Disclaimer: See previous chapter folks…..

It seems you like it so far :D YAY! Here is the next installment for ya. Thanks so much to my beta Criminally Charmed. You're the best, in every sense of the word. You've been there when its mattered. Thanks :D

Well let's see what trouble my favorite Tracy has gotten himself into shall we…..

He's Doing What?

Alan was met with the same smoky scene as he reached the fifth floor. Students were passing him by as he made his way through the hallway. Opening each dorm room, he made sure every student was awake and aware of the situation.

"Alan!" he heard someone call his name as he exited one of the rooms.

"Zach! Hey, you need to get out of here," he told his fellow track teammate and classmate.

"So do you, what are you doing up here? Your room is on the fourth floor," Zach asked incredulously, the tall blonde meeting his gaze. The two seventeen-year-olds were built similarly; however, the teen was slightly taller than Alan. The senior had had a late growth spurt and was now almost six foot two. Alan was now five foot eleven.

Alan ignored the inquisitive look he was getting from his friend and continued his search of another room. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

"You look like a crazy man on a mission. C'mon, let's get out of here. Are you trying to be some kind of hero or something?"

Alan coughed, covering his mouth with his sleeve as the smoke seemed to be getting thicker. "Look, you and I both know there are too many students on these floors, and by the time someone can get up here to clear the area, it would be too late. I'm here, so I'm just doing their job for them."

"You're crazy Tracy, but that's one thing we love about you - never afraid of a challenge. So, where have you been?" Zach asked as he scanned the hallway.

"You're not helping me, Zachman."

"Sure, I am. Someone has to make sure you stay out of trouble."

Alan stopped and looked at Zach. Sighing, he was aware this was a battle he didn't have time for, nor was it one he could win. "I've been down the west and east halls."

"Gotcha. You get the north, and I'll get the south," Zach smiled and ran to check the rooms.

Alan turned to the north hall. The hall was so hazy from the smoke; you could barely see the end. They needed to act fast.

-TB-

"You're good to go, kid. Head over to the waiting area," one of the paramedics told Fermat. Wrapping the small blanket he was given around him, Fermat looked to the building that was his school. Now checked in and safe, Fermat began to worry about Alan. The teen genius walked over to a quiet area and made sure no one was nearby. Pulling his watch to his face, he connected a line to Tracy Island.

"Son, thank goodness. I h-heard your watch s-s-ignal. What's happening?" Brains asked, worried as he tried to suppress his stutter.

Fermat looked at his father. "A hu-big fire broke out at school. Dad, the dorm is a ww-rr-d-disaster. The fire has spread from the dorms to the classrooms now."

Brains frowned. "Where are you?"

"I'm standing outside the school. Alan and I w-woke up to the f-f-i-smoke."

At the mention of his friend's youngest, Brains noticed the teen wasn't with Fermat. "Where is Alan?"

Fermat frowned as concern creased his brow. "He's still in the dorm. He wouldn't co-o-l-leave. He's h-helping get the students out."

Brains sighed. Damn Tracy stubbornness. He needed to contact Jeff and let him know what was going on. "Try contacting Alan. The boys are on a m-mission off the New England coastline."

"What h-happened?"

"A small cruise ferry r-ran into trouble. The Nor'easter that has r-re-a-approached the area is causing hurricane-force winds."

"Those winds aren't helping us h-here, Dad. The fl-f-fire is spreading f-fast," Fermat shivered as another strong gust of wind hit him. It was almost November, and winter had seemed to get an early start.

"Try to r-reach Alan. Keep us informed," Brains told his son, giving him a comforting smile.

"F.A.B." Fermat smiled. Looking around the area, he made sure the area was still safe to contact. Dialing for Alan's watch, he waited for his best friend to answer.

-TB-

Gordon looked up toward the sky as he waited for the rescue platform to descend once more. Snow began to fall from the dark grey clouds, reminding him of the angry Nor'easter that was ravaging the area. His body shivered as the brisk wind hit his now soaked suit. There had been 40 souls aboard the ship, and they had successfully rescued well over half. Only 12 people remained aboard the ship.

"How are you doing, son?" he heard Jeff's voice in his earpiece.

"Great," the redhead responded as he prepared to escort more civilians.

"We need to hurry. Winds are starting to pick up. The ship can't last much longer," Scott said as Thunderbird 1's light illuminated the ship. Another wave covered the vessel.

"Pull us up!" Gordon ordered as the platform had another load of passengers.

Virgil greeted Gordon with a smile, leading the passengers to the waiting area aboard Thunderbird 2. "You wanna switch?" he asked, patting Gordon on the back. Gordon's suit was utterly drenched.

"Nah, I'm okay. One more trip left. I can handle it," Gordon replied.

Virgil gave Gordon a sympathetic look, though the redhead couldn't see it due to their helmets. He made a note at how much his brother's body shivered. "Okay, just hurry."

"F.A.B.," he replied, mock saluting his brother. "Down I go."

Jeff frowned as he heard the tiredness in Gordon's voice. The first thing he was going to do was make sure his second youngest changed his clothes. The last thing he needed was him getting sick.

Looking at the control panel in front of him, Jeff paused when he saw the incoming transmission from the Island. "I read you, Brains."

"I'm s-sorry to interrupt," Brains stated a little uneasy.

"Our job is almost complete," Jeff said, as he heard Gordon order to bring them back up. "What did you need? Is there a problem?"

"W-well.." Brains attempted. How could he tell Jeff Tracy that the life of his youngest son was in danger?

"What is it?" Jeff asked, worry now crept in his mind at the uneasiness in his friend's voice.

"Thunderbird 5 to Thunderbird 2. Do you read?" John interrupted the two men.

Jeff quickly accepted the call. The screen in front of him now split in half. He looked at the two men in front of him. "I read you, John."

"Dad, we have a situation. There appears to be something going on at Wharton's," John informed.

Fear immediately settled in the pit of Jeff's stomach. Was this what Brains had been trying to tell him? "What's going on?"

"Local fire and rescue have been called to the scene. I haven't been able to get any more information," John said, worried.

"A fire broke out in the dorms," Brains informed. "Fermat just r-c-contacted me."

"What about Alan?" John asked, looking at the engineer on the screen in front of him.

"Fermat has tried c-contacting him on his watch but hasn't r-received a response. They awoke to the f-fire, but Alan w-w-r-refused to leave."

"So, he's still in the building," John stated, shaking his head. Each of them knew their youngest family member all too well.

"What's going on?" Virgil asked as he walked into the cockpit of Thunderbird 2.

"Thunderbird 1 to Thunderbird 2. What's the hold-up?" Scott asked. It had been several minutes now since the last of the ship's passengers had been secured, and the radio had been eerily silent. The field commander knew some was up, or they had a communication malfunction. His gut told him it wasn't the latter.

Jeff sighed, running a hand over his face. "Where's Gordon?" he asked Virgil.

"He's changing into some dry clothes. The passengers are secure. What's wrong?" Virgil asked again.

Jeff turned to face his oldest son. "We read you, Thunderbird 1."

"Dad, what's going on?" Scott asked.

"There's a fire at Wharton's. Brains just informed me that it appears the fire has started in the dorms," Jeff said. "We don't know the specific details. All I know is that Fermat has made it out safe-"

"Where's Alan?" Scott quickly interrupted.

"According to Fermat, he wouldn't leave the building. He's still in there," Jeff informed knowing he had to put his fatherly concern aside and focus on the task at hand. "We need to finish this mission first. We can't do anything to help your brother until they call and say they need us. Virgil, I want you to check on Gordon and inform him of what's happening. Scott, please set a course for the nearest hospital, and we'll be right behind you. John, I want you to keep listening to the local fire and rescue and keep us updated on the situation. Try and see if you can reach Alan on his watch. So far, Fermat hasn't received a response." Jeff was met with a reluctant but understanding echo of "F.A.B."

Looking to his colleague and friend left on the screen in front of him, Jeff sighed. "What do you know?"

"Not much. All I know is that the flames are spreading f-f-q-quick. It seems the Nor'easter is affecting other areas as well," Brains said.

Jeff sighed heavily. He gripped the arm of the control chair tightly. "See if Fermat has had better luck in reaching Alan. If anything changes let us know. I'll contact you once we've completed this mission."

"F.A.B." Brains responded and disconnected the call. He prayed for everyone's sake that Alan was okay.

-TB-

Virgil quickly walked to the back of Thunderbird 2. Checking on the passengers, he made sure they were comfortable. Informing them that they would reach a hospital shortly, he left to find Gordon.

He found his younger brother now dressed in a new uniform, with a thermal blanket wrapped securely around him. The redhead perked up at the sight of his older brother. "Hey, Virg. Remind me never to go swimming in such frigid waters again," he said, still shivering slightly.

"How are you feeling?" Virgil asked, trying to hide the fear he had for Alan from his voice and face.

"I'm fine, Virg. Nothing a warm shower can't fix," Gordon smirked, eyeing his brother. "However, that's beside the point right now. Spill it, Virgil. Something's up."

Virgil stared at his younger sibling, slightly amused. "It seems our baby brother has gone and played hero again."

"WHAT?! What happened?"

"Easy, Gordo. A fire broke out in the dorms. It seems to be spreading fast. Fermat made it out okay, but Alan refused to leave. According to Fermat, he's still in the building."

"Doing what? I swear, I'm going to kill him," Gordon huffed, throwing the thermal blanket off him.

Virgil walked up to Gordon and placed the blanket back on him. "Get in line, bro. I'm sure he has a good reason. You and I both know those dorms are big, and the fire has broken out in the middle of the night. It's nearly twelve-thirty in the morning. He's only doing what we would've done. It's no excuse for his impulsiveness, though."

"Damn right."

"Better not let Dad hear you say that," Virgil smirked.

"Virgil, Gordon. We've reached the hospital. Prepare to lower the passengers. Scott has personnel waiting." They heard their father call across their earpieces.

Gordon looked at Virgil. "What do you think Scott's doing right now?" Both knew how the mother-hen acted when it came to the safety of his siblings. They wouldn't be surprised if he were bugging John to find out any more news.

Virgil laughed. "There's a reason I'm not in charge of communications."

-TB-

"Scott, I don't know any more than you do. I'm sorry, I wish I did. I'm as worried as you are about Alan, but there's nothing we can do until they call for us," John sighed in frustration.

"John, I'm just worried about the kid," Scott pleaded, hearing his brother's sigh emit across the radio. "You know how he is. He takes risks."

"I know. Alan's not answering his watch, either."

"You still getting a strong signal from him?" Scott asked.

"Yes, thankfully, and he better be getting out of that building soon. Local authorities don't sound reassuring about the safety of the building. It sounds like the top floors aren't sturdy, but they don't know if any students are trapped."

Scott frowned. "You don't think he could be trapped, and that's why he isn't answering his watch, do you?"

"I don't know Scott," John sighed once more. "I pray we're just overreacting."

"Me too, John."

John continued to monitor the emergency radio, anxiously waiting for some word of how the situation was developing at Wharton's.

"Thunderbird 2 to Thunderbird 5, John, do you read?"

"Read you, Thunderbird 2."

"Mission is complete. Any news?" Jeff asked. He hadn't received any news from Brains, which meant Fermat had yet to reach Alan.

"I'm sorry, Dad. No answer from Al, but it sounds like the winds are making things more difficult for local fire and rescue." An alarm suddenly went off aboard the space station, indicating a call for help. "Hold on. I've got a call."

John quickly punched the buttons in front of him. "International Rescue, how may we assist you?" he said, answering the call. The blonde couldn't help but jump for joy when he realized the call was from Wharton Academy. It was such a conflicting feeling. He was happy to know that they could now get involved in the situation. Yet it also meant the situation was now drastic enough that they were needed.

Relaying information, he quickly accepted what was requested. Switching lines, John contacted Thunderbird Two. "Thunderbird Five to Commander, come in."

"We read you, John."

"Dad, the call was from Wharton's. They've asked for our assistance."

"F.A.B. John," Jeff stated, acknowledging with a heavy heart. Both he and Scott had already begun to set coordinates for the Massachusetts school. "What's the situation?"

"The fire has spread from the dorms to the classrooms. The winds from the Nor'easter are making the situation nearly impossible for local fire to control the flames. The top two floors of the dorms have become very unstable, and it is unknown how many students remain on those floors. Forty students are still unaccounted for," John informed his father.

Jeff took in the information, recognizing the fact that he knew Alan was one of the missing kids. "FAB, John. Keep us informed if the situation gets worse. Notify local authorities that we will be on the scene within ten minutes."

"F.A.B." his second oldest, replied.

Jeff was thankful that their previous mission of Maine was so close. It couldn't have been a better location for them right now. Every minute counted, and with the condition of his youngest completely unknown, they didn't have a moment to spare.

"Lucy," Jeff silently prayed. "Be with our baby. Keep him safe until we can find him."

TBC…

Well, what do you think? Why won't Alan answer? Hmm… I guess you'll have to wait and see. Things are just getting started for this family.

You know my motto guys. I don't think I need to say it.

Later!