Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

BAH! I'm so ecstatic at your response to the last chapter! *blushes* almost 30 reviews alone! Thanks guys! I'm so glad you like it. Review responses will follow very shortly I promise. It's been an interesting week for me. With work and other things (damn exes), plus a tornado outbreak in my neck of the words here in Illinois - things have been crazy. I know this one is a little short but I'll make up for it soon.

So, I would like to point out that if you think I'm mean you should check out Megz McGizzle's stories. Especially her latest, Death of an Innocent.

TISSUE WARNING!

A Moment in Time

Scott and Virgil quickly climbed out of the rescue platform with Alan's strangled gasp replaying over and over in their heads, like a never-ending nightmare. The words echoed, forcing them to move faster as they heard it once more.

"I-I….I-I c-can't breathe."

Miles seemed to separate them as the oldest and middle child of Jeff Tracy raced to reach the baby of the family. The sounds that escaped Alan would haunt their dreams for a long time. Through their earpieces, the barely audible wheezy gasps escaped the youngest Tracy as he fought to breathe.

"Stay with us, Allie. Just hold on. Deep breaths," Virgil coaxed as he and Scott rejoined their little brother and rushed to free him.

Dark spots began to appear around Alan's vision. A numbing pain filled his injured body as he was starting to lose his battle with life. Alan didn't feel the weight lift off his body. He never saw how much blood surrounded his back, nor did he hear the gasps that escaped Scott and Virgil. The youngest Tracy was too out of it to feel Scott place the neck brace around his neck. Alan never sensed his body being pulled from the rubble and placed securely on a backboard.

Alan thought like he was caught in a dream. Everything seemed so surreal. He vaguely recognized familiar sights and noises as he was transported from the inferno. In his fading vision, Alan saw the familiar sight of Thunderbird 2 lingering high above him, her green haul greeting him as the rescue platform raised. Relief battled with fear knowing that safety lay inside Thunderbird 2 with his brothers. He felt his body betraying him as he tried to hold onto life. Taking in another short shuddering breath, Alan gave in to the darkness he had been fighting for so long. It had won the battle, but it would be up to his family to see who won the war for the life of Alan Tracy.

Virgil shot his head up at the monitor he had hooked Alan to. His heart froze when he realized what was happening. Not a second later, alarms began to wail throughout the sterile room. "He's crashing!" Virgil cried out, even as he began to pray. Oh no, Allie. Don't do this!

Scott looked at the monitor and then back to Alan in disbelief. "C'mon, kiddo. Don't do this," he pleaded, trying to contain his emotions. It had made him sick as he looked at Alan's battered body. Blood seeped through the bandages they had quickly applied to Alan's back from the deep gash that resided alongside the teen's lower back. Blood had now begun to soak the crisp white sheets they had laid him on, the sight terrifying the oldest brother as it signified more and more of Alan's life force slipping away. Scott began to pray. Don't leave us, Alan. We need you here.

Virgil had jumped into action, starting to get what he needed in the infirmary to save his youngest brother. Grabbing a defibrillator, he tore Alan's shirt and applied the life-saving pads onto his chest. "Clear!" he shouted.

Alan's body lurched upward as the device sent a surge to his heart. Virgil and Scott starred at the monitor, willing life to return to the boy. Virgil shook his head, taking in a deep shaky breath. "Clear!" he shouted once again.

Time seemed to stand still to all the occupants that filled the infirmary of the green Thunderbird. Tony and Alex watched intently from the sides, frozen by the scene before them. Neither freshmen had hung out with the senior, but that didn't mean they didn't know anything about the youngest blonde Tracy. Alan had been well known in the school, first for his last name and the famous family members that accompanied it. Throughout his time at Wharton's, Alan had become a household – well, dormitory name - in track and field competitions as well as many school clubs.

Tonight they had seen a different side of Alan Tracy. Yes, they had heard stories of how determined the senior was, but throughout the tragedy unfolding, what they saw was different. The youngest Tracy had saved their lives, sacrificing himself so they could make it out of this relatively unscathed. That was something that would stay with them for the rest of their lives. What Alan Tracy did for them was unheard of in a school full of rich and spoiled kids. Most cared only about themselves. Alan had been calm and focused, even when he was trapped beneath the debris. They were scared out of their minds, but the senior didn't doubt for a second their fate, comforting and assuring them that help would soon arrive.

The two freshmen fully began to realize how lucky they were. Without Alan and Zach, they would be dead for sure. The two seniors had found them when they had lost all hope of survival. Tonight would change their lives in many ways; however, they each knew they owed Alan their lives.

Scott and Virgil were finding it hard to remain composed in front of Alan's schoolmates. After all, this was their baby brother lying unconscious before them. Both of them tried to ignore the worried and frantic calls of their family members from their earpieces. The usually energetic and spirited teen looked so pale and still.

Scott stood frozen as he tried to take in what was happening around him. Alan was doing what he thought was right. He risked everything to save as many students as he could, and now was fighting for his own life - a battle he was losing.

Their father had created International Rescue so no other family would have to experience such horrible heartache. The heartache they had felt when they lost their beloved mother, Lucy. Wasn't that the point? So they wouldn't have to experience a moment like the one he was finding himself? They each knew it was a possibility that one of them could be hurt in the line of duty but not Alan. Not yet. Alan was at school. He was supposed to be safe and nowhere near harm's long-reaching hand.

Scott couldn't endure the thought of losing Alan, not like this. There was so much he had to say to Alan, so much more he wanted to see Alan live and do. Just recently, the kid had begun to show a lot more interest in auto racing. A fact that wasn't entirely a surprise to the oldest Tracy. Alan had always had one speed, and it was fast. Of course, who could blame the kid when he had four older brothers. Alan had learned evasive moves fast, and he was as slippery as an eel to catch as well.

Scott's mind drifted back to a few weeks before Alan was due to return to school for his senior year. Alan had only been interested in a few things around that time. Enjoying every last bit of freedom he still had, going on rescues, and watching the latest race. The blue-eyed teen had been fixed upon the TV screen when Scott had entered the living room.

"Hey, buddy," Scott smiled as he entered the living space.

"Hey, Scott," Alan responded, clearly interested only on what was on the screen before him.

"What's so interesting?" Scott asked as he took a seat next to his kid brother on the sofa.

"The race, of course," Alan smirked, stating a silent - DUH.

"I can see that now," Scott said, ruffling up Alan's hair. "Why so interesting?"

Alan looked at his brother, annoyed. "Scott, this is the Brickyard 400. It's the second-highest attended race aside from the Daytona 500. It's one of the biggest races of the year in NASCAR's schedule. Four hundred miles and a hundred and sixty laps of intense racing."

Scott smirked at his brother. "Dare I ask what is so exciting about forty-three cars going in a circle?"

Alan looked at his oldest brother incredulously. "Are you kidding me? It's so much more than just that. Each car is traveling at a speed of almost two-hundred miles per hour, which in itself would be exhilarating. You see, Scott. It's about strategy. You gotta be able to outsmart the other driver while not outsmarting yourself. A lot can happen between lap one and lap one hundred sixty." As if hearing his comment, a caution signified across the screen. The field of cars came to a slow as two wreckers came to collect the two demolished racecars that had managed to wreck each other.

"I see," Scott smiled at Alan.

"You don't really care, do you?" Alan asked as he watched the replay of the wreck that had just transpired.

"I'm interested because you are. If it's important to you, then I should at least know what it is," Scott told him.

Alan smiled at his older brother. "Hey, do you think Dad would get me tickets to a race as an early graduation present?"

"I don't know, Sprout. You'd have to ask him," Scott said, putting an arm around Alan. Moments like these, he cherished. After all, the kid was getting too big.

The excitement and life that had filled Alan that day was utterly absent from the form that laid before him. He prayed for Alan to come back to them. The spunky seventeen-year-old had so many plans and dreams. Dreams that he hadn't even touched the surface of.

Virgil willed Alan's heart to spark once more with life. The chestnut-haired Tracy met Scott's fearful eyes. Taking another deep breath, he pressed the button of the machine to spring to life again. Come on, don't do this. Closing his eyes, Virgil prayed for the one person that could help them to hear him. Please bring him back to us, Mom. We've already lost you; we can't lose Allie.

-TB-

Jeff tightly gripped the controls of Thunderbird 2 as he willed the ship to fly faster. He didn't know the current condition of his youngest son, but he knew Alan wasn't okay. That simple fact was what was eating at him the most. The last update on his youngest son Alan was barely breathing - if at all - and unconscious. Those horrific details were enough for Jeff Tracy to force Thunderbird 2 to her maximum speed.

A sudden beeping interrupted Jeff from his thoughts. Glancing down at the screen in front of him, he answered the call. "I read you, John."

"I've spoken to Mass. General in Boston, and they know we're on the way. They'll be waiting for us at the door. Any news on Alan?" John spoke, his voice quiet but calm.

"I'm afraid not, son," Jeff said, tightening his jaw.

"I just hope they're not answering for a good reason."

Jeff didn't respond to his second eldest's comment. The thought hidden in those words had such an impact on him.

John watched his father across the screen. Emotions crept through the mask displayed by the patriarch's grim features, but what showed through the most was fear. "Alan's a fighter, Dad. For as long as I can remember, the kid has always been a fiery spirit. I have faith the kid is going to be okay. He just – he just has to….," John said, the last bit of his sentence lingering. John's unsaid words filled both of their minds.

Jeff smiled thoughtfully at his oldest blonde son. "Thanks, John. Have you spoken to Gordon?"

"Yes. Gordon and the firefighters almost have the fire completely extinguished. By the time you have Alan and the kids situated at the hospital, things should be under control. Before you ask, I've already spoken to Brains, and he's called Lady Penelope. She's going to pick up Fermat for us."

"Thanks, John. My mind has been a little preoccupied," Jeff sighed, thankful for his quick thinking son at the mention of their London agent. Looking at John, he studied the blonde's features before speaking. "John, I want you to put the station on standby. I'm having Brains come get you."

John looked at his father, stunned. For Jeff to want Thunderbird Five on standby - a thought quickly entered his head, making him realize something that had gone unsaid their whole conversation. "Dad, he's breathing, isn't he? Virgil did get Alan breathing again, didn't he?"

Jeff didn't meet his second eldest's fearful blue eyes. It took everything the man had not to let go of the fear that was now filling him. The next words he spoke to his son made it so much more real to him.

"I don't know, John. I don't know."

-TB-

Gordon charged the Firefly to the left, aiming the extinguisher to the last burning part of the dormitory. Setting the settings on the machine, he released more of the fire-killing green foam. Taking a deep sigh of relief, he climbed out of the Firefly.

Backing up, Gordon thoroughly looked at what remained of Wharton's dormitory. He grimaced as the top half of the building now sagged, having collapsed from the water and fire. He was thankful that his brothers had gotten Alan and the other kids out when they had. Not long after they had escaped, the ceiling collapsed. A thought crept into this head. Was that as lucky as they were going to get?

His mind kept returning to the haunting words he had last heard Alan speak. His brother sounded so scared, so unlike himself. Alan had just been talking to him, picking on him, and then things turned for the worse in the matter of a second. His stomach dropped when Alan wouldn't answer any of his brothers. He had sternly called his brother as an added effort, but the response he received was one that he would never forget. The amount of fear that radiated in Alan's strangled words would stay with him.

Gordon had yet to hear on the condition of his only younger brother. He kept calling Scott and Virgil, but neither one of them would answer their communicators. That fact unnerved the redheaded Tracy. As much as he tried to fool himself, he knew that things weren't going well in the infirmary if neither of his brothers would answer their calls.

"A mess, isn't it?" a firefighter spoke, bringing Gordon out of his thoughts.

"Yes, it is," Gordon responded.

"Looks like we're going to be dealing with a real tragedy here. The Chief just went over the list of the missing students, and fifteen kids are still unaccounted. If they were still in there, then they had no hope. The four that escaped with your team were lucky," the man said.

Gordon looked at the man and then back at the burnt and demolished upper half of the dormitory. If only the firefighter realized how valid his words were.

Alan had saved numerous students on each level, but he had been fighting against time. The kind of time that just wasn't long enough when you were matched against a raging fire. His kid brother had risked it all to save his schoolmates.

Nodding at the fireman, Gordon walked back to the Firefly. He needed to position it near Mobile Control and Thunderbird 1. If it was one thing he could do - it was making sure everything was done by the time his older brothers returned. His gut deep down inside him told him that Alan wasn't just going to the hospital to get bandaged up. It was going to get much worse before it got better.

-TB-

A moment in time meant a matter of life or death for the Tracy family. A single flat line resonated across the monitor as it decided what Alan Tracy's fate would be.

Virgil tore his eyes from Alan's beaten form. He looked toward the monitor praying one last time for life to return to his baby brother. As the machine worked its magic, the single line slowly began to signify a heartbeat.

TBC…

*wipes tears* Wow, I can be evil, can't I? Poor guys, I'm really putting you through a lot. *smiles* eh, it's fun so why not. Hehe. Sigh, so I know I still left you a cliffy. So is Alan alive? Guess you'll have to wait until the next chapter! Leave me a review and we'll see how nice I'll be to our Alan and his family next chapter.

Later!