20

Thank you so much Cantanatova, Minimam and islandsandstars for your reviews on the last chapter I am sorry I haven't been able to reply directly, for some reason my reviews aren't updating as they should and the links are broken! I was keen to get this one completed for you. It's keeping me motivated to write regularly even if the chapter gets tough! thankfully this one was less of a challenge and a lot more natural to me. I hope you like it, this one is for all of you. Oh and am I bad I slipped into some British terminology in the last chapter which i have since rectified in this one! apologies.

Scott had got up before the rest of the household (as was custom) although today he was up even earlier. Thanks to his brother's antics yesterday he couldn't sleep from the paranoia of the Feds potentially showing up. It had really rattled him; I mean how on earth had he even managed to hack a government satellite for crying out loud? He hadn't even used high spec equipment! Scott would never admit it but it was pretty impressive; the kid was resourceful he'd give him that. He would be watching John like a hawk from now on. Genius or no genius, he wouldn't be pulling any kinda crap like that again on his watch. John had always been a dark horse. That blond angelic façade got him out of a lot of trouble as a teen, Scott wished he got let off of his questionable behaviour the way he had at school and college.

Scott shook his head and finished tying his expensive running shoes on before standing up from the bed and creeping out of bedroom. He made it out the back door without running into a soul. He shoved his earphones in and did a couple of stretches to limber up, feeling the lycra become taught over his thighs and claves as he did so. Scott was aware he had been slacking on the old PT of late and seeing as he tried to eat his way out of his filthy mood last night, he had a whole pizza and a half worth of calories to burn. He pushed off at a steady pace. One of the nice things about being home was the freedom to run across their own land away from prying eyes. He beat down on his favourite track adjusting to the early morning chill in the air, the last couple of days had just started to give way to the temperatures usually experienced during fall. He could see his breath rise in a cloud in front of him. Perfect crisp, dry weather for a good run. He passed the barn and the stables before heading out into the first field where the corn was growing before running into the next fallow field. The steady slap of his feet on the earth and the music allowed him to drown out the flurry of thoughts and worries that pressed on him. It was a welcome relief and the first time he had felt at peace for some time. He started to near the farm again just as his phone started to buzz on his arm interrupting his music. Frowning and wondering who on earth it could be at this hour looked at the display. It was Sally. He answered it without hesitation.

John watched his brother's progress from the window on the landing. He was still annoyed with him from yesterday and didn't want to bump into him on his own run. He wasn't ready to be belittled again just yet. He watched as Scott ran back towards the yard. He could understand why his brother was worried but at the same time he still didn't regret his actions. He was an adult and he was responsible for his own decisions, Scott needed to stop trying to mop up after them all the time and concentrate on his own damn life. Even when he wasn't home he had a way of interfering. Mr. perfect had to have some flaws of his own he could concentrate on; John could certainly think of a few. Like the fact half his pizza was missing last night before he'd even made it to the table. John cocked his head as he saw Scott come to a stop all of a sudden. He observed as he paused to answer his phone. John watched as Scott abruptly lost his composure as he dropped his phone like it had shocked him. John wondered what the nature of the call was and was even more intrigued as he watched his brother collapse against the fence. It must be about Dad - surely?

"John what are you doing?" Alan asked with a yawn, he wasn't expecting to see his brother loitering outside his room.

"Nothing. Just checking the weather before I head out." he looked back to the yard to see Scott had disappeared. Where –

"Hey! Guys get down here, family meeting in the kitchen now!" Scott shouted up the stairs, if he bothered to look, he would have seen two startled blondes peering back at him. The door further down the hall opened and a scruffy haired Gordon poked his head around. "What's he shouting about now? You're here so I can't think what the problem could be." He smirked at John.

"Shut up and do something useful like get Virgil. I think its serious." John started to file down the stairs.

Gordon catcalled after him. "Tetchy this morning; we are." Alan grinned before chasing down the stairs too, it wasn't a good idea to keep Scott waiting, he had as much patience as their dad which was zero.

Gordon threw on an old band tee before going to hammer on Virgil's door. He waited. No answer, so he burst in. Virgil was splayed across the bed on his front, one arm trailing on the floor, his duvet barely covering his rear as all skin was on show. Gordon adverted his eyes, it was not something he needed to see. He didn't need to be scarred for life anymore than he already was thank you. He threw the curtains open as they loudly rushed across the rail. He looked over his shoulder, it still hadn't worked. "Virgil!" Gordon shouted as Scott shouted again. Gordon stuck his head out the door "Alright! I heard you but Virgil didn't hang on!" Scott muttered something unintelligible under his breath before leaving them to it.

Gordon noticed a half glass of water on his brother's bedside cabinet and smiled wickedly. He'd given his brother a fair chance. He picked it up and retreated to the end of the bed as far as he could get away but still get a good shot. He sized it up. Yep this should do nicely. He checked his exit was clear, the first rule of defense. He tried not to laugh; it would screw up his aim. He watched as the water flew through the air and splashed right on to the sensitive skin at the base of his brothers' neck. Virgil jolted awake and flew up onto his side, duvet slipping away as he turned in haste and made eye contact with the little shit who he knew would be standing at the end of his bed.

"Good Moooorrrrnnninggg!" Gordon said exaggeratingly as he tried to keep a straight face.

"I'm going to hunt you down and wipe that smile right off your smug little face!" Virgil growled.

"At least do us a favour and chuck on some clothes first bro, there's a family meeting in the kitchen. We've been called to assemble; so, you better get decent and be snappy about it." Gordon gave a perfect impression of Scott's most authoritative tone before he bolted out the door grabbing the frame as he did so. Virgil could hear the squeaking as he slid down the banister. Virgil used an old shirt to dry his neck before hastily grabbing some underwear and a shirt. Whatever this was it better be worth it!

A few minutes later they were all gathered around the kitchen table. Scott was buzzing for want of a better word, holding onto his phone tight. "Look we don't have much time; I'm worried about the phone signal and their waiting." He had everyone's attention out of sheer curiosity now. "You're not going to believe this but dad is on the phone with his rescuers! They can't talk for long because dad has been through a lot, in the crash he got hurt and lost his memory but it came back yesterday so they have now been able to reach out to us." Alan tried to interrupt but Scott held up a hand. "Look; long and short is that dad is still pretty fragile and tired we need to take this easy. Just say hello but no questions ok? save them for later." They all just nodded mutely, they were stunned they wanted to see their dad. Grandma looked like she might snatch the phone off of him so he quickly whipped in front of her and sat down placing the phone on the table so they were all in view of the screen before taking the call off hold.

"Mom!" The boy's eyes went wide, it really was dad! Grandma looked overjoyed. Her whole face lit up in a way it hadn't done since her husband had died.

"Oh, Jeff it really is you! Are you okay?" She quickly appraised him, she couldn't see any obvious injuries but he looked worn and his eyes were somewhat bloodshot. He had been crying and that broke her heart. He'd not cried like that since he was a child and she hadn't been there to comfort him! Oh, my poor Jeff!

"Dad!" shouted Alan and Gordon in unison. Gordon couldn't help the excitement in his voice; he was so happy to see his father despite him running off.

"Hi boys, I'm so glad to see you all. Mom I'm O" – Jeff stopped himself. He needed to acknowledge his feelings properly, he needed to be honest with his family if he was going to heal. "I'm safe mom, Kyrano and Tin-tin here have been caring for me and doing a wonderful job. I am starting to...Come to terms with things…I'm better than what I was."

"I'm glad to hear it. Its lovely to meet you Mr and Ms. Kyrano. Thank you for looking out for my son. It means the world to know he is safe."

"You are welcome Mrs Tracy; we have enjoyed having Mr. Tracy stay with us." Kyrano replied.

"Well son, we will let you go. We know its late there no doubt you all need your rest." He looked like he needed a month's worth of good sleep, she couldn't wait for him to come home. She was already planning a trip back to hers to go and get some more things. It looked like she would be staying at the farm for longer than she initially intended.

"Ok. Well I am still recovering but I really do hope to be home soon boys. After we have had a good night's rest, I will give you a call and discuss getting me home. Please be good for your Grandmother."

"We will!" they all chorused. Little bastards! Thought Scott, how about they promise to behave for me from now on too!

"Night dad!"

"Sleep well son."

"Bye"

The line went dead. There was a stunned hush in the room as they all still stared at the blank screen before Virgil grabbed grandma in an intense bear hug and pulled Gordon in. "He's ALIVE!" Grandma sobbed happy tears into Virgil's shoulder. John was smiling but trying to squirm out of said hug but he didn't get far before he was accosted by Alan and Gordon. Alan was jumping up and down. Scott turned around and leant against his chair smiling. This was the happiest they had been in weeks; he didn't want this moment to end. His family looked whole again and that brought him more joy than he could express.

"Oh my god! I can't believe it!" said Virgil as he flopped down in a chair next to Scott grinning wider than the Cheshire cat. Scott allowed himself to smile back. "I know I nearly fell through the fence in the yard. It wasn't a call I was ever expecting to take that was for sure!"

The kitchen was a hub of activity, Grandma was cooking pancakes, Gordon grabbing dishes, Alan cutlery and John drinks. The kitchen was alive with the sounds of oil in the pan spitting, the occasional clatter or glasses and plates and the chatter amongst the family at the news. The Tracy family had come to life again. As they settled around the table and tucked into breakfast, the questioning inevitably began.

"How is your father really Scott. What happened to him?" Grandma asked as she dished some pancakes onto her plate. This was the first time she'd had an appetite in ages.

Scott finished chewing. "Well Tin-tin – Ms. Kyrano, explained that she and her father found dad alone in the jungle injured from a fall. He'd hurt his leg which got infected and left him with a raging fever. They managed to get him through that but when he was well enough to talk, they found out he had lost his memory." Scott paused to take a sip of coffee (Last night's restless sleep was catching up on him already).

"Wait when you say he lost his memory…" Virgil asked.

"As in complete memory loss, he didn't know who he was or why he was there. He couldn't remember us that's why he didn't contact us initially."

"Christ!" said Gordon.

"Yeah. They didn't mention what triggered it but somehow dad regained his memory yesterday but as you can imagine it was pretty awful for him….. his memory triggered the loss of mum and grandpa again."

Grandma gasped in horror. "Oh god! That must have broken him all over again." She looked at Scott stricken.

"I thought that too but Mr. Kyrano assured me that although dad was upset, he was coping as well as could be expected which is good because he really wasn't before. He was more ashamed that he felt he had let us all down by running away as he put it." Scott stabbed at the last bit of his breakfast, so much for burning those calories….

"That's absurd! He's ill, there's no need to be ashamed of that!" Grandma exclaimed.

Gordon played with his food and kept his head down; he was feeling guilty about his initial knee jerk reaction towards his father the day he took off. At the time he took it as abandonment borne out of selfishness but now, he realised dad had suffered a terrible breakdown.

Virgil guessed what he was thinking about and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, he looked up and smiled briefly at the gesture.

"That's what I told him but he's still pretty fragile. Kyrano and Tin-tin seemed to have really managed to help bring him along though. Dad wouldn't talk about it before he disappeared at all. He was a lot more honest this time. I think as much as we want him home, it will do him good to remain with them just a little longer until he's ready."

"Say, wouldn't it be nice if we could find some way to thank them. They sure have put themselves out to care for father as they have." Alan was pleased that his dad had been found. He was so worried he was going to be an orphan before he was even out of uni. Losing mom and grandpa way before their time had hit him hard. Knowing that he had the shortest time with them out of all of his brothers was tough. He was already terrified he would forget what his mother was like, he had so few memories in comparison to the others really. She had never even got to see him graduate, or get his first job. All these important milestones they would miss. So, to know dad was safe and that he would soon be home meant the world to him. He couldn't lose his dad too, not yet.

"That's a lovely idea Alan we will have a think" said Grandma.

Scott rose and pushed the chair in. "Well if you will excuse me I ought to grab a shower and then I really should call the authorities and stand them down. I need to phone Sally back too. I don't think we will hear from dad until early tomorrow morning but If they do call, I'll let you know." Scott headed out as grandma nodded in acknowledgement.

The other boys were still eating their breakfast but John hadn't touched anything as he rose to excuse himself quietly. He slipped out the backdoor but not before his grandmother had followed him. She grabbed his arm gently.

"John you don't want any breakfast are you ok?"

"I'm fine, I just wanted to go for a run and can't do that on a full stomach, you know?" She smiled.

"Well I'll have some waiting just for you when you get back." He gave a small smile himself and got ready to go.

"John."

He paused. His back turned.

"Have you spoken to Scott since last night? You know he's only worried for you don't you."

He sighed, shoulders rising as he did so. He turned to face her, his blue eyes piercing against his pale complexion.

"I know but that still doesn't mean he wasn't a jackass about it. Those things he said about my ego were pretty hurtful. Just because I'm confident in my abilities doesn't make me conceited."

"I don't think he intended to hurt you, he was caught off guard and already emotionally strained. Don't tell him I said that but he's been pushing himself too hard lately. Please just talk to him and try to work things out. If your father's situation has taught us anything its that isolating yourself and bottling your emotions can cause more harm than good."

He looked at her kicking the dirt uncomfortably with his arms folded. She glanced at him pleadingly. He couldn't refuse her as much as he didn't want to talk to Scott. "I'll think about it ok?"

"Thank you." She stretched up on her tiptoes to hug him. He yielded and allowed himself to relax into her embrace briefly before he took off at run.

She watched him go before returning to the house to see what the others were up to.