Summary: The decision to put Alan into Boarding School doesn't go over well with Scott or Alan.

Aka, Jeff's not prefect and he makes mistakes...

Boarding School…

When Jeff made the decision to put Gordon and Alan into boarding school, after Virgil and John graduated high school, it sparked one of the biggest fight's in the Tracy household after Jeff got back on track after his wife's death.

But it was something that had to be done, Jeff was moving operations out to the island, and he wasn't going to expect his mother to look after Alan and Gordon 24/7.

This did not sit well with Scott however, Jeff had enough issues with Scott wanting to put his life on hold to care for his brothers when he graduated high school, he practically had to shove his oldest son out the door, but after he announced that Gordon and especially Alan were going to boarding school over the family dinner one night, just after the summer break had started, Scott completely lost it.

Gordon had been half expecting it to happen, and he had already decided that his main requirement in a school would be a half decent swimming program, as the one that was at the high school Scott, Virgil and John attended wasn't the best.

Alan was confused and upset, having already been shut out of many of the family's activities due to his age, now he was being sent away?

Scott ripped into his father, forcing Sally to ask Virgil and John to take Alan and Gordon into another room while her son and oldest grandson fought it out.

Scott's argument of why does Alan have to keep being punished for his age, was a sound one, Gordon was at the stage where he did have to leave to follow his aspirations, Alan was not, and that was what had Scott so furious with his father.

But when Scott threatened to drop out of college and leave the airforce for Alan's sake, Jeff threw his foot down, and reminded Scott that HE was Alan's father, not him, and he would not have one son give up his future, so another son could have a sibling around a little longer, besides their Grandmother was going to be staying nearby the school they he had chosen.

Scott had begrudgingly backed down, but he had made it clear that he still didn't agree with his father's decision.

At the school their father had chosen, Gordon thrived, it had everything that he wanted, it even gave him the option of signing up to be a junior cadet, at the WASP training academy that was nearby, which he did when he was fifteen.

Alan on the other hand, wasn't doing so well, even though he still had good grades, and made some friends, it was clear Alan just wanted to go home, even though his brothers and Tanusha were not there.

And then Jeff disappeared…

Scott had wanted to bring Alan home then and there, but he was still in the airforce, and now had the responsibility of Tracy Industries as well…

Virgil and John were helping but they were still in college, and Gordon was still in high school, and all of the 'adults' in Scott's life were in damage control due to the fallout.

So Scott made the hard decision to leave Alan where he was for the time being - Scott felt like scum and a hypocrite for doing so.

Alan for his part didn't blame Scott for not bringing him home, he saw what the stress of suddenly becoming the head of the family was doing to his brother, and he didn't want to add to it.

Then Bereznik happened in late 2057 and all bets were off…

Was the smartest move bringing Alan back to the Island with him, after he left the airforce, while he was still dealing with the fallout of being a POW in that shithole of a country? Definitely not, but the kid had his own issues to deal with as well, namely the feelings of abandonment generated by not only losing his parents, but nearly losing Scott himself as well, the kid need him, and he wasn't going to let Alan down again.

Scott had also decided to take International Rescue out of mothballs, during this time, with the plan of restarting the operation once Virgil and John were finished with college.

Then Gordon had his accident, and then Scott had both of his youngest brothers home, it was then Scott made the decision if Alan wanted to be homeschooled, as long as he kept up with the work load, he would let him…

Alan was just happy that he wasn't being shut out from everything anymore, the fact that he could fly rocket's and planes like he always wanted to, was a bonus at that point.

0o0o0

Alan's college discussion, in the months leading up to is graduation, was summed up with a blunt comment from Gordon of all people.

"If you want the pencil pushers to take you seriously in your field of work, you are going to have to have the formal education to back up your claims.

Just having the practical skill doesn't mean anything to people like that, they would follow the advice from someone like Fishler, who has the degree, over you, even if your advice was correct, every time."

Scott followed up the advice by adding, "If you want to have the traditional college experience, or stay on the island and study remotely, like Gordon has done, that's fine, Alan," he reassured, his youngest brother. "We'll support you either way."

"But what about Thunderbird Three if I choose to leave?" Alan asked.

"We'll manage," Scott assured him. "And the position will be open for you if or when you decide to come back."

"But-"

"Alan," Scott put a hand on his youngest brother's shoulder. "Now is the time to choose what is best for you."

"I don't know what I want to do," Alan admitted.

"You have time to think about it," Scott assured. "In the meantime might I suggest applying to a few schools and seeing what they have to offer."

"F.A.B." Alan replied, as Scott hugged him.

0o0o0

Alan was pretty sure he had his college plan all set, by the time he had graduated, he hadn't had anytime to discuss it with Scott, because it had been a crazy couple of months on the island in the lead up to the Zero XL mission.

But now there was a new wrinkle to that plan…

Jeff was home.

And Alan was petrified that his father wouldn't give him much choice in the matter.

He had tried deflecting it, at his graduation ceremony, thankful that a rescue had come in and delayed the conversation…

Now, it was two o'clock in the morning and Alan couldn't sleep…

He needed to talk to Scott…

0o0o0

Scott was woken up, by the sounds of a younger brother sneaking into his bedroom.

He was still for a moment, trying to figure out what said younger brother was up to…

But as he felt the bed covers being lifted and his brother slipping in beside him, he realised someone was looking for comfort, not trying to pull a prank on him, "Alan?" He mumbled, as wrapped his arms around his brother. "What's wrong?"

Alan buried his head into Scott's chest and was silent for a moment, before speaking softly, "It's about college," Alan murmured. "I've come to a decision, and I'm not sure Dad's going to go for it."

Scott stiffened, the college discussion, one of the conversations that he needed to follow Alan up on but their father's rescue had got in the way, "What have you decided, Alan?" He asked softly.

"That I want to do a mixture," Alan replied. "And spilt my time between college and the Island, similar to what you did with the airforce."

Scott nodded, thoughtfully, to be honest he had been hoping Alan would choose a route similar to what he had with the airforce, it meant Alan would get the socialisation that he needed and not stray too far from home, not that he wouldn't have let Alan go if, Alan did indeed chose to follow the traditional college path, "Sounds like a sound plan," he commented. "What's got you so worried?"

"Dad," Alan muttered. "What if he doesn't go for it and insists I have to leave?"

Ah, there was the problem, Alan's fear of being cast out again had reared its ugly head, "Alan, you are doing what's best for you," he reassured. "Even Dad has to respect that."

Alan sat up, "How can you say that?" He snapped. "Dad practically shoved you out the door, when it came time for you to leave."

"Dad shoved me out because, I was trying to put my life hold, to make sure you guys were alright," Scott replied. "In that case, I did need a kick in the ass."

"You were willing to put your life on hold to make sure we were okay?" Alan asked softy.

"I was," Scott sighed. "Dad didn't let me, and in many ways I am grateful for that, except for one thing."

"And what was that?"

"The boarding school debacle," Scott growled. "I expected it with Gordon, because his chosen field was so different to ours, and Gordon was ready for it, you weren't," Scott sat up. "It was obvious you weren't, Dad should have waited a couple more years to kick things off, I was powerless to stop it, and for that I'm sorry."

Alan stared at his oldest brother in shock, "But what about the people Dad saved in that time?" He asked. "What about the Zero X? If Dad hadn't had been there…"

"If I hadn't been there it would have been a massive disaster, I know," Jeff's voice cut in from the door. "But Scott is correct that I kicked things off with International Rescue too soon, for all the lives that Lee, Kyrano and I saved back then, how many were lost in the years between my disappearance and you boy's restarting my dream?"

Scott and Alan stared at their father, "Dad, what…?" Scott asked.

"Did you forget that your room is next to mine?" Jeff asked, as he came into the room and sat on the bed. "And my sleep cycle is on the fritz, so I heard you boy's shuffling around and I was wondering what was going on."

"How much of our conversation did you hear?" Alan asked, nervously.

"Enough," Jeff replied. "To know when it came to you, I screwed up, that when I sent you to boarding school I was only thinking of my own self interests, not your welfare, had your mother been still alive she would have kicked my ass, in more ways than one."

"Had Mom been still been alive, we would all be in a different place," Scott muttered.

Jeff snorted and ruffled both of his son's hair, "I'm sorry, Alan, for putting you through that," he murmured. "Your Grandmother showed me what you had planned for college, as you boys were coming back from your rescues."

Alan stared at his father nervously, "And?" He asked.

"From what I have seen I don't have any major issues," Jeff replied. "I was going to talk to you and Scott about it tomorrow."

"I haven't had a chance to see it yet," Scott cut in sheepishly. "It's been a bit hectic around here lately."

"I noticed," Jeff grumbled. "And I owe you an apology as well Scott, I just keep unintentionally dumping everything onto you."

Scott snorted, softly, "I'm used to it by now." He replied. "Besides I do have help."

"You shouldn't be, Scott, that's the problem," Jeff sighed. "You need to take some of your advice."

Scott's eyes narrowed, "Come again?" He growled.

Jeff cocked an eyebrow at Alan, ignoring Scott, "I come back after eight years and find Gordon, of all of you, is the only one of you five to any obvious romantic interests," he continued.

"Dad…" Scott growled. "If this is your way about asking about Piper…"

"I wasn't taking about her, specifically," Jeff cut his son off. "Although I am shocked that you haven't brought her into the fold, you haven't had another falling out have you?"

"No, we haven't," Scott growled. "She is still my sister from another mister that's what you're asking."

Alan and Jeff exchanged a look, and it was clear to Scott that they both didn't believe him with the 'sister' comment, but Jeff didn't press the issue, "I'm just saying you boy's need to start working on your own personal lives," he continued. "International Rescue isn't going keep you warm at night, believe me on that one."

Scott frowned, his father was right of course, but to bring someone else in, to expose them to the risks involved…

Alan yawned loudly and his head started to droop, Scott turned his attention back to his brother, "You alright there Alan?" He asked.

Alan nodded tiredly, and lay back down on the bed next to Scott, obviously he was going to be staying there for what was left of the night.

Sure enough the kid was softy snoring away, within seconds of his head hitting the pillow.

"Are you alright with him being there?" Jeff asked after a few moments. "Or do you want to move him back to his room?"

"He's fine where he is," Scott replied. "Alan will sleep anywhere he wants to, usually on the floor in his room, so it's a good thing he is actually in a bed for once."

Jeff glanced at his sleeping youngest son, and shook his head, "I better let you get what rest you can," he said, as he tried to get up, only for gravity to remind Jeff that it existed.

"Dad are you alright?" Scott asked. "Do you need help getting back to your room?"

"You don't have to do that son," Jeff replied. "I just need a couple of minutes."

"Uh huh," Scott replied, as he gently rolled Alan over to make a bit of extra space in the bed. "Well if you're going to insist that I don't help you back to your room, you can crash here, I don't want you to hurting yourself because you're unsteady on your feet."

"You sure you're comfortable with that Scott?"

Scott shot his father a glare.

"Alright," Jeff grumbled, as he climbed in beside his son's, switching off the light as he went.

0o0o0

When Gordon spotted Scott's open bedroom door, as he was heading for his morning swim, later that morning, and curiosity got the better of him, he ran to go get Virgil and John, who was back down from Thunderbird Five.

Probably not the smartest move, Virgil and John didn't appreciate being woken up so early but when Gordon shared the reason why they all made a scramble to Scott's room to see what was going on.

0o0o0

When Jeff woke up later that morning he was surprised to find that Virgil, John and Gordon had also snuck into Scott's bed during the night.

John was sleeping beside, Alan, Virgil was hugging him from behind and Gordon was spalled across their legs.

He had often wondered why Scott had insisted on having a large bed for his room, but now having all his fully grown sons and himself crowded in the same bed he could see Scott's logic.

He looked at Scott to see that his oldest was awake, "I hate to disturb them," Jeff whispered. "But I'm going to have move soon."

Scott snorted, softly, "I know the feeling," he whispered, as he gave Alan a nudge. "Come on Alan, John? Wake up guys, some of us need to get up."

There was some grumbles, and a rather vicious growl from Virgil, as the rest of his sons woke up.

0o0o0

It wasn't until the family had gathered in the kitchen, half an hour later, that Alan told his family his plans for college.

While he wouldn't be leaving the Island for the most part, there would be time's where Alan would have to leave for a couple of weeks to attend classes and in those times IR would have to cover for him.

But all and all the family was relieved that it was Alan's decision, and that he wasn't being forced to leave, before he was ready…

And to Scott, that what mattered the most.

Notes: The official TAG timeline is a bit of a crazy one, but if Alan is meant to be 16 in 2060 and Scott only being 9-10 years older than Alan, with the other brothers falling somewhere between that, and allowing at least three and a half years to cover the events of the series... Jeff went missing in 2055, when Scott was 21.

So clearly none of the other Brothers had the experience or training necessary to keep International Rescue running, at the time, hence the the temporary shutdown.