Disclaimer: I do not own Thunderbirds or its characters!

Chapter 7

"Can we talk?" Alan asked entering John's room.

John nodded and motioned to the chair next to the bed. "I'm sorry I lied about college. I just didn't want you guys to influence my decision." Alan explained.

"I doubt anyone could do that. You have a spitfire of a girlfriend." John laughed.

Alan chuckled, "The first night I met her she got me punched in the face."

"I'm proud of you Alan. Just make sure that you're making the right choices for you and not Carter." John lectured.

"Carter will always be the right choice." Alan responded.

"I think you're whipped." John teased.

Alan had to agree. "Do you want to go out on a double date tonight? Carter and her friend Amanda are going to the house opening. I thought we could join them." Alan offered.

"You're brother and Amanda? What other special powers are you hiding other than match-making?" Carter joked.

"What? Amanda is trying to get over Kevin and my brother is leaving in a week. It's the perfect rebound. Plus my brother is way too straight laced to try anything." Alan argued.

Carter shrugged, "Yeah, it's perfect if Kevin doesn't show up."

"Relax, breathe." Alan laughed.

After the house party John took it upon himself to drive Amanda home. They surprisingly hit it off. Alan dropped Carter off at the hospital on his way home.

Once Alan got home things were eerily quit. Even Winston the annoying dog was sleeping. Alan pulled out his phone and flipped through his contacts. He needed to talk to someone.

"Hey sprout, long time no talk." Virgil answered.

"Yeah, sorry I've been busy." Alan covered.

"Are you okay? You sound weird." Virgil worried. Darn older brothers and they're hyper observant skills.

"My girlfriend's dad is dying. I want to be strong for her, but I'm scared. I've never seen anyone die before." Alan broke down.

"Allie, calm down okay. Since when do you have a girlfriend?" Virgil interrogated.

"Her name is Carter and we've been together two months." Alan informed.

Virgil sighed, "Okay so you two kids are serious then. I mean serious enough for you to be considering going through something this hard. So what's wrong with her dad?"

"He has a heart condition. It was getting better, but then he had a stroke. Virgil, he asked me to take care of her." Alan ranted.

"Alan, I can tell how much you care about this girl. But if it is stressing you out this much maybe it's better to cut ties now. It sounds like he is only going to get worse." Virgil reasoned.

"I love her, Virgil. Please, just tell me what to do." Alan demanded desperately.

Virgil hesitated, "I think you already know what to do, sprout. I don't mean to be overly cheesy, but if love was easy we'd all be married by now."

"Thanks, Virgil." Alan said trying to calm down.

"Wait sprout, before you hang up!" Virgil rushed. "If this Carter girl really is the one don't give her up for anything."

"You do realize John and you have complete conflicting opinions, right?" Alan pointed out.

Virgil laughed, "Yeah, well no offense to John, but I don't think he's ever been in love."

"He said it's a summer fling and that I'm ruining my life. Well, that was until he found out I was going to A&M Galveston." Alan explained.

"It sounds like you've already figured out your next move without me. What did you need a confidence boost?" Virgil joked.

Alan smiled, "Something like that."

"Glad to be of assistance. Call me later okay. I need to hear more about this Carter girl. I'd prefer hear it from you than John. Sounds like Dad and Scott have taken over his body." Virgil assessed.

Alan instantly felt better when he got off the phone. Finally, someone agreed with him other than his aunt.

"Hey honey where's John?" Mary questioned.

"He gave Mandy a lift home from the party. He should be back soon." Alan realized.

"How did Carter's dad seem at the opening?" Mary wondered.

Alan smirked, "Happy. Like he was perfectly content and absolutely nothing was wrong."

When John got home they hung out for a while. After all it seemed like ages since they actually had a civilized conversation.

"Have you called Dad lately?" John prodded.

"Not since I left the island why?" Alan asked.

"I think you two have a lot to talk about. If you are really serious about going to A&M and staying with Carter it's better to talk to him now than later." John reasoned.

"How would talking change anything? Dad has already made up his mind." Alan shrugged.

"He's still you're Dad Alan. He still loves you, even if he has a bad way of showing it." John explained.

"Don't you think if Dad cared he would have called by now? It's been months John." Alan argued.

John sighed, "Dad cares more than you know. He didn't refuse to let you join IR, because you were immature."

"Yeah, he refused to let me join to protect me. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not helpless." Alan remarked.

"You're still safer here than with us." John admitted. "Even if I disagree with Dad."

"I've dialed his number so many times I've lost count." Alan confessed. "A first it was easy to be mad, but now that I see Carter and her dad every day. It's harder."

"What's stopping you?" John asked.

Alan shrugged, "I'm scared he's going to be disappointed in me. I try to tell myself what he thinks doesn't matter, but it does."

"Alan, Dad would never be disappointed in you. You should really call him and tell him what's going on." John urged.

That night before going to sleep Alan scrolled through his contacts. When he reached his Dad's he stopped and paused. Maybe it would better to wait until morning. That way he would have a clear mind. It had been a long day. If he waited till morning he could go for a run before calling, which in logic made no sense. The time difference meant that his Dad would be in the middle of lunch right now. Alan took a deep breath and hit the call button.