Epilogue

"Hey, Dad! Do you have a minute?"

Jeff looked up from his seat behind the desk. He was leaning back in his comfortable chair, his feet up, finishing up the novel he had started in the sick room.

"Sure, Alan. What do you need?"

Alan approached his father nervously. I hope he goes for this!

"Well, you know that race you entered me in? The Paris to Dakar road rally?"

"Yes, I remember it. What's wrong? Don't you want to do it?"

Alan shook his head violently. "No, no, that's not it at all! I'm really excited about it! I can hardly wait!"

Jeff put down his book. "Then, what is it, Alan?"

"Well... I'm allowed to choose my mechanic, and I've gotten in touch with Kenny Malone, and he says he'll do it. He's all excited about it, too. But I also have to have a navigator and second driver... just in case." Alan fidgeted before his father's desk. "Well, I was wondering... I was hoping... Dad, will you be my navigator?"

Jeff just looked at Alan for a long minute, and then he sat back in his chair.

"Me? You want me to be your navigator?" he asked incredulously. "Don't you have someone else you could ask? Someone from your racing friends?"

"Well, I suppose I could ask Tyler Morgan. He'd probably do it." Alan admitted. "But the fact is, Dad, I want you! You'd keep us on the right path, and we could have some time together. You know, father-son time."

Jeff took in some air and blew it out. "Well, Alan, I'm... flattered. Flattered that you asked me. And you're right, it would be good to have some... father-son time with you. Tell you what, let me check the schedule, and if there are enough people to handle rescues, I'll do it. I'll be your navigator."

"YES!" Alan shouted in happy triumph. "Dad, I've already checked the schedule and everything should be cool. John is scheduled for Thunderbird Five, and Scott is going out to corporate, so that leaves Virgil, Gordon, Brains, and Tin-Tin for rescues. That's enough people, isn't it?"

"Well, yes. It's a skeleton crew, but it should be enough," Jeff agreed. He looked at Alan's excited and happy face. "Well, Alan, looks like you have yourself a navigator."

"Oh, this is sooo cool! Wait until I tell Kenny! You won't regret this, Dad, really you won't. We're going to have a great time together!" Alan said as he backed out of the lounge, bolting at the doorway.

Jeff chuckled to himself. Really, the boy is so excitable! Then the thought struck him and he groaned, hitting his head with his good hand.

Twenty-five days! Twenty-five days... with Alan! What did I get myself into?