Sorry guys! This update took a bit longer then I though cuz we had some tweaking of the chapter to do. But here it is, in all it's...glory...? Anywho, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I'm finally feeling as if the story is moving in the direction I always wanted it to. These Tracys are tricky. They keep bring stuff to me that I did not orginally plan for the story but really does fit. I hate it when characters get out of hand. Trying to hold back Lona and Scott as they beg once again for more scenes in the chapter. Not yet guys!

ANYWHO, the next chapter looks to be coming right behind this one. Please let me know what you think of how the story is going, good or bad. I really want to know what I can do better and what I nailed. Till next time.

Miss Elizabeth and Katya

P.S. When I first posted this, I forgot I had to change all the signed phrases to bold. For any who might have been confused by this, I appologise. I think it's all fixed now. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 18: Finally Some Good News, Right?

After what seemed like half a lifetime, they had finally reached their destination. Scott peered through the bush and saw the villagers going about their daily lives unaware of their audience. For sometime, he sat there, not moving, watching the people. It almost seemed unreal. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he realized that the hell he had been living in for over a month was what was unreal, not this. But to help him cope, his mind had tricked him into believing it was normal. He glanced over at Lona, feeling a twinge of guilt for forgetting about her. How had she done it? How could she act so normal, especial after all she had been through? He felt ravaged after only a month; he could only imagine how she felt.

Lona looked over at Scott, and was about to ask him what he thought about the village when she saw a look in his eyes that troubled her. Was that…pity?

What is that look for, Scott? He had the decency to look ashamed.

Nothing. Just watching the villagers. She was not amused, and she was not going to let it go.

Don't lie to me. If we're friends, then tell me the truth Scott. He looked at the village one more time, and then started to pull her away. She allowed him to lead her away for a little while, since they needed to find a place to hide until night fell. Finally, after they had found a small cave where they could rest and not worry about being seen, Scott answered or rather tried to answer.

"Well, I was just thinking…you know…well about going home." Lona waited for a few minutes, but he did not continue. Finally, she prodded him on.

Yes? What was it about going home? He sighed and stared out into the sun lit world. How could he say this, especially to Lona?

"Well…it just feels kinda weird, ya know? I mean…well…"

You're not the same person as before. No Scott, you're not. No one could be after going through what you have. And I'm sure it will seem strange at first. But your family and friends love you no matter what, right? You at least have people who are waiting for you. You have a home to go back to. Oh Scott, I did not mean to say that! Now Lona was the one to not meet his eye. He waited a moment and then asked.

"You don't have anyone who misses you? Do you have a home?" She shook her head and looked resolutely out the cave's mouth. Scott was at a loss. He would extend an offer to come home with him at once, but his father was resolute about the rule concerning non-International Rescue members allowed on the island-as in none. Though Scott did and had trusted Lona with his life, he knew his father would not be able to trust her at first.

No, he would not care what his father would think. Lona had done more for him then he could ever tell. He was not about to just send her off on her own. Though-he had to chuckle at the thought-she could take care of herself. No, she was going with him to Tracy Island; she deserved no less.

"You do now. You are welcome in my home anytime and for as long as you need." She slowly turned her head and met his gaze for the first time in a while.

Thanks. But it's not necessary. I'll be fine on my own. He had to smile as he signed his answer.

I'm sure you would be. That's not the point. You are coming home with me, and there is nothing you can do or say that will prevent that from happening. She had to smile at that.

All right. I accept your order…I mean offer.

Dusk had fallen, leaving the rainforest dark and grim without the sun's rays. A slight mist hung in the air as the ground and foliage began to cool under the moon's cooler light. Lona and Scott, who was being lead by her, were carefully making their way to the small shed that sat alone on the outskirts of town. Sticking up from its roof was the radio antennae, which they hung all their hopes on. After what seemed like hours, they reached the door of the shed only to find it locked. Lona had thought this might be the case after what had happened last time. She shook the door as quietly as she could but to no avail. Forgetting their need for silence, she hit the door with all her might. Before she could do it again, Scott grabbed her hand and quickly signed her to stop or they would be discovered. This brought her to her senses, and she began thinking how to get Scott and herself into the shed. Suddenly, an inspiration came. She sent Scott back a little ways towards the village to make sure no one was coming. Then, she stretched a bit and prepared herself. Getting herself into the right position, she drew her leg up and back as far as she could, then struck out. The cheap door hinges really did not have a chance. Scott saw her signal and walked back to the shed. What he saw shocked him. There was the door hanging from the lock, and Lona waving to him from inside the shed. Shaking his head, he walked into shed.

He quickly walked over to the old wave radio and sat down in front of it. Lona came over and placed a hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

I will stand by the door and make sure no one sees us. Call IR and tell them were you are. Then tell them to pick us up at these coordinates. She quickly wrote down the coordinates on a pad lying by the radio. He nodded, and then waited until she took up her lookout position. He wondered if she was using the lookout excuse so she could give him some time with his family. Scott smiled and began warming up the old radio. Lona knew precisely what he wanted sometime before he did himself. When the radio was ready, he began radioing International Rescue.

"Come in International Rescue. Please respond. I repeat, come in International Rescue."

John had been working at his computer through the night and had only taken breaks during the day to eat meals with his family. It was now 1:00 in the morning, and he had been at the bank accounts for roughly 24 hours. Thirty minutes earlier, he had rested his head on his desk assuring himself he would rest his eyes for a couple minutes. His deep sleep was broken by the alarm indicating that International Rescue was getting a call for aid. He ran over to the communications array set up in his room and switched it on. He was just in time to hear the last bit of the message.

"…t, come in International Rescue." He frowned for a moment. That voice sure sounded familiar, but where had he heard it? Shaking himself mentally, he quickly responded.

"This is International Rescue. What is the nature of your emergency?"

Scott could not believe it. There was John's voice; there had been times recently where he had wondered if he would ever hear it again.

"John, this is Scott." He could hear the silence coming from his brother, then a loud shout of joy.

"Scott, is that you? How are you? Are you all right? Where are you? What happened to you? Did they treat you terribly?" Scott had to laugh at his younger brother's questions.

"John, it's me. Scott Carpenter Tracy. And you are John Glenn Tracy. I'm fine, or as fine as I can be right now. I'm in Malaysia in some small village. I was kidnapped by the Hood, but I escaped with the help of another prisoner. Most importantly, though, I want to go home. Can you arrange it?" John had to laugh. It was Scott all right.

"Hold on Scott, before we set anything you need to talk to Dad. Ummmm, hold on a moment Scott."

John went and opened his door, which was being pounded on with great force. There stood Virgil, just who he wanted.

"Virg, I know you have a question, but it has to wait. I have Scott on the radio, and…" Virgil pushed him aside and ran to the radio.

"Scott, is that you?" John smiled and went to get his dad and switch the radio call to the lounge radio. He could just imagine his father's expression when he hears Scott was on the line.

Scott's smile grew until it threatened to stretch his face permanently when he heard his favorite brother's voice.

"Yeah, Virg; it's me. How have you been?"

"Oh, just fine! I've only been graying prematurely and running the risk of having early heart failure! If you ever do this again, I swear Scott, I'll kill you myself!" Scott smiled sadly. He knew this whole situation had been hardest on Virgil, and he was only letting out his pent up worries and fears, but it still hurt.

"I'm sorry, Virg." He heard the sigh over the radio.

"You know I don't mean it. I was just…Scott, I've never been so scared before in my life!"

"You and me both, Bro. Now, I hate to break this up, but I need to get out of here. So…"

"SCOTT!" He smiled; he had not heard his father's voice in so long.

"Hi, Dad." John watched his father hold the edges of his desk so tight that his knuckles were dead white.

"Hi, Son. It's great to hear from you. Where are you?"

"I'm in Malaysia, and I have coordinates for you to land at so you can pick me up. I'd kinda like to come home." Jeff chuckled; it was either that or cry.

"We'd like to have you back, Scott. I'll send Virgil there at once in THUNDERBIRD 1 and…"

"Dad…um, could you hold on." Everyone waited breathlessly for his brother to get back on the radio.

"Dad, Lona tells me that it will take us a little while to get to the landing position, and it sounds big enough for THUNDERBIRD 2. I think that would be better. Besides, it has better defenses." Jeff missed the reference to the possibility of attack; instead, he latched onto the name.

"Scott, who is Lona?" Scott sighed. This was turning into the Twenty Questions, and he did not really have time for this.

"Dad, Lona was a fellow prisoner of the Hood and helped me a great personal risk. She was the leader of the escape attempt. I only helped when I could. She has no where to go, and I'm not going to let her go back and have to face…His wrath."

Lona kept her face turned to the path to the village, but her attention was focused completely on the dialogue taking place behind her. She had at first felt relief and…happiness when she had heard Jeff Tracy's voice, but now she was…well, hurt. Of course, he could not possibly know who she was, and he would be wary after losing his oldest son for over a month, possibly forever. She had to admit, she was thankful for Scott and the attempt he was making on her behalf. However, would it work?

"Dad, I'm sorry, but we need to leave soon, or we'll be discovered. I need to give you the coordinates."

"Alright, Son. And tell…Miss Lona she is welcome." Scott let out a thankful sigh and nodded.

"Yes sir. They are T546 F87i; we'll see you there."

"We'll be there, Son. Until then…"

"Yeah Dad." Scott turned off the radio and turned to Lona.

"Guess it's time to go. How long will it take to get to the clearing?" She did not answer him at first but walked over to the pad and grabbed the first three pages from the pad. Then she tore them into little pieces. She looked around the shed until she found a box of matches, then she set fire to the pieces of paper. Then she crushed the ashes into the dirt floor of the shed. Scott watched the whole thing; he could not understand why she was doing this. She looked up at him and signed the answer to his unasked question.

I have to make sure that the Hood can not find our position. He would have his slaves put the paper back together, no matter how small I tore the pieces. He just nodded his head.

"So, how long will it take us?"

Only half an hour to an hour. We need to get going.

Mullion shut off the receiver and turned to his employer. The Hood had been furious after losing the London Agent's car, but this more then made up for everything. He was so glad that he had thought to bug the village radio; his hunch that the silent one would return to the village had been correct.

"Good work, Mullion. We must set up…a welcoming committee."