Forty Two - BF
Thunderbird One finished its ride back up into its loading hanger. Scott heard the thunks as the mighty rocket plane was locked into place, and the familiar whine as the engines wound down.
Then he heard the rattle of Virgil's safety belt as he got out of the pilot's seat.
"Are you ready?" Virgil asked.
Scott pulled a face. "Can't we go for another ride?"
Virgil laughed. "Come on. They've waited seven weeks to see you. You can't disappoint them now."
Scott felt the change in air temperature as the door slid open. He hesitated before stepping onto the platform. "Want to hear something odd."
"Sure."
"How many times have I travelled on this thing? I've never thought anything of it, but now..."
"Want me to travel across with you?" Virgil asked quietly.
"Please. All I can think of is that gap and the 115ft drop. Guess there's some things they didn't think of training me up on at rehab."
"Gee. I wonder why." Virgil said in mock amazement.
They rode the short distance between Thunderbird One and the twin lamps in silence.
"You'd better go first." Virgil suggested.
"Okay." Scott placed his back against the wall, reached up and grabbed the familiar light fittings, took a deep breath and rotated into the lounge.
He hadn't had a chance to let go of the lamps before he found himself smothered by an affectionate embrace.
"Hi Grandma". He said with a chuckle. "Did you miss me?"
"It's good to have you home, Darling." He could hear the smile in her voice.
"Mmmn. You've been baking cinnamon buns haven't you."
"Yes." She sounded surprised. "How'd you know?"
"I can smell them, and believe me they smell better than any perfume you could wear."
"Oh Scott." She chided him.
"Mother. How about giving the rest of us a chance to say hello." Scott heard his father's deep voice.
Suddenly Scott felt shy, and annoyed with himself for feeling this way. This was his family for Pete's sake. He loved them and, although he hadn't always admitted it, had missed them. But still it all felt so strange.
He heard an intercom come to life. "Any chance of me being allowed to come in there? Or do I have to spend the day with Thunderbird One?" Virgil asked irritably.
"You heard the man." Gordon said. "You'd better step away from the wall and say hello."
Scott took a step forwards. "Hello."
Once again he was surprised to be swallowed up in a bear hug, except this bear hug was in triplicate and was given by his brothers. "Whoa! Put me down!"
"You're looking great, Scott." Alan said loudly.
Scott rubbed at the ear. "No need to shout, Alan. It's my eyes that don't work. My ears are just fine."
"Oh, sorry." Alan said abashedly.
Scott laughed and pulled him into a hug of his own. "You idiot. Don't worry about it."
"He hasn't changed." Gordon said. "Still a typical kid brother."
"Yeah, well. So are you." Scott hugged him.
"How could he change in only seven weeks?" John asked.
"Seven long weeks." Scott admitted as he hugged him. "How come you've been released from the tin-can?"
"Dunno. Dad thought today was special for some reason or other."
"Come here, Father? I need to thank you for that."
"I'm right here Scott." Jeff Tracy wasn't one for physical displays of emotion but he still gave his eldest born a hug that was full of warmth. "Welcome home son."
"I'm glad to be home."
"Welcome home, Mister Scott." He heard Kyrano's soft tread as he stepped forward.
Scott stretched out his hand and then decided that a simple handshake wasn't enough. It was Kyrano's turn to be surprised by an embrace.
"Your turn Brains." Scott announced. "You're part of this family."
Partially embarrassed, partially pleased, Brains submitted to a rough hug.
"Tin-Tin." Scott could smell her perfume and turned so he was facing her. "Come here and give me a hug, Honey." Her hair smelt clean as she wrapped her arms around him. Then he heard a sniff. "Hey what's this?" he asked. "No tears, okay? I'm home. That's what matters."
"Sorry Scott." She sniffed back the tears. "It's wonderful to see you... I mean..." she covered her mouth in horror.
To cover her confusion Scott laughed and hugged her again. "It's okay, Honey. It's only a word."
"I see why they say absence makes the heart grown fonder." Virgil griped gently. "I've only been away from you for two weeks and all I got was a hello."
"Aw." Scott said sympathetically. And Virgil was rewarded by being placed into a headlock.
"I love you too." He said flatly.
"What do you want to do first, Scott?" Jeff asked.
"Actually, I'd quite like to see my room again." Scott admitted.
"Take my arm." Alan, Gordon and John said eagerly in unison.
Scott laughed. "I wonder how long it'll take before you get sick of saying that? No offence, but in the short term at least, I'd rather stick with someone who knows what they're doing. Virgil?"
"We've been practising." Alan volunteered. "We won't let you bash into anything."
"I'm sure you have, Alan. But bear with me on this okay. Give me a couple of days to get my bearings again."
"At your service." Virgil was by his side and Scott took his arm.
As they walked down to the bedroom, Scott tried to estimate where the turn off to each room they passed was. He was pleasantly surprised to find that he knew when to turn into his own room.
Virgil led him in so that they were just inside the door and then detached himself.
Slowly Scott stepped forward. His Grandma had given the room a spring clean judging by the odours. He could hear the comforting sound of the ocean on the beach and the tick of his clock.
"We haven't changed anything in here." Jeff said. "But we've made one or two alterations in the rest of the house. Nothing major."
Scott was feeling along the edge of his dressing table, trying to remember where everything was. He reached out and placed his hand on the toiletries that resided there. Then he moved his hand to the left and it came in contact with a model aeroplane. It was one that he'd made when he was at school. Carefully he picked it up and felt around its contours, before replacing it.
His family watched as his hands continued their exploration, re-familiarising himself with his belongings. He came across some aircraft books. "Guess I won't need these anymore."
He heard Tin-Tin give a sob and run down the hallway to her room. He heard Kyrano's footsteps follow after her. He heard the rest of his family shift uneasily.
Scott moved on, finding his chair, desk and other articles of furniture. He came to his bedside table, hesitated and then slowly reached out, picking something up. He traced the outline of his bed until he reached its foot, and sat down.
Jeff was reminded of the first day in rehab. Scott had the same expression of desolation.
Virgil moved forward and sat beside his brother. He looked at Scott's hand.
Scott was clutching his wings. His pilot's wings that he'd worn so proudly.
"Scott." Virgil said tentatively. "Do you want to check out somewhere else or would you like us to leave you alone for a bit?"
"Just give me ten minutes, okay Virg." Scott's voice was choked with emotion.
"Sure." Virgil patted his brother on the arm. "Tell you what. I've got to run through Thunderbird One's checklist and make sure she's shipshape. When I've done that I'll grab your bags and give you a hand unpacking. Okay?"
Scott nodded dumbly.
Virgil stood and gestured that his family should leave also.
Quietly they filed out of the room.
***
Lunch was punctuated with gaiety, but it was a forced gaiety. No one wanted to be the one to put a foot wrong. No one wanted to say the wrong thing.
Everyone was curious and yet no one wanted to be the one to ask about how things had been in rehabilitation.
No one wanted to be the one to ask the question, but they all wanted to know what Scott was now capable of.
Everyone wanted to behave naturally and yet no one was able to.
Even Virgil found himself constrained by his family's apprehension, and he knew most of the answers.
Scott felt as if he were on display in a museum, there to be admired, but not touched in case he should fall apart.
After lunch, they checked out the rest of the house.
Scott clung to Virgil's arm as they toured the complex. The rest of the family tagged along as if they were following the Pied Piper.
They ended up in the courtyard by the pool.
The tension was getting to Scott.
Virgil felt it. "Hey Scott." He said. "I've been practising my Braille. But I'm not sure if I've got it right. Could you read what I've written and tell me? Maybe give me a few pointers."
"Sure Virg. Be glad to." Scott tried to sound cheerful.
"Well if you boys are going to get some work in, I guess I'd better too." Jeff said perceptively.
"And we three were going to get in some practise in the simulator." John stated.
"But..." Alan started.
"Come on, Alan. You and I need to get in some practise together. We don't get too many opportunities." John insisted.
"That's because one of us is always stuck up in Thunderbird Five." Alan pointed out.
"All the more reason to make the most of the opportunity." John noted.
"What am I supposed to do?" Gordon asked.
"You can programme the simulator." John told him pulling him away.
"Yeah!" Gordon grinned excitedly. He already had several devious scenarios going through his mind.
"Aw, no..." Alan groaned as he tagged along behind. "He's gonna try to kill the both of us."
"I-I'm working on a few prototypes." Brains admitted. "I-I'd better get back to work. I'll be in my lab"
"And I've got some baking I've got to do." Grandma said a trifle over-cheerfully. "If we want dessert tonight I'd better get started."
Soon Virgil and Scott were the only ones left outside.
Virgil relaxed. "I thought they'd never go." He said. "Want me to follow them?"
"No stay!" Scott said hurriedly and then he too relaxed. "I love them all, but it was getting a bit much for me. So, where's your Braille?"
"That can wait. What do you want to do?"
"A nice quiet, lonely walk along the beach would be nice."
"Sure."
Alan looked down from the balcony. "I thought they were going to do some Braille reading."
"You clot." John admonished him. "We were following them round like a flock of sheep. It was an excuse to get away from us."
"So the simulator was an excuse too?" Gordon asked disappointed.
"Yes, but a good one. I need the practise." John informed him. "Come on you two." He took one last look at his older brother and yet again found himself wondering 'what if'...
They took off their shoes and felt the soft sand squish between their toes. "That feels better." Scott said.
"You know, normally, if I chose to walk along a beach with someone hanging off my arm, I'd prefer it to be female." Virgil noted.
Scott laughed. "I've had some major changes in my life, but that would be going too far." Then he hesitated. "Was that a hint?"
"Obviously not too subtle a one. You've been hanging on like a limpet all day."
Scott released his grip on Virgil's arm. "Sorry. It all feel's so weird. It feels like home and yet I feel as if I'm a stranger. As if I'm in a strange place. Everything's where I expect it to be and yet..."
They slowly started walking along the beach.
"The same but different, is it?" Virgil asked.
"That's it."
"Anything I can do to help?"
"Not at the moment. I just need to get my bearings again. And it would help if everyone else would relax. Everyone's tip toeing around me as if I were one of Grandma's bone china dishes."
"Do you want me to talk to them?"
"No. It'd only embarrass them."
"Don't be afraid to ask them for help. As Alan said, they've been practising. They know to look out for you as well as themselves. They want to help."
"Maybe tomorrow. Today is strange enough as it is. I'm comfortable 'hanging off' your arm. I know I can trust you."
"Give it time, Scott. It will get better. You'll be able to trust them."
Scott gave a wry grin. "You sound like Dusty."
"Who knew what she was talking about."
***
For a day that he'd been looking forward to for such a long time, Scott was glad when it came to an end.
Virgil guided him to his bedroom. "I know you can cope from here. Can you remember where to find everything?"
"Pyjamas, bathroom, bed." Scott pointed each item out. "Yeah. I can manage."
"Anything else you want me to do?"
"No thanks. I'll be fine."
They heard the sound of a klaxon.
"Bother." Virgil said. "I guess the automatic relay's working. I've got to go. Do you want to come down and see what's happening?"
"No. I'll go to bed."
"Are you sure you don't need anything?"
"No, I'm okay."
"Would you like me to send Father down once everything's settled?"
Scott shook his head. "No I'll be alright. Let him concentrate on the rescue. I've coped without you these last two weeks. I can cope tonight. You'd better go, there's someone out there who needs you more than I do."
Virgil stopped before he reached the door. "Scott."
"Yeah, Virg."
"I'm glad you're home."
"Thanks."
Virgil had made it into the hallway when he heard Scott's voice.
"Virgil!"
He stuck his head back into the room. "Yeah?"
"Be careful!" Scott said anxiously. "And look after the guys too."
"Sure. We'll be back before you know it." Virgil said confidently.
Scott heard his footsteps run away down the hallway.
He collapsed his cane.
He walked around to his bedside table and placed it there.
He sat on the side of his bed.
He reached out to the small table and picked up his pilot's wings.
His fingertips traced their outline.
He felt a rumbling vibration grow and fill his room.
He grasped the wings tightly in his hand. So tight the points dug into his skin.
He heard the roar of Thunderbird One as she was launched out through the swimming pool.
With a roar of his own he threw the wings far away from him.
He heard them hit the wall and clatter down onto the floor.
Behind a cabinet...
Out of reach...
Thunderbird One finished its ride back up into its loading hanger. Scott heard the thunks as the mighty rocket plane was locked into place, and the familiar whine as the engines wound down.
Then he heard the rattle of Virgil's safety belt as he got out of the pilot's seat.
"Are you ready?" Virgil asked.
Scott pulled a face. "Can't we go for another ride?"
Virgil laughed. "Come on. They've waited seven weeks to see you. You can't disappoint them now."
Scott felt the change in air temperature as the door slid open. He hesitated before stepping onto the platform. "Want to hear something odd."
"Sure."
"How many times have I travelled on this thing? I've never thought anything of it, but now..."
"Want me to travel across with you?" Virgil asked quietly.
"Please. All I can think of is that gap and the 115ft drop. Guess there's some things they didn't think of training me up on at rehab."
"Gee. I wonder why." Virgil said in mock amazement.
They rode the short distance between Thunderbird One and the twin lamps in silence.
"You'd better go first." Virgil suggested.
"Okay." Scott placed his back against the wall, reached up and grabbed the familiar light fittings, took a deep breath and rotated into the lounge.
He hadn't had a chance to let go of the lamps before he found himself smothered by an affectionate embrace.
"Hi Grandma". He said with a chuckle. "Did you miss me?"
"It's good to have you home, Darling." He could hear the smile in her voice.
"Mmmn. You've been baking cinnamon buns haven't you."
"Yes." She sounded surprised. "How'd you know?"
"I can smell them, and believe me they smell better than any perfume you could wear."
"Oh Scott." She chided him.
"Mother. How about giving the rest of us a chance to say hello." Scott heard his father's deep voice.
Suddenly Scott felt shy, and annoyed with himself for feeling this way. This was his family for Pete's sake. He loved them and, although he hadn't always admitted it, had missed them. But still it all felt so strange.
He heard an intercom come to life. "Any chance of me being allowed to come in there? Or do I have to spend the day with Thunderbird One?" Virgil asked irritably.
"You heard the man." Gordon said. "You'd better step away from the wall and say hello."
Scott took a step forwards. "Hello."
Once again he was surprised to be swallowed up in a bear hug, except this bear hug was in triplicate and was given by his brothers. "Whoa! Put me down!"
"You're looking great, Scott." Alan said loudly.
Scott rubbed at the ear. "No need to shout, Alan. It's my eyes that don't work. My ears are just fine."
"Oh, sorry." Alan said abashedly.
Scott laughed and pulled him into a hug of his own. "You idiot. Don't worry about it."
"He hasn't changed." Gordon said. "Still a typical kid brother."
"Yeah, well. So are you." Scott hugged him.
"How could he change in only seven weeks?" John asked.
"Seven long weeks." Scott admitted as he hugged him. "How come you've been released from the tin-can?"
"Dunno. Dad thought today was special for some reason or other."
"Come here, Father? I need to thank you for that."
"I'm right here Scott." Jeff Tracy wasn't one for physical displays of emotion but he still gave his eldest born a hug that was full of warmth. "Welcome home son."
"I'm glad to be home."
"Welcome home, Mister Scott." He heard Kyrano's soft tread as he stepped forward.
Scott stretched out his hand and then decided that a simple handshake wasn't enough. It was Kyrano's turn to be surprised by an embrace.
"Your turn Brains." Scott announced. "You're part of this family."
Partially embarrassed, partially pleased, Brains submitted to a rough hug.
"Tin-Tin." Scott could smell her perfume and turned so he was facing her. "Come here and give me a hug, Honey." Her hair smelt clean as she wrapped her arms around him. Then he heard a sniff. "Hey what's this?" he asked. "No tears, okay? I'm home. That's what matters."
"Sorry Scott." She sniffed back the tears. "It's wonderful to see you... I mean..." she covered her mouth in horror.
To cover her confusion Scott laughed and hugged her again. "It's okay, Honey. It's only a word."
"I see why they say absence makes the heart grown fonder." Virgil griped gently. "I've only been away from you for two weeks and all I got was a hello."
"Aw." Scott said sympathetically. And Virgil was rewarded by being placed into a headlock.
"I love you too." He said flatly.
"What do you want to do first, Scott?" Jeff asked.
"Actually, I'd quite like to see my room again." Scott admitted.
"Take my arm." Alan, Gordon and John said eagerly in unison.
Scott laughed. "I wonder how long it'll take before you get sick of saying that? No offence, but in the short term at least, I'd rather stick with someone who knows what they're doing. Virgil?"
"We've been practising." Alan volunteered. "We won't let you bash into anything."
"I'm sure you have, Alan. But bear with me on this okay. Give me a couple of days to get my bearings again."
"At your service." Virgil was by his side and Scott took his arm.
As they walked down to the bedroom, Scott tried to estimate where the turn off to each room they passed was. He was pleasantly surprised to find that he knew when to turn into his own room.
Virgil led him in so that they were just inside the door and then detached himself.
Slowly Scott stepped forward. His Grandma had given the room a spring clean judging by the odours. He could hear the comforting sound of the ocean on the beach and the tick of his clock.
"We haven't changed anything in here." Jeff said. "But we've made one or two alterations in the rest of the house. Nothing major."
Scott was feeling along the edge of his dressing table, trying to remember where everything was. He reached out and placed his hand on the toiletries that resided there. Then he moved his hand to the left and it came in contact with a model aeroplane. It was one that he'd made when he was at school. Carefully he picked it up and felt around its contours, before replacing it.
His family watched as his hands continued their exploration, re-familiarising himself with his belongings. He came across some aircraft books. "Guess I won't need these anymore."
He heard Tin-Tin give a sob and run down the hallway to her room. He heard Kyrano's footsteps follow after her. He heard the rest of his family shift uneasily.
Scott moved on, finding his chair, desk and other articles of furniture. He came to his bedside table, hesitated and then slowly reached out, picking something up. He traced the outline of his bed until he reached its foot, and sat down.
Jeff was reminded of the first day in rehab. Scott had the same expression of desolation.
Virgil moved forward and sat beside his brother. He looked at Scott's hand.
Scott was clutching his wings. His pilot's wings that he'd worn so proudly.
"Scott." Virgil said tentatively. "Do you want to check out somewhere else or would you like us to leave you alone for a bit?"
"Just give me ten minutes, okay Virg." Scott's voice was choked with emotion.
"Sure." Virgil patted his brother on the arm. "Tell you what. I've got to run through Thunderbird One's checklist and make sure she's shipshape. When I've done that I'll grab your bags and give you a hand unpacking. Okay?"
Scott nodded dumbly.
Virgil stood and gestured that his family should leave also.
Quietly they filed out of the room.
***
Lunch was punctuated with gaiety, but it was a forced gaiety. No one wanted to be the one to put a foot wrong. No one wanted to say the wrong thing.
Everyone was curious and yet no one wanted to be the one to ask about how things had been in rehabilitation.
No one wanted to be the one to ask the question, but they all wanted to know what Scott was now capable of.
Everyone wanted to behave naturally and yet no one was able to.
Even Virgil found himself constrained by his family's apprehension, and he knew most of the answers.
Scott felt as if he were on display in a museum, there to be admired, but not touched in case he should fall apart.
After lunch, they checked out the rest of the house.
Scott clung to Virgil's arm as they toured the complex. The rest of the family tagged along as if they were following the Pied Piper.
They ended up in the courtyard by the pool.
The tension was getting to Scott.
Virgil felt it. "Hey Scott." He said. "I've been practising my Braille. But I'm not sure if I've got it right. Could you read what I've written and tell me? Maybe give me a few pointers."
"Sure Virg. Be glad to." Scott tried to sound cheerful.
"Well if you boys are going to get some work in, I guess I'd better too." Jeff said perceptively.
"And we three were going to get in some practise in the simulator." John stated.
"But..." Alan started.
"Come on, Alan. You and I need to get in some practise together. We don't get too many opportunities." John insisted.
"That's because one of us is always stuck up in Thunderbird Five." Alan pointed out.
"All the more reason to make the most of the opportunity." John noted.
"What am I supposed to do?" Gordon asked.
"You can programme the simulator." John told him pulling him away.
"Yeah!" Gordon grinned excitedly. He already had several devious scenarios going through his mind.
"Aw, no..." Alan groaned as he tagged along behind. "He's gonna try to kill the both of us."
"I-I'm working on a few prototypes." Brains admitted. "I-I'd better get back to work. I'll be in my lab"
"And I've got some baking I've got to do." Grandma said a trifle over-cheerfully. "If we want dessert tonight I'd better get started."
Soon Virgil and Scott were the only ones left outside.
Virgil relaxed. "I thought they'd never go." He said. "Want me to follow them?"
"No stay!" Scott said hurriedly and then he too relaxed. "I love them all, but it was getting a bit much for me. So, where's your Braille?"
"That can wait. What do you want to do?"
"A nice quiet, lonely walk along the beach would be nice."
"Sure."
Alan looked down from the balcony. "I thought they were going to do some Braille reading."
"You clot." John admonished him. "We were following them round like a flock of sheep. It was an excuse to get away from us."
"So the simulator was an excuse too?" Gordon asked disappointed.
"Yes, but a good one. I need the practise." John informed him. "Come on you two." He took one last look at his older brother and yet again found himself wondering 'what if'...
They took off their shoes and felt the soft sand squish between their toes. "That feels better." Scott said.
"You know, normally, if I chose to walk along a beach with someone hanging off my arm, I'd prefer it to be female." Virgil noted.
Scott laughed. "I've had some major changes in my life, but that would be going too far." Then he hesitated. "Was that a hint?"
"Obviously not too subtle a one. You've been hanging on like a limpet all day."
Scott released his grip on Virgil's arm. "Sorry. It all feel's so weird. It feels like home and yet I feel as if I'm a stranger. As if I'm in a strange place. Everything's where I expect it to be and yet..."
They slowly started walking along the beach.
"The same but different, is it?" Virgil asked.
"That's it."
"Anything I can do to help?"
"Not at the moment. I just need to get my bearings again. And it would help if everyone else would relax. Everyone's tip toeing around me as if I were one of Grandma's bone china dishes."
"Do you want me to talk to them?"
"No. It'd only embarrass them."
"Don't be afraid to ask them for help. As Alan said, they've been practising. They know to look out for you as well as themselves. They want to help."
"Maybe tomorrow. Today is strange enough as it is. I'm comfortable 'hanging off' your arm. I know I can trust you."
"Give it time, Scott. It will get better. You'll be able to trust them."
Scott gave a wry grin. "You sound like Dusty."
"Who knew what she was talking about."
***
For a day that he'd been looking forward to for such a long time, Scott was glad when it came to an end.
Virgil guided him to his bedroom. "I know you can cope from here. Can you remember where to find everything?"
"Pyjamas, bathroom, bed." Scott pointed each item out. "Yeah. I can manage."
"Anything else you want me to do?"
"No thanks. I'll be fine."
They heard the sound of a klaxon.
"Bother." Virgil said. "I guess the automatic relay's working. I've got to go. Do you want to come down and see what's happening?"
"No. I'll go to bed."
"Are you sure you don't need anything?"
"No, I'm okay."
"Would you like me to send Father down once everything's settled?"
Scott shook his head. "No I'll be alright. Let him concentrate on the rescue. I've coped without you these last two weeks. I can cope tonight. You'd better go, there's someone out there who needs you more than I do."
Virgil stopped before he reached the door. "Scott."
"Yeah, Virg."
"I'm glad you're home."
"Thanks."
Virgil had made it into the hallway when he heard Scott's voice.
"Virgil!"
He stuck his head back into the room. "Yeah?"
"Be careful!" Scott said anxiously. "And look after the guys too."
"Sure. We'll be back before you know it." Virgil said confidently.
Scott heard his footsteps run away down the hallway.
He collapsed his cane.
He walked around to his bedside table and placed it there.
He sat on the side of his bed.
He reached out to the small table and picked up his pilot's wings.
His fingertips traced their outline.
He felt a rumbling vibration grow and fill his room.
He grasped the wings tightly in his hand. So tight the points dug into his skin.
He heard the roar of Thunderbird One as she was launched out through the swimming pool.
With a roar of his own he threw the wings far away from him.
He heard them hit the wall and clatter down onto the floor.
Behind a cabinet...
Out of reach...