Chapter 9

For those of you enjoying this story, I'm sorry for the delay. Got notified at work that I'm being layed off just after the first of the year and I'm frantically trying to find another job before Christmas. Ho ho ho

The morning passed quickly for the kids out on the Tracy yacht. Scott, who had been manning the helm, had taken the group on a slow run around the island, with each of his brothers showing the Simpson's some points of interest on their island. They were now approaching the breakwaters to a cove where the brothers loved to go swimming.

"There it is!" Gordon announced happily. While the morning had started out cool, the temperature quickly heated up as the sun rose higher into the sky. Gordon especially, wanted to get into the water as soon as possible and cool off. Scott brought the yacht in as close as he could and powered down the engines while John and Virgil dropped anchor.

"Is this as close as you can get?" Mitchell asked.

"It's as close as we can safely get," Scott told him. He pointed towards the beach. "There's a line of coral that has built up over the years and it's created a kind of breakwater. Problem is, you can't see it very clearly and it'll tear up the bottom of the boat."

"Couldn't Gordon guide you in?" Trevor asked. Out of all the people present, he knew he was probably the weakest swimmer and was warily eyeing the waves and the current.

"Heck no!" Virgil exclaimed laughing. "We tried that once a few years after we first moved to the island and we found this cove. Gordon was doing a pretty good job of guiding Scott through the coral until the tie on his trunks got caught and he literally swam right out of his trunks."

"Yeah and there are some sights that no one really wants to see, and that's one of them," Alan proclaimed. That earned him a cuff on the head from Gordon.

"Oh sure! Mention that why don't you!" Gordon pouted. "But let's make sure we make no mention about the scratch I got from that coral and the coral poisoning I had to deal with."

John put his arm around Gordon's shoulders in sympathy. "Yeah. It was very touch and go there for a bit. Unlike most people who run high fevers and have chills, poor Gordon here had to only deal with not being able to sit down for a week. It probably would have been much worse had the coral scratched any deeper, but it only nicked the fat on his ass."

Everyone laughed, more at Gordon's indignation than anything else. So he did the only thing he could, he took off his shirt and jumped over the side of the yacht and into the cool waters. He was through the breakwater and halfway to shore before anyone saw him surface.

"That looks like fun," Lindsey said. "Anything I need to look out for when I dive in?"

"Alan, why don't you go in with her? It's been a while since any of us have been here and I don't know what changes may have occurred in the coral," Scott suggested.

Alan shrugged. "Okay. You want to put some of the stuff in the first raft and I'll tow it over?"

"All done, Sprout," Virgil announced as he straightened up from where he had been leaning over the side. "You got the towels, spare clothes, blankets and stuff to build a fire so don't let anything get wet."

Alan grabbed the end of the tow rope from Virgil. "Okay. See ya on shore. Come on Linds." Lindsey slid over the side of the yacht and waited for Alan to follow. In no time at all, the two were over the breakwater and headed towards shore. While the others got the remaining supplies loaded onto the other raft, Scott kept an eye on their progress. Once he saw Gordon swim out to help them bring the raft in, which was giving Alan some difficulty in handling with the incoming tide, he knew they be alright.

"Okay. We're ready to join the rugrats," John announced. "You guys ready?"

All of them caught the slight look of apprehension on Trevor's face. Scott and Mitchell shared a knowing 'big brother' look. "You and Virgil go ahead, John," Mitchell replied. "We'll be right behind you."

John and Virgil only waved, jumped over the side and started swimming in, both pulling the raft along.

"Trev, you going to be able to do this?" Mitchell asked his brother. He put a hand on his shoulder for support.

Trevor took a deep breath. "I think I can manage."

Scott walked up to them with something in his hands. "It really does look a lot worse than it is, but if you're still nervous, you can use this." Scott held out what looked like a normal clothing vest. At the puzzled looks of the two brothers, he explained. "It really is a life vest. I know it doesn't look it, but a friend of ours designed it so that it will keep a person afloat but not impede them when they are swimming."

"And Scott and I will be right alongside you," Mitchell vowed.

Trevor shrugged. "Okay. Let's get this show on the road." With Scott's help, he put the life vest on and Scott inflated it. Then, the three of them jumped over the side and with Scott and Mitchell on either side, Trevor swam effortlessly to shore.

Virgil and John had joined the others by this time and they all stood waiting for the rest of their party to join them.

"I didn't know Trevor was afraid of the water," Virgil commented. "He seemed fine in the pool."

"It's just the ocean that he's scared of," Lindsey said. "Neither he or Mitchell will tell me what happened, but there was some sort of an accident at the beach just after we moved to California. Trevor was involved and was pretty banged up. Ever since then, he's been afraid to swim in the ocean."

"Well, let's not make him feel self-conscious by standing here staring at him," John suggested. "Alan, Gordy, why don't you two collect some firewood. Linds, help me get the blankets spread out. Virgil, you set up a fire pit area."

"Hey! Wait a minute," Virgil protested. "I'm the oldest right now. Why are you giving the orders?"

"Maybe it's because we all saw the look on your face," Lindsey replied.

"What look?"

Lindsey rolled her eyes. "The . . . Oh man this setting could make a beautiful painting, did I bring my sketch pad with me, look."

Virgil opened his mouth to deny it, only to have Gordon beat him to it. "You know she's right Virg. Why fight it."

"Oh fine then." Virgil headed off towards some rocks to start looking for ones big enough to form the fire pit. Gordon and Alan headed off towards the jungle.

"John, can I ask you a question?" Lindsey wondered as she and John laid out the blankets and towels.

"Sure. What's up?"

Lindsey hesitated for a moment. "What's the deal with Alan and Tin-Tin? Is there something between them?"

John frowned. "I really think that's a question you should be asking him."

"I'm afraid to. Since we've arrived, it seems like every time the two of them cross paths, I'm in the vicinity. I could feel the tension there."

"Well. It's not really my place to say, but the two of them are sort of together. They're just going through a rough patch at the moment. Growing pains, I'd say."

"Earlier this morning, I was in the kitchen with Tin-Tin when Alan joined us. Tin-Tin got a phone call from some guy named Eddie. She was flirting pretty heavily with him, right in front of Alan."

Lindsey did not miss the dark scowl that crossed John's features. 'So, there is something going on here and not only is Alan not happy about it, big brothers aren't either.' "Alan stormed out of the room. I haven't seen him that mad in a long time."

John turned to Lindsey to respond and noticed the others starting to head their way. "Look, Linds. Just drop it okay. This is between Alan and Tin-Tin."

"Okay. Okay. I'll leave it alone." Lindsey turned away and watched everyone coming over. 'But if there is something between them and Tin-Tin's playing with his feelings, I'm about to become her worst enemy,' she thought to herself.

TBTBTBTBTB

Back at Tracy villa, Tin-Tin sought out Grandma, who had retired to her "Projects Room." It used to be a sitting room with just a few recliners and a stereo where anyone could go when they needed some time alone. But as it was hardly used, Jeff transformed it into a room for his mother where she could go to sew or work on any other projects she had going. Tin-Tin and Grandma could frequently be found in here and never had to worry about the boys messing things up. They avoided this room because it was "too girly" as Gordon called it.

"Grandma?" Tin-Tin called out hesitantly.

"Come in dear," invited Josephine Tracy. She smiled at the young woman as she came in. "Can I help you with something?"

"Grandma, can I talk to you for a few minutes? I could really use some advice from another woman."

Josie laughed. "Of course you can Tin-Tin. I want you to always feel like you can come and talk to me. I know how hard it must be for you being the only young woman on this island with all the boys."

Tin-Tin smiled. "I don't mind that so much, Grandma. Lady Penelope has a pretty good grasp on when I need to get away and invites me to spend time with her."

Grandma continued to sew, but she glanced at Tin-Tin and could see her nervousness. "So what is it my grandson has done this time?"

Tin-Tin was startled by the perceptiveness of Mrs. Tracy. "What makes you think one of them has done something?"

"Come now, dear. The air between Alan and you has been thick with tension lately. Everyone on this island has noticed it. Now I want you to sit right there and tell me exactly what is going on."

"Well," Tin-Tin sighed. Then, without hesitation, she went into the whole story. "It has to do with my relationship with Alan and with Eddie Houseman."

"I thought you were through with that Eddie person," Grandma replied.

"I thought so to, Grandma. Let me try and explain. I met Eddie while I was in college and he was wonderful. He was studying engineering as well and we ended up as study partners enough times that we started to realize that we had a lot in common. And it felt good to be able to spend time with a man who didn't know every little thing about me," Tin-Tin explained. She got up and started to pace around the room.

"I mean, I've lived with the Tracy boys since I was ten. They are more like brothers to me than anything else. Sure I find each of them attractive and wondered what it would be like to be their girlfriend, instead of a sister figure."

Grandma chuckled. "You would hardly be human if you didn't, dear. Those grandsons of mine do know how to turn the ladies eye."

"That they do," agreed Tin-Tin. "Which is probably why I found Eddie so endearing when I first met him. He was someone I didn't know so well and could spend time with him to find those things out. We dated almost the entire time I was in college."

"So what happened between you two?" Grandma wondered.

"Eddie had an offer from a friend of his father's to work in his construction business. He wanted to bring Eddie on board because he was young and had fresh, new ideas. Eddie asked me to come with him, but I couldn't. I had an obligation to Mr. Tracy. I mean, he paid for me to be able to go to college, something I never would have been able to afford to do."

"Tin-Tin!" exclaimed Grandma Tracy. "My son never would have held you to any obligation for that. And if he tried, I would have given him what for. Jeff paid for your college education because he recognized your knack for engineering. His thought was that you would be an excellent addition to International Rescue, but he would never hold you to it if you had decided to go somewhere else."

"I know. But at the time, I really wanted to be part of his dream for International Rescue. Plus, I really did not want to leave my father." Tin-Tin paused and sat down. "So, I told Eddie I couldn't come with him. He wasn't very happy about it. He never really said goodbye to me, he just disappeared after graduation. I got a letter from time to time, but never really heard anything from him."

"So his leaving you like that when he visited the island wasn't the first time, then," Grandma Tracy said.

Tin-Tin shook her head. "No. I guess I thought that this last time though, it would be different. Oh, I know he left because of an emergency with his business, but he could have at least said something."

"So what changed then, Tin-Tin?"

Tin-Tin blushed. "I guess you could say it was Alan. He changed so much while he was away at college. Then coming home and taking on his duties for IR. I don't know. I just started seeing him in a different light."

"I think we all know how you both feel about each other, dear. What we don't understand is what happened to change all that? You two have hardly said any civil words to each other since Eddie came here."

"I know, Mrs. Tracy. It's all my fault. I've been so mad at Eddie for what he did to me that I keep taking my anger out on Alan. What's worse is I don't know why I'm doing it!"

Grandma gave Tin-Tin a long look. "Do you love Alan?"

Tin-Tin appeared shocked at the abruptness of the question. "Don't give me that look," Grandma admonished. "If you can answer that question and make sure it is an honest answer to yourself, then the rest of your problems and the solution on how to solve them should fall into place."

Grandma was worried for a brief second at Tin-Tin's crestfallen expression. "That, Grandma, is the one question I can't give myself an honest answer to."

"Well then. I would suggest you try and find out the answer, and that may mean spending some time having a serious chat with my grandson. I will tell you this Tin-Tin. Don't push him away too many times or one of these days he won't try and come back." Grandma turned and left, leaving Tin-Tin to sort out her thoughts.

TBTBTBTBTB

The day had moved much faster than any of the Tracy or Simpson's realized. Scott noticed only because he had looked at his watch when it unexpectedly vibrated. Knowing it was most likely Brains trying to call him, Scott made to move away from the group.

"Hey gang! I just realized how late it's getting. We need to start packing it in if we expect to be home in time for dinner."

"Darn!" Lindsey exclaimed. She had somehow managed to snuggle herself up close to Alan while the two chatted away. "I was hoping we could stay and build a bonfire."

Scott managed to catch Virgil's eye and unobtrusively pointed to his watch. Virgil nodded his understanding. "We can build another one at the beach near the house, Lindsey," Virgil told her.

"You guys start packing things up. I've gotta make a pit stop before we leave," Scott told everyone as he moved off towards the jungle.

"You just went, Scott! Too much soda?" Gordon teased. Scott didn't reply, just hurried out of sight. Gordon frowned and turned back towards his brothers. Virgil managed to relay a message to his brothers through gesturing that Scott went off on his own because the comlink in his watch vibrated.

Scott managed to work his way back a few hundred yards away from the group on the beach. He could see them, and was fairly confident that they couldn't see or hear him. He quickly activated his com-link. "Scott to Thunderbird Five, come in Brains."

"Thunderbird Fi . . .Fi. . .Five here, Scott," Brains face appeared on Scott's watch face. "I'm gla . . . glad you were able to ca . . . ca . . . get back to me right away."

"I've gotta make it fast Brains. What's up?"

"Nothing urgent. I tri. . .tried to call your dad but he never . . re . . rep . . . answered. This is just a wa . . wa . . heads up. There's a category three hurricane heading towards Fl . . .Florida and the Ke . . keys. It looks to hit in about 12 hours."

Scott frowned. "Okay Brains. We're all out at the cove but we're heading back. I'll get dad aside and let him know. If things change fast, why don't you try reaching Tin-Tin on her comlink. She's not with us and can head down to the hangars if need be to get all the details from you."

"Oka . . .okay, Sco . . .Scott. Thunderbird Five ou . . out."

Scott quickly switched the frequency on his watch and tried raising Tin-Tin. "Come in Tin-Tin."

"I'm here Scott," her voice came through.

"Tin-Tin! I've got to make this fast. Do you know where Dad is?"

"I believe Mr. Tracy and Mr. Simpson are in the office looking at some documents."

"Damn!" Scott cursed softly. "Tin-Tin, listen up. Brains just called me from Five. There's a category three hurricane heading for Florida and the Keys. He tried to raise dad but got no response and I guess that's why. We're all getting ready to head back so I can't take too long. Can you get down to the hangars and call Brains and get as much information as you can? We need to figure out what to do and fast. I'm sure International Rescue will get called out as soon as the hurricane hits."

"Should I take the information to your father then?"

Shaking his head, Scott replied, "No. The Simpson's will probably all head to the guest house to get cleaned up for dinner, the same time we will. Just be on the standby when he comes in. As soon as the Simpson's are out of sight, we can go in and let dad know what's up."

"Okay Scott. I will be ready."

Scott quickly signed off and ran down to join his brothers and their friends. They had everything all packed up into one raft and were ready for the swim back to the yacht. "Everyone ready!"

Mitchell, with Scott's help, managed to relay to Trevor that with the tide going out, the swim to the yacht wouldn't be very strenuous. Trevor gamely agreed to swim out with everyone instead of them all going back in groups. So all eight jumped into the surf.

Even though Gordon was pulling the raft he quickly moved ahead of the others. John, Virgil and Mitchell were slightly behind and off to the sides. Scott and Trevor were trailing directly behind the raft and Alan and Lindsey were bringing up the rear. Just as the group started to swim over the breakwater, Trevor panicked when he felt something wrap around his leg. What no one realized was that one of the tow ropes from the other raft had been trailing behind the one Gordon was pulling and Trevor had unknowingly swam up into it and gotten tangled.

Scott and Alan both swam over immediately and tried to calm Trevor down. Scott grabbed him from behind and began pulling him towards the yacht. Alan, trying to make sure Trevor's flailing arms and legs did not hit any coral didn't see when Trevor lashed out his leg and caught Alan right on the side of the head. Alan only felt the push on one side and then the slam of his head against the rocks on the other. He heard Lindsey's cry of alarm, then nothing else as he lost consciousness and slipped beneath the water.

"ALAN!" Lindsey screamed out and thrust herself through the water, grabbing hold of Alan's arm just as he slipped beneath the waves. John and Virgil turned around and rapidly swam over, seeing that Scott was still trying to keep a hold of the struggling Trevor and Lindsey was now struggling to keep Alan's head above the water.

Gordon likewise heard the scream and turned around, rapidly swimming to his brother's side.

"Alan!" Virgil cried out. He quickly checked his little brother over.

"How is he?" Gordon cried out.

Trevor finally calmed down enough to realize what had happened and stopped struggling. Scott let him go as Mitchell swam over and grabbed his brother. "You two head to the boat and be ready to help us get Alan onboard!" yelled Scott.

"Help me get him on the raft," Virgil commanded. With his brother's help, they managed to get the unconscious Alan onto the raft. Virgil heaved himself up to continue to check his brother over.

"Come on guys," John grabbed hold of the tow line and together with Gordon and Scott, the three of them pulled the raft over to the yacht. Trevor and Mitchell were waiting and they quickly got Alan on board and secured on one of the benches.

"How is he Virgil?" Scott demanded. He frowned at the size of the lump forming on Alan's temple and was worried that his brother was unconscious. He handed Virgil the first-aid kit that Mitchell had found and had at the ready.

"He definitely has a concussion and the cut on his head. It doesn't look too deep though."

"Did he hit it on any coral?" John winced as he watched Virgil smooth Alan's hair away from the cut so he could clean it.

"It didn't look like it to me," Lindsey spoke up. She was shaking, not necessarily from being cold. "I'm pretty sure it was just rock."

Virgil glanced at her briefly and frowned as he noticed her shaking. "John, get her a blanket."

John wrapped a blanket around Lindsey as Mitchell walked over and hugged his sister.

"Gordon, get up and start heading us towards home," Scott ordered. "I'll be up there in a sec. John, stay with Virgil and help keep Alan as steady as you can. I'll call Dad and let him know what happened. He can have a stretcher ready when we arrive."

"I'm so sorry!" Trevor finally cried out. "It's all my fault. I didn't mean to hurt him, honest!"

Scott stood up and placed his hands on Trevor's shoulders. "It's okay, Trevor. We know it was an accident. Alan is going to be okay."

"I'll stay with him Scott," John offered. "You better get up with Gordon and let Dad know." Scott nodded and headed up towards the wheel house. John could see him using his watch to contact his father and knew he would be anxiously waiting dockside for his sons to return.

TBTBTBTBTB