Note: This is my first piece of fan fiction - it's a scenario that I couldn't get out of my head so I decided to write it. And since it is being written I thought I would share it.

It's set immediately after the episode Impact, and I have assumed a certain amount of familiarity with what went on - you'll have to go buy the episode if you are not familiar. As such I don't own any of the ideas or characters.

Also, please forgive me if there is an interesting mix of spellings - I am from the UK but my laptop the US. I try to stick to one type, but don't always catch them all.

John gazed out of the viewing port: he was pleased that he still never got tired of the view of the Earth below. Though his attention was often elsewhere through necessity it was oddly comforting to see everyone and everything spread out below him.

This time it was a call with Scott that held his concentration.

"No, this is the plan" he once again told his oldest brother.

"Thunderbird 3 needs repairs before it is good to launch again, so Brains is working on that. Captain O'Bannon has her hands full with her own station and crew. So I'm going to manouver Thunderbird 5 back over Tracy Island and lower the space elevator for Brains to inspect. When he's happy it's safe it will be loaded up with fuel. I'll make sure that's in the tanks here and then be right down for you to give me a full medical."

John could see that Scott still wasn't happy, but they'd been having a variation of this conversation for the last 15 minutes.

"You took quite a blow to the back John, while you were dragging Global One out of the way of that comet, are you sure you're ok?" Scott was using that piercing look of his that he used to pry the truth from his younger brothers.

"If you're asking if it hurts, then the short answer is yes." John sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "But of course, you guys never come back from a mission with bumps and bruises".

Scott's gaze shifted to one side, looking uncomfortable. "Yes, but we're not orbiting at 400 km when it happens."

"You're worried, I get it I really do. That's the way I feel every time you go out. But this really is the best, quickest, safest way."

Scott's expression softened at being reminded how often John was left watching and listening while his brothers risked their lives. "I know, but I don't like it. EOS can handle getting 5 back into position right?"

John smiled at the typical Scott stubbornness as he still refuses to accept the obvious solution to the problem. "With one arm tied behind her back."

"Then you rest up while she does that, got it?"

"Fine!" John threw up his hands, then flinched as his back spasmed. Seeing Scott scowl he went on "I'll take some pain killers and get to bed until the space elevator is ready. Happy?" Maybe it wasn't as much Scott stubbornness as Tracy stubbornness, recognising it in himself as well.

"Happy is a strong word for what I'm feeling right now, but sure. Call us if anything changes."

"I will. I'll see you in a few hours, Thunderbird 5 out." John turned off the vid screen and turned to the space station controls.

"You do know I don't have arms, don't you John?" Came EOS' gentle tones.

"Of course EOS."

"Good, I thought you might have a head injury as well."

"Plot a course back for me please EOS and begin when you're ready" John said, as he slowly made his way to his sleeping quarters.

"Acknowledged" intoned EOS, "how hurt are you exactly?"

Johns's expression was part amusement at EOS' desire for precise data, and part grimace for the pain his was experiencing. The truth was that the comet debris had him solidly on his lower back, winding him and sending him into a spin. He was fortunate that he hadn't spun out into space. And now his entire back ached, paeticularly when he moved. He could still work of course, but his injury was less than an hour old and he had already had enough.

"It's a hard thing to quantify EOS. Just wake me when we get there please."

"Of course John."

John reached into one of the many emergency packs that were stashed around the space station - this one situated by the head of his bed. He took one of the packets of pain killers, and snapped the cool back to start it's endothermic reaction. This he held against his back, breathing deep as he held it against what he thought would be a pretty impressive bruise.

John lay down on his bed, waiting for the pain killers to kick in. The rescue of Global One had been at the end of an already long day, so it wasn't long before sleep claimed him.