A/N: A little on the longer side. Don't worry, you'll get more of Jeff and the other boys next chapter.
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It had been two days since Alan and Scott had been kidnapped.
Two days of waiting and worrying.
Two days with no news, no leads, and no new information.
There hadn't even been any threats.
John was sick to his stomach with worry. The video from the hospital tarmac hadn't had sound, but they could still see what had happened. Scott must have had a bad promotion about Alan, because he had come running out right after Gordon had been checked into the hospital. The Hood had taunted Alan for a minute or two before Scott's arrival, and had then pulled a gun to Alan's head when he'd seen Scott.
John was unsure what the Hood said, but Scott must have agreed to do it, because he hung his head and shuffled over to a nearby car. The next movement: Scott's hand on the door; his face looking at the Hood, clearly looking for some sort of instruction. He got into the car – willingly, without making a fight. John was sure it all added up to some threat against Alan – but what? The gun that was held to Alan's head didn't give him any reassurance.
Alan was then knocked unconscious and shoved into the trunk. The trunk lid slammed and the car pulled off.
Out of all of the brothers, John had watched this video the most. He'd wanted desperately to be at the hospital, helping, but Gordon was still not feeling well – side affects of the appendicitis and migraine – and Jeff felt like Virgil would be better there, since he knew the medical terms and didn't mind a verbal debate with the doctors.
The fourth time through John could finally watch the video without nausea settling in his stomach. He didn't know whether or not that made him feel glad (that he could watch the video without wanting to throw up) or even sicker… he was watching his brothers get kidnapped again and again after all.
The FBI was actively involved and was trying to create as much of a media blackout as possible. They didn't want the world to know that the Hood had kidnapped a fifteen-year-old boy – that would just create too much danger, they felt. John wasn't sure how he felt about that. They were trying to work quickly and quietly, to uncover action.
Instead, the story that had gone out was that Scott Tracy and Alan Tracy had been kidnapped. It had, of course, been turned into a complete media frenzy. John sighed as he saw the news anchor on again who had been covering the case. It was time to listen to what she had to say. Pausing the footage just at the part where the Hood held a gun to his brother's head – damn, that made him dizzy all over again – John took a sip of Coke and watched the television
Personally, John hated Pepsi. He couldn't stand the stuff and didn't know how Scott liked it. To him it always tasted like cough syrup. He and Scott were known to take trips out to mainland if they didn't have their favorite drink on hand. But hey, usually they at least picked up groceries too, so that was something to be said for them. Still, he wanted to feel close to his brother, and besides going and taking a nap in his room, which he couldn't do because of time constraints, this was the closest he was going to get.
Hmm. Maybe it was the Pepsi that was making him want to throw up… John contemplated this as he un-muted the television, awaiting the anchor to start.
"Nearly two full days after the kidnapping of Alan Tracy and Scott Tracy and there is no sign of them yet. An inside source from close to the investigation says that there are no ransom demands and that no threats have been made on either boys' life recently. The investigation did say that they are working with a lead for who has done it and they plan to release the footage of the kidnapping video – so stay tuned for that, Channel 8 will have an exclusive."
John smirked. He knew why his father had given Channel 8 an exclusive, and not anyone else: the reporter was Ann-Marie's sister, and they knew she could report fairly and accurately. Besides, John thought, it was fun too see all the other reporters blunder and fluster about why they hadn't gotten the exclusive.
"Other media broadcasters are questioning Jeff Tracy's behavior. Why did Jeff Tracy send his sons to mainland so late at night? What were Alan and Scott Tracy doing at the hospital, unattended? Why did their plane, the Tracy One, land at the hospital unattended? Scott is age 30 and an adapt pilot, having earned many awards during his career. Gordon Tracy, the second-youngest boy, was sick that night, and was being charted to the hospital by Alan and Scott. Jeff Tracy planned to arrive later, but sent them first. Alan had been left alone for just a minute by Scott, and the unsub must have used that time to attack. Please be on the lookout for these boys…"
A picture of Alan Tracy and Scott Tracy flashed on the screen. John nearly burst out laughing, despite the seriousness of the situation. The last-taken picture of Scott had him in his Pepsi shirt, standing next to Alan, who wore a shirt that read "Saint Scott." Jeff had grabbed it because it had both boys and had been taken just last week by Ohana after a family meal. John had to just shake his head. Well, now the Coke company would know that Scott wasn't a fan of theirs.
She finished the report and gave her conclusion, stating that there would be another update on the eleven o'clock news. John sighed and stared at the picture next to his desk. It was the same picture of Scott and Alan, both boys grinning wildly as they peered into the camera.
What he wouldn't give for their smiling faces to be here now.
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Scott would have given anything to be back at home. He had thrown up more than three times since they had arrived at what the Hood had informed them was to be their new "home." Scott bristled at the word home. Didn't the Hood understand? This would never be their home. Their home was back on Tracy island. Or on the top four floors of the Tracy enterprise building – but best not to say that out loud.
Scott tried to move but again failed. The Hood had his arms tied tightly behind his back and had forced him into some sort of closet space. Scott loathed him more than ever now, and not just for how he was treated, although that was indeed part of it. He hated that Alan was getting hurt and that he couldn't control it. Actually, Scott couldn't control anything; the Hood had made that more than clear.
The Hood had informed Scott upon arrival at their new home (that Scott still refused to call his home – how could he?) that there would be explicit rules for both boys. Scott wasn't allowed to speak at all. He couldn't even say anything to Alan. He also wasn't allowed to eat and drink with the "rest of them."
It was clear that the Hood had a sick imagination. He wanted to play house with Alan, making Alan his child. As he'd taunted Scott and Alan, he'd said that he wanted to take away Jeff Tracy's son in a very painful way: by making Alan his son. Scott had, of course, said "no way in hell." That was when Scott's speaking privileges had been revoked.
Scott swallowed hard, trying to force the dry saliva down his throat. The man who was holding them both hostage had no intent on releasing either of them. He wanted to keep Alan away from Jeff; he wanted to make Alan his own. The Hood wasn't sure what he was going to do with Scott yet, but he'd taunted Scott, saying "he'd work something out." Scott was trying to put on a brave face for Alan, but he was really worried about what that something might be.
And he was furious that he couldn't protect his younger brother.
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"Alan, you aren't eating your dinner," the Hood admonished. Actually, Alan had been told his real name – Ryan something or other. Alan didn't care. He just wanted to go home. He was angry, and he was hurt. The first day had been filled with a blur of pain, and he couldn't really remember much of it – except that Scott had been told that he couldn't speak. That had made Alan so angry. Even when Scott had tried to talk to Alan in private, his brother was punished. "You really should eat. I'm sure Scott would want you to do it," he sneered.
It took all of Alan's anger not to flip over his plate on the table. The Hood had already warned him that there would be consequences for his behavior. He'd already felt them, actually, that was why his arm was in a sling and broken.
The Hood's wife (a fact which Alan found all too creepy – who would marry someone wanted for… nevermind, best not to get into that now) smiled at him. "Maybe it's better we send him to bed hungry, Ryan. He has had a rough few days. You really didn't have to break his arm."
The Hood just shrugged. "It made him more cooperative, didn't it?" he responded. He grinned, obviously having just thought of an idea. "Fine, Alan. You don't have to eat. But I can make you wish you'd eaten dinner instead."
With that, the Hood grabbed Alan by his good arm, and steered him into another room. He shoved Alan to the floor, locked the door and left him there, wondering what was going to happen next.
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So, what do you think? *grins and ducks, running for life*
Oh - and I got the placement!