Chapter Two
Ardy picked at crab Rangoon; peeling away the crunchy little wanton spires that she did not like to eat. Too much fat for something so tasteless. As she picked the crunchiness off, she handed them over to John who munched on them. See, John didn't like the middle, and Ardy didn't like the outside, so it worked out well. Fermat sat on the couch, his meal spread around him in alphabetical order. Alan sat in the chair, eating whatever Ardy or John placed into his hands. It showed just how different the two dorm mates were. John broke the silence as she popped a shrimp into his mouth, talking around the slightly greasy morsel.
"So when's the graduation ceremony, Ardy?" he asked, petting his hand across his little ones head.
"Next week, but I'm not sure I'm going." She complained a bit under her breath. Ardy wasn't a very outgoing, public person, and John's chosen duty assignment of Thunderbird Five suited her quite well.
"Ardevorian McKay Tracy. That is practically blasphemy in this family, and you. No, you don't know it. No Tracy has ever NOT walked... at anything. No College graduation, no school graduation." John was nearly insane over this, and Ardy did the only thing she knew how to inflate his rant. She tickled his side.
Just a few hours later, Ardy was tossing a printout of her final grade statement onto Jeff Tracy's desk. Waiting until he picked up the paper to gratefully lower herself into a seat, she watched him over steepled fingers. Turning her head, she watched the monitor as John paced outside the door to the office. She knew her grades were good, knew Jeff would be proud. John didn't know though, because she didn't tell him. Alan had warned her as she printed off her semester grades that Jeff liked to know first. For once, she deferred to her father in law instead of her husband.
"This is a very good GPA, Ardy. You've upheld the Tracy name well." Jeff offered her his right hand, ready to shake. "Congratulations, Doctor Tracy. Why don't we invite John in and set some reservations over in London for some supper?"
"Thanks, Dad. I'll get right on that." Ardy nodded, pressing her hand into his to firmly grip, shake. Nudging her elbow against the intercom, she spoke into it. "John, come on in." she invited, licking her bottom lip. Pulling her hand from Jeff's hand, she looked to the door as it swooshed open. John nearly ran over to her, scooping her up and swinging her about.
"Four point oh, you sly little rat. Why didn't you tell me Ardy?" He spoke as if he had been slighted, but in truth, he was proud. His little spitfire was respecting the rules, even the unspoken rules of the family. She was good for him, but also the family.
"I'll make that reservation then, and change my clothes. Ah... Dad, John and I were thinking about getting away for a few days. If it's too much of a hardship though, we won't go."
Ardy watched Jeff consider this, rubbing a hand over his face. He gave a soft smile, and then nodded.
"Alright you two, you can go, but not for very long. You remember that emerald room panel we got a link on the other month? Well, we got a line on it. We need you two to pose as honeymooners, going to check out the islands confiscated items hold for it. You've got five days."