DISCLAIMER: THE BOYS BELONG TO THE WONDERFUL GERRY AND SYLVIA ANDERSON.

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NOTE:

* This chapter was originally linked to 'New Plans' but after some advice from the lovely BOW ECHO I decided to split them. :)

* Reviews are welcome.

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Chapter 34: Reassurance and Retribution.

9pm:

During the last few hours the family had all discussed the potential threat the Hood still posed and what could be done to stop him before he had the opportunity to strike again. In the end, they concluded that because the technology they needed to find him was based on the island any investigations would need to be led from there. As none of them were prepared to leave Virgil, due to the fragile state he was currently in, Jeff decided that he would contact Penelope, who was still on the island, and ask her to lead the search, with further help coming from Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin and Kyrano.

It was now 9pm, and they all sat watching Virgil sleep, none of them eager to leave his side and return to the hotel. Their quiet vigil came to an end when Virgil began to wake from the nightmare that still continually plagued him.

"It's okay," Jeff soothed, stroking his hand through Virgil's hair.

"Sorry," Virgil mumbled with a yawn when he finally opened his eyes.

"You've got nothing to be sorry for!" Jeff said firmly.

Virgil felt the tears welling up in his eyes. "Burden," he eventually muttered.

Scott, John, Alan, Gordon and their grandma all stood and surrounded Virgil's bed.

"You are not a burden!" Scott consoled taking Virgil's hand.

"None of us mind being here with you, okay?" John reassured him.

Gordon sighed when he saw the frustration and fear that was evident on Virgil's face. "Virg, it's okay to be scared!"

"Not scared!" Virgil lied.

"Virgil, what you've been through, it… It was horrific!" His grandma stated. "You have every right to be scared, angry and whatever else you are feeling!"

Virgil nodded, letting his tears flow.

Alan watched his brother's sadness, desperately wanting to help him in some way, when a thought occurred to him. He reached inside his inner pocket and pulled something out, gripping it tightly, he swapped places with Scott and held Virgil's hand. "Virgil, I'm sorry I didn't give you this sooner but with everything that's been going on… Well, there just hasn't been a good time." Alan slipped the item into Virgil's hand.

Virgil looked at the object, and for the first time in a long while, his eyes lit up and a proper smile spread across his face. "My chain!" He revealed to the others. "I thought this was gone… Al, how did you find it?"

"Just before Scott carried you out of that room."

"Thank you, Alan." Virgil said, with genuine happiness.

"Anything for one of my big bro's!" Alan replied.

Virgil examined the chain and the treasured picture of his mother that was inside. "She was beautiful."

"That, she was," Jeff smiled, "that she was!"

They all continued to examine the photograph, each of them revealing their own special memories. This continued for another half-an-hour until Scott noticed Virgil had once again fallen asleep. "Dad." He said, indicating Virgil.

Jeff smiled sadly and stroked his hand through Virgil's hair.

"I hate seeing him like this," Alan sighed, "it's just… It's not him!"

"I know Al… None of us like it," John replied, "but the fact is that unfortunately, Virg won't be himself for a long time. He's been through a lot and he's still got so far to go! But what you did earlier, giving him the chain, that really helped!"

"I hope so," Alan said sadly.

… …

10pm:

The Hood stood watching the live feed from inside Virgil's hospital room and scowled, annoyed by the fact that the four Tracy brothers had remained with Jeff and his mother at Virgil's side. The Hood exhaled, as he considered the dilemma he was now in. One Tracy, he knew he could handle, two would be a challenge, but six of them, and at the same time would be a nightmare!

… …

11pm:

Virgil opened his eyes after waking from another nightmare and gazed at his family who had fallen asleep in their chairs. Virgil glanced at his father who was sitting beside him, leaning forwards, his head resting on the mattress, and his eyes tightly shut. "Dad," Virgil said softly.

Jeff slowly opened his eyes and smiled at Virgil. "Hey," he responded with a yawn. "Are you okay?" Virgil sighed and shook his head. "Same nightmare?" He asked.

"Always the same!" Virgil replied sadly.

Jeff rested his hand on top of Virgil's head. "It's okay." He soothed. "Are you in any pain?" Virgil nodded. "Okay," Jeff replied, pressing the buzzer to call one of the doctors or nurses.

A few moments later, Nurse Andrews entered the room, to be greeted by the entire family, who had woken when Jeff had activated the buzzer. "Good evening, what seems to be the problem?"

"He's in pain!" John replied.

"Okay, let me just check you notes and we'll see what we can do." She responded. "Okay, it looks like you're due another dose shortly, so we'll get that sorted for you now."

"Thank you, Nurse." Virgil responded.

"So, Maria… Do you ever get any time off work? To rest, relax… Maybe have dinner?" Gordon flirted.

"Well, aren't you sweet… You know, you really remind me of one of my brothers!" She responded.

"Burn!" Scott nearly choked with laughter at Gordon's rejection.

"You really should all go back to the hotel and sleep!" Nurse Andrews stated.

John shook his head. "We decided earlier that we would all remain here tonight."

Virgil frowned. "You all need rest too!"

"Listen here young man!" Jeff said sternly. "Stop worrying about us and think about yourself for a change. It's been a very long, hard day for you Virgil, and with the Hood still out there, none of us want to leave you alone!"

"I'm not alone. There are two security guards outside!" Virgil stated.

Nurse Maria Andrews started administering the medication into Virgil. "He's right. Plus, the medication I'm giving him will keep him asleep for several hours!"

The door opened, and Doctor Emily Sanderson popped her head inside. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Doctor." Maria responded. "I was just administering some pain relief for Virgil and trying to convince this lot to go back to their hotel for the remainder of the night."

"She's right!" Doctor Sanderson said. "It's really not good for you to sleep in those chairs. You all should head back to your beds and get some proper rest!"

"Shouldn't you both be getting some rest as well?" Scott queried. "You're both on back to back shifts!"

Emily smiled at Scott's comment. "No rest for the wicked, I'm afraid!"

"Oh, you're definitely not wicked!" Scott replied.

"Okay." Nurse Andrews interjected. "All done here!"

Scott glanced over at Virgil, who had fallen asleep from the effects of the medication.

"Now." Nurse Andrews continued. "Are you all heading back to the hotel. Or am I going to have to fetch security to drag you all out?"

Jeff sighed. "What do the rest of you think?"

"I think the Nurse and Doctor are both correct, we all need a good night's sleep!" His mother confirmed.

Gordon and Alan both shrugged.

"I don't want to leave him dad." Scott replied.

"Neither do I!" John added.

"I'm not taking no for an answer!" Maria ordered.

"I don't think we're going to win boys.," Jeff said with a slight laugh.

Scott and John both breathed out in frustration, knowing they weren't going to get to stay. "Fine!" Scott finally said. "Looks like we're all heading back to the hotel!

… …

Meanwhile:

The Hood grinned. He couldn't believe his luck had finally turned, when he observed the entire Tracy family getting ready to leave Virgil's room for the night. The Hood checked his watch, he still had 2 hours to go until he was meant to be putting his plan into action. However, with the recent change in his fortune he didn't want to risk things by delaying his plot any longer. He was determined that he would have his revenge and with all the obstacles he was facing now out of his way, he knew that tonight would be that night!

… …

1 hour later:

Standing outside the hospital the Hood was greeted by the woman who had been helping him. She smiled and handed him an ID card. "This, alongside the mind powers you mentioned, should definitely help you get past security."

The Hood closely examined the ID. "Good."

"Thank you," she replied.

"Oh, and excellent work earlier, I can't believe the Tracy's actually left the room," he added with admiration.

"Oh, I believe you will find that I have them twisted around my finger!" She responded with a smile. "Oh, do you have the drugs?"

"Right here." He confirmed, pulling the small box out of an inner pocket.

"Now, I double checked his room and none of the family have returned. So, if you're ready we can go in and you can finally put an end to Virgil Tracy!"

"Brilliant!" The Hood replied with a sadistic smile as they both made their way inside the hospital. Once they had both arrived inside the Hood walked confidently up to the two security guards, who were posted outside of Virgil's room. "Hello there." The Hood said.

The two security men scrutinised the Hood. "And you are?" The one asked.

"Oh, I'm Doctor Reed," he responded confidently, "here's my ID."

The other security guard frowned and examined the ID. "I'm sorry Doctor Reed, with this lunatic being free, and the added problem that he can take many different disguises, as you are not on the approved list, I will not be able to let you inside."

"Oh, that's such a shame! Well, not for me… But it certainly is for you two." The Hood replied, as his eyes turned to a golden yellow.

The woman watched from a safe distance intrigued by the hypnotising powers that the Hood possessed. When she was certain that both men were now under the Hood's control, she stepped confidently forwards.

"Now, you will let me and my colleague into the room. If anyone else tries to come inside, you will not allow them to enter. When I have left the room, you will return to your posts and not remember anything that's transpired here. Is that understood?" The Hood commanded.

"Yes sir!" The two security guards chorused."

"Good. Now move out of our way!" He ordered. The two security guards moved out of the way and allowed the woman and the Hood to both make their way into Virgil's room. The Hood stood looking over Virgil while he slept. "Wake him up!" He sneered.

The Hood stood back away from the bed, so the woman could administer some drugs to Virgil, which would wake him.

Virgil slowly opened his eyes and looked at the woman. "Hi." He muttered.

"Hello, Virgil," she greeted. "You have a visitor."

"Family back?" He questioned.

"No, It's not family Virgil. Thankfully, they have all headed back to the hotel," she responded.

Virgil looked at the woman with confusion. "Who?" He yawned.

"Oh, it's just me Virgil… To be honest I've really missed seeing you… Have you missed me?"

Virgil's eyes widened in horror when they fell on the Hood.