Jeff knew full well what the slap was about, although he had hoped that Scott hadn't told Kaya even as he also knew he would have had to. You don't profess love for someone like his son had and then keep such a thing a secret.
More and more he wished that he had had the opportunity to sit down and discuss this with a more level head, especially now that he was coming to realise what an idiot he had been over the whole thing. Jeff was eternally grateful that Scott hadn't seen fit to tell his brothers, a right he could have exercised at any time.
Anyway, he deserved that slap.
And he was grateful to his mother for taking charge of Kaya, he really didn't know what to say to her. He had treated her abysmally. Even Penny had taken him to one side to say how impressed she was with the woman. And yet he had brushed all that aside in the belief that he knew best for his organisation.
His organisation. When did he start feeling that he was absolute Commander? That his children were more employees than his boys? Lucy would be so disappointed in him. And Jeff sat down suddenly on the nearest chair, head in his hands.
Alan, misreading the situation entirely and furious that his brother's girlfriend had attacked his father at this terrible time, had had enough. First his brother's reaction at his announcement that morning and then this…
Striding across the room, before his brothers could react, he yanked the door open just as Kaya said: 'Scott told me that Jeff was making him choose between being Field Commander and living on the island or marrying me and leaving International Rescue and his family behind.'
The silence was so thick it was suffocating. Everyone froze. And although her words had not, it felt like they were echoing around the room.
For John and Virgil it explained a lot about both Scott and Kaya's actions.
For Gordon it was vindication of his Squid sense.
For Alan it was absolute horror at the sudden understanding of his brother.
For Tin-Tin it was disbelief.
Ruth closed her eyes and held Kaya's hands tightly. She knew that the girl hadn't meant to let everyone know, or she would have said that first thing. And now she could feel Kaya trembling. The woman was going into shock, and Ruth looked up to see all the boys in the doorway. Catching Virgil's eye, she nodded to Kaya and he nodded and disappeared.
John, noticing the exchange between his Grandmother and Virgil, began to shoo his brothers out of the doorway, and Ruth smiled at him in gratitude. Jeff, still sitting with his head in his hands, looked up as John's hand squeezed his shoulder. There was an understanding look upon his son's face that made Jeff feel so much worse.
'I wanted to tell him I had changed my mind, but I never got the chance.' His father's voice was low, broken even. 'I should have listened to him. I was being irrational and he tried to tell me.' John said nothing, allowing his father to get everything out.
'What have I done?' It was whispered, more to himself than to anyone else, but John heard it.
'What have I done?' Alan had taken one of the seats in the side room, unknowingly mirroring his father's stance. Tin-Tin, giving Kaya's shoulder a squeeze, went and sat by him, putting her arm over his shoulders.
'I..he..I…He – he wanted to apologise, and I wouldn't let him,' he said, toneless voice betrayed by the tightening of his eyes and mouth. 'It should have been me.' Tin-Tin hissed, about to correct him, but Alan steamrollered over her. 'No, it should have been me. He pushed me out of the way. Despite everything.'
'Of course he did, Alan. He's your big brother. He will always step out to protect his brothers.' Grandma's words brought some comfort, but the guilt remained. No wonder Scott hadn't taken the news of his and Tin-Tin's engagement well.
Virgil came back into the room at this point, carrying a tray of hot drinks and chocolate bars for everyone. He handed one to his Grandma for Kaya first before distributing them. Ruth smiled at her grandson. It was exactly what they all needed.
Now they just needed to work out how to go forward.