The first thing Alan wanted to do when he got home was to sleep, but the praise he was about to receive from his dad was going to stop that for the moment. He stood next to his brothers as their father approached them, smiling at the fact their were no injuries acquired (well none that he knew about!)
"Well boys, how did it all go then?" he looked at each boy in question before Gordon spoke up.
"It went cool, but real praise has to go to the sprout here, couldn't have done the work better myself." Everyone stared at Alan proudly, including John who had just entered from the kitchen. Alan blushed under the attention, but was mostly focusing on keeping the pain off his foot. Gordon patted him on the back then slung an arm round his shoulder "of course I kind of was the best right Al?" he asked the small blond. Alan refused to answer but laughed when Scott grabbed Gordon in a headlock.
"Oh yeah fishy, this is coming from somebody who fell over at least 10 times, 3 while trying to get to someone." All boys burst out laughing so none of them noticed when the youngest Tracy slipped out of the living room; he only got so far when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned round to see John staring into his eyes.
"You OK Al?" he asked the blond, Alan looked down,
"Erm…I'm ok Johnny I'm just a little tired." John lifted his head up and shook his head unconvinced.
"I'm not so sure Al, you looked like you were about to faint before, and even with a stone in your shoe .you wouldn't be limping this much" Alan was gradually getting upset; he didn't want anyone to find out about it.
"I didn't want anyone to find out Johnny, I don't want dad to stop me ever goin' on missions again." He said quietly, before he knew it John embraced him in a hug.
"Alan, what on earth has got it in your mind that dad's gonna kick you off the team for just spraining your ankle?" he questioned. Alan didn't answer, just shrugged and John let him go.
"Alan, the guys always get injuries, I'm not exactly sure why you getting injured on your first missions gonna make take you off the team." Alan pondered the thought then shrugged again.
"I…I just thought that, since I'm gonna be going back to school again, I'm not exactly as official as you guys, I mean, I only got on the team because I saved you guys. I didn't want dad to think he made a mistake putting me… on the team." He mumbled quickly. John stared blankly at him then let out a fool hearty laugh.
"Oh Allie, has Gordy been putting ideas into your head, Dad wouldn't kick you off the team, unless you did something irresponsible that would put us all in danger. And even then he'd only suspend you, not completely take you off the team." Alan blushed then gave a yawn. "I take it that your pretty tired, huh sprout." Alan nodded.
"Do I have to tell dad about my ankle now, or can it wait till tomorrow, I'm too tired to get looked over by "Virge the surge"." He joked. John gave him a light punch in the arm.
"Alright then sprout, I'll let you off this time, but next time it'll be straight to dad and Virgil, whether you're a dead weight on the floor or not." Alan laughed then gave another yawn. John but an arm round his shoulder. "C'mon sleepy head, you need your sleep after a mission like the one you were on." Alan mumbled a simple "Uh huh." They eventually reached Alan and Gordon's bedroom. Alan was led to his bed by John; John started tucking Alan in when Alan gave a weak protest.
"John, come on, I'm 15 not 5, and I dun need you to tuck me in!" he protested. John just smiled and finished tucking him in.
"Even when you're 25 you'll still be my baby brother, and I'll still tuck you in even on my death bed!" he joked. Alan pushed himself up on his hands and gave John a quick hug, John returned it then pushed Alan down on the bed and placed a kiss on his forehead.
"Night Allie." He whispered as he left for the door.
"Night Johnny" was the reply he received. John smiled and slowly shut the door, not realising that mistake.
A few moments after John had left Alan felt a breeze and realised that his window was open. He reached up to shut it and then sat back down. But before he had the chance to sleep again, he felt a hand round his throat. He looked up fearfully and saw the shadow of a man with broad shoulders and long hair in his view.
"Who…who are you?" he managed to choke out. It may have been dark but Alan could easily see the smirk on the man's face.
"You're worst nightmare." And with that, Alan felt a cloth covering his mouth, and he tiredly welcomed the darkness.