Chapter 7- Memories

"Well, if it makes any difference, I'll go."

Scott Tracy looked over at his father waiting for an answer.

His arms were folded and he radiated a fake coolness with his persona on behalf of his father.

Virgil Tracy saw the cogs in his fathers mind turning and before he could speak another noise which should have been his voice, interrupted Jeff's train of thought.

Jeff, Scott and Virgil looked to the bleeping eyes of the youngest Tracy on the wall.

"Go ahead Alan." Jeff spoke, waiting for the emergency.

"Why the hell is John is London?"

"Alan," Scott stated. "This is the second time today you've commed and for no reason, you're completely abusing the Thunderbird communications."

Alan laughed. "Sorry Dad."

Scott's lips thinned but before he could give his father a look, Jeff spoke.

"Listen son, this doesn't concern you at the moment, you have to have your mind set on Thunderbird Five -"

"Dad you know it concerns me, I , I care for John now. I now you all don't think I do, but I do."

All three Tracy men frowned or raised their eyebrows.

"That's why, that's why I think you should let me come back and try to talk to him, err you know he could let his anger out me, instead of you."

"Alan I believe you'd come back with broken bones and black eyes if you went to John." Virgil spoke, a slight snigger on his handsome face.

"No, no I think Alan's onto something here." Jeff spoke.

Both Virgil and Scott turned to their father shocked.

"Father? Sending Alan would be…" Virgil tried to interrupt.

"Not now Virgil. Alan, if I send you to London, you will make amends with your brother. You'll take his mind off what is going on and try to smooth things over with the part that involves you. Maybe once that is set, he'll talk. I'm not expecting miracles and don't think I'm letting you off your duties because of it. This is more than a favour to me it's a job Alan, do you hear?"

"Yes Sir." Alan said in the most neutral and respecting voice he could muster.

"Why don't I go over to London Father, then I can over see the London company too. John's going to want to talk to someone with a little more maturity than Alan."

"No Scott. I truly believe Alan should talk to John. This feud of theirs has gone on long enough. This will be one problem less if it's sorted out. Beside, I want you to stay here and man Tracy Island."

Scott frowned at what his father was saying.

"It's time to see how things are in Thunderbird five. Let Alan know I'll be changing duties with him tomorrow." With that Jeff Tracy stood up and walked out his office, a mixture of looks emerging on his matured face. He stroked the greying stubble over his chin. He was slightly worried about sending Alan to see John but he had faith in his youngest. He recently noticed the lad was maturing considerably. His mouth was politer, less swearing to others and the boyish blue in his eyes had darkened to a sensible young man. Of course he was still the wild one, but Jeff was feeling proud of the youngest. At first he didn't want to let Alan grow up. He still wanted to keep the teenager who lived life on a thin wire. If he let his baby boy grow up that would mean he no longer had his babies and no longer could relate to his beloved Lucille as they were as young parents.

"Oh Lucy, we've still problems…you should still be here, everything would be settled."

…………………………………………………………..

"Allo' Master Tracy, Penny." Parker nodded.

He wasn't wearing his usual uniform instead opting for casuals.

"Been out any where nice?"

The comment wasn't harsh in anyway, but John was sure Parker always knew more than anyone else and there was more than just a reason for him to see his niece.

"Uncle Al, I haven't seen you ages!" Penny squealed attracting a few glances over to the trio.

Parker enveloped her in a tight squeeze. "Months isn't it? But we have talked, at least!"

"Knew I was here Parker?" John mentioned as he went to sit on one of the lounge chairs, the brown leather feeling cold.

Parker gave him a look and John knew instantly that Penelope had ordered him on the case.

"It came as a great surprise that you were in this hotel."

Penny sat next to John, how uncomfortably made a little more distance between them. Penny briefly looked at John as he did this before mustering up a smile.

"So how do you know each other?" she mused.

"I work in association with the Tracy family."

"What, you never said that you knew Jeff Tracy? And you never said you knew my Uncle!" Penny finished turning to John with mock anger.

John half smiled. "Didn't know he was yours." John then turned to Parker and some sub conscious thought came to mind. Why did I come to this hotel? It's one of the finest but there are plenty of others? Then John recalled business meetings that his father and Scott had in London, opting to stay at this hotel, bills and emails with the hotel's logo.

"I work for a close family relative – friend of the family."

John caught the end of Parker's sentence.

John had looked up then looked away catching the sight of a waiter. "Coffee please." He called out.

"I can't believe I've come across you tonight master Tracy –."

"Please, it's John."

"Ah yes, John."

"So are you here for a reason?" Penny asked.

"Just to see my favourite niece."

"Your only niece." Penny smirked.

"Exactly."

A secret smile radiated between them and as John watched he thought. He thought about Penny and how cute she was. Nothing had been committed between them but sparks could be ignited. Penny. The name was velvet on his throat. Oh Penelope. So this is what it is hmm? You thought you'd find her in Penny? Oh very good Johnny boy and then what trouble would you have caused?

"John?"

John looked up.

"Milk, sugar?"

He registered Penny's voice.

"Err, listen I'm sorry Penny, I'm feeling a little rough, headache and all lack of sleep," you brought it on yourself. "I think I'm gonna leave it for tonight, whatever you want to finish the night off with, put it on my tab okay?"

Penny looked at the blond young man and frowned. "Is it something I said?"

Parker looked between the two and couldn't believe his eyes as he saw the humble saddened look appear on his niece's face. She likes him…a lot. John's face was now battling to apologise once more and he gave her a pitiful smile and shook his head. Parker could have sworn he heard the breath escape from Penny's lips in relief.

"Listen Penny luv, I'll be down at the fat Ox, if you want to have a catch up later."

Penny nodded silently as Parker rose and gave John a meaningful look.

Penny noticed it but said nothing.

The pair were silent as the coffee cooled.

"I'll see you…..maybe?" Penny asked as she stood.

"Listen, Penny, you're a lovely girl- woman…"

"Save it John, please. You've obviously got something on your mind and I'm not going to ask. But if you want a pair of ears to listen I'm about if you want to talk."

John didn't know what to say. He wanted to scream to the whole world where he lived. He wanted to divulge every secret thing he'd been sworn not to say, but most of all he wanted to apologise to Penny about his behaviour with her. It wasn't fair.

All night her eyes had been sparkling with excitement, sincerity and lust. It was what his body craved. He wanted her so badly. Do you even think she'd approve of you as a sexual experience? Your hand doesn't count you idiot, not on earth anyway. When was the last time you bedded a woman John? When was the last time you screamed and moaned and felt in ecstasy without worrying who heard?

Three nights. Three nights when he had shore leave. Three nights in which he spent one night on the main land. They'd met up, in front of some of his brothers. She needed a chaperone, it was only gentlemanly. Scott needed to drown his sorrows – he'd seen someone who looked like an old flame. New York lights had dimmed letting man and woman roam freely. It's what all the Tracy brothers did on shore leave; they got laid, they needed it. Scott needed it, Virgil needed it and the brothers departed in their separate directions – a chance to be the billionaire' son, not a Thunderbird. Onto more clubs or back to a luxury suite, whatever suited them on this night. Then it had been them. The bar had been comfortable with a smart alcove seating the pair. Dark green had enveloped them creating an atmosphere of refined seclusion. A bottle of fine Chablis was shared and the couple, who only needed to order the one bottle, drank as they talked all night. John had been venting out his childhood mishaps and furies of his life and she had confided in John about money troubles. The darkness seemed to envelop them even more so and as tea lights imbedded in missing bricks of the wall flickered, their knees touched. There was no conversation now. The alcohol had relaxed them but John's heart was thumping at a rate. He looked slowly at what he considered the most beautiful woman in the world. She had a short blond bob. Nothing was out of place and her make up enhanced her features, small chin, high cheek bones, and plump lips with a prominent cupid's bow. Every man had starred at her in the club, every man would go home and fantasize that they were making love with her, with or without a partner tonight.

John was shocked to see that she starred back at him. Starred back at the physically weakest Tracy, starred at the brother with the freaky white blond hair, not the luscious golden like Alan, starred into his grey blue eyes without blinking and smiling a sweet smile that held more.

Her hand had rested on his thigh and he felt a churning inside his stomach. Taking a breath and taking his eyes from his leg, he looked back into the beautiful face of the woman who brought him to a nervous disposition. He placed his hand over hers and for a second Penelope thought he was about to dismiss her gesture and move her hand away. Maybe she thought that John thought she'd had too much to drink but her smiled intensified and her heart skipped a beat as he caressed his thumb over her hand. A couple of strokes and without a thought, John reached to her cheek and cupped it softly. It was a bold move but it paid off as Penelope laid into his hand almost nuzzling it. It drew him to her, her hand still on his leg; her fingers had started to move and stroke. No one seemed to notice the pair in the dark. It happened so fast. The kiss made him melt and the strange thing was she was submissive. His tongue took control of her mouth; a hypnotic battle between them occurred and melted into soft caresses. He hadn't kissed anyone like this before. A heat took over his body and his hands enclosed her to him. He felt powerful and confident and without a care. It was his chance to stroke her thighs making use of the short hemmed black number. Her soft skin was like a drug and he wanted to stroke it more and cover more with his finger tips. Penelope leaned forward and took a deep breath over his neck. She smiled brushing her hand over his crotch and finding a reaction. It completely took him by surprise to find she had no underwear no. It was that point the kiss broke and he looked at Penelope carefully. His eyes darted as they looked into hers, though blue orbs that no more held mystery or super human qualities like he once though she had; they were bare, they were naked and exposed to him, housing all the grief, all the hurt and all the pain that she seemed to be housing. Still no conversation. He was about to retaliate his hand but she held him by his wrist; an urgency. Still no conversation. He brushed his fingers back up the junction between her thighs and kissed her neck which she had tilted and exposed. What had come over him? What if someone saw? This was absurd – this was Alan behaviour! There you go John always comparing yourself to your brothers. A slight anger filtered his veins and John had to take a breath to realise what he should be concentrating on. He felt so possessive of this woman, He wanted to mark her, make her remember him. Biting her neck was his first point of call, not that he wanted to give her a hicky, but his primal urge over came him, he felt like he could devour her. This was a completely new turn for him and he didn't know where it came from. There was a moan that escaped her lips and the pair new it was time to leave the club and the Chablis.

Penelope looked at the women who past her and licked her lips. They noticed her lipstick was smudged slightly and the way she tugged and smoothed her dress. She walked like a queen first before clinging to John, her dominance softening as John revelled in his masculinity, walking away with this angel.

They recognised him, didn't they? Tracy someone wasn't it? Was one of those brothers, not the usual ones? Was it even a Tracy brothers? The rumours had gone around the club when the other ones were there. The tall handsome one and the beautiful charmer, God they were handsome. Wasn't it in a magazine recently? Scott Tracy – top ten eligible bachelors? He doesn't look like Scott? It must be a Tracy brother; he was with the other two. He's rich that's the only reason she's with him, gold digging whore.

They both couldn't care what any one thought of them. Time had stopped. The warm night that was beginning to feel sticky felt just right. Penelope squeezed his hand and John turned. He smiled and kissed the back of her hand still in his as he saw her smile. The littlest thing like holding her hand in his made him feel complete. The dark city was lit with the night life. Bright lights left shadows that the couple stayed out of and the music still boomed sending everyone into some sort of sexual tribal dance. John felt good walking down the street, Penelope on his arm and it felt completely right. He was glad he wasn't a recognisable Tracy brother like Scott or Alan and revelled in the fact that paparazzi couldn't get a story on this brother. How long had a woman been on his arm before? How had he been lucky to have Penelope on his? Why did she want to be with him… did she even want that or was that just a taster of what he couldn't have, a cruel joke she wanted to play? He'd seen the gorgeous smile she had for Scott when he tried to crack a joke earlier that evening and the way he smiled his top ten most eligible bachelor smile back. It wasn't even funny, in fact wasn't Virgil laughing at John for looking so straight faced? Hadn't that made Penny giggle at John? Wasn't that the first time she'd touched him, placing her hand on his arm and giving him a strange smile?

"Penny?"

Penelope had looked up to him, though there wasn't much of a height difference with her expensive stilettos on. She caught the worry in his gaze and stroked his cheek.

"Penny what is it that-" John stopped speaking as she placed two manicured finger tips on his lips.

"Shhh. Go with it John. I've made my mind up, things are going to change. Things we've already spoken about tonight."

There was so many questions that he wanted to say.

He had admired her from day one, every Tracy man had including his father had. There had been a talk from dad to all the brothers about not 'bothering' her. The topic was closed for discussion and Penny had never known why the brothers never flirted with her? Was there something wrong with her? Did they find her hideous and not sexually attractive? Conversation had always been left with no emotion. It saddened her. It also saddened her that these were the only men she ever enjoyed the company of, including the quiet one that spent his time away from the family. The one that was slightly mysterious. The only one that still blushed and tried to hide it when she talked to him until recently. Well at least it's not that bad when you compare it with Brains. Poor young man couldn't even stutter let alone speak when she tried to talk to him.

There was one moment that made him doubt her but there was something completely strange and surreal about tonight, but the urgency she seemed to possess toppled any questions he had. He lusted after he, he always had, they all had.

What was a little fun between friends? What harm could it cause?

The light had been on! That beautiful expensive, glittering chandelier had washed the room with warmth and richness and brought truth to the couple. No hiding behind darkness, no lies. John had panicked, he wasn't physically built up like Scott, he wasn't as tanned as the rest of them due to space duties. But then what she thought was womanly imperfection on her buttocks and backs of her thighs, John didn't notice or care less. It made him laugh at the worry she'd bottled up about it. And they shared smiles and laughter as things heated up. A mole here a scar there, it was interesting and nerve racking when they had stripped. What was happening to them both was to be remembered, it was the first of few.

The small mole on her abdomen a few centre metres from that thatch of hair that hid his elixir of life made him smile. She had hated it; he had loved it, giving it kisses until she laughed. He had learnt her body like a map. Kissed everywhere that made her smile. She had taken him over the edge. It had lasted all night. The heavy petting engulfed them and then it had come to the point of no return. Words were spoken, it could have stopped…just. They had agreed and it happened. Penny started crying afterwards and John worried and hoped she wasn't crying because of what had happened. It had been out of happiness as it goes. The foxy, British aristocrat had had more secrets than John had realised and all for good reasons and she confided in John that she'd never felt so cared or loved. The secret agent job kept her alone in any sexual attachment. There was a lot about Penelope's past that she shared with him over the next three nights. Maybe she was embarrassed but she had no reason to be and that was the moment she realised that this was the Tracy brother that could listen. They talked and talked, sharing more with each other, strengthening the bond that had already grown in such as short time after such a slow length after it had been condemned with Jeff Tracy. Of course he had never known Penelope had been out with his sons, that she had been interested in John Tracy. It had been long thought that Lady Penelope had acquaintances overseas back in the UK, a lord somebody or other?

It took over them both. Skin touched skin, hot and sticky. Sweat lay on his brow and she glowed. They moaned and gasped, the light showing them in their true form. It was delicious and she urged him on with passion. She'd forgotten about anything to do with anything and found her sexual side begging to be released fully. This wasn't about covering up and making things lovey-dovey. This was the real deal. It was messy, it was intense but it had been worth it. Everything was exposed, there were no secrets, they had seen each others core and they had tainted each other. Intimacy had become theirs.

John blinked.

"I'll see you around John, I've got work anyway, I'll be on the desk."

John frowned slightly before working out her words.

"Oh, er yeah."

Still in his dream world he blinked again and felt a hand on his thigh. Penny lent over him in his chair and kissed his cheek.

John's eyes were widening.

"Sorry, I just wanted to do that, I think your very handsome John, but, er, you should find her or something. I don't appreciate thinking that you wanted a substitute or something-"

John quickly tried to speak.

"- But, we're young and I know sometimes we try to find comfort. It must be hard to be a Tracy man, everyone after your money."

"I know you weren't."

"Thanks."

"And that makes it harder I suppose."

Penny looked at him and gave him a saddened smile.

"Things would have gotten a lot complicated, I think." She spoke.

"Yeah." John sighed. He felt disgusted that she knew what he was after, it brought him shame to the Tracy name.

"Good night John."

John took a deep breath and sighed rubbing his face in the palms of his hands. He felt slightly humiliated. It topped it off when he saw Parker walk back into the lobby.

"I'm sorry Parker, I didn't realise that was your niece?"

"Not technically but I was a good friend of her fathers – like an uncle to her. When we were both in the clink and I got out, I said I'd keep an eye on her. Found out she worked 'ere and knew she was in a good job, could support herself you know. Knew her mother quite well too, she was a lovely lady."

John looked at Parker carefully and caught the sadness in his smile; some story was playing through Parkers eyes.

"Awh well, can't dwell on the past now can we master Tracy."

"I don't now." John shrugged standing up.

"Honestly John, what are you doing here, really?"

Parker's words were spoken with comfort.

"I dunno? I guess I should be home. I've got a lot of thinking and explaining to do."

"I know someone who wants to see you, she's upset."

John turned to Parker's words and couldn't believe it.

"The cars outside, I'll be waiting."

"Thanks Parker."