I don't own the thunderbirds or any of the recognisable characters from the series. Anyone you don't is mine all mine.

These Are The Times

Prologue

Soft Piano Music fills my ears as I enter the dimly lit restaurant. I speak a moment with the matire'd who leads me to a secluded table at the back. A smartly dressed woman is sitting there sipping a glass of (House) wine legs loosely crossed. She isn't facing me just yet. I recognise both her and the outfit. Three inch purple velvet court shoes with a little bow just above the rounded toe. Moving up the smooth pale leg to just below the knee where the satin layer begins then millimetres above the net. My vision rises taking in her slim, shapely form. Past the womanly hips to the pancake-esq stomach, tapered waist and small bosom, passing her elegant neck in time to meet her turning head.

"John, So good to see you" She places her glass down hastily and quickly rises to envelop me in a hug. I hug back surprised at how glad I am to see her. She's been putting criminals away in Boston since she got her Bachelors in Forensic Science and Psychology.

"You too Lyssie, you look fabulous"

"Not doing so bad yourself Johnny"

"Is that the?"

"One and the same" She stepped back to give him a whirl "I'm just comforted by the fact that it still fits"

"Purple is and will always be one of your many colours"

"Aww ain't you a charmer" She said in a thick southern drawl.

"Don't you guys start without me" Erin hurried towards us coat trailing behind her. Her lengthy flower print dress was also from the same era. Always more outlandish than Lyssie, Erin is more…upfront. Currently she's busy with some marine life expo. I've never really been enthralled by Biology. Give me Newton and the Stars any day. But swimming with Dolphins as part of the job. I have to envy her.

"Hey Girl" Lyssie removed herself from me and threw her arms around Erin "You look great hun."

"As do you Lys, Hey Johnny" She gave me a nice big hug as well "Sharp suit. Hey you remember this shirt dont'cha Lys?" Erin grabbed a handful of the fabric blend to give Lyssie a clear view

"Aha the dance off, three tracks of ya best moves in your funkiest digs, not to mention the three hour shopping trip to pick out just the right shirt."

"Hey but we won"

"So we did" Lyssies smile broadens "So whatcha y'all been up to?"

I freeze in my own mind. I can't tell them. I feel sweat prickle at my forehead as Erin begins one of her marine life tales. I unfreeze just in time to laugh.

"So you made second in command of the study, that's brilliant, are you gonna start your PhD then?" Lyssie gives a congratulatory hug

"Already applied"

"That's excellent though I don't know why they don't just give you it'd save lots of time and trouble" I force that statement out quietly angry at myself

"How 'bout you Lyssie?"

"I'm seven cases away from making CSI3 and I just got my masters in forensic psychology, part time of course. I'm waiting to establish myself as a CSI3 before I put in for my PhD. But theres still plenty of fascinating cases to work. Just last month I closed the case of a man killed by a comb. The laws of physics plus a several billion to one chance. Needless to say my boss had a good old chuckle when reading my report."

"A comb you're kidding" I and Erin were disbelieving

"No way. And it took a great deal of experimentation to prove it. I had four other people check it because physics isn't my strong point. Eventual ruling accidental death"

"Amazing, truly amazing. How 'bout you John?"

I stopped for a second and before it became noticeable managed to start.

"The usual. Written a few more papers for publishing. Outlining a new book"

"Still under oath Johnny"

I didn't even have to nod. Fortunately Ref T arrived.

"Hey guys" His smart suit looked expensive. But he had on his shirt from the final night.

"Hey Lawman" That was Erin's current nickname for him. Tyler aka Ref T was my testosterone boat in the sea of oestrogen that was Lyssie and Erin. Never much of a scientist mathematics was more his scene along with a healthy dose of debate and just a touch of language skills and sporting prowess to boot. Tyler currently works at the DA's office in Frisco. Theres talk of promotion to ADA soon something Ref is both nervous and excited about.

"Sorry I'm late litigation with some people is a very annoying, long winded process especially when the defence is putting up as many pointless motions as possible"

"It's no sweat mate" I said smiling. "At least we're all here." That's true. The last time we intended to meet for dinner IR got called out and I was taken along, much to my chagrin. The phone call to the restaurant later was awkward to say the least; I had to make up some story about my charter flight being grounded. I think they took it at face value. Hopefully. All three are perceptive. Especially Lyssie. "Sit down, let's eat. I'm starved."

With that we sat down, took the complementary bread rolls and were soon laughing like we were college students again.

You know what? I've met some crazy people in my time. Not just madmen, fanatics and killers. But some truly insane people who walk the streets. And by their standards I'm one of them. Then again with my three roommates it's hard not to go insane. They each have their own quirks, habits, mannerisms and times the rest of us don't know what the hells going on with them. But you know what? I wouldn't change it for the world.