Hi!!
Many thanks to all those who have reviewed, I do really appreciate it.
As for the points Claudette raised:
Firstly, yes the mystery man is dealt with.
And secondly, perhaps I don't make it very clear. This is the theory I was working on, though I'm no physicist either! - There are metal stairs leading to a concrete balcony. The pool of water the mystery man is lying in is in NO way touching the metal staircase. When Scott touches the man, he gets a shock and is thrown across the floor – 'Scott was flung through the air landing ungracefully in a heap.' Scott lands on the balcony floor (made of concrete). 'She handed him a large blanket, which Virgil used to roll Scott over on the dry concrete floor'. Once the connection to the electricity was broken Scott would not be 'live'. He is not laid in water or in contact with any other conductor. The stairs would not be 'live' as the concrete is stopping the electricity from flowing as far as the metal staircase.
Concrete can conduct electricity but it is unlikely to, it's a very complex solid. And its conductivity depends on many things including the quantities used in the mix, whether it's re-enforced, and the arrangement of the particles that make up the solid. Taking into account all these variables Virgil and Jaime would have been seriously unlucky for the concrete to conduct the electricity to the metal stairs. (I'm really not that mean!)
I hope that clears up any confusion. Jaime tells Virgil to use the blanket merely as a precaution; after all she is a Doctor and not a qualified electrician. My friend's father is however qualified, and assured me that this situation is perfectly viable!!
I hope that makes it a bit more understandable to any bewildered readers, sorry if I didn't make that clear enough, I have adapted chapter two so it's a bit more obvious.
Again, I'd just like to say a big thanks to everyone who has reviewed, without your encouragement I wouldn't have continued with this.
Okay well thanks again,
Kim
P.S. – Oh, yeah – here's chapter three!!
Watching From Above
Chapter ThreeHaving entrusted Scott to the care of Sgt. Major Air, Virgil sat at the bottom of the ramp on Thunderbird Two watching the military ambulance speed off into the distance. His vision was blurred as Gordon stepped in front of him.
"A mobile control is stored away in One." He said flatly, Virgil nodded in assent.
"I'd better get off." Virgil said wearily getting to his feet.
"Before you go." Gordon gestured inside the pod. "Can I have word?"
Virgil nodded and followed his younger brother into the confined area.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Gordon asked coolly. Virgil frowned momentarily confused.
"Gordy I'm sorry..."
"You're sorry?" Gordon mocked. "My brother nearly ...No actually he did die and you didn't even see fit to radio me and tell me and you're sorry?" He sounded patronising.
"Gordy, it all happened so quick." Virgil lamely tried to explain.
"Quick? Is that your excuse? Huh? It would have taken seconds to call me. Seconds. But no, instead I have to hear it off two squaddies. Yeah, nice guys, they came over and told me how sorry they where that one of ours got hurt." He laughed bitterly.
"I'm so sorry." Virgil apologised, massaging his temples and rubbing at his eyes.
"Not just that." Gordon continued. "But I was at mobile control" He over emphasised the 'I'. "I was in co-ordinating. You should have told me! I had a right to know for God's sake!!" Gordon's anger was getting the better of him now. "In case you hadn't noticed he's my brother too. I care too. I can't believe you didn't tell me." Silence filled the pod, but only for a few seconds.
"I just never ......" Virgil stopped himself completing that sentence. It would only further fuel Gordon's anger, but it was too late.
"You never what?" Gordon asked. "Never thought? That it? Did you forget me?"
"No." Virgil protested. "I just..."
"Well its OK. You can forget me now." Gordon fumed.
"Gordy..." Virgil reached out to him but Gordon pushed the hand away in one swift movement.
"I'm sorry." Virgil whispered.
"Yeah. Me too." Gordon said bitterly. "Go to Scott, Virgil. Make sure he's OK. And keep in touch this time."
"Gordon, I don't know what else to say. What do you want me to do?" Virgil was reaching his wits end.
"Just go away." Gordon said tonelessly.
"I'm sorry." Virgil said sincerely as he walked passed his younger brother.
"Yeah. I heard." Gordon's harsh reply drifted on the breeze, echoing in Virgil's head.
He was about two minutes from landing at Edleshaw when the radio bleeped. Virgil contemplated not answering it out of expectation it would be Gordon, but it was his father. "Hi dad!" he greeted, a little relieved.
"Virgil. Are you ok? You don't look so good, son." Jeff frowned in worry.
"I'm fine" Virgil reassured him, he hadn't really thought about him yet; he was too worried about Scott and things with Gordon.
"Well you don't look it." Jeff pushed.
"Dad." Virgil said exasperatedly "I'm just tired that's all. And worried." Jeff nodded though he didn't really accept the answer.
"Is there any news yet?" He asked anxiously.
Virgil shook his head. "No. I'm just about to land now. Got delayed on take off. Gordon... he ....err. He was a bit upset."
"Upset?" Jeff asked.
"Yeah. I er. Dad can we talk later, I've got to land now?" Virgil asked suddenly.
Jeff nodded, though not at all satisfied he knew what was going on. "Okay, as soon as you know anything."
"I'll let you know." Virgil finished for him.
Jeff sighed. "Any more than one night, I'll be out there myself."
"Dad, I don't think that's such a good idea. This is the British Army we're dealing with. The less they know about us the better." Virgil theorised.
"I know that Virgil, but that's my son in there and I won't have another day in the family like this one." He said sternly but gloomily.
"We're not going to get to see her today are we?" Virgil asked quietly after a few minutes.
"Your mother would understand, son." Jeff tried to smile, his faked enthusiasm didn't reach Virgil though, as had been intended.
"Thunderbird One this is Edleshaw Air Traffic Control you are clear to land. Please use Runway 2." An English voice interrupted the conversation.
"Hold on dad." Virgil switched frequencies. "Edleshaw Air Traffic Control this is Thunderbird One, will not need the use of a runway, am coming in vertically."
"Thunderbird One received."
"I'd better go Dad, it's been a while since I've done this. I need to concentrate." Virgil said quickly.
"I can take the hint, son. Look after Scott for me, keep in touch and look after yourself too." Virgil smiled. "Good luck with the landing, not that you need it. You're an excellent pilot Virgil, don't doubt yourself. Stay in touch. I'll talk to you later"
Virgil nodded "Okay."
"Base out."
"How is he?" Virgil rushed towards Jaime's familiar face.
"He'll be ok." She reassured him, leading him into a room and guiding him to a chair. "Here," she handed him a cup of coffee "You look like you need this more than me."
"What about organ damage and brain damage?" Virgil asked worriedly.
"No signs of any other damage what so ever." Jaime smiled.
"Thank God." Virgil sighed.
"He suffered from something called cardiogenic shock. We've treated it with a series of drugs. Its fairly common, probably caused by the heart failure from the original electric shock. I'd like to keep him in for observation but, I don't foresee any problems."
"Can I see him?" Virgil asked finally.
"Of course, follow me." She led him along a narrow corridor to a small side room. "He's drifting in and out of consciousness so try and be patient with him. The drugs he's been giving are very powerful so don't expect anything too coherent. When he does wake up fully, he's going to ache all over and he'll probably have a headache the size of a small continent. So he'll make for great company." She joked. "I'm sorry we can't offer you anything better than a comfy chair. There's showers down the hallway, I could probably find you a change of clothes?" She offered.
"No, it's okay. Thanks but I've got some..." Virgil sighed realising his change of clothes where in Thunderbird Two and probably home by now. "Thanks, that'd be great."
"What about food? Have you had anything to eat today?"
"I'm fine." Virgil answered quickly.
"Yes you look it." Jaime answered sarcastically, she tutted. "In fact I think I remember you saying something similar when you heard about Gordon's accident. About two minutes before you nearly passed out."
"I did not nearly pass out." Virgil defended.
"Maybe not, but you didn't look so hot for a while there. It was lucky I was on my holiday staying with Anna, I dread to think what kind of state you would have been in if we weren't there." Virgil looked over to Scott remembering that horrible day.
--##--
"Virg?"
"Hey Scott!! What's up? I thought were going to see that car today?"
"No. I.."
"Let me guess. You've seen it. It goes at the speed of light, has thousands of other gimmicks and you want me to check it out before you buy it?"
"No."
"You want me go in with you? 'Cos I'd really love to but I just haven't got the money right now. I'm just a lowly engineer not some big shot pilot in USAF"
"No. Virg this is serious."
"What's wrong?"
"There was an accident. It's ok, Dad's at the hospital with him. I'm sure he'll be ok, it probably sounds worse than it is that's all."
"What accident? Who?"
"Its Gordon. Dad wants us all at the hospital, said its serious.""Oh God."
"Listen I haven't told anyone yet. Can you ring John for me? I'll talk to Alan, he'll take it the worse."
"Virg?"
"Virg? You still there?"
"Er yeah. Talk to John. Yeah no problem."
"Thanks. He's at Queens Hospital, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Okay. I'll call Alan. I'm dreading this; he's going to worry like hell. At least Tin-tin'll be there. I mean that'll make it easier on him right? Because none of us can be there right now. Right?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, better just get it over with.""Okay. Oh Scott? Which hospital?"
"I told you Queens.""Right Queens."
"I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah."
"Are you OK, Virgil?"
"Yeah I'm fine."
"I think you'd better sit down."
--##--
"I don't think there'll be much still open" Jaime interrupted his daydream
"Sorry, what? I was miles away."
"Yeah I noticed. I'll see what I can get to eat. I'll be back later. Will you be ok?" Jaime asked obviously concerned.
"Me? Yeah I'll be fine. I'm fine, really." Virgil tried to convince her.
"All I can say is it's a good job I'm the doctor here. Because looking at you I'd say fine's the one thing you're definitely not."
The tannoy interrupted her lecture, to Virgil's relief. "Sergeant Major Air please report to the Colonels office immediately."
She sighed. "You don't get away that easily Virgil, I'll be back later." He smirked up at her. "I think we need to talk".
"Dad?" Jeff looked up from the paperwork he was reading over to see his second youngest son standing nervously at the open door. He knew instantly something was wrong.
"Come on in son, what is it?" He asked anxiously as Gordon closed the door silently and slumped down into a seat. Jeff watched him as he sighed heavily, running a hand over his hair momentarily flattening the copper strands. Jeff's features took the form of worry as he sat down alongside his son. It was truly unusual to see the young man so down and Jeff was reminded of his earlier conversation with Virgil.
"He was a bit upset."
"Is this about your mother?" Jeff came to the obvious conclusion. "About today?"
"Kind of." Gordon mumbled.
"You want to talk about it?" Jeff asked seeing his son's discomfort.
There where a few minutes of silence. "No." The reply came. Gordon lifted his head up to meet his fathers gaze. "I need to fly to England." He said quickly.
Jeff was taken back a little but his frown soon turned into a smile. "Son, Scott is going to be just fine. Virgil rang in a few minutes ago to say he might be home as soon as tomorrow. He's absolutely fine. No serious damage what so ever."
"No, you don't understand." Gordon explained frustratedly. "I need to talk to Virgil."
"And you can't just call him?" Jeff asked more than a little confused.
"No." Gordon replied. "No, I can't and it can't wait either." Jeff watched as Gordon suddenly sprang to his feet and began pacing the floor in front of him. "I have to talk to him and explain. Face to face, it's the least he deserves after..." He stopped and looked up directly at his father. Jeff could see clearly the pleading in his eyes, that look only came when he was truly sorry about something, usually a prank that he'd played.
"After what?" Jeff asked slowly studying carefully the look of extreme guilt that smudged Gordon's features. "I think you'd better sit down and tell me exactly what's going on. Don't you?"
'No' was the immediate answer in Gordon's head but he knew better than to say it out loud. That voice was not to be argued with and he knew it, he sat down slowly daring not to resist his father.
He began softly, his head hung low. "After they'd got all those soldiers out, Scott told me to start boxing up mobile control. So I did that and I was half way through doing it when these two guys came over. They started telling me how sorry they were that one of ours got killed helping them. I didn't have a clue what they were talking about; anyway eventually I got it out of them. Scott had been hurt, he was dead. I just ran as fast as I could straight into the building. That's when Virgil and Jaime told me what'd happened." Gordon paused momentarily sighing.
"Virgil should have told me." He sounded as though he was trying to convince himself more than tell his father. "I was, I guess I was hurt. That he didn't think of me. I was just so angry, I thought, I don't know what I thought." He sighed again exasperatedly.
"After Scott had gone in the ambulance." Gordon continued still holding his head low, his gaze firmly sealed to the floor. "I told Virgil that I wanted to talk to him." Jeff just listened intently not wanting to interrupt the anguished replay of events. Gordon placed his head in his hands. "Oh God" he sighed, as he rubbed his face. "I'm so selfish. All the time, I was thinking about me. About how I felt not knowing, how I felt seeing him brought out on that...." He paused again. "I never thought about him, how he felt. He looked like hell and the last thing he needed was me yelling my head off at him. I was horrible to him dad, really horrible. He didn't deserve that." Eventually he rested his watery eyes on his fathers face. "I need to go and tell him I'm sorry"
"Oh Gordon." Jeff exhaled deeply, "I'm sure your brother knows that"
"I'm sure he doesn't dad. You didn't hear the things I said, what I said. I was completely out of order, the way I spoke to him. He was upset, I could tell. And instead of offering him a shoulder to cry on, like he would have done for me. I yelled at him. I made him feel worse." He paused. "I need him to know that I'm really sorry. That I never meant it. It was just I...." He struggled to find the voice for his words; he knew what he wanted to say. "I let it all get to me and I lashed out" Gordon looked forlornly at his father. As if reading his mind, he continued. "I know it's a lot of flying for me but I can do it. I have to." He tried unsuccessfully to read his fathers expression. "If you don't let me go. I won't get any sleep anyway." He said adamantly. "Please Dad." He begged. "I'll do anything."
Jeff sighed, placing a hand on his sons shoulder. "Gordon, I know that this day, today, it's hard on all of us but we have to try not to let it get to us. Your mother wouldn't want you to be unhappy son, or be angry at each other."
"So I can go?" Gordon asked eagerly.
"Hear me out. I know today was very hard on you, but you have to try and understand Virgil's point of view too. He was there; he was on the front line. The things you heard, he saw with his own two eyes. And I think you'll agree that'll be hard for him too. Yes, he should have let you know Gordon, but he was in shock. Wasn't he?" Gordon nodded solemnly. "You're going to have to learn to control who you lash out at son. We are all hurting; we're all in the same boat here, Virgil if anything more. You need to find a better way of coping, Gordon. You can't just get angry at the people you're close to."
"I know that. That's why it's so important that I go. That I tell him. He thinks I hate him and if I leave it it'll just get worse." Gordon said miserably.
Jeff summed the argument up in his head. There were a few minutes of silence.
"Take the Storm tiger I want you there and back as soon as possible. Ok?" Gordons head shot up.
"Really?" Jeff nodded. "Thanks Dad" Gordon said sincerely.
"He'll understand, son."
Gordon was already on his feet and hovered by the door. "I hope so. He was pretty shaken up himself." He paused. "I should have been there for him."
"Go carefully." Jeff warned.
"Thanks Dad." Gordon smiled before heading down the corridor. And for a small second the irresistible cheeky sparkle was back.
Jeff stood and poured himself a drink before returning to the soft leather chair, sinking into it. He drank slowly, the evening was slowly drawing in and he sat thinking about his wife, his boys. He knew Scott was safe and not dangerously ill but he'd still feel better when he was home.
He knew he'd made the right decision about Gordon, if he hadn't let him go things would have escalated. And yes, it meant International Rescue was short handed but it reminded him of the one thing that this day instilled in him; his family was more important to him than anything.
"Hi." Jaime greeted as she walked into the room.
"Hey." Virgil smiled. "He woke up for a bit. He was trying to stay awake but I told him to go to sleep". She returned the smile.
"Yes, he needs his rest." Her attention turned to the conscious man in the room. "So do you."
"I keep telling you."
"Your fine. Yes I know." Jaime changed the subject quickly. "I've brought you some clothes and I've managed to convince the kitchen staff to rustle us up something to eat." She placed the neatly folded garments on the edge of the bed.
"Thanks." Virgil smiled again, stifling a yawn.
"They'll be ages yet. Why don't you go and get a shower?" She waited a few minutes for a reply but none came. "I'll stay with Scott." She encouraged.
"Yeah." Virgil said eventually. "I'll go in a minute". Jaime took a chair and pulled it closer. She watched Virgil's unflinching gaze as he watched the older mans every murmur.
"What's so bad about today?" She asked eventually.
"What do you mean?" Virgil asked, turning to face her.
"Well, when we were treating Scott you said 'not today of all days'. So what's so bad about today?" She explained inquisitively.
Virgil turned to face her directly, he hadn't meant for that comment to be heard. "Its fourteen years since our mom died today."
"Oh." Jaime studied the floor. "I'm sorry." Virgil just nodded curtly. There was a pause. "It must be hard." Jaime said softly.
"Sometimes." The reply was even softer.
"I know it's not much of a consolation but I'm sure she'd be proud of you all. What you are, what you do is phenomenal." The sincerity in her voice was comforting.
"Thanks." Virgil didn't know what else to say.
"But?" Jaime prodded knowing that sentence was not yet complete.
"But you're right. Its not much of a consolation." He admitted, smiling weakly.
"I know. Sorry." There where a few minutes of silence, not uncomfortable just thinking time for both of them. Virgil looked at her to see the Officer studying him quite carefully.
"What?" He asked suspiciously.
"I was just thinking about how much you've changed since the last time I saw you." Her words made Virgils frown deeper. "You must miss her too. Anyone could've seen how deeply in love you were." Virgil didn't respond. He didn't know how to. She continued. "I know I do. Miss her I mean."
"I do." He admitted eventually. "There isn't a day gone by when I don't think about her."
"She would have been so proud of you. To know what you've done with your life since..." She halted but began again a few moments later. "She'd be proud of what you've become, proud that you've moved on now. That first day, when we where at mum and dad's, I never thought I'd see the day when you smiled again."
"Jaime, I'm nothing special, people deal with worse things." Virgil protested.
"No, I disagree and I'm sure your father would too, he knows what its like. I suppose that helped." She enquired.
"Not really." Virgil turned to face her suddenly remorseful. "It made it harder. That's why I didn't tell him."
Jaime nodded before the realisation of what he'd just said dawned on her. She abruptly stopped nodding. "What do you mean 'didn't tell him'?" She asked aghast.
"I never told him. I never told any of them. You know what it's like, you said yourself how people treated you differently." He explained.
"Not family!" Her eyes grew wider, disbelieving of what she was being told. "What about Scott? Surely he knows?"
Virgil shook his head. "When it all happened he was having a few problems himself. I didn't want to offload my problems on him too. Everyone leans on Scott but I try not to. He'd have worried and he needed to sort himself out first."
"That's very considerate of you." Jaime said slowly "But what about you? Who did you lean on?"
"I didn't. I have my memories." He added defensively.
"Sometimes memories aren't enough. We all need someone to take care of us once in a while, Virg." She sighed. "I can't believe you didn't tell them. I mean I always thought you were really close."
"We are." Virgil tried to explain it wasn't how it seemed. "Its just, well, I had my reasons and I'm glad I didn't tell any of them. Having them treat me like I'm a china doll, in danger of breaking all the time. Can you imagine what that would be like?" He sighed, frustrated, as he didn't seem to be getting through to her.
"Maybe it wouldn't be like that. Maybe they'd understand." Virgil smirked at the thought knowing they could never truly understand. "Didn't they notice?" Jaime asked finally.
"Well, I didn't really see any of them a lot once I'd moved to New York and we only spoke over the vidfone. If I'd been upset or something. I just wouldn't answer or I'd tell them I was just about to get in the shower and put it on sound only. It was easier than telling them the truth. And once I'd done it I carried on. It was hard at first but soon it became like second nature. Why do you think I called you all the time in England?"
"Virgil, I don't think you want to know what I think..." Her reply came harsh with compassion.
"But you're going to tell me anyway. Right?" Virgil assumed.
"Damned right I am!" She exclaimed. "I think your silly! You've got this amazing family around you, to love and support you and what do you do? Bottle it up. I can't believe you managed to hide it from them all. They must've known something was wrong."
Virgil quickly explained. "They thought I was finding the new job difficult". He was suddenly reminded of the night Scott had found him, almost unconscious through drinking.
"I think you're scared."
Virgil looked up disapprovingly. "I'm not scared."
"Let me ask you something." Jaime turned awkwardly in her chair. "Are you planning on keeping this a secret forever? I mean do you think they won't find out?"
"Jaime...."
"Its nothing to be ashamed of." She spoke over him. "You should be proud."
"Better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all?" Virgil quipped bitterly. "I could quite cheerfully strangle the guy that said that. What an idiot! He obviously never did either." Jaime smiled softly.
"You need to tell them, Virg. I know it's hard but you made it hard by not telling them in the first place. Can't you at least tell Scott? Or your father?" Jaime pushed him a little.
"You have no idea. I can't tell Dad or Scott or anyone. What happened with Anna is in the past and nothing is going to change that. I can talk until I'm blue in the face but it'll still be the same. Besides I'm managing fine now." He defended himself yet again.
"How would you feel if what happened to you had happened to Scott and he hadn't seen fit to tell you? Huh? You're not supposed to have secrets like this. What are you going to do if they find out? Have you thought of that? Don't you think they'll be more hurt that you didn't tell them? That they couldn't help you." Jaime's word made sense and Virgil was flummoxed as to how to reply.
"Thousands of people deal with this kind of thing by themselves all the time."
"Yes, but not because they want to. Because they have to. They have no-one else." Jaime's voice rose slightly as she became more frustrated. A gentle knock on the door calmed her down as a young man stuck his head round.
"Ma'am, Chef says your foods ready and Colonel Jeffries wants a word with you." The young man addressed Jaime.
"Oh fantastic!" She sighed sarcastically. "Okay well, tell Chef I'll pick the food up in a few minutes and would you tell the Colonel I've been unavoidably detained but I'll be with him as soon as I can."
"Yes Ma'am." The young man nodded and turned to leave.
"Thankyou Corporal." She waited until the door had shut. "I think you had better go and get that shower. I'll wait until you get back then I'll have to find Jeffries before he bounces back off the ceiling." She smiled before cocking her head to one side. "Virgil, you've done really well but you don't have to do this on your own. Please tell them, or if not all of them, Scott at least. If not for you then for him, he deserves to know after everything you've been through together."
Virgil got up heading for the door. "Anna is not a part of my life anymore." He picked the clothes up that Jaime had left him and with that he was gone.
Jaime sighed and ran a finger over her neatly tied up hair. "No, but she's still got a hold on your heart. Hasn't she?" she whispered to herself.
Just as no one had seen them open, Scotts blue eyes closed without comment as he drifted off to a peaceful slumber, aware of only one thing; Virgil's secret was no longer secret.