Disclaimer: I don't own them, I'm not lucky enough.

---

"Dad…what are we going to do about…" Scott began to ask.

"I haven't decided yet," Jeff asked, knowing what Scott was asking about. "I don't want to ask you all to leave, but I don't want to be out of action for too long either."

"Is there anyway we can have him moved to the island?" Gordon asked. "Brains can look after him."

"Negative," Jeff answered. "I talked with Brains about that. He feels that Virgil's better off here. He just doesn't have the medical knowledge to handle this. Plus, the move would be stressful for Virgil as well."

"I do know something though. He'd be so upset if there was a disaster or something and we didn't respond because we were all here with him. He'd feel guilty that people died…" Scott reluctantly said.

"I know," Jeff sighed. "We'll talk about this a little later when Alan and Penelope get back."

Then they heard a soft snore. Jeff, Scott and Gordon turned to see that John had fallen asleep with his head on his arm, one hand still holding Virgil's, the other still on his injured brother's chest.

Scott shook his head, then moved. But when he was about to pass his father, Jeff put a hand on Scott's arm.

"Don't," Jeff said. "Just leave him be. You have no idea how much he needs this right now."

"What did we miss?" Scott asked.

Jeff only shook his head. "Seems I missed more with him than I thought."

"What's wrong with John?" Scott asked, not accepting the vague answer from his father.

"Nothing I'm sharing," Jeff answered. "Let's just say that Virgil isn't the only one who doesn't share everything willingly."

Scott nodded, knowing he wasn't going to get any more from his father. The three talked quietly, as not to wake John. Scott did make a mental note to try and talk to John since he knew there was something wrong. It was Alan and Penelope's return that woke John up, who only sat up without saying a word to anyone. They saw him look over Virgil and sigh sadly. Then he looked up to see everyone there, looking at him.

Embarrassed under all of the attention, John just looked back to Virgil.

Jeff was almost shocked when he heard John ask, "Want some food, Dad?"

"Sure," Jeff answered, standing just as John did so.

"Keep an eye on him," John told Scott as he passed by.

John then led Jeff out the door. They ate in a secluded part of the cafeteria, and the conversation was kept to idle chit-chat. By the time they returned to the room, Penelope and Alan were there, so Jeff used the opportunity to discretely discuss IR business.

"Boys, Penny, we need to talk about what we're going to do from here as far as…the business goes," Jeff said, carefully bringing up the subject.

Scott repeated his piece that he'd told his father and Gordon with Gordon reluctantly adding in his agreement. That left the others to weigh in with their opinions.

"I have to agree with them," Alan said. "Knowing Virge…yeah, he'd be upset if we didn't go…didn't help people. He'd feel like it was his fault."

"As do I," Penelope added. "He's always felt so strongly about being able to help others."

"I agree too," John said, almost shocking his father again. "Doesn't mean I'm going anywhere. But I agree too."

"Then that settles it," Jeff announced. "John, I'm not going to argue with you. If you want to stay put, then you'll stay put. I could use the company anyway. Scott, I would like you to take Gordon and Alan back to the island."

"And myself?" Penelope asked.

"If you would like to stay, you're welcome," Jeff answered. "But I do think you'd be able to help on the island. With John and I here with Virgil, I'd like you to help Brains so Tin-Tin can go along with the boys. She's got some medical knowledge that would come in useful with Virgil's absence."

"Then I shall accompany them to the island," Penelope replied. "As long as we are kept fully up-to-date on the situation here."

"That's a promise," Jeff said, looking between her and his sons.

"So, when are we going?" Gordon asked.

"Whenever you boys are ready," Jeff answered. "I know you'll want a little more time with Virgil before you go."

"We should do that now and then get back to the island," Scott suggested.

Once Scott, Gordon, Alan, and Penelope all had their time with Virgil, they went back to the hotel for their things, then they set off for Tracy Island. Jeff went to alert the island's occupants to the incoming craft since they wouldn't expect it otherwise. And that left John alone with Virgil once again.

"So, here we are again…" John began telling his brother. "Just don't know what to say anymore. I wonder what the others have said. I want you to tell me about the things you've been working on, things on your mind…what you want to do to Gordon and Alan when they prank you again…I want things to go back to the way they used to. When you were close to both me and Scott. When Scott had his share of insights into your head and I had my own."

"How long as it been since the accident?" John asked a bit later. "A week? More? Less? I don't know…it's been too long. The days…nights…they've blended together. Between here and the hotel, there's been nothing to remind me of dates. Is it still January? I think it is. Let me look at the stars for a few minutes, then I'd be able to tell you."

He stopped there since he knew that the door had opened, having heard the increase in volume of the noise in the hallway. He turned to see a nurse come in, only to check a few things on Virgil, write some things in his chart, then she left. He didn't get to start up again since his father had come in, taking the chair across from where John was sitting.

"How are things on the island?" John asked.

"Good," Jeff answered. "They're happy to hear about Virgil's improvements and that your brothers and Penelope will be there soon. It'll give the others something else to do."

John nodded. "Do you wish I went with them?"

"No," Jeff answered. "If you didn't stay, then I was going to ask Penelope. But I appreciate your company. Virgil can listen to the two astronauts talk…"

John smiled a bit, and that was a relieving sight for Jeff. So they talked about the planets and the stars, the solar system and what John was working on before Virgil took over his attention.

The flight back to Tracy Island was, surprisingly, not made in silence. While Scott piloted, Lady Penelope, Gordon and Alan sat nearby and the four traded stories to occupy their time in the air. They soon landed back at the island, where they found Tin-Tin, Onaha, Kyrano and Brains waiting for them. The three brothers and Penelope were helped inside by the others. While Penelope was settling into her suite, the brothers showered and changed. They regrouped in the kitchen just in time for dinner.

"We should call Dad and let him know we made it back okay," Gordon noted.

"I'll make the call," Scott said, standing.

"Check on Virgil and John too!" Alan called after his departing brother.

"Planned on it!" Scott called back.

Scott went into his father's office, sitting in his father's chair to make the call. Jeff answered on the second ring.

"Just wanted to let you know that we made it back okay," Scott informed his father.

"Good," Jeff replied. "I just got John to go back to the hotel for a little while. I want him to get some sleep."

"What about you?"

"I'll go when he gets back. I told him there's no rush, but I know he'll be back sooner than I want him to."

"How is he?"

"He's holding his own."

"You?"

"The same. Virgil's the same too. No changes there. You boys and Penny?"

"She's settling in fine. Me, Gordon and Alan…we're doing as well as we can. I mean, it's hard being here with Virgil hurt."

"I know," Jeff replied. "But I don't want any of you feeling guilty about that. You know this is how he'd want it."

"Yeah," Scott sighed. "Doesn't make it any easier though."

"I know, Scott. John and I will keep you updated as anything happens."

"Good. Listen, we'll fly right there if we have to. IR is important, but family is more important. Anything serious happens, we'll be right back there."

"Alright," Jeff relented, seeing no reason to argue the point.

After another minute of talk, Scott disconnected the call. He rejoined the others at the table, filling them in on what he and his father had discussed.

At the hospital, John came back to find his father asleep in the chair next to Virgil's bed. He sighed, shaking his head slightly. Then he shook his father's shoulder.

"You're turn," John said.

Jeff only nodded, looking at the time on his watch. "Call me…"

"I will," John promised.

Jeff then left the room, left Virgil in John's capable hands. Once he was alone with Virgil, John put one hand on Virgil's, the other going above his younger brother's heart once again.