Hello, again!
pearlmoon, thank you for your kind review. I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations.
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Same old routine. I own nothing.
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Indiana hiked around her favourite trail in Rochester. Park Trail was one of the first places she discovered when she explored the area after she moved here to attend the University of Rochester. It didn't take long for her to fall in love with the area and hope that she be able to stay in Rochester for a long time to come.
She let out a quiet laugh at how life works out for her. She was able to stay in Rochester for several years, only going back to Boston a handful of times and, of course, the yearly visit to England to visit her great-aunt, who helped her a lot when she first moved out to Rochester. She loved the life she had developed out in Rochester, mainly because it was her own.
Although, the fact that, outside that one incident, her mother would deem it beneath her to leave the Big Apple if she ever did find herself in New York was a bonus.
And now, she was getting ready to leave it. Even though she formally served out her notice two weeks ago, Dr. Millers had asked her to stay on a bit longer in a diminished capacity to help with handovers. Indiana had proven to be quite popular with various patients, and a lot of them insisted on Indiana continuing their care until they were discharged.
Among those patients was Sophia Michaels, the little girl she had operated on the day she first met Jeff Tracy. Unfortunately, Sophia had developed the post-op infection in her incision Indiana feared she would. On top of that, she developed a postoperative pulmonary infection. Fortunately, she recovered well. Her discharge had to be delayed by several days as a precaution, but she was now home recovering. In fact, she was due for another check-up. She would be the last patient Indiana would see before she left for her new life.
Taking in the view from her favourite spot on the trail one last time, Indiana continued on her way. Her apartment wasn't going to pack itself.
Also, this was her day of departure. She was asked to go to the hospital for a final farewell with her colleagues and several patients she had treated over the years. And she was under strict instructions not to miss it.
She was going to have fun storing her stuff, though. Even if she didn't have a lot to bring, considering the instructions Jeff gave her about what she was allowed to bring and what she had to leave behind, the hospital's lockers aren't exactly that big.
Like his father before him, Scott Tracy made his way through the halls of Kessler Trauma Centre. Like Jeff mentioned, he had to take care of family business in Manhattan. Then, rather than flying back to Tracy Island, he diverted to Rochester to retrieve International Rescue's newest recruit: their medical officer.
Jeff had mentioned to him that Dr. Millers had organised for a party to be held at the hospital in Indiana's honour on her last day in Rochester. So, that was why Scott was here. He was to make an appearance at the party on his behalf and escort the young doctor to her new life in International Rescue.
Scott let out a grunt in surprise when he accidentally bumped into someone. He had been so lost in witnessing the typical going-ons of a trauma centre (looks like the donation his father gave was being put to excellent use) that he wasn't watching where he was going.
He bumped into a woman and child.
"I'm so sorry," Scott immediately began apologising.
"It's okay," the woman reassured him, "I was very much the same when my niece was admitted. It's hard thinking of your loved one in a situation like this, isn't it?"
Scott recalled how it felt in the entire family when Gordon had his hydrofoil accident, as well as when Alan was involved in a near-catastrophic accident while working on an experimental rocket project in college (that piece of information wasn't public knowledge due to the sensitive nature of the project). It wasn't something that he wanted to live through again.
Which was ironic, considering the reason his family was stealing Indiana from her life in Rochester to begin with.
"Do you have a loved one here?" the woman asked here.
"Oh. No. No. I'm actually here on another matter," Scott shook his head.
"You're here for Indy!" the young girl cried out.
Scott finally took notice of the young child accompanying the woman. He wondered if this was the little girl his father had casually mentioned to him; the child Indiana was operating on the day he first approached her to join International Rescue.
"Well, that depends," Scott mused as he knelt to the girl's eye level, "Are you talking about Dr. Evans?"
The older woman nodded, "She saved Sophia's life. We're both sad to see her go."
"She did, did she?" Scott asked, "Are you here to see her off?'
Sophia nodded, "I'm also getting a check-up. I also want to give her a present."
Scott let out a small laugh as Sophia held up the drawing she had done for the doctor. It was done in the style of Blue's Clues, complete with stickers of the various characters. Blue. Magenta. Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper and their children. Slippery Soap. Tickety Tock. Mailbox. Sidetable Drawer. He was sure he even saw Periwrinkle. Sophia, her aunt and Indiana were drawn like the three hosts Scott remembered. In lieu of a clipboard, the drawing of Indiana was holding the Handy Dandy Notebook each host always carried.
Scott had more exposure to Blue's Clues than he'd care to admit, thanks to being the oldest of five. But he couldn't exactly say the show annoyed him. He appreciated the quality of the show and the effort that went into ensuring the show was top quality.
"You know what you should do," Scott began suggesting, "Do you know the Blue Skiddoo song?"
Sophia caught onto his suggestion and nodded eagerly, "I can sing it as I give it to her!"
Scott, meanwhile, was deciding that the first thing he needed to do when he got Indiana back to the island was get Blue's Clues out of his mind.
Maybe watching some action flicks like Rocky or Die Hard would help with that.
"Scott!" Dr. Millers greeted him as she approached the eldest son of her long-time friend, "Pleasure to see you again."
"Likewise," Scott nodded.
Dr. Millers bent down and smiled at Sophia, "You and your auntie can go straight through, Sophia. Dr. Evans is waiting for you."
"Okay. Bye, Scott!" Sophia smiled as she headed to the exam room.
"Don't forget the song!" Scott called after her.
"I hope you can stay for a little while. There are quite a few people who want an opportunity to say their goodbyes," Dr. Millers warned him.
"Yeah, we've got time," Scott reassured her, "Sounds like she was a popular doctor here."
"One of the best," Dr. Millers boasted, "She has this way of being reassuring to patients while also telling them what they need to hear."
"Now, when you've talked to my father, you've talked up her professional capabilities," Scott pointed out, "What about her as a person? What are some things that wouldn't necessarily come up in a background check?"
"Well, the first thing you need to know is she takes time to open up. But I feel like that's the same with anyone. She's kind, wicked smart, always eager to learn, sometimes too selfless for her own good," Dr. Millers listed, "She's also one of the brightest souls I've ever met and someone I care for a lot. Beyond employer and employee. So, if I hear that any of you have hurt her in anyway…"
"Dr. Millers, you have known us for a while. Do you think we would really…?" Scott trailed off, offended by the implication.
"I know. But I would be remiss if I didn't make my feelings clear," Dr. Millers responded, "I happen to think you guys will get along swell."
Scott chuckled to himself as Dr. Miller lead him to the breakroom where the farewell party was being held. Normally, breakrooms were staff only, but an exception was being made for families and former patients who wanted to bid the young doctor farewell and wish her luck on her next adventure. The room was full of them.
So, Scott busied himself. Making small talk. Waiting for the woman of the hour to make her appearance.
In the meantime, he remembered being told about his father's plan to bring her aboard.
Begin flashback
Scott walked into the main area, where his father busied himself looking over files. This confused him. He thought they had everyone they needed for International Rescue.
"Looking for more field agents?" Scott asked as he sat down across from him, "Looking to cover more areas?"
"Not in this case," Jeff shook his head, "I've decided we need another recruit."
"Well, my brothers and I are piloting the Thunderbird aircraft, you're going to run the operation from here, Brains is in charge of the equipment, Tin-Tin will help him when she returns from Europe, and we've also got Kyrano. Who else do we need?" Scott inquired.
"A doctor," Jeff responded in a matter-of-fact tone, "I think we need a doctor on-call. Someone who can make sure you boys are fit for duty and someone who can also help out in the field in a pinch. You know, if someone requires urgent medical attention beyond the capabilities of a paramedic or someone with basic medical training. It's why I asked Brains to make sure Thunderbird 2 had a built-in infirmary."
"Well, I suppose I could see the logic," Scott acquiesced, "But are you so sure about bringing in an outsider?"
"That's why I asked Lady Penelope to help with the selection process. She can run background checks without alerting anyone to our true intentions," Jeff pointed out as he gestured to the files, "These files are the candidates she managed to pull for me. Different doctors from all over the world. If you don't mind, I'd like you to look over them as well. You're going to be Field Commander. You need to trust the people you're with. If this person is going to accompany you into the field, you need to be able to trust them."
"Sure thing, dad," Scott nodded as he grabbed a file, "Just out of curiosity, what were the parameters you asked Lady Penelope to look for?"
"Well, I would prefer it if the doctor was in your age group. Trauma surgery was my preferred specialty. Capable. Smart. Fit. Someone who could adapt to different environments and situations," Jeff listed, "In a lot of ways, it's applying the same rigorous process for military doctors."
Scott hummed as he read the first file he grabbed.
Male. Mid-thirties. Studied at Oxford. Currently working as an A&E doctor at St. Thomas' Hospital in London. Decent success rate. But not well-known for his bedside manner. That alone made Scott decided he wouldn't be the best fit for the organisation. While skill is important, so was bedside manner. You needed to feel like you could trust the person looking after you.
The next candidate was somewhat better. Non-binary (they/them pronouns). Late thirties. Currently working at Royal North Shore Hospital in St Leonards (a suburb in the lower North Shore of Sydney, Australia) as a Physician. But there was something about them that just didn't sit right. They seemed more than capable. But something still told him they wouldn't gel with the team. So, they went on reserve. Someone to look at if a suitable candidate wasn't found.
The third candidate was interesting. Female. Late-thirties. Currently working as a traumatologist in Hamburg (Scott didn't even want to try to pronounce the name of the hospital she worked at). While she had better bedside manner than the first candidate, there was some notes questioning her capability of working with others. She fit Jeff's preference for specialising in trauma. But Scott knew his father needed someone who was both talented and capable of working with others.
Scott felt his heart stop when he opened the file of the fourth candidate he took from his father's pile. Despite her young age (she wasn't that much younger than Scott), she was insanely qualified. Completing the REMS program at the University of Rochester (which Scott knew was highly selective, thanks to an old buddy from his Air Force days). Graduated top of her class. Excelled in her residency and fellowship. Currently working as a trauma surgeon at Kessler Trauma Centre in Rochester, New York. Does a lot of rural outreach and was qualified to teach Advanced Trauma Life Support classes.
But what really made his heart stop was the picture that accompanied the file. Her brown hair was up in a ponytail. Even though the photo was a headshot, he could still make out the traditional white coat, the scrubs and the stethoscope hanging around her neck. Her hazel eyes held a sparkle in them and her smile could light all of Las Vegas.
Scott found himself drawn to the doctor. There was something familiar about her. Something that drew him to her. She reminded him of someone he might have met in the past.
But that couldn't be possible. For one thing, he would remember her.
He could never forget that smile.
"Well?" Jeff pressed, "You've been staring at that file for a while, son. You must have found a good one."
Clearing his throat (and hoping he wasn't blushing), Scott handed the file to his father, "I think I have, father. Dr. Indiana Evans. She's the most qualified of all the candidates I've read. She does a lot of rural outreach, which would make her perfect for that cover story you mentioned. Lady Penelope's notes that she's considered one of the best doctors in the region, if not the country."
Jeff hummed as he perused the file, "She certainly seems to be highly qualified. Her patients also love her, adults and children included. What drew you to her beyond that?"
"I can't explain it, but I feel like there's something special about her. I think she would do well here. Everything I've read in that file tells me she's someone who wants to make a difference in the world. She's the missing piece," Scott decreed, "I think it'd be foolish if we didn't at least approach her, father."
"And unlike some of the other files I've read, it seems she actually has good bedside manner," Jeff quipped with a laugh, "I think you're right, son. It would be foolish if we didn't approach her. Fortunately, I know the Trauma Medical Director at the hospital. I can arrange an interview with Dr. Evans when I'm in New York. But I also want you to help me choose a backup. Dr. Evans is well within her rights to decline, and I strongly believe we need a doctor in this outfit."
"I'll look, but trust me, father. Something tells me she won't say no," Scott declared.
End flashback
He did look for and select a backup doctor, but hoped that Indiana Evans accepted his father's offer. He was delighted beyond reason when Jeff called the island a few days later to inform them that she had accepted the offer and would join International Rescue. When he showed his brothers her file, they all agreed. She was the missing piece.
Little did Scott know that she wasn't just the missing piece for the organisation.
Indiana smiled as she finished the check-up on Sophia. She was healing a lot better than Indiana thought she would at this stage. Her liver was starting to show signs of regeneration. The little girl still had to take it easier, but Sophia and her aunt were grateful for that. They wanted to take the time to adjust to their new situation.
"There you go, kiddo!" Indiana proclaimed as she pulled Sophia's top down after checking her incision site, "Everything is healing quite nicely. You'll still need to take it easy for a little while, but you are well on your way."
"Yay!" Sophia cheered as her aunt let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you so much, Dr. Evans," her aunt smiled, "I'm just glad Sophia's okay."
"You and me both," Indiana nodded seriously, "For now, though, I'm prescribing a lot of Blue's Clues, movie nights, and no running around on the playground for a little while longer. Is that okay, Sophia?"
"Yeah!" Sophia nodded before reaching for the drawing, "That reminds me!"
Indiana let out a laugh as Sophia sung the Blue Skidoo song before handing her the drawing. Indiana knew the position a lot of doctors took when it came from accepting gifts from patients. There were concerns about appearances and propriety, but doctors were allowed to accept drawings and/or handwritten notes of gratitude from their patients.
"Aw, is this us playing Blue's Clues?" Indiana asked her young patient.
"Yep!" Sophia beamed.
"Aw, thanks, kiddo!" Indiana smiled happily as she helped Sophia off the exam table, "Did Mr. Cuddlesworth help with your drawing?"
"Yeah! And Scott suggested singing the Blue Skidoo song!" Sophia revealed.
Indiana's brows furrowed in confusion. She got to know Sophia and her aunt very well and learned about a lot of the people in their lives. She never recalled them mentioning someone named Scott. Not a neighbour, relative, an old boyfriend; anything.
Sensing the doctor's confusion, Sophia's aunt clarified, "We met him on our way in. He's actually hear for you."
That was when it clicked for Indiana. During her last communication with Jeff, he had mentioned that his eldest son would pick her up and that his name was Scott.
"He's here? Already?" Indiana said in surprise.
"Yeah," the aunt nodded.
"Okay. I believe we have a party to get to," Indiana proclaimed as the trio prepared to leave the exam room, "By the way, what did you guys make of him?"
"He's pretty cute," Sophia giggled, "And funny."
"He is handsome. But then again, I've always been a sucker for a man with blue eyes," her aunt winked at her.
That made Indiana laugh. As previously stated, she's gotten to know Sophia and her aunt pretty well. She figured out the aunt's attraction to men with blue eyes when she witnessed an interaction involving a blue-eyed orderly.
Indiana will forever remember the look on her face when she told her about the dinner she had with him and his husband over Thanksgiving.
But Indiana couldn't be too hard on her. After all, she always had a weakness for men with blue eyes too.
When Indiana walked into the breakroom with Sophia and her aunt, she was immediately swarmed by colleagues, former patients and families who wanted to wish the young doctor well on her next adventure. She received their attentions with pleasure and politeness, but she also couldn't help but scan the room for that blue-eyed stranger she was told about.
It didn't take her that long to find him. He was standing with Dr. Millers and Maria.
As Indiana gratefully accepted some punch (non-alcoholic, since a lot of the staff have to go back to work after the party), she locked eyes with the handsome stranger. And found herself taken aback.
Begin flashback
Indiana found herself smiling as she walked along the water. She enjoyed the ocean breeze. She enjoyed the feeling of the sand beneath her feet. She enjoyed the feeling of the water lapping at the shore. She enjoyed seeing the sunset.
Don't misunderstand her. The beaches at Boston were beautiful. But there was something about the Outer Banks in North Carolina that just made it special
Then, she felt someone walk up to her and take her hand. She looked up at the handsome blue-eyed stranger.
End flashback
Indiana found herself surprised at the sudden flash she had. It felt as though she had met the man before. But there was no way she could've.
For one thing, she would never forget those blue eyes.
"Scotty!" Sophia squealed happily as she approached the man, barely remembering what Indiana and her aunt had told her about strenuous activity.
"Hello, again," Scott laughed as he knelt before her, "Your check-up went well?"
"Yep! And Indy liked the drawing!" Sophia boasted as she turned to Indiana, who was now approaching the group, "See, Indy! Here's my friend!"
Scott found himself even more captivated by her smile. That picture did not do it justice. In fact, that picture did no aspect of Indiana Evans justice. She was somehow even more beautiful in person.
Again, that pang of familiarity hit him. Again, he ignored it. Surely, if he had met her before, he'd remember.
He could never forget someone so beautiful. Inside and out.
"I see you met Sophia," Indiana remarked, gesturing to the young girl.
"Yeah. We bumped into each other in the hallway," Scott explained, "The Blue Skidoo song was my idea."
"She made sure to tell me that," Indiana laughed, "Well, your idea was a stroke of genius, Mr. Tracy."
"Scott, please. Anytime I hear Mr. Tracy, I look for my father," Scott pleaded, "You'll find my brothers are the same, Dr. Evans."
"Indiana, please. Or Indy. I'm only Dr. Evans when I'm on duty," Indiana told him in kind.
"So, I understand you have everything here ready to go?" Scott inquired.
"Yeah. It's all in my locker. Don't know how it all fit. Don't get me wrong. I don't have a lot. It's just the lockers here aren't that big," Indiana rambled.
"No, I understand," Scott immediately moved to reassure her, "But don't think I'm pushing you out the door right this second. We do have to leave soon, but take your time. Say your goodbyes."
Scott watched as Indiana navigated the room with ease, laughing and smiling with each person she encountered. She took photos with a group of doctors with a polaroid camera, with each person in the group taking a photo for themselves. He thought he heard someone briefly explain that they were in the same residency group, and it was something they did every time someone moved on from the hospital. Indiana was the third doctor to do so. The first doctor to leave decided to join Doctors Without Borders. The second doctor to leave transferred to a trauma centre in the Bronx when his wife was forced to relocate for her job.
He heard Indiana stick to the cover story. She was joining a non-profit Jeff Tracy had started to improve trauma care in rural areas where they wouldn't have access to the type of trauma centres like the one they currently worked in.
If only they knew the real reason she was leaving.
It was watching Indiana interact with everyone in the room that told Scott he made the right choice pushing his father to choose Indiana over the other candidates. He knew she would fit in well with the family. He knew she would take care of them.
He knew he could trust her with his life.
And his heart.
Wait. Why was he already thinking about entrusting his heart to her? He barely knew her.
Don't misunderstand him. He knew love in first sight existed. In fact, his parents' love story started with love at first sight. They fell in love the second they laid eyes on each other and their love just grew more and more each and every day, even after his mother was tragically taken from them.
That didn't necessarily mean he wasn't terrified at the prospect.
Before he knew it, Indiana had said her goodbyes to everyone in the room (and maybe shed a tear or two) and Scott was escorting her to the locker room to help her get her things.
He didn't understand why he was heartbroken to find that Indiana's belongings fit into three small boxes and one suitcase. He recalled his father's instructions to Indiana about what she could bring to the island. Mainly clothes and small keepsakes. Jeff organised for her bedroom to be furnished (with Grandma Tracy choosing the furniture) and asked for a list of toiletries she commonly used so she didn't have to worry about lugging them to the island.
He made a mental note to mention to his father the idea of having Tin-Tin take Indiana on a shopping trip to the mainland for more clothes.
"This is all you have?" Scott asked her incredulously.
"All that was in good shape," Indiana revealed, "Unfortunately, there was a clothes moth infestation in my building. I didn't realise how badly damaged a lot of my clothes were until I went to start packing. What couldn't be salvaged got tossed. So, over half my wardrobe."
Okay. Screw waiting for Tin-Tin to come back to the island and organising a girls trip with Indiana. He was dragging her to the shops and getting her at least a couple of outfits to tide her over until Tin-Tin came back.
Also, there was the possibility of Grandma Tracy making her a few outfits. The woman loved to sew outfits for everyone on the island. She would relish the idea of having a new model for her clothing.
Scott pushed those thoughts aside for the time being as he loaded the three boxes and suitcase into the car. On the way out, he did mention a quick shopping trip. Indiana tried to argue, but he insisted. Indiana's resolve crumbled quickly. She did need more clothes.
And swimsuits. After all, she was going to a tropical island with a pool and a beach. And Jeff did say she would have full use of everything the island had to offer.
The only thing Indiana insisted upon was paying for everything herself. Scott could acquiesce to that.
Indiana said her final goodbyes to the people who gathered outside. Mostly former patients, as the staff had to go back to work. Scott felt a warmth in his heart when Sophia walked up to him and hugged him, asking that he take care of her favourite doctor.
That was a promise he intended to keep.
True to his word, the first thing he did after they left was ask Indiana where was her favourite place to shop. After all, she knew the area better than he did. While he was no stranger to New York, he rarely left Manhattan. Her certainly never went as far as Rochester. She directed him to The Mall at Greece Ridge. She mentioned to him that it had a good variety of shops, so she liked to go there for both casual and professional wear.
Scott found himself impressed by the mall as well. He had no problem following Indiana to different stores as she purchased enough clothes to give her at least a couple of outfit choices. It would be enough to tide her over until she could organise another trip to the mainland for a shopping spree. He had told her about Tin-Tin and figured she would have no problem taking her at the next available opportunity.
At her insistence, though, he didn't go with her when she wanted to shop in Victoria's Secret. Since this was the last store she wanted to visit, Scott suggested that he take her bags to the car and they could meet up there.
Now, that was what Scott intended to do. Take the bags to the car and wait for her to finish. He did truly intend to do just that.
But when he walked past a jewellery store on the way out, he stopped.
He saw a heart-shaped locket on display. This locket had a floral design etched into it and had a single diamond accent. He was drawn to this locket. He thought it was beautiful. Old-fashioned, it looked like an heirloom that was passed down from one generation to the next.
When asked, Scott couldn't tell you why he walked into the store and inquired about the locket. He also couldn't tell you why he purchased it.
But regardless, he was walking away from the jewellery store with the locket in a box that he hid amongst his own belongings.
He played it cool when Indiana finally joined him with her last bit of shopping. He watched as she decided to store the bags in her suitcase. He was slightly impressed by her organisational abilities.
It wasn't until they were on the plane about to take off for Tracy Island that they spoke again. Well, at least, they spoke more about what they were about to do. They talked plenty in the car about other things. Indiana pointed out various parts of Rochester she would miss as they drove past. Scott could certainly understand why she fell in love with the area. He was falling in love as well as they drove through it.
"You nervous?" Scott asked her as they strapped in.
"About what? Leaving my life behind to join an organisation I know nothing about?" Indiana asked with a slight laugh before admitting, "I am."
"That's normal. I wouldn't worry, though. I think you'll fit in very well," Scott reassured her.
"I suppose I'm also looking forward to making a difference. You know, actually offering my services at the disaster zone rather than just dealing with the fallout," Indiana mused.
That made Scott stop dead in the middle of his pre-flight checks. Of course, he had heard Jeff mention several times that part of Indiana's duties would be joining them in the field. But now that he had met Indiana, he wasn't sure he wanted her in the field.
It wasn't that he doubted his capabilities. He just didn't like the thought of her in danger.
"You want to be in the field?" Scott gaped in disbelief.
"Well, I'd be more useful there than just being stuck on the island all the time," Indiana pointed out, "What happens if someone you rescue needs immediate medical attention? What if you get hurt? Or one of your brothers? You might need me to stabilise your conditions before you're transported back to the island or to a hospital."
"You do know that some of our situations will be quite dangerous," Scott warned her.
"I'm a trauma surgeon, Scott. I've seen a lot of things," Indiana pointed out.
"I know, but…," Scott began saying.
"Look, I appreciate your concern. But I can take care of myself, and I feel like I can trust you and your brothers to have my back," Indiana declared, "I just want to be able to make a difference, and I can't do that if I'm on the sidelines or confined to an infirmary on the island."
Scott mulled Indiana's words. Deep down, he knew she was right. She can do a lot more in the field with him and his brothers than she ever could being confined to the infirmary on Tracy Island. It also made him feel better knowing that there was someone on hand who could rescue the rescuers, if need be, as well as providing immediate medical aid to people they rescue if needed.
He was pulled from his thoughts as he heard the control tower inform him that he had clearance to take-off. Turning to Indiana, he asked her, "Are you ready?"
Indiana's bright smile and nod earned her a bright smile in return as he guided the plane through the take-off procedures. Before long, they were soaring through the air, chasing the clouds as they flew to Tracy Island.
It was just the beginning of a new adventure for them both.
There you go. I hope we did good. There's a couple more chapters to go before we get into the swing of things with the show universe.
See you in the next chapter!
