AN: So here is one of the newest stories that I've been working on since June. I finally got a bit of time today to read through it and correct grammar mistakes and punctuation. Though please keep in mind, I do not utilize the extra aid that a beta reader provides. All mistakes are mine and I accept those mistakes. As for this story, I intend on making weekly updates on this story every Monday evening and if I'm late...hold me accountable. I'm working on an update for Rising From The Ashes currently and I'll be posting an update for A Walk To Remember sometime, maybe in the next week.

I hope you enjoy this story and need I remind all my readers that if you don't have anything nice to say or have any constructive criticism to provide, then please don't review. I do greatly enjoy reviews however.

On to the story!

Thanks!

Sad-Blue-Eyed-Angel 2010

Alan quietly closed his bedroom door, bending carefully at the waist to retrieve his shoes that he'd set beside his socked feet. He snuck past his brother's rooms, stopping by the front door to pick up the single key fob laying in the bowl. Once the key was in hand, Alan flicked the lock, grimacing at the 'snick' sound emitted like a gunshot in the dead silent living room. He bit his lip as he held his breath, waiting for the inevitable door to open down the hall and one of his brothers or father poking their heads from their rooms to investigate the noise. But after a minute, nothing of the sort happened.

In the clear, Alan slipped out the living room door and hustled quietly down the hall to the elevator that would take him from the penthouse to the car garage in the basement of the skyscraper. Once in the basement, Alan went to Scott's new car and he smiled at her beauty. Sleek black, sparkling ebony in the moonlight. He ran his fingers appreciatively over her paintjob and eagerly pressed the unlock button. He remembered to disarm the alarm before climbing into the interior of the hot off the lot car.

At fifteen, all Alan could dream about at this point was driving a car. He wouldn't be allowed to get his learner's permit for another year. But, how hard could it be? Putting the key in the ignition, Alan held his breath once more as he started the ignition and marveled at how smooth her start-up was. The engine purred quietly, and it was all Alan could do to not squeal like a school girl at taking Scott's car for a drive around the block. He took care to carefully back out of the parking place Scott had chosen, right next to his father's car. Once out of the parking place, Alan smoothly shifted the car to drive and he took care with steering the car. It took him a second to remember how to drive from watching his dad and brothers utilize a vehicle.

Once he got everything figured out, Alan left the parking garage – completely bypassing the parking guard. The guy didn't know Alan hadn't had a license, the youngster told him his dad asked him to run to the corner market for some sodas for he and his brothers and that was explanation enough. Alan was granted permission to exit the parking garage and with the freedom, Alan drove off into the night. He seriously only meant to go around the block a time or two before he returned Scott's car and went to bed. But then that's where the notorious saying 'famous last words' comes into play. Alan meant to. But then meaning to and doing are two completely different things.

… … … … … … … … … … …

Alan slammed his bedroom door, to try to drown out his father who was yelling after him. At fifteen years old, Alan thought he was old enough to make his own decisions. His father on the other hand couldn't disagree more. Case in point, Alan thought it'd be a clever idea to take his older brother Scott's brand-new Mercedes Benz for a joy ride at a quarter to midnight when the rest of the household was back home sleeping, without a driver's license or a learner's permit. He not only ran a red light, thereby catching the eye of an on-duty patrolman, he also crashed the car into a stoplight after taking out a corner mailbox and fire hydrant. The car was totaled much to the horror of Scott who'd just driven it off the lot not even 24 hours prior. Suffice it to say, Scott was more worried about his new baby than the welfare of his baby brother and he didn't lift a finger to stop police when they arrested Alan and took him to the station to be booked for grand theft auto and destruction of private property. He in all actuality demanded they arrest Alan and his father for that matter didn't get involved either.

It was a lesson of the worst kind, especially considering that this wasn't the first run in with the law for Alan. The fifteen-year-old boy was beyond livid. If life were animated, Alan would have steam pouring out of his ears while a steam whistle sounded off. His father let him spend the night in jail to learn his lesson and it infuriated Alan more if that were possible. When he was released after Gordon paid the bail to get Alan out, it was his father and immediate older brother that picked him up. Alan and his dad argued the whole trip home, Gordon trying to referee between them.

"Damn it." Jeff groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "That boy is going to be the death of me."

"Dad, I know it's not good timing…but maybe you can go a little easier on Alan. You didn't even ask him if he was okay after last night's collision." Gordon said lightly. He was trying not to make his dad angrier than he already was. His little brother had a black eye and some scrapes when the airbag deployed in his face, but thankfully nothing worse than that.

"Gordon, not now…okay?! I already have it coming from Alan and I don't need it coming from you too." Jeff snapped getting up to go to pour himself a bourbon on the rocks. He heaved a sigh as he took a deep drink of his pick of poison.

"I'm sorry, it's just…I was worried when we got that call and he wasn't taken to the hospital as you know, and he was just taken in for booking." Gordon said before he stood up to leave his dad's office.

Once Gordon left the office, Jeff paused while he finished the rest of his bourbon before going to refill. He'd given it some thought, and he wondered just what he was doing wrong in his parenting for Alan. His four oldest sons didn't ever act out like Alan does and he wondered not for the first time if his late wife's absence was the problem. His late wife died in childbirth with Alan, having suffered complications with placental abruption and bled out delivering Alan.

Jeff didn't like the idea of a military school, but after one of the last stunts Alan pulled prior to his little joyride; one of his colleagues had suggested a military school on the West Coast that his nephew had gone to. It turned his attitude around and he straightened up after only a year in attendance. Jeff felt like he was at the end of his rope with Alan. It was either send Alan off to a military school or potentially plan a funeral for him or worse yet, watch him be locked behind bars. Weighing the lesser of two evils, Jeff felt that a military school was the way to go.

As it were, Jeff logged into his desktop computer and he typed the name of the military school his colleague suggested into his search engine. When he found the phone number, Jeff took a sharp breath before he decided to call them. It wasn't what he wanted to do, but if he had any hope that Alan would turn his ways around, this would be it.

Once he'd dialed the number, he waited with baited breath for the ringtone to connect.

… … … … … … … … … … …

That night at dinner, Jeff announced that there would be a family meeting in the living room when they were finished eating. He didn't indicate that there was a problem, looking between each of his son's faces carefully. Scott had a raised eyebrow, silently inquiring of his father about the meaning behind a family meeting. John looked around in muted silence as he was observing the looks on his brother's faces to see if he could figure out the meaning behind an impromptu meeting. Virgil was trying to ignore the fact that it was very uncomfortable to eat dinner. Alan's stony silence wasn't unnoticed. Gordon, like Virgil was trying not to remind everyone of the fluorescent yellow elephant hiding in the room and he was uncomfortable sitting at the table.

Alan made it a point to not join in the conversation at dinner and when he was asked a question, he pretended not to hear. Jeff was growing tired of Alan's little game, but he didn't say anything. He knew that when he announced to the family that he'd followed through with his threat to send Alan to military school, there'd be an all-out feud especially since Jeff was planning to ask his other sons for input on whether they agreed with sending Alan to military school or not.

Jeff didn't want to see his son put behind bars or killed, he was at the end of his rope. He wished his mother was still alive, Alan closely abided by the parameters his grandma set and it wasn't until she passed away that he'd become a completely different person. Jeff also wondered what he and Lucy could have done differently to prevent her untimely demise. When dinner was finished, and everybody had rinsed their plates and put them in the dish washer, everyone went to the living room and sat down.

Alan sat on one end of the couch while his older brother John sat on the opposite side with Virgil in the middle. Gordon claimed one of the recliners while Scott claimed the other recliner. Jeff was the last to leave the kitchen, having taken the time to load the rest of the dirty dishes in the dish washer before beginning the cycle. He was hoping to give his sons a chance to get comfortable and, he was partly dreading Alan's reaction to the proposition that he attends military school.

Alan had his late mother's temper only it was about fifty times worse. Jeff's mother however always said it wasn't solely Lucy's temper that Alan had and was a combination of Jeff and Lucy's temper making him just a whole lot harder to deal with. When Alan and Jeff argued, they had a habit of trying to out scream each other which made Scott, John, Virgil and Gordon less likely to get involved because neither Jeff nor Alan listened once they got started.

Once all the chores in the kitchen were tended to, Jeff turned out the light and went to the living room to speak with his boys. Looking at Alan quickly, Jeff noticed the black eye and scratches Gordon mentioned earlier. He was disappointed in himself for not noticing before that Alan had been minorly hurt in the accident, but he shook off that disappointment quickly enough.

"Alright boys, may I get your attention please?" Jeff inquired loudly, drawing the gaze of his five sons to him. Once they were all paying attention, Jeff coughed to clear his throat before continuing. "So, to start off the meeting, I wanted to let Scott know that because of Alan's folly and resulting destruction to your new car I will finance the purchase of a new car."

"Awesome, thanks dad." Scott said, directing a fiery glare at Alan who pointedly refused to look at his oldest brother. "But I had full coverage on the car, you don't have to do that."

"Yes, I do. You shouldn't have to report this to your insurance because of my poor parenting of your brother. I don't want your premiums to go up and Alan doesn't have a job to help pay the difference. Besides, you shouldn't be forced to go buy a new car to replace your original." Jeff said. "I'll pay the difference if they up your premiums when you transfer the insurance from the damaged car to the new one."

Scott nodded his thanks at his dad before Jeff continued.

"I also need to take a vote, and it is about Alan. Earlier I said that this stunt you pulled was going to have consequences. I gave it some thought, and I decided on your punishment; but I need to know some input on what your brothers think." Jeff said before delivering his decision. "I've given it some thought, and I've decided that you need to learn more discipline and responsibility for your actions. What better way than with military school?"

"What?! Military school?!" Alan sat up with anger altering his handsome face. "But that's not fair!"

"What IS fair Alan? Was it fair for you to disregard your brother's wishes and take his car out for a joyride? Was it fair for you to break the nose of that classmate of yours or to damage the locker which you slammed his face into? Was it fair for you to break your other classmate's two front teeth and saddle me with his dental bill?" Jeff asked, feeling his own temper rise slightly. He almost asked Alan if it was fair that Jeff lost his wife, his brothers and himself to have lost their mother because of delivering Alan, but Jeff held back.

"I don't care if you guys vote, I'm NOT going to military school!" Alan said as he stood up to go to his room.

"You SIT back down young man! I am not finished with you." Jeff replied hotly as he stopped in front of Alan and used intimidation to make his son reclaim his seat. "You will be dismissed when I tell you."

Turning to the rest of his sons, Jeff asked for an explanation from his sons on why it'd be both good and bad for Alan to attend military school. Starting with Scott, Jeff asked for his opinion.

"Well, I think military school would be good for Alan because as you previously stated; he will learn responsibility and discipline. I think we've been too lenient on Alan since he was a baby and we let him get away with too much. Now it's like we're wrapped around his finger and I'm no puppet." Scott looked back at Alan venomously before continuing. "I still haven't forgiven you and it'll be a long time before you can earn my trust back. I think you need to grow up and quit being a kid about everything. You can't hide behind dad's money or prestige your whole life and it's important that you figure it out now."

"Can you think of any negative aspects to Alan attending military school Scott?" Jeff asked knowing that Alan was fuming no more than five feet from him.

"Besides growing a conscience? No." Scott replied.

"Alright, John?" Jeff inquired as he sighed deeply.

"Honestly? I don't like the idea of sending him to a military school. If we want him to learn responsibility, shouldn't we be the ones to teach him?" John asked as he looked from Alan to his dad. "I mean military school is good and all but that just teaches him to respect his superiors, we aren't his superiors despite being older than him. We're his family."

"Is that all you have to say John?" Scott asked as he scratched the back of his head.

"Yeah, I don't agree nor disagree that military school is for the best for Alan." John replied softly before passing the buck to Virgil.

"Why are you making us vote dad? I don't want Alan to go to military school, I want him to stay here with us." Virgil asked, feeling more than a little hurt at having to decide his brother's fate. "I mean like John said, military school is a great idea and all, but he shouldn't have to be forced to learn respect and responsibility from other people that aren't a part of this family."

"Is that all Virgil?" Scott asked, hoping he could get them to vote for Alan to be sent away to military school. "What other reasons do you have for Alan not going to military school?"

"He's the last part of mom that we'll ever have. If we push him away, we lose him." Virgil argued, feeling torn with agreeing with his family for Alan's benefit and wanting to keep his baby brother on a short leash.

"And that part of mom will be gone if we don't buckle down and make him grow up. He's fifteen years old, he should be more responsible by now and he still must have a baby sitter. I know I don't trust him to be at home alone." Scott argued, making Alan's jaw drop and his eyes narrow in anger. "If he continues down the path he's on, we'll be burying him or watching authorities lock him behind bars. I don't know about you, but I'd rather have him be mad at me forever than to have to face either of those other two options."

"Gordon?" Jeff asked as he looked at his second youngest son. The red head was looking nervously between each of his brothers and he chewed on his lip while thinking over everything positive and negative in sending Alan to military school.

"I know it's not really any consolation, but I was more reckless like Alan was when I was his age and older when I joined WASP…I still think it was the best thing for me regardless of getting hurt and I think this would be a good thing for you Alan." Gordon turned to address Alan himself instead of talking about him like he wasn't in the room. "I know you detest the idea now, but I think one day you'll thank dad and the rest of us for making this decision."

"Let's take a vote." Jeff began, looking at each of his sons. "All those in favor of Alan's being sent to military school? A show of hands please."

Scott, John, Gordon and Jeff raised their hands. Virgil's shoulders sagged when he realized that they lost by default.

"All those opposed?" Jeff inquired before Virgil and Alan raised their hand in opposition. "That's it then, I'll submit the admission paperwork and in two weeks' time when they begin a new quarter Alan will be enrolled."

"I can't believe this! You guys are my family, I thought family stuck up for one another and the only one I saw sticking up for me was Virgil!" Alan said as he stood up once more before he turned to his dad and brothers. Pointing at John and Gordon, Alan addressed them next. "You two are traitors and I can't believe you!"

"Sit back down young man!" Jeff said sharply forcing Alan to turn on him.

"I will NOT sit back down and be talked about like I don't exist! All I heard from you all during your little vote was Alan this, Alan that, Alan, Alan, Alan! Well, news flash, Alan is right here, and Alan has ears and a brain and can HEAR you all! Maybe instead of talking about me when I'm in the same room, you all can address me like I matter! You keep saying you want me to grow up and quit acting like a kid, but maybe you should follow your own advice and begin treating me like an adult instead of a kid!" Alan said before storming out of the living room and taking the stairs two at a time to get to the upstairs hallway where the bedrooms were. When he made it to his room, he slammed the door to his bedroom hard and felt satisfied when he felt an almighty shake from the force of the slamming door. He flipped the lock and moved to his bed to bury his head in the pillows before screaming into the down feather pillows. Never had he ever felt so betrayed in his whole life.

… … … … … … … … … … …

The next two weeks passed by fast for the family, but it crawled at a snail's pace for Alan. The night before he was to leave, Jeff asked Alan for his cell phone at dinner and told him the school prohibited the use of mobile phones or any other communication devices because they distracted from a productive learning environment. Alan handed over the phone grudgingly before he shoved his dinner plate away like some petulant four-year-old. He didn't wait to be excused, simply shoved away from the table and left in a huff. His dad didn't say anything to stop him, nor did any of his brothers.

When it was time for bed, Jeff stopped by Alan's room and tried the knob when Alan didn't answer the door. He noticed the lights were off, but the door was locked. When Jeff reached for the pin key to the door, he noticed it missing and figured Alan grabbed it to prevent any of his family from entering his room. Figuring he'd met his match, Jeff whispered a good night at the door before going to his room to try to sleep.

The following morning Alan wouldn't even look at his dad when he tried to see him off. Virgil was tasked with delivering Alan to the airstrip where the plane would pick up Alan and transport him from Massachusetts to the West coast where he'd begin a new school in the middle of the term. There was a chilled bite to the air and even Jeff had needed a turtle neck before venturing outside to see Alan off. The younger refused to even acknowledge Scott when the older brother tried to hug him goodbye, going so far as to give Scott the cold shoulder when he came near. He pushed John and Gordon away when they tried to hug him and climbed in the car. Crossing his arms, Alan sat against the passenger seat, silently fuming until Virgil put the car in drive and they set out.

They hadn't been driving for more than five minutes before Virgil spoke up, anything to fill the void with noise.

"You know Alan, I know it doesn't seem fair to you but dad's only doing this for your benefit." Virgil said, coming to a stop at a red light and drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. "This was the last thing he or any of us wanted for you. I just wish you could see where dad is coming from. Military school will provide the discipline you need to hopefully straighten up. I don't want you to be locked up behind bars or worse yet, buried at the cemetery where mom is buried. I want my little brother back, not this rebel that picks a fight with everyone you encounter or waits for the family to go to sleep before going out to stir up trouble."

"Et tu Virgil?" Alan asked, feeling more than a little betrayed by one of the only brothers that seemed to advocate for him when he needed to be bailed out for one of the many punishments their dad doled out.

"Alan, this is for your own good and you know this. I don't know why you're treating us like we're the bad guys. You heard the judge at your last hearing when your bail was set, one more strike and you're going to juvie. Is that what you want? There's only so much power in dad's money or his reputation, eventually even you can't hide behind that." Virgil said following the route on the GPS to the airfield. They drove for a while longer, Alan unknowing of any details beyond he was being taken to military school and he'd be picked up at the airfield in California and delivered by his dad's best friend from his time in the military who also happened to be the Commandant of the school.

"I hate you all." Alan muttered under his breath, uncaring of the pain he was causing not only his brother but the rest of his family.

To Virgil, Alan's mutter was filled with such hatred and malice that that simple four-word sentence cut him deeply. He went quiet for the remainder of the drive and when they arrived, Alan's jaw dropped when he saw the plane.

It was a small propeller plane and even Virgil had to admit that thing was pathetic.

"A Cessna 152?! I thought dad was having me taken in Tracy One?!" Alan asked, all kinds of outraged that he wasn't arriving in style like he'd assumed but being taken in a pitiful little prop plane…one that looked like it wouldn't make it off the runway, let alone make it from Massachusetts to California.

"I'm surprised also." Virgil said looking at Alan with a hurt expression before he opened the car door and went to greet the pilot. The pilot had worked at this airfield since Virgil was six and he knew them all well. He'd been a great friend of their father's and he'd stayed with the boys when their mom and dad had rushed to the hospital when their mom started bleeding in her seventh month of pregnancy with Alan. "Hey there Frank, how're you doing today?"

"I'm doing well, thank you for asking Virgil." Frank said as he patted Virgil's back in greeting. Alan finally exited the vehicle and came around to the front of the plane with a sullen expression. "Hello there Alan! This plane I'm preparing for you?"

Alan wouldn't honor that question with a response and he just climbed into the plane and shut the door without a reply, making Frank look at Virgil with a look that told the younger man that even he was surprised by Alan's attitude.

"Yeah, Alan crossed one too many lines and he's off to military school. Dad's had it up to here with…" Virgil tried to explain making Frank shake his head.

"What can you do? I know it doesn't help much, but I'll deliver Alan there to the best of my ability." Frank said as he finished preparing and gave the plane one last look around to make sure everything was okay.

"Yeah, it's just not easy you know? I never thought Alan would be such a trouble maker. I thought we'd raised him better than that. I guess the long and short of it is that…we can only offer so much and in the end, I guess we weren't enough." Virgil said, wrapping himself up in his jacket and hugging himself as he talked with Frank. He was deeply bothered that Alan acted out the way he did and even Virgil knew that Alan wasn't always this way. He used to be so sweet and not causing trouble everywhere he went. One day that all changed and even Virgil didn't know what caused it. He noticed it not long after their grandmother died but didn't know if that was the cause or not. Aside from Gordon, Virgil was the next closest brother to Alan and he couldn't figure out what made Alan flip a switch.

"I know son…this isn't my first rodeo with you boys. He needs your momma and unfortunately with her gone, he's missing her, and he doesn't even know it. Only she can fill the void that is in his heart. The closest person he had close to a momma was your grandmother and with her gone also… even I can see that he's crying out for attention, no matter if it's good or bad. Only now, he's gotten himself in the hot water and nobody is giving him any length of rope to pull himself out. He'll see one day that this was for the best." Frank said softly before patting Virgil on the back again. "I got to get going okay son? I'll see to it that he makes it to California in one piece and I'll make sure that he's with David before I return."

"Thank you, Frank. You're awesome." Virgil said before he stepped back to a safe distance to watch the little Cessna prepare for takeoff. He watched as Frank climbed into the cockpit and the propeller begin to turn before the air was filled with a loud hum. He waved when the plane began taxiing the runway and he hung around until the plane had flown away. He dropped his arm with one last whisper. "God speed little brother."

… … … … … … …

The drive back to the penthouse was uneventful for Virgil. To be honest though, he hardly noticed his surroundings. The last sentence Alan muttered was echoing in Virgil's head and made it hard for him to focus. 'I hate you all.' Did Alan truly hate them all, or was it like Frank said? Was this all just Alan crying out for attention? It's not like they neglected him. Far from it. Virgil knew he tried to spend time with Alan, making sure he tried to find some common ground and develop a love for things Alan loved. As did their brothers. Hell, even their dad tried spending time with Alan when he wasn't stuck in the office. So why did Alan act the way he did? Why did he think it was okay to act out and cause them all trouble? Did he not care that it gave their family a bad name when he stole their brother's car and destroyed it? Did he not care that it made schools hesitant to accept him into their curriculum because of his expulsions? Did Alan just simply not care?

These questions ran through Virgil's head and it upset him to think that maybe Alan made their lives difficult just for the hell of it. Maybe he was bored and thought it was fun to treat them all like puppets, with Alan believing himself to be the 'puppet master'. Virgil wanted to give Alan the benefit of the doubt, but a part of him still questioned, 'why'. Why them, why their family, why their mother, why…just why?

Pulling to a stop in his favorite café parking lot, Virgil went in to order an espresso milkshake. He loved espresso milkshakes, finding them to be delectably sweet with the desired oomph that espresso provided. He noticed the brother's favorite barista was working and she came over to take Virgil's order personally.

"What're you having sugar?" Debbie inquired as she pushed her cherry red hair back from her face. "The usual?"

Virgil nodded with a sad smile before going to pay for his drink. He pulled his wallet out and felt even more sad if that was possible. Upon opening his wallet, Virgil had been greeted with a picture of he and Alan when they were kids. Alan was maybe two or three at the time and he was laying with Virgil while they watched a movie. Virgil had been sick or something when the picture was taken and had been sleeping when his kid brother crawled up to join him on the couch. Their grandma had snapped a picture of the endearing pose and had given a copy to Virgil when he expressed a desire to have at least one picture in his wallet when he left to attend college. He put down a ten-dollar bill and his eyes widened when he saw one of his favorite pastries and his milkshake on the counter. He hadn't meant to order a pastry.

"Oh, Debbie I didn't mean to order this." Virgil said. He wasn't really in the mood for food.

"You look like you needed it hon. It's on the house." Debbie said before taking the ten and charging him for the milkshake. Virgil knew he wasn't going to win this round so he left a nice tip in the tip jar. He went to sit at his usual seat and noticed for the first time that across the street where a mail box usually sat were skid marks, a large dent in the stoplight which was surrounded by sawhorses and caution tape. There was also a huge hole in the ground where the fire hydrant usually was and orange traffic cones. It occurred to Virgil that this was where Alan crashed Scott's car.

"Damn kid, you're just a magnet for trouble, aren't you?" Virgil muttered under his breath. He took a drink of his milkshake and rolled his eyes at the decadent drink. It should be a sin for drinks to be this good. He eyed the pastry for a second before smiling as he took a bite. The warm chocolate oozed out as he bit into the dough and he groaned quietly beneath his breath. He really shouldn't be enjoying these treats when his brother was stuck on a plane going to California for military school, but after giving it a few more seconds thought – Virgil decided he wasn't going to let the things Alan said bother him further. It was stupid for him to give Alan that when Alan just said not even an hour ago that he hated them all for sending him away to school. Even Virgil knew though that not letting the things Alan said hurt him were easier said than done.