DISCLAIMER: THEY DON'T BELONG TO ME.

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NOTES:

*Sorry for the major delay. Moved home so really not had the time to get this posted.

* Hope you enjoy :)

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Chapter 47: Further conversations.

The morning after Sanderson's arrest had seen the police arrive early, with them insisting on questioning the entire family one at a time. Thankfully, when it had come to them taking Virgil's personal statement the police had allowed him to have his father present, alongside Doctor Sylvia. Several hours later the officers informed them that Maria Andrews had been released and Emily Sanderson had been charged with attempted murder, with no bail being granted. Further to this, several other charges were also made against her aunt, brother and father, who the police believed had been helping her with this and further other crimes she may have previously committed. Upon hearing all this news, the entire Tracy family were delighted to see Virgil visibly relax and fall into a much-needed sleep. It was a good 24 hours later when Virgil finally opened his eyes, a natural smile falling across his face when they rested on his next oldest brother, John sitting next to him.

"Hey, Sleepyhead. How are you feeling?" John asked.

"A bit thirsty," Virgil answered, trying to sit himself up.

"Let me help," John offered, adjusting the head of the bed into a slightly raised position, and then pouring him some water.

"Thanks," Virgil replied, "what time is it?"

"11am, about your usual wake up time."

"Cheeky!" Virgil laughed. "Where is everyone?"

"Scott's just gone to get us some coffees and everyone else is back at the hotel. We decided to take shifts while you were sleeping," John informed him.

Just as he had finished speaking Scott stepped in the room. "Virgil," he beamed, spotting his brother was now awake.

"Hey, are one of those for me?" Virgil joked.

"You can have some water for now," Scott said, passing the one coffee he was holding over to John, "we'll find out about the coffee later."

No fair!" Virgil retorted, scrunching up his face.

"Your sounding a little bit happier today," Scott commented.

Virgil nodded. "Relief can do wonders!"

"Glad to hear it," Scott grinned, "and now you're awake, I will give the others a call, I'm sure they'll be pleased to see you looking a bit chirpier."

"Do you have to call them?" Virgil asked.

"Err, yes bro... If I don't dad will go mad. It took a lot of persuasion to get him to head back as it was… Why, don't you want any of them here?" Scott questioned.

"Yes, of course I do. It's just it would be nice to let dad get some more rest, I know he's been with me constantly, and it would be great if we could chat."

"Chat?" John and Scott questioned.

"Not about that... Just normal stuff, like we did before."

"What, like how many different nurses John's tried and failed to chat up in the past 24 hours since you've been asleep?"

"I have not failed," John protested, "and you've been just as bad, Scott!"

"Oh, so you have both been chatting them up then?" Virgil teased.

"Well, they do look pretty good in their uniforms," Scott admitted, "and now you're awake and a bit more alert, we all know how bad you'll get!"

Virgil went to object, but stopped when the door opened, and a young nurse entered. "Sorry to disturb you."

"It's okay," all three of them responded.

"Hi Virgil, I'm Hannah and I'll be your nurse for today. How are you feeling, any pain?"

"Not too bad," Virgil replied.

"Really?" Scott and John both responded.

"Honestly," Virgil assured them, "I'd say the pains a 4 out of 10, whatever painkillers they're giving me are working well!"

"Well, I would prefer if you weren't having any pain," Scott frowned, "but it's an improvement on how you have been… If it steps up to a five or more, then make sure you let one of us know so we can get a nurse."

"Yes Smother," Virgil grinned.

"I'm not a smother!" Scott protested.

"Err… Yes, you are!" John stated.

"Hey, I'm the eldest, which means you're meant to be sticking up for me!" Scott protested.

John released a smirk. "I don't think so… Virg is younger, and you know that the little ones always win an argument. Plus, he's sick… And you really are a Smothering Hen!"

Scott looked back and forth from John to Virgil. "I'm not going to win, am I?

"With four younger brothers when have you ever won?" Virgil answered with a slight laugh.

"You're definitely right about that," Scott agreed.

Hannah shook her head at them all. "Are you guys always like this?"

"Pretty much," John responded, "and it's much worse when all five of us are together."

"Mm, I can imagine… And I'm beginning to understand why all the other nurses warned me about you lot."

Virgil chuckled. "Well you can't blame me. I've not really been with it, but it's good to know my bro's have been maintaining our reputation."

"Well, from what I've been told they certainly have!" Hannah stated, while she finished checking Virgil's obs.

"Cute!" John observed, when Hannah left the room.

Scott shook his head. "Leave the poor woman alone!"

"Why should I?" John questioned. "I'm single!"

"Yes, but if you chat her up, that means I can't," Scott complained.

"Hey, stop it you two," Virgil broke in, "I'm the sick one, which means I get the first go."

Scott and John both glanced at each other and released hearty laughs.

"What?" Virgil demanded.

"Oh Virg, we both know how bad your pick-up lines are," Scott remarked.

"Well, if you think about it Scott, we should leave Virg to the chatting up… Once he's finished, we'll definitely be in with a chance!"

Scott grinned. "Personally, I think he needs to save the chat-up lines for Penny!"

"I have no idea what you mean!" Virgil declared, trying to hide his reddening face.

"And I'm not that bad at chatting women up," he added, trying to change the conversation.

"Oh, come on," John laughed, "don't you remember Sarah Fields horror at your awful attempt to ask her out to the school dance."

"I was only 12," Virgil protested.

"Actually, you were 15!" Scott stated.

Virgil scrunched up his face. "Why do you remember everything?"

"I can't remember what she said that had all of us laughing so much!" Scott admitted. "Can you John?"

"Sorry bro, I can't." John glanced towards Virgil to see if his brother could provide the answer. However, when he noticed Virgil's pale face and sudden drop in energy, he instantly nudged Scott before addressing his younger brother. "Virg, are you okay?"

Virgil shook his head. "I remember what Sarah said."

"And what was it?" John and Scott asked, with puzzled expressions.

"She said my chat up lines were like being slowly tortured," Virgil released a nervous laugh, "from personal experience, I'd say the girl didn't know what torture was really like… And to be honest, it is quite funny."

Scott reached out and grasped his brothers hand. "Virg, you don't have to pretend with us!"

Virgil nodded, desperately trying not to make eye contact.

"And if you want to talk we're right here." John added.

Virgil glanced up at them both and quietly nodded his agreement. Scott and John both exhaled in relief and pulled their chairs in closer. After waiting patiently for around five minutes, Virgil began to speak. "I don't think I've ever been so scared and alone in all my life. I never thought anything would top how I felt when the Sentinel shot me down… But this certainly did… I kept trying to be strong, I was answering him back… I even told the Hood to go and get a Hobby, instead of chasing International Rescue all the time… But then he revealed what he did to mum… And then the nightmares started…" Virgil breathed out slowly, then continued. "When I saw the devices and camera being set up, I began to feel sick with fear… Not for myself, but for you guys… I'm so sorry that you had to see that."

"Virg, this was not your fault." John soothed.

"But I… I wasn't strong enough," Virgil sniffed, "I tried to hide the pain that I was in… But I couldn't."

Scott wiped away the tears from Virgil's eyes. "None of us would have been able to hide the pain… And personally, I think you've been very brave."

"No," Virgil replied, "I haven't been brave, I should have hidden it better… What that must have done to you all, having to witness what he did to me."

"Virgil, listen to me," Scott commanded, "now, I'm not going to lie to you… We were all angry, scared and extremely upset when we saw what the Hood was doing to you… But, like John's already said, and we've already told you on multiple occasions… None of this was your fault!" Virgil went to object once more but was silenced by Scott. "And you really need to stop focussing on how we felt and start concentrating on your own wellbeing!"

Virgil nodded sadly, stifling a yawn.

"You should get some more sleep," John suggested.

Virgil shook his head. "Haven't I slept enough recently?"

"Your body and mind need the rest, so it can recuperate," John informed him, "you've already been awake much longer than you have been… And don't pull that face!" He scolded, when Virgil grimaced.

Virgil sighed. "Will you both stay with me?"

Scott nodded. "Of course, we're not going anywhere."

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Further Notes:

* The Sentinel: This is in reference to an Original Series episode - Terror In New York City.