A/N: Hello readers, tis I...just a quick update while I've got a day off. I'm anticipating I'll be immensely busy with work since we're approaching independence day, so the next update may be delayed. Comments are appreciated, please no flames. All mistakes are my own, I don't utilize the aid of a beta reader. I do not own the Thunderbirds they are the work of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.


In the weeks that followed after spring break, Alan and Fermat continued to pretend to their families that their friendship didn't exist. Alan's dad questioned Alan about his behavior change, but the youngster didn't see anything wrong in his behavior. He was simply continuing life, trying to fly below the radar. Everyone however noticed the change in both boys. No longer was Fermat talking about what he and Alan did during their breaks or how they talked about class. Alan didn't highlight anything he and Fermat had bonded over and neither boy even so much as mentioned the other to anyone in their household.

Alan and Fermat had a chemistry lab class together, one of the many changes to the quarterly class schedule. As there wasn't a whole lot of room for all the boys in the class, they had to be broken up into small groups and take the class alternating days. Alan and Fermat just so happened to take the class on Tuesdays and Thursdays while a majority of the other class like Darren and his friends took the chemistry class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Fermat the morning of their shared chemistry class, Fermat just had a bad feeling in his stomach that he couldn't shake. Alan detected something off with his young friend and spoke up.

"Are you feeling okay Ferm?" Alan asked when he watched Fermat rub his stomach almost nervously. "That's the fifth time you've rubbed your stomach in less than ten minutes."

"N-No, I'm fine. J-Just nervous." Fermat said unsure himself why his stomach was giving him grief.

"Do you think you're coming down with something? Maybe you should stay in bed today." Alan inquired, worried that his young friend had fallen ill.

"No, I'm f-fine…just m-maybe I didn't g-get enough s-sleep." Fermat said before he stepped out of his bedroom with his bookbag looped over his shoulder. "L-Let's go, I'll b-be fine."

"Okay, if you say so." Alan said before he turned to lead the way from their dorm. Both boys walked side by side, having a few classes that started off their morning together. Their chemistry class was in an hour and a half and Fermat couldn't understand why he was feeling so off. The later it went through class, the worse Fermat began to feel and before long the ache in his stomach was near constant. He started to wonder if he should have done as Alan said and stayed in bed. When their trigonometry class ended, Alan and Fermat went on to their chemistry class.

Fermat immediately laid his head on his folded arms, unsure why his stomach was aching. Alan being Fermat's lab partner went to the table in the middle of the room to gather their supplies. The beakers were all labeled accordingly and set aside in neat little groups. Alan grabbed the group that had their names on it and he took the containers carefully back to his and Fermat's table. Once there, Alan knelt to the ground and opened the cupboard below their workstation to retrieve their gloves, chemistry lab jackets and goggles. Standing up Alan looked to Fermat before he leaned in to whisper.

"Fermat, why don't you just go tell Mr. Zurlo that you aren't feeling good. I can do the project by myself." Alan said softly as he noticed Mr. Zurlo standing at the door to greet his straggling students.

"N-No, I'm okay." Fermat said before standing up and putting on his goggles over his glasses and his lab jacket. He didn't understand why his stomach was tied up in knots but he'd be glad when whatever was bothering him went away.

"Okay class, today we're going to be testing the reactions of ammonia and bleach. Normally I wouldn't teach such a dangerous experiment, but it has been brought to my attention that a few boys attending these halls have made almost fatal errors when cleaning during their Saturday school punishments. So you all need to be made aware of the chemical reactions that can occur if mixed. What we're going to do is turn on the vapor fans and open the windows so there is plenty of ventilation. Mr. Hackenbacker, would you come stand over here please? I will be taking your place by Alan as we have previously tested this experiment during spring break."

Fermat went to stand on the other side of the room and Mr. Zurlo proceeded to advise all his students to put on their personal protective equipment before he and Alan started the experiment. Mr. Zurlo barely let Alan handle the elements, he being the adult had to have a majority of control over the experiment. He asked Alan occasionally to pour bleach into an empty beaker before they added minor amounts of ammonia to test the reaction. What Mr. Zurlo didn't count on was that a stiff breeze blew in, blowing a pile of papers into the air which startled Alan who was mid-pour and too much ammonia went into the bleach, leading to Alan and Mr. Zurlo to immediately start coughing.

Soon everyone started coughing, Fermat who was already feeling uneasy started wheezing which made his coughing worse. Mr. Zurlo realized that the class needed to be evacuated and he said so. Several of the boys who were beginning to develop watery eyes put their hands on the wall, using it as support. One of the boys however grasped the fire alarm accidently while amidst a coughing fit and he pulled the alarm. Soon the halls were filled with a dull roar of running feet and everyone gradually made it outside where there was fresh air to breath.

Once gathered outside, everyone that was in the class sat on the ground where they stayed. Soon an ambulance and a fire truck pulled up, sirens wailing loudly and echoing through the valley that their school resided in. Alan and Mr. Zurlo who were the closest to the experiment laid down, unable to catch their breath. Alan was still coughing between wheezing. Paramedics hurried to their sides and set down small portable oxygen tanks, fitting the masks over their nose and mouth. Fermat found it a little difficult to breathe as well from the fumes aggravating his asthma and he too was brought over to sit by Alan and Mr. Zurlo.

Soon the three of them were asked by the Dean of the school to seek medical intervention and they all were given a hand up into the ambulance where EMT's fitted masks over their heads while they were taken to the hospital. Neither Alan nor Fermat were aware that their fathers would be at the medical facility within the next couple hours after getting a call that both boys and their teacher were taken to hospital.

… … … … … … … … … … …

Alan and Fermat were both sitting on their cots in the emergency department their professor Mr. Zurlo across the room sitting on his own cot, eyes closed while he waited for the attending physician to deem them all to be in good health before allowing them to return to Wharton's. The Dean had called the hospital to let them know he would be arriving with Alan and Fermat's respective fathers within the next half hour. Alan and Fermat's lungs showed minor chemical inhalation, the diagnosis affecting the latter of the two more so than the former. Alan's lungs hurt a little because of the proximity to the fumes and he had a lingering cough that the physician at the ED was a little concerned about. Alan like Mr. Zurlo was still wearing his oxygen mask.

When Jeff and Hiram arrived, they both went to check their boy's health. Jeff sat on the side of Alan's cot, placing the back of his hand on Alan's forehead to check for fever. He looked Alan over closely to make sure he was okay. Hiram pretty much did the same thing, he hugged Fermat immediately upon finishing his inspection. Mr. Zurlo took his mask off to apologize to the fathers but was silenced by the Dean. He put his mask back on when it became too difficult to breathe and the Dean took over apologizing.

"I know this is not what you were expecting to get a phone call for this afternoon. Please accept my deepest apologies and know that I have excused both your sons from class whilst they reconvene in the comfort of their own home. We only have another three weeks of class left in the semester and as both your sons are doing well in class I'll not require them to take their finals in person and I'll email them their exams. If that is what they'd prefer to do. If they'd prefer to finish school in person then that will be up to them." The Dean said as he shook Jeff and Hiram's hands. "I trust your sons should be released soon and then we can handle signing your sons out of school."

"I'll have two of my older sons return to pack the boys' belongings. When they're released, it is my intention to sign them out and take them home." Jeff said before he looked back to his companion. "Did you want to join me at the school signing Fermat out or would you rather stay here?"

"I-I'll go with y-you. I n-need to r-retrieve Fermat's n-nebulizer from his d-dorm because w-we only h-have the one." Hiram said before he stood with a relieved grin. "Y-You'll be o-okay while I go g-gather your t-things?"

"Yeah dad, I'll b-be fine." Fermat replied with a similar grin to that of his dad's. Once the boys were alone for the most part, they both shared an impish smile. It's not like they were in any danger and the hour they were left in each other's company was nothing short of relaxing. When their fathers returned, both boys had their paperwork in hand ready to be signed out and released into their fathers' care. Jeff placed a guiding arm around Alan's shoulders before he led his youngest son from the emergency department. Hiram put a hand on Fermat's shoulder and pushed him gently ahead of himself.

Both fathers made sure their offspring were safely buckled in the backseat of the rental car before they left the hospital grounds. Alan and Fermat remained silent on the car ride to the airfield. Neither boy spoke either when they arrived at the jet and it wasn't until Jeff and Hiram were in the cockpit, piloting the jet that the boys felt free to talk to each other.

"Hey Ferm, I'm sorry for causing this." Alan said softly, taking Fermat by surprise. The younger of the two was quick to cut in and he hissed at the older boy.

"You're n-not at fault! It's n-not like y-you intentionally m-made an error a-and poured t-too much. It w-was an a-accident." Fermat argued, pausing long enough to make sure neither of their dads were about to check on them before continuing. "You're m-my friend a-and I won't a-accept you b-blaming yourself l-like this."

"I know Fermat." Alan said though he wasn't happy that he still felt like he was to blame.

… … … … … … … … … … …

When the jet landed on the island, Hiram was the first to leave the cockpit, intent on checking on his son to see how he handled the flight home. Jeff followed shortly thereafter and Alan brought up the rear of their small group. When they made it into the villa, the first to greet them was Gordon. He at first made a face like he was surprised to see his little brother in tow before he noticed Fermat was also following. He didn't say anything at first because of his father being present, but as soon as both Hiram and Jeff took their leave Gordon was quick to ask.

"So, what happened? It's unlike dad and Brains to fly out of here faster than the speed of sound, all I heard was chemistry lab, accident, and your name Sprout. What did you do, make something catch on fire and cause the chemistry lab to explode?"

"No, not exactly." Alan said, though he was unable to finish because Gordon cut him off.

"So you're not denying that you caught the chemistry lab on fire?" Gordon asked before he started laughing. "Oh this is rich. I bet the paparazzi would just love to get a picture of you after the chemistry lab explosion."

"I-It wasn't…" Fermat started to argue before Alan held up a hand to stop his disagreement.

"Leave me alone Gordon. It wasn't an explosion." Alan said, a note of exasperation obvious in his tone. "I'm going to my room."

"Hold up there kiddo, I want to see you downstairs in the infirmary. You too Fermat." Virgil said as he came up the stairs from down by the lab and infirmary. He'd only just made it to the landing of the stairs when he caught Alan adamantly telling Gordon to leave him alone. He held his hand out until Alan's shoulder was beneath his palm. "Come on."

Alan and Fermat both followed Virgil with their heads drooped down like they were headed towards punishment and were surprised that Virgil wanted them to follow him to the infirmary. They'd both been given a clean bill of health from the attending ER physician before being given their release papers. However, the infirmary wasn't where Virgil brought them. He took them to his art studio before he glanced back towards the stairs with a chuckle.

"I thought you wanted to take us to the infirmary?" Alan inquired as he glanced back at his older brother. He raised an eyebrow which made Virgil smile.

"I only said that to get you away from Gordon. You know he hates going to the infirmary, avoids it like it's on fire." Virgil said before he sat on a stool and directed an impish grin at Alan. "I trust that you both would tell me if either of you began to feel poorly or if you had any questions pertaining to your recuperation."

"Yes Virgil." Alan said with a sage nod. When the medic looked at the young genius, he was pleased to see Fermat nodding that he understood as well.

"Now what do either of you say we sneak upstairs and see if we can't ruin our appetites for dinner with one of Onaha's double chocolate chip muffins?" Virgil asked with a sly grin before leading his brother and younger boy up the stairs.

Once they'd made it outside the kitchen, Virgil made both younger boys wait outside the kitchen while he went in to work his magic with Onaha. A few minutes passed when Virgil stepped back around the corner with both hands behind his back. One hand held a single muffin while the other held two. From there Virgil led both younger boys to sit outside on the lanai while they ate their muffins. Several minutes passed and all that could be heard were soft happy sighs of contentment and chewing. After everyone had finished their muffins, Virgil took the muffin cup papers and folded them carefully to contain any remaining crumbs and put them in his pocket to hide the evidence. Leaning back on his hands, Virgil glanced at Alan and Fermat before he spoke.

"So, can I ask what happened? I hear Gordon say something about an explosion but dad and Brains when they left to come get you two said something about a chemical reaction. I'm simply curious what happened in your words." Virgil asked while resting his chin in the palm of his hand.

"It was my fault, Professor Zurlo had me help him with the chemistry experiment and I got startled by a bunch of papers being blown into the air by a gust of wind. I poured too much and suddenly the air was hard to breathe, the experiment was what kind of chemical reaction would happen if bleach and ammonia were mixed. I added too much bleach."

"Why were you all doing an experiment with ammonia and bleach? Those chemicals are highly corrosive and have detrimental health risks when combined?"

"Well, Mr. Zurlo said it'd be an experiment to show us what not to do when cleaning in our dorm rooms. I guess someone he knows made the mistake and nearly went blind." Alan said, not realizing that that was the worst thing he could have said to Virgil because it reinforced Virgil's ire with Mr. Zurlo for putting his students at risk of a major chemical reaction that could have negatively impacted each of the students involved.

"I'm not mad at either of you. I'm irritated with your professor Mr. Zurlo, he's an adult and should know better than to put you all in that situation of potentially succumbing to chemical fumes. But let's change the subject. How has school been other than today throwing a wrench in the day's plans?" Virgil said before he looked between both teens. "You two both seem closer, have things changed between the two of you that you're both now friends?"

"Y-Yes. My d-dad doesn't t-think it's a g-good idea t-though." Fermat said with a look to Alan that said 'cat's out of the bag'. He continued onwards from there. "H-He worries t-that Alan's t-tendency to g-get involved in s-scuffles will b-be a b-bad influence o-on me."

"Why does he think that?" Virgil questioned, a little bothered that Brains had never thought it prudent to inform them all of his disdain to his son becoming friends with Alan.

"I t-think he w-worries t-that I'm not o-old enough t-to figure out r-right and w-wrong." Fermat said though both Virgil and Alan shook their heads. "Y-You don't a-agree?"

"No. I think he worries that I'm going to teach you bad habits and that you'll be a misguided youth." Alan said before noticing that Virgil and Fermat were staring at him. Looking at them both Alan inquired. "What?"

"I've never heard you talk that astutely." Virgil said, impressed that Alan actually knew more than the stereotypical teenage babble.

"I pay attention in English class." Alan said in mock defense.

"I know you do, your grades speak for themselves." Virgil said with a chuckle before returning to the topic previously at hand. "Anyway Fermat…why do you think your dad doesn't like the idea of you and Alan being friends?"

"H-He said s-so. He's c-concerned that I'll d-develop bad b-behaviors and g-get in f-fights. But h-he doesn't k-know Alan. T-The fights A-Alan gets into a-are because h-he's protecting s-smaller people." Fermat said.

"We started hiding our friendship so that Fermat wouldn't get lectured every other phone call like dad does when he calls me." Alan said before he dropped his head as if in shame.

"Well, rest assured I won't spill the beans. But just know it's not healthy to keep this a secret. This could blow up in your faces especially if Brains sees this friendship as a challenge to his authority.

"Well it won't be our intention if it blows up in our faces, but I keep hoping that maybe Brains will be fine one day with Fermat and I being friends. Maybe we can pal around here on the island and it won't look so odd then." Alan suggested, his tone of voice sad but hopeful that maybe one day things could be different for them and that neither boy would have to hide their friendship. It made life a little more complicated.

"Maybe try not to get into so many fights at school, it's a start." Virgil said, trying to offer a solution.

"I can't, it's not like I'm looking for trouble. I just step in to defend some of the smaller boys from bullies. I can't help it if the bullies throw the first punch and I finish it." Alan replied, his voice exasperated. Virgil being who he was flicked Alan in the back of the head, making his kid brother yelp in surprise and pain before he whirled around. His cobalt blue eyes shone with anger, but Virgil grabbed Alan around the neck and hugged him close to calm his ire.

"I know you don't go looking for trouble, but just promise me that you will try. Words have a profound effect when fighting enemies. I know you've got a brain in there, it's not just all brawn." Virgil said before he looked to Fermat. "And my advice for you, to lessen the likelihood that you'll get grounded when your dad finds out that you've been hiding…don't keep your friendship totally hidden. I know you've got a couple classes with Alan, maybe say that your teacher assigned you to be his tutor so that will ensure that you've got time to spend together without you getting in trouble."

"Y-Yeah, that s-sounds g-good." Fermat said before he tried to smile big at Virgil.

… … … … … … … … … … …

Later, when the boys were permitted to return to school a week and a half later Mr. Zurlo called them to stay behind after class to apologize to them both. Alan was quick to apologize also, but Mr. Zurlo waved a dismissive hand. He apologized for what the boys had gone through, promised he'd not be conducting such experiments that could have such adverse effects in future classes. When Mr. Zurlo had finished, he dismissed Alan and Fermat leaving both boys to walk to their free period time. Alan led the way to the horse stables. Alan was hesitant to take Fermat down there, but the younger boy insisted that he'd be fine if he remained outside in the corral.

"Are you sure Fermat? I don't want to take another trip to the ER if we can avoid it." Alan said as they came up to the stables.

"Yes Alan. I p-promise I'll be f-fine." Fermat said before he grinned when he heard a horse knicker from within. "Besides, I'd l-love to t-try to feed F-Freckles this t-time. I was t-too afraid l-last time."

"Okay, but I want you to make me a promise. If you start having any kind of breathing difficulty, you say something to me immediately so I can get you away from the stable." Alan said before he led Fermat to a spot the younger boy could sit while Alan went to go get ready for a ride. "I'll be right back…five minutes."

"Okay." Fermat replied before he pulled himself up to sit on the fence. From that point on, Fermat waited for Alan to return. When the older boy did resurface with Freckles in tow, he made it a point to stop beside Fermat so the younger boy could pet Freckles snout and give her a slice of apple that Alan had grabbed at some point.

"See, she doesn't mean you any harm." Alan said before he reached around Freckles and pet her on the neck. "Good girl."

"She's n-not so b-bad." Fermat said as he pulled back so Alan could go for a ride.

"Looks like I may get you riding a horse yet." Alan said from Freckles back as they made a couple laps around the corral.

"Oh no. Not m-me." Fermat said, chuckling at what Alan said. "I-I-I don't t-think I'll ever be able to r-ride a horse and f-feel comfortable."

"Maybe not now, but I bet you will someday." Alan said before the alarm on his watch started to sound off. Alan hurried to get Freckles cooled out and back in her stall before Alan changed from his riding gear back into his uniform. He and Fermat walked back up to the school, taking a moment to stop by the cafeteria to grab a breakfast burrito each before they parted ways to go to their classes.

Fermat went to his class, sat down, and started to listen to his professor go over the final term paper they all had to write. It wasn't what Fermat enjoyed doing however, he shared the same class as well as a couple others with Darren. Fermat knew Darren wouldn't care if he had previously got in trouble for cheating, he'd still resume his earlier tactics like he'd done in the past. He came from money and much as Fermat hated to admit, he did not. If it weren't for Mr. Tracy providing him an education in exchange for his father's work, Fermat would likely be in a public school receiving only a pittance of an education.

Later when class had let out Fermat was making his way to his next class when he was accosted by Darren. Fermat didn't even speak, he remained quiet and just stared at Darren as the older boy draped an arm over Fermat's shoulder. He didn't dare argue with Darren, not wanting trouble. But he twitched his eyebrows and made a noise of discernment when Darren suggested he utilize Fermat again for spellcheck and "proof checking" his work. Without waiting for Fermat to agree, Darren walked away to his next class.

When lunch came around Fermat had taken to chewing his nails as he tried to plan out a strategy for avoiding Darren or his cronies. Alan seemed to sense Fermat's quandary and he waited until they were in their dorm later that evening. Approaching Fermat's door Alan knocked, and was surprised when he didn't get a response. Knowing Fermat a little better now, Alan pulled out his spare key and unlocked Fermat's door to see his younger friend pouring over a paper. Feeling a sense of déjà vu, Alan approached Fermat and glanced over his shoulder to see Fermat correcting Darren's spelling and grammar once again. Feeling enough was enough, Alan reached out and yanked the paper out from under Fermat's steady eye and he watched his younger friend whirl around, his eyes alight with irritation.

"Give t-that back!" Fermat said as he stood to try to take back the paper from his older and taller friend.

"No, Fermat. Do you realize that just by doing this if the Dean found out, you would likely be immediately expelled? I'm not ready to stand by and be a spectator on the sidelines while you throw away your education that my dad is paying for!" Alan argued as he stood taller, holding his arm up higher until he got an idea. "Okay, I'll make a deal with you. I will look the other way if you can show me your best right hook. I know I mentioned it to you before, but then we never practiced. Settle down and give me a moment to explain."

"I don't w-want to hear it A-Alan. Just g-give it back!" Fermat argued back, incensed that he was having to fight his friend over a meaningless piece of paper.

"Fermat." Alan said before he held out a hand and put it on Fermat's forehead, holding the younger boy quite literally at arm's length. "I know you never wanted to go to this school because of me being here before. I'm not stupid, you hadn't the interest in being friends with me as I hadn't either. So why are you willing to throw away a decent education for a bully who would just as soon clobber you into the next decade as soon as look at you? Stop it and listen to me."

Fermat glared at the older boy from over the frames of his glasses and if Alan wasn't mistaken it wasn't anger clouding his friend's eyes…it was fear.

"Are you afraid of Darren? Is that why you're doing this?" Alan asked.

"I s-said give it b-back!" Fermat tried again to grab the small pile of papers from Alan's hand. The older boy however saw it coming and he lifted his hand once more to keep out of reach from Fermat.

"No, I won't just stand by and watch you destroy your future that your dad has worked so hard to build. If I must, I'll get your dad involved. He already doesn't like me much, might as well not give him another reason." Alan argued before he pushed Fermat away and took a moment to rip up Darren's paper. Doing that seemed to completely stop Fermat in his tracks. The younger boy dropped to his knees; his eyes wide in shock when he saw what Alan had done to Darren's assignment.

"What have you done?" Fermat asked his stutter completely gone as his brain worked to process what Alan had just ended.

"I know you don't agree with what I've done Fermat, but I hope you will in time. I just saved you from making the biggest mistake of your life. This Dean at this school doesn't offer second chances. The first infraction was simply a slap on the wrist, the second time he'd expel you." Alan said before he walked out of Fermat's room. He didn't want to make Fermat angry any more than he already had, and he knew that Fermat would likely take some time to cool down. But now Alan needed to watch Fermat closer to be sure he could back him up if necessary and having just destroyed Darren's final term paper Fermat would be in the crosshairs.

… … … … … … … … … … …

The next two days were absolute hell for both Fermat and Alan. More so for Fermat than Alan because the younger boy still had to deal with the fallout from Alan ripping up Darren's assignment. Alan stayed close by neither seen nor heard. He waited for Darren to cross the line which Alan knew would happen eventually. Alan assumed it'd happen the closer they got to the deadline for assignments due. As much as Alan hoped he'd be wrong, he also knew it was a matter of time. Alan found that out later in that evening when he heard the joined door to their common area slam shut after class let out.

Alan's class had let out a little earlier than planned when the teacher had finished covering his lesson plan for the day and Alan had gone back to his dorm to get started on one of his assignments. He only had this and one other before he was done with school for the semester apart from finals. A weak knock on his door had Alan going to it and opening it to a disheveled Fermat with a bruise forming on his cheek from where he had obviously been punched.

"…" Alan didn't say much, he reached out a hand and gently turned Fermat's face to show into the light.

"T-This is b-because of y-you." Fermat whispered, accusingly.

"This isn't because of me. This is because Darren is a snobby little rich kid that doesn't know the meaning of honest hard work. I bet he doesn't even lift a finger at home to help wash dishes or fold the laundry." Alan said before he tugged Fermat into his room and forced the younger to sit in his computer chair while he retrieved his general first aid kit. Opening it, Alan opened a bottle of disinfectant and poured some on a cotton ball. He then gently turned Fermat's head to face toward his light so he could clean the scrape that was disguised by the bruise. "You know what we need to do?"

Fermat looked at Alan from a side glance, untrusting that Alan would know how to fix this problem they'd both created.

"We need to teach you how to throw a decent punch, if nothing else so you can properly defend yourself if you're ever caught unawares again." Alan said before he gave a self-confident smirk.