He whistled a jaunty shanty as he strolled through Cloudbase.

The mission he and Pat – Magenta – had been on had been successful, even if they had needed to cut it short. The head honchoes were safely under lock and key and other members of Spectrum were cleaning up the rest of the smuggling ring.

Anyone who didn't know Gordon well would think he was as happy as Larry, but those who did know him would see and hear the underlying tension in both his movements and his tune.

Gordon understood why he had been the last to know, but it still rankled a little. Pat had been apologetic as he explained the reason he was cutting the mission short, and he was right, Gordon would have been unable to keep his cool. He'd given Pat a short squid hug to show that there were no hard feelings.

The only upshot to being the last to know was that he didn't have to tell anyone else. His private comms had been full of messages from everyone, and the comments had given him a reason to smile even under these circumstances.

The reason he did have a little spring in his step was one ginger brother who was still holed up with his idiot eldest brother. He hadn't seen John in the flesh since that fateful day, and he couldn't wait to fold the Spaceman into a proper Squid Hug, all capitals fully meant.

Along the way he saw various captains, some on duty and some off, and they all shot him sympathetic smiles. One or two of them also had what Gordon could only say was a hint of shock about them – hearing from Pat how his brother had arrived on Cloudbase certainly explained that – and he didn't even bother to keep the smirk off his face as he passed them.

He was met by Paul and Adam when he had almost reached Medical. Paul looked rough but whole, but Adam showed the fruits of the mission. His bruised face was starting to turn purple and black in places and his arm in the sling told of more damage, but neither was as hurt as Scott.

Once he got in that room his brother was gonna get it. Big time.

Both Captains squeezed his shoulder and smiled, and then it was just the door to the iso pod in his way.

Gordon paused to take a breath and gather his thoughts. A familiar voice broke through his reverie.

'I recognise that horrific noise anywhere. Please stop.'

And Gordon broke out into the first genuine smile since hearing the news. He didn't hesitate to enter the room, where John was waiting for him with a similar smile on his face.

Rather than rush over and enfold the spaceman into the hug he so desperately wanted and needed, Gordon paused on the threshold. John was thin, much thinner than he should be, than he had been when they were at home, and Gordon's heart broke as the anger rose.

John must have seen it, for he rolled his eyes and stood up, enveloping his Squid in a tight hold. Gordon clung back, ignoring the feel of bones and just revelling in the hold of a big brother.

They stayed like that a beat longer than would have normally been comfortable for John before breaking apart, still with Gordon's arm around his brother's back, and contemplated Scott's sleeping form.

Even now, two years after leaving iR, Scott asleep was still a precious, precious thing. He always looked younger asleep, not the careworn eldest brother he was awake. John leant his head against Gordon's as they watched.

'Has he woken up at all?'

'Couple times. The first time I was out of it, but Fawn tells me he thought he was hallucinating me.'

'Figures. What are we going to do with him, Johnny?'

'You can be quiet so *he* can get some sleep.'

The voice was rough and dry, and Gordon couldn't help the bubble of slightly hysteric laughter that escaped him. Scott frowned and cracked an eye open a fraction, then groaned and closed it again.

Gordon started forward in concern only for John to hold him back.

'Oh good. You're both here.'

No one could deadpan like Scott could, and once more Gordon laughed, moving now that John had released him. He took John's seat as John settled on the other bed, and reached out to take Scott's hand. There was a weak squeeze, but before Gordon could say anything Scott's eyes drifted shut.

He shared a fond but exasperated look with John and they settled down to wait, Gordon seated and John lying down. It must be his scheduled sleep cycle, Gordon realised with a start, and sure enough within five minutes he was the only one conscious. He sighed quietly and pulled John's tablet over and began to type.

'EOS?'

'Yes, Gordon?'

'Tell me everything.'

And she did. Gone were the days when the pair of them were not talking because she'd misunderstood a prank or joke. Gordon didn't have time for that anymore (not that his fellow Captains would believe that).

'Thank you, EOS.'

'You are welcome.'

It made Gordon happy that the two of them had a good relationship now.

Another couple of taps and the best thing ever to happen to him appeared before him. He put his finger to his lips and tilted the pad so Penny could see his two brothers were asleep. Penny's face lit up, and she beckoned to whoever was standing out of view of the screen. Kayo came into view and Gordon signed a greeting.

'Hey, Tan.'

'Hey Squid. How is he?'

Before he could answer another icon flashed and another, and Gordon accepted them both.

It had been a long, long time since they had been together as a family, and as usual, it was Scott who had brought them together. It may not have been under the best of circumstances, but as Gordon sat there, panning the tablet around the room so that Grandma and Virgil, Alan, Penny and Kayo could see the remaining two members of their family, for the first time in two years he felt whole again.