Disclaimer: Gerry Anderson owns the Thunderbirds, I just own Melissa. Thanks for the great feedback, keep it up and more chapters will come. Mouse, November 2002.

First Rescue

By Mouse

"No." The response was automatic and without thinking.
"But grandfather, why not?" Jeff Tracy looked at his granddaughter, privately admiring her determination and spunk, something that she had learnt from her father no doubt. And she was just as stubborn as John was to. At that thought, his eyes flicked to his second son, John. He had been so proud of John the day that he had brought Melissa home and then stood up to the entire family to fight for the right to keep her. John was standing next to his daughter; his eyes proud and full of support, his arm around her slim shoulders. Sighing, Jeff knew exactly where she got it from, and knew that he was going to end up fighting a loosing battle.
"Because what we do isn't safe. I won't have you getting yourself hurt."
"Yet you don't hesitate sending out your own children to rescue people, why not me? And besides, who says the last two years I've spent working in the mines in outback Australia has been the safest?" Melissa threw a guarded glance at her father and then blushed slightly as she admitted the next bit to them all.
"I've already been stuck in two cave-ins and one explosion. I can handle myself Grandfather, quite well." John's eyebrows went up at this admission but he wisely held his tongue, he'd discuss this later with her, when they were alone.

It was then that the rest of the Tracy clan decided to chime in with their two cents worth. Scot walked over from where he had been leaning against the piano and stood next to John, smiling in support at his brother and then turning his attention to their father.
"She'd be an asset father; especially if when we're first on the scenic and someone needs urgent medical attention. We know the basics, but not enough sometimes father, you know that. Melissa would be perfect in those situations." Virgil leaned his arms on the piano lid and added his voice to the discussion.
"Think about it father. How many times have people had to suffer unnecessarily because we couldn't' get them to proper medical treatment in time. We've all had the basic EMT course, and we're all fairly good. But having a full blown doctor would be so handy." Jeff sighed and looked at Gordon, waiting for him to speak up. Gordon just gave him a grin and shrugged.
"I agree with everything they said father, you know that." Jeff then looked once again at John, his eyes shinning with pride and love for them both.
"She's your daughter, aren't you going to talk her out of this." John grinned, his blue eyes merry and twinkling with laughter.
"I can't say I was over joyed when she offered, but she does have a point father. So I agreed to let her approach you about joining International Rescue." John's expression turned slightly serious and he looked his father square in the eyes. "Now I understand how you feel, each and every time we go out there. At least this way I'll be to watch over her." John glanced at Melissa, a smile quirking at the side of his face. "And don't think young lady I won't be discussing those accidents with you." Melissa looked
sheepish and then back at Jeff, her expression hopeful.

"So grandfather, how about it." Jeff sighed again, pride filling his soul. He could imagine his late wife Mary standing at his shoulder, squeezing it in support and nodded. He smiled.
"Alright, you're now an official member of International Rescue."

So Melissa became a part of International Rescue. The next few weeks were hectic ones as she was given a refresher course in all the procedures and some re-training in the operation of the various machines and then it was a proud day for all of them when Jeff handed her a uniform. It was the same as the others, the cherry bright blue trousers and top, and the hand over the world and a sash. This sash was purple a white strip through the middle, the color like her fathers. Also on her uniform was one other patch on her sleeve - a Red Cross and the words around it - DOCTOR. Melissa blinked back tears as she accepted it and then hugged her grandfather hard. All the boys then crowded around her, hugging her and welcoming her to their dangerous occupations and lifestyle. Alan watched from thunderbird five, smiling widely.

After a few hours' things had settled down and Melissa was sitting on the bed in her father's rooms, watching him pack, getting ready for his tour up on the station again. Her expression was sad
"I wish you didn't have to go back so soon dad. I feel like we've barely seen each other, what with everything that's happened in the last few weeks." John smiled as he put in clean socks and shirts, doing the bag up. A new photo in a silver frame adorned his desktop and he sat it on top of the bag. It was of him and Melissa in their uniforms a few hours earlier. He came over and sat down next to her, putting his arm around her.
"I know Melissa, and I so wanted to be here with you for your first rescue, but I know the boys will take care of you. But it's good to know that you're going to be home for good now." He looked at her, smiling. "I'm so proud of you Melissa, you're a special woman, and I'm so proud and pleased that you're
my daughter." Melissa looked at him, blushing, but her eyes were shinning with unshed tears. She threw herself into his arms.

"Oh dad, I love you so much." He returned her hug, stroking her hair and his eyes to, where shining with unshed tears. So, there she was about twenty minutes later, standing next to Tin-tin watching thunderbird three leave the island, taking her father away again for another month. She sighed and Tin-tin put her arm around her. Melissa sighed and smiled slightly at her, leaning her head against her Aunt's shoulder.

"It's hard Auntie Tee, to see him leave after not seeing him for so long."
"I know Melissa, but at least now you'll see him more often." Melissa nodded.
"Yeah, I suppose. Must be just as hard for you, only seeing Uncle Alan every second month."
"Yes, I suppose it is. But then again I'm used to it. Come on, let's get some dinner ready, I know your Uncle Alan and by the time he gets back he'll be starving. The food up there isn't the best."
"Tell me about it." The two women laughed and went into the kitchen, chatting away and gossiping while cooking dinner. That night, at about three in the morning, Melissa snuck out of her room and to contact her father. He was waiting for her, a cup of cocoa in his hand. He smiled at her.
"You better not let father catch you doing this." Melissa grinned
"I know dad, but I wanted to make sure you got up there okay and was settled in."
"Yeah, I'm fine. So, are you going to tell me those stories you promise me?" Laughing, she began speaking about some of the adventures she'd had with her work in the mines.

The next couple of weeks were quiet, which was good. They spent the time maintaining all the equipment, working on creating new things to help them in their rescues and just generally enjoying them selves. And then the call came that they had been all waiting for.

The eyes lit up on John's portrait. Jeff quickly pressed a button as he was sitting at his desk, going over some paper work for Tracy Industries, the portrait of John disappeared and then his son appeared, the rest of the Tracy clan rushing in at the sound of the alarm going off.
"Go ahead John."
"Just got a call from the meteorological base situated in the Arctic father. There's been a rather large explosion and four people are trapped in a crevice that's appeared in the ice shelf they were studying. The rest of the staff are okay, but haven't been able to get near these trapped scientists due to the ice reforming over the crevice. They can't break through it or tunnel to them, for the moment though they are okay, as they have survival gear, but it's only rated for another six hours." Jeff nodded, thinking quickly.
"Right John; tell them we're on the way. Scott, off you go."
"Yes father." Scot moved over to the portrait on the wall and soon disappeared. Jeff looked at the rest of the family waiting and quickly made his choices.
"Virgil, take Gordon, Alan and Melissa, pod three, cold weather gear. Good luck."
"Yes father."
"Understood grandfather." The two younger boys stood next to Melissa and they disappeared down to thunderbird two as well as Virgil through the floor to. Jeff sighed and looked up at John, who had watched them all go, his eyes concerned but proud.
"Well, they're on their way John. Thunderbirds are go." John just nodded, staring at the spot where his daughter had been standing. He sighed and looked at his father.

"I'll let Scott know the specifics on the way father. Thunderbird Five out."