Disclaimer: I do not own Thunderbirds or its characters!

Chapter 10

Jeff was shocked that Alan wanted him to come. Alan had always wanted his independence. After talking with Scott, Jeff made arrangements for International Rescue to be on half operation. John came down from five to go on missions in Jeff's place.

"Is the squirt okay?" Gordon asked his father at dinner.

"Scott said he is better than he expected." Jeff insisted.

"Then why does he need you there?" Gordon wondered.

"Does it matter? He asked Dad to come." Virgil interrupted.

The next day Jeff was getting ready to head out when he got a call from Scott. Carter's father had passed away this morning. Scott was on his way to the hospital to meet with Carter and Alan.

"What did Scott have to say?" Virgil inquired.

"Carter's dad passed away this morning. Alan and Carter were at the hospital when it happened and Scott's rushing there now." Jeff informed.

"We should all go then. Lady P can call us if IR is needed." John insisted.

"John's right. Alan's going to need us there." Virgil agreed.

It wasn't difficult to find Alan when Scott arrived at the hospital. Alan seemed fine, but Carter was a mess. "Can we get out of here?" Carter begged.

Aunt Mary took the day off from work to pick Jeff and the boys up. Scott decided to tag along and give Carter and Alan some space.

"Hey, how's the sprout?" Virgil interrogated.

"He's at home with Carter. She's having a really hard time. I think Alan accepted it awhile ago." Scott explained.

It didn't take long for Alan to calm Carter down. They had both been expecting it. "We should go by my Gram's house later. I don't want her to think we abandoned Winston." Carter said trying to change the subject.

"Let's go get him. My aunt won't care and I know you need him right now." Alan suggested.

"I'm so tired. I'd probably crash." Carter admitted.

"I'll go get him. Why don't you call Amanda and have her come over?" Alan offered.

Aunt Mary and the Tracy family got home not long after Alan left. "Hey Mandy!" Aunt Mary greeted giving her a hug. "This is Alan's family."

"It's nice to meet everyone." Mandy waved. "Carter's sleeping and Alan left to get Winston twenty minutes ago."

"I thought Carter's grandmother lived an hour away. That's a long drive on no sleep." Mary commented.

"He seemed fine to me." Mandy shrugged.

"Hey, I didn't think y'all were getting in till tonight." Carter said joining them in the living room.

"We were able to catch an earlier flight out." Jeff said introducing himself.

"Well, Alan called and is on his way home." Carter stated.

"Dude he must be speeding." Mary laughed.

"Probably." Carter added.

About an hour later Alan showed up with Winston. "It's good I went to get him today. Part of Highway 59 is closed tomorrow for construction." Alan said kissing her.

"Yeah, that would make things difficult." She kissed him back. "You're family got here early."

Alan greeted his family and went to sleep. The idea of staying up was hopeless. The biggest fear Alan had was what his family would tell Carter while he was incapacitated. She knew all his secrets anyway.

It was later that night that Alan woke up to find Carter curled up next to him. The house was so quiet that Alan felt like he was in a horror movie. He found his Dad sitting out on the patio looking out at the ocean. Winston was lying next to his chair sleeping.

"Sorry I crashed on you guys." Alan apologized.

Jeff got up and gave Alan a hug. "Are you alright?" He asked worriedly.

Alan nodded, "I think that was the best I've slept in months."

His dad smirked, "From what Scott tells me I believe you."

"How's Carter?" Jeff asked.

Alan didn't know how to answer his Dad's question. He wanted to say she was fine, but it would be a lie. Would Alan be okay if his dad died? Probably not.

"I think she's hibernating." Alan concluded.

"Scott told me about the engagement." Jeff mentioned.

This was always where Alan and his dad fought. When he made pointless statements that proved that Alan didn't tell him anything. Therefore, Alan was immature.

"Nothings final, Dad. Just because I have a ring doesn't mean I'm going to use it. Her father passed away yesterday." Alan explained. "So you can forget the lecture you prepared."

"What I was going to say, before you snapped, was that I think Carter is good for you. I mean you both are very young for such a big step. But I can see how much she cares about you." Jeff approved.

"Thanks, but if Carter finds out you approve she will never say yes. This discussion never happened." Alan joked.

"Where is everyone? It's so quiet." Alan wondered.

"I convinced Scott and your brothers to get hotel rooms. Your aunt is asleep." He informed. "Want to go to the hotel? I'm sure they wouldn't mind being woken up."

Alan shook his head. "No I shouldn't leave Carter here alone."

After Alan finished talking with his Dad he went back to bed. Even though he slept well he still felt tired. It was probably all the stress. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of him. He didn't have to wake Carter up to know she felt the same.

Please Review!