Disclaimer: We don't own the Tracys, IR, or the Thunderbirds.

A/N: Sorry for the delay in updating but due to real life and very conflicting schedules, we didn't have much of a choice. Anyway, here's a new update. Just a warning, there is some cussing in this update. sam1 and Mystikstorm

Chapter 18

Jeff sat on the edge of the bed with his arms wrapped around John's sleeping form. The nightmare that had partially wakened John had been a blessing in disguise. Holding his son closer, a small smile tugged at his lips. "I still have a chance to make things right. To own up to the mistakes I made all those years ago. One son at a time."

"Mr. T-Tracy, your b-b-boys called and have ch-checked into a hotel for the n-night." Brains glanced at John. "When h-he wakes up, I n-need to check him o-over. I d-d-don't like that he k-keeps se-seiz-convulsing."

Frowning, Jeff stared at Brains. "He's only had those two seizures. I know that they aren't good but he's not had any more."

"I j-just want t-t-to make sure t-that I'm n-not o-over-missing anything." He jotted down a few notes on his data pad. He had already started planning on the tests he wanted to run on John to make sure that all was well with his friend.

"Don't like…tests. Just want to sleep." John's sleep-roughened voice surprised both Jeff and Brains. "Dad?"

Jeff tightened his hug. "Right here, Son."

"Virgil?"

"He's been released from the hospital but they're staying at a hotel tonight before heading home tomorrow."

"Okay…g'night." The words were barely out of his mouth before he was asleep again.

Jeff nodded at Brains as the genius dimmed the lights and left the infirmary. Carefully, he slid his arm from beneath John and slipped off the bed. A soft grunt of complaint came from John though he didn't waken. Jeff quickly arranged the blanket over his sleeping son before settling in the chair next to him. His thoughts turned to the past and he slowly drifted off to sleep.

As soon as they were shown the suite they'd checked into, Gordon ducked into the bathroom and changed into his swim trunks. He grabbed a towel and was out the door with a slight wave. "Later, guys."

Alan stared hard after his older brother. "He's hurting worse than he's letting on." He didn't realize that he'd spoken aloud until…

"What?" Scott demanded, his voice quite loud as he was suddenly right next to Alan.

Swallowing nervously, Alan squirmed beneath Scott's withering gaze. The overly-protective-big-brother glare held for a few more moments before Scott made for the door to follow Gordon to the pool. "Virgil, take it easy and let Alan get anything you need. I've got to…"

"Follow Gordon and make sure that he is really okay." Virgil grinned up at his older brother. "I know the routine, Scott." He slowly made his way to one of the chairs in the suite. His head beginning to pound in time to his heart beat. Waiting a few minutes after Scott left, he looked up at Alan. "Sprout, can you get my pain meds from my bag?"

Alan felt his jaw drop at his brother's request. "If you're asking for pain meds then…"

"Don't you dare tell Scott. I don't need him worrying over me." Virgil's tone left no room for argument.

"He'll kill me, bring me back and then kill me again if I don't tell him, Virg." Visibly shuddering, he dug through the side pocket of Virgil's bag. He quickly found the medicine bottle and carried it over to his brother, grabbing a bottled water out of the mini-fridge.

"Aren't you being a bit overly dramatic, Al?"

His eyes widened as he vehemently shook his head. "No. You do realize that this is Scott we're talking about. It's bad enough to have him kick my ass when we're working out. I really don't want to have him do it because I didn't tell him that you were hurting worse than you let on."

Sighing, Virgil swallowed the pain meds and then took a drink of water. "Then keep your mouth closed, Al. I'm not going to say anything and as long as you keep quiet, he'll never know." He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. In a few moments, he'd fallen asleep, snoring softly.

Alan watched him for several long minutes and shook his head. "Easy for him to say. If Scott even suspects that I knew anything, he'll kill me."

"I'm fine, Scott." Gordon stared up at his big brother. "I've already told you that I just need to get in some hydrotherapy."

"Fine, get your hydrotherapy," Scott replied, sitting down. "I'll just sit here and wait for you."

Glowering, Gordon pulled his t-shirt over his head and then tossed it at Scott. "Suit yourself." He'd noted how close the chair was positioned to the pool and jumped in.

"HEY!"

Gordon surfaced and just as he'd expected, Scott was soaked. "Oops, my bad." With that, he began swimming. Slow and easy at first but then building up his speed until he was powering from one end of the pool to the other.

Scott watched as his younger brother plowed through the water. He'd always been amazed at the dedication and drive that the prankster had shown from his very first swim lesson. In his mind's eye, he could recall the red-haired boy's excitement. "And then, I got to use a kickboard. Do you know what a kickboard is, Scotty? My teacher told me that I had a really strong kick. Do you think that I can get better and better, Scotty? I want to be the bestest swimmer ever in the whole wide world." The little boy threw his arms wide but then his demeanor changed. "Do you think Mommy is watching me, Scotty? I hope she is cos I miss her so much."

"Scott?"

Startled, Scott realized that Gordon was waving his hand in front of his face. "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking."

"Must have been one helluva thought. I've been trying to get your attention for a good minute or so." He draped his towel over his shoulders, grinning. "So was she hot?" Years of practice had him moving quickly out of his brother's long reach. He waited for his brother to catch up. "Scott, do you think John and Virgil are going to be okay?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't they be?" The two brothers fell in step, oblivious of the stares that they were getting. Mostly from the young women and a few older ones as well.

"I know that you like to think that Alan and I aren't that observant but you can't bullshit a bullshitter. Those little wisecracks at the hospital…Yeah, totally know that there is something that you and Virg are trying to hide." Casting a sideways glance at his brother, he chuckled. "Tear streaks on Virgil's face were a big give-away."

They had reached the elevator and stepped inside. Scott promptly pushed the button for their floor.

Thinking fast, Scott threw his arm around Gordon's shoulder and pulled him into a one-armed hug. "You're so right, Gordy."

The younger man looked at the arm draped over his shoulder and then shifted his gaze to his big brother. "I am?" He was more than a little surprised at his brother's sudden hug. Scott just wasn't the touchy-feely type. "Unless he's trying to kick my ass when we're sparring. My big brother can definitely put me down with that vicious right-hook of his."

"Yep, you were right when you said you can't bullshit a bullshitter. You tried to hide how much your back was bothering you from us." The elevator stopped and the doors opened, the two brothers walked towards their suite. "Why would you even try to keep it from me?"

Shrewdly, Gordon said nothing for a moment. He tried to deny what Scott said but one look at his brother's piercing gaze, he knew that he was caught. "How the hell does he do that? Alan. He had to have figured it out." He swore several times once he realized just how Scott found out. "Alan ratted me out, didn't he? He always friggin' picks up on when my back is really bothering me."

"So, you were hurting and kept it from us," Scott said quietly. "Dumb move, little brother." He swiped his keycard through the reader and pushed open the door. Motioning Gordon through, he shook his head. "When are you going to learn that doing something like that can…" His gaze settled on the chair across the room. The same boring tan colored chair that Virgil had fallen asleep on. Then his sharp eyes spotted the medicine bottle and half-empty water bottle on the small table next to him. He shifted his gaze towards Alan, "Why is that medicine bottle out?"

Alan swallowed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. Scott's eyes narrowed and Alan shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Um, well…Here's what happened…" He looked over at Gordon, hoping for some help. Instead, his partner-in-crime casually lean against the wall and he knew he was on his own. "I'm screwed."

Scott knew he cast a formidable figure and often used that to his advantage when keeping his brothers in line. Or getting one of them to confess to all that they knew. Shuddering, he thought, "Sometimes they tell me a bit too much." He could remember all too well the time Virgil told him about his first time. Shuddering again, "That was so much more than I really wanted to ever know."

Curious, Gordon and Alan stared at their oldest brother. Both saw him shudder a couple of times before his gaze cleared and he again focused on Alan. Gordon spoke up before Scott could say anything. "Are you okay, Scotty?"

Not taking his eyes off of Alan, who'd started fidgeting, he nodded. "I'm fine. I just remembered something that I really didn't want to know the first time much less think of it again. Now, Alan, why are Virgil's pain medications on the table?"

Alan opened his mouth but nothing came out. At least not from him. "They're out because I took a couple when I started to hurt. Back off a bit, Smother Hen." Virgil struggled to his feet. "I didn't want to take them in front of you because I knew you'd over-react." He grinned so that his brothers knew he wasn't upset. "Thanks for proving me right, big brother."

"Smother Hen?" Scott asked. "I am not a smother hen."

"Yes, you are," Gordon replied, grinning. "You have just refused to admit it. We, however, know it to be true."

"I am not." His three youngest brothers just grinned at him again. "I'm not."

"Yes, you are. When I muttered that Gordon was hurting worse than he let on, what did you do?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew he was busted. Sure enough, Gordon popped him upside his head. "I knew it. You ratted me out to ol' Smother Hen."

A snort of laughter drew their attention to Virgil. "You gave yourself up, Gordy. Alan just helped you along when he muttered. You both know how sharp Scott's hearing is. Especially when you really don't want him to hear something."

Rubbing his abused head, Alan apologized to Gordon. "I'm sorry that you had big brother's over-protectiveness to deal with. I didn't realize that I'd spoken aloud." He glanced over at their oldest brother. "It didn't help that he's so sneaky and just suddenly appeared next to me. Forget being a big brother, he should have been a ninja."

"Nah, he couldn't be a ninja, Al. He gets just a bit peckish and his stomach growls loud enough to give his position away." Gordon grinned at Scott whilst furtively slipping behind Virgil. Or so he thought.

"I don't think so, little brother. You're not going to hide behind me." He sidestepped his next youngest brother and lowered himself onto a chair. Thinking that Scott's attention would be focused on Gordon, he closed his eyes. He let his head rest against the back of the chair.

He didn't see his three brothers watching him in uncharacteristic silence. Nor did he notice Scott approach the chair. "Virg?"

Reluctantly, Virgil opened his eyes. "I'm fine, Scott. The burns are just stinging a little."

Behind Scott, Alan and Gordon stood watching him. "Which means the burns are hurting like hell and like always he's trying to hide it."

"Shut it, Gordon. The doctor said that it's not uncommon for burns to sting and pull as they begin to heal."

Not wanting his brothers to get in an argument, Scott intervened. "Alright, that's enough. Virgil, will you promise to let us know if you start to hurt too badly?"

"Yes. I told Alan, didn't I?"

Scott sighed and took a deep breath. "Yes, you did. Though you tried to hide it from me."

"I didn't want you to worry more. I knew you were already worried about me, John, and knucklehead over there."

"Hey, I'm not a knucklehead."

Clapping a hand over his second youngest brother's mouth, Scott stared down Virgil. "That's enough from both of you. I worry more when you try to keep things like that from me, Virg. I know how bad your injuries are. And I know that if Gordon is really hurting badly, Alan will notice it and say something." He glanced at his watch. "It is 1800 hours and I'm hungry. Do you guys want room service or a restaurant?"

His stomach gave a loud rumble much to Gordon and Alan's amusement. "See, Al, I told you that he could never be a ninja." Any arguing was forgotten as the Terrible Two fell against one another laughing.

Scott rolled his eyes and a long-suffering sigh blew past his lips. His gaze met Virgil's and he grinned. "C'mon, little brother, let's leave them and go get something to eat."

Virgil yawned, shaking his head then wincing as once again the movement caused the burns to pull a bit. "Can we just order in? Or send Gordon and Alan down to the restaurant?" He shifted a bit in the chair, trying to get comfortable. He decided that sitting up seemed to hurt more and he was a little drowsy from the pain medications. He didn't even have to look up to know that Scott was watching him intently. "Yes, I'm hurting a little and I'm a bit tired due to the pain medications." Pushing himself up, he stood and walked over to one of the beds. "I'll just have whatever you choose for dinner." He laid down and stretched out on the bed and was soon asleep.

Scott looked at Gordon and Alan. "Would you mind going down to the restaurant and ordering our food? Steak, medium well…" His words faded as he noticed his younger brothers mimicking what he was saying.

Gordon stopped and grinned. "Baked potato, salad with vinaigrette on the side." Patting his older on the shoulder, he added, "You're so predictable when it comes to your food, Scott. What do you want to drink?"

Before Scott could answer, Alan spoke up. "Don't even think about saying coffee. You can have iced tea or water."

"Yeah, because we so don't want to deal with a hyper and over-protective big brother," Gordon said. He checked his back pocket to make sure his wallet was there. "C'mon, Alan, the sooner we leave, the sooner we can get back and eat."

Scott stood back and watched the door close behind them. "Those two are something else. I just wish I knew what." He didn't realize that he'd spoken aloud until Virgil's rich voice, somewhat thick from sleep, startled him. "What?"

"They're our brothers." Burnt-honey brown eyes dulled by pain and sleep still managed to shine with emotion. "As much as they can annoy us, I know that they have our back when things go bad."

"Yeah, they do. I guess we can keep them. If nothing else they're good for the entertainment factor." He walked over to his brother's bedside. "Sorry if I woke you."

Virgil tiredly shrugged his shoulders. "It's alright. I can't really get comfortable." His stomach gave a low rumble. He smiled sheepishly. "And I'm kind of hungry."

Chuckling, Scott sat carefully sat down on the edge of the bed. "Don't let the Terrible Two hear that or you'll never hear the end of it." Fighting against the yawn that threatened, he rubbed at his eyes.

"When's the last time you got some sleep, Scott?"

"I slept whilst you were in the hospital."

Rolling his eyes, Virgil sighed. "Let me rephrase that. When is the last time you actually slept in a bed and not a chair?"

Scott rubbed the back of his neck. "Um, before the last call out."

"Damn it, Scott, you can't keep going without sleep." He shifted over and grabbed his brother's shirt. "Lay down and rest until Gordy and Al get back with dinner."

"How many times has he done that? He's tried to look after me since he was old enough to understand that the Tracy brothers look after one another," Scott thought to himself. He gave in and laid down. "Fine, I'll 'rest' until they get back."

Giving into the pull of the pain medications again, Virgil let himself relax. "Good." It only took several minutes for his breathing to even out and he was asleep. Scott watched him for a few minutes longer then his body gave in to the need for sleep. A small whimper of discomfort or distress from Virgil seeped through his subconscious. "'S okay, Virg." His mumbled words didn't calm his brother as much as when he shifted closer. Virgil felt his brother near him and instinctively moved closer. Just as he had as a child, Virgil continued to equate Scott with safety and comfort.

"Hey, we're…Ouch." Gordon glared at his only younger brother. "What was that for?"

Alan merely pointed to the bed that held their older brothers. The two brothers had moved next to each other in their sleep. "Bet Virgil showed some sign of distress and Scott, even in his sleep, had to comfort him." He pulled the comforter from the other bed and carefully covered his brothers.

Gordon watched him and grinned. "It's not too often that we get to care for them the way they do us. Even if at times, they take it a bit too far." He dimmed the lights near the sleeping area. "We'll leave them to sleep and put their food in the fridge. They can reheat it later." He and Alan sat down to eat. Both continued to glance over at their sleeping brothers. Watching for the least sign of distress. After all, they were Tracys and as such they were programmed to watch after their older brothers. Just as their older brothers watched after them. It was just the Tracy way.