Yep, epic fail over here for making you all wait so long. Please accept my apologies for that as I've just had the most hectic few weeks.
Thank you to my lovely Guest reviewer who left me a line today, hope this is okay for you :)

"Absolutely not, Alan!"

The youngest Tracy gritted his teeth and sighed as he continued with Thunderbird Two's pre-flight checks, putting all of his willpower into not immediately yelling back. Virgil was the one brother he hadn't been looking forward to spending time with, purely because he knew exactly how he would react. Scott, having had to help settle sibling squabbles for years, had seen both sides and made it clear it was Alan's decision, which had pleasantly surprised him if he was honest. Gordon had openly admitted he wanted the whole family together for good, his own life experiences helping to make his point clear, and John had the calmest head of the bunch so no worries there. But the point was that so far his brothers and even his father had all approached the subject with patience and understanding.

But Virgil?

Of all of Alan's brothers, Virgil was the most serious, the most academic and the most predictable. He was quick to disagree and put forth his opinion in discussions or arguments, always straight to the point. It was an essential trait for a member of a rescue team when time was of the essence in the field, but in general everyday life it was infuriating.

And right now, he was of the opinion that Alan was being rash, having not thought things through because he was too young. That Alan didn't know how each of his brothers had gone through school and their own careers before coming back to the island.

Well, he did. He may be young but he certainly wasn't naïve. Not anymore.

Virgil was jumping to conclusions, assuming Alan had already made his decision and wanted to give up his academic future immediately. Alan had been kept quiet, hoping Virg might surprise him, but the fact his older brother had reacted as expected finally made him blow his top.

"I knew you would be like this!" Alan snapped back, hitting the console in front of him in his anger. "Just give me some time to explain first, Virg!"

Virgil immediately stopped what he was doing and eyed him. "Sorry Alan, I didn't mean to aggravate you."

The teen was temporarily stunned into silence, not expecting his brother to actually listen to him so quickly. But after a split second he recovered, his brain registering the cold sarcasm in his brother's tone. It hadn't been Alan's words that had made Virgil react, but rather his abuse of his Bird's controls.

Oh, so that got his attention? Never mind that Alan was in the middle of the most important decision of his life and needed advice, oh no, what was evidently more important was that Two sustained no boo-boos on their trip.

Alan frowned and contemplated doing it again for good measure, to ensure he got his brother's full attention. But as the pair of them glared at each other for however long passed, Virgil finally broke the eye contact and was decent enough to look ashamed.

"I mean it, okay, I'm sorry," the medic said quietly, sighing and rubbing a hand over his face. "I honestly didn't mean to get on your back, I've just had a rough day."

"Yeah well, you did!" Alan huffed, flopping back against the leather and running a hand through his hair, his gaze focused out the cockpit windows in front of him. "And I've had a rough week too. Heck, I've had a rough couple of months!"

There was a heavy silence between them for a few seconds before he heard his brother adjust his position in the co-pilot's seat behind him.

"Talk to me, Allie," Virgil said softly.

"So now you'll listen to me?" He gaze didn't falter from the silo doors far in front of them, as Virgil's voice didn't change tone when he replied.

"I'm your brother aren't I? Go ahead, maybe we can both help each other."

"Why do you just assume I've already made a decision?" he asked angrily, swinging the chair so he was now facing the middle brother.

"Does this mean you haven't? I thought you wanted to be part of IR?"

Alan tried not to shout at his brother, but it was incredibly hard not to.

Once again, totally predictable, Virg!

He found that once he started talking he couldn't stop.

"Yes, Virgil, it means I haven't! I've just been so caught up in my own selfish thoughts I haven't realised sooner. Before The Hood, all I wanted was to be a Thunderbird. Watching the rescues on the news at Wharton's knowing that the Thunderbirds were really my family was horrible. I was watching every single rescue to make sure none of you got hurt, yet there was this burning desire inside me. I wanted to be out there with you all, too. The world adores International Rescue, Virg! Every kid at Wharton's now aspires to be one. I can legitimately say the same because I actually have that chance!"

Virgil had just been stunned to silence as Alan continued, his voice cracking.

"But then came Spring Break, my chance to actually show you guys what I was made of. After we'd evaded The Hood, I was just forty seconds away from seeing you all burn up on re-entry. My father and all of my brothers. Everything worked out in the end and we saved the day, I know, but afterwards it just felt my performance was being exaggerated. After Spring Break I went back to school, back to normal life as if nothing had happened. Every kid was talking about what happened with the Thunderbirds in London and I had to just act like I had no idea, like I didn't have all the memories resurfacing of what I went through.

"Then after a while I settled back into school, and I honestly enjoyed it. The routine, the normality; I thrived in it. I actually tried my best and it's paid off as I now have grades to rival yours. I've found hobbies and activities outside of school that I love, made friends who I don't want to leave behind. I'm torn, Virg. Do I take the easy option, the leeway Dad's finally giving me? Or do I take the harder option and put all this off for a few more years until I know what I want to do?"

Alan took a deep breath as he leaned back into the green leather. Two hadn't even left the silo but he suddenly felt like a great weight had been lifted from his chest, a weight that had clearly been hanging there for the last eight weeks.

"Sorry Virg, I didn't mean to take it all out on you," he puffed, feeling guilty for having shouted at his older brother.

"Do you feel better?"

"Yeah, loads," Alan nodded, smiling.

"Then there's nothing to worry about, Sprout. Now are you going to get my 'Bird in the air before Scott comes down asking whose unconscious?" Virgil teased.

"What about you?" Alan asked sincerely. "Wasn't there something bothering you, too?"

Virgil just looked nonchalant. "No. Let's get going."

Within seconds the final pre-flight checks were done and Thunderbird Two emerged elegantly from the island cliffside, palm trees parting as the green lady trundled up the runway. The final part of the launch sequence went by without a hitch and Two was up in the air heading in no particular direction, although the youngest Tracy felt he was finally heading towards his decision as they powered away from the island.

The score stood at 2-1, tipping towards going back to school. It was time for a trip into outer space.