Disclaimer: I do not own the Thunderbirds!

CHAPTER 25

Alan was released from the hospital the following morning. Jeff was insisting that Alan stay at the hotel until the memorial service. But Alan and Matt had already agreed that they were going back to school. They needed something to take their mind off things. Plus Matt was being driven insane by the idea of homework stacking up.

"It feels good to be back in my own room." Matt sighed as he lay down on his bed.

Alan was still putting clothes away. "Yeah, I guess I consider Wharton's my home now."

"Does that mean you don't want to go through with the plan?" Matt wondered.

Alan hesitated, "No, it means I'm going to miss it. I have a lot of memories here."

Matt chuckled, "Do you remember when Wesley and Sam tried to convince Dr. Greer that they were gay."

Alan busted out laughing. "That was hilarious. He got so mad." He remembered.

"Makes you wonder doesn't it." Matt suddenly got serious. "Whether Sam meant to overdose. Don't tell me you haven't thought the same thing. Sam was never the same after what happened to Wesley."

Alan turned around to sit on his bed. "No one else knew about their real relationship. To others they were just pulling a prank." He reasoned.

"I'm not saying he did it. I'm just saying it's suspicious." Matt explained.

"Yeah," Alan agreed. "He swore he'd never use meth after what happened to his mom. It's weird that he would go near it much less use it."

"Did he ever mention his new foster family to you?" Matt questioned.

"Never," Alan stated. "Did he tell you anything?"

Matt shrugged, "Only that he didn't like them. He was barely in school the past few months and when he was he was strung out."

"I thought you two were rooming together." Alan found it odd that Matt had hardly seen Sam when he lived with him.

Matt shook his head. "Nope, his new foster family forced him to commute." He put air quotes around the word family.

"Are you saying what I think you are saying?" Alan grew worried. Matt thought that Sam was murdered.

"I've been going through the last few weeks in my head." Matt informed. "Sam was upset about Wesley's death, but he was not suicidal. I would have known if he was using crystal meth. I may be super busy with extracurricular, but I would have noticed that."

"If Sam was murdered what would be the motive?" Alan interrogated. "He wasn't exactly the most observant person."

"I don't know." Matt admitted. "I just can't shake this feeling."

"Maybe you need a joint. I know I guy." Alan suggested.

Matt locked eyes with his roommate. "You're trouble, Tracy."

That entire day of classes Alan's mind was consumed with thoughts of Sam. What if Matt was right? What if Sam was murdered? Sam couldn't be forgotten. Not like his mother. He was not just another statistic.

After his classes were finished for the day John picked him up. The memorial service was tomorrow and his family didn't want him to be in his dorm room all night. Matt's parents were picking him up later that night. They had plans to meet before the memorial service. Alan and Matt had called Wesley's father to let him know the location of the service. He was still on probation and hadn't left for Louisiana yet.

Alan was sitting on the couch considering the conversation he had with his roommate that morning. The more Alan thought about Matt's idea the more it made sense. It was making Alan's skin crawl. Why would someone murder Sam? Alan was suddenly scared out of his thoughts when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"You okay, Sprout?" Virgil was standing beside him looking at him with concern.

Alan took a deep breath to clear his thoughts. He had forgotten his brother's and father were here. They never missed anything anymore. "Sorry, I was distracted." He confessed.

"Do you want to talk about it?" John asked.

The room felt entirely too crowded for this conversation. He wanted to make up some lame excuse about homework and leave the room. But he knew his family wouldn't buy that. They knew he didn't care about school that much. "I was just thinking about Sam." Alan stated.

"What about him?" Gordon had known Sam better than all his brothers. He had actually hung out with Sam once. Maybe he could provide good feedback on Matt's idea.

"Sam was an idiot. Matt and I acknowledge that. He made stupid choices without thinking about the consequences." Alan discussed. "But Sam would never do meth and he wouldn't kill himself."

"No one ever said he killed himself, Sprout. Accidents happen." Scott tried to add another view point of the situation. "You're living proof of that."

"That's what I'm saying!" Alan raised his voice. "Sam's mother was a meth addict. She died of accidental overdose when he was seven. That's why he was in foster care. Doesn't that strike you as odd? What are the chances that Sam dying the same way?"

"Are you saying he was murdered?" Virgil asked worriedly.

"Sam was in a coma for a week. Why didn't you say anything before now?" Jeff interrogated.

Alan paused briefly to gather his thoughts. "At first I thought it was accidental. Matt and I knew Sam did drugs and didn't know his own limits. It's not like it's the first time he's overdosed. But then I remembered that he switched foster homes last month. Matt mentioned that Sam had become distant. He had these crazy curfews and chores that he had to follow. Things that Sam would never do willingly." He explained.

"Many foster homes have chores and curfews, Alan. It doesn't make them bad people." John defended. "It's hard to keep a large group of teenagers in line. Sam's track record with foster homes wasn't great."

"Matt and I have seen Sam in enough foster homes to know the difference." Alan remarked.

"What does Matt think about this theory?" Gordon wondered. "He was rooming with Sam up until the arrest."

Scott grunted, "What arrest?"

"Sam was arrested for assaulting a police officer two months ago. That's why Alan was able to room with Matt. Sam has been on suspension until his probation ended." Gordon elaborated.

"He peed on a police car and the officer happened to be sitting in the front seat." Alan quipped. "But hey let's call it an assault."

"You knew about this and you didn't tell us." Jeff sounded angry.

"I told Gordon. He knows Matt and Sam." Alan justified. "And Matt was the one who came up this theory."

The look on Gordon's face proved how concerned he was at the revolution. Matt was the rational one in the group. If Matt believed it was murder than the theory held more weight. "What other proof does Matt have?" The cooper haired boy questioned.

Alan shrugged, "Just a feeling, but the more I think about it the more I think he's right."

"Alan," Jeff stated sternly. "I want you to stay out of this mess. You let the police handle it."

Alan stood up in protest. "The police aren't going to handle it, Dad. Sam is just another dead foster kid to them." He argued.

"I don't want you to get wrapped up another investigation." Jeff ordered. "I mean it, Alan."

Alan held up his hands in surrender. "Fine, I'll stay out it." He gave in.

"I want you to stay with one of your brothers from now on. I don't want Matt and you going off on your own." Jeff listed.

"I don't need a babysitter." Alan groaned. "I'm eighteen."

"Alan, if you're right about what happened, then that means there is a murderer walking free with no clear motive. Until we know I don't want you to go anywhere alone." Jeff reasoned.

"Matt and I know more than we told you about Wesley's murderer." Alan divulged.

Scott shared angry looks with his father. "Spit it out, Allie." The oldest demanded.

"Greer didn't want Wesley killed just because of the drugs." Alan recapped. "That was a major motive, but there was something else that Matt and I kept secret."

"I'm not getting any younger here." Scott pressured.

"Wesley and Sam were in a relationship." Alan blurted.

Virgil held up his hand as he thought about his brother's words. "Are you saying that they were gay?" He clarified.

Alan nodded, "Sam didn't want anyone to know."

"But Greer knew the entire time?" Scott suspected.

"He had his suspicions. Wesley and Sam had this ongoing prank at school where they would act homosexual to get on Greer's nerves." Alan elaborated in greater detail. "Greer hated Wesley."

"He's behind bars now anyway." John waved his hand dismissively. "He has a solid alibi."

"There's more to the story." Alan added. Virgil and Scott rolled their eyes at their younger brother. How many more secrets did the kid have? "Greer was Sam's biological father." Alan said passively.

"Did Sam tell you that?" Gordon's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"No, but it wasn't hard to figure out." The blonde fidgeted with his hands. "Matt overheard them arguing once. How else did a drug addicted foster kid end up at Wharton's unless his daddy worked there?"

"It does make sense." Scott contemplated. "Sam was moved into his new foster home shortly after Greer was arrested."

"I know it's hard to think about, Allie." Virgil comforted. "But is it possible that Sam committed suicide? The boy's boyfriend was murdered on his father's orders. That would be a lot for the strongest person to handle."

"I know it's a stretch." Alan admitted. "But I think this was someone sending a sign to Greer."

"I know where this is going, Alan." Jeff interrupted. "You are not going to see Greer."

"Dad, he may know who is responsible for Sam's death." Alan debated.

Jeff shook his head and prepared to speak before Scott intercepted him. "You have to tell the police what you know, Sprout." Scott commanded. "It's too dangerous to get mixed up in. If Sam was murdered and they found out what Matt and you know they'd kill you too."

"I'm telling you the police won't help." Alan rebutted. "They don't care about Sam."

"Then we'll make them care." Jeff supported. "I will go down to the police station with Matt and you after the service tomorrow. We won't leave until they take your statements and promise to investigate."

Alan felt better after his father had promised to help them. His father had pull over the police. He was powerful and no one wanted to piss him off. The police were already on edge after they failed to find Alan during the kidnapping.

That night Alan didn't sleep. He wasn't sure if it was the events of the day or the burden of tomorrow. Alan was unconscious for Wesley's funeral. He didn't have to worry about its impending finalization. This was not something Alan thought he'd ever have to deal with. Alan left the solace of the bedroom he was sharing with Gordon. He didn't want to wake his brother. Alan went outside onto the balcony and sat to look at the stars. It was going to be a long night.

Virgil woke up the next morning to silence. It was odd. Virgil always slept in later than everyone else. Jeff was up before dawn every morning working. Scott and Alan liked to get up and run. Gordon got up to swim laps most mornings. John spent most of his days on five and now he was at the condo with Amanda. The hotel was completely quiet despite it being six in the morning. The doctor knew that Scott and his father were still asleep. He had shared a room with them. Virgil poked his head into the room that Gordon and Alan to find the copper headed man still snoring. Alan was missing. The chestnut haired Tracy padded his way through the hotel suite looking for his youngest brother. Their father had given them strict orders. Alan wasn't supposed to go anywhere alone. Virgil was about to give up and wake his father and Scott up when he saw Alan on the balcony.

"What are you doing?" Virgil scolded as he grabbed a blanket to cover his brother up. "It's freezing out here. Are you trying to get sick?"

"I couldn't sleep." Alan mumbled.

Virgil's expression softened at the younger boy's statement. "Come inside and I'll fix something to warm you up." The medic offered.

Alan got up and followed his brother inside to the small kitchen area. Virgil carded his fingers through his brother's hair to get a better look at him. He looked terrible. "How much sleep did you get, Sprout?" He wondered noticing his pale completion and dark rimmed eyes.

Alan shrugged, "A couple of hours. It's not a big deal."

"Yeah, it is." Virgil debated. "Why didn't you wake one us up?"

Alan suddenly found his hands interesting. "I didn't want to worry anyone." He breezed.

Virgil handed Alan the bug of hot chocolate and joined him at the table. Scott came out his room a little while layer and noticed the younger siblings at the table. "Whoa," Scott laughed. "I thought you had a strict rising routine, Virgil. I believe it includes not waking up until at least nine in the morning."

"Funny," Virgil smirked. "Where's Dad?"

Scott grabbed some breakfast and sat down at the table. "He was up when I left the room." The brunette informed.

Gordon woke up not long after Scott. "I thought you'd be on a run." He asked Scott.

"I woke up too late." Scott admitted. "The service starts at nine."

Alan propped his head on his fist and remained quiet. There was pounding in his head that wouldn't stop. "You should eat something, Sprout. It's going to be a long day." Scott suggested.

Alan got up and went to the bedroom without saying a word. "Did I say something wrong?" Scott questioned.

Virgil shook his head. "He was up all night. He's probably just tired." The doctor answered.

When the Tracy's arrived at the church Alan and Matt broke off from their families. They needed space to do their own things. "I'm so glad you came." Alan spotted Wesley's father.

Anthony Pierce was not everyone's idea of company. To Matt and Alan he was a reminder of Wesley. The boy had gotten all of his traits from his father. Mr. Pierce smiled at the two boys. "The police couldn't have kept me away." He joked.

"You're not wanted again are you?" Matt asked worriedly.

"I'm still on probation for another month." Wesley's father held his hands up mock surrender.

They made some more small talk before Mr. Pierce disappeared into the group. It wasn't a large crowd. Mostly staff members from Wharton's Academy and a few foster families Sam had run through. Alan and Matt had only met them a couple times.

Alan was heading outside for some fresh air before the service started when he slammed into someone hard. He pulled away instantly on gut reaction, but the person held him closer. Alan settled instantly when he recognized the smell. "You aren't supposed to be here." He stressed.

The brunette girl pulled back to meet Alan's eyes. "I wanted to be here for you." She argued.

"Matt and I told you it wasn't safe." Alan emphasized as he pulled the girl out of sight.

The girl leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips. "Some things are worth the risk." She whispered.

Alan ran his hands through the girl's hair. It had been a long time since they'd seen each other last. Since before he was kidnapped. The sound of the church bells broke Alan out his thoughts. "You have to go before someone sees you." He pushed.

"I'll see you after graduation." She kissed him again before disappearing behind the building.

"What are you doing?" Matt pulled him to the church by his jacket. "You just disappeared."

"Katie showed up." Alan muttered. "What was I supposed to do? Introduce her to my family."

Matt rolled his eyes, "I thought you told her not to come."

"She didn't listen." Alan shot back.

Matt and Alan took their seats just in time for the service to start. The boys had decided to let Mrs. Saunders handle the eulogy. Alan couldn't get up and in front of his family and the entire staff of Wharton's and talk about his dead friend. Matt's parents had refused to let Matt speak. Despite Matt's put together appearance his family didn't really get along. He was taking Sam's death harder than Alan was.

After the service was finished everyone returned to Wharton's for a small reception in the cafeteria. "I have half a mind to go up to our room and pass out." Alan enlightened.

"I didn't sleep last night either." Matt confirmed.

"This place is a little too civilized for Sam's taste." Alan added.

Matt could see where this was leading. "We're sneaking out aren't we?" He groaned.

"Follow my lead." Alan directed.

It wasn't hard to escape the chaos in the cafeteria. There were more people at the reception than at the funeral. Alan made up an excuse to use the restroom. Matt said he needed some air and would return shortly. Fifteen minutes later the two boys were sitting on the bleachers on the football field. It was deserted.

"It feels good out here." Matt took a deep breath.

"Cheers to that." Alan held up the drink he had swiped upon his exit.

Matt hit Alan's glass to his jokingly. "Wesley and Sam would have approved of our rule breaking behaviors." He smiled.

"They were the kings of mischief." Alan agreed. "Of course they would approve."

"Everything's going to change after graduation." Matt reminded. "Four years of scheming coming to a close."

"You aren't having second thoughts, are you?" Alan's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "I though you wanted this too."

"I do," Matt assured. "I've been dreaming of this day since freshman year."

"Then what's the problem?" Alan grew curious. Matt had been pushing this since they found out about Sam.

"I'm just worried about Mr. Pierce." Matt revealed. "Are you sure we can trust him? I mean he plays a pretty big role in our end game. It seems like a huge risk."

Alan considered his friend's words. "Wesley trusted his father. That's good enough for me." He thought about his former best friend. If Wesley trusted his father enough to rely on him, then Alan did too. He could only hope that the man would stay out of trouble until graduation was over.