Gabriella.

Disclaimer: Please see Chapter 30.

Thanks for the reviews everyone. I keep saying that my updates will be more frequent but they never are. In my defence I have been ill then I blacked out at the top of my stairs and fell down them. Man that freaked my brothers out hee hee.

Chapter 38: Building Bridges

Gabby sat in the cockpit of Tracy 1 beside her dad thinking. They were on their way back to the island now as Jeff had completed his business. Tate hadn't come with them this time though as he had to return to work. It had been hard saying goodbye to him, knowing that Miranda was out there somewhere and probably hadn't finished yet. She had to trust him though.

"You ok honey?" he asked breaking into her thoughts.

"Yeah dad just thinking," she replied with a smile.

"Tate?"

"Yeah actually. I just keep wondering if Miranda will try something."

"Even if she does try something, Tate won't fall for it honey. He wants you not her," said Jeff switching the plane to Autopilot so he could talk to her properly.

"Yeah," she replied with a smile.

"I thought when we get back you might like to see the rest of the Thunderbirds craft."

"Yeah that sounds good dad," she replied smiling.

"Well apart from Thunderbird 5 as I don't think you are quite up to a space trip just yet."

"No not just yet. Gordon and Alan have been bragging for days about theirs so it will be good to see how much is true," she replied grinning.

"Yeah maybe John could show you the plans to Thunderbird 5," suggested Jeff hoping it would give them a chance to bond.

"Yeah I guess so," she replied uncertainly. She didn't think John would go for that, as he seemed to be avoiding her ever since that whole incident about the shooting.

Jeff had also noticed John's reluctance to spend time with his little sister. "I know John seems a little distant but he will come round honey. He is just struggling to deal with this that's all."

"When it first happened he was really sweet but then after I asked him about the scar from the shooting he went quiet. He's avoided me ever since," she replied sadly.

"That was a really bad time for all of us but it hit John the most. During that whole incident, he was stuck up on Thunderbird 5. He could hear everything that happened but couldn't do anything to help."

"Oh poor John," she said compassionately.

"He's okay honey but you two do need to talk though."

"Yeah we do," said Gabby with determination. She was going to talk to her second oldest brother whether he liked it or not.

Back on the Island Scott sat at his father's desk. He had just finished talking to Brains and was glad to know that things were quiet in the world. He turned his attention to Virgil who sat at the piano playing softly at the piano. Virgil's playing always soothed him when he was stressed. Not that he was particularly stressed today though as his dad was returning. It had always amazed him how expertly Virgil played the piano. His fingers seemed to move of their own accord across the keys.

"Scott please stop staring at me," said Virgil without even looking up at him. His eyes still trained on the music before him.

"How did you know I was looking?" asked Scott walking over to him.

"You always do Scott. You're kinda predictable," said Virgil and he turned to face his older brother.

"So what am I going to do now then?" asked Scott as a sly grin crossed his face.

"Well," began Virgil and then he grinned. "If you're smart, you will forget about whatever it was you were going to do to me and go find out what Gordon was doing in your room."

"What?" said Scott angrily before stalking out of the room.

Virgil watched as Scott stormed down the corridor to Gordon's room. He knew Scott would tackle Gordon about it rather then go into his room and be caught by whatever it was Gordon had planned. John then came into the room. He walked right past Virgil and out onto the balcony. Virgil stood up and followed him out. He knew something was bothering John and guessed it had something to do with Gabby.

"Dad and Gabs will be back soon," he commented.

"That's good," replied John disinterestedly.

"Yeah Dad said Gabby had remembered some more things so that's good too," continued Virgil.

"Yeah it is," said John still staring out over the island.

"What's the matter bro?" asked Virgil seeing that John wasn't going to tell him without a little coercion.

"Nothing," replied John and Virgil groaned inwardly at his brother's stubbornness.

"Why don't we try that again and add some truth to it this time," said Virgil and watched as the barest hint of a smile crossed John's face.

"Honestly?" he asked turning to face Virgil who just nodded at him. "I'm finding it really hard to be around Gabby. I keep getting scared that I will say something to upset her or she will ask me something bad and I will close up again."

"Is that why you have been avoiding her?" asked Virgil.

John just nodded and looked away. He felt really guilty for doing it but he found it so hard to be around her. Virgil watched his older brother closely and a thought occurred to him as to why John was acting like this.

"John you're not blaming yourself for what happened to her are you?"

"Well she wouldn't be like this if it wasn't for me," said John spinning round to face him again.

"How do you work that one out?" asked Virgil moving to sit down on one of the chairs that was out there.

"Gabby never wanted to go out that night; I was the one who convinced her to go out."

"You didn't know the restaurant was going to blow up though John. Plus our sister is as stubborn as Scott; if she didn't want to go then you wouldn't have gone."

"That is true," said John with a smile. There had been many occasions when they had seen just how stubborn those two could be.

"Hey do you remember that time Gabby was really ill with the flu and he kept arguing with Scott," said Virgil and John nodded..

Scott placed a cold, wet towel on his sister's burning forehead. She instantly groaned and yanked it off. Scott picked it up off the floor and placed it back on her head. Gabby once again pulled it off and threw it away from her. This time it landed beside Virgil.

"Gabs it needs to stay on your head so it can cool you down. You are running a fever," said Virgil walking over.

"No I'm not. I'm cold," she replied and pulled the blanket tighter around her.

Scott whipped the blanket away from her knowing that it would just make her fever worse. He then placed another towel on her forehead but grabbed hold of her hands before she could pull it off.

"I hate you," she said glaring at him.

"I know you do," he said as if he was talking to a little child. "Now are you going to leave it there?" he asked.

Gabby glared at him for a moment and then nodded her head.

"Good girl," he said letting go of her hands and ruffling her hair.

He then turned away to get her a drink of water and Gabby ripped off the towel and threw it at him hitting him on the back of the neck. Virgil and John both hid their sniggers behind their hand as Scott spun round.

He stalked over to the bed, hands on his hips as he glared down at his little sister. "Gabriella Tracy, you are not going to get better if you keep chucking this at me."

"Don't want it. Cold Scotty," she said trying to appeal to his softer side.

"I don't care, it stays," said Scott placing it back on again. Gabby raised her hand and Scott grabbed it. "Don't even think about it."

Gabby rolled her eyes at him and suddenly sat up coughing violently. Scott instantly moved to sit beside her, rubbing her back. Finally, the coughing stopped and she lent against Scott breathing heavily. Virgil handed her a glass of water and she smiled weakly at him. After a few sips she laid back down again and didn't argue when Scott placed the towel back on her forehead.

John smiled at the memory. There had been many occasions like that and Scott didn't always win. Virgil was right though, if Gabby didn't want to go she would have said so.

"I should have found her sooner though," he said voicing his real fear about the whole situation.

"The most important thing John is that you did find her. All the injuries she sustained would have happened in the initial blast. Even if you had of found her earlier it wouldn't have made a difference," replied Virgil. He should have guessed that John would be blaming himself for this and maybe that explained his avoidance too. "John is that why you have been avoiding Gabby?" he asked.

"You think I'm avoiding her because I blame myself for what happened?"

"No I think you are avoiding her because you are scared that she blames you for it."

John was about to disagree with his younger brother when it suddenly dawned on him that Virgil was right. It wasn't the total reason but it was part of it. The main reason was that he was scared he would either say something to upset her or he would react badly as he did before. He knew he had hurt his sister and he didn't want to do that.

"John?"

"Hm, what?" asked John looking over at Virgil who had a worried look on his face.

"You okay John? You kinda zoned out on me there."

"Yeah sorry just thinking but I'm okay now," said John standing up.

"Just spend some time with her and remind her why you are her favourite brother."

John nodded and moved over to the entrance to the lounge. He paused and turned back round. "Thanks Virge," he said smiling at his younger brother.

"Anytime," replied Virgil smiling back at him. It wasn't often that John turned to him for advice so it was good to know he had helped a little.

Gabby and Gordon entered the kitchen giggling together. Gordon had been showing her Thunderbird 4 and they had clearly had fun. She had seen them all now bar Thunderbird 5 and had spent time with each of her brothers bar John. Jeff knew he had to rectify that and find a way that the two of them could spend some time together. Everyone had now just about finished eating and was just chatting.

"So which one is your favourite then?" asked Virgil.

"Which one was my favourite?" asked Gabby.

"Thunderbird 4," said Gordon straight away.

"No it wasn't, it was Thunderbird 3," argued Alan.

"Thunderbird 1," added Scott with a grin.

"Actually it was Thunderbird 2," said Virgil.

Gabby looked round at each of them wondering which one was telling the truth. "Why do I get the feeling you're all lying," she said with a grin.

"Because they are," said John.

"So Thunderbird 5 is my favourite?" she queried surprised that he was speaking to her.

"As much as I would love to say yes, it's not. You never had a favourite Gabby."

"Thanks John," she said smiling at him.

"To be honest sis. If you had to chose, I think you would pick Thunderbird 5," said Virgil smiling at John. He was happy to see that John was making the effort.

"I would?"

"Yeah you always loved looking at the stars with John and it's an amazing view from up there," replied Virgil and not one of them could argue with that actually.

"Really?" she asked turning to look at John hoping to get him talking.

"Yeah we used to sit on the roof back at our home in Kansas and watch them," replied John with a wistful look. He could remember all the evenings that the two of them had spent out there just watching the stars and chatting.

"I wish I could remember," said Gabby softly with a touch of sadness.

John without even thinking about it reached over and took hold of her hand. "You will Gabby," he said with a smile. Gabby smiled back and was suddenly hit with a flashback.

She was running up the stairs of a big house that she guessed must have been their home back in Kansas that John had mentioned. She entered a room that must have been hers and sat down at the desk. A few seconds later, there was a knock at the door.

"Go away," she heard herself call out.

"Let me in Gabs. You can't leave your favorite brother out here," called back a voice.

"Fine come in then."

John had walked into the room and come to a stop beside her desk. Her head was resting in her hands so she couldn't see him but she could sense him kneel down beside her.

"So what's the matter with my favourite baby sister then?"

"I'm your only sister you dunce," she said turning to face him.

"What the hell happened Gabby?" he asked. She could see into the mirror behind him, saw the black eye, and split lip that he was referring to.

"Nothing," she said lowering her head.

John gently tilted her chin up and then turned her head slightly so he could check out her eye. "Dad's going to freak when he sees that," he said with a soft smile.

"I didn't start it I swear Johnny," she said.

"Didn't start what little one?"

"Jenna started hitting me because she thought I was trying to steal her boyfriend. I wasn't," she said as the tears started to fall.

"I know Gabby. You're a sweet person and you would never do that," he said hugging her tight.

"Love you Johnny."

"Love you too Gabs."

"Gabby?" called a voice pulling her out of the flashback. She opened her eyes to see everyone looking at her. The concern evident in their eyes.

"Are you okay honey?" asked Jeff.

"Yeah I'm fine," she replied as he gaze drifted to John. He had let go of her hand at some point but she hadn't noticed.

"Thanks Johnny," she said with a smile.

"Did you just call me Johnny?" he asked looking at her in complete shock. Gabby just nodded at him.

"You remember something don't you?" asked Virgil with a grin.

"Yep," said Gabby grinning back at her twin.

"John why don't you take Gabby up to the observatory. You could show her where Thunderbird 5 is located," said Jeff with a grin knowing it would be the perfect opportunity to get his two quietest to talk.

"If you want," replied John looking over at his sister.

"Yeah as long as you don't mind. I don't want to keep you from anything."

"No it's fine," he said smiling as he stood up. Gabby stood up as well and they left the room.

"I hope this works," said Virgil.

"Me too. It's so weird seeing those two so distant. They have always been so close," said Alan.

"They will work it out son trust me," said Jeff with a knowing smile.

Gordon gave his father a look that said he didn't believe that but then shrugged it off and stood up. "I think I'm going to go and have a swim."

The others soon followed him leaving just Jeff at the table. He could tell that his other sons doubted him too but he knew he was right. Lucie had told him when Gabby was only 4 that she would always be close to John and he had watched that develop and strengthen over the years. It wasn't about to finish just because she had lost her memory. Even if she never regained it those two would get through it and still be close. He smiled before heading to his office to do some work.

Gabby and John were now up in his observatory watching the stars. Using his telescope, he had been able to show her where Thunderbird 5 was. She obviously couldn't be seen for security reasons but at least Gabby knew where she was located.

"The sky looks so clear and beautiful tonight," said Gabby gazing upwards.

"Hey Gabby come and look at this," said John. She walked over and looked into the viewer on his telescope. "That's mum's star," he said softly.

Gabby studied the star for a few moments and then moved away from the telescope. John had wandered over to the window and was staring out at the night sky.

"Did you really have a flashback earlier?" he asked still facing the window.

"Yep," said Gabby moving to sit on one of the chairs up there.

"What was it about?" he asked finally turning to face her.

"Me getting beaten up by some girl named Jenna I think for hitting on her boyfriend. You were trying to find out what had happened."

"Oh I remember that. Dad freaked out when he saw that black eye you had but then so did Scott actually," replied John with a grin.

"Yeah I can see that."

"You know he and Virgil had words with Jenna's boyfriend the next day," said John moving to sit beside her.

"Words?" she questioned guessing it was probably more then that.

"There may have been a punch thrown at him," said John looking away with a slightly sheepish grin.

"And where were you whilst this was going on?"

"Um, I was in the library," said John much too quickly.

"Really?" she asked knowing he was lying.

"Yeah," he said nervously.

"John?" she said giving him a look that he knew meant she didn't believe a word of what he was saying.

"Okay I was there too."

"And who threw the punch?"

"Me," admitted John looking down at the floor. He suddenly looked up again. "In my defence he deserved it. The creep spread a lie about my little sister and got her beaten up. He was just lucky it wasn't Scott that punched him."

"Huh?"

"Scott can punch a lot harder then me and I should know."

"Scott punched you?" she queried.

"Yes he did. It was back when he was in the Air Force. I was down visiting him and we went out with his buddies. They got him totally drunk and he decided that I was trying to steal his drink so he punched me. His drink was in his hands at the time," explained John.

"No way," said Gabby giggling. John just grinned and nodded.

John's watch started bleeping. "Go ahead dad."

"Can you two come up to the lounge please?" asked his father.

"Is everything okay?" asked John feeling worried.

"Yes it's nothing major, just a little problem we need to deal with."

"We're on our way," said John ending the call.

"I wonder what's wrong?" asked Gabby as they began the journey to the Villa.

"Beats me," replied John. He could tell his father wasn't overly worried by whatever it was, so that was good but he was curious now.

Authors Note: So what is the little problem they have to deal with? Gabby and John have worked things out but what happens when some of her bad memories start to come back especially the ones relating to her childhood and Jeff's neglect.