"Why does it have to be five hours?" Virgil exclaimed getting up and pacing.

"Technically," John said raising his hand, "It's only three hours now."

Virgil glared at his older brother and growled. "Dude," Gordon half smiled, "You are so channeling Scott right now!"

Virgil paused in mid-step and thought about Gordon's words; finally he shrugged and continued his pacing, "Someone has to bring big brother here…at least in spirit."

Jeff silently listened to his middle sons' banter, sadly noting that it lacked the normal energy. The feed was still playing Alan sleeping, and he figured it would for another half hour.

John noticed his father's withdrawn silence, and gestured at his brothers; bring it to their attention as well. Virgil stopped his pacing and walked over to his father, "Dad?" He called, putting a strong hand on Jeff's shoulder.

Jeff glanced at third son, and gave a small smile, "What is it Virgil?"

"How you doing?" Virgil asked softly.

John and Gordon came towards him now, both looking worried, "I'm fine, boys," Jeff reassured, "Really, I am."

"Dad," John said quietly, but firmly, "You have had to watch your youngest son, scared, bound and gagged. You have had to bid on him to try and bring him home. You can't say that you are fine, and expect us to believe you."

"If anything," Gordon said kneeling in front of his father, "You should be having the hardest time."

"Add that with trying to be strong for your other sons," Virgil continued, "You have to admit, 'fine' isn't an appropriate description for a time like this."

Jeff looked into the concerned eyes of his three sons, and sighed heavily. Before he knew it, he was in the middle of a group hug; and no one was holding back tears.

Brains, came in to this, hating to break it up. Coughing, Brains waited for the four men to get control of their emotions again, "I w-w-was a-a-able to na-na-na-shrink the s-s-search a-a-a-field."

John recovered quickly, and latched on to what Brains had said, "Did you find him?"

"N-n-not t-the e-e-exact lo-lo-lo-spot, no," Brain shook his head, "B-b-but I d-did g-g-get the a-a-area d-down t-to a t-ten m-m-mile r-r-radius of th-the pa-pa-pa-site."

"That's still a lot of ground," Virgil said dejectedly, "The three hours will be done by the time half of that is searched."

"But," Jeff said with new strength, "It is a lot better than what we had. Gordon, call Scott and have him update the FBI and police. Brains if you could send Scott the specifics, please," Brains nodded and hurried out of the room. Gordon got up, walking towards the window, and dialed his oldest brother.

"John," Jeff continued, "I want you to put the Thunderbirds on standby. And Virgil, go prep Tracy One; we are going to Vermont and getting Alan back."

Scott's hotel

"Dad does realize that before you guys even get here, he will have to place his blind bid, right?" Scott asked Gordon after hearing the last of Jeff's statement.

"Yeah, I think he realizes that, Scottie," Gordon replied, "But I don't think he cares, he is going to be there to get Alan. And so are we."

"And what if this guy sees him coming and runs with Alan? Then we lose any chance of getting Alan," Scott reasoned.

"What are you getting at, Scott? You want us to stay here?" Gordon asked confused, "Hold on, Dad wants to talk to you."

"There a problem, Scott?" Jeff's voice came on the phone.

"Not a problem," Scott sighed, "But Dad, think about it. You rushing over hear when there is still so much time until you place a bid, how do you know this guy isn't watching the airports or police scanners. He has been a step ahead this whole time, Dad," Scott pointed out, "You can't just show up and not expect him to act rashly."

Scott heard Jeff sigh, "I hear you, Scott. And you have very valid points. But we can't stay here and sit on our hands waiting and watching reruns of Alan in pain," Jeff explained his thoughts, "How else should we go about this?"

"Wait a little longer, Dad," Scott pleaded, "Wait at least an hour, maybe two. That way, you will still be in the air when you need to place the bid, and you will arrive about the time that he calls for instructions to get Alan," Scott expressed; no doubt in his mind that Alan wasn't coming back to them, "You show up before that, and who knows what will happen."

"When did you get so smart?" Jeff grumbled.

Scott smiled sadly, "It isn't being smart, Dad," he said softly, "It's just my judgment isn't clouded from watching Alan being hurt. My head is clearer than yours and Gordon's and Virgil's, heck even clearer than John's!"

Jeff gave a small chuckle, "Virgil was channeling you earlier…I think you just channeled Alan."

Scott's heart twinged at the mention of his baby brother, swallowing hard, he responded, "That mean you are going to wait?"

Jeff sighed again, tiredly, "Yeah, Scott, we'll wait; but no more than an hour and a half. Then we are flying out and will meet up with you."

"Alright," Scott nodded to himself, "I'll see you in little under five hours, and together we will get Alan. But if you are going to be late for the party…I'm starting without you!"

"Isn't it over an hour's drive from the school?" Jeff thought.

"Uh, yeah," Scott thought to himself, "But I'll get the school or local cops to clear a landing strip for you. But plan on a very small one, the optimal one I can get is a strip of road near the school; the next option would be the school's athletic fields. I'll call you with the details before you take off."

"Alright, see you soon, Scott," Jeff said goodbye before ending the call.