A/N: Oh, my reviewers know how to make my day! Thank you to all who have reviewed and I'm sorry to the unsigned reviewers whom I couldn't reply to, but im just saying thank you now, so as I don't forget! Thank you! Also, a new shout out to my beta reader Criminally Charmed. I really appreciate her doing this for me. Thanks CC, the work has improved with your gracious help.

Enjoy!

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"Oh, Alan."

John sighed as he looked over his baby brother's still form. It killed him to see the teenager so pale and lifeless. While it pained him for any of his brothers to be hurt, he had been over-protective of Alan and whenever he was sad or hurt, John couldn't help but be too. Even when Allie had just fallen over or bumped into something, he had always felt a pang of guilt about not being down there with him, stuck on Thunderbird 5.

Running his fingers lightly through his brother's golden blonde hair, John bit his lip to stop his tears from falling. Bending forwards, he brushed Alan's bangs out of the way before placing a light kiss on his forehead. God, he missed his little brother when he was up on his 'bird. And recently, he had begun to feel Alan slipping through his grasp even more. He had used to call him every night, full of energy and bounce, not sitting still for more than a few minutes. John sighed as he remembered his brother's grinning face that he saw so often. But now, he was lucky if Alan called him once a week and it wasn't the same. Yes, he had still been his smiley self, raring with energy. But often there was a look in Alan's eye that John couldn't place. It was almost as if he was tired.

Alan would also tell John about their other brothers and the fact that they didn't trust him. He remembered a time when Alan had come on the vid-phone with eyes red and bloodshot from crying. John immediately demanded to know what was wrong. Ten minutes later Alan had finally admitted to having enough of Scott, Gordon and Virgil's constant picking on him. That was the time when he had accidently blown up the chemistry lab in his school.

Later that night, John had angrily spoken to his brothers, telling him what effect they had had on Alan and they had sobered up quick enough for John to tell them that Ally had called him, crying. It had been Scott who had hurried off to find Alan who had been sitting at his spot on the beach which he favoured. Scott had been heartbroken when he saw his baby brother crying and had apologized profusely.

"I'm so sorry I didn't do more to protect you, kiddo. Please wake up." John hung his head over the side of Alan's bed, feeling dejected when Alan didn't stir. John pressed his forehead against the metal rails of Alan's bed, when he heard the door open. The silence of the room was filled by a loud gasp, accompanied by an exclamation which caused Jeff to swat his eldest round the back of the head.

Turning, John spotted the looks on his brothers' faces turning from slight joy that Alan was going to be okay, to horror at the sight of him on the bed, hooked up to so many machines.

First to move was Virgil, who slowly stepped forward, trying not to trip over his own feet. Oh my God, what have I done? Reaching out a shaking hand, he placed it on the side of his brother's face, staring down at the innocence of his Alan. As tears hastily made their way out of his eyes, he blinked profusely and stumbled backwards. Turning sharply, he sprinted out of the room, his stomach spinning painfully, as he ran from his own guilty thought.

What have I done???

"Virgil!" Jeff yelled, looking in concern at his third son as he nearly fell over in his desperation to get out of the room. Glancing despairingly at John, who had stood up, Jeff inclined his head sharply towards Virgil. "Please go after him, Lord knows what's going on in his head. He thinks it's his fault. Please, John?"

Nodding in reply, John swiftly left the room, unable to look at Alan any longer. As soon as John had slipped out of the door, Gordon finally reacted, as his hand made its way to his mouth, covering it slightly.

"Alan..."

Gordon's voice was only a whisper as he made his way towards his only younger brother. Staring down at his partner-in-crime's lax face, Gordon cried out softly before reaching down to stroke Alan's arm. Sobbing slightly, he felt his dad and Scott move next to him, tears also clouding their eyes.

"Wake up little brother, wake up." He whispered again into Alan's hair, tears gently subsiding. Suddenly, feeling a stir beneath him, Gordon pulled back sharply in shock and looked down at Alan's face.

"Alan? C'mon little bro, you can do it. Open those big baby blues of yours. I know you can't wait to see this beautiful face." He chuckled slightly and watched as his dad and Scott also tried to rouse Alan.

"Mmmm." Three men froze in delight as Alan gave low grumble. Shaking, Gordon reached down and swept Alan's hair off his face again.

"Alan? Just open your eyes for me." Jeff gently chided, looking sorrowfully down at his son, guilt eating away at him for yelling at the last gift Lucy had given him. Seeing his baby like this was just a painful reminder of what had happened to her all. Jeff shuddered as he repressed the memory again and concentrated on the pinched face of his youngest.

Alan grunted again, as his brow creased with effort. Reaching forward to place a hand on his forehead, Jeff blanched when Alan flinched at his touch. Recovering quickly, he placed his hand firmly on Alan's arm.

"C'mon Alan, you can do it. Just open your eyes."

And he did. Alan's eyelids fluttered slightly, before opening all the way. Confusion shining in his eyes, Alan gagged suddenly and raised his hands to try and pull the offending object blocking his airway out of his mouth. Head spinning wildly, Alan could only see his hands. He was unaware that his concerned family were standing around him, trying to calm him.

Suddenly Alan felt a cool hand on his forehead and heard the words were whispered in his ear softly. Slowly ceasing to struggle, his vision became clearer and he saw Gordon, Scott and his dad looking at him, beaming. Realizing it was Gordon's hand on his head, Alan grunted and pointed to the tube in his mouth with a desperate look in his eyes.

Swiftly pressing the button next to Alan's bed, Jeff sighed as his youngest closed his eyes again wearily before looking at Gordon. Seeing the raw pain that was in Alan's eyes, Jeff grimaced as he accepted that he was to blame for putting most of it there. Not only had he failed his son for not seeing his injury, he had also yelled at him for doing his job.

"Alan!" came a voice from behind them, making Jeff jump out of his stupor, "It's so good to see you awake. Hang on; I'll just get that out for you."

Dr Daniels jogged over to Alan's bedside before looking seriously into her patient's eyes. "Now Alan, I'm going to need you to cough on three, okay? One, two, three…"

Spluttering as the plastic tubing was pulled out of his throat, Alan grimaced up at his doctor. Choking nosily, he silently thanked Scott as a cup was placed in front of him with a straw. Gulping the water down greedily, he was slightly annoyed when it was pulled back.

"Gordo?" He was shocked at how raspy his voice sounded. Clearing his throat, he squinted at the doctor. "Wha' happened?" A few seconds of silence passed, before Gordon turned confusedly to Alan.

"I was hoping you could tell us that bro." Frowning, he glanced up at his dad who gave him a shaky nod to continue. "What do you remember?"

Screwing up his eyes, Alan thought back to the last thing he could think of doing. "I remember feeling dizzy. My back… it was so painful. Then it all went black." Looking up hopefully at his dad and brothers, he noticed that Dr Daniel's had moved out of the room while he had been talking. Suddenly, his eyes drooped and he felt tired.

Scott noticed his baby brother's demeanour change and sighed wearily. "Get some sleep Alan, we'll be here when you wake up. We promise, Sprout." Seeing the younger boy's eyes slide shut, he grimaced and turned to Jeff who was gazing at his youngest imploringly.

"John and Virgil are gonna be annoyed at not being here. I'll try and find them and let them know that he's alright." Sighing again, he shuffled out of the room in search of his brothers. Taking a swift left in the direction that John had gone, he slowed his pace, feeling ready to collapse then and there. The sight of his baby brother like that had aged Scott and he winced as the memories of his nightmare assaulted him once again.

You ever do that to me again little brother and I am so blaming you for my grey hairs.

TBC.