A/N: I set this piece in TAG universe with some ideas from the original series.

Fragile

John Tracy was a man accustomed to many things: living in space, consent solitude save for his family and EOS, and living in zero gravity conditions (his choice). He let out a long yawn as he exited his room. By accordance to his family as by a recent vote it was probably safer and healthier for him to come ground side once in a while. His family loved to worry about each other. And sometimes he felt like they worried about him a little bit more. After all he was the isolated one never mind he had EOS along with him.

He sighed as he rubbed his green eyes still feeling the effects of his early morning. He still wasn't used to Earth time, heck he wasn't sure he'd ever get used to Earth time ever again. He supposed he was going to have to start getting used to it now. He let out another sigh almost sounding defeated. He wasn't sure he was going to get used to the idea, him being on Earth while Alan was the space monitor. He bit his lip thinking about it as he started down the stairs to the kitchen area. Yes Alan was space qualified and he was on a 'break' with his school work but he was still worried about his brother.

He walked into the kitchen area, and let out a mighty yawn. His brother Scott was already at the coffee pot.

"Morning to you too, Johnny, you're up awfully early."

He cast a glance to the clock. It was five in the morning. "Oh… I thought I was up late." He yawned again. "No wonder I feel so tired." As soon as he said that his brother was placing the cup of coffee in his hands.

"I think you need this more than me." He said with a laugh as he got one for himself.

"Are you always up this early?" He asked as he sipped on his coffee.

"Always. Well depends on my last mission."

John noted how Scott looked tired. He knew his brother had been taking a lot on since their dad disappearance. He noted how the ground monitoring system was on. He figured Scott had been double checking for distress signals incase Alan missed anything. "You know Scott me and Alan can just switch back and I can stay up there for a while longer."

"No John, its best for you to be ground side we agreed to that. We worry about you being up there all the time. You're barely around anymore and being up there for that long can't possibly be good for your health. Just a few more weeks I'll let you go back to your baby."

He frowned slightly. True it was good for him to get a break and recharge once in a while but he was starting to feel like an alien in his own home. He sipped his coffee trying to push that thought back. He was sure thoughts like that were causing their concern for his "well-being" He hadn't been home for a long duration since their father vanished. His visits lately had only been one day maybe three if one of his brothers or their grandma insisted. He tried to block a yawn but was unsuccessful. Given how tired he had been feeling maybe his family was right about his needing rest.

"Figured you wouldn't be tired today. After all I think you slept for ten hours when you came back." He said with a playful smile. John wasn't embarrassed about it every time he was ground side he slept like a log. He had trained himself to be a light sleeper on 5 but when he slept he slept. "So are you sure you're fine with this… switching stuff?" His oldest brother inquired. Scott was a man with a plan and ideas, he was always very determined. No matter what if he thought it, it was going to happen. However, John had noted that he noticed his brother valued his opinion a lot which is why he checks with him on things. That doesn't mean though Scott doesn't react without thinking ahead first, a skill that John was sure would get him killed one day. They were ying and yang when it came to action, Scott head first John would think it through first.

This of course even applied to conversations. John weighed his thoughts carefully while his older brother waited. John was grateful for all of Scott's quick acting he was very patience with him. "Not exactly the best of situations for me. Not that I don't trust Alan up there I just…"

Scott frowned. Oh no John realized he picked the wrong thing to say. Scott gave him a harsh look and said. "You have to come around once in a while. I know you don't like Earth but jeez John you are a member of our family."

Scott's favorite weapon against him staying up there in space for months at a time, 'we miss you be a family member' John sipped his coffee preparing his next statement when Scott continued.

"Besides, what if god forbid something happens to one of us out there. We all need experience out there. You need it in the rescue field and you know it. Going on maybe what three since International Rescue started isn't experience."

John frowned in his coffee. He knew that Scott had a point. He had tried to prove to his brother a few times that if one of them was injured and unable to do their duties than EOS was capable of running Thunderbird 5 but his brother was still a little distrusting of his AI.

"I know you think that AI can do everything but you need a human sometimes." He went to continue and John stopped him.

"I understand Scott." Sometimes just telling him what he wanted was enough to get him to stop. Scott was like their father in that regard. John sighed. To be honest John almost felt like he was being replaced. He picked up his book he left on the table the day before. "I am going to go read."

He got up and left Scott with his own thoughts as he made his way to the sitting area. The big holographic table was there in the middle not lit up which was a good sign. He sat down on the couch and went to open his book. Instead he decided to check on his baby brother. He leaned over and turned on the com and called Alan.

Alan's holographic form appeared in the middle. Amazingly he looked pretty alert for a teen that spent a good deal of time napping.

"Hello Alan. How are things going up there?"

He smiled. "Everything is going good. No problems with Earth or the ship… although…" He went to speak and yelled out an ouch. "EOS stop hitting me with bagels!"

John started laughing. Apparently his AI was getting bored. "EOS, don't hit my brother with food."

The AI could be heard off screen. "Aww but it's fun, he makes this squeak noise."

Alan frowned off screen which John assumed he frowned at the AI in question. "What's with her and the food thing?"

"She likes to have fun."

John was sure he heard his brother mumble something about not being able to believe his brother made a fun AI as he looked behind him. "No stop!" John tried not to laugh at his brother's plight. "Fine you can just don't hit me with it." He turned back around to face him. "Sorry apparently she's making me breakfast. What time is it there?"

John considered telling him to check it himself but decided not to. "Fifteen after five."

Alan looked shocked. "I've never been up this early before! Man that's weird." He laughed.

It was easy to lose track of time in space. It happens. John smiled and said. "Well I wanted to check on you Alan. Make sure you haven't blown up anything… or angered EOS."

"Nope I'm good. Oh I got a question. How does the TV work again?"

John laughed of all the things to worry about he wanted to make sure he had TV. He told him and Alan said. "Alright, don't want to miss my shows. Gordon is a DVR hog."

He laughed again. "Well thanks for the warning Allie, I'll try to be around when my shows come on." He gave another laugh then frowned. "Are you sure you're okay up there?"

Alan nodded. "I'm fine Johnny. Even almost starting to like EOS," John was sure he heard the AI shout 'hey' after that. "But yeah I'm good John."

"Well if you have any problems or you want to talk just call me." Alan agreed to and they ended the transmission. John picked up his book and began to read. No sooner he started reading he received a message. "What's up Alan? Having problems already?"

"So I got a distress signal from a mine in Africa. There is apparently about five people trapped underground now."

John got up. "FAB I'll go get everyone."

Alan gave him a thumbs up. "I'm contacting them in their rooms too."

"No need." Shouted Scott as he run into the sitting room with a half asleep Virgil following behind him. "What's the situation?"

Alan briefed them about the time Gordon wondered into the room.

Scott nodded. "Okay I'll head out first. Virgil take Gordon and John with you."

"Me!" Exclaimed John as Scott was already going behind the secret door to the launching area.

Virgil took off like smoke and Gordon pointed to the elevator. "Come on Johnny." The two them went behind the wall John heard Alan call out for them to be careful. Little did he know he was going to need more than being careful on this mission. He realized he was almost holding his breath. He was beginning to get a bad feeling about the mission.

Gordon sensing his tension patted him on the back. "Don't worry Johnny I'll show you everything you need to know." He smiled at him. "Never thought there'd be a time where I was teaching you."

John tried not to laugh knowing that they were heading into a serious situation. His nervousness never left him and the nagging feeling that something was about to happen never stopped. He figured he was just having 'haven't rescued anyone in a while jitters' At least that's what he hoped it was as he and Gordon boarded Thunderbird 2.

A/N: Alright here's the first chapter. I actually have the whole story written however there maybe delays in between chapters as I'm editing and rewriting parts of it.