Disclaimer

Thunderbirds and all the characters etc. belong to Gerry Anderson and Working Title films, I'm just borrowing them.

A/N - Sorry once again for the wait, but here is the next chapter. I was thinking of finishing the story in chapter 18, but it was too long for 1 chapter.

Hopefully chapter 19 shouldn't take too long for me to update and it will be the last chapter, no matter how long it ends up!

Please review if you like this, and feel free to give me ideas for a sequel if you want one. I'm hoping to get to 100 reviews by the end of the story!

Read and Enjoy!

Accidents

Chapter 18 – Homecoming Party

The lounge of Tracy Island was unusually empty, until Jeff walked in. The quiet just seemed to annoy him, and he walked back out again with a loud sigh, heading towards the bedrooms.

This is impossible, where is everybody? Jeff thought, by now thoroughly confused. Since we got the news that Scott and John were on their way back they all seem to have disappeared! I can't even find Kyrano, let alone Gordon…

For the next few minutes, Jeff continued to walk around the house hoping that he had just managed to miss everybody. After a while, he gave up and headed back to the lounge. This is about the most used room in the house. Someone is bound to show up soon. He was proved right in less than a minute.

"Gordon, where have you been? I've looked all over the house…"

"Err, sorry dad" the redhead said quickly, but not really sounding all that sorry. "I've actually been trying to find you as well. Do you know what John's favourite food is? It seems stupid that I'm his brother but still don't know."

Jeff relaxed now that he knew it must have been just bad luck that they'd missed each other and thought about what Gordon had said. Strangely, he couldn't think of his son's favourite food either.

"To be honest, I can't help you. I don't remember John ever telling me his favourite food."

"I had a feeling you would say that, Kyrano and Tin Tin said the same thing. I know that he likes Grandma's cakes when we go and visit her, but everyone likes Grandma's cooking." Gordon smiled as he thought of Jeff's mother and how much everyone seemed to eat when they were with her.

"Yes, I'd agree there" Jeff muttered, seeing Gordon's smile. "Why do you want to know anyway?"

"Well…err…I'll tell you in a minute." Gordon stammered, trying to think of a good excuse. He quickly changed the subject. "Can I call Scott? There's something I want to ask him."

"Alright."

"Base to Thunderbird 1, come in Scott." There was a slight pause before Scott answered.

"Scott here. Is that you Gordon? What's up?"

"Nothing Scott. How long before you get back?"

"About 45 minutes." Scott answered, not really knowing why Gordon was asking.

"Can you speed that up at all? Get here sooner."

"I can increase speed if I need to. Why?"

"Well…Tin Tin and I are arranging a bit of a celebration to welcome John back, and we want to make sure that you get back first and…"

"Hey, Gordon, I understand. I'll get back inn time, don't worry. But from the look of it, John isn't exactly in the best shape right now, so keep it in mind."

"OK. See you later Scott." the transmission cut off, and Gordon turned to see a very amused looking Jeff.

"So you're the reason everyone has disappeared on the base. I should have guessed." Gordon looked worried, but Jeff quickly changed that. "I think it's a great idea Gordon, he deserves it. But try not to make it too much of a surprise, he's been through a lot recently."

"I'll do my best dad."

Boy, am I glad that Thunderbird 2 has an autopilot to guide it back to base. I don't think I'd manage it otherwise. John thought to himself, before shaking his head to try to get rid of the thoughts. It only resulted in giving him an even worse headache. This is why I try to avoid flying…

"Base to Thunderbird 2, come in John." Jeff's voice came over the radio, pulling John from his thoughts.

"I'm here dad." He replied groggily. Jeff easily picked up on his son's feelings, and he didn't look too well either.

"John, are you alright. If you want, you can land and I'll have Scott meet up with you." Jeff suggested, not wanting John to be at the helm if he wasn't up to it. He knew what John's answer would be even before he said it.

Damn, I must sound worse than I thought… "It's alright dad, I can do it."

"Are you sure? You sound rather terrible."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence dad." John said with a slight laugh. "I'll see you in about an hour." Jeff nodded over the link, and then cut it off. John didn't bother voicing his next thought.

I hope…

"Brains, I'm sure that Gordon has roped you into helping with the surprise for John, but can you come up here for a moment?"

"I'll be right there Mr Tracy."

"Thank you"

Within a couple of minutes, the scientist walked into the lounge. Jeff didn't wait for him to ask what was going on.

"Brains, head up to the control centre and keep track of Thunderbird 2. I want to make sure that it gets back here safely."

"Of course. Is there anything you're particularly worried about?"

"I just called John and he didn't seem entirely with it. I'm not sure he's in a condition to be piloting, but he wouldn't listen to me to land and let Thunderbird 1 meet up with him. I just want to be on the safe side."

"Yes Mr Tracy." Brains looked ready to leave, but thought of something else. "And…John is a very good pilot and can be very determined when he wants to be. I'm sure he'll get back."

"I know Brains. I just want to be safe. We've had quite enough trouble for the moment."

"25 minutes. You made good time Scott." Gordon remarked as Scott came into the lounge followed by Virgil, Alan, Lady Penelope and Parker. The two brothers looked slightly ruffled, but Penelope was still as calm as ever.

"25 minutes too long if you ask me" Alan grumbled, stretching his arms. "Remind me to tell Brains that we need to install some passenger seating in Thunderbird 1." Virgil nodded, but quickly stopped when Gordon started talking again.

"Come on. I'll show you what we've done so far. Dad keeps telling me not to do too much as he is injured, so I guess the real party will have to wait until everyone has recovered." Gordon said with a grin. Scott and Virgil exchanged 'knowing' glances. They both knew that if Gordon was the one arranging the party, it certainly wouldn't be boring. "Coming Lady Penelope?" Gordon asked more politely when she didn't follow.

"No thank you. There is something I would like to talk to your father about first." Parker started to stay, but she stopped him "You go ahead Parker. I'll meet you in a few minutes."

"Yes m'lady"

"Mr Tracy, we now have Thunderbird 2 on radar approaching the island. John should be here in about 5 minutes." Brains said over the radio from the control centre

"Right, thanks Brains." Jeff quickly switched channels, looking over to the pile of 'things' that Gordon had left in the lounge. "Did you hear that boys? Thunderbird 2 should be in about 5 minutes."

"We'll be ready dad"

Finally, home at last. This is one trip I'm glad to see the end of. John thought as he turned on the radio. No use coming in unannounced.

 John thought as he turned on the radio.

"Thunderbird 2 to base"

"We're ready for you John. You have permission to land."

"I thought I might" John muttered to himself "Dad, can you give me a bearing to the runway?"

"I'll switch you over to Brains in the control centre." The screen switched to Brains' face and John repeated his question.

"Right. Bearing…" 3 minutes later, brains could see the giant green craft through the window. "That should do it John. You're directly on course."

"OK. See you all in a minute."

Brains stayed where he was long enough to see Thunderbird 2 safely on the ground before heading to the elevator to get up to the house.

Well, here goes. I've been waiting for this for what seems like a lifetime. John climbed awkwardly into the passenger elevator in Thunderbird 2, not trusting Virgil's pilot chair chute, and set it to go up to the house.

Meanwhile, at the same time…

"Everyone, quiet. Scott, turn out the lights. The elevator is on its way up. He'll be here any moment now."

John quietly walked into the lounge about 30 seconds later, leaning heavily on the crutch he was using, and stopped just inside the doorway when he saw all the lights were off. I should've guessed they would be planning something…

"SURPRISE!"

All at once, 10 people jumped out of their hiding places. Scott was behind the door by the light switch. Virgil and Penelope were behind the piano. Jeff was by his desk. Everyone else was around the various sofas in the room. There was a large banner up across the windows, saying 'Welcome Back John' and Virgil started playing some sort of celebration on the piano. Everyone had huge smiles on their faces.

"Welcome home, my son." Jeff said, placing his hand on John's shoulder and making sure that everyone was careful of his injuries. "We've missed you."

"I missed you too. It got rather lonely up on Thunderbird 5."

"I'll bet. You look like you've really been through the wars" Scott said, taking in the crutch in John's right hand and the sling on his left.

"Well, my ship did get hit by a missile you know…I'm just glad to be home"

"I think everyone agrees there" Penelope added quietly, before turning to the boys. "Maybe we should let your brother have some space for now…"

"It's alright…"

"No John. Penny is right. You need medical attention. We can talk later."

"F.A.B. Dad."

TBC…