AN: This is a very short chapter. It actually wasn't even suppose to be a chapter by itself but I wanted to give you all some kind of update. Sorry it took so long but life's been crazy between school and work. My fiance has't even seen me in two weeks! Hope you enjoy it!

Shevaun - thanks for the review and the compliments. They're much appreciated.

Queen of the Elven City- I promise this chapter has no ouchies!

I-like-chickens - well I'm posting more. Sorry I couldn't keep to the soon part. I'm trying my best though. Hope you enjoy and please be pateint.

Angel Mouse 5 - glad you think Alan actually doing his school work isn't to much out of character! to quote John - "Alan's a good kid". Thanks for your continuous support and as you can see I caught up wit your story!

Fiona12690 - sorry I couldn't update that same day and I hope you won't be too dissapointed but there is no Alan running away. Sorry! hope you like the update anyway.

kky - I like John's hair myself. As for what's go to happen to Alan and his finals you're going to have to wait and see!

moonlightbear - I'll forgive you for the lack of reviews if you forgive me for the slow update!lol. Seriously though, thanks for the compliments. I'm glad you like this story. Great is always better than good.

IloveSam - another much appreciated review. I like to hear what particular parts people liked or didn't like (but likes are better). And there is more Alan /Gordon interaction coming up. I started writing it in this chapter but split it when I decided to update this short piece. Hope you enjoy.

Marblez - here's an update. Hope you like it.

star-shimmered-dragon - guys can be such a pain sometimes!

M.S.K. - glad you liked it. Hope you like this one too!

Jeff's POV:

After dinner on Sunday, I headed up to my office. Brains had finished his analysis of the test flight Friday morning and made some modifications. He had given me the report right before dinner and I wanted to go over it. Not only did I want to know what had happened, but I also wanted to see what modifications he had made. I was still interested in the improved autopilot but I didn't want to rush into a second test flight.

Sitting down at my desk, I started looking over the report. Thankful that we had some relative quiet this last couple of days. Thunderbird 2 had been ready to fly again Friday night, but other than the quick test flight I had taken it out on, there hadn't been any reason to take her up. Saturday and today had been quiet. No calls for International Rescue had come in which gave us some rare down time. Something we all needed after everything that had happened these last few days.

I was just finishing the report when John came into the office.

"Just can't stay away from work can you?" he said as he walked over and sat down on the couch along the wall, leaning back against the soft cushions.

"Seems like it never gets done," I told him a smile coming to my face. I leaned back in the chair and turned to face him. "Not to mention I've still got to find a new school for Alan. Seems Alan's reputation for giving teachers and headmasters a hard time has gotten around. I even have headmasters that won't even take my call."

It wasn't something that I would tell everyone of my sons but it never even entered my mind to not mention it to John. I told John just about anything. I had for awhile now. Somewhere along the way John had established himself in the role of my confidant, a role that use to be Meg's. It was just one of the many roles of hers that John had taken up in the years since her death.

"Well then I've got good news for you," John told me.

"Evidently I'm not the only one whose been working," I told him with a smile, knowing without him even saying it that he had been looking into schools for Alan himself. It didn't surprise me. This wasn't the first time that John had helped me look into a school for Alan. With any luck though, it would be the last.

"Yeah well, it beats getting tormented by one of my brothers," he said easily. I knew that wasn't it though. I knew John enjoyed the times he got to spend down here with us despite getting teased by the others. John just took his responsibility to this family seriously and maybe a little bit further than he really should. "Anyway, I've been contacting schools and I found one willing to take Alan."

"Which school?" I asked, mildly surprised.

"Wharton Academy in Massachusetts."

"Okay so what's the catch?" I asked knowing that there had to be something else. Nothing was simple when it came to Alan.

"The catch is he has to pass all his classes this semester," John paused a moment. "Especially chemistry. Seems the headmaster at Wharton Academy doesn't want to take the chance of having Alan in the chemistry lab."

"Can't say I blame him," I said softly. I had to be honest with myself. If I was running a school I would be hesitant to accept a student with a reputation like Alan's myself. Still as a father, it was frustrating. I wanted Alan to have a good education although he seemed intent on sabotaging that.

"Maybe we should keep looking," I said.

"Come on Dad," John said sitting up straight. "Give Alan a break. He still has a chance to pass his classes. Last I knew he wasn't, failing any of them this semester."

"You're right," I said with a sigh. With the exception of chemistry and math, most of Alan's grades this semester were solid C's. As long as he got at least C's on his finals he would be fine. His English grade was actually a high B which was surprising but for which I was happy about. Seeing him do good in a class was gratifying and I knew it would help Alan's self confidence.

Besides, he was my son. If I didn't show a little belief in him, then who else would. If no one believed in you it was very easy to give up. Give up on trying to do anything. Give up on yourself.

"Besides, Alan has really been working hard on the school work this weekend. I think he'll do okay."

I looked over at John studying him, trying to gauge his words. Trying to decide if he was saying those words to help reassure me or because he really believed them.

I could see the sincerity in his eyes. He wasn't just saying what he thought I wanted to here. He believed what he was saying. He believed in his brother, which was probably something I needed to learn from him.

"I guess we'll just wait and see what happens," I said. "Don't tell Alan though. I think he'll have a better chance at doing well on his finals it he doesn't have the added pressure of knowing he needs to pass to get into Wharton Academy."

"You got it Dad," John replied. "So where do we stand on the autopilot project," he asked sitting back against the couch again.