Bittersweet Recollections

Gordon

I needed a chance to unwind from that rescue…the first one we'd been called out on since International Rescue went back online after Dad's death. Brains had manned the Command Center with Alan's help. Of course, Alan wasn't too thrilled with that order but it served him right for that stupid stunt he pulled that resulted in a broken ankle. Seriously, what the hell was my kid brother thinking? Nobody in his right mind…never mind, Alan has never really been in his right mind. He's always been way out in left-field when it comes to common sense.

"Virg, if Scott asks—"

"We know, Red, you'll be in the pool." Virgil's expression was smug but I was always one that had to have the last word regardless of the discussion.

"No, the lagoon," I retorted, jogging out the door before he could say anything else. With a satisfied smirk, I tossed my towel around my shoulders and headed for one of my favorite spots to unwind. Fifteen minutes later, I dropped my towel on the sand and walked out into the water a short way before allowing myself to sink beneath the surface. The coolness of the water was refreshing and after I slid my goggles on, I began swimming. The repetitive motions were calming and the beauty of the sea eased my grief and fear. I know that sounds odd coming from a Tracy but with Grandma and Dad with Grandpa and Mom again, I wasn't sure what would happen to us or International Rescue. We couldn't keep going at the pace we'd been managing or else it would claim us one by one just like Dad. My thought kept going in a vicious circle until I remembered a bit of advice Dad gave me after I woke from the coma I'd been in.

Flashback

A single light shone above and behind Gordon's hospital bed so that the night shift nurse would be able to read his monitors and adjust his IV fluids if needed. The steady beeping of the heart monitor allowed the members of his family a peace of mind. Since Gordon had been brought in following a hydrofoil accident, he'd remained in a coma but his family had been insistent with remaining with him in shifts. Finally, three weeks after the accident, he showed signs of waking.

"That's it, Son. You've had plenty of sleep." Squinting against the light that appeared to be overly bright, Gordon barely made out his father's form.

"D-Dad?" His throat was irritated and dry from disuse but his voice was music to Jeff's ears. Not caring who saw his tears, Jeff held his fingers that were free above the edge of the cast.

"Yes, Gordon, it's Dad," he answered. "You're brothers are at the hotel catching up on their sleep." Struggling to stay awake, Gordon tried to assess his condition but failed when he couldn't focus.

"W-what happened?" he whispered, grimacing against the dryness of his throat. Jeff saw his expression and picked up his ice water so that he could spoon a few sips of the cold water into his son's mouth. Sighing in relief, Gordon attempted a half-grin in appreciation.

"Your hydrofoil crashed and you've been in a coma for the last three weeks," Jeff answered, quietly. "For now, you're basically in a full body cast and on some…" He stopped talking when he saw that Gordon had fallen asleep. "Never thought that I was that boring." Settling down in the chair next to Gordon's bed, he quietly watched television until his boy woke again. Hours later, he awoke with a whimper.

"Ca-can't move," he muttered, groggily.

"You're in a body cast, Gordon," Jeff reminded him. "It won't allow you to move."

"Can't m-move my toes," he continued, voice rising slightly in alarm. Neither father nor son realized the doctor came in until he spoke up.

"There was damage to your spinal cord, Gordon. Paralysis of the lower extremity is the result of that damage." Cold and methodical, the doctor's words pierced through him. Jeff gently cupped his son's face within his hands until he was positive that Gordon was focusing on him.

"Three weeks ago, he said that it was unlikely for you to come out of the coma," Jeff began. "He is making at best a guess concerning your body and healing process. Right now, your body is healing from a very traumatic accident and until that cast comes off, you are not to think negatively. This is not the first time I've heard a doctor say that you would not be able to survive or live a normal life and just like the first time; I refuse to put my faith in him. My bet's on you against all of his guesses." Angrily, the doctor stormed out of the room.

"Well, I never…arrogant…" Gordon stared up at his dad with a slight smirk.

"Gee, Dad, who else can you tick off?" he asked. "Do you think I'll really be able to walk again?"

"I don't know, Son, but I do know that we'll take everything one step at a time," he answered. "I wouldn't be surprised if you did accomplish everything that the doctors have said that you wouldn't just to spite them." He felt his son relax and his watched as his eyes slowly closed.

"Thanks, Dad," he mumbled, falling asleep to heal and rest his body.

End flashback

Dad sure did piss that doctor off but not as much as I did when I walked by him with the aid of the walker on my way to outpatient therapy. I couldn't resist gloating with my dad and Scott by my side.

Calm and relaxed, I let the waves carry me towards the beach until I could stand. I scooped up my towel and wiped myself down before spreading it out and plopping down to watch the waves lap at the beach.

"Dad, your unwavering belief and support in me helped me through my entire life and for that I want to thank you. I only wish that I would have told you that a long time ago. Did you ever know just how much you meant to me? Did you know how much I love you? Like Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa, you'll never be forgotten, Dad."

With a last glance at the surf, I grabbed my towel and stood. For some reason, I looked up into the sky where the stars were just starting to twinkle. A strange sense of peace washed over my body and a small grin tugged at the corners of my mouth.

"Thanks, Mom and Dad, for everything."