Just something inspired by Saturday's episode.
Alan's studying had probably saved them. There was every chance John might have come up with something, but then equal chance that he wouldn't have. Alan might not have stopped the program, but he gave John the ammunition to.
He really was a smart child, worthy of their trust, their confidence, and of International Rescue's. But sometimes that was easily overlooked and Alan was seen only as the baby of the family, the one who still had studying to do and the one who could be left behind. It shouldn't be like that and it was never the intention.
Lines had blurred recently. International Rescue had crossed into the Tracy family and the Tracy family into International Rescue. The job always came home with them, yet with their dad gone, it seemed to weigh heavier.
They may have played at being dad after their mother's death, but no matter how hard they could try, the eldest pair could not replace him then and they couldn't do so now. Yet they had tried, they'd tried to pull Alan away from International Rescue, from Thunderbird Three, from as many rescue missions as possible, trying to play dad with the insistences of "Go back to your lessons," and "You should be studying," which could only come from Scott and John in such an authoritative and parental way.
To Alan though, it only seemed as another way of keeping him out of harms way. Yet if that was it's intention, it was doing more harm than good.
When Virgil and Gordon finally returned from Alaska worn out and tired, they were greeted by apple pie (which did need to be warmed up, but was still nice) and the sight of Alan and Scott asleep on the sofa.
"Shocking, they sit at home all day and have the nerve to fall asleep before we even get back."Gordon's attempt at humour was lost through his tiredness.
"Maybe there was another call Gordon." Virgil suggested, too tired for any form of argument - even if that form was a debate - and far too tired to pick up on his direct younger sibling's sense of humour.
"More taxing than a pipe line break?"
"I don't know do I. Either way, let's not wake them. I'm going to bed."
Gordon and Virgil did just that and it was Grandma who informed Scott and Alan of their safe return. And it was Scott who informed them of what they had missed, including Alan's genius idea with Game Theory.
And it was all of them who learnt that maybe it was time to let Alan out of their shadow and out of a world he'd outgrown.
I know it's short, but hopefully you still liked it - I would love to know what you think. Also thank you for all the amazing feedback on my other Thunderbirds works so far, I really appreciate it!
P.S. Would anyone like scripts for the original Thunderbirds series, the films (1966 [Thunderbird 6], 1968 [Zero X], 2004) or the new series? Leave a review or PM me with which ones you want as I found my collection of transcripts written up for most of the old episodes and I can write ones for the new episodes quite easily, so just ask. x