Disclaimer - Nada. Nope. I soooo don't think so.

Chapter 26 – On Home Turf

Emily Tracy sat rigidly in the pilot seat of Tracy four. She repeatedly looked over at the other passengers in the small plane. Julie sat towards the back, in the rarely used jump seats, Transom beside her. While the knife was no longer at Julie's throat, it was still tightly clutched in the redheaded scientist's left hand, while her right hand continued to clutch the frightened younger woman's shoulder. On the other side, the Hood sat, his eyes closed as if in meditation. Emily was kind and compassionate – it was one of the things that had led her to becoming a doctor in the first place. As brilliant as she was, she could have easily gone into academia or research, but the idea of caring for people reached her heart. Emily had been angry before, she had a temper, the same as any rational person. She had disliked people, been sickened by them – including her own mother. But Emily could never imagine she could hate someone, hate them enough to want them dead, or even be willing the one to take the life of that person.

As the plane began its approach to Tracy Island, Emily had decided that in the Hood's case, she would be willing to make an exception. This man had haunted the dreams of John since the day Emily had met him. Her husband, the quiet, soft-spoken Tracy son had not deserved the nightmares the Hood had caused.

John had been on Thunderbird Five when the villain had launched a missile at the space station. He had quickly sent an emergency message to base and his father and brothers had raced to his rescue. John – nearly two months after their marriage – had admitted to his wife, after awakening from another horrible nightmare, that he had realized not long after his initial call that the damage had come not from a meteor as he had first suspected, but from a missile. The astronomer had confessed that he had been afraid to tell his family, afraid that they wouldn't come. Emily had taken her now crying husband into her arms and comforted him. "John, even if they had known, they would have come. They love you and wanted to help you. Hey, Starman…" John had smiled at the teasing nickname she had given him. "It was meant to be. It was horrible, yes, but that experience has helped bond your family tighter than ever. You now know what is important. And I think it may have been Alan's salvation." The puzzled look her husband had given her made Emily pause before continuing. But he had to know about this. "John, I have been reviewing all of the family's medical records. In Alan's case, they include counseling reports from a school psychiatrist. Did you know Alan had been in therapy for over a year? That the doctor felt Alan suffered from quote "a pattern of self-destructive behavior rooted in guilt and anxiety". When Alan was able to help save his family, and his family realized how precious he was to them – and began giving him the time and attention he needed – Alan changed almost overnight. His grades went up, discipline reports became almost non-existent, and you have to admit to him having a better relationship with your father. In the end John, you have to remember this - The Tracys won and the Hood lost. He is in jail, you are all alive and the Thunderbirds are stronger than ever."

When John had still looked doubtful, Emily had placed his hand on her stomach, reminding him of the baby that rested there. "You were meant to survive, you were meant to meet me and our child was meant to be. Now, I am awake, and you are awake, and I don't know about you, but I could use something to make me relax. Maybe some warm milk?"

Emily almost smiled at the memory of how John had helped her fall back asleep. Warm milk was so overrated.

The gentle memory was shattered by the Hood's sharp words. "Shouldn't you be informing the Island of your imminent arrival? You really need to act as normally as possible, for dear Julie's sake." Even as he spoke, his ever-loyal minion raised the knife – not to Julie's throat but placing it against the slight curve of her stomach. "And please, assure us of a gentle landing."

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Kate had fallen asleep on the couch in Command and Control, as Brains and Tin-Tin monitored the rescue. Onaha had taken on all six of the children, playing with the younger Tracys (five honorary grandchildren along with her actual granddaughter), to allow Kate to get some rest while Sarah finished a task down in the infirmary. Brains quietly (so as not to disturb Kate) asked Tin-Tin, "S-so wh-what is S-Sarah w-working on?"

"Hmm? Oh, she is finishing up some on-line certification test. It's a timed test, so I would expect her to come up here in the next few minutes. She said one of us could go when she gets here, or she will go help my mother with the grandchildren."

With a slight smirk, Brains responded, "I th-think your m-mother's need is g-grreater."

Tin-Tin let out a soft chuckle, as she checked the monitors. With Thunderbird Five down, International Rescue had found it was easier to have two people on at Command so as to monitor rescues better. Spotting information incoming from the Island Security System, the younger woman smiled. "Emily and Julie are landing now. How much you willing to bet Alan is right? He swears it's a boy, I just want him to be wrong."

"Wh-what do you l-lose if he is r-right?"

With a grimace, Tin-Tin answered, "A week of 2 a.m. feedings."

Kate rolled over, muttering, "You should have bet what I did."

Entering the room, Sarah couldn't resist asking, "So what was your bet?"

Her eyes never opening, Kate muttered again. "Alan bet that Julie was having twins. Easiest twenty bucks I'll have ever made."

Knowing why Emily wanted Julie examined, Sarah laughed, while Kate gave her a dirty look. The laugh was really too loud for her pounding head. "What," she growled, "is so damn funny?"

Sarah just chuckled. "Oh, I will let you know. Later."

Opening her eyes slightly, Kate directed her question to Tin-Tin. "So, have Emily and Julie landed?"

Smiling, Tin-Tin nodded at the monitor. "They landed a few minutes ago. If I know Emily, they should be walking through the door any moment now."

"Oh my dear niece, you so understate the obvious."

Brains and Tin-Tin, recognizing the cold voice, froze in remembered terror, while Sarah and Kate both moved to act only to halt at the sight of the Hood holding Emily by the arm. Just when they thought it couldn't get worse, Transom moved into the room with a knife to Julie's throat.

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Kyrano ran into the kitchen where his wife was feeding milk and cookies to the Tracy Grandchildren. "Onaha, pick up the children. We must hide them." He had already picked up his granddaughter and DJ.

Onaha acted even as she questioned her husband, snatching up Keith and Michael while motioning Jason and Elizabeth to follow them, "What is it? Is something wrong?"

Looking at the youngsters, not wanting to frighten the Tracy Grandchildren, Kyrano simply said, "He is on the island. I can sense his mind. He has chosen his targets for revenge."

Her eyes widening as the implications of his words sunk in, Onaha nodded tightly and followed her husband out of the house. She did not know where he was taking them and was fearful for the well-being of her child and the daughters of her heart but she knew what they must do. They must protect the children from the monster who had threatened the family before. It would be up to the Tracy women to defend their home.

a/n - ah, yes, the Hood has come back, the women have got to deal with him. I almost feel sorry for him. ALMOST. thanks for the reviews, may I have another? - CC