Did you just ever have one of those things that just gnaws at you until you
finish it?? Yeah me, too.
I guess I can sleep peacefully tonight.
Dawn
************************************************************************
"Gordon, don't you dare!" Virgil yelled, but it was too late. His younger brother took a flying leap off the end of the diving board, pulling his knees up as far as his still-healing body would allow. He hit the water not far from Virgil, who ducked beneath the waves to avoid the splash.
The two surfaced almost simultaneously. "Damn it, Gordon! You could have hurt yourself."
"Ahhh," Gordon held up a philosophical finger. "Could have, but didn't."
"Don't do that again."
"You gonna stop me?" He asked as he made for the ladder leading from the water.
"Absolutely." Virgil grabbed him only as roughly as he dared and hauled him back into the pool.
The two brothers screamed and fought for a full five minutes before Jeff felt he had to step in.
"Gordon!" Jeff yelled from the deck of the villa.
"Yes, sir?" Both of them stopped and looked up.
"Quit horsing around in there." He called back angrily.
"Yes, Dad," Gordon yelled cheerily.
He watched as the two brothers each grabbed an end of an inflatable raft, lying on it and began talking quietly to each other. It had been five months, and finally, things seemed to be getting back to normal. Well normal for Tracy Island anyway.
Gordon had come home only a few weeks before, armed with sufficient candy to keep them all going for a month. He had received hoards of chocolate and enough cards from the female staff of the hospital to fill an accordion folder. Jeff had the strange feeling that a vast majority of them really hated to see Gordon leave.
He had been making a conscious effort to stop hovering over his son, though Gordon accepted it well enough. He was getting stronger everyday, making it a point to take short walks on the beach with either his father or John, depending on who was free. They would move slowly, Gordon setting the pace. Each day they would go a little further before turning around to head back to the villa.
Gordon's WASP career was over, and Jeff knew that his son felt that deeply. He had been planning to spend at least another year in the submarine service. He had accepted it though, especially when the others unveiled Thunderbird 4 upon Gordon's arrival home. They all had thrown themselves into finishing the craft before Gordon was released. Scott and Virgil had made a great show of ripping the drop cloth off the mini-sub, painted that bright hazard yellow that had been picked out.
He had laughed and embraced his brothers. With their assistance, he had managed to climb in the hatch of the sub and sit at the controls. It had taken hours to get him back out again as he kept asking Brains to explain all of the systems and capabilities of the craft.
After they had coaxed him from the sub, Gordon first noticed the craft's call sign. He turned around for one last glance at his new toy and saw the large black letters across the back.
THUNDERBIRD 4
"Dad?" he asked quizzically.
"Let me tell you a story, Gordon. . ." Jeff had put his arm around Gordon's shoulders, and they left the hangar together.
"Calling Tracy Island," Jeff turned around, a familiar voice breaking his musings. A red light blinked on the receiver built in to his desk. "Anybody home?"
Jeff looked toward the east grinning at the approach of a small plane. He turned and went inside. "This is Tracy Island. Good to see you, kid."
"You, too," Kai replied. "The only problem is I have to bring way too many clothes whenever I come back here from Barrow."
"It is a bit of a climate difference." Jeff watched through the glass doors as the plane grew in size. "You're late, by the way."
"That would be the stop over in Hawaii." Jeff could hear the girl smiling as she gave him a hard time. "I brought you a grass skirt. Am I cleared to land?"
"Yes, see you in the hangar."
"Roger"
Jeff rose from his desk, noting that the sounds of splashing had resumed with more intensity than before. He let them go, trusting that Virgil would put an end to the roughhousing if it became too intense.
He met Kyrano in the hall as he left the lounge. The older Malaysian man bowed slightly. "Lunch will be served in just a few minutes, Mr. Tracy."
Jeff smiled at his friend. It had taken quite a bit of convincing to get Kyrano to come to the Island. He had been a god-send to the household, helping them organize their lives so that International Rescue could run smoothly.
"Better set two extra places, Kyrano," Jeff said, "Brains and Kai are back and they're probably anxious for some good food after being stuck in the arctic for three months."
The gentle man smiled slightly at the compliment and moved back to the kitchen.
By the time Jeff reached the hangar, the propeller of the plane was winding down. He greeted Brains first as the young scientist disembarked. "How was the trip Brains?"
"I-It was good, Mr. Tracy," Brains looked a little sick, in spite of his testament. He could fly himself, but always seemed to suffer from airsickness whenever he was in the passenger's seat.
Jeff decided to use the situation. "I know Brains; flying with Kai is definitely the test of a steel stomach."
"I heard that." Kai appeared from the far side of the plane. Jeff was struck by how tired she looked. Maybe sending her along with Brains wasn't such a good idea. "Flying with you is no picnic."
Jeff recovered as Kai gave him a quick hug. "How are you doing, kid?"
"All right, I guess," There was very little enthusiasm in her.
Jeff let the subject drop for the moment. "Everything done?"
"Yes, Mr. Tracy," the scientist replied. "The a-arctic relay station is, uh, complete."
"We even tested it for you," Kai seemed to perk up as she began to talk about the project she had been working on with Brains since the day she had come to Tracy Island. She reached in to the plane and withdrew a folder. "This came in from your Russian contact just before we left."
Jeff took the folder and flipped it open. There was a picture of a strikingly beautiful blonde woman clipped to a thick packet of papers. "Very nice."
Kai chuckled. "Also very persistent. That is Penelope Creighton-Ward, London's top British Secret Service operative."
Brains took over as Jeff skimmed the dossier. "She was, uh, r-responsible for toppling a drug ring last year and, and an illegal s-smuggling operation only, uh, two months ago."
"And now she is investigating the rumors of an international rescue operation." He finished for them.
"You better head this on off at the pass, Mr. Tracy," Kai told him. "She's a lot sharper than those CIA guys you fleeced."
"You're right," Jeff said. "But right now, I'm starving and Kyrano has prepared lunch."
Brains headed eagerly for the lift that would take them to the house, but Kai followed more slowly. Jeff fell in step beside her. "What's bugging you kid?"
She waved a hand at him. "Nothing, long trip, I guess." She smiled and looked up at him hopefully. "Is John around?"
"He went with Scott and Alan to begin construction on the satellite," he hid a smile as her disappointment became clear. "They should be back this afternoon."
Jeff watched Kai as they ate lunch. Gordon and Virgil had been happy to see her again, and she clowned with them all during the meal. It always amazed Jeff how easily she got on with his sons, not the least bit intimidated by their rambunctious tendencies.
Kai had come to Tracy Island after she was released from the hospital. Jeff had insisted that a change of scenery would do her good, and John had greeted her in Calgary after two surgeries to repair the damage to her injured arm. Jeff had hoped that the island would grant her a peaceful haven. It was very quiet while the Tracy's spent most of their time on the mainland with Gordon.
He had given up on that thought when he had returned home, only to find Kai one-handedly assisting Brains as he installed an automatic camera detector in Thunderbird 1. She was drawn to the hangars like a magnet, and since she had already learned so much about IR, Jeff saw no harm in it. She was keeping herself busy, and for Kai, that was an important thing.
Her help had been crucial in getting the relay station built so quickly. She enjoyed the colder climes of the north and got on well with the inhabitants, understanding their ways better than any of the rest of them could, thus getting them much need supplies and materials. Kai had suggested the property outside of Barrow, which while remote, still allowed a person living on the grounds access to the city by a short plane ride.
Brains, along with Lynn Becker, a communications engineer that John had known at Harvard, had built the small, inconspicuous relay, giving them a fail safe in case anything ever went wrong with IR's satellite system, and allowing them to gather information more quickly from all over the world. Lynn, liking the solitary life of the north, said she would stay on if Jeff wished. He had agreed.
Abruptly, Kai excused herself from the table after listening to one of Gordon's awful jokes. Jeff watched as she picked up her plate full of barely touched food and moved to the kitchen. She came back a moment later. "I'm going down to the beach for a while. See you guys later."
"I didn't think it was that bad." Gordon said after Kai had left the room.
"It was," Virgil replied, rising from the table himself.
"Brains," Jeff turned to the scientist, "Was she like that the entire trip?"
Brains shook his head. "O-only the last few days before we left. She became very quiet."
"What do you think, Dad?" Virgil asked as he returned.
"I don't know," Jeff rose from the table, "but I intend to find out."
He went down the stairs and left the villa through the doors that opened out on to the beach. To his left, he could see Kai walking slowly along the surf.
Jeff called to her walking up swiftly. She stopped and turned, smiling at his approach. "Gordon was worried that you didn't like his joke."
She frowned slightly. "It was pretty bad."
"He does have a few of those."
"Did I hurt his feelings?" Kai adored Gordon, ever since she had come to see him San Diego.
Jeff shook his head, "I think he was worried that he'd hurt yours."
She smirked, "How can a 'two ducks walk into a bar' joke be offensive?"
"He was just concerned. So what's new with you?" Jeff asked as they began to walk along together.
"I was in the artic for three months, there isn't much to tell since the last time I saw you."
"Did you get along well with Lynn?"
"Oh yeah. She was a little quiet at first, but we got to talking. She's pretty sweet."
"I thought maybe you didn't get on well with her or Brains."
"We got along fine."
Jeff sighed. This wasn't the same person he had talked to three months ago. "Well, something's up. Are you going to tell me?"
He waited her out, watching as she stared at her bare feet. "I got a job in Denver, flying freight for a small company."
He raised his eyebrows, "I thought you were going back to High Level."
"I don't think I would be a very good charter pilot anymore." She stared up at Jeff. "Do you know how many times I made Brains check the plane before I took off? Four times."
"So you were thorough," Jeff said, though he knew what she meant.
"I had him looking for the Hood, Mr. Tracy. What charter service is going to want a paranoid nut flying its passengers around?"
There was more to this than Kai's choice of careers. As much as he wanted her to get on with her life, he got the distinct impression she was having a hard time with it. "What's really bothering you about this job in Denver?"
Kai crossed her arms across her body, staring out to sea. "It's boring," she finally answered. "How can I be happy ferrying around tourists or freight after the things I've done?" She gave him a concerned look, "Am I some kind of closet thrill junkie?"
Jeff chuckled at her. "I don't think that's it, but perhaps you have discovered something else about yourself."
"What?"
"That you truly enjoy helping other people." Jeff rested a hand on her shoulder, "and that has become an important part of your life in the past months. You've been working with us, flying in parts and supplies to Barrow. You like to be needed"
Kai considered his words for moment. "So what am I supposed to do about it?"
"I have a proposition, Kai, if you're willing. How would you like to go back to Barrow and stay with Lynn?"
"Just. . ." Kai waved a hand. "Sit there?"
Jeff laughed. "Certainly not. You'd be working for me. I'd expect you to relay information, do a little flying for me. We're almost done with the Thunderbirds, but those machines are going to need parts eventually. I need someone to pick them up to bring them here. You'd be perfect."
She laughed. "I'd still be flying freight, though."
"I'm sure we can find other things for you to do." Jeff studied her. "I need as many friends as I can get to help me right now, Kai. An extra set of eyes, especially those of someone I know I can trust, would be very much appreciated."
"Like what?"
"I'll tell you later," Jeff replied. The sound of rockets firing over their heads caused them to look up. The red hull of Thunderbird 3 gracefully slid from the sky as the rocket gently settled into the hangar below the roundhouse. "For now, I think someone has just traveled a long way to see you."
Kai smiled as they began to walk back towards the villa.
************************************************************************
The lift from Thunderbird 3 to the villa seemed to take longer than usual to make its long track through the hangars of the villa. John began to tap his knee impatiently.
"Would you stop?" Scott said next to him. "You've been fidgeting since we left the station."
"I never fidget," John replied.
"I think you are now," Alan told him from the opposite end of the couch. It was crowded with all three of them on it.
"Be quiet."
"Now, now." Scott chided, grinning. "Alan knows fidgeting when he sees it." John gave him no response. "This wouldn't have anything to a fiery brunette who is supposed to be back from the arctic today, would it?"
"Kai and I are just friends," John said evenly. He had rehearsed the line many times.
"Uh-huh," Scott smiled devilishly, "That's why you nearly killed us on re- entry to get back here."
"I did not nearly kill us."
"I beg to differ." Alan snorted.
"You simply have no faith in my abilities."
"You've got it so bad, little brother," Scott teased as the couch stopped momentarily before the hydraulics lifted it into the lounge.
"I haven't got anything."
The couch came up through the floor of the lounge, depositing Scott, Alan, and John within the house. The chatter between them immediately stopped when John saw Kai leaning on their father's desk.
He stared at her. She smiled back, a smile she reserved especially for him. "Did you forget about me?" she asked playfully.
Scott got off the couch first grabbing Kai in a friendly hug. "I didn't forget," he said. "But I'll bet John did." He turned Kai so he could make a face at his brother over her shoulder.
John sat on the couch, quietly shaking his head. His brothers teased him incessantly about claiming his territory with Kai. The easiest way to deal with them was not to bait them and simply let them wear themselves out
For a while he had wondered if the attraction he felt for her had been brought about by the situation. Gordon had called it "Knight in Shining Armour" syndrome, by which the hero that slays the dragon and falls for the damsel in distress. John had found out quickly that this was not the case with Kai Taylor.
Scott let her go and after Alan greeted her, he looked at John, his deep blue eyes twinkling. "Alan and I have to go check on a few things." he said, directly at John. "If you need anything, we'll be in the hangar."
"We will?" Alan looked confused. "What do we have to do down there?"
Scott grabbed him roughly at the shoulder, steering him from the room. "I'm going to accidentally kick over an oil drum and you can help me clean it up."
John turned and watched them leave. When he looked back to Kai, he found her scrutinizing him from head to toe, taking in the light blue clothes and purple sash. This was the first time she had seen him in his uniform.
His ice blue eyes met her gray ones. "It looks good on you." She came forward and wrapped her arms around him. He returned the embrace, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too,"
John felt giddy. "Really?" he asked stupidly.
"Yes, really," Kai laughed. "I've been stuck in Alaska for months."
"Oh, well, thanks," Of course she had missed him; she'd probably missed all of them.
"What?" Kai asked, feeling him stiffen.
"Kai, are you in the lounge?" John looked up to see Gordon in the doorway. "Hi, John!"
"Hey, Gordo," John replied, reluctantly letting go of Kai. Despite his little brother's intrusion, John couldn't be angry with him. It was nice to see him so full of life again.
Gordon moved slowly into the lounge, still limping a bit, with a cardboard tube in his hand. "I've wanted to give you something," he said to Kai. He handed over the tube.
"What is it?" Kai asked warily. She was not unaware of Gordon's tendencies toward practical jokes.
"Open it up," Gordon plastered on one of his most sincere smiles.
She pointed the end of the tube towards the wall and removed the plastic lid. To both John and Kai's surprise, nothing happened.
He gave them both a wounded look. "That really hurts, you guys."
"Well, what do you expect from people when you put a snake in their bed?" Kai asked.
John chimed in, "or fill the sugar container with salt?"
Kai began to launch in on him again but Gordon held up his hands in defeat. "The defense rests. Geez!"
Kai upended the tube and out slid a large laminated poster. She unrolled it and began to laugh. It was one of the official 2020 Olympic posters featuring Gordon on the podium, waving at the throngs of people around him, gold medal gleaming in the spotlights. In the background was a picture of the pool, showing a shot from the last leg of the finals. Gordon had even autographed the bottom. "To my number one fan from White Oak, Montana, Love Gordon."
Kai hugged him. "You're Dad told you about that, huh?"
"Yeah," Gordon grinned. "I had no idea I still had admirers out there."
"Thank you, Gordon," Kai carefully rolled the poster back up and put it back in the tube. "I will always treasure this."
"You're welcome," Gordon stood between them, smiling. He looked from Kai to John and then back again. "I'm interrupting something, aren't I?"
Kai bit her lip and looked at the floor and John felt himself go three shades of red. Gordon took the hint and backed towards the door. "I'll see you guys later."
"Little brothers," John said when Gordon was gone.
Kai moved closer and used the cardboard tube to slap him lightly on the butt. "You wouldn't trade him for the world and you know it."
"I think I got ripped off anyway. I asked Dad for a hamster, and I got Gordon instead."
To his surprise, Kai turned and put her arms around his neck. "I really did miss you, you know." She said softly.
"Didn't you miss everyone? Gordon, Dad, Scott, Virgil. . ."
"Not like I missed you."
He leaned his head against hers. Her hair smelled of the sea. "You really missed me?"
"Yes she really missed you!" Gordon's voice came from the hall. "Now would you hurry up and kiss her already?"
John began to pull away from Kai, embarrassed, but she grabbed a hold of the sash, keeping him next to her. Smiling, he wrapped her in his arms and pulled her closer. Softly, he touched his lips to hers. The contact was timid at first, but it became more confident. Kai responded kissing him back with a passion she had never felt with anyone else before. It sent electricity through her body, awakening every sense.
When they parted, John looked back at her, "How long are you staying?"
"A few days," she replied, leaning against him, feeling as safe and warm in his arms as the day he had carried her from the forest.
"That's not too long," John grinned at her, "I guess we'll just have to make the most of it."
"Yes," she agreed, smiling back "I guess we will."
***And that OFFICIALLY ends that fic. I hope you guys liked it. I just had to wrap up a few loose ends.
I guess I can sleep peacefully tonight.
Dawn
************************************************************************
"Gordon, don't you dare!" Virgil yelled, but it was too late. His younger brother took a flying leap off the end of the diving board, pulling his knees up as far as his still-healing body would allow. He hit the water not far from Virgil, who ducked beneath the waves to avoid the splash.
The two surfaced almost simultaneously. "Damn it, Gordon! You could have hurt yourself."
"Ahhh," Gordon held up a philosophical finger. "Could have, but didn't."
"Don't do that again."
"You gonna stop me?" He asked as he made for the ladder leading from the water.
"Absolutely." Virgil grabbed him only as roughly as he dared and hauled him back into the pool.
The two brothers screamed and fought for a full five minutes before Jeff felt he had to step in.
"Gordon!" Jeff yelled from the deck of the villa.
"Yes, sir?" Both of them stopped and looked up.
"Quit horsing around in there." He called back angrily.
"Yes, Dad," Gordon yelled cheerily.
He watched as the two brothers each grabbed an end of an inflatable raft, lying on it and began talking quietly to each other. It had been five months, and finally, things seemed to be getting back to normal. Well normal for Tracy Island anyway.
Gordon had come home only a few weeks before, armed with sufficient candy to keep them all going for a month. He had received hoards of chocolate and enough cards from the female staff of the hospital to fill an accordion folder. Jeff had the strange feeling that a vast majority of them really hated to see Gordon leave.
He had been making a conscious effort to stop hovering over his son, though Gordon accepted it well enough. He was getting stronger everyday, making it a point to take short walks on the beach with either his father or John, depending on who was free. They would move slowly, Gordon setting the pace. Each day they would go a little further before turning around to head back to the villa.
Gordon's WASP career was over, and Jeff knew that his son felt that deeply. He had been planning to spend at least another year in the submarine service. He had accepted it though, especially when the others unveiled Thunderbird 4 upon Gordon's arrival home. They all had thrown themselves into finishing the craft before Gordon was released. Scott and Virgil had made a great show of ripping the drop cloth off the mini-sub, painted that bright hazard yellow that had been picked out.
He had laughed and embraced his brothers. With their assistance, he had managed to climb in the hatch of the sub and sit at the controls. It had taken hours to get him back out again as he kept asking Brains to explain all of the systems and capabilities of the craft.
After they had coaxed him from the sub, Gordon first noticed the craft's call sign. He turned around for one last glance at his new toy and saw the large black letters across the back.
THUNDERBIRD 4
"Dad?" he asked quizzically.
"Let me tell you a story, Gordon. . ." Jeff had put his arm around Gordon's shoulders, and they left the hangar together.
"Calling Tracy Island," Jeff turned around, a familiar voice breaking his musings. A red light blinked on the receiver built in to his desk. "Anybody home?"
Jeff looked toward the east grinning at the approach of a small plane. He turned and went inside. "This is Tracy Island. Good to see you, kid."
"You, too," Kai replied. "The only problem is I have to bring way too many clothes whenever I come back here from Barrow."
"It is a bit of a climate difference." Jeff watched through the glass doors as the plane grew in size. "You're late, by the way."
"That would be the stop over in Hawaii." Jeff could hear the girl smiling as she gave him a hard time. "I brought you a grass skirt. Am I cleared to land?"
"Yes, see you in the hangar."
"Roger"
Jeff rose from his desk, noting that the sounds of splashing had resumed with more intensity than before. He let them go, trusting that Virgil would put an end to the roughhousing if it became too intense.
He met Kyrano in the hall as he left the lounge. The older Malaysian man bowed slightly. "Lunch will be served in just a few minutes, Mr. Tracy."
Jeff smiled at his friend. It had taken quite a bit of convincing to get Kyrano to come to the Island. He had been a god-send to the household, helping them organize their lives so that International Rescue could run smoothly.
"Better set two extra places, Kyrano," Jeff said, "Brains and Kai are back and they're probably anxious for some good food after being stuck in the arctic for three months."
The gentle man smiled slightly at the compliment and moved back to the kitchen.
By the time Jeff reached the hangar, the propeller of the plane was winding down. He greeted Brains first as the young scientist disembarked. "How was the trip Brains?"
"I-It was good, Mr. Tracy," Brains looked a little sick, in spite of his testament. He could fly himself, but always seemed to suffer from airsickness whenever he was in the passenger's seat.
Jeff decided to use the situation. "I know Brains; flying with Kai is definitely the test of a steel stomach."
"I heard that." Kai appeared from the far side of the plane. Jeff was struck by how tired she looked. Maybe sending her along with Brains wasn't such a good idea. "Flying with you is no picnic."
Jeff recovered as Kai gave him a quick hug. "How are you doing, kid?"
"All right, I guess," There was very little enthusiasm in her.
Jeff let the subject drop for the moment. "Everything done?"
"Yes, Mr. Tracy," the scientist replied. "The a-arctic relay station is, uh, complete."
"We even tested it for you," Kai seemed to perk up as she began to talk about the project she had been working on with Brains since the day she had come to Tracy Island. She reached in to the plane and withdrew a folder. "This came in from your Russian contact just before we left."
Jeff took the folder and flipped it open. There was a picture of a strikingly beautiful blonde woman clipped to a thick packet of papers. "Very nice."
Kai chuckled. "Also very persistent. That is Penelope Creighton-Ward, London's top British Secret Service operative."
Brains took over as Jeff skimmed the dossier. "She was, uh, r-responsible for toppling a drug ring last year and, and an illegal s-smuggling operation only, uh, two months ago."
"And now she is investigating the rumors of an international rescue operation." He finished for them.
"You better head this on off at the pass, Mr. Tracy," Kai told him. "She's a lot sharper than those CIA guys you fleeced."
"You're right," Jeff said. "But right now, I'm starving and Kyrano has prepared lunch."
Brains headed eagerly for the lift that would take them to the house, but Kai followed more slowly. Jeff fell in step beside her. "What's bugging you kid?"
She waved a hand at him. "Nothing, long trip, I guess." She smiled and looked up at him hopefully. "Is John around?"
"He went with Scott and Alan to begin construction on the satellite," he hid a smile as her disappointment became clear. "They should be back this afternoon."
Jeff watched Kai as they ate lunch. Gordon and Virgil had been happy to see her again, and she clowned with them all during the meal. It always amazed Jeff how easily she got on with his sons, not the least bit intimidated by their rambunctious tendencies.
Kai had come to Tracy Island after she was released from the hospital. Jeff had insisted that a change of scenery would do her good, and John had greeted her in Calgary after two surgeries to repair the damage to her injured arm. Jeff had hoped that the island would grant her a peaceful haven. It was very quiet while the Tracy's spent most of their time on the mainland with Gordon.
He had given up on that thought when he had returned home, only to find Kai one-handedly assisting Brains as he installed an automatic camera detector in Thunderbird 1. She was drawn to the hangars like a magnet, and since she had already learned so much about IR, Jeff saw no harm in it. She was keeping herself busy, and for Kai, that was an important thing.
Her help had been crucial in getting the relay station built so quickly. She enjoyed the colder climes of the north and got on well with the inhabitants, understanding their ways better than any of the rest of them could, thus getting them much need supplies and materials. Kai had suggested the property outside of Barrow, which while remote, still allowed a person living on the grounds access to the city by a short plane ride.
Brains, along with Lynn Becker, a communications engineer that John had known at Harvard, had built the small, inconspicuous relay, giving them a fail safe in case anything ever went wrong with IR's satellite system, and allowing them to gather information more quickly from all over the world. Lynn, liking the solitary life of the north, said she would stay on if Jeff wished. He had agreed.
Abruptly, Kai excused herself from the table after listening to one of Gordon's awful jokes. Jeff watched as she picked up her plate full of barely touched food and moved to the kitchen. She came back a moment later. "I'm going down to the beach for a while. See you guys later."
"I didn't think it was that bad." Gordon said after Kai had left the room.
"It was," Virgil replied, rising from the table himself.
"Brains," Jeff turned to the scientist, "Was she like that the entire trip?"
Brains shook his head. "O-only the last few days before we left. She became very quiet."
"What do you think, Dad?" Virgil asked as he returned.
"I don't know," Jeff rose from the table, "but I intend to find out."
He went down the stairs and left the villa through the doors that opened out on to the beach. To his left, he could see Kai walking slowly along the surf.
Jeff called to her walking up swiftly. She stopped and turned, smiling at his approach. "Gordon was worried that you didn't like his joke."
She frowned slightly. "It was pretty bad."
"He does have a few of those."
"Did I hurt his feelings?" Kai adored Gordon, ever since she had come to see him San Diego.
Jeff shook his head, "I think he was worried that he'd hurt yours."
She smirked, "How can a 'two ducks walk into a bar' joke be offensive?"
"He was just concerned. So what's new with you?" Jeff asked as they began to walk along together.
"I was in the artic for three months, there isn't much to tell since the last time I saw you."
"Did you get along well with Lynn?"
"Oh yeah. She was a little quiet at first, but we got to talking. She's pretty sweet."
"I thought maybe you didn't get on well with her or Brains."
"We got along fine."
Jeff sighed. This wasn't the same person he had talked to three months ago. "Well, something's up. Are you going to tell me?"
He waited her out, watching as she stared at her bare feet. "I got a job in Denver, flying freight for a small company."
He raised his eyebrows, "I thought you were going back to High Level."
"I don't think I would be a very good charter pilot anymore." She stared up at Jeff. "Do you know how many times I made Brains check the plane before I took off? Four times."
"So you were thorough," Jeff said, though he knew what she meant.
"I had him looking for the Hood, Mr. Tracy. What charter service is going to want a paranoid nut flying its passengers around?"
There was more to this than Kai's choice of careers. As much as he wanted her to get on with her life, he got the distinct impression she was having a hard time with it. "What's really bothering you about this job in Denver?"
Kai crossed her arms across her body, staring out to sea. "It's boring," she finally answered. "How can I be happy ferrying around tourists or freight after the things I've done?" She gave him a concerned look, "Am I some kind of closet thrill junkie?"
Jeff chuckled at her. "I don't think that's it, but perhaps you have discovered something else about yourself."
"What?"
"That you truly enjoy helping other people." Jeff rested a hand on her shoulder, "and that has become an important part of your life in the past months. You've been working with us, flying in parts and supplies to Barrow. You like to be needed"
Kai considered his words for moment. "So what am I supposed to do about it?"
"I have a proposition, Kai, if you're willing. How would you like to go back to Barrow and stay with Lynn?"
"Just. . ." Kai waved a hand. "Sit there?"
Jeff laughed. "Certainly not. You'd be working for me. I'd expect you to relay information, do a little flying for me. We're almost done with the Thunderbirds, but those machines are going to need parts eventually. I need someone to pick them up to bring them here. You'd be perfect."
She laughed. "I'd still be flying freight, though."
"I'm sure we can find other things for you to do." Jeff studied her. "I need as many friends as I can get to help me right now, Kai. An extra set of eyes, especially those of someone I know I can trust, would be very much appreciated."
"Like what?"
"I'll tell you later," Jeff replied. The sound of rockets firing over their heads caused them to look up. The red hull of Thunderbird 3 gracefully slid from the sky as the rocket gently settled into the hangar below the roundhouse. "For now, I think someone has just traveled a long way to see you."
Kai smiled as they began to walk back towards the villa.
************************************************************************
The lift from Thunderbird 3 to the villa seemed to take longer than usual to make its long track through the hangars of the villa. John began to tap his knee impatiently.
"Would you stop?" Scott said next to him. "You've been fidgeting since we left the station."
"I never fidget," John replied.
"I think you are now," Alan told him from the opposite end of the couch. It was crowded with all three of them on it.
"Be quiet."
"Now, now." Scott chided, grinning. "Alan knows fidgeting when he sees it." John gave him no response. "This wouldn't have anything to a fiery brunette who is supposed to be back from the arctic today, would it?"
"Kai and I are just friends," John said evenly. He had rehearsed the line many times.
"Uh-huh," Scott smiled devilishly, "That's why you nearly killed us on re- entry to get back here."
"I did not nearly kill us."
"I beg to differ." Alan snorted.
"You simply have no faith in my abilities."
"You've got it so bad, little brother," Scott teased as the couch stopped momentarily before the hydraulics lifted it into the lounge.
"I haven't got anything."
The couch came up through the floor of the lounge, depositing Scott, Alan, and John within the house. The chatter between them immediately stopped when John saw Kai leaning on their father's desk.
He stared at her. She smiled back, a smile she reserved especially for him. "Did you forget about me?" she asked playfully.
Scott got off the couch first grabbing Kai in a friendly hug. "I didn't forget," he said. "But I'll bet John did." He turned Kai so he could make a face at his brother over her shoulder.
John sat on the couch, quietly shaking his head. His brothers teased him incessantly about claiming his territory with Kai. The easiest way to deal with them was not to bait them and simply let them wear themselves out
For a while he had wondered if the attraction he felt for her had been brought about by the situation. Gordon had called it "Knight in Shining Armour" syndrome, by which the hero that slays the dragon and falls for the damsel in distress. John had found out quickly that this was not the case with Kai Taylor.
Scott let her go and after Alan greeted her, he looked at John, his deep blue eyes twinkling. "Alan and I have to go check on a few things." he said, directly at John. "If you need anything, we'll be in the hangar."
"We will?" Alan looked confused. "What do we have to do down there?"
Scott grabbed him roughly at the shoulder, steering him from the room. "I'm going to accidentally kick over an oil drum and you can help me clean it up."
John turned and watched them leave. When he looked back to Kai, he found her scrutinizing him from head to toe, taking in the light blue clothes and purple sash. This was the first time she had seen him in his uniform.
His ice blue eyes met her gray ones. "It looks good on you." She came forward and wrapped her arms around him. He returned the embrace, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too,"
John felt giddy. "Really?" he asked stupidly.
"Yes, really," Kai laughed. "I've been stuck in Alaska for months."
"Oh, well, thanks," Of course she had missed him; she'd probably missed all of them.
"What?" Kai asked, feeling him stiffen.
"Kai, are you in the lounge?" John looked up to see Gordon in the doorway. "Hi, John!"
"Hey, Gordo," John replied, reluctantly letting go of Kai. Despite his little brother's intrusion, John couldn't be angry with him. It was nice to see him so full of life again.
Gordon moved slowly into the lounge, still limping a bit, with a cardboard tube in his hand. "I've wanted to give you something," he said to Kai. He handed over the tube.
"What is it?" Kai asked warily. She was not unaware of Gordon's tendencies toward practical jokes.
"Open it up," Gordon plastered on one of his most sincere smiles.
She pointed the end of the tube towards the wall and removed the plastic lid. To both John and Kai's surprise, nothing happened.
He gave them both a wounded look. "That really hurts, you guys."
"Well, what do you expect from people when you put a snake in their bed?" Kai asked.
John chimed in, "or fill the sugar container with salt?"
Kai began to launch in on him again but Gordon held up his hands in defeat. "The defense rests. Geez!"
Kai upended the tube and out slid a large laminated poster. She unrolled it and began to laugh. It was one of the official 2020 Olympic posters featuring Gordon on the podium, waving at the throngs of people around him, gold medal gleaming in the spotlights. In the background was a picture of the pool, showing a shot from the last leg of the finals. Gordon had even autographed the bottom. "To my number one fan from White Oak, Montana, Love Gordon."
Kai hugged him. "You're Dad told you about that, huh?"
"Yeah," Gordon grinned. "I had no idea I still had admirers out there."
"Thank you, Gordon," Kai carefully rolled the poster back up and put it back in the tube. "I will always treasure this."
"You're welcome," Gordon stood between them, smiling. He looked from Kai to John and then back again. "I'm interrupting something, aren't I?"
Kai bit her lip and looked at the floor and John felt himself go three shades of red. Gordon took the hint and backed towards the door. "I'll see you guys later."
"Little brothers," John said when Gordon was gone.
Kai moved closer and used the cardboard tube to slap him lightly on the butt. "You wouldn't trade him for the world and you know it."
"I think I got ripped off anyway. I asked Dad for a hamster, and I got Gordon instead."
To his surprise, Kai turned and put her arms around his neck. "I really did miss you, you know." She said softly.
"Didn't you miss everyone? Gordon, Dad, Scott, Virgil. . ."
"Not like I missed you."
He leaned his head against hers. Her hair smelled of the sea. "You really missed me?"
"Yes she really missed you!" Gordon's voice came from the hall. "Now would you hurry up and kiss her already?"
John began to pull away from Kai, embarrassed, but she grabbed a hold of the sash, keeping him next to her. Smiling, he wrapped her in his arms and pulled her closer. Softly, he touched his lips to hers. The contact was timid at first, but it became more confident. Kai responded kissing him back with a passion she had never felt with anyone else before. It sent electricity through her body, awakening every sense.
When they parted, John looked back at her, "How long are you staying?"
"A few days," she replied, leaning against him, feeling as safe and warm in his arms as the day he had carried her from the forest.
"That's not too long," John grinned at her, "I guess we'll just have to make the most of it."
"Yes," she agreed, smiling back "I guess we will."
***And that OFFICIALLY ends that fic. I hope you guys liked it. I just had to wrap up a few loose ends.