Heartache to Heartache
By Arashi no Baka
Part Two: Every Moment Matters..
Notes: Glad you liked the first part guys.
Hoo-ah: You weren't whinging honey : P and I'm glad you liked that part. As for this part. You'll see
Claudette: I don't know if you were being sarcastic in the first part of your review or not but shrugs I'm trying my best to make this good. I hope you like it…after all the Brat dies, doesn't he?
Disclaimer: Not mine. Nor is the song, Fly, which was sung (and I assume belongs to) Celine Dion.
Notes: Okay. Second half of a two-parter.
Alan leant over the edge of the cliff, his eyes wide as he took in the sight below him.
"Wow! Virg…It's so cool!"
Virgil Tracy smiled and reached over to pull his brother back onto the cliff, at a safe distance away from the edge.
"Yeah. What's even more amazing is the fact that you can enjoy it without falling off the edge!"
Alan grinned at his brother and sat on the small rock behind him, dipping his bare feet into the splashing river.
"This is great Virg…thanks for bringing me up here…"
Virgil's eyes softened and he ruffled Alan's hair. The least close to Alan, Virgil hardly ever spent any time in his company. But after much pleading and whining, Virgil had agreed to bring his 7-year-old brother to the waterfall.
"It's no problem squirt."
Alan sighed slowly and Virgil decided to join his brother in the river. Turning around to take of his socks and shoes he never noticed Alan standing up. As the brunette pulled of his right shoe and sock, Alan crept closer to the edge. Virgil stood up and turned round, his smile fading.
"Allie!"
He darted forward as Alan slipped off the rock he had been standing on. Virgil's fingers brushed the fabric of Alan's T-shirt as his brother plunged over the side of the waterfall.
"ALAN!"
Virgil shook the thoughts off.
He was shaking, his chin bandaged up and his wrist in a sling. He stared slowly up at the paramedic who was attempting to bandage his shoulder.
"Keep still son…you'll be as good as new…"
Virgil nodded intent to do as Scott said and stay put. But still, the thought of alan amongst those cars plagued on his mind. He should be out there, helping to look for him. Maybe Scott wouldn't mind if he just stood nearby, making sure nobody else got hurt.
He forced himself to pay attention to what the Paramedic was doing as he finished up.
"Wait here for a minute, okay? Ill be right back."
The paramedic stood up and motioned at a young woman and child to come over. The child had a huge gash on her forehead and Virgil was forced to remember the time when Alan had had a gash similar to that…
Without a second thought, Virgil was sliding down the track that lay parallel to the waterfall. He never took his eyes of the raging waters of the bottom and tried to see anything of his brother.
Ohgodohgodohgod…
He jumped to the bank below and wasted no time in getting into the water, frantically trying to locate Alan.
"Allie?"
He swam forward, catching sight of the blonde something in the water. He grabbed hold of Alan's shirt and hauled him towards him, only half-aware of the tears making hot tracks down his bronzed face.
"Come on Alan…you can do it…"
Hoisting his brother onto the bank, he shakily lent over his brother's chest, trying to make out a heartbeat.
"I don't understand…"
Gordon regarded his sullen father in confusion. Jeff hadn't said much since his self-imposed isolation in his bedroom, but Gordon knew he had reasons. Reasons that were also stopping him from going to Alan.
"They didn't go on holiday. I sent them away. I sent Alan away."
The words seemed to melt into Gordon's head. I sent them away…
"But why?!"
Jeff sighed slowly, his eyes never once leaving the face of his son, trying to make Gordon understand.
"The arguments between Alan and I were starting to affect our work. And in the rescue business, if you don't have your full attention on the job, you're as good as dead. I knew that if we were to be successful, Alan and I had to spend some time apart. so I told him to take a holiday. That he could take Virgil with him."
His father's logic made no sense whatsoever to Gordon, but he continued to listen, praying that something in this speech would give away Jeff's piece of mind.
"The night he left…I suppose you remember the arguments?"
How could he not? Alan had been screaming at Jeff for something or other, but all of his brothers had suspected there was something else to it. Alan had yelled, kicked, screamed and bullied his way into arguments with his father, and the atmosphere at his departure was slightly tense.
"Just before Virgil and he left, I told him that the only way he could come was when he could look me in the eye and tell me he could perform rescues. Without hating me"
Jeff's eyes closed at the memory and Gordon could think of nothing to say. His father must hate the fact that the last thing he'd done to Alan was throw him of the Island. Practically. He knew it would be hard. But he had to get Jeff to Alan. Before it was too late.
"Dad. I know it's hard. Believe me, I feel the same. You know the last thing I did to Alan? I ignored him the whole week before he left, because he pushed me in the pool. It sounds stupid, and irrelevant next to you, but it hurts all the same. And that's why we have to go to Alan."
Jeff looked at his son and shook his head. Gordon swallowed the lump in his throat and knelt down in front of Jeff.
"If Alan deserves anything form you, it's this. Please Dad. Scott needs you. Virgil needs you. But more importantly, Alan needs you."
Jeff didn't say anything for a minute. And then, slowly, he nodded.
"Oh God!"
Virgil raced onto the patio, Alan safely entombed in his arms. Scott and Gordon were lounging on by the pool, sunglasses son and towels at the ready. Both of them shot to their feet as Virgil crashed onto the poolside, an unconscious Alan in his arms. Scott was there in an instant, pulling his blonde brother from Virgil's arms.
"He fell Scott. From the waterfall…It was an accident I swear! All I did was turn around for a second…"
Gordon comforted his elder brother as Scott gave Alan the once over. The gash on his forehead was viscous and still bloody. Virgil, tears running down his cheeks, buried his face in Gordon's stomach.
"Be okay Allie…please…"
Scott didn't know what to think. The paramedics were at Alan's side in moments but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the amount of blood on his brother. Instantly his thoughts turned to Virgil. He couldn't know.
Scott sought out one of the civilian helpers and directed her toward the paramedic attending to his brother.
"That blonde is his brother. Please make sure the paramedic doesn't let him wander over."
The woman nodded immediately understanding the situation. She moved off in the direction of his brother. Not waiting to see what reaction Virgil would have, Scott rushed to Alan's side, his heart in his mouth.
"Oh god Allie…"
The head paramedic eyed him thoughtfully. Coming to a decision he pulled Scott aside, not bothering to hide his curiosity.
"Do you know this boy?"
Scott paused. His position was comprised already, and he knew that there was no way, when Virgil knew what was going on, that he'd be able to hide it anyway. Sighing slowly, he nodded.
"He's my brother, Please. Help him…"
The look on the paramedic's face when he spoke those words, made Scott freeze in horror. The words were spilling from this mans mouth, in pain and sadness, but Scott didn't care. How could this be happening?…
"I'm sorry…but, even if we got him to a hospital, there's no way we'd be able to save him…I'm so sorry…"
Scott smiled as he smoothed Alan's hair back. Jeff sighed slowly form his place in the doorway. Alan was sleeping contentedly, the gash on his forehead bandaged up. They had had to keep Alan up for the past few hours to make sure he hadn't suffered major concussion, and were content to let him sleep now.
"I think Virgil needs you.."
Scott nodded at his father's words and stood up.
"He'll be okay dad. They both will…."
Jeff nodded and Scott left Alan's room. He padded down the hallway, staring round the door to Vigils room before going in.
"Virg? You okay?"
Virgil didn't move from his spot on the bed. He huddled close into himself.
"I didn't mean to...I just turned for a second…Its all my fault.."
Scot shook his head angrily and pulled Virgil into a hug.
"Don't be so stupid Virgil! Of course it wasn't your fault! It wasn't Allie's fault. It was just one of those things…"
Virgil sobbed against his brother, not able to quell the feeling of guilt in his stomach.
Gordon stared at the body of his brother in horror.
He looked into Scott's eyes and saw his own pain and fright reflected back at him. He was shaking and turned to his father.
"They're lying father….there has to be a way.."
Jeff wasn't listening. He was staring down at Alan in horror. Gordon knew the thoughts running through his head. He had been too late. He hadn't told Alan he was sorry and now it was too late to do anything about it.
Jeff slumped against the stretcher holding his son's body and caressed his face.
"My baby…my poor baby…"
Jeff may be willing to accept his son was gone, but Gordon was not.
"NO! He isn't dead! He isn't!"
Gordon lunged at the stretcher, but Scott pulled him back, tears running down his face as Gordon struggled against him, refusing to believe that Alan was dead.
"He cant! ALLIE! DON'T DIE!!! PLEASE!!! Please…"
The last came out as a whisper as Gordon started to cry. He struggled against Scott, bending over and trying not to let the tears escape.
"Don't let him die Scott…please…please…"
Scott pulled Gordon close to him, wanting to collapse, as Gordon's cries were agonising and painful. His younger brother pulled on Scott jacket, his words slightly muffled by the fabric, but Scott could easily read the pain in them.
"He can't leave me…He's my best friend…. What am I supposed to do without him?…"
Scott didn't know what to say. He looked over at his father, crying over the still form of his beloved son and Scott closed his eyes. This was going to kill Jeff. In retrospect, it probably already had.
Before anyone else could move, there was a loud wailing behind them. Scott froze. Oh shit. He turned Gordon still in his arms, to the pain filled face of his middle brother.
Alan padded slowly into the kitchen, the bandage still visible on his forehead. He walked over to the table and stood in front of his brother, his hands on his hips. Virgil refused to look up from his breakfast, and the rest of the family watched in interest.
"Why haven't you spoken to em yet? Are you mad at me?"
Virgil paused and put the spoon back in the bowl. He sighed slowly and turned pain filled eyes on his brother.
"No Allie…I'm mad at myself."
"Why?"
Alan sounded dumbfounded, his blonde eyebrows knitting into a frown.
"Because If I hadn't been at the waterfall with you.."
"Then I wouldn't have got to spend the day with my bestest big brother.."
Virgil froze.
"What did you say?"
Alan threw his arms around Virgil's neck and hugged him from the side.
"You saved me! That makes you the bestest big brother anyone could have! Thank you Virgie!"
Virgil, for the first time in four days, smiled.
Virgil touched Alan's face slowly before falling to his knees in the mud. The rain was petering out, but Virgil thought it fit the mood perfectly.
His brother was dead.
Virgil wanted to cry, He wanted o scream. He wanted to…Oh god…He felt the tears sliding down his cheeks, as he caressed Alans face.
"Allie…I'm so sorry…I let you down again didn't I?"
He choked on his tears and felt Jeff's strong hands on his shoulders. Falling into his father's embrace, he continued to talk to his brother.
"I love you so much Al…Please don't forget me...us…"
Virgil sighed slowly and clutched at the side of the stretcher in white knuckled hands. He shuddered before opening his mouth. There was one last thing he could give Alan. If he could remember it properly…
"I want to give you one last thing al…Its something Mum gave to me…that I thought you could use right now…"
Virgil felt his father stiffen behind him, and saw Both Gordon and Scott straighten out of the corner of his eye. Ignoring them all, he focused only on his brother's face.
He opened his mouth and began to sing…
Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heavens love
Alan Tracy stood., unsteady on the ground, He stared at himself in shock. A shudder ran through his body and he turned his eyes to his family. Gordon was crying into his brother's jacket. Alan approached him, caressing Gordon's forehead slowly whilst talking to Scott.
I love you big brother…you gave me everything I ever wanted…you were like my second father. Please don't ever stop protecting them,. I know now how much it means…and I love you the more for it..
"I love you too Al…"
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again
Alan closed his eyes, wishing he could be elsewhere. Almost instantly, he appeared in the space station Orbiting Earth. He whimpered as He saw John, collapsed against the console, tears running down his face.
Alan knelt beside him, caressing John's cheek lightly.
I know what you did for me John. All those times you thought I didn't. How you would make sure father didn't come down too hard on me. Or when you would be our buffer, between the countless arguments. And I never once thanked you. Did I? Well I am now John. Thank you. And I will always love you.
"You never needed to tell me…I always knew…"
Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Alan knew whom he had to speak to now. He had to let him know he wasn't alone. That he would always be there. Once again closing his eyes, Alan knelt down beside his brother, caressing Gordon's hair.
Oh Gordy…I'm so sorry…I never wanted to hurt you. I love you so much. You're my best friend and everything I ever wanted to be. I wish I could have been half the man you are…
"To me, you were so much more than I could ever be…"
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet
Alan heard Virgil's voice as clear as day. Knew that his brother was feeling pain more than anything. But there was still one person, Alan had to say goodbye to. A person who meant the world to him. And more.
He stared into their eyes, his heart beating faster.
I don't blame you. I hope you know that. The guilt you're feeling is misplaced. It was my decision too, remember, If I didn't want to go, you couldn't have made me. I don't blame you for me either. I understand how you felt. I know you loved me….do love me. And I love you. So much more than I ever let you know. And I hope you can forgive me. For never telling you how much you meant to me. How much you still mean to me. And promise me you'll take care of them,. They still need you. Now more than ever. He'll need you…
"Of course I promise. I love you too son…"
Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Alan stared at his elder brother, the words touching his heart in a way only Virgil knew how. He knelt in front of Virgil, touching his face. Unlike the others, Virgil looked directly at him, and gasped.
Virgil
Virgil opened his mouth to speak, and instead found himself crying. Alan wordlessly reached over and pulled his brother into a hug.
You shouldn't be sad Virgil. I'm not going anywhere. Not if you still love and believe in me.
"But it's not the same. Not without you…"
Alan didn't know what to say to make Virgil understand.
Listen to your song Virgil. It's not time for you yet. But it is for me. I won't ever stop loving you. Or them… He gestured vaguely to the rest of the family. But you have to go on Virgil…Please...I need you to take care of Gordy for me….
Virgil looked into Alan's eyes. He couldn't do it…"
"Why can't John?…"
Because Johns going to be needed. Scott will need him. trust me. Please. Virgil. I wont ever leave you. Alan touched Virgil's heart. I'm here. Always.
Virgil. Slowly and painfully, nodded.
Alan smiled slowly and hugged Virgil again.
I love you Virgil. And you're right…I do love the song..
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget
Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light
The last of the words faded away into the dark, rainy night, as the family of heroes stood around their youngest.
But for all that he was dead, he was not now, nor would he ever be, forgotten.
blinks
Whoa. Where the hell did that come from? Could have been better. Yet again. But...oh well.
R & R?
