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 Ten: Explanations

It was after dinner when everyone was gathered in the den. John and Alan sat on both sides of Virgil, while Gordon, Scott and Jeff sat across from them. Since he knew that there would be plenty of talking and plenty of emotions, Scott made sure that there was enough water to go around. And Virgil had his pillow in his arms.

"I wasn't sure what to expect when I went back inside," Virgil began. "I just went to the area that the supervisor had told me. I'd gotten to that area, but didn't see anything. Then I heard something behind me and I started to turn. That's it for the cave."

"The doctor said that he found evidence of a blow to the back of your head. He also said it was a couple of weeks old, which would've been about the time of your disappearance," Jeff told him.

"I thought that much. When I woke up, the first thing I realized was the headache I had," Virgil replied.

"Where were you when you woke up?" Scott asked.

Virgil shrugged. "Looked like someone's living room, and an ugly one at that. My head was pounding, and I realized I didn't have my communicator. I tried to move, but found that I couldn't much since I was bound to the floor. And then The Hood came into the room."

Virgil involuntarily shuttered at the memory and didn't immediately continue the story. He just unscrewed the top to a bottle of water and took a few sips. He then just stared at the label to the bottle, but he was really getting his thoughts together. Everyone gave him the time to do so, knowing that this wasn't easy.

It was another minute before Virgil continued. "He began his speech by saying how disappointed you would be in me," Virgil said, looking at his father, "because I was so easily captured. And then he was telling me how you don't love me, and you don't care about me…"

"You know that isn't true," John said as Virgil had trailed off.

Virgil nodded. "I know…it's just that then he went in my head. He was repeating all that. He was saying how you wouldn't come for me. Then I felt a pain in my arm and I suddenly got really tired. I tried fighting him, but I couldn't anymore."

"That son of a bitch," Scott said. "He drugged you."

"I guess so. I blacked out for a little while. Then I woke up…kind of."

"Kind of?" Gordon asked.

"It's hard to explain. I just remember feeling detached, almost like I was watching my own actions from the outside. I remember calling home and talking to John. Or, at least I remember watching it. I tried stopping myself, but for some reason, my brain wasn't responding to what my mind was telling it to do. After the call, I blacked out again. When I somewhat came to again, I was sitting against the tree," Virgil explained.

"No offense," Gordon said. "But that makes no sense to me."

"Actually, I think I understand," Jeff replied. "Although I can't explain it any better."

Then Alan spoke up. "Almost sounds like a kind of out of body experience."

And then Gordon seemed to catch on when he saw Virgil nod in agreement.

"It was the same thing all over again. My body was doing things my mind was telling it not to do. I was screaming at my body to move when you were all being tied up, but my body didn't budge. And when I yelled for my body to stay still, it moved…"

Virgil had been staring at the pillow for that part, and at the end he dared to shift his gaze slightly in John's direction. John saw that and put an arm around Virgil's shoulders, resting his hand on the opposite shoulder from him.

"It's alright," John whispered, squeezing Virgil's shoulder gently. "You already know it's alright."

Virgil nodded, but took a few seconds to calm himself anyway. So after a little more water, Virgil continued. "Well, you know what happened after that. Once The Hood walked off, I passed out again. When I came to again, I was in Thunderbird Two in restraints."

"We had to…" Jeff began.

"Honestly, Dad, I was a little surprised you didn't just leave me there," Virgil said, interrupting his father. "I completely understand why I was restrained. You had to in order to bring me anywhere."

"Of course we weren't going to leave you there!" Alan exclaimed.

John, who still had his arm around Virgil's shoulders, moved his hand just in time for Alan to rest his head against Virgil's shoulder.

"Thanks, Alan," Virgil said, and then continued. "When I came to again, it took me a little while to recognize where I was. Once I did, I remembered what happened. I wasn't really thinking much right then. I just wanted to see John…to see what I'd done. In a way, I wanted to see if I was dreaming all of that or if it really happened. So I changed into the regular clothes I kept on board just in case. And then I went into the hospital. But when I saw all of you in the waiting room…something inside of me just snapped. I turned right around and went back into Thunderbird Two, packed what I could of my things and left you the note. I stayed in the area that night, and snuck into John's room."

Virgil had been looking for signs of something out of the ordinary, but when he got nothing, he wondered. "You knew?" he asked.

"I'd woken up from the anesthesia a little while earlier. And between being moved into the room and the fact that I had an automatic blood pressure cuff on my arm…I wasn't quite asleep when you talked to me and I felt you take my hand. But I was still drowsy enough where my reactions were delayed. You were gone by the time the words got from my brain to my mouth to respond," John told him.

Virgil only smiled a bit at John, but said nothing. It was Gordon who spoke up then. "Come on, Virge! He leaves the door wide open for you and you don't take the opportunity," Gordon said, shaking his head.

"And what opportunity would that be?" Scott asked, sending a knowing smile in John's direction.

"He doesn't need your help," John pointed out to no avail.

"The opportunity to tell him that we've always known that he's a little slow," Gordon answered with a grin.

"I'm staying well out of this," Virgil declared, unconsciously shifting closer to John.

Alan, who had yet to move, also added his own desire to stay out of that contest. And Jeff noted to himself just how content Alan looked as he was leaning against Virgil. After some additional kidding, Virgil continued his story.

"It took a few days, but I settled into a hotel. That's when I knew I had to find The Hood and stop him. So I did a little shopping, and bought a laptop. Now, I know I'm not as good as Alan and John here, but I can still work my around the Internet. It took some doing, but between the Internet and the vague memories I had, I managed to piece together that The Hood was up to something in Australia. So I got there as fast as I could. I also found out that one of the men who'd kidnapped me and one of the henchmen were staying in the same hotel. So I checked into the same hotel that they were staying in and followed them when they went out. They'd gone to this warehouse and I got to listen in on The Hood's plan. I didn't have time to warn you all since they were taking off straight away. So I improvised the best I could. I saw that one of the guys was similar enough to my size and height that we could switch. So I knocked him out and took his clothes. Once I was dressed, I went through their weapon stash and found the tranquilizer gun and made that my weapon."

"You pretty much know the rest. The siege occurred. I tried getting up to the house to help you, but it would've been too suspicious since I was supposed to be watching the beach. But I did manage to sneak off and get up to the house. Then I made my way into the command area. I knew we had to catch The Hood again, that's why I didn't move before then. I also wanted the room to clear out of bad guys too. So when the room did somewhat clear out, I stayed put. I knew that would be my opportunity."

"I wanted to catch The Hood off guard, so when he presented an opening, I grabbed it. I wanted him neutralized first so he couldn't get into my head again. I noticed Scott get one of the guys, and I got another with the gun. But the last one… I don't know. I just saw him raise his gun at Alan. I'm not even sure what happened then. It was me, I know that. It was just instinct or something. I just knew that I had to keep Alan from getting shot."

"And you dove in front of me," Alan said, turning to bury his face in Virgil's shoulder. "You big dope."

Only Virgil and John heard that comment. John suppressed a snicker, although the smile made it through. Virgil wrapped his own arm around Alan's shoulders and held onto his brother for a few moments.

"That's all of it," Virgil concluded.

No one said anything for a few minutes. It was all so much to take in. Virgil stayed close to John while Alan didn't make a move away from Virgil.

"Okay," Jeff finally said. "First of all, I want to make this perfectly clear, Virgil. The events in the forest aren't your fault. The Hood used trickery, deceit, some type of drug, and his formidable powers on you. I know full well that John doesn't blame you at all, and I know he's told you that more than a few times. Now it's time for you to hear that we don't either."

Virgil noticed the suddenness of the reddish tinge to Gordon's cheeks. But he didn't need to ask as Gordon saw that Virgil had noticed. "Ok, so I did for a little while. But then John explained it to me. Then I didn't any more."

"The rest of us knew that something was up," Scott said. "I was reserving judgment until I knew more."

"I never blamed you at all," Alan threw in. "I just wanted you home with us."

"Although I knew that The Hood was involved, I was still angry with you for a little while," Jeff admitted. "But John explained a few things to me as well."

"You're a smart one," Virgil told his older brother.

"Yes, I know," John smiled in reply.

And all he got in return were groans.

"Now, I have one question," John said, seriously, after a few seconds.

"What's that?" Virgil asked.

"I was looking for you partially by going through your credit cards. How did you manage a laptop and a hotel without me seeing it?" John asked.

"I kept an emergency credit card on board Two. I never used it before," Virgil answered.

"I'm guessing it's a card none of us knew about," John said.

"It was a spur of the moment decision a while ago. Once I got it and activated it, I put in my locker on Two. I never thought to mention it to anyone until now."

Since the day was draining enough, everyone called it an early night. Jeff and the brothers went up together, not separating until they reached the bedrooms. After they wished each other a good night, it was time for sleep.