Final chapter now. Thank you to all of those who had reviewed and taken the time to read this, I really appreciate it and I'm glad you liked it.

Pyre, hope you like the final chapter!

"Scott? You down here?"

"Yeah!" Scott shouted his answer, not being sure where Virgil was. Scott couldn't see anything, nor could he sit up to look around. He was lying flat on the floor, his head under Thunderbird One and his arms stretched above him as he tinkered with his 'bird. His leg was propped up to keep it from the floor as well as reminding him he couldn't use both feet in order to scramble out.

After six weeks of his leg being in a cast, he had grown used to moving around without putting pressure on it. The pain had all but gone now, only odd twinges reminding him the bone wasn't as strong. Scott knew it would only be a matter of days before Brains agreed he could have the cast removed.

Once movement became easier, Scott had managed to pass the time. In fact, he felt like he had learnt a lot. Not being used to sitting rescues out meant he had never appreciated what it was like for his father and brothers left behind. Now that he knew, he would make sure he kept in regular contact even if there was nothing to report; the wait was frustrating and worrying for those at home.

"What are you doing?"

Scott twisted his head and awkwardly made out Virgil's legs next to him. He grabbed hold of the underneath of the craft and used it to propel himself backwards. He was lying on a board with four small wheels attached to it, making movement far easier than if he had to wriggle out himself. He slid part of the way, then rammed into Virgil's foot by accident.

"You could give a guy a hand, you know?" Scott felt like he had uttered those words more over the past few weeks than he had over his entire lifetime. He could see his brother better now and Virgil pulled a face before offering down his hand.

"I give you a hand and you break my foot."

"Don't be so dramatic, Virg." Scott took the outstretched hand and Virgil placed his foot on the board to stop it from moving. In one swift movement, he hauled Scott to his feet. Scott reached out with one hand to grab a crutch and used it to prop himself upright. He swivelled on one foot until he could lean back against One. Virgil grinned.

"You couldn't do that six weeks ago."

"I couldn't do a lot of things six weeks ago. You okay?"

"Scan results are back," Virgil said. "The bone has knitted together well. Make it upstairs and you can be a free man again, Scotty."

Scott grinned. He leant over and grabbed the other crutch, fitting them into position with ease and beginning to move towards the exit. Movement in general was certainly a lot easier now he had mastered the art of using the crutches. It didn't escape his notice that Virgil slowed once he drew level though. Even knowing how to use the crutches still left him at a disadvantage when it came to speed.

"I suppose - looking on the bright side - this has taught me a lot," Scott said. The elevator stopped in front of them and Virgil stuck his arm over the door to make sure Scott got in first. Scott limped in, then turned to face Virgil as his brother slipped in. Virgil lifted his eyebrows.

"Like what?"

"I'm more patient now," Scott continued. He leant past his brother and jabbed the button. The doors clanged shut and the elevator whisked them back towards the house. Virgil coughed.

"Really?" The mirth was obvious in his voice but Scott nodded.

"I didn't react when Gordon stole my watch the other day."

"That wasn't patience, Scott." This time, no amount of coughing could hide the laughter in Virgil's voice. "That was laziness; you couldn't be bothered."

"What's the difference?" Scott was sure he should feel offended by the lack of faith his brother was showing. But they reached the house and Virgil was out of the elevator before Scott realised they had come to a stop.

"While you patiently make your way to the infirmary, I'm going to go and set up."

"I can really have it off now?" Scott felt like a child at Christmas again. Virgil's laugh was fond this time and he nodded even as he walked away.

"Unless you would rather keep it on?"

Scott hurried after Virgil. He was impressed by the speed he managed to get up. He was even more impressed with how easily he managed to stop when Gordon suddenly appeared in front of him, not looking where he was going as he stepped out of the kitchen. Gordon turned and visibly jumped when he saw how close Scott was.

"Oh look, it's the cripple."

Scott rolled his eyes. After six weeks, the jokes had worn thin and Scott had stopped noticing them. Gordon toned it down when he realised he wasn't getting a reaction. Sometimes, Scott wondered how much of a child his brother still was. But this time, he grinned.

"Not for much longer."

Gordon smiled. There was no teasing or mockery to his grin, just genuine joy for his brother. He stepped to one side and Scott continued towards the infirmary. To his surprise, Gordon shadowed him down the corridor.

"You're coming too?"

"I'm not missing the hilarity of your leg when the cast comes off," Gordon said. Scott hadn't thought about that and he grimaced. Six weeks of not being used and starved of sunlight was going to have taken its toll on his leg. He fathomed if he had dealt with Gordon while it was broken, he could put up with the teasing for a little longer.

Somehow though, it came as no surprise to find his father and John also in the infirmary. Virgil shrugged innocently when Scott looked at him.

"I didn't tell them."

"I saw Brains with the X-Rays," John explained. "Bumped into Dad on the way over and here we are."

"Ready for your big moment, Scott?" Jeff asked. He crossed the room and put a hand on Scott's shoulder. Scott grinned even as he rolled his eyes.

"You're all acting like it's such a big deal."

"And like you haven't been counting down to this moment for the last week." Virgil said. John shook his head.

"More like the last six weeks."

"Fine, gang up on me!" Scott said, shaking his head with a laugh. "See if I care."

"Alright, boys." There was a mixture of fondness and exasperation in their father's tone. It sounded like he couldn't believe he was stopping them from arguing even now they were all grown men.

"And for once, it's nothing to do with me," Gordon quipped. He hoisted himself onto the nearest bed, his legs swinging freely. Scott watched the movement and swallowed. Despite their teasing, his brothers were right. He was looking forward to this. Although he could handle the pain and had grown used to moving around, he missed the freedom of being able to do what he wanted. It made him realise precisely what Gordon had gone through and caused a rush of respect for those who dealt with this on a daily basis without respite.

His father squeezed his shoulder, frowning quizzically as he sensed the shift in Scott's mood. Scott forced himself to smile and hobbled over to another bed. Balancing his crutches against the side, he hitched himself up and glanced at Virgil and John.

"Where's Brains?" he asked. He knew Brains would be the one to remove the cast. It felt like the rest of the island were present apart from the one person he needed.

"Powering up the saw," John said casually. Scott knew what his brother meant, but it was unnerving thinking of Brains with a saw – especially one that would then be near his leg. Virgil glanced over and grinned.

"Not scared, are you?"

"Course not," Scott scoffed. He settled into a more comfortable position, going as far to lace his fingers behind his head. But when Brains entered only a few moments afterwards, Scott was quick to sit back up again. His hands gripped the edge of the bed when he saw the cast saw in Brains' hand. He knew the man was steady when it came to using tools, but he wished Brains radiated a little more confidence.

Without a word, Brains moved into position and started the saw. Virgil came over, clapping Scott on the shoulder.

"Don't move," he instructed softly. "It will be off before you know it."

Scott nodded, offering his brother a terse smile. The saw came closer to his leg.

"Hey, Scott?"

Moving only his head, Scott looked to Gordon. "What?"

"I found the old rowing boat down by the caves the other day. I was thinking about fixing it up."

"That boat is a death trap," Scott muttered. He remembered the days they had spent out in it when they had first moved to the island before it had been left out in a storm and their father had forbidden them from using it again.

"Yeah, that's what Dad said."

"So why tell me?"

Gordon shrugged and Scott heard Virgil chuckle lightly next to him. Glancing back, Scott realised what Gordon had been doing and shook his head fondly.

"Thanks, Gords."

Gordon's words had been enough to distract him from the approaching saw. Brains connected with the cast and Scott was surprised by how little he could. It took literally moments for Brains to make the cut, moving the saw down his leg. Scott grinned when it fell neatly into two pieces and Brains stepped back. The infirmary was eerily silent when the saw stopped and Scot was convinced everyone sucked in a sharp breath.

Then he wriggled his toes.

Scott grinned at seeing the muscle in his leg move as he flexed his foot. Everyone crowded around the bed as he carefully bent his leg up.

"I've w-written a s-s-schedule," Brains stuttered. "It w-will build up your muscle and s-strength."

Scott nodded, not taking his eyes off his leg. It looked weak and pale in comparison to the other. Shifting his whole body, Scott swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He put his good foot down but when John offered him the crutches, he shook his head. He was determined to do this. Carefully, he eased himself upright until he was standing before putting his foot down. The floor was cold and his toes curled, not used to feeling anything other than the cast.

Scott shifted his weight until he was standing properly. A smile bloomed over his face and he took a tentative step forward. The fact he could do so without pain made him sigh in relief. It was over.

Then his leg gave way and he almost fell. Luckily, Virgil had seen it coming and had already moving into position. With one hand on Scott's chest, he ducked under Scott's arm in order to take his weight before easing him back to the bed. Scott felt for the mattress and sat down. To his surprise, he was trembling.

"It's going to take time, son," Jeff said. He moved forward until he could stand in front of Scott, as if to stop him from rising again should Scott attempt to. "Perhaps you should use the crutches for a while."

"But…"

"Just one?"

Scott's gaze found the floor and he nodded. John gripped his shoulder.

"It won't take long, Scott. You've made it six weeks. What is another few days while you get your strength back?"

"You're right." Scott cleared his throat and sat up straighter. "Of course you're right."

He was being foolish. He knew it would take time for him to get his strength back. He stared down at his leg though. It might look weak, but Scott was grateful it was back in one piece again. John passed him the crutch again and this time, Scott took it.

Gordon jumped off the bed and grinned around at them.

"I can't sit here all day. I've got laps to swim."

He turned and headed towards the door. But before he left, he turned and caught Scott's eye, grinning. Scott nodded in response. He knew Gordon was pleased that the cast was off. None of them had liked it; it was too much of a stark reminder that things could go wrong.

"So have you," Virgil said. Scott glanced at him to find his brother reading the schedule that Brains had left on the side.

"I do?"

"Well, I'm assuming you want to start straight away?"

Scott didn't need telling twice. He eased himself up again, using the crutch to balance his weight. Virgil hovered nearby but didn't interfere. Scott was glad; he wanted to be able to do this himself. With his brothers on his heels, he headed out of the infirmary after Gordon.

The swimming tired him out far quicker than he thought it would. It made him realise quite how much work he was going to have to do if he wanted to be up and ready for rescues as quickly as possible. But it was a pleasant exhaustion, the like of which he hadn't felt since the accident. By the time the afternoon came to an end, Scott was ready for the day to be over.

The sun was just starting to set when Virgil and John found him out by the pool. Scott hadn't really thought about what he was doing when he had come back out after dinner. But it was peaceful here. He had both legs propped up on another chair and a beer in his hand. If he was going to be back on duty, he figured he should make the most of it while he could.

Virgil sat down beside him, reaching over and grabbing a bottle himself from where the rest of the pack was by Scott's chair. He tossed it to John before fetching one for himself.

"How does it feel?" John asked, snapping the top of his drink. Scott glanced down at his leg, knowing that was what John meant.

"Light." He said, flexing his toes again.

"You'll get used to it," Virgil murmured. He sat back in his chair, tilting his head back to look at the darkening sky. "Still can't believe it was only your leg you broke."

"Are you going to let me forget it?"

"Hell no," Virgil said. "You didn't answer me. I thought you were dead."

"Still here." Scott took a swig of his drink as both he and John mirrored Virgil's position and looked up at the sky. "When do you go back, John?"

"Next week," John said. His voice was soft and quiet, his drink dangling from his fingers. "Although I'll stay down if you aren't ready for duty yet."

"I will be," Scott said. It was a vow to himself as much as anyone else. The world needed him to be out there to help his brothers save people. But if he was honest, he needed to be out there saving the world. It was all he felt like he knew how to do these days, and being out of action had made him aware of how physical all of his hobbies were.

John glanced at him and Scott knew his thoughts were showing in his face because his brother didn't say anything.

"It's been weird out there without you," Virgil said quietly. "No offence, John."

"None taken."

"I guess I'm just not used to it. You've been out there with me since the first rescue-,"

"Which I still haven't forgotten," Scott grumbled, thinking about the overturned elevator cars.

"- and I'm used to you snapping orders in my ear."

Scott mock-glared at Virgil, who smirked back before returning his gaze to the sky.

"Look," John suddenly said. Both Scott and Virgil frowned and their brother pointed. Following John's finger, Scott smiled as the first star flickered into view. He raised his bottle towards it before taking a swig.

"So as from next week, everything returns to normal," he mused.

"I'm not sure about normal," Virgil said. "I thought you had developed a new sense of patience. So that means you can step back and let me take charge."

"Not on your life," Scott grumbled. John rolled his eyes as the two of them continued to bicker light-heartedly, but there was no heat in their voices. Scott couldn't remember the last time they had sat out like this and they were still talking late into the night. Despite the dropping temperature, Virgil dozed off. John made to move, but Scott held up a hand.

"I got this," he said. He knew what John had been about to do. He eased himself to his feet and stumbled towards the lounge. He deliberately left the crutch behind, taking it one careful step at a time. Thankfully, Virgil was still asleep when Scott finally got back with a blanket draped over one arm and he carefully put it over his sleeping brother. He sat down heavily, stretching out his leg and rubbing it. It was going to take more than one swim to get him back to fitness again.

Realising John was watching him, Scott looked at his brother. There was an amused smile playing over John's face and Scott frowned quizzically.

"What?"

"Now things are back to normal," he said. John gestured to where Virgil was sleeping and the fact it had been Scott who had fetched the blanket. It was hardly the first time Scott had made sure his younger siblings were warm enough and Scott grinned.

"A dodgy leg is hardly going to stop me."

"Good," John said seriously. "These last few weeks have been odd."

John settled back into a more comfortable position, one arm curled under his head as he watched the heavens. Scott followed suit, although he had never understood what he was looking at in the same way as John.

"Tell me about it."