Disclaimer: I don't own them, I'm not lucky enough.
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At the hotel, each brother took a shower as food was being ordered, and then they gathered in Scott and Gordon's room. John was sitting on the bed next to Scott, and he had one of Scott's pillows in his arms. Gordon was lying on his stomach, on the foot of Scott's bed, facing Alan. Alan was lying on his bed, on his side so that he could see the others.
"I hope he wakes soon," Gordon said from his place. "He can sleep all he wants afterwards, but I just want him to wake up so we can see if he'll be okay."
"I think we're all impatient for him to wake," John replied. "Though he may need the time to heal more before he wakes up."
"What do you mean?" Alan asked, knowing that there was more to John's statement that the older blond vocalized.
"I hate saying this, but if he's in a coma, there's less stress on his body and it's able to heal more."
All nodded, though they didn't like it. After eating, it was time for some sleep. So John and Alan went into their room leaving the other two alone. But sleep didn't come easily as they were all anxious.
At the hospital, Jeff offered the other chair to Penelope who took it wordlessly. Then she began updating Jeff on what she'd been told.
"Everyone on the island is understandably concerned for Virgil, and for all of you. Kyrano just about insisted on coming out here himself just to help you all care for yourselves. And Onaha and Tin-Tin are beside themselves since there isn't much for them to do right now. And Brains has just about dived into his inventions just to keep himself occupied."
"Hopefully we'll have good news for them soon, then they can get started setting up a welcome home party for Virgil," Jeff replied.
"I also spoke with Parker, who had a little news for me."
"What did he have to say?"
"He only said that he's sure that the reporter is still in the same area. I've asked him to travel there under the guise of a holiday, and to keep watch on him."
"Thank you, Penny," Jeff sighed, then looked at Virgil.
"Is there anything I can do?" she asked, seeing the forlorn look on Jeff's face.
"No," he answered, "You've done more than enough…more than I have any right to ask of you."
"Rubbish," she says. "Jeff, you and those boys are like family. Plus, I remember telling you I was coming here, you didn't ask."
"He's always adored you," Jeff told her, his gaze fixed on Virgil.
"He's always been a special one," she replied, her own gaze on Virgil. "I simply love it when he comes to visit since I get private concerts. And he always manages to create some fantastic piece of art. And he's willing company to a theater performance or an opera."
"He goes with you to the opera?" Jeff asked in disbelief. That was new for him.
"Yes, though he doesn't prefer it. He simply goes to keep me company since no other Tracy male will accompany me."
Jeff looked up at her with a guilty smile. "I went once with Lucille and decided that was enough. Virgil even fought going with her to the opera. He'd be more than willing to go to a play or musical, or to a classical concert. Opera was just never for him."
"But he made the best of it," Penelope smiled.
"I'm sure he did," Jeff agreed, knowing his son.
They were soon interrupted by the four returning brothers, who all immediately asked after Virgil. After hearing that there'd been no change in the short time they were gone, they relaxed into conversation that was strained by anxiety.
It was soon Jeff's turn for some rest, so he went back to the hotel with Lady Penelope. And the four brothers each stared at each other.
"Okay, I'm going to say this since no one else will," Scott said. "We all want some time with Virgil…alone."
Three heads nodded in agreement. Then John spoke up, "So, how we decide an order?"
"Age?" Scott asked. "Oldest to youngest?"
"Not fair," Alan muttered.
"Pieces of paper with a number on it?" Gordon suggested.
"That's better," Alan replied.
They managed to find a scrap piece of paper, and using the pen on Virgil's chart, John wrote a number on each of the four shreds of paper. After mixing them, John went over to Scott and had the eldest brother choose first.
"Three," Scott read, disappointed in his choice.
Then John went over to Gordon, who announced his, "Two. Hey! That's Virge's number!"
After a brief round of laughter, Alan chose from the remaining two. "One," he read with a small smile.
"And that leaves me with four," John read somberly.
"Take as much time as you need," Scott told Alan. "Just come out when you're done. We won't interrupt you, though we make no promises about hospital staff."
After seeing Alan nod, Scott led John and Gordon out of the room. They settled into the chairs outside of the room while Alan settled into the one on Virgil's right side, so Alan could hold on to his brother's uncasted hand.
"I had so much in mind, but I've forgotten it all," Alan sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't see you much since I got home from school. I missed so much, this music thing…mural…Gordon's present…"
"He knows you have something planned, so he's real impatient. He tried getting Dad to tell him what it was, but you know Dad…he didn't say a word. Virge…this all so hard. We know you're getting better, but you're not better yet. We need you to get better. If nothing else, just think about Gordon flying…"
Alan stopped, choking at the thought of Virgil never flying his beloved Two again. He leaned down, resting his forehead on his hands, taking a minute to get it out and then calm himself down.
"At least the others aren't here to see that," Alan laughed to himself. After wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, he continued.
"Your piano is lonely since none of us will touch it. Dad said you're working on lots of stuff, so you have to get better to finish them up."
Hedrifted offinto memories and stories for a few minutes, Alan went to leave the room. But before he opened the door, he turned to his brother and said, "I love you, Virg."
Alan came out and Gordon stood, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder before heading in himself. Gordon settled into the same chair that Alan had occupied, while Alan couldn't sit still. So he paced, much to Scott and John's chagrin.
"You know something," Gordon told Virgil. "With all this time, I could come up with plenty of pranks to pull on you…once you're all better of course. I flew her home…not a scratch, I promise. And trust me, even with the pranks, we'll be fussing over you a lot. You don't get to scare us so much and not get fussed over."
"I really, really want to know what you've got in mind for my birthday present. The others don't know, though Dad does, but he won't tell me. I don't mind it being late either. Better late than never…"
Then Gordon stood, and started pacing the small room. "Damn it, Virgil! This isn't fair! First that creep starts with you, then this! But you're strong and you're fighting to stay with us. Just don't expect us to let you off the island again."
Gordon finally sat back down, retaking Virgil's hand and then sighed, "Like that'd happen. You'd go stir-crazy in a week and take us all with you."
It was Gordon's turn to settle into memories in between pleading with Virgil to continue fighting and come back to them. And he said thesame thing as Alan just before he left the room. He was a wreck when he left, and immediately settled next to John, who put an arm around the redhead's shoulders.
