Parallel Lives
Episode One: - The first glimpse.
Scott Tracy sighed heavily as he dragged his thoughts back to his present position. Come on boy, he thought to himself, concentrate. The past is the past and no amount of imagining or wishful thinking is going to change it. Now get on and get back to real life. Wearily he flipped the communication switch on his control panel.
"Thunderbird 1 to International Rescue Base, am approaching base, request permission to land"
His video panel came to life revealing the features of a man who, but for the greying hair and more care worn and lined face, could almost have been his twin.
"Base to Thunderbird 1. You're clear to land Scott"
"F.A.B." Closing the channel Scott relaxed back against his seat. His father had not seemed to notice anything was wrong in that short communication. Now all he had to do was convince him when he met him face to face then he could put this behind him and get back to normal life - whatever that was.
Scott carefully landed Thunderbird 1 safely back into its launching position underneath the swimming pool. As the machine was moving back up to its hanger, ready for the next rescue, Scott started the post-flight tests and then changed back into his off-duty clothes. Once the machine had come to rest and the tests had been completed Scott took the moving walkway back to the hanger wall where two light shades were mounted at head height. As he stood with his back to the wall and reached up to grab the light shades his gaze fell on the sleek shape of the silver blue rescue craft. His eyes travelled down the length of the ship until it disappeared into the darkness of the hanger floor far beneath him. Admiring the aerodynamic lines and design and recalling the months spent over its construction he realized that his thoughts were again drifting into regret and lost opportunities. Shaking himself he operated the hidden button on the light shades and the section of wall against which he was standing turned smoothly to reveal the comfortable lounge of his family's home.
Jeff Tracy looked up from behind his desk as the figure of his eldest son appeared from the hidden hanger entrance.
"Welcome home son. I've just heard from Virgil and Gordon. They're about an hour behind you as it took them a while to pack up all the equipment once you had left."
The unasked question hung between them as Scott briefly considered his reply.
"Yeah. I had Mobile Control all packed up while they were still being patted on the back by the miners they pulled out of that shaft. I reckoned a rapid return to a bit of hum-drum packing and locking down of equipment should help make sure those kids can get their heads back inside Thunderbird so I left them to it." Scott flashed a weak grin towards his father and hoped that the pause before his reply had not been too noticeable.
Jeff studied his son, noticing the obvious discomfort in his stance and his reluctance to meet his father's gaze. It was not like Scott to not answer him completely and he wondered at this unusual behaviour in his son. No, he thought, not now. Get some more information then tackle him.
"I guess it sure wouldn't do to have two fifths of our main force unable to use the crafts designed for them would it?" he smiled back at Scott. "Go get cleaned up son. Grandma is preparing a meal for you all, it'll just about be ready by the time your brothers get back."
"Sure thing Dad." With a shrug of relief Scott turned and headed for his room to get a hot shower, glad that the face to face seemed to have gone well.
From his desk Jeff Tracy thoughtfully watched him go.
An hour and a half later Jeff sat at the dinner table with most of his family. He watched his dark haired son poke and prod the food on his plate, eating a small amount every few minutes. Scott was staring at his plate and it was clear from his expression that his mind was elsewhere. He paid no attention as Virgil and Gordon recounted the details of the rescue to the other members of the household.
"So if everything went so smoothly how come you and Gordon were so late back?" asked Alan. "Scott was here a good hour before you. Don't tell me that great green bug of yours is losing speed Virgil"
"Whadya mean losing speed?" growled his older brother "There's nothing wrong with Thunderbird 2. There was only me and Gordon to do the locking down once the rescue had finished so it took a little longer than usual, that's all"
His glance down the table towards Scott was puzzled and a little concerned, rather than accusatory. After a number of attempts by The Hood to steal the secrets of International Rescue, not to mention his attempts to threaten, kidnap and even kill some of the Tracy family in earlier encounters, it had become a matter of routine for the brothers to help each other to re-load all of the used equipment after a rescue. Only once this was done and the site was secure would all of the Thunderbird craft leave together, ensuring that no brother was left alone and vulnerable to further attacks. Scott was fiercely protective of all of his family and for him to take Thunderbird 1 home when his brothers were still on the ground was totally out of character and very unsettling to Virgil.
"Yeah" grinned Gordon, seeing an opportunity to use the information he had gained just before leaving the rescue site to goad his oldest brother. "Scott had already high-tailed it back here - fighting shy of a pretty girl by all accounts. You know, I never thought I'd ever see the day when my big brother was frightened by a girl"
"What?" exclaimed Jeff, Virgil and Alan together, staring at Scott in disbelief.
"Hey Scott" called Gordon, to get his brothers attention, "that's right isn't it - you were frightened off by a pretty girl? I hear you were pretty tongue tied when she spoke to you."
Scott looked up suddenly as the use of his name caught his attention and pulled his thoughts back to the table. He looked around, realising that all of his family were staring at him and he had obviously missed something.
"Uh..what? Sorry fellas, I was miles away. What was that?"
"I'll say you were miles away Scott" grinned Gordon "I'd say you were back at that mine in Vermont, looking at a pretty red-head"
Scott paled suddenly and caught his breath
"What in the heck do you mean Gordon?"
"Well I heard that while me and Virgil were down in the Mole getting those miners free, you were getting on great guns with by one of the females in that state rescue squad. I got it you were making enquiries about her just before you left. She must be really something to distract you from a rescue"
Gordon seemed oblivious to the change in Scott's expression as he talked. After the initial paling Scott's face darkened like a thunderstorm. His eyebrows knitted together and his eyes flashed with anger.
"You don't know what you're talking about Gordon" Scott's voice was tight and low "now give it a break"
"Sure you do Scott" continued Gordon, enjoying his brothers discomfort, "you were trying to find out her name and.."
Whatever else Gordon was about to say was lost in the growl of anger that came from Scott as he pushed his chair away from the table and stood up.
"I said drop it boy, now!"
The family sat in silent amazement at the rage showing on Scott's face. Never before had they seen him act in this way and they were totally nonplussed.
"I'm going out." Scott headed towards the door, throwing his napkin onto the table as he went.
"But Scott" pleaded Grandma, "you've hardly touched your food"
"I'm not hungry Grandma"
The words floated back over his shoulder as Scott disappeared through the doorway. The rest of his family sat around the table and looked at each other, lost for words.
The sky above the tropical island base of International Rescue was bright with stars and the windows of the luxurious family home were dark when a tall, dark-haired figure finally crossed the patio and mounted the stairs leading to the lounge. The night was warm and balmy and the breeze gently ruffled his hair and lifted it back from his forehead.
Scott was tired. Not physically tired - the rescue earlier that day had been straight forward and not strenuous for him and although he had walked several miles across the island after leaving the dinner table so abruptly he was young and fit and hardly noticed the distance he covered. No, he was emotionally tired - drained and depressed. Ever since that moment in the rescue when he thought he had been transported back through time he had been struggling to deal with feelings that he thought he had got past several years before. Despite his best intentions on his journey home to put the past behind him and act as if nothing had happened in Vermont, he knew that he had lost it in front of his family and he just didn't know how he was going to handle things from here.
As he reached the top step he turned and leaned on the balustrade, turning his red-rimmed eyes down onto the patio and the quiet swimming pool. The water reflected the moon and starlight glinting down from the sky and had a calming effect on his troubled mind. So engrossed was he in his thoughts that he did not notice the soft fall of footsteps approaching him from behind. He jumped slightly as a hand fell gently onto his shoulder.
"Want to talk about it son?"
Scott sighed and dropped his head. He might have guessed that his father would wait up for him. In a way he was grateful, he badly needed to talk to someone, or rather, he needed someone to listen to him while he tried to sort his head out. But he wished there could be someone who was not family, someone who would not have to share this pain with him - but there was no way round it. Caught up as they were in a secret organization it was family or no-one.
"I guess so Dad." His voice was rough and uneven. He paused, trying to get the words together in his head to explain to his father, but the words didn't come - or at least not in any order that made sense. How was he going to do this? How was he going to say the words that he could barely believe himself? As if sensing his son's difficulty Jeff started to speak
"Gordon said something about a girl.."
"Yeah" sighed Scott, "yeah, there was a girl alright."
"Scott, you know how things stand here. International Rescue MUST remain secret. If ever...."
"No Dad, no" interrupted his son, "it's not like that believe me. I only wish it was." -the last few words were so quiet that Jeff only just caught them.
"So what the devil is it like Scott? Help me out here. I'm trying to understand but if you won't talk to me then I'm stumped"
Jeff watched as his son stood biting his lip and staring out into the darkness. He could feel the tension emanating from him as Scott struggled to order his thoughts and find the words to explain.
"Dad, I know this sounds crazy but.... after Mom died." his voice broke and trailed away, unwilling to continue
"Yes Scott, what about after your mom died?" Jeff encouraged. What the devil was going on here and what the blazes was troubling his son that had to do with Lucille?
"Did you ever see, or...did you ever.." Scott straightened suddenly and looked straight into his father's eyes, " did you ever meet her again?"
Whatever Jeff had expected from his eldest son it had not been this.
"Scott" breathed Jeff, his voice catching, "son, do you.did you think that you saw your mother? Was this girl you met like her? Similar?"
"No Dad. Not Mom. I didn't meet Mom. Dad, it was Jane.I met Jane today I'm sure I did. But I couldn't have could I?"
Jeff Tracy saw in Scott's eyes the confusion and desperation that his son felt. Confusion that he felt he had seen what could not be possible, desperation to hope that perhaps somehow, by some miracle, he might be correct, that he might have seen the impossible. Jeff reached out and grasped his son's left shoulder and squeezed it gently in a gesture of understanding and sympathy.
"Tell me Son" he said softly.
Scott sighed, ran his hand through his hair and turned towards the darkened lounge. His father turned and followed him. When Scott got to a chair he stopped and sat down, arms resting on his knees and head hanging for a moment. Jeff turned on a table lamp and then drew up another chair from nearby and sat in front of his son. Slowly Scott started to speak.
"It was towards the end of the rescue. Virgil and Gordon had reached the miners in the Mole and loaded them on board and had just started back. The state squad were still with me. Just before Virgil and Gordon got there one of the squad had asked if I wanted a coffee. Well, you know me and coffee" Scott grinned suddenly, his words coming more easily now " when did I ever refuse? Just as the Mole started back someone handed me the coffee.
I turned to thank the guy who had brought it & then, there she was. It was Jane."
Scott looked hard at his father
"Dad, I know this is hard to believe, but it WAS Jane. Her height, her build, her hair - that beautiful red hair that glowed in the sun" here Scott choked and his voice started to break, his throat tight with emotion. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard before continuing "but it wasn't just that Dad. It was HER face. Everything was the same, eyes, mouth, everything. And it was her voice - exactly the same as it ever was." Scott opened his eyes. They were bright with unshed tears. "When I saw her I guess I was too stunned to say anything. She saw something was wrong, and asked if the coffee was OK, black, strong, two sugars just as I liked it. Dad" Scoot leaned forward in his seat, earnestly entreating his father to believe him "I hadn't said anything to anyone about how I take my coffee. The guy who asked if I wanted some didn't check and I was concentrating on Virge & Gordo in the Mole and didn't say. When I asked her how she knew, she just said I looked like the type who would like strong black coffee with lots of sugar."
"That's all she said?" asked Jeff sharply, "nothing more?"
"No Dad, that's all. She didn't say what Jane used to"
"Did she show any signs of recognition Scott? Anything at all?" asked Jeff
"No Dad, that's just it. There was nothing. I was nearly as close to her then as I am to you now. There was no recognition in her eyes, no hint, no wink, nothing. If there had been, if there had been even the smallest possibility that she knew me......I don't know Dad, I guess at the end of that rescue I'd have brought her back here even if I had to pick her up and carry her into Thunderbird 1 - but there was nothing. Absolutely nothing. To her I was just someone from International Rescue, someone who she'd never seen before and would never see again." Scott stopped and gazed at his father as if assessing how much of all this Jeff believed. Seeing only understanding and encouragement in his father's face he continued slowly and clearly
"But I'd have bet my life on that being Jane Dad, regardless. When she turned and went back to the others... the way she turned her head, even the way she walked were the same."
Scott's voice faltered to a stop, unsure what to say next.
"Gordon said you tried to get her name. Did you?"
"Yeah, I did. Vintmore. Officer Janet Vintmore of the Vermont State search and rescue team. She's based in Rutland - the nearest big town to the mine."
"And you said nothing to her about Jane or International Rescue?"
"What do you take me for Dad? Of course I didn't. I got her name that's all. I don't know where she lives or anything."
Jeff reached forward, put his hands on Scott's shoulders and looked into his eyes.
"Good Scott, good. Because as much as this hurts like hell to say it.. no matter how much we want to believe it and no matter how much Officer Janet Vintmore looks like Jane, both you and I know that she is NOT Jane don't we?" Jeff shook his eldest son slightly to get a response, "Don't we son?"
Scott nodded reluctantly.
"She's NOT Jane Scott" he emphasised. "Jane is dead Scott, she's been dead for nearly six years. Your sister is dead"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Disclaimer: The Thunderbirds characters are owned by someone other than me although Jane Tracey is, I believe, my invention.
I intend only to borrow them and will return them in one piece.
Episode One: - The first glimpse.
Scott Tracy sighed heavily as he dragged his thoughts back to his present position. Come on boy, he thought to himself, concentrate. The past is the past and no amount of imagining or wishful thinking is going to change it. Now get on and get back to real life. Wearily he flipped the communication switch on his control panel.
"Thunderbird 1 to International Rescue Base, am approaching base, request permission to land"
His video panel came to life revealing the features of a man who, but for the greying hair and more care worn and lined face, could almost have been his twin.
"Base to Thunderbird 1. You're clear to land Scott"
"F.A.B." Closing the channel Scott relaxed back against his seat. His father had not seemed to notice anything was wrong in that short communication. Now all he had to do was convince him when he met him face to face then he could put this behind him and get back to normal life - whatever that was.
Scott carefully landed Thunderbird 1 safely back into its launching position underneath the swimming pool. As the machine was moving back up to its hanger, ready for the next rescue, Scott started the post-flight tests and then changed back into his off-duty clothes. Once the machine had come to rest and the tests had been completed Scott took the moving walkway back to the hanger wall where two light shades were mounted at head height. As he stood with his back to the wall and reached up to grab the light shades his gaze fell on the sleek shape of the silver blue rescue craft. His eyes travelled down the length of the ship until it disappeared into the darkness of the hanger floor far beneath him. Admiring the aerodynamic lines and design and recalling the months spent over its construction he realized that his thoughts were again drifting into regret and lost opportunities. Shaking himself he operated the hidden button on the light shades and the section of wall against which he was standing turned smoothly to reveal the comfortable lounge of his family's home.
Jeff Tracy looked up from behind his desk as the figure of his eldest son appeared from the hidden hanger entrance.
"Welcome home son. I've just heard from Virgil and Gordon. They're about an hour behind you as it took them a while to pack up all the equipment once you had left."
The unasked question hung between them as Scott briefly considered his reply.
"Yeah. I had Mobile Control all packed up while they were still being patted on the back by the miners they pulled out of that shaft. I reckoned a rapid return to a bit of hum-drum packing and locking down of equipment should help make sure those kids can get their heads back inside Thunderbird so I left them to it." Scott flashed a weak grin towards his father and hoped that the pause before his reply had not been too noticeable.
Jeff studied his son, noticing the obvious discomfort in his stance and his reluctance to meet his father's gaze. It was not like Scott to not answer him completely and he wondered at this unusual behaviour in his son. No, he thought, not now. Get some more information then tackle him.
"I guess it sure wouldn't do to have two fifths of our main force unable to use the crafts designed for them would it?" he smiled back at Scott. "Go get cleaned up son. Grandma is preparing a meal for you all, it'll just about be ready by the time your brothers get back."
"Sure thing Dad." With a shrug of relief Scott turned and headed for his room to get a hot shower, glad that the face to face seemed to have gone well.
From his desk Jeff Tracy thoughtfully watched him go.
An hour and a half later Jeff sat at the dinner table with most of his family. He watched his dark haired son poke and prod the food on his plate, eating a small amount every few minutes. Scott was staring at his plate and it was clear from his expression that his mind was elsewhere. He paid no attention as Virgil and Gordon recounted the details of the rescue to the other members of the household.
"So if everything went so smoothly how come you and Gordon were so late back?" asked Alan. "Scott was here a good hour before you. Don't tell me that great green bug of yours is losing speed Virgil"
"Whadya mean losing speed?" growled his older brother "There's nothing wrong with Thunderbird 2. There was only me and Gordon to do the locking down once the rescue had finished so it took a little longer than usual, that's all"
His glance down the table towards Scott was puzzled and a little concerned, rather than accusatory. After a number of attempts by The Hood to steal the secrets of International Rescue, not to mention his attempts to threaten, kidnap and even kill some of the Tracy family in earlier encounters, it had become a matter of routine for the brothers to help each other to re-load all of the used equipment after a rescue. Only once this was done and the site was secure would all of the Thunderbird craft leave together, ensuring that no brother was left alone and vulnerable to further attacks. Scott was fiercely protective of all of his family and for him to take Thunderbird 1 home when his brothers were still on the ground was totally out of character and very unsettling to Virgil.
"Yeah" grinned Gordon, seeing an opportunity to use the information he had gained just before leaving the rescue site to goad his oldest brother. "Scott had already high-tailed it back here - fighting shy of a pretty girl by all accounts. You know, I never thought I'd ever see the day when my big brother was frightened by a girl"
"What?" exclaimed Jeff, Virgil and Alan together, staring at Scott in disbelief.
"Hey Scott" called Gordon, to get his brothers attention, "that's right isn't it - you were frightened off by a pretty girl? I hear you were pretty tongue tied when she spoke to you."
Scott looked up suddenly as the use of his name caught his attention and pulled his thoughts back to the table. He looked around, realising that all of his family were staring at him and he had obviously missed something.
"Uh..what? Sorry fellas, I was miles away. What was that?"
"I'll say you were miles away Scott" grinned Gordon "I'd say you were back at that mine in Vermont, looking at a pretty red-head"
Scott paled suddenly and caught his breath
"What in the heck do you mean Gordon?"
"Well I heard that while me and Virgil were down in the Mole getting those miners free, you were getting on great guns with by one of the females in that state rescue squad. I got it you were making enquiries about her just before you left. She must be really something to distract you from a rescue"
Gordon seemed oblivious to the change in Scott's expression as he talked. After the initial paling Scott's face darkened like a thunderstorm. His eyebrows knitted together and his eyes flashed with anger.
"You don't know what you're talking about Gordon" Scott's voice was tight and low "now give it a break"
"Sure you do Scott" continued Gordon, enjoying his brothers discomfort, "you were trying to find out her name and.."
Whatever else Gordon was about to say was lost in the growl of anger that came from Scott as he pushed his chair away from the table and stood up.
"I said drop it boy, now!"
The family sat in silent amazement at the rage showing on Scott's face. Never before had they seen him act in this way and they were totally nonplussed.
"I'm going out." Scott headed towards the door, throwing his napkin onto the table as he went.
"But Scott" pleaded Grandma, "you've hardly touched your food"
"I'm not hungry Grandma"
The words floated back over his shoulder as Scott disappeared through the doorway. The rest of his family sat around the table and looked at each other, lost for words.
The sky above the tropical island base of International Rescue was bright with stars and the windows of the luxurious family home were dark when a tall, dark-haired figure finally crossed the patio and mounted the stairs leading to the lounge. The night was warm and balmy and the breeze gently ruffled his hair and lifted it back from his forehead.
Scott was tired. Not physically tired - the rescue earlier that day had been straight forward and not strenuous for him and although he had walked several miles across the island after leaving the dinner table so abruptly he was young and fit and hardly noticed the distance he covered. No, he was emotionally tired - drained and depressed. Ever since that moment in the rescue when he thought he had been transported back through time he had been struggling to deal with feelings that he thought he had got past several years before. Despite his best intentions on his journey home to put the past behind him and act as if nothing had happened in Vermont, he knew that he had lost it in front of his family and he just didn't know how he was going to handle things from here.
As he reached the top step he turned and leaned on the balustrade, turning his red-rimmed eyes down onto the patio and the quiet swimming pool. The water reflected the moon and starlight glinting down from the sky and had a calming effect on his troubled mind. So engrossed was he in his thoughts that he did not notice the soft fall of footsteps approaching him from behind. He jumped slightly as a hand fell gently onto his shoulder.
"Want to talk about it son?"
Scott sighed and dropped his head. He might have guessed that his father would wait up for him. In a way he was grateful, he badly needed to talk to someone, or rather, he needed someone to listen to him while he tried to sort his head out. But he wished there could be someone who was not family, someone who would not have to share this pain with him - but there was no way round it. Caught up as they were in a secret organization it was family or no-one.
"I guess so Dad." His voice was rough and uneven. He paused, trying to get the words together in his head to explain to his father, but the words didn't come - or at least not in any order that made sense. How was he going to do this? How was he going to say the words that he could barely believe himself? As if sensing his son's difficulty Jeff started to speak
"Gordon said something about a girl.."
"Yeah" sighed Scott, "yeah, there was a girl alright."
"Scott, you know how things stand here. International Rescue MUST remain secret. If ever...."
"No Dad, no" interrupted his son, "it's not like that believe me. I only wish it was." -the last few words were so quiet that Jeff only just caught them.
"So what the devil is it like Scott? Help me out here. I'm trying to understand but if you won't talk to me then I'm stumped"
Jeff watched as his son stood biting his lip and staring out into the darkness. He could feel the tension emanating from him as Scott struggled to order his thoughts and find the words to explain.
"Dad, I know this sounds crazy but.... after Mom died." his voice broke and trailed away, unwilling to continue
"Yes Scott, what about after your mom died?" Jeff encouraged. What the devil was going on here and what the blazes was troubling his son that had to do with Lucille?
"Did you ever see, or...did you ever.." Scott straightened suddenly and looked straight into his father's eyes, " did you ever meet her again?"
Whatever Jeff had expected from his eldest son it had not been this.
"Scott" breathed Jeff, his voice catching, "son, do you.did you think that you saw your mother? Was this girl you met like her? Similar?"
"No Dad. Not Mom. I didn't meet Mom. Dad, it was Jane.I met Jane today I'm sure I did. But I couldn't have could I?"
Jeff Tracy saw in Scott's eyes the confusion and desperation that his son felt. Confusion that he felt he had seen what could not be possible, desperation to hope that perhaps somehow, by some miracle, he might be correct, that he might have seen the impossible. Jeff reached out and grasped his son's left shoulder and squeezed it gently in a gesture of understanding and sympathy.
"Tell me Son" he said softly.
Scott sighed, ran his hand through his hair and turned towards the darkened lounge. His father turned and followed him. When Scott got to a chair he stopped and sat down, arms resting on his knees and head hanging for a moment. Jeff turned on a table lamp and then drew up another chair from nearby and sat in front of his son. Slowly Scott started to speak.
"It was towards the end of the rescue. Virgil and Gordon had reached the miners in the Mole and loaded them on board and had just started back. The state squad were still with me. Just before Virgil and Gordon got there one of the squad had asked if I wanted a coffee. Well, you know me and coffee" Scott grinned suddenly, his words coming more easily now " when did I ever refuse? Just as the Mole started back someone handed me the coffee.
I turned to thank the guy who had brought it & then, there she was. It was Jane."
Scott looked hard at his father
"Dad, I know this is hard to believe, but it WAS Jane. Her height, her build, her hair - that beautiful red hair that glowed in the sun" here Scott choked and his voice started to break, his throat tight with emotion. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard before continuing "but it wasn't just that Dad. It was HER face. Everything was the same, eyes, mouth, everything. And it was her voice - exactly the same as it ever was." Scott opened his eyes. They were bright with unshed tears. "When I saw her I guess I was too stunned to say anything. She saw something was wrong, and asked if the coffee was OK, black, strong, two sugars just as I liked it. Dad" Scoot leaned forward in his seat, earnestly entreating his father to believe him "I hadn't said anything to anyone about how I take my coffee. The guy who asked if I wanted some didn't check and I was concentrating on Virge & Gordo in the Mole and didn't say. When I asked her how she knew, she just said I looked like the type who would like strong black coffee with lots of sugar."
"That's all she said?" asked Jeff sharply, "nothing more?"
"No Dad, that's all. She didn't say what Jane used to"
"Did she show any signs of recognition Scott? Anything at all?" asked Jeff
"No Dad, that's just it. There was nothing. I was nearly as close to her then as I am to you now. There was no recognition in her eyes, no hint, no wink, nothing. If there had been, if there had been even the smallest possibility that she knew me......I don't know Dad, I guess at the end of that rescue I'd have brought her back here even if I had to pick her up and carry her into Thunderbird 1 - but there was nothing. Absolutely nothing. To her I was just someone from International Rescue, someone who she'd never seen before and would never see again." Scott stopped and gazed at his father as if assessing how much of all this Jeff believed. Seeing only understanding and encouragement in his father's face he continued slowly and clearly
"But I'd have bet my life on that being Jane Dad, regardless. When she turned and went back to the others... the way she turned her head, even the way she walked were the same."
Scott's voice faltered to a stop, unsure what to say next.
"Gordon said you tried to get her name. Did you?"
"Yeah, I did. Vintmore. Officer Janet Vintmore of the Vermont State search and rescue team. She's based in Rutland - the nearest big town to the mine."
"And you said nothing to her about Jane or International Rescue?"
"What do you take me for Dad? Of course I didn't. I got her name that's all. I don't know where she lives or anything."
Jeff reached forward, put his hands on Scott's shoulders and looked into his eyes.
"Good Scott, good. Because as much as this hurts like hell to say it.. no matter how much we want to believe it and no matter how much Officer Janet Vintmore looks like Jane, both you and I know that she is NOT Jane don't we?" Jeff shook his eldest son slightly to get a response, "Don't we son?"
Scott nodded reluctantly.
"She's NOT Jane Scott" he emphasised. "Jane is dead Scott, she's been dead for nearly six years. Your sister is dead"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Disclaimer: The Thunderbirds characters are owned by someone other than me although Jane Tracey is, I believe, my invention.
I intend only to borrow them and will return them in one piece.