A/N: Hey everyone! How has your week been? Mine has been great! Thanks to my REVIEWERS! I really appreciate the feedback, and how kind it is! Thanks a lot, and enjoy the next instalment! It isn't HUGELY long, and not much actually happens, but I have changed my mind and this story is going to be a long one, as I have though of a further storyline. Hope you like it!

-:0:-

His brother was dying.

Right in front of him, his baby brother was dying.

He had watched as his fragile frame was smothered by heavy concrete, watched as his head smashed into the hard ground. He had watched his little brother's life being taken away from him slowly, bit by bit, right in front of him.

And all he could do was stare. Stare into his brother's baby blue eyes. Those which reminded him so much of his mother, now cloudy with pain, grief and sorrow. He had failed him. Failed to protect him. He had only been the other side of the room as the ceiling collapsed on top of him.

He had failed Alan, his brothers, his father and his mother. All of them, in just a few seconds.

Blood had soon begun to pool around his baby's form and he had cried out in anguish.

"Nonononono. Don't die, don't die. If you die, I'll die baby brother. I can't live without you! ALAN!"

"Alan!"

Scott jerked up in his seat; eyes suddenly open wide, searching wildly for the comfort of his little brother's form. Breathing deeply as the events of yesterday attacked him, he squeezed his eyes shut again. He remembered. He was sitting in the hospital, after him and his family had raced Alan there, not a word being spoken between them. As the memories from yesterday haunted him, he could feel his family's gaze on him. Those memories which had just replayed them self in his head caused guilt to bubble up in him and he suddenly felt nauseous.

Prying open his eyes, he turned to see Virgil, Gordon and his father staring at him, concern evident in their faces. Seeing red, bloodshot eyes looking at him, he knew he wasn't the only one that hadn't slept much.

They had called John earlier, telling him about what had happened to Alan, and as they had guessed, he had demanded someone go pick him up. Jeff had spoken to Brains, and they were – Scott checked his watch – on their way back down at this very minute. Everyone knew that Alan and John were very close, and as expected, he was almost jumped down their throats, ordering them to tell him what was wrong, and tears springing to his eyes.

"You okay Scotty?" said a bleak voice, coupled with tiredness, making his father sound ten years older than he was. Bringing himself back down to Earth, he looked at Jeff and sighed, nodding wearily.

Rubbing his hands over his face, he stood up, announcing that he needed a coffee, and headed off down the hall in search of a machine.

Jeff watched his eldest son go with concern in his eyes. He knew how badly this was affecting him and it pained him to realise that he could do nothing to ease his son's hurt. Looking at Scott's back again, he sighed deeply. How could he convince him that it wasn't his fault?

"Dad?" asked a small, timid voice, "Is Alan going to be okay?"

Jeff's eyes widened as he heard Gordon's voice sound so little and lost. He hadn't heard him talk like that since Virgil had broken his arm when Gordon was just six. Staring at Gordon, he placed a hand on his son's face, drawing him into a hug.

"He'll be fine Gordo, just you wait." He felt a small nod against his chest as he looked over the top of Gordon's head at Virgil.

His face was cast downwards; posture slumped as he twiddled his thumbs around each other. Hearing a huff from Virgil, he released Gordon, who stood up, said that he was also going to get a drink and find Scott, unable to bear the waiting any longer. Sighing for what he felt was the hundredth time; he watched another one of his sons walk away from him.

Turning to his last remaining son with him, he frowned slightly when he saw Virgil shaking.

"Virg? Virgil, are you alright?" Putting a hand onto his shoulder, he turned Virgil towards hi and was taken aback when he saw tears making their way down his face. "Oh God, Virgil, what's up?" Waiting for a few seconds, he strained to hear the choked reply.

"How could we… we have missed this dad? What…what if we loose him just because we let him go?" What if I loose him because I was too stupid not to see that my baby brother was bleeding out right in front of our eyes? I'm supposed to know this, how could I be so selfish? Peering up into his father's eyes, he felt a sense of despair wash over him and he struggled away from his Jeff's grip and retreated into himself.

Watching Virgil's behaviour, Jeff shook his head in disbelief.

"Virgil. I am telling you that Alan will be fine. This is in no way your fault, you understand me?" He said sternly, staring intently at his son. Receiving a small shrug, he put an arm round Virgil. "Virgil?" Getting a nod, he smiled slightly and put a finger under his son's chin, lifting his face to meet his.

"Go get a drink, son. And make sure those two eat something, won't you? You know what Scott is like." He watched his son smile and grinned as Virgil stood up and left, leaving Jeff to his thoughts.

Oh Lucy, please protect our boys. If I loose Alan…. God, it will ruin them. Please, keep him safe.

"DAD! Where's Alan? Have they said anything? Where are Scott, Virg and Gordo? What's happening?"

Head swivelling quickly, he turned to see John running at him, panic written over his features.

"Dad? What's going on?"

Standing up and pulling his son into a firm hug, he thanked Lucy silently for bringing his boy back down safely. Guiding John into a seat, he placed his hand firmly on John' shoulder and took a deep breath.

"Relax John, your brothers are getting something to drink. As for Alan, the doctors haven't-"

"Mr Tracy?"

Pausing, he looked up at a woman standing a few feet away with a tired look on her face. He stood up quickly, feeling his heart quicken and hastened to reply.

"Yes? Is there any news on Alan? How's my son?"

Not liking the look that passed over her face, he felt John stiffen next to him.

"Maybe you'd like to take a seat?" She gestured to the chairs sheepishly at the look on Jeff's face.

"No! Just, please tell me about my son. What happened? Is he okay?" Breathing deeply, he watched as the young woman frowned, as though trying to think of how to say something.

"Mr Tracy, I'm Dr. Daniels, Alan's doctor. The good news is that Alan made it through surgery without any complications and is now resting. You can see him soon if you like. However, he suffered large blood loss which was caused by a large gash on his back. Three of his ribs were cracked and a few bruised. We won't know if there will be any lasting damage until he wakes up." Her voice was soft as she looked at the reactions of the two men standing in front of her. Both men's faces instantly lit up and their eyes suddenly became alive. Smiling, she watched as the younger scooted round the other and came to a stop next to her.

"Can we see him now?" His face was turned up in hope as she nodded and he glanced back at his dad.

"I'll go find Scott, Virg and Gordon. Go ahead in; I'll be there in a minute." Turning abruptly, eager to see his youngest, he jogged off his search of his others.

"Lead the way!" John smiled at Dr Daniels who turned round and led him to a door just down the corridor. Pausing outside, she turned to him, face screwed up slightly.

"He's hooked up to a few machines at the minute, so be warned. They're only to help him, but still…" she trailed off leaving John to figure out the rest. "I'll be back soon to check on him. Just press the button next to his bed if you need any help."

Smiling his thanks, he watched as she walked off before turning to the door and taking a deep breath. Opening it quickly, he entered. Spotting his brother lying on a bed asleep, he gasped slightly at the sight. He knew that Dr Daniels had warned him about the wires, but just the sight of his baby brother lying so still shocked him.

Hurrying over, he cried out softly as he took in his brother's appearance. Alan's usually olive skin was pale and dark circles under his eyes stood out.

Alan. C'mon baby brother, be okay. I love you Sprout.