Alan was ecstatic because he was finally a thunderbird. Everyone of his family had come to wish him good luck for the mission, well almost everyone.
"Hey sprout!" His other blond brother called from the door
"Well that's everyone." Alan thought. He stood up and walked over to John. Out of all his brothers, John was the one he wasn't looking forward to seeing at the moment. Not meaning to be horrible, but seeing John with a cast on his right arm and several cuts and bruises all over his body really scared Alan, Just like it always did, when one or more of his family got hurt on a mission. "Hi Johnny" he murmured and his head went down as he didn't really want to look at his injured brother, Which is why he was slightly shocked when John came over and put a hand on Alan shoulder. "John?" he asked. He heard a sigh come from his brother.
"Alan, its okay to be afraid." He spoke so calmly it scared Alan again. Alan took in the words and ran to his blond brother, gripping him, being mindful of his injuries.
"Johnny!" he yelled "You're right I… I am afraid." He paused "What if…What if I…I" John knew Alan was struggling with words so john gathered the frightened teen into his arms.
"Are you scared that something bad is gonna happen and you'll be powerless to stop it." He paused and let Alan take in the words, when the teen looked to be understanding he continued. "Or, are you afraid that somebody's nod gonna come back?" That did it. Alan began to quietly cry on John's shoulder in fear. He was grateful to John for rubbing his back and whispering soothing words in his ear. John had had this prep talk with Gordon and Virgil on their first missions, Scott had done it with him, and he was sure his father had done it with Scott, but he was sure that none of them had ever broken down before. But then again none of them had it as hard as Alan did. He'd seen the entire lot of rescue's on TV even when one of them got hurt. And he'd just had to battle a monster in their own home, and had had his life risked so many times. And John being so injured hadn't helped matters at all. When Alan had calmed down slightly he let him speak.
"How…how did you know Jonny?" Alan asked, still holding onto his brother. John smiled and sat Alan down on the bed, then sat down himself.
"Allie," he started getting the kid's attention, when he was sure he had it he continued. "All your bros, including me and Scott were scared before our first mission, and we sometimes get scared after every mission we go on now. You aren't the only one squirt." Alan gave his brother a smile and a hug before standing up.
"Thanks…Thanks John." Alan thanked. John stood up next to him and put and arm round his shoulder, well the one that wasn't in a cast.
"You'll do great sprout, you just gotta have faith, in yourself and your family." Alan nodded and John continued with a smile. "Now, go and save the people in Ohio, they could really use a hand." Alan gave him one last hug and hurried out the door. "Alan!" John called just before Alan rushed out the door. Still gripping the handle. "I won't tell Gordon." Alan pondered that thought then quickly rubbed at his eyes, paranoid at what his joker brother would have said to tear tracks running down his face he finally waved goodbye to John and left to meet with the others. "Yep, John thought "The kid's really growing up."