Disclaimer: I don't own them, I'm not lucky enough.
A/N: Set quite a while after the movie. John's back in the rebuilt/repaired Thunderbird Five.
-I'm going by the ages provided by the site, with the exception of Alan. So the ages are: Scott- 24, John- 22, Virgil- 20, Gordon- 18 and Alan- 16 (the site had Alan at 14).
Always Come Home- Interlude
When Virgil was younger, he'd have music in his head when there was nothing else for him to concentrate on. Sometimes he'd get so lost in the music, he'd lose touch with reality, with what was really around him. He'd sit, either by a window, or just on his bed, with the music that only he could hear. Scott was always able to recognize when Virgil was lost in his own music.
Virgil wouldn't respond to someone calling his name because he wouldn't hear it. He'd only hear the music. He wouldn't see anyone trying to getting his attention because all he'd see were either music notes or paintings he'd seen.
Scott was always able to get him back with a touch. To avoid startling Virgil, Scott would gently place a hand on his younger brother's shoulder or arm. Once Scott saw that Virgil was focused on him, he'd stay close. It was still too easy for Virgil to get lost again. As if to ensure that everything he was now seeing was real, Virgil would slowly reach out, his small fingers brushing against Scott's face, arm, whatever was closest. Then Scott would talk to Virgil, make his younger brother listen to something other than the music. He'd make Virgil look at him, make him see something that was real.
As Virgil grew up, that occurred less and less. It occurs so infrequently that it takes Scott a little while to recognize what's happening in front of him. And when Virgil reaches out, it surprises him. And when it happens now, Scott knows something is wrong.
