I think this chapter is a bit weak as I didn't get the tone I really wanted to set. Please review and tell me what you think!!
What's Good For the Goose
Chapter 8
Lindsey Simpson reached over to try and swat at the annoying sound coming from the side of her bed, but her hand only weaved through empty air. Finally, being forced to open her eyes, she squinted at the bright sunlight streaming through the bedroom window. She frowned, momentarily forgetting where she was as she looked out the window to the view of blue ocean waters and a tropical forest.
Suddenly remembering where she was, Lindsey looked out the window and spotted the tropical bird sitting on a tree limb that was hanging just outside her window. "Stupid bird. Couldn't you have waited for a more decent hour to start singing!"
Lindsey looked at the clock on her nightstand and saw that it was just coming up on 8am. Remembering that Jeff said breakfast wasn't served until nine, and realizing the need for some coffee, Lindsey quietly snuck out of the guest house and headed towards the kitchen.
Not expecting anyone to be in the kitchen, Lindsey stopped short when she walked in and found Tin-Tin preparing a pot of coffee. Deciding this was her chance to get acquainted as well as find out why it appeared the young woman didn't like her, Lindsey approached her carefully.
"Uhmm, good morning, Tin-Tin."
Tin-Tin jumped, startled that someone was awake and turned around quickly, accidentally spilling some coffee grounds on the floor in the process. "Dammit," she muttered to herself.
Lindsey went to wet some paper towels to start wiping up the grinds while Tin-Tin went for the electric broom that was kept in the corner. Lindsey waved her off. "I've got this. Wouldn't want the noise from the broom to wake everyone up."
"Nothing will wake the occupants of this house up any earlier than necessary," said Tin-Tin. "But thank you anyway."
Lindsey dumped the wet towels with the mess in the garbage. "No problem. It was my fault for scaring you and I don't walk away from my mistakes."
Tin-Tin turned away from Lindsey under the pretense of making up the coffee, but frowned at her comments. She took down two coffee cups and set one in front of Lindsey and both sat at the breakfast bar waiting for the coffee to finish.
"So you have known the Tracy's a long time?" Tin-Tin queried.
Lindsey laughed. "Yeah, you could say that. My parents and the Tracy's seemed to have a competition going for a while there. After Scott was born, my mom decided it was time for her to have a kid and she got pregnant with Mitchell almost right away. I think Aunt Lucy was about eight months pregnant with John when my mom found out she was pregnant with Trevor. With me and Alan, our moms almost got pregnant at the same time. I'm only a few months younger than Alan. So you could say we've known each other our whole life."
"Yes, that would be a long time," Tin-Tin agreed.
Lindsey suddenly snorted as she remembered a moment from the past. "For a while there, I think my mom and Aunt Lucy were trying to set up an arranged marriage between Alan and I. Something about wanting to make sure our families were always together. Needless to say, Alan and I had a few things to say about that."
Tin-Tin felt her stomach clench at the thought of Alan and Lindsey married. It took all of her control to not want to lash out at this person, but Tin-Tin had not spent so many years in the presence of the five Tracy brothers and not learned the art of self-control. "How old were you and Alan at the time?"
"We were both just about to turn five years old. Alan told his mom that girls were yucky and he didn't want to marry me because it would mean he would have to kiss me. Of course, I thought he was just a stupid boy who didn't know anything," Lindsey reminisced. "If I had known he'd grow up to be such a cutie, I may have made a different decision back then."
Tin-Tin got up quickly and walked to the coffee machine, which had finished brewing a new pot. Filling her cup and then Lindsey's she used that time to start drinking her coffee to avoid having to talk anymore. Lindsey, however, took a sip and set her cup down. She remembered her earlier conversation with Grandma Tracy and what she had said about the relationship between Alan and Tin-Tin. Deciding to see if she could figure out where Tin-Tin was heading with it, Lindsey decided to forge ahead.
"So fill me in one the gossip Tin-Tin? Are the guys dating anyone special?" Lindsey saw the blush that creeped up Tin-Tin's neck and knew she struck a tender spot.
Before Tin-Tin could answer, Alan walked into the kitchen, stopping suddenly at seeing the two women sitting across from each other. Noticing Tin-Tin's blush and Lindsey's smug look, Alan found himself wanting to turn tail and run.
"Morning!" Lindsey sang out, jumping out of her chair and running over to Alan to give him a hug. She made sure she was in a position to see the look on Tin-Tin's face when she did, and was not disappointed by the flash of jealousy she saw. Alan returned the hug, albeit somewhat reluctantly.
He released Lindsey and turned to Tin-Tin. "We missed you at the bonfire last night."
"I was busy checking on some things for Brains," Tin-Tin answered off handedly.
Alan nodded. "We all decided last night that it would be fun to take the boat out and give the Simpsons a tour of the island from the water. You're welcome to join us."
"Oh yes, Tin-Tin. You have to come with us. You don't want me to be the only girl on a boat full of all those boys, do you?" Lindsey teased. She hid the smile when she saw Tin-Tin clench her jaw.
"If my father doesn't need me, I'll think about." While Tin-Tin answered Lindsey, Alan had run to answer the phone in the kitchen before the ringing woke up anyone else.
"It's for you Tin-Tin," a dark expression showing on Alan's face. He all but threw the phone at her and sat down at the table. Lindsey, seeing this, sat at the table also and waited.
"Hello?" Tin-Tin paused a moment while listening. "Eddie! It is nice to hear from you again. (pause) No, you didn't wake me. (pause) Well, the Tracy's have some friends visiting right now so it is a bit overcrowded, how about later in the week? (pause) Yes. I got your emails but the mailrun hasn't come yet. (pause) I will definitely be on the lookout for it. Thank you."
Lindsey watched and listened as Tin-Tin continued to very obviously flirt with whoever this Eddie guy was, and Alan was definitely getting more and more angry with her.
"Why, I think a moonlit boat ride would be a wonderful idea. We will have to do that when you come. (pause)"
Alan finally had enough and stormed out of the kitchen. Seeing him leave, Tin-Tin finished up her call. "Eddie, I must go now. I will call you later okay? (pause) Yes. Bye." She hung up the phone and moved to leave the kitchen.
Lindsey jumped up and blocked her way. "You know, Tin-Tin, Alan seemed to be pretty upset by the phone call. Is there a problem between the two of you?"
"If there is, that is between Alan and I and it's none of your business!"
Lindsey stood toe to toe with Tin-Tin and looked her directly in the eyes. "It is because I don't like to see him getting hurt."
Tin-Tin took a step back and glared at Lindsey. "Well then, maybe you should keep your nose out of where it doesn't belong so you won't see him get hurt."
"Listen sweetie," Lindsey's tone became condescending. "I may not have been in the picture of a while, but it doesn't take an Einstein to see that you were purposely flirting with that Eddie guy just to make Alan jealous. I'd watch it if I were you."
"Meaning what!" Tin-Tin demanded; her hands firmly placed on her hips in a defensive stance.
"Meaning if you're not careful, you may find out that Alan will stop caring and look for someone in greener pastures."
Furious, and not able to find the words to respond, Tin-Tin turned and fled from the room. Lindsey gave herself a smug grin and moved to sit back down at the table, giving a little start when she noticed her brothers standing the doorway watching her, both with their arms crossed and disapproving frowns on their faces.
"What?"
"What are you up to now, baby sister?" Mitchell asked.
"What makes you think I'm up to anything, Mitch? I was just having a chat with Tin-Tin," Lindsey reached for her coffee cup and took a few sips.
"Come on Linds," Trevor sat down next to her. "You were purposely baiting Tin-Tin."
"Who was baiting Tin-Tin and for what?" Scott asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"Nothing, Scott. Nothing at all," Lindsey quickly responded and left the room, noticing that Kyrano and Grandma had come into the kitchen and she didn't want to say anything further.
Scott sat down and looked to Mitchell and Trevor. "Is this one of those times that I should be happy I only have younger brothers to deal with and no sister?"
"Scotty," Mitchell sighed. "There are still times that I find myself wishing I could have switched places with you and this is definitely one of them. I would gladly trade you four baby brothers for one baby sister."
"Hey!" Trevor exclaimed indignant.
Mitchell laughed. "Okay. Make it two baby brothers."
"Two baby brothers?"
"Yeah, and they have to be Alan and Gordon. That way, I won't be the baby 'brother'" Trevor stated emphatically.
TBTBTBTBTB
Breakfast was over quickly and for once, Jeff didn't complain if people ate and then left the table. He knew the kids were planning on taking the boat out and Scott wanted to get out before it got too hot. The kids were all gathering around the pool area waiting for everyone to join them.
While Scott managed to slip out a door unnoticed by any of the Simpson's to head to Thunderbird Two's hanger to get a powerful portable radio, Alan headed towards Tin-Tin's room. He knocked and opened the door at her invitation to come in.
Alan noticed Tin-Tin had appeared to been crying and was sitting on the side of her bed looking forlorn.
"Uhm, we're getting ready to go out on the boat and I wondered if you still wanted to come with us, Tin."
"I don't think I would be very good company today, Alan. I think I'll just stay here. You have fun."
Alan frowned. "Okay Tin-Tin." He turned to leave, but stopped at the door. "Tin? Maybe after the Simpson's leave, we can take a walk and have a chat. Okay?"
"I'll think about it Alan. You better go before they leave you behind," Tin-Tin turned her back to Alan.
"Fine," Alan's temper flared slightly. Deciding to leave before he could say anything further, Alan turned and left, not seeing Kyrano coming out of his own bedroom and heading towards his daughter.
Kyrano entered to find Tin-Tin crying. "Tin-Tin? Did you and Alan have another disagreement?"
Tin-Tin hastily dried her eyes and shook her head. "No Father. He just came to invite me to spend the day with them on the boat."
"Why did you not go?" Kyrano sat next to his daughter on the bed and put a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"Oh Father! I would only be an intruder amongst them. They are all very old friends and would spend the day talking about the past. What could I possibly contribute to the discussion?"
"My dear daughter," Kyrano soothed her. "You are forgetting. The Simpson children grew up with the boys, but only until they left Kansas. Alan was ten at that time which means they only spent the first ten years together. How old is Alan now and how long have you known him?"
"I know what you're trying to say Father, but it isn't quite the same."
Kyrano said nothing, but continued to offer some comfort to his daughter. He remembered the conversation that Jeff had with him about Alan and Tin-Tin and wanting to set things right between the two. He was beginning to wonder if it could be.
"My daughter, may I ask you a personal question?"
Tin-Tin looked at her father curiously. "Of course you may, Father."
"It is not so much a personal question inasmuch as its more of personal insight. I think you need to look deep inside yourself and really decide what it is you want." Tin-Tin looked to protest and Kyrano stopped her with a gentle gesture. "I know what you are going to say, but I think you need to look at this from Mr. Alan's view. Before Mr. Housemann came to visit, I think that I was just waiting for the day when the young man would come to me to ask for your hand in marriage. It would be a request I would gladly give."
Tin-Tin smiled shyly. "I was kind of expecting something along those lines myself."
"So why did the arrival of Eddie Houseman change all of that?" Kyrano wanted to know.
Sighing as she got up from the bed, Tin-Tin began to pace in her room. "I'm not really sure, Father. I knew Eddie during college and even dated him for a while. He was lots of fun and honestly, it was nice to be able to talk to another engineer about stuff that wasn't focused solely on a Thunderbird machine. You remember how things were right before I left for college? Everything around here was focused on one thing – International Rescue."
"Do you no longer wish to be a part of it?" asked Kyrano.
"Oh no, Father. Not anymore. I love what we are doing here and my small part in it. When I came back from college, everything was different. The boys had all grown up a bit more, even Alan."
Kyrano smiled. "Yes. Even though his college days were as interesting as his high school days, young Alan has grown into a fine man."
Tin-Tin grinned. "They all have father."
"So, as you young folks say, what is the deal with Eddie?"
This time, Tin-Tin frowned and sat down next to her father again. "After the second time Eddie came around and dumped me the same way he did before, I realized that his work was always going to come first and I don't want to be second all the time. I know that sounds strange considering what goes on around here, but I know Alan would always put me first over International Rescue."
"If he did not, his brothers would have something to say about it," Kyrano laughed lightly.
Tin-Tin rolled her eyes. "Father! Please. It's bad enough they all treat me like a little sister. And I will admit I do enjoy it from time to time. And, I know it is not something I would ever have with Eddie. I tried breaking it off with him but you know he keeps trying to send me things and call me. I can't make him stop."
Kyrano stood up with a determined look. "We will get him to stop, my daughter. Do not worry. However, I do think you need to focus on how to set things right with Mr. Alan, and soon. Mr. Tracy is beginning to become concerned that he may be too distracted to perform his duties as a Thunderbird."
"I will, Father. I promise. I will do my best to be more accommodating to the Tracy's guests and will definitely let Alan know that I wish to speak with him whenever he is ready," Tin-Tin resolved.
"That is all that one can do. Now, I must go and decide what to cook for dinner. The boys and Lindsey will be hungry when they come back. Would you like to help me?"
Tin-Tin shook her head. "Not yet, Father. I promised Grandma Tracy I would help her with something this morning. I will be there as soon as I am done.
Kyrano bowed to his daughter and left the room. Tin-Tin decided it was time to have a chat with Grandma Tracy to see if she could offer any advice on how to proceed.
TBTBTBTBTB
