Hello once more and welcome to the final chapter!
I'm so happy with all the awesome reviews I've received and I'm thrilled you're enjoying this story. I'm also glad that a few of you are growing impatient with Alan's antics. However much I love victimizing Alan, I wanted to show that, although he is often the perfect candidate for over-protectiveness and fussing, he does bring it on himself sometimes. Being a teenager he is impetuous and irresponsible-(weren't we all??) and I wanted to see how well I could get that across-great results!
Thanks all once again and I'll see you next time!!
"Alan!" Scott called for what seemed like the thousandth time. Once again, his words were lost in the howling wind.
Donned in wet weather gear, he and his father were walking along the beach in the pouring rain. The storm was well and truly above them now. The thunder boomed overhead.
Alan must be scared out of his wits, thought Scott
He wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around his little brother, like he did whenever Alan was scared during a storm. Instead he was faced with the bitter cold, wind and rain.
"He can't be far away!" Jeff called over the storm.
They scanned the distance ahead with their torches. But it was a flash of lightning that caused Scott to spot a huddled figure.
"There!" he cried, racing towards Alan.
"Alan!" he called, but it was obvious Alan couldn't hear him. Finally he sank to his knees in the sand next to his brother, who raised his head.
"Scott?" Alan's voice revealed his fear.
Scott flung his arms around his little brother. Soon he felt Jeff's arms around the both of them too. Scott suddenly became aware of how fiercely Alan shook in his arms.
"Come on, let's go!" he called.
Shielding Alan from the weather, they made their way back to the house.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTB
Virgil had received his father's message to say they'd found Alan ten minutes ago, yet for him that was ten minutes too long. As creative as he was claimed to be, Virgil was also a realist. His training in medicine had taught him that. Now he was pacing across the living room, trying to prepare himself for his task that lay ahead. Alan had left with a mild concussion; no doubt he was still feeling the effects. Exposed to such harsh conditions, his body temperature would be dangerously low, maybe showing early signs of hypothermia…
"Virg! Cut it out! You're making me dizzy," said Gordon.
Virgil snapped out of his trance. "Sorry, just thinking," he apologised, taking a seat next to his brother on the floor in front of the couch.
"I'm sure Alan will be fine, Virgil," Penelope reassured from her position, curled up on an armchair.
"Yeah Virg, Alan's tough, he'll be alright," added Gordon.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right," sighed Virgil. "But you know me."
Gordon ruffled his hair, an action known to annoy Virgil, yet this time, the middle Tracy brother made no effort to prevent it. "Yeah, we know you. Always Doctor Do-Good."
The others chuckled.
Virgil wasn't distracted for long, but he waited until there was decent chatter amidst the others in the room until he murmured to his brother. "But why would he leave the infirmary anyway? I told him to stay there."
Gordon looked thoughtful. "Yeah, I know, but he's had a rough day. And I have to admit I didn't make it all sunshine for him. I think he was in one of those moods where he didn't want to be mothered."
Virgil hushed his voice as Kirano passed them to light the fire. "But why would he go and stay outside during a storm? Poor kid's probably terrified."
"Speak of the devil," murmured Gordon, suddenly looking up.
Virgil was immediately on his feet as Jeff and Scott entered the room, clutching a very wet, shivering Alan between them.
"Everything okay?" asked Virgil quietly.
Jeff nodded. "They are now," he said, obviously trying not to attract too much attention to them.
Virgil could understand why; Alan's eyes focused only on the floor; clearly he was embarrassed. Virgil only prayed Gordon wouldn't say anything foolish and make things worse.
"You boys take him for a moment, I'm going to talk to John on the radio and let him know what has happened," said Jeff, gently pushing Alan towards Scott and Virgil.
Both brothers exchanged glances for a moment, at first unsure of what to do. Then Scott took charge. "Come on," he murmured to Alan. "Let's get you into some dry clothes."
Grabbing a torch, Scott steered Alan out of the living room and upstairs. At first Virgil wanted to go with them, but then he decided it was best not to smother Alan. He had seen the look on his younger brother's face.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
"Here," said Scott, throwing a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt at his youngest brother. Alan said nothing, only disappearing into the bathroom. Scott sighed as thunder rumbled from outside. The lights flickered and died. Great.Just great.
Scott turned on his torch to provide them with some light. "Alan, you okay in there?" he called quietly after a few minutes.
After receiving no answer, he peered around the bathroom door inquisitively. "Alan, what are you-"
He was shocked to find Alan sitting on the cold tiles, his back up against the sink cabinet.
Well at least he changed into the dry clothes, thought Scott, thankfully.
He shone the torch down at Alan. "What's wrong?"
Alan answered with a barely visible shrug. Scott crouched down next to his brother. "You feeling okay?" he asked, trying to examine the situation from a new angle.
Alan nodded silently.
Scott became unnerved by his brother's silence. "Alan, say something," he pleaded softly.
Alan mumbled something, barely audible.
"What was that?" asked Scott, gently.
Alan lifted his head slightly. "I said, I don't want to go downstairs."
Scott frowned. "Why is that?"
Alan looked down again. "I just don't, that's all."
Scott sighed inwardly. "Alan, I'm not stupid. I know something is bothering you. But if we're going to get to the bottom of this, I need you to talk to me."
"Who said you needed to figure me out?" asked Alan. "It'll just be another problem for you to have to deal with."
Laying the torch on the floor, Scott sat down next to his brother. "Alan, you're not a problem," he said softly.
Alan scoffed. "Yeah, sure. You only say that to make me talk so you can do your big brother act."
I'm getting closer, thought Scott. "What big brother act?" he asked, innocently.
Alan didn't say anything for a while. Suddenly a loud boom of thunder interrupted the silence and Scott instinctively went to put an arm around his youngest brother when he squirmed uncomfortably.
"That thing!" exclaimed Alan, getting up off the floor. "The whole, 'I've got to protect Alan' thing! What, you think I can't fend for myself?"
"Alan, I didn't mean…" Scott was lost for words. "I can't help it sometimes," he apologised.
Alan leaned back on the door. "I'm not a kid, Scott. I wish for once all of you could understand that."
Scott stood up. "Alan, we don't-"
Alan cut Scott off. "But you do! You treat me like I'm made of glass, and when you don't, you treat me like I'm nothing! You give me all this shit when all I want to do is belong!"
Scott's face fell at his brother's words. "I'm sorry," was all he could say. There was a long pause. "Why did you leave the sick bay, Alan?" he asked, gently.
Alan took in a raggedy breath. "Because I hated the fact that, because I was hurt, you all took advantage of it and treated me like I was five years old," he said quietly. "I felt like I was being suffocated. I had to get out."
"Alan." Scott slowly approached his younger brother, putting a hand on his shoulder, "We make such a fuss because we care about you. We don't want to see you hurt. We love you."
"No, you don't!" choked Alan, sobbing and pulling away from Scott. "I'm nothing but a nuisance, and Dad thinks so too!"
"When did he say that?" asked Scott, keeping his voice as soft as possible.
"He doesn't need to!" cried Alan. "You saw the way he didn't even look at me when we were walking back to the house. I'm just a pain in the arse for him. He'd be better off without me! He wouldn't be so stressed and have to deal with-"
"Stop it, Alan. Stop it!" exclaimed Scott, who couldn't bear to listen to anymore. "Dad loves you. How can you say he'd be better without you?"
"Because it's true!" Alan cried.
Scott had had enough. Before Alan could run away, he grabbed his youngest brother into a bear hug. Alan broke down, tugging at his shirt and sobbing into his shoulder. Scott rested his head atop Alan's. "We love you," he said. "We all do, Alan. Why would we try so hard to look after you if we didn't love you?"
Another boom of thunder above them made Alan squirm. Scott held him tighter, yet Alan pulled away, wiping his face. "This is so stupid!" he said, "I'm fifteen and I can't even handle a frigging storm!"
"Alan, you know we don't make jokes about that. You can handle a storm, you just need a little help, that's all," Scott reassured.
"Yeah, heres me talking about how I'm not a kid, yet I always need you to be there to stop me having nightmares," scoffed Alan.
"We all have fears, Alan," Scott comforted.
"You don't," was Alan's reply.
Scott gave a small laugh. "Are you kidding me? Even I'm afraid of something."
"What are you afraid of?" Alan challenged.
Scott cringed. He hated the idea of Alan knowing his weakness, but it would be a greater mistake to not reveal the fact to his brother. In the end he murmured the answer in Alan's ear.
Alan laughed. "Oh my God! Mice? You're afraid of mice?"
"Shhhh!" hissed Scott. "Not so loud! But do you understand what I'm trying to tell you? Having a weakness doesn't make you less of a man. It's really mature of you to admit it and accept help from others."
Alan sobered. "Yeah," he said quietly, shivering slightly.
"Come on," said Scott, noticing. "Let's get downstairs and get you warmed up."
Alan sighed. "Okay, but can you do me a favour?"
"What is that?" asked Scott
"Can you tell Virgil that you've given me a once over? I don't want him going all Doctor Do-Good on me," said Alan.
Scott laughed. "Sorry, sprout, no can do. Maybe it'll give you a chance to tell Virgil how you feel."
"Yeah, maybe," mumbled Alan, sounding sceptical.
Scott put an arm around his brother and led him out into the hall. "Oh, and Alan?"
"Yeah?"
"You tell anybody about my secret and I will become your greatest fear."
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
No experience of humiliation could ever match Alan returning to the living room. He was thankful nobody said anything, but he didn't find the silence comforting either. Now that the lights had gone out, they were relying on the backup generator to provide adequate lighting. Everybody was snuggled together on mattresses on the floor, with the exception of Penelope, Onaha, Parker and Brains, who occupied the four couches. Fermat sat with his father, the two geniuses wrapped up in a blanket reading a science magazine. Everybody else busied themselves with their respective reading material.
With nowhere to sit, Alan felt awkwardly shunned. He was surprised when Gordon tugged his wrist gently, pulling him to sit down on the double mattress next to the fire with him. Alan returned his brother's small smile as he accepted the other half of his blanket.
Scott plonked himself down next to Virgil, who sat wrapped in a sleeping bag opposite Gordon. The older man smiled supportively at Alan before turning to the English butler sitting next to him. "So, Parker, Penny tells me you've managed to thrash her at lawn bowls," he grinned.
"Scott, please! The humiliation is enough without you reminding me!" said Penelope, trying to hide her blushing face behind her magazine.
"That is indeed correct, Mr Tracy," said Parker proudly. "Though, between you and me, Her Ladyship seems to have great difficulty accepting her defeat."
"Parker!"
"Yes, milady?"
Penelope looked over her magazine. "I'll have you know that your taste of victory will be short lived," she said, with a cheeky smile.
"How do you figure that, Penelope?" asked Virgil.
"If you want my advice, Virgil, a great master never reveals the secret of their art," Penelope replied.
Alan saw Gordon suddenly light up and he immediately knew his brother had too noticed the apprehension in Penny's eyes.
"So, Penelope," Gordon said, clearing his throat casually. "What are you reading?"
Immediately, Penelope stumbled. "Oh, er, girly material, Gordon. Nothing that will interest you, I'm sure."
Gordon rose from the mattress and stood behind Penny's couch. "Try me. I'm quite an open-minded reader. But what's this?" Gordon tugged at Penny's magazine out of its English Rose cover to reveal a publication entitled, Lawn Bowls: From Beginners To Masters!
Immediately all earlier tension was forgotten as everyone burst into laughter, Alan included. It was impossible for even Penelope not to crack a smile, however embarrassed.
From that, everyone fell into separate conversations as Onaha passed around insulated mugs filled with hot chocolate. Gordon returned to his place beside Alan, pulling the blanket over himself and resting back on the mountain of pillows behind them.
Alan sensed Gordon's desire to speak before his brother even turned to him.
"Hey, Al?" Gordon murmured. "I'm sorry if I…you know. I guess I wasn't really…I didn't know that you felt…what I'm trying to say is…"
Alan was smiling at his brother's stammering, which he ceased by elbowing Gordon's arm. "Hey, it's fine. I'm sorry too," he said.
Gordon's relief was evident through the smile on his face. He tugged at the blanket. "Scoot!" he told Alan. "You're hogging the mattress!"
Alan gave a laugh and returned Gordon's playful shove. He was momentarily distracted by the paper plane that landed on his lap. Alan unfolded it, immediately recognising Virgil's handwriting.
Didn't want to make a scene, but Dr Do-Good must do his rounds. Are you all right?
Smiling fondly, Alan grabbed a pen and replied.
Headache's passing. Feeling better. Thanks Doc.
Unable to match his Virgil's knowledge of paper aerodynamics, Alan scrunched the note into a ball, lobbing it at his elder brother.
He watched Virgil read it and waited for his response. Virgil looked up at him, giving him a small smile and nodding as if to say, "good man"
Despite wanting to join in on a conversation, Alan felt his eyelids drooping. Resting back on the pillows Gordon had managed to hoard, he succumbed to his exhaustion.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
The feelings of confidence that had visited Alan as he had drifted asleep disappeared very quickly, when he awoke to someone shaking him by the shoulder. He looked up to see Gordon, who was lying next to him. Although it was very dark, Alan could see that his brother's hair was ruffled from sleep.
Thankfully, Gordon seemed to be the only one awake.
"Sorry," whispered Alan, embarrassed.
Gordon yawned. "S'ok," he replied. "You were getting really restless, so I thought I'd better wake you before you started making any noise."
"Thanks," murmured Alan, rolling onto his back and snuggling back down.
Gordon lay on his side facing him. "You ok?" he asked, his voice muffled by his pillows.
Alan turned his head toward Gordon and nodded, closing his eyes. Before he knew it, they were open again. He felt hot. Everything was closing in on him. Drums echoed around him. The room was shrinking. He couldn't get out. He couldn't breathe! It was too much! The drums boomed and he let out a cry.
"Alan!" someone hissed.
Alan suddenly realised that his eyes were in fact not open, and that someone was shaking him. It was still rather windy and raining, but much less violently. Light was slowly drifting into the house.
It must be around dawn, he thought.
He looked up to see his father kneeling over him. Alan subdued a groan of frustration and embarrassment. Looking around, he saw that Gordon was still asleep, as was everyone else.
Confused, Alan frowned.
"I was awake and saw you thrashing," Jeff told him. "Nightmare?"
Alan nodded, realising that he was sweaty and shaking. He tried to get comfortable again as his father held a hand to his forehead, then his cheek.
"You're warm," was the conclusion.
"Probably from last night," Alan suggested. He cursed himself for reviving those memories.
Jeff nodded his agreement and a silence ensued. Alan was just about to close his eyes again when his father spoke.
"Why did you run away, Alan?"
Alan swallowed, nervously. He'd be dreading this conversation.
"I just wanted to go for a walk," he replied quietly.
"Alan," his father's voice was pleading.
"I was…just…I'm sorry," Alan stammered, close to tears at having to talk about the incident again. He felt cold and groggy.
"It's all right, Alan. I understand," said Jeff, quietly. "Scott told me. I just wanted to know why I didn't hear it from you."
Alan was partly relieved. "It's just hard," he murmured. "You're always busy or it's just not the right time to talk about things like this."
"Alan, if something is bothering you, or any of your brothers for that matter, I will never be too busy to listen. It doesn't matter how stupid it may seem. If it's giving you grief, then it can't be anything stupid or not worth talking about," Jeff told him, gently.
Shakily, Alan nodded. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
"You don't have to be. Yesterday was certainly eventful," his father smiled.
Alan returned it. "Yeah, I suppose you're right." He rolled onto his side and tried to pull what blanket he had left over his shoulders in an effort to banish his shivering. His father dug into the first aid box, pulling out some Tylenol and a bottle of water. After helping Alan swallow the pills, he tucked him in. He held a hand over Alan's neck, stroking with his fingers, which Alan always found strangely comforting. "I love you," his father whispered.
"I love you too," Alan replied, his heart filling with a newfound warmth.
"Get some rest."
Alan obeyed Jeff's soft instruction all too willingly.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
Scott Tracy was a light sleeper by nature. Years of looking after his brothers had tuned him to hear every sound they'd make, and recognise whom he had heard make that sound. Naturally, when Alan let out a small cry, his eyes snapped open. But he found that he wasn't the only one awake.
He lifted his head slightly to see his father kneeling over his little brother. Carefully, he lay back down again, feigning sleep. He smiled as Jeff and Alan talked.
Yes, now he could relax. The storm was definitely over.
THE END