It was well past 1 in the morning when Jeff finally managed to convince his
sons to go to bed. The police had left after midnight and hearing nothing
from the kidnappers Jeff had retired to his own room.But he found it
impossible to sleep and had resigned himself to phoning around anyone he
felt could help in the slightest to find his sons. By far the worst phone
call he had had to make was to his mother. Alice Tracy had been
inconsolable, informing Jeff that in no uncertain terms, she'd be on the
next flight over. Jeff thanked god for his mother, she was always such a
tower of strength, well a 4'4 tower of strength anyhow and Jeff felt a
little better just knowing she'd be there for him and the boys.
As he dialed his own private detective's number Jeff's eyes met Lucys' in his favourite photograph of her, that sat on his bedside table. He gasped as he realised for the first time how much his youngest two reminded him of his wife. They were both there, the cheeky grin on her face was pure Gordon and the bright blue eyes could easily have been Alan's.
Jeff said a silent prayer to his wife to look out for their boys.
**************************************************************************** ****
Scott sat in the lounge, the half empty bottle of Bacardi on the table infront of him. His father was deluding himself if he thought that any of them would get any sleep tonight. Every time Scott came close to surrendering to sleep he became paranoid about not hearing the phone if the kidnappers rang. It didn't help that his head was filled with nightmarish visions of his brothers, injured, being tortured or dead. He couldn't seem to banish the images from his exhausted mind.
Running a hand through his dark hair, he surrendered himself to the welcome oblivion of alcohol and poured himself a fourth glass of vodka. Feeling the warm liquid burn down his throat Scott stood and took his empty glass and the bottle out onto the balcony.
God he hated this, he hated this so much.
If there was one feeling Scott prided himself in not feeling it was helplessness. He had helped his father bring his brothers up, deciding even at the age of 12 that Scott Tracy was never going to feel the helplessness he'd felt at the death of his mother ever again. But here he was 10 years later and all he felt was helpless!
If there was ever a problem with one of his brothers or even his father, Scott had always been able to help them, from Gordon's swimming training and Virgil's math homework to Alan's girlfriend troubles and John's insecurities, but not this time.
Heaving a sigh he flung himself onto one of the wooden deckchairs and rang Gordon's mobile for the hundredth time. Scott sighed, you might have assumed that after hearing the voicemail again and again you'd be used to the disappointment, you'd be wrong. Scott felt the familiar helplessness wash over him as his brothers immature voicemail message started up. After hanging up all the other times, he felt the need to say something this time.
'Gordo' he whispered, eyes tearing up, partly because of his emotions and partly because of the drink, 'if you two get out of this ok, I swear i'll cheerlead at the soccer final, naked. Just please be ok. I promise I'm going to find you, just please be ok.'
Then for some insane reason, he attributed to the alcohol, he added,
'By the way this is Scott.'
This had him laughing, emotion bubbled inside him, he laughed and laughed and then he cried. Alone, on the balcony, Scott Tracy heaved heart-wrenching sobs, and that was how John and Virgil found him.
**************************************************************************** *
John sat up on his bed and sighed, it was no use, he was not going to be able to sleep. His mind kept running over the last time he had spoken to his brothers that morning, would that be the last time he would ever speak to them.
They were both angry with he, Scott and Virgil......................
'What do you mean we can't go to the game?' Gordon yelled
'Sorry Gordo, exactly what it sounds like, only College students allowed.' John said 'high-schoolers are only allowed reserved seats and you didn't reserve any.'
Gordon looked outraged, Alan stood glowering next to him looking equally put out.
'I would of, if you'd bothered to tell me!'
'I only found out today myself.'
Alan's eyes glittered furiously, 'sure you did!'
Gordon turned in desperation to his eldest brother, 'Scott?' he pleaded, turning his famous puppy dog eyes on his eldest brother.
'I'm sorry Gordo' Scott said softly looking like a deer caught in headlights, 'there's nothing I can do, the tickets are all sold out!'
Alan and Gordon had looked at one another in fury, then Gordon had spun on his heel and stormed from the room, followed by an equally mad Alan.
Unfortunately for Virgil the two bumped into him as they left.
'I suppose you knew about this?' Alan muttered angrily, fixing Virgil with his most deadly glare.
Virgil, held up his hands in mock surrender, then raised an eyebrow at John and Scott, 'heard about the game?'
John and Scott nodded.
'Listen guys..........' Virgil had tried to explain.
'Oh save it!' Gordon had blustered angrily before shouldering Virgil out the way and whirling off to his fathers car.
.....John wearily rubbed his eyes and then stood slowly pulling on his bathrobe, he hated the fact that his little brothers had been mad at him. He couldn't help the 'what ifs' that clouded his mind, what if I'd got them tickets to the game, what if I'd just apologised, what if I'd never played in the stupid game. John stumbled towards the door and banished the thoughts to the back of his mind. That attitude was helping no-one, least of all Gordo and Al.
Stumbling into the hall, squinting as his eyes adjusted to the light, John jumped as he heard a footstep behind him.
John was immediately on his guard, 'who's there?' he shouted, 'show yourself'. John stared in barely concealed surprise as his older brother stepped out of the shadows.
'Hey, don't shoot!'
John relaxed, 'Virg, what are you doing up?'
Virgil's hair stuck up in chestnuty tufts as he yawned, 'Can't sleep' he muttered, walking towards his brother, 'you?'
'Same.'
Together they walked towards the lounge.
'I keep thinking there's got to be something we've missed!'
'Yeah well if you think you're going back out to that roadside again you've got another thing............'
John sighed, Virgil was still sore at his brothers for going without him and worrying him further, even after John had explained what they had found and handed the phone to the police, Virgil had still been annoyed.
'i wasn't going to suggest that!' he interrupted Virgil before he got started. Seeing that neither one of them looked like they were going to get any sleep for a while, John looked at his brother.
'Fancy a late night snack?' he asked, thinking of his and Virgil's old favourite, toast and chocolate spread.
'Only if it's chocolate spread on toast', Virgil answered, with a grin.
John smiled, 'i was just thinking that'.
'I know.'
John wasn't surprised, Virgil had always been able to read him like a book. As they made their way into the kitchen, a noise startled them.
'What was that?' John hissed.
Virgil spun towards the sound, 'i don't know.' He began edging towards the balcony, 'stay behind me' he ordered.
John rolled his eyes and stepped infront of his brother, ignoring Virgil's cry of 'J!'
Both Virgil and John stopped short as they saw their older brother, sobbing uncontrollably on the balcony.
Virgil, stared unmoving as John moved forward and pulled Scott into a hug.
'Oh Scott,' he soothed, 'everything's going to be ok.'
Scott said nothing , his whole body just shook silently against John's shoulder.
Virgil moved forward and took the Bacardi bottle from the small wooden table. 'Did this help?' he asked, sympathetically.
Scott pulled himself from John's embrace and looked at him, 'nope' he muttered honestly, 'it just numbs the pain a little.'
Virgil nodded and sat down on another deckchair, 'we'll get them back, Scott.'
Scott looked at Virgil then, 'will we?' he whispered his voice child-like and lost.
John spoke up, 'we will'.
'I don't know if I can go through that again.'
'Go through what?' John asked gently.
'Losing someone I love', Scott's words were quiet as he stared unflinching at his brothers. When he looked down at the ground again, Virgil and John shared a worried look.
'You won't have to, Scott' Virgil said, 'I promise you, you won't have to.'
John took the bottle from Virgil and took a swig.
Scott looked at him sharpely, 'hey mister, you're not old enough for that, so pass it back here.'
John and Virgil exchanged a smile. 'Jeez Scott, even when you're half drunk, you're still playing big brother.'
'I'm not playing' Scott replied, 'I am the big brother.'
'and don't we know it' Virgil muttered
John rubbed at his eyes again, 'I don't get how dad can sleep at a time like this.'
'Don't let him fool you.' Scott answered, 'I've heard him on the phone, he's not sleeping at all.'
'You know guys' Virgil said thoughtfully, 'I don't think we're giving the squirts the respect they deserve.'
'What do you mean?' Scott asked firmly.
'Saying we're all going to have to rescue them,' then at the confused frowns of his brothers, 'I'm just saying those two can be pretty resourceful when they want to be, lets not underestimate them alright.'
The three eldest Tracys lapsed into silence as they mulled this over, at the moment there was nothing they could do,like it or not it was up to Alan and Gordon.
**************************************************************************** ******
Gordon fidgeted and squirmed as he attempted for the tenth time that night to get himself comfortable, then again was there any degree of comfort to be found when you were tied with course ropes, on a wooden floor.
He shifted against his brother's weight and couldn't believe it when he heard Alan's sniffle. Gordon knew that sniffle, Alan was asleep, years of bunking with his brother had led to him being accustomed to Alan's sounds, and he knew that one meant he was asleep. Gordon frowned incredulously. Alan had always been a deep sleeper and able to sleep anywhere, but this was ridiculous.
They were being held hostage by a vengeful ex-partner of their fathers and a guy with half his face burnt off and Alan was sleeping like a baby. Gordon wished he didn't have a gag on, because then he could yell at his brother till he woke up.
Matchstick had fallen asleep hours ago and although he couldn't see him, judging form the snores echoing from the other side of the room Fallon had to.
Gordon' stomach rumbled and he sighed as the hunger swept over him. He hadn't eaten since lunch-time and for a growing Tracy this was torture, he was only thankful he didn't need the toilet, because that would be worse.
Leaning back slightly, moving around as much as possible,hoping to wake his younger brother, who he had no sympathy for, he shut his eyes and tried to sleep. There was little point trying to get themselves out of this with their captors in the room. The one thing that annoyed Gordon was his phone. He had strategically placed it in his jacket pocket and he had tried repeatedly to reach it, but to no avail. If only he could get in contact with his big brothers.
Oh well Tracy, he thought to himself, you will have to find a way to get you two out of this, big brothers or no big brothers. Sighing he felt sleep threaten to ovetake him, tomorrow he would figure out a plan, he only hoped it would prove to be a good one!
**************************************************************************** ******
SO...................
WILL GORDON COME UP WITH A PLAN?
WILL A RANSOM DEMAND EVER BE MADE?
FIND OUT IN THE NEST PART OF 'NEXT STOP: DANGER'
THANX FOR THE REVIEWS AS EVER THEY MEAN A LOT!!!
AND THANKS 4 UR SYMPATHY, YOU'RE ALL BRILLIANT!
As he dialed his own private detective's number Jeff's eyes met Lucys' in his favourite photograph of her, that sat on his bedside table. He gasped as he realised for the first time how much his youngest two reminded him of his wife. They were both there, the cheeky grin on her face was pure Gordon and the bright blue eyes could easily have been Alan's.
Jeff said a silent prayer to his wife to look out for their boys.
**************************************************************************** ****
Scott sat in the lounge, the half empty bottle of Bacardi on the table infront of him. His father was deluding himself if he thought that any of them would get any sleep tonight. Every time Scott came close to surrendering to sleep he became paranoid about not hearing the phone if the kidnappers rang. It didn't help that his head was filled with nightmarish visions of his brothers, injured, being tortured or dead. He couldn't seem to banish the images from his exhausted mind.
Running a hand through his dark hair, he surrendered himself to the welcome oblivion of alcohol and poured himself a fourth glass of vodka. Feeling the warm liquid burn down his throat Scott stood and took his empty glass and the bottle out onto the balcony.
God he hated this, he hated this so much.
If there was one feeling Scott prided himself in not feeling it was helplessness. He had helped his father bring his brothers up, deciding even at the age of 12 that Scott Tracy was never going to feel the helplessness he'd felt at the death of his mother ever again. But here he was 10 years later and all he felt was helpless!
If there was ever a problem with one of his brothers or even his father, Scott had always been able to help them, from Gordon's swimming training and Virgil's math homework to Alan's girlfriend troubles and John's insecurities, but not this time.
Heaving a sigh he flung himself onto one of the wooden deckchairs and rang Gordon's mobile for the hundredth time. Scott sighed, you might have assumed that after hearing the voicemail again and again you'd be used to the disappointment, you'd be wrong. Scott felt the familiar helplessness wash over him as his brothers immature voicemail message started up. After hanging up all the other times, he felt the need to say something this time.
'Gordo' he whispered, eyes tearing up, partly because of his emotions and partly because of the drink, 'if you two get out of this ok, I swear i'll cheerlead at the soccer final, naked. Just please be ok. I promise I'm going to find you, just please be ok.'
Then for some insane reason, he attributed to the alcohol, he added,
'By the way this is Scott.'
This had him laughing, emotion bubbled inside him, he laughed and laughed and then he cried. Alone, on the balcony, Scott Tracy heaved heart-wrenching sobs, and that was how John and Virgil found him.
**************************************************************************** *
John sat up on his bed and sighed, it was no use, he was not going to be able to sleep. His mind kept running over the last time he had spoken to his brothers that morning, would that be the last time he would ever speak to them.
They were both angry with he, Scott and Virgil......................
'What do you mean we can't go to the game?' Gordon yelled
'Sorry Gordo, exactly what it sounds like, only College students allowed.' John said 'high-schoolers are only allowed reserved seats and you didn't reserve any.'
Gordon looked outraged, Alan stood glowering next to him looking equally put out.
'I would of, if you'd bothered to tell me!'
'I only found out today myself.'
Alan's eyes glittered furiously, 'sure you did!'
Gordon turned in desperation to his eldest brother, 'Scott?' he pleaded, turning his famous puppy dog eyes on his eldest brother.
'I'm sorry Gordo' Scott said softly looking like a deer caught in headlights, 'there's nothing I can do, the tickets are all sold out!'
Alan and Gordon had looked at one another in fury, then Gordon had spun on his heel and stormed from the room, followed by an equally mad Alan.
Unfortunately for Virgil the two bumped into him as they left.
'I suppose you knew about this?' Alan muttered angrily, fixing Virgil with his most deadly glare.
Virgil, held up his hands in mock surrender, then raised an eyebrow at John and Scott, 'heard about the game?'
John and Scott nodded.
'Listen guys..........' Virgil had tried to explain.
'Oh save it!' Gordon had blustered angrily before shouldering Virgil out the way and whirling off to his fathers car.
.....John wearily rubbed his eyes and then stood slowly pulling on his bathrobe, he hated the fact that his little brothers had been mad at him. He couldn't help the 'what ifs' that clouded his mind, what if I'd got them tickets to the game, what if I'd just apologised, what if I'd never played in the stupid game. John stumbled towards the door and banished the thoughts to the back of his mind. That attitude was helping no-one, least of all Gordo and Al.
Stumbling into the hall, squinting as his eyes adjusted to the light, John jumped as he heard a footstep behind him.
John was immediately on his guard, 'who's there?' he shouted, 'show yourself'. John stared in barely concealed surprise as his older brother stepped out of the shadows.
'Hey, don't shoot!'
John relaxed, 'Virg, what are you doing up?'
Virgil's hair stuck up in chestnuty tufts as he yawned, 'Can't sleep' he muttered, walking towards his brother, 'you?'
'Same.'
Together they walked towards the lounge.
'I keep thinking there's got to be something we've missed!'
'Yeah well if you think you're going back out to that roadside again you've got another thing............'
John sighed, Virgil was still sore at his brothers for going without him and worrying him further, even after John had explained what they had found and handed the phone to the police, Virgil had still been annoyed.
'i wasn't going to suggest that!' he interrupted Virgil before he got started. Seeing that neither one of them looked like they were going to get any sleep for a while, John looked at his brother.
'Fancy a late night snack?' he asked, thinking of his and Virgil's old favourite, toast and chocolate spread.
'Only if it's chocolate spread on toast', Virgil answered, with a grin.
John smiled, 'i was just thinking that'.
'I know.'
John wasn't surprised, Virgil had always been able to read him like a book. As they made their way into the kitchen, a noise startled them.
'What was that?' John hissed.
Virgil spun towards the sound, 'i don't know.' He began edging towards the balcony, 'stay behind me' he ordered.
John rolled his eyes and stepped infront of his brother, ignoring Virgil's cry of 'J!'
Both Virgil and John stopped short as they saw their older brother, sobbing uncontrollably on the balcony.
Virgil, stared unmoving as John moved forward and pulled Scott into a hug.
'Oh Scott,' he soothed, 'everything's going to be ok.'
Scott said nothing , his whole body just shook silently against John's shoulder.
Virgil moved forward and took the Bacardi bottle from the small wooden table. 'Did this help?' he asked, sympathetically.
Scott pulled himself from John's embrace and looked at him, 'nope' he muttered honestly, 'it just numbs the pain a little.'
Virgil nodded and sat down on another deckchair, 'we'll get them back, Scott.'
Scott looked at Virgil then, 'will we?' he whispered his voice child-like and lost.
John spoke up, 'we will'.
'I don't know if I can go through that again.'
'Go through what?' John asked gently.
'Losing someone I love', Scott's words were quiet as he stared unflinching at his brothers. When he looked down at the ground again, Virgil and John shared a worried look.
'You won't have to, Scott' Virgil said, 'I promise you, you won't have to.'
John took the bottle from Virgil and took a swig.
Scott looked at him sharpely, 'hey mister, you're not old enough for that, so pass it back here.'
John and Virgil exchanged a smile. 'Jeez Scott, even when you're half drunk, you're still playing big brother.'
'I'm not playing' Scott replied, 'I am the big brother.'
'and don't we know it' Virgil muttered
John rubbed at his eyes again, 'I don't get how dad can sleep at a time like this.'
'Don't let him fool you.' Scott answered, 'I've heard him on the phone, he's not sleeping at all.'
'You know guys' Virgil said thoughtfully, 'I don't think we're giving the squirts the respect they deserve.'
'What do you mean?' Scott asked firmly.
'Saying we're all going to have to rescue them,' then at the confused frowns of his brothers, 'I'm just saying those two can be pretty resourceful when they want to be, lets not underestimate them alright.'
The three eldest Tracys lapsed into silence as they mulled this over, at the moment there was nothing they could do,like it or not it was up to Alan and Gordon.
**************************************************************************** ******
Gordon fidgeted and squirmed as he attempted for the tenth time that night to get himself comfortable, then again was there any degree of comfort to be found when you were tied with course ropes, on a wooden floor.
He shifted against his brother's weight and couldn't believe it when he heard Alan's sniffle. Gordon knew that sniffle, Alan was asleep, years of bunking with his brother had led to him being accustomed to Alan's sounds, and he knew that one meant he was asleep. Gordon frowned incredulously. Alan had always been a deep sleeper and able to sleep anywhere, but this was ridiculous.
They were being held hostage by a vengeful ex-partner of their fathers and a guy with half his face burnt off and Alan was sleeping like a baby. Gordon wished he didn't have a gag on, because then he could yell at his brother till he woke up.
Matchstick had fallen asleep hours ago and although he couldn't see him, judging form the snores echoing from the other side of the room Fallon had to.
Gordon' stomach rumbled and he sighed as the hunger swept over him. He hadn't eaten since lunch-time and for a growing Tracy this was torture, he was only thankful he didn't need the toilet, because that would be worse.
Leaning back slightly, moving around as much as possible,hoping to wake his younger brother, who he had no sympathy for, he shut his eyes and tried to sleep. There was little point trying to get themselves out of this with their captors in the room. The one thing that annoyed Gordon was his phone. He had strategically placed it in his jacket pocket and he had tried repeatedly to reach it, but to no avail. If only he could get in contact with his big brothers.
Oh well Tracy, he thought to himself, you will have to find a way to get you two out of this, big brothers or no big brothers. Sighing he felt sleep threaten to ovetake him, tomorrow he would figure out a plan, he only hoped it would prove to be a good one!
**************************************************************************** ******
SO...................
WILL GORDON COME UP WITH A PLAN?
WILL A RANSOM DEMAND EVER BE MADE?
FIND OUT IN THE NEST PART OF 'NEXT STOP: DANGER'
THANX FOR THE REVIEWS AS EVER THEY MEAN A LOT!!!
AND THANKS 4 UR SYMPATHY, YOU'RE ALL BRILLIANT!