Disclaimer: Don't own 'em.

No, your eyes do not deceive you. Yes, it's an update! Yeah….yeah I know I've been gone for awhile. *sigh* it's a long story but I'm back and hopefully we can get this ball rolling!

So read on!

Digging Deeper

Jeff Tracy stared glumly out the hospital window as the late afternoon sun shone brightly across Boston, making the venerable old city sparkle. To Jeff, the bright rays mocked him as they warmed the late October day while his heart remained encased in the icy fear for his youngest son.

No, nothing was bright about this day for him and his family. In fact, it was solemnly dark. Tightly holding the coffee cup in his hand, Jeff closed his eyes. Hell would be a better word to describe this day.

Anguish threatened to overwhelm Jeff as his thoughts remained focused on his youngest son. His baby boy was fighting for his life, and there was nothing he could do about it. Was there any feeling worse than knowing your child was in pain, and there was nothing you could do about it? Alan was fighting a battle that his family couldn't fight for him - something that didn't settle well with them at all. The family had always taken on the world together, picking up the fight when another couldn't. It just seemed as if there was no way for the other Tracys to help their baby.

Hearing a faint knock on the door, Jeff turned to see Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward standing in the doorway. "Penny," he said with a soft smile.

"Hello, Jeff," the petite woman smiled as she and her chauffeur Parker swept into the room. Penny frowned, however, as she realized the room was vacant. "Where is Alan? Has something happened?"

"They took him away a few hours ago for surgery. He was bleeding internally, and it wasn't healing on its own."

"Oh, the poor dear, as if he hasn't been through enough," the English aristocrat whispered as she hugged Jeff before she eyed him critically. "Now, how are you holding up?"

"As well as can be expected," he shrugged.

Penny smiled understanding. "How are the boys?"

"They're dealing and taking care of one another," Jeff replied. "Scott called a little while ago and said they were heading back over. I'm just happy I was able to keep them away as long as I have. They need their rest."

"So does their father," Penny smirked.

Jeff returned the smirk and quickly took a drink of his coffee. He was content to not respond to her comment.

Guiding Jeff into a chair, Penny eyed the International Rescue leader. "I may have some good news for you," she spoke.

"Oh? I could use it," Jeff said, eyeing the London agent curiously.

"We may have a lead on what or who started the fire in the dormitory," Penny said.

"So quickly?" Jeff questioned.

Penny smiled. "Well, I'm still working things out with the fire investigator, but it seems Alan's classmates have been doing a little investigative work of their own."

"What do they know?"

"According to Fermat, several classmates – himself included - all suspect one student and possibly his roommate. It appears this student is known for his dislike of the school and his apparent use of tobacco products behind closed doors," Penny explained.

Jeff studied her features. "Are you saying these students caused the fire? And it may have been on purpose?" The thought made Jeff's stomach churn.

"It appears so, Jeff. I don't have any evidence to prove such a notion, but if there is any, you know I'll find it."

"I do," Jeff smiled, trusting the woman wholeheartedly. "Where is Fermat?"

"He and Brains stopped to see one of his classmates," Parker explained.

"It was one of the students in the building with Alan. I believe you encountered him - Zach," Penny said.

Jeff pondered for a moment and then remembered. "He was the one who came down and told us what had happened to Alan. How is he doing?"

"From what I understand - very well. Parker and I came straight here, so I don't have an exact update. However, from what I hear throughout the halls - Alan is a renowned hero," Penny beamed.

Jeff smiled as pride filled him, but it was quickly replaced with worry and fear. "That may very well be true," he sighed. "But how much will Alan suffer for his sacrifice?"

Penny looked at her friend with sympathy and love. "He'll make it through this, Jeff. You'll see. For as long as that young man has been old enough to voice his opinion - he's been a fighter. If there is one thing I know about you Tracy men, it's that you don't give up. He's also a lot like his father," she winked as she received a smirk from Jeff. "Which means giving up isn't an option. I am not certain it exists in your vocabulary."

That comment made Jeff laugh. "Thanks, Penny."

"What are friends for?" she said, her eyes sparkling.

Jeff allowed himself to relax a little as he welcomed the calm banter with his friends. Their conversations drifted away from his youngest son, but his mind quickly brought him back. Something deeply bothered him now about the whole Wharton fire. Pausing, he looked at Penny. "Does Fermat seem to believe this incident with the student to be true?"

"Fermat told me that one of his classmates said he overheard students talking," Penny further explained. "The students were discussing how the fire started and who may be the culprit. All were throwing around the same names - especially one student."

Jeff couldn't blame the kids for doing their own investigation. They had lost friends in this horrible tragedy and were looking for some justice. Looking at Penelope, he sighed. "Do you know the student's name?"

"I do, but I'd rather wait until I investigate further before I put a name to the crime," she said.

Jeff shook his head, understanding. "That's probably best. I'd rather not have one of my sons hear the name. We all know where they stand on protecting each other, and I'm afraid of what they could do right now."

As if on cue, the oldest of his children entered the room - the rest not far behind. The boys were quick to take note that Alan still wasn't back.

"He's still in surgery?" Scott asked, worry in his voice.

"I'm afraid so, son," Jeff said.

"Any word on how he's doing?" Virgil asked, the strain making his voice sound tight.

"I'm expecting Dr. Emerson with an update any minute now. He's been in surgery for about an hour," Jeff said, as the room filled with his offspring. Signs of worry and dark circles mixed across their young faces. The sight tore at the father of five. Deep down, Jeff wished he could take away all of their pain, but he knew only one thing could do that - getting Alan better.

Jeff knew Alan's recovery was going to be a long process, one done in baby steps. First, they had to get his youngest son stable enough to get him home. Jeff wouldn't relax until he had his baby safely secured upon Tracy Island, where the family would surround Alan. There on their private tropical island, Jeff knew his family could heal together. It would be a goal the Tracys would happily work to meet.

"By the way, Dad - bad news," John said as he handed Jeff a copy of the Boston Globe that he had grabbed in the lobby. "The press knows we're here."

Jeff sighed as he read the front page. "It was only a matter of time before word got out about Alan. We'll just have to bump up security and use alternative entrances and exits."

"We know the drill, Dad," Virgil smirked.

"I know, but I still want you boys to be careful," Jeff said.

"I'm more worried about the reporters trying to sneak in here to see Alan," Scott spoke from the window as he looked at the train of TV van's that appeared below. "This is a big story, and I can bet there's a big payday for anyone who can get a picture of us when we are dealing with this. Worse, Alan hasn't appeared in the media in years. Imagine the payout if they were to get a shot of Alan in the shape he is now?"

"I won't let that happen," Jeff said as he stood next to his eldest son.

-TB-

Flipping the paper down on the wooden table, Aaron smirked at the article before him. Wharton Fire Brings New Tracy Tragedy. So, the Tracy brat had managed to play hero and got himself seriously injured. Serves him right for trying to be the hotshot.

Taking a big gulp of his soda, he slammed the can down on the table as he read the article in its entirety. The article disgusted Aaron. The front-page report rattled on about how wonderful the youngest Tracy son had been and how tragic it was for the young lives that had been taken in the fire. But wasn't it great, the article concluded that Tracy blood ran true and Alan had saved so many of his schoolmates?

Walking to the small garbage can in the dining room of his family home, Aaron pulled out a lighter. Holding up the now crumpled newspaper, he lit an edge of the paper and watched as the flame began to cover the document - the fire changing colors as it began to engulf the ink. The sixteen-year-old smiled with pleasure and tossed the paper into the garbage. Now he felt better.

Walking towards the kitchen, Aaron was bumped aside as his older brother accidentally knocked into him.

"Oh, sorry, Aaron - didn't see you standing there. You haven't seen the newspaper have you?" Cody asked as he quickly grabbed a drink from the fridge.

Aaron ignored his brother.

"Aaron, I asked you a question," Cody said, irritation evident in his voice.

"I know. I'm just not answering it," Aaron scoffed, as he threw his now empty pop can into the trash.

"Aaron, you know we recycle!" Cody immediately admonished.

"Oh, so we do. Oops, sorry. I forgot," the teen said and walked out of the room. However, he didn't get very far before his older brother was on his heels.

"I don't know what your problem is, but I've had enough of your attitude. Just because your school burnt down doesn't mean you get to come back here and act like you run everything," Cody said as he grabbed his brother's arm. Pausing, he began to smell smoke coming from the dining room. "Do you smell smoke?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Aaron lied.

"No, I smell smoke," Cody said as he dragged his brother into the next room. "What the hell!"

Cody immediately ran to the alight garbage can, tossing his remaining juice onto the flame. Fury could be seen in the older man's eyes as the twenty-four-year-old turned toward his younger brother. There was no mistaking how this fire had started, for there was only one would-be arsonist in this household.

Shoving the garbage can at Aaron, Cody glared at his brother. "What the hell is wrong with you?! You could've burnt the house down! I don't know what goes on in that head of yours! I can't wait till Mom and Dad hear about this, and I hope they ship you off to a juvenile detention center. They've babied you for far too long."

Aaron just laughed at his brother. "Yeah, that would make things a lot easier on all of you, wouldn't it. Send off the forgotten child, the spare to the perfect heir. As far as I'm concerned, I'm not a part of this family anyways." Without a backward glance, the teen left the room, ignoring his brother's calls. There was nothing Cody had to say that Aaron wanted to hear.

He was sick of being told to do everything a certain way. He was tired of being warned to be better at his grades, to be a better person, to try harder at life in general. If Aaron had his way, this was the beginning of his new life.

In retrospect, he hadn't planned for the rich Tracy brat to get injured, but it was a perfect tool. If people weren't going to take him seriously, he was going to make them listen. If he could take out an entire boarding school and hurt numerous people in the process, then his capabilities were limitless. He was going to make his family and those around him listen to him for once. No more days of being pushed around. No more days of being ordered to be more like Cody and Amy. No, Aaron was going to send a message. And heaven help anyone who didn't listen.

TBC…

There ya have it. I hope you liked this chapter. Sorry once again for the delay. I've been battling some writer's block, college, and I was sulking a little after my last short story received so many little reviews. I got over it…..

Please leave me a review. It'll help me writer fast :D your encouraging thoughts always make the day better! Now off to look at more weather models - high outlook for severe weather in my region of the US this weekend!