Chapter 2: The Mystery guest

Jeff Tracy was sitting in his den finishing up on some paper work for the day when he received a call. "Good day Penny, how are you?" he greeted Lady Penelope.

"Hello Jeff, I'm fine thank you. I just called to tell you that our ETA is 10 minutes. Our guest is getting quite excited and cannot wait to see everyone" she replied.

"That's great I can't wait to see her too, it's been awhile since she's been home. The boys don't know she's coming, so they'll be happy to see her, especially Alan" said Jeff while mentally crossing his fingers…Seven years ago when Scott was in the USAF on leave for the holidays, he and the guest didn't quite see eye to eye. When he left to return to duty they weren't speaking to each other and that was the last time they saw one another. They were both still teenagers (Scott being 18 and the guest being 15), so it was probably the raging hormones that got the best of them…he hoped.

"We'll see you soon" smiled Lady Penelope as she signed off knowing perfectly well what Jeff Tracy was thinking.

Jeff got up and started walking to the living room still deep in thought about how the evening will develop. When he entered the living room he looked outside at the sight of John throwing a screaming and fully clothed Alan into the pool while an also fully clothed Gordon was climbing out.

Jeff chuckled and shook his head wondering 'will my boys ever grow up?' deep down though he wished that they never will. "Alright boys go get dried off and changed. We have a special guest coming tonight for dinner"

Everyone looked at each other thinking the same thing 'Who could it be because dad never brings anyone to the island unless it's an emergency or someone to talk about Tracy Industries' and went off to get ready.

A few minutes later the Tracy brothers and Tin-Tin were sitting in the living room waiting for Jeff, who just went to go greet this mystery guest.

"It's probably some scientist with a list of PhD's that's longer than my arm" suggested Alan who shivered. The last time there was a visitor it was the most boring scientist Alan has ever met. The man constantly drawled on about nanotechnology and Alan was sure that he even saw his father's eyes glaze over after the second hour.

"Or some boring politician" said Gordon. One time some senator came for dinner and didn't stop talking about the rights of Canadians who travel in Africa. Gordon still swears by this day that he saw Scott starting to nod off at the table.

"It could be that new member for International Rescue that dad's been talking about forever" suggested Virgil. Everyone stopped talking and was pondering his idea. Jeff had been talking about having an extra member for International Rescue for several months now, but no one ever thought that he was actually going to go through with the idea though.

As they were all in deep discussion about who this mystery guest could be, they didn't even notice Jeff, Lady Penelope, Parker and the guest walk into the room. Jeff cleared his throat and they turned around in surprise.

The guest was a woman in a USAF uniform. She was in her early twenties and a little shorter than six feet tall with her light brown hair tied up in a neat bun. Scott noticed she had brilliant green/brown eyes that had a hardness to them from being in the military, but they seemed to dance with a mischievous fire that intrigued him.

She smiled at the group, it was one of those smiles that lit up a room and was the most beautiful smile that Scott had ever seen. He sat there and thought 'she somehow looks really familiar, but I can't place where I've seen her face. I think I would remember someone that beautiful'

Then she spoke "Oh my God Alan is that you! Last time I saw you, you had to be about ten years old. Wow, Tin-Tin your lucky to have a man as good looking as Alan."

Alan jumped up from where he was sitting blushing just as much as Tin-Tin. He said "Christine! I can't believe it's you!" and ran to give her a hug.

Recognition hit everyone else's faces and they all ran to greet her, except Scott. He stood there dumbfounded, 'No it can't be Christine. The last time I saw her she was a scrawny and geeky fifteen year old with braces and she bugged the hell out of me'

Scott was so deep in thought that he didn't notice Jeff walk up beside him and he jumped when he heard his name. "Scott, why don't you go say hello, it's been awhile since you last saw her. Oh… and try to get rid of the look like you've just been slapped in the face" chuckled Jeff.

Scott couldn't help but smile "Am I that obvious?"

Jeff smiled even more "Yes, she's probably just as anxious to see you too". That made Scott laugh and he went to go greet Christine. Jeff grinned 'Finally my family is reunited for good.'

Lt. Christine Carter walked into the living room, which hasn't changed much since the last time she was here, smiling at the group chatting. She picked John out in a minute right when he smiled, she always loved his kind and gentle smile. He still had his bright blonde hair and seemed to be a little bit paler than his brothers, who had nice dark tans from living on the island.

Then she saw Alan who had really grown up since the last time she was here. He was sitting by Tin-Tin, who was turning into a beautiful young woman and will probably keep Alan in line. They were holding hands, unlike the last time she saw them when they were two fighting ten year olds. Christine thanked God that the advice she has given him over the past year when he phoned had worked.

She saw Virgil and Gordon and was amazed by how much they have grown since the last time she saw them, she always remembered them being much shorter than her. Virgil still had that protectiveness over his younger brother Gordon, who still has the demeanor of a carefree and venturous young man.

Then there was Scott…he was still taller than her and he sure wasn't the skinny airman that she remembered all those years ago. It seems those years in the military had done a lot of good for him mentally…and physically. She looked at his eyes and there seemed to be a burden of responsibility in his cobalt blues, but there still was a hint of his old mischief and fun loving self inside. He laughed at something Gordon said and she fell in love with it all over again. Scott had one of those laughs that it doesn't matter how bad of a mood you're in his laugh would make you smile.

She decided to speak "Oh my God Alan is that you! Last time I saw you, you had to be about ten years old. Wow, Tin-Tin your lucky to have a man as good looking as Alan." Christine knew very well about Alan and Tin-Tin's relationship because not too long ago had he phoned to ask about some female advice and wanted to keep it between them. Ever since Lucille Tracy died eleven years ago, Alan became close to Christine looking up to her as almost a motherly figure.

She saw Alan jump up from where he was sitting blushing just as much as Tin-Tin, which made her smile even more. He said "Christine! I can't believe it's you!" and came to give her a hug.

She then saw everyone else get up with big smiles on their faces and almost a relieved look on Tin-Tin's face now not having to be the only girl in the house to deal with the Tracy testosterone. She noticed that Scott hung back from everyone else and saw Jeff talk to him, Scott laughed and they walked towards her.

Jeff reached her first and gave her a big hug, "I'm glad that your back to stay."

"Me too Mr. Tracy" said Christine. A couple of months ago Jeff phoned Christine to see if she was interested in working for him. She said yes immediately without even being told about the job position and decided to retire from the Air Force to move back home on Tracy Island.

"How many times do I have to ask you to call me Jeff?" he smiled.

"At least one more time, sir" grinned Christine at their little inside joke.

"Well I'll go see if Kyrano and Onaha need some help in the kitchen while everybody gets comfortable. Lady Penelope would you care to join me?" asked Jeff.

"I would love to" replied Lady Penelope and they both left followed by Parker who would no doubt be helping too.

Then Scott approached her, "Umm…hey Christine, long time no see…how's life in the Air Force?" asked Scott 'Why do I feel so awkward? She's like a sister to me'.

"It…It was a blast being in the search and rescue division" she stammered, thinking, 'Scott's like a brother to me. I shouldn't be getting nervous around him.' "How's it like working for your father?" Christine asked knowing perfectly well that the Tracy boys are the Thunderbirds, though they have no idea since she had just been briefed about International Rescue by Jeff and about the job position he had for her.

"Uhh…you know same old same old, loads of paperwork and corporate people to deal with. Not as grand as people think" rambled Scott. Christine nodded trying not to laugh and decided that she'll let Jeff drop the "She knows about the Thunderbirds" bomb later on.

"So Tin-Tin, how's it like living with theses guys nowadays?" asked Christine.

"Oh…they're absolutely atrocious to live with" giggled Tin-Tin. "They're always pulling pranks on everyone and chasing each other around, they're like little kids"

"Hey!" said Alan. "I think that you're going out with one of these so called little kids."

"You're right Alan I forgot" Tin-Tin said snapping her fingers in realization "Come here honey and sit beside you're girlfriend" she motioned to Gordon, who with a huge grin sat beside her and let her snuggle up against him which made everyone laugh.

"So it's going to be just like old times" chuckled Christine. "Who are the worst pranksters nowadays?"

"Gordon and Alan seem to be the masterminds most of the time" replied John.

"Yeah, they did a number on you today" laughed Virgil and that made John mock-pout.

"Awww…muffin. I'll help you get them back" said Christine and she hugged him like a little kid.

"Well, we learned from the best" said Gordon.

"Yeah, Christine and Scott" added Alan, who made sure to emphasize their names.

Christine and Scott both looked at each other and blushed at the comment. "I have no idea what you're talking about Alan" said Scott, intentionally not looking at anyone in the eyes.

"What's this?" chuckled Tin-Tin at Scott's reaction.

"When Scott and Christine were younger they were the best pranksters in the family" informed Virgil.

"They make Alan and Gordon's pranks look like child's play" added John "One time they even teamed up and got dad"

That comment made Tin-Tin look at Christine and Scott with astonishment. "You two actually successfully pulled a prank on Mr. Tracy? He always knows when a prank is going to be pulled on him"

"Yes, they became mine and Alan's role models after that" laughed Gordon.

"Time to eat!" yelled Jeff and everyone went to the table. After a good meal and a long time swapping stories old and new, it was time for everybody to retire for the evening.

Jeff walked Christine to her old room that was still the same when she left for the Air Force. He promised to make sure that the boys didn't go in while she was gone. Jeff informed Christine that tomorrow will be a fun filled day of getting to know about International Rescue and then said goodnight. Christine settled down on her bed barely able to contain her excitement for tomorrow to come.

(TBC)

Author's Notes:

Sorry about the "rights of Canadians who travel in Africa" It was late at night when I wrote this. I'm Canadian though so it's not meant to offend.

Airman is the second lowest rank in the US Air Force