"Tracy Island. Grace! It's good to see you. News is it?"
The colonel's smiling face nodded on the viewscreen.
"Hello Jeff. Yes, good news. I know it has taken more than a month, but we have finally rounded up every last one of professor Tock's men. I have people watching every one of the girls we rescued…except for your Isla of course, and I am assured that none of them are in danger any longer. The watch will continue of course, until the murderer of my captain is found, but I am confident that there is no longer any more danger for you or your people here on the mainland than there has ever been."
Jeff snorted in faint amusement.
"Well phrased, Grace. I suppose the professor's son is still not in the frame?"
"You suppose correctly. We have made it known to the authorities that we would like to speak to him regarding his father, but that he personally is not at present a suspect for any known crime. To be honest, I'm not expecting anything to come of it. Without direct proof…"
"Innocent until proven guilty?" Jeff nodded. "I would have to agree with you. What does that imply for the Bennetts? Isla's parents?"
"They have been put fully in the picture by me personally, Jeff. They are happy to return home with a discreet GDF watch; and try to resume their normal lives once again. Oh, and they very much want to see their daughter."
"She very much wants to see them. Thank you, old friend."
There was a pause, during which Jeff could see there was something else on the colonel's mind. He could guess what it was, but it amused him to see his old friend looking awkward. It was such a rare occurrence. Finally, at seeing his raised eyebrows, she laughed.
"Alright Jeff, you know me well. Is there any progress on your organization returning to active status? You know, I am still fielding enquiries from most corners of the world."
Jeff's face dropped slightly. The actions of the Hood several months ago trying to discredit International Rescue, and the speed with which the claims had been believed, and the failure of the world government to defend them was still very much a sore spot for Jeff.
"The government and the whole world know why we are offline. They have themselves and the Hood to blame. I know this is having a massive impact on the GDF, Grace, but I am not about to push my boys into active duty until they themselves tell me they are ready. Preparations and repairs are going on apace."
"How is the new space station coming along?"
"Pretty well. Brains, John and Alan have been hard at work on the computer systems and software, whilst Scott, Virgil, Gordon, Lee and I have been working on the structures themselves. Our old friend Lee Taylor is a tremendous help in getting things together. I swear that guy never seems to get tired. A few short months and the new station should be up and running. Until then we have made…temporary arrangements to cover her role. I think it likely the work on Five will be our priority for the time being, so I would estimate a month or so? Give or take?"
The colonel nodded. She was clearly torn, but her regard for her oldest friend and her love for his boys outweighed her professional desire to see International Rescue taking some of the strain once more. She would simply have to continue to be patient.
"Thanks Jeff. Be well. Keep in touch. Casey out."
Jeff flicked off the monitor screen and sat back in his chair thoughtfully. He couldn't keep this information from Isla, but if she returned home to see her parents, Virgil would want to go along, and right now, Virgil was very much needed here on the island, with the building of the new Five. Frowning, he turned to his computer and activated the locator transponders in everyone's comm units.
He nodded in satisfaction. Brains, John and Alan were in Brains' lab; Virgil, Scott and Gordon and Taylor were down in the caverns with the new Five. Penny was by the pool with Kayo and Isla; Parker down in the kitchen with grandma. Perfect.
"So…you two have been in love with these boys for longer than I've known Virgil…are you two planning on marrying?"
Penny and Kayo exchanged a glance, and both grinned.
"Marriage is not a word to be bandied about lightly." Kayo remarked. "Being in love is one thing…a wonderful thing, but I would have to think long and hard before I swear before witnesses to `obey' Scott until death us do part!"
Penny spluttered with laughter.
"You obey him already don't you Kayo? As the head of International Rescue? Besides, why should marriage be about giving orders and obeying? An equal partnership is the way to go. You and Scott together would be a formidable combination. I can just see you joining Scott as his wife at one of those executive evenings at Tracy Industries, facing off against competitors trying to steal secrets or take advantage."
Kayo grinned.
"What about you and Gordon, then? Any chance of an engagement ring?"
Penny smiled and shook her head.
"It's early days Kayo. For Gordon and me it's not so simple. Neither of us is willing to give up our own home or our own role. Gordon can't be a member of International Rescue if he leaves Tracy Island, neither can I do my job properly if I were to leave my home. My job is dependent to a large degree on keeping up with my socialite lifestyle. Neither of us has yet worked out quite what the future has in store."
Isla sighed thoughtfully.
"You know," she said, frowning slightly at the sun in her eyes, "My mom always said that if you love someone enough, you will give anything to just be with them. Until I met Virgil, I thought she was exaggerating it. Now…I desperately want to go home to see her, but I don't want to be without Virgil. I just love him too much. If I can't come back here, then there is no way I am going! Now I have him, I know I would go to the ends of the earth to be with him and make sure he is alright. Frankly, Lady Penelope, I can't imagine the torture to have to live half a world away from the man I love. And you do love Gordon. That I do know!"
Penny nodded.
"Yes, I do love him very much. The thing is, Isla, that my role in International Rescue is important to me, and I'm not ready yet to make any decisions that would rock my safe world that much. Gordon knows it too, and understands, bless him."
She gave a confident smile.
"Give us time, Isla. As you said, either we'll reach the point where we can't live without each other, or things will come to their natural conclusion. And please, call me Penny. After all, we could end up being sisters one day."
Kayo reached out and gave Isla a one-armed hug.
"We already are!" she declared. "I'm an honorary Tracy already, and you are promised to Virgil…any plans for the big day yet, by the way?"
Isla blushed.
"Actually, we were talking about that this morning, Virgil and I. I was telling him that I have always dreamed of having a wonderful white wedding dress and looking like a princess. But if I am to have my dream, the wedding will have to be sooner rather than later. Before this starts to make me look like a walking beach ball."
She glanced down at her tummy, already showing a thicker waistline than she was accustomed to.
"So, we are planning the wedding for two weeks' time, here on the island. On the patio, beside the pool."
Penny nodded.
"In that case, I'd say a shopping spree was in order."
"It would be if we were not trapped on the island by maniacs trying to catch us for their own selfish ends!" Isla replied sadly. "I don't suppose Jeff's survival boxes are equipped to supply the needs of a vertically challenged prospective Tracy bride, are they?"
"Funny you should say that!"
Jeff's voice from behind made the three women all turn and smile a welcome. He tweaked Kayo's ear affectionately, kissed Penny's hand like a gentleman, and plopped himself down in the chair beside Isla.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation ladies, but I can answer your problem. I've just had a call from Colonel Casey. With the exception of that fellow Dunn, whom is currently free of suspicion, she tells me that Tock's entire organization and all his men have been rounded up. The GDF are keeping a discreet watch over all of Tock's victims, including your parents, Isla, and she tells me that she considers that our self-imposed exile here can end forthwith."
Isla looked hopefully at him.
"Does this mean I can go and see my parents? I mean, I really would like my mum to be a part of my life, and she will be a granny in a few months after all…"
Jeff's eyes twinkled as he nodded.
"I have a suggestion to make. I have some business to take care of at the London office of Tracy Enterprises. I suggest that I fly you and Virgil to England, then he can take a car from the office pool and you can introduce him to your family, Isla. I can't let him stay in England with you because I need him here, but when I am ready to return, Virgil can come with me., leaving you to Penny's efficient ministrations. Penny?"
Lady Penelope grinned triumphantly.
"Great, then we girls can go and do some wedding shopping. You will need a dress, Isla, and shoes…and some new clothes to take on honeymoon when you go, and…I'm sure your mother would like to come shopping with us too."
Isla grinned happily.
"Kayo, Penny, would you two be my bridesmaids? Would that be alright with you, Jeff?"
He chuckled.
"Totally your choice my dear. Your wedding, your special day. The sky is the limit."
She looked at her two companions. Penny looked delighted. Kayo shifted uncomfortably.
"You're not going to try and dress me up like a fairy, are you? Covered in lace and ruffles and a hooped skirt? I couldn't bear that!"
Jeff and Penny covered their mouths, but Isla giggled.
"Ummm…no, I think you would look very…unlike yourself. But if you come along, you and Penny could choose your own outfits…can she, Jeff?"
"Of course. I'll be leaving for my conference in London tomorrow, so you have until then to pack whatever you need. When you are ready to return to the island, Isla, either Penny can bring you in FAB1, or one of the boys will fly out in the jet to collect you. Just give us a call. Oh, and…"
He fished in his pocket and handed Isla a bracelet-watch. It was fashioned in twisted white gold that matched her engagement ring, and the face was a simple dial on a plate that glowed with mother-of-pearl. There were three buttons around the edge.
"Virgil gave the watch to Brains to make the adjustments. The two buttons on the right of the dial are the standard watch buttons. The other transforms the watch into an IR communicator with certain other built-in devices that Virgil will teach you about later. Press the button and speak into the watch whenever you want to call any of us. Now we have our mini-satellite relay system set up under Eos' control, our long-range communications are back up, so you can call Virgil every night for a goodnight chat if you want to."
There was a sudden silence, and everyone became aware that Isla looked uncertain. Penny touched her shoulder.
"What is it, Isla?"
"I'm worried about Virgil." She said finally. "Look, I have learned about what happened last time…a short time before the wedding, Connie left the island to do some last-minute shopping for the wedding, and she was murdered. If you guys say I will be safe, I believe you. After all, you are International Rescue. But Virgil…Jeff, I really doubt that Virgil will be happy to return here to Tracy Island, leaving me back in England. Losing Connie hurt him so much. The fear of possibly losing me could be…"
Penny and Kayo exchanged glances. Jeff had not been around at the time to see what losing Connie had done to the sensitive middle son, but they would never forget. They couldn't help feeling that Isla was right to be concerned. Penny took a deep breath.
"Jeff, you have Captain Taylor here now to help with the development of the new five; and you will still have John and Brains around to advise on the plans. Surely Virgil could be spared for a long weekend? With myself, Parker and Kayo, the happy couple should still be safe should anyone try anything, and there will be much less chance of Virgil worrying himself into a fever again."
Jeff bit his lip, then nodded his head. He had learned a number of hard lessons over the past few years. The greatest of those being that his family was the most important thing. Sure, IR was important, as was the new Five, but no inanimate space station should come before the peace and happiness of his son. Putting himself in Virgil's place, he knew he would want to be by his bride's side. He nodded.
"I'm sorry, Isla. Penny is right. I'll take myself to London tomorrow. Virgil can take you to visit your family and to go shopping with Penny whenever it suits the pair of you."
When consulted, Virgil was initially dubious, until he learned of the colonel's call, after which he nodded, and gave his fiancée and gentle squeeze.
"We'll both go with dad in his jet, and Penny and Parker can bring us back on Tuesday in FAB1."
"What about Kayo?"
Virgil grinned.
"Kayo in protection mode? She'll travel in Shadow of course. She has no luggage space, so any shopping of hers will have to come back with us. Come on Sweetheart. Let's go and pack for tomorrow!"