As John continued spinning the tale, he let his mind get lost in the lie so it became more convincing.
'Hearing Fermat and Alan coughing sent chills down John's spine and he felt his heart become gripped with fear. As he spoke up, he felt his heart give an uneven stutter.
"Fermat…Alan…are you okay?" John asked slowly as he heard a distinct pop and sizzle sound. The coughing continued and he heard a gasp and knew it was from Alan. His brother always had a distinct cough, especially since he'd suffered from whooping cough as a baby. The pediatrician their dad and mom took Alan to prior to their mom's death had said Alan had weak lungs from his premature birth and that coupled with the whooping cough and numerous respiratory infections Alan suffered over the years. Not lungs weak enough that he couldn't partake in sports or everyday activities, just weak enough to continually become ill. Even when well, Alan had a small wheeze that told John that something was causing Alan to breathe differently than others. It's why Alan had to take specialized breathing treatments after the fire to help him cough up the gathered crap and congestion that was making it difficult for Alan to breathe without an oxygen mask or cannula.
When the coughing didn't stop, John just listened. He could hear something in the background, but he just didn't know what and when it occurred to him was when Fermat spoke.
"H-Help…" The plea for help was interjected with a coughing fit from both boys before Fermat was able to speak up but not without a little difficulty. "P-Please…h-help us!"
As he listened to both Alan and Fermat cough, he stood up and ran his free hand through his hair. Turning to look at Scott he gave him a helpless look before he spoke into the mouthpiece of the phone.
"Fermat…Alan, what's going on? Why are you boys coughing, what's that sound?" John asked, not giving either boy a chance to reply before another question floated into space to join the other questions whirling around in John's head. "Fermat…answer me!"
"F-Fire!" Fermat said and that one word was enough to freeze John in his very tracks. Fire wasn't a good thing and he knew from the seriousness of the boy's tone that this wasn't any prank. "T-The r-room is on f-fire! P-Ple…"
Before the request of 'please' could be completed, Fermat was gripped by a coughing fit, one that sounded like it was rattling his very chest deep inside.
"Where's Alan at? Where are you boys at? Are you safe?! Tell me where you are!" John demanded as he listened to the dull roar grow louder and an audible hiss being emitted from the fire's depths.
Scott came closer and gave John a look as if to ask just what the hell was going on and John signaled one moment before turning his attention back to their boys and their situation.
"Fermat? Alan? Please tell me where you are! Are you safe? Come on! Answer me!"
Fermat and Alan started coughing again before Fermat spoke up.
"Our d-dorm is o-on fire! P-Please, h-help us! F-Fourth floor, n-no fire e-escape…" Fermat gasped as he tried to relay how dire their situation was. "B-Bathtub, c-cold water…"
And it was then that John was able to gather where Alan and Fermat were. They were still in their dorm room despite it being on fire and they were taking cover in the shower, just like they'd been taught with dousing their clothes in water to try not to have anything flammable. Wet clothes weren't too flammable so they stood a greater chance at escaping with minimal injury…hopefully.
As John listened to his brothers, he couldn't help but to wonder how his baby brother would fare. He was more than worried, he was terrified. Giving a shuddering breath, John turned to look at Scott. His eyes were wide with terror as he finally spoke.
"Call 911. Their dorm is on fire and they don't have a fire escape." John said to which Scott stared dumbly at John before John tried again his voice more sharp. "Call 911 Scott! Now! We don't have any time to waste, their room is on fire!"
It wasn't a moment more before Scott was pulling his own cell phone from his pocket and was dialing faster than he'd ever done in the past. While Scott was on the phone with dispatch, John stepped away – covering one ear before continuing to listen to his baby brother and the other boy he saw as another brother struggle to breath.
"Alan, Fermat okay? You need to listen to me! You can't stay there, you're in too much danger. You need to leave, now. Okay? Wet some towels and cover your faces. Don't worry about any of your belongings, just get out. Everything can be replaced, but not you two." John instructed even as he heard Alan cough hard, his coughing gradually becoming a little rougher. Fermat sounded like he was having issues with his asthma and John had to ask. "Fermat do you have your inhaler?"
All he got in response was more coughing and as he listened to their fight for breath, he couldn't help but to wonder if he might be listening to his little brothers…both of them for the last time, which God he hoped not.
When the coughing lessened, John asked again a little more frantic.
"Fermat! Do you have your inhaler?" John was growing more urging as he began hearing the stridor in both boy's breathing. "Damn it guys! Answer me!"
When he finally got a response, it was meek. Fermat gave a tiny reply of yeah before John had to instruct him to take a hit from his inhaler. Glancing across the room, John could see Scott was still on the phone with dispatch. John returned his attention to the boys and he began instructing them slowly so they understood the severity of the situation.
"You need to clear the area. Get some towels wet and cover your faces and get out." John drilled. As soon as he was sure his brothers were safe, he was going to go get their dad and they were going to get to the hospital before they'd take their boys home.
"So you continued trying to instruct your brothers on how to escape the fire…how do you have that knowledge?" Barrett inquired.
"Growing up with five boys, before our mom passed away it was mandatory in our household to know what to do in the event of a fire. We had drills and our mom and dad told us that if we ever got trapped, try to find a source of water and douse yourselves – it'd make it harder for your clothes to catch fire and we'd have to cover our nose and mouth with a wet towel or hand clothe. Stay low to the ground and army crawl until you were clear of smoke then walk don't run until you're clear of any and all danger." John replied. "I was simply reminding the boys of the drills that were imprinted in my memory."
"I see. So how do you think your instructions were helpful?" Barrett asked and John swallowed emotionally, making his Adam's apple bob.
"Because…" John became choked up as he recalled the real life memories of the harrowing watch call. John's blue eyes shone as tears welled in his eyes as the memories of the call and the visuals from the watch screen assaulted his memory. "My baby brothers are both still alive and though not one hundred percent physically, they're in the hospital getting stronger every day."
Fighting the tremble in his jaw, John blinked and felt the trail on his cheeks as a single tear fell on either side. The judge looked sympathetically at John as though she were viewing the memories that assaulted John. Raising his hands, John used the heels of his hands to wipe away the tears and turn a hateful glare in Robert's direction.
"I almost lost the one brother who has been the glue that held our family together after my mom passed away. And I'm not ready to say goodbye, so yeah. I was going to do everything in my power short of going to Massachusetts to take my brothers by the hand and get them to safety."
Barrett nodded with a satisfied grin before turning to Robert's lawyer. "Your witness."
The woman stood up, this time in a pantsuit. She straightened her jacket as she walked forward, her pumps making a distinct clacking sound with each step she took.
"What did you say your relationship was to either boy?"
"Alan is my baby brother and Fermat is a close family friend's son who is best friends with Alan…our other brothers, Alan included have all sort of adopted Fermat as our little brother." John replied in response to the lawyer's questions.
"So what is the age difference between you Alan and Fermat?"
John was taken by surprise by the question and he wondered what this line of questioning had to do with anything.
"I'm twenty two right now, Alan just turned fifteen and Fermat will be thirteen soon. He's two years and a few months younger than Alan. Why?" John didn't take kindly to his relationship with his brother being questioned. Who cares that there is an age gap of nine years between Alan and he or ten years difference between Fermat and John, they were brothers – made such by blood or choice.
"I just find it hard to believe that Fermat and Alan mistakenly dialed your number…how could they've not known they were talking to you? I'm sure if you and your brothers are as close as you claim, your voice would be pretty distinguished…wouldn't it?"
"Excuse me? My brothers were confused because of smoke inhalation and disoriented. Of course a mistake like that might be made! If you've ever looked at how our brains function with limited oxygen, you'd know that disorientation and confusion can happen in cases of brain hypoxia." John was offended that this woman thought she knew enough to accuse John's brothers of not actually have made such a call and John was indignant at her accusation made against his brothers. When they called him on his watch, they'd been somewhat coherent, but not without John really having to coach them on what steps to take to get out as safe as possible. That was the truth and he didn't take kindly to people making false accusations against him, his brothers or anyone in his family. He was rather loathe when it happened. "Do you know what the signs of brain hypoxia are? Because I'd love to hear it if you did!"
Robert's lawyer went silent after she had been chastised by John, but that didn't mean John was finished with her. Not in the least.
"In case you didn't know, the primary signs and symptoms of brain hypoxia which can happen during an asthma attack, inhalation of smoke or carbon monoxide, traveling at high altitudes, strangulation, drowning, hypotension and choking can range from mild to severe. Those symptoms can be…" Just as John began naming them off he raised one hand and began raising each finger in show of each symptom that could happen. "Temporary memory loss, reduced ability to move, trouble paying attention, difficulty making sound decisions, seizure, coma, not breathing and lastly brain death! And if you're wondering how I'd know that, one of my younger brothers was a medic on a search and rescue team and he had to monitor people that suffered those symptoms and on top of that I can read unlike others who don't know when to keep their comments to themselves!"
After lighting into the lawyer, John eased back in his seat as he watched the lawyer's face color in annoyance at being cowed over by John and his knowledge to everything that happened to his brothers while in the fire.
"When they were finally taken to the hospital by members of International Rescue because of how dire their injuries were, my baby brother Alan was placed on a ventilator for several weeks because he wasn't getting sufficient oxygen to dispel the hypoxia. Alan was unconscious for about two days after the fire and according to his doctor, he was severely confused by not only his surroundings but he couldn't remember what happened. That is unlike my brother, he's forgetful with little things like appointments or dates, but he'd never be so oblivious to events that had happened to him."
"Okay, so then in that case it is possible for your brother and his friend to have mistakenly call you…but that doesn't explain why you didn't try to redirect them."
"Forgive me for being concerned for my little brother's well-beings. I'm sorry that I love my little brothers dearly…both of them. I don't care that Fermat is of no blood relation to me, he's been raised with Alan and has spent a lot of time with me and my family so I will call him my little brother also." John said. He crossed his arms over his chest and affixed a glare on Robert's lawyer. "What was I supposed to do, find out my brothers are trapped in a fire and tell them 'Oh I'm sorry, you called the wrong number, hang up and call 911?' No, I will damn well stay on the phone with my brothers and make sure they are able to find their way out of the fire, if I hadn't I'd have nobody but myself to blame and the perp that started the fire in the first place and putting my brother's lives at stake!"
With the last statement, John glared hard at Robert and was satisfied when he saw Robert look away in shame.
After being on the stand a few more minutes, Robert who'd had enough of it all stood up and began running his mouth which was what John was hoping would happen.
"I wish your brother had died in the fire! That spoiled rotten little brat made my life hell at that school! But because he's got a daddy with a big name and he has money, I'm not the one who gets special treatment, instead because of fame and accolades he gets the fanfare of having all his medical bills paid off, and media acknowledgement. What about me? I spent years at that school, suffering the brunt of all he had to throw at me and do I get anything as apology? No! Instead I get picked on because of your brat of a brother dumping his dinner on me and I get made fun of because of it!"
"Hey! Do not accuse my brother of anything you little git! My brother told me about the spaghetti incident and that was an accident! If you'd been paying attention to your own surroundings, you'd have seen a couple of guys horsing around had run into Alan. And I don't know how your life could have been made hell by Alan when you were making his and his friend's lives hell just by being around. You ought to be ashamed of yourself! If I'd treated anyone like the way you treated my brother, regardless of age I'd have had my hide tanned. Most kids aren't given the privilege you were given with having a good education."
After John had told Robert off, the judge dismissed him from the stand and though he was seething, John went and reclaimed his seat at the table with Barrett.
"Thank Mr. Tracy for your testimony. I think this concludes today's testimonial hearing and we will reconvene at a later date to further hear testimonies in regards to the case of Tracy-Hackenbacker VS Flynn." Judge Somers hammered the gavel before she spoke again. "Meeting adjourned."
With that said, John stood up with Barrett and left the courtroom, seething no less. As soon as they made it to the underground parking lot, John lost it for a split second and kicked one of the tires on the rental vehicle they'd driven in. Virgil walked over and pulled John in for a tight hug knowing this was unlike his usually super amazingly calm and cool headed older brother. John went stiff at the touch before practically melting into his brother's embrace.
"I hate him, I don't know why he had to target Alan…why our brother? Alan wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone intentionally hurt another person." John murmured into Virgil's shoulder. "Why Virgil? Why did it have to be Alan?"
"I don't know Johnny…I just don't know." Virgil whispered. "What do you say we head to the country club and try to burn off all this anger with a bit of boxing?"
John was trembling with anger over the whole situation and he just wanted to be done with it all and go home. He wanted Alan out of the hospital, away from the media and he just wanted to go hole up at their island home until this whole thing blew over.
"Yeah…" John whispered in response. He had to do something to get rid of this energy. If he didn't, he didn't know what he'd do.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
Alan sighed as he was once more undergoing a dressing change. Since this surgery was on his back, he'd been unable to lay on his back or his side where he was most comfortable and was forced into stomach sleeping. And since having surgery on his back, he'd had to endure twice the number of dressing changes. The surgical site was having a drainage problem and Alan's dressing had to continually be changed because his dressings were constantly becoming soaked.
"Your back is looking a lot better Alan, I just wish we didn't have to constantly change your dressings." Karen murmured as she applied a healing salve to Alan's back that would ease not only the itch of healing skin but the burn and sting of any movement made.
"You aren't the only one Karen, trust me you aren't the only one." Alan said even as his grip on the pillow he laid on relaxed as the salve soothed the itch and burn in his back. He'd be glad when we was healed enough to be able to leave and go home.
Since this whole thing occurred, Alan had been unfortunate enough to have to deal with his nerve endings waking him frequently through the night when they'd reconnect and begin misfiring. He'd suffered multiple muscle spasms and jerking limbs that he couldn't control. He could feel his feet a little more each day, but he still had a lot of numbness and tingling which he feared, he'd never fully get rid of. His doctor had been blunt with him when he'd said Alan may regain full feeling in his feet, but he wasn't holding his breath. He knew he might suffer some permanent paralysis in some of his limbs because the damage was just too great.
"Hey Karen?" Alan inquired, wishing to get his mind off of the treatment to his back.
"Yes dear?" Karen asked in reply though she was focused on what she was doing to Alan's back.
"Now that I've had this surgery, when do you think I'll be able to begin physical therapy?" Alan asked, honestly wishing to have an answer. "Will I be able to go to therapy soon?"
Karen slowed her ministrations as she stood and thought of her reply before she answered. "To be honest, I'm not entirely certain."
"What do you mean?" Alan asked.
"I can't put a date on it really, it'll really depend on when your doctor declares you healed enough to tolerate advanced movement. As you are now, you aren't healed enough to tolerate lying on your back nor having people manipulate your limbs into various positions. It'd do more harm than good." Karen eased away from Alan so she could look at the young boy.
"Well, when my doctor considers me healed by minimum standards, can't I begin a little PT regimen? Just to give me something to do? I mean, I'm most afraid of losing my ability to bear weight or be able to pick stuff up." Alan admitted, genuinely fearful that he'd develop atrophied muscles from going long periods of time with no movement. Gordon was in a hospital bed almost the same amount of time as Alan and he'd developed atrophied muscles that caused a lot of pain when his PT began.
"You'll get there when you get there Alan, don't force it." Karen said as she got down to Alan's eye level in order to make her point.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
Two weeks later found Scott and Gordon both being discharged from the hospital. Both oldest and second youngest tolerated being pushed towards the front entrance in wheel chairs but just barely. Scott looked down at his hand and looked at the tape, he'd had his saline and antibiotic IV removed just about an hour before he'd been formally discharged from the hospital. Gordon on the other hand hadn't needed to be reminded daily to drink water constantly so he didn't need a saline IV like Scott did. The oldest brother had so much on his mind that he often forgot to drink water that had been provided by the nurses.
"Ready to break out of this Popsicle stand?" Virgil asked gleefully as he pushed the wheelchair with Scott in it. John pushed the wheelchair that Gordon rode in and he was being obnoxious about it. Rather than hold the handles like a normal person would, John was resting his elbows on top of Gordon's shoulders and was pushing his younger brother that way. Gordon was tempted to try popping a wheelie, but he knew John's dental bills would be coming from his personal bank account and he didn't want to fork over the cash. No he had a desire to purchase a couple wave runners so that he and Alan could ride the waves after Alan was healed and out of the hospital.
"You know it. It's been driving me crazy being locked up in there for so long." Gordon groaned dramatically making John and Virgil laugh.
"You were only in there for three weeks, it's not like it's a big deal." Virgil commented.
"Three weeks too long in my opinion." Gordon said in exasperation even as he stood to climb into the SUV rental. Once he was in the vehicle and had his seatbelt on, Gordon relaxed marginally. He didn't relax fully until after they'd driven away from the hospital and had gone as far as three blocks away. "Promise you won't make me spend any time longer than a couple hours in the hospital again. I could die a happy man as long as I don't have to go back there."
"You and me both Gords. I'm sure Alan will be there with us as soon as he's free." Scott said even as he looked off out the window, his mind and thoughts returning to his baby brother.
Alan was set to be moving back down to the burn unit soon, maybe a few more days before they'd take him out of isolation and would return him to his shared room with Fermat so that the two peas could be back in their pod together.
"Do you think Alan's glad to be done with his surgeries?" Gordon asked, genuinely curious.
"I think he is dude, Alan can't stand being alone for extended periods of time and I know being in isolation for the sole purpose of having these surgeries has been bothering Alan because he can only have video or voice contact with us. He can't physically be near us just yet." Scott whispered as he thought of all the times that he and Alan had talked late into the night on video chats despite Alan having classes the next morning or Scott being dog tired after doing a rescue through International Rescue.
"I can't wait until he can begin therapy. I want to be there to help him." Gordon said softly as he thought of everything he'd do to help Alan like his younger brother did to help him when he faced life in a wheelchair. Alan deserved better than he was being given and Gordon wanted to see Alan walk again, no matter what. He also had a prank up his sleeve that he hoped would bring a smile to Alan's face, but he'd save it for a rainy day. Hopefully there weren't going to be many.
Jeff who drove peered over his shoulder before doing like what he did with Virgil and stopped in at a fast food place. He knew Gordon had been wanting a burger as Gordon had talked extensively on the phone about wanting a "big fat greasy cheeseburger" after being discharged from the hospital.
"Dad, what's up?" Scott asked as he looked over the various unhealthy choices and grimaced. He didn't really want fast food, but he'd kill for an ice cream. "I thought you ate before you came to get us?"
"I did, but your brother's been ready to chew off the arm with the IV in it so he could get a burger, and since I like all my children whole; I figured I'd get him that burger so he wouldn't be tempted." Jeff commented as he watched Gordon's eyes light up when he perused the menu. "Go ahead and get what you want Gordon, you too Scott."
"Can I just get an ice cream dad?" Scott inquired softly.
"Sure, but aren't you hungry?" Jeff asked as he looked into the backseat to looking questioningly at Scott. "You can get both you know."
"I want a double cheeseburger and fries with a large strawberry milkshake, please dad?" Gordon begged as his mouth practically watered when he rattled off his choice.
"Sure Gordon. Virge, John you can get something too if you want." Jeff offered.
Scott remained adamant on his choice of ice cream, choosing to get his weakness which was a hot fudge sundae with nuts and butterscotch bits. Gordon got his requested order while John and Virgil were content to get milkshakes – they couldn't get them often…not with Alan. Their younger brother was lactose intolerant and he'd get sick if he had dairy. He had special milkshakes that Onaha made for him out of almond milk, but he could only get those on the island. They didn't think it was fair that they'd get milkshakes when Alan couldn't enjoy them also.
Once they got their order, Scott cradled his sundae in his lap until they made it back to the hotel at which point he carried his ice cream as though it were a newborn baby. Once back in their room, Scott dug into his ice cream and savored every bite unlike Gordon who demolished his meal in a matter of seconds.
"So changing the subject, did you ever get word on when Alan would officially be moved back to the burn ward?" Gordon asked even as wiped his face on the paper napkins that were in the fast food bag. He asked nobody in particular seeing as he'd assumed everyone had different information.
John and Virgil looked at each other meaningfully before they smiled in Gordon's direction.
"He's going to be moved in about a day or two from what his doctor says. They've already taken him off the immunosuppressant medications to allow him to transition back to a normal immune system. Fermat doesn't know yet and neither does Alan…mums the words should you talk to either of them." Virgil said as he crouched to eye level with Gordon.
"Why are we keeping it a secret?" Gordon inquired as he wrinkled his eyebrows questioningly.
"Because we're planning on surprising Alan." Jeff said as he'd entered the room with Scott and Gordon's overnight duffels from the hospital. "I've already talked to Dr. Andreessen, and he was gracious enough to allow your grandmother to bring in a cake and for us to have a little party of sorts to celebrate Alan finishing one of his last regenerative surgeries."
Gordon and Scott both smiled at the thought of being able to see their little brother soon. It felt like a lifetime since they'd seen him in person, without a glass window separating them. Though when Gordon got to listening to what his father said, a thought occurred to him.
"Isn't Alan going to have reconstructive surgeries to try to get rid of the scars?" Gordon inquired.
Jeff's smile fell briefly before he sat on the edge of one of the beds in his son's room. "I've decided to let Alan know that it is entirely up to him. I don't want him to think that if he doesn't get the repair surgeries to absolve his scars that I'll love him any less. He's my son and your brother…if he'd rather not put up with additional surgeries, then I won't force him."
Virgil, John, Scott and Gordon sat in silence as they absorbed the words their father said.
"I've looked into surgeries and only if Alan's scars become contracture scars will I require him to have surgery…if they hamper his movement or I believe they are causing him pain. I don't want to force him under the knife otherwise." Jeff said as he'd done some reading over the past few weeks.
"What are contracture scars?" Scott inquired, prompting Virgil to speak up.
"Contracture scars are typically caused from burns and they can cause the skin around the burn injury to tighten. It can impede movement and can go deeper than surface level affecting both muscle and nerves." Virgil filled in. "Alan's already had excision, dermabrasion and skin grafts – if he develops painful scarring, he can use laser surgery to try to correct it. If they were keloid scars he could use injections, but then I think he'd have to have those periodically."
"With Alan hating needles, I doubt he'd ever go for injections." Scott said as he recalled every time Alan had to have a shot when he was growing up.
"Regardless, I'm not going to make Alan have any additional surgeries if he doesn't want them." Jeff said, silencing any and all talk.