Six Degrees of Seperation isn't Far Enough
by Criminally Charmed
Disclaimer - Do you know I have now written 50 stories? Mainly Thunderbirds. If I owned Thunderbirds, I would be rich. As I am posting this before going to my second job, I obviously do not own the Thunderbirds.
Chapter Six
A week later
JP Horne entered the small apartment he was living in. As far as the landlord knew, JP was living there for the summer, working at the Tracy Towers in the parking garage and helping his "uncle". "Uncle Mitch" was ill and so, if anyone heard a second voice, it was probably just the male nurse who would check in on the "infirmed man" while his "nephew" was working.
If anyone thought it off the neither the nurse nor the uncle was ever seen outside the apartment they didn't say anything. There was a certain anonymity to living in a large city.
"Did you pick up my cigarettes?" Flint snapped as he walked out of the bathroom.
Setting down the bag of groceries, JP pulled out a pack of cigarettes and tossed them at the older man. Flint snagged them and glared at JP.
"Just one pack?"
"Hey," JP protested. "The lease and utilities may be paid for, but I only have so much money until I get my first paycheck and that will be next week. Besides, this is a no-smoking apartment. You don't want the landlord coming in if the neighbors complain about the smell of cigarette smoke, do you?"
Flint took a menacing step towards the younger man only for Mitchell to get up from where he had been working from JP's laptop." That's enough Flint. The kid is right." Patting JP on the shoulder, he gave a small smile." Kid, I need to ask you something. Come here."
Following Mitchell into the living room, JP stilled when Flint snapped, "What about dinner?"
"What about it?" Mitchell snapped back. "Make it yourself. The kid isn't a maid."
Flint grumbled, but the sounds of pans and food preparation started to be heard in the small kitchenette.
"OK," Mitchell said in a calm, almost friendly voice. "I need your help with something. See this?" he asked, pointing to the file on the computer.
"A bomb?" JP gasped in surprise, backing up and holding his hand up in protest. "I don't want to be involved in -"
"Kid, don't worry," Mitchell said calmly. "I can set the timer so it will only cause some problems. But when they take it apart, the chemicals in the bomb have to be able to work. The threat has to seem real. Or something. This is a work in progress."
"Where are you going to put the bomb?" JP asked shakily.
"In Jeff Tracy's car," Mitchell grinned.
"You want to blow up Jeff Tracy?" JP whispered.
"Nah," Mitchell disagreed. "This isn't a murder attempt. Tracy owes me. He stole from me and then had me framed and sent to prison. I just want some compensation for my time and trouble."
"Let me get this straight," JP asked. "You want to blackmail Jeff Tracy, one of the most famous men on the planet?"
"He's also one of the richest men on the planet," Mitchell shrugged. "And blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer to think of it as a redistribution of wealth, very socialistic, wouldn't you say?"
"When are you going to do this?" Flint asked from the doorway.
"That depends on JP and Tracy," Mitchell said.
"Me?" "Tracy?"
Mitchell looked between the others, nodding. "JP will tell us when Tracy and at least one of his kids show up here. It wouldn't be enough for us to scare just the big has to see a threat to one of his precious pups. Then he'll be dying to pay us off."
JP looked shaken but nodded and went into the smaller bedroom, not hearing Flint speak to Mitchell.
"Tracy isn't the kind to pay blackmail."
Mitchell grinned. "Then maybe he'll pay ransom. Or if he dies, maybe his heirs will pay for the person responsible. There are a lot of possibilities. Let's see how this plays out, shall we?"
Kate walked with Scott towards Thunderbird Three, her eyes widening at the sight of the big red rocket.
"I know you told me," she murmured. "But seeing it -"Kate breathed out. "Wow."
Scott pulled Kate close to him. "I hate that I have to go and leave you. Part of me was hoping that they'd catch those guys by now so that I could take you home before I left. And a part of me is equally hopeful that they won't catch them for at least another week so you'll be here when I get home."
Nodding, Kate kissed him only for another voice to call out, "OK, dudes, no PDA here. Public Displays of Affection are not allowed within 100 yards of the 'Birds."
Giving Alan a rare glare, Scott asked "And who declared that?"
"That would be you, big brother," Alan tossed back. "Back in February, when I went with John up to Five and you said that when Emily was kissing him good-bye."
"Yeah, well," Scott muttered defensively, "that was different."
"Yeah, well," Alan laughed, "no it's not. "Alan gave Kate a quick hug. "Take care of the family and I'll see you for supper." Tossing Scott his helmet, he laughed again.
"I'll start countdown, you need to be in your seat STAT before I alert the Commander I'm shy one Thunderbird who needs to do his time aboard the station."
Kate grinned as Alan entered the rocket before turning back to Scott. "You're flying it, right? Not Alan?"
"Actually," Scott shrugged, "Three will be Alan's baby once he finishes school. He flew back from Five by himself in February and went with the Hackenbackers to pick up John so that they could do repairs in April. Alan flew both ways that time. Kid's a natural space jockey." Sighing a bit, he grinned.
"Personally, I think he just likes anything that goes fast."
Smiling, Kate kissed Scott one more time before he ran to the rocket and climbed aboard. Heading back towards the villa, Kate paused by the upper pool, her eyes drawn to the library as a warning sounded. She knew her jaw dropped as the building split in two and Thunderbird Three thrust forward, rocketing into the sky.
"I never get tired of watching that," Jeff sighed as he watched his oldest and youngest sons hurtle towards space.
"Tell me again why John isn't heading up instead of Scott," Kate muttered.
Pointing to a small plane now visible on approach to the Island, Jeff nodded. "Because today is the day of the ultrasound for John and Emily's son. And with Emily having some problems, I want to make sure she is relaxing properly."
"Your grandson could be a granddaughter," Kate argued lightly, already falling into step as Jeff made his way to the hanger, anxious to greet the returning parents-to-be.
"Kate," Jeff laughed, "there hasn't been a Tracy daughter born since the family immigrated to America. My mother once told Lucy she was fairly sure the family had forgotten them back in the old country."
Kate shrugged, knowing that already since Scott had said much the same. But Alan was so sure this was a girl and somehow Kate couldn't shake the feeling that the kid was right.
Emily glanced over at John as he finished landing the plane. "Are you alright?" she asked once the engine was off.
Leaning over, John unbuckled himself even as he twisted his torso so he could kiss her firmly on the lips. "Emmy, my life has been better since the day I first saw you. Yeah, I may be a bit disappointed but hopefully kiddo will give a good kick. I mean, sure, he's moved a bit, but Daddy would like a big kick before he goes back up next week."
Giggling, Emily stood up even as John grabbed his shoulder bag before walking behind his wife as they got off the plane. Jeff was there to meet them.
"So?" he asked anxiously.
"Your first grandchild's first picture, Dad," John grinned as he handed it over.
Jeff looked at the ultrasound photo, marveling at how much clearer they were than when his boys were…
"I can't tell," Kate admitted as she peeked at the picture. "Is it a boy or a girl?"
Emily shrugged. "Neither could my OB. Or any of the echo techs. Baby Tracy is a modest kid."
"So he'll obviously be nothing like his Uncle Gordon," John smirked.
"Don't worry," Jeff said. "Alan did the same thing."
"Well, he turned out OK," Emily grinned.
"Scott already take off?" John asked as they began to walk towards the main house.
"Yes," Kate sighed. Looking over at Emily, she shrugged. "I guess you're used to it."
"I handle it," Emily said. "I'll never get used to John's commute to work being in a giant red rocket."
"Beats the subway," John laughed before turning to his father.
"So, Dad, how is the buy-out of the micro-chip company going?"
Jeff nodded. "Good, but I'll have to head to New York to finish the deal. The owner is insisting on signing the final contracts in person."
Kate murmured. "Understandable, he built the company from scratch and now he wants to make sure his employees are taken care of." Seeing the surprised looks, she blushed. "What, Scott and I were discussing business. It was interesting."
"Is that what they call it these days?" John teased.
"Watch it, Blondie," Kate threatened. "I could always use a sparring partner for karate."
Having seen Kate spar with Scott – and beat his older brother – John quickly shook his head. "Nope, no way – we're good here."
Emily giggled and pulled Kate to the side. "Come on, I want to get your opinion on the swatches for the nursery."
Watching the two women move off, Jeff couldn't help but smile. "Emily is doing better?" he asked his son.
John nodded. "Yes, but the doctor wants her to cut back on her hours at the clinic. Luckily, she has it set up well enough that she can do most of the administrative work from home. And Sarah Jane helped arrange for some physician assistants from her school to do clinical work there so they have coverage for the next few months."
When Jeff nodded as well, John looked over to where Emily, Kate, Onaha and Virgil had gathered around. Virgil had always had a good eye for color, artist that he was, so it wasn't surprising the women had roped him in.
"Kate doesn't seem to be working as much either," John joked.
"No," Jeff admitted. "Kate says it's because she isn't constantly getting stuff dumped on her desk at work."
"According to Emily," John sighed, "it's because Kate is sleeping less than Scott these days. And you know big brother isn't big on sleeping a lot."
"She's worried about her family," Jeff agreed. "Early indicators place the escaped convicts heading East but while her parents are staying in special quarters at Quantico, that still leaves her brothers and her uncle's family in Los Angeles. And since the FBI feels it would be a waste, there is no extra protection there."
"Is that the only reason Scott is teaching Kate about Tracy Enterprises?" John asked. "To distract her?"
Jeff simply smiled. "Nope. When you married Emily, not only did we get the best possible person for the charitable clinic, we got a wonderful addition to the family. With Kate, I am hoping for a similar outcome. An amazing woman who will make Scott happy but also someone with the skills, experience and education to head up the Cyber Security Division I have wanted to create for the last several years."
Thinking back, Jeff sighed. "To tell the truth, I had considered Jackson Mitchell for the position at one point. If it is as successful as I think it will be, I would probably make the Division Head a vice-president's position eventually. But as talented as Mitchell was, he lacked certain people skills. Kate may be extremely direct, but she knows how to be part of and how to lead a team.
Not to mention, she understands the beauracratic mind and is comfortable working with government agencies."
"Better make sure Mitchell doesn't know that," John joked. "It may make him want to shoot Kate again."
"Actually -" Jeff started, only to freeze when Gordon's attempt at a water balloon at Virgil managed to hit Kate, Emily and Virgil in the back .As Emily stood up, shaking herself off, Kate and Virgil immediately took off running after the redhead.
"You might want to check on -" Jeff began only to realize that his second son had joined the other two in chasing Gordon down to the beach. Walking up to the lanai, Emily was gratefully accepting a towel that Onaha had fetched from the house.
"I'm going to go change, Dad," Emily said with as much dignity as she could muster. "Let me know if Gordon needs medical care."
Jeff managed to keep a straight face until Emily was securely in the smaller villa she shared with John. But as soon as the door closed, he joined Onaha in the laughter she was already enjoying .Shaking her head, the housekeeper headed into the kitchen.
"I will get the ice-packs ready, Mr. Tracy," she called out, making the Tracy father laugh even harder.
He may have gotten a few gray hairs from his children, but you had to admit it. They were never boring.
Jackson Mitchell sat at the computer while JP read through a text book, making notes. I can read this kid so easily, Mitchell thought as he continued to type away. It was clear that the college student had lacked a male role model for a while. Mitchell realized that by being supportive and protective, he was slowly gaining JP's trust and, he hoped, his loyalty.
In truth, Mitchell knew Tracy was the not the sort to give in to intimidation. But if the Big Man was distracted by a threat to his family? Mitchell had noticed that when Tracy's youngest son, Alan, had been hit by a car, the man had been distracted, running the business more and more from his private island get-a-way. And later, when the boy had been poisoned by some psycho, that was when Mitchell had counted on a similar pattern of behavior, allowing him to set in to play his plot to sell the top secret software. It had only been because of a random search by some FBI agent that Mitchell had gotten caught.
Mitchell had slipped away from the office party on December 22nd. Tracy Enterprises closed from the 23rd through the 26th or 27th, depending on the office. Jeff Tracy always said it was important that people spent time with their families. It also allowed for upgrades of software, improvement of equipments and repairs of the properties themselves. In the eyes of the Tracy Patriarch, it was a win-win situation.
Jackson Mitchell had made arrangements for his buyer to meet him at the loading dock of Tracy Plaza in downtown Chicago. But when he got there, he not only couldn't find his foreign buyer, he was shocked to see Kate Allen, the temporary worker in the IT department.
"Ms. Allen," Mitchell said coolly. "You don't have access for this area. I think you should leave."
"Wanna see my all-access pass?" the young woman snapped, holding open a small wallet, displaying her FBI credentials.
Before Mitchell really knew what was happening, the bitch had shot him. Mind you, he had shot her first, but the man didn't really think that was all that relevant.
Somehow, Mitchell felt it was karma that that woman was now tied in with the Tracys. Everything he hated, all tied up in one easy to destroy package.
Feeling someone's eyes upon him, Mitchell glanced over to see JP watching him.
"Hey, kid," Mitchell said in an easy, friendly tone. "Something wrong?"
JP sighed. "You meant what you said, Jackson, right? No one is going to get hurt."
Mitchell smiled. "Nope. Just some property damage. See this?" he pointed to the monitor in front of stood, nodding as he looked. "I've found the back door I left in the security system. I can tie it in to the security camera program and view anything in the Towers. Now, while this is set for a timer, I can override it if someone is too close by. It'll be fine, kid – you have my word on that."
Nodding again, JP looked at his cell phone as it began to ring. "Brittney. I got take the call."
As JP slipped onto the fire escape to speak with his older sister in privacy, Flint came out of the bedroom.
"A safety switch? Why getting so fancy?"
Mitchell grinned, the feral expression frighteningly different from the smiles he had been giving JP.
"Don't be an ass. There is no safety switch. I just said that to calm the kid down. I am, however, installing a dead-man's. If an ideal target gets close enough, I can make sure they go down."
"You really want Tracy dead that badly?" Flint asked.
"No," Mitchell growled. "I want the bastard to hurt. I want him to hurt so badly he'll wish he were dead a hundred times over. I want Jeff Tracy to wish he never heard the name Jackson Mitchell before."
Alan Tracy smiled and nodded at the Hackenbackers as the father and son carried some equipment down to Brains' lab. The pair had had a blast working on projects up on Five and were already planning what they would be doing the next time they went to the space station.
Entering his father's office, Alan made sure not to appear in the view of the vid-phone since he was still wearing his Thunderbirds gear. Jeff glanced over from his call and smiled at Alan, silently signaling him that he would be with him in a minute.
Five minutes later, Jeff ended his call and turned to his youngest with a smile.
"Hey Dad," Alan said cheerily. "Can I ask a favor?"
"You can ask," Jeff said cautiously. "I offer no guarantees."
Chuckling, Alan shook his head. "Seriously, Dad – no red hair. No worries from me. But my friend Tomo – you remember Tomo, right?"
"Tomo," Jeff said thoughtfully before snapping his fingers. "Hiraku Wattamee's son, right?"
"Right Dad," Alan agreed. "His birthday is next week and Virgil just finished his present. I had Ann Marie help me and we found an old picture of Tommy and his dad at a company picnic. Virgil just finished painting it for me and I worry about mailing it half way around the world. Since you said you were heading to New York in a few days and Tommy is staying in New York with his mom for most of the summer while he gets ready for Yale, I thought you could let him pick it up at the office."
"Better yet," Jeff said, "why not have him pick it up from you?"
"Dad," Alan said in confusion, "do you really want Tommy to fly all the way out here?"
"No," Jeff smiled. "I want you to come to New York with me. After I handle a few meetings, you and I could maybe – catch a movie?"
Jeff handed Alan an envelope. Alan grinned when he opened it. "Seriously, Dad? Tickets to the premiere of "Henry Cooper and the Mysterious Martian Chamber"? "
Jeff shrugged. "I had wanted to take you to the premiere of the first movie last year but…"
When Jeff's voice trailed off, Alan felt his heart ache for his father. The pair hadn't attended the movie premiere last year because Alan had been in the critical care unit after being hit by a car. As devastating as the accident had been for Alan, the teenager knew it haunted his family even worse. On impulse, Alan leaned forward and hugged his father tightly.
"Thanks, Dad," he said softly. "It will be great." Leaning back, he smiled. "Maybe we can even have Tomo and his mother over for dinner one night. She's available, you know."
"Alan," Jeff admonished his son, even as he chuckled at the mischievous look in the boy's eyes.
Alan jumped up, heading towards the door. "This is so cool. I've gotta call Tommy and let him know."
"Change first," Jeff called, ignoring the "duh" that trailed back in the wake of the excited teenager. Walking back to his desk, Jeff dug back into his work, wanting to have as little as possible time in the office. He wanted the time in New York with Alan to be one that neither of them would ever forget.
A/N - So, Alan and Jeff head to New York together. I'm sure it will be fine.
Alan - Yeah, like it was fine the last time we went to New York.
CC - Alan! C'mon. You should be in a good mood. You just got to fly a pretty red rocket.
Alan - Well, yeah - but what are you planning?
CC - Hmm. Well, I can promise you - I'm not planning on stabbing you. (Mutters) In this story.
Gordon - Hey, c'mon. What are you planning on doing?
CC (yells) - Hey, Kate! He's over here!
Gordon - That's evil! (starts to run, Kate following a moment later)
CC - Hi Kate, bye Kate. And Gordon! (yells) No duh!
Alan - You are scary.
CC (shrugs) Where do you think Kate gets it from?
Alan - So, bake anything lately?
CC - Chicken popovers. Hungry?
Alan (grabs a popover) - You may stab me, shoot me, wound me six ways to Sunday but...Keep feeding me and we are good.
CC - You are such a Tracy. (sighs) Review people. And maybe I can come up with a better convo when I do chapter eight. (grins evilly) I promise, what is coming up soon you will not want to miss...Excuse me, I have to go perform the Heimlich on Alan.