John and Virgil heard Scott's heartbroken cry from opposite ends of the villa and made it to their Dad's study. They looked at each other and opened the door.

The room was a mess. Everything was broken on the floor, and in the centre of the detritus sat Scott, head bowed and tears flowing.

Virgil immediately went to his side and folded him into a hug while John gave his shoulder a squeeze and began to clear up the mess, carefully picking up broken pieces. He looked up at Gordon and Alan's arrival, shaking his head at their unspoken question.

Gordon nodded and headed off, pulling Alan with him. John guessed where they would be heading. That meant that the two hurting members of their family were being taken care of, and he sat down on Scott's other side and gave his eldest brother's shoulder a squeeze.

Kayo answered a knock at her door to find her youngest two brothers there with three giant tubs of ice cream, three spoons and two sympathetic smiles. Her initial thought was that she could do without the company, but she found herself opening the door wider and letting them in.

The three of them piled onto her bed and for the next few minutes all that could be heard was them eating. Occasionally they would help themselves to each other's tubs, and by the time they were half-way through Kayo had to admit she was feeling a little better.

'So, sis…want me to kick Scotty's ass?'

'While I appreciate the thought that won't be necessary, Gordon.'

'Have you broken up?'

'Scott and I have come to an agreement, Alan. We're taking a step back for a while, that's all.'

'Oh.'

'Well, the offer's still on the table should you wish, Kayo.'

'And I still appreciate it. Honestly, guys, thank you. I'm feeling better already.'

A good night's sleep – that's what she needed. Gordon and Alan had been more of a help than she'd really admitted to them, but as she settled down to sleep other thoughts began to occur to her, causing her night to be fitful at best.

But she knew what she needed to do by the time she woke up.

It was early, the sun not yet touching the horizon but the sky was beginning to lighten. Scott would be up, Kayo was sure of it, and she dressed quickly to get out there and meet him out on his run.

If Scott was surprised when Kayo joined him he didn't say, and the two had jogged halfway around the island before she slowed and stopped, causing Scott to jog back to her to check she was alright.

Kayo had picked her place well. They were on the side of the volcano overlooking the island and the villa, and by the time Scott had backtracked she was standing, hands on hips and looking out over the ocean. Her hair was whipping in the breeze.

Her very stance screamed anger to him and so Scott approached warily, stopping just short of her.

'Kayo? Everything alright?'

'No, Scott. Everything is most decidedly not right.'

'Did you fall? Twist your ankle?'

All at once he was beside her, looking her over for an injury, and with a strangled cry she grabbed him and threw him over her shoulder onto his back. Scott knew better than to get up without an answer so he lay there, looking at her with puzzlement.

'You are an insufferable idiot; do you know that?'

'Er…'

'You decided that we'd hit a snag that could not be fixed by any other means than taking a step back and so you just made the decision. Without talking to me or anything. Once more the great Scott Tracy makes a decision as to what's best for his family without consulting them.'

'Er…'

'Well, guess what, hot shot – I am not alright with this decision and I am not happy.'

And with that Kayo resumed her run, leaving a surprised and speechless Scott on the ground.

Her words echoed around his skull. She was right. He hadn't thought to discuss it with her, he'd only wanted to spare her more heartache, but now she'd said that all out loud Scott could see what an idiot, an asshole and a fool he'd been.

Deciding that withdrawing would be the better course than following her – Kayo in a temper was not someone to say the wrong thing to - Scott slowly jogged back to the villa. He could hear Gordon in the pool, but by the time he'd made it up to the patio his brother was standing there waiting for him, dripping wet.

'Gordon.'

'Hey Scott.'

And before he realised it Scott was once more on the ground, this time courtesy of a Parker Haymaker if he was not mistaken. He moved his jaw gingerly with one hand while Gordon towered over him, glaring.

'That's for breaking our sister's heart.'

Then Gordon leaned forward and offered Scott a hand up. Scott took it gratefully.

'I know, Gords. I know. I messed up. I should have talked to her first rather than deciding this alone. I know that now.'

'Wait – you didn't even discuss breaking up with her first? You – you just decided on your own back to…'

'I –'

But Scott didn't get any further as a sharp 1-2 combo to his right jaw laid him out again, and he propped himself up to see Gordon disappearing back into the villa.

*'I deserved that,'* he thought with a sigh, and picked himself up and made his way back to his room for a shower and to contemplate if this situation was salvageable at all.

If anyone was surprised by the growing bruise around Scott's jaw and the distinctly frosty air between the oldest and fourth boys, no one said anything. No one said anything much at all – they were all mad at Scott, but none more so than himself.

That evening Scott had knocked on Kayo's door but there remained silence from her room. He sighed and rested his forehead on the door as he spoke to her.

'Kayo, I am so very sorry. You were right, of course. I didn't think about talking things over with you. I am a grade A asshole and I'm begging you – please, talk to me.'

But there was no reply and after a while Scott left for his room. He had only himself to blame, and he was thankful that only Gordon had taken it upon himself to show how angry he was. They all had a right to deck him, and Scott wouldn't blame them if they did.

For the next couple of days Scott kept himself busy and away from them for as much of the time as possible in the office that hadn't see as much use since before their Dad had gone. Until John sent Gordon to fetch him.

Gordon didn't say anything, just showed up at the door to the office and stood there leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded. Scott looked at him. Gordon rolled his eyes and came over, grabbing Scott in a Squid hug and then dragging him out to the patio where Virgil already had the steaks and burgers cooking.

It took longer for Kayo and Scott to get back onto an even keel, but the nature of their jobs and their friendship with each other – along with words from Grandma – meant they didn't allow the situation to fester and become awkward.