Scott never got the chance to wake Gordon up when the "cool" started to happen. Once the safe-room door had opened with Kayo and Lady Penelope on the other side, the commander had relinquished his little brother into his girlfriend's caring and capable hands. He figured the fish wouldn't mind.
To his relief, Thunderbird 1 was still intact, save for most of her inner workings being without insulated panels. The wiring splayed around her cockpit was still connected and that was all Scott needed. He had launched after a quick word with Colonel Casey, leaving Kayo in charge of the island's affairs until he returned.
By the time he had arrived at the research outpost, however, his own injuries had made themselves known, forcing the pilot to stay inside his 'bird while he waited for his father and Brains, along with a few of the medics to get Virgil on board. Every ounce of him wanted to get up and check on his family, but the stabbing ache in his abused ribs left him exhausted. It had taken his father's very concerned tone to pull Scott from the concentration it was taking to just stay upright. He really hated the adrenaline crash after a rescue sometimes.
Dad had flown One home after that, getting Scott into a passenger seat. The brunette couldn't remember much of the trip other than the relief that he could close his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, he found himself in the back of a GDF transport with Gordon and Virgil not far away. Lady Penelope stood close by, speaking with the officers, but he wasn't interested in the conversation. Blue eyes tried to focus on the steady rise and fall of his brothers' chests. Both were oblivious to the world around them, or so he thought until the London agent returned to Gordon's side and a hand reached out for hers. She took it with a warm smile that made even Scott feel like everything would be okay.
Sleep didn't return for a long time after that, the three brothers being wheeled off to different sections of the emergency room to receive treatment for their injuries. Scott could only attest for his own care - scans, IV fluids, antibiotics, and pain medication to counteract the ache and swelling of cracked ribs and a concussion. For a long time, he was alone. The anxiety he knew he should feel had been dulled by the concoction running through his veins and he found the muffled sound of the news feed enough to distract him until company arrived.
Dad came first, hours later, when their home had been cleared of the intruders and the GDF had finished gathering information for their reports. He had left Brains to sort out what he could of the damage with Kayo as backup should anything happen. Grandma came next, safe and sound thanks to a decision to spend an extra day with the girls. She arrived with information about Gordon and Virgil, both out of surgery and recovering.
News of the people who had caused all of this came the next day from Lady Penelope and Colonel Casey. Even though Wilkes had refused to talk, his bank accounts didn't. Funds had been funneled through multiple companies, but all linked back to one investor who was currently sitting in prison. Anger had fueled the conversation after that. How could the Hood still have so much power? He'd lost that resource, but who was to say there weren't more, ready to fund an attack on the Tracy family?
The questions didn't have simple answers. They never did, but they had survived this time. Brains had more than enough data to ensure Wilkes' device would be useless to anyone.
All that was left to do was rest and recover. They could do that - for the most part.
"You guys look terrible," Alan blurted after he'd had a chance to take in the state of his three brothers through the holocomm on Three.
"Hey," Gordon countered in mock offense. "I'd like to see you try to wrangle this-" he gestured to his untamed curls with the arm that wasn't in a sling, "with the limited supplies from a hospital gift shop. I look good, but I might have to agree with you about those two."
Scott ignored the dig, just happy to see his other brothers were safely headed home. "It's good to see you too. I take it you spoke to Dad."
"He gave us an update on everything," John answered with a halfhearted smile, but it was easy to see the fire behind the turquoise that would have liked to have a hand in taking down the companies responsible. In reality, the companies as a whole hadn't known who they were contracting out to. Further investigations had lead to a handful of names at each facility who handled their outside sources and so far, none of them were familiar with Professor Wilkes. It would take a lot more digging to figure out just how the Hood had managed to finance an attack so well coordinated. John would no doubt be helping with that once he made it back to Thunderbird 5. For now, he seemed more intent on his three injured brothers. "Grandma says you'll be in the hospital a few more days."
Three groans echoed around the room, Virgil repeating what the doctors and their grandmother had voiced. "Monitoring for infection and internal bleeding. So far, no signs of either."
"That's good to hear," John's smile softened with the subject change. "With our present speed, we should be home at the same time."
"We could go faster," Alan added in what could have been a grumble or request, blue eyes finding Scott with hope.
"No need to rush," the commander chuckled. "We'll be here when you get back."
"Yeah, and then you can help get the Peridot off the bottom of the ocean," Gordon broke the atmosphere of concern.
"The Peridot?" Virgil actually seemed shocked by the information. "Are you sure that's the one we took?"
The blonde nodded with an emphatic "Yes. I had Parker do a rundown of all the ships still in the boathouse after I found out how you got off the island. She was the only one missing."
Scott was still confused by both of their reactions, instead focusing on the other odd bit to the statement, "Wait, you had Parker check?"
"He was bored and he likes my boats," Gordon shrugged and instantly regretted it.
Reading into his older brother's confusion,Virgil filled in the rest, "The Peridot was designed after a sailboat Granddad had when Mom was little. Sorry we sank her, Gords."
"We'll get her back," the blonde soothed. "At least she saved you from the jerks on our island."
That was a sentiment they could all feel and the conversations fell into a back and forth of the events that took place on Four and the enemy sub. John and Alan tried to brush their experience off as mundane in comparison, but the three Earthbound brothers weren't having it. The astronauts had prevented a near catastrophic event for the Mars Midway station. It was worthy of recognition regardless of what everyone had gone through.
The call ended when it was discovered that Virgil had fallen asleep, a bear-like snore sounding from the raven haired man when the conversation grew a little too loud. To prevent any further irritation of the engineer Gordon had decided to take a walk to the hospital gardens and Scott was intent to follow. For a length of the trip, he realized his fish brother hadn't noticed him, so intent on his destination. It explained why Gordon jumped when Scott sidled up to him at the elevator.
"Sorry, thought I'd get some fresh air too," Scott smiled apologetically as they stepped inside.
"Ah, I was wondering how long it'd take before you wanted to escape," Gordon recovered with a chuckle.
Escape was the right word. They all hated hospital rooms and when the chance arose - physical abilities allowing - they would sneak out. Scott prefered a good patio deck on the upper floors for the view, but the garden came in close second. This particular hospital had a well kept natural area with the expected trees and flowers, most with memorial plaques from donors. One area in particular seemed to be his little brother's destination. An artificial stream ran across the grounds, connecting to hydroponic gardens and a pond where fish swam peacefully in the sun.
The brothers found a bench overlooking the serene landscape and fell into a comfortable silence as they watched other patients and their families enjoying the space. Scott let himself relax for the first time in the last forty-eight hours, comforted by the fact that everyone was safe for the moment and on the mend. Life would go back to normal in a month or so and he could start worrying about missions and the dangers that accompanied them.
His thoughts snagged on that reality, understanding of why he worried coming with it. Glancing over at the too-quiet, too-still blonde, Scott could see a contentment he rarely witnessed. He was used to bright energy, mischief or anger, usually coming in pairs when big brother got involved. Memories of beach trips and cookouts after long days of swimming were the main source of this affect on the aquanaut.
Their fight bubbled up unexpectedly in the stillness and as much as he didn't want to throw ripples into their peaceful moment, this seemed like the best chance he would have to talk to Gordon on his own. An intentional breath to steady himself, blue eyes on the pond, he started, "Hey…"
Without missing a beat, "is for horses."
Scott couldn't help the smile, "I'd like to be serious for a minute, if you can do that?"
"Lucky you, I'll grant you two whole minutes," Gordon teased.
"Gords…"
"Alright, I'll chill out," the smile stayed, but his voice had softened. "What's up?"
Another breath, but finding the steadiness easier to hold onto, "I trust you. Back in the infirmary… I shouldn't have said what I did."
"Ah," Gordon pulled his legs up to sit cross legged on the bench. "Serious talk, right… I know you do. Plus, we were dealing with lots of stress and adrenaline during that conversation."
Scott shrugged, "Yeah, but that doesn't really negate why it came up. You shouldn't - and shouldn't have to - pretend to be Virgil just so I'll listen." He let the warning intermingle with the apology. "The whole situation on Four and the submarine, then the island… that was you and your skill set. I don't think anyone could have handled it any better with what you were given."
"Hey, you were there too," Gordon was eager to point out, fidgeting with the hem of his hospital pants under the unexpected praise.
"True, but my point is, I should listen more," he realized that statement would need to apply to all of his family, but for now his focus was on his little brother and making him feel better. With a jovial grin, he clarified, "Now, I can't promise I will - not every time - but I'll definitely try to readjust my hearing to pick up high pitched chipmunk."
"Excuse me," an exaggerated gasp of mock offense. "I'm sorry we can't all have your commanding everyone-look-at-me voice."
Blue eyes met amber, an amused spark making them seem brighter above the bruising. Another beat as the nature around them continued on, unaware of the silent communication between brothers. And then, laughter bubbled up, making Scott's ribs hurt, but he didn't care. The sound of his brother's own giggles made it bearable.
As the laughter faded, there was a quiet "thanks, bro" and Scott let it be the punctuation to a long ordeal. They stayed on the bench for a while longer until the commander felt the pull of sleep demanding he go inside. His fingers found the wild tufts of blonde and ruffled them, earning a tired groan from their owner.
"Time to go in, make sure Virgil hasn't run off," a spike of apprehension said that might be a reality, but he shoved it aside.
"Go on," Gordon waved him off as Scott stood. "I'll be there in a bit."
The commander was about to protest, but a quick reminder that this was Gordon… he could handle himself, and the words stayed in his throat. "Alright, not too long though," that didn't mean he couldn't still set limits.
"F.A.B.," the blonde stretched as best he could, minding his shoulder.
Scott let himself worry for a moment longer, enough time to shift his gaze to the memorial plaque attached to the bench. A sad smile pulled at his lips and he leaned forward to wipe away a stray smudge left by a dried rain drop. His thumb traced the L of his mother's name before he stepped back and gave his brother one last look. Gordon was okay. Virgil would heal. No need to worry right this moment.
Content, Scott turned, heading back to their shared room and leaving Gordon with Mom to watch over him. They deserved a little bit of peace.
The End!
A/N: Hope y'all enjoyed this story! It's been an adventure for these boys! D
Ive loved hearing from everyone as I post! Y'all are amazing!