Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, places names etc of Thunderbirds tv show or movies.
Alan Tracy sighed dismally as he heaved his bag out of the taxi.
He didn't know when he had been this miserable in a long time. It was the start of the summer semester, the spring break had just ended. It had been during that spring break his dream had come true.
He was a Thunderbird.
It had been the reward he had received for saving his family. He, Tintin, and his best friend Fermat had received their badges and for the spring break had spent learning how to be a part of the team.
His brothers Scott, John, Virgil and Gordon, along with their playful jokes, had helped them so much and were glad to have them on board. In less than a couple of weeks, Alan and his friends had gone on no less than three action packed missions and enjoyed every minute of it.
Jeff had noticed a change in his youngest son. Alan, so usually hot tempered, had matured it seemed, taking on a new role of seriousness with the job. Alan was even working harder at his schoolwork. The amount of study and homework he had done over the spring break astounded Jeff, yet he enjoyed seeing Alan so on top of things and so confident.
Yet there was one thing that had destroyed the peace. Jeff forcefully requested that Alan at least finish school at Wharton Academy.
There had been an uproar. But in the end Jeff had stood firm.
Alan, you are fifteen, you're still a child
His father's word had struck harshly and echoed in Alan's head. He thought they were over this argument. He thought it had all been smoothed over when his father gave him the badge. If he was still a child, did that mean he wasn't a part of International Rescue? Did being a Thunderbird-earning it rightfully through bravery-not mean anything to his father?
Although his best friend Fermat would also be finishing school with him, he couldn't help but feel he was being pushed aside again. He couldn't help but feel he was being left behind.
Everything he had been feeling before the spring break started had been risen from within him.
He didn't look Jeff in the eye as he climbed out of the taxi to bid them goodbye.
"Alan" said Jeff softly
"I know Dad, I know," sighed Alan, his mood not lifting
"I guess we'll see you a…a…a when summer starts" smiled Fermat, hoping to lighten the mood
"We sure will," said Jeff, "Take care, the both of you. Remember, if you need to talk or need help…"
"Use your telecoms" finished Alan gloomily
It had been Brain's latest invention. Tiny communicators inside their watches allowing them to communicate or be located from anywhere in the world.
Jeff looked at his son, "Fermat, why don't you run along and see which dorm you two are in while I say goodbye to Alan?"
"Sure" said Fermat, catching on
As soon as Fermat was out of ears range, Jeff spoke, "I know this isn't the way you want it to be Alan" he said
Alan didn't want to hear it, "Dad, I'm gonna be late, dinner's at five" he said to the floor
"Listen to me" Jeff held his by the shoulders, forcing him to look up, "You've proven yourself son. You've gone through more than I could ask the other boys. But that doe not exclude you from getting a proper education. You're still-"
"Yeah, yeah Dad I know!" exploded Alan, "I'm still a child!"
Jeff let go of him, looking aghast
"Well, while I'm here I guess you'd better look after this for me" said Alan, smacking something into his father's hand discreetly so people wouldn't see what it was, "I won't be needing it for a while"
He stormed away, carrying his bag towards the dormitory.
Jeff looked down to see a Thunderbirds badge in his palm.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
From Thunderbird Five, John Tracy decided to call in. After the attack from the Hood, which had left Thunderbird Five in ruins and him with a fractured arm, Jeff had made it protocol for John to contact base every night and morning.
Brains had also rigged up a relay system in which Tracy Island would receive any alarms signalling a threat to the space station.
Two weeks after the attack, with Brains and his brothers taking shifts to fly up, Thunderbird Five was functional again. John was almost glad to be back. Although he had enjoyed the time he had spent recovering with his family, although it had been great seeing Alan take his first steps as a Thunderbird, John was glad to be back up with the stars again. This was his place.
Jeff must have been waiting for his call, "John, how are you?"
"Quiet as anything up here" reported John, "There's a heck of a storm near Sydney and there's been a small rockslide in California, but no calls have been made"
"No problem" said Jeff, "Anything else on your mind?"
"I think I can smell Onaha's roast beef from out here, which is pure cruelty, but other than that I'm fine. How's Alan?" he asked with a small smile
Jeff sighed and held up Alan's badge for him to se, "He still hasn't calmed down"
John frowned at the badge, "Did he give it back to you?"
"Yeah. I think we're back to square one for a while John"
John shook his head, "Don't worry Dad. Alan'll cool off, don't blame yourself" he said firmly
"Thanks John" sighed Jeff, "I'd better go and get stuck into that roast beef or Onaha will have my head" he smiled
"Cruelty, just plain cruelty" smiled John
That got another smile from Jeff, "I'll talk to you in the morning John, take care"
"You too Dad, goodnight" replied John, ending the communication.
Sighing, he leant back in his chair. He heard a small bleep as the food processor signalled his own meal was ready, but ignored it.
Maybe I should talk to Alan, he thought, he'd be having free time right about now
He hailed Alan's telecom and waited a while until Alan finally picked up
"John?" his brother cried out in surprise, "What are you doing?"
"Just calling to see how you were" said John cheerfully, hoping to rub his good mood off on his younger brother
Alan's eyes narrowed, "More like checking up on me"
"No, that's not it" said John firmly, "Am I clear to talk?"
Alan sighed, "Yeah, its just me and Fermat in the dorm"
"Good, Alan, everything's going to be fine, you know that right?" said John
"Yeah, I know, butfor now I have the right to be annoyed" said Alan
"I know you do" said John softly, "But don't make this hard on Dad okay?"
"I have a right to be angry John and I don't need you to try and make peace for Dad" snapped Alan
"Alan-"
"You know what? Dad sent me here to finish school, so why don't you let me do that without trying to lecture me like a child!"
With that, Alan cut off.
Damn! John rubbed his eyes; maybe that wasn't such a good idea
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
The next morning, Alan went to classes. Back into the old routine. It wasn't that bad. The only thing that annoyed him was that his first class was science. He hated science and had always for some reason been terrible at it. And for that reason, the teacher, Mr Haroldson had always loathed him. Miserably he sat down at his desk next to Fermat, awaiting the arrival of Mr Haroldson.
But when the bell rang to class to start, it was not Mr Haroldson who walked through the door. It was a man with brown greying hair, blue eyes who looked only to be in his late thirties as opposed to Mr Harold son's healthy sixty one.
He had a warm smile that made everyone seem like they actually wanted to be in this hellhole and a voice that hushed the entire class, "Good morning Gentlemen" was his greeting.
Most people sat up at being addressed as adults, not as 'boys' - Alan included
"For those of you who haven't heard of me, my name is Mr Corper. I am to be your new science teacher as Mr Haroldson has decided to retire" he glanced mischievously at the class, "and not before time it seems"
There was a chorus of laughter.
"Right then!" exclaimed Mr Corper, "Mr Haroldson explained to me that you are due to start revising for your examinations later this term. So, I'm going to need you to tell me what it is you want to study. Anything anyone is having particular trouble with?"
There was a nervous silence in the room. Alan glanced towards Fermat, knowing very well the intelligent teen would have no need to put his hand up for a question like this.
In the end he found himself raising his hand.
"Yes…. Mr Tracy isn't it?" asked Mr Corper
Alan nodded nervously
"Yes, I've heard a few things about you from old Haroldson" he smiled, walking over to Alan's desk, "Do you have a topic for us to begin with?"
"Chemistry" Alan said, "I think a lot of us are confused by it"
Mr Corper nodded, "Very well then, lets begin with that. Notebooks out Gentlemen!"
The class went surprisingly smoothly for everyone. Alan found that Corper's methods allowed him to ask questions without feeling like an idiot for once.
He left the lesson feeling alive and refreshed.
This went on for weeks. Alan found himself improving dramatically. However, his stubbornness made him reluctant to tell his father, whom he hadn't spoken to since the first day of term.
Fermat constantly hinted his encouragemtn at Alan making at least one call to his family, but Alan just grew withdrawn and miserable at the first mention of them.
Fermat had grown increasingly worried about his best friend, especially when he had found Alan lying on his bed in their dorm, even though the Thunderbirds were performing another daring rescue on TV-something the old Alan would've rather died than miss.
Alan had also been spending a lot of time with Mr Corper. Not that it was bad that Alan was focusing and enjoying his studies. It just unnerved Fermat that he wasn't the one Alan turned for comfort to anymore.
On a wild and wet night, ten days before finals, things got out of hand.
Fermat was lying on his bed, reading through his English notes. The room was silent. Fermat stole a glance of his best friend, who had his nose in a chemistry book. The fact that Alan was staring at a spot on the page told Fermat he was not reading at all.
"Something on your mind?" he asked casually
Alan snapped out of his trance, "No" he said
Fermat sighed, "Alan, come on. You can't n…n…n…avoid talking to them forever"
It didn't take a genius to work out what he meant by 'them'
Alan sighed harshly, dropping his book on the desk with a thud, "Why do you assume my bad moods have something to do with them?" he exclaimed, busying himself by sorting his books and notes.
"Come on Alan, I've known you forever. Whenever you r…r…r…think about your family, you g…g…g…stare off into the distance and go quiet" said Fermat, keeping his voice melancholy to avoid Alan thinking he was attacking him for the truth
Alan stopped what he was doing for a moment. Fermat could see his jaw muscles tighten and cringed in suspense. Alan was sure to blow again.
"Just drop it Fermat. I don't need you interfering with my bad moods" he mumbled
"I though you said nothing was w…w…the matter" said Fermat, raising an eyebrow
Alan slammed his books down, turning on him, "The only thing wrong is that I'm annoyed. I'm not thinking about them, I do not want to talk to them and I don't need you trying to force me to!"
Fermat's face fell, "Alan, I'm not a…a…trying to-"
"Just leave me alone!" said Alan, grabbing a jacket and storming out.
Fermat didn't need to ask where he was going.
Don't go away! New chapter up soon!
