Gabriella
Disclaimer: Please see previous chapter.
Thanks for the reviews. So sorry for the delay but I have been ill and forced to rest by my mean brothers who keep stealing my laptop. I am better now well nearly so hopefully they will let me work now.
Chapter 21: Photo Fury
Four moths had passed now since the incident with the Hood and Virgil had made a full recovery. John was back up on Thunderbird 5 and Gabby was back at the office once more.
Today though she was off to the island for the weekend. She was really looking forward to catching up with her family but it did mean saying goodbye to someone special.
"I'm going to miss you Gabs," he said.
"I will miss you too Cole but it's only for the weekend," she said hugging him tight.
"So are you going to tell them about us then?" he asked with a grin.
"No way. I like having you around," she joked.
"It won't be that bad honey," he said reassuringly.
"Oh it will trust me. Your family was a walk in the park compared to mine."
"You will have to tell them sometime baby," he said kissing her lightly.
"I know and I will but next visit ok. I need to have words with Scott first," she said frowning.
"Ok well I better let you go. Have a good trip and call me later ok," he said kissing her again.
"I will see you on Monday," she said before heading off to the airport.
Gabby landed her plane effortlessly and strolled up to the lounge. All her family soon greeted her. Virgil, John and Gordon all hugged her at the same time.
"Much as I love you. I can't actually breathe here," she said and they all released her.
"You say that every time sis but you still love it anyway," said Alan grinning at her.
"So where's Tintin?" asked Gabby.
"Right here," said a sweet voice from behind her. The two girls hugged happily.
"We have got to make some time to chat Tin. It's been ages since we had a proper girly gossip."
"I can't wait," said Tintin smiling at her. She always enjoyed having Gabby on the island. Gabby turned her attention to her older brother.
"Scott can we have a chat?" she asked calmly.
"Sure sis. You want to go for a walk?" he asked.
"Let's go," she said and they walked off.
Gabby stalked off down the beach forcing Scott to jog to catch up with her. She walked until they couldn't be heard by the others and turned on her brother.
"Scott If you don't want to date a girl be a man and tell her. Don't just ignore her," she said angrily.
"What are you talking about?" he asked feeling a little confused.
"Uh Macey. My best friend. The girl you have been seeing for months. The one you have completely ignored for the last three weeks."
"Oh," he said looking away.
"Oh is that all you can say. Scott if you don't want to be with her anymore fine but at least have the guts to tell her to her face," she yelled and then sat down.
"Don't yell at me Gabby. This has nothing to do with you," he retorted angrily.
"It does when it's my friend you are hurting."
"You wanna know why I have been ignoring her?"
"Uh yeah," she said pulling him down onto the sand beside her.
"Because this can't go anywhere Gabby. We are never going to be able to have a normal relationship. Dad will never let me bring her here and then tell her about International Rescue."
"How do you know?" she asked.
"Because this is International Rescue Gabs. It has to stay secret. You know what he is like about it."
"But she isn't just anyone Scott. You should give him a chance. He might just surprise you," she said standing up.
"And if he doesn't at least call her and break up with her properly," she added before running off down the beach.
Later that day found Gabby, Tintin and Grandma all gossiping in the kitchen.
"So what's his name then?" asked Grandma.
"Whose name?" questioned Gabby.
"The young man who is making you smile so much," replied her grandma. Gabby thought about lying but knew her grandma would see right through it.
"His name is Cole McAllister and he's an engineer," she said finally.
"What does he look like?" asked Tintin excitedly.
"Tall dark and totally gorgeous," she said with a sigh.
"Sounds like someone is in love," said Grandma Tracy with a smile.
"What. I'm not in love well, oh god maybe I am," she said putting her head in her hands. Ruth wrapped her arms around her granddaughter still smiling.
"That's so great Gabby," said Tintin.
"Yeah and he knows all about Rob and was so understanding. He is a really nice guy Grandma. You will love him."
"I'm sure I will. So when do we get to meet him then?" she asked pouring them all a drink.
"You can meet him whenever you like. The rest of the family are never meeting him."
"It won't be that bad honey."
"Do you not remember what happened with the first guy I brought home to meet them? He was so scared he almost got run over," she said remembering how her brothers had threatened to kill him if he tried anything. Shane had been so scared of them that he had turned and ran out into the road.
"It will be fine honey," she said and Gabby smiled at her. She then turned to Tintin.
"So how are you and Alan getting along Tin?" asked Gabby.
"We are getting along just fine," she replied shyly.
"Do I hear wedding bells in the distance?" asked Gabby with a grin.
"Maybe one day but I don't think we are quite there yet."
"Looks like I may be getting some great grandchildren after all."
"Grandma," said Gabby blushing. Tintin was the same.
"Well it's about time you all settled down and I want to see some little children running around here before I'm too old to enjoy it," she said wistfully.
"You've got years left in you yet Grandma," said Gabby hugging her tight.
"Well I better get on with some cooking," said Grandma and the two young women left her to it.
Gabby grinned as the plane came into land. She had convinced her dad to allow Kerrie to come to the island for the weekend as well. Kerrie had worked out a few weeks back that they were International Rescue but had sworn not to say a word.
"Hey Kerrie," said Gabby grinning.
"Hi Gabs. How are you," she replied hugging her friend.
"Great how are you?"
"Just fine," she replied and they watched as Virgil came out. He smiled at Kerrie and then hugged her tight.
Gabby moved to stand with her father and Grandmother.
"I think you may be gaining a daughter in law soon dad," she said grinning at the young couple who were still hugging.
"Really. I didn't know they liked each other," he replied.
"Dad look at them. You can see it in their eyes and their embrace. They obviously love each other."
Jeff studied his middle child closely and realized his daughter was right. Virgil and Maddie broke apart and approached the family.
"Is there something you would like to tell us son?" he asked smiling at them.
"Like what?" asked Virgil suddenly confused.
"Something about you and the young lady beside you maybe," replied Jeff. Kerrie glanced over at Gabby who grinned and then at Virgil. He smiled then took her hand.
"Dad I'm in love with Kerrie," he said smiling.
"I see and do you feel the same?" asked Jeff turning to the young woman beside him.
"Yes Sir I do," she replied.
"Then welcome to my island and my family."
Gabby and her grandmother grinned at them all. They had both known that Jeff wanted his sons to be happy and would accept Kerrie into the family. It also helped that she knew their secret and could be trusted too. Jeff had investigated her after they first met and found her to be a loyal, trustworthy, determined young woman, worthy of his son's devotion.
"Thanks dad," said Virgil smiling at him. Jeff smiled back and they all strolled into the house.
Scott stood on the balcony watching. He couldn't believe how easily Jeff had accepted Kerrie into the family. He began to wonder if maybe he should tell his father about Macey. He really liked her and could see himself having a future with her. She didn't care that he was rich or the son of a millionaire, she liked him for him.
The next morning Gabby awoke and got dressed. She left her room and headed towards the kitchen. There was a photo taped to the wall and she glanced at it before moving on. Suddenly she stopped and walked back to study it more closely. It was a photo of her and Cole kissing. She looked around to notice it plastered up everywhere.
"Gordon Cooper Tracy. You're a dead man," she yelled before ripping off the photo in front of her. She then walked around the house pulling all the others down too. She was so angry with her younger brother.
The others soon came out wondering what had made their sister so angry. They soon realized when they saw a poster sized copy of the photo taped to their father's desk. They all started laughing as their furious sister stormed into the room.
"Where is that little weasel?" she asked.
"Far away hopefully," laughed Alan.
"This isn't funny guys," she replied yanking the photo out of Scott's hands.
"So who is he then?" asked Scott.
"That's not important right now," she said walking to the door.
"I think it is Gabriella," said Scott grabbing her arm. Gabby swung round and glared at her big brother.
"No. I need to find and kill my brother then if you really insist I will tell you about him ok," she said angrily.
"Let her go Scott," said John. He could tell that Gabby was not in the mood to talk and pushing her would just make her angrier.
"Fine but we will be discussing this," said Scott forcefully. Gabby ignored him and walked out of the door.
She wandered along the beach searching all of the hiding places Gordon usually used when he was in trouble but she couldn't find him.
"Revenge will be mine Gordon Tracy," she said and then raced back into the house to find something.
Jeff wandered into the lounge wondering where all his children were today. Usually there was at least one in the lounge or kitchen. He approached his desk to try to locate them when his gaze landed on a photo taped to the mike. He picked the photo up, studied it closely and then yelled angrily.
"Gabriella Ruth Tracy in my office now."
The boys who were all down by the pool looked at each other worriedly. Gordon had got his sister into some serious trouble now.
"Why don't we see if we can find him? He is going to have some serious explaining to do," said Scott standing up. The others all agreed and set off to locate him.
Gabby meanwhile headed up to her father's office.
"Yes Sir?" she said walking up to his desk.
"What is the meaning of this Gabriella?" he asked showing her the photo.
"This is why you should have left Gordon at the hospital when he was born," she replied angrily.
"I'm assuming this is his handiwork then," he said laying the photo down.
"Yes it is and when I get my hands on him you will only have four sons."
"So who is this young man then?" asked Jeff.
"His name is Cole McAllister and he is an engineer. You actually bought a couple of his ideas."
"I see and how long have you two been dating?"
"Three months but nothing happened between us until long after business had been concluded."
"That's good to hear. I think it's time I met this Cole McAllister," said Jeff and Gabby looked up horrified.
"I'm not so sure about that," she replied.
"Why not?"
"Because I actually really like this guy and I don't want you lot scaring him off," she said sinking down onto one of the chairs.
"We wouldn't do that honey," he said and Gabby just looked at him. "Ok well we might but that is only because we care about you honey and don't want you to get hurt."
"I know you do but he is really nice and I know he won't hurt me."
"Yeah but I don't know that though. After what happened with Rob I just want to be sure," he said moving away from his desk to sit beside her.
"Ok you can meet him," she said.
"Thanks honey. I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier. I was just shocked to see that photo and the fact that you didn't tell us you had a boyfriend."
"I'm sorry about that dad but I wanted to be sure it was going somewhere before I told you all about him."
"Are you sure now?" he asked.
"Yes I am," she said without hesitation and Jeff had to smile.
"Something tells me you and Virgil are not the only ones to be considering a serious relationship with someone," said Jeff standing up.
"Yeah Alan and Tintin are pretty serious too."
"I'm talking about a certain older brother of yours," he said turning back to look at her. Gabby looked up at him shocked.
"Are you talking about Scott?" she asked.
"Yes and I know exactly how he feels about Macey Saunders even if he is not ready to admit it yet."
"You do?"
"Yes. I saw the way he looked at her the other day when we were at the office. That look could only mean one thing. Your big brother is in love."
"I think you're right dad and maybe you could have a word with him and give him a shove in the right direction," said Gabby smiling.
"I'll see what I can do. I had better find your younger brother now and have words with him about privacy and not giving his father a heart attack," he replied grinning.
"Why don't you hold off on that for a little while and let me have some revenge first," she said with a cheeky smile and Jeff agreed.
It was evening on the island now and Gordon had finally returned to the house. He walked into the kitchen for dinner and sat down. His brothers all gave him disapproving frowns. Gabby refused to look at him and his father ignored them all by reading the paper. Gordon began to wonder if maybe he had gone a little too far.
The meal was an uncomfortable one and everyone was glad to leave the table and pursue other interests. Gordon decided to head to his room allowing his sister more time to cool off. He would have a chat with her in the morning.
Meanwhile in another bedroom someone else pulled out a small velvet box and opened it to check the contents were inside. The ring was still there and still as beautiful as when he had picked it out. Now all he had to do was pluck up the courage to ask her to marry him and hope she said yes.
Authors Note: So what revenge does Gabby have planned? Will the family like Cole and who is planning on proposing? Find out soon.