Disclaimer: I do not own Thunderbirds in any way.
CHAPTER NINE – Reality Bites
Jeff looked up when Scott and Virgil entered his office. "Hey boys. What can I do for you?"
"Dad, can we talk to John for a minute?" Scott asked.
Jeff paused; things had been quiet on the International Rescue front all day. "Sure, I don't see why not". He got up from the chair and stood to one side so his son could sit.
Scott was hesitant to sit down. "Um, do…you think we could talk to him? In private? Please?"
Jeff frowned, "Is there anything wrong?"
"No, no. There's just something we wanted to ask him before he gets home" Virgil forced a smile hoping the answer would satisfy his father.
Jeff nodded and headed out the door with a handful of files.
"Thanks" Scott breathed sitting down in the chair and punching in the dial code on the keyboard.
"Hey, it was the truth" Virgil smiled.
Both turned to the computer screen as their brother's image appeared.
"Thunderbird Five, go ahead" came John's automatic answer.
"Good to see you bro"
John smiled. "Feeling's mutual Scott. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Virgil came into view behind Scott. "Hey John, we need to ask you something important".
"Fire away".
"Has Alan spoken to you recently?" Scott asked.
Both noticed the smile slide off their brother's face. "Why do you ask?"
Scott and Virgil shared a glance before turning back to the screen.
"Alan's been behaving weird recently" Scott replied.
John smiled again. "Well he is a teenager. Teenagers do that sometimes".
Scott could understand John's answer, however, their younger brother's behavior seemed to be more than just basic teen moodiness. "No John, it's something else".
For the second time in their call John's smile disappeared. "Ok I'm listening. What kind of behavior are we talking about?"
"He's too quiet. We can tell something is up with him but he won't talk to any of us. He seems…withdrawn, but 'he says' he's fine". Scott could see John was listening hard to what he was saying.
"He hasn't spoken to any of you?"
"No" Virgil confirmed.
"Not even to you Scott?"
Both John's brothers shook their heads.
Scott continued, "There's something else too. Last night he looked terrible when we went to bed and this morning he came in to the kitchen sporting bruises round his neck".
John's face filled with concern. "Is he ok?"
"He says he is"
"But you don't believe him?" Scott nodded looking down.
"Did he say where he got them?"
"He said he must have done it in his sleep, but they don't look self-inflicted" Virgil answered.
John frowned at his answer, "What kind of bruises?"
Scott looked back at John "…Finger marks".
"No one would do that to him!" John eyes were wide. The very thought was sickening.
"We know that John, that's the mystery" Scott agreed, it was crazy.
Silence fell and John leaned forward on the control consol deep in thought. He had made a promise to Alan, that he would keep their conversation just between them. But this new news was shocking and he wanted to help his brother. Sighing heavily he came to the logical decision.
John slowly looked back up. "Alan did…call me yesterday afternoon"
"He did? What did he say?" Scott asked.
"He said that he was having trouble sleeping. Nightmares"
Virgil glanced at the door before leaning closer to the screen, "How did he seem to you?"
"Well, he looked a bit tired but other than that…He was really agitated about these dreams he's been having though". John frowned "He said he couldn't sleep because of them".
Scott mirrored John's expression "That would explain his appearance. But if he's having trouble sleeping why hasn't he gone to Brains to get something for it".
John sighed, "Because he knew Brains would ask 'why' he couldn't sleep. He didn't want anyone to know". He looked down guiltily, " He only told me because I promised I wouldn't tell anyone".
Scott smiled reassuringly "You did the right thing John".
"Did he tell you what the nightmares were about?" Virgil asked from over Scott's shoulder.
John was silent, seemingly thinking hard about what he was about to say.
"Yeah, uh, he said they were of the day the Hood broke into the Bank of London".
Both momentarily stunned, Scott was the first to recover from the shock of this statement, "But…how can he have nightmares about that, the Hood didn't get away with it".
"I know that, but he said that they were different to what really happened. He said that in his dreams the Hood always wins!"
Scott and Virgil glanced at each other.
"He also told me that the Hood says things to him...things he hadn't said on that day" John inhaled deeply before continuing "He said that the Hood told him that he was going to get his revenge, that there was no escape, and that he was going to kill Alan".
"There only dreams guys, not real life" Virgil commented.
Scott sighed heavily leaning back in the chair "Well, these nightmares are the only explanation for his behavior. I think the safest thing to do is to just let him deal with it on his own. He knows he can come to us if he needs help".
"John, are you sure Alan didn't say anything else was wrong?"
"Sorry Virg, he only mentioned these dreams of his. But they must be bad if they' re getting to him like this".
"It still doesn't explain the bruises Alan's got" Virgil said quietly.
Scott sat deep in thought.
"Ok, this is what we're going to do…We'll keep an eye on him when we can but if we push him to talk he'll just blow up in our faces, so we won't mention it unless it come up"
Scott received nods of agreement from his brothers. "We won't tell dad about Alan's bruises, Alan can't hide them forever. Maybe dad might have more luck in getting the truth out of him"
Again they both nodded.
"Ok then. Thanks for the insight John"
"No problem Scott. I'm glad you called me about it".
"Yeah well, you're cheaper than an agony aunt" Virgil replied smirking.
John laughed at the lighthearted comment "Gee thanks little bro, I'll remember you in my will".
They all chuckled.
"Well, we'll see you in…" Scott glanced at his digital watch "six days".
John grinned "Yeah, who's bringing the little monster up?"
Virgil's expression gave him the answer.
"Hey, he's not that bad" John commented.
"That all depends if you're on the receiving end of one of his pranks" Virgil replied darkly.
John laughed. "Well you never know. Maybe Alan will be interested in doing some shifts in Thunderbird Five".
"If dad agrees I don't see why not. It'll give you both more time to yourselves".
"Scott I like it just fine up here. But I'm sure Gordon wouldn't mind, after all, he does prefer the water to the stars".
Scott and Virgil agreed. Gordon was more of a fish than an astronaut.
"We're probably over reacting about this whole thing with Alan you know".
"I know John. But it's my job to worry about you guys".
"You're the weirdest babysitter I've ever had" Scott laughed at Virgil's comment.
"Hey, watch it Virg, or he might ground you" John said smiling.
"He wouldn't dare".
"Ok, ok that's enough guys" Scott quickly broke up this line of thought before it escalated. "We better go John. Give us a call if Alan talks to you again while you are up there".
"Will do. I'll see you soon guys" John smiled.
"See you real soon bro. Take care up there" Scott returned his brother's smile before cutting the link.
Scott got up slowly from the chair stretching his stiffened muscles as he did so.
"We better tell Gordon what we found out".
"How about food first Scott, its nearly lunch time"
Scott looked at his watch "Dam is that the time?"
"Sure does fly doesn't it" Virgil commented as they headed for the door.
"We'll fill him in after lunch" Scott finished as they made there way back down to the main house.
TBC
Im sorry for removing the story. I'm still getting used to fanfiction net.
But, this is a work in progress and new chapters will follow!
Please review.