I don't own Thunderbirds; they remain the creation of the genius that is Sylvia and Gerry Anderson.
Though, Nurse Ruth Hiller is entirely of my own making. I don't think she exists, at least I hope not!
I must say thank you to all who have taken the time to review my story. This is my first and your remarks have been encouraging. I have to say I'm enjoying the challenge of descriptive writing; trying to create a picture with words.
To Relic Hunter: No, I haven't had any medical training but my hubby's a Red Cross First Aid Instructor so he has kept me right on a few points. He also likes to watch all those real life medical programmes so I've been able to pick up a few ideas.
Chapter 8
Jeff rose to his feet as Mike entered the lounge, trying to gauge from his expression how the surgery went. The slight smile on Mike's face reassured him that Scott had at least come through the operation but Mike could give him no guarantees about the future. "Our boy did well, Jeff," Mike assured him. "Now it's just a waiting game. Jenna's making him comfortable in the infirmary now."
Four anxious faces hung on his every word. "Can we go down and see him," Virgil asked, an almost pleading tone in his voice. Knowing that they were desperate to see for themselves that their brother was OK, Mike agreed.
"We'll be down shortly," Mike said as he turned to Jeff to discuss further any more problems that were liable to arise.
The infirmary was lit only by the soft glow of the light from above Scott's bed as Virgil and Gordon came through the door, followed by John and Alan. Jenna rose from where she was sitting on his bed to greet them. A puzzled smile spread across her face as she noticed the two new faces. Virgil and Gordon she had met so she guessed these two blond haired young men must be more brothers. "Are there any more of you Tracy's?" she inquired with a quizzical laugh. "You seem to be multiplying."
Looking around his brothers, Virgil laughed, "No, this is all there is."
Alan, as impetuous as ever, was the first to step forward to introduce himself. He also wanted to see if there was any sign of recognition on her part but it didn't appear that there was. "And this is John," Alan offered, not giving John a chance to introduce himself. "We call him Johnny." A wistful smile graced Jenna's face as she nodded a greeting.
"And this is our baby brother," Virgil grinned as he put his arm around Alan's shoulder. Jenna had to smile at the expression on Alan's face, guessing that he did not appreciate being referred to as the baby brother. "Your brother's called Johnny, isn't he?" Virgil asked, still looking at Jenna, remembering the conversation they had on the way down to the infirmary.
"Yeah," she replied. "Now, you'll want to know how Scott's doing," she added, quickly changing the conversation and going over to his bedside. She informed them he had come through the surgery well and that he would be kept on the ventilator for about four days to give his body a chance to rest.
About to explain what all the equipment around him was, John stopped her short. Smiling, he put his arm on Gordon's shoulder. "This one here has already taken us on that roller coaster ride," he said.
Gordon, on seeing the puzzled look on Jenna's face, explained all about his terrible Hydrofoil accident when he was a member of W.A.S.P. How he had been in a coma for quite a while and his long and painful rehabilitation; telling her how the doctors had not given him any hope that he would walk again.
Jenna was amazed and could barely believe that this now sunny natured young man had been in so terrible a condition. "That's remarkable, Gordon," she said. "So I can rely on you to help with Scott's rehabilitation when he's ready," she grinned. "Seeing as you've been there, done that and got the T-Shirt."
"Sure can," he grinned back.
"Now, there's a few things I should tell you," she started to say, looking around at them all. She went on to say that if any of them had coughs, sniffles or any such thing that they wouldn't be allowed in. "….Your brother's very weak and vulnerable right now, open to any infection," she explained. They nodded their agreement. "That will apply to your father as well, of course," she added with a wry smile. The boys grinned at each other. That, they would love to see; their father being told he couldn't see his eldest son because he had a cold!
Jenna cleared her throat. "There is one thing I need you guys to do for me while you're here," she asked.
"Sure, just name it," John answered.
Nodding down to Scott, she said simply, "Lose the boxers!"
The expression on the boys' faces was priceless. Feeling like she was talking a different language, she sighed, smiled and tried again, "He's still wearing his boxers. I need you to remove them, for me." She went on to explain, "I can't keep dressing and undressing him." It wasn't registering as they looked at each other embarrassingly. "I need to wash him every day, they just aren't practical," she smiled wryly, hoping they would understand.
"You mean, he gets a …," Alan started to say, his eyes widening.
"Yes Alan," Jenna said with a light laugh, "he gets a full body wash every day." "Like I said, he's vulnerable and he can't very well do it for himself now, can he?" she said, indicting her sleeping patient. "So, lose the boxers!" she added with a wry smile.
After some coughing and clearing of throats, Virgil and John offered to do the deed. They gently removed the said item while Gordon and Alan were whispering in the background.
"Say fellas, that gives a whole new meaning to a debriefing!" Gordon joked, unable to resist. He was referring to the debriefing session they had after every rescue. A cheeky vision had come to him, whereby whenever their father would call them for a debriefing after a mission they would all whip off their boxers and plant them on their father's desk. Virgil and John just groaned, used to Gordon's bad jokes by now while Alan thought it was hilarious. Perhaps he had had the same vision.
"Very funny, Gordon. I must remember that one," Jenna laughed. She was aware of the term, with her brother having been in the USAF, but she had no idea of the significance it held for these guys. Still smiling and shaking her head at Gordon's bad joke she asked if they would bring down some more of Scott's CDs so she could play them for him. "I'll need his toiletries and his favourite scent, too," she asked firmly. "I want to start stimulating his senses so it'll help if he has his favourite things around him," she told them. "Does he have a favourite brand of coffee?" she went on to say, explaining that coffee has quite a strong aroma when it's being brewed. "And could I have a coffee maker as well, please?" Jenna added.
"You mean like, 'wake up and smell the coffee' Scott," Gordon grinned again.
"Yeah, something like that, Gordon," Jenna replied, laughing gently. She was fast coming to realise that Gordon was the joker of the family. The boys just groaned, even Alan groaned at that one. She knew that this humour was just a way of releasing all the emotional stress that had built up and that a little humour in the right place was a good thing for them.
"Oh and is Scott reading a favourite book at the moment?" Jenna inquired, just thinking of something else she wanted. "I thought I might read to him during the day."
"Yeah he is," Virgil stated. "Well, he hasn't actually started it yet. It's one he sent for and it came the other day. Said he was looking forward to starting it," Virgil continued, a cloud of sadness crossing his face.
Jenna asked Virgil if he would bring it down along with all the other things she had asked for and inquired what it was about. Scott's favourite subject of course, flying, he informed her; an autobiography about an RAF pilot during the Second World War who lost his legs but still managed to keep flying. Scott thought that was one of the gutsiest things he had ever heard; Virgil had gone on to say.
She had heard of the guy, another one of her brother's heroes as well. Jenna smiled approvingly. She was beginning to appreciate that Scott Tracy had good taste; not only in music but in books too. Virgil promised they would bring everything down in the morning after breakfast.
"Why don't you all sit with him for a while, until your father and Mike come down," Jenna offered. "Just don't all go talking to him at once," she suggested. "You'll overload his senses."
Eventually Jeff and Mike came into the infirmary and Jenna went across to greet them. She told Jeff that Scott was comfortable and informed Mike of his latest vitals. She also told Jeff the same thing she had told the boys, about having any potential colds. Jeff nodded his approval. He was glad to see that she would be willing to protect Scott even if it was from his own father, if necessary. The boys got up to allow their father to sit with him. He lifted his son's hand in his and began talking quietly to him.
Virgil and John took that as their cue to leave and started to usher their younger brothers towards the door. Unseen by anyone else, except Jenna, Gordon winked at Alan. Time to put their little plan into operation.
As they headed for the door, Gordon appeared to sway a little unsteadily on his feet, groaning that he didn't feel so good. On seeing what his partner in crime was up to, Alan took that as his cue to join in. Jenna winked at Mike as she went across to the two younger brothers and placing the back of her hand on their foreheads said with mock concern, "You know, Mike, I don't think they look too good. I think I should keep them here for a while." Gordon and Alan tried not to grin. Their little plan seemed to be working. Jenna went on to say, "Though I don't think I could cope with them all myself. I'm going to need a little help."
Mike, on seeing what the two boys were up to now, joined in. "Got anybody in mind, Jen," he asked seriously.
"Actually I do," Jenna answered, trying to keep a poker face. "I was thinking of Ruth Hiller."
It was all Mike could do to keep from laughing out right; instead he grinned at the two boys. Gordon and Alan took this to mean that Ruth Hiller must be as attractive as Jenna.
"So, what's this Nurse Ruth Hiller like then," groaned Gordon, still trying to give the pretence of being unwell.
Still grinning, Mike answered, "Oh Ruth, Ruth Hiller is quite a woman."
Jenna had to turn away to face the window and bite her lip to stop herself from giggling. The gesture hadn't gone unnoticed by Virgil and John who by now were beginning to think that Nurse Ruth Hiller wasn't going to be quite what their younger brothers had hoped.
"Ruth Hiller, " Mike informed them "is at least 190lbs, built like a navvy with a mouth to match." He clapped the two boys on the back, laughing.
Jenna turned round, composing herself now, she added, "and I believe she gives a mean bed bath!"
"Sure does. Do you know I've had patients make a miraculous recovery and even sign themselves out when they know Nurse Ruth Hiller's on the rounds," Mike laughed, winking at Virgil and John who by now were holding their sides, tears rolling down their faces.
"And she would just love to get her hands on you two," Jenna quipped, grinning broadly.
Gordon and Alan's faces were a picture and realizing they had been rumbled, decided to give in. "All right, all right. We're going," they grumbled.
Virgil and John put a sympathetic arm around their brothers' shoulders as they guided them out of the infirmary. "Hey, nice try guys," they said, unable to keep from laughing. Before finally leaving the infirmary, Virgil called back to Mike. "Hey Mike, you wouldn't have that Ruth Hillers' number, would you? She might come in useful from time to time." Laughter could still be heard as they walked up the hallway. Virgil and John just couldn't wait to tell Scott this one when he woke up.
Even Jeff couldn't resist a chuckle. After a while, Mike retired, saying he would be down after breakfast to check on his patient.
Jenna went across to Jeff and putting her hand on his shoulder, gently urged him to go and get some sleep. She couldn't help but feel for this father who had been through a previous terrible ordeal with another son. "You really should try and get some sleep, Mr Tracy. You look as though you've had a long day and he's going to need you to be strong for him," she said gently, looking down at Scott. "And I promise I'll let you know if there's any change," she reassured him.
Jeff nodded and patted her hand. Displays of affection were something Jeff Tracy rarely showed but he couldn't help but warm to this young woman into whose care he had entrusted someone very precious, his eldest son. "Thank you and please call me Jeff," he smiled weakly and left.
After checking his vitals again Jenna lay down on the bed next to Scott, watching as his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm until she finally succumbed to sleep.
