When John got back to the room, Gordon and Scott were out on the balcony with the door closed; looked like a heated conversation. "What's up with those two?" John asked Virgil.
Virgil looked out the glass doors, "Uh, I think Gordon called Scott out on the shocking actually hurting. Scott is right now trying to defend his choice of saying it didn't hurt…don't think Gordo's letting him off easy though," he finished with a shrug.
John nodded taking a seat, "Alan?"
"Dad's having him take a nap. Gave him a mild sedative to help," Virgil responded, picking up the newspaper. "What'd you do to your hand?" Virgil asked not looking from the paper.
John realized he had been rubbing his knuckles, and snorted, "Found a softer target than a wall."
Virgil peeked over the top of the paper, "Thanks for not having me fix another right hand."
"No problem, Virg," John gave a crooked smile, "Figured two was enough for a while anyways."
"Yeah, well," Virgil went back to reading, "Gordon is still a candidate."
"Speak of the devil," John muttered as Gordon stormed in, Scott following shortly after, "Nice chat?"
"Peachy," Gordon growled, moving to the kitchen and digging in the fridge.
"That isn't a good sign," John remarked, "He went to the fridge and still hasn't found something to eat."
"Let's just say, I'm in the Fish's dog house for a while," Scott sucked on his upper lip as he sat, "Apparently, he doesn't want us to lie to him to protect him anymore."
"In this case, Scott," Jeff said closing the bedroom door, "It may have been better to be straight with him."
Scott nodded, "He said as much, just with more words."
Jeff patted Scott's back, before going to Gordon, "Hey, Gordon, why don't we order take out for dinner."
"Sure, Dad," Gordon sighed, closing the fridge and slumping onto a bar stool, "What are we going to get?"
"Why don't you pick," Jeff said, pulling out some local restaurant menus form a drawer by the phone.
Gordon flipped through the menus halfheartedly, "Let's do Chinese," he picked out a menu.
"Sounds good," John said form the sitting area.
"Why don't you go lie down too," Jeff suggested to Gordon.
"I'm not tired, Dad," Gordon groused.
"No but, you'll feel better after relaxing for a little while," Jeff guided Gordon to the bedroom, closing the door behind his son.
John placed an order for the local Chines place, which also happened to deliver. "Food will be here in half an hour," he announced.
Scott nodded, rubbing his belly, "Good, I'm starving!"
As Jeff sat down, Virgil put the paper down. "What are you going to do about Alan and school?" Virgil broached the subject all the older brothers had been worrying about.
Jeff sighed and rubbed his face, "I don't know. I know he isn't staying here, that monster is still out there. But that makes finding another place hard as well…he could be anywhere."
"Do you think he would go after Alan again?" Scott asked, worried by the idea.
"I don't know what this man will do," Jeff answered, "He got what he wanted, who's to say he won't try again?"
"I say Alan comes home," John broke the silence that had fallen.
"I'm with John," Virgil added his opinion.
"I think for now, that may be the only option," Jeff agreed, "He's already missed the first two weeks of school for anywhere else; catching up would be too difficult."
"Then home school him and Fermat with Tin-tin," Scott voiced, "We can all help out with some subject or something."
"Let me guess," John smiled, "You want gym class?"
"I already have a self-defense program in mind," Scott smiled back.
"That maybe the best course of action; for now," Jeff nodded, "But he will be distracted by International Rescue…so it will not be a long term arrangement."
"I think we can work around that," John stated, "We just need to give him a reason to focus on school first."
"I think after this experience," Virgil began solemnly, "He'll be more focused on something other than being a Thunderbird, and will use school as a scapegoat."
The three other men nodded in silent agreement.
After a while, a knock at the door broke the stillness of the room. John got up and peeked through the peep hole, "Food's here," he explained, opening the door. Handing the food to Virgil who had gotten up, John paid for the meal.
"Should we get the other two?" Virgil nodded towards the bedroom as he put the food on the table.
"Let Alan sleep," Jeff said, "But see if Gordon wants to eat."
Scott nodded and went into the bedroom; smiling at his two youngest brothers. Gordon was on his back, and arm under Alan's neck. Alan was curled up into Gordon's side, holding his shirt tightly with his left hand.
Scott kneeled next to Gordon and shook his shoulder, "Hey, Fish," he whispered.
Gordon opened one eye, "What?" he whispered back tiredly.
"Food's here, want to eat now or later?"
"Now, help me get Alan up," Gordon gestured to his only little brother.
"Dad wanted him to sleep," Scott protested.
Gordon shook his head and frowned, "He had a nightmare and only calmed down when I pulled him close. He can't be alone right now."
Scott frowned; thinking to himself, why does he have to worry about this kind of thing? "Alright, let's get Sprout up then."
"Hey, Al," Gordon said louder than the whisper he had been using and shook his brother, "Time for dinner."
"Hmmm," Alan curled tighter, "Not hungry."
"Sprout," Scott said moving to Alan's side, "We got Chinese. I know how much you like Chinese cuisine."
"Keep talking," Alan smirked, turning his head towards Scott.
"I think John got you some chicken wings, lo mein, and spring rolls," Scott supplied.
"Yum," Alan yawned and blinked tiredly.
"Let's go eat then," Gordon said sitting him and Alan up, "Some of us are hungry!"
"Some?" Scott smiled, helping Alan stand, "I think all is a better description."
"So long as you stay away from my chicken!" Alan elbowed his oldest brother.
"No promises, Sprout," Scott chuckled, "No promises."