Title: Uncle Tracy

Summary: John Tracy's wife dies in a car accident that places his daughter in his complete care. He must rely not just on his own strength but the strength of his brothers to help him raise a child.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Thunderbirds!

A/N: NO FLAMES! Not accepted. Thank-you.

2nd A/N: AU because John has a wife and a little girl. But this is TV Verse…I hope.

PROLOGUE – Kathy's Dead

The Toddler stared up at the police officer. She'd been left on the doorstep of the Police Station. Officer Peterson did the only thing she knew that could be done for the infant. She took her to the orphanage. Her parents had left her there and had no intention on coming back. The orphanage had had a family with interest in a young baby girl. Wanting to give her a home. So the orphanage knew who to call for the Toddler. John and Katherine Tracy. Katherine and John had been trying for a child but Katherine was infertile. She was unable to have children. Their only option was to adopt. So the little girl became Annabelle Grace Tracy.

3 Years Later

"I love you Daddy." Annabelle whispered as her father gave her a kiss goodnight. John Tracy smiled down at his daughter.

"I love you too Baby." He replied. He was on the mainland for a little while to have a break from isolation. His wife and adopted daughter loved having him on the mainland. Not that they hated the Island. Annabelle loved spending time with her uncles. But sometimes it was just easier to live on the mainland. Kathy was on her way home. John was due to go back to Tracy Island. He'd just poured a glass of red wine when the phone rang. The Police Officer's voice told him something was going delay his return to Thunderbird 5.

"She's…dead?" John said quietly. He couldn't believe it. Katherine. His beautiful Katherine Isabella Tracy (nee. Peters) was dead. John felt something wet on his feet and realized he'd dropped his glass. He closed his eyes.

"Thank-you Officer Peterson." John said quietly. He hung up the phone and dropped into a chair. He put his head in his hands. He couldn't believe it. Kathy was gone. And she was never going to come back. This was going to be hard to explain to Annabelle. Would she understand that Mommy wasn't coming home? Would she cry? Would she be upset and inconsolable?

"Daddy?" He looked up; Annabelle stood in the doorway her plush fish in her hand. A gift from her Uncle Gordon.

"Annie…we're going to go to Grandpa Tracy's. You remember the Island?" Annabelle brightened. Seeing Annabelle smile made John think that maybe things were gonna be okay. After a while of course.

"When Daddy? When!" She asked.

"Not for a few days honey. You get to pack all your favourite things. But tomorrow. For now you need some sleep. I'm about to go to bed anyway. It's past Daddy's bedtime too." John feigned a yawn and rubbed his eyes. Annabelle copied his movements and then retreated to her bedroom.

"John? Surprise call. What's on your mind?" Scott was surprised by his brother calling.

"Where's Dad?" John asked.

"Nice to hear from you too Buddy. Father is on the mainland at a conference. What's on your mind?" Scott asked again.

"It's Kathy, Scott." Silence met John, "I've just been informed she's just been in an accident." Again silence. "She…she didn't make it,"

"John…I…I'm sorry." Scott said, "I…just don't know what to say."

"There isn't anything you can say Scott. Tell the guys would you?"

"Sure. John, I'm sorry again. I wish I could do something for you."

"Well Annabelle and I are going to be coming home, to the Island. I know Dad won't mind but just make sure that he knows we're coming." John said.

"FAB John. I'll make sure." Scott said and signed off. This wasn't going to go down well. Virgil, Gordon and Alan had all loved Kathy just as much as Scott had. It was up to Scott to tell them rest of them. Taking a deep breath he made his way down to the lounge, where he knew Gordon and Virgil were.

"Hey guys…I've got some bad news." He said, Virgil ceased his piano playing and frowned.

"What is it Scott?" He asked; Gordon looked up from his book.

"It's Kathy." Scott said.

"John's Kathy?" Gordon asked, Scott nodded, "what's wrong?"

"She…she's dead. John just called. Kathy's been in a car accident. She's just gone." Scott felt hot, bitter tears try to well up but he blinked them back bravely. He wasn't going to cry in front of his brothers. Not now. Gordon had already let tears fall. Virgil put his head down on the piano. He couldn't believe it.

"Does Dad know?" Virgil asked.

"Not yet," Scott replied his voice oddly strained, "I'm about to call both him and Alan and tell them. We'll get through this guys. John and Annie are coming home. So we've got to hold up face for Annie. She's only five. She won't understand."

"She's a smart kid Scott. She'll understand." Gordon pointed out.

"How's John handling it?" Alan asked.

"He seems to be ok." Scott had silent tears falling; Kathy was a sister to them. She was family. She was a part of their family and they would have done anything to help her and John to any extent.

"Have you told Dad yet?" He asked.

"He's next. I wanted to make sure you knew. Tin tin's had a cry already. And Brains understands, Grandma seems upset too. You know what Kyrano's like." Scott said; Kyrano had shown no signs of being upset. He'd offered his condolences but that was about it.

"He liked Kathy. She helped him in the garden." Alan pointed out.

"I know. Look I'd better call Dad. I'll talk to you when you get back here ok?" Scott said, Alan nodded.

"All right. Better let it out on the gym equipment. Talk to you soon Scott." Alan said; Scott shut off the call. He was in a bit of trouble, how should he tell his farther that his daughter-in-law was dead? It was going to be massively hard on him.

The funeral was hard. John had explained Kathy's death to Annabelle who took it as that she was star in the sky. John liked to think of it like that too. At least Annabelle seemed to understand that Mommy wasn't coming home. He knew he'd have to explain everything to her later in life. He was sure when Annabelle reached her teens she'd need a mother to fight with and she'd have all those 'Girl problems' that Tintin would have to help her with. No mother to fight with that was fine she'd fight with her father. Now it was time to go home and get to Tracy Island. Taking Annabelle's hand he led her back to the car. They were gonna go home. To John's home. To keep them both safe. And to feel love again.