DISCLAIMER: THE PLOT IS MY OWN IDEA - HOWEVER, I DO NOT OWN THE BOYS, INTERNATIONAL RESCUE OR THE THUNDERBIRDS MACHINES.

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NOTE:

* Thank you once again for all the kind words you have given for this story.

* I am bringing you this chapter from my warm bed - where I am currently suffering from a bout of flu... And I'm wishing that Virgil could come along and be my doctor ... Sigh ... On a brighter note though, it means I am currently writing more of this story up... And I get to drink warm tea in bed with my Thunderbirds mug. A picture of Parker on the front saying - 'Tea M'Lady'

* Reviews as always are welcome.

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Brains speeches in this chapter are written normally - as I personally have difficulty reading it when it is written as spoken. So, please read/imagine any bits that Brains says - As he would speak them. Thank you.

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Chapter 14: Waiting.

6 hours Later:

Tin-Tin made her way from the kitchen with a cup of tea in her hands and headed towards her room. As she made her way past Alan's bedroom, she noticed a light coming from inside, quietly pushing the door open she noticed that the light was coming from his bathroom, upon hearing a loud sob coming from within, she placed her tea down and made her way into the room. "Alan" she exclaimed, when she noticed him slumped on the floor by the toilet crying bitterly. Alan glanced up at her and then leaned over the toilet and threw up. "Alan, are you not feeling well?" she asked tenderly, as she sat on the floor next to him and rubbed his back reassuringly.

"I'm not sick." Alan replied.

Tin-Tin kept her hand reassuringly on Alan's back as he threw up once more. "It's the shock, isn't it?" She said sympathetically. Alan looked at her and nodded his head as he began to cry once more. Tin-Tin rubbed her hand in a circular motion on Alan's back. "It's okay sweetheart… You know you can talk to me anytime and about anything?"

Alan nodded. "It's… It's just… Virgil," he wept. "He's the one who's always been there when we've been hurt or ill. He hardly ever gets sick… And I've never seen him looking so… So, weak and scared… I hate to think of him being there all alone… No one there to hold him and tell him it's all going to be okay… Like he's always done for me… I… I just want… I want him home… So, we can look after him. So, so we can let him know that he's safe… And comfort him… And let him know that nothing else is ever going to hurt him!"

Tin-Tin continued to rub Alan's back, while whispering reassuring words to him. After a few moments of silence, Tin-Tin asked. "Where are Gordon and Scott, are they back down in thunderbird 2?"

"No. we finished a while ago. Gordon was really anxious waiting for Brains and John to crack through the Hood's computer system, so he's gone for a swim, which will hopefully help him relax a bit."

"They're not having much luck, are they?" Tin-Tin added sadly.

Alan shook his head. "No… No they're not."

"And where's Scott?" Tin-Tin asked.

"Scott's in the lounge… Pacing!" Alan added.

"Come on" Tin-Tin said helping Alan to his feet. "I want you to come and get some water and try and eat something."

… …

A few hours later:

Scott dropped the pile of blankets and pillows he had carried into the lounge onto the floor, picking one up he placed it carefully over a sleeping Alan, so as not to disturb him, and then slipped a pillow under his head.

"What's with all the blankets Scott?" Jeff asked making his way into the room.

"Well, none of us are going to get much sleep tonight in our own beds, so I thought we should all try and get a few hours' sleep in here, and even if we don't sleep at least we are together."

"That's not a bad idea Scott," Jeff replied ruffling Scott's hair and placing a gentle kiss on Alan's sleeping head.

Scott looked over at Brains and John working away. "How are they getting on?"

Brains swivelled around in his chair. "No luck I'm afraid Scott. Their computer system is proving hard to hack into without alerting them to our presence… They obviously have someone working for them who knows what they are doing."

Scott looked desperately in his father's eyes.

Jeff placed a reassuring hand on Scott's arm. "It's okay son. We'll find him… We… We have to." Jeff looked around the room. "Where's everyone else?"

"Grandma, Penny and Tin-Tin have gone to try and get a few hours' sleep and I think Parker and Kyrano are in the kitchen," Scott replied.

"Then where's Gordon?" Jeff asked.

John turned in his chair. "I think he's outside in the pool."

"What… Still? But he's been in there for what, 6 hours?" Jeff questioned, shaking his head.

"It's okay dad, I'll go and drag him out if I have to!" Scott made his way out of the room and headed outside. He stopped and shook his head when he reached the pool. Sure enough, there was his brother, lying fast asleep on top of the water bed which was floating in the middle of the swimming pool. "Gordon." Scott said softly. "Gordon." Scott said a bit louder this time after not getting any response from him. "Gordon!" Scott almost shouted.

"Ah?" Gordon half responded as he went to roll over, obviously forgetting where he was, and falling into the pool. "What the?" He spluttered, finally realising where he was and standing himself up in the water.

"Seriously, Gordon. You've been out here for 6 hours, that surely has to be a new world record… Pun not intended on that!" Scott added.

"I was just doing laps, then I thought I'd take a break, and I must have fallen asleep… I just… I… I needed to be on my own!"

"Come here." Scott said, helping Gordon out of the pool and handing him his towel. "Why do you want to be on your own?"

"I feel useless!"

"What?"

"There's nothing I can do to help… And sitting in there just waiting and watching as Brains and John try to find out where Virg is… And there's nothing I can do to help them… Or him."

"Hey. You are not useless." Scott said reassuringly. "These past few days, you've been amazing, and so strong!"

"I've been falling apart inside though," Gordon replied honestly.

Scott placed his arm around Gordon. "Gords, I want you to come inside, get yourself showered, dressed, have something to eat and drink, and then get some sleep."

Gordon looked at Scott. "I don't think I could eat anything or sleep!"

"Well, I want you to try. I need you to be fully alert and ready for when we get the location. I need you on top form… I'm going to need you to use some of that WASP training you are always prattling on about."

"Yes sir!" Gordon responded suddenly snapping to. Gordon went quiet for a few moments and then continued. "You know when this is over, and we've got Virg back… I'm sticking a tracker in his arm!"

Scott laughed, and then suddenly jumped to his feet. "Oh, my god! That's it… Gordon you are a genius!"

"What? I am?"

"Yes. Now get inside and once you're showered and dressed meet me in the lounge." Scott ran in the house and back into the lounge where John, Brains and his father were working away. "Transmitter… Chain… Find Virgil…" Scott stammered out as he ran into the lounge.

"Wow… Slow down son and start again." Jeff said as he steadied his son.

Scott breathed in, caught his breath and continued. "Brains. Can you track Virgil's edible transmitter? If I'm correct, then it's in his chain!"