Again, I don't own the Thunderbirds, just the characters I made up. Please do not use without my permission. Warning, there is some coarse language in this chapter. Younger readers please take notice.

Thanks to everyone who helped with all the medical details! You know who you are!

Virgil looked up as Tin-Tin rushed towards him. "Tin-Tin, what's wrong?"

"Virgil hurry! It's Alan and Gordon!" She barely got the words out of her mouth when Virgil was running towards Mobile Command.

"Scott! What's going on!" He demanded.

Scott turned, his face pale and his body shaking. "Virg…Alan and Gordon…They…They're…the school…."

Virgil gave Scott a good shake. "Snap out of it Scott! Where are they? What happened?"

Scott took a deep breath. "Alan went to demolish the school building with the Firefly. Gordon was in there. The whole place just came down on top of them."

Virgil stared at the fallen building. "Have you tried to raise them?"

"No…"

Virgil whirled on his brother. "Dammit Scott! What are you waiting for? You know the procedure!" Without another word, Virgil sprinted off towards the school. Tin-Tin followed close at his heels. "Alan, Gordon, can you hear me?" He said into his communicator.

"V-Virgil?"

"Alan! Are you alright?" Virgil asked, picking his way through the debris.

"I…I think so…"

"Hang on, we're almost there." Virgil paused and scanned the area. His eyes lit upon the familiar yellow of the Firefly. "Alan!" Scrambling over the debris, Virgil and Tin-Tin hurried to the giant machine.

"I see him!" Tin-Tin pointed, and together they shifted some of the rubble to find Alan, dust and dirt covered, but apparently unhurt. "Alan!" She threw her arms around him, holding him close.

Alan took a shuddering breath and clung to her tightly, burying his face in her dark hair.

Virgil chuckled to himself. "I take it you're OK then Sprout."

Alan looked up and nodded. Then the smile faded from his face. "Gordon, where's Gordon?"

Virgil placed a steadying hand on his youngest brother's shoulder. "Easy Alan, we'll find him. Scott, we've got Alan, anything on Gordon?"

"Picking up a heat signature about fifteen yards from your present position."

"FAB. Alan, you sure you're alright?" Alan nodded. "Then let's go find him." Together they made their way through the rubble. "Gordon? Gordon where are you?" Virgil called out.

They all froze as they heard a low moan. "Gordon!" Virgil hurried in the direction of the sound. He spied the tell-tale green and grey uniform half buried under a pile of wreckage. "Gordon?" Virgil peered down at his brother.

Gordon's face was tight with pain. "V-Virgil…"

"Easy bro, we'll get you out." Virgil carefully shifted some of the beams.

"Virgil…I…I can't feel my legs." Gordon's brown eyes were wide with fear.

Virgil paused and stared down at Gordon for a moment. "OK Gordon, don't panic." He tried to keep the dread out of his voice as he turned to his youngest brother. "Alan, I want you to go get Steve. Have him bring a back-board and the med-kit. He's got the kit on him. We're also going to need something to pry these beams off him." Alan merely stared uncomprehendingly at his brother. "ALAN!"

Alan jumped. "Back-board, med-kit, pry bar, got it. Hang on Gords, I'll be right back!" He turned and hurried as fast as he could through the demolished building.

"Tin-Tin, can you squeeze down to him?" Virgil asked.

The young Malaysian girl nodded and crept through the beams until she reached Gordon's side. She carefully felt around his head, and took his pulse. She glanced up at Virgil, her coffee eyes wide. "He doesn't seem to have a concussion, pulse is weak and thready."

Virgil nodded in acknowledgement as he began trying to move the beams off his brother. Gordon moaned again. "Easy Gords. We'll have you out in a minute."

A few moments later, Alan arrived with Steve in tow. They carried the back-board and Steve had the med-kit slung over his shoulder. "What happened?"

"Not sure yet. We'll worry about it when we get him out of here." Virgil started rummaging through the med-kit. Pulling out a bottle and syringe, he carefully made his way down to Gordon. "OK pal, just relax, this will take the edge off so we can move you." Gordon nodded slightly, his eyes and jaw clenched tight with pain. Virgil took a deep breath and pulling up the sleeve on his brother's uniform, swiftly plunged the needle into his arm.

Gordon winced, then moments later his body relaxed. "What did you give him?" Steve called out.

"A doctored up morphine-mix. It's standard procedure when his back goes out on him." Virgil answered. He watched his brother until Gordon nodded and his breathing steadied out. "OK, pass me the back-board." Alan and Steve lowered it down, and after bracing Gordon's neck in a c-collar, slowly eased the board underneath him. "Still with us Gordo?"

Gordon opened his eyes. "Still…here…"

"Don't move. We're going to get some of this stuff off of you, then get you home OK?" Virgil smiled encouragingly.

"FAB…Virg…"

Together, Alan, Virgil, and Steve moved most of the wreckage off Gordon. Tin-Tin stayed up by Gordon's head, talking quietly to him. Finally they had enough cleared away and were able to carry Gordon out of the building. As they set him down on the ground, Scott came rushing over.

"Gordon! What happened?"

Virgil glanced up quickly. "I was hoping you could tell me." He turned his attention back to Gordon. "How you doing Gords?"

Gordon tried to smile. "I'm OK Gus." He clenched his eyes shut and moaned.

"Sure you are…Steve, I'm going to need another few cc's of morphine." Virgil called out.

"Got it." Steve began rummaging around in his pack. "What's up with his back?"

"He was in a hydrofoil accident a few years ago. Broke his back. They said he'd never walk again." Virgil smiled down at Gordon. "But not only did he come back walking, he won swimming gold in the Olympics." Suddenly Gordon's eyes snapped open. "What is it?"

"Virgil! I can feel your hand on my leg! Oh God, I can feel my legs!" The words came out in a sob.

Virgil felt the tension leave his body. "That's great Gordon! Just relax, we'll have you home in a jiffy." He took the syringe from Steve and gently gave his brother another injection. Gordon relaxed further, and closed his eyes.

Alan knelt down at Gordon's side and took his hand. "I'm so sorry Gordon, I didn't know!"

Virgil looked up at him. "Didn't know what?"

"That he was in there. Scott told me to demolish the building." Alan voice was thick with emotion.

Virgil turned to Scott. "You sent Alan in there without checking Gordon's position?"

Gordon's eyes fluttered open in surprise. "Scott told me to go in and…make sure we had gotten everyone out…" His face was a mask of puzzlement.

Virgil took a deep breath. "Scott?"

Scott brought a shaking hand up to his head. "I don't…"

"Where were you Scott?" Virgil's voice was calm, but there was a touch of anger lurking underneath.

Scott narrowed his eyes at Virgil's tone. "I was here, doing my job."

"Alan, where was he when he told you to know down the building?" Virgil met his eldest brother's gaze unflinchingly.

Alan looked from one brother to the other. "He-He was coming out of Thunderbird 2 and heading over to One."

Virgil went red with anger. "Steve, get Gordon to Thunderbird 2. Keep him on the backboard. I'll be there shortly. Alan, you and Tin-Tin go help him." His voice was deadly calm. Alan nodded and together they moved Gordon off towards Thunderbird 2. As soon as they were out of earshot, Virgil whirled on Scott. "What were you doing coming out of TB 2? Looking for this?" He held up the key to the med locker.

Scott started, but before he could say anything, Virgil went on. "Then when you couldn't get your fix there you decided to head over to TB 1. How'd that work for you Scott?"

Scott's grey eyes turned cold. "You had no right to take that key, or the med-kit from One either."

"Oh really Scott? And why is that?" Virgil marched up to his eldest brother. "You might be able to hide it from the others, but not from me. You're a junkie Scott. And I'm not going to be the one who hooks you up."

Scott shoved Virgil away. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Like hell you don't! Gordon could have died Scott! And Alan right along with him! All because you needed a fix!"

"Fuck you Virgil!" Scott turned away, and started marching towards his rocket.

"Oh no you don't." Virgil grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. Scott yelped in pain. "So, your shoulder is still bothering you. I thought you had it checked. Looks like you're a liar as well as a junkie."

Scott reacted instantly and swung with his good arm. Unfortunately for Virgil, Scott's left was a good as his right, and his fist connected with Virgil's jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. Virgil leapt to his feet and snarling, attacked with a punch of his own. Scott staggered backwards, blood flowing from his nose.

"You son of a bitch. I'll kill you!" Scott shouted.

"Yeah, then you'll never get your drugs! I changed the locks on the med locker at home too! Now what are you going to do junkie? Hard to score when you live on a desert island!" Virgil taunted.

Scott attacked again, only this time Virgil was ready and easily deflected his brother's fists. With a quick jab to Scott's gut, Virgil followed up to his jaw, sending his eldest brother to the ground. Virgil marched over and glared down at him. "I suggest you stay there for the time being Scott. I'll take you out if I have to."

Alan came rushing forward. "Virgil! Scott! What's going on?"

"None of your business Alan." Scott snapped.

Virgil's hazel eyes flashed fire. "Don't you dare speak to him like that. In fact, don't you speak to him at all." Virgil glanced over at Alan. "You will be piloting Thunderbird 1 home. Take Tin-Tin as a co-pilot if you need one."

"I'm his damn co-pilot." Scott seethed.

Virgil turned back to Scott. "No, you're not. In fact, I'm relinquishing your command. Consider yourself relieved of duty."

Scott got to his feet, his face furious. "You can't do that."

Virgil snorted. "Oh yes I can. I'm the medical officer. Technically, I rank you."

"I don't have to stand here and listen to this bullshit."

"No you don't. But I'm telling you now." Virgil marched over and stood toe-to-toe with his older brother. "You say one word to Alan, one word at all, and you deal with me, got it?" Scott merely glared. "And when we get back, Dad hears about this, all of it." Virgil's voice was like steel.

Scott scowled in response and stormed off to Thunderbird 1.

"V-Virgil?" Alan stuttered.

Virgil took a deep breath and turned to his youngest brother. "What is it Alan?"

"It was my fault…With Gordon…If I had just—"

Virgil interrupted him. "Stop right there Alan. None of this was your fault, do you hear me?" Alan nodded hesitantly. "I mean it Alan. Scott is the one to blame. He is Mobile Control. It's his responsibility to keep track of his team, not yours. And I don't want you to listen to a word he says in there. Just ignore him." Virgil's tone softened. "Look Sprout, Scott isn't himself right now. Just concentrate on getting us home, I'll take care of things when we get there OK?"

Alan nodded. "But Virgil? I…I haven't landed TB 1 in her silo. Just in simulation."

Virgil smiled. "I've seen the sims. You'll do fine Sprout. Take Tin-Tin with you. And don't listen to Scott."

Alan nodded again. "Will you tell Gordon…"

Virgil placed his hands on Alan's shoulders. "There's nothing to tell him Alan. Now, get going. I'm going to pack up the rest of our stuff and then we'll take off." He pulled his brother into a quick hug. "It'll be OK Sprout."

Alan clung to him for a moment before pulling away. "I'll go get the Firefly loaded if you'll break down Mobile Control."

Virgil frowned. "You sure kiddo?"

Alan smiled. "I got her into that mess, I can get her out."

Despite himself, Virgil had to laugh. "Go for it Alan. Good luck!"

It took Alan a half-hour of maneuvering to free the Firefly from the wreckage. In the end, both Virgil and Tin-Tin had to manually move debris until the giant machine was able to get out on its own.

While Alan was securing it, Virgil sent a message back to Tracy Island, warning them about Gordon's condition. He avoided his father's questions as to Scott's whereabouts, telling Jeff only that they were all getting ready to take off.

Alan held Thunderbird 1 to an easy pace, waiting for Virgil to keep up. Virgil knew he was nervous about landing in the silo, and having Scott aboard and not in the greatest of moods, was not helping the situation. Virgil called repeatedly and Alan assured him that Scott hadn't said a word.

Finally the island was insight. Virgil watched as Alan positioned the giant rocked over the pool, and then circled around to land himself. He was just coming down the ramp when Scott hurried past. Virgil grabbed his brother's arm and held tight. "Oh no you don't. You're not going anywhere."

Scott struggled for a moment, then froze as Jeff marched in. "What's going on?" He demanded.

"Watch him. Don't let him leave." Virgil ordered, his tone unnaturally harsh. Without waiting for his father to answer, he hurried back up the ramp to help Steve push Gordon out in the stretcher.

By the time they got down from TB 2, Alan and Tin-Tin had joined them. Alan was pale, but seemed composed. Tin-Tin held one of his hands tightly in hers.

Jeff hurried over. "Gordon! What happened?"

"Ask him." Virgil hissed, nodding in Scott's direction.

Jeff turned a puzzled eye to Scott, who scowled in reply. "I think we need to debrief. My office, all of you."

Virgil shook his head. "I'll be there in a few. I want to get Gordon settled." Without a backwards glance, he and Steve hurried with Gordon to the infirmary. Brains was on hand to meet them. Together, they carefully moved Gordon off the back board and onto one of the diagnostic beds. They quickly scanned the young aquanaut and Virgil breathed a sigh of relief when the scans came back clean.

"Looks like some major bruising. No permanent damage." Steve told them both.

Virgil brushed his hand across his sleeping brother's forehead. "Thank-God." He whispered.

"I-I-I'll get his usual medicine ready for when he wa-wa-regains consciousness." Brains told them.

"Thanks Brains. Will you fill in Steve on Gords history? I need to get to the debriefing." Virgil started from the room, then turned. "And if Scott comes for painkillers, he gets nothing. Not even aspirin."

Steve nodded and turned back to Gordon. Virgil cast one last look at his brother then made his way upstairs. He paused outside the door to his father's office. He could hear Scott talking.

"…Virgil's just blowing this whole thing out of proportion." He heard Scott say.

Virgil took a deep breath and marched into the room. Jeff was seated behind his desk, Alan and Tin-Tin were on one couch and Scott was sprawled on the other. Virgil shot a withering glance at his eldest brother. "You seem calmer, got a hidden stash hidden between here and the silo?"

Scott's face turned red and in a heartbeat was on his feet, fists flying. One connected solidly with Virgil's face, sending him staggering backwards. Virgil recovered quickly, snarling, wiped the trickle of blood from his lip and advanced on Scott.

"ENOUGH!"

Both froze and looked over at their father. Jeff limped forward to stand between his two sons. "What is going on here?" Neither answered. "I asked you a question." Jeff turned to Virgil. "Virgil? Let's start with Gordon."

With one last look of loathing at his brother, Virgil turned to Jeff. "It's his back. We did some scans and they came back clean. Lots of bruising, some swelling, but no real damage. He should be up in a few hours. He'll be stiff for a while though."

"What about…" Alan gulped. "When he said he couldn't feel his legs." He asked quietly.

Jeff whirled. "What?"

Virgil paced the room. "It's nothing Dad. He was pinned under a couple of big beams and lost some feeling for a bit. He's fine now. We have him on morphine for the pain as usual."

Jeff shook his head in confusion. "Why didn't I hear about this at the accident scene?"

Scott sat back down and folded his arms across his chest. "Yes Virgil. You were in charge, why didn't you notify Base?"

"Virgil? You were in charge? Scott, what happened to you? You better not have tried anything with that shoulder." Jeff faced his sons, an angry glint in his brown eyes. "Someone better start explaining things, now."

"This is your show Virgil, go ahead." Scott said contemptuously.

Virgil shot his brother an angry glance. "Be glad to Scott." He turned to Jeff. "I took over command from Scott."

Jeff sat down stiffly. "I assume you had a good reason."

"He almost got Gordon and Alan killed."

Scott leapt to his feet again. "I did no such thing! If you hadn't butted your big nose in, I had everything under control!" Scott shouted.

"Really Scott? Was this before or after you went looking for your drugs?" Virgil shot back.

Scott swung at his brother again, only this time Virgil anticipated the attack and hit first. Scott yelped as Virgil's fist hit him squarely in the eye. Virgil then followed up with an uppercut to Scott's jaw, sending his brother sprawling to the floor. "Had enough junkie?" Virgil snapped.

"Virgil! Get away from your brother!" Jeff marched over to his middle son. "I want an explanation for this behavior. Now."

Virgil took a steadying breath and met his father's gaze unflinchingly. "We're missing meds. Vicodin to be exact. And the med-locker key. I had given it to Scott when he claimed he had dropped his pills down the drain."

"What makes you think Scott didn't do just that?" Jeff asked.

"He hasn't returned the key. At the rescue, he sent Gordon in to clear a building while he went looking for a fix. I removed the med-kit from Thunderbird 1 and the key from Two. I had a feeling Scott was going to go look for them." Virgil replied.

"So what if I did! I had a headache! I had been standing at Mobile Control for over four hours! With the head-set on, trying to listen to Brains translate so we could talk to the natives! You try it and see what happens!" Scott shot back.

Jeff held his hand up. "Boys." They quieted down. "Then what happened?"

"While Gordon was still inside, Scott sent Alan in with the Firefly to demolish the building." Virgil answered.

Jeff turned to Alan. "Did Scott order you to do that?"

Alan nodded. "Yes sir."

"Did you check first, to make sure the area was clear?"

Alan turned red and looked down at his feet. "No sir…" He mumbled.

"No way!" Virgil marched over to stand at Alan's side. "There's no way I'm letting you pin this on him. Scott is the field commander, it's his responsibility, not Alan's."

Jeff shook his head. "That's true. However, you know it's your job to confirm those orders."

Virgil merely glared. "Fine then. Don't believe me." He shook his head in disgust. "Take the word of our resident drug addict over me." Virgil started towards the door. "Alan, I'll be in my studio if you want to talk." At the door, Virgil paused again and looked back at his father. "No wonder John left." And he was gone.

Alan shifted uncomfortably. "Dad…"

Jeff smiled. "Relax son. You two go get cleaned up. We'll talk later." Alan and Tin-Tin left the room. Jeff then turned to Scott. "Was anything your brother said true Scott?"

Scott shook his head. "Dad I swear, I was just going for something for my head. I figured Gordon would be out by then. We had already found everyone, he was just doing a last check. I really thought Alan would have checked first."

"He's young Scott. Still not sure of everything." Jeff sighed. "How did everything else go?"

Scott quickly filled his father in on the rescue details. "Other than the aforementioned drama, it was pretty cut and dried." He yawned. "Look Dad, I'm beat and I've still got that headache. I'm going to grab a shower. Talk to you later." Scott got to his feet and with a wave, disappeared out the door.

Jeff sighed and rubbing his sore back, went to check on Gordon. He went down to the infirmary and paused at his son's bedside. Gordon was sleeping, and Jeff brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. Gordon's eyelids fluttered.

"Dad?"

Jeff smiled. "Hey Gordon. How're you feeling?"

Gordon shifted a little and winced. "Not too bad." He shifted again. "And not too good either."

Jeff grimaced in sympathy. "Get some rest son." Gordon nodded and closed his eyes. Jeff watched his son fall into a drug induced sleep. I should call John. Let him know what's happened. He did some quick mental figuring and noting the time difference, went back to his office to call his second son.