Thank you so much for your patience. With midterms, I have had so little time to do much of anything aside from homework. On top of that, this chapter kinda ran away from me and ended up two to three times the length of my previous chapters. (Not that I think you will mind.)

A huge thanks to JulesDPM and MissBubbles, you two are awesome! :)

Enjoy ...

Chapter 10

Cecily tossed and turned, trying to relax enough to fall asleep, but not even the serenity of a calm sea could soothe her racing thoughts. The adrenaline rush from the rescue had yet to subside, even though it had been hours since the Thunderbirds left. How did they do this week in and week out? Those men had to have nerves of steel. Finally giving up on sleep, she pulled on her coat and headed across the rig to her lab. The night air had a slight chill to it as she hurried over to the main structure. Settling down at her desk, Cecily gave her notes a brief glance before quickly deciding work wasn't going to happen either. There was only one thing she could do. One glance at the clock told her it was a long shot, but they had talked later then this before.

"Please be up," she whispered to herself.

She picked up the radio hand-held and took a deep breath. She hated to bother him, especially if he was asleep, but this was the only way she could get any peace.

"International Rescue, this is Death Trap. Come in International Rescue."

It took about a second longer than usual, but soon a familiar voice came on the line.

"This is International Rescue. I guess I don't have to ask how your day is going."

"No, it's pretty much the same as when your men left," she sighed. "I don't know how you guys do it."

"Well, most of us have some form of military training, so we're kind of used to working under pressure."

"You were in the military?"

It was a stupid question, and she was an idiot to ask it. Even if he was, he couldn't tell her since they had already agreed to a no detail policy on his end. Still, it was hard to picture her sweet, caring John as a soldier. A poet or writer, sure. A teacher, definitely. But not a soldier, with guns and tanks.

"I was in NASA, before joining International Rescue. Scott was a pilot in the Air Force, and Gordon an aquanaut with the WASPs, just to name a few."

Cecily blinked in surprise. She hadn't been expecting an answer, especially not one that gave details of his organization. As much as she would love to know more about her friend, she would hate to be the cause of any trouble for knowing too much.

"John, are you … are you sure you can tell me this?"

"I wouldn't have told you if I wasn't."

There was so much trust and certainty in his voice that Cecily was struck speechless. The last person who trusted her with anything was her Grandfather when she was thirteen. And now here she was, being given the most closely guarded secret of the century. How do you even respond to something like this?

"And that's not all."

"What do you mean?"

"I … I want you to come to our base."

How she stayed upright, Cecily would never know. She had never been invited anywhere. No, barbecues, sleepovers, or even birthday parties that weren't thrown by family. She had long ago accepted a life of loneliness. But that was before John. That was before she dared to dream.

"I-I don't know what to say," she stammered. "A-Are you sure?"

"Completely. It won't be for a few weeks though, when my tour is over. Scott has already offered to come and pick you up in Thunderbird One; he's just waiting on your answer."

Commander Scott was okay with it? That must mean that John had already cleared the visit with his superiors. And how could she possibly turn down an offer that he had gone to so much trouble to make? Never mind the fact she'd been dreaming of meeting him for months and had wished on every star in the sky that someday it would happen.

"So … will you come?"

"Of course I will," she grinned. "I would love to."

"Great," he replied, with what sounded a lot like relief. "However, there are a few things you should know first …"

/O\O/O\O/O\

As Cecily set up her automatic sprinklers she wondered if she was going to suddenly wake up and realize that it really was a dream. In less than an hour Thunderbird One would arrive to transport her to the most secure place on the planet. She, the very definition of social outcast, was being escorted to the base of the most secretive organization in history. It hardly seemed real.

"Ow!" She yelped, as a thorn pricked her finger.

It was definitely real, she thought bitterly as she stuck her thumb in her mouth to ease the pain. Though how she, of all people, had the good fortune to befriend a member of one of the most amazing families that ever existed was beyond her. Family. She still couldn't get over that. They were a family; brothers in arms as well as blood. John had told her about each one of them, speaking with such pride and affection that she couldn't help but envy his relationships with them. Her own brothers were practically strangers to her, and until they learned how to act half as decent as John and his family they would stay that way.

"Happy thoughts," she whispered to herself. "Think happy thoughts."

Pushing away the painful memories of the last time she saw her family, Cecily finished up with her plants and headed back up to double check that all her machines were on standby mode. Not that she needed to, since she'd done it just before heading down to set up the sprinklers. It looked like everything on her rig was taken care of for the next several days. Days. John had told her to pack for a week. How long did it take to get to this base? She was shaken from her thoughts when a horn blasted from somewhere very close to her rig. Curious, she picked up her radio and headed out to the deck to see what was going on.

"What is the world?" Cecily breathed.

Sailing right up to her was the largest yacht she had ever seen. Not that she had much to compare it to, but even she could tell that whoever owned it possessed both money and power.

"Oil rig, would you come in please?"

Startled at hearing a voice other then John's come through her radio, Cecily nearly dropped it as she tried to respond.

"Um … this is the oil rig. Do you need some help?"

"Oh yes, I'm in a terrible fix," the woman answered in a crisp English accent.

Hearing the distress in the woman's voice immediately sent Cecily's mind racing. If she was in trouble they would have to call International Rescue. Then again, a boat like that was bound to have a decent enough radio to call the coast guard. So why come to an old oil rig for help? Did they have structural damage and need to abandon their ship? Cecily sure hoped that wasn't the case, since Thunderbird One was due to arrive soon and she couldn't risk someone seeing Scott or his plane.

"What's the problem?" She asked, crossing her fingers that it wasn't too serious.

"You see, I'm on my way to San Francisco for a dress fitting and my navigation system has failed. Would you be so kind as to let me take a look at your map?"

She didn't know whether she should sigh in relief or scream in frustration. Was she serious? This lady was risking the safety and security of International Rescue for a dress fitting? Unbelievable! Of course, in her defense, she had no way of knowing how much trouble her actions were causing, and to turn her away might cause a lot of unneeded suspicion.

"Sure," she said as brightly as she could. "I'll bring it down to you."

"Oh, no need to trouble yourself," the voice said quickly. "We shall come to you."

"Really, it is no trouble," she assured her. "I've got a ladder right here."

"Wonderful. We shall be up in a moment."

The next thing Cecily knew she was having tea with a well bred lady while an old man looked over her maps. One glance at the clock told her she had to get rid of these people fast. But how?

"This is a very remarkable tea," the woman exclaimed. "Where did you get it?"

"I grow my own."

"Why isn't that lovely?" she smiled, tucking a blonde strand behind her ear. "I'm afraid I am no use in the garden. Plants are lovely to look at, but take far too much time to get results."

"To each her own, I guess."

"Quite. Machines, however, have always fascinated me. The power and speed they get things done, it's extraordinary. Don't you agree?"

Cecily nodded, but was actually paying very little attention to the conversation. She was far more interested in the clock as it got closer and closer to the time that Scott was supposed to pick her up. Maybe he would be running late. But that was ridiculous. From what John had told her about his brothers, none of them were ever late for anything … well, almost anything. He had mentioned a time when Alan attempted to miss a dentist appointment, but it was Scott who had eventually got him there. It was still strange to think of that commanding individual as John's older brother, when the younger of the two was so sweet and gentle. Then again, Scott had been just as gentle when he told her Thunderbird Five wasn't coming to the rescue. Of course now she knew what he found so funny, but how was she to know that it was a space station?

"Don't you agree?"

Cecily blinked as the woman looked at her expectantly. She must have zoned out thinking about meeting John and his family, she hadn't heard a word her guest had said.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, what was the question?"

"I was saying that it would sure be something to catch a glimpse of one of International Rescue's planes. Don't you agree?"

Suddenly it felt as if her blood had run cold. The lady was asking about International Rescue. Now it could just be polite conversation, or it could be that she didn't find Cecily's rig by accident. Did she know about her friendship with John? Did she know that Scott would be on his way to pick her up any moment? It would help if she knew something about these people. They hadn't even bothered to give her their names! Forcing herself to remain calm, Cecily knew there was only one thing to do; lie.

"I guess it would be, but since they only come out for disasters, I'm not sure I would want to."

"Well, I would," the woman insisted. "And I would pay quite a high price to do it."

Though the lady's voice was light, Cecily got the distinct feeling that she was being bribed. Now the woman may want to see the Thunderbird planes out of innocent curiosity, but even if that was the case it was out of the question. John had trusted her with his family's secret, telling her everything but the coordinates of their base, and there wasn't enough money in the world to make her betray that trust.

"I think you would do better to save your money for other things." Cecily said coolly.

"Do you now?" The woman raised a perfectly arched eyebrow.

"Yes I do. Those men are heroes, not some kind of side show attraction to be gawked over."

"The way you talk it sounds as if you have a personal connection to them."

Easy now, Cecily told herself. The woman was getting suspicious, if she wasn't already. She had to throw her off somehow. She had to keep John's secret.

"I don't need one," Cecily stated firmly. "All I need to do is read a newspaper to know how great those guys are. They risk their lives to help anyone who needs it and all they ask in return is privacy. I think that the least we can do is give them that."

The woman smiled gently, her eyes shining with something close to pride or admiration. Not that Cecily could understand why. She had just put the lady in her place, why would she be happy about that? Maybe it was a British thing. That had to be it. She would never understand the British.

"Have you got all we need?" The woman called to the old man.

"Yes, M'Lady."

"Then we;d best be going."

She rose with all the grace and pose of a queen, before reaching out to squeeze Cecily's hand. A bit startled by their abrupt departure, she could only stare dumbly as the man rolled up one of her maps and headed for the door.

"It was very lovely to meet you," she smiled warmly. "We shall have to do this again sometime."

Before she could respond, the woman swept out the door onto the deck. Jumping to her feet, Cecily rushed after them. She made it outside just as the pair was disappearing over the ledge, their voices drifting up with the wind.

"Cast off, Parker. I have a phone call to make."

"Yes, M'Lady."

Cecily's heart filled with dread as she helplessly watched the yacht sail away, and not towards San Fransisco. A phone call? To whom? About what? Suddenly the thought of going to John's base tied her stomach in a knot. What if they knew she knew about International Rescue? What if this was only the first try to get her to talk about it? Well, they could try as many times as they wanted in as many ways as they wanted. She would never give up John or his family. But maybe that was the answer. If someone knew she was talking to John they might try to use her to get to him, and she couldn't let that happen. With a heavy heart, she knew what she had to do. Heading back inside she picked up her radio, but her voice couldn't form the words. Tears filled her eyes as she thought about a life without John, but it was the only way to keep them safe. But just as she tried again, the roar of an engine filled her ears. Scott was here. Slowly, she headed out to the helipad, trying to compose herself before she had to face John's brother.

"Good morning," Scott greeted, stepping out of his beautiful plane.

"Sir, I-"

Once again the words she knew she had to say caught in her throat and Cecily burst into tears. Immediately, Scott was at her side, his face full of concern.

"What's wrong?"

"I … I-I can't … I c-can't go w-with you," she sobbed.

Rather than questioning her on the spot, though his eyes said he wanted to, Scott wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gently led her back into her lab. He guided her into the chair that she had vacated only a moment ago and poured her a fresh cup of tea. She took it, but had no desire to drink the hot liquid. He didn't seem to mind and simply placed a comforting hand on her arm.

"Now, I want you to take your time and tell me what happened."

With a shaky breath, she told Scott all about the woman from the yacht. She relayed how the woman had questioned her about International Rescue and then left quickly. Finally, she told him about the last words she heard before the ship left.

"So you see," she sniffed, "I can't meet John now, or ever. I know too much already, and can't put him, or the rest of you, in danger like that."

"You wouldn't be," Scott gave her a small smile. "That woman is no more a threat to John than I am."

"What?"

"She's one of our operatives," he explained.

"You mean … it was just a test?"

"More than likely. She did know I was coming to get you today and probably wanted to make sure it was safe to do so. I wouldn't be surprised if she was still in the area, making sure it was clear for us to take off."

Cecily stared at her cooling tea, letting his words soak in. A test. It had only been a test to make sure she wouldn't sell them out. But didn't John trust her? He said he did, and Scott seemed to. So who ordered the test? Maybe it was his father. After all, he had both his organization and his son to think about. Yes, it must have been him. With that thought in mind, all her apprehension melted away. There was no danger, just a concerned father looking out for his children. And she could hardly hold that against him. In fact, she wished her own family cared as much about her as John's cared about him. No doubt her father and brothers would have let someone take advantage of her, and then tell her that she should have known better than to let it happen. Her mother too. In fact, they'd do what she thought the woman had wanted to do and try to use her to get to International Rescue. They'd tell everyone that she had been to their base, that she knew each member personally. If that happened, they all would be in danger.

"No," she shook her head. "I still can't go. What if next time it's not an operative? I just can't take that risk."

"You would rather abandon John?"

His words startled her so much that she almost dropped her cup. Is that really what she would be doing? She knew that she would be alone, and as hard as that was she'd done it before. But what about John? He didn't deserve a life of loneliness, but he still had a family.

"He has you."

"Yeah," Scott agreed. "But he needs you."

And she needed him. She wouldn't leave John like that. Cecily set down her cup and stood on shaky legs, Scott reaching out to steady her. She gave him a nervous smile and straightened her shoulders.

"As some British guy my grandfather always quoted said, 'to be alive at all involves some risk'."

"Some British guy?"

"Grandfather was always quoting people, like politicians and philosophers," she explained. "I never could remember their names."

Scott laughed and picked up her bags, leading the way back to Thunderbird One. Once he got her settled in the hold, he headed back to the cockpit. Soon they were soaring through the air. It was amazing, even if she couldn't see anything but the walls of the hold. She wondering if they were crossing the ocean, or maybe flying over mountains. Before she knew it Scott's voice had announced the switch to vertical mode and they lowered to the ground.

"Here we are," Scott announced cheerfully, appearing at the door to the hold.

Suddenly the knot returned to her stomach. Outside this plane was John, the voice on the radio turned flesh and blood. What if he didn't like what he saw?

"Maybe this was a mistake," she said nervously.

"Come on," Scott smiled, holding out his hand. "John is waiting."

Swallowing her fear, she took his hand and allowed him to lead her into the large hangar.

How do you think John will/should react when he meets Cecily face to face? (And the rest of the Tracy's island inhabitance, for that matter.)

I have another midterm in ... four and a half hours, and I work after that. But I will try to get started on the next part just as soon as I can. In the meantime, feedback is always appreciated.