Disclaimer: re-writing is so much fun, I always enjoy going over my work and re-doing it. This is Mr Anderson's playground, not mine. Enjoy. AM Feb 2010.
A Brothers Bond – Dire Straights
by Angel Mouse
FBI Headquarters
Director Logan Page didn't get to his position by being stupid. He knew when he was being lied to and being used. And in this particular circumstance, he had a feeling why he was being lied to. But he could understand Jeff's reluctance to say anything else. You didn't get to be the head of the world's largest corporation by blabbing. If there was something he knew about it was the need for secrecy. He nodded as Jeff spoke.
"Okay, we'll work on that. Are you coming here Mr Tracy?" Jeff nodded to him.
"Yes, I, my other sons and a family friend will be coming to the States. I want to be there, you know, for what ever happens." He nodded in understanding.
"Okay, good. With your permission, I'd like to have an agent meet you at your airfield and be your liaison with us." Jeff thought a moment, knowing that it would be a hindrance, but it would also keep things looking as normal as possible for any family in this situation. His hands were literally tied but he saw the sense of it.
"Yes, that would be good, thank you. Can you make sure it's someone that's had experience with these situations, that we can depend on to tell us the truth at all times and that we can rely on to help us if we need it." Logan smiled.
"I have just the person in mind Mr Tracy." Jeff nodded. "Now, I just want you to rest assured that I and my people, are going to do everything in our power to make sure you get your boys back Mr Tracy, hopefully without you having to pay out that money." Jeff was touched by the man's words and fought hard to keep his voice level.
"I don't know what to say." Director Page just smiled.
"I know this isn't going to be an easy time for you Mr Tracy. Now, the agent I have in mind to send with you is my most trusted agent. You can depend on her to ease your path to get your son's back." Jeff nodded, swallowing.
"Thank you." Page smiled.
"Now, is there anything you can do from your end to try and locate your boys? A man of your stature is bound to have plenty of resources you can call upon." Jeff nodded and spoke, confident that he could keep their cover intact.
"I have managed to call in a favour or two and we have a rough idea of where they are holding my boys. We've had some problems getting an exact location but we know that they are somewhere in Kansas. We're flying out in a few minutes. Will you have your agent meet us there?" Page nodded.
"Yes, I will. Hang on a moment, I'll show you a picture of her. So you know who you're meeting and you can trust her." Jeff nodded, knowing that it was a good and wise precaution. Moments later the picture of a woman with dark hair and dark eyes appeared on the screen. "This is Special Agent Fiona Shaw." Jeff took in her appearance with a nod.
"Thank you Director Page, for all your help." Director Page nodded.
"It's not a problem Mr Tracy. This is what we are trained for." Jeff nodded, managing a tiny wry smile. "I'll let you go and I'll have Special Agent Shaw meet you at the airport. Which one will you be landing at?"
"We have a private field at Tracy Industries. We'll land there."
"I'll have her meet you there. Good luck Mr Tracy."
"Thank you Director Page." The call ended and Jeff sighed, leaning back in his chair. Jeff got to his feet, feeling his 58 years all of a sudden. Things like this were getting harder and harder for him to deal with as the years went by. Life had been good, but also cruel, to the Tracy clan. Jeff just hoped that things would settle down once Scott and John were home. His spirit was getting weighed down by this path he had taken. And his boys were beginning to pay the price of his dream. As Jeff walked out to the lounge and headed down to the hanger, he began to wonder if perhaps his dream of International Rescue was too much to ask his sons to carry out. When Scott and John were home, he'd have to sit down and have a long talk with each of his boys. Perhaps it was time to rethink the dream of International Rescue.
Unknown Location
Scott came too slowly, each inch of his body feeling like it was on fire. He blinked slowly, trying to focus, but everything hurt so much that it was hard. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he was able to open them fully. The first thing he thought of, besides pushing the pain to the back of his mind, was John. He turned his head slightly to see his brother lying in a bed next to him. He opened his mouth, trying to speak but his throat was so dry he couldn't. A glass with a straw in it was placed near his mouth and he sipped at it greedily, finally noticing the nurse that had treated them the other night. He drank greedily and after a moment he nodded and she moved it away.
"Thank you." She smiled at him.
"How are you feeling?"
"Terrible. How's John?" The nurse gave him a small smile and wetting a cloth she wiped his forehead down.
"He's okay. You've both seen better days." Scott managed a tiny smile at that.
"You should see us on our good days." She smiled and moved over to John's bed.
"Well he should be waking any moment now." Scott just managed a tiny nod and kept watching his brother, waiting for him to wake up. The nurse quickly examined John and then checking him over once more, left them alone.
The first thing John saw when his eyes finally opened was Scott watching him. Scott gave him a tiny weak smile and John gave him weak one back.
"Hey Scott." John's voice was a shade of its former soft self.
"Hey John, how are you feeling?" John managed a tiny little laugh at the inanes of that question. Scott managed to join in for a moment. "Silly question wasn't it little brother?"
"That it was big brother." They shared a smile and then John sighed as he took stock of his injuries. "I hurt all over. You?" Scott nodded.
"Same here." Scott tried to move but found he was too tired and hurt to. He wanted to go to John's side and wrap his arms around him. "Other than that, how are you doing John?" John sighed a moment, trying not to think of everything they had been through in the last 24 hours or so.
"I don't know to be honest Scott, I really don't." John looked over at his older brother and saw love and concern in his eyes. "Are you okay?" Scott gave him a gentle smile.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Worried about you naturally." John snorted softly.
"Like you always do." Scott grinned at him but John could see the pain and worry in his eyes. There was probably the same in his eyes if he was honest with himself.
"Hey, big brother's prerogative." They shared a fond grin and John shifted slightly, trying to get comfortable.
"I'll say. I swear if I have to separate Gordon and Alan one more time I'll send them to my bird for a month. See how they like it."
"Oh yeah, I can just see you doing that to John." The moment was broken between the two of them as the door opened and they both looked up.
The nurse came back in, pushing a trolley before her. She saw them both awake and smiled warmly at them both, although John could see her eyes were troubled.
"Ah good, your both awake. I have some breakfast for you both." She pushed the trolley between them and then went to Scott's side, helping him sit up. She then moved to John's side and did the same for him. "There you go." She brought them over both a tray of food. It was a plate of eggs, bacon, muffins, tomatoes, mushrooms and hash browns. It was nice and filling and it abated the feelings of hunger that they had been feeling. It also helped dull the pain a little. The nurse had watched them both eat while getting some things ready over on a side table. She took their empty trays away and then looked at them, her gaze going back and forth between them.
"Now, which one of you gentlemen is going to volunteer to be first?" Both Scott and John lifted their hands and pointed at the other and chorused as one.
"He is." The three of them ended up laughing softly together, but John winced as his hand went to his ribs. Scott did the same.
"Ouch, don't make us laugh." She smiled as Scott spoke and went to his side first. She sat down on the edge of his bed and began to examine him. John watched anxiously as she did, worrying about his brother as she worked. Finally, she smiled and patted the back of his hand.
"You'll be okay. As far as I can tell you've got three or four cracked ribs. Lots of bruises and cuts and some minor burns, but you already knew that. I'm going to take the drip out now as you don't need it anymore." She worked quickly and moments later Scott was free of it.
"Thanks." Scott turned to watch her now as she moved to John's side. She then began to examine him with just as much care and attention she showed to Scott.
John turned away from watching her work on his injuries. He turned his head and locked onto Scott's eyes. His big brother was watching him, just as he had watched him a few minutes ago. Scott gave him a warm smile and then began to speak to distract him.
"So, what's the first thing you're going to do when we get home?" John thought a moment.
"Have a long, hot soak in the bath and then sleep for what feels like a week in my own bed again. Then I'm going to sit back and let Grandma pamper us both with her Apple Pie and everything."
"Oh yeah, Apple Pie is most definitely on the cards." They shared a tiny smile and John gasped slightly as she felt along his ribs.
"Sorry." John just nodded and kept looking at Scott.
"How long do you think Dad will keep us home and wrapped in cotton wool?" Scott snorted slightly and smiled gently at John.
"Ages John, absolutely ages." Scott lifted a hand and waggled a finger at John. "You he's never going to let off the island again." John snorted as she finished examining.
"Tell me about it." The nurse finished and busily removed the drip from John's hand.
"Okay, you have almost the same injuries, although yours are slightly worse. Those burns though are healing nicely. Now, I'll take those trays away and then I'll be back to help you bath and get into clean clothes." She gathered her things and left. John watched her leave and turned to Scott. Scott was watching her go and then looked at John.
"What do you think John?" John knew what Scott meant and found himself thinking hard. Finally he nodded in agreement.
"I think your right Scott. If we're going to get any help, it'll be from her." Scott nodded and moved, frowning as the pain lanced through him a moment.
"Scott?" Scott just winced and then managed a tiny smile.
"I'm okay John. Look John, honestly, how are you holding up?" John looked away a moment, not wanting his brother to see how he was hurting emotionally at the moment. He took a long time answering his brother.
"I don't know Scott. To be honest, I'm holding on by a thread right now. I'm not sure how much of this torture I can take." John finally looked at Scott and Scott was scared at how lost John's eyes looked. Scott didn't even think about it, he just reacted to his brother's pain. He swung his legs off the bed and pushed himself off it. He stumbled to John's bed and sat beside his brother. Without thinking he enfolded John in his arms, mindful of both their injuries. John clung to him, silent tears running down his face. Scott stroked his hair carefully, whispering softly.
"It'll be okay John. I promised I'd be here to look after you and I am." John nodded and took a deep breath.
"I know Scott." John pushed himself off Scott's chest, but didn't move from Scott's comforting embrace. "And don't you go thinking any of this is your fault. You said you'd protect me and keep me from harm. And I said I'd do the same for you. But neither of us can help what has happened to us. So don't you dare go and feel guilty for this absurd situation. You hear me big brother," Scott looked in John's eyes and saw that his quiet brother meant every word. He hugged John hard, wondering again at he had done to deserve such a wonderful and understanding brother as John.
"I won't John. I promise." Scott knew John's words were true and he knew that for the moment he would listen to them. But when they got back home, that would be a different story all together. That seemed to satisfy John for the moment and they just sat their on their beds, holding each other for a long moment.
Marlene stormed down the corridor, heading for control room. She was furious, absolutely furious with her brother. With both of her brothers actually. They had dragged her into this mess and now she didn't know what to do. She flung open the door to the study and marched in to find her two brothers standing there. She slammed the door behind her and marched over to the table.
"What do you two think your bloody playing at?" They looked up at her, surprise on their faces.
"What do you mean Marlene?" She rounded on her eldest brother.
"I mean those two men in there Errol. They have been tortured. Beaten and tortured. Any more and they could die. Why are you doing that to them? They have done nothing to you Errol, nothing to us." Errol's eyes hardened and he frowned. Daryl frowned at his sister and moved to her side, taking her arm, as if to lead her away.
"They are Tracy's Marlene. That's enough."
"No, it's not! Those two men in there have done nothing to you." He leaned forward and stared at her hard.
"Those Tracy's are responsible for the end of my dreams." His eyes began to flash. "I was meant to be the one to bring hope, money and wealth to our people. I was going to led them out of the economic depression they were experiencing. I was going to be the one to heal the sick, to bring stability back to our people after the war. The Tracy's took that away from me. They stopped me being able to help our people!" Marlene recoiled back against the madness she saw in her older brother's eyes. She glanced at Daryl and saw the same fear in his eyes. She knew then that her eldest brother wouldn't let those two men out of here alive. But she had to try one last time to reach her brother.
"Errol, Tracy Industries helped you do those things. Our people got jobs, hospital's were built, the sick and injured were treated. Farmers grew crops again, our people were fed again. They worked with you to do these things. You led our people through those trying times and you worked with these people. Why are you doing this now?" His eyes were flashing with anger and he walked around the desk and advanced on her. She took a step backwards, frightened and Daryl moved to stand slightly in front of her.
"Errol, leave her alone." Errol ignored him and kept advancing on her.
"Why am I doing it now? Because of what happened! Thanks to those self same people that worked with us to save our nation and our people, I now have no power! I have no home! They threw me out as their ruler! They said they no longer trusted me!" Marlene took a deep breath and knew that her brother was a lost cause. She shook her head and sighed softly.
"Errol, you were defeated in a fair and honest election. Tracy Industries had nothing to do with it and you know that."
"Tracy Industries were behind my whole defeat and you know it!"
"How the hell were they behind it Errol?"
"Come off it Marlene, you saw Lane with Tracy in a public appearance. It was that appearance that lost me the election! It lost me everything! And Jeff Tracy is going to pay!" Marlene looked at Daryl and saw the same realisation in his eyes. Errol was lost to them both. Marlene shook her head and took a step backwards.
"I'm so sorry you feel that way Errol. It didn't happen that way and you know it. But I know that nothing I say or do will change your mind." With that, she turned and left them. Errol just turned his back to her and went back to his desk. Daryl watched his sister leave and then looked at his brother. He then looked back at where his sister had gone. He was torn and he then noticed Errol looking at him.
"Go on Daryl, go after her, I know you want to. You were always on her side in everything. Go; make sure she understands her position here." Daryl just sighed.
"I really wish things had turned out differently Errol, you know that, don't you?"
"Just go Daryl. I want to be left alone for the rest of the day. I'll make the broadcast to Tracy on time. Just go." Daryl left and went to look for Marlene. It was time he had a chat with his baby sister about what had gotten her so upset.
John had calmed down and Scott moved back to his bed. He had just managed to climb back in it when the door opened. They both looked up, expecting the nurse but were surprised when two guards came in with guns and another two came over to their sides and roughly dragged them out of their beds. Scott immediately began protesting but his protests were silenced by a fist to the stomach. They were dragged out of the room and they were startled by a shout.
"Wait! Stop!" The sound of running footsteps came nearer and they looked up to find the nurse running towards them. "Where are you taking these men? They are in no fit state to move."
"Orders ma'am. We have to take them to the boss. Sorry." They dragged the boys away and Marlene watched them go with worry on her face. She whirled and headed for another part of the base. She had work to do and not a lot of time to do it in.
John and Scott were dragged into the same study as they had been brought to on their first night in captivity. The two guards pushed them forward and they both were too weak to catch themselves and ended up in a heap on the floor. Scott groaned as John managed to get to his knees first and then helped him. Scott looked up at the man standing behind the desk, his look one that would have melted steel. John managed to stand and help Scott to his feet. Both of them were breathing hard and were white as sheets. They clung to each other to stay on their feet but neither of them were going to give him the satisfaction of asking to sit down. He stared at them both and then nodded as if deciding on something.
"Your positions haven't changed I assume? You both refuse to tell me about International Rescue and you both refuse to give me what I want. And that's the satisfaction of breaking you. So I'm going to keep trying, but this time, I won't be as easy on you. Take them away and begin to work on them. I'll join you shortly. I have a transmission to prepare for." The guards grabbed the two brothers and dragged them out of the room. He watched them go and the smile on his face was bitter and twisted. "It's time for Tracy to finally pay up or he can watch his sons die."
tbc...