With many thanks to Gumnut and TsarinaTorment for both the read-through and with the title.

He did a double-take.

Rubbed his eyes hard and looked again.

Glanced up at his brother's image, floating there with a similar look on his face which told him he wasn't dreaming,

Scott lay scrunched up on the sofa, fast asleep.

So deeply asleep that Virgil's singing hadn't disturbed him.

Little panic alarms began ringing in the medic's head.

'How long has he been like this?' he almost barked at John. The blue-green eyes regarded him coolly for a moment before turning away slightly. Virgil immediately felt guilty and apologised.

John's eyes softened. He knew how short Virgil could get when the medic came to the fore, especially when it was unexpected. And seeing Scott asleep in the middle of the day was extremely unexpected.

'It looks like he's been out for about 30 minutes.' Virgil frowned. He couldn't think of a reason why Scott would be so out of it. A growing list of problems began to form in his mind. John, having no need to read his brother's mind because he knew exactly what Virgil was thinking, started the list off.

'He slept quite well last night. Well for Scott, that is. A full five hours of uninterrupted sleep.'

'He didn't have any rescues this morning, did he?'

'Nope. He spent all morning on paperwork, had lunch and conked out here on the couch about half an hour after that.'

'Did he get injured on the last mission?'

'Suit telemetry says no.'

'And…'

'And his stats are good and stable at the moment, Virgil.'

Scott chose this moment to mutter and turn over. It would have been amusing if his two brothers hadn't have been so worried. As it was they stopped talking and froze until a gentle snore was heard in the silence.

If anything, Virgil's alarm ramped up.

'Is he in any pain?'

'I can't see any reason for there to be any.'

'He's not been digging into the pain relief behind my back again?'

'No. I think he learnt that lesson well the last time.'

'Ok. No episodes of nausea, changes of blood pressure or any readings like that?'

'Nothing that indicates it.'

'I wonder if he is dehydrated?'

'He's had several coffees and a bottle of water.'

'Has Scott mentioned anything about feeling down to you?'

'No…has he to you?'

'No, but depression can make people sleepy.'

'He's not acted any differently.'

Virgil paused. Depression can be easily hidden when a person is used to having it, and Scott wasn't the most open out of all of them about his feelings. Well, he knew how to get Scott to open up.

There was nothing for it. He needed the Medscanner. Looking at John and silently telling him to keep an eye on the sleeping man, Virgil hurried to the kitchen where there was a small-scale scanner in the first aid kit.

Running the scanner over Scott, Virgil and John were both relieved to see greens. No issues at all.

So what was wrong with Scott?

The next thing to do was some blood tests to identify what was wrong. But Scott would have to wake up for that. Virgil rushed down to the infirmary, grabbing the needed equipment and hastened back.

They stood there for a further five minutes, watching and puzzling, until Scott stirred, sitting up and stretching.

Scott almost jumped out of his skin when he opened his eyes to see both John and Virgil staring at him.

'What?'

'What's wrong with you?' Ah, yes. Did John mention how blunt Virgil could be when in medic mode?

'What do you mean, what's wrong with me?'

'You were asleep in the middle of the day, for one thing,' answered John.

'And for almost an hour!' added Virgil

Scott blinked. They were worried because he fell asleep on the couch? He looked around, frowning. Had he missed something?

Virgil came forward, emesis basin and strap in hand, and Scott jerked away from him.

'What the hell, Virgil?'

'We need to run some tests, make sure that you're alright.'

'What do you mean, alright? Of course I'm alright!'

'You were asleep in the middle of the day, Scott. You never do that!'

'Yeah, John and I are worried!'

Scott sighed. 'If I tell you why I was asleep will you promise to back off?' His brothers looked at each other and then back at him and nodded. He pinched the bridge of his nose.

'I simply had a huge lunch and thought I would sleep it off. That's all.'

John and Virgil looked at each other.

'And you all call me the Smotherhen!'