Part 11
It had been a few weeks and John had been allowed to come home from the hospital. The family had nearly panicked when his fever got worse and he stopped breathing on his own. It turned out one of his broken ribs had actually caused a small tear in one of the lungs and his coughing had made it worse. His brothers had refused to leave his side except for food, bathroom breaks and the by grandma forced sleep. Jeff had been the same. She had forced all five of them to get rest as well because John would be upset if they got sick because they did not look after themselves while waiting for him to come around. Which he had been, well not upset but he had been a bit angry. The glare he had sent at his brothers when he found out they had not looked after themselves could have melted steel. Grandma smiled and looked up from her knitting. John and Virgil were over by the piano, Virgil was playing and John just sat beside him listening to the music. The rest of the brothers were on the mainland with their father ordering parts for the new and improved Thunderbird Five. Jeff had asked John his opinion on shutting IR down and the glare he had received had shut him up. Jen had not seen that look aimed at Jeff since Lucy was alive and John had looked just like her in that moment. Jeff had noticed as well, had stumbled over his words to apologize for the stupid idea and then he had "retreated" out of the room. His sons had laughed merrily at that. Jeff had tried to bring the subject up again at a later date but all five of his sons had spoken against the idea. Claiming that if he wanted to he could quit but they sure as hell were not. Even Brains and Penny agreed with them. Speaking of Penny. She had visited all the men involved with John's kidnapping as a way to make sure John's identity still remained a secret. How did she assure that? Well Penny could be very "persuasive" when she wanted to. Threats of solitary confinement and life-sentences had also been part of the deal to keep the men quiet. Luckily for IR most of the men who had actually been on Five and knew John worked for IR had been killed during the fight at the mansion. Those left had started to become very unsure about it when they were constantly faced with the fact that it was John Tracy who had been kidnapped. Since all the "officers" and the boss was dead the remaining four men had been unsure of what had really been going on. They just got paid to guard the mansion and make sure the prisoner didn't escape. It was some of the dead men who had spoken about IR and the remaining once were not sure what to think. Grandma was a bit miffed that the people torturing John were dead, it meant she could not go after them with her shotgun… which she had hidden from her son in her wardrobe. Penny had so far managed to convince the whole lot of them to be quiet or face the wrath and scorn of IR. She could promise that if their families ever needed help and these men had told anyone about John… they would not help. Jen shuddered a little. Penny could be very intimidating and scary when she wanted to.
She shook off the dark thoughts and focused on the music Virgil was playing. Jen smiled when she heard the familiar tones. Piano man by Billy Joel was one of her favorites. She nearly dropped her knitting however when a soft voice started singing.
It's nine o'clock on a Saturday
Regular crowd shuffles in
There's an old man sittin' next to me
Makin' love to his tonic and gin
"Cheeky", Grandma heard Virgil said and looked up at the pair. She saw John smile and then he opened his mouth, not to retort but to continue the song:
He says: "Son can you play me a memory?"
I'm not really sure how it goes
But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete
When I wore a younger man's clothes
La-la-la de-de da
La-la de-de da da-da
Sing us a song you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we're all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feelin' alright
Grandma gasped in surprise. She had no idea her baby could sing… or sing this well! Johns voice was smooth, very smooth and warm. He looked at her and winked at her and then continued but now he made up the words as he went.
Now Virgil here is a friend of mine
He likes his very big green bug
And he's quick with a joke or to light up your smoke
Or to pull you into a big hug
He says John I believe this is really great
As a smile appears on his face
Well I'm sure that we could save the world someday
If I got over my fear of space – "Oi what did I tell you about the cheek?" Virgil said but John ignored him and continued with his singing.
Oh, la-la-la de-de da
La-la de-de da da-da
Now Scott is a really big mother hen
Who never had time to relax
And he's talkin' with Allie who's won the rally
And wants Tin to be his wife.
"Well that at least is true", Virgil commented.
And grandma is working her knitting hands
As Gordon swims laps in the pool
Yes they're all part of my big family
Which is better than being alone
Sing us the song you're the space man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we're all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feelin' alright
It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And our father gives me a smile – Jen turned her head and realized the rest of the family was standing in the doorway staring at the pair at the piano.
'Cause he knows that it's time we had a talk
To get a few home truths right out – "Okay… I don't know where you are going with this Johnny", Virgil said but continued playing.
And the piano it sounds like a carnival
And the lounge now reeks of fear
As we sit around and finally talk
And say man what are we doin' here?
Oh, la-la-la de-de da
La-la de-de da da-da
Sing us the song you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we're all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feelin' alright
Virgil finished playing and looked at his brother.
"Uh Johnny, not that it wasn't great because it always is when we freestyle but that last verse was a little… weird."
"I know I know", John said and patted his arm. "But I think it is high time we as a family have a little talk." He turned around and Virgil noticed their audience.
"Oh…" he said. "So that's why."
"Why didn't you tell us you can sing that well John?" Scott asked as he sat down on one of the couches a little while later. Virgil and John joined them, John was still in a wheelchair and had his hand bandaged and held in place by a sling so he couldn't really move on his own. Virgil steered his chair over and sat next to him, with Scott on the other side. Big brother bear and mother hen Tracy were at it again. John shared a quick roll of the eyes with Gordon and Alan who both sniggered. Scott didn't notice and neither did Virgil but their father and grandmother did and both chuckled to themselves.
"You never asked", John replied to Scott after getting comfortable. "And I've not been home enough to show it off."
"Ah so that's what this is about", Jeff began and all eyes were on him. "I'll start then… John and in a way Gordon… I am very sorry." Gordon and John shared a confused look.
"Uh… what?" Gordon asked.
"I have not be honest with either of you and I have acted really unfair towards you and your brothers. I am sure that you have all noticed some of my… less wise decisions."
"Such as?" Alan asked.
"Keeping John on the station and Gordon as much at base as I could."
"Now that you mention it", Gordon said sarcastically.
"Well I never noticed", John deadpanned and his older brothers cuffed him up the head carefully. While Alan did the same to Gordon.
"I deserved that", Jeff said and sighed. "The truth is… it was my… irrational way to keep the pair of you safe."
"Come again?" Scott asked.
"Look when we set up IR I had almost lost both John and Gordon through the very types of accidents we were going to start helping with. I… I did not wish to risk losing the pair of them again because I figured that since I nearly lost them once their luck had run out and I would… lose them for real the next time there was a similar accident."
"And you did not fear the same about us?" Alan asked.
"I knew the three of you would be just fine. You are stronger than your brothers… physically at least. I used excuses like Gordon's back injury and Alan's budding relationship with Tin-Tin to keep you boys where I knew you would be safe."
"So… all the harsh words and nos when I asked to come down was to what… want me to stay in space?" John asked and Jeff nodded. "Are you kidding me? That is the most stupid thing I have ever heard!"
"I said it was irrational."
"So… you what kept us from the action to make sure we didn't get hurt?" Gordon asked. "But you didn't care if the others did?"
"No of course not! I was just sure your brothers didn't need luck the same way the two of you did… I am sorry I never should have doubted any of you boys, and I mean all five of you. These past few years you have all shown me skills I had no idea you possessed. Scott your natural leader talents are beyond what I have ever dreamed. Virgil your natural reliability and calmness under pressure was an unexpected but amazing surprise. John I had no idea of your multitasking skills as well as your hacking skills. I was pleasantly surprised. Gordon your ability to connect with people and make them relaxed and calm is out of this world. And Alan your natural skills in space are out of this world. All five of you have surprised me with your various skills and I was a fool who did not see them as assets. For that I am truly sorry…"
"Dad", Virgil said and grabbed John's arm, just to be safe. "There is more isn't there. You sent Gordon out on rescues, dangerous once after all so you kept John in space for another reason right? It wasn't only to keep him safe, am I right?"
"You are", Jeff sighed and locked eyes with John.
"Not this again", John said and sighed. "For the hundredth time: yes, I look like mom. Yes, I act like her. Yes, I am a constant reminder of her. But that is not my fault."
"I know and I don't blame you", Jeff admitted. "It is just…"
"You want to keep that 'reminder' away from harm because it would be like losing mom again", Scott concluded and Jeff nodded. "Dad."
"I know it is selfish, stupid and childish but I just… I can't help it."
"And neither can John", Alan cut in. "I mean I'm happy act and look so much like mom because my memories of her are very few so seeing John gives me a chance to get to know what mom was like."
"Same here", Gordon agreed. "But dad you must remember that John isn't mom."
"I know that", Jeff said. "Your brother is a better version of her."
"Excuse me", John said dryly.
"I didn't mean it like that", Jeff said and blushed. Alan and Gordon sniggered while the eldest three shared a look and then gave Jeff a deadpan look. "Look I loved your mother more than life itself but she had… a few bad sides."
"Such as her temper", Grandma said. "And when she got stressed she could be a little…"
"Evil?" Scott supplied.
"Degrading?" Virgil suggested.
"Harsh?" John added.
"Wicked Witch of the Westy", Jeff concluded and his oldest three stared at him. "Hey I was married to her and knew her before you did, I reserve the right to call her a witch." He sighed. "Your mother was a wonderful person but when she got angry or stressed she could be a horrible person. She always regretted it afterwards, always apologized and tried to make it up to us."
"To you perhaps dad", Virgil said and looked at John and Scott. "Not to us. Whenever she apologized she didn't mean it, we could see it in her eyes."
"Yeah", Scott agreed. "We know she loved us more than life itself but she could be a witch… and selfish."
"Something John has proven he is not", Gordon said and smiled at his brother, John smiled back.
"And opposite to mom when Johnny gets stressed he gets even more…" Alan searched for the word.
"Calm?" Scott supplied.
"Quiet?" Virgil tried.
"Analytic?" Gordon asked.
"Focused", Grandma quipped.
"Stubborn", Jeff concluded. All eyes turned to John.
"Uh… all of the above?" he tried and Gordon laughed. John blushed a little. "Yes fine I know I can be a right pain in the ass when I get stressed but so are we all."
"Yeah", Alan said and sniggered. "Scott gets all snappy, like a snapping turtle!"
"And Virgil gets all brooding", Gordon supplied.
"Alan gets all whiny and grumpy", Scott added.
"And Gordon gets really talkative", Virgil added.
"And Jeff gets as snappy as Scott", Grandma said. "You have that from your father dear."
"So we are all not perfect people", John concluded. "We all make mistakes, what's important is that we learn from those mistakes so that we don't do them again. We keep falling down, we keep on hitting the ground, but we always get up to see what's next."
"Birds don't just fly they fall down and get up", Virgil cut in and John grinned at him. He knew Virgil would get the reference. "Nobody learns without getting it wrong."
"What's important is that we try again", John turned to his father. "Dad what you did to me and to Gordon and the others was not right, I hope you understand that."
"Believe me boys I know I messed up, big time", Jeff got up and walked over to Gordon. "Gordon. I'm sorry I doubted your skills and thought that you are not as strong as your brothers. Can you forgive me for that?" Gordon got up and hugged his father. Jeff held him close. Alan got up and joined into the hug. Jeff chuckled and hugged his youngest boys close. When he let them go he turned to John. He crouched in front of his son. He looked into those sky-blue eyes and saw the hesitation in them. Jeff took John's good hand.
"John", he said. "I will completely understand if you won't forgive my actions and the harsh words aimed at you. I only did what I thought… what I thought was right in order to protect you. But know that I am truly sorry for everything I said and did."
"I know you are father", John replied. "I can forgive the hurt you caused me… but what I can't really forgive is you valuing Gordon and me over the others. Because that is basically what you did and that does not sit right with me. If you'd asked me to stay up there longer you know I would have done it to keep the guys down here and happy. I love my brothers more than anything in this life and I would choose their happiness over mine every time. You knew that and abused that knowledge, true that it was in order to keep me safe. But that also means you didn't feel the same worry for the others and that does not sit right with me. You are my dad and I love you but you will have to work hard to earn back my trust after this."
"I know I messed up John and I will work hard to make it up to you and your brothers. Can you and your brothers forgive me?" He looked at his three oldest, Alan and Gordon had already forgiven him after all. The three oldest shared a look and John rolled his eyes when Scott and Virgil started their eye-speech. He reached up with his good hand and first flicked Scott in the forehead and then Virgil.
"Channel two", he told them. "We can't understand your eye-telepathy."
"Eyeapathy!" Gordon and Alan said at the same time. Scott and Virgil glared at the two youngest and then turned to Jeff.
"Yeah dad we can forgive that", Virgil said and Scott nodded.
"If you can promise that it will stop from now on", he added.
"I will do my best", Jeff said. "If anyone starts noticing me slipping back into old patterns you have my permission to hit me over the head with the most nearby ob-ow!" His sons' eyes went huge when their grandmother smacked him up the head with a newspaper. Jeff turned to stare at his mother, but she just smirked and continued to knit. John snorted and that sent Alan and Gordon into hysterical laughter. Scott and Virgil soon joined them and John just smiled. His grandmother winked at him and he chuckled. Jeff just shook his head and stood up. He looked at all of his sons, together again and laughing. He had been sure he would never see a scene like this again. He had been sure he had lost one of his most precious treasures. He had been sure he had lost John, for good this time. That knowledge had hurt far worse than losing his Lucy. Because this time it had been his own fault. He had put his son in danger, had kept him there and had paid for it with his son's life. He rid himself of those dark thoughts because John was not dead. He was here and so was his other sons. The family was together again and Jeff would make sure they stayed together for as long as he could. But this time he would not value anyone ever the others. They would rebuild IR and they would rebuild their family to the better. Maybe there were such things as Christmas Miracles after all.
The End! Thank you guys for coming along for this much shorter ride :) Hope I didn't upset you too much.