A/N: Chapter four here and I wish to apologise for not thanking everyone who reviewed this story in the last chapter. I'm sorry. I completely forgot about an Author's note, but there's one here. Anyways, thanks again. In this chapter we see things from Alan's P.O.V, enjoy!
Disclaimer: For all chapters, don't own nothing apart from a pair of socks and two lemon bon bons.
Jeff's P.O.V
I had my arm slung around Alan's shoulders as we made our way back to the Thunderbirds, TinTin and Fermat were following closely behind talking in-between themselves.
I hadn't expected to see an ambulance parked next to the Thunderbirds, I hadn't expected to see paramedics loading my middle child into it and I certainly hadn't expected to see tears tracks on both Scott and Virgil's faces.
I sent a quick glance at Alan who was staring at the ambulance with a look of disbelief on his face.
"I thought you said everyone was alright?" He asked.
I sighed, "I thought everyone had been."
"You were wrong obviously, shows how much you know about your own family." He told me bitterly before shrugging my arm off of his shoulder and running into Thunderbird 1.
I noticed that TinTin and Fermat shared glances before running after Alan. Scott's eyes widened when he noticed where they were going, he started after them.
I could hear Scott's shouts of protests and Alan's responses but I wasn't really listening. My focus was centred on my three remaining children and I decided that I needed to be strong.
"Gordon, Virgil." I barked. "What's going on?"
"It was worse than we thought, sir." Virgil told me; in my eyes he looked pale. Even under all the dirt that covered his face. "His back…"
I nodded and sneaked a glance at Gordon who was stood rather close to Virgil, as if he was trying to draw comfort off of him somehow. I have always been amazed at how the younger of my sons always looked to the elder ones for comfort in some source. In some way I was proud at how much they trust and love each other and in other ways I knew it was like a disaster waiting to happen. If one of them died then
everything would come crashing down. I didn't want to think about it.
The paramedics had finished loading John into the ambulance and the female paramedic who was riding in the back with him asked us, "Who's coming with him?"
I looked at Gordon and Virgil, and made my decision.
"Boys, you get the Thunderbirds back home. I'll keep you updated on the situation as things progress."
"F.A.B." They said in unison and turned to go back to their respective birds.
"And make sure Scott doesn't kill Alan." I told them trying to lighten their moods.
For my effort I got a nod of the head from Virgil and a small grin from Gordon before they disappeared.
I quickly boarded the Ambulance and as we made our way to the hospital I watched my son's face as it seemed to pale even further.
I listened as the two paramedics called to each other all the while the female paramedic working quickly on John.
I couldn't look away from his face. He had a slight grimace marred his features but other than that he looked peaceful, almost as if he was asleep. I realised I never got to watch John sleep anymore unlike with my other four sons, though, I only got to see Alan when he was home from boarding school. That was more often than John being at home.
I've always had a fascination with watching people sleep, especially my boys. It's the time when their masks slip, when I get to see the real them. The people they try to hide from everyone else. They all look so innocent while sleeping. Just like they did when they were children.
I remember that I used to annoy the hell out of Lucille with my obsessions on some nights and on others she wouldn't question me, instead she would just follow my lead.
The first night after we had brought Scott home from the hospital is still so clear in my mind. We spent it all just staring at the little bundle in Lucille's arms, he looked so perfect it was indescribable. Still is. At the time I thought I would perhaps never feel like this again but I had been proved wrong. Virgil had been born.
I know Scott probably can't remember but I do. I can remember the way he'd stare at his brother and gently poke him in the face every time he saw him. Not enough to hurt the baby, but enough to make sure he was real and not some weird dream.
As Scott and Virgil grew older, they formed a strong bond that I don't think has been broken yet. Sure, they had their childish arguments about nothing but they always made up shortly afterwards. They were happy with it just being the two of them.
If I could have changed they way in which Lucille and me dealt with Scott and Virgil about John's birth I would. In a heartbeat I would. At the time they were respectively six and five, both old enough to be told about what was happening. But we didn't, we left them in the dark instead. It was a horrible thing to do but we did it anyway.
It seems rather stupid to think back now, I can't believe we never sat them down and explained what was happening. I think we just assumed they would know, just like we assumed they wanted a younger sibling.
We were wrong; Scott and Virgil came up with so many ideas about how to get rid of John it was unbelievable. Some of them very nearly worked as well.
Hiding the baby in the closet, the laundry basket, the trunk of the car, behind the sofa, Grandma's suitcases, under Virgil's bed and the neighbour's backyard. It was surprising really that John grew up absolutely adoring his older brothers, always following them around everywhere and wanting to join in with their games.
They never let him though; I don't think he cared as long as his big brothers talked to him and paid him attention.
From John's second night home until he was six he slept in the same bed as myself and Lucille, apart from the odd night when he slept in his own bed, it was very aggravating at times though it gave me so many opportunities to watch him sleep.
Virgil always slept with his thumb in his mouth when he was younger; he still does now sometimes, even at the age of twenty-six. Lucille would laugh softly whenever we entered his room and saw sucking away at his thumb.
When Lucille found out she was pregnant with Gordon we explained what was happening to the then nine and eight year-olds. They understood and at first weren't very happy about getting another little brother or a sister but when they saw Gordon for the first time they were ecstatic.
Their huge smiles lit up the hospital room and all they could do was stare at the redhead in Lucille's arms. I think staring must be a genetic order that I've passed down to each of my sons or maybe they got it from Lucille but it doesn't really matter, all I could see in front of me was the precious bundle in my wife's arm which was my fourth son.
Gordon stared back at each and every one of us, his eyes twinkled and I knew that from this point onwards he was going to be trouble.
And I was correct of course; he is the prankster king in our family. His red hair, which puzzled my Mother and Lucille so much, was now gone, in its stead was a dark brown colour. I don't quite know the exact details of how it occurred but the word 'revenge' was definitely in the explanation.
As I stared at John I found myself thinking of Alan, of every time I've been sat at his bedside and of every time I was there for him after he had a nightmare. I honestly think that the boys and me have spoiled him, even through all of the teasing that they'd subject him to. I've never found a way to say no to Alan before, never. I think he looks too much like Lucille, The Lord knows how I'd never had said no to her.
I know I'm nothing compared to Lucille but I've tried my best to be there for all of my sons. I've supported them in nearly everything they've done and I'm proud of each one of them.
"Sir?" Her voice broke through my thoughts and I snapped my head up to lock eyes with her.
It was then I noticed we weren't moving anymore. I raised an eyebrow at her.
"We're here." She told me.
Alan's P.O.VThe rush that had been running through my veins after defeating the Hood had now turned to anger. Anger at my Dad, how could he lie to me like that? He told me everyone was all right but he lied.
John's not all right, well, he definitely didn't look it. He's probably at the hospital right now, joking with Dad and he's laughing in return. They've both probably forgotten about me, I've been a good boy. I've helped clean up the Island after the Hood's attack. I've done everything they've asked me to do, I've proven myself today.
If it weren't for me, my Dad and my Brothers would all be dead. Don't I deserve some kind of recognition for that? Don't I deserve more than just pats on the back and hugs from Scott, Virgil and Gordon? Don't I deserve to become a member or International Rescue?
I know I do.
Stupid John, this is all his fault. I bet he's only faking being hurt to steal Dad's attention away from me. He didn't even do anything brave today, I bet he never has done in his entire life. He's never been on any cool missions; instead he stays up in Thunderbird having it easy while Scott, Virgil, Gordon and Dad have to work their butts off saving lives. He doesn't even do anything on Thunderbird 5, just watch the stars.
I've walked around for the past half an hour, not looking where I'm headed and somehow I found myself at the beach. The same spot from where I'd seen the Hood's submarine surface. How ironic.
"Hey, Squirt." I heard from behind me and I spun around to see Gordon standing there.
I'm closest to Gordon than I am with any of my other brothers; I think it must be the age gap or something.
I turned back around so I was facing the ocean but I answered him, "Hey."
"What's wrong?" He asked me, I was kind of surprised he was being serious but at the same time not.
"Nothing." I told him before sinking onto the sand.
He joined me soon after and we sat in silence for a couple of minutes but knowing Gordon it wouldn't last long.
"Are you worried about John?" He asked me and I felt anger well up in my chest.
"No." I told him shortly.
"There's nothing to be ashamed about you know, I'm worried too." Gordon told me, I could tell he was trying to do a Dad but it wasn't working. I've always hated Gordon when he's trying to be mature, give me crazy, eccentric Gordon any day.
"I'm not worried about John, he could die for all I care." I said to him and I meant it.
Gordon didn't say anything so I thought it would be safe to carry on, "He's never at home, it's like we don't exist to him. We're only there when he's in trouble or he needs something. He's so selfish, how come he doesn't come back to Earth and help you guys with missions? Is he better than you guys? Is his own life too precious for him to stop staring at the stars and come down and help once in a while? Huh? I bet he knew it was a missile tha-"
I didn't get chance to finish my sentence before I received a fist in my mouth which effectively shut me up. I hissed in pain before looking at Gordon, he was standing now with his fists clenched and arms hanging at his sides. He was leaning over me, stopping the dying light of the sun from reaching me.
"You hit me." I said, my voice was thick and I was sure I could taste blood in my mouth.
"You deserved it." Gordon almost growled. "I don't believe how stupid you are, you don't even understand half of the things that are going on before you take judgement. And, of course, every situation has got to be centred on you. The only person you have ever cared about is yourself; it's always been you. Haven't you ever thought about anyone else in your entire life? About what they're feeling or why their head works the way it does? I just can't-" He let out a frustrated grunt before turning around and stalking back up to the house.
All I could do was sit there, with a hand held to my mouth, thinking. Gordon was lying; he had to be. I always think of other people, I always put their lives in front of mine. Or do I? Am I really that self-centred?
No, I can't be. Gordon just must be upset about John, that had to be it. When Dad gets back I'll have to tell him what Gordon did to me, he'll make everything better.