Fermat pushed himself up in bed with a groan. He was bored to tears. He'd already read all the magazines his dad had been able to get for him and he'd already pestered Eddy and Jamie into giving him some of their homework assignments via email for him to work on. He just needed something to do and he was desperate.

Removing his glasses, Fermat pinched the bridge of his nose before rubbing his eyes exhaustedly. He couldn't believe he'd been in the hospital without Alan there to keep him company for almost two weeks now. He wished he could see his best friend. That would make his day that much better, but it'd be too good to be true. Fermat wasn't blind…he knew from talks with his dad that Alan had gotten sick and had to be taken off the immunosuppressant medications for the time being. He just wished that he could see his friend again. He missed hearing his chuckle in person, missed poking fun at his friend and he missed him just in general.

"This sucks." Fermat said as he rolled onto his side as he tried to get comfortable before he resigned himself to playing those blasted computer games that Alan convinced John and Virgil to download onto his laptop so he'd be as Alan would call him an average teenage boy that lived and breathed video games.

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

John sighed sadly as he gazed at his slumbering baby brother leaned against his shoulder. Alan had fallen asleep during the credits of the movie and John just didn't have the heart to make Alan move. It didn't matter that his feet had fallen asleep nor did it matter that his back was screaming at him to shift and allow the muscles to relax. He didn't want to leave, because then that would be abandoning Alan in his mind's eye.

Alan would be moved, after his bath of course and John just wanted to freeze time to stay with Alan a little bit longer. He'd had a blast just sitting with Alan and watching the film. They didn't get to do that very often much anymore and that bothered the older brother. Just sitting there in the room with his baby brother snuggled up against him, it made John decide to tell his father that he wanted to alter his orbiting schedule when they returned to the island and resumed work for IR. He didn't want Alan to slip away like he had before the fire again and that was what made him prepare a demand. Solidifying his thoughts and wishes, John decided that he was going to proposition his father to change John's orbiting schedule from being back on the island every 3-6 months to every other month. That would ensure that he could see Alan and the rest of his brothers more and that meant more to him than his beloved stars…even more than his precious bird.

Reaching up tentatively, John gently brushed Alan's bangs from his forehead. Alan stirred slightly and his eyes opened slowly to look directly into John's equally blue eyes. His mouth opened in a long and lazy yawn and John couldn't hide the chuckle at his baby brother's childish waking habits. Alan nuzzled John's shoulder as he prepared to settle back down and return to sleep, but John stopped him from his desire to go back to sleep.

"Hey kiddo, don't go back to sleep." John said as he jostled Alan lightly. Alan grumbled but sat up reluctantly. Turning sleep hazed eyes towards his brother, he didn't fight it when John turned on the mama bear coddling act and began with rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "You in there kiddo?"

"Yeh, m'here ." Alan mumbled before giving a colossal yawn. He didn't however expect John to recoil. "What?'

"Whoa kid, when was the last time you brushed your teeth?" John fanned a hand in front of his face, his eyebrows drawn together in a grimace. "Your breath smells rank dude."

"Well sorry, can't exactly help the fact that my meds give me dry mouth." Alan replied with a shamed tone of voice. "I brushed my teeth this morning."

"Do you mind if I get a tooth brush and your basin and help you brush your teeth again?" John asked, not wanting to offend his brother. But he was serious, his little brother's breath smelled horrible and John kind of wanted his nose to run and hide from his face.

"If it'll make you feel better, go ahead." Alan replied as he turned his head to relieve another yawn, keeping his mouth turned away from John so his brother wouldn't catch a whiff of his breath again.

John stood up and retrieved the cup that sat by the sink and the emesis basin which was kept on hand when Alan felt sick or needed to brush his teeth. He couldn't be moved from his bed into a wheel chair to sit in front of the sink so the emesis basin would have to do. Squirting a healthy dollop of toothpaste onto Alan's toothbrush, John filled his glass and took the cup, basin and toothbrush over to Alan before beginning the task of brushing his brother's teeth for him.

Alan's eyes were at half-mast as John brushed his teeth and he grunted to let his brother know he needed to spit. John removed the toothbrush and held the basin for Alan as his brother spit the foam out. When Alan opened his mouth like a baby bird, John took that as a cue to continue brushing Alan's teeth. They continued the brushing for several minutes until John did a sniff test – something he did with his parents when they didn't believe that he and his brothers had brushed their teeth as children. When he'd determined that Alan's breath was minty fresh, John held the glass for Alan to rinse. He didn't mind helping Alan brush his teeth, he did it with Alan when he'd been a little guy that was just learning how to use a tooth brush.

"That feel better now Sprout?" John asked as he took the basin over to rinse it.

"Yeah, I'm afraid you don't ever get used to having someone brush your teeth for you though." John detected a hint of shame in Alan's voice.

"Don't be embarrassed kiddo, it's not something you can control." John said as he returned to sit by his brother. "It's better than helping to change a diaper, which I might add is a lot worse than brushing somebody's teeth."

Alan blushed as the topic of his brother's having helped change him as a baby was brought up. He knew from all the embarrassing stories that Scott and John both were big into helping in Alan's upbringing from getting involved in his hourly diaper changes to potty training to helping him learn how to ride a bicycle. His brothers had seen it all. Not that Alan was proud of that though. He hated that his brothers had seen parts of him that nobody but himself and maybe his parents should have seen.

"It's hard not to be embarrassed John. I'm fourteen, I shouldn't need one of my older brothers help me with brushing my teeth like some helpless toddler." Alan replied curtly.

"Nobody thinks of you as helpless Al, you're in the hospital…what did you expect of us? That we'd just stand by and not try to help you Allie?" John asked, his tone radiating that of hurt feelings. "Just because we're Jeff Tracy's sons doesn't mean we are exempt from caring about people we love."

"I know John, but it's just…there's so much going on in my life and I feel like…like…" Alan couldn't quite put into words how he truly felt so he just heaved a great sigh and let his arms fall onto his lap.

"You feel like everything is…spiraling out of your control…am I right?" John seemed to understand his little brother's feelings and thoughts and he put voice to those feelings. Alan nodded numbly, before he found himself in the center of a warm hug. "I know this must be a scary time for you Al, but you need to know that we're here for you no matter what. Just because you're having surgeries to repair your injuries and may need a little help from family doesn't make you weak. That's what makes you strong."

"How John? I can't seem to go more than a day without talking to either you guys, dad, grandma or Fermat and I used to go several days sometimes weeks without talking to any of you when I was back at school…before the fire happened." Alan asked softly, his eyes closing against the burning sting in his eyes as he accepted the warmth of the hug his brother was giving him.

"Because it was different then Al. You weren't hurt, in the hospital, going from operating room to recovery room practically every other day and you didn't need family to be close by for you when you were up to your ears in homework. Now though…living in the hospital for months at a time can be more stressful than studying for finals."

"What would you know about it?" Alan asked morosely.

"I can't say that I understand your feelings, simply put that I haven't ever spent more than maybe an hour at most in a hospital for a concussion or stitches…I can however say that…I understand the longing you feel to talk to anyone who will listen. Living in space for months at a time can do that to you. You are alone, only the stars to keep you company and sometimes, no matter what time it is you want to just pick up the phone and call anyone who you think might be awake." John said, his eyes expressing to Alan that he did understand, more than his little brother thought he was capable of doing. "It will get better Al, soon you'll be wanting all of us to leave you alone and you'll go to any means necessary just to get an hour of silence out of any of us."

Alan gave a watery laugh before snuggling back into John's warm embrace. He felt a little better now having talked with his brother. Getting those feelings aired out.

"Thanks for listening John." Alan felt much more appreciative of his brother's ability to just sit and listen while providing feedback. It really made Alan feel more like he was being heard and not just brushed off to the side like a child.

"No problem little brother." John gently scratched Alan's scalp as he tightened the hug just a little bit. "Promise me that you won't let something like this sit and irritate you again. If you feel like you need to talk, please call and just talk. I don't care what time it is, if I'm sleeping it's no different than when I'm up among the stars and you call to talk. I'm always here for you."

"Promise Johnny…thank you." Alan settled with a relieved sigh in John's embrace and he didn't feel like letting go any time soon.

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

John walked into the hotel room at quarter to eight. He sighed tiredly as he sank down on his bed and scrubbed a hand over his face as he allowed his thoughts to linger over the entirety of the day. Shaking his head, John opted to prepare for bed. He'd had a mentally draining day and all he wanted to do was sleep. Standing with a groan, John went over and began to dig through his luggage, his hands stilling as he found the necklace Tin-Tin had made for Alan. The kid still couldn't wear it and John hadn't wanted the necklace to be broken before Alan could wear it. Smiling softly, John rewrapped it in the tissue paper it'd been wrapped in before placing it back in to the side pocket.

Retrieving his pajamas, John grabbed his wash bag before turning to go into the bathroom. He wanted a shower to wash away the stress of the day. Turning on the bathroom light, John set his clothes on the sink's counter. He glanced in the mirror and took a moment to pore of his reflection. He looked tired. Even to himself. Heaving a sigh, John closed the bathroom door before stripping of his clothes. Turning the water up to his comfort level, John got in the shower and heaved a quiet sigh as he felt the rhythmic pound of the water against his shoulders.

His mind rolled over everything that had happened today and he'd frowned as he recalled being permitted to help with Alan's sponge bath. He hadn't known what to say when the doctor handed him a sponge and told him to lightly dab at Alan's skin. Alan's head had hung low, the action making his vertebrae stick out – showing John just how thin Alan really was. Shame reeking from his pores as John looked on in shock at the burns that ate at his flesh.

John sighed again as he stepped back under the shower head to let his hair get wet before beginning to shampoo his hair.

Alan had been nestled in John's arms, his eyes closed as he listened and counted the beats of John's heart. Counting heart beats had been something that calmed Alan as a child and he'd reverted to his default upon being soothed by his elder brother. A knock sounded on the door and both Alan and John looked up when they heard the door open. Dr. Andreessen came into view and he'd given them a kind smile before placing the supplies he'd brought down on the counter by the sink.

"Sorry to bother you gentlemen, but I'm afraid it's time for Alan to get his sponge bath before he gets moved again."

Alan released his hold on John's shoulders before he pulled away. He gave his brother a don't leave me look and John shushed his brother with a simple look in the eye before looking to the doctor.

"Would it be alright if lend a hand?" John looked at the doctor in hopes he'd be granted permission.

Dr. Andreessen looked between his patient and his patient's brother before nodding. "Sure, I don't see the harm in it. As long as Alan's okay with it then I am too."

Alan nodded meekly before his shoulders relaxed mildly.

"Alright, so here's what we're going to do…"

John stepped under the cascade of water to rinse the shampoo from his hair, closing his eyes quickly to avoid shampoo getting in his eyes. He reflected on Alan and how the kid had felt when John began bathing Alan lightly with a sponge.

"It's okay to press a little harder John; you know how ticklish I can be." Alan said as he allowed his head to hang in shame as John raised his arms to swipe the moistened sponge beneath his armpits. His face burned with a blush as he tried to ignore the shame creeping along his mind and thought process.

"The doc said not to press too hard Sprout. I don't want to be responsible for causing you pain." John replied as he raised Alan's other arm to swipe the sponge beneath. He quickly rinsed the sponge before gently swiping it over his little brother's chest. "Let me know if this tickles at all."

Alan bit his lip so as to conceal the grimace that would come to his face with each swipe of the sponge over his ticklish spots. He squirmed when the sponge John held lightly flitted over a spot near his belly button that was incredibly ticklish. John looked up to see what the squirm was about and his alighted to the knowledge that without meaning to he'd tickled his brother and the movement had hurt Alan since he really shouldn't be jerking with all the wounds he's got.

"Sorry Sprout." John said as he put a little more pressure on Alan's stomach as he ran the sponge over Alan again.

"It's okay." Alan said as he gazed with trepidation at the doctor who held a bowl and some tear free shampoo for Alan to get his hair washed. When John finished with the sponge bath, Alan found himself manhandled to lean forward so a couple of towels could be placed behind him. Alan clutched at his blankets as he tried to keep the blankets draped over his lap firmly in place. He didn't wish to experience the same type of embarrassment he'd encountered with Gordon when he'd helped to bathe him.

"Alright Alan…close your eyes." Dr. Andreessen said as he leaned Alan's head back over the basin before pouring water over his head slowly so as to properly wet Alan's hair but not to drown Alan with a deluge of water.

Alan did as Dr. Andreessen instructed and he stiffened slightly when he felt a pair of hands on his scalp. Prying an eye slightly, Alan spotted John leaning over him. The older brother's face showed the utmost concentration but he took care when it came to washing Alan's hair. Slipping the eye closed, Alan allowed John to rinse his hair a couple times before relaxing now that the bath was done.

"Let's get your hair dry and fluffy now Sprout." John murmured as he accepted the towel from the doctor and began ruffling Alan's hair in attempt to dry and fluff the slicked back hair.

Alan felt like a kitten getting a tongue bath from the momma cat as John forcefully while still being gentle dried his hair. He felt like he was getting a facelift each time John scrubbed the towel over his hair. When his elder brother finally stopped with the towel drying, he'd effectively given Alan an I-stuck-my-finger-in-a-light-socket hair do. John gave a chuckle when Alan gave him a disapproving glare but he remained silent otherwise. The doctor chuckled briefly before handing John a comb.

"Thanks doc." John said as he accepted the comb from the doctor, running it through Alan's now fluffy hair, being careful not to hit any possible tangles.

John shut off the water to his own shower, wrapping the body towel he'd brought in around his waist as he climbed from the tub before stopping in front of the sink and mirror. Using his forearm, John wiped away the condensation before he set about shaving. He was feeling scruffy since he hadn't shaved in about a week and he hated the infernal itch with a passion. He was constantly scratching his jaw and he'd actually taken comfort when Alan had unknowingly scratched his chin while nestled in his arms. It wasn't Alan's fault that he was an instinctual snuggle bug. He'd always been a snuggly kid.

"Do you have to go John?" Alan asked, his voice somewhat shaky as the doctor and a couple nurses prepared to move him back into isolation.

"I'm afraid so buddy. I wish we still could spend more time together though." John said as he hugged Alan warmly, before stepping back when the nurses raised the rails of Alan's hospital bed. Alan gave a look to John and the older blonde couldn't resist it. Leaning over the rail, John hugged Alan once more, lowering his mask to place a kiss on his brother's brow. "I'll miss you kiddo, but don't worry. It'll only be a little while longer until you can see us again. Stay strong for me…okay?"

Alan nodded sadly before he tightened his hold around John's neck. This was one of his better days, even spending these last couple days with his father was awesome compared to being moved back into isolation. "What if I don't want to be strong anymore?"

"You can do it bud…I've got to go now kiddo, but I'll see you again in a short while." John pulled out of the embrace before ruffling Alan's hair fondly. "I'll send the guys your love and warm regards okay?"

"Yeah." Alan looked…lost could be a good descriptor for lack of a better word and it just about broke John's heart to see such a look on his baby brother's face. He stayed in the place he'd been standing like a statue as he watched the medical personnel wheel Alan down and around the corner, away from John, away from freedom.

John looked at his reflection in the mirror and scrubbed at his eyes. He wasn't crying, he was just tired. It'd been a long day and it'd be even longer unless he got ready and went to bed. Rinsing his razor and moving the warm damp washcloth over his face left John with a baby soft face. Quickly brushing his teeth, John prepared for bed before turning out the light and creeping out into the bedroom.

None of his brothers were in the room and just how John wanted it. Moving quickly over to his bed, John crawled beneath the blankets before laying down. Closing his eyes, John fell quickly into sleep…faster than he'd ever done.

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

Scott reclined back against the lounger next to the pool. He and Gordon had spent the entire day together anxiously awaiting John to return. They'd eaten a simple dinner, Scott and Gordon wanting just a quick slice of pizza. They hadn't hungered for more, all they hungered for was news about their little brother from John. How he was doing as Alan had a habit of hiding his true feelings from their parent. It was one of the constant arguments between their father and youngest brother.

Scott watched Gordon swim the length of the pool, his little brother staying submerged near the bottom of the pool. Checking his watch, Scott leaned over and slapped the water, knowing his brother could hear the change in the water's choppiness from the hit. Sure enough Gordon came up for air, after two minutes of staying submerged.

Gordon blinked the water from his eyes as he took a lungful of air.

"What's up Scott?" Gordon asked after he'd effectively stopped the chlorine burn in his eyes.

"Let's head on back up. Dad should be returning soon and he'd want to know what's going on with Alan. Maybe John will be back soon too." Scott offered a hand to his little brother before pulling him out and tossing a towel at him. Both brothers went up, using the grand staircase as opposed to the elevator to get back up to their floor.

When they reached their floor, Scott swiftly opened the door, he and Gordon remaining quiet as they entered. Gordon opened his mouth to say something, but the words died on his lips when he spotted John curled up and sound asleep beneath the blankets on his and Scott's shared bed.

"Damn, I guess we missed John." Scott muttered as he moved with a deadly silence of an assassin. Scott gestured for Gordon to catch a shower and Gordon caught on before grabbing his previously discarded clothes. Slipping into the bathroom, Gordon took a shower himself before exiting the bathroom to find Scott dressed in his customary blue jeans and a white t-shirt.

"Let's go see if dad's back yet." Gordon said quietly before grabbing his room key. "Let Johnny boy sleep."

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

Jeff sighed as he looked over the clause form he'd have to sign to permit Alan a secondary lawyer for this trial. It wasn't something he was too keen on doing, but knew it'd need to be done if Alan wanted to tell his story and get the justice he deserved for all his pain and suffering. Laying his pen down on the desk, Jeff glanced over his shoulder at Brains. His friend was working furiously on a blueprint he'd dreamed up for a type of medical ointment which could speed up healing. In their line of business, they'd need to find ways of speeding up healing time so there'd be less down time to recover from injuries. Jeff didn't know where Brains came up with these ideas, but his stuttering friend was a father and a brilliant scientist.

When Jeff asked his friend about the inspiration of this healing ointment, Brains response had been what Jeff was sadly expecting to hear. Their sons injuries was the inspiration for such an ointment and Brains was wishing he could just have it made and tested before using it on their boys to speed up their healing time. It saddened Jeff to hear that such a thing like their boys being hurt had been what inspired Brains to come up with the concoction that could potentially heal their wounds and repair everything. A knock at the door drew Jeff's attention.

Brains couldn't be bothered when he was in the midst of scientific formulas and Jeff couldn't blame the scientist for losing himself in his work. Jeff wished his secretary would give him some documents to sign, anything to get his mind off the situation at hand.

"I'm coming…hold on one moment." Jeff said as he strode across the room to look through the peephole. Opening the door when he saw Scott and Gordon, Jeff quickly embraced his boys. "Scott, Gordon how are you boys doing?"

"We're okay." Jeff stepped aside as he permitted his oldest and second youngest son into the room. Brains never glanced up from where he was sat, staring at his notebook with the concentration of a scientist hard at work…which was what he was at the time. "How are you dad?"

Jeff closed the door before turning to his son that spoke.

"I'm okay Scott…a little frustrated but okay." Jeff said as he returned back to the desk to pick up the clause form he had to decide whether he wanted to sign or not.

"What's up dad?" Scott asked as he sat on the edge of his dad's bed.

Jeff picked up the clause form and flashed it at Scott with a look of annoyance before setting the form back on the table top.

"I have to decide whether I want Alan to have a secondary lawyer be present for a formal statement to be made for the trial or not."

"Whoa…what?" Scott gestured for his dad to hand him the clause form before asking his dad to explain again.

"I have to talk it over with your brother first, but we're reaching that point in the trial for witness statements to be made before the courts in regards to Robert and the hazing charges…that and the bullying." Jeff said with resignation.

"What about the trial for the fire?" Gordon asked, his voice low.

"That will come later, but the trial that will be in regards to the bullying your brother was put through is coming up and the courts will need your brother to testify if he wants Robert to be given the proper punishment." Jeff said with a shake of his head. "I wish your brother didn't need to, but he's going to need to testify whether he wants to or not because they can't charge Robert formally without hearing everything from Alan as the victim. Firsthand."

"But he already gave his statement to the police! Isn't that enough?!" Gordon asked, his voice heated.

"I wish it was and I talked it over with Barrett, he said that unfortunately to avoid Robert from being given a maximum of four years in juvie and maybe a year of parole Alan will need to tell the judge and jury everything he went through from having his face shoved in the toilet the day of the fire to his camera being destroyed and beaten up by Robert and his goons." Jeff huffed an angry breath. "I don't like it boys and I'd rather discuss what Alan wants to do with him. I'm planning on doing that first thing tomorrow."

Scott and Gordon shared a look before Scott spoke up. "I'm afraid you missed that train dad…Alan got moved back into isolation today."

"Excuse me?" Jeff asked, one of his eyebrows raising in question to what his son said.

"I said Alan got moved back into isolation today. His infection cleared up and the doctor didn't see a reason not to move him back in to isolation and get him back on the meds." Scott said as he sat up straight, meeting his father's gaze head on.

"Damn…why didn't you try to call me?" Jeff asked with mild irritation.

"I did…your phone cut straight to voicemail. It wouldn't have done any good to leave a message. John went to go spend the day with Alan." Scott replied.

"Ah, right…I turned my phone off for the meeting with Barrett." Jeff said as he shook his head. "How was Alan today? Is John back yet?"

"John's back but no idea how Alan did with the move…John was asleep when Gordy and I came back from the pool." Scott said as he scrubbed a hand over his eyes. "Why can't you just sign the form and make Alan have a secondary lawyer?"

"Because he asked to be treated like an equal, and I intend to give him that opportunity." Jeff replied, knowing and recalling the promise he'd made to Alan. He'd told Alan he'd try to treat Alan more like an adult and less like a child and he intended to keep that promise. He'd like to avoid having arguments with Alan as much as possible and if treating his baby like a man was what Alan wanted then that's what Alan would get.

"He's a kid, why are you treating him like he's not?" Scott asked, his eyebrows furrowing slightly in irritation as he rose to stand before his father.

"Just because he's a kid doesn't mean he should be given any less equality than yourself when you were his age." Jeff said in response. "Look Scott, I don't want to get into this with you. The fact of the matter is that Alan is growing up and as much as it pains me to treat him like he's older and not like the toddler he used to be. He's asked for the opportunity to be treated like I treat you all and I'm willing to give him the chance to prove to me that he can be the decider of his own decisions."

Scott's nares flared slightly but he stayed quiet; choosing instead to sink down on the bed. "So then how does this whole secondary lawyer thing play out? If Alan goes for it?"

Jeff too, relaxed back in his chair slightly to look to his sons.

"Well, the secondary lawyer would sit in with both Alan and Fermat…separately of course and they'd basically do Barrett's job of fielding questions in the boy's defense." Jeff paused for a moment before speaking thoughtfully. "However, maybe I'm not the best person to ask…I am not familiar with secondary lawyers and all that sort of mumbo jumbo. Why do you think I went into the business world and not law?"

A/N Hello RFTA fans, sorry it's taken me a little more than three weeks to get the latest update up. Between work, finals and writer's block I've finally been able to finish these latest chapters. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, mine was...eh...almost went to the movies by myself but my bro and his lady stopped me from spending Christmas day by myself. And they managed to get me to visit family so that was different. Her family...not mine sadly. I'd love to go see my folks, but all work and no play helps pay the bills and college tuition...so yeah.

Anyway, probably on Saturday I'll be posting the first chapter of Never Look Back - Belonging to see what you all think. I think I've got 11 chapters so far but have more planned. I'd like to get as much posted as I can because my next semester at college is going to have me busier than i'd like to be.

Anyway, you all are awesome and I hope you all enjoy!

~Angel~