Thunderbirds and The Tracy Family are the creation of Sylvia and Gerry Anderson

Black Phantom2: First off, nice to hear another new name and you're right on the observation of the Arterial Line. I stand corrected and should have researched it much more thoroughly, though you have no idea how hard that stuff is to come by, so much medical jargon to trawl through, so in my desire to keep this little story of mine as real as possible I will amend the previous chapter to read Subclavian Venous Line. I hold my hands up and admit to getting that little bit not quite right, though I promise you all the other information regarding artificial feeding methods, wound management and so on is accurate. And please everybody, don't be too hard on my medical advisor, FellowRiverrat, for that one boo boo, for that is one very busy and quite often tired lady and if we all did the work she does I'd say we'd all be making quite a few mistakes.

Simanis: Yes, Scott's past is being told by Virgil in the present to Jenna and the boys, though as previously mentioned there would be details that Virgil would not be aware of, such as what went on aboard the USS Liberty, the helo scenes with Lt Jack Flannigan and crew and what went on with Jeff in General Ryder's office. All those things, I as the author, have told you to give you the complete picture. What is their reaction? We'll just have to be a little more patient but we are heading back there real soon. Just wanted to show the depth of memories that one careless remark had sparked off.

Author's Note: Just to give fair warning; this chapter contains some sexual content.

Chapter 82

"What have you got there, Cass?" Sarah Conley asked curiously.

He just smiled. "There is nothing here that will harm him, Ma'am….or interfere with his treatment…I promise," Cass assured her.

"I know there isn't, Cass…" she replied with a smile. She knew and accepted his beliefs in the ways of his people and she had never had any cause for complaint, always carrying out his assigned duties with care and dedication, though sometimes she wondered if his ways weren't just as successful when conventional medicine could do no more and most found his extra holistic touch comforting. "And besides…I think our young Lieutenant could do with all the help he can get right now," she added with a sad smile, as she brushed her fingers through his damp hair.

"Would you mind if I watched for a while, Cass?" Sarah asked courteously and since they were now officially off duty anyway this time was their own, though they continued to give him what care they could. Cass told her it would be okay and he would explain to her what he could but he could not tell her what he was praying as that would be personal for Chey'nah. She nodded her understanding, sponging Scott down while Cass made his preparations.

Scott was unable to find any comfort, feeling like his whole body was on fire, as he continued to toss and turn in his dream-like state. His eyes were open, though heavy with pain and vaguely aware he wasn't alone. When he asked for water it was never denied, since he was losing so much in sweat he needed all the fluids he could get.

Cass laid the deerskin bag on the table and took out, first of all, a circular-looking object, decorated with beautiful beads and feathers. Within the framework was fine webbing surrounding an inner open circle. "This is a dream-catcher. My people believe it has the power to trap the bad dreams in the web and allow only good dreams to pass through the center to the dreamer," he explained as simply as he could.

"Our young Lieutenant could do with that, Cass. I would think he's had far too many bad dreams lately," Sarah mused with sadness, to which Cass could only agree.

He hung it over the middle of the headboard of Scott's hospital bed and next took out a leather thong on which hung what looked like an animal tooth and a precious stone. Sarah watched quietly as Cass passed it over Scott's forehead and down his body, though without touching him, while he softly chanted something she didn't understand; he then hung it over the pillow beside Scott's head.

"It is a wolf's tooth, Ma'am….to encourage the strength of the wolf within him…so that he will fight to survive," he continued to explain. It wasn't normal practice to divulge the animal that one was associated with but Captain Conley had come in on the previous conversation to hear Cass encourage him and had heard him mention the wolf, though it was something she would keep to herself.

"And the stone, Cass….what's that? It's really beautiful," she asked, captivated by its beauty as she fingered the unpolished gem. It was the most beautiful, vibrant shades of burnt orange, like that of dancing firelight so it shouldn't be a surprise to hear it was a Mexican Fire Opal.

"That is Chey'nah's stone and it represents the energy that is the fire….the energy that is his soul. It represents the fire of his passion…the fire of his mating….and encourages stamina…..this energy is strong and burns in him," he replied with a wry smile, which only served to make Sarah redden a little with embarrassment and made her wish she hadn't asked.

He next took out another circular object that had four spokes radiating from a central point decorated with beads and which was bound by colored thread of four distinct colors, dividing it into four sections. Cass explained that it was a Medicine Wheel or sometimes referred to as The Sacred Hoop and though called a Medicine Wheel it had no medicinal qualities whatsoever but rather referred to life's journey and to the balance and harmony that is life. It was circular because the circle represents the circle of life, with many things in nature being a circle, like the sun, the moon and the earth itself. Even the birds build a circular nest he told her and was the reason the Native American tepee was circular in shape and the camp was always set out in a circle; it represented all things.

The four spokes represented the four cardinal points of the earth and four virtues that were held important for life, the virtues being integrity, bravery, fortitude and generosity with the number four itself being sacred. They radiated out from a central point, which signified the Great Spirit; that from the Great Spirit life and everything comes and radiates. It wasn't just a randomly colorful object either, each of the four cardinal points was represented by a color that had significance and though some tribes had different colors the meanings were more or less the same. The East section was bound by yellow thread, representing the rising sun and signified birth and knowledge. Then moving South, it was bound by red thread and represented the growing time. The West was bound by threads of black, for the reflection that comes with mature years and finally, North, bound by white threads, representing purity and honoring the wisdom that comes with old age.

Cass, again, chanted soft prayers as he passed it over Scott's fevered body before laying it beside him. Sarah had to admit she was fascinated by it all and wondered what he was going to bring out of the slim case that looked as though it was made of rigid deer-hide. Inside lay a beautiful black tipped eagle feather and she couldn't help but think it looked like something very special.

"That's very beautiful, Cass," Sarah commented, as she continued in her dutiful care.

He smiled as he once more admired it himself. "Yes….this has been in my family for many generations…it was given to me by my father and by his father before him….and by his father before him and so on," Cass told her, as he took it from its protective case. "And now it will belong to Chey'nah…..when the medicine is done, of course," he added with a smile.

Sarah looked at him in mild astonishment. "Cass…..that's very generous of you….but I'm sure Chey….Lt Tracy wouldn't expect you to give him such a priceless heirloom," she replied, almost forgetting herself with hearing Cass call him that so often and wondering had he really thought about this. "Wouldn't you want to pass it on to your own sons….keep it in your family."

He just smiled kindly. "You do not understand, Ma'am. This feather was always meant to be owned by a warrior brave….and in case you hadn't noticed we haven't made war on you white men for many moons now," Cass explained, then gave her a wry grin as he joked.

Sarah Conley gave him a broad smile. "No….I suppose you haven't at that….but it's still a very generous thing to do, Cass," she returned and giving him her opinion.

"I have other eagle feathers that I will pass on to my sons….but the black tipped is prized and it is an honor to give it to a true brave…my sons understand this……and it is my right to give it to whoever I chose. Chey'nah will be a worthy guardian….and I will always know where it is," Cass added proudly. "But I will keep it for him until he is well. With more chanting prayers Cass passed the feather over Scott's body and laid it beside him.

As he went to reach into the bag again Sarah began to wonder just how many more things he had in that seemingly bottomless bag. He took out three pots, one being the herbal ointment he had used on Scott's side before and the other two containing a red and a blue chalky powder. Sitting on the side of his bed Cass gently dried his chest with a towel then dipped a finger into the red powder and drew a circle lightly on Scott's chest, explaining as he did so that the circle was the circle of life and the red color represented the earth and all that grew from it, also that it would invoke the energy of strong willpower.

Immediately, though, on feeling a circular motion on his chest Scott became very agitated and automatically tried to move to protect his left side. "No…no…won't…tell…you…any…thing," he cried in obvious distress.

It was then Cass realised that Major Bauer must have tormented him first with his stick before prodding it into his side. Cass made Scott look at him. "Chey'nah…..Chey'nah…..I'm sorry. It's only me…Cass. I didn't mean to make you distressed. I only want to help you. You will let me help you, Chey'nah….won't you?" he apologised. "I have more ointment for you…..there is nothing to fear."

"He…help…me!" Scott gasped out slowly, staring at Cass as though trying to understand what was being said to him and just who Cass was.

Cass smiled at him, holding his attention by his soft chanting, as he dipped a finger into the blue powder and drew another light circle, inside the red one, on Scott's chest. The blue is for the emotions, to encourage them to flow freely, Cass continued to explain and then while he had Scott's attention he gently applied some of the soothing balm, first to his right shoulder then to his bruised left side.

Scott groaned with the pain of anybody touching his left side, no matter how gently and for that Cass apologised but as with before it helped a little.

Now Cass was almost ready to begin, having just completed his preparations. The last things to emerge from the bag and laid on the table were small bunches of herbs and plants and Sarah was sure that they, too, must have certain significance. She was quite unprepared, however, for what he was about to do next.

Her attention was drawn back to her task of sponging Scott's forehead with the lukewarm water in an effort to help cool him and lower his temperature. When she looked back to him to see what he was doing now she was rendered speechless for a moment for Cass was in the process of stripping off his tunic top, leaving him bare to the waist. Perhaps she wasn't aware that she was staring or that her eyes were wide like dinner plates but then she wasn't used to seeing her nursing Lieutenant in this state of undress, since it wasn't the normal way he carried out his duties.

She had to admit, though, he was very easy on the eyes, having a very good body, a very good honed and toned Native American body, bronzed from the sun, his chest smooth and hairless, along with muscular arms. "Oh for goodness sake, Sarah….he's a married man…what are you thinking!" she chided herself, well, on second thoughts! She wasn't married herself, yet but she was enjoying an ongoing relationship with a very nice guy who she felt was on the verge of popping the question and to whom she would definitely say yes but, in the meantime, where was the harm in a little window shopping, she thought cheekily.

She also found herself momentarily musing over a question she had overheard some of the younger nurses debating, in the subject of chests, hairy verses smooth; the nature of the argument being that a hairy chest means more virility. This, of course, was from a purely professional point of view for here she was, with two very different male specimens. The young Lieutenant, while almost ten years her junior, was most certainly handsome with his dark hair, that same dark hair covering his bronzed, well-developed chest and arms and, perhaps, it had been that idea that had been in her mind when Cass had told her of the fiery nature of his stone and made her blush. But now there was Cass. He was more her own age, bronzed, smooth and muscular and could definitely turn heads of his own. She came to the conclusion that, maybe after all, it was just a matter of preferential choice. And what was her preferred choice? Well, she was keeping that to herself.

With a slight shake Sarah brought herself back to reality. "Eh…wh…what are you doing, Cass?" was the obvious question that just had to be asked, since she couldn't see any reason whatsoever to have to remove clothes.

He smiled at her obvious embarrassment while drawing the same circles in the same colors on his own chest that he had drawn on Scott's. "I must be at one with Chey'nah when I send him on his Vision Quest, Ma'am," Cass started to explain.

"Vision Quest!" Sarah queried. There were so many things she was finding out that she hadn't known before.

"Yes….all the young men of my tribe seek a vision….for their direction in life….or if they face difficulty and need an answer. It has always been so. Chey'nah needs to find what will bring him peace…..and I must be at one with him so I can help him to understand his vision," he continued to explain simply. "All those who seek the vision have a mentor who guides them through their journey and helps them to understand what they have seen. And normally we purify ourselves first by sitting in the Sweat Lodge. It is a place for only the young men and their mentors……"

Cass went on to explain that the Sweat Lodge was a dome-shaped construction that could accommodate maybe a dozen people. There they would sit in a circle around a fire pit and a Leader would chant prayers, the Fire Keeper would then bring in hot lava stones, place them in the fire pit where water would be poured on them creating steam, which in turn would cause everybody to sweat out the impurities in the body. This was all done with chanting and singing, preparing those seeking the Vision by purifying them for their journey.

He also went on to tell her that in this age of spiritual awareness more and more Westerners were seeking the Vision Quest and special ceremonies were held for them, though men were always separated from the women. It was necessary, though to enter the Sweat Lodge naked, except for a loincloth, for as well as the practical application there was also the spiritual significance of being at one with nature and the Great Spirit.

"Really!" Sarah exclaimed, giving a little cough and trying not to sound embarrassed, as she tried to quell that mental image.

Cass shook his head, giving her a wry grin. "You do not need to worry, Ma'am. I think the Great Spirit will understand and forgive us in these special circumstances if I do not remove all my clothes."

"Thank goodness for that," Sarah thought to herself, while mentally fanning her flushed face, for she knew how important Cass's traditions were to him.

"And since Chey'nah already sweats with the fever it is a good time for him to take his journey," he added, as he looked down on his young patient tossing and turning uncomfortably.

Lifting the first bundle of herbs and plants Cass told her what each was and the effect it was to induce. He also told her that ideally the plants would be dried then burnt and the wafting smoke used to purify the vision seeker but, again, these were special circumstances and since Scott was finding it difficult enough to breathe he did not want the smoke, no matter how aromatic and pleasing, to become an irritant.

"I am sure the Great Spirit will find this offering equally acceptable," he smiled confidently.

The first bundle was White Sage and Cedar, the White Sage being used to drive out the negative energies and the Cedar to purify negative emotions, which was definitely something Scott needed right now. The next herb was Sweetgrass, the most sacred of all the herbs and was used to bring positive energy. After that Lavender was used, to restore balance and peace and draw loving energy to the vision seeker; then Juniper, to create a safe space.

Cass first crushed the plants between his fingers to release a pleasing aroma and then, with his soft chanting prayers he passed them, bundle by bundle, over Scott's head and down his body, without actually touching him. Perhaps it was the aroma that caught Scott's attention or the soothing chants but he watched Cass through his increasingly hazy, dream-like state, desperately trying to hold on to his awareness. After each set of prayers Cass placed the bundles on the four corners of Scott's bed, representing the four cardinal points of the earth.

There was one more small bundle left on the table and Sarah wondered if he'd forgotten about it but she needn't have worried; Cass knew exactly what he was doing. He explained as he picked it up, that this was Mugwort and used to stimulate prophetic dreams. This time Cass stroked it gently across Scott's forehead while chanting more prayers.

"Wh…what…are…you…doing?" Scott asked, bewildered by all that was going on now.

Cass smiled down on him. "Do not worry, Chey'nah…..this is good medicine for you. I am sending you on your Vision Quest….a journey to find your peace," Cass assured him with gentle kindness.

Scott wasn't sure he understood but he did so long for peace; a respite from the pain and from his troubled thoughts. "Pe…ace!" he repeated, as though the word were alien to him; nobody could bring him peace.

Cass could see the doubt and bewilderment etched in the young man's face. "You have nothing to fear, Chey'nah….just let it go….let yourself go now. Go….and find your peace, Chey'nah," he said softly, encouraging him to no longer fight his thoughts. He continued now to stroke the plant over Scott's forehead to the rhythmic chanting of his prayers.

Soon he was drifting and everything started to fade, though it wasn't like falling into unconsciousness where the blackness took him; he wasn't quite sure what it was. It felt more like he was being carried away into a higher place, a place outside of his pain, for he no longer felt it or the burning of his fever. He could feel in his body, more than hear, the deep rhythmic pounding of a drum and in the distance soft, melodic chanting. Unable to fight the sensation or his questioning troubled thoughts any longer Scott finally gave in.

He was running, wild and free, feeling the wind in his face as he raced through the forest. The sunlight dappled through the tall trees and the air was fresh and clean, the smell of the forest strong in his nostrils. His heart pounded in his chest as he ran, all his senses stimulated, making him feel exhilarated; it felt good to be alive. Running to the crest of a hill, clear of the trees, he stopped and surveyed all before him; he was in his domain, the wilderness was his. He was strong; he was powerful. He was wolf. He was Alpha male.

Throwing back his head he let out a long and soulful howl, haunting in its sound as it reverberated around the wilderness. Within a few moments his call was answered as the pack acknowledged him. He was happy and contented, feeling the strength that comes from the bonding of the pack. He was not alone. The image was strong, more powerful than a dream, like nothing he'd ever experienced before. Then it changed, changed to something he was becoming more familiar with.

He was still wolf but now it seemed he had many wounds, he was in pain and growing weak. Seeking the shelter of a nearby cave he crawled inside. The cave offered him safety and warmth and at the back was a bed of soft moss where he gratefully lay down. He tried to lick his wounds but there were too many and he was growing weaker; little by little he felt he was dying inside. The pack came to him, wanting to help him but he snarled and snapped, baring his teeth, pushing everyone away that came to him and soon, he was alone. He let out an anguished, mournful howl, echoing the loneliness he felt, tearing at the hearts of everyone who heard him.

The image troubled Scott, showing on his face as a pained expression and he tossed and turned in an effort to make it go away but the image was too powerful, too real and all he could do was go along with the experience. Then he saw her. The most beautiful creature he'd ever seen had entered his cave. Her coat was of the softest shades of grey, her almond-shaped eyes, piercing and enticing. Part of him wanted her, desired her for his mate but she was a stranger and he was wary; he didn't get to be Alpha male by not being wary. He snapped and snarled, baring his teeth, growling a warning from deep in his throat when she went to approach him but she remained patient and stubborn and would not leave his cave. She paced back and forth, watching him intently, coming a little closer each time but he continued to growl and snarl, keeping her at bay.

Something about her excited him, though. Perhaps it was the fact she would not be put off, the fact she had a will as strong as his own. Gradually now she approached him as he lay on his mossy bed, crawling in a submissive position and averting her eyes in a non-threatening way, letting him know she was not challenging him. Even in his weakened condition he found the gesture highly arousing for what she was doing was acknowledging his dominance as Alpha male; her body language telling him she was willing, that she found him highly desirable, even as he was.

Her patience and her gestures eventually wore him down and he allowed her to enter his space. The first thing she did was to rub her face against his, putting her scent on him and taking his scent on herself so they would no longer be strangers, in effect, she was basically saying 'Hi'. She went on to lick his wounds and he let her and the more she licked his wounds the more they healed and the more he felt himself becoming stronger. His primal urge to mate with her also became stronger, very strong, as was the vision; both now nuzzling each other's faces, playfully touching and grooming each other in the bonding of courtship. His deep and throaty growls were that now of pleasure and Scott felt his breathing quicken as the sensations grew and became more real, echoed by his own deep, pleasurable groans. This vision was just starting to get interesting, very interesting indeed.

The scene faded to be instantly replaced by another, more powerful in its intensity. He was still in the cave, though now a fire burned brightly in the corner within a circle of stones, making it warm and inviting. The vibrant yellow and orangey flames of firelight danced on the cave walls and along with the crackling of the fire it all served to heighten his senses, causing a primal fire of want and need to burn within him. The bed of moss had become a raised bed covered with the softest wolf fur pelts in shades of smoky grey and on it he lay, though now he was no longer wolf, he was man; he was fully man and he was fully naked.

He was older than he was now. He didn't know why he felt that, it was just an impression; he was older, more mature and definitely more worldly-wise. The vision was getting stronger, much stronger. The next scene took his breath away, literally; his body exploding with the riding waves of ecstasy that were overwhelming him. She was woman, fully woman and fully naked and he was making love to her on his bed of furs, strong and powerful love, passionate and deeply sensual love. Scott groaned the deep, throaty groans of inextricable pleasure for the vision was impossible to separate from the reality of his intense feelings, impossible to disentangle himself from and, nor did he want to.

It was at this moment that Captain Sarah Conley decided that, perhaps, it might be best to go and catch up on some more sleep, feeling that, somehow, she was intruding on something very personal, having recognised that he was not groaning from his pain, well, not the pain of his wounds or any physical discomfort anyway. She tried to maintain her professional decorum as she excused herself but she was sure Cass was aware of her embarrassment but then she only had herself to blame, for she did ask if she could stay and watch.

Cass assured her their young patient was in no danger and he would make sure his nursing duties were not neglected even though he was officially off duty and he assured her he would call her should there be any complications otherwise she told him she would be back for them to change his dressing. And with that she left the young man to wherever he was and, in truth, she couldn't help but smile for the young man deserved whatever pleasure he was obviously experiencing amid his pain.

Nothing surprised Cass, though, on these vision quests for he had no control over what the seeker would find, as it was personal to each one; his only role was to facilitate the journey and to interpret what the seeker had seen.

The sensations were incredible, like no other dream he had ever experienced. He felt everything. So real was she he could smell her scent, it lingered in his nostrils with every breath he took; he could feel the soft silkiness of her hair as his fingers ran through it, gripping her tighter as his lovemaking took hold. So real was she he could feel her soft breath in his ear, hear her softly moaning his name, arousing him beyond belief and driving him crazy.So real was she he could feel her soft, warm sensuous body under his as his driving rhythm took him ever closer to his ultimate high. The flickering flames danced in his eyes bringing them alive with want and need. Her response to him caused his lovemaking to become hot and torrid; he was unstoppable, feeling himself racing wildly out of control until his body exploded with the final sensation of his release. He cried out as it swept over him and engulfed him completely.

He had never known anything like it before, not even in reality. It wasn't that his youthful lovemaking was not satisfactory for he had never had any complaints but it was just never had his lovemaking been so sensual, so erotic; so total. Perhaps it was because in his vision he was older, it was the experience of maturity and perhaps because it was in his vision he was totally and deeply in love with her that had caused all his senses to be heightened. Of course, never in his youthful twenty four years had he ever really been truly in love, the most he had known were the usual acts of mutual self-gratification with his partners, where they got what they wanted and he got what he wanted but this was different; this was deeper, a total and complete experience that involved every fibre of his being.

Feeling fulfilled and satisfied now he lay in her arms, with no thoughts of wanting to rush away, no thoughts of wanting to leave now that he'd gotten what he wanted and the feeling was mutual. She held him in a sweet embrace, softly stroking his back and his hair. He was lost in a place of peace and utter contentment but more than that, he felt loved, totally and completely.

He didn't want to leave, ever; he didn't want the scene to change and who could blame him for they were the first good feelings he had experienced in a long time so it was understandable, when the image faded, that Scott became somewhat agitated. He didn't want to lose her even though he didn't really know what she looked like or even know her name for, as is the way with visions and dreams, he just had the very vivid impression of her being beautiful and that they belonged together, their bodies, minds and souls being in perfect harmony.

But the scene did change and he couldn't stop it. Now he was outside his cave, pacing up and down. He was strong, he was powerful; he was once more wolf. Before him burned a circle of fire, the flames taller than a man and the circle large enough for a man to enter. The flames beckoned him in but he stubbornly refused, continuing to pace up and down, and gradually, the flames began to die down a little and the more he refused to enter the more they died down until, eventually, they disappeared beneath the earth. But every so often they would reappear and again they would die away when he refused to enter. He threw back his head and his howl resonated through the stillness of the forest and within moments the pack answered his call, though, while this time, he once more felt very much a part of the pack he also felt curiously lonely; the peace and contentment he had known in the previous scene eluding him.

The scene changed for the last time. He was still wolf and he was still pacing up and down outside the circle of fire and then he saw her; his beautiful she-wolf, his Alpha female. His heart leapt within him and the loneliness left him. She first nuzzled him, rubbing her face against his in greeting but before he could get too familiar she turned and walked towards the fire, entering it without fear as he watched helplessly. Sitting down in the circle she begged him to come to her.

He again felt the battle rage within himself; his stubborn refusal to enter the fire against his longing and yearning to be with her. The pull on his heart and soul was great but when he attempted to go near the fire it seemed to burn brighter, fiercer and then the image faded. Again Scott became agitated, wanting to know what happened; did he enter the fire to be with her or did he not? But try as he might the vision wouldn't let him see, it kept fading at the same point, as though taunting him with the unanswered question.

Throughout his fever, which lasted four days, which in itself was uncannily apt given that four is the sacred number, Scott continued to have his vision and it continued to remain as strong and powerful. Some of it troubled and perplexed him, since he didn't know what it meant, some of it he could have done without, like the pain and the inner battle. There was only one scene where he was completely relaxed and at peace, fulfilled and happy and for that he needed no interpretation, being just content to enjoy the experience.

Cass was as good as his word too, in his duty of care and such was his sensitivity to the young man's obvious physical involvement in his vision that he had bathed and cleansed him and changed his sheets before Captain Conley came back to help change his dressing. Every time, though, Scott was bathed Cass redrew the circles on his chest until such time as the fever subsided.

This time when his dressing was changed Sarah took out all the sutures to allow the wound to drain more freely, packing the now open wound with silver compound impregnated gauze before covering it lightly with the dressing.

Something else that had to be done was having to tell Jefferson Tracy that his son had suffered yet another setback and he had found that as equally hard to take. After the fraught and tense meeting with General Steve Ryder Jeff put through a vid-link to his son from their Washington hotel suite that evening, desperate to see for himself just how bad his son was and unable to wait until they got home.

Captain Conley explained to them his condition and what they had done for him, including the extra line that had to be put into his chest before she would allow them to see him. She turned the screen to face Scott and seeing him burn up with a raging fever a father and brother's heart were further broken. Noticing his wrists strapped down they had wanted to know if that was necessary and, sadly, Sarah had to tell them it was as he had been trying to pull out his line. They couldn't also fail to notice the things on his bed and guessed they weren't exactly part of his conventional medical treatment or, indeed, the circles drawn on his chest and that Cass also appeared to be adorned the same way.

"What's going on there, Cass?" Virgil asked curiously.

Cass informed them he was just giving Scott a little helping hand with some medicine of his own and assured them it would do him no harm. Jeff nodded understandingly and thanked him for the time and care he was giving.

Virgil winced a smile. "I hate to have to tell you this, Cass but Scott isn't exactly the spiritual type. I mean, he hasn't been inside a church since, well I guess since Grandma took us when we were kids. He's more your practical, down-to-earth, don't-need-no-outside-help kinda guy, if you know what I mean," he said, apologising for his brother's lack of spiritual awareness and Jeff couldn't help but smile at Virgil's accurate description of his eldest son.

Cass smiled with patient understanding. "The Great Spirit does not dwell in buildings made by man, Virgil, he is everywhere and in all things. And there is no need to apologise for your brother…..we all have a measure of the spiritual within us…..some are just not aware of it yet," he replied, almost as though he knew something they didn't.

"Can we talk to him, Cass?" Jeff asked, unsure this time whether his son would hear them or not.

"Your son will not respond, Mr Tracy. Apart from his fever he is in his vision….he is in another place…outside of his pain….he will not hear you," Cass explained, preparing them so they wouldn't be disappointed or worried.

Virgil frowned in puzzlement. "You mean…he's not feeling any of his pain…or the fever!" he queried, finding that somewhat hard to believe, judging from what his brother had managed to tell him in their last conversation and the fact that he had actually passed out from the pain.

"Where your brother is now, Virgil, the only thing he feels is what he's experiencing in his vision….to him…it is as real as what you see and feel right now," Cass continued to explain as simply as he knew how to help them understand.

As they watched and could see, that although his body responded to and succumbed to the ravages of the fever, his flickering and heavily glazed eyes told them he was definitely somewhere else in his mind. They talked to him but as predicted Scott did not respond, so lost was he in the intensity of his vision. Nevertheless Jeff and Virgil told him that everybody sent their love, how much he was needed, how much he was loved and encouraging him to be strong and fight this.

Four long days his fever raged and Sarah insisted that Cass take regular breaks from his bedside vigil, even though Cass assured her he was well used to fasting and meditating on such journeys when at home. It was a matter of disciplining the body and mind and in Cass's case Sarah Conley could well believe that but as his Captain she still felt it as her duty of care for her nursing staff to ensure he took some time off. He did so, though more for her sake than for his own as, unfortunately, nursing rules and regulations did not take into account his unique brand of medicine.

After four long days the fever abated, though it was another while before the infection finally cleared up. Scott woke, wearily opening his eyes to see two kindly and concerned faces looking down at him.

"It is good to have you back with us again, Chey'nah," Cass responded, breaking into a smile.

"Wh…where…was…I? What…was…all…that……and…why…am…I…stra…strapped…down?" Scott asked, so many questions going through his head, as he remembered every vivid detail.

Sarah explained to him why he was strapped down, about the venous line that had to be put in and that he kept trying to pull it out but now that he was awake there was no need for either the line or to be strapped and he was quickly released from his restraints.

"Rest now Chey'nah….we will talk later," Cass assured him, promising to take him through his journey and help him understand what he had seen.

Author's Note: Ok, all you budding pyschologists. Think you know what his visions were telling him!