"Mr Reeves, would you care to comment on this latest disaster with your hypercar?"
"Not really, no, besides, I'd hardly call it a disaster, just a slight malfunction of the magnetic system."
"The magnetic system?"
"Yes, that's what I said."
"According to my sources, the magnets used within the system were designed and supplied by Tracy Industries, is that correct?"
Tycho threw a very uncharacteristic glare at the small vlogging camera that had been shoved in his face by the very persistent reporter that had caught him coming out of Tracy Industries headquarters. "As I've said before, it was a test run, miscalculations are expected, that was why it was automated with no passengers or crew on board. No harm done, we live and learn. Each test run is helping to make my trains safer for everyone, of that I have no doubt."
"Do you have anything to comment on the accusations that are surfacing about the quality of Tracy Industries products?"
"No," Tycho's answer was firm and to the point. "Now if you would please excuse me, I have another meeting to attend." He pushed his way through the crowd, waving aside others that tried to talk to him. "No more questions please."
The scene faded, bringing the program back to the studio and the grinning face of the same reporter, sitting behind a desk, facing the camera.
"Well, there it is, Tycho Reeves's latest attempt at mastering hyperspeed has failed once again. As has been widely reported, Tycho teamed up with the reclusive inventor of the Thunderbird machines, known only as Brains, to iron out the problems faced during the original test run. Although it seems that bringing Tracy Industries on board might not have been the best decision."
The man's slicked back hair gleamed under the studio lights, shining almost as much as his teeth as he smiled a shark-like grin.
"We have been told, by a reliable source who wishes to remain anonymous, that this isn't the first time that a Tracy Industries product has failed, leading to near disaster, which was conveniently prevented by International Rescue."
He took a sip from his water glass, clearly hamming it up to the camera, building the tension.
"Now, as promised, we have exclusive footage that is being made public for the very first time."
The man faded from the screen, his image replaced by what was obviously ammature footage, taken from some distance away. It clearly showed Jeff from behind, his hand resting on the small of a woman's back, guiding her towards a restaurant. The camera followed them at a less than discreet distance, but it wasn't until they reached the restaurant doors, which Jeff held open for her, that she turned enough for the camera to zoom in on her face. The footage ended with them vanishing inside the restaurant.
The camera returned to the studio and the man at his desk.
"So, there you have it folks, the real reason that International Rescue is able to interfere in so many situations in which they should have no part. This surely represents a conflict of interest. I've said it once and I will say it again, International Rescue is nothing but a group of glory seeking, over funded, more money than sense, individuals that would do anything to stay in the spotlight. They send out dangerous products, ones that they know will malfunction, then they swoop in to 'fix' the problem. I've always wondered how a privately governed and funded organisation that reports to no one could have gotten away with such cavalier actions for so long, supposedly with the full support of the Global Defence Force, well now we know, we've seen it with our own eyes and, you mark my words, I will not allow this farce to continue. I plan on exposing International Rescue for the cowboys that they are."
He slammed his fist down on the desktop, his standard, and much anticipated, end to one of his weekly spirited rants. The audience lapped it up, cheering from their seats.
"That's all for this week, folks. Thank you to my wonderful audience and those of you watching at home, I'm Joe Cook and I'll see you next time on Exposed."
-xx-
The credits rolled on the screen but Scott quickly switched it off. "Dad? What's all this about?"
Jeff shifted in his seat, stretching his neck this way and that, a sure sign that he was extremely pissed off but trying very hard to stay calm. The family knew he wasn't annoyed at them but they had still felt the need to ask the obvious.
"It's exactly what it looked like I guess," he finally answered, knowing that they deserved some kind of explanation. "I wasn't intending to keep it from you, it's just that the whole situation is very new and honestly I don't know what it even is to explain it."
"It looks to me like you went on a date," Sally said, ploughing right through any protests he might have had, as usual.
"It wasn't intentional," Jeff started but he fell silent again, not knowing where to go from there. It was a delicate situation, one that he'd never thought he'd have to even face.
"Dad?" Virgil said quietly, waiting until Jeff looked at him to continue. "You don't owe us anything, not an explanation or a reason, what you do in your private life is up to you. We won't judge you or blame you, so don't feel like you have to tell us anything if you don't want to."
"Thanks, son. But I'd like to. It's just hard to find the words." And it was. So hard. Because, as much as he knew that his sons were no longer little kids that wouldn't understand, he couldn't help but see them that way sometimes. It was a father's job to protect his children, to keep them from being hurt, be that physically or emotionally and most days he felt like he failed spectacularly at it.
"We've got time," Scott assured him.
"That's just it," Jeff argued. "We don't. If this Joe Cook fella is as intent on causing trouble as he seems to be, things could blow up any minute."
"But none of it is true," Gordon said with a dismissive shrug.
"When has that ever stopped the press?" Jeff pointed out. "We all know that we've done nothing wrong, but the rest of the world doesn't."
"Well, they should do," Grandma huffed. "You boys have risked your lives more times than I can count in order to save theirs and they should know that you'd never do something like this."
"Be that as it may," Jeff interrupted, "the fact remains that I was caught in a friendly situation with a high up member of the GDF and that could reflect badly on both of our organisations."
The three Tracy boys and their grandmother stayed silent, waiting for Jeff to speak again, either to elaborate or to close the conversation.
"It started more than a year ago. Colonel Casey had offered me the job with Lee at their training center and I was trying to get my head together as best I could. Gordon and Virgil suggested that I make an appointment with Joel, so I did. But when the time came I had almost talked myself out of going, Casey stepped in and threatened to fire me before I'd even started if I didn't go, then followed that threat up with a bribe, she'd pay for dinner." He couldn't help the small smile that formed as he thought about the conversation they had had that day.
"It just became a bit of a routine. Not every time, obviously, but when we could, we'd meet up for a quick lunch or dinner, just to touch base. Honestly it was nice to talk to someone that wasn't family or Lee, but who knew me before and wasn't so focused on how I looked or what I had been doing all that time."
The family stayed quiet, allowing him to talk. They had things they could have said, but they knew the value of giving people the time to gather their thoughts and put them into words without interruption.
"I don't know what it is," Jeff finally continued. "And honestly I don't want to put a label on it. We enjoy spending time together, it's nice to have some company and that's all I know right now. It's not a big thing and we didn't want it to be, it's just us, that's all we have and all we want right now. No pressure, no expectations, no promises."
"And that's fine," Virgil assured him. "You don't have to put a label on anything if you don't want to, you're more than old enough to make your own decisions, you don't need our permission for anything."
"No, I don't," Jeff agreed, but he still felt the need to push his point home a little. "But I do need your blessing, and your understanding. I need you to know that this doesn't change anything, this doesn't mean that I'm looking for a replacement or that I love her any less."
The boys didn't need him to spell it out any more than that, they knew he was talking about their mother and they understood his reluctance to put that into words. Gordon glanced at Virgil, who in turn looked towards Scott.
"Dad, we understand," Scott said firmly, answering for them all, no discussion needed. "We know that you could never replace Mom, nor would you want to, but we also know that you deserve to grab whatever chance of happiness you can, we want that and we know Mom would too."
"No one expected you to live your whole life alone," his mother added. "You know how much I loved and still love your father but, harsh as it sounds, he's dead, not me. It doesn't matter who I spend time with in the future, it doesn't change the past and it doesn't take away from what we had."
"I know that John and Alan aren't here, but I know they would say the same," Gordon added.
"Whatever you do is up to you, but you have our full support," Virgil finished up, his tone just as firm as Scott's had been.
Jeff nodded, letting out the breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. It meant so much to him to know that his family didn't blame him or judge him for the situation they had found themselves in. "Thank you, all of you."
"There's no need for that," Sally said, brushing aside his thanks as if it were nothing. "But there is a need to deal with this," she paused to point at the now blank holoscreen, "as soon as possible."
"What do you want to do about it, Dad?" Virgil asked.
"I guess we do what we always do," Jeff answered. "We tell the truth and let the chips fall as they will."
-x-
"Just who the hell does that jerk think he is?" Alan growled, his eyes wide with disbelief as John shut off the feed.
"He thinks he's the man that's going to expose us as charlatans that care nothing for the people we save," John answered grimly.
"Well he's not going to get very far with that," Selene huffed, slamming her glass down on the table with more force than was necessary. "We can't let him get away with this, this is slander, this is illegal and above all it's bloody ridiculous!"
"She's not wrong," Alan grumbled. "Do we need to head back home?"
"No," John told him firmly. "I was heading back up to Five anyway, but I can divert by the island, you two are going to stay here, enjoy your time off and your comic con."
"But what about Dad?"
"What about him?" John shrugged.
"Do you think it's true?"
"That he's dating Colonel Casey?"
Alan nodded.
"I don't know, but it doesn't matter if he is or not, that's his business, not ours and definitely not the rest of the worlds."
Alan nodded, but something about the look on his face and the way he slumped against the couch told them that something wasn't sitting well with him.
"What's wrong, bub?" Selene asked, leaning over John to gently poke Alan in the ribs. "Don't worry about all this, it'll be fine. No one is going to believe any of this bullshit, you should know that."
"I know."
"Then what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
John studied his brother, his eyes scanning his face for some kind of clue as to what was bothering him. Alan was usually one of the most optimistic and positive people there was, nothing really got him down, so something like this reporter and his blatant lies shouldn't have even registered on his worry radar. No, it had to be something else, but there was only one possible thing…
"Is this about Mom?" John asked before he could talk himself out of it. He wasn't the best when it came to saying the right things at the right time, but Selene had taught him that sometimes it was better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission, and that went hand in hand in hand with taking a gamble and saying the first thing that came to mind.
Alan shrugged, making a face that said everything and nothing. Selene kept quiet, but her eyes had widened slightly and her hand had tightened on John's knee, letting him know that she was there.
"Alan?" John pushed, keeping his tone as gentle and unaccusative as possible.
Alan's bottom lip pouted out briefly, something he hadn't done in years, making him look young and vulnerable as he struggled to find the words to voice how he was feeling.
"It's not just Mom," he finally said. "Not really, it's just that…" he trailed off, unsure how to continue. He wasn't a child anymore, he was nearly twenty and applying for colleges, he shouldn't be feeling this way.
"Just…" John encouraged, letting his words trail off in offering, one that Alan didn't take him up on. "Alan, it's us, you can say anything you want, we won't judge you."
"I know," Alan sighed, but still he kept his thoughts to himself.
"I'm gonna grab us all another drink," Selene not so subtly announced, heaving herself up from the couch and toddling off towards the kitchen.
"Now will you talk to me?" John asked softly. He didn't know what Alan could possibly have to say that he didn't want to say in front of Selene but he'd learnt to trust her instincts when it came to things like this.
"There's nothing to say," Alan insisted, his arms crossing stubbornly.
"I beg to differ. You have what Sel calls a face like a slapped ass."
"I feel like an idiot," Alan started again, reaching for his empty coke can, needing something to fiddle with, his fingers plucking at the ring pull tab over and over.
"Why? What could you have possibly done?"
"I feel like an idiot because I shouldn't be feeling this way."
"What way?"
"Like I'm being a baby about this by feeling that Dad is doing something wrong," Alan finally admitted, his voice dropping almost to a whisper. "I don't remember Mom at all and all I can think is that Dad is wiping her out, like he's replacing her. It feels like he doesn't ...love her anymore."
"Al, I...I wish you didn't feel that way," John sighed, struggling to find the right words. "But I can understand why you would."
"You can?" Alan looked at John with eyes full of hope.
"Of course I can and I know Selene could too."
"What could I do?" Hearing her name Selene took it as an opportunity to come back in, carrying a tray of mugs filled with hot chocolate and a plate of her favourite chocolate digestive biscuits. She set the tray down and dropped back down beside John.
"Tell Alan how you felt when you found out that Celia was dating Parker."
Selene made a face. "Gods, that was a trip, I went through the whole spectrum of emotions, disbelief, a bit of horror, I mean it was my Mum and it was Parker and," she paused to shudder dramatically before continuing, "and it was sadness too, because I missed my dad and it felt like Mum didn't."
Selene said this so matter of factly that Alan felt himself relaxing a little. She didn't seem to feel bad about it, or be embarrassed to admit that she had felt that way, she made no excuses.
"How did you deal with it?"
"You mean besides freaking out and screaming when Mum didn't bother telling me what was going on and I thought she'd been kidnapped?"
"Yeah, besides that."
"I had to put on my big girl pants and talk to her about it," Selene said with a half shrug, a vague tipping of her left shoulder that said more than words could. "I basically had to get over myself, because it wasn't about me, it was about her and her happiness."
Alan stayed quiet, giving her a chance to continue, something that Selene never passed up.
"I had to remember that love is one of the most precious things in the world. It's something that should be embraced in every single form, as it's not something that should be limited. You don't ration out love, you don't hoard it, you don't run out of love to give and you don't stop loving people just because they are gone. That's the key thing, you can miss someone so much, you can love them with all your heart, but you can also have room in your heart and your life for other people."
"So you were OK with your mum dating again?"
"It's not like I have much of a choice in the matter, but now that I've gotten used to the idea I can honestly say that yes, I'm fine with it now. Parker was her first love and I truly believe that any chance at love should be grabbed with both hands."
"Didn't you think it was too soon?"
Selene did her little half shrug again. "I did at first, but who am I to say what is the right length of time for something like this? The only person that knew when it was the right time was Mum. She knew when she felt ready, when her heart felt healed enough, I guess."
Alan stared at her for a moment, then looked towards John, then back again.
"What are you overthinking now?" John asked, knowing his brother far too well.
"I don't know, I guess I was just thinking that…well," Alan paused, really not wanting to continue. "Forget it, it doesn't matter."
"Of course it does," Selene insisted, reaching over John to squeeze Alan's hand. "If something is bothering you and you want to say something then do it, you know that's how we work."
"Fine," Alan snapped, shaking off her hand and sitting up a little straighter, his whole demeanour going from unsure to challenging in the blink of an eye. "Are you honestly telling me that if something happened to John you would be fine with dating someone else?"
Selene blinked but recovered her composure as quickly as she could. She didn't know what to say, didn't know how to answer. So, as she often did, she said the first thing that came to mind and just prayed it was right.
"Honestly, I wouldn't be actively looking, no, because that's never worked for me before," she paused, swallowing hard, not even wanting to think about the things she was saying too closely. Not having John in her life was something that she refused to think about if she could help it, although the fact that his job meant the possibility was all too real was a constant hovering presence in her mind most days. She wouldn't want to be without him, she wouldn't want to live without him, but she also knew that not continuing on wasn't an option, it would be something that she would have to learn to live with, just as Jeff, Grandma and her mother had had to. She glanced at John, her hand unconsciously reaching for his, needing that grounding support of his presence, feeling him solid and alive next to her.
She didn't like to lie, she always tried to tell the truth no matter how hard it was, because people deserved it. She didn't shy away from the tough questions, she didn't do cop outs. But damn, did she wish that she did
"Meeting John was fate," she finally said, trying to order her thoughts, "I firmly believe that we are meant to be together and, if the worst ever happened and I just happened to meet someone else that felt right, then I would hope that I would feel brave enough to risk my heart again." That was all she could say, she needed to show Alan that taking another shot at happiness wasn't a bad thing if you found the right person.
"And what about you?" Alan asked John, the look in his eyes demanding nothing but the truth. "Would you be happy with the thought of your wife being with someone else?"
Selene felt John's fingers tighten on hers and squeezed them in return.
"I would want her to be happy," John answered honestly. "And if that happened to be with someone else then she would know that she had my blessing."
"It would be the same for me," Selene agreed. "As it was for Mum, when I thought about it properly I knew that Dad would want her to be happy. I knew how much he loved us all. Everything he did in his life was for his family, all he cared about was our happiness, so there is no way that he wouldn't want Mum to do what feels right for her. It's not a case of her moving on, because that implies she's supposed to forget Dad, it's not like they broke up and didn't love each other anymore, so there is no reason for her to forget him. Parker isn't a replacement, he's a new chapter in her life and I had to understand that."
"Same as I know that Mom would want Dad to be happy," John said softly. "Mom was very much like Rufus, she cared about us all and she would be the first to tell us to follow our hearts, you know that."
"But that's just it, I don't know that," Alan said quietly, the fire going out in him as quickly as it had come. "I don't know her at all, but all of you do. You all remember her and you all love her, especially Dad, and that kept her alive and a part of our lives in some way. And now Dad has changed that. He never seemed to want anyone else, all he cared about was us and International Rescue, now it feels like Mom isn't enough for him."
"Sweetie, your dad isn't replacing your mum, and it's not that she isn't or wasn't enough for him," Selene said softly. "But you have to think of this from your dad's point of view. He's spent eight years away from you all and when he got back he wasn't needed anymore, at least not in the way he was before," she hastily added when Alan opened his mouth to argue. "He needed something more to care about than just you guys and International Rescue."
"Eight years is a long time to be alone," John said. "Space can be the loneliest place even when you have access to people if you need them. Dad had no one, he didn't have the option to call home and talk to us. He thought he was going to die alone out there without ever seeing any of us again."
"But he didn't, we went and got him," Alan argued hotly.
"Yes, we did," John agreed. "But that doesn't mean that he's not still lonely sometimes. And that's not something he needs to be if he has the choice. All I'm saying is that maybe you should wait and talk to him, to see what he has to say before you make any judgments."
Alan seemed to wilt back against the couch again, looking rung out. He was quiet for a few moments before slowly nodding his acceptance of John's words.
"Can I go back with you to talk to Dad and come back here before comic con?"
"Of course you can. In fact, I was going to suggest it myself, I think what we all need is a few days to gather our forces, then we fight back."
-x-
"Mr Tracy, we're ready for you now."
"Thanks, we'll be there in a moment," Jeff replied, giving his tie one last wiggle to make sure it was straight. He smoothed his hands down the front of his jacket and called himself good.
"You don't have to do this if you don't want to," Scott repeated for what felt like the hundredth time. "I can handle this."
"I know you can, son, but you don't have to, we'll do it together, a united front." He glanced from Scott to Colonel Casey. "Ready, Tan?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Then let's get this show on the road."
As one they pushed the doors open and made their way to the small, raised stage on which a table with three chairs had been set up. Scott and Casey took their seats, but Jeff remained standing.
"Welcome everyone, and thank you for coming out today. As you all probably know, my name is Jefferson Tracy and I am the founder of both Tracy Construction and Aeronautics, the foundation on which we build Tracy Industries as it is known today, as well as the non-profit organisation that is International Rescue."
He waited, nodding politely to a few of the assembled reporters that felt his introduction was worthy of a little applause to finish before he continued speaking.
"I am joined today by my son, joint CEO of Tracy Industries, Scott Tracy, and Colonel Tanya Casey, a decorated member of the Global Defence Force. It has come to our attention that there have been a number of unfounded and quite frankly, damaging rumours circulating about International Rescue and our working partnership with the GDF."
He paused to take a sip of water, always finding such public speaking a little hard after so long out of the spotlight.
"We were shocked and appalled by the accusations that have been levelled at us by certain members of the press. We called this press conference in order to address this situation once and for all. We will be giving our statement and then answering any questions you might have. This will be the only time that we will give any time or publicity to such a ridiculous situation and, once this conference is finished, we will be putting this matter to bed once and for all."
A number of the press sat up a little straighter at this news, they had expected a statement but not the invitation to ask questions and now their minds were whirling as they tried to both listen to Jeff as well as decide on any questions they wished to put forward.
Jeff tried to ignore the camera flashes and whirling of camera lenses as they zoomed in on him, knowing that he had to stay calm and collected, one hint of weakness and they would pounce on it like vultures.
"It is true that Tracy Industries has experienced a small number of manufacturing issues recently, which were regrettably not spotted until it was too late. These products fell far below our usual high standard for quality, having been outsourced to a third party factory, owned and operated by one of our stockholders, by a member of our executive team. This individual has now been removed from their position and the company itself pending further investigation and the partnership with the factory has been dissolved effective immediately. The stockholder's rights have been suspended and legal action is being pursued. We have already reached out to the individuals and organisations that have been or may be affected by these issues and offered a formal apology as well as financial compensation and will continue to work with them to ensure an outcome that all parties are happy with."
Jeff's eyes scanned the assembled reporters, all of which were watching him with rapt attention, their focus fully on him, their phones, vlogging cameras and audio recorders pointing in his direction, capturing every second of his speech.
"It saddens me that I've even had to say this, let alone address it in such a public and formal manner. I had thought that our reputation would speak for itself but, since certain members of the press have decided that we are their new canon fodder for stories, I have felt the need to address it. Regarding the insinuation that these defective products were knowingly released as part of an elaborate plan to ensure that we could be the ones to perform a rescue, therefore claiming the spotlight and credit, I would like to go on record as categorically denying all knowledge of both the products and any kind of plan. International Rescue exists purely to preserve human life, we would never, under any circumstances, condone or be part of anything that would undermine the values and key principles of our organisation in such a way as to endanger human lives."
Heads all around the room nodded in agreement. As members of the press they had all, at one time or another, reported on the daring heroics performed by International Rescue. They had conducted the interviews with those who had been saved, they had seen the mighty machines in action and they had experienced the humble attitudes of every single member of International Rescue. They hadn't been comfortable with the story that Joe Cook had run but they were also not about to turn down a chance at a story.
"And lastly, the accusation that, not only are we operating in a way that is both dangerous and unscrupulous, in a way that the GDF is not just aware of but involved in, is frankly laughable. To question our honour is something that I never thought I would see, but to doubt the integrity of Colonel Casey and by extension the GDF, is unforgivable. To judge a situation based on a photograph taken during a private moment between two old friends and colleagues, is both morally wrong and a breach of our privacy. Private lives are just that, private, and will remain separate from anything related to International Rescue and its involvement with the GDF. To insinuate otherwise, to call into question the ethical and moral values of the GDF and Colonel Casey is uncalled for. To suggest that, because of Colonel Casey's personal relationship with my family, we get, or have ever asked for, special treatment, is to doubt the impartiality of the GDF and that is, in my mind, unacceptable."
Quiet murmurs rumbled through the audience but no one spoke up as they normally would. There was something about the way that Jeff spoke, the way he commanded an audience that demanded your full attention and no one dared to interrupt.
"I will neither confirm nor deny any of the rumours that are circulating regarding the nature of my relationship with Colonel Casey, and neither will she. To demand answers is an infringement on both our human rights and our right to a private life that is separate from our professional one, a right that everyone has. But, I will assure you on no uncertain terms, that however we choose to spend time together in a private, social setting, will have no influence or impact on the workings of the GDF or International Rescue. That is all."
Jeff spun on his heel and walked steadily, confidently, to his seat between Scott and Colonel Casey. Only once he was comfortably settled did he speak again.
"We will take your questions now."