Disclaimer: I do not own the Thunderbirds.
CHAPTER 7
Alan was on his way out of the infirmary when he slammed into someone hard. He had almost fallen over when someone grabbed him. Alan's mind flashed back to Dr. Lancaster suddenly, pressing Alan into the wall, touching him, and slapping him.
"Alan, are you okay?" Scott shook his little brother in fear.
Alan was snapped back to the present as tears cascaded down his face. Scott was there, not Dr. Lancaster. He took a deep breath to clear his thoughts and regain his control. When he opened his eyes again Scott was still there attempting to drag him out of his flashback. Alan recoiled from Scott and slammed himself into a wall and slide down to the floor.
"Alan!" Scott yelled. "Talk to me!"
"Stop shaking me." Alan cried.
"You scared the hell out of me." Scott scolded as he observed his brother.
Alan wanted to say the same, but was afraid to talk. He could feel the bile rising up in his through again. It had been weeks since the last time he had vomited in front of a family member. Scott recognized Alan's symptoms and got him a trash can as fast as he could. The older boy knelt down in the hallway as his little brother emptied his stomach repetitively. It hurt Scott to see his brother so broken. It was a reminder that no matter how much Alan had improved he was still haunted.
When Alan was finished he wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his jacket. He felt dirty and ashamed. It was like Dr. Lancaster was there with him instead of Scott.
"Do you want me to get Dad?" Scott asked softly.
Alan shook his head as he cried. "Do you want to get Virgil?" Scott was at a loss for what his brother needed. He was breaking down into pieces in front of Scott.
"Can I sleep with you tonight?" Alan whispered. He hadn't slept with his brother since he was ten. It was always the thunderstorms. Alan needed to feel safe around Scott again. His memory had taunted Scott. He needed to fix it.
Scott nodded, "Of course you can Sprout."
When Alan was finished in the shower he crawled into bed beside Scott. His brother usually didn't go to bed this early. Alan knew Scott was being his usual smother hen self. The older boy told Virgil about the episode in the hallway. Scott had managed to convince Alan to let Virgil give him some fluids for the night. He looked pale and was still shaking from the incident.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Scott offered.
Alan wanted to tell Scott everything, but he was scared. If Scott saw how truly scared Alan was then he wouldn't be allowed to go back to school. Scott would make sure that Alan stayed home. Alan shook as the memory came back to him. Scott must have noticed, because he started whispering calm words into his ear. "It's okay, Sprout. You're safe."
"I thought you were him." Alan muttered.
Scott looked down with concern. "He can't get to you here, Alan." The older brother promised.
Alan nodded, "I know, but it doesn't change what happened."
"You can tell me anything. You know that, right?" Scott hoped that Alan would open up to him. He seemed like he was in a sharing mood.
Alan sat up and pulled his legs into his chest defensively. He was careful not to pull out his IV. The last thing he needed was another visit from Virgil. If he was going to tell his brother about the memory he needed some distance. "Dr. Lancaster had asked me to come to his office after last period. It was a rainy day so track practice was cancelled. As soon as I entered the office I was pushed up against a wall. He was holding me so tight I couldn't move. He thought I had told Wesley. He told me to change rooms or he would get Wesley expelled for the drugs. I tried to convince him that Wesley wouldn't tell, but he hit me." Alan's eyes were filled with tears and he wiped his cheeks with his sleeve. "I don't know why it shook me so much. It wasn't like it was the first time. Afterwards he told me I was special. That's pretty much the way things went."
Scott's temper was growing by the second. It was bad enough that Dr. Lancaster had molested his brother, but hit him too. This guy was sick and Alan had dealt with him alone for three years.
"When I got back I told Wesley what happened. He said he didn't care if he got expelled. But I knew I couldn't deal with Dr. Lancaster without him. Wesley was always there for me." Alan was still shaking and crying uncontrollably.
Scott wanted to hug him, but feared it would scare him. "That's the memory you had when I ran into you." It was more of a question than a statement.
The blonde nodded, but didn't speak. "I'm going to kill him." Scott said angrily.
"Please don't make this about him." Alan pleaded.
Scott reached out and pulled his little brother into his chest as he continued crying. He did his best to make sure the IV wasn't interrupted. They remained that way until Alan drifted off to sleep. Scott stayed up a little while to make sure Alan didn't get nightmares. The poor kid had gone through hell today. Alan had always beaten around the bush when it came to the details of the attacks. Tonight he had given Scott a play by play through Alan's eyes. It was a nightmare come to life.
In the morning Virgil came by to remove Alan's IV and check him over. He was glad that Scott was able to talk Alan into treatment. The kid was vomiting too much. "Is he okay?" Scott asked the doctor.
Virgil ran his fingers through his little brother's hair. "He looks a lot better than last night." He approved.
"Well he got a full night's sleep at least." Scott wrapped his arm around his baby brother.
"When he wakes up make sure he gets something to eat." Virgil advised.
Scott nodded before he directed his attention to the sleeping form next to him. Alan seemed so peaceful when he slept. It was like nothing had changed. The older brother knew it was a fantasy. Alan was far from fine. How could he be after what he had endured?
"Scotty?" Alan questioned. "Are you okay?"
Scott snorted at his brother's question. His little brother was always worried about everyone else, but himself. "I was just thinking how much I am going to miss you, Sprout." He redirected.
Alan rolled over onto his back to make himself more comfortable. "It's not like you're never going to see me again." He reasoned. "I'll be home for Thanksgiving."
"Whoa!" Scott interrupted. "There is no way in hell we are going that long without seeing each other."
Alan rolled his eyes. "I can't come home for weekends, Scott. That's ridiculous." The youngest lectured.
"Do I look like an idiot?" Scott fumed.
Alan shrugged, "Well now that you ask."
Scott nudged Alan and gave him an angry stare signaling the younger boy to shut up. "We will take turns coming to see you." Scott informed.
"You guys can't come up every weekend." Alan argued.
"If it was up to me you wouldn't even be going back." Scott reminded.
Alan closed his eyes for a few seconds. "Please don't fight me on this, Scotty."
Scott measured up his brother before speaking. "I love you so much, Allie."
Alan laid his head on his brother's shoulder. He knew his brother needed him. Scott wrapped his arms around Alan and pulled him closer. "I love you too, commander cranky pants." Scott smiled as he placed a kiss on his brother's head.
When the end of summer started approaching Alan had started packing up his things to head back to school. Jeff had been assured by the headmaster that Alan would be protected. They were increasing the security on campus and around the school grounds to insure the safety of the students.
Alan knew that going back would be difficult. He would miss his brothers like crazy. They had given him a tracking and communication watch to wear at all times. The boys had also set up a daily calling schedule. The brothers would take shifts calling Alan daily to make sure he was okay. Jeff had worked up a visiting schedule that worked around international rescues hectic schedule. They would have to rely on Brains and Fermat to join them on some rescues.
Alan had never felt more content than when he greeted by his best friend. "I missed you Blondie." Wesley cracked.
"I wish I could say the same." Alan joked.
"Where's the Calvary?" Alan had called Wesley over the summer and filled him in. The brunette didn't care as long as Alan was okay.
"They're checking in to their hotel. I told them I needed some space before dinner." Alan explained.
"I think we've had too much space." A voice sounded from the doorway.
Alan jumped at the voice. "Sam?" He choked.
The boy smirked, "I'm sorry I was a wiener."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you what was going on." Alan apologized.
"I think I'm about to cry." Wesley jabbed. "Nope it was just the pot I smoked."
Alan and Sam both laughed. They goofed around for a while until Matt arrived to spoil their fun. He was almost as overbearing as Scott.
Around an hour later Alan had gotten a call from Gordon. They were going to pick him up for dinner at the administration building. Jeff, Scott, and Gordon were the ones that came to drop Alan off for the start of school. Wesley, Sam, and Matt walked Alan down to meet up with his family.
"I told you to lay off the weed." Matt slapped Wesley upside the head.
"I must have misheard you." Wesley chimed. "I thought you said I should lie down after smoking weed." Matt didn't look amused.
"You need to have your hearing checked." Sam defended.
"Dude, we are in a public place and you're smoking." Matt snapped.
"It's not like everyone doesn't know." Alan added.
Matt grabbed the joint and threw it in the trash can. "Not cool bro." Wesley stated.
"You need all the brain cells you've got." Matt lectured.
Sam grunted, "What brain cells?"
"My point exactly," Wesley laughed.
Alan and Matt rolled their eyes. "Isn't your dad getting out of prison this week?" Sam remembered.
Wesley hesitated, "It doesn't matter. He'll be back in the following week. He's a lifer."
"Maybe he's changed." Matt was always the optimist.
Alan and Wesley shared knowing looks. "Alan do you think my father will ever change?" Wesley asked.
Alan had met Wesley's father several times during his stay at Wharton's. Mr. Pierce was a nice man, but easily temped. "Who knows he may have found Jesus again." Alan jested.
Wesley broke down laughing. "Yeah that was a favorite."
Alan's family was there a few minutes later. "This is Matt, Sam, and my roommate Wesley." He introduced.
"I'm hurt. You didn't introduce me as your lover." Wesley hugged Alan.
"You are so embarrassing." Matt jumped in.
"Take that back or I will put itching powder in all your clothes." Wesley threatened.
"That was you!" Matt grew angry. "I switched rooms because of that stunt."
"It all worked out for the better." Wesley hid behind Alan. "If it weren't for me Sam wouldn't be in our group."
"You are a terrible human being. I don't know how Alan can put up with you." Matt was dead serious.
"That's it hoops man!" Alan's roommate chased Matt out of the building.
"Do you think we should help?" Sam asked Alan.
Alan shook his head. "Matt will outrun him anyway."
"How do you figure?" Sam inquired.
"Matt runs cross country and Wesley smokes pot. You do the math." Alan enlightened.
"I guess I'm going back to the dorms." Sam excused himself. "I need some therapy if you know what I mean."
Alan's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What does he mean?" Gordon spoke up.
"We're better off not knowing." Alan informed. "Sam has some weird habits."
"What kind of weird habits?" Scott's curiosity was heightened.
"Nothing I want to think about ever again." Alan reassured.
Jeff had spent a majority of the day smoothing out the details of Alan's safety with Wharton's security guards. He wanted to make sure there were no mishaps this year. After he was finished he joined Scott, Alan, and Gordon at the administration building before heading to dinner.
Alan really didn't have much of an appetite. He mainly sat there and pushed his food around on his plate. "Do you want to spend the night at the hotel with us? Or are you going to stay in your dorm?" Jeff asked.
"I'll probably stay in my dorm. I need to get some stuff organized." Alan needed some time alone with Wesley.
"Are you sure?" Scott double checked. "It's not a problem."
"I'll be fine." Alan reassured his brother.
"If you're fine then why aren't you eating?" Gordon commented.
"I'm not hungry." Alan left it at that.
"You haven't eaten since breakfast." Gordon pressured.
Jeff agreed with Gordon, but knew Alan was adjusting. They couldn't expect Alan to jump right into being his old self. "Alan, why don't you get your food to go so you can eat later?" He advised.
They dropped Alan off at his dorm after dinner. Scott was going to walk him up, but Alan convinced him he would be fine. The last thing he needed was Scott walking Alan into a pot smelling room. Who knew what Wesley was doing?
The next day Jeff, Scott, Gordon stopped by before going home. Thankfully they agreed to meet Alan at the administration building instead of the dorms. Wesley was still asleep.
"Are you going to be okay?" Jeff asked while he was saying goodbye. "It's okay if you've changed your mind."
Alan had no doubts that he wanted to be at Wharton's. His biggest struggle was saying goodbye to his family. "I'll be fine." Jeff gave Alan a hug and kissed his hair before allowing Gordon and Scott to say their goodbyes.
"I'm going to miss you, Squirt." Gordon ruffled Alan's hair before hugging him.
"Why the hair?" Alan groaned as he tried to fix it.
Gordon chuckled, "I know how much it bugs you."
"You're a comedian." Alan stated sarcastically.
Scott embraced Alan instantly. "Call me anytime. I don't care how insignificant." He reassured. "Be careful, be safe, and never take your watch off. Try to keep a friend with you when you walk around campus. If you get scared or feel uncomfortable call us. The watch has a distress button. We can be here within a day." The smother hen was in full force. "Don't forget to take your medicine before you go to bed and if the vomiting gets worse call Virgil."
"I promise." Alan hugged his brother back.
"Your brothers and I will be taking turns calling you after last period. If your schedule changes let us know, because if you don't call back within an hour we will call campus security." Jeff informed.
"Isn't that a little overbearing?" Alan complained.
Gordon patted Alan on the back. "You were the one that wanted to go back to school."
Alan rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Yeah well when you guys told me there would be rules I didn't imagine I wouldn't be able to have a life."
"It's for your safety son." Jeff reminded.
Alan wasn't thrilled with his family's demands, but he accepted them. There was no way Alan was going to remember to pick up the phone every single day. Half the time he would forget it in his room. But he figured it was worth a shot.