Authors Note: Thank you to those who reviewed the last chapter. I continue to appreciate the support and welcome everyone's comments, thank you.

Chapter Seven – Exhausted Patience

Gordon grimaced; annoyed at the consistent sound of John's strumming fingers as they waited in silence. Eventually he could bear it no longer and reached out to place a hand over his brothers. "Cut it out, will you?" He whispered fiercely.

John looked apologetically at his brother. "Sorry."

Gordon nodded his acceptance as he glanced over to where Scott sat fiddling with the expensive silver watch on his wrist. Gordon sighed and glanced at his own watch before turning to his blondest brother. "It's been nearly two and a half hours. I really think we should try and call Dad."

John kept his tone low. "Dad needs to focus on Al right now, the last thing he needs is Virgil going AWOL. Besides …" John sighed. "Scott told him Virg was asleep when he called, somehow I doubt he'll be too pleased if he finds out that Virgil was never even here!" John paused, his exasperation showing.

"I think he might notice when Virgil doesn't show up for his interview with the investigators!" Gordon bit back equally frustrated. John only shook his head in reply as he too glanced across to Scott.

He had to admit that Gordon had a point. "Hopefully, he'll be back before then." John sighed again. "Running to Dad isn't going to do anything except escalate the whole situation." He added snidely.

That last comment had Gordon's head snap up in unrestrained incense. "I'm not running to Dad." He snapped, silently fuming. "I just think it would be the sensible thing to do. Virgil could be anywhere, Scott was right; we should be out there looking for him. Sitting here waiting isn't doing anything except making everyone even more stressed." The anger in him suddenly drained. "He could be hurt John and we're just sat here."

"I know, I know." John shook his head regretfully; the thought had crossed his mind too. He was certain it had crossed Scott's on more than one occasion. He rubbed at his eyes irritatedly. "Look, give him another half an hour and then we'll see." Gordon sighed. John presumed by the lack of disagreement, his brother consented to the compromise. "Alright, let's just try and keep calm. I'm sure he'll turn up."

Gordon leant closer. "It's not me that needs reminding to keep calm."

He gestured to where Scott silently stared ahead. He fiddled restlessly with his watch, glancing down at the time periodically as he sighed heavily every few seconds. Scott suddenly got to his feet again and began pacing the small space between his own bed and Sam's. To Gordon, it seemed to be the tenth time he'd done so, in as many minutes.

"Scott, why don't you sit down? I'll get you a drink." John suggested.

Scott turned to him as if he'd only just realised they were in the room. "What? Sorry John, I was miles away. What did you say?"

Gordon exchanged meaningful glances with his blonde brother. As if to clarify that his point had just been proved.

"I said you should sit down. Do you want a drink?" John frowned at his eldest brother as Scott blatantly disregarded his comment. Continuing to pace and now shaking his head, obviously deep in thought.

"Y'know," Gordon muttered under his breath. "I'm not sure I want to be Virgil right now. Boy! Is he going to get it when he does come back!"

John ignored his auburn haired brother and walked across to Scott. "He'll be okay Scott." He reassured.

"If he was in trouble he would've called us."

"Would that be with the 'phone he's not answering!" Scott sighed, his frustration shining through as he gestured wildly at his own 'phone resting on the bed. Exhaling again dejectedly, he shook his head once more. "You didn't see the state of him John." Scott bit his lip.

John looked across at Gordon warily. The younger man blinked, taking a deep breath. "Maybe we should call Dad." John turned angry eyes on him at the suggestion. "It's just a suggestion." He defended himself at John's angry glare.

"A suggestion we've already considered." John told him harshly, scowling at his brother. "And dismissed."

"Scott, you said yourself he was hurt. He couldn't have gone far. You were right earlier; we should go and look for him." Gordon said, purposely addressing his oldest brother and stressing that fact that Virgil was hurt. Something he was sure Scott would be tearing himself up about. "He could be hurt somewhere, alone and needing our help. We need to do something!"

Temporarily ignoring the horrified expression on Scott's face as his worst fears were vocalised. John rounded on his youngest brother, scowling deeply and grinding his teeth together. "Gordon," He said calmly. "Who was it that told you that if you haven't got anything constructive to say, don't say anything at all?"

"Virgil." Gordon said softly, staring above where both his older brother's stared at him.

"Exactly, now …"

Gordon cut off whatever John was going to say. "No, I mean." He raised his right hand, pointing behind his brothers. "Virgil!" He exclaimed.

Both John and Scott pivoted round to spy their brother behind them. Virgil watched with trepidation as Scott's face lit up with relief before it clouded in anger and finally relaxed with concern. John took a step closer to him, a frown of worry clearly displayed on his features. Virgil met his eldest brother's gaze.

"What are you all doing?" Virgil asked. He struggled to remain stood up; his legs felt like jelly and the room spun around him as if he were on a roller coaster. The walk had exhausted him much easier then he could have ever anticipated and the pain with each step had only seemed to increase. He felt tired, hot and so empty inside that the inside of his cheeks tingled with the nausea he felt.

"Oh y'know." Gordon joked, trying to ease the mood as he watched John worry and Scott fume. "Just, waiting for you." He smiled as he got to his feet.

"Are you aright?" John moved closer to his second eldest brother as he spoke, ignoring Gordon altogether. "You look terrible."

Virgil's eyes refused to leave Scott's. He could see his brother was angry and he felt incredibly bad for the way he'd acted yesterday. Somehow though, when he looked deep into Scott's eyes and saw only fury. He knew his brother wasn't ready to accept his apology yet.

Virgil wanted to shrug indifferently, but his tired, painful body just failed to comply. He really didn't have the energy at the moment, or the self-restraint to hide the horrendous pain with every movement.

"I'm okay." He settled for a smile of reassurance but found he couldn't divert his gaze from Scott. Their eyes locked together, reading each other's thoughts.

John merely nodded, not accepting the answer but noticing the intense stare his elder brothers were exchanging. Reluctantly accepting the fact that Scott would ensure he really was okay, and undoubtedly point out that he'd worried them sick too.

He was reminded of Scott's harsh words the night before. He suddenly felt maybe they should leave him alone to play big brother, as he'd put it, as much as he liked.

"Right, well we'd better go down and wait for Al." John announced glancing back at Gordon and urging him with his eyes that they should be leaving.

"Al said he'd call when they were leaving." Gordon frowned.

John glared at his younger brother once more. Throughout the last hour or so, he'd become increasingly frustrated by Gordon's attitude and lack of thought. "Well I left my 'phone in our room." He said pointedly.

"Oh." Gordon finally cottoned on. "Oh, right. Okay." He grimaced at the expression John sported; it didn't bode well for him. He stood up and made his way over to Scott, placing a hand on his oldest brother's shoulder. "Go easy on him Scott." He said softly, noticing Scott's stare hadn't left Virgil. "He doesn't look too good."

"Are you sure you're okay?" John was asking Virgil as Gordon approached. Virgil's nod seemed the only indication forthcoming and the blonde brother continued. "Listen, Dad's taken Sam and Alan down to talk to the investigators. He wants you to talk to them too as soon as possible."

"But if you're not up to it, it doesn't matter." Gordon was quick to point out. Closer inspection of his brother drove Gordon to the conclusion that Virgil looked a lot worse then he'd originally thought. His complexion was a shadow of its former self; pale and sallow, whilst his eyes seemed dark and dull, aging him.

Virgil just nodded again; unaware that John and Gordon were exchanging glances by his side. "Come on Gords. You get some rest Virg." John went to clap him on the shoulder but hesitated. He remembered Alan flinching away from him, having done exactly the same thing yesterday. Eventually he grasped his brother's forearm and smiled. Virgil was far too preoccupied with Scott's insistent staring to really take any notice. As he headed for the door, he glanced back one more time to see Gordon biding his farewells and following him. Leaving their two eldest brothers alone, they headed to their own room.

"I don't envy Virgil right now." Gordon said conversationally. "Mount St Scott is going to blow and it is not going to be pretty."

John sighed as they wandered in the direction of their own room. "Virgil didn't look too good though." He frowned anxiously shaking his head. "I sure hope Scott isn't too hard on him. He's going to regret going for that walk, he looked like death warmed up." He stopped to glare at his brother. "And you're 'he could be anywhere, hurt and alone' comments didn't help."

"John!" Gordon exclaimed. "Look, the way I see it. They shouldn't be lying to Dad."

"Don't you think Dad's got enough on his plate at the moment?" John asked as they reached the lift. "You saw him yesterday, he was worried sick. He felt terrible for staying with Alan when he felt he should've gone with Virgil. He feels torn because they were both sick and they both needed him but he could only be with one of them." John paused for breath, only briefly though. "You saw how he was with Alan in the afternoon. He spent over an hour last night just watching Virgil sleep before I left to get Scott. You were there Gordy, you saw how worried he was and you said yourself how stressed he was at the minute before all this even happened!" John paused as they finally approached their hotel room. "Scott's just trying to help Dad. He's just trying to save him some worry, trying to take the pressure off. Believe me; what Dad doesn't know can't hurt him."

"I understand that." Gordon said calmly. "And you're right; Dad doesn't need all this extra stress and worry. But John, Virgil was in no fit state to talk to anyone. When he can't be interviewed this afternoon, don't you think Dad's going to want some kind of explanation?"

John stopped to consider what his brother was saying. "Scott'll think of something."

"He'd better." Gordon raised his eyebrows. "Because I'd rather face a firing squad than Dad when he finds out we've lied to him. Especially when he sees the state Virgil's in."

XxxxX

Silence.

The door clicked shut behind John and Gordon and for a few seconds there was only silence. Hostile, angry, awkward silence.

Then suddenly, the eruption came. Loud against Virgil's pounding head and distinguished against the previous instability.

"Where the hell have you been?" The snarled words completely contrasted the concern and distress held in Scott's eyes.

"I told you, I went for a walk." Virgil replied, steadily. Not biting at the harsh tone his brother used but concentrating on the anxiousness in his eyes. Hoping to calm him enough for Scott to, at least listen to his apology.

"Yeah!" Scott exclaimed. "You also told me that you wouldn't be long!" He waved a hand randomly through the air. He wanted to stay angry with his brother. Wanted Virgil to know how furious he was at the way he'd pushed him away and worried him sick in the space of twelve hours. "That was nearly three hours ago!"

He fumed; the worry was fast turning into relief. With it came an irresistible urge to just wrap his arms around Virgil, but he was determined to fight it. Though his face remained taught and demonstrated his antagonism perfectly, his voice betrayed him. And whilst to anyone else he sounded angry, Virgil knew he was wavering into relief.

"It took longer then I thought." Virgil defended. "Look Scott, I know you're upset. You've every right to be, I'm sorry." Virgil automatically started to sigh but stopped himself. Remembering how difficult the simple task had become and just how painful any movement or breath was to take.

"You're damned right I'm upset!" Scott fumed. "I was worried sick! It's only thanks to John that I didn't send a search team out!"

"I'm sorry; I don't know what else to say." Virgil asked softly, hanging his head slightly in despair.

Scott watched his brother with some regret. Sympathy soon replaced his anger as he really took in how terrible Virgil appeared. He sighed harshly, shaking his head and running his hands vigorously over his face. For a few minutes, he let the rage and anxiety fight for dominance.

Eventually he heaved a heavy sigh and turned away from his brother as he ran a hand over his hair. Before turning back; clearly faltering.

"Are you alright?" Now his voice easily matched the concern in his eyes.

Virgil smiled softly. "You mean apart from the fact that the room is spinning and I can hardly feel my legs?" He joked lamely. He attempted a smile but it seemed to take too much energy and probably looked to Scott more like a grimace.

Scott swallowed. "Sit down." He ordered frostily.

His tone wasn't half as antagonistic as before but the anger was still there, overshadowed by anxiety. He gestured to the nearest bed. Watching as Virgil took a few unsteady steps towards his goal with heightened concern. Virgil eventually came to a stop in front of him, swaying unsteadily.

Scott was about to reach out to him when he sat down on the bed. A tight grimace was the only outward sign of the pain he felt, though on the inside he was on fire. Throughout the morning, the bruised muscles in his torso had contorted; his chest becoming progressively tighter. He knew he'd acted irrationally earlier, but only now the rage that had clouded his decision, was beginning to lift. Allowing his tired mind to realise how foolish he'd been. The damage had been done now, and his chest burned with the effort it took to breath.

"Do you feel light-headed?" Scott asked. Virgil looked up at his brother to see a familiar frown of concern dimming the dark haired man's features. In response to the question Virgil only nodded, so Scott's inquiry continued. "What else?"

"Tired." Virgil blinked, he felt even more exhausted then he had before, now he'd sat down. "A little unsteady on my feet." He grasped his ribs gently, breathing as deeply as he dared. "It hurts." He confided.

"I'm not surprised." Scott muttered, hovering above him. "What the hell were you thinking? Look at the state of you." He raised a hand to his brother's brow, and shook his head. "You're hot."

"Yeah, well I feel like I've run a marathon." Virgil smiled, but Scott didn't return it. "I'm sorry Scott." He repeated.

Scott seemed to ignore the apology. "Lie down." Virgil noted it was the second order Scott had given and concluded that his brother needed to feel in control now. After three long hours of fretting about his whereabouts. Virgil winced at the thought; he had never intended to be so long or to cause his older brother so much stress. He knew how worried Scott would have been. Hence the silently executed anger now and the increasing blatancy of just how upset Scott was.

Conforming to Scott's orders was Virgil's only option. Wanting to neither upset his brother further nor remove Scott's much needed element of control. He watched his brother closely as Scott grasped the tops of his arms and lowered him towards the comfort of the mattress. Scott purposely didn't look at him and he knew far too well that it was because of his own actions. He could see Scott was torn between distancing himself and stewing in his fury, or allowing the anxiousness he felt to consume him totally. It was due to this tug of war with his emotions that he seemed concerned yet remote. Virgil was so busy watching his brother's every reaction that the pain when he moved caught him by surprise. He bit down on his bottom lip but it was too late; Scott had already seen.

"Does that hurt?" The idea that the simple movement had caused his brother pain caused Scott's concealed anger to evaporate to the back of his mind. For now.

"A bit." Virgil lied then he mentally berated himself; he had to stop pretending that he was okay. That's what had got him into this mess in the first place. If he couldn't be honest with Scott, whom could he be honest with.

"Have you taken any of the pills Dr Williams prescribed?" Scott perched alongside him on the bed anxiously. Already searching the bedside table for the aforementioned tablets.

Virgil shook his head, the comfort of the mattress beginning to sink into his weary bones. He wasn't at all bothered who's mattress it was, all he cared about was that the fact that he could rest. He allowed his eyes to close.

"Why not?" Scott raised his eyebrows, expectant of an answer.

Virgil sniffed, opening his eyes fractionally. "Too busy running away?" He asked, a sad smile playing on his lips.

Scott bowed his head, wetting his lips before he replied. "You still running?" He asked, softening to his brother's state of exhaustion and regret.

Virgil shook his head, not opening his eyes this time. "No energy." He smirked. "I was stupid." He muttered sleepily. " And I'm sorry." He paused. "Stupid." He sighed lightly, as he allowed his body to drift off into a much needed slumber.

"Virgil?" Scott asked softly but urgently. Afraid that his brother had slipped into something deeper then sleep. When no reply came, he reached out to Virgil's arm, "Virg?" He asked again.

"Mmm huh." Virgil muttered in his sleep as he swallowed and his eyelids fluttered a little. Satisfied that he was only asleep Scott sat back. Palming the prescribed pills, he read the directions. Keeping a watchful eye on his sleeping brother, he picked up the nearest 'phone and rang down to room service to order some food. Finally, settling back down, lying on his own bed and watching his brother sleep. Apprehensively he tried to decide a course of action, Virgil hadn't done himself any favours going for that walk and he openly admitted that he'd be running away.

A part of Scott wanted to make his brother realise just how angry he was but Virgil had been right. He'd apologised what more could he do? He obviously realised the error of his ways. Scott knew his brother well and he seemed regretful. As he watched Virgil sleep now, he noted every grimace of pain with each small movement. To Scott, Virgil seemed vulnerable and he wasn't used to seeing this particular brother so susceptible, it disturbed him more than he would admit. At the moment, as he sat silently in contemplation. He became suddenly aware of how Virgil's semi contented sleep accentuated just how ill he looked. Maybe his current state was punishment enough and he should just leave it, Scott considered. Maybe he should be concentrating on the question that cursed through his mind now. Just what was his brother running away from?

XxxxX

"You alright Alan?" Jeff Tracy stared down at the nervous young man beside him. Seated in two of the plastic seats that lined the drably decorated corridor; they waited anxiously for Alan to be interviewed.

"Hmm? Oh yeah, fine." Alan smiled though his anxiety was plain to see. "Just wondering how Sam's getting on in there."

"I'm sure Sam's doing just fine." Jeff glanced at his watch, secretly wondering what was taking so long. He tried to ease his son's obvious anguish. "You know, these pictures are amazing." He gestured to the random framed pictures that hung from the walls. All originals of current and ex racing professionals, but he soon realised Alan wasn't listening to him. "Son, you'll be fine. All you have to do is tell them the truth."

Alan nodded. "I thought Virgil might've been here by now." The last thing he wanted to talk about was the truth.

"Hmm." Jeff nodded with a frown. "Scott said he'd bring him down as soon as he woke up. Maybe they got held up." Jeff thought aloud.

"Maybe." Alan sighed. "Though it took me ages to get ready this morning. I only just managed myself and my ribs aren't anything compared to Virgil's."

"How's the shoulder?" Jeff asked.

"Okay, whilst the tablets are working." Alan sighed. "Hurts like hell when they're not. John said I should try and get something stronger, but I'm managing okay at the minute."

Jeff nodded. "You only have to ask."

"I can cope Dad." Alan said quickly, determinedly. Causing Jeff to glance down and wonder if this mature attitude and calm courage was all a falsified attempt at convincing them all he was an adult now. Something that Alan had been desperately trying to persuade all of them of for goodness knows how long.

"I'm not a kid." Alan told him. In those few softly spoken words came the spur he needed to talk to Scott. Just how much was Alan coping with this and how much was an attempt to prove to his family how responsible he could be.

"Alan, you know this is a terrible accident, but we're your family. There's nothing you have to prove to us." Jeff sighed.

Alan looked up to his wise eyes. "You mean if I want to shout and scream and bawl my eyes out then I can?" He paused, swallowing. "Where would that get me?" He smiled weakly, pushing himself to his feet. Unable to look at his father as he said those words, with the knowledge that it was all he truly wanted to do.

"Alan …"

"Mr Tracy?" Jeff was cut off, as a woman approached them. A brown file in her arms, she strode towards them confidently, holding her hand out to Alan. Jeff noticed the pressed black suit matched her crisp English accent with the way it exuded profession and authority. The lack of make-up and the dark mop of hair scraped back into a tight ponytail all adding to her brisk, harsh appearance.

Alan shook the offered hand. Swallowing back his nerves as he suddenly noticed Sam at her side, looking less then pleased. "Caroline Dews, Senior Investigator." She introduced herself, turning to stare at Jeff in a derogatory manner. "And you are?"

"Jeff Tracy," She turned to shake his hand as well. "I'm Alan's father."

For a few seconds it seemed she thought his presence odd. "I see." She mumbled, "Well, if you'd just wait here." She turned back to Alan. "This way, if you would Mr Tracy." Alan followed her down the corridor, as she strode with purpose. Jeff watched them go, waiting until the clip-clop of her frumpy high heeled shoes echoed out. He turned to Sam.

"How did it go Son?" He asked, gesturing for him to sit down.

"I'm so sorry Mr Tracy." Sam apologised. "It was terrible."

"Terrible?" Jeff asked. "Why, what happened?"

"They practically accused me of letting the car go out, when I knew there was a fault with it. Then they started asking about Alan's driving skills and why Virgil was in the car. I didn't know what to say." Sam shook his head.

"So you were right. They said there was a fault on the car, that's definitely what caused it?" Jeff asked.

Sam shrugged a reply. "They wouldn't tell me anything for sure. Just said we'd have to wait for the report to be published. They think it's all my fault, I know they do." He got to his feet. "I'm going to head back." He said miserably.

"Well, if you wait a few minutes until Alan's finished. You can come back with us." Jeff suggested.

"Thanks for the offer Mr Tracy." Sam smiled. "But I'd rather walk. It's not far and I need the fresh air."

Jeff nodded but Sam was already walking away. He sighed, reaching into his pocket and fishing out his 'phone he waited for Scott to answer. After several rings and no answer, he decided to try John.

"Hi Dad!" Came the excessively cheery greeting.

"Hi Son." Jeff replied, somewhat more sombrely.

"How's it going?" John asked conversationally. Wondering if this was the 'Where's Virgil?' call.

"Not so good. I think we could be here a while yet. Can you let Virgil know that he probably won't be needed today?" John heaved a silent sigh of respite. "Sam's only just come out. Alan's in there now."

John nodded. "Sure." He tried to conceal his relief, surprised that he was succeeding.

"I've been trying to get hold of Scott, but he's not answering." Jeff continued. "Do you know where he is?"

John shrugged, he hated having to lie to his father and he knew he wasn't very good at it. "No Dad, we can go up and check their room if you like?" He tried to sound helpful.

"No, it's alright." Jeff sighed, evidently too preoccupied to notice John's blatant lie. In all honesty, John couldn't blame him. He knew his father was extremely stressed at the moment and more than a little preoccupied. "I want you to do something else for me though. I think Sam's a bit upset, his interview didn't go too well and he's walking back to the hotel. Will you and Gordon meet him and make sure he's okay for me?"

"Sure we will, Dad." John smiled. "We'll go now. How's Al?"

Jeff shrugged. "I'm not really sure John. Let me know Sam's alright will you?"

John nodded. "Okay, talk to you later." With a sharp nod from the other end, the call was terminated. As John turned to his auburn haired brother to inform him of their newfound plans for the afternoon, Jeff Tracy settled back in for a long wait.

It wasn't long before his mind got round to considering what had been unsettling him all day. Was he selfish enough to deprive the world of such a fantastic resource? The conclusion he soon came to was no, he wasn't. He would discuss the matter with his sons in time. It wasn't up to him to make decisions for them, they were grown men now and more than capable of doing so themselves. He would offer them the chance to join him and he'd be prepared for them to decide, either way.

No, it was no longer the future that preyed so heavily on his mind. It was the present.