Yay, I finally got around to writing this chapter! I really am so sorry about the huge wait, but real life can get in the way a lot (annoyingly). I've had a surge of inspiration for this story so hopefully updates will get a little more regular again, and I promise the fic will be finished! I hope you all enjoy this chapter - it's mostly just angst but then, I know a lot of you enjoy that!

baao

Disclaimer: nah, still own nothing...

Chapter Five

Alan was glad for calming Gordon's presence at the foot of his bed - without it, Alan wasn't sure how he would've coped with everything. He could see Virgil and Brains fussing over Scott whilst their fathered hovered uncertainly between the two beds. He could hear Virgil mumbling medical terms to Brains which the youngest Tracy was desperately trying to ignore but it was hard when each diagnosis became more concerning and any silence was filled with muttered curse words.

Brains was stoic as ever, calmly fixing monitors and attaching an array of wires to the eldest brother with steady hands. Alan glanced at his own; the skin was a stark white, the red and blue veins contrasting with the paleness and creating a map on the back of his hand. Clenching his fists, Alan attempted to conceal the shaking that had taken over his entire body, but was forced to uncurl the fingers once again with a wince as his injured wrist protested angrily to the movement.

Gordon glanced at him, concern burning in hazel eyes at Alan's movement and despite Alan's silent shaking of his head to indicate he was fine, Gordon moved closer to him.

"Dad," addressed Gordon, his voice slicing through the tense atmosphere in the room, "is there any chance of some more painkillers for Alan. He said earlier he hadn't had any since the initial impact."

Jeff had jumped out of his reverie upon hearing his son speak to him, and smiled sympathetically at his youngest.

"I'll have a look around for something - I can't risk anything stronger; Virgil is in charge of that, but I'll see what I can do."

Jeff headed over to the far corner of the room, and Gordon turned to Alan, smiling softly in reassurance. Alan could only meekly nod in response and wanted to do nothing more than sleep and pretend none of this had happened, though he was more than aware that he couldn't since he hadn't received the all clear from Virgil yet. Since Virgil was somewhat preoccupied with preventing their brother's early demise, Alan would just have to wait it out.

Despite his silent reassurances to himself that Scott would be fine regardless of what had happened in 'Three, Alan could feel the thin tendrils of panic working their way into his mind the minute he had even thought about the fact that Scott actually could die from this. His mind had been a constant battlefield of worry, fear, and guilt ever since the asteroids had collided with his Thunderbird, and at the moment, Gordon's calming presence was the only thing stopping any of those three from winning and consuming him. He worried and feared for Scott, he was still in shock from the accident and the fear there lingered, haunting him despite leaving the wreck over an hour ago, but more than anything, Alan felt crippling guilt.

Whilst realistically, he knew that Scott would never blame for what had happened - neither would any of his family - and that no one could've seen the asteroid field hitting so early, not even John, yet Alan still felt solely responsible. It was him who was tasked with getting them through, and he had failed. Not only that, just minutes before Scott had been scolding him for being cocky and Alan's arrogance and over confidence had led to his brother's pain.

Even after the initial impact, Scott had still put Alan before himself and treated Alan with as much care as he could offer, something which may have caused even more suffering on his part, and Alan now, with the shock slowly leaving him as he received treatment and safety, felt the need to blame himself begin to choke him.

His thoughts were interrupted however by their father presenting two small, white pills to him with a glass of water. Taking the medication silently, Alan slowly sipped at the water, the coolness of it helping relieve his pounding head somewhat.

"How are you feeling now, Sprout?" asked Jeff, softly, his concern and worry evident in every aspect of his being; his face looked older, more tired, and Alan could've sworn he'd sprouted a few more grey hairs.

Alan blinked away tears that embarrassingly had begun to swim in the corners of his eyes from exhaustion and overwhelming guilt, but just as he was about to answer, the silence was broken.

The sound of Scott's coughing had shattered the silence that had been smothering the infirmary on Tracy Island; the choking, desperate breaths were punctuated by wheezing gasps as a barely conscious Scott struggle to inhale the oxygen he so desperately needed.

Virgil had actually jumped backwards in surprise; the violence of the coughing fit had caught him off guard as he'd been so focussed on treating the bloody gash on the side of his elder brother's head. Despite recovering from his initial shock in a matter of seconds, Virgil found himself still half-leaning backwards to avoid the sudden spray of blood that had erupted from Scott's mouth. Brains acted quicker than the middle Tracy did, and swiftly rolled Scott onto his side, despite his meek protests and groans, to prevent him choking on his own blood.

The coughs had mostly subsided shortly afterwards, as Scott found his breathing easier in this position, but Virgil was more than aware that it wouldn't last. Nodding at Brains to continue treatment, Virgil turned to face the rest of his family.

"Virgil," his father began, his face pale and eyes weary, "what's going on?"

Virgil took a deep breath, running his hands over his tired face, though not realising that this action smeared his brother's blood across his worn features.

"Brains and I are going to need to operate. It looks like internal bleeding - most likely a perforated lung - and it needs to be fixed immediately in order to avoid any lasting consequences."

Virgil delivered the news bluntly, too exhausted to realise that perhaps he should've softened the information in order to protect his siblings, especially Alan who was particularly vulnerable at the moment. Ignoring the look of horror on Gordon's face, and gasp of shock from Alan, Virgil kept his eyes steadily on his father. He felt a sigh escape him as the Tracy patriarch nodded in understanding and thus allowing Virgil to do what needed to be done, whatever the risks may be.

Virgil turned back to Brains, and offered a weak smile. Scott had drifted into unconsciousness and Virgil knew it was time; Scott had saved all of them on countless occasions, and now Virgil could return the favour.

As per usual, let me know what you thought in the reviews! I know not much happened, but the story will pick up again, I promise!