Decisions.
Disclaimer: Please see chapter 1.
Thanks for the reviews everyone. Sam you're amazing for reading through all my updates even if you scare me with the red. This chapter is dedicated to Loopsta or more specifically the middle part is. You'll know which part. Enjoy.
Chapter 4: Little Understanding.
Virgil opened his eyes again and was relieved that the sledgehammer in his head had eased off a little. A quick glance around the room had him breathing a sigh of relief that he was alone. He needed some time to figure out how he had ended up here. He sent his mind back to the last thing he could remember...Mud and lots of it. They were rescuing people from a mudslide and had succeeded in saving everyone but how had he hit his head? As he concentrated on remembering, the sledgehammer began attacking him once more. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, hoping to ease the pain but it gave him no relief.
"A-are you okay?" asked a familiar voice.
Virgil turned to see Brains standing beside his bed. "My head is killing me," he said, wincing as the sound of his voice sent pain searing through his skull.
Brain held up a needle, knowing Virgil would be able to tell exactly what was in it. Virgil nodded at the young scientist allowing him to administer the pain relief. Brains watched as his friend closed his eyes and relaxed. He moved away to the back of the room, knowing Virgil didn't need him.
Virgil eyes sprang open as a memory came back to him. "The little girl," he said.
"You remember something, bro?" asked Gordon who had entered the room as his older brother spoke. He had come down to see how Virgil was as he had been worried about the artist.
Virgil closed his eyes once more and tried to focus on the rescue. "I remember a young girl, trapped in the mud and going in after her. Maybe I hit my head on something then," he replied and opened his eyes. Pain clouded brown met emerald green orbs as he added, "I just don't know. My mind is blank beyond that."
Gordon sat down on the edge of the bed, "It's okay, Virge. Just give it some time." Gordon could see that his brother was really struggling to understand what had happened and this was one thing he could totally relate to. When he first awoke after his hydrofoil accident he had no memory of the incident or the hours preceding it. Even now he still only had fleeting images of that day.
Virgil just nodded at his younger brother. He could tell that Gordon was remembering his accident. There was a distant and pained look that always crossed his face when he thought of that time. Virgil now finally understood some of what Gordon felt when he first came round.
"So, Brains said when you can get outta this joint then?" asked Gordon, he decided it was time for a change of subject. He also knew that Virgil would be missing his own room and more importantly his piano.
Virgil just shook his head. "Probably not for a while yet."
Gordon couldn't help but feel concerned by his brother's remark. Not one of them liked being stuck here especially Virgil. The second any one of them awoke they would be begging to leave but Virgil seemed unconcerned about it and that worried Gordon.
As if sensing Gordon's concern, Virgil added. "I'm fine."
"Uh huh and I'm about to be crowned queen of England," replied Gordon with a grin and he was rewarded with one in return.
Virgil's smile disappeared and he looked serious once more. "Seriously though, Gord, I'm okay. Just hate not remembering anything. I don't even know how I got the head injury so can't even justify why I didn't say anything."
"You didn't know. Brains said you had a delayed concussion. Having been there myself, I know it hits out of the blue with no warning," explained Gordon.
"Really?" asked Virgil, wondering why he had no memory of this incident.
"Yeah, back when I was in WASP, I cracked my head doing maintenance but felt no pain so ignored it. About two hours later I just collapsed, scaring the hell out of my commanding officer. Doc said it was a delayed concussion which often presents with no symptoms until later on. So chances are, bro you had no idea you were hurt in the first place," explained Gordon.
Virgil now understood why he hadn't known about this. Gordon didn't speak much about his time in WASP and when he did it was generally just funny stories. "Can't see Scott buying that," he muttered to himself but Gordon heard him.
"Well this is Scott," replied Gordon and he watched as his brother smiled once more. He knew that Virgil was right though. Scott had been fuming and was not just going to let the matter drop. Gordon could see that his brother did not need that so if he could stop Scott losing it on Virge he would.
Scott stood under the hot jet of water hoping it would calm his stressed nerves but it didn't seem to be working. As his hands moved to wash the mud from his body, his mind wandered back to the rescue. There had to have been some sign that Virgil was injured. He had one hell of a bump on his head once Brains had cleaned the mud off. How could he have missed that?
Scott's eyes lowered and watched as the muddy water ran down his legs. He sighed heavily knowing that he should have realized something was wrong. He wasn't just their field commander he was their big brother, too, and normally he could just tell when they were hurt. Especially when it came to Virgil. The two of them were so closely linked that they always knew what the other was thinking but this time it had failed or Scott had failed.
As his hands moved back up to wash the mud out of his hair, his thoughts moved to how differently things could have turned out. What if Virgil been flying solo or Alan and Gordon were asleep or in the sickbay? Thunderbird Two could have crashed into the ocean or worse into a building full of people. Scott could feel his anger building up once more. Even if Virgil thought it was only a minor injury he still should have told Scott. He put lives at risk just for being stubborn and Scott intended to have it out with him as soon as his brother was awake.
He turned the water off and was relieved to see that all of the mud had washed out. Heading back into his room, he dressed and then decided to check on Virgil. Although he needed serious words with his younger brother he was still concerned about the confusion he had been suffering with earlier.
Scott arrived at the sickbay and was surprised to see it empty. He wandered back out and headed towards Virgil's room but there was no sign of him there either.
"Brains allowed Mr. Virgil to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air beside the pool," said a quiet voice.
Scott turned to see Kyrano behind him. "Thanks, Kyrano," he replied and made his way to the pool. He soon found Virgil laying on a sun lounger in the shade. "How's your head?" he asked, drawing level.
Virgil opened his eyes, "Better than it was," he replied and closed them again. He was hoping Scott might leave him be as he wasn't ready for the inevitable talk yet.
"Why didn't you tell us you were hurt, Virge?" he asked, sitting down beside him.
"I don't remember but I'm guessing I didn't know I was hurt," he replied, opening his eyes once more.
Scott rolled his eyes at Virgil.
Virgil sat up. "The disorientation of being in the mud and the adrenaline may have masked the pain, either way I don't remember so drop it."
Scott felt his anger rise once more. "No, I'm not just gonna drop it. You kept an injury hidden that was bad enough to render you unconscious at the controls of Thunderbird Two."
Virgil felt his own temper flaring now. "Did you actually listen to Brains' diagnosis at all?" he questioned.
"Yes, he said you had concussion due to a blow to the head," replied Scott, wondering what the hell his younger brother was getting at.
"I had a delayed concussion which means it sets in some time after the initial blow and most sufferers have no idea until they collapse. John, himself, even said I was fine until I collapsed," he explained, fighting to keep his anger in check. He could see Scott was itching for an argument but he wasn't going to let him.
"You still shouldn't have flown home with a head injury."
"And you of course would never do that, would you, Mr. Perfect?" retorted Virgil, realizing he was losing the battle with his temper. He also knew that there had been many occasions when Scott would have flown home injured if he had got the chance.
"Not if it meant I could put other lives in danger including those of our two youngest brothers." Scott's voice was calm but there was an edge of anger to it.
That was it for Virgil. "Do you really think I would put my brothers' lives at risk like that? You should know I would never do anything to harm them." Virgil turned and walked away before his brother could say anymore.
Scott sat back down on the lounger, knowing that his brother was right. As much as Virgil hated anyone flying his baby, he would have given control up if he knew he was hurt enough to risk their lives.
Meanwhile Gordon and Alan were in the kitchen oblivious to the argument that had raged outside.
"Should we tell Dad what really happened on Two?" asked Alan. He didn't like the fact that they were keeping something like this quiet. These things had a way of getting out.
"Nah, it won't change anything. It would just make Virgil feel worse than he already does," replied Gordon.
"Yeah, I can't imagine how he would feel if he knew that we had been asleep and are only here because John was hollering at us," replied Alan, knowing this could never get out.
"Which is why he is never going to find out," replied Gordon, knowing that John would never say anything.
Neither brother had realized that the man in question stood on the other side of the door listening. Virgil staggered back, stunned to realize that he could have easily killed his brothers. He then quickly turned and headed away from the kitchen. It didn't matter where he was going as long as he was moving.