Here we are, next chapter is up and running, after one or two (more like four) plot changes...seriously I had this entire thing planned out and I am now on like my forth plot. Over active imagination syndrome at work I'm afraid!
I apologise profusely for the serious wait there's been between updates *currently ducking my head in shame* and I'll try not to leave it so long next time.
Only just noticed, in chapter eight I give Jamie a last name of Tucker but in chapter ten I call him Carmichael...oops, just to clarify his name is Jamie Tucker.
Disclaimer: As I said before I'm working on it but as of yet I own nothing!
Chapter Eleven
By Rosa241
On Tracy Island...
"Wait...I don't understand why does he want you to come in?" Virgil asked with a frown.
"Oh for the love of god!" Gordon sighed once again, why was it so hard for him to understand he was supposed to be a college boy after all. "I'll talk slowly. Doctor Stevenson wants me to go over to the main land hospital for a check up – no there's nothing wrong – he just wants to do a couple of x rays for my medical file...kind of like a progress report."
Dr Stevenson had operated on Gordon after the hydrofoil crash had almost taken his life. He'd kept in touch with his recovery after he'd left the hospital, kept up with his physiotherapy and had always been on the end of the phone if he needed him. He'd made a request a few months ago that Gordon come in for a check up when he got chance, naturally he'd made sure to put it off as long as possible. Of course his father had then found out and forced him to go. Not that he was complaining, it meant he got to see Alan.
"But why? I mean it's not like there's anything wrong...is there?" Gordon sighed once again. He understood his brothers concern, after all he'd almost died – they were just looking out for him – but sometimes they could be too much.
"No! For the final time, I-am-fine." Emphasising the last three words seemed to give Virgil the message. "It's just a check up, just so that he can double check that everything's how it's supposed to be. It's his job after all. Besides, going to the mainland means I can head over and check up on Al."
Realization came to the family medic at that last sentence, so that's why he's so keen to go. Virgil saw quickly through the charade that his little brother was pushing over. The two youngest had always been close, well they were all close but those two were inseparable. They'd drifted apart after Gordon joined WASP and had become part of the team, however since the hood last year they'd become closer than ever.
"How'd you swing that one?" Despite already knowing the answer he felt the need to ask, needless to say he wasn't the most convincing of people, he could always use a few tips.
"Not much to tell. Dad mentioned that since I was going be on the mainland I could always check in on Alan on my way back Saturday morning. I mentioned that with everything going on with him and Fermat it might be best if I stayed a little longer, you know like moral support. He thought it was a good Idea." He fiddled with the strap on a nearby bag as he spoke. "I think...I think its dad way of keeping him close. He drifted so far away over the last couple of years; he wants to make sure that Alan knows we're still thinking of him when he's away. When we were both at school it was cool 'cause, there was two of us, after I left...he was alone. I mean he had Fermat but friends aren't always the same, sometimes you need family. I just, don't want to lose him again."
"Well then I'd make sure you tell him that, with everything going on right now I don't doubt those are the words he needs to hear." At Gordon's confused look he explained. "Look, you said it yourself, Alan's alone. Before, he had Fermat and although that wasn't always the same it was something. He could talk to him about rescues, that kind of stuff. Now he doesn't have that it's going be even harder for him, he needs to know we care."
The two brothers stood in complete silence for a few moments. One contemplated the thoughtfulness of his younger brother whilst the other marvelled himself with how something so seemingly insignificant could mean so much.
At Whartons...
"Now, before you leave gentlemen, test results." A collective groan made its way round the room as Mrs Garrett began handing back tests. It was strange how one thing could bring so many reactions out of a group of people. Some faces lit up with surprise, others sighed as their worst fear was recognised, some merely smiled and looked pleased with themselves.
"Well well well, I have to say Mr Tracy I'm pleasantly surprised, it would seem all that hard work has paid off." Mrs Garrett's usually sour face bore a rare smile as she handed the youngest Tracy back his test. Whilst it was true he'd had his problems in the past he'd made a point of turning it around over this last year. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a confused look shot her way as his eyes caught sight of the A minus at the top of his paper. She always felt proud of her students when they proved her wrong, true it wasn't often it happened but when it did she could feel a sense of accomplishment at having gotten through to them. When a student went the other way however...
"Not your best." Three simple words were all she could express for the one who had previously been her best student. For the past few months he'd been going the opposite way to his former best friend, at first she'd thought it had been due to the bullying but now that had been dealt with and things were getting worse than ever. She'd spoken with his father, spoken with him, she'd tried to speak to Alan but nothing had worked. There was something wrong with that boy and darn it she was going to find out what. Students with his kind of talent don't just go the other way with no reason behind it. There's always a reason.
Alan's eyes grew wider as he gazed through the paper, how the hell could this be right? Just one year ago he was failing this very subject and now he was getting A's...well an A minus but still. He raised his head just in time to see Nick mouth the word geek at him, as well as a small smile. Nick often reminded him of John, he was smart, kind and strangely wise. But then, then there was this other side, the side which reminded him strongly of Scott. He was protective and willing to do what it took when it came to the people he cared about.
The bell rang suddenly, jolting him from his thoughts. Running quickly out of class – he knew Mrs Garrett would corner him about Fermat again otherwise – he caught up with Nick.
"Geek!" Jamie yelled, taking the test paper from Alan, chocking on his chocolate bar when he saw the grade. "How the hell'd you get an A?"
"Brains my friend, which means Tucker you got no chance." Alan smiled at the mock anger look he was given as he carefully put the test back into his back pack. Ordinarily he'd have dumped his math test as soon as he got it, but this was one he was going to keep. "So lunch, I don't know about you two but I could do with food, I mean..."
"Saved by the bell. I'll meet you there in five." Alan nodded as he took out his cell phone. Gazing at the ID he smiled.
"Hey Gordo, what's up?" He couldn't help but smile, it'd only been a two days since he'd last spoken to his brother but it seemed like forever.
Nothing much, just thought I'd let you know the good news. You know Dr Stevenson? Well he wants me to go in for an x ray...
"Woah x ray, what's wrong? How bad is..." Gordon's groan cut him off.
Urgh! You are just like Virge, NOTHING is wrong with me, he just wants to do a check up you know like a quick physical to mark my progress, okay?
"So there's nothing wrong?" He knew he was being overly worried but he couldn't help it.
No, everything's fine. It's just a physical okay? Anyway...since I'm going be on the mainland I thought that I'd come visit.
"What? Really?" My voice must convey my confusion because he laughs before continuing.
Yes really, I'll be there on Saturday morning, I'll stay all day, fly back Sunday afternoon. Actually I was think-
The mission bell going off in the background meant this conversation had to be cut short.
Urgh, beat by the buzzer, sorry squirt but some bodies calling my number. I'll talk to you later...oh and before I forget, good luck for the trial tonight. Bye.
"Bye." Alan smiled as he clicked his phone shut, and couldn't help smiling with glee. Sure it would be just as great to see Virgil or Scott or John, but Gordon was different. The family fish had a strange outlook on life; he always had a way of making Alan see things differently. He just had this contagious energy about him. It was impossible to be sad when he was around.
Somewhere across the pacific ocean...
"Master I don't understand. Our time to strike is now. The Tracy boy is alone, if we wait much longer he'll be going home. We'll never get to him then." The mysterious male voiced into the darkened room, he may be willing to go along with him but that didn't mean he'd agree to everything he said.
"Don't worry we'll get there...we must bide our time just a little longer. We're almost there..." The man with the crimson eyes spoke through the dark, there was something so unnerving about this whole thing. But who was he to talk; he was going with it for his own reasons.
Back at Whartons...
Banner nodded his approval as he watched the youngster keeping up with the rest of the track team with the simplest of ease. Obviously this kid had been given some serious training. He gave a quick look to the team captain before signalling him over.
"What's up coach?" Steven breathed out heavily, colds seriously sucked!
"So, what do you think of the Tracy kid? Think he's good enough?" Although he was pretty sure of his decision he'd appointed a team captain for a reason, his opinion was important to the team.
"Honestly?" Steven asked, at the nod he received he continued. "At first I was a little sceptical; I mean I think I bought into him being a spoilt little rich kid. I've never really met him before but from what Tom and Jamie have told me he's a good guy. In terms of the team...we need him. He's good, real good."
"Glad you think so. Tracy!" He boomed across the grass, instantly the youngster came over. "I want you on the team, your good and you know what your doing. What do you say?"
"Umm...of course...thank you." He paused for a minute, he knew what he had to do, Scott had warned him last night he needed to tell him. "Actually coach before I say yes I should probably tell you something."
"I'll leave you to it." Steve made to leave but was stopped almost instantly.
"You need to hear this to, being team captain and all." Alan took a deep breath, it's now or never he thought to himself. "I um...okay, Coach I have an eating disorder. According to my doctor its stress induced, meaning that sometimes when things get rough my weight drops. I'm dealing with it but I think you have a right to know...just in case."
Banner couldn't help but smile inwardly as the youngster rattled out the words, it took courage to tell the world something like that. He could see that Alan was looking for some words from his new coach, however his team captain got there first.
"You know it takes a lot of courage to admit to something like that." At the confused look he received he explained. "I was diagnosed with bulimia a few years back, not my happiest moment and needless to say I was a mess for a while. But I got there in the end and I don't doubt that you will. I don't see it being a problem, do you coach?" A quick shake of the head from the older man and he continued. "Now if I were you I'd get back on the track and tell your friend the news 'cause I think he's about to burst with anticipation, oh and don't worry, this won't go any further."
"Thanks." A genuine smile forced its way onto his face as he turned away. He'd been worrying about that conversation all day, a thousand scenarios had entered his brain but that one was not one of them. Heading towards Jamie he made a mental note to question his new team captain at some point, but right now he was happy to celebrate.
"Yes! I knew coach would put you on the team, just a shame you didn't try out earlier in the year, we could've used you." Jamie slung one arm around his new team mate. "Okay so next move, we shower – lets face it we reek – then we head down to dinner because I am starved. So be ready in fifteen?"
"Make it twenty, I promised Scott and my dad I'd call and let them know how it went." He said a quick see you later before hurrying off to make a call.
On Tracy Island...
"I'm telling you Scott I definitely saw a grey hair there before." Gordon persisted with his teasing, knowing full well what the thought of getting old did to him. "I mean it's hardly surprising, you are going be thirty in few years and boy..."
"I'd watch your mouth young man." Jeff entered the conversation, quickly giving his son a sharp look, to which Gordon responded with a cheeky smile. There was something so odd about that smile, no matter what he had done that smile seemed to tug at your heart strings and any form of anger dissipated. Conversation soon turned tables and Gordon found himself on the receiving end of the teasing for a change.
"Scott, you know the rules." Jeff sighed as his eldests phone began to ring.
"Sorry...oh! Hey sprout...really?...nice...See I told you it'd be fine." A quick thumbs up told the table the news was good. "Yeah, yeah he's right here..." Scott quickly handed the phone over to his father before turning to see two eager faces.
"So? Spill it already!" Virgil said with Gordon quickly echoing his brother's words.
"He made the team." Scott replied with a rather smug look. He'd known that Alan could do it from the very moment he'd first gone running with him. The kid was good, in all honesty he was better than either he or John, he had the stamina of a wolf, not to mention he was lightening quick.
"Well at least he'll be in a good mood this weekend; I mean seriously I love the kid but hell when he's not happy...whew! He's got one hell of a temper." Gordon couldn't help feeling a sense of relief at hearing the news. He didn't doubt that Alan was good enough but after everything that had happened lately he wouldn't have been surprised if the youngster had decided not to go up for it. But now he could relax.
Back at Whartons...
The rage bubbling through Alan's veins right now was matched only by the extent of the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. How the hell could he do this? What was so bad that it made doing this to him fair? The more he thought the more the tears faded away and the further enraged he became. The last time he'd been this angry he'd been staring down the Hood at the bank of London. "Confronting an enemy", those were Gordon's words...now he had that exact same feeling. Now he felt as though he was on his way to deal with some great threat. A few months ago if you'd have told him what he was feeling right now would be directed at his onetime best friend, he'd have laughed you off the street. A few months ago a lot of things were different. Quickly scanning the dining hall, his eyes fell upon the object of his anger.
"Where is it?" He was met by a table full of confused gaze's and angry glares, obviously he'd interupted something important. "And don't start with the innocent act okay!"
"We don't know what you're talking about." Davy announced with a sickly sweet smile, who did this guy think he was fooling?
"Don't go giving me all of that crap okay, I know it was you and it's seriously not funny or cool or anything else so just give it back." Somehow he'd managed to keep his voice level, not quite portraying the intensity of the anger he felt inside. He could feel the anger bubbling inside of him, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"Like my friend said, I d-don't know what your talking about." This time Fermat was the one who spoke, his words only incised Alan further. "W-why don't you j-just leave us? Were n-not interested in your pr-pr-problems."
Despite his cool exterior Alan could tell the younger male was nervous. His stutter had improved over the years but it arose when he was nervous, angry, scared etcetera. Proof didn't matter right now, the confused faces of his peers didn't matter, the teachers sending them scornful glares...none of it mattered. Right now there was only one face that he saw.
"Why so nervous? I mean if you've done nothing wrong then what's with the stutter?" The nervous glance Fermat sent to Davy gave the older teen the answer he needed, he was lying. "Don't look at him, look at me, look me in the eye and tell me you didn't take my mothers necklace. If you can do that then I might just believe you...you can't can you? Because you took it."
The look that was shared between them flowed so many emotions in that moment it was surprising that they kept silent so long. No one, not even the teachers, made an attempt to break the pair apart. The room was so thick with tension it was almost unbearable.
"I..." Fermat made to speak, all too suddenly aware of the way his throat had dried up through his nervousness. "I don't know..."
"Oh cut the crap!" Alan sighed. "I never thought that you were even capable of doing something like this to anyone, let alone to someone whose been your best friend for so damn long."
"My best friend! What planet are you living on? Best friend...You want to know why I started to hang around with you, do you? I felt sorry for you!"
"Oh, oh that's rich. You felt sorry for me?" Alan couldn't help but laugh at the situation, the only other response was to snap and unleash the true extent of the anger that was rumbling beneath the surface. He'd made a promise to his father to reign in his anger, and by God he was NOT going to break that promise...no matter what!
"Yeah I did. I mean, how many kids family hate them so much they ship them off to boarding school first chance they get? How many kids can say that they're so depressed they actually starve themselves? You're anything but normal, you're fifteen and you're still scared of the dark, you have a phobia of thunderstorms, I mean...God! Why the hell wouldn't I feel sorry for you?" Fermat trailed off, glancing over to his new found friends for support. He had no idea why finally saying this gave him so much pleasure. He'd spent the last couple of months trying so hard to reign in this anger he felt at his former best friend, but now, telling him exactly what he thought felt so damn good. "Oh and of course there's the fact that your own mother had to die just to get away from you."
The room went eerily silent as those final words were spoken. Any anger Alan felt had immediately dissipated, replaced with an intense emotion he couldn't quite put into words. Tears welled up and it took everything he had not to let them fall. Silently he removed the friendship bracelet he'd worn for so many years and gently tossed it to the floor in front of him.
"I used to think of you as someone who would never ever hurt me, there aren't many people I can say have never done anything to make me feel bad. My family are great but I can't say that about them, I thought I could say that about you but...apparently not. You know my family may have hurt me in the past but they never did it intentionally, not like you. You've done so many things to me over the past few months but I let all of it go, despite everyone telling me to just give up I couldn't. I knew there was something wrong with you and I couldn't stop trying to help, because you're my best friend...and no matter what I still cared that you were okay and that you were happy." Alan's voice was barely above a whisper now, his eyes cold and dark, tears so close to falling but somehow had been kept at bay. "But not anymore. It's one thing to make fun of me but to...to make a joke out my mom...you know what you're right she's dead. From now on, as far as I'm concerned you are too. Don't talk to me anymore."
With that the broken teen turned and left, finally able to let go of the past and walk away.
Somewhere across the pacific ocean...
"It would seem our time draws near. Prepare yourself, we strike soon." The crimson glow grew once again as his plan slowly began to take shape. It wouldn't be long now.
Well there we go, Alan's finally given Fermat the old heave hoe, but what's going to happen now? What's going to happen to Fermat? Is Alan really done with him? What exactly has the Hood got planned? Review and I might let you find out.
Just a quick note, I might not update for a while since I've got exams coming up but I'll be back eventually.
