DISCLAIMER: They belong to the genius Gerry Anderson and others... I'm just borrowing them for a little bit longer than originally planned.
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Notes:
* Thank you for all of the reviews, likes and faves for this story. (Which seems to be going on a bit longer than I originally planned) If I haven't personally sent you a message - then thank you! :)
* I've been a bit idle with naming a character (couldn't think of anything) and decided to use two character names (molded together) from a film I like. (Spot the film - hehe)
* Anyway, here's chapter 27. A very early update. (Damn insomnia keeping me up all night)
Really hope you enjoy... Reviews always welcome!
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Chapter 27: Comforting Words.
Jeff stood anxiously waiting outside Virgil's hospital room with his mother and four boys. All of them were desperate to go inside but Doctor Sylvia had asked them to wait while he went and checked on Virgil's condition. After a few minutes, which had felt like hours, the doctor opened the door and smiled at them. "One of my colleagues is just completing a few final checks, once that's done then you can see him. Now, before you go in, you should know that Virgil has continued to drift in and out of consciousness, which is a result of his condition and the medication we have given him. Unfortunately, these drugs can only help him so much. So, when he's awake he will still be in an extreme amount of pain, and he may not be coherent… Also because of what he's been through, whenever he's awake, he will probably not realise where he is, and he may become anxious and agitated."
"What can we do to help him?" Scott asked with concern.
"Talk to him, even if he's asleep. You can remind him of good times and talk about fun things you can do as a family when he's feeling better. Reassure him of his safety and let him know that you are always there for him... Does he like any specific type of music?"
"Yes, he does," John answered with a smile. "He loves playing the piano and he has a particular fondness for classical music."
"Well, that's perfect! Play his favourite songs, whether he's sleeping or awake, it will help! Also, when he's awake try and help him focus on his breathing, sometimes repeating a word or phrase can help, this with the music will help his body and mind to physically relax, and will help with the psychological effects and the physical pain."
The door to Virgil's room opened and another doctor made their way out. "He's sleeping but you can see him now."
Doctor Sylvia smiled at her. "Thank you. Oh, I would like you to meet our patient's family."
"Hello, I'm Doctor Emily Sanderson. I will be helping to oversee Virgil's treatment while he's with us." They all shook her hand and exchanged pleasantries. "Now, I'm really sorry but I must dash." She said with a smile.
"Can we go in?" Jeff asked, when Doctor Sanderson had left.
Doctor Sylvia nodded. "Of course, I'll let you have some time alone. If you need me, or one of my other colleagues, just press the green button above Virgil's bed and someone will be with you immediately."
"Thank you, doctor," Jeff added. They all watched him leave and then turned towards Virgil's door. Jeff stepped hesitantly forwards. When he realised he was the only one who had moved towards the room he looked back to see Scott, John and his mother holding the two youngest back. "Are you not coming in?" Jeff questioned with surprise.
"We will in a minute dad," Scott replied, "but I know you need some time with Virgil on your own."
"Thank you," Jeff responded wiping a tear away, as he pushed the door open and made his way inside.
Jeff stopped short of the bed and took a moment to process the image that was before him. There was his son, his normally smiling, strong-willed, bright-faced boy that illuminated their home with his creativity, music and deep resonating laugh. Looking lost, frail and completely broken. Jeff stepped forward, pulled the nearby chair towards the bed, and sat himself down. He then placed his shaking hand on the bed, desperately wanting to reach out and hold his son but he was too scared that if he did, then the touch would be the very thing to break him. Eventually, after a few moments of silence while he sat watching Virgil's chest slowly rise and fall, Jeff reached out and gently took Virgil's left hand in his, the only part of his child that didn't look broken or bruised, and he began to speak.
"Did you know that you've been gone for just over six days?" Jeff paused, half expecting Virgil to answer, even though his eyes remained tightly shut. "During those first few days when we thought you were dead, I thought of so many things I hadn't said, so many things that I wished we could have done together as a family, things that kept getting cancelled because of International Rescue. Then we found out you were alive, and I promised myself that if we got you back then we would do all the things that I had been putting off for another day... And I would tell you all those things I should have said but didn't… I planned the conversations in my head and worked out exactly what I would say." Jeff released a heavy sigh. "Now you are here, lying in front of me and I can't remember anything I had planned." Jeff took his other hand and pushed some of Virgil's hair away from his eyes. "You need a haircut!" Jeff released a small laugh. "Seriously, that's the only thing I can think about right now, that you really need your hair cutting... It looks like they've given you a shave though... I'm glad… A beard really wouldn't suit you and I know you hate it when you've not had a chance to shave on back-to-back missions."
Jeff stroked his hand through Virgil's hair and then looked at the door. "Your brothers and grandmother will be in here in a minute." Jeff looked back towards Virgil. "Your grandmother has missed you like crazy, I know she's planning all of your favourite meals for when we get you back home. If we don't keep an eye on her, or you, I know you'll get nice and fat." Jeff looked over Virgil's gaunt features. "Although, it does look like you could do with some fattening up!" Jeff continued to watch the rise and fall of Virgil's chest. "Oh son!" He now sobbed. "I'm so sorry you've had to go through any of this... If there was any way for me to take your pain and endure it for you then I would do it in a heartbeat... Before this happened, I never said it enough, and I know you are all going to get sick of hearing it... But, you are so, so precious to me... And I love you so much!"
"Love you dad."
"Virgil?" Jeff cried, taking in the sight of his now half-awake son. Jeff hit the green button above Virgil's bed and then took his sons only good hand with both of his.
Doctor Gerry Sylvia came running in the room followed closely by a very concerned Ruth, Scott, Gordon, John and Alan.
"He's awake!" Jeff said, stepping out of the way so the doctor could do his work.
"Hello there, I'm Doctor Gerry Sylvia. Now, Virgil can you tell me on a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the pain?"
"Not bad," Virgil stuttered.
Jeff, Virgil's grandmother and all four Tracy boys let out a laugh.
"Mm... Really?" Doctor Sylvia remarked. "Well, from the look on your face I would hazard a guess at a 9 out of 10?" Virgil winced when Doctor Sylvia touched his arm. "Or maybe even a 10... Now I'm going to give you something for the pain okay?"
"Mm... Okay." Virgil muttered.
Doctor Gerry Sylvia finished administering the medication and then turned his attention to Jeff. "Unfortunately, until the Rynax his out of his system this will be the only medication we can administer to him. So, while he's awake it's best to keep him calm."
Jeff nodded and thanked him, when the doctor had left the room, the family all gathered together around Virgil's bed.
"Hello young man." Ruth said, tears trickling down her face. "I've missed you."
"Mm... Missed... Y... You!" Virgil stammered.
"Shush... Don't try to talk too much" Jeff said, stroking his hand through Virgil's hair.
"Ss... Safe?" He asked, tears filling his eyes.
"It's okay!" Scott soothed.
"We're all here with you!" John consoled.
"Ll... Love all!" Virgil replied, the tears now flowing freely.
"And we all love you very much!" Alan responded, with tears of his own.
"And we're not going to let anyone hurt you again!" Gordon stated.
... ...
Meanwhile:
The Hood stood pacing in his prison cell, cursing International Rescue for once again stopping his plans, cursing the day he first met Jeff Tracy and swearing revenge on him and his sons.
At that moment, the flap of his door opened, and a prison officer peeped through. "Foods ready... Step back from the door, there are two of us and we are both armed." He warned.
The Hood stepped back and took a seat on the single bed that was in the cell. The prison door opened, and the two officers entered, one with a tray of food, the other with a gun aimed at the Hood.
"Now, stay where you are!" The prison officer who held the gun demanded, while the other officer put the food tray on the floor.
The Hood smirked. "Now officers... What on earth could I do from here?"
The prison officers glared at the Hood and were instantly transfixed when his eyes turned to a penetrating golden yellow.
