Unspoken

Disclaimer: please see Chapter 1.

Thanks for all the reviews especially given the huge delay in updating. Well this is the last chapter and I hope you all enjoyed it. Well, Darkflame, this is it and I've loved writing this for you. Hope you enjoyed it my dear friend and you deserve it for just being you. Love you.

Chapter 5: Without a Word

Virgil wiped his hands on a cloth then dropped it onto his tool box. Glancing at his watch, he realized he had been down in the silo a lot longer than he had intended. Shrugging off his overalls, he made his way out of the silo and up into the villa. He let out a big yawn as his stomach grumbled at the same time and he decided that food best be his first stop and then maybe he really should go and rest. After he'd checked on John, of course, then maybe one more test run on Two. It had been two days since John had finally left the sickbay and his brother was getting better by the day but Virgil still wanted to keep a close eye on him. Especially as John still had no voice. Not that it had stopped his brother from getting his point across when he needed to.

Stopping into the kitchen, he wasn't surprised to find a plate held out in front of him. "Thanks, Kyrano," he replied and sat down.

"You're welcome, Mr. Virgil," replied the quiet man before he disappeared again.

Virgil quickly ate the food and then headed off to find John. He had a feeling his brother wouldn't be in his room but in the lounge with their father. John had been finding other ways to help as he couldn't take part in rescues. With Brains' help he'd been able to connect with Five's on-board computers so he could help Alan if needed. Virgil knew his brother was struggling with not being able to help and seemingly unaware of how much he could do without uttering a single word.

He entered the lounge to find John engaged in an animated but silent conversation with their father. John was fluent in sign language and it had quickly become clear that Jeff was as well. Something his sons had no idea about until now. Virgil could see that though still pale John appeared to be much better so decided to not interrupt them. Instead he headed to his piano and without even needing any music he started to play.

John had noticed Virgil come in and had even seen the swift change in direction. He smiled as he realized what Virgil was playing. It was a tune he had always loved and one Virgil had always played whenever he felt John needed cheering up. Right now he didn't, he was doing okay but it was good to hear it though.

"Easily lost in his music, just like his mother," mused Jeff a fond smile on his face as he watched his musician.

John nodded in agreement with a little surprise at the open mention of Lucy. Jeff very rarely talked about her and hardly ever about her music, it caused him heartache. Thankfully, he had accepted Virgil's talent in the end and now John was aware of how much it meant to Jeff when his son played.

As he watched his brother play, his eyes landed on the dark circles around his brothers eyes and it was clear Virgil was heading for exhaustion. He looked over at his dad and gestured at Virgil and made a sleeping motion, followed by a raised eyebrow.

"I'm not sure. He's claimed he has but looking at him now I'm thinking he may have been lying," replied Jeff now seeing the same as John.

Jeff made to stand up but John stopped him. It was clear that the music was having a calming effect on his brother and this might actually help him relax.

Thankfully, Jeff realized what John was getting at and he sat back down again. "Even without saying a word John, you can convey all you need to us," said Jeff a knowing look on his face.

John sighed and knew he should have realized his Dad would know exactly how he was feeling.

"John, this isn't permanent and even if it was. You would still be a part of International Rescue. It's not your voice that makes you good at what you do, it's you. With the simplest look I've seen you calm one of your brothers and with the barest touch you're able to tell us how much we mean to you. Even in the last couple of days, you've reached out, reassured and faced down each of your stubborn brothers. You even reassured Alan up on Five. So never doubt your worth to us just because you've lost your voice," said Jeff.

"Thank you," mouthed John, touched by his father's words. It truly meant so much to him to hear his dad say that and he found himself leaning over to hug him. Jeff smiled and hugged him back.

Gordon finished his laps and swam leisurely to the side of the pool. A towel landed on the deck beside him and he looked up to see John sat beside the pool. "Hey bro, your voice quit hiding yet?" he asked and John shook his head.

Gordon climbed out of the pool, gave himself a quick rub down with the towel before wrapping it around his neck and sat down beside his brother. "Is Dr. Virgil panicking yet that it hasn't returned?"

John shook his head again. Virgil wasn't worried yet but he couldn't say the same about himself. Despite that chat with his father a part of him was still worried it wouldn't return.

"It will come back, bro, before long you'll want to shout at one of us, Scott probably and there it will be," replied Gordon.

"Scott?" he mouthed questioningly.

Gordon nodded, "Yeah him. He no doubt still owes Virgil an apology and being the stubborn pain-in-the-ass big brother that he is. He'll need some pushing into it."

John who'd kept a pen and paper on him at all times, especially around Gordon who would pretend not to understand him, wrote quickly. He's already apologised.

"Did Virgil actually hear him or did his sleep addled brain forget it?" queried Gordon.

John wrote again, that I'm not so sure of.

"I wonder where he keeps the sedatives, I could slip some in his coffee later," mused Gordon, standing up.

John reached out to grab his arm but Gordon stepped away, a cheeky grin appearing on his face. "If you have an issue with this do tell me," he paused and then continued. "Nope thought not, I'm off for a rummage in the infirmary.

John knew as much as Virgil needed sleep, drugging him wasn't the best idea and letting Gordon loose with any sort of medication was a recipe for disaster. If he didn't destroy the infirmary first. His brother was moving for the door now and out of his reach. "Stop!" he called, not expecting anything to come out but was stunned when the word was audible.

Gordon stopped and turned around, "Well, it's about time," he replied and then walked back over. "Okay I'll leave him for now but if he doesn't sleep soon then I will."

John shook his head, "Nope, I'll do it if he needs to then he won't kill you for wrecking his infirmary."

"True but he might kill you for drugging him," retorted Gordon.

"Nah, he likes me more than you," grinned John.

Gordon couldn't help but grin back, so you hope."

An exhausted Virgil wandered into the lounge and slumped onto the sofa beside his oldest brother sighing with relief. John had his voice back now and the repairs were done to Two so he could finally relax. Scott didn't move so Virgil swung his legs up onto his brother's lap and leant back against the cushion closing his eyes.

Scott said nothing, knowing Virgil really needed to rest. He'd been so busy looking after John that he was well aware the young artist had barely slept in the last few days. Luckily John was on the mend and Virgil could now rest. A bed of course would be better and far more comfortable but his brother looked so relaxed Scott didn't have the heart to order him to his bed. A faint snore told him that Virgil was no longer awake and a slight grin crossed his face. "Guess I'm forgiven then," he said, softly as Virgil shuffled slightly but didn't awaken. Scott picked up the book he had been reading, quite content to sit here whilst his brother rested.

Two figures stood in the doorway watching the scene before them. A fond smile crossed Jeff's face as he watched them. It was a familiar scene to the older man. Virgil had often fallen asleep across Scott when they were younger. In fact, Virgil had often sought the comfort of Scott when he was really tired and his eldest clearly had no problem with it. He'd never kicked him off.

"Five, four, three, two, one," counted down John who stood beside him. As he reached one, the book dropped from Scott's hand and his head tipped back as he dozed off. John knew his only older brother was tired as well and hadn't slept great himself.

Jeff looked at his middle son and grinned that John had known exactly what was going to happen next. He was surprised though when John suddenly stuck his arm out blocking the doorway. Turning, he saw his second youngest approaching and then stop at the arm.

John raised his finger to his lips to shush Gordon before he could speak and the brother in question looked at him in surprise then glanced over the arm. Seeing his two older brothers, Gordon nodded in understanding and turned around.

John exchanged a surprised look with his father that Gordon had accepted that so readily. He'd expected some sort of joke or threat of a camera at least.

Gordon grinned at them both, "Even I know when not to push it and I'm probably the only one who knows exactly how exhausted Virgil really is," he replied, keeping his voice low. He knew that even before John had got ill, Virgil hadn't been sleeping well so this was exactly what he needed. He was not about to deny his brother that.

"Is there something I need to know?" asked Jeff, realizing there was more to his son's words.

Gordon walked away from the door, knowing Scott was a light sleeper and didn't want to wake him. "It's nothing really, Dad. On top of looking after John he's been working on a repair to Two and then had to overhaul some of the computer systems to compensate," explained the young man.

A look of guilt crossed John's face at his brother's words. He knew being ill wasn't his fault but he still couldn't help feeling bad that he was the reason his younger brother was exhausted. He then felt someone punch him on the arm. "Ouch, what was that for?" he asked, turning to Gordon.

"No more guilt, you didn't get ill on purpose. It was just one of them things and Virge will be fine. He's been exhausted before and no doubt will again. He can't help being a smother brother so we just gotta let him get on with it," explained Gordon in a rare display of wisdom he wasn't usually known for. He then grinned, "And this way, you've just been saved from him killing you."

"Why would Virgil want to kill John?" asked Jeff, having no idea what was going on.

"He doesn't want to kill me and I had no intention of carrying out anything we discussed, I knew he would rest," replied John.

"Oh yes, I forgot you were clairvoyant now. So, oh mighty mind reader, what is going to happen now?" asked Gordon.

John grinned and Gordon stepped back slightly. "I'll give you a hint," he paused and walked up to Gordon, whispering in his ear. "Run!"

Gordon looked at his father, "Later, Dad," he said and took off down the corridor.

John grinned at his dad and then wandered off the way his younger brother had gone. There was no need to rush he knew exactly where Gordon was and he wanted a little revenge for all his cheeky comments.

Jeff shook his head and turned back to his other sons who were still fast asleep. He smiled as he accepted that things were once more returning to normal on the island.