The Thunderbirds are not mine. They belong to Gerry Anderson. Here's to all for the fun and joy of writing about the Thunderbirds. The variety is amazing. Hope you enjoy this as well.

now, I do NOT have a beta, so any mistakes are mine alone.

Again, I don't have a beta, so any mistakes are by accident-also, the spell check on my computer is busted, so that doesn't help. -_-

CHAPTER 10

"Johnny-boy, hey it's been a long time. Everyone is okay I hope."

"Yeah Uncle Jack everyone is fine. Grandma had a stroke a few months ago, and is in a special rehab in Denver, but is coming along very well. Sorry it's been so long. Time just seems to get a way."

"I know what you mean, seems like only yesterday I was keeping your old man's Air Force jet in shape and bouncing you boys on my knee." Uncle Jack laughed. He wasn't an uncle by blood, but had been Jeff's chief crewman when he was in the Air Force, in charge of keeping his jet up and ready for action at a moments notice and had stayed friends throughout Jeff's space career. Jeff always swore there was no betted aircraft mechanic. When Jack had retired he took over as head caretaker/mechanic at one of the Tracy hangers. Now he was a special agent for International Rescue when needed. "Glad to hear your grandmother is doing better. So what's going on? I get the feeling this is just not a social call."

"Well it's little brother Alan. Seems he's borrowed one of dad's jets and is flying into your airport as we speak."

"Alan? You have to be kidding? Why he can't be more than thirteen, fourteen. No way! Wasn't he was living with your grandmother?"

"Twelve... Uncle Jack, and yes it is true – he has a license or so he just told me. Course he admits it is only a junior class, and he is suppose to have an adult with him. A technical problem as he put it. He was with grandma until she had her stroke. He's been on the island since. He's heading for a boarding school about a hundred miles south of you. Said he was going to call a cab and take a bus the rest of the way, Dad doesn't know yet."

Uncle Jack let out a whistle as he looked over the flight plan John sent to him. "Well he certainly knows the ins and outs of filing a flight plan. Did you realize he's flying under your name?"

"Yeah, one more thing I'll have deal with. In the meantime I was wondering if you could keep him at the airport till I can sort this out with dad. I doubt Alan will remember you, I'm sure he doesn't know about our IR agents. I'd feel better knowing he was in safe hands. Dad doesn't know any of this yet!"

Uncle Jack laughed. "I see he's following the Tracy tradition of following his own drummer. I'll bet he's gonna give the rest of you a run for your money if he's starting out at this age. I swear all of you were born with airplanes and rockets in your blood. I can see Jeff's face when he finds out. I don't think I'd want to be in Alan's shoes."

"You got that right! I'm going to try and smooth thing over a little if I can. If dad knows he is safe that will help."

"Hey you know I'll be happy to watch over him, it will be nice to get reacquainted. I guess the last time I saw him was at the funeral. I won't say anything about knowing about IR."

"Thanks Uncle Jack. I told him I would call him at the airport. Please let me know how the flight went."

"Will do John, and I'll do my best to keep him under tab."

John disconected from Uncle jack, then tried to call Gorden back.

J*S*J*V*G*A*J*S*J*V*G*A*J*S*J*V*G*A*

Jeff, Scott, Virgil, and Brains came up into the returned study from control. Gordon and Fermat were waiting, Gordon making sure John was coming through the vid com as he wasn't looking forward to breaking the new of Alan's adventure to their father.

"Okay everyone get a bite to eat we will do the debriefing in one hour. Gordon, did Parker get Alan picked up okay? I want to hear about this project you and John were so busy with you broke protocol, but we had better eat first in case another call should come in," Jeff's tone of voice let it be known he was not happy with the break in protocol.

"Ah, yeah, ah dad getting something to eat first is a great idea. Plenty of time for us to go over- ah it," Gordon's voice giving him away as to the stress he was feeling. Jeff raised an eyebrow and turned toward his second youngest, thinking if his normally jovial son was this stressed, he was not going to like what he was about to hear.

Suddenly Jeff's phone began to ring. By the ring tone Gordon knew it was Lady P calling, he mouthed to John, "Lady P".

John gave a look of dismay – he hoped he and Gordon could break the news to their father before she called with questions as to why Parker had been dismissed as not being needed after he was already more than half way and without explanation.

"No I'm sorry Penny I wasn't aware of that. We only just got back from the mission. Let me debrief and have a talk with the boys and I'll get back to you straight away."

Jeff listened intently.

"You too Penny, talk to you soon." Jeff's voice changed from sweetness to command in an instance. "Gordon get John on the vid phone? I think we need to have a talk now, rather than later. Scott ask Kyrano if he would mind bringing sandwiches to the study and call Alan and tell him to come also since whatever is going on seems to involve him too."

Scott went to let Onaha and Kyrano know the change in plans, Gordon called after him, "John's already on the vid,and don't worry about looking for the sprout."

Scott and Jeff both raised an eyebrow as Scott continued on his way to the kitchen. Jeff took over his chair behind the desk and Virgil made room for the food and drink that would be forth coming.

"John I see you are ready for the inquest, so just as soon as Scott returns we will start."

"Ah- sure dad."

Jeff couldn't remember a time when his second oldest and youngest looked so forlorn. By their obvious distress he knew he wasn't going to be happy either.

J*S*J*V*G*A* J*S*J*V*G*A* J*S*J*V*G*A*

Jack watched as Alan brought Tracy Three in for a perfect landing despite the twenty knot wind gusts, "Yep that boy has airplanes in his blood," he laughed to himself.

Alan taxied the jet over to the hanger as requested. He powered down the engines and did a post-flight check, then readied to debark. He was surprized when he heard a voice call out.

"Nice flight. Where's John?"

"John?" Alan wasn't happy how his voice seemed to squeak.

"Yes John. That is who this flight is logged under. Oh, you must be Alan. Haven't seen you since you were a little sprout. You probably don't remember me... I'm your uncle Jack. Long time since I've had a chance to see you boys."

Alan froze unsure what to say or do. "You're my uncle?" 'Great Alan you had to pick an airport where you've got family you didn't even know about,' he thought to himself. "Ah, well ah you see, I ah something came up and I had to bring the plane over myself."

"I'll say you did!" laughed Jack. "Actually my name is Jack Riley, I was your father's crew chief and all your brothers started to call me uncle Jack since I was around so much. Don't worry John called me and told me what was going on. I think you've got a very worried brother wanting to talk to you. You can use my office. By the way nice landing! Your old man could not have done it any more perfect."

Alan let out an uneasy sigh and gave this man who claimed to be an uncle a half smile then walked toward the office he had indicated. Well time to face the music, so to speak he thought to himself.

J*S*J*V*G*A* J*S*J*V*G*A* J*S*J*V*G*A*

Scott returned to the office. "I couldn't find Alan."

Jeff looked about the office, seemed everyone save John and Gordon, and now Fermat were comfortable. "Okay boys, would you like to explain to me first why Alan is not at this debriefing and then why the two of you broke protocol while a mission was not yet complete?"

Both Gordon and Fermat found the floor very interesting as Jeff looked at each of them, finally resting on John.

"Well dad, -ah Alan's not at this debriefing because Alan is not on the island."

"What? Then where is he? Lady Penelope called to say you had called Parker off without an explanation, so where is Alan?"

"He's at an airport on the mainland."

"WHAT?" exclaimed Scott and Virgil, Virgil almost choking on his food.

John could see the disbelief, followed by anger in his father's eyes. Jeff tried to keep the anger from showing in his voice, "explain how this occurred now, and do not try and sugar coat it!"

"Well… it seems Alan did not want to go to school in a- 'pink car'- and he was already upset at the many mishaps these past weeks, and he felt everyone would be better off if he wasn't around, said he was a jinx, so he took Tracy three over!"

Scott and Brains now joined Virgil, choking on their food.

"Don't worry dad, he arrived safely and I got a hold of Uncle Jack and asked him to watch over him until we could break the news to you."

"Honest dad we didn't know he was doing it until he was already in the air," said Gordon quietly.

"He flew a plane?" yelled Scott.

"Yes big brother and when I questioned him about why he never told any of us he could fly, he just said we never asked."

Gordon added "said it was suppose to be one of the surprises he and grandma had for us before everything happened."

Jeff drummed his fingers on the desk, then proceeded to run a hand through his hair, counting to ten before he spoke. "You checked that he actually has a license?"

"I did and he does, though he is suppose to have an adult with him;which, he did acknowledge he knew he was wrong for not having one. He just seemed so down dad. I could tell something else was bothering him, but he wouldn't open up to me."

"That is no excuse for taking a jet without permission, totally disregarding others, as well as his own safety. Patch me through to the airport."

"But dad don't you think…"

Jeff cut him off, "now John!"

"FAB."

Before John could do anything a call from the airport came through. Jeff immediately opened the channel.

"Gordon, I …..ah... hi dad." Suddenly realizing he was talking to his dad instead of one of the brothers Alan felt a wave of fear, surprise and dread all running through him at the same time.

"Alan what in heavens name is going on inside that head of yours? Of all the hair brained stunts you've pulled, this takes the cake!"

Alan looked down at the desk top he slowly took a couple of deep breaths then raised his head and looked his father straight in the eyes, "first dad, do not blame John or Gordon. I did not tell them until I was already lifted and headed to the mainland. Second I don't care what you say I'm not going to a new school in a -'PINK' car. -I'm sorry I did not have the chance to talk to you about my flying it…it just didn't work out that way. I….."

"Your saying, you are sorry is not good enough this time! You stole a family jet, put yourself and others at risk, by not having a qualified pilot with you. You completely disregarded instructions. You…" Jeff's voice was barely two notches down from rage as he tried to calm himself, after all Alan was safe and no one had been injured.

John noted his fathers face then looked at Alan and saw first disbelief, followed by extreme hurt and then the famous Tracy temper took over. "I did not STEAL the FAMILY jet and... I thought you said I was family!"

Everyone froze at Alan's words. Finally Jeff spoke.

"Your right Alan, it was wrong choice of words. But…"

Alan was no longer listening. "You wouldn't have accused any of the others of steeling the jet! I don't care anymore. You have ALL lied to me, none of you can be trusted. As for your precious jet I'll pay you the going rental rate. I hate you! I HATE all of you!" With that he cut the connection and took off out of the office almost bowling Jack over.

"Whoa there, where's the fire?"

Alan just looked at him the anger shooting from he sky blue eyes. "Do you have an ATM machine here?"

"Yeah, it's down the hall and in the main lounge area, but…"

Alan continued on his way running into the lounge he looked around until he spied the rental rate prices hanging on the wall. Figuring the sum in his head he continued over to the ATM machine and punching in his AT 11 code and withdrew six thousand dollars. Going back over to Jack, "can you please make out a bill."

Jack knew whatever had happened in his office a few minutes ago had something with this. "Now Alan I'm sure your dad is not going to charge you for using the family jet. It's…"

"Do you always argue with paying customers?" Realizing how angry he sounded, Alan took a deep breath, "I'm sorry for snapping at you. Can you please just make out a bill? Near as I can figure it should be $4,960.00 dollars not including taxes.- Your right he probally wouldn't charge family."

"Good figuring. With taxes that will be $4999.00," Jack said as he gazed at Alan, noting the hurt, sad expression as he said the last sentence.

Alan paid the bill then asked Jack if he would fax a copy of the paid bill to his father. Then turning he headed back to the lounge, shoulders drooped.

" Alan." Jack called. As Alan turned back to see what he wanted, Jack could see the hurt and anger in his eyes. "I'll take care of this for you if you'll promise me you will stay put until I have a chance to talk with your dad."

"Whatever."

When Jack was positive Alan would do what he had asked, he shook his head and headed to his office. He knew this wasn't going to be a pleasant task. First he faxed a copy of the paid bill then he dialed up his old friend and boss.

J*S*J*V*G*A* J*S*J*V*G*A* J*S*J*V*G*A*

"Well that certainly did not go the way I wanted," said Jeff sadly.

The rest of the brothers looked around to each other. All visibly upset with Alan's words just before he hung up on them.

"I'm sure Alan didn't mean that dad. He's just really upset right now," replied Scott, though he wasn't sure if he was trying to convince his dad or himself.

"Besides who would of thought he would try something as big as this." Virgil said softly. "He took us all by surprize."

John entered into the conversation. "I think there is a lot more going on then we realize. Alan hasn't been himself ever since he came back after the altercation in the hanger. When I talked to him why he was flying over he would not open up, but I could tell there was something more than having to arrive at the school in a pink car. I think that was just the straw that broke the camels back. -He just kept saying he didn't want to talk about it. Dad, I know you have always told us to respect each others privacy, but I think if we are to get to the bottom of this we need to see if there is anything on Alan's computer that can give us a clue. If you okay it, Virgil could plug it into me and I'll see what the last few things were that he was looking at."

"Your right I do want you boys to respect each others privacy, but right now I am truly at a loss as to what is going on in Alan's head. I will make an exception this one time. If Alan is upset over it I will take the responsibility."

John brought the screen up at first he found only the flight plan Alan had filed under his name, but then he saw the articles about his mother at Alans birth and the tragedy of her death.

"Dad you'd better take a look at this."

Jeff and the other brothers read the tabloid articles. Jeff visibly paled.

"Dad," cried Gordon "surely Alan wouldn't believe this kind of garbage!"

He replied almost in a whisper, "he would if this is the only information he was able to get a hold of. I've failed him because of my own selfishness of refusing to talk to him or any of you about your mother."

"You are not the only one in that department dad," replied Scott quietly. They all hung their heads.

"John get a hold of Jack, I'll be flying over. I need to talk with my son."

"I'm going with you, I have some major apologizing to do also," said Scott.

Before John could respond the phone started to ring and the caller ID showed it to be Jack. Jeff answered it on the second ring.

J*S*J*V*G*A* J*S*J*V*G*A* J*S*J*V*G*A*

Alan sat in a chair and took out a notebook and began writing and sketching. Nothing in particular at first but soon descriptions started to appear. Jeff Tracy, Air Force pilot, famous astronaut, business tycoon.

Scott Tracy, Air Force pilot – Medal of Honor recipient, John Tracy, genius, astronaut, famous author, Virgil Tracy, Valedictorian School of Engineering, musician, artist, Gordon Tracy, WASP, Gold Medal Olympian. When he came to describing himself, his chest felt heavy and he felt waves of anger, betrayal, sadness, and loneliness. Alan Tracy, looser, mistake, jinx, trouble maker, disappointment.

He underlined himself several times. All of his accomplishments over the last two and a half years did not seem to make a difference. No one seemed interested in anything he had to offer.

He had taken the family jet, thinking he could get himself to school and stay out of every ones way, but even this plan had failed.

His father had practically called him a thief and now he sat just waiting for the other shoe to drop as this guy Jack, who said he was an uncle, though not by blood was talking to his father. He tapped his pencil as he daydreamed.

J*S*J*V*G*A* J*S*J*V*G*A* J*S*J*V*G*A*

Larry watched from behind the counter. An unidentified person had offered him one-hundred dollars a week in addition to his pay if he would promise to pass on any information on any of the Tracy family's coming and going. Said it was a friendly rivalry between two rich families. He had begun to wonder if he would ever have anything to report so to earn the money he had been collecting over the last ten months, but he needed the extra cash so he kept his eyes and ears open. Until today he had seen and heard nothing, but now a John Tracy was sitting in the lobby. He quickly dialed the number given to him.

"I'm calling for a Mr. Carsens. I have important information."