I own nothing… not even a sofa thanks to those damn raccoons…

Chapter 5

Within twenty minutes the majority of the systems were back online and the previously stranded Tracy's were on their way home. Virgil had set up the medical bay for their arrival, whilst Gordon checked that the jet was fully fuelled and ready to depart at a moment's notice, just in case. They didn't want to prompt fate, but they knew all too well that things could change in minutes and they wanted to be prepared.

As he finished pre-flight checks, Jeff turned to see Scott trying to strap John into one of the chairs, but his hands were shaking too much for the final buckle. Scott was exhausted, they all were, but it seemed it was starting to catch up with the eldest of the Tracy brothers. Finally the battered and bruised pilot managed to close the final buckle and took his place at his father's side. Despite his weariness though, Scott couldn't help but smile at his father's next words "Thunderbirds are GO!"

Within the hour they were back on land, and each quickly found themselves in the med-bay. The eldest of the injured were soon dealt with, but John was another matter.

Brains, Virgil and Tintin were doing all they could to help the astronaut but little they did had any effect. After two hours, and with John finally showing slight improvement, they agreed that they needed a hospital. Both Scott and Jeff had wanted to accompany them, but were out voted and and remained on the island whilst the others went to the mainland.

Neither felt like resting as they had been instructed to do. They wanted to be there. Not that they could do much if they were there, but they wouldn't have felt so helpless. Virgil had been ordered to report back every half hour, or suffer the consequences.

At the hospital people weren't feeling much cheerier. John had been rushed into surgery on arrival, and now there was nothing to do but wait. Tintin and Brains had gone back to the island after the first hour of waiting, making various excuses to leave the Tracy brothers. Brains saying he needed to start assessing the damage on Thunderbird 5, whilst Tintin wanted to get Johns' room ready for his arrival. But the Tracys' understood for they too felt the need to be alone.

Three hours later there still no news from the doctors, and Gordon felt like his brain was going to implode. How could this happen? He stared at the coffee machine. How? That was the only thought going through his mind. Everything had been fine. He clenched his fist and watched the coffee slowly seep out of the nozzle. The world had been fine. The machine spluttered as it changed from black goop to what he only assumed was milk. Why now? Every nerve in his arm screamed as he launched his fist into the coffee machine, as the plastic cup toppled to the floor, its luke warm contents spilling across the floor.

Virgil watched his brother standing at the coffee machine. Damn. It was times like this he wished Scott was here, he knew how to calm the youngest Tracys down. But not him, not Virgil. He winced as Gordon buried his fist into the machine. Well, it looks like you're going to have to learn how to calm them he thought as he got up from the uncomfortable plastic seat and began to walk over to his brother.

Alan smiled as Virgil got up to see Gordon, it wasn't he couldn't be bothered, but he never knew what to do in these situations. His smile soon faded though as he saw his closest brother punch their older brother. Virgil wobbled briefly, then slipped in the coffee and went down like a stone, hitting his head on one of the plastic chairs on the way down.

Gordon didn't notice the blond running to aid his brother who was currently laying on the floor, a hand placed over the cut just above his left eyebrow. All he could see was his hand. It was broken. If the coffee machine hadn't done it, then his brothers' face certainly had.

It was a sharp slap to the chest that brought him out of his daze. As he looked up he saw his younger brother scowling at him. Why was he mad at him? He looked around trying to find the answer to this when he saw Virgil. Damn, who?...Oh yeah, damn. He then noticed Alans' lips were moving "Damn it Gordon! Are you even listening to me!? Why on earth did you punch Virgil?"

Gordon considered this for a moment. He just wanted to punch something. He looked up at the furious blond "I guess…I just…I don't know". He looked down at his already swelling hand.

Virgil groaned as he tried to sit up. He could taste blood in his mouth, and knew that he would be needing stitches for the cut above his eye, but right his concern was the brother who had done this to him. Slowly he got to his feet and stumbled the few steps to where his youngest brother had Gordon pinned against the coffee machine.

"Gordon! What kind of reason is that?" Alan hissed at his brother, trying but failing to avoid drawing attention to them. Gordon gave a half smile, that was his brother, Captain Subtle. This however infuriated Alan even more, and he was just about to tear Gordon to shreds when Virgil stepped between them. Neither of the young Tracys said anything. Virgil was wearing his dad face, and that was not a face to mess with. Virgil escorted them both to the seats they had been occupying earlier, trying desperately to think of something to say.

Jeff watched his purple haired son sleep. It had taken some convincing, and some industrial strength pain killers, but Scott had finally drifted off. He always enjoyed watching Scott sleep, he knew it sounded strange, but it was always an eventful experience. Scott, like himself never stayed in one position for more than five minutes and would mutter about anything and everything whilst he dreamt. Today's chosen topic appeared to be superheroes.

Jeff stared down at his mug of coffee. It was times like this he wished Virgil was here, he was the only one in the family who really knew how to make coffee. Talking of Virgil, he should have called by now, Jeff thought, looking across at the kitchen clock.