Part 9
When Scott, Virgil and Gordon returned to the Island after a rescue the next day it was to find their father in a discussion with Colonel Casey. Jeff looked really angry and was trying hard not to show it. Casey was just as angry as him and was trying to hide it as well.
"What's going on?" Virgil asked Alan who was sitting on the couch. Alan scoffed.
"Dad is angry with the fact that some GDF desk-jockey took command over the rescue the other day and didn't let you guys or Brains have your say", Alan explained. "Something about you being more experienced then this… desk-jockey. Dad called Casey up and told her that in the future her little puppet should be seen and not heard. Casey did not take it well and they have been arguing about it since."
"Oh", Scott said and then walked over to their father. "Father."
"Ah Scott", Jeff said. "Casey is trying to imply that the man that took over the rescue the other day was fit to lead the whole operation. Tell me your honest opinion. Do you think that rescue could have gone smoother?"
"Honestly?" Scott asked and looked between his "aunt" and his father. "No." Jeff's smirk slipped off his face and he turned to stare at Scott. Casey looked smug. Scott swallowed and continued.
"The… man who turned up to coordinate the rescue was… amazing. He was in control and had all the information we all needed. He was on top of it all. He knew what the earth contained in that mine and outside of if. He figured out that there was something fishy going on and handled it in a way I was not able to do. Dad… he did good, no… he did great." Scott looked at Val. "The GDF are lucky to have him. I only wish we were that lucky." Casey gave him a sad smile.
"He is good", she said and smiled. "I am very lucky to have found him. Just know… I won't be letting him down anytime soon and I am not letting him go unless he asks for it. Something tells me he is where he belongs and for as long as he feels that way too… I will keep him there."
"I understand", Scott said and walked closer to the hologram. "But… you must realize I will not let you have him without a fight."
"Scott there is nothing you can do at this point. He chose to join this cause. Are you so selfish you will take that choice from him?"
"I… no…"
"What are you talking about", Jeff cut in. "Who is this person you are talking about?" Scott looked at his brothers. Virgil nodded yes. Gordon shook his head no. Scott looked at Casey and was about to open his mouth when the holo-communicator on Jeff's desk started beeping. Someone else was calling.
"What the hell", Jeff said and glared at Casey. "I thought you said only you had access to this communicator."
"So did I", Casey said. Before anyone else could do something a second hologram winked into existence. Jeff flew up when he saw a young man dressed in GDF officer uniform. He was even wearing one of those peaked caps. He stood tall with a cool expression on his face. His eyes were hard as flint and cold as steel. He let his gaze roam over the inhabitants of the room.
"Good afternoon", he said. "I am merely calling to thank International Rescue for their help and support during the rescue the other day. As the commander of the GDF Perth division I feel it is my duty to make sure you receive the message loud and clear. Colonel Casey." He turned to his superior officer. "May I take it from here?"
"Of course", she said. "And major…."
"Yes ma'am?"
"I meant what I said. You have a place in my organization. For as long as you want it. Jeff." She turned to Jeff. "If you do anything to upset him… we shall have words you and I." She winked out before Jeff could reply. The major let his gaze roam through the room again until it landed on a person just entering the room.
"Oh Johnny how good to see you", Grandma said as she entered. "How are you? You look skinny! Are you eating properly? I hope you are looking after yourself young man. Don't make me go out there to make sure you are properly fed and hydrated."
"Grandma", John replied calmly, his voice gentle and his gaze warm. "I am fine. I am following what the doctor ordinated and I have a bunch of mother-hens looking out for me. I merely called to tell IR thanks for the assist the other day. Which I now have. So it is time to say goodbye."
"You're joking", Alan said and got up. John's gaze turned to him. "You're joking! You're joking me, you gotta be! This can't be true!"
"And why not?" John asked.
"How could you be the person in charge of the Perth Division!? You are not capable enough! I mean you have not been on that many rescues! You are just the person who answers the calls!"
"Not anymore", John replied icily. "I am the one answering the calls, sending out the rescuers and making sure they know what they need to know. Information about the entire world is at my fingertips. I can get the info you can only dream of getting and I use it for good. Not like before. Where I gave you my life", he looked at Jeff. "Made your dream take wing and then, how you repaid me? Denied me and betrayed me. I was always there for you guys, when you needed me most… you could not do the same in turn. You did not come to my rescue, the only thing I asked of you. You trampled all over my heart and my trust. I only made this call to tell you all in person that I quit. I quit your organization and your family."
"John you cannot mean that", Virgil said and John turned to him. "Look me in the eye when you say that." John met his gaze and held it.
"I quit your family", John said firmly. "It was made clear I was not needed so I removed myself from the equation."
"It was you wasn't it", Jeff said. "You told Casey about us."
"That I did not do", John said and looked at his father. "She already knew."
"Dad seriously", Gordon said. "That is what you ask? John just said he wants to leave the family and you just ask about our secret!?"
"It is the only thing that matters", Jeff said and looked from John to Gordon.
"The hell it is!" Gordon punched the desk angrily. "Family comes first! In all cases! IR can be replaced! Our brother can't!"
"You don't need a replacement for me", John said. "That much has been made clear since you are operational with four brothers on that island."
"But not as efficiently as when you were here to help us!"
"And who helped me?" John asked. "Like I told you guys… I kept asking myself the same question over and over again… who will rescue me?"
"We will", Scott tried.
"Ha! Don't make me laugh! When I put my foot down. When I told Jeff that enough was enough you talked me into staying longer! You did not rescue me! If anything you helped trap me!"
"We never meant for that to happen John", Virgil cut in.
"But still you didn't do anything about it. You saw what it was doing to me. You noticed the unfair workload. You saw but did nothing."
"You are so full of crap!" Alan growled. "There was no unfair workload!"
"I figured you would not see it from my point of view Alan. After all… you are a spoilt brat."
"Hey!"
"What? It is all true. I have covered your shifts so many times I would have been able to stay two years on the ground and you alone in space."
"The hell you could!"
"Whatever", John said and rolled his eyes before turning his gaze on Jeff again. Jeff's face was tomato-red. "I just wanted to thank International Rescue for their assistance and I have done so. I now wish you all a fine evening. Bye." His hologram winked out.
"Dad!" Scott exclaimed. "Why didn't you say anything!?"
"What do you want me to say Scott?" Jeff growled. "John left and did so willingly. He abandoned his post and this family. I have nothing more to tell him. When he gets his priorities right and when he has sorted out his loyalties I will talk to him. In the meantime he can go on with his delusions and we can get back to work."
"Jefferson Tracy", Grandma said and slammed her hand onto his desk. "Your family is more important than this world. Now get on that phone and call that boy back. Are your son worth so little to you?"
"Of course they aren't."
"I said son not sons", Grandma said firmly. "I have no doubt you care about the boys present, but what about John?"
"What about him mother?"
"Do not try and tell me you care for him the way you do the others. In the eight years that your International Rescue has been active I have gotten to see my grandson less and less! Now he's left us and if you are not careful Jefferson… he will never come back."
"That would be his choice then mother and I am going to respect the choices my sons make."
"But did he really get a choice Jeff? Did he really?"
"Grandma John chose to leave", Alan said. "No one forced him."
"Are you sure of that Alan", Grandma said. "Look me in the eye and tell me John had another choice than the one he made."
"He's just overreacting mother", Jeff cut in. "We never forgot him or left him up there out of malice."
"No you did it because it was convenient for you."
"He was the best at that job."
"So?"
"We needed him where he was."
"That is, and pardon my French, bullshit." Everyone stared at her. "John has proven that he could do way more up there than you let him do."
"He's not proven anything."
"I bet the GDF will beg to differ", Grandma said and crossed her arms. "That boy gave you everything and you threw it out the window like garbage. You always have. John could have been down here more, with us and Alan could have taken the time he was supposed to take."
"But Alan is more experienced and better suited for the work we do. John was not."
"He was inexperienced that's all", Grandma said. "As he has proven while working with the GDF he is quite the asset to their team. And think… he could have been all yours." With that she took her knitting and left the room. Jeff watched her go and shook his head. John would be back soon. He would not be able to stay away. Not with Christmas so fast approaching. Come Christmas Eve John would be home again and Jeff could give him a talking to and they could put all this nonsense behind them and focus on what really matters; saving the world.
TBC Thank you for all the reviews! Sorry I did not have the time to reply to all of them this time! :3 Just know I appreciate each and every one!