I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I'm posting so soon after the last chapter post! checking pulse-then asking friends if they are sure it's me Yep, it's me. Well, thanks for the reviews! It's nice to know that you all are enjoying this story. I know I am, though when it's done, I'll dance for joy. This is kinda an interlude between the last chapter and the next one, but oddly enough, I think this is one of my favorites. It is one of those surprises this story has kept throwing at me. Before I knew it, this chapter was written and I'm staring at it like...wow. I don't know why, but it is. Please let me know what you think. ENJOY!

Miss Elizabeth

PS: bold words are signed, italized words are a comment

Chapter 24: Midnight Secrets and Morning Runs

Four very tired and very muddy THUNDERBIRDS arrived back on base late that night. Jeff took one look at them and put off the debriefing until the morning. Tracy Island turned in for the night, with the exception of Lona. After wandering around the different parts of the house, she finally settled in the command-control room; which was now disguised as Jeff Tracy's office. Curling her legs underneath her, she settled herself in his chair and took a deep breath. She could smell the aftershave he always used, and the flavored coffee he always drunk. A slight smile crossed her care-worn face; these were the smells of home and had been for most of her life. Looking across the room, she studied the faces of the six people who had been her entire world. Each of them was older, and carried the death of their mother on their faces in different ways. She carried the mark of death too. Three people she loved, well…yes, she had loved them, despite the fact that they never seemed to love her. Her father, mother, and brother were all dead. The Hood had murdered them. And that was something she could never forget, or forgive.

A signal echoed through the almost empty room, waking her from her thoughts. She had heard the same signal earlier. Her nimble fingers quickly found the button Jeff had pushed earlier and she copied his movement. John appeared on screen.

"Lonnie! What are you doing up? Where's Dad?"

They are all asleep. Very tired from hard rescue. Daddy Tracy said we all should turn in for the night. Debriefing is tomorrow. I couldn't sleep. She gave him a sheepish grin.

"Bet this is all a little much for you, huh? Kinda hard to comprehend sometimes; I know. Sometimes, I can't believe we are the THUNDERBIRDS myself."

Was this Jeff's idea after…after Lucille died? I heard about it, I…I wanted to go to the funeral, but…but I wasn't sure if I was…wanted. John's good natured face grew tight with a frown.

"Not wanted; Lonnie, how could you think that? Do you know how much your leaving us hurt all of us? How much is hurt Scott and Dad? Why…I'm sorry, Dad said we shouldn't ask you about it." Lona starred at the young man who was stationed miles and miles away from home, her mouth wide opened.

I…I left you! What…no! Daddy said you all didn't want to see me anymore! He said that Jeff wanted nothing more to do with me! I spent days trying to figure out what I had done to make you all hate me so much, but I didn't want to make you all madder at me then you already were, so I stayed away. It about killed me, thinking of all of you…hating me! To see all of you at High School Graduation and not talk to you. To hear how wonderful Lt. Tracy was flying the Attack Wing. I must of headed towards him a thousand times to tell him how proud I was of him, and tell him I was the other test pilot. I…I didn't think I could make it without you guys.

John stood in the control room of THUNDERBIRD 5, breathless. His eyes stared at the plasma screen above him, while his mind raced as fast as light. As his mind fought to piece together this surprising confession, one bit of information floated to the surface.

"Wait a minute, you were the other test pilot of Attack Wing? Scott saw you fly! He said the pilot made that plane do things even he wasn't sure it could do! He said it was the most amazing piece of flying he had ever seen! And that was you? Lona…Dad came to your decoration ceremony. Scott's was the next day and…well, he didn't want to go against your request, but he felt he had to be there on that special day."

Lona smiled, while her eyes glittered wetly. How like Jeff Tracy to come see her. But…then why had he told her father he did not want to see her anymore?

This makes no sense. Father…well he told me specifically that Jeff Tracy had asked to see him, and told him that he and his family…did not want to see me anymore. I would not believe him, but…but when you all did not answer the letters I sent and would not answer the phone…I, well I had to believe.

"You're right. This makes no sense. James Danvers came to see Dad. And he told him that you, with no explanation, had told him you wanted nothing more to do with us. We didn't want to believe it either, but we all agreed to abide by your decision. Though, I think it about killed Scott to do so."

Silence fell in the state-of the-art ship and the office, which concealed the command room of the world's greatest rescue organization. The two young people sat in thought, trying to piece all this unexpected news. Finally, John looked up and noticed the time.

"Oh, dang! Look at the time! Dad'll blow his top if he found out I was still up. We need to be in top condition, and I definitely won't be in the morning. You should go to bed too; you look about done in. The whole family was planning to talk about all this; the rescue kinda messed it up today though. We'll talk more in the morning. Maybe then our brains will be fresher, and up to the task of tackling this puzzle." Lona nodded.

You're right. You look terrible; you really need some beauty sleep. John gave her a mock frown.

"What? Are you saying I'm not the most handsome man you ever saw?" Lona gave a derisive snort.

Not likely. Goodnight. John answered the tenderness that accompanied the last sign.

"Goodnight, Lonnie. I'm so glad we got a chance to talk; I didn't think I would ever have another chance." He did not mean the separation, but her supposed death and she knew it.

I'm glad too. Now get some sleep, or Daddy Tracy will have mine and yours heads. They both signed off, and made their way to their beds. However, neither got much rest.

The next morning, all the Tracys on Tracy Island rose late. Alan was the last one to stubble into the dinning room, his father, brothers, Brains and his son, and Kyrano and his family were all seated around the table. Smothering a wide yawn, he flopped into his seat and grabbed the closest piece of food, toast.

"Good morning, Alan." Jeff stared at his youngest, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Mum mumphing, Dau." Scott playfully swatted his shoulder and all the Tracy boys joined in with him to say words Jeff had said a million times.

"Don't talk with your mouth full!" Everyone at the table laughed, while Alan's fair cheeks turned pink. Everyone dug in, and the next several minutes were silent as everyone was busy eating.

Scott finished peeling an orange, then frowned. Scanning all the members of the breakfast table, he then looked at Jeff.

"Dad, where's Lona? I haven't seen her all morning, and she's not at breakfast." Jeff also scanned the table, then abruptly stood up. Charging up stairs and down hallways, he did not notice Scott following behind him. Jeff reached the door and sounded the chime. He and Scott waited for a time, then tried the chime again. When Lona still did not answer, Jeff keyed in his override code and the door slide open. Flicking the lights on, they entered the silent room. Scott glanced at the empty made bed, then moved his gaze to his father.

"She's already up, but she didn't come down to breakfast. Where could she be?" Jeff shook his head, then activated the signal on his watch. Seconds later, a tosseled-haired John answered. He had obviously still been asleep.

"Hey Dad, did I miss the morning report?" Jeff, though worried, found it hard to suppress a chuckle. His adult son looked so young with his platinum blond hair sticking up all over.

"No son; though I'm surprised you were still in bed. I thought you were a morning person." John shrugged sheepishly, and tried to stifle a jaw-cracking yawn. "Anyway, the reason I called is that Lona didn't come down to breakfast. We checked her room, but she's not here. I wanted you to use the scanning equipment to scan the island for people. The rest should be in the breakfast room and Scott and I are in Lona's room." John was already heading towards the requested equipment. Nodding, he typed in the command while answering his father.

"Sure thing dad, hang on a sec."

Scott and Jeff waited impatiently for the scan to be completed. Finally, John's face moved back into the watch's small face.

"I've got someone on the beach about a quarter of a mile from the pool. I can't be sure, but my guess would be their sitting there." (Not really sure equipment can do that, but hey! It's the future!)

"F.A.B. son. I'll give you a ring when we get to her."

"Okay, Dad. That'll give me a chance to change into uniform. Talk to ya soon." Jeff watched as the screen returned to it's normal mode, then headed to the door.

Calling over his shoulder to his eldest son, Jeff said, "Let's go."

Lona stretched her legs out in front of her, then reached down to pick up a rock. Rolling it around in her hand, she cocked her arm back and threw it as far as she could. She was pleased to see it go farther then she had expected it to. It was great to know her injuries and captivity had not been totally debilitating. Glancing up at the clear-blue sky, she saw that it had to be well past breakfast time. Passing it off, she quickly decided to grab a snack bar when she got back to the house.

Stretching her arms up and back over her head, she stood and began warming up. This morning, she had awoke early and had taken a brisk run around most of the island. Now she was resting for a time on this beach, and would finish her time with a few martial arts moves. It had been years since she had used them, and she was rusty. As she began her kicks and arm movements, she let her focus wander to the beauty all around her. The swaying palms, blossoming flowers, pristine beach, and clear blue water all came together to make this place as close to paradise as she had ever seen. A smile graced her face as she thought of all this. Tracy Island had become her home in a matter of days; she did not think she could ever leave.

The snapping of twig broke her concentration, and she spun around, one leg half way through a kick. The sudden movement caused her to lose her balanced and she tumbled to the ground, turning it into a controlled roll at the last moment. Looking up at the cause of the distraction, she was shocked to see Scott and Jeff striding over to her. Sheepishly, she waved a hand, then began to push herself off the sand. The two Tracys reached her as she got her feet under her. Brushing at the sand that was clinging to her, she gave a silent laugh, and smiled at her family.

What are both of you doing out here? You should be eating breakfast.

"We could say the same thing. We were looking for you, you weren't at the breakfast table and we got worried." Jeff was not angry, he was more surprised that Lona would be out here. Lona's cheeks, already flushed with exertion, blushed to a deep crimson.

I didn't mean to make you all worry. I got up later then I usually do, and so I couldn't finish my run to the round house and back and the rest of my exercises in time for breakfast. I just planned on grabbing a snack bar before changing for the debriefing at ten. Jeff and Scott were shocked.

"You mean you jogged all the way to the round house and back this morning?" She nodded. "Why?"

I never got to exercise while the Hood kept me prisoner. I barely healed from one beating to the next torture. I was out of shape, and I wanted to work my muscles some. Besides, it gives me a chance to enjoy this beautiful paradise. I haven't seen anything but dark stone walls for years. Scott's face darkened with remembrance as he nodded his understanding. Jeff looked at the both of them then nodded.

"I think it is a good idea. I just wish you had told us. If something had happened to you, it would have been nearly impossible to find you. Now we know. I should have remembered what an early riser you were. You would wake the rest of us up on Saturdays, much earlier then we wanted." All three of them laughed and they headed together back to the house.