Disclaimer: Still don't own 'em.

So, I decided to post early since I went so long without a post previously. I hope you enjoy :D

I just thought I'd point out that this originally was only going to be about 5 or 6 chapters long. We're now on Chapter 11.

I'd liked to thank you all for reviewing and you kind words of support. I'd especially like to thank those reviewers I can't PM - Whirlgirl and peacelovegreen. Yes, I have been through hell but life is life I guess. Whirlgirl, we'll touch the subject in this chapter about something you asked about.

Going with the family hurt and comfort, I'd like to suggest a good read. If you haven't checked out Kyriebess' story, First on Five, make sure you do. It's a very good read. Plenty of Gordon angst.

Entering A Nightmare

"Alan has slipped into a coma."

Dr. Emerson's words rang through each of their heads like a horrifying bell. Coma. That one word felt like a knife piercing each of the Tracy men's hearts. Somewhere outside their circle of pain, they heard Dr. Emerson continue.

"Alan has received a heavy knock to the head. His brain has swelled significantly. After looking at his CT, there is evidence of a skull fracture. There is no sign of any bone fragments pressing against his brain, which is an excellent sign. I have faith that once the swelling has decreased, and his monoxide level has straightened out at a safe level, Alan will regain consciousness."

The small petite doctor led the somber group toward Alan's room. The family would be allowed to see Alan briefly before they moved him up to ICU. Reaching the door first, she paused and then gently opened it. Meeting each of the men's distraught faces, her heart ached for each of them. "I'll give you some time with him. Speak to him, he can hear you," she said with a reassuring smile.

The room and the movements that filled the small space seemed to move slowly. Every step, every breath seemed to weigh more than it should. Each of Alan's brothers moved slowly into the room, surrounding the bed.

Scott couldn't take his eyes off the pale figure that lay in the bed in front of him. The sight of Alan, usually something that made him happy and content, made him almost physically sick. Many wires and machines gathered in the room and connected to his baby brother's fragile body. All were signs of how seriously injured Alan truly was.

The sights and sounds of the burning school quickly flooded back into his memory. Scott could almost taste the smoke and feel the heat from the flames. The International Rescue operative had seen his fair share of destructive rescue scenes and disasters, but nothing struck closer to home than this one. To view his youngest sibling's school in such a devastating state was one he could never have prepared himself for. He had plenty of nightmares about Alan's safety at the northeastern boarding school, but he had never imagined any of them would've come true. That was what he was living at this very moment - a nightmare.

Pulling up to Alan's bedside, he gently clasped the seventeen-year old's right hand - careful not to touch his burns. Like Jeff, Scott wished he could give all his life force into his baby brother. Scott prayed that just holding Alan's hand was enough to keep the teen with them. It was all he could do right now. He was back at Alan's side and woe to anyone that threatened to harm his sibling.

John found his feet leading him to Alan's left side. It took everything the astronaut had within him to control the emotions that threatened to break loose. John had tried to prepare himself for the scene he would face mentally, but nothing could come close. Hearing the haunting gasps Alan had taken to fight to breathe didn't even scratch the surface. He shuddered at the memory.

Taking the high school senior's left hand that was secured in a sling, John held it gently. His free hand touched the kid's arm as he looked over the many burns that covered it. His heart nearly broke as he followed the wires that trailed from Alan's chest and stopped at the tube that stuck out of his brother's mouth. A hiss could be heard from the ventilator - signifying its significance to Alan's life. It was keeping him alive.

John's stomach churned as the sight of his youngest brother made him quite nauseous. How had Scott and Virgil handled seeing Alan at the scene? The second oldest Tracy found a new sense of respect for his only older brother and the family medic.

Swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat, John gazed at Alan's too pale face. He tried his best to ignore the red tint that lingered around the edges of Alan's forehead as it followed into his hair.

Virgil eyed the monitors that signified Alan's steady heartbeat. Taking a seat on the bed behind John, he put a gentle hand on his older brother's shoulder. Feeling a shudder escape John's body, he squeezed his shoulder gently. The middle Tracy knew it was going to be hard for John and Gordon to see Alan. Having seen Alan at the rescue scene and then fighting for his life aboard Thunderbird 2 had slightly prepared him for this moment - only slightly.

Alan looked so small upon the white sheets. His kid brother looked nothing like the boisterous seventeen-year-old they loved so dearly. Alan's face was still, and his features were sickly. Dark circles resided under his eyes, and a wave of purple stretched across the left side of the teen's face. The head injury made the IR field medic cringe. Virgil hated his vast knowledge of medicine at times.

Carefully and gently, Virgil laid his hand on Alan's leg and squeezed it, letting Alan know he was there. He knew Alan was going to need all the strength he could pull from to get out of this. Alan had to know his family was there for him - even if it was just a reassurance.

Nothing prepared Gordon for the sight that met him as he entered the desolate room that held his brother hostage. There were too many machines that filled the room - crowding his little brother. There were too many wires that connected to Alan's still and fragile frame.

Gordon took in a shaky breath. His body only made it as far as the foot of the bed before he couldn't move any closer. He watched as his older siblings each gathered around Alan - gently touching him to let him know they were there. Reality sunk in as Gordon realized this wasn't a nightmare. It was real. His baby brother was battling for his life.

The room suddenly felt tiny and getting smaller by the second. Gordon felt like he was drowning as his emotions began to come forward. Taking in another shaky breath, he couldn't take it any longer. The second youngest had to get out. Not wasting another second, he rushed from the room.

"GORDON!" Jeff called after him, extremely worried.

The commotion quickly caught the attention of Scott, John, and Virgil. Scott stood from his spot next to Alan. "I got him," the oldest said and rushed after his younger brother.

Jeff took in a long and heavy breath as he ran a hand over his face.

"Gordy will be okay, Dad," John said. He was now standing by his father's side.

"I know," Jeff breathed. "I'm just worried about him. He hasn't said much since you arrived, and he wasn't looking well."

"I think his back is still bothering him," Virgil said next to Alan. "He was quiet the whole ride here. He kept to himself the whole time."

"Do you think something might've happened after we left the accident scene?" Jeff asked, worried. He still felt guilty leaving Gordon alone at the very scene that had started their nightmare.

"I don't think so," John said. "He reported in briefly as he finished cleaning up the scene. Once finished, I talked to him before you arrived back."

Silence filled the room again as their minds filled with concern, not only for Alan but Gordon as well. The two youngest Tracys were going to need all their support if this was going to become a distant memory.

-TB-

Gordon ran from the room, ignoring the cries behind him. He had to get out of that room. He just couldn't take it. His brother looked so helpless. So small. Alan looked nothing like the spirited, fiery, and fun-loving baby brother he knew. So many wires were hooked up to Alan's body. They shouldn't be there. He should be awake and laughing with us, he thought. His mind passed to the ventilator, and he shuddered. Alan wasn't even breathing of his own volition.

Gordon found himself in the bathroom. He kept his head down as he stared into the sink - avoiding the mirror. A few stray tears fell into the white marble sink below. He tried to control his emotions, but he felt like everything was going to let loose. Gordon pulled his hands tightly into a fist. Guilt riddled his body as he realized he hadn't been there to help Alan when the kid had been most vulnerable. That was his job as big brother, right? He only had one little brother to protect, and boy did he screw that up.

Gordon gripped the marble sink tightly. Every emotion he had allowed to suppress threatened to explode as the reality of the situation took hold. Anger ran through his veins as he realized his brother was on the verge of death's door, and he hadn't done anything to stop it. Someone had been careless, and his little brother was paying the price for the lack of carelessness.

The rage that filled the swimmer's body needed to come out, and Gordon took his anger out on the first thing he saw. He punched the small plastic soap dispenser that resided along the wall, screaming out in furry. Swinging around quickly, he began to kick the metal garbage can that stood next to the sink. The container skidded across the floor with a loud crash. He fell to the ground in a heap as his body shook with emotion.

"GORDON!" he vaguely heard someone scream. He didn't pay attention to who called his name as his back screamed at him from his actions.

"Gordon! Are you okay?" Looking up, he saw Scott's concerned gaze.

Scott grabbed his little brother's shoulders, holding him steady. Tears streamed down Gordon's face as his body shook with sobs. Leaning forward, the older Tracy enveloped Gordon in a firm embrace. "It's going to be okay, Gordy. I promise. Alan will make it through this."

"How do you know, Scotty?" Gordon sobbed. "He looked so fragile….so…. broken. How could I let that happen to him?"

Scott paused, shocked at his brother's words. "Whoa! What do you mean, how could you let this happen to him?"

Gordon refused to meet Scott's hard gaze. "We're supposed to protect Alan from harm, Scott. He's my only little brother. I'm supposed to protect him. I sure did a great job."

Scott smirked. Guess I'm not the only one with big brother guilt. "Gordon, don't be ridiculous. This was an accident. There was nothing we could've done. We did everything within our power to help Alan."

"He was supposed to be safe there, Scotty. Wharton was supposed to be the safest place for him. We sent him right into the danger. Now he may never wake up. He….God, Scott. He was so small. He looked dead," Gordon cried.

Scott tightened his hold on his brother. "I know he did, Gordo. It scared me too, but Alan's a fighter. He's stubborn, and I know if someone can pull through something like this - it's Alan. We just gotta have faith in him." Scott paused again, making Gordon look at him. "We just have to let him know we're here. Give him our strength as we did for you. Remember. You knew we were at your side, and so does Alan."

Gordon looked into his older brother's gentle eyes. He could feel his body relaxing as Scott's words began to sink in. His big brother was right. They had to have faith in Alan. They had to believe everything was going to be alright. Taking a deep breath, he wiped his face. "Sorry, Scooter. I don't know what I was thinking. You're right."

Scott laughed softly. "You're exhausted. Hell, we all are. Stress and exhaustion can make your mind go a little crazy."

"Yeah, I guess so," Gordon said.

Scott looked around the bathroom, chuckling. "A little destructive," he said, pointing to the trash that littered the floor and the smashed soap dispenser.

Gordon smirked. "Wow. I didn't even realize what I was doing. Sorry."

Scott stood. "It's okay, kiddo. You had to let it out somehow. Dad won't be happy you resorted to violence, but at least you're not bottling it up anymore. As much as I like a quiet Gordon, you were scaring us, bro. Do you feel better?"

"Yeah, actually I do," the redhead grinned.

"Good. C'mon," Scott said, lending his hand out to help Gordon up.

Gordon gladly accepted the gesture. As he stood, his back immediately protested, "Ah!" he exclaimed and quickly moved a hand to his back and paused any further movement.

"What's wrong?" Scott immediately asked, worried.

It took Gordon a few seconds to respond as he waited for the pain to pass. "Just a sharp pain in my back. It's faded," he said.

Scott eyed him with concern as he slowly straightened out his back. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Gordon said, wincing again. "I think I might've done something, though." He continued to hold his back.

Scott didn't like the sound of that at all. He moved to stand next to his brother and put a supporting arm around the middle of his back. "Lean against me. Let's walk you back to the room and see how you are. If you need to stop, let me know."

"Okay," Gordon replied, a grimace was visible upon his face as they walked out of the bathroom.

The walk from the bathroom to the room wasn't far, but for Gordon, it was a painful one. Yep, I've definitely done something to my back, he thought as they entered the room.

"Gordon!" Jeff's voice swiftly exclaimed.

Virgil was instantly by his brother's side. He helped Scott settle Gordon into a chair. "Is it your back?" he asked his brother.

"Yeah," was the strained response Gordon gave.

"What happened to cause this?" Jeff asked.

Gordon grimaced at his father's question. "Um…."

"He let loose his emotions on something," Scott said.

"Something?" John asked curiously next to Alan.

"Gordon?" Jeff asked, eyeing him.

Gordon refused to meet his father's gaze.

"Gordon, what did you do?" Virgil asked this time.

"Do you think the hospital will mind getting a new soap dispenser and a new trash can in the bathroom?" the redhead asked sheepishly.

"Gordon!" Jeff admonished immediately. "You know I don't like violence."

"I know," Gordon said, hanging his head. "I didn't mean to. It just kinda happened."

Jeff sighed but understood. "At least you're talking to us now."

"That's what I told him," Scott said.

"Yeah, yeah. I think the pain is tolerable now," Gordon said and moved to stand carefully. He wanted to sit by Alan.

The family was glad that it seemed their Gordon was back. Deciding not to press their luck, Scott helped guide Gordon over to the bed. Virgil eyed his brother with a worried glare.

"You're gonna burn a hole in me Virg if you stare that hard," Gordon said, as they neared the bed.

Virgil couldn't resist a chuckle. "Well, if you'd listen to doctor's orders and rest, then maybe you'd be okay. Instead, you take things out on a defenseless object."

Gordon sat on the bed and rolled his eyes. "I think Virgil's got a thing for inanimate objects, Al."

A soft knock echoed on the door. Everyone turned to see Dr. Emerson. The doctor smiled as she entered the room. "We need to move Alan upstairs now. His new room will be ICU number five."

"How long will it take to get him situated?" Jeff asked.

"Not very long at all. Maybe fifteen minutes," the brunette replied. "John, Gordon. If you'd like, I can direct you to where the laboratory is so you can donate while you wait. The rest of you can sit with them if you'd like or follow me upstairs. I do need you to sign a few forms, though, Mr. Tracy."

"Scott, Virgil. Why don't you go with your brothers, and I'll stay and sign these forms. We can meet back up in Alan's room," Jeff said.

"Sure, Dad," Scott answered. Inwardly Scott knew their father wanted them to be there to give John extra support. The space-loving blonde hated needles. Scott was surprised John had jumped so quickly at donating blood - clearly not even thinking about the procedure.

If Scott looked at John, he would see the uneasiness that filled the second oldest. He had been willing to do anything to help Alan without thinking about what that would entail. Needles were his arch-nemesis. Looking down at Alan, John knew the torment was worth it, though.

Standing, Gordon turned so they could leave the room. As he turned, his back screamed in protest as he had moved in the wrong way. The copper top cried out in pain and gripped the bed to steady himself. His family and Dr. Emerson were by his side in an instant.

"Gordy, just take a deep breath," Virgil coaxed.

"What's wrong?" Dr. Emerson immediately asked. She didn't like the amount of pain the twenty-one year old was showing.

"He hurt his back severely a few years ago in a hydrofoil accident. The doctors didn't think he'd ever walk again, but he proved them wrong. It's healed well over the years, but it still gives him a bit of trouble," Jeff explained.

"Does an episode with this much pain always occur?" the petite doctor asked as they guided Gordon into a chair.

"No," Gordon managed.

"Did you recently injure your back at all?" she asked, eyeing her patient's brother.

The family looked at one another briefly. "He fell during a hike yesterday on our Island," Virgil lied.

Dr. Emerson grimaced at the thought of jarring an old injury. "Where does your back hurt most?"

Gordon closed his eyes as he felt the pain decreasing some. "My lower back, but more to the right."

Dr. Emerson shook her head. "I'm going to press around parts of your back gently. Let me know where it hurts more, okay?"

Gordon shook his head, understanding. He sat up as best he could as he felt the young doctor pressing his back - anxiously waiting for her to hit the wrong spot. His anticipation didn't last long, as Dr. Emerson moved to the location he had described. Gordon pulled away instantly and hissed at the contact.

"Sorry," the brunette said. "It looks like you pulled a muscle. More precisely, your lumbar muscle. "

"Is he going to be okay?" Jeff inquired.

"Yes," the doctor stated, looking at Gordon. "With rest and an anti-inflammatory, I'd say you'll be back to normal within a few days or so." She paused as she eyed the redhead. "Now, I know how families of my patients can be. I want you to follow those orders. Get some rest. You won't be doing your brother any favors collapsing because you're in so much pain."

"Don't worry, we'll make sure he follows them to a tee," Virgil smirked.

Gordon didn't like the look in his older brother's eyes. He glared back at him.

Dr. Emerson chuckled at the family's interaction. "I'll find you a wheelchair, Gordon. I don't want you exerting yourself too much. I suggest we get you down to the laboratory, and then you get some rest," she said, lastly looking at Jeff.

"I agree," the older man replied. "I've already made arrangements at a local hotel, boys. I want you all to get some rest." Each of his sons looked at Jeff with protest. "We'll talk more once Alan is settled."

Taking that as her cue to leave, Dr. Emerson headed toward the door. "I'll be right back with your wheelchair, Gordon," she said and left the room.

Gordon sighed, clearly not happy. "I hate wheelchairs."

"Aw, c'mon Gordo. It won't be that bad. It'll give you an excuse to be lazy," Scott smiled, ruffling the copper hair upon his little brother's head.

Gordon rolled his eyes but smirked. "Well, if you put it that way, there might be some benefits to it."

TBC…

Well, it appears we have our Gordon back - kinda. So I hurt him too? No biggie right? Okay, maybe I need to go back into hiding…..

So did you like this chapter? Tell me what you thought PLEASE! I hope two chapters within four days makes ya happy :]