ladc - you'll have to read and find out. Thanks for reviewing!
Capt. cow -glad the slow stat didn't turn you off the story and I'm flattered that you've read it more than once.
AngelMouse 5 - You'll have to let me know if you were right or not. Thanks for suggested the web site although I did check it out not long after seeing the movie this summer so I know what you mean. As for seeing the series, my dad has some of them on dvd himself but I've been hesistant to see anymore than I already have as I'm kind of sold on the movie-verse t-birds if you know what I mean.
May Portland - glad you liked John turning the tables on Alan. As for the line you criticized, let me just say that I have a older brother and although he's a foot taller and about a hundred pounds heavier than me, we've had some all out fights. I've gotten my share of bruises from him but I've gotten him good a few times to. Twenty minutes later though we're best of friends so maybe that will show you where I'm coming from there.
Kitkat Tictac - soon enought for you!
andrewjameswilliams - well now you can read and find out what is going on. Thanks for reviewing.
PyschoSpiff01 - thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!
Phoenix - i'll take it as my grammar is improving! glad you enjoyed John's retaliation. And Alan gets to talk to someone other than John in a scene. Aren't you proud of me?
moonlightbear - well I just had to have an update for you by the 3rd. I can sympathize - i have my own computer but I fight for the internet connection with my Dad and brother
Sarah - you can takea break from hanging and enjoy the next chapter!
Queen of the Elven City- gives reviewer evil glare - lol! I can forgive you as you reviewed both chapters and had such wonderful things to say about me. As for what did John do to me - you know the the saying "we hurt the ones we love" don't you. Um, and do you realize that giving me story ideas isn't the greatest thing. I have five stories, other than this one, posted on this sight that are in progress, as well as one on another sight and others on my computer and on paper. I have to say though, I think I'm going to have to take you up on that challenge. Alan blowing up the lab could be interesting.
John's POV:
"John!" I heard Alan shout. I could hear and feel his footsteps on the floor of Thunderbird 5 as he rushed toward me. Sensed him kneel down beside me. Feel him as he checked for a pulse and then rested his hand on my shoulder.
"John can you hear me," I heard him say. I could hear the fear in his voice. I couldn't believe I was actually doing this, making him think I was hurt but it was necessary. Unless I wasn't around to take care of things Alan was going to keep pretending that he didn't care about all of this. That he didn't know how to operate Thunderbird 5. I forced myself to keep my eyes closed. Tried to ignore the ache in my left wrist, which I must have twisted in my less than graceful acting job. There was definitely know way I'd ever make it on Star Trek.
"John your going to have to guide us out of here," I could hear my father saying over the still open radio link. "John are you there?" my father asked when I didn't reply to his call.
'Come on Alan' I thought to myself. 'It's up to you now. You know what you need to do and how to do it.'
"John?" my father said again. "Alan?" he said a few moments later still waiting for some kind of answer. "What's going on up there boys?"
'Come on Alan, answer him' I silently coaxed my brother. Even with my eyes closed I still knew he was there beside me. Could feel his hand still resting on my shoulder.
I heard a klaxon go off. I had to fight the instinct to jump into action at the sound of that klaxon. That one was the one that indicated that one of the Thunderbirds were on a collision course with something. In this case I knew what that something one. Thunderbirds 1 and 2 were on a collision course with each other. It was part of my plan. Even though my brain knew there was no real danger my body still wanted to jump into action.
Through the hand he had resting on my shoulder, I felt Alan tense up. I knew, that he knew what that sound meant. I knew he had been listening to everything I had been telling him these past few days although he had been acting as if he hadn't. I also knew that Alan knew exactly what needed to be done. The question was - would he do it?
Scott's POV:
I switched the collision alarm off. I couldn't take listening to it.
"I'm only flying this thing straight at a big green rocket. I can see I'm on a collision course," I muttered to myself.
"What was that Scott?" I heard my father ask on the private link we had set up between Thunderbirds 1 and 2 for this "mission".
"Nothing Dad," I told him. I looked down at the radar and the distance between my ship and Thunderbird 2. "Dad what if Alan doesn't do anything?" I asked him putting voice to the doubts that were in my head.
"He will Scott."
"And if he doesn't?" I asked again not letting it go. "How close am I suppose to get before pulling out?"
"You're fine Scott. Just hold the course steady."
I trusted my father, I did but sometimes I think he tended to trust others a little too much. Personally, I would rather rely on myself. I liked to be in control. Waiting on a fifteen year old kid to get over whatever fears he had was not what I called being in control. I still didn't even know why we had to get this elaborate anyways.
"We've got to make it look real or he'll see right through it."
Those had been John's words yesterday when I had voiced my reservations about his plan. Dad had agreed with him.
'This had better work,' I thought to myself as I looked down on my instruments again.
"What's going on up there boys?" I heard my father ask again.
'My thoughts exactly,' I couldn't help but thinking. For all we knew we were taking this chance for nothing. Alan might already know this was a ruse. That we had set him up.
If I didn't hear one of my brothers respond from Thunderbird 5 soon I was pulling up and I would just have to deal with the lecture from my Dad.
I was just about to do so when I heard Alan's voice come over the radio link.
Alan's POV:
In the back of my mind my father's words registered. I knew I should answer him. Tell him what had happened up here but at the same time I didn't want to leave John's side. Part of me was afraid that if I left him then I would lose him.
Then I heard the klaxon go off. Suddenly, I seemed to come out of the daze I had fallen into. I knew what that klaxon meant. John wasn't the only member of my family that needed me.
I quickly stood up and rushed toward the still smoking control panel hoping that whatever it was that had blown wouldn't affect my ability to help my father and brothers. I looked at the screen that showed the radar information for the Thunderbirds.
I hadn't thought things could get any worse but as I looked at that screen I realized just how wrong I was. Thunderbirds 1 and 2 were on a collision course with each other.
"Scott pull up," I said quickly into the radio knowing that Thunderbird 1 was the more maneuverable one of the two rockets. I just hoped my older brother would listen to me without questioning me.
I felt relief wash over me as I saw the blue and green dots on the radar move past each other and keep going. The control room of Thunderbird 5 got eeriely quiet as the klaxon stopped.
"What was that?" I heard Virgil ask.
"You don't want to know," my father told him.
"Thanks squirt," I heard Scott's voice come over the radio.
"Alan, where's John?" my father asked.
"John's hurt," I said glancing over my shoulder at him still lying on the control deck.
"Okay then Alan, its up to you," I heard my father say. "With our sensors out and this fog, you're going to have to guide us out of this mountain range."
I took a deep breath. What if I messed up? What if Thunderbird 1 or Thunderbird 2 crashed because I said something wrong or missed something? I so did not want to do this but as I looked again over my shoulder at my fallen brother I knew I had to. I had no choice.
"Okay Dad," I said quietly taking a seat in the chair John usually occupied, I started guided the two rockets with my family onboard out of the mountain range.
Jeff's POV:
As I listened to Alan's voice "lead" us out of the mountain range I had to smile to myself. Alan had done it. Once again he had proven that he was capable of being a effective member of the team even though he had a lot to learn still.
"That was close," Virgil said behind me. "I was starting to think it wouldn't work."
"To tell you the truth, so was I," I told Virgil. "And then someone over there laughing didn't help matters," I said glancing over at Gordon who occupied the third seat on Thunderbird 2. "What if Alan had heard you Gordon?"
"I'm sorry Dad. It was just when Virgil asked, "what was that", and you answered him, I don't know something struck me as funny. Maybe it was all the tension."
"Dad, do you think this actually worked? Do you think this helped Alan realize that he is ready for this?" I heard Virgil ask me, probably trying to keep Gordon from making any remarks about his acting abilities.
I looked over at my middle son. Virgil took after both of his older brothers. He had Scott's fiery temper, self-confidence, and outgoing personality. Yet, like John he thought things through more before taking action. Right now I was seeing more of John's influence. I could see in Virgil's eyes the genuine concern he had for Alan, that he had for both of his younger brother's.
As much as I wanted to reassure him, tell him that it had worked I knew I couldn't. I had reservations myself. Still, if this didn't get through to Alan I wasn't sure what else would.
"I hope so, Virgil," I told him.
"I'm not sure I'd want to be John right now," Gordon said. Both Virgil and I looked at him. "When he finds out this was a ruse he is going to be mad," he told us.
I nodded. Gordon had a point. I was sure that John realized though and I was even more sure that he could handle Alan. In fact, he was probably the best one to talk to Alan after that. The only one of us that would really have any chance of reaching him.
As we flew Thunderbird 2 over the foothills of the mountain range I knew we would be finding out soon how effective this had been. I made the decision to call up to Thunderbird 5 as soon as we got back to base to check in on John and Alan.
"Good work, Alan," I told him. " Sensors are clearing up now, it must have been something in the mountains that was interfering with them. I'll call and let you know when we're all back at base."
"FAB Dad," I heard Alan reply.
"Come on boys, let's get these birds back home," I said to my other three sons.
"I'll see you there slow pokes," Scott's said over the radio as we saw Thunderbird 1 shoot past us overhead. Sometimes I wondered if letting Scott fly that thing was a mistake.
John's POV:
"Good work, Alan" I heard my father say over the radio telling me that our little charade was over.
I slowly started to sit up, being careful not to put weight on my still aching left wrist. I saw Alan turn around in the chair. As soon as he saw me sitting up he was quickly out of the chair and at my side.
"Are you okay?" he asked me as he knelt down beside me.
I felt that pang of guilt go through me again. How could I have done this to him? Somehow, I knew I couldn't just let him continue thinking this had been real. I had to reassure him that I was okay and the only way I could do that was to admit to him what we had done. I knew he was going to be mad but I also knew he would be even madder if he figured it out later down the line.
"I'm fine," I told him standing up. "Alan I think there is something you need to know," I told him slowly walking toward the one wall, trying to figure out how to tell him. I reached the wall and then turned around. Alan was looking at me intently. I could tell he was trying to figure out what I was getting at. "Alan we set you up."
"What?"
"The exploding control panel, the malfunctioning sensors, it was all a ruse. We were trying to show you that your capable of this. That you're capable of being a member of International Rescue if you want to be."
"You set me up," Alan whispered in disbelief.
"I didn't know what else to do Alan. You wouldn't talk to me. You were acting as if you didn't care. Now, if you had said you no longer wanted to be a part of this than that would have been different, but you just started acting as if all of this didn't matter. I know you better than that Alan. We all do."
"You made me think you were hurt to prove a point," Alan said a little more forcefully. "How could you do that to me John? I really thought you were hurt."
"There was no other way Alan. I knew that as long as I was here to handle things you would just keep pretending that you didn't know what to do."
"I hate you, John" Alan said vehemently.
The words staggered me. I had expected Alan to be mad. I had expected him to yell at me, maybe not talk to me for awhile but not this. To hear those words with such force behind them. I got the feeling that he really meant it.
"Alan, I'm sorry," I said softly as I headed for the access corridor. I could only see these conversation deteriorating even more should I stay.
Alan's POV:
"I hate you, John."
As soon as those words were out of my mouth I regretted them. It wasn't true. I didn't hate my brother. Yes, I was really mad at him right now but I didn't hate him. Somewhere deep down, I knew he had only been trying to help me.
I just barely heard his whispered apology as he left the control deck. What I hadn't missed though was the look in his eyes. Maybe John hadn't been hurt by the "exploding panel", but what I had said had just hurt him deeply.
I made my way back to the chair and sank down into it. This wasn't what I had wanted. All I had wanted was for John to tell Dad that I wasn't ready. I wanted a way out without really saying that I wanted out. John had a point, I hadn't been willing to talk to him.
And as mad as I was at my family for tricking me, I was also touched. Touched that they would go to such lengths to try and help me. I knew their actions had been motivated by love.
I heard the communications link beep. I absently reached out and switched it on, turning to face the vid screen as my father's face appeared on it.
"Hey Alan," my father said with his familiar smile. The smile quickly faded though as he took in the look on my face. "Alan what's wrong?"
I wasn't sure I wanted to tell him about what had just taking place. I knew my father would be disappointed in me. Would no doubt take John's side.
"Alan?" I heard him say again.
"John told me what you guys did. Told me that it was just a set up."
"Alan, we were only trying to help. Trying to show you that we do believe in you. I know your brothers give you a hard time. That I'm always getting on your case about school and stuff but its because I know you are capable of doing better. Alan, I know you're more than capable of being a Thunderbird but I also think you still need time to be a kid. I don't want International Rescue to be the all consuming thing in your life right now and I do want you to graduate high school."
"What if I don't want to be a part of IR at all Dad?" I asked looking down at my hands in my lap. I wanted to know the answer to that question even though I didn't want to see the look on Dad's face right now. Deep down I knew that John was right about that to. As scared as I was, I still wanted to be a part of this.
"Alan, look at me," my Dad said. Slowly I raised my head to look at him. I saw concern and sympathy but not the disappointment that I had been expecting. "I'm not going to lie to you. I would very much like it if you chose to be a part of this. Chose to help me with my dream but I'd never force you to. If you choose to do something else with your life than I will support you one hundred percent in whatever it is. Gordon almost chose to do something else."
"He did?" I said surprised. I hadn't even realized that.
"Yes he did. Gordon wanted to join NASA, be apart of the research and development of space technology that they're doing there. That's why I sent him to space camp that one summer. After spending the summer there, he realized that by being a part of IR didn't mean he had to give up that interest. And you can't tell Scott or Virgil this either because he doesn't want them to know yet but he's been taking college courses over the computer since he graduated high school."
I couldn't believe it. I had always thought that being a part of IR was expected of me just like everyone else and his last few years of highschool, IR was all I ever heard Gordon talk about. That was what had first really sparked my interest in it. Hearing Gordon talk about getting to start his training and then hearing about that. I never expected he had any interest in anything else. Although that did explain why he spent so much time with Brains as he tried to update and fix problems on Thunderbird 3 and 5.
As for taking classes, that probably explained all the times Gordon locked himself into his room and wouldn't tell anyone what he was up to. I wasn't sure why he wanted to keep it a secret though. Maybe he was afraid we'd give him a hard time about it just like they all gave me a hard time about things.
After this talk with Dad I felt even worse about what I had just told my older brother. I knew I had to apologize to him but I didn't know if he would listen to me or not.
"Alan, is something else wrong?"
I told him about my conversation with John and what I had told him.
"What if John never wants to speak to me again?" I asked him struggling to hold back the tears.
"Alan, just go talk to him," Dad said softly. "Maybe I should have told you this before, but Alan, John has always believed in you. He's always reminding me that despite the trouble that you get in that you're a good kid. And he's right. When you wanted to go after the Hood, John believed that you could do it. The whole reason that you're up there this week is because John wanted to help you."
I looked at my father taking in his words. I barely heard his last sentence as I was still digesting what he had said before that. When you wanted to go after the Hood, John believed that you could do it. I had notice my father look off to the side when I was talking to him via communications then but I hadn't really thought about it. Now that my Dad had said that I realized what he had been doing. He had been looking to John for guidance.
I knew my Dad talked about things with John that he didn't with the rest of us. I had accidently overheard one of their conversations one night when I had come to talk to my Dad before going to bed. Dad had been discussing an argument he had with Scott earlier in the day. Realizing that an interruption at that time wouldn't be taken well, I had went off to my room without making my presence known. It only made sense that they would talk about me. It was nice to know that my brother was on my side.
I had to smile at that. But then I remembered the look in my brother's eyes right before he had left here. Would he even listen to me?
I knew I had to give it a try.
"Thanks, Dad."
"I'll talk to you later Alan," he told me and then the screen went blank. I stood up from the chair and headed slowly down the access corridor. I had no clue as to what I was going to say to my brother but I knew putting it off would only make things worse.