The Tracy Women Part 1 Maddie
Disclaimer: See previous chapter.
As I promised here is the next chapter. The gang all deal with Virgil being shot.
Chapter 10: A bedside Vigil
Scott and Alan made it back to Thunderbird 2
"Thunderbird 2 to base."
"Go ahead Scott," said his father. Scott took a deep breath.
"Dad. We got the two men but Virgil was," Scott paused then unable to continue.
"It's OK son. We heard what happened. Maddie's communicator was still on," he said sadly. There was a knock on the pod door. Alan went over and opened it. The police chief stood there.
"I heard about your friend. I wanted to let you know there is a secure airfield three miles from here. You could leave your craft there and I will have my men watch them," he said.
"Thanks a lot. What are the co ordinates?" asked Alan. The man handed them over and left. Scott relayed all this to his father.
"Well that's good. Alan can you get Thunderbird 2 to that location," he asked.
"Yes sir," replied Alan. He wasn't totally sure he could but he knew the sooner it was there, the sooner he could go and see Virgil.
"Very good. Scott will you follow him there and make sure he lands OK. Then bring Thunderbird 1 and pick me and Gordon up," he continued proud of his youngest son.
"Dad maybe Alan should come get you," replied Scott not wanting to be away from Virgil.
"No son. You will be able to do it quicker and safer."
Scott looked over at Alan. Normally he would have made a reply to that but he said nothing.
"Yes father. We are on our way," he said. Scott turned to Alan and pulled him to him for a hug. Alan hugged him back for a second and then sat down in the pilot seat. Scott ruffled his hair and headed to Thunderbird 1. He found all the parts to Mobile Control waiting beside her. He loaded it all up and set off for home.
Maddie and Virgil had now arrived at the hospital. He was in surgery and she sat in the waiting room. His heart had stopped once in the ambulance but they had got it going again. Maddie was a Dr she knew things did not look good. Virgil had lost a lot of blood and the bullet was still inside. She could only hope it had missed all his major organs. She stood up and paced the floor. She was the only one in the waiting room apart from the odd Dr or nurse that walked through. They all gave her a sympathetic smile and she remembered doing the same thing when she worked here. She didn't find it a comfort like other people did. She knew what they were all thinking. Poor girl she is probably going to lose her boyfriend. She sat back down and lowered her head so she couldn't see them.
A little later she heard the door open and a young man raced in.
"Alan," she said standing up.
"How is he?" he asked.
"I don't know. He is still in theatre," she replied. She saw the sad look in his eyes and went over and hugged him. As she wrapped her arms round him Alan gave in to his emotions and cried, before long Maddie joined him. They stayed like this for a long time. Neither one wanting to lose the comfort the other one was giving. Eventually Maddie guided Alan to the seats. She kept her arm round him.
Scott, Jeff and Gordon had now arrived at the hospital and were being guided upstairs to the waiting room. The nurse had no idea about his condition so she couldn't offer them any good news. Jeff was scared stiff that they would get up there to find out he had not made it. He knew Scott would be angry that he wasn't here for his brother. They arrived at the door. Gordon went forward and opened the door. They found Alan lying asleep on the chairs and his head was resting on Maddie's lap. She was gently stroking his hair. Jeff had to smile at that. Whenever Alan was upset or ill he would sleep like that on Scott. He looked over to Scott who was thinking the same thing.
"Hi," said Maddie looking up. Alan stirred and woke up.
"Scott," he said.
"I'm here little bro," said Scott kneeling down in front of him. Alan looked just like he did when he was little. Scott put his arms out and gathered his little brother in a hug. Alan hugged him back. Scott had always looked after him as a kid. Whenever he was angry or upset. Scott would hug him or hold him till he fell asleep.
"Any news?" Jeff asked Maddie.
"No. He is still in the theatre," she replied moving out of her seat so Scott could sit beside Alan. Gordon sat down the other side of Alan and Jeff took the seat beside Scott. Maddie retreated to the other side of the waiting room. She was an outsider and didn't belong with them. She looked at Alan who had pulled himself out of Scott's arms but hadn't moved far from him. He looked really pale.
"Would anyone like a coffee?" she asked desperate for something to do.
"That is a good idea," replied Gordon. Maddie began making them all one. She had been on the island long enough to know how they all took their coffee. Gordon had his black with two sugars. Scott and Jeff both drank theirs black and Alan had his white with two sugars. She passed them around. Gordon smiled up at her as did Alan but Scott remained the same. Maddie knew how close Scott and Virgil were and knew he would be feeling really bad right now.
John arrived at the hospital with his grandmother. Brains and Tintin had stayed at the island to keep an eye on things. John tried to get his grandmother to stay but she refused. He finally gave in. If things did go wrong they may need her. As they approached the door he wondered how Maddie was doing. He opened the door to find his family huddled together on one side and Maddie on the other looking like her world had ended. The others all looked up as they came in.
"I told you to stay at home mother," said Jeff glaring at John.
"Don't you give him that look. You should have brought me here. I should be here with my family," she replied and glanced over at Maddie. She had not raised her head to their voices and John was worried.
"You OK hon?" he asked walking over to her. She looked up at him and gave him a sad smile.
"Yeah. Do you want a drink?" she asked.
"That's OK I will get them," he replied.
"No its OK. You go join your family," she said and got up. There was a coffee machine in the room but it had run out of cups so Maddie went to find some more. Scott glared up at her. She was acting as if everything was fine. One minute she had been crying and begging him not to leave her and now she was acting as if he didn't even matter. He stood up.
"I will be back in a minute Al. Will you be OK?" he asked looking at his little brother.
"I will look after him," replied Gordon and wrapped his arm round his little brother. He knew how close Virgil and Alan were. Virgil had always made time for Alan as a kid even when Alan was in a bad mood. Scott went out the room.
As he walked down the corridor he ran into Maddie.
"Hi Scott. Did you want another drink?" she asked.
"No I don't," he said angrily.
"Scott are you OK?" she asked confused about his anger.
"No I'm not. You are acting as if this is no big deal. I thought you cared about Virgil."
"I do," she replied quietly.
"Oh yeah. Well you don't act like it."
"What. What did you want me to do. Scream, break down and cry, faint," she yelled.
"Well at least it would show you meant what you said.
"Of course I meant it. I love your brother more then life itself. If I could trade places with him right now I would. I'm just trying to do anything to keep my mind off what is going on in there. I don't know any other way. What I really want to do is collapse on the floor and cry but I can't. I am trying to be strong for the rest of you," she shouted and then sighed.
"Maddie. Look I'm sorry," he said finally seeing the fear and pain in her eyes. He couldn't believe he had just had a go at her. He could see now she was just trying to stay calm for them.
"Just forget it Scott," she said and she walked back into the waiting room. Scott took a few second to himself and then followed her.
Another hour passed and every-ones hopes began to drop. Virgil had been in surgery for over six hours now. Suddenly a Dr came out and approached them all. John moved over to sit beside Maddie. He put his arm round her. He knew Scott had said something to her because she had come back in looking worse then when she went out. He had come back in looking guilty. He would ask her later.
"How is he?" asked Jeff standing up.
"He is OK. We managed to remove the bullet and luckily it hadn't penetrated any of the major organs. It did nick a main artery though which is why there was so much blood," explained the Dr. Maddie glanced down at her once white shirt. It was now covered in Virgil's blood.
"His heart did stop a couple of times during the surgery but we managed to bring him back each time. He is now in recovery and will be going to I.C.U very soon," continued the Dr.
"Can we go see him?" asked Scott.
"Maybe just one of you for now. The rest of you can see him once he is on the ward," replied the Dr.
"You go Dad," said Gordon.
"OK. Follow me Sir," said the Dr and he lead Jeff away. John stood up and hugged his brothers and grandmother. Maddie had remained seated. She was so glad Virgil was alive but she didn't want to join in with their family moment. She felt the tears welling up and tried hard to fight them down but she couldn't. She lept up and raced out of the room. John went to go after her but Scott stopped him.
"Let me go John," he said.
"Is that a good idea?" he asked.
"Yes. It will be OK," he said and went to find her.
Scott found Maddie in the corridor. She was staring out of the window.
"Maddie," he said approaching her. She turned to look at him and he saw the tears running down her face.
"Oh Maddie," he said and pulled her to him. She resisted but he didn't let go.
"I thought I was going to lose him Scott," she sobbed.
"We all did honey but he is OK," he soothed pulling her tighter. She finally gave in and hugged him back. His touch made her give in and release all the tears she had been fighting back. He just held her rubbing her back. She finally pulled away.
"Thanks Scott," she said with a smile. He smiled back then frowned.
"I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have yelled at you," he said.
"It's OK Scott I understand."
"Even so. I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you. Virgil will kill me."
"No he wont. He doesn't need to know. You were just scared about your brother that's all. Friends," she said smiling.
"Friends," he replied grinning back and they walked back to the waiting room. Scot kept his arm round her as they entered and John smiled.
Two days passed before Virgil showed any sign of recovery. The group had all taken turns in staying with Virgil. Maddie had made sure she was only there when Mr Tracy wasn't. Today there was just her and Scott. They sat on opposite sides both holding a hand. Maddie had her head down on the bed. She suddenly felt pressure on her hand and looked up. Virgil's eyes flickered for a second.
"Did you feel that?" asked Scott.
"Yes I did," she replied smiling. They both looked back down at the man. He opened his eyes again and they both grinned.
"Hi," he croaked.
"Hi sleepy head," said Scott.
"Scott," he said looking up at him.
"Yeah it's me and I found this strange girl in the corridor as well. Reckons she knows ya." Virgil turned to look and saw Maddie smiling at him through her tears.
"Hey baby," he said gripping her hand.
"Hi," was all she could manage to say before choking back a sob. Scott walked round to her side and put his arm round her.
"See I told she was strange," said Scott laughing. Maddie glared at him for a second then laughed too.
"How long have I been out?" he asked.
"About a year," said a voice from the door.
"Hi Gordon," said Virgil recognizing the voice.
"Hey bro. How you feeling?" he asked walking over.
"How do I look."
"Like a man who got shot, has lost a lot of blood and been in a coma for two days."
"Oh that's how I feel."
"You OK Maddie?" he asked seeing her tear stained face.
"Uhuh," she replied.
"You've only been awake five minutes and you've already made her cry. Good going Casanova," said Gordon laughing.
"Very funny Gordo," he replied. He squeezed her hand again and she grinned at him.
"I had better go call Dad," said Scott. He felt really happy now knowing his brother was OK. It had felt like he was losing a part of himself when Virgil was shot.
"No need. I am already here," said Jeff. Maddie let go of Virgil's hand and moved away. Scott and Gordon both spotted the move and wondered why she had done it. Jeff walked over to the bed.
"How you feeling son?"
"OK I guess."
"Good. We have all been worried especially your grandmother."
"She sure has," she said entering the room with Alan and John. They both grinned when they saw their brother was awake.
"Hi guys," said Virgil as they all came over and hugged him. He then noticed that Maddie had backed right away from him.
"Maddie," he said holding out his hand. Maddie took a step back. Mrs Tracy spotted the move and intervened.
"I think someone is in shock. Why don't we get you some coffee dear," she said guiding Maddie away. Virgil looked confused. John touched his arm.
"I think the shock of the last couple of days has just hit her. She will be OK in a minute bro," he said. Virgil smiled at him.
Back in the waiting room Mrs Tracy handed Maddie a cup and then sat down beside her.
"Thank you," said Maddie sipping at the coffee.
"Now why don't you tell me what is going on," said Mrs Tracy.
"Nothing is going on."
"So why did you back away from my grandson as if he was on fire."
"Well I. I wasn't sure how you guys would react to us being together."
"I think you mean how would my son react to you two being together."
"Yes," she said quietly.
"I don't think he would have a problem with it."
"Well he has never been thrilled about the idea of Alan and Tintin."
"Yes but they are still young. Virgil is the same age Jeff was when Scott was born."
"Really?"
"Yes and the main reason he doesn't like the boys dating is the big secret but you already know that."
"I guess so."
"Look Maddie. I can see the love in Virgil's eyes when he looks at you. It's the same look his father had when he looked at Lucy."
"Really," she repeated looking over at the older woman.
"Yes. I have one question. Do you love my grandson?"
"Yes with all my heart."
"Then that is all that matters honey. Jeff just wants the boys to be happy. You make Virgil happy so he will come round. You will see."
"OK," she said uncertainly.
"Well lets get back in there before my grandson comes out looking for you," said Mrs Tracy standing up. Maddie smiled. She could just picture Virgil pulling out all his drips and walking over. They both walked back into the room neither noticing the man watching in the corner.
Jeff Tracy moved out from his hiding place and watched them go up to the bed. He saw his son's eyes light up as Maddie approached and he smiled.
Authors Note: Well one last chapter to go and no cliff hanger. Please read and review guys.