After a very positive response on the first chapter posted in unfinished projects, I finally decided to post the sequel to Hear me. Read that one first before you read this one.
Disclaimer: None of the Characters belong to me
WARNING: DARK, TALK ABOUT SUICIDE, DON'T READ IT IF YOU HAVEN'T READ HEAR ME!
Jeff, going back home
Seventeen year old Alan Tracy sat across of his dad in a place nobody would ever look for the business man. Hard Rock Cafe in Rome trying to eat a hamburger that was way too big for his mouth.
When Alan had informed his father in his desire to see ancient Rome one day the father made sure that the jet was ready within the day.
It had been three weeks ago that Jeff walked in while Alan had a private conversation that shouldn't have been overheard. Still Jeff was grateful, even thanking the stars, that he did. He found out that his youngest son, his baby, was being bullied to the point that he tried to commit suicide. Not by classmates, not by strangers, not by friends, but by his family. His brothers.
A teacher had stepped in and forced Alan into a support group to talk about the constant assault on his feelings.
While the bullying was still going on, Alan learned to deal with it. Far away from his family, Alan somehow became a strong young man Jeff could be proud off and loved getting to know.
For three years, his image of Alan was of an angry teen with broken blue eyes, locking himself in his room refusing to even acknowledge his family. When Jeff overheard the call he confronted his son, but he hadn't expected the reaction he got. Alan broke down crying before falling asleep in his dad's arms.
The oldest blond, the twenty-six year old John had found them. Jeff hadn't told him what Alan had done, only that if the others didn't stop their verbal assault they would lose the youngest Tracy. John had offered to take over the management of the Thunderbird while Jeff took Alan on a well-deserved vacation.
So that night Jeff smuggled Alan out of the house into the company jet, John would tell the others about the 'business emergency' at Tracy tower that needed Jeff there and that Alan decided to tag along for a school related project.
They had been gone for three weeks now and Alan had another four weeks of summer vacation left. Every day, Jeff learned something new about Alan, much to his embarrassment. An example, all the other Tracy's were born later in the school year. They graduated at eighteen. Alan was born in September, making him an early student and allowing him to graduate a few months before his birthday. They had missed Alan's graduation, nobody had even noticed. Alan had enrolled into MIT, to study engineering with as extra course computer science. With his trust fund, Alan had rented a small apartment near campus to stay in during the year.
Jeff's image of an boy barely passing had been crushed when he saw the high school diploma with straight A's in the advanced placement. Which meant that the boy got a full scholarship for the top university on engineering.
Another surprise was Alan's offered scholarships on both his baseball talents and boxing. Apparently the seventeen year old had a great swing, with or without the bat. Alan took the offer on the MIT baseball team while telling his father that while he enjoyed to unwind himself during boxing, he didn't fancy getting a concussion during school. Boxing would remain a friendly hobby.
It broke Jeff's heart that Alan wasn't surprised that no-one knew he was graduating, that nobody cared enough to give Alan advice for his senior prom when he asked a girl, that nobody helped choosing the university and helping him decorate the apartment. Alan's shrug and piercing blue eyes felt like someone stabbing his heart as did the words "I knew nobody would show up anyway. So why bother calling?"
When had it come this far?
Jeff apologized for missing Alan's baseball games.
For missing the graduation.
He apologized again when they were eating in a fancy restaurant and he ordered shrimps for the two of them as appetizer and Alan had to cut in because he had a severe allergy to shellfish.
And again when Alan admitted in that while Tracy tower in NY was almost a second home to the Tracy's, he had never really saw the sights. The others had seen it all before Alan was old enough to join and now he was too young to go wandering through the streets on his own.
Every time, Alan shrugged and said it didn't matter. But it did.
So when Alan told his dad that he never saw the sights, Jeff took him. When Alan showed him the small apartment, Jeff transferred the money back to the trust fund and made sure that the security was up to date. Books were paid for and Alan received a new bat and glove. And when Alan voiced his desire to visit Rome one day, they arrived the next day.
Off course there had been the awkward talks. Alan still talked to his sponsor every day, he still wore either long shirts or bracelets to hide the scars on his wrist. Jeff didn't want to pressure his son to talk but still felt the need to tell Alan every time that he loved him and that he would be there if Alan wanted to talk.
Alan told Jeff that he had been disappointed by the lack of attention his father had given him. How it hurt when his brothers told him how worthless he was.
And during one night, while enjoying a hot chocolate in the hotel near the Tracy tower in Berlin, Alan told his father what happened that day.
"If you don't want to talk about it I would understand." Jeff said carefully. "But can you tell me what happened that day."
Alan sat back, the warm mug resting on his belly. He closed his eyes for a second before he looked at his father. "In group, we have moments where we share what we did and how it felt. When you stand there, no-one interrupts you, you can speak freely without questions asked. Will you let me do that?"
Jeff nodded, and with shacking hands took the father Alan's chocolate and put both mugs on the table.
"It was just before the incident with the Hood." Said Alan softly, his elbows on his knees and his chin resting on his knuckles. "I had worked hard to get my grates up, was allowed to join Fermat in the advanced courses a few months earlier. I still had troubles adjusting to my new homework load. It wasn't rare for me to skip a meal to study. Fermat was getting more worried with every pound I lost. When I arrived home for spring break, I was holding on to the hope that maybe I could be home-schooled. My grades were up and I put effort in my schoolwork. I hoped that maybe when I became part of the team, you guys wouldn't forget about me, you wouldn't tease me but look at me as maybe not an equal but at least part of the family."
When Jeff wanted to interrupt Alan held up his hand.
"Please, don't interrupt." Sighed Alan. "You shot my home-school idea down without listening. The others started teasing me during dinner and I left the table without even taking a bite. You know what happened next and after our fight in the office I stormed out to the jungle where I spend the night. In the morning, I don't know why, but I was angry that nobody even noticed I wasn't home.
By the time I had cooled down, you guys took off and Fermat came to inform me about five. We saw the Hood arrive on the island and through the air vents we crawled to the command centre. I know that the videos were turned off and you never asked me what had went down on the island so I'll tell you now.
After the Hood had contacted you, Fermat sneezed and gave us away. We fled to the silos but were trapped. By using the thunderizer we managed to get in thunderbird one silo, Fermat and Tintin worked together to keep the goons on a distance.
The passwords had changed so we were trapped, the Hood talked to me, promised me things. But I refused to give in, with my rock shooter I managed to hit the red button and we fell. Than the motors started and fire was getting close, for a moment I thought I had killed my friends but we hit the water just in time. We only had minor burns.
We walked to through the jungle and in the end managed to make contact with five. They used the contact to trace us, during our escape moment I was mean to Fermat and because of me, Tintin and he were caught by Mullion. Only I managed to escape.
I saw how Lady Penelope and Parker fought with the goons but got overpowered by the Hood. I came out of hiding to save them. We got dumped in a freezer with the others where Lady P got us out. We managed to save you guys and you know what happened next.
On our way back, I noticed how much damage the Hood had done. It was almost dinner time and I hadn't eaten since breakfast on school the day before, I felt the burn from our fall on my back, my knee twisted from the fall and at least a few fingers sprained. I went to Virgil for some aspirin and maybe salve for my back but was quickly pushed aside, John was hurt more than me and was given priority.
After that everyone gathered at the pool and I didn't want to interrupt. I wanted to grab something to eat but Scott told me to wait. The mission came before dinner and I don't remember the details but I think I must have passed out after two landed. I don't know much about what happened after warts, only the teasing and the yelling on the way home.
I felt better after I had something in my stomach and escaped the infirmary. On my way to my room I passed your office. I heard you guys talk about how I was a liability for the team at this age and it was a mistake to start my training this young. Gordon joked that it was a mistake to make me part at the team at all. No matter what age.
Somehow I ended up in my room, the next day I faked an email that my presence was required at school and left the island. Parker dropped me of at school, with Fermat still home and nobody to talk with I locked myself in my room. I was scared, but I was done. I knew I couldn't run away, my face was too familiar with the press and I needed a definite way out. So taking a knife from my pencil sharpener, I… I…" Alan closed his eyes.
"My chemistry teacher, mr. James Walice, forced his way in. We talked during my extra lessons and he knew I had it difficult at home. When he noticed that I had come back early, he hurried to my room. Later he told me that he had a bad feeling that made him come.
He treated me in confidence. If this landed up in my medical dossier my life would be over and if the press found out…
Using bandages he wrapped my wrists and I was moved to his quarters. For the remaining of the spring break he made sure I wasn't left alone. Every object that I could use to hurt myself was taken and locked away out of my reach.
I felt so lost, I threw temper tantrums, burst out in crying without reason. James was so patient with me, and I didn't make it easier on him. By the time school started he told the school nurse that I came back from home underfed and dehydrated and that he wanted me close for observation. It wasn't rare for mr. Walice to take a few students under his wing who had troubles at home so as long as I visited the school nurse twice a week, I was to stay in the guest rooms so they could keep an eye on my 'eating patron'.
With help of James I ended up with both feet back on the ground. We set up a schedule that helped me. Order helped me focus. He woke me up every morning at the same time and we went to the gym before breakfast. Then class, homework and dinner. I had to be in bed by eight. By the time I was allowed to go back to the same room as Fermat, who by now thought I was being treated for anorexia, I was able to keep myself on the right path. I still met James in the gym every morning and instead of doing homework directly after class I had a two hour baseball practise and did my homework until bedtime.
I was functioning on my own, but still I wasn't happy. James brought me to ASS the next weekend and he quickly became my sponsor. Since then I'm getting better. I may never get rid of the scars but I regret nothing in my life even if my past was full of hurt, I still look back and smile, because it made me who I am today. If this hadn't happened I may never got my scholarship to MIT or met all those people in ASS. It made me a better person in the end, a happier person."
"God Alan." Jeff sat down next to his son and gathered him in a hug and apologized for the millionth time in the last few weeks.
"Dad are you okay?" the seventeen year old looked worried to his father. "You zoned out for a few minutes."
"Yeah Ally, I was just thinking about the last few weeks." Picking up his cola the father smiled. "It's too bad we have to return to the island. I wouldn't mind spending another few weeks on vacation. We should do this again during your fall break, is there another city you wouldn't mind spending a few more days with your old man."
"You don't have to dad." Grimaced Alan. "With your work at Tracy tower and your other job."
"I want to Ally." Jeff said while ruffling the blond locks from his son. "You've been put on second place enough. You're enough away from home as it is. I don't want to lose you again so every spring and fall, the two of us will go to a major city for two nights. See the sights, okay."
Alan smiled, and to Jeff's relief it reached the piercing blue eyes. "I would love to dad. How about you choose and prepare every fall trip and I'll arrange the one during spring break."
"Just make sure you take the money from the main account." Jeff smiled. "That thrust fund is for when you have a family of your own. So how about we visit Prague in October?"
"Sure." Alan placed his cutlery down. "Pf I'm full. How about you?"
Frowning about the little Alan had finished compered to him, Jeff nodded.
The "I'm full But I finished my plate." Wasn't said. Alan couldn't manage large portions of food because his small stomach. 'And it's our fault.' The father thought.
"I think it's time to collect our suitcases and get to the airport." Said Jeff. "We leave in two hours."
"We got a private jet and you still insist on flying on such ridiculous time." Complained the blond.
"And it's still a twenty hour flight." Chuckled Jeff. "If we leave at nine we're lucky to arrive before dinner."
"I know but I still don't like it." Mumbled Alan.
Again ruffling the blond locks, Jeff looked fondly at his son. "How about you choose something from the gift shop. We could collect those from the Hard Rock Café all over the world."
"You mean you would eat here again?" Alan said surprised.
Jeff shrugged. "You seem to like it, and it's not that bad. I was never one for the small expensive portions. A hamburger at least fills my stomach."
"Awesome." And the teen disappears, Jeff paid the bill and waited for his youngest in the warm evening air. When Alan emerged out of the shop he showed his father two buttons. "The guy told me a lot people collect them. I bought two different kinds so we know who has been where. I'll collect the weird shaped ones and you get the round."
"Good idea Alan." Praised Jeff as he put the buttons in the bag. "Ready to go?"
"If we have to." Said Alan softly. Jeff looked at Alan to continue. "These last few weeks were amazing. I don't want to go back to normal."
"We won't. I won't let it go back to what it was Ally, you need to trust me with that." Jeff wrapped an arm around the small shoulders.
"I wish I could dad." Whispered Alan. "But it has been going on for so long."
"And it stops now."
They retrieved their bags and took a cap to the airport. After securing the bags, Alan took place in the main chair behind the steering wheel. Another surprise for Jeff had been Alan's driving and pilot license. And Alan was good behind any wheel.
After flying for over an hour, Jeff noticed how pale Alan looked and how tightly he held the steering wheel. "Alan, why don't you go and lie down for a few hours." Suggested Jeff. "I'll wake you up in a few hours so we don't tire ourselves out with flying."
"You could go first…" hesitated Alan.
"Nonsense, didn't you notice the amount of coffee I drank before take-off?" smiled the billionaire. "Go, I'll be fine."
"If you're sure." Switching to automatic pilot, Alan surrendered the wheel to his father. "I'll be in the back. Wake me if you need anything."
The father waited a half hour before checking. Alan was curled up on the small couch, the blanket half over him and the ocean waves sound softly playing on the background. Running a hand through the soft blond locks, Jeff pulled the blanket a bit higher before tucking his son in. It was strange to see how young the seventeen year old looked in his sleep. Awake, Alan stood guarded and his blue eyes were damaged. In sleep, all the tension disappeared and his face relaxed.
He tenderly kissed his youngest forehead before turning back to the cockpit. Going over the radars to see if something had changed, he settled back in the comfy chair. He then pulled his smartphone out of his pocket calling a familiar number of someone he knew would be awake at this hour.
"mmmister Tr…Tracy hhhow aa… arre y…you?" Brains stuttered over the phone.
"Brains, I need a favour." Said Jeff. "Could you see if Kyrano is still awake."
"I'm here sir." The loyal servant said. "I was bringing master Brains is evening tea before turning in. What can we do for you?"
"I need to island for me and my boys for a week." Started Jeff. "Something has been brought to my attention and I need to handle it before it gets out of hand. Brains, would you mind spending another week up in five, or could you bring John down and take a few days' vacation?"
"FFFermatt aa… and I wwwwould lli… llli… love tttto sssspend a a wwweek uuup iin fiv… five." Stuttered the inventor.
"Thank you, Brains." Sighed Jeff. "Take Scott with you so John doesn't fly back alone in three. Kyrano Tracy 2 is at your service for any vacation place you want with your family, I know it's a bit short day but I really need my boys alone. Virgil and Gordon can bring you to your destination so neither of them have to fly back alone."
"Certainly sir." Kyrano said. "I'll inform my wife that she has to pack the suitcases. And sir, I'm glad you finally noticed young Alan's situation. My daughter has been distraught about his welfare."
"FFFermatt too." Said Brains quietly.
Running a hand through his own greying hair, "I'm only disappointed at myself that it took so long for me to notice."
"It's being here now that's important. There's no past and there's no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can't relive it; and we can hope for the future." Quoted Kyrano. "I wish you good luck master Tracy."
"Thank you." Jeff said honest. "Both of you."
Cutting the call of, Jeff leaned back in his chair. Wondering how he was going to fix this mess.