Disclaimer; I don't own thunderbirds.

There was a considerable amount of maths involved with insomnia John mused as he lay awake staring up at the ceiling. The glow in the dark starts his mother had put there had long since stopped glowing but John could still spot there outlines in the dark.

Spying the digital clock on Virgil's nightstand he could see the glowing red numbers mocking him. Doing a quick sum he calculated that if he fell asleep now he could get five hours and twenty-seven minutes of sleep. He huffed anything more than five hours would be a good night's sleep for him, but somehow he doubted this was going to be a good night.

It had been getting worse lately the insomnia, although he could not really understand why, lately life had been going pretty well, his father was staring to come home more often instead of staying at the office for hours on end and he was excited to say he had finally made a friend at school. Ethan Bates was his chemistry lab partner and he thought they'd hit it off pretty well. Ethan came over to the Tracy's at least twice a week to play computer games and it was nice to finally have someone outside of his family to talk and just generally hang out with.

Still he found sleep allusive and it was being to take its toll on him, he seemed to have a permanent ache behind his eyes and the skin under his right eye was red and score from constantly rubbing at it. He knew he was starting to worry his family. His father had even taken to ensuring the Wifi was switched off at night to make sure John was not spending all night on his tablet. It had not helped. It had only made the nights even more unbearable as there was little to distract him from the countdown until dawn.

Virgil let out a loud snore and John couldn't help but glare at his older brother. Virgil could fall asleep anytime, anywhere and at the drop of a hat, while he had to endure this torment every night. Although John had to admit it was a smart move on his father's part to pair the two quietest Tracy's as roommates had been one of his better ideas. Scott, while not an insomniac like John, was a light sleeper and could not have slept through Virgil's snoring or John's restlessness. Whilst Alan and Gordon would have destroyed the place, those two were either best friends or worst enemies there was no in-between. Snaring a room with either Alan or Gordon was a collective nightmare for the eldest three so that left Virgil and John and apart from Virgil hogging the mirror and the hair dryer John had no complaints.

Five hours and three minutes. John slammed his pillow on his face and let out a muffled scream. He didn't worry about waking Virgil nothing sort of a brass band would wake his brother now. Tomorrow was going to be hard enough as it was, he really needed some sleep.

Scott had been hounding him for weeks now. Having lent a new computer game to Ethan months ago Scott was anxious to get it back in fairness Scott had spent ages saving up for that game and had only reluctantly agreed to let Ethan borrow it because John had begged. But still John wished his brother could stop asking John for it every day. Ethan would give it back he had promised he would it must have just slipped his mind lately. He ignored the little nagging voice in his head that told him Ethan had yet to give anything that he had borrowed, which was actually a considerable amount.

Huffing John pulled back the covers and made his way to the windowsill, carefully in order to avoid knocking over his telescope he had positioned just in front of it. Slipping quietly on to the windowsill, he realised he could only just perch on it, having had somewhat of a growth spurt as of late. (Much to Virgil's outrage he now had an inch on his older brother.) He'd have to ask his father if they put a window seat in.

Tucking his knees tightly to his chest he gazed out at the night sky.

A cloudy night sky.

Sighing John rested his head against the cool glass, resisting the urge to pound his head against it.

Four hours and forty-seven minutes. He was ready to break something the alarm clock preferably. He thought about reading one of his astronomy books but last time his father had court sight of light from his flashlight under the door when he had gotten up to pee.

'This is why you can't sleep John too much reading at night.' Had been the resulting lecture, one of the most despicable things as an insomniac was people lecturing you on why you couldn't sleep, too many electronics, sleeping in too late and when Scott suggested one day it was because he ate too much sugar John had levelled him with such a look it made the eldest boy take a step back. (He left the room when John had continued glaring at him whilst menacingly eating his chocolate bar. He was pretty sure sugar was the only thing keeping him upright most days.)

His Mother had always told him that even as a baby he would not sleep at night; he would always be wide awake staring up at the ceiling. Her little night owl she had called him. Said he was simply wired in order to be awake when the stars were. She was full of things like that. When he was little he would often ask her if she could sleep for him and she would laugh and lie down next to him and they would play their game.

It was a silly game comparing people to planets but it was theirs. With one last glance at the clock (three hours and 37 minuets.) he rested his head against the cool glass. If Alan was a planet he would be Mercury, being the one of the smallest planet was the obvious similarity. However being closest to the Sun it had the quickest orbit of just eighty-eight days and having been previously tasked with trying to get Alan in the bath he knew just how fast the youngest could be.

Gordon was a no brainer, Neptune. Named after the Roman God of the Sea there could not have been a better fit for him, that and the planet was mostly made up of ice and water. The family fish seemed to get genuine withdrawal symptoms if he was away from water too long. Not that he could swim on Neptune without, well dying, but his mother had told him he spoilt the game if he thought too hard.

Virgil was the hardest brother to place, but John felt that Venus would suit him the best. Being the closet planet to earth Venus was often appeared in the night sky being the second brightest object next to the moon. This made it the study of many famous artists. He thought his brother would appreciate that when he told him. Instead his brother had grumbled he would rather not have the one associated with ladies razors.

Scott would be Jupiter. He held them all together when their family had began to slip and crumble. Not an easy task for the then fourteen year old boy, but Scott had strength to him John knew he could never have. It was no easy task keeping everyone in line. Maybe that's why Jupiter always has a storm at its centre, must be the stress of keeping all those moons in its orbit.

When they first invented this game he would always give the same answer for himself Mars. When asked why he would giggle and tug on his red locks. He wasn't the most imaginative child. Now he would probably say Pluto. Yes he was well aware Pluto hadn't been classed as a planet for several decades but it felt unfair not to include it. While he loved his family dearly some days he felt so detached from them. Scott, Virgil and Gordon were all very popular in school so unlike himself, who at eleven could count how many friends he had made on one hand and still have fingers to spare. Despite being the best student in his year nearly all of teachers could not remember his name. Something that infuriated his father at parents evening. ('Mr Tracy what are you doing here?' 'I'm here for John.' 'John?')

Watching his breath create small puffs of fog on the windowpane could feel his eyes being to droop and John allowed himself to finally drift off to sleep.

BEEP BEEP BEEP

His eyes flew open, only to see the floor rushing up to greet him. Landing with a thud John just lay there staring up at the ceiling with eyes that felt they were being prised open with matchsticks.

He heard Virgil groaning and shifting in his bed. Before the tell tale bangs as his brother pounded the alarm until it stopped squawking. His brother continued to groan and John could hear him popping his joints as he stretched.

John couldn't bring himself to move, despite how ridiculous he knew he looked, one foot still on the windowsill while the rest of him was sprawled across the floor. But he was still reeling he could have sworn the clock had said he still had three hours to sleep left but it felt as though he had only just shut his eyes. His brother's face suddenly appeared leaning over him, looking sadly unsurprised to find him sprawled out on the floor.

'Rough night?' Virgil asked him softly well versed with dealing with the insomniac red head in the morning.

'Ugh.' Was the only sound he could get past his throat.

'That bad huh?' Virgil winced. Bending down he placed his hands under Johns arm pits and easily pulled the lanky red head to his feet.

'Come on you'll feel better after some breakfast.' He told him clapping him on the shoulder and steering him out of the room.

John winced as Gordon and Alan shot past them screaming, amplifying the pounding headache behind his eyes. Virgil helped him stumble down the stairs where the rest of the family were already crowded around the kitchen island.

'Come on you two hurry up and eat the buss will be here in thirty minutes and you aren't even dressed.' Their father barked at them.

'Sorry Sir.' They parroted and immediately began digging in to some of the cereal that had been left out for them.

'Johnny?' Alan asked around a mouthful of lucky charms. 'Why are your eyes all red?'

'Cause's he's a zombie that's why.' Gordon told him laughing.

'Really?' Alan gasped spitting out a mouthful of food in the process.

'Gordon don't be ridiculous. Alan don't speak with your mouthful.' Their father snapped, clearly reaching the end of his tether. The man looked haggard not having had time to shave his face was covered with dark and grey stubble, making him look older than he was.

'John have you been messing about in the night again.' His father demanded.

'No sir I just couldn't sleep.' His father merely huffed and poured himself another cup of coffee.

'You should try counting fish, Johnny.' Gordon told him as a matter of fact.

'Yeah I'll try that.' John relented still munching on his cereal.

'John has that mate of yours said anything about my game?' Scott asked him seriously.

'I'll talk to him today. He's probably just forgotten about it.' John told him.

'Yeah well refresh his memory, John I spent months saving up for that game and he's had it for months now.' Scott scowled 'this is your last chance John or I'm going to be asking him for to buy me a new one.' He threatened.

'I know, I know I'll talk to him today I promise.'

'He asks to "borrow" something every time he's round here.' Virgil added unhelpfully 'He's borrowed about six games, three movies and I don't want to know how much money you have given him.'

'John, do I need to have a talk with Ethan's parents?' Jeff asked him seriously.

'No, no.' John protested 'I'll talk to him.'

'He's got to the end of the month to return everything. Am I understood John?'

John gulped nervously 'Y-yes Sir.' He stammered.

'Come on you lot, fifth teen minutes until the buss arrives.' His father ordered them. While Scott threw his back pack over his shoulder 'I'm off he told them.' Having passed his driving test a month ago Scott had the luxury of driving to school. John couldn't wait to turn fifth teen.

The rest of them rushed upstairs to finish getting ready, their father having to trail behind Alan to make sure the youngest didn't put his clothes on backwards again before taking him to kindergarten.

The buses were on time Gordon getting one while John and Virgil climbed into the other.

John spotted Ethan sitting towards the back as did Virgil as he gave him a meaningful nudge before sliding into a seat next to his friends.

Cautiously John made his way to the back of the buss trying to avoid being tripped. Ethan didn't notice him, too busy to talking to his friend. So John slipped into the empty sit behind him.

'Hi Ethan.' He tried but he must not have heard him as he continued to laugh with his friend.

John sighed and slipped down in his seat. He guessed he would just have to talk to Ethan in chemistry.

A hard smack to the back of head sent him reeling. Laughter broke out all around him including Ethan and his friends. John brought a shaking hand to the back of head and he almost startled when his hand came back red and sticky.

'Aw man you can barely see it.' The person behind him whined. 'Ginger bastard. Mayo would have worked better.'

Another smack even harder than the last and John could feel the sticky substance dripping down the back of his neck. 'You're right it does!' another voice laughed triumphantly.

'What's going on back here?!' A voice boomed and John turned to watch Virgil stalking towards them. Looking absolutely livid his brother made a terrifying figure.

'None of your business Tracy.' Hissed one of the boys behind him.

'When it involves my brother it is.' Virgil barked back grabbing hold of Johns shoulder, he hoisted him up and began to drag him towards the front of the buss. Despite having an over an inch on his older brother Virgil had a build similar to a small tank and John stumbled after him. Keeping his eyes on the ground he tried to ignore the stairs of the other kids.

Virgil stopped and gestured to a seat next to girl, someone John recognised as one of his brothers friends. She smiled kindly at him, showing off a her overbite, before she began to rummage around in her bag. His older brother slipped into the seat in front next to another one of his friends, turning around to keep an eye on him.

'You okay John? Those weren't exactly love taps.' He asked him quietly.

'I'm fine.' He told his brother honestly grimacing as he felt his hair being to clump with the sticky substances. 'Just sticky.'

'Here.' The girl pulled out a packet of tissues for him to take. Quietly thanking her John tried his best to wipe the sources off with limited success as much of it had already begun to stain the collar of his shirt.

'John.' Virgil sighed. 'We really need to have a talk about that Baits kid.'

'Ethan? Why he didn't do this, it was the kids behind me?' John told him confused.

Virgil looked rather like he'd just tasted one of Grandma's cookies.'I know that, but he was laughing just as hard as them. That's not what friends do when their friend is being bullied. John I know you really want this kid to be your friend, but that isn't what's going on, he's just using you.'

'I know right now it doesn't look good, but he's a decent guy Virgil, I promise. You just don't know him that well.'

Virgil gave him a sceptical look. 'John, I really hope I'm wrong about him, believe me, but I really don't get a good feeling about him so please be careful.'

'I'll talk to him about Scott's game. I promise.' John told him sincerely.

'And your stuff?'

John shrugged. 'It's nothing I wasn't thinking of getting rid of already.' Virgil sighed pinching the bridge of his nose, but held his tongue. Clearly his brother was not satisfied, but his brother clearly felt this was not worth arguing over.

'So, Virgil?' The girl with the overbite tried to break through the tension. 'Have you saved up enough for the tablet you saw?'

'Almost I just need another $40.' His brother moaned.

'That's not far off.' The girl told him softly.

'Yes but the sale ends next week.' Virgil stressed. 'If I don't find the money on time, I'll have to save up another $50 dollars.'

'Why do you want this tablet again?' the boy sitting next to his brother asked.

'It's got the best interactive screen and art software. It would make trying to create digital art really easy.'

'I thought you didn't like digital art Virgil? You said it has nothing on paint and canvas.' John asked him confused.

His brother shrugged 'I still think paint on canvas is better, but I was thinking of giving digital art ago.'

'Virgil wants to try selling some prints online.' The girl whispered to him conspiringly.

'Really?'

Virgil began running his hand through his hair, a nervous habit of his. 'Well, I don't know if I'm going to be able to create anything worth selling.'

His mate next to him snorted 'Oh come off it! Even your doodles would be worth something.'

'I can lend you $40 Virge.' John told his brother.

'No John, I really couldn't take any money off you.'

'I'm serious Virgil. Scott's birthday was two weeks ago and I've got nothing that I need or want to buy anything.'

Virgil looked unsure but John could see he was being to relent. The girl next to John shrugged. 'I think you should Virgil. I would have offered you same I had any cash to spare. You're too nice a guy not to pay anyone back.'

The boy next to Virgil laughed. 'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I couldn't even get my sister to lend me a buck for a sandwich the other day and your brother is trying to give you $40.'

'Are you sure John?' Virgil relented.

'Yep, I'm thinking of this as an investment.' John told him and with a sly grin he added '$40 in return for 10% of all future profits.'

The girl next to him burst into giggles and the boys guffawed. 'Alright, John.' His brother grinned 'You'll get your money back and I'll throw in a free print of your choice.'

'Hmm' John pretended to ponder 'Deal.' He told his brother with a grin and the pair shook hands.

'Seriously John I will pay you back as soon as can.' Virgil swore.

'It really doesn't matter to me Virge.' John shrugged.

'I know but it's a matter of principle. You should always pay people back no matter what.' He looked at John meaningfully and John almost rolled his eyes at his brother's lack of subtlety.

The rest of the journey past quickly and John was surprised at how easily Virgil's friends had included him in their conversations. The boy, Nick, was a very laid back guy who laughed very easily. The girl with the overbite, Karen, was quieter but still had a wicked sense of humour. Both waved John goodbye when they parted ways after the bus arrived at the school.

John had to battle his way to the through the morning crush and headed straight to the boys toilets. Cupping his hands under the tap John attempted to try and wash the remaining sticky source from his hair. He succeeded somewhat but the rest was less than desirable as his normally neat hair was left wild and spiky. There was no time to go to his locker, so he was left carrying all of today's textbooks in his bag, not unbearably heavy but enough to make his shoulders ache after a few minutes.

He barely made it before the bell rang and his teacher was clearly unimpressed as she scowled at him over the top of her glasses. Muttering a series of apologies he slipped awkwardly into his seat and pulled out his books, praying silently that the rest of the day would be a little easier.