John smiled to himself as Tracy Two took to the skies. He'd messaged EOS to get Virgil up with the message to meet their youngest brothers in the hangar after Gordon had suggested it.

After spending a couple of silent hours on the patio staring out over the pool to the ocean, Scott had finally turned to John and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently in gratitude before turning to leave.

Letting Scott leave alone, John had spoken in private to Gordon as he waited for Alan to wake up, explaining his plans for the day and John had approved. He had a fair idea where Scott was heading, and John had things to do that he seldom had opportunity while iR was operational. They had a little over 24 hours of the shutdown left and he planned to make the most of it.

Scott had eventually grown weary of staring at the ocean. The calm had done nothing to soothe his heart as he went over and over again the events of the last 24 hours. So much had happened.

But John was right.

Whatever Kayo's reasons were for not telling him, he'd played right into her fear with his reaction. He needed to make that right, and it came as no surprise that he found himself outside her door, a new sense of urgency to talk to her.

He faltered as he went to knock, suddenly unsure of himself. He wasn't used to not knowing how to deal with a situation, it was one of the reasons why he'd been chosen as the Field Commander by his father. But Scott found that the words he wanted to say had dried up on his tongue, and he swallowed nervously.

'Get yourself together, Tracy,' Scott told himself, taking a deep breath and again raising his hand to knock. Only for the door to open and his Grandma to slip out.

Sally didn't even flinch when she came face to face with Scott's fist. She just smiled at his startled expression – and the fact that she'd stunned him so much he'd frozen in place.

Placing a hand on his fist and gently pulling it down Sally sighed gently. Scott started at her touch so she didn't let go of his hand, just changed how she was holding it.

'Come, Scott. Let her sleep a little longer, it's been a long night for you both.'

Scott flushed and dropped his eyes to the floor. His Grandma squeezed his hand before gently lifting his chin with her other hand until he was looking into her eyes.

'Talk to me, Kiddo.'

It had been a long, long time since Grandma had called him that, and Scott bit his lip trying to control the sudden rush of emotions threatened to overwhelm him.

Scott found himself being led to the kitchen. He blinked and he was seated at the table just as he had been a few hours ago with John. Only this time self-preservation kicked in and as his Grandma reached for the coffee pot he shot up.

'Let me, Grandma.'

'Oh, thanks dear.'

Sally smirked to herself as she sat and watched Scott with Virgil's coffee machine. He took his time making the coffee just so, and Sally's smirk deepened. There was a reason her favourite coffee was also the longest one to make…

By the time Scott had made two and sat down opposite her he was acting much more himself, even if his ears were still slightly pink. They supped in silence for a bit, both pausing to watch Tracy Two take off. It was a comfortable silence, despite what had occurred, and Sally couldn't remember the last time she and Scott had just been Grandma and Grandson instead of whatever the hell they were now.

Still she waited. Scott was not one to easily talk about his feelings and would open up in his own time. The longer she remained silent, the quicker that would be. She didn't need to wait much longer.

'I – I'm sorry, Grandma. I am not the man you raised me to be.'

Well this was…unexpected. And also wrong on so many levels. Sally reached across and once more covered his hand with hers, rubbing her thumb soothingly over his knuckles.

'Scott, you are so much more than the man you think you are. You always have been. Nothing that has happened in the last 24 hours or so has changed that at all.'

She could see he didn't believe her, his head hung lower and a stray tear plopped into his cup. Scott was never a crier, she couldn't remember the last time she'd seen him in tears, certainly not since their Mom and Grandpa had passed away. But this had been a very stressful time, and with as little sleep as Scott usually ran on she wasn't surprised that this had pushed him over the edge.

Reaching across, Sally ever so gently caught the next tear from off the tip of his nose.

'Honey, you're overwrought. It's been an horrific 24 hours; you've barely slept and everything is overwhelming you.'

'I shouldn't have reacted like I did.'

'You're human, Scott. Allow yourself to act like one.'

'But I hurt her. I promised I'd never hurt her and I did.'

'Scotty, we always hurt the ones we love, we can't get away from that. It's not something anyone intends to do but it happens nonetheless.'

'What do I do, Grandma? She doesn't trust me and I don't know what to do.'

'Oh Scott…I wish I could tell you. I wish I could wave a magic wand and we could do this all over differently. But I can't change the past and neither can you. Nor can I tell you how to make things right with Kayo. That is something only the two of you can decide.'

'I had a feeling you were going to say something like that.'

'What I can suggest is you go grab some shuteye. The boys will be a while yet with whatever they're bringing home and a rest will help you grab some perspective.'

Scott stood up, wiped his eyes and smiled at her. Sally relaxed a little – it was the first genuine smile she'd seen since yesterday. He came round and kissed her forehead like she used to do to him when he was much, much younger (and shorter).

'Thank you, Grandma. Thank you for being there for Kayo when I was not.'

She watched him retreat to his room.

John materialised beside her.

'I've told Virgil to hold off for an hour or so, give Scott a chance at some actual sleep.'

'Thank you, John.'

'EOS is keeping an eye on Kayo in case she wakes earlier than they return, in which case I will go keep her company.'

'She'd like that. Now, I better get the place cleaned up.'

And away Sally went. John watched her fondly. She wouldn't be idle, there was always something to do.

John sat at the table, going through reports and waiting.