The Tracy Women Part 4 Talli
Disclaimer: None of the characters from Thunderbirds belongs to me. Any others are the figments of my imagination.
Thanks for the reviews. Sorry for the delay in posting this but my brother is ill in hospital with Viral Meningitis so I'm dedicating this chapter to him and Little Miss Bump as she is still ill as well. Get better soon honey.
Chapter 20: A Realization
Gordon and Talli walked to the kitchen and got a hot chocolate. They then walked out onto the balcony and sat down. Gordon pulled Talli into his arms.
"So what are the nightmares about then?" he asked.
"Being trapped in that awful cellar with Jamie. It was so damp and cold," she said shivering slightly.
"Why don't you tell me exactly what happened after Jamie dragged you away from me."
"Are you sure you want to hear this?" she asked.
"You have to talk about it honey. It's the only way you will ever deal with this," he said hugging her little closer to him.
"Well he took me to a room on the other side of the warehouse and just left me there. It was cold and dark. I felt like I had been there days but it must have just been a couple of hours. When he came back in he was grinning and said that we were leaving," she paused for a moment.
"That must have been after he made me believe you were dead," said Gordon with a hint of sadness in his voice.
"I still can't believe he killed some woman just to hurt you. Do they know who she is yet?"
"Nope, they think she was a homeless person so they may never find her true identity," he paused for a second and then spoke again.
"I really thought he had killed you Talli and I wanted to die too. His men would come and beat me but even they gave up eventually because I wouldn't fight back. I couldn't see the point."
"How long did you think I was dead for?"
"Until we saw the video tape. Something like two weeks I think. Worst two weeks of my life."
"I can imagine," she said softly.
"So what happened next?" he asked.
"He shoved me into a car and took us to an old abandoned air strip. Then he drugged me and I don't remember anything about the flight except waking up once but he just gave me another shot."
"That explains all the needle marks on your arm."
"Yeah that wasn't so bad. I was too out of it to really know what was going on. It was when he stopped doing it that things got bad," she paused to sip her drink.
"I can vaguely remember landing in England. It was cooler and wetter. He threw me into the back of a land rover and then drugged me again. I then woke up to find myself chained to the wall in that cellar with bruises that I didn't have before," she paused to sip her drink and could feel the anger coming from Gordon.
"It's a good job he is safely locked away," said Gordon.
"Yeah. The next couple of days were a blur as I was still doped up on the drugs but I can remember the following day clearly. It was the first time I woke up with a clear head."
"What happened?" asked Gordon when she hadn't continued.
"Jamie wandered in and seemed really happy about something. I asked him about you and he said your family had rescued you. He then laughed and made some comment about how he had ruined your life but I had no idea what he was talking about and he wouldn't tell me either. I do now," she paused again to take another sip and shivered a little. Gordon pulled a blanket over and covered them both with it.
"Then I received the first beating or at least the first one I can remember anyway. After that, the days rather blended. I woke up, was beaten and passed out again. Jamie only spoke when he was bragging about how he was finally getting his revenge and that he had taken down a Tracy in the process. I was scared he had hurt or worse killed you," she choked back a sob.
"Its ok baby," he soothed.
"I was so scared that I was going to die in that cellar. It was so cold and dark. You know I can remember every single kick and punch," she paused for a second. "And you really don't need to hear this Gords," she said looking up and seeing the anger and pain in his eyes.
"No I probably don't but you need to talk about it Talli," he said bringing his hand up to brush the hair away from her face.
"Are you sure you want me to continue?"
"Yes I do."
"Ok. It wasn't always Jamie that beat me occasionally his three goons would too. They were clever though. None of it was ever hard enough to break bones well not till the last day anyway."
"At least he didn't do anything else to you," said Gordon the relief evident in his voice.
"He tried," she said softly.
"What?" asked Gordon shifting violently so his drink spilt down the blanket. He swore and they both stood up.
"Just once after he recorded that video. He came up and tried to kiss me. My hands were still chained to the wall and I felt so dizzy. There was nothing I could do to stop him but suddenly he just froze and then stormed off. I must have passed out because the next time I awoke I was lying on the floor. Sometimes he would lower the chains so I could lie on the floor. It was the only consideration he showed," she said leaning on the balcony railing.
"I can remember him finally coming back a little later and he was so angry. That's when I found out he had told you I was dead. He was so delighted that he had hurt you so badly it made me sick. The next thing I can remember is water pouring over my head and Jamie saying that you were going to pay and that I would be free. That was when I realized he had no intention of letting me go," she paused and gazed out across the dark island.
"He told you that?"
"No I could see it in his eyes. It was then that he gave me the injection to lose my voice. My next memory is you coming to rescue me. You will never know how relieved I was to see your gorgeous green eyes looking at me," she said turning back to him.
"I felt the same when I saw you," he replied pulling her into his arms once more. Talli relaxed into his arms and then smiled up at him.
"You were right Gords; I do feel better having talked about it."
"I told you," he said a smile playing on his lips.
"Don't you go getting cocky mister," she said frowning at him.
"Like you would ever let me," he replied with a grin and then looked serious. "Are you really ok though Talls?"
"Yeah I can't guarantee the nightmares will just stop now but I think I can handle them better now."
"Well you won't have to do it alone. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere," he said tilting her chin up so he could kiss her.
"Good but I do think it's time we got some sleep," she replied pulling back.
Gordon nodded and taking her hand led her back to his room. Talli knew she should go back to her own room but right now, all she wanted was to be held in his strong arms. They climbed in and Gordon pulled her into his arms.
"Goodnight beautiful."
"Technically its morning," she replied with a sleepy smile. Gordon just smiled back and kissed her gently.
"I love you," she said sleepily snuggling closer to him.
"I love you too," he replied and they both fell asleep.
Talli hung up her phone and walked back into the kitchen where the others were all eating breakfast.
"I'm sorry about that Mr Tracy but my mother doesn't understand the concept of time zones," she said sitting down.
"Is everything ok?" he asked.
"Yes she wants to see me. Apparently she is in New York on business at the moment," replied Talli stealing a piece of toast off Gordon's plate.
"Are you going?" asked Gordon. She nodded and saw a frown cross his face.
"Look I know you don't particularly like her and to be honest I don't blame you. She didn't exactly give you the best impression of her but she wants the chance to make things right with you."
"What do you mean by make things right?"
"She was hoping you would come with me. She wants a chance to get to know you properly."
"No way," he said without hesitation.
"Please Gordon. She really wants to make amends. Give her a chance for me?" she asked giving him a little smile.
"At least hear her out son," said Jeff.
Gordon glanced around the room at the others. His gaze rested on John who gave him a smile and a nod. John was the one he generally turned to for advice. He knew the others turned to Scott but he just found it easier to talk to his quieter brother about things.
"Ok. I'm not making any promises but I'm willing to hear what she has to say," he said turning back to Talli.
"Thanks Gords," she said and kissed his cheek. The girls all smiled at them both.
"Is it just me or has Gordon gone soft since meeting Talli?" asked Scott with a grin.
"You got a point there bro. Now what was it Gordon said in the hotel after Virge was shot? Oh, I remember it was that no girl was ever going to whip him. Well bro I think it's safe to say that you are well and truly whipped. Welcome to the club," said John holding out his hand. Gordon grinned and shook it.
Talli and Gordon walked into the restaurant and quickly spotted Talli's mother. She stood up as they walked over.
"Hello mother," said Talli kissing her cheek.
"Hello darling. It's so good to hear your voice," she replied and then turned to Gordon.
"Hello Gordon, how are you feeling?" she asked.
"I'm ok thank you," he replied politely and they all sat down.
"Gordon I wanted to thank you for saving Tallia and giving me a second chance with her. I know I don't deserve one but you will never know how glad I am to be able to talk to her," said the older woman.
"I think I have an idea," he replied and Talli squeezed his hand for a second.
"I really hope that one day we can at least be friends Gordon at least for Talli's sake."
"Ok but if you ever do anything to hurt her again then I will make sure you never see her again," he said seriously.
"I wont I promise," she said sincerely. They both smiled at her.
Talli looked up from her menu and placed her order. Suddenly a movement caught her eye and she froze staring at the figure near the bar.
"Talli are you ok?" asked Gordon suddenly catching the look of shock on her face.
"Did you know he was here?" she angrily asked her mother, who looked up to see her husband approaching.
"I swear to you I didn't. I have no idea what he is doing here."
Gordon watched warily as he approached their table. Talli didn't need any hassle from him after Jamie.
"I heard you were back from the dead," he said glaring at his daughter.
"Yeah and I bet you were gutted to read that," replied Talli angrily.
"I sure was," he replied.
"What do you want?" asked her mother.
"Nothing at all. It didn't take you long to worm your way back into her life. Got anything to do with her rich boyfriend maybe," he said spitefully.
"No I care about our daughter and so should you," said Kate Bradford standing up.
"She stopped being our daughter the day she killed her sister."
"I was not responsible for her death," said Talli angrily.
"No you weren't," said her mother.
"I think its time we left," said Gordon he could see things were getting strained and he didn't want it to break out into a fight.
"I agree," said Talli and Gordon wrapped his arm around her.
"Have I scared off the billionaire?" asked her father cockily.
"No but somehow I don't think you earn enough to take me on," replied Gordon.
Tim Bradford glared at them for a second and stormed off. Talli, Gordon and her mother left the restaurant and stood outside.
"I am so sorry honey but I promise you I didn't know he would be here," she said looking sadly at her daughter.
"I know mum, its ok," she said and gave her a hug.
"What are you two going to do now?" she asked pulling away.
"Go back to the island I think. I suddenly need to be around my family," replied Gordon. Seeing her father be so cruel made him realize just how lucky he was.
"I don't blame you," replied Kate Bradford.
"I want to go home too," said Talli with a smile.
They all said goodbye and set off in opposite directions. Gordon was touched that Talli regarded the island as her home now.
Gordon and Talli were back on the island now and it was late evening. Grandma and Kyrano had retired to bed, the girls were all watching a movie, Jeff was finishing off some paperwork and the boys were on the balcony enjoying a drink.
"What film are they watching anyway?" asked Alan.
"Some chick flick. Lots of crying and men running around with their tops off," replied Scott.
John looked over at Gordon. He had been pretty quiet since he had gotten back and it wasn't like him.
"Are you ok Gords?" he finally asked.
"Yeah it's just been a strange day," he replied. He sat for a few seconds nervously fidgeting and then he began to speak once more.
"Guys I just want to say thanks for everything you have done lately. I acted like a real jerk after I thought Talli had died, yet you guys were still there for me. You especially Al, I was really awful to you," he paused to sip his drink.
"Gords you thought you had lost the woman you loved. You were allowed to be angry," replied John.
"Plus we're your family. We will always be there for you," added Scott.
"I was just glad I could help you bro," said Alan grinning at him.
"Even so I just wanted to say thanks. I don't think I would have made it through the last few weeks if it hadn't been for you lot," he said.
"Now not that I'm complaining but what has brought on this sudden need to say all this?" asked Scott.
"It was seeing Talli's father being so cruel to her. It made me realize just how lucky I am to have such a great family. I know we don't always see eye to eye but I wouldn't want it any other way," he explained. They all smiled at him.
"Right back at ya bro," said John giving him a slap on the back.
"He really has gone soft," said Alan slyly and they all laughed.
"I think we should go and warn Virge that Gords has gone mad," joked Scott standing up. They all strolled into the lounge to see that Jeff was talking to Virgil anyway.
"Hey guys what's up?" asked Virgil. He was still up on Thunderbird 5.
"Gordon's gone soft," blurted out Alan.
"Huh?" asked Virgil looking at his younger brother. Jeff also turned to look at Gordon.
"Seeing Talli with her father today made me realize just how lucky I am," he said walking over to his father.
"No I'm the lucky one," said Jeff wrapping his arm around his son.
"I know I don't say it a lot but I am so proud of each of you and I wouldn't change anything about you," said Jeff smiling at them all.
"Oh god it's spreading," said Alan quietly to John.
"What's spreading?" asked Virgil.
"Going soft," replied John with a grin. Jeff just swung his arm out and pulled John to him as well.
"If you guys are going to start hugging then I'm off," said Virgil with a grin.
"Ah we love you really Virge," said Alan.
"Yeah and just to prove I haven't gone soft," began Gordon moving away from the others.
"John and Scott had a bet on you Virge. They were betting on when Maddie would finally crack and yell at you," he explained with that trademark cheeky smile of his.
"What?" asked Virgil angrily?
"Catch you later guys," said Gordon and he darted away.
Authors Note: So will the others go after Gordy? What will Virgil have to say about the bet and how will the court case go? Sorry made a slight typo so had to redo.