Part 15
John was back in Perth a few days later and back at base. As soon as he arrived he was pulled into hugs by his crewmates. They were all happy to see him, no one more so than Vidal. Vidal never liked to be in charge. He'd been the first to realize John had entered the bridge and had been the first to great him. John was happy to be back as well, happy to see his new friends. His crew. He walked up to his station and swiped through the air with his hand. Screens came to life in front of him.
"Okay people listen up", he said and all eyes were on him. "We have a lost biker in the Outback. A cruise ship taking on water outside of Tonga. An airliner in trouble above Fiji and a submarine stranded near the Mariana Trench." John started typing. "I have sent the co-ordinates to your respective devices and have assigned you to the crews I believe will work best." He heard the doors behind him open. "We will be airborne in ten minutes so those of you who are off duty better head home and rest before your next shift."
"Yes sir!" he heard chorused.
"Vidal you stay here with me", John called. "If we get another callout I need you by my side."
"Of course commander", Vidal replied and grinned. John grinned back. He heard someone clear their throat behind him and he turned around.
"Colonel Casey", John said and saluted her.
"At ease John", Casey said and smiled. Next to her was a young woman in GDF police uniform. "I wanted to introduce you to your newest crew-mate. I have, as you are aware, transferred Captain Rigby to the North American Division so that he can be closer to his mother now that she is ill." John nodded.
"I know, I am sad to see him go but I am always happy to see a new face around here", John replied. "Welcome to the Perth Division…" He waited for a reply.
"Captain Tanusha Kyrano", the young woman replied and saluted him. "But you can call me Kayo."
"Did you say Kyrano?" John asked and his eyes widened.
"Yes."
"Are you related to Tin-Tin Kyrano and her father?"
"Yes Mr. Kyrano is my father and Tin-Tin is my half-sister", Kayo said and smiled. "You know them as well I assume?"
"Ayah… uh I mean Kyrano works for Jeff Tracy and Tin-Tin is one of my friends."
"Right you're John Tracy, right?" Kayo smirked at him. "You're taller than I remember from the pictures Tin-Tin used to send me." John laughed and held his hand out to her. She took his and they shook.
"Welcome aboard then Captain Kayo", John told her and gestured for the screens. He started informing her of what was going on right now and answered all her questions. John looked at her. She appeared to be a few years older than Tin-Tin and with lighter colored eyes. She was much less girly than her as well. She reminded John of Colonel Casey in fact. It was weird, he never knew Kyrano had another daughter. He would have to ask her about it later if she would allow it. If she didn't want to talk about it he would respect her privacy.
"Boss it's time for lunch", Vidal called a couple of hours later. John was busy coordinating a vast amount of rescues and getting information needed for the GDF law enforcement for the South American division because their target had fled to Papau New Guinea.
"One moment Anthony", John called back as he typed away like crazy. Vidal shared a look with Kayo and both of them shook their heads.
"Don't make us unplug you", Kayo said playfully.
"You wouldn't dare", John told her, also playfully. "I am soon done. I just need to send these co-ordinates to Mark… and this bit of intel to the SA division… and open that door for Francesca and done." He closed the screens and jumped down to join the duo at the small lunch table they had installed in the command center. It was only the three of them there at the moment. It was a busy day for rescues. Since International Rescue was down due to upgrades on their crafts the GDF were busier than ever.
"So Kayo", Anthony said after swallowing his noodles. "What's your reason for signing up with the GDF?"
"Honestly?" Kayo asked and the two men nodded. "I wanted to make a difference. I used to work for the FBI but found that my work as an agent there was not… very fulfilling. So I joined the Air Force but got tired of all the men telling me I was not good enough."
"Oh so you are a former USAF pilot too?" Vidal asked and grinned.
"Good lord I am surrounded by air-heads", John teased.
"Oh shut it space case", Kayo told him and he cocked an eyebrow at her. "I know all about you. When Casey contacted me and asked me to join I was told I could choose any commander I wanted to serve under. I checked all of you out and only you sounded like a perfect fit for me."
"How come if you don't mind me asking?" John asked.
"Because you stood up to that corrupt Colonel. You didn't back down and your sole focus is helping people in need. On paper you are a good man."
"And in reality he is a great man… short but great", Anthony teased.
"We can't all be giants", John and Kayo said at the same time and laughed. Anthony grinned. The trio had hit it off right away. John knew someone else who would get along well with Kayo. That someone was Casper Shade. He also knew someone who would fall hard just seeing her and then hearing she was a pilot and a fierce fighter as well. Yes, Scott Tracy would fall hard if he ever got introduced to Kayo. John smirked. He'd love to see his brother make a fool out of himself trying to impress her. John watched as Anthony and Kayo continued talking about the Air Force. John smiled, it felt familiar. Like when Scott and his father used to do the same.
"So boss how did you end up in the GDF?" Kayo asked and leaned back.
"Now that is a long story", John chuckled.
"Well we have a few minutes right?"
"We do. Fine I was working for my father but he was not the best boss in the world. So I quit. I worked at a university in Berlin for a while until my best friend found me and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Together we developed the holographic tech most people are using today."
"That was you? Color me impressed Colonel."
"Thanks but it wasn't just me. Anyway Casey got wind of it and decided that my computer skills could be used as dispatch. My credentials at NASA told her I could work as a team leader and my PhDs in languages and communications came in handy."
"Wow… so… why isn't your family part of the GDF? I mean I have heard of all of you from my half-sister and this seems like something right up their alley."
"Jeff Tracy would never allow it", John said. "He thinks I am foolish and stupid."
"To heck with him I say", Anthony said. "Without you here we would not be half as successful as we are. Just imagine all the people who would be suffering if it wasn't for you."
"For us", John corrected. "I might hold the reins but I'm not the one saving all the people. It is a team effort and it will always be a team effort. No one is more important than the others. We do it together or not at all. I might be the one to send you guys out, but you are there on the scene. You are the ones doing the real rescuing. I pitch in when you need me to otherwise it is all you."
"Us", Anthony and Kayo countered and John laughed.
"Us", he said.
"I must say I really like this team so far", Kayo replied and drank from her drink. "It is clear that the operatives listen to and respect you John. But you do the same to them. You don't act all high and mighty. You are doing this with us not just ordering us about. You're no puppet-master. You are one of the grunts as well."
"Thanks", John replied bashfully. "Teamwork is something I believe firmly in. We all have skills and knowledge that can be useful to others. We all need to adapt to the situation if we want to be successful. We can't just send the most experienced operatives in all the time because we are not giving the new ones time to gain experience and they might even have hidden talents that will prove useful to us."
"Speaking from experience John?" Anthony asked softly and John smiled gently at him and nodded. Anthony was about to reply when an alarm started ringing through. John activated the holo-com on his chest and a hologram of Captain Rigby appeared on the table.
"Rigby", John greeted and responded to the salute he got from Rigby. "Disliking North America already?"
"Well you guys aren't here", Rigby grumbled. "So yes… what is worse I was sent to the freaking North Pole."
"Why?" Anthony asked.
"A masked intruder managed to somehow hypnotize one of the higher ups within the World Council and got the location of the Seed Vault."
"The what?" all three asked.
"As I understand it the vault was built to store millions of different types of seeds. If the world ever runs out of food these seeds will be our backup."
"Anyone serving there?" John asked and started making his way to the control unit.
"It's an automated vault Sir", Rigby replied. "Only one caretaker."
"And you believe this masked intruder is heading there?"
"I believe so Sir. Colonel Casey sent me out but she said I needed to contact you if I need assistance and I think it is a two-man job. If he can control people with hypnosis or whatever I need someone to back me up so I don't do anything stupid."
"I've got the perfect woman for the job", John said. "Kayo you're-"
"Kayo!?" Rigby exclaimed and turned to stare at her.
"Hello Rigby", she said. "Nice to see you again." When she noticed John's look she laughed. "I worked with him on a few missions before. Just give me a craft and I'll get there as soon as I can." She headed for the door.
"Take Shadow", John called after her. "It is our fastest craft and can switch to a motorcycle."
"Understood", Kayo said as the doors shut behind her. John turned back to his console, feeling Anthony move in behind him.
"Well let's contact that caretaker", John replied and tapped a few keys.
"Hello", a familiar voice said and John had to bite back a groan. Anthony did not. "Ned Tedford at your service."
"Ned?" John asked tensly. "You're the caretaker?" Ned Tedford had been saved by IR a few months ago and then again from the bottom of the ocean a few weeks ago. He had been thrust into their hands and had bounced from division to division ever since.
"Right you are Colonel!" Ned replied happily. "Colonel Casey found the perfect job for me and old Gladys."
"Gladys", John said with fake cheer.
"It's always nice and quiet in here. These seed-bots keep things tidy and they aren't much for conversation."
"I've got news Ned", John said. "You're about to have company."
Ned pressed some keys on his console and John and Anthony were also allowed to see the footage. A man was working on the doors. A soft alarm told John Kayo was on her way over.
"Aye you're right there", Ned told John. "And he doesn't look friendly."
"Hang on Ned, help is on its way."
"Who was that on the screen?"
"We don't know", John said and added Rigby and Kayo into the discussion.
"What do I do?!"
"Stick to your post soldier", Rigby said sharply. "Protect the You-Know-What."
"Oooh soldier! I like the sound of that. Understood sir!" He saluted Rigby and ran off. John followed him on the map of the facility he brought up as soon as Rigby started talking about it. The World Council needed to update their security measures if they wanted to keep secrets like this. John's readings also picked up on an intruder slowly making their way through the vault after Ned. Ned had managed to lock the doors though. Which was good.
"The You-Know-What secured", Ned said.
"What exactly is the You-Know-What?" Kayo's voice asked over the coms. John wondered that himself and started typing.
"Sorry that's top secret."
"Wait I recognize that symbol!" John exclaimed from where he was hacking. "That is Theramine! Dr. Orchard created it to help with food shortage! Why does the World Council have it now?!"
"You didn't hear that from me", Ned said and looked a bit putout. John however was furious. He remembered that mission. He had listened in on it and had feared for his brothers' lives the entire time.
"I thought the drug went into international control", John muttered. "What the heck is it doing here?" He noticed Anthony look at him oddly. "We know how dangerous it can be."
"How dangerous?" Kayo asked. She had now reached Rigby and they were slowly entering the vault.
"Two words: giant alligators."
"The World Council still thinks the serum can do some good", Rigby explained. "For now the serum is being studied and kept out of trouble."
"Only one problem then", Kayo said. "Trouble found it."
They moved down the tunnel and Kayo heard a buzzing sound and stopped Rigby from going in. "Careful Captain."
"It's just the decontamination chamber", Rigby replied with a laugh. "The electricity removes germs from the air."
"If this intruder has taken over the controls it may remove more than that." She threw in a crowbar which had been lying on the floor and lightning struck it at once.
"Damn it we're locked out", Rigby said.
"Kayo to John can you access these systems and get us through?"
John had been trying ever since she started talking.
"I can but to get full control will take time we don't have", he replied. "I will make sure you can get through and then I will join you on the ground for the rest of the mission. Anthony I leave control of the division to you in the meantime."
"Understood Sir, be careful", Anthony said and gripped John's shoulder. John smiled at him before hurrying out. While John was heading out there Kayo had been talking to Ned to try and calm him down. He informed her that the vault had three doors with three different locks. According to him there was no way this intruder would be able to crack them all. John in the meantime was on the coms again, but this time not officially. As soon as Kayo left he'd sent out a call to Scott.
"Scott are you on your way back from that test flight Brains sent you on?" he asked.
"I am not going to ask how you know about that but I am making my way back now, why?" Scott asked.
"I need a lift", John said while getting into one of the fastest crafts they had. "How fast can you reach the North Pole?"
"Twenty minutes give or take."
"Good… how close are you to my position?"
"Just passing underneath you now."
"Good… catch me."
"Huh what? John!"
John jumped out of the hangar doors and activated his jetpack to help him steer. He could make out Thunderbird One not too far from him and he noticed Scott maneuvering the craft trying to make it easier for John to land on it. John managed that with only a little jolt to his knees. Scott opened the hatch and John entered. Scott glared at him and John just grinned. Scott rolled his eyes at him.
"Buckle up Colonel", he said. "It will be a bumpy ride."
"Understood Thunderbird One", John replied and did just that.
After promising to update Scott on the mission later that evening John dropped out of Thunderbird One and landed outside of the seed vault. He ran inside and found that Kayo and Rigby had made it through the chamber he'd shut down earlier. But now they were stuck at the main vault. The intruder had turned on the chamber defenses. Lasers were everywhere and there was no way for them to get through.
"Aren't you some kind of expert at dodging lasers?" John heard Rigby tell Kayo.
"I have my limits Captain, climbing through that is one of them", she bit back.
"Then what are you good for?"
"I do hope that is just teasing Rigby", John said as he approached them.
"John great timing", Kayo said as he approached. "Help us get through."
"The controls are on the other side of the vault to make sure intruders can't get in", John replied and walked up to the edge ad looked around. He smirked. "We may have another way though. The seed-bots can carry us to the controls."
"What if the intruder sees us Sir?" Rigby asked.
"He won't if we're quiet", Kayo replied and walked up to the edge and grabbed onto a bot when it past her. "Let's ride." John and Rigby followed her. The problem was that the bots were going one here and on there. John did not have the patience for that today so with one hand he opened the maintenance hatch on the bot he was riding. He started hacking into the controls while riding along. Kayo and Rigby watched him in confusion. Sadly one of the bots chose that exact moment to have a breakdown and started making lots of noise.
"Well, well, well what a clever idea", a voice said from above and John looked up. He saw the intruder smirk at them. "Oh wait… it isn't." He pressed some controls on the panel and John looked down. The laser grid started to rise towards them. One of the bots lower down blew up. John swore and started typing faster. He heard Ned scream above him and swore louder. Then he heard Rigby shout below him as his bot started dropping towards the grid.
"Rigby!" Kayo exclaimed and started making her way down to him. John swore again. This was taking longer than expected since he could only use one hand. "Jump!" He trusted Kayo to save their friend and kept working.
"Warning bio-hazard detected", a robotic voice suddenly called out.
"Could this day get any worse!?" John asked and hit the final commands. The bots all started heading up towards the control panel. When John got there he turned off the defense system, just in time. He felt someone behind him and he was roughly pushed aside and hit the floor with a bang. He looked up and saw the intruder.
"Leaving empty handed?" he heard Kayo call.
"I set a virus in the computer systems", the intruder replied and fired a grappling line across the vault. "Good luck escaping the vault without the virus' source code."
"Warning security gas dispersal in two minutes", the robotic voice said as the intruder swung across the vault and left. "All unstored life will be destroyed."
"Ned what happened", Kayo called over the coms while John got up and moved over to the edge to help her and Rigby up.
"I think I broke something", Ned replied.
"Warning security gas dispersal in two minutes", the automated voice said again.
"We're coming Ned", Kayo replied and John pulled her up and then Rigby.
"Evacuate, evacuate."
"Go after him", John told Kayo and Rigby. "I'll stay behind."
"That security gas is poisonous", Rigby replied. "The seeds will be okay but you have to get out Sir!"
"Not without Ned, now go!" John turned his back to them and headed further into the vault. Kayo and Rigby both left to chase down the intruder.
John got to the vault and stopped and stared at what he saw. A huge plant was taking up the whole room. Great, just what he needed. More climbing.
"Ned something's blocking my way", he called.
"It's Gladys", Ned replied. "She's all grown up."
"Ned where are you?"
"Up here! Can you cut me down?"
John started climbing the giant leaves. He knew the gas would be released any second now.
"Hang on Ned", he called. "Not that you have much of a choice."
"John", Anthony's worried voice came over the coms. "I have someone pausing the countdown of that gas… but the systems are failing and they can't hold it much longer."
"I'm almost there", John replied. "Thank Agent 6 for me will you?"
"Thank him yourself he's on the line."
"Colonel why can't I turn my back on you for one second without you trying to get yourself killed?!" Casper's voice asked angrily. John would recognize it even though he had a robotic filter on it.
"Because you need someone to keep you on your toes", John teased as he climbed on top of the flower. He looked at the grapple the intruder had used to trap Ned. He knew time was up so he took a risk. He jumped and grabbed onto Ned. The extra weight lowered them to the ground. They landed rather harshly but Ned did not hit his head and John knew his knees were only mildly bruised.
"Warning security gas dispersal in thirty seconds", the automated voice called. "Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate."
"We're leaving", John said and got Ned up on his feet. "This way Ned." He dragged Ned with him through the vault tunnel. Ned activated the elevator as soon as they got there and it started descending.
"Warning security gas dispersal in ten seconds."
"There's still time, we can make it", John assured. The elevator hit the lowest floor and the bridge extended towards the doors. John and Ned ran as fast as they could.
"Sealing main chamber."
"Wait… what!?" John exclaimed as the hatch closed as soon as they got there. "Aw come on!"
"Security gas initiated."
John and Ned looked up and saw a green gas at the top of the vault, slowly making its way down towards them.
"Can you hack your way out?" Ned asked.
"No, we need the source code from the intruder to get control of the systems."
"Not to rush you or anything, but the gas is falling."
"Where does the gas get out Ned, where's the grit?" Ned pointed downwards. "Then that is our exit, come on." They jumped down and opened the grit before jumping into the vent. As they slid down it John contacted his crew. "John to Rigby and Kayo. I need you to connect with the intruder's digital gear and send me the source code."
"Uh how do we do that?" Rigby asked.
"Top button on the right on both of your bikes", John replied.
"Small problem there John", Kayo replied. "We only have one bike, the intruder stole the other one."
"Then don't get too far behind him. I'm counting on the pair of you."
Ned grabbed his arm and pulled him up.
"Keep moving", Ned shouted. "There should be an exit around here… somewhere."
"Somewhere? You mean you aren't sure?" John asked while they ran.
"I don't get down here much."
"Anthony which way", John called into his coms.
"Left!"
John grabbed Ned this time and together they ran as fast as they could. Anthony guided them through the systems. Probably with help from Casper. John would not admit it to Ned, but he was scared. Would this be his last day on Earth? He knew Rigby was good but was he good enough? Kayo was with him but John barely knew of her skills. Would they be enough to save him and Ned in time? The pair kept running, jumping and sliding down the different vents. When they finally reached the end they were met with one last nasty surprise. The hatch had been sealed.
"It's been sealed just like the rest of the vault!" Ned shouted.
"Agent 6 this is John", John called into the coms. "Open the tunnel door… now."
"I can't, the virus is too strong", Casper replied.
"Rigby, Kayo is the download complete?" John asked.
"It's at 95% stand by!" Rigby replied. "Oh no… the intruder is heading towards the edge of the cliff!"
"He went over!" Kayo called and John swore. "Wait! Download complete. John!"
"Agent 6!" John called as the gas approached him and Ned. It was two meters away.
"Control over systems are now mine", Casper replied. "Opening door… now!" John and Ned tumbled out the door and it closed behind them.
"We made it!" Ned shouted. "We're outside… brr. I knew I should've worn me extra vest."
"Right… North Pole." John replied and shuddered as well. "Kayo, Rigby any luck out there?"
"Negative sir", Rigby replied. "We lost the intruder. He drove over the cliff."
"At least he didn't get the serum", Kayo replied. "We were lucky this time. How are you Sir?"
"A little bruised but nothing worse for wear. Requesting a pick me up for me and Ned here."
"Understood sir. Hang tight."
Later that day Kayo and John returned to their base in Perth… after having Casey yelling at them for allowing John to risk his life like that. Which both defended by pointing out that Ned's life was as important as theirs. Kayo told them of the motorcycle chase and they gathered as much information on that intruder as they could. John had his suspicions about who the man had been so as soon as they left Casey's office and were flying back in Kayo's craft John brought up his coms unit.
"Colonel Tracy to Agent 6", he said and Casper's on-duty hologram winked into existence.
"Receiving you Colonel", Casper replied. "How may I be of assistance?"
"Do you know anything of the man who tried to break into the vault?"
"I have reviewed some of the footage from the vault and judged by the few details I got I suspect he is the man know in the underworld as the Hood."
"Isn't he the one trying to steal secrets from basically everywhere and sell them?" Kayo asked over her shoulder.
"Indeed he is, he has also targeted International Rescue a few times or have caused disasters to lure them there. I suspect this was one of those times but the GDF acted before they could."
"Who is on the case?" John asked.
"Agents 1, 2 and 3."
"Really!?" John asked in shock. "All three of them!?"
"Uh huh. I am on GDF duty at the moment… and I got a message for you Colonel."
"Uh… do I dare listen to it?"
"HOW CAN YOU BE SO STUPID TO STAY BEHIND WHEN POISONOUS GAS WAS ABOUT TO BE RELEASED!?"
John heard Kayo snort and gave her a look. She just grinned.
"Six, saving lives is what I do."
"I FUCKING KNOW THAT BUT WHAT THE HELL TRACY!? YOU SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH!"
"Yeah I scared myself too."
"DON'T YOU DARE JOKE ABOUT THIS!"
"You're right… I'm sorry. I never meant to scare you. I just… a man was in danger and I just had to help him. I just couldn't let him die when I was right there. I couldn't leave him all alone."
Casper sighed and he removed his mask so John hurriedly turned so that Kayo could not see his face if she looked over her shoulder for some reason. John met Casper's gaze and saw the fear in his friends amber eyes. John knew the feeling all too well. He had felt the same on a few occasions when Casper was out on dangerous missions.
"Don't make me wishing you were somehow here again John… please", Casper whispered. John smiled gently at him.
"I'll do my best to make sure that never happens", John assured. "I'm sorry I scared you. But I've been in dangerous positions before."
"Yeah but this was worse… because this time I was trying to help but couldn't do it. If you'd died it would have been my fault and it would've meant you died because I could not save you. I promised you'd never have to be let down that way again and I nearly blew it."
"But you didn't."
"But I nearly did."
"I know and I'm sorry."
"I forgive you just… next time we see any trace of the Hood. Bring me with you?"
"I promise. We'll take him down together."
"I'll hold you to it. Now I think you need to be prepare for your return to base. Vidal was in a state not being there with you. You and Kayo are both gonna get lots of hugs today."
"Oh no no no no", John groaned. "Please tell me Casey hasn't told everyone what happened."
"That would be lying. See you soon?"
"See you soon." John cut the connection and turned back. He noticed Kayo looking smug. "Not a word."
"Yes sir", she said and then laughed.
Jeff Tracy was sitting at his desk doing paperwork for Tracy Industries when his communications device from Casey started beeping. With a heavy sigh Jeff put his pen aside and opened the channel. Casey appeared in the middle of the room. She was not in uniform which told Jeff she was off duty.
"Good evening Val", Jeff said. "What can I help you with? IR are still down for upgrades but will be back in a week or so."
"That's good to hear Jeff but that is not why I called", Val replied.
"Then why did you call?" Jeff leaned back in his seat.
"Jeff… John nearly died today."
Jeff stared at her. "What?"
"I said John nearly died today. Only a few more seconds and he would be gone Jeff. Now I don't know the full story of what went down between you two. I only know John's part and what he was willing to tell me. But after today… Jeff what if he had died?"
"What… what happened?" Jeff asked and sat up a little straighter. Casey gave him most of the details concerning the rescue at the seed vault. She told him of how John stayed behind to save the operator and how both of them got locked in with poisonous gas descending on them. She told him how they'd fled through the vents only to reach a dead end and nearly getting trapped inside if not for John's teammates. Jeff swallowed and his gaze moved to John's portrait. His son had nearly died? Jeff had come close to lose all his sons except John during the time International Rescue had been active and he had been there for all his boys during the aftermath of those near-death experiences. It always scared him, made his mouth dry up when he knew he was close to losing one of them. Now it had happened again but he had been unaware. He had not been able to affect the outcome.
"Other… other than the scare… was he hurt?" Jeff asked.
"No", Casey replied. "But I thought you'd want to know so that you could at least call him and talk to him." She noticed the hesitation on his face. "Jeff he's your son."
"Not anymore", Jeff whispered. "He told me so himself. He is done with me and the family." Jeff returned to his paperwork. "I have nothing more to say to him."
"Jeff…"
"Was that all Val?" Jeff interrupted and looked up at her. She sighed in disappointment.
"That was all", she said and winked out. Jeff looked at the papers in front of him but his hands would not move to fetch a pen and his eyes would not read what was written. His gaze moved up again until it landed on John's portrait. John had nearly died? Why had he not called them to tell them about it… tell Jeff? His boys always came to him when they needed it. When had John stopped turning to him with his hurts? When was the last time he held his son when he cried? When was the last time he'd… talked to him without it being about International Rescue? When was the last time they watched the stars together? When was the last time they watched a movie together? When was the last time they'd shared an embrace? When was the last time Jeff had put his arm around his son's shoulders? He could answer all those questions about his other sons. With John he drew a blank. Jeff got up from his desk and walked out on the patio, looking at the stars. When had John stopped turning to him with his hurts?
When was the last time he held his son when he cried? Jeff knew when. At the hospital, when John woke up after the avalanche took the lives of Lucy and Grant Tracy. John had been with them and had been the only survivor. He'd woken up screaming and Jeff had held him while he cried over the loss of his mother and grandfather. Jeff had never seen him cry after that, John never cried in front of him. Did he ever cry at all? Yes. Yes he did but Jeff knew it was never in front of him. He cried in front of his brothers and his grandmother. But not Jeff. Never Jeff. To talk about his hurting John turned to others… another father figure who was here on the island as well. Kyrano. Kyrano had taken John under his wing many years ago. Kyrano taught John tai chi and judo. He taught him Malay and how to meditate. Jeff knew John sometimes turned to Kyrano whom he referred to as ayah. Jeff had no idea what it meant but Kyrano always smiled when John said it.
When was the last time Jeff had… talked to John without it being about International Rescue? Jeff could no longer remember. He was suddenly hit by a horrified thought. Before the whole affair with the giant alligators their contact with John had been broken. But all Jeff had thought about was getting the communications going again so that IR could be active. Even when his mother had pointed out that they could not get in touch with John he, Jeff, had only focused on IR. Even when John told them he was glad to be in touch again Jeff dismissed that and only focused on IR. What kind of father was he? How could he have neglected his son like that?
When was the last time they watched the stars together? Jeff remembered that perfectly and warmth filled him thinking of that moment. It was after John came back from that horrible space mission for NASA. Virgil had been the first person John went too, but Jeff had been the first person he called to tell him he was actually alive. Jeff had seen the crash on TV and had ben on a plane not many minutes later. John had called him and with a tired voice said he was fine. Jeff flew out anyway and met John and Virgil at Virgil's apartment in Denver. At night they had driven out to the mountains and John and Jeff had spent many hours looking at the stars. John had pointed out constellations Jeff had forgotten the names of and had told him stories and just talked about them. This was also the last time Jeff could remember putting his arm around his son's shoulders when not for a photo. John had leaned into him and they'd just been sitting there. Virgil had joined them and the three of them had a quiet night together.
When was the last time they watched a movie together? Jeff could not remember that. Not for years it felt like.
When was the last time they'd shared an embrace? Jeff thought back through the years and he couldn't for the life of him figure out when that was. No wait… he could. It had been when Gordon won gold. John had been standing next to Jeff when they watched Gordon take home the gold. Jeff had pulled John into a celebratory hug. It had been partly thanks to John that they had been there in the first place. John had selflessly helped Gordon back onto his feet and back into the pool. Jeff had not thanked him for that and in a way he saw that hug as the thank you. But he had not hugged his son since then. Not any of them really. Except Alan. Jeff got up and went to look for his family. He needed to become a better father to all of them, starting with the boys on the island.
He found them in the movie room with their grandmother. She was sitting beside Virgil, holding a hand on his arm as they watched something on the big screen. Scott and Gordon shared a couch and Tin-Tin, her father and Alan was on the last couch. Jeff looked at his sons' faces. Virgil was watching the screen in awe. Scott was grinning proudly and Gordon smiling brightly. Alan looked rather displeased. Jeff wondered why and he turned his head to the screen and nearly gasped. It was a few years ago, he could tell, but he would still recognize his oldest blond boy anywhere. John was dressed in a tux and in his arms was a girl in a beautiful purple gown. They were dancing alone across a huge dance floor. Jeff noticed a number on John's back and realized it had to be during a competition. Jeff silently walked into the room and sank into a chair. He stared at his screen. Was that his son? John moved so gracefully and soft, leading his partner safely across the floor. The song playing… Jeff swallowed hard. He'd walked in on Virgil, Gordon and John playing it once. Gordon played guitar, Virgil piano and John drums. But not only that… John had sung it. Jeff swallowed again as he watched his son dance. How could he have missed this? How could he have not been able to see what other talents his son had besides his intellect? Did his other sons have hidden talents like these? Jeff looked at each of them. Scott was smiling softly now, Gordon as well and Virgil had tears going down his cheeks. Alan looked even more annoyed because Tin-Tin was sniffling. Jeff looked at his mother, she was crying as well. He looked at the screen as the music and the dancing stopped. Before the screen faded to black he saw his son smile… he'd not seen that smile in years.
John was alone on the bridge. Most of the operatives were out on assignments or sleeping waiting for their shifts to start. John however was not sleeping. He was busy coordinating rescues and writing reports. When he and Kayo had arrived back there had been so many hugs and people telling him they were happy he was alive. Not only that but Casper had been there to give him a huge hug. Holding him tightly. He remembered what Gordon had said about Casper and chuckled. Ever since John left IR Casper had been at his side, keeping an eye on him, helping him, supporting him and just being there for him. They teased each other and could talk about anything really. Casper told John when enough was enough and he kept John grounded. Reminded him that he was human and did not have to do it all on his own. John nearly jumped out of his skin when Chasing Cars started playing. He turned around and saw Casper stand there with his hand out-stretched.
"Shall we dance John?" he asked and John smiled and walked over to him. "I promise I can be a good lead."
"I believe you", John said and took Casper's hand. "I'll even let you take the lead this time."
"Good", Casper said and pulled him close and started dancing a slow foxtrot with him across the floors of the bridge. John smiled and closed his eyes, letting Casper lead him around the room.
"You scared me today John", Casper said.
"I know, I scared many people", John replied. "I'm sorry."
"I can't do this without you John."
"Of course you can, you have your family and your own crew of police-people."
"That's not what I mean and you know it." Casper stopped dancing and John opened his eyes. "You complete me John. I am brave, I am stubborn, I am a little careless and run in headfirst. I take risks and I am impulsive. You keep my feet planted on the ground. You ground me in general. You get me to take a step back and look at what I am seeing instead of rushing in. When I doubt myself you are there to pick me up an cheer me up. When we fail people you are the one that helps me through it." He caressed John's cheek. "When you stand there looking out at the world and I see the joy in your eyes it fills me with joy as well. When you are hurting I am hurting too. When you are angry I feel your rage. When you are happy it makes me happy. When you are near I feel calm in a way I have never done before. I feel… whole."
"I… I don't know what to say", John said. "You said it much better than I can."
"I thought you had a PhD in communications ow!" John had slapped his arm but Casper just grinned.
"Well you are a charmer and you just floored me with your words so give me a second here to think of what to say!" John said and Casper laughed. John blushed and looked out at the dark sea below them. They were over the Pacific at the moment. "When I'm speechless I always go for the same thing… musicals so sorry if this is a little corny." John cleared his throat and started singing softly:
"Kiss me too fiercely, hold me too tight I need help believing you're with me tonight." Casper grinned widely, knowing exactly what song that was. It was the one they sang when they got thrown off the subway. "My wildest dreamings could not foresee lying… uh standing beside you with you wanting me. And just for this moment as long as you're mine I've lost all resistance and crossed some borderline. And if it turns out it's over too fast I'll make every last moment last as long as you're mine." John looked at Casper and Casper grinned, taking over:
"Maybe I'm brainless, maybe I'm wise but you've got me seeing through different eyes. Somehow I've fallen under your spell and somehow I'm feeling it's 'up' that I fell." Then they sang together. "Every moment as long as you're mine I'll wake up my body and make up for lost time."
"Say there's no future for us as a pair…"
"And though I may know I don't care! Just for this moment as long as you're mine come be how you want to and see how bright we shine. Borrow the moonlight until it is through and know I'll be here holding you as long as you're mine."
John chuckled and pulled Casper close, staring into his eyes.
"What is it?" Casper asked.
"It's just…" John scoffed "For the first time I feel… wicked."
John finished and leaned down a little, kissing Casper slowly and smiling into the kiss when Casper kissed him back. Not knowing that two people were looking from the door. The pair smirked at each other and did a secret handshake before leaving the bridge. They could come back later… much later.
TBC Thank you for all the reviews! Yeah there was some bug last time but I hope it works this time! It worked all along in the app though... weird.
Guest: Muchas gracias! Te prometo que verás más de Casper. (I had to use Google translate for the last part *facepalm )