Thanks everyone for your patience! Real life has a way of getting in the way sometimes!

Many thanks to Bluegrass, Agent Five, Grumpy, Convert, and Tiktue for all your help, support and just being there to help me through. Enjoy!

Still don't own 'em, so please don't sue!

The temperature in Thunderbird Five was set at a constant sixty-eight point seven degrees.

But for Brains, it felt like it was over a hundred. Sweat beaded across his forehead as his fingers flew over the keyboards in front of him. He'd lost all communication with Thunderbird Two again and for the life of him, could not figure out why!

John's last words had indicated he was in serious trouble. Last Brains knew, Virgil had gone down after his brother, but then communications crashed again. He knew the boys were able to hear each other on Thunderbird Two with the internal microphones, but they couldn't reach the ones outside the ship.

Suddenly he froze and stared at the screen, not really seeing it. "The core..." He whispered. He turned to another monitor. "T-Thunderbird F-F-Five to Tracy Island!"

His son's face appeared on the screen. "G-Go ahead."

"It's the c-c-core." Brains said.

Fermat looked blank for a moment, then his eyes widened in surprise. "It makes s-sense! It was corroded when hit with the electrical s-s-surge!"

Brains nodded. "And there's only o-one way to reset it. And that will just be a t-t-temporary fix."

Fermat went pale. "A l-l-lightning strike." His father nodded. "But how do we t-t-tell them? We've l-lost all contact now."

Brains's shoulders slumped in defeat. "I don't kn-kn-know." He sighed heavily. Suddenly his head snapped up and he broke into a wide grin. "I've got it!"

Scott ignored the throbbing in his shoulder as he struggled to keep Thunderbird Two on course. The big ship could practically fly herself, a point Scott often pointed out to Virgil, but in conditions like this, he didn't trust the computers. The rain was coming down easier now, and Scott figured they were nearing the eye of the storm. He was concerned that he hadn't heard from his brothers or Brains in a while now.

He was pondering how to try and contact them when his pocket buzzed.

"What the..." With one hand on the controls, he fumbled in his jumpsuit until he found his cell phone. He stared at it in confusion for a moment. "Umm...Hello?"

"S-S-Scott!!"

"Brains?"

"S-Scott! You need to mo-mo-relocate Thunderbird Two!"

"Are you calling me from Five? I didn't know we could do that."

"SCOTT! In order to get the c-communications back online, you n-need to re-re-shock the system!"

"And just how am I supposed to do that?" Scott snapped.

"You have to get s-s-struck by lightning."

Scott froze, not sure if he had heard correctly.

"Scott? Scott? Are you s-s-still there?"

Scott shook his head. "Brains, could you repeat that? I thought you said we need to get struck by lightning."

"I d-did." There was a short pause. "If you can get a strong enough e-electrical charge, there's a g-g-good chance it will reboot the system."

Scott closed his eyes. "There's no other way?"

"No. Don't worry about the ship. S-She'll be fine."

"It's not the ship I'm worried about." Scott muttered under his breath.

"Just make s-s-sure you aren't still t-t-tethered to the cruise ship."

Scott winced, "Yeah, that would be bad." He sighed. "FAB Brains, let me get this going. With any luck you'll hear from us in a few minutes."

"G-G-Good luck, Scott. Thunderbird Five, out."

Scott closed the phone and sighed. He flipped a switch on the console. "Mac, you there?"

"Scott? Everything alright?"

Oh yeah, just peachy. "I need you to go get Gordon and get him up here." Scott took a deep breath. "After he's gone, I want you to release the safety cable and close the hatch."

There was a short pause. "Scott, you do know that Virgil and John are still down there."

Scott clenched his eyes shut. "I know. But Brains thinks he's found a way to fix the communications system." He quickly outlined the plan. "There's no way Gordon'll do it, that's why I need him here."

"FAB. I'll get right on it." There was another pause. "Scott, be careful."

"Will do." Scott signed off.

A few minutes later, Gordon burst onto the bridge. "Scott? What's wrong?"

Scott shook his head. "Nothing, I need a break."

Gordon frowned as he buckled himself into the co-pilot's chair. "Let me take over then."

"In a sec. Steve?"

"All set. Go."

"What's going on—Whoa! Scott! Are you nuts!" Gordon yelped as his brother sent the mighty green ship into a sharp turn. "What are you doing?!"

"We need to get closer to the storm. Brains thinks he and Fermat can get the communications back up if we can erase the core." Scott responded, not taking his eyes off the windshield.

Gordon shook his head. "You're insane. You're all insane."

"Yeah well, you're sitting here next to me." Scott shot back.

"Like I had a choi—Wait! What about John and Virgil?!" Gordon started to unbuckle himself. "We have to get them back here!"

"Park it, Gordon!" Scott ordered. He sent the ship into a steep climb, causing Gordon to be pressed back into his seat. "Trust me when Virgil sees the safety cable drop, he'll know something's going on. Until then, sit down and shut up."

"You dropped the cable! Dammit, Scott!"

"I said shut up!" Scott clenched his jaw as the g-forces increased, sending lances of pain through his shoulder. He brought Thunderbird Two higher into the storm, then held her steady.

"So, just what does this plan of yours and Brains entail?" Gordon snapped.

"I have to get us struck by lightning."

"WHAT?! Are you out of your fucking mind?" Gordon grabbed the controls. "I'm taking over." He punched a button on the console.

"No, you're not." Scott hit the override. "Gordon, look, Brains knows what he's doing. You need to trust me."

"How do I know it's not some crazy plan cooked up by the Hood?!" Gordon shouted. "He could be screwing in your head too!!"

Scott looked over at his brother. Gordon's face was pale and his eyes were wide with fear. "Gordon, listen to me. It's OK. No one's taken over my mind, it's me, Scott."

"How do I know that for sure?!" Gordon's voice cracked with emotion.

Scott's tone softened. "Guppy, it's me."

Gordon visibly relaxed. "Scott..."

"Forget it, Gords. Let's just get this done so we can go back down." Scott turned his attention back to the ship.

"How long do you think this will take?" Gordon asked.

Scott shook his head. "I have no id—" His voice was cut off as a lightning bolt hit the ship and sent them into darkness.

John floundered in the water, trying to stay afloat as the waves crashed over him. He coughed and spluttered as he swallowed a mouthful of sea water. Gasping for breath he managed to snag a piece of debris floating by, and clung tightly to it. He glanced up towards the boat, watching as it settled deeper into the water. He could barely make out Virgil waving franticly from the deck.

Another wave washed over him, knocking the debris away. He fumbled at his uniform, tearing a strip away near his name patch. The green reflectors on his uniform suddenly lit up, sending strobes of flashing light all around him. At least now they'll be able to find me, John thought to himself. He managed to hook his arms around another piece of wreckage which kept him at least partially above water.

A sudden roar caught his attention and he looked up. Thunderbird Two's retros had fired up, and the giant ship was turning away. "NO!" John yelled, swallowing another mouthful of water.

When he was able to breathe again, he watched in horror as Two disappeared upwards into the storm. He looked over at the boat and was unable to see Virgil. Fear slammed into him.

"They left you, John."

"N-No! They wouldn't do that!"

"They left you to die."

"They'll be back!"

"You're all alone."

Evil laughter echoed in John's head as Thunderbird Two's lights faded into the clouds. "NOOOO!!!!"

Virgil strained through the rain, trying to see his brother. A bright flash of light caught his eye and he stared at the spot until it flashed again. He let out a sigh of relief. He's above water, thank God. Now to just figure out how to get him back up here! Another wave knocked him to his knees, and he crawled over to brace his back against the helm house. This is so not fun anymore...Suddenly the pitch of Thunderbird Two's engines changed and his head snapped up. Sure enough, the retros were firing and the ship was shifting position. What the...Virgil watched in disbelief as the ship turned and within moments, disappeared into the clouds.

"Thunderbird Two come in!...Scott!...Brains!...Someone answer me!!" Virgil yelled franticly. There was no reply, not that Virgil had really expected one. He glanced upwards again, wincing at the lightning flashes. "Scott, you'd better have a damn good reason for this."

Fermat's fingers flew across the keyboard. The lightning strike had done just what his father had suspected and erased the core programming of Thunderbird Two. The trouble was, Fermat had less than two minutes to reboot the system before the 'bird freefell beyond recovery. A faint sheen of sweat covered his forehead as he continued to work. A gasp next to him caused him to look up.

Tin-Tin's eyes were wide and she stared off into nothing. "T-Tin-Tin?" He ventured carefully.

She looked over at him. "It's my uncle. He's after John again."

Fermat went pale. "I th-th-thought you had gotten rid of him?"

"So did I. You take care of Thunderbird Two." She closed her eyes and clutched her crystal in her hand. "I'll take care of the Hood."

Scott gripped the yoke tightly as the ship started to fall. She started in a slow, lazy spin, and he fought to keep her nose up. Next to him, Gordon also pulled at the controls. "Whose bright idea was this anyway?" Gordon asked through clenched teeth.

"Brains." Scott replied, never taking his eyes from the windshield.

"Yeah well, if we survive this, remind me to kill him."

Scott grinned briefly then grew serious again. "How much more time do we have?"

"Fifty-eight seconds." Gordon answered.

"Terrific." Scott muttered. His shoulder throbbed with the strain of trying to control the huge ship. He gritted his teeth and held on as the 'bird continued its downward spiral.

Gordon glanced back down at his watch. "We're reaching the point of no return." Scott didn't answer. Gordon looked again. "Twelve seconds...Ten...Scott!" Scott ignored him and Gordon tried to suppress the panic rising in his chest.

Suddenly the cabin lights flickered a few times, then stayed on. "Activate computer navigation systems now!" Scott ordered.

"FAB!" Gordon quickly punched in a few commands and the ship wavered a moment, then steadied out. He sighed and shot a look at his brother. "Do me a favor, don't do that again."

"I agree." Scott replied, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. "Try the communications."

Gordon turned quickly back to the panel. "Thunderbird Two to..."

"What the hell is going on up there?!" Virgil's voice blasted across the speakers.

Gordon grinned. "I think it's safe to say communications are back online."

"Somebody answer me! Where did you take my ship?"

"Easy, Virg, we just fixed her." Gordon answered. "We're on our—"

"Shut up and get down here! John's overboard."

Gordon was instantly out of his seat and bolting towards the door as Scott angled the ship back on course towards the sinking ship.

Virgil kept looking from the green flash in the water to the sky above, trying to keep watch both on John and the return of Thunderbird Two. He'd already tried to raise John, but belatedly remembered his brother going overboard without his helmet.

The boat was sinking faster now; Virgil had had to scramble upwards to keep from going under himself. His arms gripped the rails as he climbed up higher onto the helm house.

A noise overhead made him look up and breathe a sigh of relief. A few moments later, Gordon slithered down the safety cable. "Hey there sailor, need a lift?"

Virgil merely scowled and reached his hand up to his brother. Gordon hauled him up and quickly fastened the spare safety vest on. "John's still out there!" Virgil pointed off in the distance.

Gordon followed Virgil's hand and stared off into the darkness until he saw a brief flash of green light. "I see him. Get up there, I'll bring him back." Gordon started pulling the safety cable, adjusting its length. Noticing Virgil hadn't moved, he gave his brother a small shove. "Go! Scott needs help up there! Get me as close to John as you can!" Without another word, Gordon dove off into the swirling water.

Virgil quickly retracted his own cable, and within moments was being pulled back aboard Thunderbird Two. Strong hands grabbed him and helped him down to the deck.

"Easy, Virgil."

Virgil looked up at Steve. "W-What's going on? W-Why did you g-guys l-leave?" He demanded, his teeth chattering with cold.

Steve wrapped a blanket around Virgil's shoulders and shook his head. "Scott'll have to fill you in. Where's Gordon and John?"

Virgil peered down the hatch. "Still down there. John got swept overboard by a wave and I lost sight of him. Gordon's gone after him." He looked up. "We have communications back?"

Steve nodded. "Whatever Brains had them do worked." He glanced back towards sick-bay. "I need to get back to Alan, and you better get up to Scott. He could probably use the help at this point."

Virgil sighed and shrugged the blanket off his shoulders. He could feel the beginning of a monumental headache starting as he pressed his communicator. "Scott?"

"Virg? You alright? Where's John?"

"He's still down there. Gordon's gone after him. Can you hold her for a few more minutes? I can't leave here yet."

There was a short pause. "FAB, but try and hurry."

Virgil could hear the strain in Scott's voice. "Working on it. John activated his flashers, can you track him that way?"

"Hold on...Got him. Gordon still attached?"

"As far as I know."

"I'll see if I can raise him and move closer. Bridge out."

Virgil pinched the bridge of his nose, then looked up. "Steve, I need you to help me get these people settled." He shook his head. "Wait, how's Alan?"

"Stable. He's knocked out on painkillers at the moment."

"Good. OK then, as soon as John and Gordon are back aboard, we'll head to the nearest hospital." Steve flinched. "What?"

He sighed. "Boston General is the closest one capable of handling this."

"Shit." Virgil scowled. "This just isn't our day." He sighed. "Well, we'll worry about that after we have everyone up here." He pressed his communicator again. "Gordon! What's your situation?"

John floundered in the water, clinging desperately to a piece of the boat's wreckage. He had already kicked his boots off in an attempt to keep his head above water, but the waves crashing over him were slowly weakening his grip.

"Let go, John."

"No!"

"They aren't coming back for you. Why let yourself suffer like this?"

"Please, stop." John nearly sobbed.

Hood's evil laughter rang through his head. "Oh, John, why would I do that? When this is—"

"Leave him alone!"

Tin-Tin's voice sounded in his mind. "Tin-Tin?"

"You're stronger than he is, John. Don't let him do this to you!"

"I-I can't..."

"You can!"

"Ah, little niece, this is pointless. He belongs to me now."

"He belongs to himself!"

The pain in John's head began to intensify and he groaned. "Please..."

"John! Stay with me. Fight him!"

"No...I can't..." John released his hold on the debris and let himself be swept away.

"JOHN!"

Tin-Tin faltered and grabbed the back of Fermat's chair for support. "You won't hurt him again!" She whispered vehemently.

"T-Tin-Tin?" Fermat questioned.

She didn't answer, but clutched her crystal even tighter. "Alan...Alan, hear me."

Alan's eyes fluttered open. "Tin-Tin?" He rasped.

"Alan! I need your help! John's in trouble!"

He forced the fog from his mind and struggled to sit up. "John? But where—"

"I don't have time to explain. I need you to hold Hood off so I can finish him."

Alan shook the last of the cobwebs from his head and forced himself into a sitting position. "What do you want me to do?"

"Remember how you fought against Hood's mind powers down in the tunnel? I want you to do that again. Think of yourself as a wall between John and Hood."

"OK." Alan took a deep breath and closed his eyes. A wall, think of a wall...

Gordon searched desperately for his brother, but the waves were too rough and he could no longer see the flashes from John's uniform. "I've lost him! Do you have anything?"

Virgil answered a heartbeat later. "Negative. I can't see a thing."

"Crap..." Gordon scanned the area again, not seeing anything. A brief flash caught his eye and he stared until he saw it again. "Got him!" He set off through the water, his powerful strokes cutting through the waves. He paused a moment to get his bearings, and spotted his brother a few yards in front of him. Gordon pushed forward, reaching John just as he began to sink. "NO!" Gordon dove, thanking God he had the sense to put on one of the diving helmets, and snagged the collar of John's uniform. Giving a heave, he pulled John close and together they broke the surface. "Pull me up! Now!!"

"FAB!"

Gordon felt the cable start to pull him upwards and grasped John tightly under the arms, wrapping his legs around John's. Within moments, they were being hauled aboard Thunderbird Two.

The hatch closed as Virgil pried Gordon's arms off John. "They're up! Get us out of here, Scott!"

"FAB!"

Steve pushed forward, his fingers pressing against John's neck, searching for a pulse. His eyes met Virgil's and he placed an oxygen mask over John's nose and mouth. "C'mon, man, breathe. Don't do this."

Suddenly John coughed violently and Steve turned him on his side. John let out a low moan. "No..."

Virgil gripped John's hand. "Fight it, Johnny. You can do it."

John thrashed his head back and forth, and Steve and Virgil held tightly to his arms, pinning him to the deck. "Alone...can't stop him..." Blood began pouring from John's nose.

"What the hell?" Steve muttered. "Gordon, go get the med-kit, move!"

Gordon bolted to his feet and rushed to the sick bay. He was startled to see Alan struggling to stand, his splinted leg twisted awkwardly. "Alan!"

Alan looked up, his blue eyes bright. "John, I need to get to John!"

Gordon shook his head. "No way, the only place you're going is back to bed." He started to ease Alan back down but Alan pushed his hands away.

"Hood's going to kill John! I can help stop him, but I need to get to John!!"

Seeing the determination in Alan's eyes, Gordon sighed in resignation. He grabbed the med-kit off the shelf then swung Alan's arm over his shoulder, half carrying, half dragging him out the door.

Both Steve and Virgil looked up in surprise as Gordon and Alan came into view. "Alan! You should be back in bed!" Virgil told him.

Alan shook his head. "I can't...have to help John." He was pale and spoke through clenched teeth.

"Dammit, Al!" Virgil pulled Alan down next to him.

Alan shook off his arm and placed his hands on John's head. He closed his eyes. "John, listen to me. He can't hurt you. I won't let him."

John's eyes fluttered open. "Alan?" He whispered hoarsely.

"Let me in, John." John's eyes closed and he relaxed in Steve's arms. "That's it."

Steve, Virgil and Gordon exchanged a glance. "What's going on?" Steve asked quietly.

Virgil shook his head. "I have no idea."

John gave another gasp of pain. "My head...God!...Make it stop! Please!" He begged.

"I'm...trying...Tin-Tin! Help me!" Alan whispered fiercely. Suddenly John went limp. At the same time Alan slumped forward into Virgil's arms.

Steve quickly checked John's pulse and let out a sigh of relief before turning to Alan. "They're alright. But I want them both back in sick-bay. And you," he turned to Virgil. "Get up there and relieve Scott."

Virgil nodded. "FAB." He got to his feet and rushed out the door.

Steve started to hoist John up, but Gordon stopped him. "I've got John. You take Alan."

Steve smiled. "No problem." He helped Gordon steady John in his arms then turned to pick up Alan.

The captain stepped forward. "Here, let me help you with him." Together they carried Alan to sick bay and laid him down.

"Thanks." Steve said to Captain Crane.

Crane smiled back. "None needed. Glad to have helped. You've got your hands full here. I'll keep the masses settled. Where are you taking us?"

"Boston, Mass General." Steve told him. "We should be there shortly."

"Great. Take care of them, I'll take care of the rest." Moments later he was gone.

Steve turned his attention back to Alan. "He's OK, just passed out." He moved over to John and pried his eyes open. "Pupils are responding. I think he'll be alright." As if on cue John flinched and his eyes fluttered. "John? Can you hear me?"

"Where...where am I?" He tried to sit up, but Steve pushed him back down. John clenched his eyes shut. "Damn, my head is killing me."

"Bet the hands don't feel much better." Steve gently took John's hands. "Cable burn?" John nodded. "Let me look. Hmmm..." He turned and grabbed some gauze out of his kit, quickly bandaging John's hands. "There, that ought to hold you until we get home. I have to go check on our heart attack victim. Gordon, keep an eye on him."

Gordon nodded as Steve hurried off to the other end of the room. He looked over at Alan, then down at John. John's eyes were open and he stared at the ceiling, not really seeing it. A lone tear trickled down his cheek. "Hey." Gordon called out softly.

John started and quickly wiped his face. "Hey." He replied hoarsely. He carefully eased himself up, putting his head in his hands.

"Want me to go get Steve? See if he can give you something?"

John shook his head slightly. "No. I'll be fine."

Both were silent for a few minutes.

"John?

"Gordon?"

They snickered. "You first." Gordon said.

John sighed. "Gords...It was Hood. In my head. He wanted to kill me this time." He took a shuddering breath. "He told me..." John's voice cracked and Gordon's forehead furrowed in concern. "He told me you left. That I was alone. I should just let myself drown, none of you would care." His voice broke.

"Dammit Johnny!" Gordon pulled him close as John broke down. John clutched at his brother, all his fears and pent up emotions finally breaking free. Steve hurried over, but Gordon shook his head and he went back to his patient.

Sooner than Gordon thought possible, John had cried himself out and pulled away. "Sorry." He mumbled.

"For what? For proving you aren't made of stone?" Gordon snorted. "It's about time you let loose, John. Besides it's no surprise you getting all weepy, you're the girly one out of all of us. Unless we count Virgil." He grinned.

John stared at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Thanks, Gords, I needed that."

"Anytime, Blondie. That's what I'm here for." Gordon's brown eyes twinkled in amusement. "Now, lay back down and chill. We're about to land in Boston and I don't think you want to be seen there."

"Yeah, you're right." John settled himself back down on the bed.

Gordon squeezed his hand then started for the door. He paused and turned back to his brother. "John?" John opened his eyes. "For the record, you'll never be alone. I'll always be there." And then he was gone.