DISCLAIMER: STILL DON'T OWN THEM.

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NOTES:

* Sorry about the delay on this chapter - Life's been getting in the way and knocking my concentration off.

* A very short chapter: Made sense to separate this from the next section.

* The next bit is nearly done. Just need to rewrite the last few paragraphs and check it over again. So, hopefully shouldn't be that long for the next update.

* Hope you all enjoy, and reviews are welcome. :)

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Chapter 46: Talking.

Scott continued to hold Virgil in his arms, whispering comforting words to him, even though his brother had fallen asleep a short time ago. Eventually, glancing at the doorway, he noticed the eyes of his father, grandmother and three younger brothers watching him. "It's okay you can come in."

"His he alright?" Alan questioned with concern.

Scott nodded his reassurance before carefully laying his brother back on the bed. "How did it go?"

Gordon grinned. "Sanderson ran into Penny's fist!"

"I bet that wasn't pretty," Scott remarked with a raised eyebrow.

"A black eye and definitely a concussion," Gordon replied, "and all treatment will be courtesy of Auckland Prison."

Scott released a sigh of relief. "So, what happens next?"

"Parker, Penny and Doctor Sylvia have accompanied the police to the station, so they can answer some questions about what happened," John answered, "The officer told me that they would need to speak to us all at some point tomorrow morning, and then they would need to interview Virgil."

Jeff, who was now sitting in the seat next to Virgil frowned at this news. "Do they have too? He's been through enough without having to repeat it all."

"They will need his statement, so they can officially file charges against her," John replied

Ruth placed her hand reassuringly on Jeff's shoulder. "Virgil will be okay."

Jeff gazed his son sadly. "I don't know, he looked like he was in such a state earlier."

"I have to agree with dad," Scott admitted, when he noticed everyone was looking at him for clarification. "I've never seen him like this, and I'm really worried about him!"

"Is he going to need counselling?" Alan asked, moving closer to his brother's bed.

"It may be the best option for him," Jeff confirmed, "we have a few agents who have the educational background to help, and it may be best if I bring one of them in to chat with him once he's back home."

"I can hear you!" Virgil yawned, opening his eyes.

"Sorry Virg," Alan apologised, "we didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay Al," Virgil replied, reaching out and squeezing his little brothers hand before looking back at the others, "oh, and I don't need a counsellor!"

"Virgil, you've been through a lot," Gordon stressed, "you can't keep it bottled up."

Virgil sighed. "I'm not bottling anything up, I spoke to Scott earlier."

Scott shook his head. "Virg, you broke down in my arms and admitted you were scared, but you didn't talk about anything else."

"There's not much else to say," Virgil mumbled.

"I think you'll find there's a lot that you need to open up about," Jeff stated, "you need to talk about what's happened to someone, and if it's not going to be us then we will bring someone else in."

Virgil frowned, desperately wanting to change the conversation from where it was leading, when he glimpsed up at the clock on the wall that showed it was now 1am. "Shouldn't you all be going back to the hotel for some proper rest?"

Jeff shook his head. "None of us want to leave you tonight, not after what happened."

"But Sanderson's been arrested… And the Hood's in jail, right?" Virgil questioned, the fear in his voice evident.

"Yes, they both are," Scott clarified.

"Good," Virgil sniffed.

"Virgil, this is exactly why we need to bring someone in," Ruth soothed, wiping away the tears that were naturally beginning to form.

"I'm not speaking to any shrink!" Virgil grimaced.

"Virgil Grissom Tracy," Ruth said firmly, "I'm afraid you'll just have to swallow some of that damn Tracy pride and talk!"

Virgil scrunched up his face at the use of his full name and glanced back at his family. "I will," he sighed, realising he wasn't going to win this argument when all of them were glaring at him sternly. Which included Gordon, who would normally be in hysterics when one of his brothers were scolded in this way, "but only to you guys, no one else."

"That's fine," Ruth confirmed, "but if you don't keep your promise, we'll be bringing someone straight in."

"I promise I will," he assured her, "but not right now."

Jeff smiled. "You don't have to do anything right now, but whenever you feel ready to talk, just seek one of us out, okay?"

Virgil nodded and then looked at the clock once more. "You really should all get some sleep."

"Stop worrying about us," Alan scolded, "tonight, we are staying here with you… Anyway, you need one of us here with those nightmares the Hood gave you."

"They've stopped!" Virgil informed him.

"What?" They all said in unison.

"They've stopped," he repeated, "I didn't want to say anything until I was certain, and I thought it might have been because of the drugs… But since I've woken up… Well, I can't say that I haven't had any nightmares, because that wouldn't be true… But, the ones the Hood gave me, I've definitely not had those."

"Do you think it will stay that way?" Jeff questioned.

"Maybe, maybe not," Virgil, shrugged.

"The Hood did say they would stay until he…" Alan's voice trailed off.

"Until I died… But I didn't Al, I'm still here, and I'm not going anywhere!" Virgil reassured him.

"But you did stop breathing, maybe that was enough!" John pondered.

"I hope so," Virgil sighed, sniffing back the tears, "I really don't want to keep seeing mom die that way."

Jeff leaned forwards and gripped his sons hand. "None of us want you too, and your mother definitely wouldn't want you to suffer like that."

Virgil gripped tighter on his father's hand. "I know this probably sounds weird… But when I jumped from that building, and I hit the floor… Well, I didn't think I'd be able to get back up, but then…" Virgil paused, closed his eyes, and exhaled slowly when he felt his emotions beginning to overwhelm him.

"It's okay Virg," Scott soothed, "take your time."

Once Virgil felt ready he continued. "When I was lying there, I remember briefly thinking that was it… But then I could have sworn I heard mums voice… I guess I was imagining it, because of the situation… But, she was telling me to run… So, I did!" I…" Virgil paused once more, as he felt the tears he had been desperately trying to hold back slide down his face. "I really miss her," Virgil eventually sobbed.

Jeff wiped away his own tears, moved himself onto the edge of the bed, and pulled Virgil carefully into his arms, beckoning his four other boys and mother to join him.