Hello, folks, and welcome to my latest story for TAG.

Seriously, what is it with these writers, turning out these brilliant episodes each week? I mean, EOS was amazing, but Tunnels Of Time, too, with Angry!Scott showing his darker side... good grief, it's enough to make you choke on your bagel :o)

Needless to say, the plot bunnies got a bit excited over it too. So here's my idea on how Scott works through those emotions that so nearly got the better of him.

I should say, too, that I live in the UK, so have had to research the Southern Cross constellation that I use in this story. I hope I've done that accurately enough. Since Tracy Island is based in the South Pacific, I'm assuming that it's the Southern Hemisphere's stars they'd see.

Also, I found out through my research that the four stars that make up this lovely constellation have been seen to stand for Dante's four moral virtues of justice, prudence, temperance and fortitude. I thought this really sums up everything that the Tracy family stands for.

Of course, poor Scott really wasn't considering any of that when he confronted Professor Harold. And yes, how many of us were rocketing to our feet at that point, yelling "Go on, Scooter, punch his lights out?!"

So, my thoughts were that he'd need some time alone afterwards, while he calmed himself down. And after a bit of a re-think, here's what my plot bunnies have come up with.

At the moment, it's running to two, shorter than usual chapters, but... well, knowing my bunnies, that could change. So let's just say this is a work in progress. And, as with my previous stories, I really hope you enjoy it!

Fire And Ice

Chapter One - Temperance

Scott had no idea how he'd gotten here. What had compelled him to do something so... what? Rash? Impulsive? More terms for 'out-of-character' crazy than had ever been used to describe him?

Well, it had sure as hell been the day for it. And, right now, he didn't give a damn what he, or anyone else, thought about it. All he knew was how good it felt to be here. Alone. Soothingly alone.

Cooled off, he thought wryly, in every sense of the term.

Flexing the ache of exertion from his shoulders, Scott turned and set off for the other side of the pool. Just a couple more lengths, he told himself. By then, he'd be unwound enough to stand a decent chance of getting to sleep.

He hoped.

When he'd first come out here, he'd torn through the water in the fiercest of front crawls. Vented his emotions through every slamming armstroke, and their matching strength from his legs. As the fear, and anger, and self-disgust had dispersed into his wake, so he'd turned himself over - allowing himself to just drift on his back, while he stared up into the flawless night above him.

Against the turmoil of his mind, the timeless wonder of the stars had worked their equally timeless magic. And one star among countless others had brought him the calming peace he'd needed.

Still brought him the peace he needed. Halfway through his latest length, Scott stopped swimming, and just lay there. Felt his body relax into the water, gently bobbing on top of its waves. Idly wondered if this was how John felt, up in Five. Way up there, in weightless space.

Maybe that was why he loved it so much up there, he mused through a wistful smile. Because of this joyous sensation. This complete freedom of being.

And that. The star that now drew Scott's eyes back to it, as if some celestial cord connected him to what... no, who... it represented.

To astronomers, it was Gacrux. That unmistakeable beacon in the Southern sky, that had led lost sailors and souls to safe harbour since the dawns of man. To him, it was his own personal anchor.

Mom's star. An ageless reminder of everything he'd always remember about her. Not just her wisdom, and patience, and complete devotion to her family, but her level-headedness too. Her depthless calm. Traits that he'd often envied John and Virgil for inheriting, in greater share than he'd done.

And, God knew, he'd needed both those traits today.

Wincing at the tension that had returned to his body, Scott turned himself over, and started to freestyle his way to the end of the pool. Less fiercely than before, but certainly enough to disperse it again, and -

- whooaaa!

Reaching it, Scott stared up into an equally startled pair of brown eyes. And, just as had happened at that damn site, he reacted on a primal instinct that he instantly regretted.

"What the hell are you doing here?!"