Part 11
Two years had passed since John Tracy fled Tracy Island. In that time he'd gotten a job at Virginia University where he held lectures in astronomy and did his own research. But he also taught communications at Marine Corps University. He and Anthony were engaged now for real and John couldn't be happier. Then he remembered that he still wasn't welcomed home. Well he was if Alan, Tin-tin and Jeff were off the island. Otherwise he wasn't and even if the three were away he didn't dare go back.
His grandma visited from time to time and he wrote to her, his brothers, Kyrano and Brains each month. He had tried writing to Alan but he never got a reply back. When he asked his other brothers about it they explained that Alan was on their father's side. That hurt John more than he thought it would. He felt betrayed and as if Alan had stabbed him in the heart, along with Tin-tin. His littlest brother had encouraged his father's behavior… was okay with Jeff trying to kill him. John shuddered. He still had nightmares from that day, but in it his other brothers and grandma tried to kill him too. Whenever he had those nightmares Anthony could always feel it and pulled John closer to his chest, making John feel safe and relaxed. They both loved each other very much but John still missed his family something terrible.
And his family missed him to. Things weren't the same on Tracy Island. For starters there was no one up in Thunderbird 5 anymore so all calls were transferred to the island. Then there was the question of the family itself. The family was divided down the middle. Scott, Virgil, Gordon, Grandma Tracy and Brains against Jeff, Tin-tin, Alan and Lady Penelope. Parker stayed out of it, not taking sides and no one knew what he was thinking.
It had even gone so far that Gordon, Virgil and Scott had moved their rooms to the round house so that they wouldn't have to see their father, Alan, Tin-tin or Penelope when there weren't any missions going on. On missions they were all civil towards each other because they needed to work together. But it wasn't the same thing. They didn't have the same flow and same confidence or security out on the field anymore. They still managed to pull off impossible feats but not with as much precision as before. At the moment Scott was packing his bag because he was going out on shore leave. He had a reunion for his Air Force class to go to and he was looking somewhat forward to it. Virgil and Gordon wasn't looking forward to it. It meant they were one man short in handling the "enemy".
"Do you really have to go", Gordon asked, sitting on Scott's bed.
"Yes I've been looking forward to this for a while now", Scott said with a small smile. "And if I have the time I'm gonna try get in contact with Johnny."
"Now I really am jealous", Gordon said and pouted. "I wanna go see him too!"
"All three of us do", Virgil said. "But you know what he wrote in his letters. He wants us to keep on helping people on our end and he'll do it on his."
Scott chuckled at that. If someone had asked him ten years ago if he ever believed his younger brother would've worked as a part time consultant for the FBI he would've laughed. But now John did. Sometimes they brought him in when they were dealing with advanced hackers. It wasn't often but sometimes he did and he helped capture criminals then. John didn't enjoy that part-time job as much as he enjoyed his teaching job and his research. John had managed to write two new books and a bunch of articles.
The three brothers had gotten them all and had read them all. They could notice in his writing that he was quite happy. But there was the question of Anthony. Gordon and Scott still wanted to meet the guy properly and Virgil felt a little smug that he was the only one so far that had. Well grandma had too.
Their grandmother was the only one that talked to Alan or Jeff. She was trying to change their minds but it didn't work, they both had the Tracy stubbornness after all. Scott sighed. He wished their mother was still alive. She'd make Jeff and Alan see sense. Grandma had told the four island bound brothers about John's real mother and they had all reacted differently to it.
Scott, since he knew, only nodded and listened. Virgil had lots of questions about their mother's reaction. Gordon hadn't said a thing for a while but had then said: "So what? He's still our brother." Scott had nearly never been so proud of his red headed brother as he was in that minute. He had been super proud of Gordon many times, this one was just another time. Alan hadn't said anything, he just left. Scott sighed thinking of the youngest of their clan. Alan had always idolized John. At one point when growing up it had always been "John this", "John that", and "Johnny wouldn't". But now… the youngest Tracy acted as if John was nothing to him. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
"Yeah?" Scott called. Alan entered. "What do you want?"
"Dad says that there's a storm coming so if you don't want to miss that party you should go now", Alan said and left. Scott sighed and took his bag.
"Well guys I guess I'll see you in a few days", he said. "Try not to kill each other while I'm gone and please stay out of their way?"
Virgil and Gordon looked at each other and grinned wickedly.
"No pranks", Scott scolded. "I mean it!"
"Us", Gordon asked innocently, matching Virgil's innocent look. Scott had been amazed to realize that Virgil really was a bad a prankster as Gordon. He didn't have the same original creativity but he sure as hell wasn't lacking creativity of his own. The duo had played many tricks on their "enemies" since John left. Scott didn't have the heart to really try and stop them. He enjoyed watching the results just as much as Virgil and Gordon did. Scott smiled and left.
A few hours later found the eldest Tracy Brother sighed heavily while leaning against a wall. Scott hated wearing suits, tuxes or the like. He felt like a penguin. There was no way he could stand wearing this monkey suit all night. He'd thought they'd be allowed to wear their uniforms but the people responsible for the party had forbidden it.
"If we want to see a bunch of air force people in uniform we would've stayed at the base", they'd said. Now everyone was wearing either suits, tuxedos or dresses. Scott had to grin when he realized he wasn't the only one feeling uncomfortable. There was a woman in a nice purple dress that went around cursing everyone and everything for making her wear the dress. Scott had been happy to see some of his former air force buddies and less happy to see some. They had also held a silent minute for those who had died.
Scott sighed and looked around. He couldn't really find anyone to hang out with. His best friends from those years couldn't make it. One was dead and the other four were busy with their families. Family… Scott sighed. Not only was this party "broken" according to him… his family was broken too. As was International Rescue. IR needed their main space monitor. But the Tracy family needed the middle brother. He was sure only Virgil was seeing it as clear as him, Scott knew their grandma saw it clearer than anyone, but their family were falling apart without John in it.
Jeff was acting strange. He was cold towards the oldest boys still living on the island while he spoilt Tin-tin and Alan rotten. He seemed a bit deflated though for some reason… and angry.
Virgil was tense all the time, nearly, and very angry as soon as he saw his father or youngest brother. He was also sad whenever he saw Tin-tin. None of the brothers could understand how she was against homosexuals with a father like hers. Kyrano had always preached loving everyone for who they are and not judge who they chose to love. Scott sighed again.
Gordon was… getting grey. Not his hair or skin or anything. But his laughter and mood wasn't as bright and sunny as it usually was. He was less cheerful and less… spontaneous. Gordon loved giving spontaneous hugs whenever his brothers weren't expecting it. He hadn't done it since John left.
And Alan… God Alan… he was so lost. He was trying to put on a brave face, trying to act as if he knew what he was doing but Scott was sure Alan had no idea of what he was doing. Alan looked confused all the time when he thought no one was watching. But as soon one of his elder brothers appeared he had to put on that… that… that stupid face again. That smug looking face that told the others he thought he was better than them. It was so far from the Alan Scott had helped raise that it hurt. That's the reason it hurt so much he realized. He'd help raise Alan and now… now Alan was turning into a big jerk… a selfish bastard that Scott didn't recognized at all. Scott hate to cry but this nearly made him cry then and there.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice someone lean on the wall beside him until the person spoke.
"Didn't think I'd find you here Tracy", the person said. Scott turned his head to look at his left but then realized he had to tilt his head back a little, to look up at the guy beside him. He was really tall, Hispanic and he was smirking at him. Scott knew who that was and groaned a little.
"Hello Antonio", he said. Scott had never really liked Antonio Vidal when they were at the Air Force together. Antonio was a year younger than him but had gotten in a year earlier because he was supposed to be super smart and had the highest score on the theoretical exam since forever. They'd been matched physically so they had developed a rivalry, trying to be the best. Scott had been the better pilot but Antonio had turned out to be the better officer.
"So how have you been?" Antonia asked with a grin.
"I've been good… you?" Scott replied.
"Meh can't complain", he said and stretched. Scott noticed the ring on his finger.
"Married?"
"Nah engaged but my fiancé has this idea about doing like some Europeans do. Both wearing rings."
"That's interesting."
"Yeah he's so cute."
"He?!" Scott stared at Antonio. He'd always thought the other guy was a ladies' man. Antonia laughed and his very deep voice made it sound like thunder.
"Yeah weren't you told through the grape vine?" he asked.
"No", Scott said. "I'm not much for gossip."
"That must be the biggest lie I've ever heard", a very familiar voice said and Scott turned around. His face split into a huge grin.
"Johnny!" he yelled happily. John Tracy smiled back at him. Scott hugged his younger brother tightly to him. John hugged him back. Scott had noticed by just looking at his younger brother that John looked as if he was doing good. He had gotten some color back on his face and his eyes didn't look as tired or sad as they did before Jeff found out his secret. Scott held John at an arm's length and looked him over.
"You're looking good John", he said. "There's color on your face and you look… healthier."
"Not like skin and bones you mean?" John asked with a grin. Scott blushed a little. It was common knowledge that the brothers and their grandma always thought John was too skinny and needed to gain some weight. But no matter what their space loving brother did to gain weight… he didn't do it. Scott was awaken from his thoughts by a deep chuckle and he narrowed his eyes when he saw Antonio wrap his arms around his younger brother from behind.
"See baby I told you you'd like to come today", he said to John. John grinned up at him and Scott felt his mouth drop. Anthony? John's Anthony? Antonio Vidal, Scott's rival, was his brother's boyfriend? Oh no. No no no. Scott never authorized that. Nope, never. He never gave the other man the approval of dating his younger brother! Scott decided to get into full big brother mode.
"Excuse me", he said and pulled John out of Antonio's arms. "But I need to have a little chat with my little brother." With that he steered John away from Antonio, noticing the amused look Antonio wore.
Scott led John towards a more private place… the cleaning closet. He lit the lamp and turned to start scolding John when he saw the tired look on John's face. Scott opened his mouth to start talking but John beat him to it, like he always did.
"Scott", he said. "While your protective mother hen side is really adorable, right now I'm a little pissed at you."
Scott closed his mouth and then opened it again… only to close it again. He repeated this a few times and John didn't look impressed at all. But the truth was that Scott was trying to work out if John was being sarcastic or not. But when he saw the small smile playing on John's lips he knew John wasn't really pissed at him.
"Look", Scott said. "I'm only looking out for you Johnny. I know Antonio better than you do."
John gave him one of his looks again and Scott found himself blushing. He cleared his throat. "I mean… he has this reputation about him at the-"
"I know", John cut in. "Believe me, people have tried to 'warn me' about Anthony since we got together."
"Antonio."
"Anthony", John said. "Only you call him Antonio."
"Right and… wait a minute. Johnny did you know who he was when I joined the Air Force?!"
"Uh huh", John said with a grin.
"So when you were extra eager to come visit me it was because…"
"Because Anthony and I would shag in a cleaning closet", John answered happily. Scott paled.
"And that time Antonio and I shared a room… a-and I walked in and you sat on my bed?"
John shrugged. "Anthony had just jumped out of the window after a rather intense make out and love making session."
"On my bed?!"
"Well in it."
"John!"
"What", John asked innocently.
"It was my bed."
"Honestly Scott, how many people do you think have used that bed and done way worse things than me and Anthony?"
"Ew ew ew ew ew", Scott said. John gave him a look.
"Teenage girl warning Scotty", he said and Scott glared at him. He was about to ask something more when Anthony opened the door and looked at them.
"Problem?" he asked.
"Nope", John said happily. "I'm just coming out of the closet… again."
John walked out of the closet and Scott followed, looking between the two. Anthony chuckled.
"I think we should try and bury the hatchet shouldn't we Terrie?" he asked and Scott glared at him. John elbowed Anthony in the stomach but the bigger man just chuckled and kissed John's hair. Scott glared at him murderously.
"Fine", he spat out between clenched teeth. "I'm all in for burying the hatchet Antonia if you are."
Anthony glared at Scott and Scott glared at Anthony. John rolled his eyes.
"Honestly", he said. "You two are worse than toddlers. Now enough of these schoolyard shenanigans and let's get out of here yeah? I know neither of you like these sort of events. Let's go get a pizza or something?"
"Roger", both former Air Force men said at the same time. John rolled his eyes again and headed for the door. He was sure that before this night ended his eyes would stuck in permanent rolling.
TBC