Disclaimer: I do not own Thunderbirds. All things recognisable belongs to Gerry Anderson.
A/N: NO FLAMES! Not accepted.
2nd A/N: This is based on an idea that I got from reading 'Never Stop Looking' and I loved it so much it gave me an idea. This story is not the same. It is different. The base is the same but different.
AGES: Scott –20; John – 18; Virgil and Avalon – 16; Gordon – 12; Alan – 9
Chapter Ten – Finally Home
John sat in the lounge flicking channels on the TV, there was nothing on and he hated the fact that he was bored. For once he wanted school to start. For one it would get Alan's mind working again – the tiny kid had been having nightmares again. Although boarding school wasn't such a good idea for such a little kid – and with the fact he was younger than even Gordon not one of his brothers would be at school with him. He got a dorm room and he'd make heaps of friends – that's what Ava told him – but he wouldn't be able to crawl into bed with Virgil, or Scott or even Ava when he had a nightmare he'd have to calm himself down and tell himself it wasn't real.
"It's almost like they never left now. They've settled in well. Virgil is smiling and laughing again, and Gordon is pranking more than ever. I'm just worried what it's going to be like when Dad makes these machines he'd talking about." Scott said, as he sunk down next to John on the couch. Scott left in two days for College and he wanted to spend it with his brothers- especially his Star-loving one.
"I'm not too worried. A space station all to myself? And he's talking a sub for Gordon. Maybe one like those cargo ships for Virg? And the speedy one for you? I'm pretty sure we'll be happy." John said.
"What about Al?" Scott cocked an eyebrow.
"Well why not another space one? One that can take supplies up to me and help with any extra orbital missions?" John suggested.
"Guess you're right. That would seem best. Since Alan loves the stars too and I heard him tell Ava he likes feeling weightless in the pool. He's the baby but somehow he'll always act like an adult…unless he wants to be treated like a kid!" Scott said, both laughed.
"True. But I heard Dad discussing names for it earlier. He says the whole thing will be International Rescue. But he's not calling the machines Rescue 1, 2, and 3, He wants a really cool name for them. One people will remember. I've been doing some reading, how does Thunderbird One grab you?" Scott's face lit up.
"I like it. I really like it. Well done John I think you've found the name for Dad's ships." Scott said approvingly. John grinned.
"What do I do if I have a nightmare?" Alan asked as he came down the stairs on Virgil's back.
"I'm not sure Jelly-Bean. Ask Johnny, maybe he can help you out." Virgil said putting the nine-year-old down. Alan ran off to find John.
"He put your back out yet?" Scott laughed from the kitchen table. Virgil shook his head with a chuckle.
"No, I don't think so. I don't think he ever will. His still really tiny for 9. I mean when I was 9 I'm pretty sure I had hit at least 4'8", he's barely 4'2". And he's so skinny. Mind you though, Ava's short too." Virgil said.
"I think Grandma is trying to fatten him up on cookies." Scott said, lifting one from the plate in front of him.
"Oh well that will work." Virgil sighed, "If you stop eating them." Scott grinned and looked towards the longue as Alan's giggles sounded.
"Well at least they're having fun." He commented hearing John's booming laughter join in.
"I'll go and make sure they don't break anything." Virgil said grabbing a cookie and making his way into the longue area.
"Johnny! What can I do? If I have a nightmare at school?" Alan asked seriously as Virgil entered the longue. It was obvious now that Alan had been tickled by John first. Now the pair sat on the longue and Alan had just been released from John's tickling.
"Well, how about this. Whenever you have a nightmare – look out your window at the stars. And know that Scott, Virg, Ava, Gordo, Dad and I can all see the same stars. The same constellations. We all look at the same sky. Besides Gordon, Virgil and Ava are going to boarding school to, as am I. So when you feel homesick, talk to one of your teachers and maybe they can call our school and you can talk one of us, ok? You can always ask for help." John said gently patting Alan's back and hugging him tightly. It had been horrible to lose both Alan and Ava all those years ago, but it was wonderful to have them back.
"Alan's worried about being at school." Virgil told Ava as they strode across the asphalt yard towards the school building.
"Really? I would have thought he'd be excited." Ava said.
"I think it's because he's 9 and he's going to boarding school. It kind of scary, trust me, I know." Virgil said, Ava laughed.
"Yeah I'm pretty sure I remember as well Virg. We were at boarding school since we were little. I mean I like Phillips Academy, but I think Milton would have been better. Then we all would've been together." She said, her voice taking on a saddening tone.
"Look I'm sure Alan will love Landmark Elementary. I did and so did Gordon." Virgil said.
"Yeah, maybe." Ava said.
"HEY! TRACY!" Both turned. Ava frowned, and then saw Virgil's expression. He wasn't smiling so this wasn't a friend. This boy was older than Virgil – maybe a year or two, but he was definitely not Virgil's favourite person.
"What do you want, Drew?" Virgil growled.
"Who's this? Your girlfriend?" Ava drew herself up to her full height still two inches shorter than Virgil but still fairly tall for her age.
"So what if I am?" She said, Virgil gripped her hand tighter, telling her not to bait him.
"You deserve a real man, Sexy. Not some scum of the earth. Quiet, little, perfect, virgin, Virgil." Drew drawled, he enjoyed teasing Virgil and the teenager had escaped with only tears as evidence of the hurt more then once.
"For your information I love Virgil. And I think he's about as real as any man can be. He's much more of a man than someone who picks on people younger than him. Next time you want to pick on someone, make sure you can match them. Then we'll see how well you can hold yourself. And my name isn't Sexy, its Ava. Come on Virgil." Ava started to pull Virgil away when Drew gripped her backpack and pulled her to stop, Virgil's hand slipped from hers and the force of her stop forced her to the ground. She grunted as she landed and looked up at Drew. Loathing was too nice of a word to use for her expression. Revulsion was a better word to use.
Avalon was one fiery girl and Virgil was willing to bet that Drew wouldn't mess with her much after this. She got to her feet and turned to glare at Drew. He just smirked and winked at her. Virgil could only guess how repulsed his sister was now. Drew Dinkins was a junior and he adored to tease on the freshman and the sophomores. Virgil looked around and spotted a familiar mop of red hair not too far away, Gordon locked eyes with his brother and slowly made his way over, no too long after while Drew simply stood in front of a fuming Ava, John also made an appearance.
"Drew, leave her alone." John said, he was a senior and he wasn't to let his sister get into trouble on her first day.
"I think she digs me Tracy. Maybe I need to have some one-on-one time with her. What do you say, Sexy? Want me to rock your world?" Drew said. He winked at her again but before he could saw anything he was sprawled on the ground. He looked up at her, Ava was still on her follow through.
"Say it again. Say it again and I'll turn you into a Eunuch, with a blunt knife." Ava said, her brothers cringed. When Ava made a threat like she usually meant, it, although they were fairly certain she didn't intend to get anywhere near a man genitals until she was older.
Alan did suffer nightmares. He did feel homesick. He did ask to have his brothers called. He got to talk to Virgil. Privately of course. Virgil had been very patient with Alan.
"I'm scared Virgie." Alan sobbed.
"It's ok to be scared Jelly-Bean. Listen…do you have that CD I gave you?" Virgil asked.
"Yeah." Alan hiccupped.
"Do you have a player in your room?" Virgil asked.
"Yeah." Alan whimpered.
"Turn the volume down, so you can hear it but it won't disturb your roommates, and listen to it at night. It's got my music and Ava and I singing on it ok? Hopefully that will help." Virgil told him quietly, calmly.
"Ok…I love you Virgie." Alan said softly.
"I love you too Jelly-Bean." Virgil replied and told Alan he had to go but if he ever wanted to talk again, he'd listen.
"Is he ok?" Ava asked, as she and Virgil got their lunch one such day when Alan had called Virgil in the morning.
"I think it's taking a toll on him." Virgil said honestly. Ava chewed her lip and was quiet as they made their way to the table where all their friends were. They needed to do something where Alan didn't have to rely on the office staff letting him use the phone to call Virgil and Ava's school. Maybe they'd have something soon.
Okay the next chapter is the epilogue it will be the last one. And then it is all finished. I'm not giving an excerpt here, because I believe that it'll ruin it. And I intend to finish on a high note. But it might surprise you. I'm jumping to when IR is up and running. Around the time of Alan's life when the Movie happens. I think he's about 16 in the movie. So I'll be jumping forward a few years.