Alan wrapped his arms around himself against the cold wind. The weather was pretty wild, which was very unusual this time of year. It must be reflecting his mood.

He'd been trying so hard with his studies this year. He'd been studying every day, sometimes staying up into the late hours of the night.

Everyone else had thought he'd just changed over the spring break. But Alan hadn't been able to fool Fermat. That's what made him his best friend. Fermat knew Alan well. He'd seen straight through him.

All of his efforts had been for one reason. His family.

Alan was trying so desperately to do well in hope of impressing his father. This tenacious effort provided him with a goal, but not a distraction. He thought about his family everyday and purposely avoided talking about them. Whenever the Thunderbirds were on TV or were headlined as being heroes of another tragedy, he disappeared for hours into his room, pouring over his books.

And the worst thing was, although Fermat could read him like a book, he was the last person Alan wanted to talk to about the issue. Th only person he could talk to was Mr Corper. That's where he was headed now.

Mr Corper was a great teacher, not just because he could explain each subject in a way even Alan could understand, but because he was passionate about his work. He could be found late at night in the lab, often working with chemicals. Sometimes he even let Alan help him. Meanwhile Alan could talk to him about things. He'd listen and then give his opinion and advice. He was the only thing keeping Alan from utterly breaking down.

Alan therefore wasn't nervous as he tapped on the classroom door.

"Come in" called Mr Corper, looking up, "Alan! Come on in!" he smiled

Alan returned it grimly, walking over to where Corper was working with a few chemicals and charts in front of him.

Corper indicated to them, "Trying a new experiment I thought we could do next class. You want to see how it works?"

Alan nodded.

Corper indicated the beaker in front of him containing shavings of a silvery white metal, "Sodium" he said.

Alan nodded, still feeling downhearted

"Tell me about it" said Corper after a minute's silence

"It's atomic number is 11, its atomic weight is twenty-two point nine, its boiling point is eight hundred and eighty eight Celsius and its melting point is ninety seven point eight" Alan recited

Corper nodded, "Impressive. You've been doing your homework" he said. Then he raised his eyebrows, "But I wasn't referring to the sodium"

Alan sighed, sitting on one of the stools next to the lab bench and propping his chins on his hands, "It's stupid. Never mind"

Corper put down his equipment and crossed his arms, resting on the table so he was eye level with Alan, "Alan, you've come to me for weeks now. We've talked about so many things together, some professional, some personal. I'm always here to listen" he spoke softly.

Alan looked up, then took a breath, "It's just. Well, exams are in a week and I think I'm going to disappoint myself"

"How is that? You've been flying through your subjects Alan. A lot of teachers have noticed the change in your grades" said Corper

"I know" said Alan, "But I'm doing all this for the wrong reasons"

"How is that?" asked Corper softly

"Well, before I came back here I had an argument with my Dad. You see, I did something pretty good over the break and I ended up proving myself worthy to be a-" Alan stumbled, almost blurting out "a Thunderbird", "A part of my Dad's team where he works. Its always been a dream of mine and I thought everything was settled. But then Dad sent me back here and it was just like…nothing had changed"

"And you want to prove that you can get back on that team by excelling in your studies" it was more of a statement than a question

Alan looked up, surprised, "Yeah. But after finals…I'm just afraid that I wont be able to handle being shunned again"

Corper nodded, "What you're feeling is enough to tear someone apart Alan. You feel conflicted. You don't know whether to keep up the act or give up now to avoid disappointment. You are the youngest member of your family are you not?"

Alan nodded, "I've always kinda been left behind because of that. But spring break felt…it felt like I wasn't just a part of Dad's team. It was like I was a part of the family. The family team"

"Have you spoken to your father?" asked Corper quietly

Alan closed his eye for a moment, "He doesn't want to listen. None of my family do. They're all on hi side" he said sadly

"How do you know that?" asked Corper

Alan didn't answer. The telecomm call from John a few weeks ago had been enough but he didn't want to get into it

Corper sighed, "Alan, you may feel that you're alone and you may feel betrayed. But believe me when I say that anyone who doesn't consider you a vital part of their team is a fool" he said strongly, "You're smart, resourceful, courageous, your friends love you"

Alan smiled, embarrassed. Corper was the only one who could make him smile nowadays.

"All it will take is time, that's all. You've got many strong qualities Alan, make patience one of them," said Corper

Alan bit his lip and nodded. He hadn't been given a positive talk like that in a long time. He could feel a familiar sensation up his nose and in the corners of his eyes.

Oh please, he thought, don't cry

It didn't work, tears fell silently down his face and he squeezed his eyes shut to try and stop them, but no luck. His held his head in his hands and began to shake with quiet sobs. Within seconds he felt Mr Corper behind his and an arm was wrapped around his shoulders. It felt so comforting to be held by somebody again. All this time he spent trying to avoid his family made him miss them even more. He often began to wonder whether he had a family at all.

After a few minutes, he sat up properly, wiping his face with the back of his hand. He and Corper exchanged a small smile before Corper sat back on his stool, starting to tinker with the equipment again.

"Now, I thought it would be worthwhile to examine how sodium can be detected in other substances. Do you know how that can be done?" asked Corper

Alan shook his head.

Corper smiled, "Hold it over a flame. If the flame turns yellow, it means sodium is present"

Alan frowned, "But isn't this a bit dangerous? Sodium is very unstable. It can react with almost anything with extreme effects. If someone were to put it in water, it would-"

"Produce hydrogen and may self combust, causing it to explode, well done Alan" finished Corper, "But I trust my class and this lesson will certainly help you in the finals"

Alan nodded, smiling, then looked at the clock, "Oh no, I'd better get back, its late"

"Yes, too true" said Corper,

"Thanks Mr Corper" said Alan

"Anytime Alan, I'll see you tomorrow"

The next day, Alan woke up to find Fermat had already gone to breakfast. He showered and dressed hurriedly, hoping to catch him before class to apologise for yelling at him the previous night. He made it to find his friend with his nose in a book, trying not to spill baked beans on the page.

Alan walked over with his tray, "hey, can I sit down?"

Fermat didn't look up, "Yeah"

Alan took a seat, looking at his friend nervously.

Just say it, he thought

"Look Fermat, I'm sorry I yelled at you last night"

Fermat looked up from his book.

"You were right about my bad moods and you're my best friend so there's no way I could hide it from you" said Alan, "But, I just want to be able to work things out on my own for now"

Fermat nodded, "It's okay Alan" he smiled

Alan smiled, relieved to have made peace.

He and Fermat went over notes, talked about ideas, just like nothing had happened. They were walking to the laboratory for science when suddenly they were thrown off their feet by a tremendous explosion. A great ball of fire flew across the conjoined buildings, swallowing them in flame.

People were screaming as debris flew into the air, littering the front courtyard with burning shrapnel.

Alan rolled over, dazed, "Fermat!" he yelled

"Here!" called his friend, who stood up, straitening his glasses as he gazed in awe at the towering flames.

"Oh my God! Corper!" Alan cried out, running towards the door

Fermat grabbed him, "Alan no! Its too dangerous!"

"I can't just leave him in there!" cried Alan, pulling

"Alan! Listen to me! There could be another explosion! You could get trapped or worse!" reasoned Fermat

Alan looked painfully at the buildings.

Teachers behind him were ushering people to the sports oval, where it was protocol to be evacuated.

"Alan, I'm sorry. No one can help us" said Fermat

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

Jeff was sitting in his office, paperwork strewn in front of him.

What he would give for a break right now.

He was about to go and get a coffee before an emergency signal came through from John.

"John, this is base, what's the problem?" asked Jeff

"Dad! I just got a call from Fermat. There's been an explosion at the school" said John hurriedly

"Are they okay?" asked Jeff, his heart pounding

"Yeah Dad, Alan and Fermat are fine. But there's a few people trapped inside the buildings" reported John

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