Disclaimer: I do not own Thunderbirds or its characters!

Chapter 6

After John got settled Alan went to Carter's house. John decided to stay home and get more situated. Plus he wanted to talk to his aunt about Alan's relationship.

"Well considering my house is still standing I'm guessing Alan isn't here. Did he head over to Carter's already?" Aunt Mary joked.

John nodded, "He left after dropping me off."

"Alan doesn't like to leave Carter alone for too long. She has so much to deal with on her own." Mary added.

"Doesn't the amount of pressure Alan is under worry you?" John inquired.

Mary sighed, "It's Alan's choice. He wants to be there for her."

"Alan is a kid! You're the adult. He's a 17 year old who's confused!" John argued.

"Do you know the same Alan I know? Alan loves Carter. Carter makes him happy. This is his decision. Not yours, not mine, and certainly not your father's. This is the end of this discussion." Mary finished leaving the room.

When Alan got home he was shocked to find John waiting up for him. "I thought you'd be asleep by now." Alan said exhaustedly.

"Can we talk?" John asked hesitantly.

"Okay..." Alan lingered.

"I want you to come home with me." John stated sternly.

Alan expected that John would bring this up sooner or later. It was getting near the end of summer. Sooner or later one of his brothers would call or be sent to drag him home. That was just the Tracy family way. Alan knew that his brother's thought they were looking out for him. But it was so degrading and smothering. That's why Alan loved being with Carter. He could be himself without the fear of rejection.

"John, I already told you I'm staying here with Carter. If I was going to leave her I would have done it already." Alan insisted.

"I get that this summer fling is important to you. But you need to stop messing around and applying to colleges before deadlines close. I understand that you wanted a break, but it's time to grow up. How am I ever going to convince Dad that you're mature enough to join International Rescue if you won't come home?" John snapped.

"Carter and I are not just a summer fling John. I love her. Just because I have moved on from being a Thunderbird does not mean I'm less mature." Alan rebutted. "Who are you to comment on us when you've never even met Carter?"

John huffed, "Ever since you've met that girl you're priorities have been all out of whack. I'm trying to help you here, Alan. I want my brother back."

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. "Hey can you watch Winston for a few days? Dad got worse and I had to call an ambulance." Carter informed.

"Yeah, I'll go pick him up before he trashes the place. My aunt won't mind. Want me to give you a lift the hospital?" Alan offered.

Carter shook her head fighting back tears. "You've gotten less sleep than me. I'll call you as soon as I know something okay." She said kissing him.

Alan watched as the car drove off down the street.

"Who's Winston?" John wondered.

Alan laughed, "Her dad's retriever. He's old, grumpy, and loves to destroy the furniture."

Thankfully, Winston settled down when Alan went to sleep. The last thing he needed was the dog to go psycho on the house. The next morning Carter called Alan and told him her dad was doing better. He offered to stay with her, but she wanted time alone. He couldn't blame her. Carter and her dad were insanely close. Sometimes Alan would set up at night deciding whether to call his dad.

"Sleep okay?" Alan asked, joining John at the table.

"Yeah, you?" John shot back.

Alan sighed, "Yeah, once I got to sleep."

"How's Carter's dad?" John searched.

"He had a stroke. They won't know the full extent of the damage until he wakes up and they can run more tests." Alan reasoned.

"Victims of strokes have a long recovery periods sometimes. It's a lot of work and stress." John analyzed.

"I'm not leaving Carter. If you want me to come home you're going to have to play another card." Alan hissed before leaving the room.

That afternoon John, Alan, and Mary spent some time on the beach. Carter was even able to join them for a while. Even with the tension between John and Carter it was fun. Carter was able to blow off some steam.

"So Carter, what are your plans for college next year?" John questioned bluntly. Alan shot him a dirty look.

"Didn't Alan tell you? We both got in to A&M Galveston." Carter answered hesitantly looking at Alan.

"A&M Galveston? You told me you weren't going to college. Why did you lie to me?" John accused.

"I wanted to make my own decision." Alan explained.

"I can't believe you lied! Are you that desperate for attention?" John spat.

"He wouldn't have to lie if you all would stop trying to control every moment of his life!" Carter argued.

"We are just trying to protect him." John reasoned.

"No, you're trying to control him. There's a difference." Carter barked before marching off.

Alan followed her into the house. "I just yelled at your brother." She mumbled. "He probably thinks I'm a bitch."

"Well you kind of are." Alan teased.

Carter grabbed his arm and pulled him on to the couch beside her. "Promise me that whatever happens you won't let them change you. You're a penguin remember." Carter reminded kissing him.

"How could I forget?" Alan smirked leaning in to kiss Carter.