And here we are, the last chapter. Thank you so much to those of you who have stuck with me throughout this and taken the time to let me know what you think. I really appreciate it.
As usual, a massive thank you to Bee for trawling through all of my mistakes and helping me to make sense of this. Thank you!
Hope you like this last chapter.
Gordon was not used to having to sit still and the flight back to Kansas was painful because of it. He knew the only reason Scott hadn't snapped at him to stop moving was because the older brother was just as wound up. He hated being in a plane but not flying it himself. Gordon was convinced it was only because it was Tom and another man from Scott's squadron piloting that his brother had even got on the plane. He wouldn't have put it past Scott to insist on walking home just to make the point that he was fine. The Tracy stubbornness was present in all five brothers as well as their father, after all.
When Scott was barred from the cockpit, Gordon wondered how long would pass until Tom gave his brother a parachute and kicked him out completely.
But it meant Scott hadn't noticed Gordon's nerves. Once he had convinced his father that going to college before signing up would be a waste of time, Gordon knew the man had been proud of him. But he hadn't told his father his training had been advanced. He hadn't wanted his dad worrying that he was out on missions already. The fact that he wouldn't be allowed to go if his commander hadn't deemed him capable didn't matter. He knew his father had thought him too young to sign up in the first place. Gordon wasn't sure what his reactions would be about his second youngest being out in the field already.
"Hey." Scott's voice snapped him from his thoughts and Gordon forced a smile onto his face as his brother came to sit down next to him.
"They not thrown you overboard yet?"
"We're not on a boat, Gords."
"You know what I mean."
"What's wrong?"
Gordon stared at his brother before suddenly shaking his head with a more genuine smile. He should have realised that Scott would notice that something was troubling him.
He shrugged. "Working out how to tell Dad I was on the mission when I still should be in the barracks." It didn't matter he was a grown man. The need to please his father still took precedence. It always had – it was one of the drawbacks of being a younger brother with three talented older siblings setting the bar so high.
"Why would he be worried about that? You are in WASP."
"He said I was too young."
"He changed his mind though, didn't he?"
Gordon nodded. After the initial arguments, his father had come round to his way of thinking. College would have been pointless; he wasn't academic. His strengths rested elsewhere.
Gordon rubbed a hand over his face before glancing at Scott. "How come he didn't give you this sort of grief when you signed up?"
"I did college first, I had longer to think about what I wanted to do. You know he will always worry about us being out in the field. John might be following in Dad's footsteps but that doesn't mean he won't freak when Johnny leaves the planet for the first time. He's our Dad, he's supposed to worry. That doesn't mean he isn't proud, Gords."
"I guess." Gordon didn't know how to say what was going through his mind. He knew Scott was right – their father was their father, he was never going to not worry. But Gordon didn't want to admit to the incidents that had led to him skipping a year. He knew he wouldn't have been able to keep it quiet once he was out in the field on a regular basis, though. He might have been able to bend the truth, but he had never been able to lie outright to his dad.
"If it helps, he knows you saved my life," Scott said quietly and Gordon stared at him.
"You told him I was on a mission?"
"What was I supposed to do, pretend I just bumped into you?"
Gordon laughed at the incredulity in Scott's voice. His brother was right. He was being stupid. There was no point worrying over something that had already happened. It wasn't as if his dad had the power to pull him out of the military, nor would he want to when he saw how well it was suiting him. He wasn't being fair on his dad; he would never try and take this away from him.
"Buckle up, Squirt. We're about to come in to land."
"Call me that again and I'll show you why I was pushed forward a year," Gordon grumbled, but did as he was told. If he was honest, the sooner he got off this plane the better. He just wanted to get home and let his week of leave (it was better than calling it suspension) begin so he could relax. Once they were at home, he would have other brothers to help keep an eye on Scott. Alan would be up for the challenge even though Gordon had no intention of telling the youngest Tracy why he was worried.
Finally, the plane landed and the brothers were bundled into a waiting car. Gordon had to hand it to the Air Force. When they said they wanted someone to go home, they certainly made sure they got there. Either that or they didn't trust Scott to actually go. The thought made Gordon snort in amusement and Scott gave him an alarmed look. Gordon smiled charmingly back, knowing Scott would believe he was planning something. Considering how annoying Scott had been the whole flight home, Gordon had no qualms about making him sweat for an hour or so.
Neither of them spoke as the car sped along, too lost in their own thoughts. Gordon wondered what they had been told. Scott had put their minds at rest about him not being dead, but it would have been hard for the family dealing with even the possibility. Finally, the car pulled into a familiar road and Gordon sank back into the seat with a sigh as he watched the house come into view. A year suddenly felt far too long.
Scott got the car to stop further up the road. They both wanted to stretch their legs, even if it was just for a few steps before they reached the house. Gordon breathed in deeply, a smile crossing his face as the two brothers glanced at each other and began walking down the road side by side.
Gordon could have sworn the road grew with each step they took, for it seemed to take an age before they were at their own driveway. Before he knew what he was doing, he had paused, letting Scott stride ahead. The older brother didn't notice until after he had knocked on the door, only to turn and see that Gordon was still several paces behind.
"Gords?"
Gordon simply shook his head, not able to put into words what was going through his head. He hadn't realised how much he had missed home until he was standing in front of it again. To think he might have never seen the house, or his family, again if the Hood had his way…
But then the door was open and Scott was in their grandmother's arms before he had turned back around.
"Gordon! Darling, come here."
Gordon knew he couldn't refuse but realised his mistake when his grandmother pulled him in as well. Both he and Scott winced, attempting to breathe and hug the old lady back without hugging each other in the process. They were there for each other when the times needed it, but when they were standing on their own front porch, hugging was not something the Tracy brothers would be seen doing!
"Mom, I think you're killing them," a gentle voice interrupted. Gordon suddenly felt himself overcome with emotion when a hand landed on his shoulder. He managed to wriggle free of his grandmother's hold and before he knew what was happening, he had locked eyes with his father. Just like that, everything that had happened didn't matter. They were home.
"Dad." Gordon's voice was almost a sob. He knew they had been safe since WASP had arrived to save them. But only now his father was in front of him did Gordon let himself believe it. An arm looped around his shoulders and Gordon didn't think he had ever been hugged so fiercely by his father in that moment. He returned it with equal intensity for a few moments.
Scott stepped forward.
"Time to return the favour and save you?" he muttered, a hand on both Gordon's and their father's shoulders as he gently drew them apart. Jeff grinned, ruffling Scott's hair before clapping his hand down on his shoulder. Gordon drew himself away and watched as the man looked his eldest up and down. Gordon still hadn't worked out what Scott had told him about what had happened, but it was obvious that Jeff knew enough to know they had been hurt.
"Where's Virg?" Scott asked. Gordon saw his father frown. The man's glance back at the stairs indicated it wasn't Scott favouring one leg that had him looking like that. But as his father opened his mouth, another voice cut in.
"Did you really save his life?"
Alan stood there with a less than impressed look on his face and his arms folded across his chest. He knew by that stance it didn't matter what had happened; Alan hadn't forgiven him for leaving home. Gordon grinned. It was nice to know some things hadn't changed; Alan could hold a grudge better than even the Hood.
The redhead nodded seriously. "He was about to eat something poisonous. Turns out the Air Force teach them to fly, not feed. Who would have thought?"
"Come on, in with you all before you catch chills." Grandma ushered them through the door. Gordon stepped back to let his father go in first and found himself shoulder to shoulder with Scott. Just before they made it through the door, Scott stopped and put a hand on Gordon's shoulder. Gordon grinned and nodded.
Words were not needed. Alan could never find out precisely what had happened. Neither could their grandmother – if they could get away it. Their father already knew from Scott's phone-call and Gordon was sure John and Virgil knew most of the story by now. But the family members they could protect, they would. Gordon took a step, believing their silent conversation was over but Scott's grip tightened.
"Gords, whatever story we tell them, whatever we say, I want you to know…"
"I know, Scotty. And I'd do it again, even if it means going against orders. Just like I know you would do it for me. You don't need to say it, big brother, I know."
"Who's saying what? Grandma says to get your asses in because you are letting out all the hot air."
"I seriously doubt those were her precise words, Sprout," Scott muttered, draping his arm around Alan's shoulder before pulling him into a headlock as he bundled him into the house. Gordon stood where he was and smiled.
It was good to be home.
Finally, he stepped through the door and almost tripped over Alan's shoes. Nudging them to one side, he realised how used to life in the military he had become. He had been as messy as Alan when he left home, but the strict discipline had changed that. He wondered if it would last now he was home.
Gordon kept the smile as he quietly shut the door and followed the noise into the house.
He didn't quite make it as far as the lounge, despite hearing that was where the others were. Instead, a voice called him softly to one side and Gordon gaped.
"What are you doing here?" he moved forward with a grin, clasping arms for a moment with John.
"We were told Scott was dead. Turns out he isn't, but I'm still here." John grinned as he stepped out of the shadows, his hands landing on Gordon's shoulders, holding him at arm's length so he could check him over. Gordon put up with it for a moment. John had thought Scott was dead. It was only fair to let him reassure himself. Eventually though, Gordon sighed and wriggled free.
"Check Scott over if you want to check anyone. He's the one whose brain got fried." Gordon froze as he realised what he had said, but John just watched him steadily.
That would be implying Scott had a brain there to fry," John murmured in response and Gordon relaxed. Something told him that John would somehow find out the full story whether they meant to tell him or not. But for now, he was letting the matter be.
"Besides, I don't have big brother status over him, only you. So that means you have to do what I say."
"I highly doubt you'll get him to do that." Scott had heard the noise and come to investigate. "It's good to see you, man." They clasped arms in the same manner John and Gordon had done. It was John's equivalent of a hug and although it looked understated, each brother knew precisely how much it meant.
"You too. And what did you mean?"
"Gordy here doesn't listen to orders even when they come from a commander. I doubt we stand any chance now."
"Does that mean you'll give up trying?" Gordon asked hopefully as they all moved through to the lounge. Scott gave him a sideways look.
"What do you think?"
"I think I could probably get a few stories out of Tom that would at least make you think about trying to tell me what to do, Captain."
John grinned, but his smile faded when he saw the look on Scott's face.
"He's joking, right?"
Scott slowly shook his head, watching his little brother shrewdly and Gordon's own grin widened.
"When it comes to Gordon here, John, I think I've learnt to never underestimate him."
There would have been a time that those words were meant as a joke and nothing more. But Gordon knew this time that Scott meant them and - coming from his big brother - nothing could be higher praise.
TBTBTB
Scott perched on the edge of the sofa as he watched Gordon. He was telling Alan about something, but Scott didn't care what. He was content just to watch his brother fooling around, knowing how close he had come to never seeing that again. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath, pressing his palms against his eyes with a small groan as the image of the Hood holding Gordon at gunpoint once again swam in front of his vision. He cleared his throat, shook his head and tried to rid himself of the image. By the time he looked back up again, both Gordon and John were watching him. He forced a smile onto his face, excused himself and headed out of the lounge.
As great as it was watching Gordon and reassuring himself that he was alive and well, Gordon wasn't the brother that Scott needed right now. How Virgil hadn't heard them come home, he had no idea. There was also the look on his dad's face when he had asked. He had waited long enough. Taking the stairs two at a time, Scott was surprised he couldn't hear anything coming from Virgil's room. Normally if the artist was ignoring what was happening in the rest of the house, it was because he was composing or at the very least listening to music. A soft knock later and Scott pushed open the door. His surprise only increased when Virgil's room was empty.
A noise from behind him made him turn, only to see his father coming out of the bathroom. Jeff saw where he was standing and grimaced.
"He's not here. I've barely seen him since we first got the call informing us you were MIA. When he is here, he's like a shadow, Scott. I don't think you realise how hard it hit him knowing you could have been killed."
Scott nodded. Out of all of his brothers, Virgil would have taken it the hardest. He made to take a step towards the stairs when he froze, an unpleasant thought coming into his head.
"He does know I'm fine, right? That I'm home?"
"I've told him. Repeatedly. When you called last night, I instantly told the others that I had spoken to you and you were very much alive. But Virgil… I'm not sure how much it sunk in. It's like he is in shock but every time I turn around, he has gone again. I'd only just got back when you arrived earlier, I've been out looking for him for hours."
"I know where he would have gone," Scott muttered. His tone was quiet, but certain. He knew the exact spot that Virgil would have gone to seek refuge; it was the same place that he had been going for years.
Scott took the stairs two at a time and ran down the street. He vaulted over a fence and jogged out into a field, slowing his pace when he came closer to Virgil's hideout. Virgil had known before the rest of the family that Scott had been leaving for a mission. Scott hadn't been able to give details, but Virgil had known he was going to do something dangerous. Scott himself had felt like he had been calling to say goodbye… He shuddered at how Virgil would have reacted to the call saying he had been shot down.
It didn't take him long to cross the field and reach a scattering of trees on the far side. He moved into the shade, but didn't go far. He didn't need to. For curled up in the roots of an old oak, with a sketch pad balanced on his knees, was Virgil.
Scott simply stood there for a moment and watched. He had never been homesick, not when leaving for college or joining the Air Force. But realising how close he had come to never coming home again made him realise how much he had missed this place. Missed his family. He still knew his brother well, though. Scott knew the pad hadn't opened the whole time that Virgil had been out here. It was his excuse for being there, but it wasn't the reason behind it.
"Virg?" His call was soft and Scott had to smile at the way Virgil instantly reacted to it. It was as if the tension left his body and he seemed to sag. He didn't look around though and Scott wasn't entirely sure Virgil had truly realised who he had heard.
"Go 'way, Scott, I'm not coming in."
"I think you are when you realise what you just said." Scott leant against a tree, his arms folded and his mouth turned up in a smirk. He should have known that something like this would happen. It was just so typical of Virgil to be talking to him without realising that was what he was doing. The smirk slipped from Scott's face as he realised this was potentially not the first time Virgil had thought that he was answering his brother. Who knew what tricks Virgil's mind had been playing on him if he hadn't accepted what their father had said about Scott being alive?
"I'm not…"
Scott raised his eyebrows this time as Virgil's voice trailed off. Very slowly, the younger man got to his feet, refusing to turn around. He was moving with deliberate movements, but Scott just stood there and waited. It was almost excruciating how long it took Virgil to turn around but Scott smiled softly when his brother finally looked at him.
"Coming in? I think you will when you see what Grandma has been making."
"Scotty?"
"Hey, Virg."
"What… what the hell are you doing here?"
"Trying to find you! What are you doing out here? Told you that I was going to be fine." Scott tried to keep his voice even as he stared at Virgil. He wished Virgil hadn't come home, hadn't been the one to pick up the phone when he had called the first time around. He wished he could have saved Virgil the suffering of knowing he was going into something that he potentially wouldn't be coming home from.
"Scott…" Virgil slowly took a step forward and Scott grinned, stepping away from the tree.
"Hi." He said softly, only to duck as Virgil suddenly swung for him. "What are you doing?"
"You swore to me! You swore when you joined up that you would never put me in the same position we were in with Mom! You swore you would never leave me waiting to find out if you were alive or dead. How long have you known you were alive for?"
"Um…. What?"
"How long have you been in contact for?"
"Virg, I called last night. Dad told you I was alive, I know he did. I spoke to him as soon as I got back to base. Someone had to give Grandma the heads-up that I was bringing Gordon with me."
"Gordon? Why the hell were you bringing Gordon home?"
Scott flinched and Virgil's eyes widened. "He was with you? He went on that mission with you? He's not old enough!"
"Don't remind him, he's already having to explain to Dad that he skipped a year of training. And besides, that's not the point. I didn't know that he was going to be there until he almost got himself arrested thinking they were talking about him when they were talking about me."
"You got Gordon arrested?"
"No, stop twisting my words and… Now where are you going?"
"To see Gordon," Virgil responded haughtily and continued to walk off across the field. Scott stared after him in disbelief before realising that Virgil's sketch pad was still on the ground. Scott scooped down and picked it up, idly letting it fall open as he did so. The first drawing made him stop, staring. He knew that Virgil was good, but he could have been looking in the mirror. Virgil's drawing of him was beyond perfect, and Scott suddenly realised he had been wrong. The pad hadn't been closed the whole time. Instead, Virgil had been pouring everything he felt into this drawing, finding a way of making Scott come back to him. A way of making Scott seem alive, just in case something had gone wrong.
It was only with that realisation that Scott understood quite what Virgil had gone through the last few days. He tucked the book under his arm and sprinted after him. He caught up as Virgil reached the fence, making him appreciate how fast his brother had been walking. He couldn't blame him, no doubt it had come as a surprise to hear that Gordon had been involved as well. It was bad enough worrying about an older brother (Scott imagined, not actually knowing himself), but to find out a younger was also involved must have been a blow.
Knowing that words weren't working with Virgil, Scott ran until he was standing in front of his brother. He wordlessly handed Virgil his book back and watched as Virgil refused to meet his eyes for a long moment, focusing his gaze on the pad and that alone. Virgil's fingers slowly tightened around the binding as he took it from his brother.
"Scott…"
Scott reached into his pocket, his fingers curling around the smooth pebble resting in there. How it was still there, he didn't know. But through everything, the small stone had somehow remained in his possession. The Hood hadn't found it, and it had had miraculously stayed put during their escape. Scott had forgotten about it, too focused on getting Gordon to safety to think about keepsakes. He had found it in his pocket just before they left the boat. He could have lost it, could have lost everything that he held dear on that island. And yet, somehow, everything had come back to him.
Without saying a word, he balanced it on the book.
Virgil's eyes focused on it for a long moment before he slowly looked up at Scott. Scott smiled, not being precisely sure what Virgil needed from in that moment, whether Virgil just needed to come to terms with everything in his own time. What Scott wasn't expecting, however, was for Virgil to slowly pick up the stone and press it back into his hand - before thumping his brother in the arm when Scott wasn't looking.
"What was that one for?" Scott cried in exasperation.
"For making me wait," Virgil scowled, but his eyes were beginning to sparkle a little. The book was tucked under his arm as he jumped the fence and Scott hurried to catch up. The two Tracys fell into step as they headed back up the road and Scott grinned when Virgil bumped their shoulders together. He knew that was his brother's way of saying that he was glad Scott was back.
Scott opened the door quietly, standing back to let his brother in first. John was once again waiting for them in the hallway and Scott had a feeling he had been watching out of the window. Judging by the look on his face, Scott knew John had been aware where Virgil was all along. Their father might not know Virgil's hiding places, but his big brothers did, they always had done. But John had known Virgil wouldn't respond to him. Not this time. Virgil had needed Scott.
Virgil slipped past John, heading to the lounge and sinking into the sofa. There was an instant hush before Gordon, from his position leaning against the wall, carried on talking as if nothing had happened. Scott knew the two brothers would have just given each other a look that spoke volumes, indicating that Virgil was wanting the whole story when they had the chance. He didn't ask now and Scott knew he wouldn't, not with Alan present.
He followed him in, John on his heels. Catching his father's eye on the way in, he grinned and nodded. Virgil was fine now he knew his brothers were safe. John casually tipped Alan out of a seat and took it for himself and Scott moved towards the only seat left. Gordon moved at the same time and both brothers froze, glancing at each other before looking at the seat then again at each other. Scott took a small step forward, as did Gordon. He was aware of the whole room watching them as they both edged forward again. But then Scott stopped.
He caught Gordon's eye and grinned before making the point of sitting on the floor. Gordon looked astonished until Scott shrugged. What else could he do; his brother had saved his life. Giving up a seat was nothing. The military might be insisting the whole mission was kept quiet, meaning that Scott couldn't thank Gordon officially. If he couldn't do it that way, he would just have to do it through smaller things like this.
Gordon took the seat, and after a split second swung his feet up to rest on Scott's shoulders. The elder brother instantly shoved them off.
"Don't push it."
Gordon looked like he was about to make some sort of comeback, but then he grinned and settled back. Leaning against the sofa, Scott sighed as he looked around him. Who knew when the family was next going to be together like this again? He just wished it hadn't almost cost both him and Gordon their lives in order for it to happen.
As he watched Alan unsuccessfully try and reclaim his seat from John, Scott smiled.
He was going to make sure it didn't come to that again.
But for now, he knew he was home and everyone was safe.
Mission accomplished.