DISCLAIMER: Standard disclaimer applies. We don't own the Thunderbirds. Neither are we making any money off this endeavor.
Chapter 6 – PROBLEMS
"Problem?" Jeff asked in alarm. "What kind of problem?"
"I analyzed the an-an-serum." Brains explained. "John is allergic to one of the in-in-in-components."
Jeff ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Can this get any worse?"
"I have been w-w-w-developing other possibilities." Brains told Jeff.
"You have?" Jeff asked. "Do you have a cure?"
"I have four possible an-an-cures." Brains began. "I need some bl-bl-bl-samples from John. I need to ex-ex-ex-test to see which if any st-st-counteracts the poison."
"How long will that take?" Jeff asked.
Brains sighed. "At least tw-tw-tw-a day, probably closer to thirty-six hours."
"Thirty six hours!" Jeff exploded. "That's cutting it close. It's already been fifty hours. Another thirty-six, will take us to less than two days."
"I kn-kn-kn-am aware of the time con-con-line." Brains said testily. "These things t-t-require time. I can't ch-ch-ch-alter scientific laws or per-per-make a miracle happen. I can only do my b-b-b-wh-wh…"
"I know Brains." Jeff interrupted. He was ashamed of the way that he took his frustration out on Brains. He could tell that Brains was just as frustrated because he very rarely ever addressed Jeff in anything other than a respectful tone. "And I'm sorry about yelling at you. I know that you are doing your best. I'm frustrated. This whole situation just keeps getting worse and worse, and there is nothing that I can do about it. I hate feeling this helpless."
"I kn-kn-kn-understand Mr. Tracy." Brains said in a calmer tone. "I feel the s-s-it too. I'm going to get the s-s-s-blood from John. The s-s-quicker I get them the qu-qu-sooner I will have a c-c-c-antidote."
"Thank you Brains." Jeff said as they walked toward the infirmary. "While you are collecting the blood samples, is there anything that you can do for John? He's in a lot of pain, and on the way home he began to vomit."
"I can only do what John al-al-let's me." Brains said. "I can s-s-s-give him an IV to replace his fl-fl-fl-to keep him hydrated. I can give him something to st-st-st-conteract the vomiting. I can also give him a p-p-p-something to stop the pain."
By this time, they had reached the infirmary. Jeff clasped Brains on the shoulder, and said. "Do whatever you can do."
They entered the infirmary and found the four Tracy boys there. John laid on his side on one of the beds curled up in the fetal position. His eyes were tightly closed. Gordon stood on one side of the bed lightly rubbing John's back, trying to help him relax. Virgil and Scott stood at the foot of the bed looking uncomfortably at a loss. They turned when they heard the door open. Their faces lit up expectantly when they saw Brains.
Brains moved to John's bedside. "John, how are you f-f-f-doing?" He asked.
"Been better." John said. Unfortunately speaking sent him into another bout of stomach spasms. John pulled himself into a tighter ball trying to fight off the pain.
Gordon continued rubbing John's back and quietly spoke encouragement. "Concentrate on your breathing. Inhale, exhale slowly. That's it." Slowly the heaving subsided and John unwound himself slightly with a groan.
"John," Brains said. "I'm going to have to dr-dr-dr-take some blood."
Gordon, Scott and Virgil started and looked between Brains and their father waiting for an explanation. John cracked one eye open and looked at Brains. "Why?" He asked.
Brains looked at Jeff questioningly. Jeff gave Brains a nod, and Brains moved to the cabinets to gather the supplies he needed while Jeff began to explain. "We ran into a small problem when Brains analyzed the antidote. John, you are allergic to one of the components in the antidote."
As expected there was a round of gasps of disbelief.
"This can't be happening." Virgil said, staring at the floor.
Gordon let out a quiet, "Oh God," while he battled the tears that had flooded his eyes.
"What are we going to do now?" Scott asked his father.
"I knew…it wasn't…going to be easy." John said painfully.
"Just settle down boys." Jeff said. "Brains has been working on alternative antidotes. That's why he wants the blood samples. We are not giving up. Remember that."
Brains returned to John's bedside. "John, I need ac-ac-ac-to get to your arm."
John unfolded himself enough so he could straighten his arm out. He looked Brains in the eyes. Painfully he told him, "I want…to thank you…for all you…have done. No matter…how things…turn out. I know…you've done…everything…you could."
Brains drew three vials of blood out of John's arm. "Your f-f-f-dad said that you have been v-v-throwing up. I would like to s-s-s-put you on an IV. I can also give you med-med-something to stop the v-v-v-heaving."
John closed his eyes but nodded his head. He winced at the pain that it caused.
Brains and Jeff both noticed the wince. Brains continued. "Do you want a pain k-k-k-reliever?"
John quietly said. "Yeah…I think that might…be a good idea."
Jeff and Brains exchanged looks. All the Tracy boys acted like enduring pain was a test of their manhood. For John to agree to a pain killer, spoke volumes of the pain that he was in.
"OK, John," Brains said. "I'll be r-r-r-back shortly." Turning toward the two brothers at the end of the bed, holding out the vials, he asked. "Virgil, could you t-t-t-return these to the lab. Tin-Tin is w-w-w-expecting them. I have already given her in-in-in-directions on what to do."
"Sure Brains," Virgil replied as he took the vials from Brains and headed out the door.
While Brains started setting up the IV, Scott moved to stand next to his father and began a quiet conversation. "What about Alan?" He asked. "Shouldn't he be notified?"
"No, not yet." Jeff said. "Let's give Brains the twenty-four hours he needs to develop a new antidote. I don't want to worry him needlessly."
"Needlessly!" Scott said in quiet exasperation. "How can you say that? John's been poisoned. He's dying! And even though I have a tremendous amount of faith in Brains, there is no guarantee that one of his alternative cures will work. Alan needs to be brought home. He needs to be allowed to spend time with John just in case the worst happens."
"No, I said no." Jeff said with determination. "If Brains hasn't come up with something by tomorrow, then I will bring Alan home. Until then, I don't want him to worry."
"Alan's not going to like that." Scott countered.
"It's my decision, Scott." Jeff said as his anger was rising. "I will deal with Alan after all I am his father."
"Dad?" A weak voice called from the bed.
Jeff moved to the side of the bed. Gordon moved away from the bed. At the same time, Brains was adjusting the IV drip. "Yes John?" Jeff asked his son.
"What are…you two fighting…about?" John asked.
Scott answered John before Jeff had a chance to answer. "Aww John, we weren't fighting. We were just having a difference of opinion."
John gave Scott a disbelieving look. "Yeah…sure." Even through the pain, Scott could hear the sarcasm in John's statement.
Brains broke in. "OK John, this f-f-f-injection is for the v-v-throwing up." He said as he injected the medicine into the IV's side injection port.
"Who's going…to tell…me what the…difference…of opinion…is?" John questioned his brother and father.
This time it was Jeff who answered. "We were discussing a rotation so that someone is always with you."
"I don't…need a…babysitter, Dad." John said as he closed his eyes.
Jeff moved closer to the bed and took John's free hand in his own. "I know son, but it's what we want to do."
Brains brought another syringe up to the injection port. "John, this injection is the p-p-p-medicine to stop the pain." He said while injecting the painkiller.
John just nodded his head to acknowledge that he had heard Brains. Brains moved away from the bed to dispose of the used syringes and to put the medicine vials away. Jeff sat on the edge of the bed watching his ill son.
A few seconds later, John's eyes flew open. "Dad!" He said in a strangled gasp. He pulled his hand from his dad's and began to claw at the IV.
Jeff grabbed both of John's hands. He could see the panic in his son's eyes. "John, what's wrong." He yelled, fear beginning to rise in him.
"Burns" John gasped.
Jeff felt his heart jump into his throat as John's eyes rolled back and his body began to convulse.
"BRAINS!" Jeff yelled in pure panic.
Author's notes:
Grumpy: NO! (She screams and drops to the floor, rolled up in the fetal position.)
Convert: (Pokes Grumpy with a stick.) Grumpy, are you dead? Oh man, I am so out of here. I have this feeling that I am dead meat. Some of the reviewers are scary. (Just kidding.)
OK, folks. Here's the next chapter. We know it is short, but the drama factor demanded a chapter break here. The next chapter will be longer, we promise. Please review. We really do enjoy hearing from our readers.