I'm back.

I won't make this a long note as I'm sure you all want to get on to reading the new part.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who's been so patient in waiting for a new chapter. I know you all enjoy the story and to be honest I have found it very hard to get back into writing for the pleasure of others.

But I digress here is the new chapter.

Shannon x

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If Alan had to spend another moment being smothered he was going loose the will to live. It had been 2 days and he and Gordon had already resorted to hiding from the rest of the islands inhabitants.

Alan had been prodded and asked "how are you feeling" more times than he could count. At first he had understood. His brothers had been worried and were checking on him to settle their nerves. However now 2 days on he couldn't cope with it anymore. One brother would ask him how he was and check in on him and then 5 minutes later another brother would come check on him.
The only respite he was getting was for the fact that John was still on 5. So John was too busy answering calls and forwarding them on to the correct agencies to smother or hassle him.
There hadn't been an emergency that called for an IR response yet and Alan wasn't far off wishing for one to get his brother to leave him and Gordon alone. The only thing stopping him was the fact that he wouldn't wish something bad to happen to anyone.

Alan and Gordon were currently hiding in the library. All their other hiding places had been discovered within a day so they had decided that hiding in the library would have to do. They were hoping that Scott and Virginia wouldn't think to look in the library for the fact that Gordon hated books. So far their plan seemed to be working as they had had an hour of peace so far.
In that time Gordon had managed to get himself comfortable in an  armchair and had drifted off for a nap. Meanwhile Alan had decided to read a book that he had been meaning to start for a while but never got around to.
The quiet of the room was soothing to the pair. Between their brothers smothering and their day to day lives it wasn't often that they had any time to simply sit in silence. But that was the life of a first responder.

Another hour passed with no one finding their hiding place. In that time Alan had delved deeper into his book and Gordon had remained asleep. Alan had looked over to check on Gordon a couple times just for peace of mind. He knew Gordon was there but it helped to look over and see his chest raise with every breath Gordon took in his sleep.
Alan was currently watching Gordon once again when Virgil entered the room behind him. Hence why he didn't notice Virgil until Virgil was stood right beside him. Still when he did notice Virgil he did jump simply because he hadn't expected Virgil to be stood there.

"So you found us" Alan announced once he had settled back into his seat.
"No I knew you were here half an hour ago. I decided against coming in straight away as I realised you both must of needed the time away if you were willing to hide out in here." Virgil told him.
"I have no issues with the library Virgil. It's Gordon who has a hatred for books not me" Alan counteracted.
"Yes I know that Alan but I mean if he willingly came in here you both must of needed to get away from us." Virgil replied.
"You both wouldn't leave us alone.  One of you would check on us and then 5 minutes later the other would come past and check. Then dad would drift through the room conveniently. It was getting a bit much" Alan explained while placing his book down in his lap.
"I know. I'm sorry that we've been smothering the pair of you. It's just we were really worried there for a while and those feelings don't go away easily. I'll try to get Scott to calm down a bit. It's been 2 days now so he should begin to settle soon" Virgil explained as he knelt beside Alan.
"I know but I'm not a Chile anymore Virgil. I'm perfectly capable of getting around the house without help. And if I really needed the help I would call one of you. I dont need someone constantly watching my every move" Alan told him.
"And Gordon is an adult. Did you really think he was gonna sit back and let you two treat him like a child." Alan went on before Virgil could say anything.
"I know I know. Look we'll back off a bit. But can the two of you stop hiding away. Atleast sit in the living room or on the deck" Virgil asks as he stands up.
"We'll think about it." Alan conceads.
"Alright that's all I wanted. I'll leave you two alone in peace but I will be back in an hour to get you for lunch" Virgil announces as he leaves the room.

Once Virgil has left the room Alan let's out a sigh of relief. It's then that Alan jumps in shock for a second time because when he looks over at Gordon he didn't expect Gordon to be staring back at him.
"Good god Gordon. A little warning next time maybe" Alan shouts in shock
"Sorry Alan. I didn't mean to make you jump." Gordon apologises
"It's fine. How much of that conversation did you hear" Alan asks
"I heard all of it. I had just woken up when he scared you." Gordon tells him.
"What do you think?" Alan asks him.
"I think its a fair agreement. I dont mind sitting in the living room or on the deck if they're not going to pester us every two seconds" Gordon tells him.
"That's what I thought. And they'll be out on rescues soon. John will probably stop fielding some of the smaller calls and get them off island in the next few days." Alan explains
"Most likely. I can't wait for us to be cleared to go back on rescues. I'm starting to get bored of sitting around and it'll only get worse when they start going on rescues again." Gordon moans.
"Unfortunately that's not going to be too soon. Atleast I have my exams to sit in the next few days. That will keep me occupied for a while." Alan tells him.
"Great so I'll be on my own when your doing that" Gordon groans.
"Sorry but yeah you'll be on your own for those few days yeah" Alan tells him quietly.
"It can't be helped Alan. I'm sure I'll find something to occupy myself with" Gordon soothes him.
"Either way the next few weeks we'll be relaxing and recuperating. And then before we know it we'll be back to work" Alan announces before standing up and putting his book on the side table.
"Yeah hopefully the weeks fly but though" Gordon agrees as he gets up too.

They clean up any mess they've made in the room before they both head for the door and head to help with setting up for lunch. They may be a bit battered and bruised but they're perfectly capable of laying the table. The sooner the rest of the island inhabitants realise that the better.