Home Turf

Epilogue

A/N: Well, here's the end! One chapter spanned to four chapters! Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed.

Alan had been checked out at the local hospital and had been deemed to be fine. Jeff had instantly come rushing to Scott and Alan's rescue and had been at the hospital almost before they'd arrived. Scott had been deemed fine and given painkillers, much to his protest. Alan had to have his arm in a cast because Matthew and Matthew's "wife" had injured his friend so badly.

Scott had gotten to personally thank the two teenagers who had rescued Gordon and Virgil. They seemed nice. Their father was a private eye – someone named Fenton Hardy – who had raised two very responsible teens.

Scott chuckled mildly, thinking about the reward his father had given the two boys. It had been sufficient enough to pay for both of their college expenses that was for sure. The father had been stunned at the amount. He and his wife made more than enough, but they were struggling slightly. He'd taken one look at the check and tried to deny it, but Jeff had said that if he wouldn't take it, then he could put it in a savings account so the boys could have their school paid for. Joe had been really happy at that – apparently he didn't think he had as much chance as getting a scholarship as his brother Frank did. Frank was apparently an academic genius.

They were getting together for lunch with the Hardy Boys in a few weeks. Scott couldn't wait.

Things were mostly coming together, but the effects of the kidnapping were still shown. Alan cried himself to sleep at night and refused to be away from Scott for more than a few hours. He'd resorted to sleeping next to Scott's bed, and if for some reason Scott wasn't there, he would collapse wherever Scott was. Scott had finally just started going to bed at the same time as Alan.

Although Jeff had hired a psychologist to talk to Alan, the seven-year-old still was having nightmares.

Like he was having now. Sighing, Scott got up and gently held Alan, rocking him back and forth in his bed gently, being careful of Alan's injuries. Finally, Alan woke up, and looked startled. "Scotty?" he asked, breathing a sigh of relief.

"It's me, baby," Scott said, affectionately ruffling his hair. "I'm here." Scott paused. "What happened?"

"I was back at the bad place, Scott." Tears started to trickle down Alan's cheeks and Scott sighed, thanking God that Jeff was a good father. He wondered mildly what would have happened if they'd been stuck with an abusive father and decided not to think about it. "The man said that you didn't love me."

"Oh, Alan," Scott said, wrapping his arms around his brother once more, "The man lied. He was a bad man. I will always love you."

"But he said I was only good for money!" tears streaked down Alan's cheeks once more and Scott swallowed hard. He needed to talk with his father, but for now there was one way of dealing with it.

"Listen, Alan," Scott said, gently pulling Alan into his lap, "The man was lying. He only wanted money from Dad. He was a very, very bad man. Do you understand that?"

Alan nodded. "And mean," he added helpfully as he attempted to dry his tears.

"And he said some very mean things to try and make you listen to him," Scott responded. "Did you like what he said?"

"No!" Alan said, rolling his eyes as if Scott was stupid for suggesting such a thing. "He was mean!"

"He was trying to hurt your feelings, Alan." Scott paused. "Don't listen to him. He's a big bully. I will always love you, Alan… Always," he added.

Alan nodded seriously. "Do you brother promise?" he asked.

Scott raised his eyebrow.

"Jimmy said at school the other day that if a brother made a promise they could always take it back, unless it was a brother promise. So is it a brother promise?" Alan asked.

Kind of seems like the forever promise that Gordon's friend Trevor mentioned… "Of course," Scott responded, nodding seriously. "It's a brother promise."

Alan nodded.

"Now," Scott responded, knowing that they still weren't quite finished, "Who are you going to listen too: some old man who wants to hurt your feelings or your awesome big brother?"

"My Scotty!" Alan said, and Scott breathed a sigh of relief as Alan offered him a hug. Things were starting to get back to normal.

Or as normal as they ever could be in the Tracy household.

A/N: If you can, please take a minute to hit the review button and let me know what you think. This is my first longer length in cannon Tracy fiction. If you liked this, you might check out "Silent Boy," which is Alan wump also. Stay tuned also for a Thunderbirds fic on the way that will contain both Scott and Alan whump - "Rough Landings."

Thanks for the reviews!