Gordon TAG POV
Gordon and Brains had been working for six hours straight. Six hours, with minimal progress, as they tried to figure out how to connect the different worlds, and times, technologies. It was easier said than done. That's for sure! Most of the time was spent trying to explain how their respective technology worked. Getting their partner up to speed, to figure out a way to connect them.
They were suddenly interrupted by a half-naked man bursting through the workshop door. Both Gordon and Brains were so focused on their work that they completely missed the approaching footsteps, giving them both a jump scare of epic proportions.
"Hey, Gords! I need to talk to you!" Scott managed to get out before he was interrupted.
When Gordon realised that it was a guilty looking Scott, who had been left in charge with watching his little brother, his heart threatened to jump out of his chest.
"Scott! What's wrong with Alan!" Gordon demanded, while promptly heading towards the door, already on his way back to the infirmary.
Scott turned straight back around and followed Gordon. "Al is a bit worse, and I promised to inform you.".
"Why are you running around without a shirt and are wearing wet trousers? You did not leave my brother alone to play hooky, did you?" Gordon continued with a hint of hostility in his voice.
"No Gords! Come on! Give me a little bit more credit! I have a good explanation!" Scott tried to defend himself.
"It better be a good explanation Scott! My mind is jumping to a lot of conclusions, none of them reflect very favourably upon you right now. So, please, explain yourself, before my mind comes up with something even worse." Gordon replied, his voice and body language had turned into steel.
Scott took a hold of Gordons arm, forcing him to stop for a second. "Woh, Stop! Gords! You're getting it wrong! I promise!".
"Then just tell me! You were running into the workshop, half naked and soaked, telling me we need to talk, looking more guilty than I have ever seen any version of you my whole life. I trusted you to keep an eye on Allie. I am facing the weirdest shit in my entire life! That is saying something, as I have encountered extra-terrestrials on Jupiter's moon! My only baby brother almost died yesterday! Excuse me for not having complete control over my emotions at the moment!" Gordon shouted, letting his frustration shine through.
"I have an excellent explanation for everything. Just take a few deep breaths and let me explain! I have not played hooky. I have stayed with Al since you went with Brains until just now, when I went to get you. Al is in Franks very capable hands until we get back! Scott tried to explain, while placing his hands on Gords tense shoulders.
"Can you get to the part explaining why you are soaking wet and half naked? And why you looked so guilty?" Gordons shoulders relaxed a bit.
"I am getting there! Als breathing got a bit worse, he started wheezing a bit during the afternoon. He slept the entire time until an hour ago, woken up by his own coughing fit. This coughing fit was a bit too much for him, with his concussion, so he threw up everywhere. I managed to call Frank who came within a minute or two and assessed Al. His symptoms are worse. He's got a fever. Frank put me in charge of helping Al shower, while he prepared lots of different I.V. medications." Scott took a deep breath and continued.
"I don't have my shirt because it got contaminated with Als breakfast when I carried him into the shower. I threw it in the laundry. He almost fell over when he undressed, I caught him and helped him shower, with his permission of course! The rest of my clothes got splashed with water from the shower. When we were finished, Frank inserted another I.V. line and started giving him his medications. He fell asleep again after the nebuliser treatment for his breathing. I looked guilty because I was so distracted with everything going on, that I accidentally broke my promise of getting you at the first sign of any deterioration. I'm sorry!" Scott continued sounding sheepish.
"Oh… Sorry for jumping to bad conclusions and doubting you! I shouldn't have. I am just so worried about Alan and the entire situation, that everything gets translated into a threat in my mind. It feels like it is still in fight or flight mode, and I can't snap out of it." Gordon apologised.
"Apology accepted. Come on, let's get back to Al. It will probably help ground you a bit. It usually works for me after close calls." Scott said while putting his arm over Gords shoulder, leading him back to the infirmary.
Just as Scott promised, Frank was with Al, treating him. Gordon had developed a bit of a soft spot for Franks excellent way of talking with Alan. Frank was, just as his name suggested, quite frank but at the same time very kind and considerate. Gordon appreciated his honesty and not treating them like stupid kids.
Alan had got some new bedsheets, space themed, instead of the previous white ones. It made the infirmary feel less clinical and homier. Alan was sleeping soundly surrounded by planets and stars. It made Gordon crack a small smile.
The sentiments of home were betrayed by all the different medication drips that were attached to both of Alans arms. He was connected to a vital monitor. One quick eye on the reedings showed Gordon that they were under control. Gordon felt the knot of panic in his stomach slowly start to unravel as he sat down beside him while taking his hand. The stray thought of how many times he had held Alans hand since this crazy thing started struck him. Lots and lots were the answer. Might be on their way to set a record, beating their previous, after mom's death.
Allie was still here. His hand was still warm. Not ice-cold, like after the avalanche he almost died in with mom all those years ago, not like yesterday, when Gordon saved him from drowning. Perhaps his hand was a bit too warm, but hey, Frank said he had a fever, and this was much better than the alternative. They were together. Hopefully not broken, only a bit bent.
Frank calmly explained what happened when Gordon was gone, how they were dealing with the symptoms and how they could potentially develop.
When Gordons stomach made a grumbling sound, proclaiming its hunger, Frank inquired when he last ate. Let's just say, Frank wasn't pleased to find out that he hadn't had anything, besides the light breakfast with Alan this morning. As Gordon refused to leave Alans side, Scott volunteered to bring him something, leaving Frank and Gordon alone.
"How are you holding up?" Frank inquired.
"Much better than Alan!" Gordon replied.
"You realise that you are not setting the bar very high with that lad?" Frank continued.
"I guess." Gordon shrugged.
"It is okay, not to be okay. In fact, I would be more worried if you were. Let's just focus on the now and take it one step at a time. It will get better, in time." Frank sat down beside Gordon.
"How the hell can you know that?" Gordon asked agitated.
"I lost my wife and kids in a horrible car accident a few years ago. They were my everything. I shattered into a million broken pieces. Lost the will to live. Wanted to just be reunited with them in the afterlife, if there even is one. Was stuck in a deep depression for a year, before I slowly started to climb out with help of professionals and friends. Jeff inspired me to want to get better. That was my hardest hurdle to overcome. To want to move forward again. I started researching how to better treat trauma patients, to hopefully give another family, with a similar fate, a better outcome." Frank told Gordon.
"I am very sorry for your loss Frank. But our situation is not the same. I am stranded in a different world and time! My brother almost died yesterday, still might, if we are unlucky. Our luck has been kind of crap lately. I worked six hours today, just trying to understand how your technology works and didn't get anywhere! Optimism can only take me so far. I am failing Allie! I am failing my family! What kind of useless big brother am I even!" Gordon replied starting to shout towards the end, venting his doubts and frustration.
"Of course, they are not the same! I do not think anyone, ever, has been in your situation. Different world! Pure Sci-fi for us regular mortals. You Tracy's have a knack for finding trouble! I just wanted to let you know that I know the feeling of despair. I know it a bit too well. If you are any similar to my Tracy's, you have lost loved ones before. You know the pure agony it causes. I lost my world! Well not literally like you did, but my family was my world. With time I got better, I am still here, on this earth, trying to do some good. People who claim, time heals all wounds, are talking out of their behind. But, at least for me, time makes the unhealable wounds easier to live with." Frank encouraged Gordon to look him in his eyes before continuing.
"You are still here! Alan is alive, even if he is banged up! You saved his life, kept him calm, comforted him when he was scared and cheered him up! Simultaneously shouldering the burden of trying to find a way back home, while you are letting him heal. That sounds to me like you're acting as the best brother I can think of!" Frank exclaimed, while laying a hand on Gordons shoulder before continuing.
"I promise to do my very best to take care of him! You need to cut yourself some slack! Rome was not built in one day. Fortunately, you are not alone. You do not have to shoulder this burden by yourself. You have two crazy, brilliant and stubborn Tracy families working on getting you back home. Do you seriously believe they will not figure it out? Have you met your family? I can guarantee that my Tracy's will not stop until they get you home. They are a little crazy like that. Your family are missing two brothers. I am terrified for anyone stupid enough to stand in their way.".
Gordon released a big sigh "Thanks Frank, I did not know I needed to hear that. Sorry for snapping at you!".
Frank pulled Gordon into a one-armed hug. "My pleasure, anytime! Don't be sorry! It is better to let overwhelming emotions out compared to bottling it all up.".
"Have you ever considered changing career? Your pep talk was even better than Scott's, and he is practically born and bred for it!" Gordon tried to lighten the mood. Having had enough with heavy emotions for the evening.
"That is truly a compliment of the highest order! Not yet, but now, maybe I will." Frank answered with a glint in his eyes.
"Frank, how did you end up on Tracy Island?" Gordon asked, eager to change the subject.
Frank got the hint and happily obliged, starting his tale with "Well son, let me tell you what an absolute moron my version of Jefferson is!".