flutter.

He caught sight of his dad and groaned into the pillow. "That's no way to greet your old man." Jeff's deeper voice was more audible to Gordon so he could mostly make out what he was saying.

"Hey dad." He still didn't move. He was capable of getting up but he really didn't want the third degree. Maybe if he trumped up his injuries a little his dad would simmer down a bit. He'd more than earned a reprieve surely?

"What were you thinking?"

"You might have to be a bit more specific."

Jeff scowled. "When you got your buddy to airlift you off the island; what were you thinking? What if we'd got a call at that exact moment? I seem to remember expressively denying you leave." There was a long pause whilst Gordon twisted to face his father fully.

"Sorry I struggled to hear that. Could you try again?"

Jeff rubbed his temples before looking his son in the eye. "You're a cocky…." Jeff took a deep breath. "Look. I'm not going to lie; when the boys played me that message you left, I was incensed that you could be so reckless and would endanger the organisation in such a way but then you went missing and for a moment I feared the worst." Gordon saw the pain reflected in his father's eyes, saw his sharp intake of breath. Gordon had to watch his lips carefully to try and read what his dad was saying in places. "Gordon all I could think about was the last time I spoke to you we fought and you hung up and I never got a chance to say goodbye. That I love you no matter how many buttons you push." Gordon looked so pale his usual freckles were stark against his skin. Jeff was reminded of sitting by his bedside as a child. Reading to him on those rare times he was home. Whenever he was home, he told him he loved him, when was the last time he'd told him that of late?

Gordon tried to reach out a hand. "I'm sorry. I was irritated at being left behind all the time. All I want to do is be part of the team. I don't want to waste my youth on some island; not when I could be helping those in need. It's a waste. I feel like an orca in an aquarium. I know where I belong and it's not stuck on an island." Jeff placed a hand on Gordon's shoulder. He'd had a lot of time to think on the flight over.

"You know Scott had to find you? It wasn't until we were without you, we realised how rusty they were on water rescues; how much we needed your talents. There was a horrible moment where the boys thought they were going to fail. I want you to promise not to do this again if I promise that from now on, we will take better care to involve you in future rescues and training." There was much more to be said but Jeff suspected Gordon was struggling to hear but maybe not as much as he was making out. It was more his son's overall condition that was making this conversation hard to follow for him.

"I promise."

Scott sat at his father's desk; he had been quietly monitoring the situation with the missing manta-ray. It turned out that the Navy had found the manta secreted in an underground cavern, they gave chase causing it to crash just forty miles off the coast of Mexico. The suspect appeared to have vanished as mysteriously as he had infiltrated the group. The crew were successfully recovered but suffering from some kind of neuro-toxin. They were under close surveillance but it wasn't yet known what kind of long-term implications may occur from exposure. One of the Navy guys was dead with a bullet to the head. Gordon had been lucky in reality, although his experience had been a close shave too. Scott's face darkened, they better catch the felon.

The sound of a bag hitting the deck brought him back to the present moment. He followed the spot where the bag was upwards till he saw the white and blue uniform. "Alan?"

"Today's changeover day."

"Yeah, but I can't take you, I have to stay here and we're a bit short on the ground right now. John's already straight with it. He understands. We need you here too." Scott turned back to his reports.

"Scott, I promised I wouldn't go over this time, John's already exceeded his hours from the previous month. He needs to come down. With what's gone on with Gordon lately seems to me that we should appreciate each other's sacrifice's a bit more."

Scott sat back and scrutinised his brother carefully. "Who are you and what have you done with Alan?"

"Give over." Alan glowered. Tin-tin's gaze wondered from where her and Virgil were sat just outside on the veranda. Alan hadn't noticed her yet.

"Tin-tin?"

"Hmm, sorry Virgil. I thought I heard someone call my name." She took a sip of her soda.

"I asked if you had a nice time away, weren't you meeting the girls? Did you get to go into the race pit? I know you were keen to see the engine's performance first hand."

She pushed her glasses up her nose as she took another sip. Tears threatened stinging the corners of her eyes. Virgil was such a kind soul but if she told him the truth, she wouldn't be able to stop the torrent of emotion that was foaming just under the surface. She picked at her short floral summer dress that she had intentionally picked because she knew it set Alan alight with desire that he couldn't quell. "Well, I was meant to but unfortunately there was a change of plans and they couldn't make it so I went shopping alone for a bit then got to explore the pit. It was fun."

Virgil paused thoughtfully, was it just him or was her voice a little too breezy, strained almost? "That's a shame you were on your own for so long, I bet you were really looking forward to hitting the town with the girls."

"I was rather but its ok I'm sure there will be another time."

"Hey Tin-tin could you come here a minute?" Scott's voice carried from the lounge.

"I better see what our esteemed commander requires." Tin-tin smiled trying to be playful but falling just short.

"Tin-tin honey is something wrong?" Virgil reached for her hand as she stood forcing her to remain. She needed to get out of here.

"No not at all, I just have a headache, we changed so many time zones yesterday I must be a little jet lagged."

Virgil scanned her face as if he could see into her soul. She stood patiently her hand loosely in his. "As long as you're sure but if you need me, I'm here."

"Thank you, Virgil, your much too kind but I really must-see what Scott wants." She stepped through the doors and caught sight of Alan. She didn't miss the way his gaze tracked over her body or the way he tensed as she entered the room. She lifted her head a little higher and went and sat brazenly on the desk. Her skirt rode up as shimmed on. "Ah! There you are. I hate to be the one to ruin your sun worshiping but how do you fancy seeing the stars? John needs to come home and I can't leave base."

Tin-tin froze where she sat. She could almost feel Alan's eyes burning into her shoulders from behind. It would be at least a thirty-minute journey. Alone. With Alan. "I would Scott but I am feeling a little jet lagged, could Brains go?"

"Brains is indisposed on a project for dad at the moment. I'm sorry Tin I hate to say no to you but it would be doing me a huge favour if you would go."

"Well alright, seeing as you asked so nicely."

"Thanks Tin you're a star" He gave her a chaste peck on the cheek not noticing his brother flush. She smiled back and hoped off the desk ignoring Alan completely as she went to sit on the sofa.

"Well, don't keep the girl waiting I thought you wanted to get going?" Scott asked.

Alan nodded curtly before sitting on the sofa making sure they didn't touch. Scott pressed the button at the desk that started their descent through the floor. He could just see Tin-tin remove her glasses on the way down. Virgil breezed in from the corner of the room where he had been observing unobtrusively. "What is going on there?"

"I know right? Definite bust up but what the hell over is anyone's guess. They were only away a few days!"

"I'm not sure but whatever it was Tin-tin is really torn over it."

"Yeah, and Alan being acting like a scaled cat around her. He couldn't get outta here fast enough." Scott surmised thoughtfully.

"Well, I imagine they'll work it out eventually they usually do." Virgil took a seat at the piano where he opened his book.

"That's what i'm banking on." Scott muttered under his breath. He made a point to try and catch Tin-tin on her return if she was still not right. He wanted to know what his brother had done to upset her so much; Alan was acting guilty as sin. Scott had just given him a chance to make amends privately in case he hadn't had a chance yesterday. The last thing they needed was that drama on top of everything else. He returned to the desk unfortunately the reports weren't going to write themselves.