Who's In Trouble Now?
By Spense
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I had it pointed out to me that I was mixing Canon on this story. That the Tracy boy's mother died in an avalanche in the movie, and died by giving birth to Alan in the TV show. Quite honestly, when I set out to write this, I had completely forgotten that this was a plot point in the movie. I'd been thinking that it was like her name – Meg, Lucille, or something else. Decide which you like, and pick one! I'd been reading so much fan fiction that it really just slipped my mind. However, by the point this was brought to my attention, I'd already posted two chapters and the bulk of the story is completed. And since Alan's mother's death is the pivotal axis on which this story swings, well, what's done is done.
So, this is movie universe with one twist. Canon buffs, consider yourself warned. If you don't like it, don't read it. For the rest of you, enjoy.
Thank you very much, Takiu, I do appreciate you pointing this out.
Spense
Chapter Three – Running
As late afternoon set in, Alan began to plot. This was going to take some tight planning on his part. Knowing the recourses his family had at their disposal, (as well as their combined brain power) he knew it wasn't going to be a simple walk in the park and was under no illusions as to how hard this was going to be to do. But that would make it all the more sweet to make his point. No screw up here, that was for sure.
The first issue at hand was money. He had enough in his account to keep him going for awhile. But anytime he used his cash card, or made a withdrawal, it could be traced. Since he hadn't answered the phone or showed up in his room, Alan could bet it was pretty likely John was going to be tracking anything connected with him up in Thunderbird 5. Nope, he wasn't going to present any ammunition to them, or make so stupid a mistake. So, his bank account was out. He thought hard a couple of minutes, then grinned. He had it. Perfect. It would be one more nail in the coffin his father was going to build for him when he found out, but by then it would be way too late. It could definitely work.
One thought built on another, and suddenly he knew exactly where he was going to go. A grin lit up his face. The irony of it was absolutely marvelous. And his brother's probably thought he didn't even know the meaning of the word.
Carefully, Alan looked out the window and scouted the lay of the land. Nobody in his dorm room, and nobody really in sight. Coast was clear, and time for the first step. Grinning to himself, he set out. On his own for a change. Nobody to tell him what to do, or how to do it, or that he had to wait until he was older. No more 'screw up'. Alan pushed the hurt that thought generated to one side. Better to concentrate on what he was doing, and what he was going to prove. This was going to be fun!
TB TB TB TB TB
Jeff Tracy frowned in annoyance. "Fermat, can you think of anywhere else he might have gone?"
"N-n-no Sir," Fermat answered nervously.
Jeff ran his hand through his hair in total frustration. His youngest son's inventiveness truly knew no bounds. Fermat had shown him two absolutely ingenious bolt-holes that Alan had set up. They were well hidden and well stocked. Having four somewhat inspired older brothers had led to a streak of creativity in Alan that Jeff found somewhat daunting. And right now he was most concerned about where that resourcefulness was going to land his youngest son.
Alan's inventiveness, combined with a healthy streak of self preservation honed by four older brothers was bad enough. Add to that the normal frustrations of being a young teenager in a family of older, well accomplished adults was just a recipe for trouble. The incident with the Hood this Spring had shown Jeff that, all too well. As impressed as he'd been by Alan's handling of the situation, he was also worried. Alan was just to young to be shouldered with that kind of responsibility, and right now he was probably thinking he could do anything. But all the above, in tandem with the hurt and anger that Jeff knew Alan had to be feeling right now, well, it came down to a very volatile combination.
Little did they know, but Scott and John had been correct in their assessment of Jeff Tracy. Jeff was scared to death that Alan would run away. Not from sullenness or pettiness, that just wasn't in Alan. He'd make a fantastic team-member of International Rescue one day, if he chose to. Alan would always face the fallout of his actions without problem. He always had. No, Alan would run away out of frustration at being held back, and now, out of a very strong desire to prove to himself. And to prove especially that he wasn't a 'mistake.' No, the motives were very, very different than sulkiness. And that worried Jeff more than anything else.
The emotional high of the events of spring break had worn off, and Alan had found, to his chagrin, that his life was still exactly the same, the exception being his added training for the Thunderbirds. Jeff had added that partially in self defense. Alan was going to explore the 'birds anyway, and he may as well had actual training rather than trying to figure them out on his own. They'd seen where THAT had led! However, the war between Alan and Jeff when his son realized he was still expected to return to Wharton Academy and finish school had been massive. Alan had left in a foul mood, and the cloud hanging over the Island had taken awhile to lift. Even so, Jeff had been impressed with how responsible Alan had been since then. Alan was really trying. That was all Jeff could ask, was that Alan do his best. And he had been. Until today. Now the house of cards was all over the floor, and Alan was nowhere to be found.
Jefferson Tracy was scared. More scared than he'd been since he realized the Hood had taken over Tracy Island. And this time he had no outside interest to blame. This was all on their own heads. And now Alan might well be out there somewhere, over-confident, in a world that was not often kind to children, and Jeff would pull out all stops to find him.
Jeff's reverie was broken by a polite voice. "Excuse me, Sir?" Jeff looked up to see the Headmaster's assistant waiting for him. "The Headmaster would like to speak with you. Follow me please?" The young man indicated to the administration building.
"Certainly," Jeff answered, then looked to Fermat. "Thank you, Fermat," he said with a smile. Then he thinned his lips, thinking. "Fermat, if you see Alan, tell him to stay put in his room!" With that comment, and Fermat's nod of assent, he turned an followed the young assistant towards the administration building.
Fermat watched for a moment, then headed for his room in trepidation. Alan was going to kill him for showing Mr. Tracy the hiding places. He was so going to get pounded when Alan finally showed up.
TB TB TB TB TB
Jeff stayed at the school for two days. After 24 hours of fruitless searching, he called the police and put in a missing persons report. The authorities met with Jeff and the Headmaster in the main offices of the school. Jeff kept the details quiet. He explained that there had been an argument, and Alan hadn't been seen since. They would keep this quiet as long as possible. While Jeff and the authorities did feel that Alan had probably tried to run away, they couldn't rule out kidnapping. Even apart from International Rescue, Alan Tracy, son of billionaire Jeff Tracy was a tempting target. It was distinctly possible that Alan had fallen into unfriendly hands, and Jeff was taking no chances. Nor were the police. Jeff offered a hefty reward for the return of his son.
The following morning, Thursday, he headed home, feeling that he couldn't do anything else. At Brain's request, Fermat accompanied him. If there was an outside party involved, there was no use making Fermat a target as well. He would just finish out the term by correspondence from Tracy Island.
The other thing making Jeff distinctly uneasy was that Alan had never returned to his room. All of his belongs were there, including his cell phone. The only thing missing was his wallet, which Fermat confirmed that Alan had had with him when he left. The hardest thing Jeff had had to do in a long time was to pack up Alan's things.
By Friday morning, word had leaked to all the major media. Lurid stories were run on the front page of all the major newspapers, speculating about the missing youngest son of the reclusive billionaire and astronaut, Jeff Tracy. Reports added dark hints of possible foul play, and played up the reward.
For his part, after seeing the newspapers, Alan Tracy ducked into the nearest store and bought several bottles of dark hair dye.
