Many thanks to everyone who's been reading. Hope you're still enjoying it! A big special THANK-YOU goes out to Sam1 for helping me keep all the medical jargon straight. I couldn't have done it without her help.

Again, I don't own the Thunderbirds or it's characters, just the ones I made up.

Virgil leaned on the balcony railing and pulled a deep drag off the cigarette he held in his hand. It was a habit he had picked up in college and though it wasn't the obsession it was back then, he still craved the nicotine during times of stress. He kept and emergency pack hidden in the back of his bureau drawer, but had to resort to bumming one off an orderly for this trip. He made a mental note to pick up a few more packs while he was on the mainland. He had a feeling the stress leveles weren't going to go down much in the near future.

The hospital security had cleared one of the larger parking areas to allow Jeff to land Thunderbird 2. They had vacated half a floor to allow the Tracy's their privacy. His father was sitting with Penny in the waiting room, and Virgil just needed a few minutes to himself.

He blew the smoke out, making his already foul tasting mouth even worse. It was hell, this waiting. Gordon had been admitted for a twenty-four hour observation. He had a hairline skull fracture and his dislocated shoulder had been reset properly. He griped about having to stay, but welcomed the painkillers the doctors had given him.

Scott was still in surgery. The doctors weren't too happy about Virgil's improvised blood transfusion, but grudgingly agreed it had probably saved Scott's life. There had been no news since they had wheeled his brother into the operation room nearly two hours ago.

Virgil sighed and taking one last puff, crushed the cigarette on the railing and stood staring out across the Sydney skyline. So lost in thought, he jumped a mile when his communicator beeped.

"Virgil here."

"Master Virgil."

Virgil smiled. "Kyrano, what's up? Don't tell me Alan crashed Thunderbird 1.Or that he destroyed the pool. Scott will kill him and Gordon will be crushed."

"Master Virgil, we need you to come home. Immediately."

Kyrano's tone caused the smile to fade from Virgil's face. "What's happened?"

"It's Master John."

Virgil grew cold. "What's wrong with him?"

"Dr. Hackenbacker is not sure. John seems to be suffering from a severe concussion. He is also having trouble breathing. We need you." Kyrano said again, more forcefully this time.

"Son of a bitch." Virgil muttered under his breath as he paced the short length of the balcony. "Can you airlift him here?"

"I believe that would not be advisable. Master Alan told us John's condition worsened when they took off in Thunderbird 1"

Virgil nodded to himself. "Right, g-forces with a concussion and a chest injury. Not a good combination." Virgil paused and leaned heavily on the railing. "Have you told my father?"

"No."

Virgil sighed. "Don't. He's got enough on his mind at the moment. I'm leaving now. I should be there within a half an hour."

"We shall be waiting."

Virgil walked to the doors leading back inside. Visibly steeling himself, he went inside in search of his father. He found them where he had left them in the waiting room. Jeff sat with his head in his hands, Penny sat next to him, one hand on his knee. One of the nurses had lent her a clean pair of scrubs, and she had thrown her ruined pink outfit away. Virgil personally thought she'd look just as beautiful in a paper bag. He shook the thought out of his head and sat down across from his father. "Dad? Any news on Scott?" He asked softly.

Jeff looked up through bleary eyes and shook his head. "No, nothing. Have you talked to John?"

Virgil was a terrible liar. It was the main reason he refused to play poker with his brothers. "No. I did talk to Kyrano and they made it home." He said, slightly exaggerating the truth.

Jeff nodded. "Good. Alan's probably eaten us out of house and home already."

Virgil smiled. "You're probably right." He sighed. "Dad, I'm going to take Thunderbird 2 back to the island. The press is starting to gather, and who knows how long security will be able to keep them at bay. I can check on the boys and come back later with the jet." He said, not quite looking at them when he spoke.

Jeff frowned thoughtfully for a moment. "That's a good idea. We've attracted enough attention as it is."

"Then I'll see you later. Try and get some rest." Virgil told him.

Jeff sent his son a tired smile. "FAB. Fly safe." Virgil nodded and hurried out.

Penny gave Jeff's hand a squeeze. "I'll be right back darling. I'm going to have Virgil bring me back some clothes." She kissed him lightly and followed Virgil out the door. "Virgil! Wait a moment!" She called out. Virgil turned and waited until Penny caught up with him. "What aren't you telling us?"

Virgil stepped back. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Penny frowned, her hands folded across her chest. "Please Virgil, I wasn't born yesterday. You refused to meet your father's eyes and you positively reek of cigarette smoke."

"I was in the doctor's lounge. They were all smoking in there." Virgil hedged. Penny refused to back down and he sighed. "OK, Kyrano called. John collapsed on the flight home. I'm on my way back there now."

"What happened?"

"I don't know. Honestly. Brains thinks he might have a concussion. I won't know anything until I get there."

"Don't you think your father should know what's going on?"

Virgil shook his head. "He's already worried enough about Scott and Gordon. And I know John and Alan are in the back of his mind too. Why add to it at this point when we don't know for sure how bad John really is?"

"He looked pretty terrible back in Malaysia." Penny said, remembering.

"I know." He sighed. "Look, we can stand here talking about this, or you can let me get home so I can find out what's going on."

Penny narrowed her eyes at his tone. "Very well. I expect a report as soon as you can."

"FAB Penny. Thanks." He kissed her lightly on the cheek and hurried down the hallway.

"Virgil?" He turned. Penny pointed a finger at him. "No more cigarettes."

He couldn't help it and burst out laughing. "Can't hide anything from you, can I?"

She shook her head. "No. And don't you forget it."

Within minutes, Virgil had his beloved Thunderbird in the air. A short time later, he circled Tracy Island and leveled his ship out for landing. He was startled by the sight of Thunderbird 1 parked in the middle of the runway. Swearing under his breath, he pulled his ship up, narrowly missing the top of the mountain. As it was, he took out a grove of palm trees growing on top.

"Thunderbird 2 calling Tracy Island. What is Thunderbird 1 doing on my landing strip!" Virgil demanded angrily.

Onaha's face appeared on the com-screen. "Virgil, I'm sorry. We forgot."

"Forgot what? What's it doing there?"

"Alan was not sure enough of his abilities to land Thunderbird 1 in the silo. Brains suggested he land there."

Virgil rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease his frustration. "Get Alan out there and launch. He can circle around until I've reached the hanger, then land again."

"I will tell him."

"Thanks Onaha. Thunderbird 2 out."Virgil sent his ship on another wide arc, his thoughts in turmoil. If Alan had to land, then Johnny must be worse than they're telling me. John can and has landed TB 1 practically in his sleep. He mumbled angrily to himself for another ten minutes until he saw Thunderbird 1 streak past him. Not waiting another minute, Virgil arced back and deftly landed, guiding his ship into the giant underground hanger. He quickly secured the ship and marched down the ramp before it had even stopped descending.

There was no one waiting for him, and that added fuel to Virgil's already short temper. He punched the buttons on the elevator and shot upwards. When the doors opened, Fermat and Tin-Tin were waiting for him. He pushed past them, heading towards the infirmary.

"Wait Virgil!" Tin-Tin hurried after him.

"What Tin-Tin? I don't have time for this." Virgil said without stopping.

"John is—"

He whirled to face her. "John is an idiot! He shouldn't have even been on this mission, and now he's managed to get himself hurt worse! He should have stayed behind but he didn't. Plus, he was supposed to come to Sydney and get checked over but decided instead to fly home. Frankly, he deserves what happened to him!" Virgil snapped angrily.

Tin-Tin stepped back at his tone, her coffee eyes filled with tears. "You don't understand." She whispered.

But Virgil didn't hear her, he had turned back and marched into the infirmary. "All right John, what's the prob—John!" Virgil stood in the doorway, stunned at the sight in front of him.

John was laying on his left side on one of the diagnostic beds, curled almost in a fetal position. Brains held an oxygen mask to his face, one hand on John's back, talking quietly. Kyrano stood next to them, his forehead furrowed in worry. Virgil rushed to kneel at his brother's side.

"John!"

John looked up and pushed the mask away. "Virgil…Virg…It hurts!" The front of John's uniform was splattered with fresh blood. His face was deathly white, and there was a faint bluish tinge to his lips. The pain in his eyes was evident for anyone to see.

"Where John? Where does it hurt?" Virgil demanded gently, his anger forgotten.

But before John could answer, he went even paler, which Virgil didn't think was possible. "I'm going to be sick…"

Quick as a flash, Virgil held a basin out for John, holding his brother as he vomited up the contents of his stomach. When he had finished, Brains handed Virgil a damp cloth and he gently wiped his brother's face. "All right Johnny, roll onto your back. I need to take a look at you." Together Brains and Virgil eased John down on the bed. Brains once again held the oxygen mask to John's face.

Virgil unzipped John's jumpsuit and carefully ran his hands along John's chest. "OK John, I want you to tell me if this hurts." Virgil pushed gently down on the left side of John's ribcage, and John screamed in pain. He pushed his brother's hands away and once again curled up on his left side.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! John, relax." Virgil tried to keep the strain out of his voice. He met Brains eyes and took a shuddering breath. "Where else Johnny? Where else do you have pain?"

John opened his eyes. "My head…Virgil please…God…"

Virgil quickly pulled his brother up and thrust the basin under his chin, trying to remain calm as John was once again, violently ill. Only this time, John's breathing grew distressed and a small trickle of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Virg…I…I can't…I can't brea..." John's voice was cut off in a brutal choking cough and his blue eyes were wide with fear.

Virgil pressed the mask back to his brother's face. "Easy John, just relax. Take it slow. Breathe with me. In…Out…In…Out. That's it. Nice and easy."

He once again met Brains gaze and nodded off towards the other end of the room. "Kyrano's here John. I'll be right back."

They walked over and Virgil started pawing through the drug cabinet. "He's got a classic flailed chest. And I'll bet Thunderbird 2 that he's got a pneumothorax of his left lung." He pulled a vial of medicine and eyed it critically before replacing it.

"W-W-What about his head?" Brains asked.

Virgil shook his head. "I don't know. He's displaying all the signs of a severe concussion, but there's no outward sigh of injury. He told me before, it was the Hood."

Brains paled. "It w-w-was his power. He can g-g-get inside your mind. Make you do things a-a-against your will. Hurt you." He shivered at the memory.

Virgil stared at Brains for a moment, then turned back to the cabinet. Behind them, John let out another moan. Virgil clenched his eyes shut. "I don't know what to do." He whispered desperately.

Brains placed a supporting hand on his shoulder. "N-Neither do I."

Virgil looked up at him, a helpless look on his face. "I'm not a doctor Brains. I can't—" Virgil was cut off by a call from Kyrano.

"Master Virgil! Come quickly!"

Virgil and Brains ran back to John's side. John was moaning in pain and had both hands pressed to his temples. His nose had once again started bleeding and he pushed the oxygen mask away.

"Dammit!" Virgil ran back to the drug cabinet. His eyes scanned the shelves and he grabbed a bottle. Shoving a syringe in the stopper, he quickly filled it. When it reached the desired amount, he stopped and did some rough figuring in his head. Glancing back at his brother, Virgil added another few cc's. He replaced the vial and hurried back to John.

"Hold still Johnny." Virgil pulled up the sleeve of John's suit and swiftly plunged the needle in his arm. John didn't notice, but a few moments later his eyes rolled back and he slumped forward. Virgil caught him and eased him down on the bed, being careful to lay him on his left side.

"W-W-What did you do?" Brains asked.

"I over sedated him." Virgil's hands shook as he readjusted the mask around his brother's mouth and nose. It didn't seem to be helping John's labored breathing, but Virgil knew it wouldn't hurt. He looked up at the others, his eyes full of anxiety. "He needs a chest tube."

Brains and Kyrano looked at John with concern. "Are y-y-you sure?" Brains asked hesitantly.

Virgil nodded and motioned them to move away. Once away from John, Virgil put his face in his hands, rubbing it tiredly. "We need to get him to a hospital, and moving him is exactly what we can't do." Virgil sat down in defeat.

Brains nodded in agreement. "Moving him now might k-k-be fatal."

"I wish we could somehow get a hospital to come to us." Kyrano sighed.

Virgil's head snapped up. "What did you say?"

Kyrano looked at him in surprise. "That we need a hospital to come to us." He repeated, puzzled.

Virgil broke into a grin. "Kyrano, you're a genius." He bolted for the door. "Keep an eye on John and call me if there's any change. As soon as Alan gets back, have him meet me in Dad's office." Then he was gone.

Kyrano turned to Brains, one eyebrow raised in confusion. "I do not understand."

Brains shook his head. "N-N-Neither do I. Guess we'll just h-have to wait and find out."