'.........and she told me it was over, then you called.' Virgil paused for
a breath and looked at his brother worriedly.
John stared back, mouth frozen open,eyes wide,silent.
'Well come on Johnny, say something!' Virgil urged.
John opened his mouth, shut it, opened it again then visibly swallowed, 'um.......oh my God!' he uttered
'Thanks, that's really helpful.'
John shook his head and shut his mouth, 'I can't believe you've been having it off with your teacher and you never told me.'
Virgil frowned, 'John that's not the issue here. I love her.'
John looked worried, 'you can't Virg, she's your teacher.'
Virgil was angry, 'So?'
'So, what would dad say, you might be kicked out of Denver, she'd lose her job.'
This made Virgil more angry, John was saying exactly what Luisa had said.
'I don't care as long as we're together!'
'Virg, you're not thinking straight, are you really prepared to ruin both of your careers?'
Virgil looked hurt, 'i should have known better, but I thought that at least you would understand how I'm feeling Johnny'.
'Virg, I do understand it's just.......'
'No you don't John, you don't understand, I'll see you later!'
Virgil hung up on his brother and lay back on his bed. He squeezed his eyes shut to try and stop the hurt he felt inside. He had hoped John would tell him to ignore the fact that she was a teacher. He should have known better, who was he kidding, no-one could understand but he and Luisa, espescially not his family.
A knock at the door, distracted him from his thoughts, 'what?' he shouted.
Tim poked his head around the door, 'hey Virg, you coming to play some footie?'
Virgil turned his distraught face towards his friend, 'Hey are you alright?' Tim asked.
'I'm fine' Virgil said curtly, 'I just need to be alone.'
'So you don't want to play then?'
'No, I need some time to myself.'
'Fine!' Tim said shaking his head as he left the room, Virgil knew he sounded unreasonable, he was never rude, but he'd had about enough today! And it was only 12.15!
He turned on his radio, to relax and old time Diva, Celine Dion blared out.
Virgil groaned as 'All By Myself' reached its second chorus, this was one horrific day!
***********
Alan was driving back from the Sans when he heard the announcement, he fiddled with the radio dial attempting to tune out the incessent wail of Celine Dion, and stopped when she finished the ballad. The DJ's cheery voice blared out,
'and here's the next track from her 1995 album, 'Think Twice', this is Rockie FM, with Celine Dion week.'
Alan rolled his eyes, and groaned but he couldn't be bothered to change stations. He listened as he drove his blue nissan back to Colorado U.
Embarrasingly 5 minutes later he found himself humming along to 'My Heart Will Go On', when a voice interuppted the song.
'We interuppt this programme to bring you an important newsflash.' Alan's ears perked up, 'a WASP hydrofoil has been involved in a serious accident just outside of the Marineville Headquarters on the Atlantic Coast.......'
Alan breaked so furiously the car behind almost smashed into him. The driver waited as Alan sat frozen in his seat and then drove around him yelling, 'stupid Kid!'
Alan sat stock still, his heart beating wildly, sweat licking at the palms of his hands, 'it couldn't be Gordon's hydrofoil, it just couldn't be.'
The newscaster continued, 'as yet it is unclear whether this was an accident or a possible terrorrist attack, immediate reports suggest 3 fatalities, information on other casualties is limited at present. Of course we at Rockie Fm will bring you more details as soon as we have them. Now back to your Celine Dion marathon.'
The music began playing again, Alan sat staring straight ahead. It couldn't be Gordon, it must have been another vessel, but even as he thought it, he realised that wasn't possible. His brother wouldn't have returned from his expedition yet, there were no other hydrofoils, this was the first one. Alan caught sight of his terror-stricken expression in his mirror.
Oh God, what had they said, three dead? He tried to take deep breaths, how many had Gordon said were going on the trip? Alan cursed as he realised his brother hadn't said anything about numbers, all he knew was that Gordon and Steph had been on the Hydrofoil. His mind repeated his earlier conversation with his brother.
'we're testing out the new Hydrofoil, if this baby runs well we'll be getting a whole bunch of them at WASP next year. One step forward for the WASP defending team!'
He'd been so excited, so blindly optimistic that this new machine would be brilliant.
Alan took his clenched hands from the wheel, but left the radio on, he felt strangely close to losing it. 'Don't panic Alan' he said to himself, 'there's an explanation for this, he'll be ok.'
He wouldn't even contemplate that Gordon was in that accident until he got some clarification.
Forcing himself to stay calm, he raised his watch to his mouth, and dialed his brother's number,
'Gordon this is Alan' he siad urgently, 'are you there, this is an emergency'.
He recieved no reply.
Please God don't let him have been on there, he prayed silently, please.
He, looked back at his watch, he had to find out if his family knew anything.
*******
Virgil heard the news-flash,
Sounds like a nasty accident he thought to himself. He briefly wondered if Marineville Headquarters was anywhere near Gordon's base, but dismissed that thought quickly, they didn't own any hydrofoils at WASP.
He wondered if he should give his little brother a call later, to catch up. Maybe Gordo would be more sympathetic about Luisa. He almost smiled, his younger brother was up-beat about everything, he'd probably be pretty supportive. He decided he would speak to Gordon later.
His watch beeped as he lay on his bed, Virgil wasn't in the mood to talk. He'd find out who it was later.
Sighing he pulled the pillow over his head and became lost in his own thoughts.
*********
'DAD!' Alan said just one word, but he knew that the worst thing he'd been imagining had become a reality.
Jeff Tracy's lined, pale face, held an expression Alan had never seen before.
'Alan' Jeff whispered.
'DAD, WAS IT HIS HYDROFOIL, WAS GORDON IN THAT ACCIDENT?' Alan screamed at Jeff, though his father's palour already confirmed his worst fears.
'Your brother was in the accident yes son.' Jeff responded his tone, bleak and wretched.
' NOOOOOOO!' Alan shouted burying his face in his hands, 'TELL ME HE'S OK DAD!'
Jeff's reply suggested he was near tears himself, 'I don't know son, I'm on the way to the hospital now.'
'How did you find out?' Alan asked, tears rolling down his cheeks. 'I mean are you sure?'
'Yes, I got a call from the Coast-Guard.'
'When?'
'About 10 minutes ago' Jeff replied.
Alan's tear-stained face turned red, 'AND YOU DIDN'T THINK TO LET US KNOW?'
Jeff knew his son was just turning his worry to anger, 'I wanted to see what the situation was with your brother before I worried you boys.'
'DID YOU THINK LETTING US FIND OUT ON THE NEWS WOULD BE BETTER?'
Jeff gasped, 'Oh no, it was on the news?'
Alan was incensed, 'YES DAD, THEY THINK IT'S A GOD DAMN TERRORIST ATTACK, OF COURSE IT'S ON THE NEWS!'
Jeff shook his head, 'I'm sorry you had to find out like that son.' He paused gathering strength, 'have you spoken to the others?'
Alan shook his head, eyes wide, 'I couldn't get through to Virgil, I haven't tried John and Scott yet.'
Jeff nodded, 'keep trying then son, they do not need to here it on the news first.'
Alan nodded, 'I'm heading straight to the hospital, which one is it?'
'Marineville General' Jeff replied.
'Dad.......' Alan said, 'he'll be okay won't he? On the radio, they said three people were dead, he's not dead is he?' his voice became like a plea as he sobbed,'please tell me he's not dead.'
Jeff didn't know what kind of condition his second youngest was in, 'I don't know what the situation is Alan' he offered attempting to reassure his youngest, 'but I'm sure they would have told us if he was one of the fatalities.'
Alan nodded, still sobbing. 'I just can't believe this, it's like a bad dream.'
'I know son.' Jeff replied, 'Lets just pray that your brother is alright. I'll see you at the hospital, make sure you let the others know.'
Alan nodded again, 'Ok'.
After he hung up on his father, he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and mentally shook himself, 'come on Alan, you're no help to Gordo like this!'
He tried to get in touch with his other brothers.
*****
'Kate, come in' John said smiling as he held the door open for the pretty brunette at the door.
'Hi John' she said shyly, kissing his cheek.'I missed you last night.'
John coughed guiltily, 'um...yeah, sorry about that, it was just a really intense head-ache you know?' Kate nodded.
'Cup of tea?' John offered, she nodded and he walked to the kitchen to make them a cup.
Kate sat in the lounge, 'Did you hear about that accident, on the news?' she called to him.
'No' John replied, retrieving the tea-bags and placing one in each cup.'What happened?'
'I don't know, it was out at sea.'
John frowned, 'hmmmm, ferry disaster?'
'No, it was some smaller boat.'
John smiled, 'my little brother will love that' he said, 'there'll have to send out WASP's finest to act as rescue won't they?'
Kate frowned, 'um, no apparantly the boat was part of WASP.' She said tentatively.
John frowned and left the tea-cups on the bench, he walked quickly into the lounge, confused and a little worried by what Kate had told him. He picked up the remote and turned on the television, he flicked through the channels, as his watch began beeping.
'Kate do me a favour and get that for me will you?' he asked her, a distracted look on his face.
'Sure' she answered walking to his room where he had left the watch.
John flicked from cartoon to soap to drama, until he found footage of what looked like pieces of broken plates in a puddle but was actually what was left of a ship in the Atlantic. The helicopter flew lower as it picked up WASP emergency vessels, four coastguard boats and seven or eight emergency helicopters. John's stomach became a little queezy. He was concerned for his brother, he hoped Gordon hadn't had friends on the ship, because no-one could survive the wreck the tv was displaying, the craft was in pieces. John tried to turn the sound up on the silent television.
Kate answered John's watch, 'hello'.
An anguished face met hers, 'JOHN?' it shouted.
'No, he's just in the other room.'
'Oh' the face of a boy, Kate thought looked about 4 years younger than her, looked as if the bottom had just fallen out of his world. 'Are you Emily?' he asked.
Kate, felt like she'd been punched, 'um.....no' she replied.
The boy seemed oblivious to what he'd said, 'um.....can you tell John our brother Gordon's been in an accident.'
'Oh No, of course,would that be the brother in WASP?'she replied, immediately pushing insecurities to the back of her mind.
'Um Yes.' he replied
'Tell him to ring me back when you've spoken to him please.' The boy continued, obviously struggling with his composure, 'um....I'm his brother Alan.'
'OK' Kate replied.
John was still fiddling with the remote when Kate entered the lounge,
'John' She whispered struggling with how to say this.
He still messed with the remote.
'JOHN!'
He looked up then, he noticed her pale face, wide eyes,worried expression, his stomach dropped,
'what?'
*********
Scott ran a hand through his hair as he attempted to complete his game of patience, even when he was playing alone Scott hated to lose a competition, he swore angrily, he just couldn't win the stupid game.
'AHHHH!' Frustrated he threw his deck of cards at the wall. This was turning into one hell of a day.
He hated being on the outs, he had never had a problem with making friends, infact you might say people had flocked to him, he had an inner strength that people recognised and most people knew it would be good to be friends with someone so commanding. Not the case here.
He knew it shouldn't bother him, he was at the base to do a job, still he felt awful that he couldn't trust his wing men. The old quote 'who needs friends when you've got enemies' popped into his head. Sighing he leaned against his head-board and switched on the television. He wanted to watch his favourite show, 'World's Fastest.......'
When he first turned the tv on, he thought it was the show. The screen showed pictures of what looked like the remains of a ship, Scott settled back to listen.
'Again reports are sketchy but WASP are expected to give a statement regarding whether this horrendous incident was indeed an accident or the work of terrorists.'
Scott sat bolt upright, eyes glued to the screen, 'WHAT?' he shouted.
'Reports of casualties are unkown but three people have been reported dead at the scene. This is Jordon Humphries reporting for.............'
The reporter trailed off, as Scott felt his heart beating practically out of his chest, it wouldn't be the hydrofoil, that wreck looked nothing like it, but then that debris was unrecognisable as anything. Scott listened as the picture went back to the news studio.
'In case you've just joined us, we are reporting on the WASP hydrofoil that for reasons unknown as yet has resulted in this horrific smash.'
Scott placed his hands over his face, he struggled to register what they'd said, three dead, other casualties unknown, hydrofoil, unrecognisable.
He felt sick, he rushed over to the kitchen sink and rinsed his face, letting the cool water wash away his nausea, but it couldn't wash away his fear, it was like a ball of steel resting in his stomach. That had to be Gordon's hydrofoil........how could he have lived through that?
His stomach heaved again and he bent double over the sink. He had to find out what happened. With careful steps he moved away from the sink to his box of books in the corner which he still hadn't unpacked. He reached into it and pulled out his address-book. Hands shaking, he located W, 'Gordy'- WASP he had written 0776532.
He keyed the number into his watch and waited, till a voice responded,
'World Aquanatic Security patrol, how can I help you?'
Scott didn't know what to say, 'um.....' he swallowed hard as the dizziness overcame him, his voice was quiet and unrecognisable, 'my brother......um...my brother was supposed to be testing the hydrofoil today..........'
He trailed off.
The young man's silence said it all, he sharply inhaled, 'Sir, may I first offer my deepest condolences, it's awful what's happened, if you give me your brother's name I'll see what I can find out for you.'
Scott swallowed, 'thankyou, um..it's Gordon...Gordon Tracy.'
The man at the other end of the line let out a gasp, 'oh no.'
Scott feared the worst, 'Oh God' he shouted, 'What?'
The man immediately apologised, 'oh no, I don't know of your brother's condition. I just trained with him last year.'
Scott let out a whoosh of breath, for a moment there..........
'he's one of the best guys I've met, I mean he was just a really decent guy, you should be proud'
Scott gave a bitter laugh, it was just like Gordo to know everyone, 'We are thankyou, um....' he paused, 'if you could find anything out?'
'Oh sorry, of course.' the man answered, 'I'll be right back.'
Scott bit his nails anxiously as greensleeves blared out of the reciever, he couldn't believe this, and why hadn't any of his family contacted him? Did they even know yet?
He squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed his forhead with his knuckles. He couldn't handle losing Gordon, he really couldn't, one premature death in the family was enough, no more.
It was too horrific to even think of Gordon injured. That upbeat attitude and chirpiness quashed, no he had to be alright. But his thoughts were full of nightmare scenarios.
Even if he was alright, how would he cope with the death of three team- mates some most probably his friends, one possibly the woman he loved.
Scott felt the bile rise in his throat, his mind wandered to those onboard,
Jack, funny, kind, his little brother's best friend. They got into all sorts of trouble at WASP first year.
Sam, sweet, with so much potential, tough but always loyal to Gordo.
Noel, a joker, similar to Gordon in humour, always smiling.
And Steph, such a brilliant girl, perfect for his little brother, and most important of all, she really loved him.
And he her.
Oh God what a mess! he thought, they were all just kids, 19 years old and even Gordy's commander was only five years older than Scott. (Tariq Brown was known and respected throughout the military fields)
How would his brother cope if he lost his friends or his girlfriend, Scott didn't know, but he sure as hell didn't want to think the worst, that they could have lost Gordon himself.
His legs felt stronger and he stood and paced as the annoying wail of Greensleeves gave way to Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
'Hello?' came the voice
'Yes?' Scott answered, knowing he had to sit down for this, he lowered himself to a chair.
'All we've got is that he wasn't killed at the scene.'
Scott felt mixed emotions, relief that he wasn't dead, fear at the worry he might have died on route to the hospital and sadness that undoubtedly his brother had lost some people dear to his heart.
'Mr Tracy?'
'Right, ' Scott answered, 'um.....I need the name and address of the hospital they're taking him to. And do you know if you're allowed to tell me who died, because Gordy's going to want to know.'
'Um I guess I can tell you two, being as you have a valid reason , but not three because we haven't notified the family yet.'
Scott nodded, 'I understand, so you haven't notified my family then?'
The man paused, 'hold on, I'm just checking' After a silence, he replied, 'no it says here, Jeff Tracy has been notified.'
Scott shook his head, 'no that can't be right, when was he told?'
'About 15 minutes ago.'
Scott couldn't get his head around that, why hadn't Jeff called him, told him what had happened. He banished the thought from his mind, this wasn't the time.
'Um...so who....who, was killed?'
The man swallowed, 'Sam Williams,'
Scott let out a breath, 'Ohhhhhh!' He had liked Sam a great deal.
'Um........and Commander Brown'.
Scott nodded, he had assumed the guy at the controls would more than likely have been killed.
'I'd appreciate it if you'd give their families, my family's sympathy.'
'Of Course' the young man replied, 'oh and Mr Tracy, before you go?'
'Yes?'
'You're in the prayers and thoughts of everyone at WASP too, Gordon's a very popular guy here, no-one has a bad word to say about him.'
Scott felt a little stronger at that, 'thankyou'.
As the man read out the address of the hospital, Scott scribbled the details down on a pad.
'And listen, when Gordon gets better, tell him, Tony Espeinso says he wants another chance at beating his ass on the table-tennis court ok?'
Scott laughed sadly, 'I'll do that, thanks Tony.'
'You're welcome.'
Scott disconnected and then ran a hand through his hair. His heart was still erratic, he stood and took a jacket from his wardrobe, grabbed his car keys and practically ran through the corridors leading from the base.
He didn't know what his father was playing at, but the only place he wanted to be right now was by his brother's side. He was reaching for his red porsche door-handle when his watch beeped.
'Yes?'
Alan's stricken face appeared, 'SCOTT! I've got some really bad news.'
Scott waved a hand, 'I know about Gordo, Alan.'
'What, oh no did you see it on the news?'
'Yes, apparantly Dad's already been notified.'
'He has.'
Scott looked furious enough to chew nails, 'THEN WHY THE HELL HASN'T HE CALLED ME?'
Alan, opened his mouth to reply.
'Look never mind' Scott interuppted, 'the important thing's Gordo now, what do you know?'
'All I know is that he's being taken to the hospital.' Alan offered and for the first time Scott noticed how pale his brother looked.
'Hey' he said softly, 'he'll be alright ok.'
Alan looked utterly wretched, 'you don't know that, he could be dead for all we know!'
Scott shook his head vhemenently, 'NO Alan! I just spoke to WASP, they said he wasn't killed at the scene.'
Alan swallowed taking this in, 'Oh thank God!'
'But Sam Williams and the Commander are dead!'
'Oh no, Sam?' Alan looked horrified, he liked the friendly, long-haired guy.
Scott nodded, 'Listen they wouldn't tell me who else was killed because they haven't notified the family yet, we just have to hope it wasn't one of the guys or Steph.'
'Oh God Steph!' Alan yelled tearfully, he'd completely forgotton about Gordon's girlfriend. 'Did you talk to Gordo before, did he say who was on the hydrofoil apart form him and Steph?'
Scott knew the next comment was going to hurt, he leaned forward in his seat and looked closer at his brother in his watch, 'they all were Al' he said softly, 'Jack,Noel,Sam,Steph... all of them.'
Alan moaned horribly, 'ooooohhh, this is going to kill Gordy'.
Scott looked up sharpely, Alan's eyes widened as he realised what he'd said.
'Scott?' he asked, tears running down his cheeks, 'what if he dies, what are we going to do if Gordy dies?'
'We won't have to worry about that Al, because he's not going to die.' Scott answered his voice breaking as he struggled to keep his composure.
'I keep thinking....' Alan gasped, 'that this morning could have been the last time I ever spoke to my brother.'
'If we think that way what chance has Gordon got?' Scott said firmly, 'we can't let ourselves think like that, we have to be strong for him now, ok?'
'Ok' Alan answered, his sobs subsiding.
'Where are you?' Scott asked running a hand across his own cheeks.
'Driving towards the hospital.' Alan replied.
'Are you alright to drive?' Scott questioned.
'Look, i'm not waiting around for a bus' Alan said angrily, 'there's nothing in God's earth that could stop me from getting to Gordy right now!'
'Fine' Scott responded, knowing he felt the same way. 'Have you spoke to Virg or John yet?'
'I left a message with John, I couldn't get through to Virgil.'
'He needs to know' Scott said desperately, 'it'd eat him up, if something happened and he wasn't there , he couldn't live with himself.'
Alan figured Scott was blaming him, 'I know!' he shouted, 'I can't help it if he's not answering Scott!'
'Hey Kid! Calm down, I'm not blaming you.' Scott waited until Alan calmed down, 'I don't know maybe John got through to him.'
Alan took a deep breath, 'I don't know.'
'I'll try ringing him in a minute.' Scott told him.
'Ok'.
'And Al?'
'Yeah?'
'He's going to be alright ok? God wouldn't be that cruel.'
Alan nodded, 'yeah' he whispered, 'I'll see you at the hospital.'
'Keep me posted.'
Scott disconnected and started the engine, driving much faster than the law allowed, he swung the porsche out of the USAF car park, spewing gravel in his wake.
He would break land speed records if he had to, he had to get to his brother.
****************
Virgil's watch wouldn't shut up, it kept going off.
He was getting really angry, someone just wanted to bother him. He was pretty sure it was John, apologising for earlier, or Luisa trying to make him see that she was right.
He didn't want to talk to either.
Yet another knock at the door, and that was it.
Enraged at getting absolutely no sleep, he stormed towards the door and flung it open,
'WHAAAAAAAAAT!' he yelled.
'Virgil'
It was Luisa.
'I'm sorry' Virgil murmered, 'I just couldn't sleep.'
'That's ok'.
'So, you're taking a risk coming here, aren't you afraid, someone might question our teacher/pupil relationship?' he asked sarcastically, still really hurt from her earlier words.
Luisa's lip wobbled, 'don't be like that Virgil please, don't be cruel to me.'
That was all she had to do, Virgil never could bear to see a woman cry, 'Oh come here' he murmered pulling her in and shutting the door, 'I'm sorry'.
'I am too Virgil, that's what I came here to say.'
Virgil looked at her suprised, 'but I thought you didn't want to lose your job?'
'I won't lose it' she answered.
Virgil frowned 'What do you mean?'
'As of half an hour ago, I'm no longer your teacher,' she looked up at him nervously, 'Virgil....I've resigned!'
*************
John stared straight ahead of him as Kate drove along the highway.
'You want to talk?' she asked him.
'Nope'
'John you need to talk about this!'
'What is there to talk about Kate?' he shouted, 'My little brother could be dead, what part of that don't you get?'
She looked at him, 'I know you're just worried John, but don't take it out on me ok?'
John massaged his temples with his fingers, 'I'm sorry alright Kate, I'm really sorry, I just can't get my head around all this.'
'It must be awful for you!'
'It's worse than awful' John replied, distraught, he could not believe it was his baby brother's boat that was on the televison, it was smashed into a thousand pieces. 'When our mum died, we all had to become closer more united else we'd never have got through it' he said softly, 'I was a complete basket-case, the only way I got through that, and I think Scott and Virgil got through it, was by taking care of the younger two. It gave us a purpose, a sense of direction, something to put our minds to.'
He broke off as he struggled to find his voice, 'I don't think I'd get through it if we lost Gordo, I just don't think I....we could recover.'
Kate looked at him sympathetically, 'oh sweetheart, I know, but you've got to think positive, for your brother's sake, he's not dead, so don't write him off.'
John nodded, he felt better just having someone with him. As soon as he'd heard the news, she'd offered to go with him to the hospital, to drive him. He had been in no state to drive, hands shaking, knees wobbling, dizzy, he didn't know where he'd be if she hadn't been there.
Yet all he could think of was Gordon, nightmare images ran through his mind, 'his brother crying out in pain for his family, with no-one there, his brother having to face the deaths of his fellow WASPS by himself, his brother dead.
No matter how hard he tried he couldn't erase the images. He hadn't even known he was testing a hydrofoil, what kind of a useless big brother did that make him.
John knew there was no logical way it could be his fault, but he couldn't help blaming himself. Why hadn't he talked to his brother in the last few days? Why hadn't he called just to check up on him?
WHY? WHY? WHY?
John knew these were questions that only he could answer, the bottom line was it was his fault, he had failed Gordon, he had failed his little brother.
John only hoped he'd get the chance to make it up to him.
***********
Alan reached the hospital in record time, a good hour after Gordon had been brought in.
He rushed through the corridors, to the reception desk, wide-eyed, frantic.
The receptionist looked up at him when he stood frozen, 'Yes?'
Alan recovered his senses, to say , 'um.....Gordon,Gordon Tracy he was in the hydrofoil this morning, where is he?'
The recpetionist looked suspiscious, 'Are you a reporter?' she asked.
Alan thought he looked far too distraught to be a journalist, 'Of course not!' he shouted, 'I'm his brother!'
The receptionist looked immediately apologetic, 'Oh I'm very sorry.' she said sympathetically, 'we've just been getting a hell of a lot of reporters around here?'
'I know' Alan replied, 'The police already made me show them my license so they knew I wasn't a reporter, at the entrance.'
The receptionist nodded, 'I'm sorry Mr.....Tracy?'
Alan nodded.
'Right, um Gordon Tracy...' she looked at a computor infront of her, 'it says here that your brother is in the OR.'
Alan watched her expression to see if that was a good or a bad thing, she gave nothing away.
'Ok, so where's that? I need to see his doctor or my father, Jeff Tracy. Is he here?'
She nodded, 'Oh yes, your father got here a little while ago.' She got out from behind the desk and told a woman next to her to watch reception. 'Follow me.'
Alan followed her. As he walked through the clinical, white corridors he realised again why he hated hospitals. They smelled of antiseptic and the lighting was all wrong. He looked at the floor as he walked, avoiding looking in any of the rooms, feeling slightly sick.
The receptionist started talking, 'I'm so sorry for the accident' she said softly.
Alan raised his eyes, 'thankyou'.
'It's such a tragedy, we haven't had a disaster of this magnitude at WASP for twenty years.'
Alan remained silent, it was sod's law that his brother had to be involved.
They walked into a lift.
Alan asked a serious question, 'do they have any idea if it was a terrorist attack or not?'
'No' the receptionist replied, 'apparantly it was a malfunction on the hydrofoil itself, I have to tell you everyone was worried they'd got right into the heart of WASP at first.'
They might as well have, Alan thought to himself, why had Gordon been on the stupid hydrofoil, why couldn't he get someone else to do it, or just refuse to go?
Alan realised as he was thinking these thoughts that his brother did not deserve his anger, and he knew it. He just felt so angry that it had to be his brother in this accident. His brother who no-one had a bad word to say about. It hurt, it really, really hurt.
As the lift stopped Alan and the receptionist left and walked along yet another clinical corridor.
'Right, the OR is on this floor' she offered, 'WASP have sealed off a private floor for all the victims of the crash so the press can't get access to them.'
Alan nodded, he felt slightly better knowing his brother wasn't under the public eye. But as he walked further he noticed policemen, and officials swarming past and he felt worse again, they were all here because of the crash. As they turned right Alan looked up and noticed a couple in a side- room weeping.
Alan stopped mid-stride, he had never met the couple but no-one could doubt they were Sam's parents. The fair hair and the mother's blue eyes were a complete replica of Gordon's friends'.
'Wait a second' he told the receptionist and walked tentatively into the room, he didn't know what to say, but he knew he had to say something.
The couple looked up as he entered, wearily, eyes red and swollen.
'Mr and Mrs Williams?' Alan asked them.
The man's eyes narrowed, 'if you're a reporter you can get the hell out of my sight......'
'No' Alan interuppted, 'I'm not. I'm Gordon Tracy's brother Alan.'
Mrs Williams looked up then, 'Oh Gordon' she said softly, 'how is he?'
'I don't know yet' Alan replied, 'I've only just got here!'
Mr Williams, nodded, 'Well we hope he gets better don't we Sheila, he was such a good friend to our Samuel.'
Sheila nodded, 'oh yes,' she said softly, 'he's a wonderful young man, your brother. He's in our prayers.'
Alan smiled sadly, 'thankyou' he swallowed, 'I just want you to know how dreadfully sorry I am about Sam.'
The couple looked utterley destroyed.
'Gordon really valued his friendship, he was such a lovely, funny guy. I just want you to know that we'll be thinking of you too.'
'Thankyou' Mr Williams whispered, 'that means a lot.'
Sheila looked Alan in the eyes, 'I don't know' she said softly, 'you let your children go off and do what they want, but at the end of the day, they're just children, all of them. Don't go into a dangerous career Alan, it's not fair to your parents, because they're the ones that suffer if something happens.'
Alan felt uncomfortable, Mrs Williams didn't know what was going on in his own life, but he felt the meaning of her words deeply.
'You should be proud of Sam' he said softly.
'We are, but prides not a lot when you've got no son left to go with it.'
Alan sighed, 'I'm sorry' he repeated and then slowly walked out of the room.
The receptionist eyes him sadly, 'are you alright?'
Alan nodded tearfully, that was hard. They continued walking.
'Right if you want to wait in here, we have some portable beds, and there's a cafe at the top of the corridor on your left.' She gestured to a door to the left of them, with 'relatives room' on the door.
Alan turned, 'thanks for your help'.
'No problem, I hope your brother's ok, I really do.'
She walked away and Alan entered the room.
Jeff Tracy's slumped shoulders and back were facing out of the window, overlooking the car park and ironically the sea.
Alan moved forward, 'Dad?'
Jeff spun, his face looked years older, his eyes were red-rimmed like he'd been crying.
'Alan' he gasped.
That was all Alan needed, he flung himself into his father's arms. They hugged each other for a long time. Alan felt stronger with his father there, Jeff felt better that he had some more support.
Alan finally pulled apart from the embrace, 'any news?'
'Their operating on his back and his skull, that's all I know.'
Alan covered his mouth with his hands, so Gordon hadn't got lucky and escaped with a broken arm, as he'd hoped.
'How about the others?' he asked.
Jeff shook his head, 'the only guy in realatively good condition is a boy named Redding, he's got a broken collar bone, leg and arm but he's concious.'
Alan nodded.
'Steph's been comotose since they brought her in.'
Alan squeezed his eyes shut, Jeff looked equally distressed.
'I don't know about anyone else.'
Alan slowly slumped into a chair, 'How did this happen Dad?' he asked in disbelief.
'Apparantly the hydraulics failed' Jeff said wearily, 'they were doing 400 knotts, and they just failed.'
'How can that happen?' Alan asked, 'Surely someone's supposed to check them.'
'I don't know.You'd think so.'
Alan shook his head, as his father's face took on a determined look.
'Whatever happened, i'm damned sure going to make someone pay the price for this.'
Jeff's molten anger worried Alan, he just hoped his other brothers got there before his father did something he'd regret.
********
Virgil sat grinning, 'I can't believe this' he said happily as they drank coffee at his table. 'I can't believe you resigned for me.'
Luisa smiled as she lifted a strawberry to Virgil's open mouth, she was dressed in little more than his shirt. 'Yeah, well don't make me regret it.'
'Of course I wont' he smiled.
His watch beeped again. Virgil's curiosity got the better of him, 'Did you ring me this afternoon?' he asked Luisa.
'No' she replied., 'I was too busy resigning.'
Virgil laughed, 'alright you can lay off the guilt-trip now, haven't I thanked you enough.'
'Oh I think thanking me three times isn't nearly enough.' She said wickedly.
He shook his head, smirking, 'well someone kept ringing me all afternoon.'
He walked over to his bedside and picked up his watch, 9 missed calls? He flicked through them quickly, a frown marring his attractive face.
Alan,Alan,Alan,Scott,John,Scott,Scott,Scott,Scott
Virgil was perplexed, why were all his brothers ringing him, add Gordon to the list and he'd have all four, had he missed something?
Virgil quickly rang his answer-phone.
'You have three new messages' the voice informed, Virgil listened, curious.
'First new message recieved today at 12.25.' Alan's voice, 'Virgil, it's me, look this is an emergency ring me ok?'
Virgil looked at his watch, it was 1.40.
'Second new message recieved at 12.34', John's voice, 'Virg? Where the hell are you? Damn I can't say this over the phone, ring me now!'
Virgil was becoming seriously alarmed, what was going on?
'Third new message recieved at 12.50' it was Scott, he sounded angry, 'Virgil, I don't know why the hell your not answering, I've rang you 4 times! Look I haven't got time to waste ringing round finding you, Gordon's been in a hydrofoil accident, it's bad Virg, real bad, we're all heading to Marineville General, get here,'
Scott sounded frightened then, 'and virg?.......make it fast.'
Virgil stood, not moving, not blinking, not registering, not Gordon, it had to be a mistake, Virgil was going to ring him tonight to catch up, the hydrofoil accident, that was what he'd heard on the radio. But it couldn't possibly be.......
Luisa noticed his expression, she frowned, 'what's the matter?'
'Turn on the television.' Virgil said his voice completely emotionless his hands shaking as he clutched his watch.
Luisa turned it on.
On every channel was coverage of the crash, Virgil stood staring at the debris scattered across the Atlantic.
His knees gave way.
*****************
Alan and Jeff had been joined in the relatives room by Jack Munroe's parents. Jeff knew them well as Jack had been coming to visit Tracy Island since he and Gordon were 13.
The Munroe's seemed just as distraught as the Tracys, they had left their three year old son in the care of neighbours and rushed to be with their eldest son. Apparantly the Munroe's informed Jeff and Alan that Jack was in a critical condition, and they hadn't been allowed to see him yet.
The atmosphere was dreadful. Alan paced.
He had worked out through the process of elimination that it must have been Noel Dalton who had also been killed. Yet he hadn't seen his parents yet. Alan mourned for the funny, joker Noel.
He had caught sight of the Commander's wife and his two daughters, they had been talking to police. Alan had had to turn away from the raw grief he had seen etched in their faces. He knew what it was like to lose a parent, though he barely remembered his mother. Notably the only parents absent was Gordon's mother and Steph's parents who had been killed when she was 15 in a plane crash. He had seen one of her aunts though.
Of Gordon there was still no word.
A doctor walked into the waiting room dressed in a white coat.
'Mr and Mrs Munroe' he addressed Jack's parents, 'your son is awake and asking to see you.'
The Munroe's smiled tearfully at one another and Mrs Munroe squeezed Jeff's hand as they left the room, they shared the worry of a child in hospital.
Alan hated himself for a moment, he had actually been resentful that it was Jack who was awake, not Gordon. What kind of a person did that make him?
Sighing he sat down again next to Jeff and sqeezed his hand.
A loud noise erupted from the corridor and the door was firmly opened.
Alan had never been happier to see anyone in his life.
********
'Dad, Alan.' Scott said gruffly, hugging first Alan, who held him a little too tight and then his father.
Jeff smiled at him, 'I'm glad your here son.'
'Yeah, so what's the situation?'
As his father explained Gordon's condition, and the others', Scott sat next to Alan and put a hand on his arm, so Alan could feel the contact. He needed reassurance.
'And you don't know any more?'
'No'.
'Are you sure?' Scott said pointedly to his father. He was still furious with him for failing to mention what happened as soon as he'd heard about it.
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'Well you didn't tell us about Gordon when you found out did you?'
Alan heard the argumentative tone in Scott's voice, 'Guys, not now alright' he said to him and his father.
Alan changed the subject, 'Did you get through to Virgil' they had been made to turn their watches and all phones off in the hospital.
'I left him a message.' Scott replied
Alan nodded.
They sat down and watched the television in the top corner of the room. As if they needed to be reminded why they were there, Scott thought as more crash coverage was beamed over the channels.
Scott had been appalled at the amount of press outside the hospital, didn't they understand the families' need to grieve or be with their loved ones. It was a complete invasion of privacy.
The television changed to images of WASP cadets, 'Alan turn it up' Scott told his brother, who stood and raised the volume.
'Yeah' a dark haired cadet was saying, 'the Commander told Curtis to check the hydraulics before they set off, but he said he wasn't taking orders from anybody when the Captain turned his back.'
Scott, Jeff and Alan looked at one another in shock.
'Initial reports are sketchy, but it appears the negligence of cadet Curtis Redding could have caused today's horrific smash.'
Scott swore and rose to his feet, 'I don't believe it! Gordo told me this morning the guy was a disgrace to WASP.'
Jeff stood too, 'calm down son, we don't know for sure if what they're saying is true.'
Scott shook his head madly, 'I'm going to find that kid and make him wish he'd never been born.'
'SCOTT!' Jeff shouted, 'this isn't the time or the place!'
Alan disagreed, 'Scott's right, that guy's going to pay.'
Jeff looked furious, 'BOYS!' he yelled, 'WE DO NOT GO AROUND ACTING LIKE THUGS!'
Scott glared back, 'If I find out for sure he's responsible for sending my little brother to hospital and killing two of his best friends, he's the one who's going to need a hospital.'
Jeff sighed, 'Scott, when we know the facts, I'll probably help you, but until then we should beconcentrating our energies on Gordon.'
Scott knew he was right. 'Fine' he said grudgingly, sitting down.
Alan followed suit.
The door flew open.
Scott, Jeff and Alan turned, Scott smiled,
'John!'
**********
John was holding Kate's hand as he entered the room, but he dropped it immediately to rush to his family.
'Scott!' he hugged his older brother, then his younger brother and finally his father.
After filling John in on Gordon, John introduced Kate.
Alan looked confused, John decided to fill him in later, his baby brother had a dangerously big mouth.
He took a good look at his family, Jeff was grey and his eyes were red, Scott's hair was completely messed up, John suspected due to hours of running his hands through it, his eyes were also suspisciously red and he wore a helpless look, Alan was pale and looked pretty unsteady on his feet.
John and Kate sat down and everyone watched the tv in silence.
A short while later the door to the waiting room opened, everyone looked up expecting to see Virgil, but a doctor entered. The same doctor who had spoken to the Munroe's earlier.
The Tracys held their breath, this is what they'd been wating for.
The Doctor shook his head, his expression sorrowful, 'I'm afraid I have some bad news.................'
******
AHHHHHHHHHH!
So what is the doctor's bad news?
Will Virgil make it to the hospital?
Will Redding get what's coming to him?
Find out soon.
John stared back, mouth frozen open,eyes wide,silent.
'Well come on Johnny, say something!' Virgil urged.
John opened his mouth, shut it, opened it again then visibly swallowed, 'um.......oh my God!' he uttered
'Thanks, that's really helpful.'
John shook his head and shut his mouth, 'I can't believe you've been having it off with your teacher and you never told me.'
Virgil frowned, 'John that's not the issue here. I love her.'
John looked worried, 'you can't Virg, she's your teacher.'
Virgil was angry, 'So?'
'So, what would dad say, you might be kicked out of Denver, she'd lose her job.'
This made Virgil more angry, John was saying exactly what Luisa had said.
'I don't care as long as we're together!'
'Virg, you're not thinking straight, are you really prepared to ruin both of your careers?'
Virgil looked hurt, 'i should have known better, but I thought that at least you would understand how I'm feeling Johnny'.
'Virg, I do understand it's just.......'
'No you don't John, you don't understand, I'll see you later!'
Virgil hung up on his brother and lay back on his bed. He squeezed his eyes shut to try and stop the hurt he felt inside. He had hoped John would tell him to ignore the fact that she was a teacher. He should have known better, who was he kidding, no-one could understand but he and Luisa, espescially not his family.
A knock at the door, distracted him from his thoughts, 'what?' he shouted.
Tim poked his head around the door, 'hey Virg, you coming to play some footie?'
Virgil turned his distraught face towards his friend, 'Hey are you alright?' Tim asked.
'I'm fine' Virgil said curtly, 'I just need to be alone.'
'So you don't want to play then?'
'No, I need some time to myself.'
'Fine!' Tim said shaking his head as he left the room, Virgil knew he sounded unreasonable, he was never rude, but he'd had about enough today! And it was only 12.15!
He turned on his radio, to relax and old time Diva, Celine Dion blared out.
Virgil groaned as 'All By Myself' reached its second chorus, this was one horrific day!
***********
Alan was driving back from the Sans when he heard the announcement, he fiddled with the radio dial attempting to tune out the incessent wail of Celine Dion, and stopped when she finished the ballad. The DJ's cheery voice blared out,
'and here's the next track from her 1995 album, 'Think Twice', this is Rockie FM, with Celine Dion week.'
Alan rolled his eyes, and groaned but he couldn't be bothered to change stations. He listened as he drove his blue nissan back to Colorado U.
Embarrasingly 5 minutes later he found himself humming along to 'My Heart Will Go On', when a voice interuppted the song.
'We interuppt this programme to bring you an important newsflash.' Alan's ears perked up, 'a WASP hydrofoil has been involved in a serious accident just outside of the Marineville Headquarters on the Atlantic Coast.......'
Alan breaked so furiously the car behind almost smashed into him. The driver waited as Alan sat frozen in his seat and then drove around him yelling, 'stupid Kid!'
Alan sat stock still, his heart beating wildly, sweat licking at the palms of his hands, 'it couldn't be Gordon's hydrofoil, it just couldn't be.'
The newscaster continued, 'as yet it is unclear whether this was an accident or a possible terrorrist attack, immediate reports suggest 3 fatalities, information on other casualties is limited at present. Of course we at Rockie Fm will bring you more details as soon as we have them. Now back to your Celine Dion marathon.'
The music began playing again, Alan sat staring straight ahead. It couldn't be Gordon, it must have been another vessel, but even as he thought it, he realised that wasn't possible. His brother wouldn't have returned from his expedition yet, there were no other hydrofoils, this was the first one. Alan caught sight of his terror-stricken expression in his mirror.
Oh God, what had they said, three dead? He tried to take deep breaths, how many had Gordon said were going on the trip? Alan cursed as he realised his brother hadn't said anything about numbers, all he knew was that Gordon and Steph had been on the Hydrofoil. His mind repeated his earlier conversation with his brother.
'we're testing out the new Hydrofoil, if this baby runs well we'll be getting a whole bunch of them at WASP next year. One step forward for the WASP defending team!'
He'd been so excited, so blindly optimistic that this new machine would be brilliant.
Alan took his clenched hands from the wheel, but left the radio on, he felt strangely close to losing it. 'Don't panic Alan' he said to himself, 'there's an explanation for this, he'll be ok.'
He wouldn't even contemplate that Gordon was in that accident until he got some clarification.
Forcing himself to stay calm, he raised his watch to his mouth, and dialed his brother's number,
'Gordon this is Alan' he siad urgently, 'are you there, this is an emergency'.
He recieved no reply.
Please God don't let him have been on there, he prayed silently, please.
He, looked back at his watch, he had to find out if his family knew anything.
*******
Virgil heard the news-flash,
Sounds like a nasty accident he thought to himself. He briefly wondered if Marineville Headquarters was anywhere near Gordon's base, but dismissed that thought quickly, they didn't own any hydrofoils at WASP.
He wondered if he should give his little brother a call later, to catch up. Maybe Gordo would be more sympathetic about Luisa. He almost smiled, his younger brother was up-beat about everything, he'd probably be pretty supportive. He decided he would speak to Gordon later.
His watch beeped as he lay on his bed, Virgil wasn't in the mood to talk. He'd find out who it was later.
Sighing he pulled the pillow over his head and became lost in his own thoughts.
*********
'DAD!' Alan said just one word, but he knew that the worst thing he'd been imagining had become a reality.
Jeff Tracy's lined, pale face, held an expression Alan had never seen before.
'Alan' Jeff whispered.
'DAD, WAS IT HIS HYDROFOIL, WAS GORDON IN THAT ACCIDENT?' Alan screamed at Jeff, though his father's palour already confirmed his worst fears.
'Your brother was in the accident yes son.' Jeff responded his tone, bleak and wretched.
' NOOOOOOO!' Alan shouted burying his face in his hands, 'TELL ME HE'S OK DAD!'
Jeff's reply suggested he was near tears himself, 'I don't know son, I'm on the way to the hospital now.'
'How did you find out?' Alan asked, tears rolling down his cheeks. 'I mean are you sure?'
'Yes, I got a call from the Coast-Guard.'
'When?'
'About 10 minutes ago' Jeff replied.
Alan's tear-stained face turned red, 'AND YOU DIDN'T THINK TO LET US KNOW?'
Jeff knew his son was just turning his worry to anger, 'I wanted to see what the situation was with your brother before I worried you boys.'
'DID YOU THINK LETTING US FIND OUT ON THE NEWS WOULD BE BETTER?'
Jeff gasped, 'Oh no, it was on the news?'
Alan was incensed, 'YES DAD, THEY THINK IT'S A GOD DAMN TERRORIST ATTACK, OF COURSE IT'S ON THE NEWS!'
Jeff shook his head, 'I'm sorry you had to find out like that son.' He paused gathering strength, 'have you spoken to the others?'
Alan shook his head, eyes wide, 'I couldn't get through to Virgil, I haven't tried John and Scott yet.'
Jeff nodded, 'keep trying then son, they do not need to here it on the news first.'
Alan nodded, 'I'm heading straight to the hospital, which one is it?'
'Marineville General' Jeff replied.
'Dad.......' Alan said, 'he'll be okay won't he? On the radio, they said three people were dead, he's not dead is he?' his voice became like a plea as he sobbed,'please tell me he's not dead.'
Jeff didn't know what kind of condition his second youngest was in, 'I don't know what the situation is Alan' he offered attempting to reassure his youngest, 'but I'm sure they would have told us if he was one of the fatalities.'
Alan nodded, still sobbing. 'I just can't believe this, it's like a bad dream.'
'I know son.' Jeff replied, 'Lets just pray that your brother is alright. I'll see you at the hospital, make sure you let the others know.'
Alan nodded again, 'Ok'.
After he hung up on his father, he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and mentally shook himself, 'come on Alan, you're no help to Gordo like this!'
He tried to get in touch with his other brothers.
*****
'Kate, come in' John said smiling as he held the door open for the pretty brunette at the door.
'Hi John' she said shyly, kissing his cheek.'I missed you last night.'
John coughed guiltily, 'um...yeah, sorry about that, it was just a really intense head-ache you know?' Kate nodded.
'Cup of tea?' John offered, she nodded and he walked to the kitchen to make them a cup.
Kate sat in the lounge, 'Did you hear about that accident, on the news?' she called to him.
'No' John replied, retrieving the tea-bags and placing one in each cup.'What happened?'
'I don't know, it was out at sea.'
John frowned, 'hmmmm, ferry disaster?'
'No, it was some smaller boat.'
John smiled, 'my little brother will love that' he said, 'there'll have to send out WASP's finest to act as rescue won't they?'
Kate frowned, 'um, no apparantly the boat was part of WASP.' She said tentatively.
John frowned and left the tea-cups on the bench, he walked quickly into the lounge, confused and a little worried by what Kate had told him. He picked up the remote and turned on the television, he flicked through the channels, as his watch began beeping.
'Kate do me a favour and get that for me will you?' he asked her, a distracted look on his face.
'Sure' she answered walking to his room where he had left the watch.
John flicked from cartoon to soap to drama, until he found footage of what looked like pieces of broken plates in a puddle but was actually what was left of a ship in the Atlantic. The helicopter flew lower as it picked up WASP emergency vessels, four coastguard boats and seven or eight emergency helicopters. John's stomach became a little queezy. He was concerned for his brother, he hoped Gordon hadn't had friends on the ship, because no-one could survive the wreck the tv was displaying, the craft was in pieces. John tried to turn the sound up on the silent television.
Kate answered John's watch, 'hello'.
An anguished face met hers, 'JOHN?' it shouted.
'No, he's just in the other room.'
'Oh' the face of a boy, Kate thought looked about 4 years younger than her, looked as if the bottom had just fallen out of his world. 'Are you Emily?' he asked.
Kate, felt like she'd been punched, 'um.....no' she replied.
The boy seemed oblivious to what he'd said, 'um.....can you tell John our brother Gordon's been in an accident.'
'Oh No, of course,would that be the brother in WASP?'she replied, immediately pushing insecurities to the back of her mind.
'Um Yes.' he replied
'Tell him to ring me back when you've spoken to him please.' The boy continued, obviously struggling with his composure, 'um....I'm his brother Alan.'
'OK' Kate replied.
John was still fiddling with the remote when Kate entered the lounge,
'John' She whispered struggling with how to say this.
He still messed with the remote.
'JOHN!'
He looked up then, he noticed her pale face, wide eyes,worried expression, his stomach dropped,
'what?'
*********
Scott ran a hand through his hair as he attempted to complete his game of patience, even when he was playing alone Scott hated to lose a competition, he swore angrily, he just couldn't win the stupid game.
'AHHHH!' Frustrated he threw his deck of cards at the wall. This was turning into one hell of a day.
He hated being on the outs, he had never had a problem with making friends, infact you might say people had flocked to him, he had an inner strength that people recognised and most people knew it would be good to be friends with someone so commanding. Not the case here.
He knew it shouldn't bother him, he was at the base to do a job, still he felt awful that he couldn't trust his wing men. The old quote 'who needs friends when you've got enemies' popped into his head. Sighing he leaned against his head-board and switched on the television. He wanted to watch his favourite show, 'World's Fastest.......'
When he first turned the tv on, he thought it was the show. The screen showed pictures of what looked like the remains of a ship, Scott settled back to listen.
'Again reports are sketchy but WASP are expected to give a statement regarding whether this horrendous incident was indeed an accident or the work of terrorists.'
Scott sat bolt upright, eyes glued to the screen, 'WHAT?' he shouted.
'Reports of casualties are unkown but three people have been reported dead at the scene. This is Jordon Humphries reporting for.............'
The reporter trailed off, as Scott felt his heart beating practically out of his chest, it wouldn't be the hydrofoil, that wreck looked nothing like it, but then that debris was unrecognisable as anything. Scott listened as the picture went back to the news studio.
'In case you've just joined us, we are reporting on the WASP hydrofoil that for reasons unknown as yet has resulted in this horrific smash.'
Scott placed his hands over his face, he struggled to register what they'd said, three dead, other casualties unknown, hydrofoil, unrecognisable.
He felt sick, he rushed over to the kitchen sink and rinsed his face, letting the cool water wash away his nausea, but it couldn't wash away his fear, it was like a ball of steel resting in his stomach. That had to be Gordon's hydrofoil........how could he have lived through that?
His stomach heaved again and he bent double over the sink. He had to find out what happened. With careful steps he moved away from the sink to his box of books in the corner which he still hadn't unpacked. He reached into it and pulled out his address-book. Hands shaking, he located W, 'Gordy'- WASP he had written 0776532.
He keyed the number into his watch and waited, till a voice responded,
'World Aquanatic Security patrol, how can I help you?'
Scott didn't know what to say, 'um.....' he swallowed hard as the dizziness overcame him, his voice was quiet and unrecognisable, 'my brother......um...my brother was supposed to be testing the hydrofoil today..........'
He trailed off.
The young man's silence said it all, he sharply inhaled, 'Sir, may I first offer my deepest condolences, it's awful what's happened, if you give me your brother's name I'll see what I can find out for you.'
Scott swallowed, 'thankyou, um..it's Gordon...Gordon Tracy.'
The man at the other end of the line let out a gasp, 'oh no.'
Scott feared the worst, 'Oh God' he shouted, 'What?'
The man immediately apologised, 'oh no, I don't know of your brother's condition. I just trained with him last year.'
Scott let out a whoosh of breath, for a moment there..........
'he's one of the best guys I've met, I mean he was just a really decent guy, you should be proud'
Scott gave a bitter laugh, it was just like Gordo to know everyone, 'We are thankyou, um....' he paused, 'if you could find anything out?'
'Oh sorry, of course.' the man answered, 'I'll be right back.'
Scott bit his nails anxiously as greensleeves blared out of the reciever, he couldn't believe this, and why hadn't any of his family contacted him? Did they even know yet?
He squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed his forhead with his knuckles. He couldn't handle losing Gordon, he really couldn't, one premature death in the family was enough, no more.
It was too horrific to even think of Gordon injured. That upbeat attitude and chirpiness quashed, no he had to be alright. But his thoughts were full of nightmare scenarios.
Even if he was alright, how would he cope with the death of three team- mates some most probably his friends, one possibly the woman he loved.
Scott felt the bile rise in his throat, his mind wandered to those onboard,
Jack, funny, kind, his little brother's best friend. They got into all sorts of trouble at WASP first year.
Sam, sweet, with so much potential, tough but always loyal to Gordo.
Noel, a joker, similar to Gordon in humour, always smiling.
And Steph, such a brilliant girl, perfect for his little brother, and most important of all, she really loved him.
And he her.
Oh God what a mess! he thought, they were all just kids, 19 years old and even Gordy's commander was only five years older than Scott. (Tariq Brown was known and respected throughout the military fields)
How would his brother cope if he lost his friends or his girlfriend, Scott didn't know, but he sure as hell didn't want to think the worst, that they could have lost Gordon himself.
His legs felt stronger and he stood and paced as the annoying wail of Greensleeves gave way to Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
'Hello?' came the voice
'Yes?' Scott answered, knowing he had to sit down for this, he lowered himself to a chair.
'All we've got is that he wasn't killed at the scene.'
Scott felt mixed emotions, relief that he wasn't dead, fear at the worry he might have died on route to the hospital and sadness that undoubtedly his brother had lost some people dear to his heart.
'Mr Tracy?'
'Right, ' Scott answered, 'um.....I need the name and address of the hospital they're taking him to. And do you know if you're allowed to tell me who died, because Gordy's going to want to know.'
'Um I guess I can tell you two, being as you have a valid reason , but not three because we haven't notified the family yet.'
Scott nodded, 'I understand, so you haven't notified my family then?'
The man paused, 'hold on, I'm just checking' After a silence, he replied, 'no it says here, Jeff Tracy has been notified.'
Scott shook his head, 'no that can't be right, when was he told?'
'About 15 minutes ago.'
Scott couldn't get his head around that, why hadn't Jeff called him, told him what had happened. He banished the thought from his mind, this wasn't the time.
'Um...so who....who, was killed?'
The man swallowed, 'Sam Williams,'
Scott let out a breath, 'Ohhhhhh!' He had liked Sam a great deal.
'Um........and Commander Brown'.
Scott nodded, he had assumed the guy at the controls would more than likely have been killed.
'I'd appreciate it if you'd give their families, my family's sympathy.'
'Of Course' the young man replied, 'oh and Mr Tracy, before you go?'
'Yes?'
'You're in the prayers and thoughts of everyone at WASP too, Gordon's a very popular guy here, no-one has a bad word to say about him.'
Scott felt a little stronger at that, 'thankyou'.
As the man read out the address of the hospital, Scott scribbled the details down on a pad.
'And listen, when Gordon gets better, tell him, Tony Espeinso says he wants another chance at beating his ass on the table-tennis court ok?'
Scott laughed sadly, 'I'll do that, thanks Tony.'
'You're welcome.'
Scott disconnected and then ran a hand through his hair. His heart was still erratic, he stood and took a jacket from his wardrobe, grabbed his car keys and practically ran through the corridors leading from the base.
He didn't know what his father was playing at, but the only place he wanted to be right now was by his brother's side. He was reaching for his red porsche door-handle when his watch beeped.
'Yes?'
Alan's stricken face appeared, 'SCOTT! I've got some really bad news.'
Scott waved a hand, 'I know about Gordo, Alan.'
'What, oh no did you see it on the news?'
'Yes, apparantly Dad's already been notified.'
'He has.'
Scott looked furious enough to chew nails, 'THEN WHY THE HELL HASN'T HE CALLED ME?'
Alan, opened his mouth to reply.
'Look never mind' Scott interuppted, 'the important thing's Gordo now, what do you know?'
'All I know is that he's being taken to the hospital.' Alan offered and for the first time Scott noticed how pale his brother looked.
'Hey' he said softly, 'he'll be alright ok.'
Alan looked utterly wretched, 'you don't know that, he could be dead for all we know!'
Scott shook his head vhemenently, 'NO Alan! I just spoke to WASP, they said he wasn't killed at the scene.'
Alan swallowed taking this in, 'Oh thank God!'
'But Sam Williams and the Commander are dead!'
'Oh no, Sam?' Alan looked horrified, he liked the friendly, long-haired guy.
Scott nodded, 'Listen they wouldn't tell me who else was killed because they haven't notified the family yet, we just have to hope it wasn't one of the guys or Steph.'
'Oh God Steph!' Alan yelled tearfully, he'd completely forgotton about Gordon's girlfriend. 'Did you talk to Gordo before, did he say who was on the hydrofoil apart form him and Steph?'
Scott knew the next comment was going to hurt, he leaned forward in his seat and looked closer at his brother in his watch, 'they all were Al' he said softly, 'Jack,Noel,Sam,Steph... all of them.'
Alan moaned horribly, 'ooooohhh, this is going to kill Gordy'.
Scott looked up sharpely, Alan's eyes widened as he realised what he'd said.
'Scott?' he asked, tears running down his cheeks, 'what if he dies, what are we going to do if Gordy dies?'
'We won't have to worry about that Al, because he's not going to die.' Scott answered his voice breaking as he struggled to keep his composure.
'I keep thinking....' Alan gasped, 'that this morning could have been the last time I ever spoke to my brother.'
'If we think that way what chance has Gordon got?' Scott said firmly, 'we can't let ourselves think like that, we have to be strong for him now, ok?'
'Ok' Alan answered, his sobs subsiding.
'Where are you?' Scott asked running a hand across his own cheeks.
'Driving towards the hospital.' Alan replied.
'Are you alright to drive?' Scott questioned.
'Look, i'm not waiting around for a bus' Alan said angrily, 'there's nothing in God's earth that could stop me from getting to Gordy right now!'
'Fine' Scott responded, knowing he felt the same way. 'Have you spoke to Virg or John yet?'
'I left a message with John, I couldn't get through to Virgil.'
'He needs to know' Scott said desperately, 'it'd eat him up, if something happened and he wasn't there , he couldn't live with himself.'
Alan figured Scott was blaming him, 'I know!' he shouted, 'I can't help it if he's not answering Scott!'
'Hey Kid! Calm down, I'm not blaming you.' Scott waited until Alan calmed down, 'I don't know maybe John got through to him.'
Alan took a deep breath, 'I don't know.'
'I'll try ringing him in a minute.' Scott told him.
'Ok'.
'And Al?'
'Yeah?'
'He's going to be alright ok? God wouldn't be that cruel.'
Alan nodded, 'yeah' he whispered, 'I'll see you at the hospital.'
'Keep me posted.'
Scott disconnected and started the engine, driving much faster than the law allowed, he swung the porsche out of the USAF car park, spewing gravel in his wake.
He would break land speed records if he had to, he had to get to his brother.
****************
Virgil's watch wouldn't shut up, it kept going off.
He was getting really angry, someone just wanted to bother him. He was pretty sure it was John, apologising for earlier, or Luisa trying to make him see that she was right.
He didn't want to talk to either.
Yet another knock at the door, and that was it.
Enraged at getting absolutely no sleep, he stormed towards the door and flung it open,
'WHAAAAAAAAAT!' he yelled.
'Virgil'
It was Luisa.
'I'm sorry' Virgil murmered, 'I just couldn't sleep.'
'That's ok'.
'So, you're taking a risk coming here, aren't you afraid, someone might question our teacher/pupil relationship?' he asked sarcastically, still really hurt from her earlier words.
Luisa's lip wobbled, 'don't be like that Virgil please, don't be cruel to me.'
That was all she had to do, Virgil never could bear to see a woman cry, 'Oh come here' he murmered pulling her in and shutting the door, 'I'm sorry'.
'I am too Virgil, that's what I came here to say.'
Virgil looked at her suprised, 'but I thought you didn't want to lose your job?'
'I won't lose it' she answered.
Virgil frowned 'What do you mean?'
'As of half an hour ago, I'm no longer your teacher,' she looked up at him nervously, 'Virgil....I've resigned!'
*************
John stared straight ahead of him as Kate drove along the highway.
'You want to talk?' she asked him.
'Nope'
'John you need to talk about this!'
'What is there to talk about Kate?' he shouted, 'My little brother could be dead, what part of that don't you get?'
She looked at him, 'I know you're just worried John, but don't take it out on me ok?'
John massaged his temples with his fingers, 'I'm sorry alright Kate, I'm really sorry, I just can't get my head around all this.'
'It must be awful for you!'
'It's worse than awful' John replied, distraught, he could not believe it was his baby brother's boat that was on the televison, it was smashed into a thousand pieces. 'When our mum died, we all had to become closer more united else we'd never have got through it' he said softly, 'I was a complete basket-case, the only way I got through that, and I think Scott and Virgil got through it, was by taking care of the younger two. It gave us a purpose, a sense of direction, something to put our minds to.'
He broke off as he struggled to find his voice, 'I don't think I'd get through it if we lost Gordo, I just don't think I....we could recover.'
Kate looked at him sympathetically, 'oh sweetheart, I know, but you've got to think positive, for your brother's sake, he's not dead, so don't write him off.'
John nodded, he felt better just having someone with him. As soon as he'd heard the news, she'd offered to go with him to the hospital, to drive him. He had been in no state to drive, hands shaking, knees wobbling, dizzy, he didn't know where he'd be if she hadn't been there.
Yet all he could think of was Gordon, nightmare images ran through his mind, 'his brother crying out in pain for his family, with no-one there, his brother having to face the deaths of his fellow WASPS by himself, his brother dead.
No matter how hard he tried he couldn't erase the images. He hadn't even known he was testing a hydrofoil, what kind of a useless big brother did that make him.
John knew there was no logical way it could be his fault, but he couldn't help blaming himself. Why hadn't he talked to his brother in the last few days? Why hadn't he called just to check up on him?
WHY? WHY? WHY?
John knew these were questions that only he could answer, the bottom line was it was his fault, he had failed Gordon, he had failed his little brother.
John only hoped he'd get the chance to make it up to him.
***********
Alan reached the hospital in record time, a good hour after Gordon had been brought in.
He rushed through the corridors, to the reception desk, wide-eyed, frantic.
The receptionist looked up at him when he stood frozen, 'Yes?'
Alan recovered his senses, to say , 'um.....Gordon,Gordon Tracy he was in the hydrofoil this morning, where is he?'
The recpetionist looked suspiscious, 'Are you a reporter?' she asked.
Alan thought he looked far too distraught to be a journalist, 'Of course not!' he shouted, 'I'm his brother!'
The receptionist looked immediately apologetic, 'Oh I'm very sorry.' she said sympathetically, 'we've just been getting a hell of a lot of reporters around here?'
'I know' Alan replied, 'The police already made me show them my license so they knew I wasn't a reporter, at the entrance.'
The receptionist nodded, 'I'm sorry Mr.....Tracy?'
Alan nodded.
'Right, um Gordon Tracy...' she looked at a computor infront of her, 'it says here that your brother is in the OR.'
Alan watched her expression to see if that was a good or a bad thing, she gave nothing away.
'Ok, so where's that? I need to see his doctor or my father, Jeff Tracy. Is he here?'
She nodded, 'Oh yes, your father got here a little while ago.' She got out from behind the desk and told a woman next to her to watch reception. 'Follow me.'
Alan followed her. As he walked through the clinical, white corridors he realised again why he hated hospitals. They smelled of antiseptic and the lighting was all wrong. He looked at the floor as he walked, avoiding looking in any of the rooms, feeling slightly sick.
The receptionist started talking, 'I'm so sorry for the accident' she said softly.
Alan raised his eyes, 'thankyou'.
'It's such a tragedy, we haven't had a disaster of this magnitude at WASP for twenty years.'
Alan remained silent, it was sod's law that his brother had to be involved.
They walked into a lift.
Alan asked a serious question, 'do they have any idea if it was a terrorist attack or not?'
'No' the receptionist replied, 'apparantly it was a malfunction on the hydrofoil itself, I have to tell you everyone was worried they'd got right into the heart of WASP at first.'
They might as well have, Alan thought to himself, why had Gordon been on the stupid hydrofoil, why couldn't he get someone else to do it, or just refuse to go?
Alan realised as he was thinking these thoughts that his brother did not deserve his anger, and he knew it. He just felt so angry that it had to be his brother in this accident. His brother who no-one had a bad word to say about. It hurt, it really, really hurt.
As the lift stopped Alan and the receptionist left and walked along yet another clinical corridor.
'Right, the OR is on this floor' she offered, 'WASP have sealed off a private floor for all the victims of the crash so the press can't get access to them.'
Alan nodded, he felt slightly better knowing his brother wasn't under the public eye. But as he walked further he noticed policemen, and officials swarming past and he felt worse again, they were all here because of the crash. As they turned right Alan looked up and noticed a couple in a side- room weeping.
Alan stopped mid-stride, he had never met the couple but no-one could doubt they were Sam's parents. The fair hair and the mother's blue eyes were a complete replica of Gordon's friends'.
'Wait a second' he told the receptionist and walked tentatively into the room, he didn't know what to say, but he knew he had to say something.
The couple looked up as he entered, wearily, eyes red and swollen.
'Mr and Mrs Williams?' Alan asked them.
The man's eyes narrowed, 'if you're a reporter you can get the hell out of my sight......'
'No' Alan interuppted, 'I'm not. I'm Gordon Tracy's brother Alan.'
Mrs Williams looked up then, 'Oh Gordon' she said softly, 'how is he?'
'I don't know yet' Alan replied, 'I've only just got here!'
Mr Williams, nodded, 'Well we hope he gets better don't we Sheila, he was such a good friend to our Samuel.'
Sheila nodded, 'oh yes,' she said softly, 'he's a wonderful young man, your brother. He's in our prayers.'
Alan smiled sadly, 'thankyou' he swallowed, 'I just want you to know how dreadfully sorry I am about Sam.'
The couple looked utterley destroyed.
'Gordon really valued his friendship, he was such a lovely, funny guy. I just want you to know that we'll be thinking of you too.'
'Thankyou' Mr Williams whispered, 'that means a lot.'
Sheila looked Alan in the eyes, 'I don't know' she said softly, 'you let your children go off and do what they want, but at the end of the day, they're just children, all of them. Don't go into a dangerous career Alan, it's not fair to your parents, because they're the ones that suffer if something happens.'
Alan felt uncomfortable, Mrs Williams didn't know what was going on in his own life, but he felt the meaning of her words deeply.
'You should be proud of Sam' he said softly.
'We are, but prides not a lot when you've got no son left to go with it.'
Alan sighed, 'I'm sorry' he repeated and then slowly walked out of the room.
The receptionist eyes him sadly, 'are you alright?'
Alan nodded tearfully, that was hard. They continued walking.
'Right if you want to wait in here, we have some portable beds, and there's a cafe at the top of the corridor on your left.' She gestured to a door to the left of them, with 'relatives room' on the door.
Alan turned, 'thanks for your help'.
'No problem, I hope your brother's ok, I really do.'
She walked away and Alan entered the room.
Jeff Tracy's slumped shoulders and back were facing out of the window, overlooking the car park and ironically the sea.
Alan moved forward, 'Dad?'
Jeff spun, his face looked years older, his eyes were red-rimmed like he'd been crying.
'Alan' he gasped.
That was all Alan needed, he flung himself into his father's arms. They hugged each other for a long time. Alan felt stronger with his father there, Jeff felt better that he had some more support.
Alan finally pulled apart from the embrace, 'any news?'
'Their operating on his back and his skull, that's all I know.'
Alan covered his mouth with his hands, so Gordon hadn't got lucky and escaped with a broken arm, as he'd hoped.
'How about the others?' he asked.
Jeff shook his head, 'the only guy in realatively good condition is a boy named Redding, he's got a broken collar bone, leg and arm but he's concious.'
Alan nodded.
'Steph's been comotose since they brought her in.'
Alan squeezed his eyes shut, Jeff looked equally distressed.
'I don't know about anyone else.'
Alan slowly slumped into a chair, 'How did this happen Dad?' he asked in disbelief.
'Apparantly the hydraulics failed' Jeff said wearily, 'they were doing 400 knotts, and they just failed.'
'How can that happen?' Alan asked, 'Surely someone's supposed to check them.'
'I don't know.You'd think so.'
Alan shook his head, as his father's face took on a determined look.
'Whatever happened, i'm damned sure going to make someone pay the price for this.'
Jeff's molten anger worried Alan, he just hoped his other brothers got there before his father did something he'd regret.
********
Virgil sat grinning, 'I can't believe this' he said happily as they drank coffee at his table. 'I can't believe you resigned for me.'
Luisa smiled as she lifted a strawberry to Virgil's open mouth, she was dressed in little more than his shirt. 'Yeah, well don't make me regret it.'
'Of course I wont' he smiled.
His watch beeped again. Virgil's curiosity got the better of him, 'Did you ring me this afternoon?' he asked Luisa.
'No' she replied., 'I was too busy resigning.'
Virgil laughed, 'alright you can lay off the guilt-trip now, haven't I thanked you enough.'
'Oh I think thanking me three times isn't nearly enough.' She said wickedly.
He shook his head, smirking, 'well someone kept ringing me all afternoon.'
He walked over to his bedside and picked up his watch, 9 missed calls? He flicked through them quickly, a frown marring his attractive face.
Alan,Alan,Alan,Scott,John,Scott,Scott,Scott,Scott
Virgil was perplexed, why were all his brothers ringing him, add Gordon to the list and he'd have all four, had he missed something?
Virgil quickly rang his answer-phone.
'You have three new messages' the voice informed, Virgil listened, curious.
'First new message recieved today at 12.25.' Alan's voice, 'Virgil, it's me, look this is an emergency ring me ok?'
Virgil looked at his watch, it was 1.40.
'Second new message recieved at 12.34', John's voice, 'Virg? Where the hell are you? Damn I can't say this over the phone, ring me now!'
Virgil was becoming seriously alarmed, what was going on?
'Third new message recieved at 12.50' it was Scott, he sounded angry, 'Virgil, I don't know why the hell your not answering, I've rang you 4 times! Look I haven't got time to waste ringing round finding you, Gordon's been in a hydrofoil accident, it's bad Virg, real bad, we're all heading to Marineville General, get here,'
Scott sounded frightened then, 'and virg?.......make it fast.'
Virgil stood, not moving, not blinking, not registering, not Gordon, it had to be a mistake, Virgil was going to ring him tonight to catch up, the hydrofoil accident, that was what he'd heard on the radio. But it couldn't possibly be.......
Luisa noticed his expression, she frowned, 'what's the matter?'
'Turn on the television.' Virgil said his voice completely emotionless his hands shaking as he clutched his watch.
Luisa turned it on.
On every channel was coverage of the crash, Virgil stood staring at the debris scattered across the Atlantic.
His knees gave way.
*****************
Alan and Jeff had been joined in the relatives room by Jack Munroe's parents. Jeff knew them well as Jack had been coming to visit Tracy Island since he and Gordon were 13.
The Munroe's seemed just as distraught as the Tracys, they had left their three year old son in the care of neighbours and rushed to be with their eldest son. Apparantly the Munroe's informed Jeff and Alan that Jack was in a critical condition, and they hadn't been allowed to see him yet.
The atmosphere was dreadful. Alan paced.
He had worked out through the process of elimination that it must have been Noel Dalton who had also been killed. Yet he hadn't seen his parents yet. Alan mourned for the funny, joker Noel.
He had caught sight of the Commander's wife and his two daughters, they had been talking to police. Alan had had to turn away from the raw grief he had seen etched in their faces. He knew what it was like to lose a parent, though he barely remembered his mother. Notably the only parents absent was Gordon's mother and Steph's parents who had been killed when she was 15 in a plane crash. He had seen one of her aunts though.
Of Gordon there was still no word.
A doctor walked into the waiting room dressed in a white coat.
'Mr and Mrs Munroe' he addressed Jack's parents, 'your son is awake and asking to see you.'
The Munroe's smiled tearfully at one another and Mrs Munroe squeezed Jeff's hand as they left the room, they shared the worry of a child in hospital.
Alan hated himself for a moment, he had actually been resentful that it was Jack who was awake, not Gordon. What kind of a person did that make him?
Sighing he sat down again next to Jeff and sqeezed his hand.
A loud noise erupted from the corridor and the door was firmly opened.
Alan had never been happier to see anyone in his life.
********
'Dad, Alan.' Scott said gruffly, hugging first Alan, who held him a little too tight and then his father.
Jeff smiled at him, 'I'm glad your here son.'
'Yeah, so what's the situation?'
As his father explained Gordon's condition, and the others', Scott sat next to Alan and put a hand on his arm, so Alan could feel the contact. He needed reassurance.
'And you don't know any more?'
'No'.
'Are you sure?' Scott said pointedly to his father. He was still furious with him for failing to mention what happened as soon as he'd heard about it.
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'Well you didn't tell us about Gordon when you found out did you?'
Alan heard the argumentative tone in Scott's voice, 'Guys, not now alright' he said to him and his father.
Alan changed the subject, 'Did you get through to Virgil' they had been made to turn their watches and all phones off in the hospital.
'I left him a message.' Scott replied
Alan nodded.
They sat down and watched the television in the top corner of the room. As if they needed to be reminded why they were there, Scott thought as more crash coverage was beamed over the channels.
Scott had been appalled at the amount of press outside the hospital, didn't they understand the families' need to grieve or be with their loved ones. It was a complete invasion of privacy.
The television changed to images of WASP cadets, 'Alan turn it up' Scott told his brother, who stood and raised the volume.
'Yeah' a dark haired cadet was saying, 'the Commander told Curtis to check the hydraulics before they set off, but he said he wasn't taking orders from anybody when the Captain turned his back.'
Scott, Jeff and Alan looked at one another in shock.
'Initial reports are sketchy, but it appears the negligence of cadet Curtis Redding could have caused today's horrific smash.'
Scott swore and rose to his feet, 'I don't believe it! Gordo told me this morning the guy was a disgrace to WASP.'
Jeff stood too, 'calm down son, we don't know for sure if what they're saying is true.'
Scott shook his head madly, 'I'm going to find that kid and make him wish he'd never been born.'
'SCOTT!' Jeff shouted, 'this isn't the time or the place!'
Alan disagreed, 'Scott's right, that guy's going to pay.'
Jeff looked furious, 'BOYS!' he yelled, 'WE DO NOT GO AROUND ACTING LIKE THUGS!'
Scott glared back, 'If I find out for sure he's responsible for sending my little brother to hospital and killing two of his best friends, he's the one who's going to need a hospital.'
Jeff sighed, 'Scott, when we know the facts, I'll probably help you, but until then we should beconcentrating our energies on Gordon.'
Scott knew he was right. 'Fine' he said grudgingly, sitting down.
Alan followed suit.
The door flew open.
Scott, Jeff and Alan turned, Scott smiled,
'John!'
**********
John was holding Kate's hand as he entered the room, but he dropped it immediately to rush to his family.
'Scott!' he hugged his older brother, then his younger brother and finally his father.
After filling John in on Gordon, John introduced Kate.
Alan looked confused, John decided to fill him in later, his baby brother had a dangerously big mouth.
He took a good look at his family, Jeff was grey and his eyes were red, Scott's hair was completely messed up, John suspected due to hours of running his hands through it, his eyes were also suspisciously red and he wore a helpless look, Alan was pale and looked pretty unsteady on his feet.
John and Kate sat down and everyone watched the tv in silence.
A short while later the door to the waiting room opened, everyone looked up expecting to see Virgil, but a doctor entered. The same doctor who had spoken to the Munroe's earlier.
The Tracys held their breath, this is what they'd been wating for.
The Doctor shook his head, his expression sorrowful, 'I'm afraid I have some bad news.................'
******
AHHHHHHHHHH!
So what is the doctor's bad news?
Will Virgil make it to the hospital?
Will Redding get what's coming to him?
Find out soon.