Disclaimer: Nope they still do not belong to us

A/N: We are so sorry for not updating yesterday but it has just been a busy week for both of us. What with illnesses and brothers getting beaten up for no good reason, it's been a stressful week. Anyway on with the next chapter and I do hope you all enjoy it. Big thanks go to said beaten up brother for taking the time to read through this, love ya J. Love Lissysue and Sam1.

Chapter 6

Hearing loud voices in the hallway, Scott and Virgil glanced up at one another. "Here they come."

Virgil raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "Thanks for that, Mr. Obvious. And for your next astounding observation?"

Grinning at his younger brother, Scott shrugged. "You're going to be stuck with bedpan duty until Johnny is able to manage himself." Whatever retort Virgil had been about to say was lost as the doors to the infirmary burst open. Jeff and Gordon were on either side of the gurney, calling John's name. Brains was at John's head holding an oxygen mask over their brother's face.

"What the hell?" Scott and Virgil took a place next to the bed that had been prepped for John. Once Brains had the gurney lined up against it, the Tracys slid John onto the bed.

Brains moved the gurney and set up the oxygen cylinder next to John's bed. "V-Virgil, do you h-ha-have everything r-r-available?"

Virgil moved the small metal table next to Brains before pulling on a pair of medical gloves. "I got out what I thought you would need, Brains."

"What's the matter with John? Why is he unconscious? Did something happen on the way back?" Scott fired question after question at them. Unaware of what he was doing, he shoved Gordon aside so that he could be at his next youngest brother's side. "Johnny, c'mon, man, wake up?" Tapping his brother's face, he kept calling for him. However, John showed no signs of waking up.

"Vitals are good," Virgil called out. Gently but with obvious intention, Brains bumped Scott away from John so that he could start the IV. "Sorry, S-Scott. He n-ne-needs the fluids, n-now." With several swipes of an alcohol prep, Brains carefully inserted the IV catheter into John's arm. Within moments, he had hung a bag of fluids, taped down the catheter on John's arm, and glanced over the vitals that Virgil was monitoring.

Gordon who had remained silent up until this point suddenly swore and raced out of the room. The last thing Scott saw of his younger brother was the indignant expression on his face. And then he knew without a doubt he had offended if not hurt him. Scott fought down the momentary guilt he felt towards Gordon and focused on John. He would speak to his younger brother later.

Jeff thus far had said nothing. His sole focus was on his son and the internal berating he was giving himself. "How could I have not realized something was wrong? I knew the last time I spoke with him that he wasn't himself. He was pale even then. What the hell caused such a rapid turnabout for him? What the hell is wrong with him?"

"Mr. T-Tr-Tracy? Startled from his musings, Jeff looked up at Brains. "Was J-John working on an-any-anything on Five? Something that h-he could c-cut himself on?"

"Not that I know of. Why?"

"It's j-just a guess r-r-right now but I suspect he has an in-infection."

"What sort of infection?" asked Scott impatiently

"I'm n-not sure, S-Sc-Scott. I have to do some t-tests." Pointing to a cut on the palm of John's hand, he continued, "But this is in-infected." Red streaks radiated out from the cut. The cut itself was swollen with a build-up of pus and hot to the touch. "Virgil, I w-want a bag of an-anti-antibiotics hung. And I'll n-need a scalpel."

As Brains finished his sentence, Virgil handed him the scalpel he had just asked for. It didn't surprise the young scientist that Virgil was already prepared. It was common knowledge that he was the most medical minded of the family. Though he was coming across as a true professional, none of them could fail to notice the fear in those burnt honey eyes.

Almost if he was rambling to himself, Brains added, "And I want s-s-some blood drawn. I want t-to know wh-what kind of in-infection he has."

Again, Virgil laid the needed items on the metal table for Brains' use. He stood back and watched as the genius gently used the scalpel to cut open the wound on John's palm. As one, Jeff and Scott stepped back as the smell of the infection hit them.

"Well, th-this certainly explains the f-fever and de-delirium." Unfazed, Brains continued to cleanse the wound. "Virgil, w-would you put a l-light dressing over this. And as much as I h-hate to do it, re-restrain his arms. He c-could hurt his hand during one of h-his ha-hallucinations."

Virgil nodded and carried out his instructions. As he attached the restraints to John's wrists, he whispered softly, "I'm sorry, John." He knew his older brother couldn't hear him but he had to say it anyway.

Scott stared down at the open wound on his brother's hand. "Why aren't you closing that, Brains?"

Focused on drawing blood from John, he quickly glanced up at the oldest Tracy brother. "B-because if I didn't f-flush it well enough, the in-infection can start b-building up again."

"But if Brains leaves it like it is for a couple of days, he can flush it if it appears to be worsening," Virgil added. "And this way keeps him from cutting the wound open daily. Which you and I both know John would not enjoy." Even though he was frightened for his brother, Virgil was relaxing a little as he immersed himself in doing what needed to be done to help Brains. That wasn't to say that later when he had time to reflect that he wouldn't start pacing the floor.

Slightly pale, Scott glanced down at John's hand again just as Virgil applied a non-stick dressing over the wound. He had made sure that the dressing was long enough that he could tape it to the back of John's hand.

Virgil couldn't hide his smirk or the teasing tone in his voice, "Geez, Scotty, you don't look so good with pale skin tones. Only Johnny here can make that look work."

He could hear voices through the white haze but had trouble understanding what was being said. Mentally, he began to evaluate himself. "They've put something over my face." His eyes moved rapidly beneath the closed lids.

"Heart rate is increasing."

Struggling to reach whatever was on his face, he found he couldn't move his arms. Panic spread through his body and mind. "Oh, god, what are they doing to me? Why can't I move?"

"Brains, his heart rate is still increasing. As is his respirations."

"John? Son, can you hear me?" Jeff cupped his son's face with his hands. "Son, calm down. You're safe. We have you at home in the infirmary."

"I know that voice...Dad. That's Dad." Fighting down his fear and panic, John slowly opened his eyes to see his father leaning over him.

"D-Dad? C-ca-can't breathe." His words were muffled by the mask.

"You're fine, John. Brains had to put an oxygen mask on so that you received the needed oxygen for your body."

Blinking rapidly, he shifted his gaze to his left where Virgil and Scott hovered next to him.

"Don't...like it, Virg."

Clapping his hand to his brother's shoulder, Virgil smiled sympathetically, "I know, John, but it's helping you so you have to leave it on okay?"

Sighing, John blinked his eyes in acceptance. He was just too tired to argue.

"C-co-cold...want a...bl-blanket, please."

Scott grabbed one and carefully tucked his younger brother in. "Never thought I'd be tucking my grown brother in."

"Ha ha...keep it...up. You may...be as funny...as Gordy someday."

"'M sleepy," he said.

"Go ahead and sleep, Johnny. We'll take care of you."

"Please...don't let...Scotty near...the needles." The sound of his brothers and father's laughter followed him into his sleep.

A/N: We just want to thank all of you who showed your support to us recently after we recieved a flamingly bad review from someone who shall remain nameless. Your support was really touching and it was good to know so many of you like our story. We hope the rest of the story doesn't disappoint. Love ya lots Lissysue and Sam1.

Oh, and for those who want to leave a review but is getting a message they've already left a review...technically, you have if you replied to my little rant the other day. You can still review as neither Lissysue nor myself felt we should cower from nasty flames and as such have left the anonymous review available.