Thank you for all of the reviews! I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond to them since Internet access has been spotty. Without further adieu, here's Chapter 8!

Disclaimer: The Thunderbirds belong to other people. And the line from the 3 Doors Down song "Landing in London" that is quoted belongs to the band and is off their CD "Seventeen Days"

I'll use your light to guide the way.

-3 Doors Down "Landing in London"

Chapter Eight: The Light to Guide the Way

In his coma, Virgil remained lost. It wasn't until he found a light that he found a path. It was a light he was scared of, since he didn't want to follow it to his death. But this light felt comfortable, familiar, and safe. As this light led the way, Virgil felt warmth, love, compassion and concern. But it wasn't an easy path. Roadblocks included self-doubt and pity, and anger. But he didn't make the mistake of trying to destroy those blocks; he just found ways around them. He'd destroy them when he was awake.

As he followed this light, he began to hear things. Voices surrounding him. He was able to listen to these voices and quickly identified them as his family. The voices sounded strained, even the bits of laughter he heard. And then the light exploded before him.

"Virgil!" he heard someone say quite loudly.

It came from Alan, that much he knew. Then his eyes fixed on his brother's face looking down at him.

The light led him back to life, back to his family.

He tried to say something, but found he couldn't and he was confused. He also couldn't move his hands at all, and that really confused him.

"Gordon's getting the doctor," Alan informed him.

Again, speaking wasn't working. That was beginning to frighten him.

"Virgil," he heard, and then next face his eyes fixed on belonged to his father. "You have a tube down your throat to help you breathe, in case you were trying to say something like I think you were."

Then Virgil dared to move his head a bit and realized that hands were holding his own, which is why he couldn't move his hands. Alan had one while Scott had the other. Then Virgil panicked. John was the only one not accounted for. He saw him on the island…

Jeff saw his son beginning to panic and wondered what was wrong. But the doctor and Gordon appeared then.

"If you'll excuse us," the doctor said. "I'd like to take a look at Virgil now."

So everyone filed outside. John had just appeared from the men's room, and wondered why everyone was outside.

"He's awake!" Alan answered excitedly. "He just woke up!"

"Figures," John muttered. "I leave the room for two minutes and he wakes up."

Alan, in the midst of his excitement, flung his arms around John's neck. And John quickly returned the embrace. The two brothers then separated. The doctor opened the door, and peeked outside.

"Mr. Tracy, if you please," the doctor said, motioning for Jeff to enter the room.

Once inside, the doctor said, "Things are looking well. I'm about to remove the tube, and he indicated that he'd like someone here for support."

Jeff nodded. "What can I do?"

"Just hold his hand. Once the tube is out, then you can give him the cup of ice chips. They'll help soothe his throat since it will be quite sore. And please, do limit his talking."

Jeff nodded, then took Virgil's hand and looked at his son. "It's alright now. You do as the good doctor says and we'll be able to get you home soon."

"Now, Virgil, on the count of three I want you to exhale heavily. That will help the tube to come out," the doctor said, and Virgil nodded. "One…two…three…"

Jeff bit his tongue to keep his own pain silent. Virgil was squeezing his hand with such pressure that he thought a bone or two would break. It was soon over, and Jeff handed his son the cup of ice chips.

"How's that?" Jeff asked, and received only a nod in response.

"John?" Virgil finally managed, his voice nothing more than a hoarse whisper.

"John's fine," Jeff replied. "Plenty worried about you though."

"Where?" Virgil asked.

Jeff thought for a moment, then remembered when Virgil woke. That was the panic that was beginning. John wasn't in the room.

"He's outside with your brothers," Jeff answered. "Don't worry, John's fine. By the way, he thanks you for having lousy aim."

Virgil smiled slightly. "Family."

"We're all here," Jeff said. "I'll poke my head out and get your brothers in here."

"Not for too long though," the doctor told Jeff. "He needs a lot of rest still."

Jeff nodded, then released Virgil's hand so he could go to the door. Jeff poked his head out to find his four sons leaning against the wall opposite the door.

"Come on in," Jeff said. "But keep it calm and quiet. And don't expect Virgil to say much either."

The four brothers wore four matching grins, and they followed their father back into Virgil's room. Alan retook his seat while John stood at the foot of the bed. Jeff took the other seat with Scott standing next to him, and Gordon stood near Alan.

"John," Virgil said.

"I'm here, little brother," John replied. "And I will never complain about your horrible aim ever again."

"So sorry," Virgil said.

"Don't," John said. "We'll talk about this later, when you're rested and better. Just know that I don't blame you for what happened."

"And another thing we need to talk about," Gordon said. "The hair. The bleached blond look definitely is not for you."

Virgil only nodded. He was soon asleep, and the doctor asked the others to leave so that he could sleep in peace. The rest of the family went to the hotel they'd been staying at, relieved that Virgil was awake and still with them.