I glanced at Virgil and saw only sorrow and exhaustion in his pale face. He avoided my gaze and closed his eyes.

Silence hung heavily in the air and it was almost hard to breathe. Scott seemed satisfied with having made his point and backed away from me. I stood there dumbfounded, aware that it was not perhaps they who posed a threat but rather whatever (or rather, whoever) it was that had apparently attacked them. Which in itself was of very little comfort.

Scott sighed and dragged a hand through his hair, leaving his tight fist pressed against the nape of his neck. He suddenly seemed less menacing and I found myself relaxing slightly, concerned for the two men and their extended family. I looked to Virgil and moved forward to steady him as he swayed groggily.

My advance brought Scott rushing over to defend his brother but then he seemed to remember that I could help and he backed off with a quick shrug of apology.

"Wo …" Virgil groaned.

He leaned heavily against me, grateful for my support as I guided him backwards to slowly sit down but he met the small couch hard. I slid my fingers under the cuff of his flight suit and frowned as I measured the racing pulse beneath.

"I'm okay," Virgil offered quietly, "It's just the day catching up with me."

I looked up into his tired face and offered a thin smile. I could not even begin to imagine what he might be referring to and somewhere behind his tired eyes there seemed a need for him to tell me. But he then suddenly gasped and flicked his head up towards Scott.

"Where's Gord?"

"Putting the Mole to bed." Scott replied.

Mole? I looked between the two of them in intrigue.

"What?" Virgil urged, "You left him there alone?"

"It's okay. Da- the others are on their way back through to the gardens."

"They are?"

I watched Scott in intrigue and saw him struggling to decide just how much he dared say.

"The Hood is in custody." Scott offered, glancing my way nervously.

I stared at him in confusion, wondering if perhaps he had suffered a head injury or inhaled some toxic fumes or –

"It's over … ?" Virgil clarified in all but a whisper.

Scott nodded and managed a small smile. "So it would seem."

Virgil closed his eyes and let his head fall into his hands. I watched his shoulders trembling as the tears gathered and I reached out to place a hand on his arm, still unsure as to exactly what I was offering sympathy for. Looking back at Scott, it seemed for a second that he might be about to elaborate. But the moment was gone as the room door was flung open and slammed against the inside of the wall with a crunch.

Both men gasped in horror at the angry figure that marched into the room and I got to my feet quickly.

"God dammit, Scott!" He barked in fury, "Which part of 'stay put' do you not damn well understand?"

Scott's fists clenched at his side. "I was—"

Before he could continue, the man turned his angry gaze upon Virgil. "And you! I told you to get John home? What in God's name made you decide to bring him here?"

Virgil started to stammer out an explanation, but Scott stepped protectively in front of his brother. "Virgil brought him here because John collapsed in a puddle of his own blood!" Scott shouted, his face red with fury. "If it wasn't for Bob here, John would be dead by now!"

I cringed. Please, don't bring me into this…

"Bob? Who the hell is Bob?" The man turned towards me, as if noticing me for the first time. He narrowed his eyes. "Is this true?" He demanded.

"No, I'm lying." Scott glared angrily. "Of course it's true! You think we'd be here if it wasn't! For Christ's sake, if you had done your job five years ago, we wouldn't be here in the first place!"

"Don't you speak to me like that!"

"I'll speak to you any damn way I please, it's my brother that's dying because of you!"

Now Virgil stepped forward. "Scott, don't—"

But neither heard him. Nor did anyone hear the door open and see four others, Gordon and three youngsters, enter the room.

I stepped forward, trying to ease the situation. "Please, everyone calm down."

Those angry brown eyes focused on me again. "This is none of your business. Stay out of it."

Scott gave the man a shove backwards. "Stay out of it? He saved John's life!"

"Get your hands off me!" He gave Scott a shove back. "This doesn't concern him!"

My own anger started to boil. I didn't know who this guy was, but he had no right to speak to these men that way. Taking a deep breath, I plunged in. "Now just a minute, your man, John, had serious injuries." My eyes moved to the name badge on his chest. "As commander, Jeff, it was your responsibility to notice that!"

Jeff spun at me, his eyes bright with anger. "I thought I told you to stay out of it!"

Scott moved in front of me. "What's the matter Dad, can't handle the truth when it's rammed into you!"

Dad? I felt a chill run through me. My God, he's their father…International Rescue is a FAMILY…My stomach knotted as I stood stunned, unable to say anything.

Then Gordon joined the melee. "You could have stuck around to help John yourself, but no, you had to go running off on your personal vendetta leaving John to fend for himself!" His voice cracked with emotion.

They all started shouting at once, each one vying to be heard. I didn't know whether to try and intervene or let them kill each other.

"STOP IT!" Sudden silence descended on the room and we all turned as one.

One of the boys, the blonde who had come in with Gordon, was staring at them, tears pooling in his blue eyes. "Can't you hear yourselves? My God, you could have all died today! John still could! And you're fighting over whose fault it is?" He walked over to the couch and sat down. "If the Hood could only see us now…" He put his head in his hands.

And silence dropped like a lead blanket over the room. I watched the flushed faces of the angered group pale and wondered if I really wanted to delve any deeper into what had happened to them. What I had deduced was daunting enough.

"Crap …"

Virgil. He had suddenly turned ashen and sank back against the wall, his knees buckling beneath him. I made a beeline for him at the same time as Scott and together we lowered Virgil carefully down to the carpeted floor.

Virgil met my concerned gaze and nodded slightly, sighing in relief as the dizziness faded. I glanced at Scott and could see the tears he was fighting with. Looking back at the stunned group who now watched Virgil in dread silence, I could see that retribution was pointless. They knew all too well the gravity of the situation.

And suddenly their leader (father … ) snapped out of his quiet stupor and frowned in thought.

"One." He offered quickly, "I left One in - "

A knock on the open door interrupted him and we all turned to see the security guards that stood in the hallway beyond.

"Excuse me, Jeff. You need to come and attend to your … erm … 'vehicle' …" He offered cautiously.

"Shit!" Jeff groaned.

Scott was on his feet in an instant. "What have you done? Where the hell did you leave her?"

Jeff shrugged slightly, "In the park across the street."

"WHAT?" Scott barked in shock.

"Oh, it's quite safe." The security guard interjected quickly, "We're looking after it alright." He glanced a quick nod and smile to Jeff. "It's just that the press have arrived and are starting to get a bit too friendly."

"Great …" Scott groaned, shooting daggers at his father.

I watched Jeff struggling with whether he ought to stay with his bedraggled family or go and secure their valuable hardware. My heart went out to him as he caught the look Scott was giving him and made his choice, his head hung low as he left the room without a word.

"Dude …" The young blonde sighed wearily, "You should ease up on - "

"Back off, Alan!" Scott shot back in fury. "This is all his fault. All of it."

"Scott…" Virgil started but was silenced by another angry glare from Scott.

"I'm going to check on John." Without another word, Scott stormed from the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

"Well, what an interesting reunion this turned out to be." I turned to see Gordon, a wry grin on his face.

I shook my head in disbelief and turned my attention back to Virgil. "How're you doing mate?"

"Better. Just a little dizzy." He held an arm up and I pulled him to his feet, helping him over to the couch. He gave a low moan and rested his head in his hands. "What a day…"

Gordon walked over and knelt down in front of him. "Virg? I think some one should take a look at you."

I nodded. "I agree."

Virgil tried to protest, but Gordon interrupted. "Look Liberace, if you don't get yourself checked out I'll…" Whatever else Gordon was going to say was whispered in his brother's ear.

Virgil suddenly gained more colour than I'd seen on him all day. "You wouldn't!"

Gordon merely smiled. "Try me." He helped his brother to his feet and started towards the door. "You three stay put and wait for Scott and…" An uneasy glance in my direction. "…Dad. Oh and Alan, don't touch anything." He led Virgil out the door.

And the room was suddenly silent. I looked round at the stunned, ashen faces of the remaining crew. Children. They were just children.

This was my chance. With the older, angrier brothers gone, the exit was clear and I began towards the door.

"Did he really die?"

My heart groaned. Turning back into the room, I saw a face full of weary sadness looking up at me and I shrugged a reply towards the blonde boy. "He was very sick."

"Was?" The girl demanded with a gasp.

I met her horrified expression and tried to find an answer but I was uncertain what to say to them. I always had been; adults were far easier.

"He's in s-s-s-surgery, Tin." Came a small voice from the other side of the room. "The doctors are l-l-l-looking after him."

I watched the bespectacled boy hurry over to comfort the girl and was suddenly loath to walk out and leave these children alone. Then the girl began to weep gently and my decision was made. "Hey…" I crossed the room and reached out a hand towards them both. "It's okay, guys …"

A small laugh from the blonde boy and I turned to see him shake his head.

"It's as far from 'okay' as it could possibly be."

"I know," I shrugged, "I was just - "

"Yeah." He scowled, "Well, don't."

"Alan!" The other boy hissed a warning and took a step towards me, instinctively seeking comfort.

"It's ok- " I stopped myself with a small smile and nodded slowly. "I understand how you must be feeling."

Alan looked away from me with a grunt of disbelief and the two other children edged nearer to me. I wrapped my arms around them and gave them a small squeeze of reassurance, hoping my uncertainty in the presence of little people was not painfully obvious. Somewhat uncomfortable, heavy silence fell once again, broken only by the odd sniff or hiccup from the younger of the two that now clung to me.

"Alan?"

We all jumped in shock and turned to see the leader (father) of the group approaching the open door in a quick, determined stride.

"Where are the others?"

Alan stood slowly from the couch. "Scott went to check on John."

The man frowned, "And Virgil? Gordon?"

I almost felt the need to raise my hand for permission to speak in the presence of such apparently ferocious authority and I pulled the two youngest closer against me. "Virgil is - "

"Virgil is fine." Came a quick call from beyond the door and the man in question wandered back into the room, shrugging sheepishly.

Gordon was close at his heels and laughed gently. "I only got him as far as the Coke machine."

"The nurses are busy." Virgil protested, apparently not for the first time. He took a sip from the can he held and sank into the sofa. "I'll be okay."

I watched him in concern and then caught the wary glance he shot my way and saw a hint of his embarrassment at having created a fuss and I sent him a quick smile. I then turned back to their father and suddenly noticed the sadness that was hidden beneath his anger. My heart went to him as I watched him surveying his family, knowing I would no doubt react in much the same way if it were my sons that had been (how did Virgil put it?) attacked.

"One's okay?" Gordon ventured.

Their father nodded. "And Pen's making certain the Hood is secured and will then head this way."

Virgil and Gordon flashed a concerned glance my way and a chill ran up my spine.

"Dad…" Gordon started.

"It's being taken care of Gordon." Jeff broke into a soft smile. "It's being taken care of."

The door opened and we all looked up as Scott came into the room. He glanced first at his brothers, then his father, then me.

"They said you saved his life."

I shrugged. "I was only doing my job."

"Bullshit." We all turned to stare at Virgil. He marched over to stand next to me. "I was there. You were his lifeline even before he…" His voice trailed off.

Scott nodded. "Exactly. Thanks Bob." He broke into a smile, his once cold eyes, filled with warmth.

I felt heat rising on my cheeks as I stammered out something. I couldn't think clearly with all those eyes on me.

Jeff stepped forward. "How is he?"

Scott turned to his father. For a moment they stood staring at each other, Alpha-male to Alpha male. Then Scott's expression softened. "He's going to be alright Dad."

There was a universal sigh of relief around the room. Including from me.

Scott went on. "It seems the docs are taking a piece of Five out of him …" he paused for a moment and watched the equally weary and distraught faces of his family before he then cleared his throat. "The nurse I spoke to seemed to think it was going well." He closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. "I…I'll take everyone back to the island." He opened his eyes and looked deep into his father's eyes. "You stay with John."

Something passed between them. Almost an apology of sorts.

Jeff gripped his son's shoulder then nodded. "Thank you." He said softly.

"Does that mean I get to pilot Two home?"

The moment was broken by Alan's voice.

Virgil swivelled around to glare at his younger brother. "I don't think so."

"But Three needs two pilots! And you probably shouldn't be flying alone anyway." There was a devilish twinkle to Alan's blue eyes. The grief I had seen there just moments ago, disappeared.

"He's right you know." Gordon piped up. "You being all…" He wiggled his hand. "Woozy and all."

"Bite me Gordon."

The three started arguing while Scott and Jeff exchanged a glance that seemed to say this was all completely normal.

Jeff gave his son's arm another squeeze and with a brief nod, began ushering everyone out of the room. Soon, it was just myself and the leader.

Jeff walked over to the window and stood staring unseeing at the world outside. For the first time I noticed how stiffly he held himself and knew instinctively that it wasn't his demeanour. He had also been hurt and was trying desperately to keep that information to himself.

Deciding that I had done enough damage today, I let him keep his secret.

"Thank you."

His voice startled me. He was still standing at the window, but he looked back and gave me a brief smile.

"For what?"

"For everything. And I'm sorry, for jumping down your throat earlier." He closed his eyes and swallowed audibly. "Without you I could have lost…"

I shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. "Anyone would have done the same. It's what we do."

A fleeting emotion crossed his face. "Yeah, it is."

"Besides, this was your son. I think I would have killed whoever did this to my boy." I was taken aback at the rage that suddenly appeared in his eyes. As quickly as it appeared, the emotion faded and he nodded.

"Right."

I smiled back. "Besides, we should be the one thanking you blokes. You and your … sons … do this every day. How much thanks do you get?"

Jeff smiled. "We don't do it for the recognition."

"But you deserve it all the same."

He turned back to the window and we stood in silence. But a much more comfortable silence than just a few moments ago.

A roar and slight tremble of the building made him look up look up and smile. "There they go."

I followed his gaze to see the three massive ships soar out of sight, the smaller silver one doing barrel rolls around the larger green one. "I'd fancy a ride on one of those myself."

Jeff turned, an enigmatic smile on his face. "That could be arranged."

I frowned in puzzlement, unsure of what lay beneath his words, but he seemed to not want to offer anything else. For the first time, I wondered what had become of Anna. Was she being…held…like me? And why exactly, was I being held. Certainly they could see that I held no threat, couldn't they?

As if he could read my thoughts, Jeff spoke up. "You must be needing to get back out there." He nodded towards the world beyond the waiting room.

It was my chance and I took it eagerly, heading quickly for the door. But once there I stopped and turned back, meeting his tired gaze. "I'll never breathe a word of this … to anyone."

"I know you won't." He said softly.

Again the hidden meaning and something inside me wanted to run from him. I managed a small smile and headed out into the department.

The ambulance bay was empty. The fuss had moved off with the departure of the Thunderbird craft and I could see the last of the paparazzi packing up. Whether they had put two and two together and knew John was inside I was unsure but they seemed to be leaving. With a sigh, I headed across to our ambulance and my heart began to race as I sensed that something wasn't right.

The ramp was up but the side door open and I peered inside the clean but still untidy and unstocked main cabin.

"Anna?"

"She is safe."

I spun with a gasp and met the small smile of an elegant young woman.

"She is with my associate." She continued.

Somehow this was not reassuring. I took in her slim figure clad in elegant silk and the ornate styling of her blonde hair, her image so very out of place and perhaps better suited for shopping in Knightsbridge than standing in the forecourt of the riverside hospital.

She took a step towards me and smiled again but at this closer distance I could see that her eyes were not smiling. I moved back and saw her tense in anticipation. And then she glanced at something – or someone – behind me.

Ambushed and more than a little concerned, I could feel my heart thudding in my throat.

"I don't want to hurt you, Bob."

Crap. That she knew my name was even less comforting. And after the morning I had had, her implication that she could hurt me if she wanted to was positively terrifying and I dared not turn to see what it was that was moving up behind me. I was glued to the spot, my head spinning with all that I had heard since scooping John up into my ambulance; explosion, attacked, danger. And John's earnest apology for getting me caught up in 'all this'.

"Bob - "

"Please!" I blurted suddenly, raising my hands in a gesture of peace. "I don't know anything, I didn't hear anything, I just - "

"Of course." She nodded. And there was that smile again. Pleasant yet decidedly deadly.

I gasped as she threw her hand towards me and I recoiled in fright before then seeing that she was offering a greeting and I relaxed slowly, feeling more than a little foolish.

"Lady Penelope Creighton Ward."

I managed a smile and shook her hand gingerly. And then it hit me. Pen. This was the Pen the boys had mentioned. And now I recalled how they had looked at me in concern as they said her name. Great.

"Bob." Pen continued, still holding my hand - perhaps a little too firmly. "We need to talk."

THE END