Chapter Two.
Thousand of miles away another Tracy looked down towards Earth. It was his older brother John who was in Thunderbird Five. It was a pretty quiet night until he saw the communication light for Tracy Island which started to blink. He knew on the other end of the line was his father with the result for Scott. His eyebrows moved closer together them apart then back again. Answering would tell him his brother fate, not answering would make his father worry about him. Whatever fate his brother had, he would be there for him. His finger hit the button to answered the call.
"John, we have found out why Scott has been so ill." Jeff told him. John could see the worry in his father eyes.
"Please tell me it's not what I guess." John pleaded. His father knew what each son picked after he told them Scott's symptoms.
"It is Leukemia."
This wasn't fair, Scott was the eldest brother the one he depended on. He didn't want this for his brother. John leaned back in his chair he shut his eyes and then opened them.
"What's going to happen now?" John asked with a hint of fear in his voice. What happened if they caught it to late. He hoped it would be to the point where Scott could get treatment for his current condition.
"Well Scott has hidden the symptoms well so right now he is going to get chemo. We need to find a donor to give him a bone marrow transplant. So far Alan and Gordon are not a match. I was hoping you would come done and give a sample to the doctor." Jeff told him.
"Dad you know I would do it, Scott is my brother and if he is in need of something then I will give it to him." John told his father. Jeff knew all his boys were very protective of one another.
"Thank you son, I am going to have Alan up to relieve you. Gordon, Alan and Brians will be up to get you in the morning.
"Thanks dad. It will be okay, it has to be." John reassured him. His father gave a weak smile, then the monitor went black.
John leaned back in his chair. John has been the quiet one of the family always in the background. They as a family helped each other from the death of a loved one their mother and Jeff wife to basic rescues.
When he was younger he had a bond with all his brother, it was different with each brother. Virgil bond with him got stronger when he came down with Scarlet fever when he was younger. Virgil was the only one who was allowed to come into the room and look after John. Virgil had made sure John was comfortable. To keep John's mind off of being sick Virgil had played music for him, draw for him and let John help him with his homework. They played a game where Virgil would describe a star and John would figure out which of the constellation it was. In the week Virgil stayed with him their relationship deepened. John realized for Virgil it wasn't just his appearance or academic he cared for. Now Scott being sick he hoped his younger brother would be sympathetic to his situation.
John was able to go down and give a sample to the doctor. Alan told him before he left to give him a call and let him know the results if he's a match or not. His father got the result special delivered to him. He was not a match for his brother Scott.
Jeff was sitting at his desk. He knew Scott was up in his room resting. John, Gordon and Tintin were sitting in front of his desk in chairs.
"Doesn't look good, it looks like we have to go find a donor for Scott. I have put our name on the donor list, but I am not sure how long it would take to find a donor to match.
"Dad, we can always ask Vir-"
"Don't say his name Gordon, he made his choice when he picked his girlfriend over International Rescue."
"But dad."
"No."
"No wonder Grandma decided to move away from Tracy Island." Gordon softly said. If Jeff heard the comment he decided to ignore it.
"Sir, if I may make a suggestion." Tintin said. Jeff looked at Tintin. "Just think about this, what happens if we do not find a donor in time. The list is long for Bone marrow transplant. Are you going to risk your son's life when another son could save his life?"
Jeff gave her a look that said don't mention his name to me look. Tintin sighed. Jeff was set against bring Virgil back to help Scott. She had looked at the list it was long. She had put in the request and Scott had been added the list. He was number three hundred and twenty seven.
"Dad, don't you think we all suffered enough. We miss him and I am sure in his own way he misses us too." John told his father. One way or another he was going to get down to what was bothering his father.
"We are dropping the subject. Now go back to what you were doing." Jeff told the three. John and Tintin exit and heard for the pool. Gordon went to his room and changed into his swimming suit. Then he went to the pool and dived in.
Gordon missed Virgil, since he left the island haven't been the same. He was now flying Thunderbird Two. He didn't like it too much he liked Thunderbird Four better. His father disowning Virgil he felt wasn't right. Gordon knew if he sent Virgil some money he most likely wouldn't take it. There might be a slight chance he might. Gordon knew his father would just throw everything in Virgil room away, but he could not let his father do that. Now Virgil room was closed and supposedly locked. Gordon knew how to unlock the lock and relocked it and made it look like it hasn't been touched.
Quite a few time he found Scott sitting next to Virgil's room door. Gordon really hated his older brother being sick. He didn't know why it happened to Scott, he didn't like it. Gordon drove into the pool and started to swim. He didn't notice John and Tintin at the end of the pool.
"John, I don't care what your father feels towards Virgil. He has a right to know about Scott. I know we have all dismiss him, but I don't think I want to be without Virgil. He's a part of this family and with him gone it just feels like we are missing a piece to a puzzle." Tintin said. John looked at her. Unknown to them Gordon was in hearing range
"I know, I hate it when father is like this. I am going to get to the bottom of this, even if I end up in pain in the end. I want everyone to be happy. Seven years is way to long not to be a family." John said.
"Can you do me a huge favor, I will owe you big time for this."
"What is it?"
"Can you locate Virgil and let him know what's happening?" Tintin asked.
"I kind of already know where he is?" John sheepishly told her.
"John, why didn't you tell us you know where Virgil is?" Gordon said from the pool. Tintin and John jumped because they were startled, they didn't know Gordon was there. Gordon got out of the pool.
"I wasn't sure how everyone was going to take the news, and Virgil asked me to not tell you guys." John said, as he saw the sad look on Gordon face.
"Wow, I am a bad younger brother." Gordon told them as he sat down with his feet in the pool. John looked at Gordon. Since Virgil left, Gordon pranks have gotten rarer and rarer. It just seem like he wasn't into pranking anymore. John kneel down beside him.
"Gordon listen to me. If there is anything you want me to give to Virgil. Let me have it, I will make sure it gets to him."John told him. Gordon reached into his swimming suit and pulled out a small package and gave it to John. Without another word Gordon went back into the pool.
John turned back to Tintin.
"I am going to have a few days over on the mainland and I am going to visit Virgil. Dad told me I can go, but he doesn't know where I am heading to." John told Tintin.
"Good Luck. I am not sure how Alan will take the news, so I will inform him when we have some news." Tintin told John. He nodded his head. Then John left to get ready for his trip to see Virgil. He packed some art supply for Virgil, chocolate for Kira and a star journal and magnify glass for Lucy telescope for Lucy. Once he was ready he said good-bye to the others before leaving.
John on the way to England remembered the time Virgil had called and told him something was wrong with Scott. Of course John had checked on Scott and he was fine he told Virgil this, that was about a year ago. He knew Scott and Virgil was close. Now he didn't really want t o tell his younger brother his oldest brother was sick and could be dying. He would have to tell Virgil if he was going to get some help.
Virgil could feel something was wrong with Scott he didn't know what it was. He was sure if anything was wrong John would tell him. During his shift he was a bit uneasy. The feeling seemed to gnaw at him. He pushed the feeling to the back. When he got home he was going to call John to see if anything had changed where he once called home. He gave his full attention to his job.
John was tired, he just landed in England and he make sure he was ready to fly back home before he left for Virgil's home. Once he knew everything was lock down he went to his brother home. He knocked on the door. His bag with their gift was at his side. The door opened and revealed a sleepy Kira.
"John." Kira said, she wasn't expecting him. She gave him a hug. "This is a nice surprise."
John realized he had caught her sleeping. He knew a paramedic schedule could change any day. John looked at her.
"Sorry to wake you. I will let you get back to sleep. I'll check into a hotel." John said, he was ready to turn and leave.
"No,stay. You know Virgil and I have a spare bedroom for you. You are welcome here. Don't worry about waking me. I would have to get up in an hour anyways." Kira said tiredly.
"Thank you...so how is Lucy doing?" John asked hoping to get some information on his niece before she left to get dress.
"Well she is practicing with Virgil to play a duet." Kira said, as she let John through the door. John gave Kira a smile. Lucy was a talented young lady. If she applied herself she might end up like John, in a good position and might be well off. John got out his gift for Kira and handed it to her. Kira took it and opened it.
"Thanks John for the chocolate." Kira said.
"Not a problem. Now I will let you go and get ready for work, don't I have things to keep myself busy."John told her as she nodded her head and started back up the stairs.
John sat at the table it wasn't even hour which past when Lucy bust through the door. She ran past the kitchen and was heading for the stairs when she stopped and looked in the kitchen.
"Uncle John." Lucy said, as she launched herself into John's open arms. John had the honor of being Lucy's godfather, Lucy's god mother was a friend of Kira who lived in the next house over her name was Wendy. John and Wendy got along pretty well.
"Hey Tigerlily, what have you been up to?" John asked. When she was born he called her Tigerlily, she liked the name so it stuck with her.
"Well, today at school we worked on drawing a real flower. I started but it's not finished yet. It's for daddy, so he can hang it in his locker at work. Don't tell him, it a surprise for him."
John nodded his head.
"Okay, anything else?" John asked.
"Well the English teacher told me I am good at writing and I should enter the poetry contest at school."
Lucy told him.
"You should. If you want I could take a look at it." John said, as he watched her eyes lit up.
"Thank you so much," Lucy started, as they heard the front door open and closed. Then Virgil walked passed the kitchen, and continued door the hallway. A few second later he appeared in the kitchen doorway. John tossed Gordon's present to Virgil and he caught it. Virgil gave him an odd look. John just nodded his head. Virgil opened it and saw a kaleidoscope. He took it out of the box and looked through it. It was a nice gift John had given him. He switched it to his other eye. When he was done he set it on the table.
His daughter was trying not to laugh, John gave him a knowing smile. Virgil went to look in the mirror which was next to the sink. When he looked at his reflection he could see ink line in a circle around his eye.
"Gordon."
Virgil looked at John. John just shrugged.
"Read the letter." John said.
Virgil went over and pulled out the letter in the box. He unfolded the paper and saw Gordon handwriting.
Dear Virgil,
I am not sure what to say so I will begin the letter by saying sorry. Please forgive me for not being a brother that you can depend on. I want to ask your forgiveness. If you forgive me it's great. If you don't please let me know what I can do to get back into your good graces. I know I am not the best brother right now. Dad isn't right by disowning you. I was just shocked by the news you wanted to leave International Rescue. By the time it sunk in it was too late.
On may occasion I wanted to write you and let you know what was going on in my life, but I didn't know where you lived. I love you my brother. I should have stuck by your side and not let dad bully you the way he did. I am happy for you. If this letter reaches you by some miracle it would mean someone know where you are. Let me know what going on with you.
I am not going to ask you to rejoin International Rescue. I am glad you are happy. Please send me a message to let me know you are okay. If you need anything please let me know. I mean anything. Even if it means wake me up in the middle of the night. I miss you and I love you.
Signed,
Gordon Cooper Tracy
Virgil looked at John. Tears were forming in his eyes.
"Tell Gordon I forgive him and he's not a bad brother." Virgil said.
"Who Gordon?" Lucy asked curiously.
"He's my younger brother." Virgil told her.
"You mean I have another uncle." Lucy said, as she looked at both John and Virgil. "Wow I have two uncles now. Sandy at school she say she has two uncles and one aunt. All I need is two aunts to beat her." Lucy said excitedly.
John gave Virgil a look, he knew it was up to him if he wanted to let her know the real count of the Tracy family. Virgil shook his head at this time he wasn't ready to accept the whole family back yet.
"Tintin told me to tell you hello. She and Gordon wanted me to find you and let you know what had happen. Dad wasn't happy about it." John told him.
"Who Tintin?" Lucy asked.
"A friend of the family." Virgil quickly replied. He didn't want to tell Lucy just yet that Tintin was her Auntie and have to explain he had another brother as well.
"Cool. Uncle John did you bring me anything?" Lucy asked.
"Yes I did." John said, as he reached into his bag and got out the star journal and the magnifying glass for her telescope. Virgil was making a pot of hot coffee.
"This is a star journal, you write all the stars you see in it and this." John started as he opened the case is what will have you seeing things a lot clear through your telescope."
Kira then entered the kitchen. Virgil had just poured a cup of coffee for her in one of the cups which had a lid so it could be taken with you if you were on the run. He handed the cup to her. Kira took the cup and in returned gave him a kiss.
"I am off to work." Kira started. She looked over at John. "I hope we can catch up when I get off of work."
John nodded his head. Kira bent down and gave her daughter a hug and a kiss. Once she did that she was out the door.
"Daddy, can we show John what we've been practicing?" Lucy asked.
"Sure, if John doesn't mind." Virgil said, as he looked over at his brother.
"I don't mind." John told him. All three of them went to where the piano was. Lucy sat down and Virgil sat next to her. John sat in the chair across from them.
