Where to from here

On the beach of an unpeopled island Parker watched Laura looking back were they had come from.

"Are you sure this is the island that goes with this deed?" Laura asked looking puzzled.

"Yes milady, oh sorry, Yes Laura it is."

"So what on earth did Granddad buy this island for? And why give it to me?" Laura just shook her head. "Did he plan for me to set up a clinic here or did he hope I would build a retreat and become a hermit here?"

"I have no clue Miss Laura, sorry, I wish I could help you." Parker was feeling nearly as frustrated as Laura was. As LauraLynn this girl treated him exactly as his employer Lady Penelope or at least similar, letting him wait on her hand and foot. But when she let her hair down and washed her face she was miss 'I can take care of it myself'. Thurman often thought she was competing for his job. Laura even went as far as to slap his hands if he tried to carry her bags.

"Thurman," Laura called, "is that Tracy Island I can see over there?"

"Yes miss," Parker answered.

"Well then it won't work to put a clinic here, too many people will be able to see the Thunderbirds when they take off and that could compromise their security."

"I see your point mi—I'm sorry I just keep forgetting."

"Thurman, I'll tell you what, I'm feeling a little humble today. What I want from you is a friend not someone who's afraid of every word that comes out of his mouth. As long as you don't call me LauraLynn I'll be happy with what ever you call me. Please just relax."

"Okay milady, I can do that," Parker let out a sigh. "May old nosy here ask milady a question of a personal nature?"

"Now that's the Thurman I know and love," Laura smiled. "You may ask any question you want, I do however, reserve the right not to answer if it will incriminate me."

"Nosy here has made notice of a special glow in milady's eyes when they are in the vicinity of one young Mr. Tracy." Parker proceeded with an ounce of caution, "I have also notice a similar sparkle in young Mr. Tracy's eyes."

"That obvious is it?" Laura asked, an exposed look on her face and biting on her lower lip.

"To more than just me." Parker acknowledged, "The two of you have been the topic of many conversations since you left Colorado."

Laura sat down on a rock and studied her bare toes wiggling in the sand.

"It's true then," Parker found the other half of the rock and sat next to her.

There was silence for a moment then Laura pinched the bridge of her nose to close off her tear ducts and gave a nod of her head.

"I thought I was loyally married to my work, to the cause, that I had fixed it so that I'd never feel like this. I thought all I had to do was stay on the move and I'd never get close enough to anyone. No compromising entanglements. That way I'd never have to explain my dual life or worry if the person could support me in the lifestyle that I've, well, the lifestyle I've grown to love."

Laura paused to wipe her eyes, "Then there we were together in these catacombs beneath a towering inferno, fearing our lives would end at any second. He was the famous elusive hero who had saved my life a time or two and now he was hurt. He needed me and my medical bag of tricks and I needed him and his know how. Together we got seven children and each other out of that hole alive. Then he went his way and I mine; only I couldn't get him out of my head. I liked how it felt when I sat next to him to just chat and keep myself awake.

I forced myself to go on; after all I was crazy to even imagine a relationship with a member of the famous Thunderbirds.

I took on extra work and deliberately sent workers to another camp in Australia so I would have enough work to keep my mind busy. Then Granddad asked me to set up his cover so that he could train on the equipment while he was grounded and it all started again."

Laura stopped and looked at Parker for the first time since she started talking.

"I deliberately left Australia off that list of camps I recommended. I knew if he came I'd,-. He said it was the last camp on the list. Granddad must have added it."

Laura paused to blow her nose on a hanky that Parker handed her. She then stood up and paced around Parker as she continued.

"I almost didn't even say good-bye when he left. Then I found that silly paper butterfly and knew he was the only other person in the world who would appreciate it as I did.

Then he was gone and I went home planning to take my medical boards and just jump right back into the rat race.

I could tell with the first look I got of Granddad that he wasn't long for this world, so I stayed. I owed it to him to be there for him. To help keep him comfortable help him put things in order that I didn't want the aunts to know about."

"Yes, I put my name and twenty-four-seven contact information in his surgical packet. With the area they cover he really needed at least a dozen names to contact to meet the criteria that I set up for those things. I could only come up with three that I thought would work with them and not compromise their secrecy. I never thought he'd ever open it! I didn't even know they had an outer space in their unit!"

Laura dropped to her knees at Parker's feet, looking up at him as if she were pleading for him to tell her what to do next.

"And now he knows everything about me and who I've been-. I don't know what to do next."

"Perhaps young Mr. Tracy could fill the roll in your life of wife." Parker referred to the conversation he had over heard between Laura and Mark Christensen, the Foundation CEO before she left Colorado the last time.

"No." Laura spoke quickly and with resolve. "He's too good at what he does, too important to his family and their organization, to the lives that depend on them. I can't let him leave all that to play second fiddle to me."

The only sound that was heard for some time was the crash of the waves against the rocks and the sound of the seagulls over head then Parker offered the only direction he dared to.

"So where to from here milady?"

"Got a map and a dart?" Laura joked.

"I have the one, milady, put not the other," Parker informed.

"You have darts. Cool, let's play" Laura joked again.

When Parker didn't answer Laura turned away and looked out over the ocean.

"Could I share a thought with milady?" Parker asked after a moment of silence.

"What's that Thurm," Laura asked still watching the water lap at the beach.

"The life you have built for yourself is a rather lonely one. That has to take some kind of a toll on the energy you have to give to it. Young Mr. Tracy is one of only a very small handful, all brothers I might add, who have a similar dedication, who could support you in the lifestyle you have grown accustom to."

"Parker I told you I -"

"Please milady, please let me finish. . . As I was saying Young Mr. Tracy is a rare find who can help you with your life's passion but you are also a one in a million find for him. I can't figure there are many young women out there like yourself who can keep the Tracy's secret and support their work in a way you can. If you block Young Mr. Tracy from being part of your life you may very well also be sentencing him to the same lonely unfulfilled life you are choosing for yourself."

Parker's point hit its mark, leaving Laura lost for words. Could Thurman be right? Could she be denying Scott a chance at true happiness? Could she help him find that happiness?

After another space of silent thought Laura turned to face Parker.

"Do you think I would be out of line to try and join a clinic near here?" Laura asked. "Just in case he wants to visit, or. . . "Laura sheepishly refrained from finishing her sentence.

"I don't think anyone would have a problem with such an arraignment," Parker commented somewhat pleased with himself, "In the civilized world lots of Doctors commute to work."

Laura then somewhat reluctantly pulled a computer print out from her pocket and showed it to Parker. "I think I might be interested in setting up at one of these five clinics. What I don't know is, how they're equipped, staffed, or if they're interested in working with me."

"It would seem to me that we should go have a look at each of them then milady." Parker advised.

"You're right as usual old friend. Do you have a good book to keep you entertained while I case the joints?" Laura joked with Parker gaining her composure and focusing forward.

"I'm not so old milady, and when it comes to casing a joint, I'm sure I can teach you a thing or two." Parker returned the banter with a pleasant smile.

"Shall we then," Laura took a deep breath.

"After you milady." Parker motioned toward the flying car with his outstretched hand his other taking a place in the small of her back to offer guidance.

Jeff casually made his way to the dinning room. He wasn't far from his room when he was flanked by Allen and Gordon, there just in case he needed some one to lean on. Both were happy to see him out and about.

As he gingerly sat at the table his lunch was placed before him and before he had taken his first bite Lady Penelope was escorted to the table by Kyrano. At a glance Jeff noticed that she was limping and that her arm was in a sling.

"Thank you Kyrano for the massage. I do feel much better." Penelope said as she was being seated at the table.

"What happened to you?" Jeff asked only to receive a scowl that could almost be classified as a lethal weapon.

Before she answered Scott arrived at the table seating him self quickly and dishing his plate like a teenager.

"Hey what happened to you?" He asked when he took time to look at Penelope.

"If you must know, I was injured in the fracas that you all thought was so humorous this morning." Penelope answered indignantly, "After I'd had a shower and a bit of a lie down I could hardly move."

Everyone at the table fought hard but successfully kept from laughing out loud.

"LauraLynn was kind enough to look me over," Penelope continued to report.

"You mean Laura," Scott corrected.

"LauraLynn said that I have no broken bones that I'm just bruised and sprained." Penelope continued with total disregard to the corrections that were being given.

"I personally will be glad when you're ready to take over again." Penelope addressed Jeff, "My authority isn't well respected here."

"Well, I don't see any reason that I can't take control right now. I'm not allowed to fly a mission for a few more days but I can handle anything else that comes along." Jeff announced.

"Does that mean our curfew is lifted?" Scott asked sarcastically.

"That's enough." Jeff reined his sons in quickly and reminded them of their manners.

"I just don't understand that LauraLynn," Penelope started after eating interrupted the conversation.

"You mean Laura?" John asked.

"She was raised in a proper home and has the finest of skills, I just don't understand why LauraLynn would choose the lifestyle she has."

"You mean Laura." Jeff added his correction.

"Why LauraLynn would choose to the life of a roving ruffian instead of teaching her skills in the finest of hospitals is beyond me."

Jeff could see that Scott's temper was rising so he jumped in first. "The important part of your statement is that you don't understand Laura." Jeff said in a tone that brought the conversation to an end.

"Speaking of Laura, does anyone know where she is?" Scott asked guessing that Laura was avoiding Lady P. "Her supplies came in on the mail plane."

"She said that she felt like she was beginning to interfere with the work around here and I had to agree with her." Penelope offered, "I've asked Parker to take her and help her make arrangements for her next posting."

"You What!" Scott got to his feet in outrage.

"What about Dad?" Gordon questioned, "He still needs a doctor."

"Hey, where's Dr. Linstone," Virgil asked as he arrived in the dinning area unaware. "I just stopped in at the medical room and all her gear is gone."

"She'll be back later this evening. If your father were under a true doctor's care he would have been sent home now anyway." Penelope defended her actions.

"Are you saying Laura's not a true doctor?" Scott's ire was rising higher.

"Scott!" Jeff got his son's attention, keeping him from giving Penelope another 'lesson' like the one Laura had given her that morning.

"Dad, may I have permission to go after Laura?" Scott formally requested standing at near attention glaring at Penelope.

"Yes, go," Jeff permitted and Scott was gone before he could see the look or hear the words that his father had for Penelope.

Laura sat in silence pondering the message Parker had delivered while he piloted toward the first island on her list. On the largest of the islands Parker put the car down on a secluded road and drove to the local shipping docks

"I have no GPS reading for the medical facilities on this island milady." Parker surrendered.

"What is it about men and asking directions?" Laura teased as she grabbed her medical bag and climbed out of the car without waiting for Parker to open the door for her. Throwing the strap of her bag over her shoulder Laura walked right up to the first person she saw and in the best version of the language she could manage asked where to find the nearest Doctor.

"They say it's up that path there, about two miles," Laura reported as she returned to Parker. "I don't think that road and this car will get along together, and you better wait here and watch the car while I go. It might not be here when you get back if you don't."

"I fear you're not wrong milady," Parker surrendered as he watched the dockworkers moving closer to his charge.

"I don't know how long I'll be."

"Don't worry about me, milady." Parker assured her, "Take this with you, just incase you need to call for a ride." Parker handed Laura a phone radio programmed to reach him if she needed him.

With a nod of her head Laura slipped the phone in a pocket and was on her way.

She had made an effort to stay in shape but her lifestyle the last several months had taken its toll. The hike was slower and more tiring then she wanted to admit.

Every person Laura met along the way she asked where the Doctor was just to make sure she remained on the right path. As she came over the rise Laura noticed smoke in the distance and thought it strange that the cane fields would be burned at this time of year. Then the smell of the smoke reached her nose and it carried the unmistakable odor of burning human flesh.

Laura's adrenaline took over for her lack of conditioning as she broke into a run headed for the smoke rising some distance away.

Once she reached the top of the next ridge Laura saw that a bus had overturned and it and a cane field it rolled into were both on fire. Several people were pulling their fellow villagers from the buss while others were ushering field workers to a nearby clearing where all the injured were being cared for. As Laura moved closer she noticed only two people seemed to be giving any kind of medical treatment. Laura pulled her identification and credentials out and made her way to the closest of those workers.

"I'm Dr. Laura Linstone from the Mikealson Foundation. Where do you want me?"

"Start over there," Laura was directed. Looking where she was being directed Laura could see nearly thirty patients and more still coming from the field.

"Do we have a sterile place to treat these burns?" she asked before moving out.

"No," she was told.

"Are the three of us the only medical workers around?" she asked again.

"Yes," was the unfortunate answer.

"May I call in a supply shipment?" Laura asked out of respect but she was already reaching for the phone that Parker had given her.

"Don't bother it will never get here in time," Was her answer.

"Oh yes it will," Laura responded.

Using his GPS and the tracking signal from Lady P's car Scott flew straight to the island and the place where Parker was waiting for Laura.

Parker stood at attention as he watched Scott walk toward him. When Scott got close enough to see his face he could see the twinkle in his eyes and the gentlest smile.

"Thurman! I need an audio connection to the Mikealson Foundation London office like yesterday. Can you help me there?" Laura's panicked request came over the radio in the car as soon a Scott stood face to face with Parker.

"Tell her yes," Scott responded, reacting like a Thunderbird. "Find out what's going on."

Scott listened in as Laura gave a short description for the scene she was working at. Scott listened to the breaks in her dialog and knew she was talking between patients while doing triage.

With in seconds Scott had two long range radio head sets and Laura's medical supplies in arms and had convinced a local dock worker with a jeep to give him a ride to the accident site.

"Scott Tracy to base, come in." Scott worked the radio while he was riding to the accident zone. "Scott Tracy to base, comes in."

"This is base, go ahead Scott" Virgil answered the call.

"Laura's got some major medical needs for the victims of a bus accident and fire we need a clear connection through to the London office of the foundation." Scott spoke knowing every second counted.

"Mikealson Foundation?" Virgil asked as his father came through the door in response to the call.

"That's right." Scott confirmed.

"F.A.B. Scott. Dad wants' to know if we need to mobilize?

"Stand by I'll have a visual on the accident any second now." Scott stretched his head high for every advantage as his driver neared the top of the ridge. "I see it now, the fire is nearly under control and workers here have the field flooded. It looks like the needs now are all medical to treat the victims."

Scott bailed out of the jeep he was riding in with the box of supplies under one arm. Clearly the supplies he carried wouldn't go very far but they were better than nothing. Setting the box down near a group of patients, Scott then walked up to Laura who was so busy that she didn't know he was there. Scott just reached out and placed a head set in position on Laura's head.

"Your connection to London," Scott said as he clipped the radio controls onto her shirt. "I'm on channel 2, I brought your supplies I'll be handing them out as far as they'll go."

Laura shared a relieved smile with Scott then Scott popped the box open while Laura turned back to her patient.

"This is Dr. Laura Linstone; I need emergency supply dispatch stat!" Laura called in to the microphone in front of her mouth as she evaluated her patients.

Scott had just distributed the last of the supplies when he heard Laura's voice in his head set.