DISCLAIMER: STILL DON'T OWN THEM.

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NOTES:

* I have no medical training and very little knowledge - Any medical stuff mentioned in this chapter is the result of lots of research on internet search engines and the NHS website. Hopefully, not too many mistakes.

* I'd just like to say thank you to you all for the likes, comments and PM's - You have all been so kind and it's really helping me to keep going.

* Special thanks to StormySkies89, Lady Equinox and Bow Echo for your constant kind words and reviews.

* Here's chapter 29 and hope you all enjoy :)

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Chapter 29: Operation.

Several Hours Later:

The Tracy family sat in Virgil's hospital room waiting impatiently for the doctors to return with Virgil, who had finally been taken for the surgery on his broken legs. Doctor Sylvia had explained to them all that because of the type of break Virgil had suffered the operation could take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours and maybe longer if there were any complications. It had now reached the 3-hour mark, and everyone was starting to become restless. Scott jumped to his feet and began pacing the room, the agitation that he was feeling streaming from him.

After a few minutes of this Jeff stood up, walked over to his son, and pulled him into his arms. Scott tried to fight his father's hold but eventually he gave in and sank into its warmth. They stayed like this for several minutes until Jeff released his hold on Scott and looked in his eyes. "Are you okay?" Jeff asked.

Scott sighed and then nodded. "Just worried." Scott glanced at his watch. "It's been 3 hours' dad. What's taking them so long?"

"I don't know son, I don't know." Jeff replied.

… …

1 hour Later:

Doctor Gerry Sylvia made his way into the room where the Tracy's had all been waiting. Jeff jumped to his feet and greeted the doctor. "How's my boy?" Jeff questioned.

Doctor Sylvia signalled Jeff to sit, he then sat himself down and began to talk. "As you know, we've been continually monitoring Virgil for any complications. Before we started the operation, we began by taking some more scans and running some tests, when we got the results we discovered that Virgil had developed Compartment Syndrome in his left leg."

"What is Compartment Syndrome?" Ruth asked.

It's a condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels." Doctor Sylvia answered. "Unfortunately, it's common when you have such a severe break. Also, the combination of the type of fracture Virgil suffered and the time we had to wait before operating have not helped. Compartment Syndrome causes a decrease in blood flow, which prevents nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells."

"Are you saying he could have lost his leg?" John gasped.

"If left untreated then yes." Doctor Sylvia confirmed. "We were lucky that we caught it when we did. We performed a fasciotomy, this is when the fascia is cut to help relieve the loss of pressure to the muscles and thankfully the operation was successful."

"What about the fractures." Scott asked, looking concerned. "Were you still able to treat them?"

Doctor Sylvia nodded. "Yes, we did. Normally, we wouldn't have done both at the same time, but because of the amount of time Virgil has already had to wait we didn't want to risk him developing any further complications."

"And how did they go?" Gordon queried.

Doctor Sylvia smiled. "After treating the Compartment Syndrome in the left leg, we were able to treat the fracture to the middle part of the thighbone by inserting a rod through the middle of the bone. His right leg was straight forward, the wires were inserted, and they will help hold the broken bones together. Both legs have been placed in casts and we have taken Virgil to recovery and he will be brought back in here shortly."

"How long will it take him to recover?" Jeff enquired.

"We will need to keep the plasters on for up to 12 weeks, maybe longer. During this time, it would be best for Virgil to put no pressure on his legs, so he will need to use a wheelchair for this period. Depending on how well the fractures heal, I would expect Virgil to start using crutches after this time, but it could be up to 6 months before the fractures have fully healed, which is when I would normally recommend he begins physiotherapy. However, it will also depend on how well the fracture to Virgil's back heals. Unfortunately, it means we are currently playing a waiting game until we know for sure. If I was to give you a rough estimate, I would say 6 to 8 months before he begins physio and then depending on how he progresses, it could be anywhere between 10 to 12 months before he is fully recovered." Doctor Sylvia smiled sympathetically when the whole family gasped at this news. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you any better news." His pager beeped, and he looked at it. "I'll be back in 5 minutes." He added, before leaving the room.

"A year!" Alan sighed, after the doctor had left. "It will send him crazy!"

"I know," John responded.

"We will just have to make sure we are there for him every step of the way," Gordon stated. "Just like you all did for me when I hurt my back."

Jeff placed his arm around Gordon and held him close. He hated to be reminded of the time he nearly lost one of his sons and this time he had once again come too close to that reality. Just as Jeff was pondering these thoughts the door swung open and Doctor Sylvia made his way back into the room followed closely by some nurses and hospital porters who were pushing the hospital bed that Virgil was fast asleep on. The Tracy's stood back while they all got Virgil settled back in the room, as soon as they had finished and had left, Doctor Sylvia explained a few more things to them all before leaving them alone, so they could spend some quality time alone with Virgil.

… …

The following morning:

Jeff, his mother and his boys had decided that the schedule they had been following would be abandoned for the next 24 hours, due to them not wanting to leave Virgil's side so soon after surgery, and all of them wanting to be there when he woke. The night had seen Virgil once again drifting in and out of consciousness. However, they were all pleased to see that each time he had woken he had become more coherent and because of the new medication he had been given the previous day, he appeared to be in less pain. Although, they were all still concerned by the constant nightmares Virgil still seemed to be having. It was now 9am in the morning, John had just returned with his grandma from the canteen, bearing coffees and sandwiches for everyone, which after the restless night they had all been grateful for. They all now sat munching away and sipping on their coffees, while some classical music flowed from the radio Doctor Sylvia had given them to help aid Virgil's recovery.

Scott frowned and tapped his dad on the shoulder when he saw Virgil appearing to have another nightmare. Jeff lent over and stroked Virgil's head and whispered soothing words to him. Eventually, Virgil's eyes began to open.

"Well, hello there." His grandma said, when she saw Virgil looking at them all.

"Hey," Virgil yawned.

"Are you in any pain?" Scott asked.

"Not much," Virgil responded.

Scott looked at him quizzically. "Mm… Is that the truth?"

"Yes," Virgil replied, with a genuine smile, which brought joy to all their hearts to see. Virgil glanced at his legs. "Broken?"

Jeff nodded. "I'm afraid so."

Virgil frowned. "What other injuries?"

Jeff sighed, gripped Virgil's hand and then signalled for the others to come closer, so they could all offer the much-needed support he knew his son would need.

… …

Meanwhile:

The Hood sat in the small plane that the two prison officers had acquired for him, preparing himself and the aircraft for flight. It had been easy for him to escape the prison, he had simply manipulated the security cameras and anyone they had encountered with his powers, and he had just walked out of the jail with the two officers in tow. He knew it would be several more hours before anyone noticed he was missing. Or sooner, if someone discovered the bodies of the two prison officers who he had shot dead, with their own guns, and then dumped on the side of the road near the small airstrip he was at. The Hood released an evil sneer, his plan was coming along perfectly, and his target was firmly placed in the front of his mind. The Hood pulled the plane into the air and let out his dark, twisted laugh. "Virgil Tracy, I'm coming for you."