Space Race

Alan had been in Brains' lab for the last hour watching him take apart the mine and reprogram their scanners. John had been checking in every ten minutes to keep up with their progress.

"Sc-scanners have been updated. You sh-should be able to see them now."

"F-A-B Brains," there was a pause. "We've got a few. I'll get their ID tags and kill codes and send them to you Alan."

"Thanks John, I'll get started tomorrow."

"Remember to be careful -oh-" John looked up. "Heads up, Scott's five minutes out."

"Aw, seriously? What level is he?"

"Hm, I'd say a six."

"Shi-"

"Watch your language. Good luck, Alan." He hung up.

"See ya later Brains."

Alan jogged up the stairs (well, jogged up a few then dragged himself up the rest) and waited in the lounge. There was no point making it more difficult than it needed to be.

"Alan!"

"Hey Scott."

"Are you okay?" Scott checked him over for injuries. "Are you hurt? Did you hit anything?"

"I'm fine Scott, urgk-" he wrapped him in a bone crushing hug. "Can't…breathe…"

Scott hugged him for a moment longer then held him at arm's length.

"You were being chased by a bomb, Alan."

"Nah, it was cool. I didn't get blown up, so…"

"You nearly did."

Alan was roughly 86% sure that John hadn't told Scott he was a second away from entering the wrong number, or that he deactivated the bomb with three seconds to spare, because Scott would be a solid seven and a half at least. And he'd be snappy at John, and John would have That Look but John hadn't had That Look so it was probably okay.

"Scott, I'm fine, Three's fine. Stop Smother Henning."

"I am not Smother Henning."

"You are totally Smother Henning."

Scott sighed and gave him a peck on the forehead. "Anyway, I'm just glad you're safe. John told me you want to deactivate any other ones that are in orbit."

"Yeah, I mean if John has all the codes it won't be nearly as dangerous. I can just turn them off and drag them back."

"You'll be careful? Remember to double check everything."

"Scott, I'll be fine. I've got John and I'm not stupid. Anyway, I want to do something to help the world and I can't if you keep smothering me."

Scott sighed. "I'm the eldest, it's my job. I'm really proud of you, you did really well today."

Alan couldn't stop the grin from spreading over his face.

"Thanks Scott."

"Don't say it like that, I really am. Do you want some ice cream?"

"Yeah. Actually no, I should probably get some sleep."

"Okay. Sleep well."

"Night Scott."

Scott watched him go, realising how much Alan had grown up. Maybe it was time he let him go on some real missions.