Well hey guys! How long has it been? I'm terribly sorry for the massive gap, I don't have an excuse. Sorry guys.

This is the final chapter of the story! I hope you've enjoyed it and thanks for sticking with me through the whole thing.

Special thanks to Little Miss Bump. Without her, I'd be lost! Thanks!

Now, I have one more question before you start reading. Sequel or no sequel?

Enjoy!

-:0:-

A slow and steady bleeping was the first sound that registered in his mind. Groggily, he opened his eyes and was met with the blurry image of the white panelled ceiling. Taking a deep breath, Alan blinked a few times in an attempt to rid himself of the sleep that fogged his vision. Releasing a sigh, he turned his head slightly to the rightto be greeted by the welcoming sight of his brother smiling at him softly.

"Hey," Alan croaked out, throat still slightly sore.

"Hey yourself," Virgil replied, the corners of his lips stretching upwards further. "How are you feeling?"

Alan closed his eyes, accepting that he was going to receive a round of twenty-questions now that he was awake. "I'm..." he hesitated as he tried to assess how he actually did feel. "Okay, I think. Better than before."

Virgil nodded his head approvingly. "Good." He smiled again, happy to see that some colour had returned to his brother's cheeks. "You had us all pretty scared, you know."

Sighing again, Alan nodded his head sheepishly. "I know. I'm sorry, Virge, I know it was stupid."

"Just don't do it again, okay? Promise me that. I don't need grey hairs quite yet, thank you."

Chuckling, Alan nodded again. Looking into Virgil's eyes to show he truly meant it, he smiled gratefully at his elder brother. A few seconds passed and Alan felt a small squeeze on his hand as Virgil gripped it tighter to show he understood. They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, each relishing the peace. It was rare to get a moment of quiet in their family.so it was nice to bask in it for a minute or two now and again when it did occur.

"So Virge, when can I get out of here? I hate hospitals," Alan whined, jutting out his bottom lip childishly.

Grinning at his brother's antics, Virgil sat back in the uncomfortable plastic chair and ran his fingers along the creased bedsheets. He was glad to see his little brother acting more like his usual self. "The doctor said they want to keep you in overnight just to be sure, but then you're free to go. You've got to take it easy, though; norescues for you for a while yet. Although, that was probably a given anyway, seeing as Dad's pretty determined to never let you out of his sight again. He was so worried Al, itwas worse than Scott's snakebite." Giving his brother a pointed look, Virgil added, "Be warned, I think he's beating Scooter on the mother hen scale."

Shuddering, Alan squeezed his eyes shut. He hoped his Dad wouldn't be mad still. He could still hear his father's yells in his office when they arrived home after the accident.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

"Of all the stupid things you've done..."

"...plain irresponsible and stupid!"

Shaking his head to force the words out of his mind, he fixed his gaze back on the ceiling above. Silently starting to count the panels, Alan relaxed back into the pillow. Feeling Virgil's gaze on him, he let out a heavy breath and shut his eyes. Before long, he felt sleep beginning to pull him, and he welcomed to dark as it rushed to greet him.

-:0:-

12 hours later.

"Your bloods are fine, stats are normal and there is no sign of infection. As long as you keep changing the bandages and taking these antibiotics, it should heal fine. However, there is likely to be some scarring, but to what extent it is uncertain yet. The wound was fairly deep and should take a while to be fully healed, so you'll need to rest it for at least two weeks. No crazy stunts, okay?" Sarah smiled down at her patient. Handing over a small brown bag with the antibiotics in, she took her leave. "I'll let you get changed. Take it easy, I don't want to see you back here with an infection any time soon. If the pain is bad take two Advil at a time, at least four hours between doses."

Grinning at his doctor, Alan took the bag. His IV had been removed, and he was sitting with his legs over the edge of the bed, Scott's hand on his shoulder for support. Jeff stood next to Sarah, a small smile playing at his lips. He was glad to see his youngest boy feeling better.

"Thanks, Doc. For everything."

She smiled one last time and walked to the door. "Nice meeting you, Mr Tracy." She finally disappeared out of the room with a last glance at Jeff.

Alan placed the bag on the bed next to him as he slipped his body off the side. Cautiously resting his feet on the floor, he pushed himself up and stood. Turning to look at his two family members, he smiled.

"I got this, Scotty; I'll be fine getting changed."

Smirking down at his youngest brother, Scott nodded and glanced at his father who stepped up towards them. He took this as a sign to leave and followed the path the doctor had left through.

As soon as Scott had left, Alan began to dress himself. Ignoring the twinge in his back, he untied the ribbon at the top of the garish hospital gown and proceeded to remove his arms from it. He stopped short when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Tensing, he turned to meet his father's gaze and was surprised when it was filled with tenderness.

"Here, let me." Jeff spoke softly, eyes never once drifting from his son's. He proceeded to help slip the gown off his son and thread his arms through a plain white t-shirt. Also helping his son into some jeans, Jeff smiled when his son turned to face him. A smile had spread across the teenager's lips and the colour had returned to his cheeks.

"Dad, I..." Alan began, trailing off when he couldn't find the right words. Instead, he chose to throw himself carefully into his father's arms, burying his head into the taller man's shoulder. Taken by surprise, Jeff stood stock still for a fraction of a second, his expression stunned. Then quickly he wrapped his arms around his youngest, mindful of his back.

"Alan, I'm so sorry the way I yelled at you before. God, I... You don't know how it felt when you ran back into that building. I was so sure I would lose you in there buddy." Squeezing his son gently, he ruffled the blonde locks that were extremely unkempt. "Please Alan; never do anything like that to us again." Pulling away, he held his son at arm's length, staring into the baby blue orbs intently.

"I won't, Dad, I promise." The reply was so sincere that Jeff had no other response but to pull Alan in for another hug.

"Come on, Son. Let's go home."

Fin.