57

"Boys, are you OK?" Jeff sat at his desk with two of his sons on the newly mounted screens on the wall opposite. Virgil was sat on the edge of his fathers' desk one leg drawn across his lap, the other resting lightly on the floor.

"Yes, Father. It was a bit touch and go for a time but we're safe now." John reported. Alan was sat on his left in what looked to be some kind of dorm. John looked immaculate as always with his blonde curl swept back. Alan's youthful face and softer features complementing his elder brothers' sterner features.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it. You weren't injured at all?"

"Nope, Alan got thrown in the initial impact but he just has a couple of bruises to show for it."

"Alan! You said you hadn't been hurt when you called." Jeff frowned angrily. If he'd known he wouldn't have asked Lee to release him. Alan elbowed John hard in the ribs below screen. John didn't give Alan the satisfaction of a reaction but Virgil could see the clear look that suggested retribution at a later date on John's face as he turned towards Alan.

"I must have forgotten to mention it in my worry for John when he was gallivanting on his own outside in the middle of a space debris storm."

Jeff shook his head. They were both safe he had to remind himself, that was the main thing.

"How's the girl you went to rescue? She's your friend, isn't she?" Virgil indicated to John. Alan's knowing smirk earned him an elbow in the side. "Ow!" he rubbed his bruised side from the impact. John wasn't in the least bit sorry. He was still trying to process Chloe's earlier declaration, he didn't need Alan mouthing off.

John cleared his throat. "She's in the infirmary, she took a pretty nasty knock to the head. They were concerned she had a brain injury because one of her pupils was blown and she was vomiting but the CT revealed that she has no brain injury just a bad case of concussion and damage to her eye directly that had caused it to blow. Fingers crossed with some rest and the anti-sickness drugs she'll make a full recovery - She strained her shoulder too."

"Well from what I heard about the damage sustained to the base it sounds like she got off pretty lightly. Lee couldn't believe It when you brought her in alive. Especially after the lab technician didn't make it."

All the boys looked saddened. Jerry was an old timer on moon base and had numerous years of successful missions under his belt, he had been a friendly face to many students over the years including Virgil when he had completed his astronaut training. "It could have been a lot worse; they still don't know why the junk didn't register on the scans... it seemed to have some sort of cloaking capabilities. Captain Taylor thinks it was an illegal unregistered spacecraft. Initially we thought it was old space junk but it may have actually been from a recent illegal launch." Alan explained.

Jeff was angry that someone out there had been so reckless as to conduct an illegal launch endangering not just his sons but a whole colony of personnel at the base. He began typing a terse email to NASA to ensure that they investigated this incident thoroughly as his boys chattered among themselves for a moment.

"Well boys; as much as I don't condone your putting yourselves in direct danger, I am very proud of the way you handled this situation. You risked yourselves to save that girl's life and she's safe because of you. Well done."

"Well, you know just preparing for our future roles." Alan smiled.

"Dad, if you don't mind, I'm going to sign off. I promised Chloe I would check in on her about now." John looked distracted.

"No worries son, thanks for calling in."

"Your welcome, Bye" John replied. Alan waved as the transmission cut.

The screen on the wall reverted back to John's picture of him in a burgundy silk shirt and crisp grey suit. Virgil had been working on a little something with his Grandma in regards to the portraits but they had yet to reveal them to his father as they were still incomplete but he was close to finishing them now. The ones on the wall at the moment were the ones their mother had created just before her death. They were digitally rendered paintings of each of the boys, they started with John and ended with Gordon.

"Well I'm relieved to see they are safe and sound after the call you took from Alan earlier." Virgil slipped off the desk.

"Yes, as I am I. Just goes to show there is a need for a rescue organisation capable of space rescues, if John and Alan hadn't been on the outside when that debris hit their friend would have probably been dead by the time, they had made it outside." Jeff shuffled some papers as Virgil nodded his head in agreement.

"I'm heading to the kitchen, do you want a drink?" Virgil asked.

"A coffee would be great thank you."

Kyrano was in the kitchen. He was humming an old tune to himself as he busied around the kitchen preparing the herbs for drying. As he went to hang them above him, he suddenly dropped the bunch of tarragon grabbing his head on both sides and withering in pain. Kyrano! You should know better than to try and ignore me. Thought you could get away with your new life, that Jeff Tracy could shield you from ME! He will pay for his interference! I may not have access to your identity anymore Kyrano but I will own your mind till the day you die! I saw that space rocket of Tracy's…what is he planning Kyrano? "Nooo, Nooo!" moaned Kyrano trying to fight off his brother's influence, international rescue was at the forefront of his mind he couldn't tell his brother! He mustn't know!

"Kyrano!" cried Virgil as he rushed across the floor sliding to a halt in front of Kyrano rolling on the floor in some kind of seizure. "Kyrano!" Virgil gently shook to him to try and rouse him but Kyrano's eyes were rolling in the back of his head. TELL ME! the voice in his head roared, he could see two gold orbs as they tried to pry his mind wide open.

"Father!" Virgil cradled Kyrano's head in his lap as he called out for help. Jeff rushed in hand on the door frame as he took stock of the situation before running in to kneel at Virgil's side. "Kyrano can you hear me?"

Kyrano started to relax the spasms subsiding, he looked disorientated but more aware of his surroundings. Jeff and Virgil's concerned faces swam into view. As Kyrano sat up Virgil moved to the counter and poured a glass of water for him, they popped him up against the kitchen cabinet. "Virgil call for the doctor."

"No Mr. Tracy its not that bad, it's just a migraine. I'm afraid I suffer from them quite regularly." Kyrano tentatively rubbed his forehead.

Jeff didn't look convinced. "As it's the first time we'll let it go but if it happens again, I'll be calling the doctor straight out here to take a look at you. I know migraines can be intense…."

"Honestly Mr Tracy I just need to lie down, it will pass in time." Kyrano was embarrassed at having caused so much trouble. Jeff carefully lifted his friend up supporting him under the arm as he guided him down to the bedrooms. Virgil assisted from the other side.

They settled Kyrano into bed, Virgil closing the blinds and Jeff applying a warm compress to Kyrano's head. "I'll be up in a bit to start dinner."

"You will do no such thing." instructed Jeff. "Virgil and I are more than capable of rustling up a meal, we will bring it to you for once. Granted it won't be five star but they'll be a good helping of it followed by desert."

Kyrano smiled, he was lucky to have such a great friend even if dinner was going to be burnt this evening; it was the thought that counted. Virgil and Jeff left him in peace, the door whooshing behind them. They walked back to the lounge together. "What happened to him?" questioned Jeff as they took the stairs together.

"I'm not sure, he was already on the floor having some kind of episode as I entered, he was saying crying no and holding his head." They passed through the corridor and on to the kitchen.

"Hmmm, Tin-tin did mention he could be prone to these episodes but this is the first time I've seen one first hand. It could be a migraine but it was pretty extreme. I still think he should see a doctor." Jeff pulled out the robot hoover and activated it to clean up the crushed herbs.

"Well like you said if it happens again, we will give them a call. Kyrano is as stubborn as you. You won't be able to change his mind. So, what are we going to do for dinner tonight?" Virgil was familiar with his father's cooking and he can't say he had missed it. Virgil's culinary skills left a lot to be desired too. They had been positively spoiled since Kyrano had moved in.

Jeff opened the fridge to look at what they had left. There was a large salmon fillet – too much preparation and effort thought Jeff to himself. There was also a stack of vegetables; peppers, onions and leeks but Jeff wasn't sold on that either. He shut the fridge.

"Ham, egg and chips?" Jeff cocked his head at Virgil.

"Sounds like a safe option." Replied Virgil, eggs and ham were hard to cremate. He'd just have to keep an eye on the chips.

Jeff laughed as he undid the cuff links and rolled up his pin-striped shirt.

"How about some peas? Better get some five a day in there." Virgil smiled sitting at the breakfast bar.

"Sounds like a plan." Smiled Jeff as he busied himself with locating the frying pan and other pots. It was bad but he actually had no idea where these were kept and it was his own house.

Virgil chuckled at his dad's hapless expression and pulled the pan out from the cupboard by his knee. It was a long time since they had cooked a meal together but it was nice to spend some quality time together. They had both been so wrapped up with IR – Jeff with the operational side of things and Virgil with prepping the fleet from a mechanical point of view they had barley seen each other in the last month - like ships passing in the night. They took it in turns to visit Gordon on the mainland too so it was rare they were in the same space for long. Virgil had only just recently got back from a first responder training course in Kent where he had been staying with Lady Penelope. It was good to have clawed this time back together he just hoped that Kyrano would feel better soon.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

John was sat beside a sleeping Chloe. Her head was swamped in a large bandage, her blown eye covered to help it heal. She had a couple of grazes and cuts to her face and arms but looked more comfortable than the last time he had seen her at least. He was content to sit next to her and read a hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy. He was just glad to see her safe and not trapped in that cell outside.

Chloe opened her eyes to see John sat in a chair curled up awkwardly and completely immersed in his book, a small smile played on his lips as he read. He turned the page with such tenderness taking great care not to crease the spine. It was rare for people to read books these days but John was kind of old fashioned in most ways, it was part of his charm. His blue eyes drank in the words, his blonde hair falling just below his eyeline but not in a way that obscured his view. She wondered how long he had been sat there waiting for her to come round. She quickly glanced around the infirmary to see they were alone; the other patients were down the far end of the ward. She cringed as she suddenly remembered she must look like a mess; she was also irritated by the patch obscuring her vision but they told her it had to remain covered to heal. She huffed which accidentally drew his attention.

"Hey" he popped his book down, he knew what page he was on by memory. He pulled the chair a bit closer.

"Hi, I'm sorry have you been waiting long? You should have come back later." She shuffled up a little propping herself up on the pillows.

"It's alright, its been nice to sit quietly for a bit and I felt more reassured that you were going to be ok sat here rather than in my room."

There was an awkward pause as they both reflected on the last time they were almost alone together.

"look I" –

"I know"-

They both laughed.

"ladies first"

"Age before beauty" John quipped a brow. He was only a month older than her.

She laughed again. "Look I'm sorry for what I dumped on you in the heat of the moment, I had just survived being crushed and was a bit out of it."

"So, what your saying is…... your feelings for me were influenced by adrenaline?" He looked so serious her heart froze as she realised that sounded bad.

"Oh god. I didn't mean it that way. What I meant to say is I like you John but I understand if you don't feel the same way."

He smiled, he almost looked…. forlorn? John gently took her good hand.

"Chloe, I…. I am going to be honest I never thought about you in that way, not that you're not everything I would want in a partner because trust me you are. It's just that I know that when I leave here, I already have a job lined up in a remote satellite that's a permanent live in position with very little downtime. I wouldn't be able to give you the support and company that you deserve. I wouldn't be there to take you on dates or walk you home. To spend my nights with you. It wouldn't be fair to start something only to have to leave you. You deserve to have someone who would truly be there for you." John had thought of nothing else since those words came out of her mouth. He had tried to think of scenarios where international rescue would allow for him to have a personal life but it was impossible when he knew he would be expected to be on call even when he was back on earth after rotation. He wouldn't just be able to pop off to Washington to see her. He wouldn't be able to explain why he couldn't either which would only lead to frustration in their relationship. He didn't want to ruin what was already a great friendship. It was selfish but he's rather have her in his life some small way than not at all.

He looked so dismayed Chloe knew what he said was from his heart. She had said it on the spur of the moment, she really did feel something for him but at the same time she knew their working lives would ultimately take them away from each other. She held onto his hand.

"It's ok, I understand I have a posting after this too."

"You do?" He asked surprised.

"Yep I got onto the NASA mars colonisation selection. I will have another five-year apprenticeship with them but I hope to make it up there in that time."

"Wow Chloe that's amazing!" It was an incredibly intense application process; 20,000 students applied a year but they only accepted 15 at most.

She smiled, her family didn't understand what a big deal it was she was glad that John could. It would be daunting having to start from scratch and get to know a whole new team again but she knew it was an amazing opportunity and one she couldn't pass up.

"I would love to stay in touch with you even if you're on Mars. Promise me you won't be a stranger?"

"As long as you promise to message me and keep in touch."

He smiled. "Deal" they shook hands warmly, she took him by surprise by pulling him forwards, she dropped a soft kiss on his cheek.

"For what could have been." she whispered.

"For what might have been." He gently kissed her forehead. She settled back on to the pillow. He stayed, gently stroking her hair until she drifted once more.