Scott Tracy loved his father with every molecule of his being.

But Dad had been away a long time and their family dynamics had evolved in his absence. They were all fully grown, adults in their own right. They had responsibilities and had been making their own choices for eight long years.

That was not going to change.

"Dad, I know this is important to you, but if Alan doesn't want to go to college, he has the right."

His father was pacing his office, back and forth, cane tapping on the hardwood floor.

It was one of two rooms that had been held in trust for eight years. Other than the necessary requirements to do his job, Scott had refused to touch anything. Virgil had come in here sometimes to think, John to locate specific information, but he had never seen Gordon in here and that one time he had discovered Alan crying…well, that was a memory he did not want to dwell on.

"A good education is a pillar of a good life." The cane hit the hardwood with a thump. "I've wanted all you boys to get the right start."

"Alan is a certified astronaut and pilot, Dad. Has been for nearly four years. That is all he has ever wanted to do. We have the monetary security. None of us will ever have to work to survive. Besides, if he wants further education, he can pick it up anytime."

His father's shoulders dropped. "I respect that, Scott, but it just doesn't feel right. Even Gordon has qualifications."

Scott's lips thinned at the 'even'. "Don't underestimate Gordon." It wasn't intentional on his father's part, but the man was a pilot to the core and his vision a little on the narrow side. Virgil had had a hell of a time persuading his father that art and music were valid career paths.

Of course, the purple hair and piercings had not helped. But Scott often wondered if his brother had chosen engineering to appease their father.

Gordon…Gordon had never helped himself. The yelling had been hell.

Dad held up a hand. "I'm not. This isn't about Gordon. This is about Alan's future."

"No, kidding." Scott's patience was beginning to erode. "Dad, it is Alan's choice."

"I just want what is best for him."

Scott stood up. "Alan is smart, Dad. He will make the right decision. For himself."

Those grey eyes were still not convinced, but any further discussion was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Before either of them could speak, Gordon ducked his head in, eyes worried. "Scott, Virgil's hurt. He's in the infirmary with Grandma."

Scott shot to his feet. "What? How?"

Their father shuffled forward and his foot caught on the edge of his desk.

A blink of realisation and Scott moved.

He grunted as he took the other man's weight. Despite the emaciated condition of his frame, Jeff Tracy was not a small man.

Then Gordon was there and between them, they got their Dad's feet under him.

The man grunted, displeased at his own frailty as always. No thanks were given but those worn hands gripped Scott's just that moment longer and squeezed gently.

Voice rough. "What is Virgil's status?"

Scott blinked at the familiar sound of his commander and Gordon straightened just that little more.

Scott, yet again, was confronted by the fact that their father had never been Gordon's IR commander. Gordon had become an operative after their father had disappeared.

It was a fact that he knew, but he forgot and remembered in repeated painful moments.

But Gordon had been in WASP. He knew how to respond regardless.

"Dislocated shoulder, broken wrist. Grandma is attending to him now."

"How the hell…?" The words fell from his mouth as he made for the door, still hovering around his father in case the stumble heralded any further instability.

Dad's cane made stubborn thuds on the hardwood.

"Virgil refused to say. Well, with me in the room." Gordon shrugged

Scott held the door. "I can agree with that."

The glare he got for that was nasty.

"You've only got yourself to blame, bro. He will never forgive you for the road rash incident."

"Aw, c'mon, it was his butt, Scott." Gordon screwed up his face. "And I was only sixteen."

"You were hell on Earth."

"Someone had to laugh back then. You were all work and no play."

Scott's lips thinned. Gordon was right, but they had just lost Dad and the learning curve was of Everest proportions. The eldest three had had to adapt fast and, admittedly, the younger two often got the dud end of the deal.

"We did our best, Gordon."

His brother sighed. "I know. Was just trying to help."

"I get it." He hit the elevator button. "But you're going to be paying for that one probably for the rest of your life."

Their father glanced at him as Scott ushered them into the elevator and the pain in those grey eyes cut him to the quick.

They were discussing incidents of which their father had no knowledge. The aftermath of his disappearance and the pain their family had experienced. It was something that reared its head regularly.

"I think I will need details regarding this one." Those eyes swept both of them as the elevator dropped two levels.

"I think I'll send Gordon off the Island and you and Virgil can discuss it at length." It would be at length. Virg had some serious issues about those photographs of his backside. "I wouldn't want either of you to accidentally murder Gordon in the aftermath."

"It wasn't that bad!"

"It wasn't your butt or your injury, Gordon!"

The elevator opened across from the infirmary.

To Scott's surprise Grandma was outside the doors.

And to his horror, she was crying.

-o-o-o-

End Part Three

TBC