I still own nothing; in fact even less since last time as the raccoons have invaded my bedroom…the scary thing is…I think they're organised

Chapter 6

Alan chuckled when he saw Gordon reappear through the doors, his hand having been bandaged making it look like a giant marshmallow at the end of his arm. Gordon however did not look so amused. Once Virgil had calmed Alan down, he had escorted the auburn haired Tracy down to the ER to get them both cleaned up, and two hours later they were back to where they started. As his brother sat down, Alan realised why his brother was so solemn – his wrist watch started vibrating. Once Gordon noticed this he smiled. Alan on the other hand just glared, how the hell was he going to explain this?

Jeff was way past angry now. First he had forbidden Virgil to be out of contact for more than half an hour. Then when he had called Virgil he had received no answer, and then when he had called Gordon he had got the exact same response. Now it seemed as though Alan was going to follow suit. Just as he was going to give up and begin manual override so that he could see what was going on whether they liked it or not, when Alans face filled the screen.

"Hey Dad, what's up?" his youngest son said with exaggerated innocence.

"Where are your brothers?" Jeff growled into the receiver.

"Well, Gordo's here" he said, then twisting his watch so that Gordon could look into the camera "and err, Virgil is, is, well Virgil is with the doctor" Alan said, trying and failing to appear casual.

Doctor? Jeff thought, why would Virgil be talking with the doctor and not tell him? "Do we have any news on Johns condition?"

"Not yet, he's still in surgery and no one's really spoken to us since we arrived" Alan replied but this was swiftly followed by an "Ow!" on Alans part as someone, most likely Gordon, hit him off camera.

Now we're getting somewhere "I thought you said Virgil was with the doctor Alan?"

Alan groaned, damn it, then Gordon yanked his wrist so that he had a clear view of their father. "Virgil is with one of the other doctors, he figured, that he may be able to find something out that way" Gordon explained "You know, get someone on the inside working for us".

Jeff had to give his kids credit, when they didn't want him to know something they really would stick together and go all out to convince him otherwise. Unfortunately for them, he could read each of them like a single sided pamphlet. "Really? Good idea" Jeff said, smiling at his sons reaction "Could you boys' tell Virgil to call me as soon as he's done with the doctor?"

Gordons smile soon vanished with that, he knows, trying desperately not to panic as he said bye to his Dad. How the hell are we going to explain this? He turned to his equally frightened looking brother. Alan gave a nervous laugh "Never know, maybe Virgil doesn't look that bad". This hope was soon dashed though as Virgil entered the waiting room, stitches clearly visible, his black eye showing various shades of black and purple and walking with a pronounced limp.

"Alan ol' buddy ol' pal, I think we're screwed" Gordon said, clapping Alan on the back with his uninjured hand.

Before Virgil could ask what had happened whilst he was being stitched up, he saw the doctor they had been waiting for enter the room. To their relief, it appeared John would be fine after a month or two recuperation and relaxation. That was, if he woke up.

"Can we go see him?" Virgil asked, suddenly very conscious that he looked like he had just gotten out of a boxing ring, and his brother had his fist wrapped in plaster. The doctor seemed to take in each of these details before finally agreeing to the request and showing them to Johns room.

Jeff didn't know whether to be ecstatic or furious. On one hand he had a son with a new set of stitches and another with a broken hand. Then on the other hand, his second eldest seemed to be making slow yet steady recovery. He stared around the room as he tried to understand exactly what had happened and what was happening now.

He knew John was in a bad way, and was anything but out of the woods. He also knew that both Virgil and Gordon had been taken to the emergency room; Virgil for a mild concussion and several stitches, and Gordon for a broken hand – but neither son would tell him quite how or when they had sustained these injuries.

When Scott woke up he noticed two things; one he was still fully dressed and two his father looked as though he were trying to solve the meaning of life judging by the expression on his face. Slowly Scott began to sit up, knowing that any sudden movement would not be appreciated by his battered body. His father didn't notice as he slowly made his way towards him, clearly too deep in his own complicated thoughts.

His father's reaction when he reached to touch his shoulder was priceless. Rather than, as any normal person would have done, turn slowly to see who was seeking his attention, Jeff jumped as if he had been electrocuted and then promptly fell off the sofa, but not before he had given a small scream to voice his surprise. Before he made contact with the floor though, Scott grabbed his father and pulled him onto his feet, and watched as the older man began to realise what had just happened.

Jeff remained staring at his feet, not wanting to face his son. He knew it wasn't going to be as bad as it would be had Gordon witnessed his moment of unawareness, but Scott could still be as torturous as his younger brother.

When he did lift his eyes to look at his eldest son, he wasn't surprised to see a mocking grin on his face. But before he even had a chance to warn his son not to say anything, he was cut off by Scott "I'm saying nothing" amusement clear in his voice "yet". Jeff grimaced at the last word, knowing that he would soon be paying for this mishap. He was taken away from his thoughts once more by Scott "How's John doing?"

Jeff tried to remember what Virgil had said before the question of his and Gordons current state had arisen. He's on his way to recovery, we just need him to wake up. Jeff smiled, and then noticed his son was looking at him awaiting an answer. "Better. We're just waiting for him to wake up".