Disclaimer: I don't Thunderbirds in any way.

I'm afraid you are going to have to bear with me with this story. I'm currently doing my final year at university so story writing has been put on the back burner.

Please be patient with me and enjoy the next chapter.

CHAPTER TWO – Father and Son

Jeff sat at his desk trying to finish off the latest batch of paperwork from Tracy Inc. Being in International Rescue made finding time to run his own company hard and on top of that he had to raise five sons, so when he set up International Rescue he created a team of people to run the company for him and they would send documents to him to go through. The benefit was that Tracy Inc. provided an excellent cover to purchase equipment and spare parts for the Thunderbirds and the Island base, because Tracy Inc. dealt with design and manufacturing in advanced electronics and equipment engineering so anyone looking into the company would be none the wiser.

Glancing at his watch he realized he had been staring at the same-spread sheet for twenty minutes. Running his hands over his face his eyes landed on the family photos sat on the desk and he smiled. It was at times like this he truly missed his wife Lucille the most. She was always supportive and would often help with the running of the company.

Jeff had not been able to stop thinking about Alan. He remembered when Fermat, TinTin and Alan had heroically saved the day when the Hood had almost succeeded in his plan to use the Thunderbirds to rob banks all over the world. He had felt so proud of him when Alan had saved the Hood's life even though he had tried to take his family away from him. Alan came through for them all that day and that was the day Jeff knew his son had proven himself to be a true Thunderbird.

But ever since then Jeff had the feeling that something was troubling him. Alan was still doing his usual average at school, yet he was quieter and more subdued than normal. Getting up and stretching, he decided that he needed to talk to Alan about it. He made his way out of his office and into the main house.

Alan was in his room. He lay on his bed gazing up at the ceiling; he was still moody over what had happened at dinner as the setting sun's rays filtered in through his window casting shadows along the walls. Why did they still treat him like a child at times!

He felt lost. No matter how hard he tried he could not forget what had happened during the spring break or the things the Hood had said about his father. Alan knew that the Hood had been trying to unsettle his trust in his father and he also remembered what his father had admitted to him in Thunderbird one that no matter how hard you try you just can't save everyone. But ever since the one-on-one confrontation Alan had had with the Hood he could not shake the feeling of unease and confusion that he constantly felt. He closed his eyes, lost in his own troubled thoughts and the mellowing sounds of the Pacific Ocean coming in through his open balcony doors.

A knock came from the door. Opening his eyes he groaned inwardly, he was not in the mood to talk to anyone. "Door's open", he found himself saying automatically. He was slightly surprised to see his father open the door and enter the room.

"Dad, what's up?" Alan asked sitting up. Jeff took a seat in a chair next to the bed.

"Nothing, I just wanted to see how you are. You left the kitchen in such a hurry I didn't have time to ask" Jeff said trying to gauge Alan's expression.

"What makes you think there's something wrong?" Alan said looking down at his hands trying to avoid the question.

"Alan is something troubling you? If there is then tell me and we can work through it," Jeff noticed that Alan started to look nervous. Now he knew something was definitely wrong.

"I'm fine dad ok. Gordon just surprised me, that's all" Alan could feel his frustration growing. Getting up he walked over to the balcony, leaning with his arms folded on the railing watching the sun go down.

Jeff watched his son closely. Alan's behavior had been this way ever since the Hood's attack which concerned Jeff greatly. Had the Hood said something to Alan or was it just the whole experience of it weighing on his mind.

Jeff got up and followed his son.

He mimicked his son and lent on the railing. "Alan you know that's not what I was talking about. You've been becoming more and more distant all summer. You're snapping at your brothers and the only time I ever see you is at meal times. Now please, talk to me son".

"Dad I told you I'm fine so can you drop it", Alan continued to stare out at the ocean, but he could feel his father watching him.

Jeff fell silent, still watching his son; he was deciding whether he should go with his hunch on what was troubling him.

Jeff quietly cleared his throat he chose his words carefully. "Is it to do with what happened with the Hood?" Alan flinched. That was it! Alan didn't even have to talk Jeff could see the answer to the question in his son's expression. But as quickly as it appeared it was replaced by anger. Alan flung himself off the railing storming back into his room ignoring his father's presence.

"Alan I can't help you if you don't talk to me" Jeff had followed him inside.

"Just drop it ok. There's nothing wrong" Alan was practically shouting now.

"Alan…..please" Jeff pleaded to his son.

"If you wanna help me, just leave me alone" Alan turned his back to his father.

Jeff looked at the floor at a loss for what to say.

Jeff looked at his son, "Alan I…."

At that point an alarm sounded through the household. 'Great timing' Jeff thought darkly as Alan looked back at him. Jeff nodded and they both made their way out the door at a run.

By the time they had reached Jeff's office Brains had already brought up the command and control center. "What's the situation Brains?" Jeff asked as they entered.

"There's a massive fire at the St Frances High School, just outside Paris, in France. Staff reported that there was an explosion," Brains explained as the rest of the Tracy brothers, Fermat and TinTin came running in.

"So we'll need the fire fighting equipment" Jeff concluded and Brains agreed.

"Ok boys lets get suited up" Jeff said as he stepped into the tube behind his portrait.

Scott, Virgil, Gordon and Alan did the same.

"Mr. Tracy can we help?" TinTin asked as she put her hand on Fermat's shoulder.

"Not this time guys. Stay here and help coordinate the rescue with John and Brains." TinTin and Fermat both nodded.

"Thunderbirds are go!" and with that Jeff and the boys disappeared behind their portraits.

TBC

Hi fellow surfers! Well that's the second chapter I hope it meets with your approval. Please send me your reviews and any ideas your might have I'd appreciate it.