Gordon stared at the holoprojecter as the subtitles announced that Virgil Tracy, pilot of Thunderbird Two, was critically injured and in hospital.
Various shots of his brother appeared, mostly his typically heroic, saving self, but it was the sight of Virgil at a children's centre, crouching down to show a four-year-old how to draw Thunderbird Three that tore at Gordon's heart.
His holographic brother smiled as the small child bounced at the red rocket appearing on the page.
He had his own memories just like that. Except the subjects were fish and squid and Virgil had been so much younger, less scarred, but still so much his gentle and kind brother.
Gordon refused to look back at the bed he was leaning on in that moment. Keep the illusion that his brother was animated, safe and himself.
As the story flicked over, Gordon physically flinched as the asshole politician from yesterday appeared snarling in the holoprojection. The lack of sound did nothing to hide his abusive arrogance.
The projection flicked again, this time bringing up his eldest brother, dressed impeccably in his business suit, his blue eyes haunted. Gordon could see the pain in their shadows. Scott was downstairs in front of this same hospital giving a press conference regarding the incident.
Despite the hurt and lack of sleep, Scott's words were firm and cutting as he shredded the curse of a man on live broadcast. Both John and Eos had done a number on that nameless politician - Gordon refused to give him the courtesy of a name. Eos, in particular, had called in Penelope. The AI may not have any fondness for Gordon, but she certainly had admiration for Penelope.
Maybe it was shared lethality, because once his girlfriend was involved...John may be nasty, but Penny was vicious.
And Virgil was a loved one.
As if reading his thoughts, the 'projector switched again to scenes of Virgil doing good. It even included an excerpt of a very brief interview with his engineer brother after a fairground rescue a couple of years ago. Virgil had been painting when the callout came and the streak of blue on his cheek was still hilarious as he typically told all children to brush their teeth after eating cotton candy.
This time it brought tears to Gordon's eyes. Virgil hated the dentist.
Don't forget to brush your teeth.
Gordon ran a hand over his face, tears smearing messily everywhere.
"Dearest..." And suddenly Penny was there, hand in his hair, an arm around his shoulders, perfect pink nails resting on his shirt. She drew him close, and while the gallant at the back of his head demanded he bottle it up, his honesty had him clinging to her.
He blinked at the blur of pink suit. "Penny..." Her name said everything he needed to express.
"You saved him. He has a chance and he's strong, Gordon. Just like you."
He closed his eyes and breathed in her perfume.
Gordon loved all his brothers. They were precious in each of their ways. Scott, the father figure who would do anything for any of them, include take on Gordon at his worst. The arguments were legendary...as were the quiet moments of shared military reminiscence and solidarity.
John was quiet, precise and devoted. No one touched a Tracy without feeling the wrath of Thunderbird Five. The current example exemplary.
And so many nights of helping Gordon through his math homework.
Alan was his best friend, his partner in both heroics and crime. His only little brother, his responsibility in making sure he didn't grow up too serious.
And Virgil...
Virgil was always there. Less the father figure of their determined eldest brother, softer, calmer, just as loving and...there.
All his brothers had made him into who he was, but Virgil was always there, holding him up as he stumbled on those blasted parallel bars; watching from the bleachers at the pool, sketchbook in hand; hovering above the ocean in his beloved Thunderbird keeping an eye on Gordon as he swooped below the waves.
Almost all of his earliest memories involved Virgil in some way. His quiet presence, always there.
Except now.
Because not even Scott's determined gutting of that asshole on live projection, not even Penny's lovely perfume and the absolutely gorgeous pink of her blouse...could hide the fact that the man on the bed...his brother...
...was not there.
-o-o-o-