DISCLAIMER: THEY BELONG TO OTHERS - I JUST KEEP BORROWING THEM FOR THIS AND OTHER STORIES.

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NOTES: An early update for you all. Hope you enjoy. :)

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Chapter 30: Allies and Confessions.

The Hood landed on a small private airstrip, did his final checks, climbed out of the plane, and was greeted by one of his many contacts, who had previously proven himself valuable.

"I've acquired transport for you sir." The man said, leading him to a nearby car.

"And the other arrangements?" The Hood demanded.

"I've arranged a base which is relatively close to Good Hope Hospital. The computer systems that you asked for have been set up and I have brought someone in who can use them to hack into the hospitals security systems. They reckon they will have access by time we arrive at the base." The man responded.

"Good, good!" The Hood replied.

The man smiled. "You will also be pleased to hear that I have a colleague, who has done some private work for me in the past, and works at the hospital. She has been assigned to the team that is directly looking after Virgil."

The Hood beamed at this news. "You are right. I am pleased! If everything works out the way I planned, and I finally manage to get my full revenge; then I will see that you are handsomely rewarded!"

"Thank you, sir. I won't let you down!"

"Make sure you don't! Now, take me to this base of ours and fill me in on this woman we have working for us on the inside."

… …

24 Hours Later:

The Tracy's all sat quietly watching Virgil sleep, he had taken the previous day's news about the extent of his injuries, and the amount of time he would take to recover well. Although they had all guessed that he was hiding how he had really felt. As Virgil continued to sleep, the door opened and Doctor Emily Sanderson, who they had previously met, entered followed by Nurse Andrews, who had initially spoken to Scott and John when Virgil had first been brought in.

"Hey Doc," Scott said, standing up from his chair. "Where's Doctor Sylvia?"

"He's just taking a short break," Nurse Andrews answered with a smile.

"I just need to run a few tests on Virgil," Doctor Sanderson added.

"Oh, okay." Scott responded with a look of worry.

"Don't worry, it's nothing serious, all routine tests," Nurse Andrews reassured.

Doctor Sanderson looked at the family. "I'm sorry but it's a little bit crowded in here. I just need to ask you to wait outside for a moment while I do these tests."

"Can one of us stay with him?" Scott pleaded.

"Of course!" Doctor Sanderson replied.

Gordon, John, Alan, Jeff and their grandma made their way out of the room while Scott slipped into the chair next to Virgil and took his hand in his. He watched both the doctor and the nurse closely, he didn't know why but all his warning signals were going off in his head, something wasn't quite right, he didn't know what, but he was damned sure not letting anything else happen to his little brother.

… …

Meanwhile:

The Hood observed the computer screens in front of him, which were now showing live images from inside of the hospital, he grinned when the man who was operating the camera brought up the live feed from inside Virgil's room. The Hood could see Virgil being tended to by a nurse and a doctor, while his brother sat next to him. "This is fantastic!" The Hood pointed to one of the women who was in Virgil's room with him. "And this is her?" He asked. "The one you were talking about?"

"Yes sir." The man who had collected him from the airstrip answered. "She's the one who also managed to set up the hidden surveillance in his room."

"They are International Rescue, how come they haven't detected it?" The Hood questioned.

The guy behind the computer smiled with pride. "It's my own invention sir. Don't worry, they won't find it."

"Mm… You better be right," The Hood responded. "Now, when do I get to meet this woman?"

… …

As soon as Doctor Sanderson and Nurse Andrews had finished what they were doing and had left the room the rest of the family piled back inside, re-took their seats, and continued to watch Virgil sleeping. Another two hours passed by before Virgil began to stir, from another nightmare.

Scott leant forwards and slowly stroked his hand on his brother's head. "It's okay Virgil, it's just a nightmare." He consoled, watching Virgil's eyes begin to flutter. "That's it. Open your eyes for me Virg. We're all here… Nobody is going to hurt you!" Scott continued soothingly.

Virgil mumbled some words under his breath which they couldn't make out and then eventually opened his eyes. "Scotty."

"Yeah, it's me… We are all here with you!"

"Bad dream," Virgil yawned.

"Yes, we could see!" Scott replied. Looking to his father Scott got the nod he was waiting for and then continued. "Hey Virg, we have all noticed that these bad dreams are happening a lot! We've all been talking, and you know that we are all here for you… So, why don't you try and tell us all what they are about? Hopefully, by talking about them, you can then stop them."

Virgil sighed. "They won't go!"

Jeff took a hold of Virgil's hand "Of course they will!"

Virgil felt a tear drop from his eye which his dad instantly wiped away. He knew he needed to tell them about what the Hood had confessed to him when he had been held captive, but he had no idea where to even begin. Virgil felt more tears begin to run down his face.

"Seriously Virg, talk to us," Alan pleaded with tears of his own.

Virgil breathed out slowly. He could never deny his baby brother anything, especially when he was this upset. So, Virgil began to slowly talk. He told them everything that the Hood had confessed to him. He told them how the Hood had sworn revenge on Jeff, how he had stowed away and honed his powers until he was ready to take his revenge. Virgil then looked at them all as fresh tears streamed down his face. He began to tell them how the Hood had confessed to causing the Avalanche, with his powers, that had killed their beautiful mother. Then how the Hood had finally taunted him by planting the visions in his mind and making him relieve that day again and again. Then leaving them, ingrained in his head, as a nightmare, cursing him every time he slept. Then finally, how the Hood had taunted him with the fact that the dreams would remain until the day he died.

… …

Meanwhile:

The Hood offered a seat to the woman in front of him, which she gladly took. He pulled up his own chair and surveyed her. "So, I've been told you have direct access to Virgil Tracy." The Hood questioned.

"Yes, that's correct. I was originally assigned to the team that's looking after him." She replied.

"So, you can get me direct access to him, without his family being there," The Hood probed.

"Absolutely," She responded confidently.

"Good, then I'd like to strike tomorrow!" He added.

"No problem at all sir," She smiled confidently.

"Good!" He said standing and walking towards the door. He turned back towards her. "And please, call me Balah Gaat!"