Jeff paced up and down his study, one hand running through his hair, as he tried to work out what would be the best course of action. He wanted…actually he wasn't sure anymore what he wanted.

He wanted his boys to be happy. All his boys.

But he also wanted Alan to finish school. There was so much Alan still had to learn, had to grow into, and the best environment was definitely going to not be at home. At home he would be insulated from the world and only have the influences of his brothers, Brains and Fermat and Tin-Tin and her family. While they were a multi-cultural family on the island, they were still very restricted and Alan needed experience of the world if he was to make the choice of being a Thunderbird as an informed decision like the rest of his brothers had.

If only Scott could see that. All his eldest could see was that Jeff was sending Alan away again. He didn't seem to see that Alan hadn't been given the same opportunities as his older brothers, and that just wasn't fair on the child. Jeff wanted Alan to be a Thunderbird, he absolutely did, but because he wanted to be, not because it was expected of him or the only option he felt he had.

He needed to do something. Scott's jet may not be as fast as a Thunderbird, but it was faster than most planes, thanks to Brains and Scott's own engine designs. Even with that extra speed he'd still take around four hours to reach Boston, giving Jeff plenty of time to decide what he was going to do. It would mean Scott arriving around half an hour after Penny had dropped Alan off.

That would have to wait for now, Two was arriving home and there was bound to be a similar discussion between his three remaining sons.

The first thing that Gordon said on entering his father's study was 'where's Alan' at the same time that Vigil asked where Scott was while John simply folded into one of the chairs and listened. Jeff sat back and pinched his nose and rubbed his suddenly tired eyes. God, he was tired and he could certainly do without any further histrionics. So he fell back onto his default mode – blunt would be best.

'Alan has gone back to school. Scott has gone after him.'

'Gone to go get Alan?'

'No, Gordon.'

'Why not, Dad?'

'Alan has learning to do, opportunities to have that you've all had and he hasn't. He needs to stay in school.'

'And Scott?'

'Scott doesn't understand that Virgil.'

Virgil and Gordon shared a look.

'And you sending Alan off without telling us or letting us say goodbye had nothing to do with Scott's actions?'

Jeff stared hard at his boys until they got the message that this wasn't up for discussion, and they turned and left, Gordon slamming the door behind them. That went as well as could be expected. He flopped back into his chair, glancing at the time and wincing. Scott had been gone two hours now. He needed to make a decision about what he was going to do.

His eldest wasn't answering any calls, and he knew nothing short of seeing Alan for himself would make Scott turn around. No, what Jeff needed to decide was how to stop Scott bringing Alan back to the island. He couldn't allow his son's misunderstanding of the situation to ruin Alan's life. He needed to talk to someone to get his thoughts in order.

But who? There was only one person he could really talk to about this. Jeff sighed, got up and left the villa, heading up to the point where they had a memorial stone for Lucy.

'I'm messing things up with our boys again, Luce. I wish you were here to tell me what to do.' He ran a hand gently over the stone and sat down facing it. 'I just want Alan to have the same opportunities as his brothers. Is that so bad?'

'Of course not, Dad. But you need to sit down and explain that properly or Alan – and Scott – will not understand that.'

Jeff almost startled at John's voice, but he knew he shouldn't have been surprised. His second-born was far more level-headed than his first, and although known to be the quietest of his sons, John was always more insightful than the others. He sighed as John's hand squeezed his shoulder momentarily.

'I know I didn't handle it well. I just thought it would be easier.'

'The only person it was easier on was you, Dad. You really need to talk to Scott about this before he gets to Alan.'

'I've tried, but he's not answering.'

'Then you'll have to call the school, I guess.'

'I guess. Thanks, John.'

'Don't thank me, Dad. You're going to have to talk to Scott at some point about all this. All of this. You've put that conversation off for far too long.'

'Yeah, I know.'

John left him to ponder further on his failings as a father, failings that had impacted mostly on Scott and Alan. He sighed heavily and made his way back to the villa. John was right on so many levels.

Jeff made the call.

Scott hadn't arrived yet, but Alan had settled back into his room with Fermat. The Principal was pleased to talk to him, and they exchanged pleasantries before discussing Alan's timetable for the remainder of the year. Then Jeff explained why he was calling, how Scott was coming out to talk to Alan, and he made it clear to the man that he didn't want Alan to leave with Scott.

Jeff paused when the Principal asked if he wanted to speak to his son, torn with the need to explain yet loath to do it any other way than in person. But John's words echoed in his head, and he knew himself – the longer he left this the more he'd put the discussion off. He sighed and agreed to talk to his son and waited while the man put him on hold.

He came back on quite quickly. Jeff sat up straight, the look on the man's face telling him there was a problem. And then the man ran a finger around his collar, and Jeff just knew.

'I'm very sorry, Mr Tracy, but I'm afraid that while we were talking it appears that Scott had already collected Alan and left.'

Jeff sat there, stony-faced, and the man began to sweat.

'I – I'm sorry. I'll get the ball rolling. Don't worry, Mr Tracy. We'll get Alan back.'

Jeff didn't react at all, just waved the man away. He was too busy trying to get his head around the fact that Scott had left with Alan. Sure, Scott was the other person allowed to sign Alan out beside himself and Penny, but he honestly thought that Scott would just talk to Alan and he wouldn't do anything more drastic until Jeff had been able to properly discuss things with them.

He picked up his glass and poured himself a Scotch. Then sat and drank it while mulling over what the hell he was going to.

Fifteen minutes after hanging up on the Principal the comm rang again. Hoping that it was Scott calling, he answered quickly, only to be disappointed when a man he did not know was on the line. The suit, the haircut – all of it was ringing alarm bells.

'Can I help you?'

'Mr Tracy?'

'Yes.'

'Mr Tracy, I'm Agent Talen. I'm calling to reassure you that we'll do everything within our power to find your son.'

Jeff sat there, perplexed.

'I'm sorry?'

'I understand your youngest son has been kidnapped.'

Jeff's mouth fell open.