Hello, hello, everyone! I kinda went MIA for a minute there, but I found a swatch of dialogue in my notes that was begging to be turned into a story. This was a bit challenging, I've never written anything with just dialogue before, but I feel like I've stretched my writer muscles and have blown the dust off my skills after my bout of inactivity. Hope you guys enjoy, and Happy Valentine's Day!

Every Wish,
~Lou

Rating: K

Genre: Humor/Family

Summery: There are many ways to protect a brother.

Each Other's Back

"I guess there's a reason you played football and not soccer, huh, Virge?"

"Oh, crap, Alan, I'm sorry, you okay?"

"Don't worry about it, I'm fine. Didn't even me that hard. Your kick's not all that great, you know."

"You sure? Maybe I should check, you know, just to be safe."

"Virgil. It was a soccer ball, not a brick. I'm fine."

"No, no, no. You sit down here-"

"Virge, no-"

"-I'll just do a quick assessment-"

"I don't need an assessment!"

"-It'll just be a second, I promise."

"Gosh, you're worse than Scott!"

"Follow my finger, please…. You're not following…. You're still not following….Y'know, Allie I'm beginning to think you might have a serious concussion."

"Oh, for goodness sake."

"It's a miracle! Following my finger and my instructions! Actually, on second thought, that's really very unusual behavior, you sure you're feeling alright, Al?."

"Virgil, I swear I will team up with Gordon and paint your 'Bird red and yellow."

"Like ketchup and mustard? Interesting color choice."

"Oh-ho, you'll find out."

"The thanks I get for helping out a brother… "

"'Helping out' is a strong choice of words-"

"Hey, hey! You can't leave yet, I still have to ask you some questions."

"Is that really- really- necessary?"

"Of course, it's protocol. If you don't believe me you can check the handbook, I'm sure I have a copy around here somewhere-"

"Y'know what? Fine. I'll answer the questions, fire away."

"What's your name?"

"… Are you kidding me?"

"Answer the question."

"Alan."

"Full name."

"Virgil!"

"I thought you said your name was Alan."

"You spend way too much time with Gordon."

"I don't think that's what it says on your birth certificate."

"Alan Shepard Tracy."

"In my medical opinion, it took you far too long to recollect your own name. Next question. How old are you?"

"Six. Teen."

"And who am I?"

"My annoying older brother who abuses his authority to torment me!"

"Now I know you've suffered memory loss. Scott's downstairs."

"You're insufferable."

"And here I'd gone my whole life thinking I was Virgil."

"Dad jokes. That was an actual- Stop laughing, Virge, that was not funny!"

"Mmhmm, 'course not. You're free to go, by the way."

"So, we've established my head's not going to implode?"

"Yup. We've also established your utter lack of a sense of humor."

"Ah, we'll see who's laughing. You watch your back, Virgil!"

"If you say so, Al! … - Alright, Scott, he's gone."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, he went to find Gordon. Come on up."

"Thanks, Virge. I owe you one."

"Prank Protection would be much appreciated. "

"If Prank Protection were a thing don't you think I would've been using it for the past ten years?"

"Fair point. You have all the pieces?"

"I tried, but it pretty much shattered. I might've missed some. Allie's gonna kill me."

"We'll make do. Here put it on the desk, I'll get the super glue. Maybe we can fix it."

"I hope so. The rocket ship was his last birthday present from Dad."

"… I know. But don't worry. I think I can put it back together."

"Seriously? Virge, I swear, you're a miracle worker."

"On occasion."

"Thank you so much. Really."

"No problem."

"And I'll see about getting you that Prank Protection. I'll pull in all the favors if I have to."

"Thanks, Scott."