I don't own the thunderbirds or any of the recognisable characters from the series. Anyone you don't is mine all mine.

Apologies for not posting in ages. All my AS exams came up so I've had absolutely no time. I probably won't have much time for a while as I'm squeezing this chapter out in between starting A2 and going on biology fieldwork next week. What fun that'll be a week on the beach looking at seaweed and staying in a hostel with roommates who'll either snore, be really loud or be people I don't know or don't get on with. Sorry about that. Then comes the typing up of that I've also got psychology coursework but if I hit a roadblock I'll try and write a little something. So please bear with me. On the Brightside of life I saw Greenday last Saturday. It was amazing.

Thanks to Zeifanaat, Kill Hill and White Rose for reviewing, you comments are much appreciated

These Are The Times

Chapter 9

Families

"Okay Alyssa can you tell me why you hate your father so much"

This is only my second session with Dr Fetlan and already it's getting on my nerves. I feel like a train wreck, have no appetite, the libido of a blueberry muffin (not that I had much to begin with), a mild but consistent headache and even worse time sleeping but always feel tired. And she wants to know about my dad.

"Okay. My Dad wasn't a smart smart man. But he knew what he was doing. He worked for my idiot Grandfather since he was fifteen when they had to sell up the garage when Dad was about forty Dad started looking for a new job he got one on the nightshift at a supermarket. When redundancy came up my granddad didn't even give him half what it was worth because granddad wanted him to continue in the car industry. My mum didn't like her father in law either. He was always superior. Mum was often mad at him or grandma or dad's brothers when they did something wrong."

"Like what"

"On of my dad's brothers is my godfather but he forgot my birthday and on another of my birthdays my idiot grandma got me size fourteen to sixteen pajamas at the cost of five pounds, they weren't even nice. At the time I was improving my diet and shedding puppy fat, I've got a thing about my weight and was a size ten. I remember my Mum yelling after grandma went to dad 'Your daughter now thinks her grandmother thinks she's fat'"

"What about your other cousins, did they ever have problems of that nature?"

"No on that side I'm the only granddaughter, theres my brother and my dads brothers sons."

"I see. So what did your father do that made you hate him?"

"Well first he always made faces when we were eating crisps, crunching. He also brought us magazines. When I was getting an expensive one on subscription mum made him pay full price for my other one when we had previously been going half. Mum was paying for some of the subscription and thought it was only fair but dad was annoyed. He thought about himself first. He saved up every year to go to the British grand prix but never had any money for mum's birthday. He made minimal contribution to the bills and when he had overtime from his job at the supermarket he spent it on videos. I often wondered if Mum still loved him or even loved him to begin with and married him because she thought she was getting old and wanted kids."

"Did you ever talk to your mum about this?"

"No she had enough to worry about."

"Such as"

"Her job at the bakery she was always complaining about having to do the work of two people on minimum wage and never getting overtime rates. Dealing with the fights and arguments between me and my brother and general household stuff. I sometimes felt like she was ignoring me or brushing me off or favoring my brother. She also had a fair number of complaints about her family, her brothers and sisters and even her mum."

"Well. I think that's enough for today Alyssa. We'll pick this up next Wednesday, you're doing really well"

"Thank you Dr Fetlan. I see you then"

I couldn't get out of there fast enough. By the fates it was Halloween and I wanted to get home soon to avoid trick or treaters, mostly trickers. Get home and watch a few scary flicks.

Of course that's easier said than done. The guys were all busy preparing food when I answered the door.

"Oh thank the gods Lyssie" A portly middle aged woman threw her arms round me. She was dressed in a sparkly costume. Feeling dread she continued "My babysitter fell through and I just have to go to this fancy dress dinner, business you see with Rick out of town I have to represent the firm but I can't leave the kids home alone so could you watch them for the evening."

Grace and Rick Sanson were the owners of an up and coming legal firm. Although Grace was mainly the accounting, nearly silent partner, Rick did the legal eagle thing Grace still took an active part in the face and advertising of the firm. Between them, through IVF they had two sets of twins: the five year old boys and four year old girls. I could see them lined up behind Grace looking expectant. They owned a conjoined apartment on the fifth floor.

I looked to the guys. I was worn down and didn't know if I could deal with four rowdy kids all evening even with the guys help.

"Sure Mrs Sanson" Piped up Johnny after a few seconds and a silent discussion with Enny and Ref.

"Yeah go on then" I sighed turning back to Mrs Sanson and her brood

"Thanks you're the best all of you." She turned to the little ones "Now behave for Alyssa, John Erin and Tyler. No jokes no yelling no fighting, if you behave they may take you round the building trick or treating." She sent a wink in our direction.

"Yaaay" they chorused

'Noooooo' I sang in my head.

"Thanks Lyssie we'll negotiate payment when I get back" In other words she doesn't know how long she'll be. Bye bye movies.

The four little ones dashed in past me as Grace said her goodbyes. I knew this they would be angels in front of her but the second the door closed WAR!

"Bye Jack, James, Lucy, Lilly. Be good for them"

"Bye Mom" The angelically chorused

"Thanks again Lyssie"

"Anytime" I smiled softly.

The both sets of twins waved their mother off and she stepped into the currently working elevator. But I could see their little minds ticking over; plotting oh yes it was going to be a looonnnggg night.

I hadn't even shut the door when it began, not even the prepatory oookay. They had engaged in tag and were running around like devils-in-disguise loonies. I sunk down to the floor against the door frame whilst Ref and Johnny tried to exact some order.

I suddenly, if that was at all possible felt worse.