Thanks to everyone who's let me be a sounding board! Tikatu, Grumpy, Convert, love you guys!

Again, don't own 'em so please don't sue.

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John spied the envelope as soon as he walked into his bedroom. Recognizing Christa's handwriting, he frowned and opened it.

John,

I love you. I know that seems like a strange way to start this, but it's true.

And it's because I love you that I can't do this anymore. I can no longer sit back and watch as you destroy yourself. Which is what's going to happen if you continue down the path you're on. Your drinking has become a problem, if you haven't noticed that, others have. You are slowly drinking yourself into an early grave, and I can't stand to watch you do that.

There is so much I still don't know about you John, and every time I try and reach out, you pull further and further away. I could understand about the secrecy surrounding your job, if that is indeed true. But my point is, I don't know if it is! There's so many things that you've told me that contradict the other that I don't know what to believe anymore.

I'm sorry if it feels like I'm deserting you just when you need me the most, but I won't be part of a relationship where the other person isn't willing to try. I'm not strong enough.

I'm sorry John. Good-bye.

Christa

John re-read the note three times before it sank in. The envelope still felt heavy and he turned it upside down. A small house key dropped to the bed. He stared at it a moment before hurrying to the closet and tearing it open. His worst fears were realized as he found only his clothes hanging there. Snarling, he slammed the door shut and marched down the stairs to the living room. He was reaching into the liquor cabinet before he remembered that Scott had dumped its contents two days ago.

Things had been tense around the brownstone the past few days. John and Scott were carefully avoiding each other, a task easier said than done. Scott, still recovering, rarely left the house except for physical therapy, forcing John to either hide upstairs, or spend the day away.

John paced angrily around the living room, finally turning on the TV, and throwing himself down on the couch. He stared moodily up at the ceiling, barely listening to the drone of the newscaster's voice.

Suddenly his head snapped around and he sat up quickly, staring at the screen. As he listened to the newscast, John began to shake uncontrollably.

"No...Oh God, please, no!"

-----------------------

"How's it feel?"

Scott was just finishing up his physical therapy session. "Not bad actually. A little stiff."

The therapist nodded. "That's normal. You're doing great. Keep this up and it looks like you'll regain almost full mobility."

Scott grinned hugely. "That's my goal."

She laughed at his infectious smile. "Mind if I turn on the weather? I'm supposed to go away for the weekend."

"Go ahead." Scott turned back to his weights and was in the middle of a set when something on the TV caught his attention. He spun quickly, dropping the weights with a crash, startling his therapist.

"Scott! What is it?"

Scott merely stared at the screen, color draining from his face. "Oh my God..."

---------------------

Kyrano was busy cooking in the kitchen on Tracy Island. He quickly sliced up the vegetables he had selected for dinner, and put them in the frying pan to cook. He hummed under his breath as he deftly tossed them in the pan.

A sudden crash of breaking glass caught his attention and he turned to see his wife staring at the vid-screen, a plate laying in pieces at her feet. "Onaha, Isteri, what is it?"

She could only stare in horror at the screen. Kyrano turned to look, and the frying pan slipped from his suddenly lifeless fingers.

Virgil heard the crash and looked over from where he was sitting across the patio. "Hey Kyrano, everything all right over there?"

"Master Virgil, come quickly." There was a strange edge to Kyrano's voice, and Virgil hurried over.

"What happened? What's wrong?" Virgil demanded.

Kyrano pointed and Virgil followed his gaze to the screen. "Did something...no..." Virgil's knee's buckled and Kyrano grabbed him by the arms to keep him from falling. He eased Virgil to the floor and Onaha knelt by his side.

"Deep breaths Master Virgil...deep breaths..." Kyrano met his wife's gaze with concern.

Virgil tore his gaze from the screen, his hazel eyes wide. "Alan, Gordon...I have to find them...let them know..." He took a shuddering breath.

Onaha placed a hand on his shoulder. "All will be well Virgil." She looked up at her husband. "I will stay with him. Go find our daughter and the others."

Kyrano nodded and without a backward glance, hurried into the villa.

---------------------

Jeff stood on the terrace at Foxley-Heath, and watched as Penny's Rolls Royce spun into the yard. He started down the stairs and was halfway to the bottom when Parker opened the door and Penny looked up at him. Even from this distance, he could see the murder in her blue eyes.

"Pen..." Jeff started.

"They let him go." Her voice dripped ice. "The bastards let him go."

"Come inside." He put his arm around her and led her into the mansion.

Parker suddenly appeared in front of them. "I shall make some tea Milady."

"Thank-you Parker." Penny paced the length of the sitting room. "What a complete and utter farce of a trial."

"What happened?" Jeff asked. "I mean, I saw the outcome on the vid, but how did it happen?"

Penny took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. She smiled as Parker retuned with the tea tray. "Thank-you Parker. Please join us."

"Yes Milady." He handed her a cup and saucer, then sat down on the couch.

"Pen?" Jeff prompted.

She took a sip, then placed the cup down. "He manipulated them beautifully. If he wasn't such a bastard, he'd make us a good agent."

Parker jumped to his feet. "Milady!"

Penny held up her hand. "Calm yourself Parker. You know what I meant." She sighed. "Jeff, he's free. Trangh Belagant is free." Her voice shook.

Jeff walked over and took her in his arms. "He won't get you again Penny. I promise."

"As do I Milady." Parker said, coming to stand next to them.

"Tell me." Jeff said to her.

She sat down. "It started well enough. The barrister levied the charges against him and his defense started in." She got up and paced the room agitatedly. "They said Belagant's intentions were 'misunderstood.' That he never intended to rob the bank in the first place. He was under a coercion that made him do it."

Jeff snorted. "Coercion my ass. Then what?"

"The he did his...thing with his eyes and suddenly the High Judge and all the Council and jury were dropping the charges. Pronounced him innocent of the whole incident. Next thing I know, he's walking past me, all smug and leaving the building. I had Parker try and follow him but..."

"There was just too much traffic Mister Tracy." Parker shook his head, and cast his eyes down. "I'm sorry sir."

"Parker." The butler looked up at Jeff's tone. "I don't want you ever to apologize to me again, is that understood? It's not your fault that this manic walked away." Jeff paced the room. "I will ask you to do one thing though."

"What is it sir?"

Jeff turned, his brown eyes boring into Parker's. "Use whatever contacts you have with your former...partners. Find out where he's hiding. His two cronies are still in custody, he's going to need someplace to hide. All rats do."

Parker smiled. "I certainly will sir. In fact, if you'll both excuse me." He nodded to them both and quickly left the room.

Jeff then turned back to Penny. "What else aren't you telling me?"

Penny looked up at him. "I never could hide anything from you." She sighed. "He mentioned you." She said quietly.

Jeff nodded thoughtfully. "I figured he would. What did he say?"

"He told them all that you were there as well. When the judge asked why, he said you...you were the head of International Rescue."

Jeff felt his blood run cold. "Did they believe him?"

"At first yes." Penny smiled." But then I mentioned how could you be the head of IR when it was common knowledge you were here in London on business. How did the Thunderbirds pull off the rescue the other day if you were indeed, their leader?"

"That's why you let those reporters take our picture at dinner the other night." Jeff mused. "Nice work Penny."

"Do I get a raise?" Her blue eyes twinkled.

"I'll mention it at the next board meeting." Jeff walked over to the large windows and rested his head against the glass, sighing wearily.

"Jeff?"

"It's John. He and Scott had some sort of argument. John's back to drinking heavily again."

"Oh darling, I'm sorry."

Jeff sighed again, closing his eyes. "I just don't know what to do anymore Pen. Hood did it. He said he was going to destroy my family and he has."

Penelope took his chin and turned his face to her. "He can only destroy you if you let him. And the Jeff Tracy I know would never let that happen." She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"God Pen..." Jeff pulled her to him, holding her tightly.

She could feel him trembling in her arms. "It will be all right Jeff. I promise."