The smell of incense was overpowering as Scott watched the smoke drift up from the golden container, swirling menacingly around the dark wood of the coffin before dispersing into the air above. Virgil was crushed against him in the pew, his trembling hands jammed between his knees. Scott hadn't seen him glance towards the coffin once since they had taken their place in the church. Scott looked away, he could hardly bring himself to watch Virgil struggle to keep composed. Scott chewed the inside of his cheek as it was announced that Virgil would read the 1st reading of the service. Jeff nodded encouragement to his son as he got to his feet and made his way to the front of the church. Scott watched, holding his breath as Virgil's eyes met the dark mahogany of the coffin. He hesitated, his face visible blanching before he turned away and took his position at the lectern. Scott, dreading the thought of Virgil breaking down now, was proud as his younger brother spoke in a clear voice, his eyes momentarily lifting to meet his brother and fathers. As he got to the end of the passage, his voice caught in his throat as he spoke of a time when their tears would be wiped away, a time when they would all see Caitlin again and the knowledge that she was safe and in a better place. Jeff looked down, the golden band on his wedding finger suddenly seeming ever more significant. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before joining Scott in watching with pride as Virgil stepped down from the altar and returned to his place beside them, wiping a stray tear from below his eye.

"That was beautiful Virg," Scott whispered and Virgil half nodded distractedly, the emotion so close to the surface that if he'd spoken, it would have burst from within him. Virgil stared straight ahead as Caitlin's elder brother spoke about her, his jaw clenched and his hands clasped together tightly. Scott was about to reach out when he saw his father reach across and place his weathered hand on Virgil's. Virgil glanced down, shocked at the gesture and grabbed his father's hand tightly as the first of his tears began to fall.

"I'm here Virgil," Jeff whispered as Virgil stared at their hands clutching each others. Virgil reached out for Scott's hand and he took it, placing both hands around Virgil's. It took all Scott's strength not to begin sobbing into his younger brother's shoulder as he looked into his blurry eyes, filled with unspeakable sadness. As they left the church, Scott kept a protective arm around his brother, normally so confident and sure, now deteriorated into a fragile shadow of his former self. Virgil felt Scott by his side as he moved towards the main gate, his eyesight becoming blurred with tears. Glancing towards the thick grey sky above, Virgil felt the cold air stinging his eyes, making them water with even more unshead tears, chilling his already frozen cheeks.

"You did well in there Virgil…it must have been really hard…" Scott began, but Virgil shook his head quickly.

"Don't Scott…please, I don't want to think about it."

"Sure…um, are you going back to your apartment? I can stay with you for a few days if you like?" Scott asked, his hand against Virgil's back, feeling his sharp breathing as he sobbed silently. Virgil shook his head, turning to face Scott.

"No…no…I want to come home…" he blurted out, burying his face into Scott's shoulder, the wool of his coat absorbing the tears. Scott glanced over Virgil's lowered head and caught his father's eye. Despite circumstances, Scott managed a small smile, enough to lift Jeff's spirits and allow him to let out a sigh of relief. The prodigal son was returning home.

To Virgil, it seemed like nothing had visibly changed, but everyone on the island had. His father seemed to spend more time in the office than he previously had. Scott had almost retreated into himself, seemingly not bothered by the other brothers. Alan was permanently exhausted and obviously in the 'bad books' as it were after getting Tin Tin pregnant. Gordon was trying desperately to get everything back to the way it once was, but he was still tiptoeing around Virgil, not quite sure of what exactly to say. It was John's reaction that had shocked Virgil. Despite his obvious sympathy for the loss of someone special, he seemed to resent Virgil's return and had fixed him with a glower since the family had been reunited. Virgil wanted to speak to him in private and found his moment when he saw John lurking near the pathway to the beach one morning. He approached cautiously, but John was well aware of his presence.

"I was wondering how long it would take you to get me alone," John muttered, not glancing in the direction of his immediate younger brother. Virgil shoved his hands into his pockets, his shoulders slumping, the words he wanted to say vanished.

"So…you want to know why I'm not being all sympathetic and nice?" John asked sarcastically, shooting Virgil a look of anger that Virgil had never seen him express before.

"What…what did I do John?" Virgil asked apprehensively. "All I did was come home…"

"That is it Virgil. You came home. You left without a word and three years later you just waltz back in as if nothing ever happened!"

"I didn't mean to…" Virgil tried, but John interrupted him quickly.

"You have no idea what happened in three years. Scott fell apart, Virgil. He was at a complete loss…it scared the hell out of me to see him like that! Alan and Gordon were trying to take your place in the team and they couldn't do it…it was impossible for them…they tried so much, and totally drained themselves in the process. Dad basically disowned you for the three years, but…I went to him and told him I knew where you were and he broke down in front of me…he let his guard down and I swear Virgil…he was so hurt by what you did…it tore him apart. It tore all of us apart." There was a long silence. Too long; John scoffed and looked out towards the ocean, beginning to reflect the pinks and oranges of the early morning sky.

"But hey, don't worry about it. You were enjoying yourself so it's fine." Virgil grabbed John's arm as he tried to leave.

"I didn't know what was happening here. I'm sorry about what happened…I never meant to stay away, but life has a funny way of throwing things at you that change everything. My priorities changed…and I thought I was doing the decent thing staying with the girl I loved…sorry if you don't agree."

"Did you even think about us?"

"All the time…and it hurt me too, you know. I couldn't sleep some nights I was so filled with regret at walking out."

"Oh you poor thing," John snapped, pulling his arm free of Virgil's grip. Virgil let his arm fall lifelessly by his side and looked his older brother in the eye.

"I know what I did was selfish, but I promise I will do all I can to make up for it from now on." John shook his head and brushed past his brother.

"You don't get it, do you? The damage is already done."