Gabriella

Disclaimer: None of the characters from Thunderbirds belongs to us sadly.

Thanks for the reviews. In this chapter Scott is 18, John is 17, Virgil and Gabby are 15, Gordon is 12 and Alan is 11. Sorry for the delay in updating but this is the first chance we have had to meet up. This part of the story will take place over two chapters as it is quite long.


Chapter 4: My Family Part 1

Gabby walked in the door, slung her bag down and ran upstairs to her room. She had just had the day from hell. She had fallen out with her best mate because she couldn't make band practise on Saturday as Gordon had a swim meet. She also had a huge lecture from one of her teachers for forgetting her homework. That afternoon she had broken two strings on her guitar that she couldn't afford to replace and she had a project for English to complete for next Monday that she just couldn't seem to get into.

She walked over to her desk and picked up the English project again. It was an essay about your family and what they mean to you. She was supposed to write about each one and include a special moment shared with them. She just couldn't seem to put down in words what she wanted to say. She chucked the paper down once more and headed downstairs to start dinner. Her grandmother was visiting her sister in Palm Springs so Gabby was in charge of the cooking, as she was the only one bar Scott who actually could. He was away at Yale still but would be back at the weekend and Gabby couldn't wait to see him.


Gabby was busy in the kitchen when her father walked in.

"We will be having a guest for dinner tonight Gabriella," he said.

"Ok Sir. I will make sure I lay another place," she said absently.

"Thank you," he replied and walked out. He had always taught his children to be polite but every now and then, it hurt when they called him sir. Especially when it came from his daughter. He couldn't even remember the last time she had called him dad. Gabby turned back to the stove. Her brothers soon came in.

"Gabby," yelled Alan running in.

"What is it bro?" she asked smiling at him.

"I got an A on that English project," he said proudly.

"Well done. That's great," she said hugging her little brother. None of her brothers was good at English so it was wonderful that Alan had got an A. She was the only one who seemed to have any talent for it.

"Thanks sis. I'm going to go show Johnny. Is he home yet?"

"Yeah he is in his room. Where's trouble hiding?" she asked referring to Gordon.

"Went straight up to his room," yelled Alan and he ran upstairs yelling John's name.


Everyone was now sat at the dining table eating. Gabby had kept herself away from her father and his friend. Everyone was chatting happily except her. Jeff looked over at his daughter. He knew he had to make more of an effort with her. He did love his daughter dearly it was just hard to look at her. She was so like her mother.

"How was your day Gabby?" he asked interrupting her thoughts.

"It was ok Sir," she replied looking up at him. Their guest was a little shocked by the Sir part but he didn't comment on it.

"You look just like your mom," he said instead. Everyone at the table froze dreading the next comment. Gabby was first to recover.

"May I be excused?" she asked seeing the painful look on her father's face. He didn't look up but nodded. Gabby ran out of the room and to the safety of her room. John stood up quickly.

"May I be excused as well Father?" he asked. He knew Virgil had been about to do the same thing.

"Very well son," said Jeff he knew where his second eldest was going and he knew it should have been him going to comfort her.

John headed upstairs to his little sister. He knocked on the door then entered. He expected to find Gabby on her bed crying and was shocked to find her at her desk calmly doing her homework.

"You ok sis?" he asked gently.

"Just perfect," she replied sarcastically.

"Gabby look at me," he pleaded. He knew she was upset and trying to hide it from him. Gabby turned to face him and John could see the tears in her eyes. He quickly pulled her into his arms and hugged his little sister tight. She finally began to cry. When she had calmed down, she pulled away from John.

"Thanks," she said with a weak smile.

"What are big brothers for," he replied and smiled at her and then left her in peace.


Gabby heard a knock on the door and groaned. How was she supposed to get her homework done? If she couldn't get five minutes peace.

"Come in," she said and put down her pen for what must have been the tenth time since coming up here. All her brothers had been up to check on her. Her baby brother Alan strolled in.

"What is it Alan," she asked with a hint of annoyance.

"Dad wants you in his office," he replied.

"Just great," she replied sarcastically.

"Are you ok sis?" he asked concerned by how fed up she looked. He knew how much she hated being told she looked like her mom.

"Yeah. I just have a project due in on Monday and I can't seem to do it. It's driving me mad," she said and glanced at the blank sheet on her desk.

"You will get it sis. You always do. I better get on with mine," he said standing up. Gabby walked out with him.

She headed to her father's office and paused at the door. She really didn't want a lecture right now but she knew she had to go in. She knocked on the door.

"Enter," said her father's gruff voice. She walked in and stood before his desk.

"Alan said you wanted to speak to me Sir."

"Yes I do Gabriella. I have to go on a business trip for a few days and with your grandma still away. I need you to take care of things here," he said.

"Yes father," she replied with a sigh. Guess she would be completing her homework at midnight again.

"I know it won't be much fun but Scott used to do it and he never complained. Plus he will be back at the weekend to help."

It was true Scott always had but she wasn't Scott.

"Yes father. May I be excused?"

"Yes. I am leaving tomorrow morning and I expect things to run smoothly whilst I am gone."

Gabby made no other comment and just left the room. Ever since Scott had gone to College, it was always up to her to keep things running. She wasn't even the next oldest that was John but he was busy studying for his exams so she couldn't blame him for not being able to help really.


The next morning found Gabby had made breakfast for them all and to keep the peace she had had to make different breakfasts for Alan and Gordon. This made her late for school so yet again she got another lecture. She was late getting home from school that night as she ended up with detention. She stormed in the door and into the kitchen stopping suddenly when she saw her grandma at the stove.

"Hi sweetie how was your day?" asked her grandma and she sneezed loudly.

"Fine. Are you ok Grandma?" replied Gabby worried about how pale her grandma looked.

"I think I have caught what your great aunt had."

"Why don't you go and rest. I can take care of dinner," said Gabby taking the oven gloves from her. Ruth smiled down at her granddaughter. She was so helpful.

"Thank you sweetie. I think I might just do that." She really did feel ill and she didn't want to make her grandchildren ill as well. She kissed her granddaughter's cheek and then headed off to her room.

When their grandmother hadn't reappeared by dinner, John went up to check on her. He was soon back in the kitchen.

"How was she?" asked Virgil as Gabby dished up.

"Not good. I think she has the flu," replied John.

"Poor grandma," said Alan. He hated it when one of them was ill.

"She will be ok Al. Just needs a few days rest. Let's have our dinner," she said and guided him to the table.


By Friday Alan, Gordon and Virgil had succumbed to the flu and Gabby had bunked off school to look after them. She had called her dad and told him when Alan had got ill but he couldn't get back yet. Luckily, Scott was due back tomorrow and would help her look after him. John came in the door early and Gabby knew straightaway that he was ill too.

"Bed John and I will bring you some soup up," she said and pointed to the stairs.

"I'm fine. I can't leave you to look after us all Gabby," he protested weakly. His head was spinning and he knew he needed to be in bed.

"You don't have a choice John. You're too ill to help. Please go to bed and rest," she begged. She hated seeing her family so ill. John hugged his little sister tight for a second and then hauled himself up the stairs to his bed. He really didn't want to leave his little sister with so much responsibility. Gabby walked back into the kitchen and slumped into a chair. She was exhausted and had a feeling she was coming down with the same thing as the others. She dropped her head onto the table as the phone began to ring.

"Good evening Tracy Residence," she said politely.

"Hey little sister. It's your favourite brother here," said a voice.

"You wish Scott," she replied. It was so good to hear his voice.

"Yeah look I can't make it down this weekend sis. Things have gone mad up here. I'm sorry," he said and Gabby felt like screaming. How was she going to look after five sick people when she wasn't well herself. She knew her dad couldn't make it back until at least Sunday night.

"Gabby. Are you still there?" he asked she had been silent for a little while.

"Yeah I'm still here. I guess I will see you in a few weeks then," she replied sadly.

"I'm sorry Gabby. Look if things are really bad there. I can try and make it back," he said and Gabby knew if she told him they were all ill he would rush back.

"No we will be fine. You obviously need to be there," she lied.

"Are you sure sis?"

"Yes. We will be fine. John is here and dad will be back soon." She hated lying to Scott but she didn't want him to worry and rush back when he was clearly needed there.

"Ok sis. Call me if you need me. I love you all."

"We all love you too. Bye Scott," she said and hung up the phone.

She then called her father's office to inform him Scott wasn't coming but he was in a meeting so she left a message with his secretary. She then laid her head back onto the table and began to cry.


By Sunday, the others were finally getting better. They were all in the lounge now resting but all looked better. Gabby on the other hand was getting worse. She had a really bad headache that she just couldn't shake and she was so tired. She couldn't just go to bed though. Her dad was back today and the others still needed her so she plastered a smile on her face and went back into the lounge.

"Are you ok sweetie?" asked her grandmother. She could see how pale her granddaughter was.

"Yes just a little tired that's all," she replied and left them to it. Mrs Tracy was worried about her granddaughter. She knew how hard she had been working looking after them all and she was worried she may have overdone it. She was going to have words with her son when he got home. He should never have left Gabby in charge in the first place or at least come home when they had all got sick.

Gabby meanwhile was trying not to throw up the piece of toast she had eaten earlier. She heard a voice from the door.

"Mother," it said and Gabby took a deep breath plastering her smile back on once more as her father entered.

"No it's just me. Grandma is in the lounge with the boys resting," she said. Jeff studied his daughter carefully. She had gotten very good at hiding her emotions from him but he could see pain in her eyes and his fatherly instinct kicked in.

"Gabby are you ok?" he asked approaching her side. She had no colour in her face and seemed to be fighting to stay standing up.

"Yes I'm fine," she replied and walked unsteadily away from him. He knew she was lying and it hurt him. His daughter no longer trusted him or even confided in him anymore. That job seemed to have gone to her brothers John especially. He walked into the lounge to check on his family. They were asleep under warm blankets and looked like they were on the mend.


Gabby was the last one up the following morning. Jeff had decided to give them all the day off to make sure they were all feeling better. Her head was really killing now and it made her feel sick. She walked into the kitchen to find her family all tucking into breakfast. They were obviously all feeling better. Jeff turned to his daughter as she entered.

"Are you ok?" he asked taking in her pale face.

"Yes I'm fine," she replied and he went back to his paper. John however didn't buy her comment and approached her. He couldn't believe his father had bought that obvious lie.

"You have the flu don't you sis," he said kindly.

"No. Just a little tired that's all."

"Don't lie Gabby. You can barely stand."

"Ok I feel like hell and my head is killing me," she admitted and wobbled as if to prove her point. John instantly wrapped his arm around her so she couldn't fall and guided her to a chair. Her grandmother handed her a glass of cold water. She sipped gently praying it would stay down.

"Why don't you rest on the couch sweetie for a while," said her grandmother. John helped her up and then guided her to the lounge. Once she was comfortable and asleep he left her to rest in peace.


Gabby awoke a few hours later feeling as if she was dying. Her head hurt so much she could barely see. She knew it was more then just a headache and she needed help but she couldn't move it hurt too much. The house was quiet but she could hear faint noises from the garden so she guessed they were all outside.

John came wandering in to get a drink and decided to check on his little sister. He walked into the lounge and was horrified by what he saw. His sister was on the floor clutching her head shaking. There were tears running down her face. He raced to her side.

"Gabby what is it?" he asked feeling scared. He had never seen her look so ill before.

"My head hurts Johnny," she groaned out. He pulled her into his arms so she wasn't lying on the floor.

"Dad, Grandma," he yelled and Gabby flinched.

"Sorry sweetie," he said soothingly. She had relaxed a little since being in his arms. His dad and grandma rushed in.

"Gabby says her head hurts. She was on the floor and she is really hot," he said and they could hear the worry in his voice. Grandma placed her hand to her forehead and could tell her granddaughter had a fever. She looked really ill and she was worried too.

"I think you had better take her to the hospital son," she said finally.

"I will come with you dad," said John. He didn't want to let go of her. They both headed out to the car and John sat in the back holding his little sister.

As they reached the hospital, Gabby finally gave in and succumbed to the blackness around her. Jeff slammed the car to a halt and jumped out. He took Gabby from her brother's arms and carried her in. The hospital was waiting for them and Gabby was soon whipped off to be examined. Jeff and John were guided to a private waiting room.

A little while later and a Doctor came in. Jeff jumped up. He was scared for his little girl.

"Is she ok?" he asked.

"She will be fine. Your daughter has a sever migraine compounded by a bad case of the flu," explained the Doctor.

"A migraine?" queried John.

"Yes. It is a very severe headache but is easily treated with heavy-duty painkillers. We will have to keep you daughter in for a couple of days as she has a fever and is very dehydrated but she will be ok.""Can we see her?" asked Jeff. He needed to see her to be reassured she was still alive and would be ok.

"Of course you can. Come with me," she said and lead them to an exam room.

Jeff and John froze as they looked at their loved one. Lying there on the bed, she looked just like her mother did after she was pulled out of the car. The realization hit Jeff like a truck and he sunk into a chair. John walked to the other side and took hold of her hand. Gabby stirred a little and groaned. The Doctor approached once more and injected something into her IV.

"Just a stronger painkiller to help her cope with the pain," she explained.

"Hey little sis. You're going to be ok and will soon be back to helping us do our homework," said John trying to ignore how awful she looked. Jeff took her hand too and Gabby's eyes flickered open to gaze at her father. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand tight.

"It's ok sweetie," he said as he saw a flicker of pain cross her eyes.

Suddenly Gabby began to struggle to breathe. She was gasping on air and her face was turning blue. Jeff and John both panicked as lots of people ran into the room.

"She is having trouble breathing," said one.

"We need to intubate," said another.

"Get the family out of here," yelled a third and before Jeff could object, he was ushered out of the room.

"What's going on dad?" asked John.

"I don't know son," replied Jeff and he held his son tight to him as more people raced into his daughter's room.


Authors Note: So what happened to Gabby and will she pull through. Can Jeff sort things out with his daughter or is it too late.