Chapter 19: Sunday morning
A/N: Hi everyone! I figured, since this chapter takes place on Sunday, I might as well post it on Sunday. ;) Hey, this wasn't too long after the last chapter, was it?
White rose01 – Thanks for the review, as well as for beta-ing! I hope things have calmed down a bit.
SaucerEyes – Another story that made you hungry? Are you reading just before dinner time or something? ;) I guess my choice of Chinese or Italian is based on the fact that we're (temporarily) living above a place where they have Italian food, and just three stores to the right, there's a Chinese restaurant… Oh well… Yup, Ben's a 'little' bit protective of Nicole… since Dad's not there to do it. Thanks for the compliment! As for your P.S. … now that would be telling, wouldn't it. ;)
Rachie Loves Donald Duck – Thanks for the review & including compliment! As for the 'short'… well, I did give a warning. ;) This one's a bit longer though.
Enjoy this chapter!
The next morning, John and Nicole had their morning run together, quickly stopping by the O'Neills to say goodbye. To their surprise, Ben was already up and awake by the time they returned. OK, not quite awake, but at least he was up. They had a quick breakfast. Both Nicole and John had already packed their bags, and were now getting the last few things they would need, such as lunch. Ben would take them to the bus stop later, but first they had somewhere else they needed to go. The bags were thrown in the back of Ben's car, and off they went.
Fifteen minutes later, three people were standing in front of the still new grave.
"Hey Ma," Ben started, "It's us again. You'll be proud to know that Nicole and John finally hooked up. Took 'em long enough, don't you think?" He smiled sadly, thinking about how his mother would have responded. "Yeah." He was silent for a moment. "Well, I'll talk to you again one of these days. I love you."
Ben stepped back and walked away quietly to the place where his father was buried, a few feet to the left. Nicole stepped forward to her mother's grave.
"Hi Mum. I guess Ben already told you about John and me." She sighed. "You knew all along, didn't you? I now realise how some of the things you've said were intentionally ambiguous. I'm glad you did. Now I know you approve. And that means a lot to me; I know John feels the same way. I'll be going with him for some time to his home to meet his family. I'll be going to live in your house, so I'll come back before I'm due back at NASA. In the meanwhile, don't worry. I miss you Mum. Love you."
Nicole half turned towards John to give him a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Then she went over to Ben who still stood at their father's grave. John stood there for a while.
"Hey Mum, I… well, you probably know already, but I love your daughter very much. She's coming with my to the island. Don't worry, I'll take good care of her." John fell silent for a few seconds, then he continued hesitantly. "Could… could you say 'hi' to my Mum, my real Mum, Lucille, and tell her we all love and miss her. Thanks." Again there was a silence. "I guess I'll be going now. Bye."
"Control Tower, this is Tracy Two, requesting permission to take off."
"Tracy Two, this is Tower. You have permission for take off. Please use runway number 7. I repeat, runway number 7. Weather at the moment: the fog's clearing rapidly; temperature is…"
John waited till Tower had finished, then confirmed. Twenty minutes later they were well on their way to Tracy Island. Nicole was sitting shot gun, but she didn't really have to do anything as John had everything under control. She was glad for it too. It had been ages since she had last flown. Her licence had expired and she had never felt the need to renew it. If she would be coming to the Tracy's more often though, she might have to reconsider.
'Wow, stop it Nicole! Let's not get ahead of things. You haven't even met his family yet!'
'But you will soon.' The voice inside her head insisted.
'Yes, well, let's first see how that goes.' Nicole looked sideways at her pilot. John seemed oblivious to her internal debate. At least, that was what she thought, until he asked, without looking away from the instruments: "Worried?"
"Eh, yeah, a little."
"No need. Though maybe I scared you off with all those stories about my brothers." Nicole chuckled.
"No, it's not that. It's just… well, you've told me about your family and stuff, and you've known my family for years, yet I've never met anyone of your family before, and I don't know how much they know about me." Nicole finished, looking at him intently.
"I have to admit, they don't know much about you. Just that you exist, that we used to be partners and that some of our free time, I spent at your house. Gordon and Dad know slightly more, and you spoke to Scott before. Don't worry though. They'll love you, I'm sure. Not as much as I do of course." John threw her a lopsided grin. "And you'll like them too. Just imagine four Ben's, Tracy style."
At this Nicole laughed.
"I always wondered why you didn't turn around and ran away screaming the first time you met Ben. Guess now I know the answer."
John grinned. A light began to flash, at the same time as there was a soft beeping. John turned a switch.
"Tracy 2, go ahead."
"Hey Bro!"
"Hi Alan." John signalled for Nicole to stay quiet. Then he turned on the vidscreen on his side. "What's up?"
"Nothing really." Alan said, trying to see the person on John's right. John hid a smile.
"Well then, how's the family?"
"Eh, they're fine."
"And how are you?" By then Alan had caught the amused expression on John's face, and he glared at his older brother.
"OK, John. You know why I'm calling. Now, who's your guest?"
John glanced over the instruments before turning his attention back to Alan, frowning slightly when he saw the interior of Thunderbird 5.
"Aren't you a little rude? By the way, next time, use the other background."
Alan blanched.
"Oops. Eh, what…?" John could clearly see Alan's dilemma, and helped him out.
"Don't worry. My 'guest' has clearance."
The relief was palpable, but John could see the wheels in Alan's mind turning. His youngest brother was trying to figure out who of John's friends had clearance. With the amount of time John spent at the mainland, the number of friends was limited already, let alone friends with clearance.
His eyes flew over the different instruments and readings again. Something struck him as odd. He just had to find out what exactly.
"Hey Al, could you give me my exact co-ordinates in thirty seconds from now?"
"Sure, something wrong?" Alan asked as he concentrated on his computer screen. John counted off. "3, 2, 1." Alan gave him the co-ordinates. John frowned.
"John?" Alan asked. Nicole also gave him a peculiar look.
"According to the meter I am 4 degrees East and 6 degrees North of the co-ordinates you just gave me." John explained.
"Huh?"
"Try again. 20 seconds from now."
The three people waited.
"Same. 4 East, 6 North off. At least it seems to be consistent." John muttered.
"Do you know what could be wrong?" Alan asked concerned.
"Any number of things, but I don't think it's something major. I'll check it out once we're home. For now we're fine. I'll keep checking in to make sure my calculations are keeping me on course. Can you give me the correct bearings from here?"
Alan nodded. "Anything else?"
John shook his head. "No, thanks Alan."
"OK, keep me apprised… now can I please be introduced to your guest?" He begged. John shook his head as he smiled.
"Alan, you're incorrigible."
"So I've been told."
"OK, because you won't be there when we arrive at the island."
The face of his youngest brother shone with eagerness. John punched a few buttons, and the vidscreen on Nicole's side activated.
"Alan, meet Nicole. Nicole, this is Alan, my youngest brother."
"Hi Alan." Nicole smiled at the blond man.
The look on Alan's face was priceless. "Eh, hi!"
"Alan, pick up your jaw." John chuckled, and got a glare in return.
"Well, I'm sorry! I just didn't expect your friend to be a woman!"
"Is something wrong with that?" John asked.
"No! It's just… well, a hint would have been nice!"
"Ah, younger brothers… they have to complain about something." Nicole sighed with a glint of amusement in her eyes.
"Younger brother's prerogative." Alan replied with a smile.
"Sure Alan, whatever. Anyway, keep me informed. If you see us deviating from the course, please alert me."
"Sure thing Bro. Alan out."
"Tracy 2 out."
Nicole's smile turned into a frown as she turned to John. "Isn't it dangerous to fly with instruments that give you the wrong co-ordinates?" John glanced over at her.
"No, it could have been had I not known if it was off or how much it was off by. I'll just take the old fashioned method, and use this concept called 'a map'. Could you get them?"
Nicole seemed to be reassured.
"Sure, where are they?"
Despite the flight taking several hours, the time flew for John and Nicole. John checked in regularly with Alan, he was called by Scott who just wanted to know how far he was; by Virgil, and even by Brains, who both were so curious they couldn't wait till they arrived. In between the communication and the calculations, John and Nicole either talked, or sat in companionable silence. Nicole even slept for about an hour, but she was bright and awake when they came in for landing.
John put the aeroplane nicely on the ground, and taxied it into the hangar. John could sense Nicole's nervousness increasing as they came nearer. When they had come to a halt, and John had shut down the systems, he put a reassuring hand on her arm.
"Come on. Let's introduce you to my family. If they bark, just show your teeth and they'll back off."
At this Nicole smiled.
"Somehow I don't think that's how your family works."
John grinned.
"No, not always… but believe me, when the men in this house 'bark', and the women, especially Grandma, 'show their teeth', the men will back off."
Nicole couldn't help but tease him. "Sounds like you've got experience."
The blond man groaned.
"Oh yeah."
They picked up their luggage; John opened the door and helped Nicole out. Just as they turned around, a door could be heard opening at the other side of the hangar. The two put their bags back on the floor, and waited side by side.
A/N: and you've reached the end… of this chapter. Next chapter is the very last one. I won't keep you waiting for it for too long. ;) Have a nice day!