A/N: Another update? My goodness, aren't you all lucky? I thank all of those that follow this story and I so appreciate those of you that are enjoying my writings.

I'll attempt to get myself back on a schedule so I can update in a timely manner instead of every other month. I appreciate your patience with me while I transition back to my normal paced life as opposed to the life that kept me on my toes every minute of every day.

Once more, reviews are greatly appreciated but if you have anything negative to say about my story I'll only tolerate constructive criticism. No flames tolerated

Enjoy!

Jeff sat up late two nights later in the bar downstairs in the hotel they were staying at. He was swirling the ice cubes in his bourbon, lost deep in thought. He wondered over his idea he'd had the other day when he was visiting Alan and he was thinking of just what the device would need to become a prototype. He was lost in his thoughts so when a hand touched his shoulder he jumped in surprise. Looking quickly over his shoulder, he relaxed when it was Brains and John.

"Is this a private party or can anybody join?" John asked before taking a seat beside his father at the bar and ordering a beer for him and Brains. John wasn't a big drinker, but he did like a beer on occasion. Mostly with his brothers back at home, he wasn't keen on drinking in public. You never knew when a camera was lurking nearby.

"Just thinking." Jeff said before requesting a refill on his bourbon.

"What about?" John asked before he thanked the bar tender when a beer was placed in front of himself and Brains.

"Alan and Fermat." Jeff said and instantly saw his son and best friend visibly deflate. "I went to visit Alan the other day and I can't believe the scarring on Alan's hands and feet are so bad."

"I k-know, I can't fa-fa-understand it either. I w-wish there was s-something we could d-do to reverse the d-damage." Brains said, agreeing with Jeff that the scarring of their son's hands and feet were bad.

The trio went silent for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts before John adopted a thoughtful look.

"You know…I know we don't ever…haven't ever tested our prototypes on ourselves before, but would it be such a dreadful thing to work on a serum that could be injected to the wound with something like nanobots to repair nerves and skin from the inside out?" John hypothesized aloud albeit it quietly so nobody but his dad and Brains could hear what he was saying.

Brains and Jeff stayed quiet for a few moments following that suggestion before Brains looked up suddenly. Jeff and John could tell by the look on Brain's face that his thoughts were flying and he was coming up with equations and theories on things that could potentially be used in the experiment that might one day reverse the damage for both boys, as far as scarring and nerve damage. There wasn't much that could be done to repair the broken bones, those were repaired as best as was possible. It'd be unfair to the boys to deconstruct what was done to them in the name of science.

"I know it's j-just a concept right n-now, but if w-we could in t-theory invent such a s-serum and inject it i-into a dummy materialized from s-silicone that we've d-deliberately cut to see w-what happens when the 'w-wound' heals." Brains seemed to grow more energetic and excited as he allowed his thoughts to fly. He stood up suddenly, handing John his card with a promise to retrieve it later from the second oldest Tracy boy before he breezed out of the room leaving Jeff and John alone to drink.

Jeff toyed with his glass for a few moments watching the ice shift when the bourbon sloshed in the glass. John took a sip off his beer before falling into silence. They both were thoughtfully silent as they both thought of the last few months that Alan had been in the hospital, after a few minutes of silence Jeff spoke up.

"Did you know that Alan's started his physical and water therapy already?" Jeff asked softly before taking a small sip of bourbon.

John swallowed the mouthful of beer he'd drank before he answered his dad.

"No, I didn't know he'd begun therapy. I knew his new physical therapist wanted to start him earlier than his last one did, but I didn't know they'd gone ahead with that plan." John said before taking another drink from his bottle. "How long has he been at it?"

"Virgil and Gordon said he's been doing it for a little over two weeks. They said he's doing really well." Jeff said seeing John look surprised for possibly the first time. "You really didn't know?"

"No, every time Gordo returned he always kept to himself no matter what we said to push his buttons. Honestly with as often as he was gone and with how relaxed he's been, not gonna lie, I was beginning to think he might have been taking part in a little recreational drug use…if you catch my drift." John said, miming smoking to his dad.

"You know your brother wouldn't go near that stuff, he knows I'd put him on the bench faster than if he had been using during his Olympic career." Jeff said in defense of his second youngest son.

"Yes, I know he wouldn't. But you know I have an over active imagination. I can't look at things in black and white, I have to see everything in bright vivid color." John said with a smirk. "But come on, you don't share a room with Gords. He would disappear and reappear at the strangest times and it was always hard to determine just what he was up to. It's hard not to jump to that kind of conclusion." John said with a shake of his head.

"Ah, John." Jeff chuckled with a matching shaking of his head at John's logic. "I cornered your brothers today to find out where they were. Gordon, I knew took your grandmother shopping so she could begin her work knitting Alan and Fermat afghans to keep them a little bit warmer. But Virgil, he went today in place of Gordon to go help Alan with his therapy today."

"How's he doing?" John asked, curious about Alan's progress.

"I don't know, neither of your brothers would tell me exactly what he's up to. They just said he's doing well and making decent progress." Jeff said with a shrug of his shoulders. "I'd like to go see Alan and help him out like Gordon and Virgil, but I know he wants to surprise me."

"He told you that?" John inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"No, but Gordon did. He said Alan doesn't want anybody to see him in therapy just yet, he wants to reach a point with his recovery before he lets us come to see him. In the meantime, Gordon and Virgil both advised that Alan requested only the two of them may see him in therapy. Otherwise we're restricted to visits only when he's back in his room." Jeff said once more shrugging when John's jaw dropped. "I know. But if it's within reason, for now whatever Alan wans Alan gets."

"I'm not opposing that. He deserves anything, like you said as long as it is within reason." John said knowing that Alan deserved so much more than he had currently. "We're not buying him a Mustang for his homecoming gift."

"Darn, I guess there goes that plan." Jeff said, in mock seriousness. He snapped his fingers as if he was thinking 'well there goes that plan.' John looked at his dad with his lips pursed, making Jeff chuckle once again. "I'm joking."

"I hope you are, Alan's too young for a Mustang." John said in all seriousness.

"You know I'm kidding. I'll wait until Alan's got his driver's license to spoil him rotten with a new hot off the lot classic car." Jeff said, complete with a joking tone. He didn't miss the wide-eyed look coming across John's face at the prospect of Alan not only having his driver's license possibly within the next year, but their dad buying him a car when they lived on an island! An island! There were no roads on the island, they barely had enough room to ride a four-wheeler without crashing into shrubs or trees.

"Please be joking." John begged after he accidently choked on a sip of his beer, finishing his beer with a sigh.

"I am, Alan knows I don't plan on getting him his first car until his eighteenth birthday and even then, it'll be a fixer-upper just like yours, Scotts, Virgil's and Gordon's." Jeff said with a smirk. "You ruin all my fun."

"Me?! Why am I the one who always ruins my fun? Scott, Virgil and Gordon shun your ideas too." John said with a snort. Shaking his head, John couldn't help but to laugh. His dad was usually one of those individuals that seemed to develop more of a sense of humor when he had a few drinks under his belt.

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

At the end of the business day, Lacey sighed as she exited her office turning out the lights to before she locked the door. She was exhausted. She'd had an eventful day with her patients, none more so than Alan and Fermat. She'd worked with both boys today and she'd been amazed at their progress. Fermat had been working with his physical therapist for a few months longer than Alan and while the younger boy had made progress far past what he'd made at his last care facility, it was Alan that had made insurmountable progress.

The older boy had gone from being 100% bed-ridden with little to no sensations in his limbs to just a little over 55% bed-ridden. Lacey was impressed that only after two weeks of physical therapy Alan had progressed far beyond what other kids with injuries of the same caliber had progressed. She felt that with maybe two or three more weeks of floor exercises and Alan might be ready to graduate from the parallel bars to utilizing a walker. She felt confident that Alan would do really well if she just kept increasing his regimen day by day.

Before taking her leave for the evening, she wanted to swing by Alan and Fermat's room to check on them both. She felt like she'd been pushing them to their limits, which she didn't necessarily like doing but it'd earned her the recognition and accolades from prior patients that sang her praises and gave reviews because she wasn't a push over. She could see a patient's potential and she seemed to have a knack for tapping into that potential and making her patient's recover at an accelerated rate.

She entered the elevator on her level and pressed the button taking her to Alan and Fermat's level. When she exited the elevator, she heaved another sigh. She couldn't believe how tired she was and she was hoping her boyfriend would be savvy with the idea of a relaxing foot massage. As she approached the boy's room she gave pause before knocking. It was late and somehow, she doubted the boys would still be awake but she knocked regardless.

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

Alan was so focused on what he was trying to do that he failed to hear the knock on the door. Fermat however did hear the knock but was hesitant to answer because Alan thought he was sleeping. When the door opened, it took Alan by surprise and he lost his balance. He fell on Fermat who by all accounts was awake but he'd had to put on a show of pretending that Alan had woken him up. Both boys were shocked when Lacey loved the curtain aside to see Alan slumped on the edge of Fermat's bed while the younger boy was grappling to his arm in attempt to keep him from falling further onto the floor.

"What are you boys up to?" Lacey inquired with a knowing smile. "Alan?"

"I wasn't…it's not what it looks…I was just…please don't tell my dad or brothers." Alan finished off lamely. He groaned under his breathe when Lacey came over to help Alan up off the edge of Fermat's hospital bed and proceeded to walk with him back to his own bed. Alan's face was bright with shame but Lacey whom he thought would be mad at his recklessness seemed understanding.

"Okay, time for plan B." Lacey muttered under her breathe, making Alan tilt his head in question.

"What do you mean?" Alan asked.

"H-He's not going to g-get in trouble?" Fermat asked softly, hoping that Lacey wouldn't get Alan in trouble.

"No, honestly I'm supposed to report any incidents like this…" Lacey said, making both Alan and Fermat drop their heads, waiting for the other shoe to drop when Lacey continued. "However, I'm no longer on the clock…I was simply stopping by to tell you both to rest up good because we're going to hit it hard tomorrow. So, your secret is safe with me."

When Lacey winked at both boys, they visibly relaxed.

"You two have a good night and Alan?" Lacey inquired as she helped to readjust Alan's duvet. When the boy looked up at her he gave a nervous smile. "No more unassisted journeys, I know you probably can't wait to walk on your own, but I don't want you getting hurt. You're only going to set yourself back if you get hurt."

"Okay, you have my word that I won't do this anymore." Alan said, promising truthfully that he'd be on his best behavior.

"I'm not saying you can't do any walkabouts, but for the time being I'd prefer it if you'd limit it to when you're with me because then we can gauge your threshold. At least for a little while longer." Lacey said before she looked meaningfully at Alan.

"Okay. I promise." Alan said with a smile.

"Good. Now, good night and go to sleep." Lacey said with a whisper with a smile at the two teenage boys.

"Alright, alright. Good night Lacey." Alan said with a grin as he pulled his duvet and coverlet up over his shoulders before rolling over onto his side. Fermat scooted lower in his own bed before he waved at the physical therapist.

"H-Have a good night L-Lacey." Fermat said before copying Alan and rolling onto his side facing Alan. When their hospital room door was closed, both boys laid their heads upon their pillows before the started whispering.

"I didn't mean to wake you up Ferm." Alan said, sorry that he'd woken his friend up, though he was unknowing that Fermat was in fact awake.

"I-It's alright…you d-didn't wake me up." Fermat said with a bashful smile.

"But I thought you were asleep." Alan said with a furrowed brow. He felt embarrassed now.

"You h-haven't noticed that I b-began putting my walker c-closer to you before I w-went to bed for t-the night?" Fermat asked, sure that Alan would have noticed by now that Fermat used to put his walker on the opposite side of his bed and he was now switching sides.

"No." Alan was surprised that Fermat had been enabling his reckless side, though he knew he shouldn't be surprised. Fermat knew him too well, so it made sense that the other boy would have recognized Alan's growing restlessness and would have offered Alan something without blatantly stating it as a fact.

"I d-didn't want you to f-feel like you couldn't d-do something without h-having my permission to use m-my equipment. If I m-made it accessible to you, t-then you'd have the f-freedom to make your own d-decisions." Fermat said leaning up on his elbow so he could clearly see his friend without the older boy being hidden behind his pillow.

"I appreciate your help Ferm." Alan said softly, knowing now that it wasn't just a coincidence like he'd originally thought.

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

Brains sat up in the kitchenette of the hotel suit the Tracy Island inhabitants were occupying. He was sipping on a freshy made cup of coffee, burning the midnight oil as he sketched out the schematics of the device that had been theorized by John earlier that day. He felt like it was a conceivable prototype, he just didn't know now how big or what it should look like. He figured it wouldn't have to be very big, but a maneuverable device.

The scientist was taken by surprise when a small plate with an English Muffin smothered in butter and jam was set beside his elbow on the tabletop. He looked to his left and smiled thankfully when he saw Virgil with a mug of coffee as well.

"G-Good evening Virgil, w-what are you d-doing up?" Brains asked softy before turning his attention back to the sketch of the prototype.

"I couldn't sleep, my mind is racing." Virgil replied before taking a drink of coffee and heaving a sigh.

"A-Are you sure y-you should be d-drinking coffee t-then?" Brains inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm not sure of much anymore if I'm being honest." Virgil said with a sigh as he rubbed his eyes. "What are you doing up?"

"Oh…I'm j-just working on a p-prototype." Brains said before taking off his glasses so he could rub his eyes which felt strained.

"What kind of prototype?" Virgil asked as he took another sip from his mug before he slid the blueprints over when Brains indicated he could. "What is this?"

"It's j-just a theory right n-now, but when John a-and I went down to h-have a drink with y-your father, John started d-dreaming of a device that m-might contain the capability t-to restore Alan a-and Fermat. I've only b-been working on the b-blueprint a few hours." Brains said as he watched Virgil who also dabbled in mechanics and engineering looked over the blueprint, his eyes widening to almost the size of dinner plates.

"Brains…this is…amazing. Do you think we can really fabricate something like this?" Virgil asked, stunned beyond belief that Brains would be able to create an idea that was more than a pipedream.

"I do b-believe we can. If w-we have all the correct p-parts, I believe w-we can reasonably m-manufacture it." Brains replied confidently.

"How long do you think it could take to make it?" Virgil asked softly.

"I t-think it might be d-done by the e-end of the year, if t-that." Brains said, while rubbing his thumb and forefingers up and down on the bridge of his nose. "I-I'm shooting for the e-end of the y-year because I don't w-want there to b-be any e-expectations on the f-finish date so I'm s-shooting for the absolute l-latest date."

"I think if we have the materials, we might be able to finish it much sooner." Virgil said hoping that Brains was making it out to be a longer and drawn out process to spare him the disappointment of a failed attempt.

"I don't w-want to put a definitive t-time limit on it without k-knowing a rough e-estimate. We may get a p-prototype created but n-not be able to u-utilize it without m-multiple tests to assess w-whether it's safe for human u-use or not. I'd rather n-not harm Alan a-and Fermat further i-if I can help i-it." Brains replied softly, almost nervous that he was having to inform Virgil that he doubted his abilities to create a reliable device that might reverse the damage done in the fire.

"I have no doubt that we can make it safe for human use, I just wonder how effective it'll be. You know, if we can save Alan and Fermat the experience of needing plastic surgery or laser corrective surgery I think we are doing good if not better than what most medical facilities are offering us." Virgil stated emphatically. He truly believed that they could get the device ready, it was only a matter of time before they were home and could get to work.

"Y-Yeah, I understand t-that." Brains replied in agreement to what Virgil was saying.

Virgil went quiet for a few minutes while Brains continued working on the blueprint of the device John suggested. The middle Tracy son watched with a keen interest in what Brains was drawing and he tried to animate the prototype in his head so he could work out how it could potentially work. What he imagined was a device that was easier to maneuver as opposed to the devices utilized by specialists.

Knowing his mind wasn't going to let him get any rest, Virgil got up from the table where he and Brains were sitting to retrieve his sketchbook and lead pencil. Once he'd sat back down, he lost himself in his sketches of the prototype, what he imagined it'd look like while adding detail to the screws and bolts and other components that would make up the device. He worked meticulously on the sketch until he was startled from his thoughts by Brains tapping him on the shoulder.

"Yes Brains?" Virgil inquired softly as he also took notice of the time as well as his once hot mug of coffee. He still drank the coffee that had gone cold, coffee was coffee.

"I'm g-going to go on t-to bed, you p-probably should a-also." Brains said as he tidied where he'd been sitting. Virgil gave a momentary pause before he nodded in agreement after assessing if he might fall asleep. Despite the caffeine, he did think he could fall asleep if he were to try now. Giving a glance back down at his drawing, Virgil marveled at the simplicity of the device. He didn't show it to Brains yet but he didn't doubt that if the two of them took the exterior design of the device and combined it with Brain's internal design, they could have a working model built in no time.

Standing up with a stretch, Virgil copied Brains and neatened up where he'd been sitting, putting his coffee mug in the sink to be washed later as well as the saucer plate that had the English muffin Virgil had made for Brains. They walked together, whispering as they went until they reached the separate rooms and divided to go to bed.

Once Virgil entered the room he shared with his brothers, he sat on the edge of the bed as quietly as he could and sighed when he laid down and felt like he could fall asleep now if he tried. Earlier he'd laid in bed and just stared at the ceiling, wondering when he'd fall asleep. When it didn't happen, he tried to consciously turn off his thoughts and failed miserably. For all the teasing, he endured from his brothers about how much he loved his sleep, it didn't go without reason. He savored his sleep because like any insomniac, simply because he didn't get very much. Every night unless after a very grueling rescue, Virgil typically tried for an hour if not more to go to sleep even if he only ever got a few hours. It typically explained why he could be such a bear but didn't excuse his behavior if he snapped at anyone first thing in the morning.

Pulling the duvet and other blanket up to his chin, Virgil rolled onto his side and tucked his arm up under his head before giving a soft sigh and trying once more to go to sleep.

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

Virgil sighed as he worked meticulously on the prototype that he and Brains had begun fabricating. He smiled as he pulled his welding goggles down over his eyes before he'd begun using the tool. He was building a base so the prototype would have something to hold it up. He and Brains had already tested it on multiple dummies and determined it was safe for human use and they busied themselves with the work. Alan and Fermat would be coming home soon and the two of them wanted to have the device done and ready for use when the boys came home.

"Virgil, you in here?" Scott asked from the doorway and Virgil stopped quickly because he knew Scott wasn't wearing goggles.

"Yeah, over here." Virgil removed his goggles after turning off the acetylene so he could talk to his oldest brother. "What's going on?"

"Did you forget? Alan and Fermat are coming home, they're going to need our help." Scott said, his once relaxed face darkening slightly. Virgil wondered why his brother didn't seem very happy about the boys return to the island.

"Why do they need our help, they're both walking again." Virgil inquired, knowing he was dreaming because logic told him that his voice didn't echo that much.

"Are you high? Alan can't walk, the nerve damage was too great." Scott said his face darkening more until he looked like he was brooding. "Fermat needs a cane too, or did you forget about that?"

"What? That's not right. I was helping Alan with physical therapy just the other day, he can walk, he just needs assistance until he can adjust for the gait changes and the loss of sensation." Virgil was confused, how did Scott not know that Alan was in therapy?

"What have you been smoking? There is no physical therapist, Alan's doctor thought it'd be a waste of our time and money." Scott countered while wondering what Virgil was getting at.

Virgil was thoroughly confused and he wondered if he had slipped into an alternate universe. His brothers knew Alan would be undergoing physical therapy, so what had changed.

"Scott, I'm not on anything. You're the one who's tripping. I know it may not seem like it but Alan is in therapy. He is getting better, he just needs time." Virgil said trying to get Scott to understand.

"Virgil wake up."

Virgil was so incredibly confused, why was Scott speaking with Gordon's voice? Scott's voice was deeper than Gordon's.

"Virgil, it's wakey uppy time."

Virgil wondered what was making Scott speak with Gordon's voice and he was amazed with the elaborate prank meant to confuse him.

"Virgil! Hey, want to switch with me again?"

The more Gordon's voice echoed through his dreams the more he heard what Gordon was saying and he pried his eyes open with a groan. He could tell by the early morning light that he'd been woken way earlier than he'd have liked. Inhaling deeply, Virgil looked around and could see Scott and John were still sound asleep while Gordon was knelt beside Virgil's side of the bed. He was dressed and ready to go for the day.

"Too early." Virgil moaned under his breath while he rubbed his eyes tiredly.

"I know, your insomniac tendencies keep things interesting." Gordon replied softly before jostling Virgil when it looked like he was going to go back to sleep. "Don't go back to sleep, join me!"

Gordon's enthusiastic whisper enticed Virgil just a little bit but when the younger promised to stop by a coffee shop before they went to Blythedale, Virgil was sold.

"Alright, alright. I'm up." Virgil said before he went to go push his blankets away. With that he sat up and he got changed, donning basketball shorts and his favorite sneakers. Once he was up and out of bed, Gordon led the way and the two brothers walked down to the lobby and they walked out and down the street.

"So, your dream looked interesting." Gordon commented.

"Yeah, but then my dreams are always interesting." Virgil replied with a roll of his eyes. It's not like Gordon was interested in his dream. He was just trying to make light conversation. "But when are they not?"

"What'd you dream about?" Gordon inquired. "You said something about tripping."

"Oh, I was arguing with Scott in my dream. Told him I thought he was tripping." Virgil said before he perked up at the smell of coffee. Gordon grabbed the door handle and opened the door to the coffee shop. Virgil took a deep inhale of the coffee scent and smiled. He loved the smell of coffee.

"Weird, considering you never argue with Scott. Or tell him he's tripping." Gordon said before he considered the drink menu.

"I do to argue with him, don't tell me you don't butt heads with him from time to time. He's our older brother." Virgil said before he also looked at the menu. When the brothers decided on their order, they got in line and waited their turn.

"Of course, I argue with Scott, what do you expect? I'm the bratty brother besides Alan." Gordon said with a smile making Virgil roll his eyes once more.

"I don't think that's something to be proud of." Virgil replied with a look telling Gordon he was being an idiot.

Gordon didn't have a response to that and he simply shrugged. When it was their turn to order they did and took their place at the pickup window while they waited on their coffee to be delivered. Once they'd gotten their order, they picked up where they left off and continued to Blythedale.

"So can I ask why you woke me up at such an ungodly hour?" Virgil asked as he savored his coffee.

"I figured you could tag along to another of Alan's physical therapy appointments. He really enjoyed your company the other day. And there isn't a limit to the number of visitors per visit anymore." Gordon said making Virgil feel warm and fuzzy, not that he'd admit to it. He felt honored that Alan didn't mind his presence.

"How's he doing? I haven't seen him since the other day when I went in your place." Virgil asked as he looked at his brother carefully.

"He's good, I think he's getting bored with the appointments though. That's part of the reason I'm bringing you. He said I don't challenge him enough, so he asked if you could come and we could tag team." Gordon said as he tried to imagine how he and Virgil were supposed to be able to tag team.

"Alan likes keeping it interesting, doesn't he?" Virgil asked with a smirk.

"You bet! Alan doesn't like things to be easy. His middle name isn't 'hard-head' for nothing." Gordon said with broad smile.

"But…his middle name is Shepard…" Virgil said, making Gordon smack his own face with a shake of his head.

"Remind me to ask Kyrano when we get home to show me a mix of herbs so you can grow a sense of humor." Gordon said before he finished his coffee and tossed the empty cup in the nearest trash.