Gabriella
Disclaimer: Please see Chapter 20.
Thanks for all the lovely reviews. You guys are the best. A couple of you suggested I write another story about the younger years and I will probably do that when I finish this one if you guys want me to.
Chapter 29: Thank You.
Jeff walked up to the vid screen in the little waiting room and called up John. They had all been kicked out of the sickbay whilst Tate, Brains and Virgil stabilized Gabby.
"Hey dad what's going on?" asked John.
"Gabby collapsed a little while ago. She has developed Hypothermia," explained Jeff.
"Oh god," said John looking worried.
"She will be fine bro. She's been through worse," said Gordon trying to reassure his older brother.
Alan studied John for a few seconds and then walked over to Tintin. The two whispered for a while before they both looked up and smiled. Alan then walked over to his father.
"Dad once the storm clears, can I go up and relieve John?" he asked.
"What?" asked Jeff and John at the same time?
"Well he is due down on Wednesday anyway so it is only a few days early plus I thought John might like to see Gabby and reassure himself she is ok," explained Alan.
"Wow thanks bro," said John.
"Well you are always doing extra shifts and stuff for me so I thought I should return the favour."
"Are you sure Al? I thought you and Tintin had a date tomorrow night," said John.
"We can do it another time," said Tintin smiling up at him.
"You would be doing the same thing if it was Gordon in there," said Alan and John knew he was right.
"Is that ok with you dad?" asked John.
"I should think so. Any idea when the storm will have passed over us?"
"You should be clear by about 6am."
"Excellent. Alan and Gordon will see you in the morning then," replied Jeff and smiled at Alan.
The door opened and Virgil came in. He smiled tiredly at them all and waved at John.
"How is she?" asked John before anyone else could.
"She is doing fine Johnny. Her temperature is coming up nice and slowly. She will be up and about before you know it," replied Virgil.
"Is she still unconscious?" asked Gordon.
"Yes she will probably wake up once her temperature reaches about 34 or 35 degrees," replied Virgil.
"What about Scott?" asked Alan.
"He is about to wake up so I came to get you dad. I get the feeling he is not going to appreciate being stuck in bed especially when he spots Gabby."
"You are right there son," said Jeff standing up. "I will call you in the morning John. It's time you went to bed," he added turning back to the vid screen.
"Yes father," replied John with a mock salute before he disappeared. Jeff just shook his head and followed Virgil out of the room.
They all entered the sickbay to see that Scott had just awoken.
"What happened?" he asked groggily.
"Well you decided to pick a fight with a palm tree and lost," replied Tate with a grin.
"So that's why I feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest then," he replied with a weak smile.
"I bet your head hurts as well right," said Tate checking the monitors above Scott.
"Just a little," replied Scott and Tate just grinned knowing that he was lying. Scott then realized there was a face missing.
"Where's Gabby?" he asked.
Virgil had been blocking Scott's view to the other bed but now he slowly moved back. Scott looked over at his baby sister all wrapped in blankets and immediately tried to sit up. Jeff and Virgil placed their hands on his shoulders and gently pushed him back down.
"What's wrong with her?" asked Scott.
"She has hypothermia but she will be fine," reassured Tate before walking over to check Gabby's temperature again.
"32.3 it's coming up nicely," said Tate.
"32! What was it?" asked Scott feeling worried. He knew a temperature that low was not good.
"It doesn't matter son, all that matters is that she is on the mend," replied Jeff. Scott smiled and then yawned.
"Go to sleep bro," said Virgil. Scott gave him a weak smile and the closed his eyes. He couldn't fight the pull of sleep even if he wanted to.
"Right I think it's time you all went to bed as well and I mean all of you," said Tate turning to the rest of the family.
"What about you dear?" asked Grandma. She was worried about the young man.
"I will be fine Mrs Tracy. Us doctors get used to working long shifts," he replied.
"Maybe I should stay just in case," said Virgil.
"No you need to get some sleep mate. You look like hell."
"Thanks Tate," replied Virgil sarcastically.
"Anytime. Now off to bed. I promise I will let you know if anything happens."
"Come on everyone," said Jeff and he ushered them all out of the room. Tate watched them leave before turning back to his patients. His gaze rested on Gabby and he smiled. Even looking as ill as she did she was still beautiful.
Jeff stepped into the sickbay and smiled at the young Doctor who was sitting at the desk typing.
"Good Morning Tate. How are they?" he asked.
"Doing fine Mr Tracy. They both slept peacefully. I should think Gabby will wake soon," replied Tate.
"How is her temperature?"
"Just under 36 degrees so almost normal."
"That's good to hear," said Jeff looking over at his two children.
"This is some set up you have here Mr Tracy. I've seen hospitals less prepared then this," commented Tate.
"I know and you are probably wondering why we need it right?" asked Mr Tracy.
"The thought did cross my mind."
"Has your father told you much about his dealings with me?" asked Jeff and Tate shook his head. "Or more specifically his dealings with International Rescue?"
"Um," Tate paused for a second and then realization hit. "Are you International Rescue? I mean the head of International Rescue."
"Yes I am Tate," he replied proudly.
"Wow, so I'm guessing this is Base Control then?" he asked and Jeff nodded. "So that means that your sons are the Thunderbirds then?"
"Yes they are Tate."
"That explains a lot. What made you tell me?" he asked.
"Many reasons actually but the main one is that we know we can trust you not to tell anyone."
"How do you know that though? You haven't seen me in years?"
"No but I have kept in touch with your father, he is one of our agents actually. Also we had you investigated when you first asked Gabby out," explained Jeff.
"I see."
"This lot are bound to want you to visit more often and it will be a lot easier now that you know our secret. Also John wants to come down from Thunderbird 5 to see Scott and Gabby, which means launching Thunderbird 3."
"The space rocket that saved the Sun Probe right?" he asked and Jeff nodded. "So that would mean John is on a space station of some sort?"
"That's right. Thunderbird 5 is our Communications satellite. Alan and John share the responsibility of manning her but John tends to think of her as his."
"Meaning Thunderbird 3 is Alan's then?"
"Yes. What about the others?"
"Well Thunderbird 1 has to be Scott's. I cannot see him letting his brothers arrive on scene before him. Gordon must be in charge of the submarine, leaving Virgil to fly Thunderbird 2."
"Very good," replied Jeff. A murmur from one of the beds grabbed their attention.
"Hi baby girl," said Jeff walking over to her.
"Hey," she replied croakily.
"Hi Gabby. How are you feeling?" asked Tate walking over with a thermometer.
"Cold and a little groggy. How's Scott?" she asked glancing over at her big brother. Tate handed her the thermometer and she obediently placed it under her tongue.
"Scott is doing fine. His vitals are all good and he should wake soon," replied Tate as the thermometer bleeped. "36.2. A little low but nothing to worry about."
"Thanks Tate," she said smiling up at him. He grinned back and Jeff could see something developing.
A couple of hours later and Gabby was sitting on her bed chatting to Tintin. The door opened and John walked in. Gabby jumped up and ran over to him.
"Hey you," he said hugging her tight.
"Hey John."
"How are you feeling sis?" he asked as they walked back over.
"Fine well a little cold still but Tate said it will soon pass," she replied.
"What about trouble over there?" asked John gesturing at Scott.
"He can speak for himself thank you," came a voice from the bed.
"Hey Scott," said Gabby letting go of John to walk over to her big brother. She gave him a gentle hug being careful of his ribs. Tintin left them alone to talk.
"So how you feeling then bro?" asked John walking over.
"Better then I was. What about you Gabs?" he asked. John smirked at the way he was more concerned about her then himself.
"I'm fine and it's good to see you awake Scott. I was so scared when I saw the palm tree flying at you," she said suddenly fighting back the urge to cry. John noticed this and wrapped his arms around her
"You know a palm tree couldn't stop our big brother," said John with a grin.
"Yeah. I missed you John."
"I missed you too Gabs. I'm hungry. Do you fancy some breakfast?" he asked knowing Scott wouldn't be able to go with them.
"I would love to. Catch you later bro," she said walking to the door with Scott.
"I'll just sit here all alone and talk to myself then," said Scott glaring at them.
"Virge will be down with something nice and light for you in a few minutes. Porridge I think," replied John. Gabby giggled knowing how much Scott hated porridge.
Two days later and both patients were out of the sickbay. Scott was still under strict instructions to rest though. Tate had spent most of the time being shown around the base and seeing all the craft so Gabby hadn't spent any time with him at all so far. Today she was beside the pool alone. Everyone else was busy doing things around the Island. A shadow fell across her and she looked up to see Tate standing before her.
"Can I join you?" he asked.
"Of course you can. Do you still remember who I am?" she asked with a grin as he sat down on the lounger next to hers.
"Hm I think so. Gabby right?" he joked back.
"Yeah so how are you enjoying your working holiday Dr Donnelly?"
"Oh it's been an experience that's for sure but I did get the chance to look after a beautiful woman so I can't complain."
"Oh really?" she asked playing along.
"Yes she was gorgeous and looked so adorable whilst she was sleeping."
"Watch it you or this beautiful girl will set her not so beautiful brothers on you," she said cheekily. They both sat enjoying the peace and quiet not normally found on the island.
"Did you really have a crush on me in high school Gabby?" asked Tate turning to look at her.
"Yeah I did and Brooke used to have a crush on Scott. It always used to make us laugh," she replied with a smile.
"But she dated Virgil," replied Tate.
"Yeah but she still liked Scott though."
"Pity she dumped Virge for Matthew Alcott though," said Tate with a frown.
"True but you soon ended that one."
"The guy was a jerk Gabby."
"You broke his nose and put him in hospital!"
"Hey I wasn't the only one to beat a guy up for trying it on with his sister," argued Tate.
"What do you mean?"
"Scott beat up Kyle Lewis after he made some inappropriate comments about you."
"So that's why he suddenly left me alone," said Gabby staring out across the pool
"Yep Scott told him it would be the last thing he ever did, if he tried it on with you again."
"Wow," she replied. A look of shock and worry crossed her face worrying Tate.
"Are you ok honey?" he asked moving to sit beside her.
"I have to find Scott," she said standing up.
"You're not going to yell at him are you? He was just protecting his baby sister."
"He did more then that," said Gabby quietly.
"Huh?" queried Tate.
"I'll explain later I promise," she said before running off to find Scott.
She soon located him in the lounge. Without saying a word, she walked up to him and gave him a hug. Scott hugged her back. No one was surprised by the move as Gabby hugged them all the time. They began to worry though when Scott did.
"Gabby what's the matter?" asked Scott suddenly realizing she was trembling slightly. He got no reply so he stepped back forcing her to look at him.
"Gabs?"
"I just needed a hug from my big brother," she said looking down.
"There's more to it then that," said Scott and he guided her over to the couch.
"Tate was telling me about the time you decked Kyle Lewis," she said finally. Jeff looked up at this point. He could remember that fight. If it had taken place on school grounds, Scott would have been expelled for that.
"The guy deserved it for what he said," replied Scott grumpily.
"I know and I know what he said too Scott."
"Did Tate tell you?" he asked.
"No but he had been making comments to me for days before hand. Then he just stopped and I had no idea why. I just assumed he had got bored of me telling him where to go."
"I got into so much trouble for that and dad was right. I should have just ignored him. Fighting is never the answer," said Scott and Jeff smiled at him.
"I don't agree with that, not in this case anyway. Sorry dad," said Gabby glancing up at him.
"What do you mean Gabriella?" asked Jeff. Gabby flinched a little at the use of her full name. Tate stood in the doorway listening.
"Do you know what happened to Kyle after your fight?" asked Gabby turning back to her big brother.
"We broke up for summer and in the fall he never came back. No one seemed to know what had happened to him," replied Scott.
"With good reason. Kyle went to New York for the summer and whilst he was there, he attacked and raped a young woman," explained Gabby. Everyone looked at her in horror.
"Scott if you hadn't of scared him away. That could have been me," she added quietly. Scott just wrapped his arms round her hugging her tight.
"I wish I had been there. I would have held him for you," said John walking over.
"You wouldn't have been the only one," said Virgil.
"Thanks big brother," said Gabby kissing Scott on the cheek.
"Anytime baby sister," he replied.
Gabby spotted Tate by the door and smiled. He was a really great guy. She could tell he was falling for her and that scared her a little. After what happened with Rob and Cole, was she able to trust someone else?
Authors Note: Is Gabby falling for Tate, if she is, can she get over her fears. What will the others think about it and what happens when Tate's ex comes back on the scene?
