A Christmas Surprise
John went Christmas shopping for his family in Chicago, both Violet and Lucy didn't have any presents for their parents but they didn't know what to get them until they went to one place. Set after A New Tracy
Disclaimer- The Thunderbirds and Chicago Fire are not mine
It was a couple of days before Christmas and the Tracy household was getting the decorations up. Lucy and Violet were helping when they saw a picture of their parent's wedding at a Firehouse and was interested by it. John was home from Thunderbird 5 and saw the girls looking at the picture. "What are you looking at?"
"Uncle John, we are looking at this picture with Mum and Dad outside a Firehouse. What was going on in that photo?"
"Well, when your parents were dating your mum was involved in a terrorist attack and your Dad went looking for her. They meet the men and women from a Firehouse in Chicago, the ones that rescued your mum from the train derailment. Now I am in need to go to Chicago to complete my Christmas shopping, so why don't you come with me."
"Thank you, Uncle John, plus we still need to get some presents ourselves." John went to speak to Jeff about going Christmas shopping and taking the girls with him.
"John, you better speak to your brother first."
"I was going to. Anyway, I was going to go to Chicago and whilst I was there, I might visit some old friends."
"Fine. But still speak to your brother." John left the office and went to find his brother and found him in the silo working on TB1.
"Hey bro, your girls want to go Christmas shopping and as I am going to the mainland. They were wondering if they could come with me?"
"Of course. Please don't do anything reckless you know running into a burning building and getting yourself injured or even being killed."
"You know I wouldn't dare do that unlike two of my brothers who like to always get themselves into sticky situations."
"I don't know what you are talking about." Scott replied with a grin on his face.
John, Lucy and Violet went to the hanger before getting on the plane to fly to O'Hare airport "Uncle John."
"Yes Violet"
"I was thinking for Dad. Maybe we can get some of 51 to come to the Island."
"I don't know girls, but what I can do is ask Grandad and see what he says also we could visit them if they weren't busy."
They left the airport and headed towards a shopping centre which was packed especially this close to Christmas. John got a few presents for all of his family. After they had finished shopping, they headed to 51 where they were hoping that the second shift was working at the Firehouse today.
"Girls when we get to the Firehouse, we need to remember we will be guests and also when the bells go off, we need to make sure that we need to stay out of the way as it is still a working house."
"Alright Uncle John." They were walking towards 51 where they saw all the trucks and then they saw a memorial so they went over to have a look. John stood there shocked to see who the memorial is for. "Uncle John who was Brian 'Otis' Zvonecek?"
"Otis was a firefighter here at 51, and he was a brave and funny person and he co-owned a bar called Molly's." Just as John was explaining someone walked out of 51 to see three people stood at Otis's memorial.
"Can I help you?" Blake Gallo the new candidate asked them.
"No thank you. Well actually I was wondering if Matt Casey was around?"
"A friend of the house." Gallo went to find Captain Casey not before Hermann and Brett came out to see what was going on after hearing the candidate talking to someone.
Lucy and Violet turned around to see two people looking at them. John originally had his back to the Firehouse, well that was before he heard Lucy talking to him. "Um, Uncle John who are they." John turned around and saw that it was Brett and Hermann and saw the looks on Hermann and Brett's faces.
"Hello Mr Tracy. How have you been?"
"Great. How have you guys been here at 51?"
"Well Dawson left a year ago to help with a crisis in Puerto Rico and that is where she has been ever since. Otis on the other hand saved my life whilst sacrificed his own in the progress. It is still really fresh for most of us especially with Brett and Cruz and no one wants to touch his locker. Why don't you all come in we would love to see you again and to meet these two properly because last time we meet them they were only little."
They walked toward the Firehouse where they saw that everyone was gathering after they had heard they had a guest. John and Hermann continued to talk "I read about that call and we all wanted to help you after everything you did for my family 14 years ago." They all walked into the Firehouse where Casey and Gallo were walking back towards them so they all went into the common room "Captain look who dropped in."
"Well, I be damn. John Tracy, I haven't seen you in years. Who are these two?"
"They two are Lucy and Violet Tracy Scott and Emily's girls and they are alive thanks to the work that you did here at the Firehouse."
"Mr Casey we were wondering if we could have a word please."
"Follow me then" John, Violet and Lucy followed Casey to his office where they could have a chat.
"Mr Casey we were wondering if you would like to come to Tracy Island with us?"
"Um, what is the catch?"
"No catch we want to surprise our parents. They have done so much for us and we want to repay that but every present we think of it doesn't seem right. And we have seen pictures of 51 but they never talk about."
"I will have a speak to the Chief."
Casey went to speak to the Chief "Um Chief please can I have a quick word."
"Sure, what is up Captain?"
"Well, we have some old friends here and well I was wondering if I could have a few days off by using some of my annual leave just over Christmas and then I will be back for shift."
"Consider it granted especially after the year we have with everything that has gone on here at the house. You can have a week and half off over the Christmas break and then I will see you when you return."
Casey left Boden's office to head back to his office as he passed through the common room and heard people talking. "So, what do you guys do in free time?" The girls looked at John for help and guidance.
"Well, I am a keen swimmer but other than that we are at a boarding school must of the year. We have heard stories saying that you guys rescued my parents." Violet answered.
"That was a hard rescue on this house especially after we found a Jane Doe no name, no family nothing and then a boyfriend made himself known." The girls sat and listen to the story knowing how these people changed their parents lives as they were telling the story the bells went off 'Squad 3, Truck 81, Engine 51, Ambulance 61, Battalion 25 10-77 high rise' John and the girls sat there until Casey looked at them.
"We need an extra man on truck want to join us. The girls can help on ambulance" The girls looked at John and of course John couldn't say no.
"Yes" They all headed towards the rigs. John joined Gallo and Mouch in the back of 81 whilst the girls joined Brett and Foster knowing that they would get into trouble from their parents but they didn't care.
They arrived at the building Lucy and Violet stayed out of the way knowing full way they will help to save lives. They were worried about John going into the building. "Mouch, Gallo and Kidd work together and Tracy and I will work together." They realised that this was going to be bigger than they thought.
"Captain how about The Thunderbirds? They would have the equipment needed to deal with this."
"I think you are right Tracy" Casey went over to Chief Boden and Walker to talk about what he thinks. "Chiefs this is going to be too much for us to handle can we ask International Rescue as they have more equipment.
On Tracy Island the call comes in "Ok boys, the Chicago fire department have asked for our assistance with a high rise fire. Scott you head over in 1 and I want the rest of you to head across in 2."
"FAB" They made their way to Chicago and when they arrived the site was a mess but the last people the except to see there was John and the girls. Scott walked up to the girl "Dad please don't be mad Uncle John us we can help longs we stay out of the way and do as we are told." Brett walked over to the girls who were talking to someone who is working for International Rescue.
"You girls alright?"
"Yes, thanks Brett, what do you want us to do now?"
"Girls how about you make sure the firefighters are alright we can finish up here." The girls went to check on the firefighters that had just come out of the building giving them bottle of water. Between the fire department an International Rescue it only took 10 hours to get the fire under-control which allowed everyone to go home.
The girls and John joined 51 heading back to quarters all cover in muck but they enjoyed it. Lucy and Violet could understand what it meant to save lives the love people get by helping people.
It was the 23rd December and second shift had just finished their 24 hour shift in time for Christmas. Most of 51 was going to be spending it friends and family where Matt Casey was going to be spending it on a remote island with people he had only meet once 14 years prior and now he is going to be spending Christmas with them.
"I have just got to run to my apartment to get some clothes and then I will be ready."
"FAB. Shall we meet you at the airport?"
"Yes, that will be fine as when I get back, I will need a vehicle."
"Alright, our plane is at O'Hare airport and then use Gate 4 which is used for private aircraft."
"Alright meet you in 20 minutes." They all arrived at the airport for the long flight back to Tracy Island.
Casey couldn't believe the size of the Tracy 1 he joined Lucy and Violet in the passenger area. "What is the story about our parents? They don't really talk about it."
"Well, it was a normal day until there the bells went off for a train derailment, once we got there it was a mess squad 3 found a woman who was unconscious so she was loaded into the ambulance and was taken straight to hospital. After the incident your father was looking for mother and to us, she was just a Jane Doe until Scott found Emily in Chicago Med. My wife and I looked after your father whilst he was here in Chicago and he even told my Chief his big secret and he did a shift with us. Then things changed and got out of control so your uncle had to come and sort his mess out."
"What about the wedding?" Lucy asked
"Well, it wasn't the first time we had a Firehouse wedding, and to see how close your family is. I am always surprised how they work and the equipment that they use."
It was another hour or so before they got back to the Island and the next problem, they had was they had to 'hide' Matt until Christmas from their parents. Matt was allowed to explore the Island but had to stay hidden from the Tracys. Having this down time allowed his to do any paperwork he has yet to do.
It was finally Christmas day and when the Tracy family got together and they all exchanged presents but the only people who hadn't had presents was Scott and Emily from the girls.
"Mum Dad me and Violet would like to give you a present that will make you happy surprised." The girls left the room to go and get their Christmas present. "We would like everyone to close their eyes."
"Surprise!" Everyone opened their eyes and saw a face they haven't seen for 14 years. The look on their family's face was priceless. Both Scott and Emily were overwhelmed Casey helped to save them.
Matt enjoyed spending Christmas with the Tracy's although some of 51 were wondering where Matt had got to for Christmas but they didn't bother him. International Rescue did get a few call outs and Casey joined them.
Everyone was sat around talking to Casey, both the girls looked at each other knowing that they have given their parents a gift they would never forget.
Happy Christmas Everyone. Stay safe in the current climate wherever you are in the world.