Okay I know I've been away for a VERY long time but unfortunately things haven't been going well for me lately. A family bereavement as well as trying to finish my last year at university have meant that this has been forgotten about. However I'm back now (although I probably should be revising) and hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!

Chapter Twenty Five

By Rosa241

Somewhere over the pacific ocean...

I could feel a growl building up in my throat as I detached myself from Alexander's mind. I knew he couldn't do it...I knew he was weak...unfortunately I don't have much choice in minions right now. It seems to be a theme in my life, my minions letting me down. First there was my useless brother, then those pair Mulion and Transum and now Alexander. Shaking the thoughts from my head I turn to my young apprentice and smile.

"Go over to the computer." I instruct, smiling wider when he listens without hesitation. "Get me into International Rescue's base." He begins typing away at the small computer and I can't help the satisfied sigh. Finally my plan was coming to an end.

For the last year I've been spending hour after hour, day after day walking round this child's brain. The pain and ache's I've suffered as a result will be worth it though, when everything comes right. My plan is perfect. Whilst the entire family has been focused on young Alan poor Fermat has slipped through the cracks. It was so easy to get into his mind, the bond shared by Alan and my niece is not shared by Fermat...so easy. It wouldn't have taken much for my skilled mind to take control over him but it would have been obvious...so obvious. No. I needed it to be slow; inconspicuous...I needed it to be undetectable.

It didn't take long for all those feelings of resentment and anger the young genius was harbouring to come to the surface, after a little nudge the right way of course. I may have manipulated and increased the feelings but they were there, they were real.

It won't take long now. Now that I am in control it will be quick, especially with the Tracy's away from the Island. They cannot stop me. All it will take is a few clicks and a few journeys around the youngster's brain and I will have everything I need. Once the world knows who's behind international rescue it will take very little effort to convince the world of their evil. Alexander may have been useless but he gave me something very important. His pathetic family were killed and international rescue were unable to save them. Weak minds...they're so easy to manipulate.

It will take very little effort to convince those who've lost anyone that International rescue are at fault, and once the world turns against them the Tracy empire will fall. And with International rescue out of the way there will be no one to stop me.

I can't help scowling as that wretched computer beeps loudly. As talented a man I am there are certain areas in which my powers cannot help me. Since my attack last year the security system has grown, it is beyond me. The boy however, his skills are perfect for my plans and his knowledge of international rescue will come in more than useful when International rescue belongs to me.

It won't be long now...

Lady Penelope POV:

"Come along Parker." He falters slightly, no doubt remembering the last time we were in one of these wretched places. Momentarily my mind slips back to last year, back to the hell...no, Penny...don't go there. Shaking my head I quickly make my way into the hospital, Tin-Tin by my side poor dear whilst Parker trails behind.

"Alan Tracy please." The woman behind the desk gives me a strange look, honestly you'd think pink was a sin, before straightening up swiftly.

"I'm sorry but it's family only." Her lips purse together and her glasses slide down her nose slightly.

"But we are family...well sort of!" Tin-Tin protests, she's desperate to see him. "You have to let us see him, please."

"I'm sorry but as I've said it's family only!" She moves her gaze to something on her desk; she's ignoring us how rude! If there's one thing that really gets me going its rudeness.

"I'm terribly sorry but its imperative that we see the family...it's a rather important issue. Now I hate to cause trouble but I'm afraid I must insist on seeing them." She's still giving me that look, one that very clearly says I'm-in-charge-so-you-must-do-what-I-say. "I really must insist it is of the upmost importance my dear."

"Lady P-P-Penelope?" A most recognisable voice enters my ears and I can't help but smile sadly.

"Hiram, how are you?" He looks so sad and broken, like his entire world has fallen apart. I suppose in a way it has.

"N-n-not g-g-g-good. I w-w-was hoping to t-t-t...sp-speak with Mr T-T-Tracy." He looks on the verge of tears, like his entire world is collapsing all around him. Tin-Tin sighs beside me before turning back to the desk.

"I'm begging you...you have got to let us see him...we're actually talking life and death here!" By now she's yelling at the receptionist, tears building in her eyes but not yet falling...yet. "Please!"

"My dear." Placing my hand on her shoulder she sighs heavily – the weight of the world quite literally lying on her shoulders. "Come."

Pulling out my phone I begin the process of calling Jeff and the boys in turn. I already know that they won't answer; they are in a hospital after all. I'm almost surprised when Gordon answers his phone, well almost, it is Gordon we're talking about he does like to break the rules.

"Hello?" The sniffle and watery voice is nothing like the normal fun loving voice the Gordon usually possess.

"Oh dear? What ever happened?" Immediately the worst comes to mind. Oh Alan darling no...

"Lady P?" I barely register the words coming from anywhere else, right now all my mind can focus on is Alan.

"Um...this...Virgil..." He cuts himself off as a sob tears itself from his mouth. Oh my lord in heaven...

"Hey Lady P...are you downstairs?" Johns voice takes over the conversation, what on earth has happened?

"Jonathan darling. Yes, Tin-Tin, Parker, Hiram and myself are downstairs...unfortunately they're only allowing family up." He sighs slightly, murmurs something to someone in the background – I catch the words 'Virgil' and 'news', god what's going on?

"I'll be right down." The phone clicks off and a black hole seems to have opened up in my heart. I fear something terrible has happened to my boys and I know that the news I bring is only going to make everything worse.

Jeff's POV:

"He's going to be okay right? He's not...not going to die..." The tears are now streaming down Alan's cheeks – something I'm sure is echoed by myself – he's shaking slightly like everything's building just waiting to burst out.

"He's...Virgil has to have surgery. They're going to do everything..." I can't finish the sentence, I just can't. I've just almost lost one son, who's not completely out of the woods yet, and now I could lose another.

"This is all my fault..." It was a whisper, barely anything but the words struck cold hard fear into my heart. "This is all my fault..."

"No...no, no, no..." I'm by his side in a second, clutching his hand in my own. "No, no honey...this isn't your fault..."

"Yes it is! If I hadn't have been such an idiot and gone running after curfew I wouldn't be in here, if I wasn't in here then Virgil would have been on the Island, he would have been safe and then he..." Alan trailed off as he dissolved into tears. Bringing him into my arms I rested his head against my chest, his tears soaking through my shirt. I could feel him trembling as he sobbed...

What did we do to deserve this?

John's POV:

The four of them just stood there, eyes wide and filled with tears, as I finished telling them what had happened. Brains had gone deathly pale like he was on the verge of passing out, apparently Parker sensed it too as he had a hand on the scientists shoulders. Parker himself looked about ready to hit someone – its about the same as I feel right now. Lady Penelope just looks confused – don't we all.

"Virgil's going to be okay right?" Tin-Tin asks, her cheeks are stained with tears now. The brief relief at hearing of Alan having woken up now gone from her eyes, all that's left is fear and confusion.

"They're doing everything they can...we just have to wait and see." My hearts tearing in two right now, the pain and fear is literally ripping it apart.

"John...it's the hood. He's behind all of this..." What the hell?

"What are you talking about?" Her eyes are still shining with tears.

"I saw him...he has Fermat...he's the one that's doing all of this..."

Oh my god...he's back...

Not the best chapter I know...

I'll be back in a few weeks after my exams are over – cannot wait for that day!