It was a grim day on Tracy island.

The rain doesn't batter against the glass, nor does the wind tear across the island and shake the palm trees. They are used to such storms. They blow on through from time to time, forcing the inhabitants to weather them out and then passing by leaving room for the regular warmth and sun. Today is somewhat unusual. It's simply gray. The rain that falls down would probably be called an unpleasant nuisance more than anything else. It would have been considered a fairly standard winter's day in the northern hemisphere.

Somehow, it manages to match the atmosphere inside.

All have assembled in the living room. There is news. That was all anyone knows.

The entire family sits on the couches, huddled as much together as they dare. They wait anxiously for a follow-up to the very simple message that had been sent to Thunderbird 5 only a few minutes ago. Every second seems drawn out into an eternity. There's so much uncertainty and even a little confusion. Nobody dares to speak, fearing that somehow a handful of words an innocuous as they might have been might somehow be able to alter the winds of fate and jinx them. What is there to be said at any rate? All of them know what is to come:

Either relief or a devastating blow.

They'd all known about the GDF raid. There have been so many over the course of the past few months that they've given up on hoping. It's simply too painful and the disappointments have been too numerous. There had little reason to expect a warehouse apparently manufacturing carburetors in Norway to be any different but then John had received news from Colonel Casey herself. They were still trying to get all of the details together but for the first time in weeks and she was waiting to hear back from her team on the ground but at least it's been something. That's more than they've had in what feels like forever.

So the family had scrambled. They've all gathered together now. All they can do is wait, the family can scarcely even dare to breathe. A few glances are sometimes exchanged, just to check what the others were doing. All are more or less on the same page, anxious but doing what they can not to trouble the rest of their family with their own fears and doubts.

Finally, after what has seemed to all like an eternity, the authoritative figure of colonel Casey flickers into existence in the form of a hologram before them.

There's almost something of a collective gasp as all those present hold their breaths. Knowing that whatever comes next might well change all of their lives. Even Jeff, usually stoic, tenses up. He's grateful for the presence of his mother, the woman who takes his hand, letting him know that no matter what follows, none of them are alone.

"We've got her."

Never have a handful of such simple words brought such relief to Tracy Island. Nobody knows quite how to react to them. There is no celebration to be had. Only a somewhat stunned silence. It's exactly news that they had been praying for but after six months, increasingly not expecting. There have been so many close-calls, false leads and dashed hopes. Now, all of those weeks of sleepless nights, the fear, the uncertainty and the preparing for the worst are apparently at an end.

Slowly but surely, excitement begins to mount within the youngest. The eldest, are a little more cautious. They don't vocalize their concerns but a couple of discreet glances exchanged confirm that they're all thinking something similar. It's been so long, those who have seen what the world has to offer just that little bit more fear what comes next.

Colonel Casey understands. She gives them a few moments to pull themselves together, to come to terms with everything. It was Jeff who stepped forwards, facing his old friend, silencing his youngest before they can start with their demands without even needing to speak.

"How is she?"

"She's had it rough but she's alive. We're going to run a few tests, make sure she's alright but she seems well enough."

"So what are we waiting for?!" Alan jumps forwards. "Let's go get her!"

"Casey?"

Jeff asks his old friend cautiously. He trusts her and is utterly certain that she will do what is wisest and safest before caving in to her own emotions, no matter how powerful they might be. She won't sugar coat things or be pressurized, not even by someone she's known for almost half a century. When the woman hesitates, he takes it to mean that there is just some doubt. Not a lot. If there had been any major concerns, then she would have flat out said "no". Still, something must have given them some cause for concern because Casey doesn't immediately agree to it either.

The wait isn't terribly long but its enough to confirm that there's reason for doubt. Finally, the colonel answers:

"We'll make sure it's safe. Wait until tomorrow… Then, you can come and get her. The girl deserves to go home."

Not much else is said. It doesn't need to be. Tomorrow isn't all that far away. At least that's what they tell themselves. They've waited six months, one more day shouldn't be a problem.

All the same, some preparations need to be made. It's grandma who takes charge, recruiting the two youngest. They get the room ready with new sheets. They make sure that everything that the young woman could ever possibly need. The household elder assures them that she probably won't need all that much: warmth, comfort and a few good meals would ensure that she was well and mend fast enough. She's a fighter. She'll bounce back quickly. That's what they tell themselves before they've even seen her.

Kyrano will be staying over as well. He'll be desperate to ensure that his only child is alright. So they'll prepare one of the guest bedrooms as well.

It's a strange atmosphere that settles over the house. There should be nothing more than excitement, eagerly wishing every minute of the ticking clock to pass just that little bit quicker. That doesn't happen. Instead, they just do their jobs for the most part in silence. Even Alan and Gordon seem to sense that something, somewhere isn't quite right and that it's troubling the minds of the eldest. In many respects, everything feels unreal.

The six eldest stay up later than the two youngest. A few glasses of whiskey are exchanged as they stand around in the lounge. Just enough to steady their nerves a little bit. It's after midnight. Seven hours since they got the news. It still feels unreal and nobody quite knows how to react to it. Finally, Virgil speaks:

"Casey said "make sure it's not she safe. Does that mean they have some doubts?"

"Probably. Kayo's tough as nails and she hates her uncle but six months is a long time." Jeff responds with a heavy sigh. "We'll have to be careful with her."

"We've already updated all the security systems." John reminds them.

"She won't be going out on any missions any time soon. That's for sure." Grandma's tone leaves no room for debate. "If Casey gives her the all-clear, then we'll just have to keep an eye on her for a bit. God knows what she's been through."

Silently they agree.

Scott remains distant. In his own corner, he looks out over the troubled waters and the fine rain which lashes down against the glass. Six months since they failed. Six months since they lost her. What would be left after all that time?