Just Another Day
Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be. Poopies.
AN: Okay, this is a little longer than the others. And…well, it might be five parts depending on how talkative the boys are in the next instalment.
Just to thank all who review, it's great that you're enjoying it, it makes the writing more enjoyable for me knowing people like it.
And just so you know, Olympics 2012 London, I'm female. :smiles:
Just Another Day
Part Three
Jeff's POV
When the doctor had come over and asked if I was Mr Tracy I had hoped it meant they had some more news on my sons, but when the three officers came over I started to worry again.
"Mr Tracy, we're sorry about the difficult circumstances, but we need to ask a few questions." One said, they didn't identify themselves and I frowned at them. Parker had already left to get Virgil, Gordon and Alan, maybe that wasn't such a good idea now. "We understand two of your sons were involved in a car crash earlier this evening." It was after three in the morning now, the boys accident had been near eleven, so it was yesterday it happened, but I nodded regardless.
"Yes, they were with friends," I hesitated before adding, "The driver was over the legal limit." I could tell he had been. The smell of alcohol alone told me that.
"Yes, Mrs Jones had said." One officer replied. He had a clipboard and a small bag in his hand, my attention being drawn to it with a dread. "Mr Tracy, do you or your sons have any enemies?" He asked, looking at me with a raised eyebrow. That was when my other boys came in, Parker behind them.
Virgil was first through the doors and stopped dead, eyes wide and mouth open, when he spotted the police. Gordon and Alan stopped behind him, Alan shaking his head slowly. I don't know what they thought, but I had a pretty good idea.
Someone knew who we were, someone who had a grudge. Someone planned this. Someone purposely hurt my boys, almost fatally hurt my boys.
One person sprung to mind, his face etched in my mind forever. I wouldn't forget him so easily; I probably would never forget him. And I knew my sons wouldn't. Alan definitely wouldn't.
"Sir?" I shake my head slowly, partly to clear my mind, partly to answer the question. I can't tell them about my worries. I can't tell them the many people who may hold a grudge.
I can't tell them who we are. Not even for Scott and John.
-
Alan's POV
I knew what was coming, even if they didn't. I could tell what those officers were going to say.
"I'm afraid this might not have been an accident, Mr Tracy." The words echoed in my mind. Someone had tried to kill my brothers, close or not they were still my brothers.
I was suddenly very awake again.
"Evidence suggests there was tampering with the car brakes and the seatbelts." They were talking to Dad, not even bothering to look in our direction. "The on coming car was reported stolen three days ago. The car your sons had been in was found to have had the brake line cut and there was serious damage done to both driver and passenger seatbelts." That was when we all got a glance.
"Dad," Virgil said softly, "Scott was the one who hired the car. It's in his name." Dad looked terrible, he was pale, tired and his eyes were hollow.
"Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt, but your son, Scott Tracy, is out of surgery." Virgil and Gordon were beside Dad quicker than I could blink. We were all worried, I was worried too. I wanted to know how my brothers were. "He's asking to see his family."
Dad looked at the two officers, then back to the doctor, then to Virgil, Gordon and I. "I'm sorry officers," he started, "but right now my son needs me. I'll be happy to help with your enquires once I know my boys are safe."
It looked for a minute like one of them would protest. I almost hoped they would. I almost didn't want to see Scott. Not in the bed, not with the hospital equipment around him. I hate hospitals. I hate being in them.
It's one of my earliest memories. Being in hospital while my mother died.
I think…I think I'm afraid it'll be where my brother dies too. And I'm scared.
-
Gordon's POV
I'm surprised Dad's still here. That he's so calm right now.
Scott's out! Scott's asking for us! Why does he care if the cops want to talk to him some more. Sure, they said someone did this deliberately, but they need to deal with that. It's their job to deal with it. We need to see Scott. Now!
"Of course Mr Tracy." Eventually came the reply. "We will be in touch and we do hope everything will be alright with your sons." Dad then turns to the doctor and he takes us to Scott's room.
"Mr Tracy, your son is still heavily sedated, but awake. He is alert and knows where and who he is. He doesn't remember much of the crash and he is in a rather large amount of pain. Sadly we cannot do anything more for that, the dosage of painkillers we can give him until all traces of alcohol have left his system." He gave us a rather solemn look, one that was usually one I related with children. Like the one Dad always gave me when he was telling me off, or the one Scott gives kids that need help in accident zones. One that's almost patronising, but comforting. "Try not to tire him out too much; he's already fighting the sleep."
With that we were allowed into his room. I nearly cried at the sight of him. His leg was in a cast, there were bandages around his right arm, tubes going everywhere and he was as pale as a sheet.
"They flattened my hair." He croaked as we walked in. I smiled and choked on a sob and went to him, sitting down across from Dad who already had a hand in his and kissed Scott's forehead. Scott seemed to relish the touch, seemed to move into the kiss.
"You get tangled with a ton of steel and all your worried about is your hair. Typical Scott." Virgil said, shaking his head. I laughed; it was just typical for Scott. He'd try and ignore the more serious of things, turn to a joke or make a light hearted comment so that his attention wouldn't be drawn to the dire consequences.
We sat for a while, Dad and Scott and Virgil were talking. I pretended to be keeping up with them, but I was finding it hard to take. They were trying to act normal, like nothing was wrong. I just couldn't. And I don't think Alan could either.
He hadn't said a word since he came in. He smiled at Scott before just standing at the end of his bed, holding onto Scott's uninjured foot. Our elder brother didn't seem to mind. It was probably Alan's way of being sure that Scott was still there. That I could understand. I had his hand in mine, Virgil had his other hand and Dad was running his hand through Scott's hair, petting him gently.
That was when Scott's whole body suddenly tensed. His tender hold on my hand became a death grip, his back rigid and arched from the bed and his face screwed in pain. Alan had instantly jumped back, as if someone burned him. I went with Scott's grip, letting him hold on to me, gripping back to show him I was here with him.
Virgil was holding Alan, an arm around his shoulders, both looking as scared as ever. Dad was gripping Scott's hand, whispering soothing words in his ear that I couldn't hear. I knew we'd just have to wait it out, that we'd just had to let Scott relax on his own, ride out the waves of pain.
However long that took.
-
Jeff's POV
I was trying to sooth Scott while at the same time keep calm myself. Gordon had held strong to Scott's hand while Virgil and Alan stood back to give some room.
I could see the pain in deep blue eyes and all I wanted was to reach out and take it away. I would stop it if I could, I would take it from him if I could.
But I couldn't. I had to watch my son suffer, the pain slowly leaving and his body gradually relaxing. Scott's breathing came in hitched, drawn out gasps and my hand never stopped running through his hair. It was what I always did when he wasn't feeling well. Lucy used to sit him on her lap and just pet his hair, holding him to her chest. Scott had gotten used to it and it was all that would calm him. So I took up the job, I was glad to see it still worked.
A small smile pulled at Scott's mouth as he looked up at me. "I'm sorry." He blurted, tears pooling in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I should've been more responsible, I shouldn't have gotten into the car. I should've taken care of John." The tears rolled down his face and Virgil and Alan came back to his side. Virgil taking a hand and rubbing his own across it, Alan once more holding the undamaged foot tightly.
"It's alright Scott; none of this is your fault." I said, knowing it was futile. Scott would blame himself until the day that he and John had a screaming match, both yelling till they were exhausted and then holding each other till they slept. "No one blames you. You couldn't have done anything."
"Where's John?" Scott asked, clearly ignoring me. "Where is he?" I couldn't keep his gaze, I didn't want to see his eyes when I told him, I didn't want to see the guilt and blame in his eyes.
"He's still in surgery, Scott." Gordon said softly. "He hurt his head, so they need to make sure he's gonna be okay."
"Can't we see him?" Scott asked, he sounded just like I felt. Scared and lost, worried and anxious. I hate not knowing how John is, I hate not being able to see him, hold him, know that he's still here with us.
The boys eventually lapse into comfortable conversation, Penny and Parker joining us after telling the police everything they, and we, knew. Ultimately this has to be left in their hands. International Rescue couldn't take an interest in this; it was just a car accident after all.
Wasn't it?
-
Scott's POV
Everything hurt. My leg, my head, my chest.
Just breathing was a strain. But at least I was alive, feeling something meant I was alive. After all, I could've been completely crushed. From the look on Dad's face, I knew I could've died.
It's good to have them around me, even if I do hate the fact that I have to stay in this blasted bed. It's nice to have Gordon sit and talk while absentmindedly stroking my hand, means he cares, that he's worried. And call me strange but I like it when he worries about me.
Virgil and Alan too. Alan's just standing there, occasionally smiling at me and gripping my foot, it's good that he just holds on. I guess it keeps me from wandering, from thinking back to the accident. God, I was so stupid, how could I get so drunk? How could I fail John so bad?
I just wanted him to relax a little, just wanted him to have some fun. It had been so long since his last mainland visit. And screwed up by letting him get hurt. I'm supposed to look out for my little brothers, not get them tangled up in a car crash and locked in a hospital for weeks.
A knock at the door halted all conversation.
"Mr Tracy? Your other son is out of the OR, unfortunately he hasn't regained consciousness." I know the blood left my face and I'm sure my heart stopped. Dad looked at us, but it was Penny who ushered him out, taking his hand and leading him after the doctor.
Virgil stopped Gordon from following, a hand on his chest and a shake of the head. The silence was deafening. John was unconscious still? Did they mean comatose? How bad was the head injury?
"I screwed up." I whispered softly, knowing they'd hear me, how could they not? I was the only thing in the room making a noise other than that stupid heart monitor.
"Scott, this isn't your fault." Virgil said, taking Dad place beside the bed.
"It's my fault he was out, it's my fault we were drunk and it's my fault we got into the car with Mark." I shook my head; I could have killed my little brother. I could've ruined his life completely!
"Scott, this might not have been an accident! The cops think there was tampering with the cars. The one that hit you was stolen!" Gordon said, his voice half raised in anger and half in defence.
"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you don't blame me or Dad doesn't or whatever. John will." It's complete and utter toff, but I don't care. I blame myself. I'm the one who's to blame here.
"God, Scott, you're so full of…" Alan was cut off, but I knew what he was about to say and just sat there, looking at him.
"Master Tracy's, where did Milady and Mister Tracy go?" Parker asked, glancing from each of us. My gaze didn't waver from Alan, his didn't break from mine and Gordon and Virgil were left to answer Parker.
"They went to see how John was, why?" Virgil answered, a frown crossing his face.
"There has been an ID on the driver of the other car." And that was what broke my gaze with Alan.
"What?"
-
AN: Well done, you got to the end. Please review and tell me what you think. Next update will hopefully be really soon but I've got work and school coming up. Dang it.
Thanks for reading.
