AN – Here we go another one for you amazing lot for reviewing, reading and sticking with me. I hope I have done okay in this chapter
CHAPTER 16
Felicity started to come too she tried to fight it but her stomach protested rather loudly. Opening her eyes she sat up rather quickly as she realised it was dark. She was sure the sun had risen when she was ushered to bed. She stretched out the kinks in her back, neck and shoulders before sliding out of bed.
On the dresser next to her suitcase was a flask and note. She lifted the flask and read the note. 'Felicity you were sleeping like the dead dear so we thought it best you rested. Drink this it's your favorite then come and find me in the kitchen for something to eat. John is improving he's in the infirmary now you can see him when your ready to. Grandma T.'
Felicity felt a smile grace her lips, everyone had been so kind to her excluding Jeff's outburst but Felicity could understand it and that was in the past now. She grabbed for the locket and opened it up to see the smiling face of the Tracy she loved. That's when she realised why she was getting so upset along with being so exhausted. She decided that as soon as she saw John she was going to tell him conscious or not.
Opening the flask she used the lid and poured out a cup full before taking a long drink of the sweet smelling latte. Next she moved on to her case, she was fed up of being in the same clothes and decided to get changed and freshen up. She rummaged through what Parker had packed for her impressed at his selection, not many men could pack for themselves let alone a woman. She found a soft loose peach sleeveless top, a black cardigan and a pair of white linen trousers.
Finishing off the poured latte she grabbed her wash bag and headed into the shower. Five minutes later she was back out into the room and getting dressed, she didn't want to waste time. When she was ready she took the empty flask and headed down to the kitchen as instructed, all the time she missed her phone vibrating in her bag.
Felicity strode into the kitchen ready to eat anything in relative size to a horse she felt so hungry. Grandma Tracy was sat at the table with Onaha. "Hi." Felicity announced herself to the conferring women.
"Felicity, you look much better how do you feel dear?" Grandma Tracy replied as she scrutinized Felicity from her place at the table.
"Much better." Felicity started to reply as she walked over to the table. "Thank you got the latte it was delicious. I'm sorry I slept so long."
"Now none of that. Are you hungry?"
In response Felicity's stomach decided to do the growling causing a round of laughter from the three women.
"Sit down, do you like Mac and cheese? We have a Tracy version." Grandma offered.
"Yes who doesn't love it." Felicity sat down at the table as Grandma Tracy started to bustle about the kitchen.
"How have you been getting on with the meals I sent back for you?" Grandma made conversation while she fixed the Mac and cheese.
"They have been brilliant thank you again."
"No problem just make sure I know when your going back and I will make you some more." Grandma offered, she walked back over to the table with a bowl piled high full of creamy delicious smelling Mac and cheese. Felicity tucked in heartily partly due to being so hungry but also she desperately wanted to get to John.
Not 10 minutes later the bowl was empty and Felicity's stomach had stopped its noisy protesting.
"Do you want anything else dear?" Grandma Tracy asked.
"No thank you." She fidgeted in the chair, which didn't go unnoticed.
"Come on follow me let's get you to John." Grandma Tracy said as she moved around the table. Felicity stood and moved to meet her. "Goodnight Onaha." She called over he shoulder as she left the room with Felicity.
"Night Ruth Tracy, give John our best." Onaha called after them.
Grandma Tracy led them to the same level where the decompression chamber had been but they went to a different door. Felicity only now noticed some of the doors were wider than standard like in a hospital.
Grandma Tracy stopped at a door, another thing Felicity noticed that they weren't labeled, and gently pushed it open before letting Felicity through first.
Felicity took in a sharp breath at the scene before her. It was frightening to see John like that but also the cutest thing she had ever seen. She felt drawn to him and let her feet guide her up to the bed.
John was deathly pale and the one side of his face was bruised with garish black markings. A soft blue blanket was tucked up to his chest with his arms lying over the top, his right hand had a pulse oximeter on the index finger. His left hand had a cannula in the back on his hand and two on the inside of the lower arm connected to IV bags hanging up above John's head. Out of the top of the blanket were wires and a few of the pads sat on his exposed chest the wires trailing off towards a monitor positioned at the head of the bed. There was a very reassuring sound coming from it. At the foot of the bed there was a box Felicity had never seen before hanging with wires winding up and under the blanket. Over John's face he had an oxygen mask which fogged up with each exhale he took. Felicity thought she had gotten used to things like this after dealing with Oliver.
The cute factor of the whole scene was the five bodies strewn across John's limbs. All bums were in seats but the upper bodies of Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Gordon and Alan rested and odd angles on the bed with arms strewn across almost in a protective manner. Scott and Alan had changed since Felicity had last seen them along with Gordon he now seemed to have clothes rather than pajamas on. Virgil had green scrubs on they looked the colour of Thunderbird 2.
Felicity couldn't see a free spot for her to get near John, Alan and Gordon each had a leg, Scott and Jeff had both arms and Virgil was at John's shoulder on the side without the equipment. She didn't want to disturb them, the similar looks they all shared was not the only thing that related them, they had a bond that Felicity could see here in the way even in their sleep they looked after each other.
The door clicked from behind Felicity and she saw Scott stir. He wriggled a bit before opening his eyes and sitting up a bit stretching. She mouthed 'hello' when he caught her gaze, she saw a smile spread across his face and he carefully got up out of his chair and headed over to her.
"Hey." He whispered as he neared Felicity. Grandma came to stand next to Felicity and Scott gave her a kiss on the cheek and hug in welcome.
"How is he?" Felicity asked.
"He's improving Virgil's waiting for the sedation to wear off now. Virgil is the best at the doctor speak. Do you want to go and sit with him?" Felicity nodded. "Take my chair. Grandma I'll get you a seat."
Felicity went to protest and give Grandma her chair but she pushed her towards the seat while Scott collected two more chairs. And placed them just behind Felicity's chair.
Felicity gently placed her hand over John's sliding her fingers around between his thumb and index finger. She absentmindedly stroked his hand with her thumb while she watched his face and listened to the rhythmic beeping of John's heart monitor.
Every time Felicity blinked she glimpsed John being thrown about Thunderbird 5. She focused harder on his face in the here and now, watching the oxygen mask fog up with every breath he expelled.
Felicity didn't have a clue how long she had been sat there and she didn't much care she was determined to stay by his side until he regained consciousness.
The silence of the room was shattered as the emergency klaxon blared. From around the bed there was a mixture of groaning and sharp sudden movements. Felicity almost leapt out of her in fright at the sudden noise. It was quiet compared to the rest of the villa but she hadn't expected it.
Virgil was sat bolt upright in his chair looking about confused. Jeff was on his feet in one fluid motion. Scott was also on his feet moving to Alan's side encouraging the groaning youngster to get up. Gordon had raised his head looking around with a dazed expression and in no hurry to move.
"Virgil your to sit this one out. Gordon, Alan up and at em boys." Jeff ordered. The younger Tracy boys groaned some more and were about to protest about leaving John when they noticed Felicity and Grandma were there now.
"Any changes I want to know right away. Hello Felicity." Jeff said gruffly as he moved away from John's bed.
"FAB." Virgil replied.
"Hi Jeff. Good luck." Felicity called.
As Jeff walked towards the door the boys fell inline with Scott leading and Gordon and Alan following.
There was a succession of goodbyes called by those leaving before the room went quiet again.
Virgil stretched out his back and arms before standing. "Time to do some work. Hey Grandma, Felicity."
"Virgil dear you work too hard but I'm glad your looking after your brother. Would you like some coffee?" Grandma replied.
"That is music to my ears Grandma." Virgil replied with a tired smile. Grandma got up giving John a kiss to his temple on the side without the bruising. She moved over to Virgil who was now working to the side of the room at a counter opening and closing cupboards collecting supplies. They exchanged a hug Virgil had to stoop a bit to make himself match Grandma's height and he pecked her on the cheek much as Scott had earlier.
Felicity watched Virgil after Grandma Tracy had left. He put together bits and bobs before moving back over to the bed. The first thing he did was change the IV bags, hanging up. There were three bags hanging, two were clear liquids and one was red, blood, felicity guessed.
Next he came over with a syringe that Felicity had watching him prepare earlier and he inserted that into the cannula on John's hand. After that he started to check John's obs.
Felicity was amazed at the number of pockets Virgil had on his scrubs, the top only had two one on the arm where he kept his pen and a breast pocket with had the same logo Felicity had seen on the Thunderbird uniforms. His trousers had a lot more, and they seemed to contain every medical tool Virgil might need including one big enough to hold a tablet that he used to make notes on.
From the breast pocket Virgil pulled out a small pen torch and he used it to check John's pupil reflexes. He then swapped the pen for a stethoscope from a different pocket and checked John's heart and breathing before putting it away again. He then pulled out the tablet and jotted a few notes before checking the monitor and noting the reading on screen. He then checked the readout of the oximeter making further notes before adjusting the valve on the oxygen tank.
Next he moved to the bottom of the bed pocketing the tablet before he pushed back the blanket exposing John's feet and legs up to the knees. John's legs were wrapped in a white material with a cable running from each wrap to the machine Felicity had never seen before hanging on the end of the bed. She watched as Virgil checked the straps of the wraps and then he took the pulse of each foot before covering them back up. He altered the settings on the machine and then made some more notes on the tablet before tucking it away in its pocket.
"Can I move you for a minute?" He asked Felicity approaching her.
"Sure." She said releasing John's hand and moving backwards away from the bed with the chair giving Virgil some room to get in.
Virgil gently lifted John's arm and untucked the blanket exposing John's bandaged side. It was smaller than when she had seen it in the chamber it now ended halfway across his stomach. Right in the middle of the bandage was some dried looking blood.
Virgil placed John's hand down on the bed and moved over to the counter to the tray of prepared equipment and brought it over. He put on some purple gloves that clashed with his green scrubs and started to work on the bandage.
Carefully he peeled the corner and then a side and continued until the whole bandage had come away exposing the wound. Virgil folded the bandage over and placed it on the edge of the bed near John's feet while he continued to work. The would was over a foot in length and it had been a nightmare for Virgil to stitch together and then it had been a stubborn bleeder but he was pleased to see it now only weeping slightly.
John had a few scars' some of which Virgil had had to mend but this was going to be his biggest and it had almost cost him his life. Virgil opened the packaging of the new bandage and before he removed it he picked up the medical tape from the tray. He fed his finger through the centre of the tape and then pulled the bandage from the packaging laying it over the wound and holding it in place with the tape hand. Using his other hand he pulled out a length of tape and secured the first edge then be moved onto the opposite edge before finishing the other two.
Once he had finished he placed the rubbish in the tray removing his gloves and then tucked John back in before disposing of the rubbish. When he moved away Felicity took up her spot again settling her hand back with John's.
While Virgil was finishing up Felicity started to make conversation. "How is he doing?"
From his spot at the sink washing his hands Virgil replied. "He's stable, improving slowly. His oxygen sats are rising back to 90% now. He is on the last bag of blood now, we think he lost over three pints of blood. His blood pressure is rising now and his heart rate is returning to normal. The sedative should have worn off by now so when he's ready he will come around. I've got him on saline, antibiotics and morphine only the strongest stuff will do." Virgil tried to slip some humor in. It had been so close, it was the first time he had ever had to do CPR on one of his brothers and he hoped to god he would never have to do it again.
He came and sat down next to Felicity he gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "How are you doing? Grandma said you only just made it to your room before you crashed."
"Yeah I uh don't know what came over me. I feel much better now though." Felicity replied, her eyes watching John's chest rising and falling as he breathed.
"That was some nifty computer skills you showed back there." Virgil complimented.
"Thanks." Felicity said she prayed that he left it there for now. She had decided to tell everyone about her secret but she didn't want to do it more than once.
Grandma Tracy came back into the room at that moment with a large flask and some cups. "I brought extra. Your Father said Gordon's looking after 2, Brain's is manning Control. All hands on deck its boarding school fire." Grandma reported as she brought the coffee flask over and handed out a cup to Virgil and one to Felicity before pouring out the coffee.
"How is John doing Virgil?" Grandma asked as she put the lid back on the flask.
"Vitals are improving and the sedative should be out of his system now so it's when he's ready to wake up. I won't know much more until he wakes."
Grandma Tracy put a comforting hand on his shoulder as she looked over her blonde unconscious grandson. "You have done everything you can. Get some more rest I think they will be out for a while. I am going to go to bed sitting in these chair for too long won't help my old joints."
"Okay Grandma, any changes I'll let you know."
"Thank you Virgil dear."
"Good night Grandma." Both Felicity and Virgil said almost in sync.
Grandma gave a little chuckle John had found someone to fit perfectly into the family dynamic. "Goodnight you three." She replied before heading out of the room.
Felicity shuffled in her chair getting comfy for a long night and sipped at her warm drink.
"Your Grandma makes a good coffee." Felicity remarked.
"From what I remember yours was pretty close." Virgil complimented.
"You know I never actually thought it would get used. And I defiantly never thought I'd be here." She mused.
"Well I for one was glad of the coffee and if we hadn't met you I wouldn't like to dwell on what could have been today." Virgil surmised.
"Do you know what caused it yet?" Felicity asked curious.
"Alan thinks the damage to 5 looked like she'd been caught in a meteor shower. For that to happen the shielding must have been disabled or malfunctioned. Once John wakes and we get his account Alan will do a reconnaissance with Fermat and retrieve the core hard drive it should have all of the systems logs running up to when the emergency power failed." Virgil explained. "The worrying part is why we didn't get a mayday call. Everything is designed with failsafe contingencies, when we know all of the facts there will be some serious redesigns."
"If he goes back."
"He will. When the Hood attacked 5 as soon as John's arm healed he was back up there fixing her up. We Tracy's never stay down, we have all had our tests some of us seem to have them more regularly."
"I think you are the bravest people in the world."
Virgil felt a small blush creep over his cheeks and he was glad Felicity was focused on John. "It's just what we do." He replied nonchalant. "Would you like some more coffee?"
"Sure."
Virgil retrieved the flask and poured out more coffee for Felicity then himself. It was going to be a long night.
The boys had arrived back safely in the early hours of the morning exhausted and filthy. They had popped into see John on their way up from the silos but Virgil halted them just inside the door, giving the latest update of his condition, before sending them off again to get washed up.
Shortly after Jeff came in and took up the seat on John's other side. Virgil gave him the same report on John's progress before the three of them settled into their own thoughts.
A few hours passed before Grandma Tracy appeared at the door. She came in and Virgil once more gave the report on John's progress.
"Breakfast is on the table." She announced to the room.
There was a fight between who would go and who would stay with John.
"You said he's improving and stable, you have been at his side since rescuing him and Jeff you have been on rescue as well at here so you two should go get something to eat and have a break. If anything changes at all I can get you in a second." Felicity looked pointedly at Jeff with her last comment.
"Come on son some food and fresh air will do you some good." Jeff backed up Felicity.
"Alright." Virgil conceded. "Let me just do the next obs and I will be up."
Virgil went through the same routine he had done hourly through the night and he started to give Felicity instruction of what could change while he was gone.
"Got it, if it helps I've looked after the Arrow when he was shot and injected with a coagulant."
Virgil turned in shock to look at Felicity. "Huh. You are full of surprises."
'You have know idea', she thought. "Yep. So are you I never pictured you as a doctor."
"Yeah, I got the short straw on that one and I'm the one with the patience for the job." He chuckled. "Okay I guess I should get some food." Virgil reluctantly added, his stomach however betrayed him growling loudly.
"I promise not to steal him while your gone." Felicity tried to add a little humor and it seemed to work when she heard Virgil's chuckle.
"I think you already have." He mumbled as he left the room. All of the brothers had noticed how much happier John had been since he had returned from the conference with Felicity.
Once the door closed Felicity had a little stretch out the chairs really were uncomfortable but it wasn't anything she couldn't deal with. When all of the kinks had loosened she settled back in the chair and wrapped her hand around his.
"So still want to know what happened with the break in?" She asked. When John remained silent she took it as a yes and continued the story where she had been interrupted.
By the time she had talked through Team Arrow's latest mission the door opened and in piled four brothers all now clean and looking a little less tired than they had earlier.
Felicity went to get up and let them sit around John again but Scott reaching that side of the bed first placed a hand on her shoulder keeping her in the chair. He nodded to the two younger Tracy's that were standing on the other side of the bed with their hands behind their backs looking mischievous. They pulled out from behind their backs a flask and a plate full of pancakes, bacon and eggs. "TA DA!" They chorused with wide grins on their faces.
Scott explained. "We thought you'd like to stay down here. Grandma said you liked latte so we make a flask full."
Felicity couldn't help the smile that spread over her face. "Thank you." She released John's hand as Gordon passed the plate over to her and she shuffled up a chair putting herself inline with John's head. Scott took Felicity's vacated seat and started his vigil of holding John's hand. Gordon took up the seat at John's leg.
"Do you want some pouring out Felicity?" Alan asked. She nodded around a mouthful of food.
When she swallowed she started a conversation. "How did the rescue go?"
"Good as far as they go, we got everyone out and extinguished the fire." Scott answered.
"If Alan hadn't been here I would have put money on him starting it." Gordon quipped.
"Hey! That was one time." He protested.
"At that school." Scott divulged.
"Fine but I learnt my lesson eventually." Alan concluded as he came around to Felicity's side and handed over the coffee.
"Thanks." Felicity said taking the coffee and having a large drink from it.
Alan went and sat next to Scott opposite Gordon and leant on the side of the bed crossing his arms and lying his head down on his arms and facing up the bed.
Once Virgil had done another round of obs he sat down opposite Scott and leant back in the chair.
Felicity continued to eat grateful for their thoughtfulness, until Alan broke the silence with a question that caused her to choke on her food.
"So Felicity where did you learn to hack like that?"
Once she had caught her breath and the fear of answering the question took away her appetite she put the plate of food down under her chair and when she looked back up four sets of eyes were on her. She took a breath. "Uh I didn't learn to hack like that and that wasn't a digital avatar on the screens that was me." She let that bit of information sink in and studied the faces around the bed.
Scott and Virgil were sharing glances between themselves and looked confused at what she was saying. Gordon seemed completely bewildered and Alan seemed to be concentrating very hard and looked as though he wanted to say something.
"I want to say up front that I am really REALLY sorry but I haven't been completely truthful with you. John knew and don't be mad at him because I begged him not to say anything." Felicity started at the beginning about the gene therapy she had and what it evolved into. Then she told them about what really happened in Starling City.
The confusion on Virgil and Scott's faces morphed into anger at her admittance of lying to them but it slowly softened as she revealed more about herself. Alan's confusion changed into eagerness and Gordon's eyes seemed to develop a mischievous glint and she remembered Jeff's words from the day before.
"I have so many questions." Alan said lifting his head in excitement.
"I have one how did you get Thunderbird 5 to operate without power?" Virgil asked.
"That was something completely new to me. I used the connection of Thunderbird 3 being docked to get across into the lock system and it was like giving my energy into the lock to make it operate. I'm guessing that's why I slept for long yesterday, sorry." She apologised.
"Don't apologise." Scott cut in, he put his hand on her shoulder to get her direct attention. "You saved John. If you hadn't been there we would never have known until it was too late." He glanced over at Virgil then Gordon and Alan before looking back at Felicity and continuing. "And I say this for all of us, thank you for saving him. We will overlook what's in the past as long as that's all?"
"Yes the background check covered everything except what I've just said. You now are the only ones who know and I am really sorry."
"Well then I think one good deed cancels out that indiscretion." Scott surmised and there were nods of agreement from the rest of the brothers.
"Thank you."
"So are you like an X-man from the comics?" Alan questioned excitedly. Gordon seemed to take a bit more interest in the question while Scott and Virgil both rolled their eyes and groaned.
"No they all got their powers through evolution…"
"City." A whispered croak cut through the chatter like a knife and five sets of wide eyes turned their focus to the stirring blonde.
AN – sorry another cliffy I know they are horrible but well I can't resist it and I wanted to get it up before the weekend. Please let me know what you think I hope that reactions are okay, reviews are really REALLY appreciated good or bad.