This chapter just didn't want to be written for some reason - but it's done, finally! Thank you Loopstagirl for putting up with all my complaints about how hard this one has been to write and for making me keep going. Thanks also to everyone who reviewed - some of you I can't reply to but I just want to say how much I appreciate your comments. I have to say a big 'thank you' to Math Girl for making me laugh with the brilliant description of Beth - in my head this story is now known as 'The Adventures of the Toxic Tarantula' - which is a much better title than mine! Bee
Chapter Nine
Brains had never felt so relieved as when the door closed behind Beth and he had his lab all to himself once more. He used his watch to make a quick call to the boys and Penny to tell them that it was all over and that there had been no sign of any interest in International Rescue. Then he tried to calm his ragged nerves by going over the plans for some modifications to Four.
Unusually, he found that he couldn't concentrate on his work, far too unsettled by recent events. He loved life on the island where he had his work and – even more importantly – his friends, but this Christmas it had all been spoiled. It wasn't just Beth's presence and the resulting constraints on the operation of International Rescue; it was the effect she was having on everyone around her. He'd always envied the Tracy boys for their close relationship with their father and he couldn't quite believe how troubled that relationship had been since Beth had come on the scene. He would never have believed that Jeff could turn against his sons in favour of a niece he barely knew – even if she did look like his dead wife. The more he considered John's theory about the possibility of a brain tumour, the more likely he thought it might be as an explanation for his employer's recent uncharacteristic behaviour. He wasn't sure how he'd persuade Jeff to undergo any examination, though - he was heartily sick of doctors, even complaining about his regular check-ups on the mainland.
When the door suddenly opened he looked up nervously. For a moment he feared it would be Beth. Granted, she didn't have the code for the door, but he wouldn't have been surprised if Jeff had given it to her. Things which would have seemed impossible a week or so ago now seemed to be happening with increasing frequency. It was a relief to see Jeff enter the room rather than Beth, but even so, Brains still found himself tensing up. Jeff's words of the night before still echoed round his head and he felt just as hurt and humiliated as he had the first time he'd heard them. He'd always believed the man understood him and accepted him for what he was – supremely intelligent, yes, but socially inept, and never more so than when he was in the company of an attractive woman. Like Virgil, he found himself hoping there would be some logical, physical explanation for Jeff's behaviour. The alternative – that he was simply frustrated and bitter, finally giving vent to long-hidden feelings – was too painful to contemplate.
"H-hello, Mr T-Tracy," he said, pushing his work to one side. Looking closely at his employer he could see no obvious signs of any problem. Jeff was looking much better these days and his eyes were clear and bright. That was no proof of anything though.
"How are you, Brains? Everything go alright with Beth?"
"Y-yes, I showed h-her round. She s-seemed to enjoy h-herself."
"I'm sure she did. She was very enthusiastic when I talked to her just now. I really think you made an impression on her."
Brains knew he was blushing, feeling the familiar warmth spreading across his face and down his neck. Taking a deep breath and running through all the advice he'd been given over the years by various speech therapists, he still couldn't manage to vocalise a response. Jeff didn't mind though. He interpreted Brains' embarrassment as a sign of interest in Beth and he was delighted. Didn't she look just like Lucy? What man could fail to be attracted? It was about time Brains started to think of something beyond his work. He wanted Brains to find love and happiness just as much as he did his own sons. If it was with Beth, then so much the better. With no idea of the hurt his comments of the night before had caused – in fact, he barely remembered what he'd said - he smiled down at his friend.
"Make sure you're at dinner tonight," he told him. "You can tell Beth a bit more about yourself. I know she'd like to hear it."
Brains nodded awkwardly. He wondered whether to mention what was on his mind, finally deciding that since Jeff seemed in such a good mood he might as well go for it.
"M-Mr T-Tracy?"
"Yes, Brains?"
"I-I wondered if y-you wanted me t-to run some m-more t-tests? J-Just to s-see how you're d-doing."
Jeff immediately lost the cheerful look. He didn't want to be reminded about his illness, especially not now when he was feeling better than he'd done in a long time. He had Beth to thank for that, he thought. Having the girl around was doing him good. Apart from looking like the daughter he'd always wanted, it was nice to have someone around who wasn't burdened by the responsibilities and cares of International Rescue. She was such a lovely girl, he thought, and he was going to miss her when she left. He was determined to make the most of the last few days of her visit. Then he could worry about his health and his future.
"I don't think so, Brains. I'll be seeing my doctors soon enough. Anyway, I'm feeling fine, better than ever."
"I-It's just... I-I wanted t-to..." Catching sight of Jeff's expression Brains gave up, realising that asking outright wasn't going to work. He'd just have to come up with something a little more devious. Resolving to have a word with John about it, he smiled awkwardly up at Jeff.
"I-It doesn't m-matter."
Jeff looked at him quizzically. Brains obviously had something on his mind and Jeff didn't think it was his health. A thought came to him and he laughed.
"I get it. You want me to stay and talk about Beth, don't you? You don't have to tie me down to a hospital bed for that, Brains. I'll be happy to tell you everything you want to know."
Brains' look of panic didn't register as Jeff pulled up a chair and began to tell him all about his niece. Ignoring the longing glances Brains kept shooting at his work, Jeff kept going for over half an hour. By the time he'd finished Brains was sick of her name and utterly terrified. Jeff seemed more determined than ever to get the two of them together, even suggesting that the next time the Thunderbirds were called out, Brains should be the one to entertain her until their return. He resolved to lock himself in the lab until she was gone. Or maybe he could think of some urgent maintenance needed up on Five. How on earth was he going to survive the next few days?
Back in New York, Joel Byron had sat at his desk waiting impatiently for some communication from Beth. He'd stayed late at the office meaning to get to work on a report to his shareholders while he waited. But he'd found himself stopping every few sentences to check his phone and his email, just in case he'd missed an alert, despite knowing full well he hadn't. He hadn't felt this excited in years.
Angie had kept him well supplied with coffee and he'd gratefully stopped work each time, speculating with his PA as to the likely success of Beth's mission and the secrets she would uncover. He just hoped that the information could be easily adapted by his own people. It was one thing to know what Tracy Industries had in the pipeline, but he wanted his own products out in the marketplace too.
He'd just handed his coffee cup back to Angie for yet another refill when his computer beeped. Despite having been waiting for this all day, he jumped.
"Come on, Angie," he said, shifting his chair so she could come and stand beside him. "Let's see what we've got."
The message was brief: Hope this is what you wanted. But there was a fairly lengthy video and he eagerly opened the file. Visually it was a disappointment – there was nothing to be seen and at first no sound. Then the familiar tones of Jeff Tracy could be heard as he led his niece into the lab. Hearing his rival snap at his son, Byron had to laugh. It looked as if his drug was having the desired effect. He soon grew serious again, however, as another voice took over.
"That's the guy," he whispered. "Tracy's great inventor." He whistled in frustration as Brains began to speak and paused the playback for a moment. "This is going to take some working out."
It wasn't as bad as he thought it might be, though. Brains soon grew more coherent as he began to talk about his new inventions. Byron listened eagerly, occasionally squeezing Angie's hand in excitement as a particularly interesting piece of information came across. When Beth finally managed to get a picture of Brains' plans he couldn't help punching the air in delight.
"Good girl!" He grabbed Angie and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "She did it. By the time Tracy gets these onto the market I'll already have my own versions up and running. "
Angie wasn't entirely convinced. "Won't he realise you've stolen the ideas from him?"
"Oh, we'll be fine; he won't be able to prove anything. And even if he does suspect something, he'll be so devastated to learn that his wonderful Bethany betrayed him he won't worry about me."
"I hope you're right."
"Will you stop worrying? Now then, how about you transcribe all this so I can get things moving?"
He sent Beth a quick message telling her how pleased he was. Then he sat back to listen all over again.
Scott had had a frustrating morning. He'd spent much of it in his room, calling his Aunt Caroline every ten minutes or so, growing more and more irritated when she failed to answer. The only bright spot was Brains' call to say that Beth had left the lab without showing any interest in International Rescue. The relief didn't last long though. Even if she turned out to be exactly what she claimed to be, the damage to the family had already been done. He kept on trying his aunt, still without success. Finally he decided enough was enough and went for a walk down to the beach where he knew he'd find John and Virgil.
"So Beth wasn't interested in IR?" Scott sat down on a rock next to Virgil.
John shook his head. "Doesn't look like it. Brains didn't tell us much."
"You weren't there?" Scott was surprised, knowing that his brothers had promised not to abandon Brains.
"Dad threw us out." Again it was John who answered. Virgil just stared out across the ocean. Catching Scott's concerned glance in their younger brother's direction, John continued. "He wasn't happy when Virg tried to find an excuse to stay."
"You got a lecture, too, huh?" Scott asked, squeezing Virgil's shoulder sympathetically.
Virgil just nodded. He didn't trust himself to say anything.
All was quiet for a while as each of the boys reflected on their recent run-ins with their father. Eventually Scott felt the need to break the silence.
"I can't get through to Aunt Caroline," he said. "Maybe she's gone away for Christmas."
"Could be," John agreed. "The holidays are always a little crazy. Give it a few days and everything will be back to normal. Penny and Parker will track her down."
"You know what really scares me?" Virgil spoke for the first time. "What if she is just our cousin? I mean, what if she turns out to be okay and we're stuck with her?"
Scott and John turned to look at him. A few days ago they'd have been more than happy with that outcome, but now... Like Virgil they could see disaster ahead if things carried on the way they had been. Before Scott could think of something reassuring to say, Virgil got to his feet.
"I'm going to see if I can get some time on the piano."
His brothers watched him go. John leaned back in the sand and sighed.
"How did it come to this, Scott? Here we are on a tropical island living the kind of life most people can only dream of and we're hiding from our father hoping he's being driven crazy by some kind of brain tumour and that our cousin is a spy."
For once in his life Scott didn't have an answer. Finally he gave up trying to find one and got to his feet, deciding to go and check on Virgil.
Virgil hadn't made it into the lounge. When he reached the house he'd been surprised to find Grandma sitting by the pool just staring into space. She rarely sat around doing nothing – even when she was relaxing she always had a book or some needlework to occupy herself. Watching her closely he could see how tired she looked. The past few days had been as difficult for her as they had for anyone. She needed a break, he thought, and it was a relief to know that in a few days' time she'd be setting off on her cruise.
"Hey, Grandma. Everything okay?"
She started at his voice, immediately fixing a smile into place.
"Hello, Virgil. I was just taking a moment to admire the view. I'd better get on with fixing lunch."
"You work too hard," he told her. "Stay here for a bit. Kyrano can manage without you – he'll have to while you're away."
The smile faded.
"About that... I'm going to call Barbara to tell her it's all off."
"What? Why?"
"I can't leave now, not while your father's like this."
Virgil didn't want to worry her with John's theory. He didn't want her to miss out on her trip – and, if his father did turn out to be ill again, Grandma would need all her strength to deal with it. As much as he wanted her to stay – she'd been such a comfort these last few days – he wasn't going to let her change her plans.
"Grandma, you have to go. Come on, you've always wanted to visit Europe. And poor Barbara will be devastated. You said yourself she's not been well. You both need the break."
Grandma looked at him sadly. "You really think I would leave you boys whilst all this is going on?"
"We'll be fine. It's only for a few more days." At least he hoped it was – he had a horrible suspicion his father would try to persuade Beth to stay. He wasn't going to mention that to Grandma though. "We'd all feel bad if you stayed on our account. Please go."
Grandma still looked uncertain. "Well, I'll see. I'll leave it for today. But if Jeff says one more thing out of line I'm not going to be able to keep quiet."
"I don't think you'll be the only one," Virgil told her. "Scott's barely keeping a hold on his temper and Brains is scared to leave the lab."
"How did Bethany's visit go?" Grandma asked.
"We're safe for now, at least. Though Dad seems determined to fix Brains up with her. The poor guy's terrified."
"I can imagine." She couldn't help smiling. "Your father's right about one thing, you know."
Virgil shuffled uncomfortably. "You mean the bit about wanting us to meet nice girls and settle down?"
"I told him from the start this is no life for you boys. Not forever. You should take advantage of him while he's in this mood. Get yourselves some proper leave and enjoy yourselves."
Virgil couldn't help thinking that if things carried on like this he'd be asking for permanent leave. Trying to snap out of his black mood for Grandma's sake, he forced a smile.
"Well, maybe. Let's get the next few days over first, shall we?"
Grandma smiled. "Good idea. Now then, how about playing me that piece you were working on the other day."
"Okay. I'll-" He broke off as he heard the sound of the piano, sinking down onto a chair beside his grandmother. "Maybe later."
Grandma was just thinking how good it would feel to go in and push Beth off the piano stool when Scott arrived.
"Hey, Scott," Virgil called him over. "I was just trying to persuade Grandma to go on her vacation."
Understanding what the old lady had been thinking, Scott reiterated all the points Virgil had already made.
"We'll see," was all she would say. "I want to see how your father behaves for the rest of the day. Now then, about lunch... do you want-"
Scott and Virgil both suddenly looked at their watches and jumped to their feet.
"Never mind lunch," Virgil told her. "Looks like we're needed."
Grandma sighed as she watched them rush towards the house only to pull up sharply as they reached the door to the lounge. She could just picture them walking slowly across the room so as not to arouse Beth's curiosity before picking up speed again as they headed for their father's study. Hoping she really would get the chance to kick Beth off the piano again, she made her own way in, more slowly than her grandsons, but with just as much determination.
It was a simple rescue – in New Zealand, a group of cavers were trapped after a rock fall. Conventional rescue services would take days to reach them but International Rescue could have them out in a couple of hours. Since an immediate launch wasn't that vital, getting Beth out of the way proved a little easier. Jeff suggested another session with Brains, but he was forced to accept the scientist's protest that his lab was full of IR equipment, so Penny was dispatched to inform Beth that 'the girls' – Grandma too – were off for an afternoon's shopping on the mainland. Tin-Tin would fly them there and they would stay until Scott and Virgil were home. As ruses went it was simple and effective. Surprised at the suddenness of the decision, Beth nevertheless jumped at the chance. Fifteen minutes later she was out of the way and Thunderbirds One and Two were in the air.
Scott and Virgil had plenty of time to talk as they flew. They decided to go all out to keep Jeff happy that night, anxious not to give Grandma any cause to cancel her trip. Besides, it was Penny's last night on the island and they wanted her to have one pleasant memory of an otherwise miserable holiday.
Relaxing in the Tracy family jet, Beth reflected on a good day. She couldn't wait to get home and start spending her money. She could relax a little now, she thought, although she'd be sure to stay in role until she left the island. Just a few more days and it would all be over. She just wished she could see her uncle's face when he realised his beloved niece had stolen his secrets. Would he realise why she'd done it? She hoped she'd get the chance to tell him. As for the rest of them, she'd be happy never to see any of them again.
Sure enough the rescue had gone well. Scott and Virgil were back, showered and changed, half an hour before Tin-Tin landed. Virgil had even managed to get himself to the piano and was playing happily when Beth and the others arrived back. He eyed his father warily, half-expecting to be told to make way for his cousin, but his father just smiled across at him. Jeff was in an excellent mood. He too had had a good day. He had high hopes of getting Brains and Beth together and International Rescue could chalk up another success. Sending Gordon to find Brains who was inexplicably absent, he looked forward to a pleasant evening with his family.
Having struggled to make conversation with Brains over dinner, trying not to laugh when she caught her uncle smiling affectionately at the two of them, Beth sought refuge at the piano afterwards. Brains gratefully sat beside John, the two of them soon deep in conversation about a project they'd worked on that afternoon.
"We might need your help tomorrow, Dad," John said. "Can you spare us an hour or so in the morning?"
"Sure. What did you have in mind?"
"We need some help testing a new invention." John didn't elaborate so Jeff assumed it was something to do with International Rescue. He didn't ask any more questions, simply agreeing to come along the following morning. John winked at Brains. His father might not want any medical tests, but he wouldn't be able to object if he didn't realise any were being carried out.
Virgil chatted quietly to Scott, every so often glancing over to the piano. When Grandma came in carrying a large book he thought nothing of it until she pulled him to his feet and steered him over to the piano.
"I found this in the studio," she announced, handing him the book. "I thought it might save any more arguments." She too was going out of her way to keep the peace that night.
"Duets?" He'd forgotten the book was there, not having anyone to play with, and he wasn't particularly keen on the idea anyway, but Jeff beamed at him.
"Mother, that's a wonderful idea. Come on you two, show us what you can do."
Beth shifted over on the piano stool. She wasn't too keen either, but she didn't want to run the risk of upsetting Grandma. After a quick consultation the cousins selected a piece and began to play.
Jeff watched the pair happily. It was the first time he'd really seen them together and he was even more struck by the resemblance. Even the look of concentration as they focused on the music was the same. It really was a perfect evening, he thought. Only a couple of grandchildren running round would make it better. He glanced over at Alan and Tin-Tin who seemed to have made up after their argument of the previous day. He'd get his wish yet, he thought.
After a couple of duets Beth left the piano and came to sit between her uncle and Scott.
"I'm going to miss this," she said. "I've had a lovely time."
Scott wondered if this was the beginning of an attempt to extend her stay. As a look of disappointment crossed his father's face he wondered if the tranquillity of the evening was about to be destroyed.
"It's a shame you can't stay a little longer," Jeff said. "It's been lovely having you here."
"Oh I can't," Beth told him, allowing a look of sorrow to cross her face. Inside she was feeling irritated though – her uncle looked sorry at the prospect of her departure, but she got the feeling everyone else was somewhat relieved. "I've got my job to get back to. They can't manage without me forever."
"You're right. You've got to get on with your own life. We need to sort out somewhere for you to live, though."
Well, Beth wouldn't turn down a handout if Jeff was feeling generous. She wasn't too thrilled at his next comment, though.
"I'll fly back with you," he told her. "We can stay in a hotel while we get you sorted out. Now don't argue, I insist. If nothing else, I'm going to make sure you've got somewhere decent to stay."
"Thank you, Uncle Jeff," she smiled. "You're so good to me." His presence would prevent her from returning to her real flat and spending Byron's money, she thought. A final dose of Byron's drug would surely convince him to part with some cash instead.
"And you can come and stay any time you like," Jeff told her and once again Beth felt the tension around her increase. What exactly was the problem with everyone? They hadn't wanted her on the island in the first place. Well, all their fears about the company's security hadn't stopped her finding out Tracy Industries' secrets. She'd proved cleverer than the lot of them. She wondered whether to visit again before her betrayal became apparent, just to annoy them. Maybe she would. And her visit wasn't over just yet – she was sure she could manage to cause a little more chaos before she left.