Stephanie ran back into Thunderbird 2 just like John had told her to with tears running down her face. She got inside and collapsed into a pair of arms. Virgil took her and sat her in the sick bay as Jeff took off. Their open radio between John, Tracy Island and the Thunderbird crew were left open and they had heard the whole conversation. They knew that John would do anything to protect his brothers and the love of his life.
Thunderbird 2 lifted up into the air and flew off in the direction of Tracy Island with her sister ship flying alongside her. Jeff flew so Virgil could tend to Stephanie.
"How are you feeling now Steph?" Virgil asked when they were around 5 or so minutes from Tracy Island. Stephanie hadn't said much since she was put into sick bay. Virgil was in and out keeping her company as well.
"Okay I guess." Came her reply.
"I promised John that I would help you so if you ever need anything come get me morning or night."
"Thanks Virge. Not much would be able to cheer me up. Not now."
"There is someone new on the island. I thought I would leave it until we get back but if you speak to them now they could cheer you up."
"Okay." She wiped her tears as Virgil called base control from the monitor in the sick bay.
"Come in Thunderbird 2 sick bay." Came a soft feminine voice. Stephanie's hand flew to her mouth.
"Lucy?" She said.
"Hello darling." Lucy's face which had a lot of similarity to Johns appeared in the screen.
"Oh Lucy! You're alive."
"And Sasha too!" Sasha's copper hair appeared.
"Gordon's twin! Wow. I remember you when you were tiny and just beginning to walk." A grin was what she got in return.
"When you get back we are going to have some of my famous hot chocolate, some cheese toasties, and we are going to take over the boys cinema room and have a huge Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Marathon. Just for you. "Lucy said smiling.
"Really?" Stephanie asked. Virgil smiled.
"Of course. You will need some major cheering up after what you have been through. And then losing little space man again." Stephanie's face fell slightly. "But don't fret, we will get him back."
"Thunderbird two preparing to land. Everyone alright down there?" Jeff's voice traveled through.
"Everyone is good dad." The room went silent as Thunderbird Two descended down onto its special runway. The trees bent back and the cliff face door began to open. The green ship landed smoothly and disappeared into the hanger. The cliff face repositioned its self and the Thunderbird machine disappeared.
Virgil and Stephanie exited the sick bay, walking into Jeff. The three took the elevator up in silence to Jeff's office where everyone else was waiting. As Stephanie walked into the room and spotted Lucy and Sasha, she walked straight to them. "It's good to see you again Lucy." Stephanie said. "And you too Sasha."
"How are you doing?" Lucy asked resting a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm… not too good." Stephanie said. Her voice wavered slightly. Lucy's arms wrapped around her. Stephanie welcomed her arms before bursting into tears. "It's all my fault! If I had never come here with John in the first place, he wouldn't have been taken by that bloody orc! It's my fault."
"Shush… Shush… None of this is your fault. Don't blame yourself." Lucy whispered. The rest of the occupants in the room watched as the former Olympic swimmer broke down into pieces. Virgil was surprised that she had kept her emotions in her for nearly an hour. At least she is now out of harm's way. Virgil thought. Surely nothing more or worse could happen to the poor girl. We will get John and all this will be over. Jamie will be put into jail and we will never have to worry about him again. Well… that's what he thinks…
-Somewhere in America-
"Wake up you lazy scoundrel!" Jamie shouted. John was awake in an instant. "Now we are going to go and spend a lot of your precious money." John frowned. "Let's go." John was practically dragged out of the room. He was put into the car. It was dark out. It must be somewhere between 7 and 8 give or take an hour or two. Too bad my watch face is smashed. It will make it harder for people to track me down. And I stupidly left my phone in Thunderbird 2.
They neared an ATM. Jamie parked the car and turned to John. "Now I want you to withdraw the maximum amount from your account. If you don't do it, I'll find some way or another to hurt Stephanie." John reluctantly got out of the car and went to the ATM. Fortunately, passing journalists did not see John therefore did not stop to interview him. John put his credit card into the machine and withdrew $1000. He collected the money and his credit card before getting back into the car.
What Jamie didn't realize, was that when John put his card into the machine, it sent a message to the bank with his information, where he was and the amount of money he withdrew. This makes it easier for investigators such as Gil Grissom and his team to track the whereabouts of John Tracy. John did know of this, therefore would withdraw the money, but he was more concerned of the welfare of Stephanie to care about the amount that he withdrew.
Jamie's car sped off in the direction of the closest casino. John sat in the back seat wondering about this own fate.
-Time gap-
Stephanie spaced out during the day with her mind drifting off into the land of fantasy. This worried both Jeff and Lucy at times. Regardless, Stephanie spent most of her time in Jeff's office playing on the piano and singing. All the boys in other parts of the house heard the music drifting through the air. Most thought it was Virgil except it wasn't. Virgil went to investigate and found that it was Stephanie who was singing and playing a lovely melody on the piano. He smiled and went back to his painting.
Not long after, Stephanie decided to begin a search for John via his watch. She asked Jeff if she could use the computers that John used to find her and Jeff nodded and pointed to the computers on the other side of the room, close to the secret entrance to Thunderbird 1. "Thanks Jeff." She said with a small smile on her face. Jeff smiled back and watched as she sat by the computer.
Stephanie began to search for the tracking device on his watch. Luckily for her, she knew the ins and outs of finding out information on computers quickly, as she had taken up a part time job as a forensic scientist that she worked on her times on earth. She sat for hours in front of the computer trying to find the watch. Lucy brought her food and drink. As the minutes clicked by, she was no closer to finding John. Something is not right. I would have found it by now. "She went back and watched the video recording off Thunderbird 2 of the incident in America. She watched it closely and analyzed every frame. Then she noticed one small factor. John's watch had been crushed by Jamie's hand during their fight. That would be why I can't get into John's watch as quickly as I would like.
"Jeff, it may take me another hour or so to get into Johns GPS locator because it looks like the face of his watch has been smashed."
Jeff pondered on this thought for a few seconds. Although he wanted his son home safe and sound at that moment, he knew that Stephanie was only trying her best. "Take as long as you need Stephanie. But make sure that you get enough rest. I'm keeping an eye on you, like I promised John I would."
"Thank you."
-Sometime later-
Stephanie was getting closer and closer to finding the watch when an email popped up. She clicked on it and it came up with a bank statement. That's funny… Everyone is here. No one is in… "Mr Tra.. I mean Jeff!" The owner of the name looked over to her.
"Have you found his watch?"
"No. Even better. I have just gotten a bank statement from John's account. It says that one thousand dollars has been withdrawn and it was taken out at an ATM somewhere in Las Vegas. This amount was taken out at 7:30pm… about 10 minutes ago."
"Well, that certainly narrows down our search. But how will we know exactly where to find him?"
A grin appeared on her face as she put the pieces of the puzzle together. "Give me a moment." She whipped out her phone and called her boss.
"Hey there Steph. Decided that you are finally going to come back to work?" He man on the line answered.
"Hey there Grissom. I am going to come into work. But I have a slight dilemma on my hands, one of which I need your help with."
"The lab has been pretty quiet at the moment. I'm all ears."
"Have you seen me on the news lately?"
"Actually, I have. Is it true that you have gotten back with John?"
"Yes. That's where the problem is."
"Ah. I see. Well, come along now, spill the beans."
"John was taken by ex-boyfriend Jamie. Both of them are somewhere in Las Vegas right now. I just received a bank statement verifying my claim."
"Okay. Tell you what. I'll put you up for accommodation here for free and as a team we can work on this case. I don't want this bastard ruining your life anymore." Grissom had been told the story of Jamie and Stephanie's relationship one afternoon when Stephanie had come running to him looking lost and upset. From there, she proceeded to tell him about John and Jamie and their impacts on her life.
"Thanks. This means a lot to me. I should be in Las Vegas in the next 24 hours or so. Is it fine if I bring a friend or two? I'll pay for them."
"Go ahead. Don't worrying about expenses. You work your life at this job when you're on the earth side. It's about time I give back to you. You're the best of the best when it comes to this job, and I would hate to lose you."
"Thanks a lot Grissom. See you soon."
"Alright. Bye."
Stephanie snapped her phone shut and looked back to Jeff. During her conversation on the phone, Lucy and Sasha had arrived. Ah just the two people I wanted to see.
"I need to get to Las Vegas." She stated simply. Jeff nodded.
"I know. Now make sure you call in every few hours. I just want to know that you are safe."
"That's fine with me. Is Lucy and Sasha allowed to come with me? I need a little support and would love to get to know them better." Jeff looked over to his wife and only daughter.
"It is up to them." He replied.
"You're not going anywhere without me." Sasha said walking over to Steph. "I am determined to find my older brother."
"I will go with you then. You could always use an extra pair of hands." Lucy added smiling.
"Thank you." Stephanie said smiling.
"Go and pack. Tomorrow morning you will depart at the time that you wish. Although the earlier the better, considering the paparazzi and journalists that seem to be attracted to you like magnets."
"What about seven-thirty it is then?" Stephanie suggested.
"Seven-thirty it is." Jeff concluded.
The three went to pack their bags before settling in for a nice and relaxed sleep.