Disclaimer: Nothing has changed since the last update. We still don't nor can we claim to own the Tracys, IR, or the Thunderbirds.

A/N: Just to be safe, we're posting a diabetic warning. Criminally Charmed keeps reminding me that really sweet, fluffy updates can put a reader in a diabetic coma. Oh and another warning, there is cussing in this update. To be honest, there will probably be cussing in all future updates as well. Enjoy. Mystikstorm and sam1

Chapter 19

The early morning sunlight streamed through the windows. The rays cast the sleeping men in a radiant glow. Waking slowly, Jeff blinked several times and looked over at his son whilst stretching. He was drawn to the youthfulness of John's face. The peacefulness of the morning seemed to encompass the younger man as well. It had been a long time since he'd watched over John. Most often, he looked over Gordon, Alan, and to a lesser degree Virgil and Scott. And that was only after they were injured during a rescue. In the tranquility of the early morning hour, he let his mind wander.

In the silence of the early morning hours, long before his rambunctious sons woke; Jeff quietly checked each of their bedrooms. He'd started this particular habit right after Scott was born. He'd needed that reassurance. Truth be told, the innocence and sweetness that each of his boys held was more fully displayed whilst they were sleeping. His youngest sons quickly shed the sweetness as soon as their feet hit the floor. Chuckling, he thought to himself, "There is never a dull moment when Gordon and Alan are awake. The things those two can think up is quite…well, I believe Scott gave them the appropriate nickname. The Terrible Two does really fit and they seem to relish having their own special title." His quick peek into Gordon and Alan's room showed that all was well with two of his five sons.

Softly closing the door, he made his way to the next room. The tidy room was well organized and showed his son's interest in all things related to aviation, the Air Force, football, and baseball. The mop of dark hair, so like his own, was all that could be seen of his eldest son. He crept in and gently folded the comforter away from Scott's face. Taking a moment, he gazed down at him. "He's growing up so fast. I couldn't be more proud of him." Not wanting to wake him at such an early hour, Jeff reluctantly crept out of the room.

The room across the hall was John and Virgil's. Frowning, he noticed that the door was partially open. He pushed the door open the rest of the way and looked towards the bunk bed. The night light cast a soft glow from its place next to Virgil's headboard. John never needed a night light but Virgil couldn't fall asleep without one. More specifically, it had to be the special musical note night light that Lucy had found for him. Most children needed a favorite stuffed animal or blanket for bedtime. Virgil needed his night light. Even on vacation. The dim light allowed Jeff to see tufts of chestnut colored hair sticking up in all directions. Virgil's little face was partially hidden by the teddy bear that he only slept with when he was upset. Kneeling down, Jeff straightened the blankets that were piled at the foot of the bed and tucked his son in. "Sweet dreams, Virgil." He kissed his son's forehead before standing up to see to John.

It took several long moments for his mind to accept what he was seeing. Or wasn't seeing. He patted down the bedding to make sure he wasn't missing anything. His son wasn't in his bed. Hurrying out of the room, he quickly searched the upstairs rooms whilst trying not to wake his sleeping sons. Each bedroom yielded the same result, no John. The bathroom the boys shared was empty as well. Jeff quickened his pace and rushed downstairs. The front door was shut and securely locked. The alarm system activated for the night. The living room devoid of the star-gazing blond. His home office was empty and silent. He looked in the family room and stopped dead in his tracks. There, curled up in Lucy's chair, lay John. His small face and pajama clad body were bathed in a patch of moonlight. Quietly, Jeff approached his sleeping baby boy. "No matter how old they get, they'll always be my babies," he thought to himself. He had just reached down to pick John up when he noticed the two books tucked behind him. It was then that he pieced together what had led John to sleep downstairs instead of in his bed. "He was waiting on me and I…Hell, I locked myself up in my room after tucking Gordon and Alan in. Then I fell asleep before Virgil, John, and Scott's bedtime." Gently, he brushed a hand over John's blond locks. "I'm sorry, my little star-gazer." He carefully picked John up and then settled back on the couch. One handed, he grabbed the throw blanket that was draped over the back of the couch. He kept John's little body tucked against him whilst covering him. The little boy never woke. He just snuggled closer to his dad, safe and secure. For his part, Jeff just held his precious little boy.

"Dad?" John's bright blue eyes gazed up at his dad. "Dad, are you okay?"

Jeff stared at John for a moment. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I asked if you were okay." Pushing the button that would raise the upper part of his bed, John continued to watch his dad.

Jeff could see the worry in his son's eyes. "I'm fine. I was just remembering something." Tentatively, he put his hand on John's shoulder. "John, I…I want to talk to you about how things were after your mom died. I have a lot to set right so that our family can heal. And after hearing what you said yesterday, I think now is the right time."

John remained silent and unsure if he was ready for what he felt was going to be a very serious and emotional talk. The fever that had been plaguing him had left him feeling drained. His hand alternated between burning and itching as it very slowly healed. Not to mention how adversely the seizures had affected him.

Brains bustled into the infirmary. He remained oblivious of interrupting the two Tracys as he was reading something on the data pad in his hand. "John, I w-wa-need to run a c-co-couple of tests on you to m-make sure that I haven't o-ov-over-missed anything."

Breathing a sigh of relief, John wearily shrugged. "Okay, as long as I don't have to move." He looked up at his dad. "Sorry, Dad, but I can't go against the doctor's request."

Jeff hadn't missed his son's reluctance to talk. "Brains, how long will your tests take?"

"A-about one h-hour," he answered. His attention already focused on what he wanted and needed. He hated to be ill-prepared when it came to taking care of the Tracys. Experience had proven that a Tracy who was ill or injured was very short of patience. He had learned that it was a necessity to have everything that may be needed on hand or else face an empty exam bed.

"I'll just go grab some coffee and do some paperwork. If you'll let me know when you're finished, I'd appreciate it." He reached out and touched John's shoulder. "I'll be back in a bit, John."

"O-okay, Mr. T-Tracy." Brains finally looked up from his data pad and realized that he'd interrupted something between father and son.

"Take your time, Dad. I'm not going anywhere." John leaned back against his pillow. "Brains, I'm ready." Jeff understood that he was being dismissed and quietly left the infirmary after lightly squeezing John's shoulder.

Scrunching his eyes against the sunlight that filtered in around the curtains, Virgil blindly searched for something to cover his eyes. His hand met with something he wasn't quite expecting. Nor was he expecting the yelp of surprised pain that followed. Instantly wide awake, he bolted upright. Then immediately groaned in pain as his injuries protested the sudden movement. Strong hands gently pushed him back so that he was again lying flat.

"Is he okay?" Alan's voice carried over from the vicinity of the living area. He and Gordon had watched television until they were both falling asleep. A game of rock-paper-scissors had decided who got the couch. A game that Alan purposefully lost since he'd known that Gordon's back was bothering him.

"I didn't… (whimper)…mean…to hit you…Scotty. Didn't know… (whimper)…you were…there." Tears pooled in his pain-filled eyes.

"Alan, get his pain medication and a bottle of water," Scott ordered. His pain all but forgotten at the sight of his little brother hurting.

"Scotty…I'm sorry…(whimper)…gawd this…hurts." He reached for his brother's hand, squeezing it against the pain.

"Shh, it's okay, Virg. Relax, brother mine, Alan is getting your pain meds." With his free hand, he brushed Virgil's hair away from his face.

"Here, Scott," Alan said. Scott held out his hand and waited for Alan to pour out their brother's pain medicine.

"Virg, we've got to get you sitting up a little so that you can take your pills and drink some water, okay?"

Shaking his head, Virgil tightened his hold on Scott's hand. "I don't…know if…I can."

"We'll help you, Virg," Alan said. He placed some pillows close by so that once Scott got Virgil up enough, he could stack them behind him.

Scott palmed the pain medications and gently helped his brother so that he was in a semi-sitting position. "Now, Alan." Alan quickly stacked the pillows behind Virgil. As soon as he had done what he could to make their brother comfortable, Scott handed Virgil his pain medications. Alan had a water bottle ready to hand over once he had swallowed the pills. Once he'd taken the medication, he had to wait for them to take effect.

He recalled the breathing technique that Gordon had used whilst he had been recuperating from the hydrofoil accident. His brother's pain had been so bad that the pain medications seemed to wear off before he could have another dose. A team of pain management specialists taught him the breathing technique that he still used to this day. Thinking of the breathing technique made him realize something. "Where's Gordy?"

Simultaneously, Alan, Scott, and Virgil looked over at the other bed. "Gordon?" Alarmed, Alan was the first one to react.

He rushed over to his closest brother's bedside but was brought up short by his brother's broken orders. "Don't…don't jump on…the bed. Don't…touch me." Stifling a groan, he blanched as he felt his back spasm. "Side…pocket."

"What?" Scott looked bewildered at his brother's words.

"His meds are in the side pocket of his carryon bag," Alan explained, grabbing the bag and digging through the side pocket. "He always keeps a bottle tucked in there so that he's prepared if he has a flare up."

"Stop…(groans)…talking and…give me the…(groans)…damn pills." He tried to breathe through the pain but couldn't focus enough what with worrying about Virgil. He'd heard his brother's whimpers of pain as well as Scott's pained yelp but had been helpless to do anything. Not being able to help his big brother wasn't sitting too well with him.

"Breathe, Gordy," Virgil said, watching his little brother struggle through his own pain.

Turning his head, he glared at Virgil. "What the…hell do you(groans)…think I'm doing? Does it look…like I'm holding…(groans)…my damn breath? Breathe, Gordy. Of all…(grunts)…the friggin stupid things…(bites lip)…to say to someone…(groans)…who is obviously breathing."

"Knock it off, Gordon. We know you're hurting but that doesn't give you the right to be an ass to any of us. Virgil was only trying to help." Scott's tone would normally garner instant contriteness from a petulant brother.

Unfortunately, this wasn't a normal circumstance and Gordon wasn't going to be cowed by his oldest brother. "Bite me…(glower)…Scott. I know…he was trying…(gasp)…to help." Writhing on the bed in obvious pain and discomfort, he gripped the bedding in his fists. He looked over at Virgil and without even being aware of what he was doing, he picked up on Virgil's breathing pattern. The same pattern that he had used after his accident. Whilst the pain didn't immediately fade into oblivion, it wasn't as sharp as he breathed through the worst of it. "Thanks, Virg."

"Don't mention it." The two brothers grinned at each other.

Scott, smother hen that he was couldn't stop himself from worrying about his younger brothers. He knew he had to back off or else Gordon would have a fit of monumental proportions. He chose to redirect his need to keep asking his brothers how they were. "Alan, it looks like we're going to be piloting the plane." He quickly gathered all of their belongings and set the bags on the couch. "We can leave now and be home by dinner time or we can each grab showers and get home a few hours later."

Virgil glanced around at his brothers. "I vote for leaving now. I can take a shower at home."

"Me too." Truth be told, Alan really wanted to get back home so that he could check on John.

"I don't think getting into the shower is a good idea for me," Gordon admitted.

"Why not?" Scott asked, confused.

"Because I took the really strong pain medications that Brains prescribed." To emphasize his statement, he yawned. "And they make me a bit drowsy."

Alan shook his head. "Bullshit, Gordy. Those pills knock you out for at least three to four hours."

"Alright then, we leave now. Alan, can you run our gear down to the SUV? Virg and Gordy, do you think that you can make it to the restaurant in the lobby? We need to grab something to eat before we leave."

"I think so. As long as we go slow," Virgil answered.

"Really slow and I may need some help," Gordon added. The pain he was still feeling clearly showed in his eyes.

"Why don't you wait on me to get back and then I can help you, Gordy? Scott, you can help Virgil if he needs it," Alan suggested. He grabbed the four carryon bags and started for the door.

"Hey, Alan, do you mind if I brush my teeth before you take my bag?" Scott motioned in the direction of his brothers. "Virgil and Gordon might also like to brush their teeth and clean up a bit before we leave."

Alan grinned at his brothers. "Sorry, guys, I just want to get home." He set the bags down on the table. Rummaging through his own bag, he pulled out his toiletries.

Scott looked at Virgil and Gordon. "Do you need help getting up?"

"I think I can manage," Virgil said, carefully shifting his legs over the side of the bed. When it looked as if he was going to overbalance, Scott reached out for him. "I hate this, Scott."

"Hate what?" His brows knitted together in confusion.

"I hate being hurt and I hate having to rely on someone to help me." Eyes downcast, he sighed. "And I hate that I hurt you."

"I know that each of us hates being hurt but what we do is dangerous and well, sometimes it's going to happen. As for relying on someone…We're not someone, we're your brothers and we're always going to be there for you and each other." He carefully made Virgil look up at him. "You surprised me more than you hurt me, Virgil. Not that I want you to repeat those actions."

A snort of laughter from Gordon soon erupted into loud guffaws from the prankster. "So that's what that yelp was from." Tears streamed from his eyes. "That's twice in your life that you've suffered in that way, Scotty."

"Twice? I've only been hit…" His words faded as he remembered the first time. "Alan."

"Yep, I was guilty for the first time," Alan said. "I didn't know that I was able to throw a baseball that far. Or that my aim was off. At least, Virgil didn't hit you."

Virgil's face paled a little more, then a slow embarrassed blush crept up his neck and colored his face.

"Virgil, don't worry about it. I'm fine and just as I know Alan didn't mean to nail me with that baseball, I know that you didn't mean to either." With a pointed look at Alan and Gordon, he silently conveyed to them to drop the matter. "Let's get moving so that we can eat." His stomach grumbled in response much to Gordon and Alan's amusement. Even Virgil struggled to keep from chuckling. With Alan and Scott's help, Gordon and Virgil were able to get to the bathroom and perform their morning routine. Though Gordon whined a little that he had to follow Virgil.

After a stop in the restaurant for their breakfast, the brothers were soon on their way to the airport. Alan called ahead to have their plane fueled and readied for flight. He would be Scott's co-pilot for the flight back to Tracy Island.

"Everything looks good, Alan." Scott and Alan had walked around Tracy One, inspecting it for any damage or tampering. Their father had constantly reminded them that they alone were responsible for inspecting their planes before take-off.

"Yep. Next month we're going to have to do a complete maintenance inspection on her. Tracy Two will follow a month later." The brothers climbed the stairs and into the coolness of the passenger cabin where Virgil and Gordon were fastened in. Both were struggling to stay awake.

"Ready to go?" Scott's sharp gaze flicked to his brothers' waists, making sure that they had fastened themselves in.

Gordon and Virgil looked at one another before looking up at their oldest brother. "Yes," Virgil answered, tugging on his seat belt. Gordon mirrored his actions which caused Alan to start laughing.

"I guess they know you too well, big brother," he said. He had secured the door and double checked it just as he'd been taught.

Scott merely shook his head and walked towards the cockpit. "C'mon, Al, I want to get home before dinner is served. Nothing beats Kyrano's freshly prepared meals."

"If you guys need anything just yell, okay?" Alan looked worriedly at his older brothers. "They're both still too pale for my liking. I'll feel much better if Brains looks them over," he thought. "Oh hell, Scott's rubbing off on me."

Just as Scott expected, their take-off was smooth and conditions were perfect for their flight home. Several hours into their flight, things suddenly took a turn. A wrong turn that began with hitting turbulence. Followed by a scream for help from the passenger cabin.