Disclaimer: Still don't own them.
A/N: I want to thank Criminally Charmed for helping me with Scott's First. It was her suggestion to have him away for the first time either at college or the Air Force and well, college worked better. Huge thanks, CC, for letting me bounce ideas off of you. And another huge thanks to all those who've read and enjoyed this story.-sam1
Scott's First Silent Night
Wandering around the spacious living room of his first apartment, Scott bit back a sigh. It was just past midnight and he'd not been able to fall asleep. He'd tried Grandma's old-fashioned remedy of warm milk but that had failed. A trip down to the gym that was housed within the building hadn't worn him out. Nor had the hour of swimming laps.
"I'm never going to get any sleep at this rate," he said, aloud. Sheepishly, he glanced around as if expecting one of his younger brothers to comment at his talking to himself. Sighing again, he sat down at his desk and impulsively dialed his dad's private number.
After two rings, "Hello?"
"Hi, Dad." Scott grinned at his father's exasperated expression. "Which one this time?"
"Gordon and Alan teamed up and somehow covered Virgil's piano so that it looked that they'd painted it."
"Let me guess, Virg was less than pleased that they had messed with his baby," Scott said, smiling at the image in his head of his younger brother's irritated visage.
"No, he wasn't happy with them and last I heard he was plotting some serious retribution when they least expect it." A small grin ghosted across Jeff's face. His oldest son obviously had something on his mind yet wasn't even sure what it was. Jeff had an idea of what was bothering him but waited, enjoying the call.
"GORDON COOPER TRACY!" Jeff visibly jumped in his seat. Scott mirrored his father's actions though he was halfway across the country. Virgil stomped into his father's office and Scott could see his angry expression. "Dad, have you seen that little brat?"
"No, Son, I haven't seen Gordon. I am, however, on the vidphone with Scott."
"What did he do to you this time, little brother?" Scott waited to hear what prank their jokester of a brother had pulled.
Grumbling, Virgil shook his head, "Nothing, Scott. How is the new apartment?"
"Quieter than it is there," Scott admitted, suddenly homesick and realizing why he couldn't sleep. Jeff sat back and listened to the two brothers talk and began making plans. "I didn't realize how accustomed I'd gotten to all the noises of home until tonight. It's too quiet here and I haven't been able to fall asleep yet."
"Have you tried Grandma's recipe of warm milk?" Virgil asked.
Frowning, Scott looked at his father and brother. "I've been down to the gym, swam for an hour, drank a glass of warm milk and I'm still wide awake." John ambled into their father's office and Scott grinned. "Hey, Johnny!"
Smiling at his only older brother, John bumped Virgil out of his way. "Scotty, what are you doing up? It's about one in the morning there."
"I just wanted to call Dad and then Virg had a run-in with Gordy and sidekick, Allie." Stretching in his chair, Scott shrugged his shoulders.
Though quiet, John was perceptive and tuned into his brothers' emotions. "Too quiet and you couldn't sleep, could you? And nothing has worked yet, has it?"
Startled but not too surprised, Jeff looked over at his second born, studying him. Virgil also sat back and watched his older brothers.
"How did you know, Johnny?" Scott asked, perplexed. "I haven't said anything to you about not being able to sleep."
"Big brother, you've always made rounds at bedtime here to make sure that we were all accounted for before you'd even think of going to bed. Tonight is your first night in your new apartment and away from us. It wasn't too hard to figure out." Grinning shyly, John shrugged his shoulders. "And I'm guessing that you didn't open that small box I snuck into your carry-on bag, right?"
"No, I didn't," Scott admitted, reaching for the bag he'd dropped next to his desk. Digging under some books and papers, he found the box. "What is this, Johnny?"
"I wanted to give you something to remind you of home," he said, embarrassed. "So that you'll know that we miss you just as much as you miss us."
Scott held up several discs in his hand, reading the labels on cases. "Meal times. Terrible Two. Virgil's music. All of us together." Looking up at his father and brothers, he realized that they were what he was missing and why he'd been unable to sleep. "I don't know what to say, Johnny, except thank you."
"You're welcome, Scotty. There should be a disc that I recorded in your bedroom one night with the window open. It may help you sleep." Scott sifted through the multiple discs until he found the one labeled, "Country summer nights". "Goodnight, big brother, I've got to go round up the Terrible Two. The little monsters messed with my telescope…again."
"Goodnight, Johnny, and thanks again," Scott said. Virgil stood up, stretching, and grinned.
"I've got to go as well, Scott. Goodnight." Hurrying after his next oldest brother, he called out, "Wait up, John-boy, I have some unfinished business with those brats." Jeff watched his sons leave the office and then glanced back at his oldest.
"Think you can sleep now?" Jeff asked.
"How does he do that, Dad?" Scott asked, still staring at the discs in his hand.
Smiling at his son, Jeff spoke openly about his quiet son. "Scott, you know that John is quiet and does his best to not draw attention to himself. He had been concerned about you for weeks before you left and in his own way wanted to help make the transition easier for you until you adjusted."
"Still for him to think of doing something like this, Dad, it means a lot to me," Scott admitted, gruffly. "I think that I can sleep now. Goodnight." Pausing for a moment before disconnecting the call, he added, "Will you tell him I said thanks again, Dad?"
"Yes, Scott, I will. Now off to bed for you. Goodnight." Jeff stared at the blank vidscreen for a few moments and sighed. "One first night away from home and family down, four more to go."