Unspoken

Disclaimer: Please see Chapter 1.

Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. I apologise for such a delay but real life just decided it was more important. Thanks once again to my beta, you're amazing. Enjoy all.

Chapter 3: The healing process begins.

John turned his attention back to his younger brother and gestured at the seat Scott had been sat in. Virgil shook his head and began to pace up and down the room. John rolled his eyes at him and gestured again.

The younger Tracy was too caught up in his own thoughts to realize his brother was still trying to get him into the chair. He couldn't believe that Scott actually blamed him for what had happened to John. Had his actions really been that wrong? John needed to rest; it was the way John dealt with any illness. He would just sleep it off. The others had their own ways, Scott tended to work his off or at least until he collapsed anyway. Gordon, generally, made little fuss, after going through the hell of his hydrofoil an illness seemed like nothing. Alan would moan and groan his way through it, driving them all nuts usually. And, himself? Well, he was a little too much like Scott and would either work it off or paint until he couldn't any longer. He sunk down onto the chair and looked over at his older brother.

John raised one eyebrow questioningly, hoping Virgil would know he was asking what was going on his head. Virgil sighed but said nothing. John yawned but kept his eyes on his brother.

"You need sleep," Virgil said finally.

John gestured to the desk where a notepad lay. Virgil, realizing what he wanted, got up and fetched the pad. He also grabbed a pen and then sat back down beside him.

John quickly wrote something and turned the pad round to face the artist.

You talk then I'll sleep.

"You need the sleep more right now. I'll be fine," replied Virgil, running his fingers through his hair showing that he was stressed.

John just stared at his brother but the yawn that followed ruined it and Virgil couldn't help but chuckle.

"You need to sleep or else you won't get better and you'll stay here longer. Plus, Gordon is going to have a field day when he realizes you have no voice," said Virgil, standing up.

The look of despair that crossed John's face was enough to make Virgil grin and John could see the hurt leaving his brother's eyes. Although, Virgil still needed to talk to Scott, his brother was calm again.

John suddenly wrote something again then spun the pad round to face his brother.

This is not your fault.

Virgil gave him a soft smile, "Thanks, it's not his either despite what he may think."

John nodded unsurprised that Virgil had also realized Scott clearly blamed himself for what was happening to John. That would have to be a later problem though because John was losing the battle with sleep once more.

"Just sleep, John. You can sort the rest of us out once you're better," said Virgil, softly as he adjusted the blanket over his brother. It wasn't often he got to tuck an older brother in. John smiled slightly at his brother's touch and then he was lost to sleep once more.

Virgil recorded some more details of his brother's condition and then found himself wandering over to the window where the sun was now beginning to set. Hopefully tomorrow would bring them a better day or at least a less stressful one. The young artist then walked back over to the bed and sat down in the chair beside his brother. Running his fingers through his hair he smiled ruefully.

"Maybe being the medic isn't the best choice after all. I'm gonna be bald before I even reach thirty that or grey like Dad," he muttered to himself.

"If I could handle you five when you were younger, I'm sure between us we can handle them now," said a voice and Virgil turned to see his father standing behind him. Jeff pulled up a seat beside him and looked over to his other son. Although, still very pale it was clear John was sleeping peacefully at least for now.

"Perhaps," replied Virgil though he wasn't really convinced. His brothers could be hell when they were ill or injured.

"Virgil, you do know that what happened with John was not your fault? You did the right thing in leaving him alone to sleep. He never would have rested if Scott had stayed in there."

"Try telling Scott that," he muttered and made to stand up but his father's hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"I will but I need to know that you believe it too, Son. I would have done exactly the same thing if I had been there. I trust your judgement and your decisions," replied Jeff.

Virgil turned to face his father and could see that the older man meant every word he had just said. "Thanks, Dad," he replied, knowing he had just heard exactly what he needed to hear.

Jeff wrapped his arm around his middle son, "You're welcome, Son. Try as you might you can only do so much for them. John is the smart one so he would have only gone out there if he honestly felt better. You and I both know how easily you can go back downhill from trying to do too much."

Virgil nodded knowing his father was right. John, out of all his brothers, was the one least likely to go wandering about when ill. He must have assumed he was feeling better and gone out for fresh air. Given his brother had been fully dressed, he obviously hadn't been going for a swim. Virgil could only theorise that John had come over dizzy and lost his balance whilst too close to the pool, causing him to fall in.

"Now as much as I know you want to be near your brother in case he needs you, I think you need to go get something to eat," said Jeff, interrupting his son's thoughts.

Virgil made to protest but stopped when his stomach then grumbled, "Okay but if he wakes be prepared he may get sick again," replied Virgil. He got up and brought a bowl to his father just in case.

"Virgil, I've been doing this long enough to know all the warning signs," replied Jeff with a grin.

"Yeah, Gordon and Alan certainly kept you busy with that one," agreed the younger Tracy before he made his way out of the room and up to the kitchen. Their grandmother was away visiting some friends but Virgil could tell by the delicious smell wafting his way that Kyrano had been busy. Entering the room, he sat down only to find a plate of hot food placed in front of him.

"Thanks, Kyrano," he said and he took a deep breath in.

"You're welcome, Mr. Virgil," came the quiet reply before the man in question disappeared.

Gordon sat beside his pool but from a distance. Usually his feet would be dangling in the cool water but not today. His faith in his sanctuary lost as he realized what it had almost cost him. Suddenly its lustre was gone; the water looked dark and uninviting to him now. He had never imagined in his darkest of dreams that it would be his pool, which robbed him of his brother. Of course, he hadn't actually lost his brother. John was in the sickbay. He wasn't fine but he would be okay and yet Gordon still couldn't touch the water.

He shook his head and stood up, walking to the side of the villa. There was a box on the wall which housed all the controls for the pool including the cover. It was rarely used as Gordon often went for a late night swim if his back bothered him or they'd had a late rescue. His hand hovered over the lever that would cover the pool up.

"Don't let what happened to John, keep you from something you love," said a voice and Gordon turned to see Virgil standing behind him.

"I'm not sure I can stop it," he admitted, dropping his hand from the box.

"Yes, you can Gordon. It was just an accident. From what we can tell, John felt better so went for some fresh air outside as he often does. He probably over exerted himself and was on his way in when he either lost his balance or blacked out. It was just bad luck he was close to the pool when it happened. The most important thing here is that you were here to save him," he stepped closer to his brother, "He is still alive and recovering in the infirmary and that's what really matters."

"I know but I can't get the image of him lying in the water out of my head," he glanced towards the water and then looked away, "Every time I look at it all I see is John face down, not moving."

"I know it's hard but you have to face it head on or else it will eat you alive. After Two was hit by the Sentinel I found it so hard to make that first flight. It's why Scott was so insistent he came with me, he knew I was well enough to fly," explained Virgil.

Gordon's mind went back to that day and he now understood better why Scott had been so adamant he flew with Virgil. It should have been himself but Scott was having none of it. He just put it down to paranoid big brother smothering but now he understood.

"My mind kept racing back to what had happened but it soon receded. You need to get back in the pool, Gords. Swimming is to you what art and music is to me. It's a part of us and we can't live without it. I know that you don't just swim because it keeps you fit or even because it helps with back pain but it's because it keeps you sane. It helps you work through whatever it is you're facing and allows you to vent any frustration you're feeling," added Virgil, hoping he was getting through to his brother.

Gordon nodded knowing that Virgil was right. He needed to swim it was what kept him going. His mind then went back to his own accident. He'd almost lost his life when the hydrofoil had crashed and yet that hadn't stopped him entering the water so what made this so different?

"Because it wasn't you that almost died it was your brother," said Virgil, reading his brothers thoughts.

Gordon should have known Virge would know exactly what he was thinking. He seemed to have this way of just knowing. His brother was right again though it was because it was John there. Himself he could handle but someone he loved that was something else entirely.

"Just remember the water didn't take him from us, he's still here and when he's better I'm sure Scott will want words about going walkabout," said Virgil, wondering if he was getting through to his younger brother. It was rare to see Gordon so broken and yet he could fully understand his brother's feelings.

Gordon nodded at his brother's words and found his eyes drifting back to the pool. This time it didn't look quite so dark and uninviting as it had earlier but was he really ready to get in yet.

Virgil moved away as if he was leaving but then headed towards the sun loungers. "Dad is with John so thought I would grab some fresh air for a bit," he said, sitting down.

Gordon knew that wasn't really why Virgil was staying outside. His brother was offering him the support of being here for him in case he needed it without saying that's what he was doing. Gordon found himself smiling slightly at the thought not that he would ever admit to that of course but he did head back towards the pool. Whipping his t-shirt off him, he paused at the pool side. A few deep breaths and he dived into the cool waters. Before he could force himself to think he swam across to the other side, turned round and came back again. He continued swimming up and down the pool, feeling the tension seep from his body as it always did. Finally, after more lengths then he probably should have done he came to a stop close to where Virgil was sitting. His brother was still sat there acting as if he hadn't been watching but Gordon knew full well he had.

"You can go smother someone else now," he said, grinning at his older brother.

"Me? I'm just sat here enjoying the sunshine," replied Virgil, with an innocent look across his face but a faint grin was building.

Gordon lifted his hands up and flicked water at his brother. It was futile because he knew Virgil was too far away but he did it anyway. Virgil just shook his head, grinning at his younger brother. He was going to be okay now, they both were at least. As for Scott he wasn't so sure but right now he also wasn't sure he could be the one to reach him.

Meanwhile, Scott had joined his father in the infirmary. He was hoping that Virgil was there so he could try and apologise but he was out of luck.

"How's he doing?" he asked, keeping his voice low so he didn't wake his brother.

"He's okay, stirred a few times but not enough to wake up properly. If he can sleep a few more hours than he should feel a lot better," replied Jeff, smiling down at his second eldest son.

"That's good. Where's Virgil?" he asked, surprised the young medic wasn't in here keeping an eye on John.

"He's getting something to eat and no doubt helping Gordon," replied Jeff, knowing full well the artist would be able to get through to him.

"Has Gordon made it in here yet?" asked Scott, realizing for the first time he hadn't seen Gordon down here.

"No, I don't think so. If Virgil is doing as I believe he is then we will see Gordon after he's had a good swim," replied Jeff. Although, Gordon shared his closest bond with Alan, over the years since International Rescue had begun, his bond with Virgil had tightened. Possible due to the many hours spent in Thunderbird Two. Jeff also knew that Gordon was the only person, Virgil trusted to fly Two with any sort of skill. Even Scott had never quite mastered that skill not that his stubborn eldest would admit it of course.

"That's good," said Scott, distractedly. His mind going back to what he had said to Virgil. He was really beginning to regret that he had made Virgil feel like he didn't trust his judgement.

Jeff who could read his sons better then they knew had quickly figured what was going through his son's mind. "What happened with John was just an accident. Nobody is at fault," said Jeff. He was aiming the words at both of his sons in the room, being aware that John was awake.

Scott sunk down onto the seat that Virgil had been sat on earlier, unaware that John was awake and listening. "But, Dad, it could have been prevented," he sighed, then jumped as something touched his arm. He looked down to see a pad of paper being thrust at him. Taking it he saw writing on it.

Listen to Dad.

Scott looked up at John who gestured at the paper and then over at their father. Scott sighed but he did look back over at his father.

"Thank you, John," he said with a slight grin. Even without his voice, John still had the ability to get his point across to them all. "You know that when John is ill he needs rest more than anything else and you also know he has never been able to rest with you breathing over him. Virgil did the right thing in ordering you out so he could rest," continued Jeff.

John touched Scott's hand so his brother would look at him and then nodded his head in agreement to his father's words. He then wrote something on the pad and spun it to face Scott again.

You can't be there all the time. What if a rescue had come up?

"Then I would have gone. You know that but it didn't, John. There was no reason for me to leave," he said, his anger building once more.

John rolled his eyes at his brother and then winced at the pain it caused. Scott really was the stubborn one in this family and his guilt was gonna eat him alive one of these days.

"John and I have given you the reason why, as I'm sure Virgil has too. Scott, I know as the big brother you feel you need to protect them at all times but you just can't. It's not humanly possible. I also have full trust in your brother's judgement. He would not have left John for even a second, if he had any concern that he was seriously ill," said Jeff, moving his chair to sit beside his eldest son.

John had been writing again and when he spun the pad round Scott couldn't help but grin slightly at his words.

He's a smother brother just like you.

Jeff also grinned at the words, "Yes he is and he has the added medical training to make him more aware of everything. He did the right thing and deep down you know that. What happened after that was an accident pure and simple. You know from your own experiences that you can feel better one minute and then can relapse with little to no warning. John would never have left his room unless he felt up to it and the minute he knew he was feeling worse, he made to come in, he just didn't quite make it."

John smiled over at his dad relieved his father had enough faith in him to know he hadn't just gone wandering about when he felt ill. Jeff smiled fondly back at him, gripping his shoulder for a moment. John then yawned again, knowing the pull of sleep was about to win once more. He couldn't wait until he stopped being controlled by this need to sleep.

"Go to sleep, little brother," said Scott.

John just nodded. He then looked back at their father before flicking his head over to Scott again. Jeff knew exactly what he was saying and nodded his own head. John, knowing that his father would sort Scott out, allowed sleep to pull him away once more.