Hello!!
Just wanted to say thank you for all the reviews I have received, thanks for the encouragement.
Here's chapter four, hope you like it. And please, keep reviewing!!
Thanks,
Kim
Watching from Above
Chapter Four
Virgil's sleep was far from peaceful, the chair hardly being the most comfortable place to spend the night. Its hard plastic dug deeply into his back and he was painfully reminded of the fatigue in his muscles, particularly in his shoulders and back, caused by the earlier rescue. Jolts of pain and the murmurings of the man he watched kept him from sleep.
He eventually succumbed to exhaustion.
Jaime stayed by the door.
Gordon entered the room. He wasn't surprised to see his older brother asleep in the chair by Scott. He looked as pale as he had done at the rescue sight and Gordon suddenly hesitated on whether to wake him. Maybe he needed his rest. 'No' he told himself 'its no good trying to put things off.' With that he placed a cold, shaky hand on Virgil's large shoulder. Gently trying to wake the older man.
"Virg?" He shook him softly. "Virgil?" No response came, he paused. "Wake up I need to talk to you." Another little shake. This time a grumbled response came. "Virgil?" Suddenly his eyes shot open and his body tensed as his gaze flew straight away to Scott's sleeping form. Seeing his older brother was fine, he redirected his vision to the younger man now crouched beside him.
"Gordon?" He asked. Not understanding what his younger sibling was doing here, he asked the obvious question. "What are you doing here?"
"Hmm" Scott murmured as he shifted slightly. "Gordon?"
Virgil looked at Gordon but moved forward, placing a hand on Scott's shoulder. "Shh" he soothed. "Go back to sleep Scott"
"Gordy?" Scott's head swivelled towards Virgil's voice as dazed eyes focused very slowly on Virgil.
"Go back to sleep." Virgil told him, frowning slightly at the fog that showed no signs of clearing, evident in Scott's eyes.
"'S Gordon..." he took a breath, too exhausted to finish the question in one go, "here?"
Gordon noticed Virgil's glance at him, being one of displeasure obviously at the fact that he'd woken Scott. "Shh. You just rest okay?"
"Hmm" he murmured again snuggling his head further into the soft pillows. " Don't want to go." He muttered clearly before speaking too softly for anyone to hear.
Virgil saw Gordon raise an eyebrow at the incoherent comment and gave him a berating look. He turned his attention back to Gordon as Scott complied with his wishes and seemed to be going back to sleep.
"What are you doing here Gords?" His tone wasn't nasty, just tired and confused. "I called Dad, I told him to tell you all Scott'll be fine." He frowned slightly perplexed at his brother's sudden arrival.
Gordon looked away, feeling guilty. "Yeah. I know but I wanted to see you." His words hung in the air as Virgil's frown dropped. Would this turn into another argument? If so he didn't need it right now.
Neither brother said anything, as Gordon felt increasingly uncomfortable and guilty.
"Can we talk?" Gordon asked nervously.
Virgil looked back at Scott. "I don't want to wake him. He needs his rest, he's exhausted."
Gordon nodded understanding. "Can't we go somewhere else? It's important." He added the last part on, hesitating slightly.
Virgil took a deep intake of breath. "I don't want to leave him on his own. He keeps waking up and he's a little disorientated." Gordon could see he was making excuses and he knew why – Virgil didn't want a repeat of what happened in the pod.
Virgil fidgeted in his uncomfortable chair. "Virg, please." Gordon didn't know what else to say. His voice was soft, a pleading tone to it. Virgil caught the look in his eye, a look he hadn't seen since Gordon was a child.
Jaime took the chance to intervene. She stepped into the room, alerting Virgil to her presence. "I'll stay with Scott." She told them in no uncertain terms. "You can go to my office. Down the corridor, turn left and it's your third door on the right. She handed Gordon the key."
"I thought you'd gone home?" Virgil asked.
"Well, I was on my way and someone said there was a madman at the gatehouse." She gestured toward Gordon. "So I went and let him in!" The joke did not fulfil its purpose in lifting the tension. Virgil shook his head.
"You should go home. You've done more than enough already." Virgil told her solemnly.
"It's the least I can do. I don't mind, honestly." She paused. "Go and talk."
Those last words where aimed at Virgil and he knew exactly what she was trying to say.
"If you're sure." Virgil felt he was outnumbered.
"Positive." The reply came quickly, no hesitation whatsoever.She winked at Gordon as the two brothers made their way out of the room. He mouthed 'thank you' in her direction as she took the seat Virgil had just vacated.
Jaime sat in quite contemplation. She knew little of what Gordon and Virgil where 'talking' about but she could tell it was important. She remembered what Gordon had said to her earlier that day: -
"You look upset?" she kicked herself for saying something so blindingly stupid but couldn't' think of anything else.
"I am" Gordon said flatly. "But luckily for Virgil I'm professional enough to not let it interfere with the priority. Which at the moment is Scott."
And she could feel the tension in the room, both brothers unsure how to deal with the other. She pondered if this had something to do with their mother's death. Gordon looked as guilty as he had felt and both brothers where obviously upset. But then it's the anniversary of their mother's death and their brother, well, technically he did die. So who wouldn't be upset? She kidded herself that the problem would easily be resolved. Whatever the problem was, Virgil wasn't the kind to hold a grudge and wouldn't want for there to be unresolved issues between him and his brothers. She couldn't help but wonder, surmise a little as to what was being said...
Gordon silently closed the door behind his brother; neither had spoken a word yet. Both not wanting to start something that neither of them could finish. They stood wordlessly in the well-illuminated room. Eventually it was Virgil that spoke.
"Look, Gordon. I've apologised. I don't know what else you want me to do." He was fully expecting Gordon to resume his earlier argument. So he was quite taken back when Gordon's only response was a soft.
"I know."
The awkward silence returned.
Gordon breathed heavily. He had worked this moment over so many times in his head. Ever since his father said he could come, his mind had been racing to work out what he would say to Virgil. Though he knew what he wanted to say, it was more how to say it. It just seemed to be the hardest task to formulate the sentences he wanted. It felt wrong, alien to him. Arguing with Alan or their father was commonplace. Scott too, even John occasionally but not Virgil. Virgil was the levelheaded one, firm but always fair. He was neither the aggressor nor the defender but more often than not the mediator. Gordon looked troubled at his brother, he suddenly understood why Scott relied on Virgil so much, and why they disagreed so little. Virgil was like the calm in a Tracy storm. Unfazed by most things he was the most reliable, steadfast, balanced,...
"How did you get here?" Virgil interrupted Gordon's thoughts as he changed the subject successfully.
"Storm Tiger." Gordon answered quickly.
Virgil raised an eyebrow. "Does Dad know you're here?"
"Yeah." Gordon replied. "I told him everything. What happened at the rescue, what I err... what I said."
"Oh." Virgil's response was a gentle sigh as he sat in one of the leather armchairs that decorated the room.
"Virgil, I'm so sorry." Gordon irrupted. "I never meant to say those things. I was just..." The younger man struggled to finish the sentence and it hung ominously in the air. "I let everything get to me and I took it out on you at the worst possible moment. I'm sorry." He repeated, Virgil could tell. You always could with Gordon. The sincerity was clear in his eyes and the tone of voice he used. Gordon leant on a filing cabinet; he was expecting Virgil to reply along the lines of 'well, so you should be.' That's what Scott would have done, no, Gordon thought, Scott would never have let him do that in the first place. He watched his older brother as he sighed heartily. Running his long fingers through his unkempt chestnut hair.
"You where right." He finally conceded. "I should have told you, Gords." There where a few moments of silence before he continued. Gordon knew there was more to come and didn't interrupt. "It was just that when we first got to him. He wasn't breathing and his heart had stopped." He paused, as if remembering though the memories didn't need to be brought to the surface, they where already there and would be for a while yet. "It seemed like forever before he was breathing on his own again." He continued slowly. "Jaime went to get help, I err" Virgil stumbled. "I had to keep him talking, stop him from going to sleep." He turned to Gordon. "I just never had the time Gords. I'm sorry but I didn't dare stop giving him 100 of my attention. As it was he was drifting and I had to keep him awake. I'm sorry."
Gordon saw the pained look in his older brothers eyes as he met his gaze.
"Oh, Virgil. I had no idea." Gordon sighed moving to sit in the armchair opposite his brother. "I didn't even let you explain. I didn't get the facts. I just exploded. I'm so sorry. I just felt so angry, that this could happen. I mean, as if it's not bad enough with mom, let alone Scott." He sighed. "I'm not trying to make excuses, there is no excuse. I'm really sorry."
"Yeah. Well, that makes two of us then." Virgil smiled.
"Yeah but what I did to you was much worse." Gordon continued at Virgil's frowned expression. "I pushed you away. I was selfish. I was thinking of me. Of how much I hurt, how angry I was. I didn't once think about how you where feeling. You and Scott have done so much for us...."
"Gordon..." The attempt at an interruption was unsuccessful.
"You've always been there for us. Helped and supported us. And the one time you needed me. Look what I did! You'd never even think of doing that to me."
"Hey. Stop it!" Virgil sat on the edge of the seat leaning toward Gordon. Who now sat with his head in his hands. "Stop beating yourself up about this. Look, we were both wrong in how we acted. We've both apologised. That's the end of it." Virgil's words held an air of finality but Gordon thought otherwise.
"I let you down. I let myself down." Gordon said miserably.
"Gordon. You listen to me." Virgil perched on the arm of Gordon's chair. Looking at him full in the face. "You didn't let anyone down out there. You did really well. We were all worried about Scott, but you remained professional. I'm proud of you. And Scott and Father will be too."
There was a long pause. During which neither brother spoke.
"I wish I could be like you." Gordon said softly.
"What?" Virgil asked astonished.
"Nothing ever gets to you." Virgil was reminded of picking Gordon up from his trip to Europe, when International Rescue was first being formed. Something was getting to him then.
"Don't you believe it." He said sternly. He paused, for quite some time. "It hurts me too, y'know?"
Gordon looked up momentarily confused.
"Its hard for everyone. She would have been so proud of you." Gordon should've known better than to think Virgil would not know the real reason for his outburst.
"I miss her so much Virg." He could feel the tears welling in his eyes.
"Hey. Come on, we all do." He placed a comforting arm around his younger brother, which only served to release the welled tears. "It's okay." Virgil pulled him closer.
"Its not okay." Gordon sniffed. "Scott nearly died. It was just too much. It was all too much."
"Shh" Virgil comforted him. "Scott's fine. We're all fine. That's all that matters right now."
Gordon pulled away, frantically wiping his tear streaked face. "How can you stay so calm?" He asked in awe.
"Calm? Gordon you didn't see me in there. We were doing CPR on Scott for...ever. Even I was beginning to think..." He paused. "Well, lets just say I wasn't exactly calm, as such." He smiled. "Today's been hard on all of us Gords. I think maybe we should just wake up tomorrow and pretend it didn't happen. Put it behind us."
"I agree. Thanks Virg. I don't know what I'd do without you and Scott." He sighed.
"Yeah. Well hopefully for us and unfortunately for you, you'll never have to find out." Virgil smiled, Gordon smiled back.
"That's better." Virgil smile widened. He tousled his brothers copper hair into an untidy mess.
"I'm sorry about today..."
"Yesterday and you have nothing to be sorry for!" Virgil corrected him.
"Yesterday." Gordon laughed but it soon faded to a frown of sorrow. "It gets to me that I can't remember her. No matter how hard I try." He admitted slowly.
"I know. In that respect it's harder for you and Alan than the rest of us. Did you get to see Mom today?" Virgil asked, a firm arm still round Gordon's shoulder.
He nodded. "Yeah. After we got back. John and Brains had just landed. John's staying tonight, he's going back to Five tomorrow. Then Alan and Brains will pick him up later on in the week, he's due home."
"Is he okay?" Virgil enquired.
"As okay as any of us I guess." Gordon admitted.
"I think we might go tomorrow to see Mom. We'll have to see how Scott feels." Virgil pondered. A beeping from Gordon's watch broke the silence.
"Damn. Its Dad." Gordon swore.
"Don't answer it. I'll call him back. Tell him you left already." Gordon smiled his thanks.
"I'd better get going. I'll see you tomorrow." Virgil nodded.
"Yeah." He replied as both brothers got to their feet. "Remember if you need to talk, I'm always here."
Gordon nodded. "I'm..."
"Don't say it. You've got nothing to be sorry for." Virgil interrupted him.
"For crying like a baby?" Gordon smiled.
"You are still a baby!" Virgil smiled as he hugged his brother tightly. "You'll always be a baby!"
"Thank you." The words where whispered into his shoulder but he heard them plain enough.
"Go! I'll stall Dad for you." Virgil smiled.
"See you." With those final words Gordon left for home, feeling a hell of a lot better than before.
Virgil sighed heavily, plopping into one of the chairs. He was exhausted. He sat alone for a few minutes, trying to compose himself. Much as his younger brothers believed that nothing ever got to him, they didn't know the truth. Lots of things got to Virgil Tracy. His mother's death being right at the top of the list. He was jolted from his reverie as his watch bleeped. He opened the channel.
"Hi Dad!" he smiled forcefully.
"Son, is Gordon there?"
"No, he left a few minutes ago, Dad." Lying wasn't a habit for Virgil but the last thing Gordon needed right now was a lecture on being short staffed. He could make exceptions, especially for Gordon. After all, he was still in Gordon's debt for snapping at him months ago, he was thankful that Gordon had never pushed for an apology. It was almost like he understood; it was never personal. Two images stuck in his mind when he thought of Gordon. The first one being the horrific sight of him after the hydrofoil accident. The second being the scared child that had clung to Virgil for dear life throughout their mother's funeral, not once letting go.
"Oh. Okay then. Are you alright?" Jeff asked concerned.
"Yeah. I'm surviving." Maybe that was a lie too; he didn't feel as though he was surviving. He felt fit to drop.
"Gordon's calling in now. I'd better go. Get some sleep. Keep me informed."
"I will" Virgil promised.
"Okay. Base Out" His father signed off and Virgil stood, locking the door behind him. He returned to Scott's room, thinking of Gordon. He sighed realising Jaime had been right: - 'sometimes memories just aren't enough'.
He woke the next morning with some difficulty. His eyelids where heavy, eventually he prized them apart. His mind felt fuzzy, empty, eventually he focused. As he looked around the room he suddenly felt panicked 'Where am I?' the only clear thought to surface from his muddled brain. His eyes focused on the younger man sleeping uncomfortably by his bed. Suddenly his panic lessened, he frowned as he tried to remember what had happened. A series of images flashed quickly through his mind like watching a video of his life in fast forward.
XXXXX
"There's someone up there"
Splashes echoed off the walls as his boots disturbed the thin puddles of water on the hard floor.
"SCOTT!!!!" "NOOO!" The pain, surging through his body like.........like electricity?
"Just stay awake Scott. You're going to be fine but you have to stay awake. Okay?" Virgil sighed. The look of worry on his face the panic behind his eyes. Scott could read it all and he knew what it meant.
XXXXX
He remembered. The why, where and how. He remembered it all now. His gaze rested on Virgil sleeping beside him awkwardly. The lines of concern still clearly written on his face. His tired features fully illuminated by the early morning sun. Scott studied the hard plastic chair concluding that his brother must indeed have been exhausted to fall asleep in the monstrosity.
"Hello Scott. Nice to have you back with us this morning." His attention was diverted as Jaime stood in the doorframe, speaking in a low whisper; she held her coat in her hand.
"Jaime. Did you two get any sleep?" He was dismayed as his voice sounded odd, though it was a true reflection of how his body felt - weak and tired. He cleared his throat. "What were you doing all night? You look awful." He was surprised at how hollow he sounded, he raised an eyebrow suggestively.
She looked away shaking her head and tutting. "You know if that's the what you say to all the girls, it's no wonder you're still single."
"Hey!" Scott defended himself. "I'll have you know there's plenty of girls I know would walk over hot coals for me." He spoke softly. He couldn't manage much more than softly but he didn't want to wake Virgil either. He grinned widely to show he was joking.
Jaime raised an eyebrow. "Plenty of girls?" She asked pulling a mock-confused face as she looked around before stepping into the room. "No. I don't see any big ques. Poor boy! Must be delirious." She placed her coat on his bed, walked up to him and raised her hand to his brow.
Scott scoffed loudly and struggled to hide the agony as a jolt of pain shot down his side. Jaime picked up on it, sitting gently back on the bed. "Pain? You've got a few bruised ribs. We think you must've landed awkwardly probably on your arm, and you took a nasty knock to the head too. Do you remember what happened?"
"I got a text book electric shock. I was stupid; fools rush in and all." He smiled sweetly at her. "And then this angel saved my life." He grinned dramatically, she shook her head again.
"I'll tell Virgil you said that. I'm sure he'll appreciate it." She couldn't help but grin.
"No, seriously." The grin faded to a solemn face. "Thanks."
"We haven't finished with you yet!" The grin was back, though Scott knew she had understood perfectly what he was trying to say. "Apart from the ribs giving you problems. Anything else? How do you feel in general?"
"I feel tired, I ache all over and I have a headache that suggests I emptied my fathers liquor cabinet last night." He tried to smile but his energy was fast fading and he concentrated on keeping his eyes open instead.
"Well I'll give you some medication for the muscle fatigue and I can prescribe you some painkillers for the ribs but you're going to have to promise me that you'll take it easy. Bed rest for at least the next two days." Scott pulled a face obviously disliking the idea. "You need to take it slowly. Your body needs time to readjust and you're going to have to give it that time. No rescues for at least a week, two if those ribs don't heal quickly." Scott's face told the story and Jaime could see these ideas where not appealing. "I know you're not going to like this but you don't have to like it, you just have to do it. I'll find out if you don't follow my orders Mr Tracy but quite frankly it's in your interests to. If you don't, I'll be seeing you again in a few weeks time." Her words where stern. She was the kind of woman to demand respect and nine times out of ten she got it.
"I'll let you get some rest." She stood up from the bed, seeing his tired eyes blink getting slower opening again, each time. "Start as you mean to go on" She smiled at Scott's already drowsy features. "Did you want anything? A glass of water?"
Scott shook his head stifling a yawn. "Is he ok?" He gestured to his sleeping brother.
Jaime nodded picking up her coat. "He was a little shaken up. But he's all right. Needs to sleep though, leave him as long as you can, will you?" The only response was a nod of the head as Scott's gaze returned to his brother; even asleep he knew something wasn't quite right.
"What about the guy? He was dead?" Scott asked distractedly.
"Yeah, he's dead. The primary charge would have killed him; he was dead long before you reached him. Still haven't worked out who he is yet, SIB are trying to identify him, I'll let you know. You were lucky the charge was strong enough to throw you clear. If you'd landed in the water, the outcome could have been very different."
"I don't feel very lucky." Scott massaged his bruised arm.
She smiled in return. "A few bruises are a small price to pay for your life."
The PA system suddenly sprung to life as a stiff English, male voice broke the quiet; "All Green team – First Call. Please report for role call. Sergeant Major Air please report to the colonels office for duty. Repeat First Call Green Team and Sergeant Major Air please report for duty."
Jaime tutted. "Fantastic!" She said sarcastically. She walked towards the door. "Damn you Scott Tracy you made me late!" She grinned.
"See I told you! You just can't help yourself. The ladies love me!" He wasn't sure where that reply had come from, he was already half asleep.
"I'm no lady!" The reply was slung over her shoulder as she hurriedly made her way out of the room. Only just said in time for Scott to hear before he wilfully returned to the land of dreams.
Scott woke again a few hours later; he looked up to find Virgil studying him intently.
"Hey." He said softly.
"Hey" Virgil smiled. "How are you feeling?"
"Don't ask that question." The reply was low, as Scott blinked heavily. Eventually closing his eyes against the feeling.
"That bad huh?" The only reply was a nod.
Virgil silently assessed his brother. He seemed more alert than last night, which was a start; he didn't seem disorientated at all.
"I'm fine." Virgil smirked at the firm response. Scott could feel his eyes on him. He slowly looked at his brother. "Really." Virgil's smirk widening was his only response.
"Do you remember what happened?" He asked gently.
Scott nodded. "Yeah." He paused, working up the courage to speak. "I'm sorry, Virg" he managed eventually. Virgil's face took on a look of confusion.
"I shouldn't have gone up there by myself. I should have waited for you." Scott explained. "I'm sorry I got myself into this mess." His voice sounded stronger.
"Scott, don't be. These things happen. Do you remember everything?" Virgil frowned.
"Not really. I remember the look on your face as clear as you're sitting there. Was Gordon here?" Scott vaguely remembered hearing his brother's voice. "Or did I make that up?"
"No." Virgil smiled. "Gordon was here. You where talking a load of rubbish though. Something about ice cream and then not wanting to go to somewhere I couldn't understand."
Scott smiled nervously, slightly embarrassed. "Sorry." Virgil laughed.
"Wow, that's like twice in the space of five minutes. I could get used to this Scott Tracy who's always apologising."
They both smiled. Scott's faded first.
"You look tired." He said worriedly.
"You don't exactly look your best either right now." The attempt was to put Scott's worried expression at ease but it hadn't worked and still his eyes bored into Virgil, wanting an explanation.
"Gordon and I talked a lot last night. We had a bit of an altercation." Scott raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Its sorted now."
"What was it about?" Virgil knew Scott would want to know all the details but he'd promised Gordon it would stay between them and he would never break a promise.
"Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about." The reply was jovial but the sincerity was there.
"So what should I be worried about?" Scott asked suspiciously.
"Nothing! Scott you just look after yourself. This isn't like a scuffed knee. Its serious, you need to take care of yourself. Rest up for a while."
"Virgil..." Scott wasn't up for a lecture, least of all from the brother that functioned off coffee, staying up late to finish testing and designs with Brains. "...It's really not that bad. I'll be fine in a couple of days."
"No. You won't and it's not fine." Scott was shocked at the edge to his brother's voice, it was harsh and completely out of character for Virgil. He looked up, his gaze obviously conveying his surprise as Virgil apologised. "I didn't mean to snap, but you didn't see yourself Scott." Virgil's voice was quiet now.
"Jaime said you were a little shaken up?" Scott asked hesitantly.
Virgil seemed to be thinking about his reply. "Maybe I was a little. I guess I didn't expect to see you being flung through the air like that." He paused. "But that's not the point. This isn't to be taken lightly Scott." He looked to his older brother. Virgil didn't often get mad but one of the few things that did infuriate him was the way Scott lectured his brothers about looking after themselves, Virgil included, and yet when it came to his own health this lesson in life was disregarded.
"Exactly what I was saying this morning." Both turned to see Jaime entering the room. Clipboard in hand. "But its ok, Virgil because Scott's going to promise me to take it easy." She looked at him pointedly. Virgil glanced between the two of them, eventually staring at Scott's frustrated expression. The pointed conversation seemed to linger in the air for a few minutes before Jaime spoke again.
"I have your release forms here." She raised the clipboard. "I just need to examine you. Make sure those ribs aren't going to get unbearable. I'll go through your medication with Virgil and he can make sure you honour your promise."
"So you're going to get mommy checking up on me?" Scott asked grinning sarcastically. "Come on, guys."
"Well, if you insist on behaving like a child we'll have to treat you like a child." Jaime's patience was running a little thin. Virgil grinned widely at his brother's obvious disgruntlement.
"Okay." He admitted defeat. "I promise I'll be good. Bed rest and no rescues. I'll take the medicine, I swear." He was almost pleading with Jaime.
"You'd better. You got off extremely lightly. A similar case I dealt with in Wales, the young man just didn't make it. We don't usually disclose information like this but if I'm honest I was beginning to think we wouldn't get your heart started again." Scott's face fell at her words. 'His heart?' He looked to Virgil; the expression on his face confirmed his suspicions.
' Maybe this was worse than I thought.'
"My heart?" he asked slightly shocked.
"The shock caused your heart to stop. We did CPR but without a defibrillator I couldn't really do much else. Lets just say it's a good job you came back when you did." Scott couldn't really comprehend what she was saying, her words failed to sink in past 'heart to stop'.
Jaime continued. "You had a small concussion and the bruised ribs from when you landed. But the main problem was the heart failure caused you to go into shock." She looked at Scott's blank face. "Are you taking any of this in?" No response came quickly enough. "Do you understand now why it's so important you take it easy and recover from this properly?"
"Yeah. I will. Honestly." Jaime nodded. Content that he would heed her advice.
"Well it's all in the notes anyway. So your medical personnel will understand. If you have any questions call me or ask them. Okay?" Scott nodded. "Alright then, lets have a look at these ribs." Virgil winced at the bruises on Scott's side as Jaime gently brushed over them.
She finished ticking off her checklist. "Well, you've got about an hour before we can arrange transport to your craft." Scott gave Virgil a questioning look but he brushed it off. "So Scott, you can get some rest in while I have a word with Virgil. He looks like he could do with a coffee. Don't you agree?"
"Yeah he does." Scott smiled. Virgil didn't decline the offer, he did need the coffee, and Scott was surprised he didn't somehow protest. As Jaime ushered him out the room she winked at Scott. "We'll see you in a few minutes."
He was sat waiting, they had both been sat waiting for what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only ten minutes. Scott was eager to leave, he felt better, a lot better but he knew it was only the drugs dulling the inevitable pain and exhaustion. Virgil knew he had to keep moving or else he'd fall asleep.
"Okay. I'm going to take you across myself. Transport arrangements seem to have fallen through. Not a logistics vehicle in sight." Jaime wore uniform this time, a top jacket displaying her sergeants stripes camouflaged to match her uniform. "Are you ready?" The question was directed at both of them.
Virgil looked to Scott, years of training had taught him the art of reading Scott's body language easily. Not a man of words, his behaviour often painted a more accurate picture of his feelings than anything else. Virgil could see he was more than ready to leave. "Yeah. I think so." He replied as he picked up the small plastic bag containing Scott's uniform and a few personal belongings.
They followed her out to a waiting Land Rover with a large red cross on the side. A young girl jogged briskly to catch up with them. Virgil recognised her as Jackie, one of the people Jaime had brought back to help her with Scott.
"Boss!" Jaime looked up. Having got the Sergeant Majors attention, she carried on. "You're going to love this!" She said breathlessly as she grinned. "SIB have found a body on the Westcliffe Barracks, the on-call Forensic pathologist has got food poisoning, it'll take at least six hours to get another one. So the Colonel wants us to drop your friends at their what-ever-you-call-it and head on to Westcliffe. He wants us to do the forensic work up." The young girl actually sounded quite excited at the prospect but Jaime screwed her nose up.
"Why us? Can't they get someone else to do it? Its not like a dead body's going anywhere is it?" She replied testily. "I've got things to do. Patients to see to and a certain report to complete for Colonel Masters."
"According to the Staff Sergeant from SIB they think it's connected to what happened yesterday, it's been there thirty six hours already. They want us to do it because the MoD wants it done quickly. Sounds like a scandal to me, Come on! Lets go!" Her eyes where wide with delight as she practically jumped into the passenger seat. Jaime rolled her eyes slowly opening the door and sitting in the drivers seat as Virgil and Scott followed suit.
"What's the rush?" Jaime asked tiredly.
"Are you serious? Come on! They could be covering it up as we speak." Jaime tutted and started the engine gently pulling away. "Oh, while I remember control are sending two units as back up."
"Marvellous." Jaime muttered under her breath. As the young girls attention was taken to the back seat.
"So you know her well then?" She motioned to Jaime. "Is there anything we should know about our Jay then?"
"No! Corporal." Jaime interrupted.
"Sorry Boss." The girl apologised.
"You two okay back there?" Jaime asked as she smoothly turned a corner.
"We're fine." The reply was from Scott but a quick check in her rear-view mirror showed that both of the men were okay.
"Doesn't this thing go any faster?" Jackie was asking eager to get to the scene.
"If you're going to be like this all day then you can walk back to Edleshaw." Jaime sighed heavily as the young girl eventually shut up.
After a few minutes the Land Rover came to a stop. "Wow. I thought you said the other one was big!" Jaime could see Scott's grin spread as soon as the words left Jackie's mouth. An older man joined them on the tarmac where Thunderbird One sat in all her glory. The two young men exchanged humorous glances.
"Sir." Jaime acknowledged.
"Sir." Echoed by Jackie who gazed up at the reconnaissance craft.
"Are these the men from International Rescue?" The older man asked sternly.
"Yes Sir. You can stand your man down now." Jaime's return was brief and to the point. Soon the tarmac was clear of all the soldiers previously guarding the ship.
"Thanks Jaime. For all you've done." Scott spoke sincerely. She blushed slightly.
"Don't be silly. You saved the lives of five men yesterday not to mention saving the British Army a serious ribbing if the press had got a hold of it." She meant it. It could have been very embarrassing.
"You saved my life." Scott said solemnly.
"It was a joint effort." She draped an arm around Virgil's shoulders.
"Thank you. I hope we meet again. Only not in similar circumstances." Scott smiled before climbing aboard the silver craft. Virgil hung back.
"Keep in touch better this time." It was muffled as she hugged him tightly. "I missed you. I'm sure mum would love to see you. You should come and visit sometime." Scott hovered by the hatch waiting for his brother.
"Maybe I will."
She pulled away, resting a hand on his chest over his heart. "And remember what I said. You can't hold everything in here." She strummed her fingers slowly. "Its just not big enough. Talk to them, or Scott at least. Anna wouldn't want you to be unhappy Virgil. You know that." He smiled sadly.
"Come on!" Jackie's impatient shout caused Jaime to groan frustrated.
"Damned body's been there thirty six bloody hours, what's ten minutes!" Virgil laughed.
"You'd better go. Or she'll drive off and leave you." Reluctantly she pulled him close once more and watched as he climbed aboard the craft. Retreating to a safe distance.
"You mind if we go see mom before we go home?" Scott's words where at the forefront of Virgil's thinking.
"Sure"
"I know you must be tired but I really want to see her." From the one word response his brother's tiredness was obvious.
"Me too." Virgil muttered as he concentrated on the ignition sequence.
Scott sat awkwardly in the passenger seat. He heard every word of Virgil's exchange with Jaime as he'd waited near the hatch. That name reminded him of what he'd heard last night. So he wasn't dreaming? It was real. His mind wandered, he watched Virgil's flying, though kept his thoughts to himself. Was his beloved brother keeping secrets from him? The more he thought about it; that first night when Gordon was back, the morning after, the letters, the odd times when Scott had felt that something wasn't right but hadn't pushed it. It all fell into place now. Scott knew he'd made a mistake in not pushing matters when he'd found his brother asleep, empty liquor bottle at his side. Well, he wasn't going to let it slip twice. Scott Tracy was a man on a mission - to get to the bottom of this.