Thanks again to all those who reviewed-wow isn't this getting exciting?
Moonlightbear-I'm so glad you're enjoying the story, and Alan is certainly going to have some emotional scars-but thats another chapter!
Laurel leaves-thanks for your review. Alan's definately got a long hard road ahead of him-that's if his family can save him in time.
Sam1-glad you're enjoying the story, i can't wait for your feedback on this chapter!
getpink-i think i've still got a way to go before i finish this story, but don't worry, i will update quickly! hope you're enjoying the story so far!
thowra-angel-serious bad guy butt kicking will happen a little later-i've got something special planned for Peter that should shock a lot of you. keep reading and reviewing, your feedback is great!
The Magik Dragon- and...you'll have to read on won't you? hope you're enjoying it so far!
blackhorsel-well, originally i had thought about briefly describing Alan's recovery over one or two chapters. And i actually admired Spense's method of doing that. But as i'm writing, its becoming clearer to me that that approach is not realistic enough if i want to really show what Alan's been/is going through. I can't predict exactly how i'm going to write it all, but rest assured this story is nowhere near finished. thanks for your review!
Moosagi-here ya go! hope you enjoy it!
Fried Eeyore- quite a few people have mentioned the thing about Alan's age, and yes i have changed it accordingly. (For the record, Alan is fifteen) thanks for letting me know!
Booan
Scott dashed around to the back door of the house with John and Gordon hot on his tail. He tried the door, but it wouldn't budge. He swore under his breath. Taking a step back, he lashed out with his foot, kicking the door in (as quietly as he could). It was a strong door and gave way only a tiny bit, but it was enough for the three boys to push it open the rest of the way.
They were in a very small cellar, with piles of firewood stacked against the walls. Across the room was another door. Scott found it was unlocked. Gently he opened it and looked around. The house was definitely deserted. Except for one person.
"Alan!" he gasped
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"You told me that we were still family" said Jack, "And I wanted to know…did you really mean it? Do you really want me to be there for you and your son?"
His voice was soft and gentle, but it had the effect Jack intended. Peter walked closer towards him and put a hand on his shoulder, "Of course" he said emphatically, "I know what I've done in the past, the paths I chose to take were not what you and our father approved. But we are the same now. You know what joy it is to be a father. So lets us put aside the past, and focus on a new future together"
Jack bit his lip and nodded, emphasising the emotion of his face, "Then I have something to ask you, a favour"
"What is it, brother?" asked Peter with a smile
Jack dug his hand into his pockets the way he did when he was nervous, "Being an uncle is a privilege itself, but I was wondering if you would make me the boy's…godfather as well"
Peter laughed, which unnerved Jack, but he had no need to be scared, "Jack, why did you even have to ask?" Peter smiled, "Of course! Come! Lets go and see Alan and tell him the news! I'm sure he will be thrilled!"
Peter turned towards the house.
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Inside, the brothers tried to wake Alan. Lying on an old futon, Alan didn't seem to be in the room with them mentally at all. He was burning hot to the touch, sweat ran down his forehead and tear streaked face.
"Alan, please, open your eyes, it's ok" pleaded John, rubbing his brother's shoulder
"Alan, it's us. We're not gonna let anything happen to you" said Gordon
Alan suddenly let out a small moan and his eyelids fluttered. He seemed to be trying to cling to the voices around him, but was losing the battle. He began to stop trying.
"No Alan" Scott sternly shook his brother, "Stay with us, come on Alan, open your eyes, we're not leaving you"
His words seemed to have an effect. Alan's eyes opened ever so slightly and focused on his face, which broke into an unrestrained smile, "Hey Alan, it's us" he whispered
Alan's lips moved as if he was trying to talk, but no sound came out. Scott brushed Alan's blonde hair off his forehead, "It's ok Alan, we're taking you back home with us" he reassured
Alan swallowed and tried to talk again.
"What was that Alan?" asked John
"Da…Da…"
"Dad?" Gordon clicked
"He's delirious," muttered John, sadly
"He's outside Alan, he's waiting for you" Scott said quickly, "Right now we've gotta move"
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"No!" cried Jack, making Peter spin around, "It's just…" he tried to think of something to erase the puzzled look on Peter's face
"I was wondering…" Jack struggled, "Before you go…I had an idea…about Alan"
"What is it?" asked Peter
Jack hoped his new approach wouldn't be too dangerous, "His father"
Peter slowly walked towards Jack, "I am Alan's father," he said in a steely voice
Jack nodded, "Yes I know that, but what happened to the boy's real father? Did the government give you custody of Alan when you found out he was being mistreated?"
Peter's eyes darted to the floor and back up again, "I rescued the boy myself. I liberated him"
"But you haven't answered my question Peter"
Jack knew he'd stepped over the line when Peter's eyes narrowed, "I think it's time for you to leave Jack"
Jack didn't move. He couldn't give up just yet. The boys hadn't signalled him. Until they did, he couldn't stop talking.
Peter continued moving forward, "You shouldn't have come here without invitation anyway Jack, it's not polite"
Something had changed in Peter's eyes. A cold madness had replaced what had lain inside them mere seconds earlier.
"Goodbye Jack"
He had failed!
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His brothers…his family…
Could it all be a dream?
Was this a sign that it was over for him?
Was his battle over?
No…he was being lifted off the futon. Someone was taking him away…
Could it be?
He opened his eyes as best he could to see none other than Scott holding him in his strong arms. Alan huddled into his embrace. Here where it was warm, safe. He closed his eyes and listened to the sound of Scott's heart beating in his chest.
The pain in his heart dulled. Someone stroked his forehead and face gently.
John. That was John's touch.
Voices continued to speak to him softly. Voices filled his head and he accepted them. He didn't fight them, he embraced them. He clung to them like lifelines.
But something felt horrible. His body still burned and he still hurt inside. Why?
It dawned on him.
This wasn't real!
None of it was real! How could he have thought it to be true? His family wasn't here at all. He was still alone.
The warmth wasn't there. Scott wasn't here.
The touch wasn't John. He was still on Thunderbird 5.
His memory spun the words he had tried to block out like a tape.
"Drink up Alan, you need to get better. We have to leave soon" "…We have to leave soon…"Corper was taking him away. No! He couldn't! This wasn't right! Alan felt a new sense of strength. He wasn't going to let this happen! He couldn't!
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"Let's get going," whispered Scott
But something was wrong.
Alan gave a small moan and began to weakly struggle in his arms.
Scott held him more tightly, "Shhhh, Alan, it's ok. It's just us"
But his words were useless, instead Alan began to fight him even more. His feeble struggles were of no threat to Scott. What worried them all was the noise Alan was making. They'd all been talking in hushed voices to avoid them being heard from outside. But if Alan didn't quieten down, Peter would hear them.
"Move it" hissed Scott, the quicker they got out, the better.
They all began to move towards the back door. Gordon opened it for Scott. Somehow Alan heard it open and it was the final straw. Before any of them could hush him, he let out a loud, strangled cry. If that wasn't enough, he kicked out and knocked a dish containing water from the bedside table. Gordon dove to catch it, but he was too late. The dish fell to the wooden floor with an almighty crash.