Thanks again to all who've read and/or reviewed. Love you guys!

I wish I owned the Thunderbirds but alas...please do not use or post without my permission. Thanks!

Scott grimaced as made himself as comfortable as he could in the office desk chair. He pulled up the giant vid-screen and tapped a few commands into the computer. A moment later, the screen lit up and Virgil's face appeared.

"Hey Scott, how're you feeling?" His younger brother asked.

"Better. Feels almost normal, except when I overdo." Scott replied.

"Well then, don't overdo!"

They both laughed. "Where's everybody else?" Scott asked.

Virgil shrugged. "On their way. Had to have Brains go drag Gordon up here."

"You had no problems picking him and Fermat up from Five?"

"Nope. Took Alan with me."

Scott's eyebrow's shot up. "You took Alan?"

Virgil nodded. "With the mood Gordon is in, there was no way I was being stuck in a rocket with him for over four hours."

"What's his problem this time?" Scott shifted in his chair.

"John. Same as usual." Virgil paused and glanced behind him before turning back to the screen. "You know, you didn't have to come down on him so hard yesterday. He was only saying what he thought."

"Yeah well, it wasn't the time or the place."

"Scott, what Gordon said...it's kind of true." Virgil said quietly.

"No it's not! Dammit Virgil!" Scott got up and paced the room. "So, if you're both blaming John for not being around, I guess you must be thinking the same about me huh?" Scott snapped, barely holding on to his temper.

"What? No! Of course not!"

Scott shrugged angrily. "Why not? I'm not there to do my job either."

"That's different! You didn't just up and leave us!" Virgil shot back, his hazel eyes bright with anger.

"No, you all forced me away if I remember correctly." Scott paused as Virgil's face turned bright red. "Ever stop to think that John didn't have a choice either?" Scott asked quietly.

Virgil bowed his head. "No."

"There's alot more going on here Virg. Stuff that we haven't even touched the surface of yet."

Virgil ran his hand over his head and sighed. "I'm sorry Scott. Just feeling overwhelmed at this point. With you three gone, it's up to me to hold this place together."

Scott smiled. "You're doing fine Virg. Just lay off John. I think he'll come around if we just give him some time."

Virgil looked up. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." He replied, not meeting his brother's eyes.

"Where is John? He's not coming to the debriefing?"

Scott shook his head. "No, he had some meeting or something about his quasar." Scott hated to lie, and once again he avoided his younger brother's gaze.

Virgil didn't seem to notice as the others all came into the room. Scott watched the monitor and saw them all assemble around the lounge. Brains sat down near Virgil at the desk, Fermat hovering by his side. Gordon moved to the edge of the farthest couch, barely in sight of the camera, while Alan kept shooting him dirty looks. Alan himself was on the main couch, Tin-Tin next to him, their hands clasped. Scott raised an eyebrow at Virgil, who shrugged in reply. I'll be finding more about this little development, that's for sure. Scott sighed. "OK, let's get this started. Alan—" A second screen lit up.

"Mind if I join in?" Jeff asked.

Scott quickly got over his startlement. "No Dad, not at all."

"Good. Don't let me hold you up." Jeff sat back in his chair.

"OK, where was I...Alan, you start."

Alan quickly dropped Tin-Tin's hand. "Brains called down and informed us of the situation in California. We all decided that it was something we could handle. All we needed were two men." He shrugged. "I offered to man base so Virgil and Gordon could head to the accident zone in Thunderbird 2."

Virgil spoke up. "It wasn't a big deal. We've handled more with less. We got to the accident zone and found the victim easily enough. Trouble started when Gordon was lowering the Rescue Platform and one of the wires from the pole hit it and shorted out everything. Gords managed to get the victim aboard while Brains, John and I tried to figure out what was wrong."

Jeff frowned. "Brains, I thought we were protected against electric surge?"

"W-We are." The scientist shook his head. "I don't k-k-know what happened. Virgil and I are still go-go-assessing the data."

"Let me know what you find out. Go on Virgil."

Virgil took a deep breath. "Anyway, John thought it might be the guidance processor, but it checked out fine."

"We're still running tests on it. There a-a-appears to be some corrosion." Brains interjected.

"So, then what happened?" Jeff asked.

Scott cut in. "In the middle of all this, Gordon decided to add a few choice comments to John." He leveled his steely gaze on his younger brother.

Gordon set his chin defiantly. "I didn't say anything but the truth and you know it! If he's going to help, then he should be up on Five where he can actually do his job instead of hiding out in Boston pretending to be useful!"

"You just can't keep your big mouth shut can you!" Scott shouted.

"Ever hear of the word 'Denial' Scott!" Gordon hollered back.

"Fuck off Gordon!"

"ENOUGH, BOTH OF YOU!" Jeff's bellow brought instant silence. "We are discussing a rescue. Not arguing about you and your brother's issues with each other. And you will both keep a civil tongue in your head is that understood?"

"Fine." Scott said sullenly, leaning back in his chair. Gordon merely nodded.

"Then continue. Alan?"

Alan shot one last glance at Gordon before turning back to the screen. "SE Edison was finally able to cut the power to the entire grid. The power outage affected the area from Los Angeles to the Mexican border, but once the winds died down, they were able to repair the lines."

"Lines plural?" Jeff asked.

Alan nodded. "A bunch went down. There was only one victim, the guy we rescued. The local police and rescue personnel were able to handle the rest."

"Which is good since we were in no condition to do more being so short handed." Gordon snapped, folding his arms across his chest.

Scott bit his tongue. "Anything else we need to add Alan? Virgil?"

Virgil nodded thoughtfully as Alan shot a deadly glare at Gordon. "No Dad, that's the gist of it."

"What happened to the victim?" Jeff asked.

"We dropped him off at UCLA Medical Center. Last I heard, he was going to make a full recovery." Virgil told him.

Jeff nodded thoughtfully. "Good. Anyone have anything more to say? About the rescue." He added with a glare at Scott and Gordon.

"I c-c-can send you the data on Thunderbird 2 as soon as I have it Mr-Mr-Jeff."

"Thank-you Brains."

"I think that about does it then Dad." Virgil said. "How are things in London?"

Jeff smiled. "Things are fine here. Get some rest all of you, I'll check back later."

"FAB Dad."

"Bye Dad."

"Whatever..." The screen on the island went dark.

"I guess I'll see you later then Dad." Scott started to cut the connection.

"Wait a minute Scott. I want to talk to you."

Scott sighed wearily. "What is it?"

"I read the transcripts of the rescue."

"Then you know what Gordon said to John." He settled back in the chair.

"Yes I do." Jeff frowned. "Where is John?"

"He went out. Interview stuff again I think." Scott hedged, fidgeting.

"Scott, where is your brother?"

"I...I'm not sure."

"What do you mean you're not sure?"

Scott rested his head back and rubbed his shoulder. "Something...happened the other night. John went out after the fight with Gordon and got drunk. He came home and caught Christa and I in...a compromising position. He kind of took it the wrong way."

"Oh Scott, what did you do?"

Scott glared at his father. "I didn't do anything! John wasn't here so Christa and I ordered take-out and put in a movie. My shoulder was bothering me, and she offered to massage the kinks out of it. Then we settled back into the movie and sort of...fell asleep."

"Together? On the couch?" Scott nodded and Jeff shook his head wearily. "Dammit Scott what were you thinking? You know how fragile John is right now!"

Scott sat up quickly, hissing in pain. "Nothing happened Dad! We were watching a movie for God's sake!"

"But you know how he would have taken it!" Jeff sighed. "Scott, was John drinking again?" Scott looked away quickly and didn't answer. "Scott Carpenter Tracy, answer my question." Scott took a deep breath and nodded. "Damn...So you have no idea where he is?"

Scott shook his head. "No. Can we track him?"

"How? He has no communicator and we injected the locator chips in all of you after he left. I haven't had a chance to broach the subject to him."

"Sorry, I forgot." Scott shifted in his chair again.

"You know, Gordon wasn't that bad." Jeff said quietly a few moments later.

Scott's head snapped up. "You've got to be kidding me? You're on his side?"

"I'm not on anyone's side. Maybe it's time we let John know how we feel. He's hurting us just as much as he thinks we're hurting him."

"I can't believe you're saying this! You want to drive him even further away? For Christ's sake Dad. The Hood is fucking with his head!"

"Scott..."

"Don't tell me you don't believe that?" Scott asked incredulously. "After all that's happened?"

Jeff sighed. "I don't know what to believe. Part of me wants to, but another part wonders if this is all something brought on by the alcohol."

Scott shook his head. "John was right, you don't care about him."

Jeff narrowed his eyes at his son. "Watch what you say." He sighed. "Do you really believe that? That I don't care what happens to your brother."

"No, I guess not." Scott replied sullenly.

"Then drop it."

"Yes Sir." Scott winced as he moved his shoulder again.

Jeff caught the movement and looked closely at his eldest son. "Scott? You alright?"

"I...I don't know."

"Son?"

"It's really bothering me." Scott clenched his eyes shut and lowered his head. "It's hard today Dad. I want to take something...I need to take something..."

"Scott no! Please son, you can get through this!" Jeff sounded almost frantic.

"Dad..."

"Scott look at me. Look at me!" Scott looked up at his father. "You're stronger than this. You don't need pills to get through the day."

Scott shook a shuddering breath and straightened up. "You're right. I can do this."

"That's my boy. Do you want me to come home?"

He shook his head. "No thanks Dad. I'll be alright."

"All right then. Call me if you need anything."

"FAB Dad. Thanks." Scott waited until his father's image had faded before he got up and went downstairs. He wandered into the kitchen, trying to find something to get his mind off his shoulder. He paused to glance in the fridge, and finding nothing that interested him, closed the door in frustration. He went back upstairs, and went into the room he had claimed for his own. He sat down in a chair, and idly leafed through a book. After a few minutes of trying to read, he slammed the book shut. He got up, hissing in pain and went into the bathroom. There must be some aspirin or something mild I can take. He rummaged through his bathroom cupboard, then sighed and shut the door. He headed out, then paused at the stairs leading to the attic room.

Scott ran his good hand through his hair and taking a deep breath, went up. He walked into the bathroom and opened the medicine cabinet. Knowing his brother's aversion to medicine, he had an easy time finding the bottle of painkillers.

With a shaking hand, he took the bottle and stared down at it.

"You gonna take those or just stare at them all day?"

Scott looked up in startlement to see John leaning against the door frame. "How long have you been there?"

John shrugged. "Long enough."

Scott looked back at the bottle. "I want them John."

"So take them."

Scott shook his head. "I can't!"

"Then why are you holding them in your hand." John marched over and took the bottle. He opened it and poured the pills into his brother's hand. "Well?"

Scott began to shake, some of the pills falling to the floor. "I can't!"

"Why not? You want them don't you? So swallow them! What's stopping you Scott?" John pushed.

"Because I can't! I won't do that to myself again! I won't!" Scott shouted, throwing the pills in the sink and leaning heavily on it, his chest heaving.

John smiled. "Good for you Scott. You did it." Scott looked up in confusion as John went on. "You faced it down and you beat it."

"Damn you Johnny. You scared me." Scott smiled softly up at his brother. "I thought you were pushing me."

"I was. Just not the way you thought." He walked out and lay down on his bed, one arm over his face.

Scott followed and sat down on his bed. "What's up John?"

"Nothing."

Scott rolled his eyes. Like talking to a rock. "John."

"Drop it Scott. I don't feel like talking."

Scott sat quietly for a few minutes. He knew his younger brother. It was just a matter of waiting him out.

Finally John got up and paced the room, coming to a stop near the window seat. "I lost the other night." He said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"After Gordon...when I left, I don't remember any of it." John closed his eyes. Well that's not entirely true, but he doesn't need to know that.

Scott made his way to his brother's side, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You have to stop John. You're killing yourself."

"I know." John whispered. "But when I try...he's there. He's always there." John looked up, his blue eyes haunted.

"John..." Scott sighed and his father's words came back to him. "Are you sure you're not...imagining it? Alcohol can screw with your brain."

John stiffened. "You don't believe me."

"Of course I believe you."

John snorted. "Bullshit! None of you, Dad, Gordon, Christa, you, you all think I'm delusional don't you?"

"No I don't."

"What then? You think I'm making all this up?" Scott looked away quickly and John shook his head in disbelief. "You do think that. You think I'm doing this for attention. Poor John and his hallucinations."

"John we don't think that at all! We're just trying to help you!" Scott told him.

"Help me? That's rich. You all drove me away!" John shouted.

Scott's temper began to build. "No one drove you away and you know it. You left, plain and simple. Don't pin this on me because you fucked up."

"Go to hell. Some brother you turned out to be." John started towards the door, then paused. "You really want to help me Scott? Then just leave me alone." John marched out of the room, leaving Scott staring after him.

Scott waited a moment, then quickly hurried after his brother. He caught up with him on the second set of stairs and grabbed his arm. "Don't you walk out on me. We're finishing this."

John shrugged off his grip. "I am finished."

Scott gave John a shove against the wall. "Don't think for a minute that my only having one arm means I can't kick your ass."

"Go ahead and try." John snarled, shoving back.

Scott brought his good arm up and pinned John by the neck. "You really want to do this?" He stared deep into his brother's eyes.

"Don't make me hurt you Scott." John said, his voice oddly expressionless.

Scott shivered involuntarily. John's eyes had a cold dead look to them, and for a moment, Scott could have sworn they flashed red. He quickly stepped back, letting John go.

John glared a moment longer, then walked down into the living room, Scott following a short distance behind. John went straight to the liquor cabinet and pulled out a bottle. He started to pour it into a glass, but nothing happened. He held the bottle up to the light. What the hell? How can it be empty? I just bought this a few days ago. Ignoring his brother, he grabbed another bottle at random. It too was empty. John quickly went through the cabinet, finding all of them empty, then turned to Scott, hatred flashing in his face. "You did this."

Scott folded his hands across his chest and nodded. "Yes, I did. No more booze John. Not on my watch."

"How dare you. Who do you think you are?" John hissed and advanced on his brother.

Scott stepped back, trying not to show fear. For all his bravado on the steps, he knew John could take him down in a heart beat. "What are you going to do John? Beat me up?" He taunted, watching his brother closely.

John froze, his face going pale. He shook his head and brought one hand to his temple. "No I can't! I won't hurt anyone! Not again..." Without another word, John pushed past Scott and fled out the door.

"John wait!" Scott hurried after him, watching his brother run down the sidewalk. He followed for a block, then slowed, his breath gasping as he held tightly to his injured shoulder. He watched as John hailed a cab and soon it disappeared from view. Shaking his head in defeat, Scott slowly made his way back to the brownstone.