Disclaimer: I don't own the TBs or the Tracys with the exception of Sam.
A/N: Hope everyone enjoyed the last chapter. You didn't think that I would let the Tracy and Murphy families go too long without someone getting hurt, did you?
Standard Warning: Some material may not be appropriate for younger readers. Adult content is included in this chapter.
Chapter 10
"NO! OH GOD, PLEASE NOT MY BABY!" Sam screamed when she saw Mikey's motionless form. John was bent over him and checking his vitals. Without glancing up, he ordered Nicole to take Johnny and Lucy back to the playroom with Ben.
"Catie, call 911, now," he said quietly. "Sammie, you need to calm down. He's breathing on his own. If he wakes up and sees you hysterical, you're going to scare him. Alex, take her to the office or living room until she calms down." Alex led a struggling Samantha to the office. Catie had returned to John and informed him that the ambulance was en route.
"Open the front door for them," he replied. Continuing to monitor his nephew, he pushed a button on his wristcom. Instantly, Scott's face appeared.
"What's up, John?" he asked.
"Scott, I don't have a lot of time but I need to talk to Dad now," John started. "Mikey fell down the stairs and hasn't come around yet. We're waiting for the ambulance."
"DAD!" Scott yelled. Moments later Jeff was in the lounge.
"What's going on?" he demanded.
"Mikey fell down the stairs and is unconscious," John reiterated. "Sam is borderline hysterical. Alex is trying to keep her calm in the office. We may need you to come up here if nothing else then for Sammie." A sudden cry startled the family and Sam and Alex came running from the office. Dropping to her knees, next to John and Mikey, she tried to soothe her son.
"Lay still, Baby," she told him softly. "Mommy and Daddy are right here." She brushed her fingers through his hair and noticed his arm. "John, look at his arm."
"I noticed but I don't want to move him," he replied. "We don't know if he has a spinal or head injury. I'm pretty sure that he has a slight concussion but we'll have to wait for the doctor to check him out." Jeff coughed loudly to get their attention again. John looked down at his watch.
"Sorry, Dad," he said.
"I'll be there in two and a half hours," Jeff replied. "Keep me up-to-date on Mikey's condition." He closed communications and ran to prep his plane. He instructed Scott to let the family know what was going on before he left.
Meanwhile at the Murphy's house:
"He's over here," Catie called to the paramedics. John gave them Mikey's vitals and backed away so that the paramedics could work on him. Sam refused to move away from Mikey until Alex and John physically dragged her away from him.
"I need a c-collar for a toddler."
"Ma'am, Sir, we're going to take him to the hospital, would you like to ride with him?" asked one of the paramedics.
"Please," Sam said quietly. The paramedics had loaded Mikey on the gurney and wheeled him out to the ambulance.
"Nicole, we'll call you when we know something," Alex said. "Please latch the baby gates." Sam leaned heavily on him and walked to the ambulance. John and Catie followed the ambulance in the car. At the hospital, Mikey was taken into a triage area for assessment. Sam was handed insurance papers to fill out. Looking blankly at the receptionist and the forms, she dropped them to the floor and started crying. Alex pulled her against him and tried to soothe her. Catie picked up the forms and began filling them out.
"Only the guardian can fill those papers out," snapped the receptionist. Catie glared at her until she sat down at the desk. John paced the floor while keeping an eye on his sister. She had her face hidden against Alex's chest when a sudden flash of light momentarily blinded John. He rubbed his eyes and saw a reporter and photographer a few feet from Sam and Alex. Sam's head snapped up and she glared at the reporter.
"Samantha Tracy, what happened?" the reporter asked excitedly. Sam stood up and lunged at the reporter and photographer.
"You son-of-a-bitch, how dare you," she cried. Before Alex or John could stop her, she pulled her arm back and punched the reporter in his face. "Stay the hell away from me and my family."
"Did you get that shot?" snapped the reporter. "That's worth the front page. Damn, she can throw a punch." Security hurried to the scene and demanded to know what was going on.
"Our son was brought here by ambulance and this person came in and started taking pictures and asking questions," Alex replied.
"And then she punched me," added the reporter.
"That's not all I'm going to do if you don't get away from me now," Sam muttered. Alex and John were physically holding her back when a doctor called for the Murphy family. Sam turned and hurried to the doctor.
"How's my baby?" she demanded. "Is he awake? When can I see him?" The doctor stepped back from her verbal onslaught.
"He's awake but groggy," he said gently. He led her to a chair and made her sit down. "He's crying for you but I want to warn you about what you'll see. He's got an IV in because it is easier to administer pain medicines that way rather than giving him a shot each time. We're keeping him for observation tonight as a precaution. His left arm is broken but I've reset it and put it in a cast."
"Please take me to see my baby," she pleaded. Standing up, she waited for him to lead her to Mikey. Alex moved forward to hold Sam's hand. John and Catie followed them. The doctor led them to the elevators and up to the pediatric ward. Mikey was lying in a crib in a small ward. A nurse was trying to soothe him. Snatching her hand from Alex's grip, she rushed to her son's bedside.
"Mommy's here, Sweetie," she said softly. Reaching for her, he began to cry harder. With extreme gentleness, she picked him up and held him to her.
"Momma," he cried. His tears left tracks down his little face as his cries tapered off and he fell asleep in her arms. Sitting down in a chair the nurse pulled over, Sam carefully brushed his hair from his face. He was dressed in nothing but his diaper and was shivering a little.
"Catie, would you please hand me a blanket?" Sam asked quietly. She felt around the back of Mikey's head and felt a bump. He winced in his sleep and pulled away from her hand. Sam draped the blanket over him and leaned down to kiss him. The nurse came over to check on them.
"Excuse me but was Mikey checked for a concussion?" John asked. "We don't know how many steps he fell down."
"I can check him now," the nurse offered. She leaned over Mikey and pried his eyes open and checked his pupils. Mikey continued to lie limply in Sam's arms. She looked up at John and shook her head.
"Something's wrong with him, isn't there?" she muttered. The nurse had left the room and came back with the doctor. He checked Mikey's eyes again and made a note in the bedside chart.
"He has a mild concussion and I need you to try and keep him awake for awhile," he said. Sam shook her head and began to wake Mikey.
"Mikey, Mommy needs you to open your eyes," she said. "Come on, Baby, please." She pulled the blanket off and shifted him to a sitting position. His head rolled forward onto his chest. Alex squatted down in front of them and tried to wake him up. After several attempts, Mikey opened his eyes and began crying again. Every time he tried to close his eyes, Sam would readjust his position and force him to stay awake. John and Catie left after an hour and went back to the house. Sam and Alex took turns keeping their son awake for a few hours until the doctor checked him again.
"I want to take him back for a scan of his head to make sure that we've missed nothing," he informed them. An orderly came in and Sam laid Mikey back in the crib. He cried harder for her and Alex.
"Momma, Dadda, up," he cried. The orderly pushed Mikey's crib to the radiology department for his scan. Alex sat down and pulled Sam down on his lap. She leaned her head on his shoulder and dozed off. Thirty minutes later, the orderly returned with Mikey.
"Sammie, Mikey's back," Alex whispered. Her eyes snapped open and she jumped up to check on their baby. Alex was right beside her. Mikey had fallen asleep and Sam had to restrain herself from picking him up. Instead, she covered him with the little blanket that they had used earlier. Jeff walked in the room at that time.
"Daddy," Sam said, as her legs gave out and she fell to the floor. The nurse came running towards them as soon as she had noticed Sam collapse. Jeff had grabbed her before her head hit the floor. He sat down on the floor with her head in his lap. The nurse advised them to cover their noses and waved some smelling salts under Sam's nose. She grimaced and pushed the offending container from her face.
"Get that away," she ordered. Opening her eyes, she looked up at her dad's face. "What happened? Why am I lying on the floor?" Alex helped her stand up and then promptly pushed her into the chair.
"Sammie, Mikey is going to be fine," he said. "Nurse, can you please get her some juice. I bet she hasn't eaten or drank anything since lunch time." Alex shook his head in response. The nurse got her some orange juice and watched her drink it. Jeff had stood up and was watching his daughter when a security guard entered the room.
"May I help you?" Jeff asked.
"I'm here to escort Miss Samantha Tracy to the security office," he answered. "The reporter she assaulted earlier has decided to press charges." Sam looked up at him and sighed.
"First of all, there is no Miss Samantha Tracy in this room," Jeff countered. "Second of all, if there was, she is with her son and she is remaining with him until he is released by his doctor. If there are anymore questions, have the reporter contact the attorneys listed on this business card." The security guard looked over at Samantha and winked.
"That was a helluva right hook that you have," he said. "Technically, we can refute the charges because he was trespassing on private grounds and imposing on a distraught family member but I have to follow procedure. Good night." He left the room and Sam relaxed until she looked at her dad.
"Don't Dad," she warned. "Not now." She stood up and went to Mikey's crib again. Humming a lullaby, she caressed his face and ran her fingers through his hair. He opened his eyes and tried to focus on her.
"Momma, up," he said. With a bit of awkwardness, he rolled over and grabbed at the side of the crib and pulled himself up. Sam picked him up and kissed him gently on his face. Giggles erupted from him and Sam smiled at her baby. He put his head on her shoulder and scowled at the cast on his arm. The nurse came over with the doctor.
"The scan came back negative but I think it would be safe to say that he had a slight concussion," he told them. "I'm willing to release him into your care now if you'd prefer."
"Please," Sam replied. "We have three other children at home and I'm sure that Mikey's twin is missing him now." The doctor gave them instructions for Mikey's care and had the nurse remove the IV.
"I'm sorry but the paramedics cut his clothes off earlier," the nurse said. "Here is one of the nightshirts that the patients wear on the unit." Sam put Mikey in the little nightshirt and carried him to the elevators with Alex walking protectively next to them. Jeff brought up the rear and pulled out his cell phone to call for a taxi. By the time they got downstairs, the taxi was waiting on them. Mikey laid his head down on Sam's shoulder again and wrapped his hand in her hair.
"My momma," he muttered sleepily. John and Catie were still up when the taxi pulled into the driveway. Sam and Alex wearily nodded their thanks when John opened the door. Jeff followed his daughter and son-in-law upstairs. John locked the doors again. Sam handed Mikey to Alex and went to the nursery and opened the closet door. She found the bassinet and pulled it out. Setting it down next to her bed, she quickly put a sheet on the mattress and laid Mikey in it and covered him with a light blanket. She looked up at her dad and brother.
"Thank you for being here," she said softly. "Daddy, I'm sorry about the fight I was in but the jerk deserved it." Her exhaustion was evident on her face and Jeff ordered her to bed. He and John left the room and Sam checked on Ben, Johnny, and Lucy before going to bed. Alex was staring at their son in their bedroom when she came back in. She closed the door and changed into her pajamas. Alex started when she wrapped her arms around him. He gave her a hug and hurried to change into his pajamas. Sam crawled into bed and waited for him to join her. She cuddled close to him and drifted to sleep.
"Mommy, what on Mikey?" asked a small voice. Sam opened her eyes and saw Johnny and Lucy standing next to the bassinet. Propping herself up against the headboard, she patted the bed. Johnny and Lucy climbed up next to her and looked at her expectantly.
"Mikey fell down the stairs yesterday and broke his arm," she began. "Today, he might feel yucky so be nice to him."
"Okay, Mommy," Lucy replied. "I play piano now." She slid off the bed and then leaned over the bassinet and brushed Mikey's hair out of his face. "Love you, Mikey." Johnny was still sitting on the bed and watching his mom.
"Mommy love Mikey?" he asked in a somber tone. Sam gazed down at his thoughtful face.
"Yes, I love Mikey," she answered. "I love you, Sissy, and Benny, too. You're all my babies."
"Mommy love Daddy?"
"Very much," she answered. Johnny stood up and walked on the bed and put his little hands on her face. With his nose against hers, he looked in her eyes.
"Me love Mommy bery much," he told her. He gave her a kiss and then followed Lucy downstairs. Nicole had waited for the twins outside their bedroom door.
"Morning, Nicole," Sam called. Alex opened his eyes and smiled up at Sam. Scooting over, he laid his head in her lap.
"Morning, Honey," he said softly. Sam looked down at him with a soft smile on her face. "Let's try for a calm day." Giggling at his comment, she ran her fingers through his hair. He sighed and closed his eyes.
"I don't know what it is about you doing that but it is so relaxing," he murmured. A slight whimper from the bassinet distracted Sam and she looked over at their son. Mikey had opened his eyes and was looking around in confusion until he noticed his mother.
"Momma, up," he said. Moving awkwardly in the bassinet, he tried to sit up. Sam pushed Alex off her lap and got up. Mikey held his arm up and then looked at the cast and tried to shake it off. Chuckling, Alex sat up and leaned back against the headboard. Sam picked Mikey up and sat back down on the bed and slid next to Alex with their son in her arms. Alex tousled Mikey's hair and leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, Mikey," he said. "Feeling better this morning? You scared us last night." Mikey stared at his dad like he had lost his mind.
"Momma," he replied and laid his head on her chest. "Bubby." Gently, Sam kissed the top of his head and sighed.
"You want Benny?" she asked. Mikey nodded his head. She got up again and carried Mikey to the nursery and changed his diaper and dressed him in shorts and a t-shirt. He kicked and laughed when she tried to put his socks and shoes on. Ben had woken up and was looking at them through the slats of the crib. Sam sat Mikey on the floor and picked Ben up.
"Mikey missed you, Benny," she told her youngest son. "Did you miss Mikey?" Ben stared down at his brother and smiled. Changing his diaper and dressing him in shorts and a t-shirt, she kept talking to both of them. Mikey stood next to her while she put Ben's socks and shoes on.
"Ready for breakfast?" she asked. Ben stood up on the changing table so that Sam could pick him up and then she knelt down to pick Mikey up.
"Mommy loves her baby boys," she said. She opened the door that led down to the kitchen stairs. Mikey hid his face against her neck at the sight of the stairs.
"No, Momma," he cried. His cries got louder and more panicky until she got to the bottom of the stairs. Nicole opened the door and stared at Mikey in shock.
"It's alright, Mikey," Sam whispered in his ear. "Mommy has you and Benny. I'm not going to let you get hurt again." Mikey stopped crying and looked at her. She carried them to the dining room and sat them in their high chairs and fastened them in. Nicole set their sippy cups and plates in front of them. Mikey tried to pick up his little spoon but couldn't manage it with the cast. Catie took pity on him and showed him how to use his other hand. After several attempts, he was able to take a bite by himself.
"I need to go take a shower and get dressed," Sam said. "I'll be back down in twenty minutes."
"Bye, Mommy," called Johnny from his booster chair. Sam went through the kitchen and ran upstairs to her room. Alex was still lying in their bed, partially asleep. Sam shut the door and locked it. Quietly opening her dresser drawers, she chose her outfit for the day and went to the bathroom. Leaving the bathroom door partially opened, she started her shower. Stepping into the hot, cascading water, she let the tension from the night before leave her body. Humming to herself, she washed and rinsed her hair. She had just reached for her body wash when she was pulled against a warm and muscular body. Relaxing, she groaned when he lightly washed her chest and abdomen. Slowly his hands moved lower until she cried out.
"I didn't get to play last night," he husked in her ear. His warm breath caused her to gasp and shiver. "Can I play now?" Somehow he maneuvered himself deep within her and pulled her against him until they were both moaning. After their shower, Sam was brushing her hair.
"Sam…," Alex began. She looked up at him and smiled.
"I love you, too," she said. He leaned down and kissed her.
"You know me too well," he murmured in her ear.
"I've only been with you for eleven years," she replied. "And happily married for seven of those years. We need to hurry and dress. The kids are waiting on us." Sam quickly brushed her hair and got dressed. Alex kissed her again and they went downstairs. Johnny and Lucy were in the playroom with Nicole. Mikey was sitting on Jeff's lap while Ben bounced on John's lap. Sam went to the kitchen and poured hot water into a mug for her tea and Alex's cocoa. Setting the mugs down, she looked around her family and drank her tea.
"Dad, are you going back to the Island today?" she asked. "You really didn't have to come up here but I'm glad that you did." John smirked at her and took a drink of his cocoa.
"MOMMY, JOHNNY PEED IN THE TWEE," Lucy yelled from the family room.
"ME, DID NOT!" Johnny countered. "Me pee in the potty like Daddy." Nicole came from the family room, shaking her head.
"Alex, that decorator tree is going to need to be taken outside and thrown away," she told him. "It smells like Johnny did pee in it." Sam laid her head on the table and sighed.
"Alex, please remind me of the reason we had kids," she said. "He's as bad as Gordon was at that age. Dad, I'm sorry for any inappropriate behavior that I displayed as a child." She looked up at her dad and caught sight of the smile on his face.
"Your grandmother was right," he said. "I acted up as a child and then I got six children to pay me back for what I did. You and Alex have four and I think it's safe to assume that I will get to laugh at each of you when the time comes." A look of sadness appeared on Catie's face and she excused herself. John handed Ben to Alex and followed his wife to their room.
"Ganpa," babbled Mikey. "Mommy." Sam looked up at him and smiled.
"Is Grandpa spoiling you?" she asked. Mikey leaned his head against Jeff and smiled back at her.
"Ganpa," he repeated. Ben looked at him and decided to add to the conversation.
"Daddy," Ben added. Both boys squirmed until they were put down on the floor. Ben held Mikey's hand and they toddled to the playroom with Nicole behind them. Johnny and Lucy ran ahead of their baby brothers and Alex went to the family room and removed the offending tree that Johnny had targeted.
"Did I say something?" asked Jeff. Sam took another drink of her tea and sighed.
"John and Catie were told that they were unable to have children," she replied. "They had some tests done and that was the result."
"Why didn't they say anything?" he asked.
"Dad, they just found out the day of Mikey and Ben's birthday," Sam told him. "They aren't sure what they're going to do next. Catie mentioned adoption because she really wants a child. I have even thought about being a surrogate but after the problems I had with Ben and Mikey, I don't think that would be wise for me or the baby. It's all going to come down to what they want to do. The only definite thing I can guarantee is that I will be supportive of my twin and his wife."
"As if you would be anything but supportive," her dad retorted. Sam smiled up at him and then walked over to him. With a slight grin, she sat down on his lap and put her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and smiled to himself.
"Thanks, Daddy, for coming up here. Johnny was right when he said even now that we're all older, we still need you," she said quietly. "I haven't said this for awhile but Dad, I love you and I'm so glad that you're still looking after all of us." He was surprised when he felt her body shaking.
"Hey, what's with the tears?" he asked. Sam didn't answer but nestled her face against his neck.
"I thought my baby was dead," she admitted. "I've never been so afraid in my life and…" Jeff patted her back and tried to soothe her. After awhile her cries stopped but she didn't move from his lap. John came back to the dining room and shook his head.
"She's asleep, Dad," he said quietly. "What happened?" Jeff shook his head and just held his daughter close to him. He was thankful that she still needed him even though she was an adult, married, and a mom. Alex and Catie came back to the dining room and chuckled at the sight of Sam in Jeff's lap.
"Do you want me to take her, Dad?" Alex asked.
"No, she's fine," Jeff replied. "She just needed her dad." He grinned at John and John knew then what Sam had told him.
"MOMMY, JOHNNY HITTED MIKEY!" cried Lucy from the playroom. Sam started and rubbed her eyes. She groaned when she noticed John, Alex, and Catie grinning at her.
"Even though I know I'm going to be teased unmercifully, I'm not embarrassed to admit that I still need my Dad," she told them. She gave Jeff a quick kiss and went to see what was going on in the playroom. Nicole was holding Mikey in her arms and Johnny was standing next to her trying to get to his little brother.
"Him hitted me," Johnny snapped. "I hitted him back cus him gave me an owie." Sam scooped Johnny in her arms and made him look at her.
"Nicole, what happened?" Sam asked.
"They were playing and Mikey shook his arm like he was trying to shake the cast off," she explained. "Mikey did hit Johnny but it was unintentional."
"Johnny, Mikey didn't mean to hit you. He was trying to get the cast off his arm," Sam told him. "He doesn't like it and wants it off."
"But him hurted me," Johnny whined.
"Where is your owie?" she asked. Johnny showed her the red mark on his arm and Sam kissed it. "Does it feel better?" Johnny shook his head stubbornly, so she kissed it a few more times until he began to giggle.
"It feel better now," he told her. "I sorry, Mikey." He reached out to his little brother. Mikey shied back against Nicole and whimpered.
"I SORRY!" Johnny yelled. Ben walked over and sat on Lucy's lap and watched his older brothers.
"It okay, Benny," Lucy said. "Johnny sorry." Sam shifted Johnny to one hip and had Nicole give Mikey to her.
"Momma, no," Mikey cried when he was next to Johnny. Johnny put his arm around Mikey.
"I sorry, Mikey," he said. "Me love you." Mikey stared back at him and relaxed a little bit.
"Johnny, I don't want you hitting your brothers or sister, do you understand me?" Sam asked. "It isn't the way to solve a problem." An eruption of laughter from the doorway made her look at her husband and brother. They each had a newspaper in their hand. Sam sat her boys back on the floor and walked over to the door.
"Bit hypocritical, aren't you?" John chuckled. "Wonder if our brothers have seen the front page of the San Diego paper?" Sam grabbed the paper and stared in disbelief at the front page.
"Oh no," she groaned. The vidphone from the office began to ring and she hurried to answer it.
"SAMANTHA MICHELLE TRACY MURPHY, IS THAT THE WAY YOU WERE RAISED?" admonished her grandmother. "I should have one of your brothers fly me up there so I can tan your hide. I better never see anything like that again, do you understand me?"
"Yes, Grandma," she replied meekly. John was doubled over in laughter near her. Unfortunately for him, their grandmother heard him.
"JOHN GLENN TRACY, YOU SHOULD HAVE STOPPED HER!" John instantly stopped laughing and went to the vidphone for his punishment.
"You're her big brother and you should be setting a good example," Grandma snapped. "Now, how's Mikey?
"He's got a broken arm and a mild concussion," Sam answered.
"Your other brothers want to know about their nephew," Grandma said. "Behave yourself, Samantha."
"Yes, Grandma," she replied. She watched her grandmother leave and her brothers crowd around the screen.
"So, Sammie, how's Mikey?" Gordon asked.
"Broken arm and slight concussion," she answered wearily. "He's afraid of stairs now but that's understandable." She waited for the rest of his remarks. He glanced down at something on the desk and pointed at something for his brothers.
"We noticed that you were on the front page of the newspaper," Gordon commented. "In New York, San Diego, Los Angeles, Atlanta, etc. And I thought that Alan and I were the celebrities in the family because of our legal activities in the world of auto racing and Olympic swimming. Now our image is tarnished by the infamous Samantha Murphy." Scott and Virgil burst out laughing at his comments and Sam banged her head on the desk. Jeff had entered the office just as Sam banged her head.
"Dad, why didn't you and Mom stop after Virgil?" she moaned. "He and I could have been the youngest and the second youngest. Four is a nice whole number with a lot less headaches." A sudden scream from the playroom made her grimace. "I stand corrected." Her brothers all laughed at her comment.
"So, Sammie, did you put him down?" Virgil asked.
"Nope, but he has a swollen jaw and a nice bruise," she answered.
"It would have been worse had Alex and I not held her back," John added. "She was ready to go after him again. I don't think that he would have gotten up after that." Gordon whistled appreciatively.
"Still have the attitude, huh, Sam?" he asked.
"When have I ever tolerated reporters and photographers?" she snapped. "My son was hurt and he invaded my right to privacy. I'm not Dad, I'm me and I'm not famous, he is." Gordon held his hands up.
"Calm down, Sis," he said. "I agree with you. He shouldn't have been there but you know that we are pursued because we are Jeff Tracy's children. Now that you have children, they will be targeted like we are."
"I know, Gordy, but I don't like it," she admitted. "I'm sorry for snapping at you but we had a late night." A sudden alarm sounded from the Island.
"Gotta run," Virgil and Gordon said before they cut communications. Jeff opened his wristcom to connect to Base.
"I'm listening in Scott," he said.
"A small yacht is taking in water and the Coast Guard can't get to them in time," Alan told them from TB5. "The passengers think that they may have been taking in water all through the night and now they are partially submerged. I'll send coordinates when you're ready."
"Brains, I need you here at Command. Virgil, take Gordon with you and Pod 4," ordered Scott. "I'll take TB1 and assess the situation and the best plan of action."
"F-A-B," replied Brains, Virgil, and Gordon.
"Brains, I'm on my way back to the Island," Jeff said. "John, do you and Catie want to fly back now or wait until tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow," Catie answered. Jeff nodded and then ran to his room and grabbed his stuff. Alex and John were waiting for him in the car. They had decided to take him to the airport and bring back lunch for the family.
Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean:
"Thunderbird 1 to Thunderbird 2 what is your e.t.a.?" asked Scott. "I'm above the yacht and its taking on water. Three quarters of the way submerged, occupants standing on cabin."
"Thunderbird 2 to Thunderbird 1, our e.t.a. is two minutes and thirty-four seconds," Virgil answered. "What course of action are we taking?"
"Gordon, you're going to have to be lowered on the rescue platform and Virgil will maneuver his 'bird to the point that the victims can just walk onto the platform," Scott told them. "Gordon, watch the waves and make sure you're harness is secure and that you're clipped to the platform." Gordon rolled his eyes at Scott's lecture.
"And stop rolling your eyes at me," Scott added. Virgil burst out laughing at Gordon's expression.
"He's like Dad," Gordon said to Virgil.
"And no, I'm not like our Commander," came Scott's voice over the radio. Brains and Alan were chuckling at their stations while listening to the rescue. Jeff's voice suddenly piped in.
"What's going on, Scott?" he asked.
"Gordon is being lowered in the rescue platform right now, Sir," Scott replied. "Steady Thunderbird 2. Hold her there, Gordon's loading passengers now. Come on Gordy." Gordon had just moved to close the gate when a wave hit the platform.
"PULL UP NOW!" Scott screamed into his radio. Virgil immediately lifted Thunderbird 2 away from the waves. "GORDON, RESPOND NOW!" The only response Scott received was static. "Virg, have you heard anything?"
"Negative, Scott," he answered. Scott noticed something swinging from beneath the platform.
"Virgil, he's hanging underneath the platform," Scott replied. "Gordon, can you hear me?" Gordon's body was limp beneath the platform and the victims were pulling the safety rope that Gordon had fastened on the platform. After a short time, they pulled Gordon onto the platform and laid him gently on the floor. Virgil raised the platform until it was safely inside the ship and closed the hatch door. Putting his 'bird on autopilot, he ran back to the cargo area to check on his brother.
"Ow, my head," Gordon groaned. He hadn't moved from the floor yet.
"Gordon, are you hurt anywhere else?" demanded Virgil. Gordon smirked up at his older brother.
"Great, yet, another commander-in-training to deal with as if one isn't enough," he cracked. Holding his head, he cautiously stood up and unhooked his safety line from the platform and shooed Virgil back to the cockpit.
"Get the victims to dry land and you can practice your training later," Gordon ordered. Virgil grinned thinly at his brother and did as he was told. Gordon led the four rescued victims to the lounge area and handed them some towels to dry off with while he changed into a dry uniform.
"Gordon, e.t.a. six minutes," said Virgil's voice over the intercom.
"F-A-B," he replied. The passengers looked around in disbelief and shock. When the huge transport ship lowered to the ground and they disembarked, they thanked Gordon.
"No thanks needed," he replied. He raised the ramp once they were clear. "All clear, Virgil. Let's go home." Jogging slightly, he went to the cockpit and strapped himself into the copilot's seat.
"Thunderbird 2 to Thunderbird 1 and Base, we are setting coordinates for home," Virgil reported.
"Base to Thunderbird 2, have a safe trip," Brains replied.
"Thunderbird 1 to Thunderbird 2 and Base, I'm going to pace them home," said Scott. He flipped channels to speak directly to Thunderbird 2. "Gordon, how are you doing?"
"Swallowed some water and I have a headache," Gordon replied. "Other than that, I'm fine." Scott relaxed when he heard his brother's steady voice and noticed on his screen that Virgil was nodding in agreement. Gordon sighed in exasperation.
"Why ask me if you're only going to confer with the other trainee?" he grumped. "I could have relaxed and taken a nap while you two discussed training methods and the best possible ways to be like our Commander."
"I'd say that he's alright," said Virgil. "Thunderbird 2 to Base, requesting permission to land."
"Base to Thunderbirds 1 and 2, both are cleared to land," Brains told them. By the time the three brothers had cleaned up the two Thunderbirds and themselves, Jeff had arrived home. He was waiting in the lounge when they walked in.
"Dad how's Mikey?" asked Scott.
"He's fine," Jeff replied. "Just a broken arm and the slight concussion like Sam said. How was the rescue?"
"No casualties except the yacht," Gordon replied. "Only one injury and that was when I bumped my head on the side of the platform when the wave swamped us."
"Have Brains check it out," Jeff ordered. Gordon was about to protest and thought better of it.
"Yes, Sir," he replied. He followed Brains to the infirmary. After being given the all clear, he hurried to the dining room for lunch.
Back in San Diego at the Murphy house:
John, Catie, Alex, and Sam were sitting on the pool deck talking while the children were taking their nap.
"Sis, how would you feel if Catie and I adopted a baby?" John asked suddenly.
"I would be happy to see you two have a child and if that is the answer to your problem, then go for it," she answered. "You know that your child will be spoiled regardless. He or she will still be a Tracy and loved. You've already started the procedure haven't you?"
"Yes, we started paperwork last week," Catie admitted. "If everything goes as planned we should have our baby by the end of this year or beginning of next."
"Congratulations," cried Sam, jumping up to hug her best friend and brother. "We've got a couple of cribs and a changing table in the apartment that you can have and you can borrow the rocking chair that is in the nursery but that is the one piece of furniture I'd like to keep. Alex bought it for me when we found I was pregnant with Johnny." She giggled at the surprise that they had gotten when Johnny had been born and Lucy following behind him by a couple of minutes. John chuckled with her when he realized what she was thinking.
"Lucy surprised us all, didn't she?" he asked. "She's more like her mother than we thought." Sam walked over to Alex and sat down on his lap, leaning her head back against him. Automatically, his arms wrapped around her waist to hold her close. He had a look of contentment on his handsome features.
The rest of the weekend went by quickly and Sunday evening, John and Catie flew back to the Island. Sam and Alex made sure that the kids were ready for the next day of school and went to bed.
Life settled down and towards the end of the summer, Sam and Alex decided to take a week off from work and take the family back to Tracy Island for a vacation.