I've had to re-write this part of the story a few times, because I wasn't really happy with it. There was just a bit too much happening within it, so I've decided to split it into two separate chapters.

This first part sets the scene for the next, where Scott and Alan have their much needed chat. Before that can happen, though, poor Virgil is still trying to get his big brother to his room. Such a simple task, you'd think, but - well, these Tracy boys don't do anything the easy way!

Thanks again, so much, for these lovely reviews! I hope you enjoy this latest chapter!

Crash 'n' Burn

Chapter Five - In Safe Hands

"Hey, Scott! Where've ya been? You landed ages ago, and I've been waiting for you to get back all day!"

Against such innocent enthusiasm, Scott and Virgil almost cringed as they glanced at each other. Close. They were so close now, to the sanctuary of Scott's room. But they hadn't quite made it. And as Alan barrelled down the hall towards them, Virgil knew he had no hope in hell of stopping him.

He had to try, though. For the sake of a brother who still leaned so heavily against him, he had to try.

"Whoa, Allie, just throttle it back, okay? Scott's out on his feet, buddy, he needs to get to bed."

About to change that advice to cover all of them, he then sighed as Alan skidded to a halt beside him. Bright eyed, still buzzing from the rush of saving his brother, and... yeah, no sleep for him now either.

It was the sight and state of another brother, though, that made the grin on Alan's face turn to a frown. Now he could see why Virgil looked so worried. Why his arm was wrapped so tightly around Scott's shoulders.

His big brother looked like hell. And, like kid brothers everywhere, his mouth engaged before his brain.

"Wow, Scott, are - are you okay? You look awful!"

At any other time, his eldest brother would have smiled. Rolled his eyes, as only he could roll them. Done one of his famous facepalms, like the ones he'd done with Brains and those suction shoes. But when none of that happened, when he just kept staring at him, as if he'd never seen him before - no, the blankness in those eyes was so unsettling that Alan couldn't bear to look at them any longer.

Instead, he sought out the eyes that reassured him one moment, and worried him further the next.

"Like I said, Allie, he needs to get to bed. More than any of us, he's had one hell of a day."

Uh-oh. He'd said it again. The name his brothers only used when they were being even more protective towards him than usual. Or when they were trying to humour him. Or when something bad had happened, and... yeah, the events of that day had been really bad.

It had all been okay in the end, of course, but - no. No, the big brother that he adored, that he'd follow to the ends of the Earth, clearly wasn't okay. For Alan Tracy, it was a new and very scary thought.

"But - But you will be okay... right, Scott? I - I mean, you're not hurt, are you? You will be okay?"

It took several seconds to get there, but a tired smile gradually made it onto Scott's face. Sliding his arm around his little brother's shoulders, he rested his cheek on the top of his head. Felt two skinny arms slide around him in return, and give him a hesitant hug. Let this simple contact bring them both the comfort and reassurance they needed.

"Yeah, Shortstop, I'm gonna be fine. Like Virgil said, I just need to get some sleep."

Wondering how it could be so hard to reach a damn bedroom, Virgil cleared his throat and nodded pointedly towards it.

"...we all do... and unless you want to crash out on this floor, we're not going to get it out here."

That won him a priceless sulk on one tired face - and an even more priceless smile on another.

"Yeah, hitting that bunk and getting some sleep sounds pretty good right now," Scott agreed, throwing a fond grin towards the human limpet that was still clinging doggedly to his side. "You too, kiddo. Hey, if you ask him nicely, you might even get Virgil to come tuck you in."

"Oh no, Scooter. You first... even if I have to tie you to your bed to do it," Virgil growled back at him, sorely tempted now to sling his brother over his shoulder, and dump him in the damn thing himself.

But then he saw Scott's eyes change again, as they settled once more on their youngest brother. Their hero of the day, who'd faced its most terrifying moments, and risen so bravely to meet them. Who'd want... no, need... to talk them all out, so that both of them slept through undisturbed dreams.

And when Virgil saw that expression settle on his brother's face... yeah, he knew what was coming. He knew his standing as Smother Brother in training had just given way to its true, eternal master. However tired or troubled Scott still was, none of that came before the needs of his baby brother.

Not that he minded. As he watched Scott's eyes brighten back to full life again, he didn't mind at all.

Still, there was an even greater sense of relief, and satisfaction, when they all started to move again - having to shove and squeeze a bit, as all three of them tried to get through the door to Scott's room. Deciding it was too late to tell his two human crutches to let him go first, Scott then grinned. Out of two still anxiously fussing brothers, he knew one of them really wouldn't want to leave him.

He could see it now, in the blue eyes that mirrored his own. That were making him a silent plea. A need for reassurance he'd never been able to ignore in the past, and that he couldn't ignore now.

"You wanna talk things out, kiddo? Maybe bunk down with me tonight?"

Returning the bright, happy grin he received in reply, Scott then glanced back at Virgil - a silent exchange of gratitude, and relief that the personal crisis he'd suffered was starting to pass.

Realizing, too, that his offer of company was no longer needed, Virgil smiled back, and nodded. He'd done all he could, at least for now, to bring his brother through the trauma of his conscience. And as he turned at the door, and took in the scene behind him, the smile turned to an all out grin.

The shortest member of the family was now hustling the tallest towards his bathroom. And he was doing it with surprising ease.

"Okay, Scott... now, you go get cleaned up, and into bed, and I'll go get us some edible munchies!"

Oh, yes, he thought, pointedly ignoring the 'help meeeee' glance that Scott had thrown towards him. Another Smother Brother in training had joined the ranks, all too eager to make the best start, and - yeah, for all the fussing and fretting he'd done over them through the years, Smother Brother One had it coming.