We walked back to Abby's room carrying the coffee cups in silence. Each of us thinking over the events of not only the past week but the last few hours. How far we'd all come and how much we'd learnt about each other. As my thoughts settled on Alan, I had to grudgingly admit that without the Hood none of us would have realised how much we were excluding him until it was too late. At least now we had a chance to fix the damage we'd done.

"John?" I asked quietly.

"Hmmm?"

"Why do you think we excluded Alan so much but we didn't with Abs?" It was a hard question to ask but it had been playing on my mind since I was walking out of the bank with my youngest brother. John didn't answer for a moment.

"I think it's because Abby's the youngest and she's different from the rest of us in the fact that she's the only girl. I think that because Alan's a boy and is a little older we feel like we can tease him more. We're making him older than he is. Really, he's only a few years older than Abby and with all of us teasing him whenever we see him we made him feel like he wasn't wanted. That Abby was wanted more than him." He looked over at me. "We'll make it right Scooter. I promise." I nodded so he knew I'd listened. I was trying to fight back the tears as the memories of all the times I'd made fun of Alan or stepped back and let the others take it one step too far flashed to mind. I couldn't believe I'd let things go so far. I wasn't going to let him slip away though. The Hood had provided a well-timed, much needed kick for all of us.

We stepped into the room to find a new police officer in the room. I stiffened slightly. I hadn't forgotten what had happened before.

"Easy Scott, he's ok." Dad murmured as he took his coffee.

"What's going on?" John asked as he sat down between Virgil and Gordon on the sofa. Alan was still sat on the edge of Abby's bed but he was watching the officer carefully, making sure this officer was legitimate.

"I'm here to update you on what's happened with Richard Driskell. As you know, his employment has been terminated and the newspaper has offered you compensation as an apology for Mr Driskell's actions earlier in the week." We nodded. We'd already been told about the compensation and an apology was offered in the newspaper the following day. We'd already offered the money to the hospital. It's not like we needed it.

"Mr Driskell was questioned about the events that took place earlier in the week and he denied them. He said that he was not harassing you he was merely 'doing his job'."

"Really? He's a journalist – he's paid to come up with ideas and excuses as a living and that's the best he could come up with." Gordon piped up. The officer grinned.

"I'm glad it's not just me that thought that." He shifted slightly in his seat and his personality shifted back to professional. "Anyway, once the news broke that Mr Driskell was being questioned, we were inundated with phone calls from other well-known business people saying that Mr Driskell had also harassed them in the past to get a story. He will be taken to court and is charged with numerous offences, namely harassment." The officer paused for a moment, as if unsure if he should say something. It was silent in the room until the officer took a deep breath and continued. "I was told to warn you Mr Tracy. Mr Driskell is rumoured to have a partner although we can't find out what the partners name is at this time. However, once Mr Driskell has been caught, many people have said that a second reporter will take over the story for Mr Driskell." I saw Dad stiffen slightly.

"So you're telling me that the idiotic reporter who was harassing me and my family has a partner who will not stop until he gets the story he needs?" The officer nodded sheepishly. "Why was I not told about this sooner?" Dad demanded.

"We weren't told until last night when we were questioning fellow 'victims' of Mr Driskell. There were a few reports of a second reporter hanging around after Mr Driskell had gone. My officers are working around the clock to find out who this mystery reporter is and if he is Mr Driskell's partner at all. He could just be another reporter." The officer was desperately trying to convince us that this was a coincidence but it was obvious he believed the reports. Dad nodded slowly.

"I apologise officer. I understand you and your men are working hard to resolve this it's just hard for me as a father to know that a second idiot is probably trying to get photos of me and my family during this difficult time." The officer relaxed slightly at Dad's softened tone but he missed the steel underneath. I caught my brothers eyes and grinned slightly at them. As soon as the officer was gone I knew that Dad would be onto security straight away.

"I understand Mr Tracy I know this is difficult to hear." The officer stood up and started to walk to the door. "I'll keep you informed Mr Tracy, in the meantime you have my card. If you do spot anyone acting suspicious don't hesitate to call me." Dad stood and walked over to shake the officers' hand.

"I will thank you officer." As soon as Dad was sure the officer had gone Dad turned around to face us, his face hard.

"Boys, I want you to be extra careful. You saw how low Richard Driskell went to get a photo of your sister. Who knows what this new reporter will do."

"You believe there is a reporter then Dad." Alan asked from his spot on the bed. Dad nodded.

"Yes Alan I do. And I reckon this reporter is even sneakier than Richard." I walked over and put my hand on Dad's shoulder to try and calm Dad down.

"We'll keep a lookout Dad don't worry." Dad patted my hand and went to sit back down. I went and stood behind Alan.

"How's she doing Sprout?" I asked softly. Alan shrugged.

"Ok I think."

"How are you doing Sprout?" I asked, smiling at the surprised look on my little brother's face.

"I'm fine Scott." He looked away again, suddenly finding the bed sheets very interesting.

"You sure about that Al?" I pressed.

"Scott. What do you think that reporter's going to do?" I bent down a little and put my hand on his back.

"I don't know Allie but I'm not going to let him hurt you or Abby or the guys. You have nothing to worry about I promise." Alan nodded and turned his attention back to Abby. I ruffled his hair and sat down.

Twenty minutes later Dan came in.

"Morning all." He said cheerfully.

"Are you ever not happy?" Dad grumbled.

"Nope, got to be happy for my patients. Wouldn't look good if the doctor was upset now would it." Dad rolled his eyes but returned Dan's grin. "Speaking of patients, how's madam doing?" He said as he strode over to Abby's bed. He picked up the data pad and looked at the data. And frowned.

"What's wrong?" I asked a cold hand grabbing my heart.

"Her temperature's increasing." Dan murmured as he reached into his pocket and pulling out a thermometer. I shot a look at John who returned my horrified look.

"Is that normal?" Gordon asked quietly.

"Err, no. But then she's a Tracy. I don't think normal is in your vocabulary." He turned to look at us. "I'll keep an eye on her. Hopefully it won't turn into anything serious." Somehow I wasn't convinced.

Thanks to everyone who's reviewing I'm so glad you're enjoying it. So now we've got a brand new sneaky reporter come to finish off what Richard started and Abby's decided to cause more problems. I'm starting to worry about Jeff's blood pressure. Oh well, he'll be fine :) Enjoy guys xxx