DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN THE BOYS - IF I DID I WOULD SHARE THEM.

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NOTE:

I would just like to say thank you so much for all of the recent favourites and follows I have had for this story. Also thank you to everyone who has recently provided positive reviews and feedback.

I have recently lowered the rating for this fanfiction from an M to a T. If I feel any chapter needs additional warnings I will provide them in any future chapter notes.

Anyways, here is Chapter 7. I really hope you like it.

Reviews as always are most welcome.

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Chapter 7: Restless.

Scott stood in a dense forest, he could see a grey mist beginning to engulf the woodland around him, swallowing it whole. The thick haze started to wrap itself around him, while tightening its grasp on his body. He couldn't see, he couldn't feel, he couldn't think. Where was he? How did he get here? Where were his brothers? Oh God! His brothers. He needed to find them. Scott began running through the thick fog, shouting their names in desperation. Out of nowhere, a clearing appeared in front of him, one where the smog had yet to gather, Scott could see his three brothers sitting on a grass verge, with their backs facing away from the woods. "Gordon, Alan, John! What's going on? Where are we?" He called out to them. They didn't move, so Scott began running towards them, desperate to reach them and make sure they were alright.

"Scott!"

Scott ground himself to a sudden halt.

"Scott!"

A voice, one he recognised, one he had longed to hear was screaming his name.

"Scott!"

Scott turned to face the forest once more.

"Scott! Please."

"Virg?"

"Scott! Please help me!"

The desperation and fear in his brother's voice made Scott feel physically sick.

"Virgil, where are you? I can't see you."

"Scott! Please. Please help me!"

"Virgil, stay where you are. I'm coming to get you." Scott shouted, hoping his brother could hear him.

Scott started to run in the direction he had come from, only to be stopped by an invisible wall that now surrounded the forest.

"Scott! Please. Please Scott! Help me!"

Scott started banging his fists against the invisible wall in front of him, screaming his brother's name as he did so.

… ...

"Virgil," Scott cried out as he woke from the nightmare which had gripped him. Scott sat up in his bed and pushed his hands through his hair, trying desperately to calm his beating heart, and slow down his heavy breathing. Once he began to feel calm, he pulled himself out of his bed and made his way quietly out of his room. There was no way he was going back to sleep after that nightmare, even if it was only three am. The woods, the fog, the distress and terror he had heard in his lost brother's voice, it had all been too much, and the dream had seemed so real. Scott made his way into the kitchen intent on getting a coffee to help keep him from anymore nightmares. After making his drink, Scott quietly slipped into the lounge and was surprised to find his father already sitting on the sofa with a coffee of his own. "Dad, what are you doing up?" Scott asked.

"I could ask you the same thing young man?" Jeff responded looking at his, obviously sleepy, eldest son.

Scott looked down at his coffee and decided to answer honestly. "Nightmares.".

Jeff tapped the empty seat next to him. "Come on son. Sit down and talk to me."

Scott sighed and went and sat down next to his father. "There's not much to say, it was just a nightmare, a horrifying one, and one that felt so real."

"Virgil?" Jeff queried sadly

"Yes,"

"What happened?"

Scott shook his head. "It doesn't matter, it felt real, but thankfully it wasn't. Although, when I woke I was wishing that this was all a dream."

"Me too Scott." Jeff replied, bowing his head but placing a reassuring arm around him.

"So, why are you awake?" Scott questioned looking in his father's eyes.

Jeff swirled the coffee around in his cup. "I had some decisions to make and things to sort out. I had been thinking about what you and the boys were saying about continuing with International Rescue… Now, don't worry, I agree with you, and we will continue. However, I've made the decision that we all need to have a break for a while, we need to be together as a family and we all need… We all need time to grieve. So, I've released an announcement to the authorities and press, that International Rescue will not be operating until further notice."

Scott nodded his head. "How long do you think it will be dad?"

"I'm not sure Scott, as much time as you and the rest of the boys feel you may need." Jeff let out a sigh and continued. "I need to stop too. I remember what I was like when your mother passed away, throwing myself into work, not being there when you all needed me. I'm not putting you boys through that again."

Scott took his father's hand and gripped it tightly. "So, what's our next step?"

Jeff glanced sadly into his son's eyes. "We, need to let anyone who knew Virgil know that he has…" Jeff breathed in deeply and then carried on. "That he's passed away. There will be some official documents I have to sign as well, and then we can arrange a funeral."

"How are we going to do that dad. Without implicating International Rescue and without his… Without his…" Scott paused unable to get the words out.

"I know son, I know." Jeff said reassuringly as he squeezed Scott's hand. "We'll figure something out." A moment of silence crept over them as they mused over their own individual thoughts. "Scott, I… I need to know, the last time you spoke to Virgil, did he… Did he sound happy?"

Scott looked down at his now cold cup of coffee. "He sounded like typical Virgil."

Jeff nodded with a slight smile. "And what was..." Jeff was unsure whether to carry on.

"What was what dad?" Scott asked.

"What was the last thing he said to you?"

Scott half smiled and let out a slight laugh. "He told me I should stop looking so worried."

Jeff smiled and laughed softly to himself. He then paused a moment before continuing to talk. "I hope… I hope he didn't feel anything, I really hope he didn't see those bombs… Before they exploded. I hope… Well, I really hope that his last moments were happy."

"Me too dad." Scott glanced up at the clock. "Its four am. You should get some sleep, and don't take any of those sleeping tablets. You rely on them too much."

"Hey, when did we swap roles?" Jeff replied mockingly. "I'll sleep, if you promise that you will try and get some sleep too."

"Yes, okay dad." Scott replied reluctantly.

They both stood, Jeff placed his arm around his eldest child as they both made their way to bed.