Ruth Tracy smiled to herself as she looked through the family's photo album from births to their most recent vacation, she sighed thinking back to before International Rescue and their old house, this new luxury they were living in now had taken time to get used to and had been a challenge for Jeff and his two eldest. Leaving the house they had grown up in with their mother had been one of the most difficult moves they had ever made. Ruth turned to the next page of a family group photo with Lady Penelope and thought back to the visit they had had from her last summer, Penny's words still ran through her head.

"Never been to a stately home, one of the only things I haven't."

"Of course you must come" Penelope had smiled invitedly before turning back to Jeff and Virgil.

Ruth closed the book and checked the time, the boys had been on a rescue mission for four hours now, she made her way into the lounge and found Jeff talking to Scott over the radio.

"How was it son?"

"Fine Dad, we're just packing up, there weren't many casualties thankfully, and we should be home in an hour."

"See you then son" Jeff turned away and looked round "mother, is something wrong?"

Ruth thought back to her last check up at the hospital.

"Mrs Tracy, we've discovered a lung cancer, I'm afraid it's incurable, we estimate you have about seven months left, we're sorry."

That was five months ago, Ruth smiled at her son.

"I'm fine Jefferson, the boys are on their way back then?"

"Yes, shouldn't be too long, I think I'll go and wait for them on the balcony, coming mother?" Jeff stood up and stretched his arms.

Ruth nodded and followed her son out into the bright sunshine, she sat down and rubbed the sides of her hips gently.

"Mother?"

"Yes?"

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"It's very hard to explain, you've had enough heartbreak and loss" Ruth didn't look at her son.

"I don't understand, are you ill?"

"Sort of, it's like an illness."

"Mother, what is it?"

Ruth took a moment before answering "I have lung cancer, they estimate I have roughly two months to live."

Thunderbird 1's reflection glittered as she flew over the Pacific ahead of Thunderbird 2.

"Virg, you got everyone safely out of that building right?"

"Yes for the umpteenth time" Virgil sighed, in the background Alan and Gordon laughed.

"Just checking, I'll stop now" Scott laughed "I'll be so glad to get in that shower, I've got dust all over me."

"You and us both" Alan piped in over the radio.

"ETA now ten minutes" Virgil checked the time "looks like we'll be in time for dinner."

"See you at the table fellas" Scott said then picked up speed skimming the water's surface before disappearing into the distance.

"He never can resist showing off can he?" Gordon said sitting back in his chair.

"That's Scott for you" Alan shared a look with Gordon which made him laugh.

It wasn't long before both crafts were back under the island, up on the balcony Jeff was pacing whilst Ruth was trying to reassure him that everything was alright.

"How long have you known?"

"Five months."

"Five?!"

"Jeff please, I couldn't do anything or say anything, not with the rescue business going so well."

"That's not the point mother."

"Quit worrying about me, your boys are home" Ruth scolded.

Jeff turned to face the lounge where Scott was entering with Virgil, he tried to smile but it didn't quite reach his eyes, Scott narrowed his eyes at his father questioningly then looked at Ruth.

"Dad, are you alright?"

"Sure, how was the rescue?"

"No problems, it's very quiet round here, are you sure everything is ok?"

"Everything is fine Scott!" Jeff closed his eyes impatiently.

Virgil elbowed Scott lightly and indicated that they should leave, on their way out they grabbed Alan and Gordon. Once down in Virgil's studio, named so as he was the only one who really used it, Scott spoke up.

"Something's going on between Dad and Grandma."

"What makes you say that?" Gordon asked.

"I just asked Dad if everything was alright and he yelled at me, plus Grandma looked very sad, almost in pain."

"Has Dad hurt her?" Alan looked up from the couch.

"No, it's like something inside is hurting her."

"An illness perhaps?" Virgil asked pausing the quiet melody he was playing.

"You don't think she's y'know, terminally ill or something?" Gordon said biting his lip.

"I don't know but Dad sure was upset about something, he didn't seem to want me or Virgil in the room" Scott leant against the piano.

"This is serious guys, I haven't noticed any change in Grandma, if she is ill she's done a very good job at hiding it" Alan looked round at his brothers who all had fear in their eyes.

"What are we going to do?" Scott asked joining Virgil on the stool.

"For a start we don't let Dad know that we think something is wrong, let them sort something out. If Dad wants us to know, he'll tell us when he wants to" Virgil said as the others nodded in agreement.

"C'mon, lets re-join Dad, remember, don't bring up this subject" Scott stood up and lead his brothers out.

Later that afternoon Ruth found some time to make a private call, the one name she thought of was Penelope.

"Hello?"

"Penelope, it's Ruth."

"Darling, how are you?"

"Not good, something serious has come up."

"What's wrong?" Penelope sounded worried.

Ruth sighed to herself "I have lung cancer."

There was a long silence from England "I'm so sorry Ruth, how is the family coping?"

"I haven't told them, only Jeff" Ruth said sadly.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"There's only one thing, fulfil my dream."

"Yes?"

"To visit a stately home."

"Oh Ruth, of course you can come over, how about Thursday?"

"Thursday sounds great."

"See you then Ruth, I do advise you tell your grandsons tomorrow, give my love to Jeff" Penelope hung up.

Ruth sat back and thought about how she was going to tell the boys about her condition, she decided she would sit them all down in the lounge tomorrow morning.

After dinner Scott waited until everyone had left and called John.

"What's up Scott? You don't usually call from your watch."

"We're worried about Grandma, we were talking earlier and think she's seriously ill."

"You mean like a cancer or something?" John looked puzzled.

"We're not sure, but whenever we ask Dad if he's ok, he tells us to piss off basically, anyway I'm sending Alan up to come and get you this evening when everyone is asleep."

"Dad is going to kill you when he hears Thunderbird 3 take off."

"That's a risk I am willing to make, if Grandma's life depends on it, he hasn't got a leg to stand on."

John nodded "alright, what time is Alan going to take off?"

"No idea, Dad doesn't seem to sleep so I'm putting Gordon in charge of looking out for him."

"Shouldn't you put Virgil in charge of that job, I mean Dad usually sleeps in the lounge and the piano is there, Virgil could keep an eye out for him there."

"Y'know that's not a bad idea John, right, I'll get onto that. I'll call you later this evening, see ya" Scott switched off the watch and went to seek out Virgil.

Meanwhile Gordon was preparing to take up his role as watchdog when Scott came hurrying towards him.

"Gordon, have you seen Virgil?"

"No, have you tried his room?"

"Not yet, by the way, where are you going?"

"To look out for Dad, we're still going ahead with the plan tonight?"

"Yeah, this is why I need to find Virgil, there's been a slight change of plan" Scott looked past his brother down the corridor.

"I'll help you find him Scott, if it affects me I'm in" Gordon raised his eyebrows.

"C'mon then and hurry up."

The two reached Virgil's room and Scott pressed the con button.

"Virg, you in there?"

"Sure Scott, come on in" Virgil's voice answered.

The door slid open and Scott walked in followed by Gordon, Virgil was sitting by the window playing his guitar.

"So I need to look out for Dad around here while Gordon keeps the lounge clear?" Virgil asked.

"This is where the plan has changed, I was talking to John earlier and he suggested you should be in the lounge instead of Gordon."

Gordon frowned "why him? Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do, it's just Virgil could be at the piano and keep an eye out for Dad from there."

"And how long do you think I can play for?" Virgil looked up smugly.

"Just whilst Thunderbird 3 is taking off, I'm sure Dad will hear her, but we need a head start. John has to be down here by early morning."

"What's the time now?"

Virgil put the guitar down and turned his wrist towards his face "five to 11."

"Ah man, Dad is going to be up for ages" Gordon groaned.

"Ok, you two go and get Alan and meet me in the lounge, dad is upset so he might go to bed early, you never know" Scott pulled Virgil to his feet and gently pushed him towards the door along with Gordon "see you in five."

"FAB" Virgil smiled and made his way towards Alan's room, they paused outside hearing giggling "Tintin" Virgil laughed as Gordon winked.

To Scott's correct guess his father was still up and looking very distressed, he sat down at the piano to wait for Virgil and looked at the time.

"Hey Dad, you look knackered. Why don't you get some sleep?"

"I've got too much on my mind son" Jeff didn't look up from the desk.

"It's 11pm."

"I know. Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"I can't, too awake."

"Join the club."

Scott sighed to himself and began play a small melody, then smiled with relief as his brothers came in "about time guys."

"Boys, can't you let your old man have some peace?" Jeff smiled.

"Oh sorry Dad, Virgil said he'd treat us to a new composition tonight" Gordon said quickly dodging Virgil's elbow.

"Well sorry Virgil, I'd love to stay and listen but I have lots of work to do. I'll see you in the morning" Jeff yawned and got up to leave the room.

"Scott, you didn't say it was going to be that easy" Alan hissed in surprise.

"Neither did I" Scott watched his father go and then got up from the piano stool "anyway let's get on with this. Virg, take over. Gordy, could you watch the corridors?"

"Sure, good luck Alan, fellas" Gordon smiled and took up his position.