Disclaimer: last chapter of the re-write and re-format. I love writing the bond between these brothers, especially Scott and John but I think I might start doing some of the others as well. Enjoy. AM Feb 2010.


A Brothers Bond – The End of a Nightmare

by Angel Mouse

Unknown Location Kansas

The next hour passed in a nightmare of pain, suffering and agony for the two brothers. Both of them were repeatedly beaten, battered and tortured but both of them were stubborn and they hung on consciousness with a tenacity that the Tracy clan were known for, much to the chagrin of their captor. After almost an hour though, finally, Scott lost consciousness and John felt his last hopes fading. He had been holding on for his brother, and his brother had finally succumbed and now he felt so lost and alone; just like he did when he was a prisoner back on Meriza's island. Although this time he wasn't sure that rescue would come in the form of his family. He wasn't sure of anything anymore except pain and sorrow. His spirit was almost broken.

The man in the Blue Mask must have sensed this somehow, as he intensified his attentions to John now that Scott had become unconscious. But before his ministrations could get any worse, a welcome interruption came in the form of the nurse. The doors burst open and she barged in, her face one of horror as she beheld the state the two men hanging from the rafters were in.

"My god, what have you done?"

"What needed to be done, what had to be done dear sister. Their father refused to co-operate any further so they pay the price." She went over to Scott's side and began to examine him. She looked up at her brother with horror on her face.

"My god Errol, these men have done nothing to you. Their father paid you some of the ransom money. Be happy with that and end this madness."

"No, I won't. Not until I have everything I wanted." She looked up from where she was examining Scott's face, checking his pupils and pulse.

"You're not gaining anything by continuing on this route Errol. Please, for god sakes, stop what you are doing. They can't take anymore. Much more of this and they'll die!" He moved to stand in front of her and growled in a menacing tone at her.

"Good, then they die." He turned to the guards. "Get her out of here."

The two guards moved forward to grab her when the door opened and their other brother came in. The guards paused and he came forward. The strange thing this time was that he no longer had his mask on.

"Leave her alone Errol. She's done nothing to you."

"You don't know what she's done." Darryl moved to Marlene's side, standing in front of the two brothers.

"I know her, and I know she's following her heart. These two men have done nothing to you Errol. Leave them alone."

"No. I won't." He ripped off his mask and John couldn't help the small gasp. He had managed to just raise his head slightly to see what was going on. Errol's face was scarred and disfigured and one eye was visibly damaged. "This is what their father did to me! And they will pay for that." Marlene took a step forward and raised her hand slightly.

"That was your own fault Errol. You seized power of our country in a bloody coup and then when things were going well and Tracy Enterprises came in and people saw how great our nation could become, they rose up against in you in a fairly bloodless coup. Those injuries were self inflicted by your own greed, your own power lust and your own self absorbed need for closure. They were not made by these young men, or their father, but your own need for power and controlling of others." Marlene gestured to Darryl standing beside her. "Errol, we have stuck by you through thick and thin, though loss and triumph. But none of us wanted this. Please, Errol. End this madness."

"I'll end it alright Marlene." And with that, he drew his gun and shot her. Her body slowly folded to the floor and Darryl stared at his brother in shock and then knelt down next to her. He turned her body over and placed his hands on the wound on her stomach. She was pale and blood flowed freely from the wound in her stomach. He looked up at Errol.

"How could you? She's your sister!" Darryl didn't even flinch and just held the gun over his brother and sister.

"Neither of you are my family any more. You have questioned my orders, my vision, my dream enough! So, you can both die here with them!"

John stared at him in horror. This man was completely insane. But it was a dangerous type of madness, he could see that clearly. He was trying to understand how this entire situation had come about but was finding it hard to concentrate on anything in front of him. But the adrenaline that was coursing through his system right now due to the dramatic turn this whole situation had taken. And just then Scott decided to moan and come back to consciousness. John turned his attention to his older brother, his love and worry for his brother overcoming the seriousness of the situation had suddenly taken. Scott raised his head slowly and opened his eyes a crack.

He frowned as she saw Marlene's body on the ground and then he looked up at John, a question in his eyes. He saw worry and panic in John's. He tried to speak but the pain he was in was immense and he knew he had to do something to help his brother, to calm him down, to take charge of the situation but he couldn't speak. The pain was too immense, it coursed through his veins and it was like he had never felt such pain free in his life before. But trying to keep his eyes open and trying to speak, it was too much for his battered, tortured body and the darkness took him again, much to the worry of his brother.

And therefore Scott didn't hear the explosions outside, or the cries of shock and dismay as FBI Agents came pouring into the compound. He didn't see Darryl launch himself at his brother, fighting Errol for the gun. He didn't hear the gun go off and Darryl's body slump to the floor, next to his sisters. He didn't see Errol look up and meet John's eyes. His brother finally managed to speak softly.

"What… happens now…" Errol looked lost and stared down at his hands and then back up at John. He looked so lost John thought, the madness temporarily abating as the shock of what he had done sunk in.

"I don't know. I don't know… I… I didn't mean for this to happen." John nodded slowly.

"I know." Just then the door burst open and two guards began to come through but they both fell as bullets hit them both. Moments later, armoured FBI agents came around the door. Errol caught John's eye and John suddenly knew what was about to happen. Even after everything this man had did to him, all the pain and suffering, his instinct to save human life was still very strong.

"NO!" Errol raised the gun and pointed it the agents. Moments later he fell to the floor in a hail of bullets. John closed his eyes, trying to understand the waste of human life that had played itself out before him. He opened them moments later when he felt gentle hands reach up to hold him steady as their bonds were cut. An agent looked at him, concern in his eyes.

"Sir, are you okay?" John wondered about that statement. He didn't feel okay, and somehow thought he wouldn't be for a long time.

"Please, see to my brother." Nothing more was said as they were both lowered to the ground and medical personal came swarming in.

Kansas State Hospital – an hour later

Jeff stood next to Virgil, Gordon and Alan as they watched doctors swarm around their brothers. The FBI agents had been shocked at the state the two Tracy brothers had been found in. They had been stabilised at the scene and then rushed to the nearest hospital. Jeff and his other sons hadn't been allowed to participate in the rescue, which was understandable. But Jeff knew that his boys were chaffing at the bit. They had to let the FBI take charge in order to protect International Rescue's security. Jeff stirred slightly as Agent Shaw came and stood next to him.

"Mr Tracy, I have some information for you." Jeff turned and looked at her.

"Yes Agent Shaw?" Jeff managed to give her a tiny smile. "And let me be the first to say thank you on behalf of my entire family for getting my boys back to me." She nodded.

"It's my pleasure Mr Tracy. Now, we've managed to get a statement from the woman that was shot in the same room as the other two dead men. She has told us that she was the sister of the two deceased. She and one of the men were trying to talk the main offender into leaving John and Scott alone but to no avail. He got tired of her talking and trying to interfere and he shot her. From the short statement John was able to give our people as they found them; she had been treating them for their injuries and trying to deflect his anger away from them as much as possible. She's still guilty of aiding and abetting in the kidnapping of your sons, but we will be going lenient on her in light of John's statement. We'll be getting a full statement off her once she comes out of surgery. The doctors say she will make it, we got to her in time." Jeff nodded, taking in all the information.

"Thank you again Agent Shaw. You'll keep me informed with the progress of your investigation and everything?" She nodded.

"Of course I will Mr Tracy. I'll let you get back to your sons. I have work to do out at the scene. I'll come by later to see how they are." With a nod to the others, she left them to it. Jeff looked back at where the doctors were working. They were finally finishing up and after a moment a doctor came out and over to them both.

"Mr. Tracy. I'm Dr Peter Matthews, chief of staff here."

"Dr Matthews, how are my boys?" He looked down at his chart.

"All I can say Mr. Tracy is that you've got some very sturdy, stubborn young men there. Both of them have been beaten severely. To be extremely honest I was surprised when the paramedics told me that John was awake when they found them. The amount of injuries they both sustained would most likely have killed some people. Now, as to the extent of their injuries, and they are rather severe, I'll warn you now." He glanced at his chart and then back up at Jeff. "First, Scott. I think he was lucky as his injuries aren't as severe John's. Scott has two broken ribs, first and second degree burns on his torso and arms. His right hand has three broken fingers as well. He's also got plenty of cuts and bruises but he will heal from all of those. I want to keep him here for at least a week." Jeff nodded, bracing himself for the worst.

"Good, when can we see him?"

"He's asleep at the moment. He was unconscious when he was brought in but he's now sleeping naturally thanks to pain relief we're giving him. He's also receiving a blood transfusion – both your sons are – to replace his lost fluids and you can see him in four or five hours when he wakes up."

"That's good to hear Doctor. Now, you've saved the worst for last, tell me about John." Jeff felt his other sons stand closer to him, to offer support, as they all seemed to realise that the worst news was to come.

Dr Matthews took a deep breath and then glanced down at his chart again. He seemed to be bracing himself for the worst. He hated this part of his job sometimes.

"Well John. I must say that your son John is a very strong individual Mr Tracy. He has five broken ribs, three on the left side, and two on the right. Luckily for him they haven't punctured any of his lungs so that's a blessing for him. His left wrist is broken in three places and all his fingers are broken on that hand." He could hear his sons gasp in horror and Jeff tried to keep himself focussed on John's condition. The doctor continued, trying to soften the blows as best he could but it wasn't easy. "He has second and third degree burns on his chest and arms. He has numerous cuts and bruises, more than Scott actually. I'm afraid it looks like they concentrated their attention more on John. He's currently under heavy sedation, more than Scott, and receiving blood and fluids. He's going to be asleep at least until tomorrow morning. But once we have them both stabilised in the next hour so one of you can go sit with them both. I'll keep you informed."

"Thank you Dr Matthews. We appreciate all the help you and your people are giving us."

"Not a problem Mr Tracy." He nodded and walked back into the room with the boys. Jeff turned to his sons to find varying expressions of horror on their faces. He looked at each and every one of them and managed to find a tiny smile for them all.

"You heard him boys, they are both going to be fine. Now, once we're allowed to go see them, I'll go see them first and then we can take turns sitting with them both." They nodded, each of them trying to come to terms with what had happened to their brothers. It wasn't easy and they were all feeling relieved that their brothers were safe, but horrified that they were both hurt so badly. Virgil reached out and put his hand on his father's shoulder.

"It's okay Dad, we'll get through this together." Virgil smiled at all of them. "Those two are tough, look at what they've been through. Once they are released, we can go home and spoil those two rotten until there well again." Alan suddenly grinned and pipped up finally.

"Yeah, and then we'll really nail their arses to the floor." They all laughed, the tension finally relieved after a long, stressful few days.

A few hours later Jeff was sitting with John while Virgil sat with Scott. His father had been torn between sitting with Scott, his eldest, and John, who had been hurt more. Virgil solved the problem for him saying he'd go and sit with Scott. Virgil looked at his oldest brother as he sat their, holding Scott's hand, watching as his brother lay there. He looked at Scott, trying to sort out all his feelings. He wasn't sure how he should be feeling about this whole thing.

On one hand he was glad that his brothers were safe and sound, on the other he was wondering why this sort of bad things kept happening to this family. He kept rubbing the back of his thumb over the back of Scott's hand, trying to reassure himself that his brother was alive and well. That his brother was actually lying there in the bed and not some dream. He had looked in on John and had been horrified at the state his brother was in, but thankfully Scott wasn't as bad. Virgil knew that he'd be seeing that image of John – bandaged, hooked up to machines and fluids going into his body – for a very long time. Scott looked the same but not as bad. Even the doctors had said John was the worst off, which is why his father was with him.

Virgil sighed, running his free hand through his hair. He was seriously beginning to wonder if this was worth it. The secrecy, the lies, the dangerous rescues; sometimes he really wondered was this path, this fate, was it worth it. But then he recalled each and every face of every person they had saved. Either him or one of his brothers and he knew it was worth it. It's just the cost to their family, sometimes it was too much to bare. But Virgil knew they had been through tougher situations and that they would get through this. He would make sure of it. He was brought out of his thoughts by feeling a squeeze on his hand. He blinked a couple of times and looked up to find his eldest brother's eyes – glazed over with painkillers but still focussed – looking at him. Virgil gave a brilliant smile.

"Scott, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

Scott looked at him and licked his lip slightly and then spoke. His voice was slightly harsh and raspy and Virgil reached over, holding a straw to his lips. Scott sipped at the ice cold water a moment and then nodded to Virgil. Virgil sat the glass back on the side table and finally Scott answered.

"I'm okay I suppose. John?" Virgil smiled as somehow he knew that the first thing on his brother's mind would be their other brother.

"He's doing okay. He's a little bit more banged up than you are, but you'll both be okay. Dad's sitting with him." Scott nodded slightly, pleased.

"Where are we? And how did we get here?" Virgil smiled, wondering when that question was going to come up.

"We're at Kansas State Hospital. We had managed to track you down to this area and then when they made their next transmission to demand the ransom money and plans the FBI were able to pinpoint the location of you guys and send a team in. They busted you out and brought you here."

"What happened to those people?"

"Well, most of the guards in the compound were injured or gave up. Some were killed. When the agents got to the room where you guys were they found the woman and another one on the ground. And then the mastermind behind the whole thing tried to shoot his way out and was killed. The man and woman on the ground – we discovered that they were brother and sister. He was killed by the mastermind and she was seriously injured. John told the FBI she was trying to protect you guys from him." Scott nodded.

"That's right. She tried the best she could to stop him from hurting us but some of that stuff I didn't see. I was too hurt and in too much pain to realise what was going on." Scott just sighed and looked at Virgil. "John would be the best one to ask about that."

"The FBI is going to take a full statement from him when the doctors say he is okay to. The doctors say you should both be up by the end of the week." Virgil looked at him. There was pain in Scott's eyes and it wasn't from the injuries he had received. "Do you want to talk about it?" Scott frowned and looked away from his brother for a long moment. Finally he looked back and sighed again.

"Not just yet Virgil. I'm tired. Perhaps in a few days, when it's sunk in I'm safe." Virgil nodded, knowing Scott would talk when he was ready.

"Okay Scott. You get some sleep. I'll let everyone know you're awake and feeling okay, sort of." Virgil gave him a wry smile and Scott managed a tiny one in reply. Scott closed his eyes and a moment later was fast asleep. Although the brother's weren't that overly affectionate, he couldn't help it as he leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to his brother's forehead. Smiling as he left his brother's room he headed to see his father and brothers. Time to give them some good news, something they hadn't had for a little while.

Jeff sipped at his coffee that the nurse had brought him. It had been a very long day and night for him, sitting by John's side. The nursing staff had kept him fed and brought coffee and blankets for him to make his stay comfortable. Well as comfortable as it could get sitting in a chair watching as his son started to recover from his severe injuries. He sighed. His two eldest had gone through a trauma he wasn't prepared to understand, all because of who they were. In the last twenty four hours it had come to light that the man behind the whole thing had actually been after Tracy Industries itself. International Rescue had just been icing on the cake.

The woman – a nurse called Marlene – had told the FBI everything. Jeff had stated that given her co-operation and once they had received cooperating statements from John and Scott that he wouldn't want to pursue any additional charges apart from the charges she was already facing. Virgil had come in last night to tell him Scott was awake and okay. It had been a relief for him to find that his eldest was going to be okay. Now it was his second son that filled his worries.

Agent Shaw had suggested that his boys talk to psychologists once they were feeling better. Ones that dealt with people who had been the victims of kidnapping. Jeff had promised to raise it with his boys and see what they thought. It was probably a good idea, but knowing John and Scott as he did, he had a feeling that neither of them would take that offer up. He was brought out of his musing by a squeeze on his hand. He looked over, startled to see John's eyes open and looking at him. He smiled warmly at his son, taking his hand as he sat down the coffee mug.

"John. It's good to see you awake." John licked his lips and then managed to speak softly.

"Dad. Scott, is he okay?" Jeff smiled gently as he stroked John's fair hair away from his forehead.

"He's fine. He's in the next room. He woke up last night and is now sleeping naturally. The doctors say you both are going to be okay, with lots of rest and tender loving care." John gave him a tiny half smile, glad that his big brother was okay. He closed his eyes a moment and then reopened them, looking at his father.

"I didn't tell him anything Dad. I wanted to; neither of us told him anything he wanted to hear." Jeff didn't know why John felt he had to say this, and why he wanted his father to hear it. But it seemed important to him. Jeff was shocked slightly to hear John say that he wanted to tell their secrets but didn't. But if he was being honest with himself, he wasn't really surprised that John had felt that way. His gentle son had been through quite a trail in this last year and his soul was in pieces at the moment. Jeff stroked his hair gently and smiled at his son.

"It's okay John. I can understand that and I am so very proud of you, proud of you both, that you didn't. But I want you to understand I wouldn't have held it against either of you if you had of told our secrets. What you've gone through, what you've both experienced, I wouldn't wish on anyone." Jeff held John's eyes. "I've always been proud of all my sons John, but what you've been through this last year makes me realise just how special you are." A faint blush appeared on John's face and Jeff grinned. John was never one that liked to shine in the spot light. Just then the door opened and Gordon stuck his head in.

"Hey Dad, is sleeping beauty awake yet?" John gave a soft snort and turned his head to the door and managed a tiny grin for his red haired brother.

"I'm awake. And when I'm better, don't think I won't get you back for that remark." Gordon stepped inside the room and grinned at John.

"I wouldn't have it any other way John. How are you feeling?"

"Tired and sore to be honest." John's eyes began to close slowly and Gordon smiled.

"I'm not surprised. I'll talk to you later." John nodded and moments later he was asleep. Gordon looked at his father.

"Scott's awake and wanting to talk to you. I'll sit with John while you go see him." Jeff stood up and smiled in thanks at his son.

"Thanks Gordon." He squeezed Gordon's shoulder as he walked past him and headed for Scott's room. His son's were awake and now they could begin the long process of healing.

Three weeks later – Tracy Island

The plane touched down with gentle ease and taxied along the runway. Soon it had parked in the hanger and the hatch opened. Jeff was the first down, followed by John that was being helped by Gordon and Scott who was being helped by Virgil. They quickly made their way inside to find that their Grandmother had cooked a huge welcome home feast which they had really appreciated. Scott ate heartily but John just picked at bits and pieces. He wasn't healing as fast as Scott was and was still on some pain medication.

Scott's fingers were still in bandages as was John's fingers and wrist. Their bruises had faded for the most part and they were still both pale, although Scott was healing extremely fast. They finished their meal although John was mainly silent during it. Otherwise it was a standard, rambunctious Tracy meal. Alan and Gordon were taking in turns trying to out do each other with what to write on the new plaster casts on their big brother's arms. Jeff had watched with an indulgent smile as their grandmother looked up, joining in occasionally to the delight of the brothers. One particular witty comment of hers even had them all in stiches, including John.

After lunch they all retired to various places. Virgil, Gordon and Alan went back to working on routine maintenance of all the Thunderbird craft. Jeff and Tin-Tin had some Tracy Industries work to catch up on. Their Grandmother and Kyrano cleaned up in the kitchen, chatting merrily like they normally did. Scott and John retired to their rooms as they were both feeling tired.

Scott settled at his desk, deciding that he was going to catch up on a few letters and things that had been piling up since he had gone to see John on that fateful day a month ago. He sighed, a lot had happened in that time. He leaned back against the chair and stared outside at the ocean. His mind had been in turmoil since he had woken up at the hospital and once the pain killers had worn off and he had begun to feel like his old self, the reality of what had happened to them both had sunk in.

He had more than his share of nightmares, and he knew that John had been as well. But contrary to his father's earlier guess, Scott actually had taken advantage of having some counselling. He had learnt from his time in the Air Force that some things you just had to talk over with someone completely removed from the situation. It had helped him put things in perspective. And he found that nothing about International Rescue came up, which was a relief.

But John had refused and Scott wasn't surprised. This was another reason why Scott had chosen to have the counselling, he knew that he would need its help to help him help John. Scott sighed; knowing that the tough times for his brother was coming ahead. Scott pushed his chair out, ignoring the pile of letters he headed to his brother's room; he wanted to check on John before having a lay down himself.

Scott stood just inside John's door and watched his brother sleep. Scott had spoken to his other brothers, and his father, at various times in the hospital about how they were going to help John get over the things that had happened to him. Scott had been having a few nightmares, and the first few Virgil had been by his side and had helped him through them. They had slowly begun to loose their potency, but Scott knew that John's weren't.

Gordon had been sitting with him of a night and had helped him a couple of times but they all knew that it was Scott that John had been calling for. So now they were home, Scott knew that he would be able to help his brother more than he had been at the hospital. Scott watched him sleep with a gentle smile on his face. John was paler than normal still but he was looking better than he was. Scott moved into the room and sat down in the chair next to his brother. John looked like he was in the grips of a bad nightmare. Sweat was beading on his forehead and he began to toss and turn.

Scott sighed, knowing that this nightmare for the pair of them wouldn't be healed overnight; he moved over and sat on John's bed, reaching over and shaking his brother gently.

"John, John. Come on, wake up." John's eyes flew open and he sat up, panting hard. John's sleep ever since he had gone off the strong pain killers had been nightmare filled, and his brothers had taken turns sitting with him in the hospital. And now it was Scott's turn now that they were home. Scott put his arms on John's shoulder and John looked at him. John's eyes looked so lost, so alone, and so frightened that Scott forgot his own fears and his own nightmares for the moment. He embraced his brother, rubbing soft circles on his back.

"It's okay John, I'm here. I'm always here and I won't leave you." John clung to Scott, sobbing.

"Scott."

"It's okay John. I'm here." The two brothers sat together on John's bed, clinging to each other. Moments later Scott found himself crying as well. And the both of them sat there, sobbing together, their strength fond in their love for each other. They were finally safe, finally home and they were never alone. They had each other, their brothers and their love. That's all they needed.

The End