Disclaimer: this disclaimer applies to all of the chapters. All characters in Thunderbirds belong to Gerry Anderson. Any original, unrecognized character belongs to me and my imagination.

AN: This story is a vague follow on of sorts - and by that, I mean you'll really have to squint to see it - to "Scott's Secret." It will contain references to characters (mainly one OFC, the others are like supporting cast and crew) and events that happened in "Scott's Secret." It isn't imperative that you read that, because this sort of becomes the starting point for everything else that is based from this, so don't worry too much if you haven't.

Chapter One- He Took My Place.

The sun streamed though the Tracy Villa. It was a beautiful morning, and it promised to be a beautiful day; the oceans were calm and the sky was crystal blue.

Scott Tracy climbed up the steps towards Tracy Villa. He had just come back from surfing with Gordon.

It had been six months since he had been cleared of cancer, and he was back to normal activities. He was going out, and actively participating on rescues, going for daily runs and swims, and the occasional surf.

He opened up the door that lead to the lounge and walked inside, leaving wet footprints behind him. He saw his father standing behind his desk, thoroughly engrossed in his reading.

"What're reading, Dad?"

Jeff jumped; Scott had snuck up behind him, and Jeff was startled.

"Good God, son! Don't do that! Gave me the shock of my life!"

Scott just smiled and stood still, creating a puddle of water on the metal floor. Jeff scowled at Scott.

"If you must know, I am reading an article on revolutionary space travel."

"So the mail plane came today?"

Jeff just looked at Scott.

"You're right, that was stating the obvious." Scott conceded.

Scott turned and nearly left the room, but Jeff stopped him.

"Scott, a letter came for you today."

Scott bounded back into the lounge, his hand eagerly outstretched.

"You might want to dry your hands first." Jeff hinted subtly. Scott looked down at his hands. His hands weren't wet, but they weren't dry either. Scott walked to the kitchen to dry his hands on a towel.

A moment later, Scott bounded back into the room, and Jeff finally handed Scott his envelope.

Enthusiastically, Scott ripped the envelope open. He pulled the single piece of paper that was in the envelope. His crystal blue eyes scanned the page, but they slowed down as Scott read on.

Jeff was watching Scott; he saw Scott slow down in his reading and he noted that Scott's body was tensing up.

"Scott, is everything OK?" Jeff asked tentatively.

Scott ignored Jeff. He turned and walked out of the lounge and headed to the beach.

Incidentally, Virgil Tracy was walking along the beach, when he saw his older brother sit heavily on the sand, staring into the dark blue ocean. Virgil sighed. He knew something was bothering Scott. Now came the difficult part- finding out what the problem was. Getting information out of Scott was like trying to draw blood from a stone.

Virgil sat down beside Scott. It was a few minutes before he knew what to say.

"What's wrong, Scott?"

"Nothing. Everything's fine." Scott replied monotonously.

Virgil just raised his eyebrows.

"It is!" Scott insisted.

Virgil shook his head. "Scott, everything is not fine. I know you well enough to know that. I also know you well enough to know when you are lying or not telling the whole truth, as you ought to remember." Virgil was referring to Scott's time in hospital after his operation.

Scott still refused to talk.

"You should just tell me." Virgil stated bluntly.

Scott raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"If you don't, I will just keep on bugging you until you do."

There was no response from Scott. Virgil had to take it one step further.

"Or," Virgil continued. "I could always ask Dad."

Scott's eyes widened. "You wouldn't."

"Try me." came the reply.

"Fine, I'll tell you!" Scott gave in, exasperated. "Read the letter."

Virgil picked up a piece pf paper that was covered in sand and read it, absorbing every word. After reading the letter, Virgil looked at Scott.

"Scott, you didn't know that this would happen."

"Actually, I did." Scott countered back at Virgil.

"Scott, look at me."

Scott continued to stare out into the ocean.

"Look at me." Virgil repeated his request.

Unwilling crystal blue eyes stared at compassionate honey burnt brown eyes.

"This wasn't your fault. You can't blame yourself for this."

Scott stood up agitated. Why didn't Virgil understand this?

"It was my fault! He took my place! He died to replace me! Me, not you! Me! Tommy Riley died because I didn't! Tommy Riley died to replace me!"

AN: So, you finally find out who dies. If you need a reminder, Tommy is Scott's best friend from school. Hope that answers that loose end from previous story. Please review.