A/N: Check the bottom for notes!
In the end, Tin-Tin didn't know what to wear for the dance. She reached out to Alan again and again in hopes that maybe he could persuade Brook to talk to her so they could perhaps color coordinate for the dance, sadly every attempt that Tin-Tin made wasn't returned. She seemed a little riled when Brook failed to heed Alan's supposed attempts to get Brook to contact her.
Feeling a little put out, Tin-Tin prepared herself to go off with Lady Penelope and her mom to find a dress for the dance. Tin-Tin had entertained the idea of just wearing one of her island dresses, but her mom and Lady Penelope both shook their heads to the negative with a raised eyebrow.
"Darling, this is a dance. You should want to get all dolled up for your date, besides…this isn't one of my garden parties where a sundress is acceptable attire. This is a dance, this is where you want to wow everyone upon entering the venue." Lady Penelope said as she set her teacup down.
It'd be a lot easier however, if Alan's date would call her and at least let her know what color dress she was wearing so that Tin-Tin might dress accordingly. And for that matter, so Alan's brothers could retrieve some clothes for Alan and Fermat that would match their date's dresses.
Standing with a huff, Tin-Tin went to her closet to retrieve her shoulder purse when out of the blue, her laptop started chiming. Striding back over, Tin-Tin prepared to hit decline when she saw the identifying band at the top of the screen said that the person calling was none other than Brook. Weighing her options, Tin-Tin answered the call and reclaimed her seat at her desk. She thought about just screening Brook's call, but knew that wouldn't have been fair after practically begging Alan to pester his date and probably make the poor girl think Tin-Tin was some crazy ex-girlfriend.
"Hello?" Tin-Tin asked as she smiled at her computer screen, expecting to see someone else on the screen but was a little perplexed when there wasn't anyone else visible on the screen. "Um, hello?
"Hi!"
Tin-Tin was taken by surprise when a head popped up from below the laptop screen and she smiled when she got her first glimpse at who she assumed was Brook.
"Hi, are you Brook?" Tin-Tin asked, hoping to hear that it was. The girl nodded shyly in lieu of an actual answer. "I'm Tin-Tin, I'm friends of Alan and Fermat."
"Oh yeah, Alan suggested I contact you. He said something about you wanting to match colors or something like that?" Brook asked as she smiled at the girl she was talking to. "I'm sorry it took me so long to get in contact."
"No, it's okay. I figured maybe you were shy and didn't feel comfortable meeting new people." Tin-Tin said with an accepting smile.
"No, it wasn't that I didn't want to talk…I was just busy with therapy and making arrangements for when I get to go home with my family." Brook said, reaching up to tuck a few stray strands of hair behind her ear.
Tin-Tin did see Brook's fingers, but reminded herself that Alan warned her not to stare – not that she would. Brook smiled at Tin-Tin before continuing. "I assume that Alan's told you what I'm in for?"
"Well, he didn't tell me what happened…just that you were another patient that asked him to the dance." Tin-Tin said, recalling that Alan did tell her that Brook had been injured, but didn't explicitly say what happened to her. Tin-Tin knew better than to ask and she figured it wasn't Alan's story to tell.
"I suppose I'll go ahead and show you before we actually meet in person." Brook said softly. She tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear again before she showed Tin-Tin one of her hands. "I got burned on my hands and needed to have my fingers removed."
Tin-Tin felt sad for Brook, but she didn't let any pity show on her face. She knew from growing up with a bunch of boys, that some people didn't appreciate pity and would get upset if someone let slip that they pitied a person because of their situation. And by some people she meant the Tracy brothers or more specifically…Alan.
"That's…I'm sorry." Tin-Tin said, taken aback at Brook's injuries. Sure, she felt bad for the girl who was approximately the same age as her, Alan, and Fermat, but she didn't know how else to respond. If she'd been talking to Brook in person, she might have given her a hug. As it were, all she could do would be to offer sympathies for her injuries.
"It's alright. I've accepted it. It's been several months since the initial accident." Brook said, shrugging as if she didn't care much about her injuries anymore. In Tin-Tin's opinion, Brook was one strong girl to not be browbeaten by what happened to her.
"You're stronger than I ever could be." Tin-Tin said, not even bothering to censor her response by Brook's serene perspective.
"Well, when you're faced with injuries as devastating as mine or injuries of any type I suppose – you have no choice but to look to the positive side of things." Brook said before she trailed off slightly. "It honestly took me several months to reach this mindset. I was so upset and angry when I was initially hurt. You know?"
"Well, I can't exactly speak from experience, but I think I understand where you're coming from." Tin-Tin said before she pulled her feet up into her seat and got comfortable. "So, tell me, what color is your dress?"
"Oh! It's red and black. It's really cute." Brook gushed, clasping her hands together as her eyes lit up with glee. "Would you like to see it?"
Tin-Tin was a little surprised that Brook had her dress there with her, but then figured that maybe her parents dropped it off and would pick it up after the dance. "I'd love to see it." Tin-Tin said with a smile.
Brook stood quickly and stepped out of frame for a few moments. Tin-Tin could hear a wardrobe door open and the sliding of metal clothes hangers sliding across the metal clothing bar in the wardrobe. She waited patiently before Brook returned with a beaming smile and a soft pink blush adorning her cheeks.
"What do you think?" Brook asked as she held the dress up and stepped back from the camera lens so Tin-Tin could see the dress in it's entirety.
"Oh, wow! It's beautiful!" Tin-Tin was astonished at the beauty of the dress. She'd seen more than enough dresses in magazines and while they were all pretty – this one was quite possibly the best she'd ever seen. "Alan is going to be stunned."
"I hope he likes it." Brook said with a hopeful smile. "You know, he's my first date?"
"Oh really? Being on the mainland, one would think you'd get the opportunity to attend dances regularly?" Tin-Tin inquired s she softened her gaze.
"Well…I've been to many dances…but I've never actually gone with anyone. I've always gone stag." Brook admitted softly. She offered a shrug before continuing. "I was surprised that Alan accepted my invite to attend the dance."
"Why? You're a pretty girl, I'm sure there are loads of boys lining up around the block to get a chance to take you to a dance." Tin-Tin said knowing she didn't speak from experience. She was stuck on an island with her mother, father and family friends. Not a lot of opportunity to look at boys that weren't as close as family. And Tin-Tin, she didn't exactly like Fermat the way she knew he liked her but it is what it is and she knew when to pick her battles. She did have a crush on Alan, for the longest time but it wasn't a worthwhile venture. Alan was like a brother to her and she thought it was weird to be involved with someone so close.
"My family is pretty protective, and my dad wasn't impressed with a boy that did ask to take me to a dance. Trust me…it wasn't pretty." Brook said. "My dad is only just accepted that Alan is taking me to a dance."
"Trust me…Alan's a good guy. He won't treat you bad." Tin-Tin said knowing that Alan's dad and brothers brought Alan up to treat women with respect. "He will be the perfect gentleman."
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
"Scott, what do you think of this? You think Alan will like it?" Virgil inquired as he held up a blood red button up dress shirt. He and his brothers were shopping in the local shopping district, trying to find some clothes for Alan and Fermat to wear to the dance which would be coming up in the next week.
"I kind of like it…but it just doesn't quite say 'Alan'." Scott said as he took the hangar from his brother and closely inspected the article of clothing.
"Well, I'd be disturbed if it did say Alan because then it'd be a talking shirt." Gordon said as he picked up another hangar off the rack to look at a different shirt. He grimaced at the pattern of the material before replacing it on the rack. "I don't know how girls do this. Who likes shopping?"
"Not all girls enjoy shopping and some guys do like it…look at Scott for example." Virgil said teasingly. "He thinks that shirts will scream out the name of the person they want to wear them."
"I do not!" Scott said, feeling more than a little embarrassed that his brothers were openly teasing him.
"Alan, I choose Alan!" Virgil said, grabbing the back of the shirt and puckering the material up in his hand and making it look as if the shirt was capable of speech. "Pick me, pick me!"
"Shut up!" Scott said, pushing his brothers away with a mock frown. He wasn't truly angry at them, he was just mortified that his brothers were teasing him in public.
John picked up a garment off the rack and inspected it before turning to show his brothers. "What do you guys think of this?"
Scott, Virgil and Gordon stopped their bantering to look at the shirt that John was holding up and they all nodded at the selection. "I think that is a fabulous shirt."
The shirt, much like the one Virgil had held up was red, only it had black pin-stripes. It looked like something Alan would wear to a special event. The brothers all looked at the shirt once more and they each nodded. After finding out from Tin-Tin who'd also managed to find the perfect dress for the occasion what color dress Brook intended to wear, the brothers took it upon themselves to find clothes that would fit Alan and Fermat without hurting their wounds.
Searching through the racks some more, Gordon managed to locate the same shirt for his brother but in a larger size. They also located a similar shirt for Fermat, but in another color and pattern to suit Fermat's tastes. While Tin-Tin, Lady Penelope and Onaha hadn't been able to locate a dress that was red, Tin-Tin did manage to find a dress that was a rich sapphire blue…Fermat's favorite color.
"So, what do you guys think of dad allowing Alan to go to the dance as long as Robert is in the hospital?" Gordon asked before turning to his brothers to see their pensive looks. Now he wished he hadn't said anything. It was nice that Alan was being allowed some normalcy where normally that wouldn't be permitted…but the kid had been on his best behavior and for that matter he was doing well in therapy – they both were.
"To be honest, I'd feel better about him going to the dance if Robert wasn't there. I just have a bad feeling about those three being in the same location. Not that Alan and Fermat will do anything, I just fear that Robert is going to try something. From what I can gather, Robert is more than just a surly bastard. And seeing how incensed Robert got that day in court when the guards had to drag him from the room, I do not want Alan or Fermat for that matter to be on the receiving end of Robert's wrath again." John said with a grim look on his face.
"When will we find out when Robert leaves?" Gordon asked before Virgil spoke up.
"We won't, it's against HIPAA regulations." Virgil's nose had this funny wrinkle from a sneer marring his face. "And because he's a minor, we won't know he's been released back to the juvenile detention center until he's physically there."
"Couldn't we get special clearance since he's hurt our brother?" Gordon asked, knowing they couldn't but still asking regardless.
"No, minors have rights just like adults and the hospital is exempt from notifying us that Robert is still under their care regardless of the conditions. We were only notified because the juvenile detention enter notified Barrett of the situation." Virgil said as he paused.
"Can't we call Barrett and ask for an update?" Gordon tried again. He'd feel better knowing Robert wasn't at the hospital when Alan and Fermat returned for the night.
"We can try, but he may not be permitted to say anything, lawyer or not." Virgil said with a sigh. "Why don't we get these things, okay? Maybe even go grab some grub?"
"Sounds good." Scott said as he pulled out his wallet to pay for the clothes for Alan and Fermat. He watched the register monitor and barely reacted when he saw the final cost was $75 dollars. He handed over his credit card and signed the card reader electronically when the cashier asked him to sign. With their purchases made, the brothers left the store and stepped out into the mild weather.
Gordon basked in his black puffer vest and he smiled when Virgil and John crossed their arms tightly over their chests, not quite pleased with the mild weather being colder than they were used to. They sent him murderous glares at how comfortable he was in a simple vest jacket and Scott who was wearing a simple sweater.
They stopped at a street vendor's kiosk and each got a hot dog before they resumed their walk. Scott practically inhaled his hotdog and he passed his water bottle to John when the younger asked if he could have a sip of water. They stopped at an intersection, waiting for the crosswalk to light up therefore allowing the brothers to cross the road. They weren't far from Blythedale and they figured it'd be a great idea to swing in and see Alan and Fermat and to check on their progress.
None of them had been in to visit for a few days, having been told by their dad to take a short vacation and return home for a week which was when they were told by Tin-Tin about the color of her dress as well as the color of Brook's dress so they could retrieve according colors for the boys. This was the first time they'd be in to visit their brothers in a week. Their dad and Fermat's dad had been in to see them and said the boys seemed in high spirits.
Signing in at the front desk, the brothers made their way to Alan and Fermat's room. They went in, noticing that Fermat was immersed in a book and Alan's bed was empty. Fermat graced them a few precious seconds outside of his book to tell them that he and Alan swapped therapy sessions so Fermat could finish the book Lady P and Parker brought from Lady P's immense library.
Making their way to the activity room, they were perplexed to hear music and they noticed a sign on the door – saying activity in progress. Looking in the window the brother smirked at seeing Lacey who appeared to be teaching Alan how to dance…or try to dance while accommodating his limitations. Lacey was helping Alan maneuver with crutches and while it wasn't one of Alan's better moments – it was endearing.
Alan never was a good dancer, having two left feet his whole life. He wasn't bad with finding the beat or rhythm, but he was a terrible dancer. Once before attending one of Lady Penelope's garden parties, Alan had come to Virgil and asked him how to dance and Virgil didn't know quite how to teach him without one of them assuming the role of a lady. Virgil showed Alan videos online and Alan had made the poor girl's feet sore when he danced at the garden party, swearing off dancing anything that wasn't a simple sway.
Scott was impressed with Lacey's technique, not being one for dancing himself. None of them liked dancing, unless you were weird like Virgil. But the eldest Tracy brother had to hand it to the physical therapist for willing to take Alan on as a pupil and to teach him how not to step on his partner's feet.
Suffice it to say that they came upon Alan and Lacey most likely at the end of their session because Alan and Lacey gathered Alan's hoodie from the back of the chair it'd been draped on and they ventured towards the door. Alan was embarrassed that he'd been caught, but he didn't say anything and for that matter neither did any of the brothers. They knew when to pick their battles.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
The rest of the week went by in the blink of an eye. Alan and Fermat were nervously pulling on their garments for the dance. Lady Penelope as well as Alan's grandma insisted they get their dates corsages though neither boy really saw a purpose in those. Jeff took care of purchasing the corsages and the boutonnieres and he picked them up on the day of the dance. Brains and Jeff were at Blythedale with their sons, helping them prepare for the dance.
The only change to their wardrobe that they couldn't tolerate were shoes, which Jeff gave them their black slippers from the island. Lady Penelope and Parker had retrieved Tin-Tin from the island, promising to take pictures for her parents after she was dressed and had her makeup on. Tin-Tin was a bundle of nervous energy and it was palpable within the confines of FAB 1.
Upon arriving at the hotel where the Tracy family and Hackenbacker patriarch were staying, Tin-Tin was led into Ruth's hotel room where she could change and get 'dolled' up as Ruth put it. Tin-Tin closed her eyes as the eyeshadow and eyeliner were applied as well as the blush and lip gloss. It felt amazing being pampered, and it wasn't something she'd soon forget. But it also was nerve wracking. This was her first dance she'd ever been to and while she didn't have romantic feelings towards Fermat, she wanted so badly to impress him, just so he'd know that it wasn't a waste of time asking her to attend with him.
Stepping into her shoes, Tin-Tin turned towards the mirror and her breath left her in a rush. She knew she was pretty, had been told by many a person that she was a looker but seeing herself staring back from the mirror was not at all what she was expecting to see. Lady Penelope and Ruth stepped back to admire their work. Within minutes there was a knock on the door and Ruth went to answer. Jeff stepped in the room, carrying a plastic bag. He had to do a double take when he saw Tin-Tin and the teen looked down with a huge blush. Mr. Tracy certainly had never seen her like this and it felt like she was being scrutinized by her own dad.
"You look lovely Tin-Tin." Jeff said before he went to the desk in Ruth's hotel room to set the bag. He dug in the bag for a moment before turning to Tin-Tin with a transparent plastic container with a sapphire blue rose corsage. He opened the container and removed the delicate piece before going to Tin-Tin. "May I see your wrist Tin-Tin?"
Tin-Tin raised her wrist for Jeff to take and her breath caught at the beauty of the flower piece. Jeff fastened the corsage to Tin-Tin's wrist and smiled at the young lady stood in front of him. Jeff winked at the young woman, easing the nervous tension that was charging the air in the room.
"Thank you, Mr. Tracy." Tin-Tin said with an easy smile before she hugged the Tracy patriarch.
"No problem Tin-Tin, thank you for going to the dance with Alan and Fermat. I know they must be missing you something fierce." Jeff said as he returned the hug to the young lady. "Best be off, Alan and Fermat will probably be waiting for you."
"Thank you again Mr. Tracy!" Tin-Tin called as she hurried out of the room where Parker was waiting to escort her to the hospital dance. Jeff smiled as he watched the young woman leave, sure that she was going to have a blast that evening and he hoped his son and Fermat would too. He'd made sure to give the bag with the other corsage for Brook and the boutonnieres for Alan and Fermat to Parker.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
Brook was near panic as she hurriedly applied her makeup for the dance. Skye came in the room and looked her up and down with an appreciative smile. Brook was jumpy, soon she'd be dancing with not only a cute boy, but a cute boy whom she had a crush on. She hadn't been able to get a guy to agree to go to a dance with her since she learned that dances first existed.
"Brook, calm down. Alan isn't going anywhere." Sky said as she took the makeup brush from Brook and leaned in to carefully apply the makeup to Brook's delicate features. "In fact he's coming here just for you."
"No pressure…" Brook said as she closed her eyes while Skye put on a touch of eyeshadow and eyeliner.
"Relax girlie, he's going to be speechless. You look gorgeous!" Sky said with a smile before she picked up a mirror and held it up for Brook to look at. She smiled when Brook's eyes widened in surprise at how good she looked. "See?"
Skye knelt to fasten the straps on Brook's heels before she stood to help her friend and fellow patient up from the bed. Brook inhaled shakily before there was a knock at her door. Skye grinned at Brook before she nudged Brook with a knowing wink.
"I'm not ready!" Brook whispered, even as she readjusted the straps on her dress. "I'm a mess!"
"No, you aren't! Besides, speak of the devil and he shall appear and I think your little devil is waiting eagerly behind that door." Skye said with a smirk.
"Skye! Ssh!" Brook urged quietly before Skye practically glided to the door and opened it to smile at Alan who was standing with the help of his crutches. Even Skye blushed a little when she realized how tall Alan actually was when he wasn't confined to a bed or his wheelchair.
"Hi Alan!" Skye said as she hugged Alan in greeting.
"Hey Skye, what are you doing here?" Alan asked as he was led into Brook's hospital room.
"I was just helping Brook put the finishing touches on her ensemble. Besides, I should be going, I think Chad is looking for me." Skye said before she moved to exit the room. As she exited the room she turned and with a cheeky grin, spoke parting words. "Do do anything I wouldn't do! Buh-Bye!"
Brook and Alan stood in front of each other, pointedly not looking at the other as their faces burned with embarrassment over the hidden meaning behind Skye's words.
"Um…we should go." Alan said before he turned to lead Brook from the room. Unfortunately, he couldn't take her by the hand, needing both hands to operate his crutches. But he did let Brook lean in to kiss his cheek, before returning said chaste kiss with a blush.
"Thank you, Alan." Brook whispered as she walked with Alan to the elevator. They made their way to the sun room a few halls away and were greeted by Fermat, Tin-Tin and Parker. Tin-Tin opened her arms to hug Alan before hugging Brook, smile wide on her face.
"Sorry, I'm a hugger!" Tin-Tin said when Brook nervously returned the hug to Tin-Tin.
"Here ye go young Master Alan." Parker said as he fished the plastic container from inside the bag to open for Alan. Brook's breathe caught in her throat at first sight of the breathtaking corsage. She held her hand out when Alan stretched the elastic band to fit snugly around her wrist.
"Thank you, Alan." Brook said in a hushed whisper. Alan accepted another hug from Brook.
You're welcome, I'm glad you like it." Alan whispered before Parker stepped in close and held up a camera.
"Might I take a picture of you all for your families? Young Lady Tin-Tin's parent's requested pictures of you all with your dates." Parker said before turning to Fermat and Alan respectively. "I also promised yer families that I'd take pictures of you two."
"Okay Parker." Alan said hearing an echoing reply from Fermat.
Alan and Fermat stood close to the back wall, using the wall to support themselves when they hid their walking aids. Alan stood with his back to Fermat's back, one arm around Brook's waist, smiling brightly for the camera. Fermat did the same, offering his best smile for the sake of a picture. As for Tin-Tin and Brook, both girls bestowed dazzling smiles for the camera. Parker snapped one of several pictures, requesting several different pictures from just Alan and Fermat, each boy and girl respectively in a picture all their own as well as with their dates and altogether.
"How many pictures are you gonna take of us Nosey?" Alan asked playfully. He didn't mind getting his picture taken, but this seemed a tad bit much even for him. Brook nudged him in the ribs and a sharp clearing of her throat before Alan apologized. "Sorry Parker."
"It's quite alright young master Alan, they don't call me Aloysius 'Nosey' Parker for nothing." Parker said, not at all offended by Alan's jab. "One more for Milady."
"Of course, Parker. Thank you." Alan said, smiling at the English butler.
As promised, Parker finished taking pictures before he backed away, with a promise to be back at midnight to retrieve Tin-Tin from the hospital to return her to the hotel. They'd even gotten clearance from the hospital that Alan and Fermat may go be with their family for the night following the dance.
"Thanks again Parker." Alan, Fermat, and Tin-Tin said before the English butler took his leave allowing the four teens to go into the dance and commence their evening of frivolity.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
Once in the dance, Alan and Brook separated from Fermat and Tin-Tin who didn't immediately venture onto the dancefloor. Alan however wanted to dance with Brook and have fun.
Finding an open spot on the dance floor, Alan and Brook started dancing even if for Alan it was difficult to do without ditching the crutches. They danced several songs, both smiling despite the sweat dripping in their eyes or in Alan's case – the aching throb that developed in his legs and feet from being on them longer than he had been for months. He was having fun though and so he didn't complain about the pain.
Fermat and Tin-Tin watched from the sidelines, having taken to walking around the room instead of dancing or watching movies with the other kids in front of the TV. Fermat wanted to dance, but was embarrassed to dance with Tin-Tin. Not for any reason besides having a crush on her. When a slow song came on however, Fermat drummed up enough courage to ask Tin-Tin for a dance.
As luck would have it, they danced just on the other side of Alan and Brook and they smiled at the pair.
Alan was holding Brook close, allowing her to rest her head on his chest during the dance. He held one of her hands, her other hand was up over his shoulder and gripping the back of Alan's neck. Alan was resting on top of Brook's head and they swayed slowly to the song playing out in the room. Fermat and Tin-Tin looked at the duo and smiled at the ease with which they danced. Alan and Brook's eyes were closed, the swaying and turns looking effortless for the teens.
"They look happy." Tin-Tin said, a wistful smile on her face as she watched Alan's mouth move and wondered what he was saying to Brook.
"I t-think they are. I c-can't say I've s-seen Alan that h-happy in a long t-time." Fermat said as he stood by Tin-Tin's side, gazing at one of his best friends and his date. Alan had laid one of his crutches against the table they'd claimed as theirs, so he could dance with Brook unimpeded.
Soon enough the song changed, the beat thumping through the speakers and Alan led Brook to the refreshments table. Fermat and Tin-Tin changed their direction to meet Alan and Brook who were getting drinks and dipping marshmallow pieces in the chocolate fondue fountain and feeding each other with laughter.
"Well, aren't you two having fun?" Tin-Tin asked with a brilliant smile. She thought Alan and Brook were adorable.
"We are." Brook said with a giggle, wrapping an arm around Alan's waist. "Tonight, has been one of the best nights in my opinion."
"Yes, it has." Alan agreed with a matching smile. He truly was having fun and he was glad Brook was having fun also. He thought he'd have been as fun as a stick in the mud at this dance due to his injuries preventing him from really being able to enjoy the event. But he was wrong, and he was glad he was. "Do we want to go for a walk?"
"Sure." Brook said, eagerly joining Alan when he turned to walk away. When Fermat and Tin-Tin hesitated, Alan turned back to them.
"Well, aren't you going to join us? I feel like it's been a lifetime since we've all been able to talk without having to be over an internet connection." Alan said when he saw Tin-Tin and Fermat smile as they joined the duo.
They walked until they reached the bank of elevators and sighed. Deciding to go up to the roof, the group sighed as the leaned back against the wall in the elevator. Alan and Brook were holding hands, a fact that wasn't hidden from Fermat and Tin-Tin. When the elevator made it to the top of the hospital, the group made their way outside into the cool night air. They made their way to a bench which must have been kept up there for staff members or families that wanted to eat outside or smoke a cigarette.
Taking a seat, the group started to talk.
"So how far along are you in your rehabilitation?" Brook asked as she looked between Alan and Fermat.
"Yes, how far along are you two?" Tin-Tin asked, feeling like she's been kept out of the loop for a long time.
"Well, our therapist isn't throwing out any dates, but she has said we're both getting better." Alan said speaking not only for himself, but Fermat too.
"But has she said anything more definitive?" Tin-Tin inquired, shoulders slumping slightly when Alan gave a non-committal shrug.
"She has been making noise like she wants to increase my activity a bit more, but every time I ask about it she says I'm not ready yet." Alan said before he shrugged again. "I'm not too worried about it. The last time Lacey and I increased my activity before I was ready, I was stuck in bed for several days because I was too sore to move."
"S-Same here. Lacey t-tries with b-both of us, b-but doesn't w-want to hurt us b-by increasing t-too soon." Fermat said, turning to Tin-Tin and offering her a shy grin.
Glancing at her watch, Tin-Tin gasped. "My gosh, has it been that long already? We'll have enough time for one more dance before we're finished."
"We better hurry." Brook said before standing with Alan, Fermat and Tin-Tin and making quick work of the distance to the elevator. They arrived back at the sun room with just enough time to catch the last slow dance of the evening. Fermat wasn't usually one for dancing and he was shy when it came to asking Tin-Tin to dance, but he felt he owed her at least one slow dance since she was actually doing him a favor by coming to the dance so that he could come out to have fun and not be stuck in his hospital room back at Blythedale.
"T-Tin-Tin?" Fermat asked, voice trembly from nerves. When the object of his affections turned to him, Fermat put his all into asking her to dance. "M-May I h-have t-this d-dance?"
Tin-Tin smiled as she nodded, catching Alan's beaming smile before she nodded at Fermat, letting him take her by the hand and lead her out onto the dance floor. Alan turned to Brook and set not one but both crutches aside before turning to Brook, a warm smile firmly in place.
"Alan, are you sure you should go without your crutches?" Brook asked, hoping Alan wouldn't hurt himself.
"I'm sure." Alan said, limping a little without his walking aids. "May I have this dance my lady?"
"You may, my good sir." Brook said before helping to support Alan as they walked onto the dance floor.
They danced together, smiling as they gazed into each other's eyes. Fermat and Tin-Tin grinned as they watched Alan and Brook, both happy they found each other. Alan tried not to lean on Brook as he danced with her. He was incredibly happy holding Brook in his arms, had wanted to for a while. He was touched that Brook chose her dress based on his favorite color and was glad Tin-Tin managed to talk to Brook enough to get an idea of what color tie he'd wear for the event. Brook certainly wouldn't tell him the details.
Looking down at his date, Alan smiled making Brook look at him with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" Brook asked softly, wondering if she had smudged her makeup at some point during the evening or not.
"Nothing, just wondering if I forgot to tell you…" Alan trailed off, wondering if he was about to make a big mistake.
"Tell me…what?" Brook asked with a confused look on her face.
"Tell you…how beautiful I think you are." Alan replied, a little breathlessly before looking away, immediately embarrassed at what he'd just said.
"Thanks…you look beautiful too." Brook said before slapping her hand to her forehead.
"It's okay…I think I know what you mean." Alan said before he leaned his forehead against Brook's forehead.
"Thank you for allowing me this chance to know what a true gentleman is." Brook whispered as she hugged Alan tightly.
"I'm no gentleman." Alan refuted quietly, thinking he was far from a gentleman.
"You are a gentleman. You know how to show a girl a good time and to sweep her off her feet and I consider myself lucky to be one of those girls." Brook said with a bright smile.
"Oh well now you're just trying to make me blush." Alan said with a roll of his eyes.
"Well it's true." Brook said, squeezing Alan around the waist.
"Uh-huh." Alan remarked disbelievingly.
"Oh, shut up and kiss me." Brook said, face alight with a bright red blush. Alan didn't need any further invite and he leaned in close. He'd never kissed anyone before and he was worried about knocking heads with Brook. That'd be a horrid first kiss if you ask him. Brook remembered that Alan told her that he'd never kissed before and she spoke softly. "I'll go this way."
"And I'll go this way." Alan said indicating he'd tilt his head to the right when Brook indicated she'd turn her head to the left. With those instructions, Alan leaned in before he chickened out and planted a quick and very chaste kiss on Brook's lips. He pulled away equally as fast and looked at Brook with a bright red face. The teen simply smiled and hugged Alan as they returned to slow dancing.
A/N: So, here is the latest update to this story - I honestly hope y'all don't come after me with pitchforks for making Alan develop a love interest other than Tin-Tin. I know some folks ship Alan/Tin-Tin stories and others ship Alan/Original character stories. You all know I'm an unorthodox author, I explore stories that wouldn't otherwise work in the fandom and have more stories that are outside the realm of possibility in the Thunderbirds fandom. Personally, I wanted to give Alan something to put a smile on his face. I feel he deserves something nice every once in a while aside from getting to go home which I am contemplating adding here soon to later chapters (how much later you might ask, I don't know...yet)...I'm still figuring that out.
Keep your eyes peeled for my next story which I'll post sometime in the coming weeks. In case you didn't read my author's note in the last chapter, it'll be titled "Alone in the Wilderness" below is the summary:
"Alan is just a rich, spoiled rotten teenaged boy with a chip on his shoulder. After crossing a line, his father has had enough and has sent him off to a military school on the West Coast. When the charter plane he's in suffers an unforeseen complication, Alan is forced to survive in the wilderness with the injured pilot by his side. Will they be able to survive, or will they succumb to their surroundings before they're rescued?"
I know based on the summary, you may ask why I'm calling it alone in the wilderness if Alan is with the pilot, technically speaking he's not alone...but if you must know I titled it that when I had the intention of killing the pilot and making Alan alone figuratively and literally...but I began adding dialog and the title just stuck - sue me...wait, maybe not...better yet don't sue me...just read it when I post it and then if you must tell me off.
Toodles!