DISCLAIMER: Standard disclaimer applies. We don't own the Thunderbirds. Neither are we making any money off this endeavor.

Chapter 10 – ALAN IS NOTIFIED

Scott found both Virgil and Gordon in Thunderbird 2's cockpit running the post-flight check. "Hey guys, how was the flight home?"

"Uneventful" Virgil replied while taking in Scott's serious face. "How's John?"

Scott let out a deep sigh. "He's moved into the next stage. His temperature is rising.'

"Can't Brains do something?" Gordon asked.

"He's already doing what he can." Scott replied. "He is giving John medicine to keep the symptoms at bay, and he's been working non-stop on an antidote."

"Is he any closer to an answer?" Gordon interrupted.

"No, not yet," Scott replied. "But he's not giving up. Gordon, I'll help Virgil finish the post-flight. Why don't you go down and keep John company."

Gordon hesitated for a moment. He could tell by Scott's demeanor that there was something else going on, and it scared him. He swallowed back his fears and handed Scott his data pad. "OK, I'll go clean up and then I'll go see him."

"Just don't take too long while cleaning up." Scott said. "John wants to see you."

Gordon nodded his head and left the room.

After Gordon left, Virgil turned toward his brother. "OK Scott, what is really going on?"

Scott ran a hand through his hair. "John wants to talk to each of us alone."

Virgil immediately realized the implication behind that statement. "Is it really that bad?"

Scott nodded. "Yeah it is. Half of the antidotes that Brains was working on have failed, and he isn't real confident in the other half. He told dad that he was out of ideas. He is still working on it, but he is coming up empty."

"What about Alan?" Virgil asked.

"Dad said that he was making arrangements to bring him home." Scott answered. "After we finish here I'm going to check on that. I'll probably be making that trip to Wharton to get him."

"Do you want some company?" Virgil asked.

Scott shook his head. "No, you need to stay and talk to John. I'll be fine. Let's get this done so I can get going."

"You're not going." A voice from behind them responded.

Scott and Virgil turned and found their father standing behind them. "But Dad, I thought…you said…Alan…" Scott stammered for a response.

"I've made arrangements for Penny to pick him up." Jeff said. "I thought it would be better if we stayed here to support John."

"OK Dad," Scott replied. "Anything new from Brains?"

"Unfortunately no." Jeff answered. "He's pushing himself really hard. I'm afraid that he's going to end up sick himself."

"It will be over soon." Scott said and then quietly added. "One way or another."

"Scott!" Virgil exclaimed with shock.

"Now Virgil," Jeff interceded. "Scott's right. One way or another, it will be over soon. We need to hope and pray that Brains will find the answer in time."

Virgil nodded his head. "How about Alan? When will he get home?"

Jeff glanced at his watch. "Probably some where between ten and twelve hours from now. It depends on if Parker picks up a tail wind."

"How'd he take this?" Scott asked

"I haven't actually talked to him." Jeff admitted. "Remember it's only about three in the morning there. Penny said that she would be there a little after 8 am their time. I figured that I should let the boys sleep through the night. They'd only worry for the next five hours until Penny gets there. I did talk to the nurse who was manning the 24-hour emergency line. I gave her the bare facts, that John was sick and I had a friend coming to pick him up and bring him home. She is supposed to go by their room at seven and tell them to be ready when Penny gets there. She will fill them in on the rest on the way home."

"He's going to be really hot that you waited a whole day before bringing him home." Scott said. "Do you think that Lady P. can handle him?"

"I know that Alan will be angry at me, but I don't think that he will take it out on Penny." Jeff replied.

"Don't be so sure about that." Virgil added.

"Penny can handle him." Jeff continued. "She can be tough when she needs to be, but she can also be compassionate and I think that's what Alan will need the most."

"I hope you're right." Scott said.

"Come on, let's get this check finished." Virgil said changing the subject. "I want a chance to freshen up and grab a cup of coffee before my turn to sit with John."

"Sounds like a good idea, the coffee, I mean." Replied Scott as he returned to doing the check.

Meanwhile Gordon sat next to John's bed watching his brother sleep. John moaned and shifted in the bed. John slowly opened his eyes and noticed Gordon sitting in the chair. "Hey Gords. How long have you been here?"

"About twenty minutes." Gordon replied. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up, you need your sleep."

"That's OK," John said. "Dad should have told you to wake me. I wanted to talk to you."

"I didn't see dad." Gordon countered. "Scott told me to come down."

"That's right." John said wincing as he shifted again in the bed. "Scott was going to relieve you from the post-flight checks."

Gordon stared at his folded hands. "Scott said that you wanted to see me. What's up?"

"Yeah, I wanted a chance to talk to each of you alone just in case things…you know." John began but Gordon interrupted.

"There's no need, John, because that's not going to happen." Gordon began but stopped when he saw John roll his eyes. "What?"

"You're only the third person to tell me that when they found out what I want to talk about." John explained. "Now let me cut to the chase. No, I'm not giving up. I pray to God that Brains will find a cure, but I'm also being realistic. I could die, Gordon. It is a distinct possibility. I need to make my peace with each one of you guys. I don't want to risk losing my chance. So let me have my say please."

Gordon nodded his head, so John continued. "First off, I want to say that I love you. You're special to me. I guess maybe because you were the first 'little brother' that I remember being born. I wasn't quite two when Virgil was born so I don't remember it, but I was four and a half when you were born, so my memories are a little clearer. I remember dad panicking and it scared me until Scott told me that's how he acted when Virgil was born. I also remember thinking what a noisy thing you were when they brought you home. I was ready to send you back that first week, but mom told me to give you a chance. That you'd 'grow' on me, and you did. Man I can't imagine what this family would be like without you, my fun-loving, joke-playing little brother. It's your sense of humor that makes you an asset with the kids we rescue. You aren't afraid to get down on their level and they trust you because of that. Scott and Virgil could never do that. It isn't 'professional'. The only thing bigger than your sense of humor is your sense of compassion, your capacity to love."

Gordon broke in. "John, I…you…I love you too." He stopped as tears gathered in his eyes, and his voice choked with emotion.

John reached his hand out toward his brother. "Hey, I know that this is hurting you. I know that you feel things more than you let on. You try to be tough like Scott, but you don't have to be. You can let go." A small smile crossed John's face. "I wouldn't recommend you breaking down during a rescue, but afterwards you can let go. I just wish that I could be here to help you."

Gordon took his brother's hand. "I'm scared John…really scared." Heavy tears began to flow from his eyes and harsh sobs escaped his throat. "I don't think that I can do this. I can't lose another member of my family. It's too hard. I can't. I just can't." Finally the emotions were too much for him. Still clasping John's hand, Gordon laid his head on the bed next to his brother and cried as if his heart was breaking.

John used his free hand to stroke Gordon's hair. Through his own tears, he spoke quietly to his brother. "Let it out Gordon. Let it out. I wish I could make it better for you. I really do. I hate seeing you like this. I hate the pain that this is causing all of you."

John heard Gordon mumble something into the bed. "What was that, Gordon?"

Gordon raised his head and looked at John as the tears continued to fall. "I said that is just like you." He said in a ragged voice. "You're the one who was poisoned. You're sick and in pain. Yet here you are trying to make us feel better. I don't know how you do it."

"I care about you guys." John said. "You may not be in physical pain, but I know that you are in emotional pain. This situation is hurting everyone."

Gordon tried to respond, but he couldn't speak as the tears began to flow heavily again. John let his brother cry out his anguish while holding his hand in an attempt to give him silent comfort. It took over ten minutes for Gordon to finally get control of his emotions.

"I'm sorry for breaking down like that." Gordon said.

"There's nothing to be sorry for." John said. "Are you OK now?"

"Yeah, I think so." Gordon answered while wiping the tears from his eyes. "Just a little embarrassed though."

"Embarrassed? Why?" John asked.

Gordon ducked his head. "Because I broke down like that. I know that you understand, but what if someone else had come in?"

"Well, they didn't so don't worry about it." John told him. "Besides, I'm sure that if we could get Scott and Virgil to be totally honest, we would find out that they are just as upset and maybe they've shed a few tears of their own."

"Yeah, I know." Gordon said.

John caught the look on Gordon's face. "All right, you know something. Spill it."

"Nah, it's nothing, really." Gordon replied.

"Oh come on. I can read it on your face." John countered. "Does it have something to do with our brothers? Come on, I'm going to keep up until you tell me. You know that you will tell me eventually. Come on, make it easy on yourself."

"You're incorrigible, you know." Gordon said with a small smile. "But I can't tell you. I won't tell you."

John took in Gordon's face. "Let me guess. You saw one of them crying." John let out a small laugh at Gordon's shocked expression. "It wasn't hard to figure out considering our conversation. Which one was it? Scott or Virgil?"

Gordon ducked his head. "Virgil, but you can't say anything. He doesn't know that I heard him."

"When was this?" John asked.

"Just after the drug reaction." Gordon explained. "Virg was sitting with you. I was bringing him coffee when I heard him break down. I didn't want to embarrass him so I left."

John smiled. "See what I mean about your compassion. You're a good man Gordon Tracy."

Gordon's face flushed with the praise. "Thanks John."

"Your welcome." John said. "Now there are a couple of things that I want you to do for me if…well you know."

Gordon nodded his head. "Anything that you want.'

"Well," John began. "I've been telling everybody to be there emotionally for the others, but I want you too especially to be there for Alan. He's going to try to act tough and hide his pain. I think if anyone can get him to open up, it will be you since you are the closest in age. It's going to be hard for him. He's still a kid even though he tries hard to prove that he isn't."

"I understand John." Gordon said. "I'll do what I can."

"The other thing is," John continued. "I don't want you to lose your sense of humor. You've always been able to make me laugh even though there were also times that I wanted to strangle you. Your jokes are a stress reliever and you guys are going to need that. I know that I said it before, but your sense of humor is such a big part of your personality. I don't want this to change you. Promise me you won't let it."

"OK John," Gordon replied. "I promise."

"Thank you Gordon." John said. "And if you break that promise, I will come back and haunt you. Understand?" John began to laugh softly.

Gordon began to laugh also and held his hands up in mock surrender. "I give, I give." Gordon sobered. "John…you've meant a lot to me. You've been my confidant, my anchor. I love you. I want you to know that."

"I know Gordy." John replied. Then in a quieter tone, he added. "I've always known."

Wharton Academy

It was a few minutes before 7:00 a.m. when Alan stepped out of the shower. He mentally went over his day. A quick breakfast in the cafeteria and then off to his first class at 8:30. His first two classes should be fairly easy. Geometry and Earth Sciences. Both are subjects that he had already done extensive study during his training for International Rescue. His third class, however, was Ancient World History and there was an exam scheduled for today.

A knock on the outer door broke into his thinking. Fermat was in the room. He could answer the door. Alan started to get dressed as he went back to his mental schedule. After lunch he had a study period. He needed to go to the school library. He had a paper due in Grammar and Composition next week. His mental schedule was interrupted again, this time by a knock on the bathroom door.

Fermat's voice came through the door. "Alan? Can you hurry up? Nurse Jasper is here to see you."

"Nurse Jasper?" Alan thought. "I'll be out in a minute, Fermat." Alan called through the door. When Alan left the bathroom he saw Nurse Jasper standing just inside the door with a sympathetic yet uncomfortable look on her face.

The nurse began speaking. "Alan, your father called the emergency line early this morning."

Alan snapped to attention at the word "emergency." "What's wrong? What's happened?' He asked urgently.

The nurse continued speaking in a comforting tone. "Apparently, one of your brothers is seriously ill. Your father wants you to come home. He has sent a family friend, a Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward, to pick you and Fermat up. She should be here shortly after 8. You have about an hour to get ready. If there is anything that I can do, let me know."

Alan's mind was running a mile a minute. If his father was calling him home, it had to be bad. "Nurse Jasper?" He questioned. "Did my dad say which brother was sick?"

"I believe he said it was your brother John." The nurse replied as she left the room.

Alan made sure that the door was completely closed. Turning toward Fermat, he said. "Well, that's a relief."

Fermat looked confused. "What? Don't you want to c-c-talk to your dad and find out what's g-g-g-happening?"

"Nah," Alan began to explain. "He knows the time difference. If he could talk he would've called me himself. We'll find out what's going on when Lady P gets here."

Fermat was still confused. "What do you mean 'w-w-what's going on'? The nurse told you. J-J-J-your brother is sick."

Alan rolled his eyes. "Think Fermat. That was some kind of code. Dad wants me home for some reason. Maybe he's decided to let me be home schooled, or maybe there's something up with International Rescue that they need me for. Anyways, he had to give the school a reason so he told them John was sick. He said, John, because he knew that I would realize that John is still on Thunderbird 5. He's not scheduled to be relieved until the first of the month. See 'code'."

"But Alan," Fermat argued. "John could have become i-i-sick on Thunderbird 5 and your d-d-d-father would have brought him home early."

"Don't forget though according to the radio this morning, the Thunderbirds went on that rescue last night." Alan began to rationalize. "So, if John had to be brought home, it would've been earlier in the day. Dad would've called me yesterday to let me know."

"I still th-th-believe that you should call home to see what's going on." Fermat argued. "When was the last time you c-c-c-talked to anybody at home?"

Alan thought for a moment. "It was Saturday. So that was what? Five days ago? Everything was fine then."

"Was John still on Thunderbird 5?" Fermat asked.

"I didn't ask and dad didn't say." Alan answered. "How about you? When was the last time you talked to your dad?"

"It was Sunday m-m-m-early." Fermat said.

"I've tried to c-c-reach him the last two ev-ev-nights, but I haven't reached him. I'm still w-w-w-concerned that something is wr-wr-not right."

"You worry too much Fermat." Alan said. "I know my family. Trust me. There is nothing to be concerned about. Let's get packed. It'll be nice to be home again."

Fermat shook his head as he watched as Alan began to pack a small bag. He knew in the pit of his stomach that Alan was setting himself up for a fall. Fermat grabbed his own bag and began packing. It only took a few minutes. The difference in climates required two different wardrobes. So they only had to pack the personal belongings that they wanted.

At 8:05, Alan and Fermat sat on the front steps of their dorm. They talked about trivial things and fielded questions from other students who were on their way to class.

At 8:26, Fermat saw the pink Rolls Royce coming up the street. The knot tightened in his stomach. In another minute, they would find out whose gut instincts were correct.

Alan jumped up and slung his bag over his shoulder. "Come on Fermat. Let's go home."

When the car stopped, Parker stepped out and opened the door for Lady Penelope. It did not escape Fermat's attention that something seemed off about Parker.

Alan however seemed oblivious to Parker's demeanor. He bounded over to the car as Parker was helping Lady Penelope out of the car. "Lady P., it's really good…" Alan stopped when he saw the look on Penelope's face. Even though her face showed the rigid air of nobility, Alan saw the sadness and compassion shining in her eyes.

"No." The word escaped Alan's mouth in a tortured whisper. He began to back up away from the car.

"Alan, darling, we need to go." Penelope began. She was confused by Alan's reaction. She glanced at Parker. She was under the impression that Jeff was going to call the school and explain the situation.

Alan followed Penelope's glance toward Parker. He could see that Parker's eyes were red and puffy. His face was stained with tear tracks down his cheeks.

Alan continued to back away. "This isn't happening. It can't be." He felt tears building behind his own eyes, but he refused to give in to them.

Parker began to slowly advance on Alan while Penelope tried to talk to him quietly. "Alan, please we must go."

Alan's left foot collided with the step behind him. With his backward momentum, he found himself falling and landing hard on his butt on the steps leading to his dorm. He whispered. "It's not John. He's not sick. He's not home."

Penelope looked at Parker. "Parker please help Alan into the car."

Parker moved to Alan and took him by the arm. "Come now, Master Tracy, up we go. We need to get you 'ome."

Alan looked at Parker with glazed eyes but offered no resistance as Parker led him to the car.

Penelope turned to Fermat. "Did not anyone explain what was happening?"

Fermat nodded his head. "Nurse Jasper came by this morning and t-t-t-explained it to us. Unfortunately, Alan b-b-b-convinced himself that it was an excuse to get him h-h-h-out of school. Especially since John is supposed to still be up on F-F-not at home. Did he get s-s-s-ill up there? How b-b-ill is he?"

Penelope laid a hand on Fermat's shoulder. "Let's discuss this in the car."

Parker had gotten Alan in the car by this time. Penelope and Fermat climbed into FAB1. Alan just stared out the window as they headed toward the Island. Penelope explained what little she knew, but Alan never responded to her. She gave Fermat a questioning look, but he just shrugged his shoulders. They spent the rest of the flight to the Island in silence.

Author's note: Grumpy and her posse think they are closing in, but Convert has a few allies coming to her rescue.

Boy, oh boy, when Alan gets home… Another "talk" down, two more to go. Please review. We are loving them.