Author Note: Sorry for the delay on this chapter and if it's a bit short. One more chapter and we will have a few little time skips every few chapters or so to cover the whole time Ellie and Lucia are working for International Rescue. Thanks for sticking it out this far and I hope you are still enjoying it. I got a little stuck writing this one but I do hope you all still enjoy it.
Ellie stepped out on to the terrace and walked to the edge where it overlooked and partly overhung the pool. Sitting down on the edge, she slipped off her shoes and placed them to one side. Her legs weren't long enough for her toes to reach the water, not that she minded at that moment with she view she had before her. It was quite a breathtaking view and Ellie found herself envious. This was far more beautiful than any view from the beaches she worked at and they had asked her to stay. It wouldn't be forever, she knew that. Compared to Lucia she didn't have quite the same experience or breadth of knowledge. One thing Ellie knew for sure was that she couldn't say no to anyone in need of help. Perhaps there really was no one else, and they had come to her rescue when she needed it. She really was only a beach lifeguard though, compared to everyone else she just felt out of place. With her head spinning with thoughts between acceptance and denial, Ellie found herself looking down at the pool that lay just beneath her feet. She didn't have any swimmers but the pair of shorts and shirt she had found in the wardrobe that morning and put on would do fine down. Getting back to her feet, she crouched on the edge of the terrace and leaned forwards.
There was a small splash as she dove into the water. Enveloped by the water around her, Elle let herself sink towards the bottom. Here she felt and home and all her worries melted away. Pushing off from the bottom she surfaced to float lazily on her back and stare up at the blue sky above her. Slowly she let herself slip beneath the water and with a kick, dove to the bottom again. There was no method to her swimming, no routine or plan. She swam laps for a bit, alternating styles as she went, dove under the water and twisted herself in elegant underwater back flips. Eventually she just closed her eyes and floated, allowing the feeling of the water carrying her take over.
"Hey Scott, can you park me by the pool?"
While the music had been captivating, it was the splash he had seen in the pool that had Gordon captivated. He could only assume who it was out there but he wanted to confirm it. "What? ..Yeah. Sure." Was his older brother's dazed reply as he pushed him out to the edge of the terrace so he could look into the pool. "Don't try anything stupid, just call me if you need something" Scott warned him as he parked the wheelchair before returning inside to talk to Grandma and get some food in him. His morning run would have to wait for another time, or at least until his brothers no longer needed his help. Now that Scott had left him alone he could focus on the figure that swam beneath the water of the pool. It was Ellie, just as he had thought. Gordon found himself smiling as he watched her swim entirely in her own world, completely oblivious to the fact he was watching her. Leaning forwards, he found himself completely captivated and wanting to join in. Mentally cursing the fact he could barely move his legs, at least he could feel them now and that was better than how it had been. Still she was there and he knew she would 'rescue' him in a heartbeat. Besides the water was calling to him as it always had, neither could he resist giving his oldest brother a shock. Ellie was there so it wasn't like he was doing it alone. At least that was the rational as Gordon leaned forwards enough to tip himself to that point of no return to dive in.
The rush of water around him was exhilarating, though the lack of movement in his legs was frustrating at least his arms were fine. Beneath the water he could hear a muffled scream as he lazily drifted under the water using his arms to propel himself. He could see the hazy and yet concerned face of Ellie as she swam down to him and flashed her the most brilliant smile he could. Looping her arms under him she pulled him to the surface and the edge of the pool where she held them. Gordon still grinning like an idiot at her as held onto the side of the pool.
"Hey Squid girl, nice catch." At his words, Gordon watched her face contort in a myriad of expressions. Her mouth opening and closing like a fish as she tried to form the right words. "How stupid are you! Why would you do that? What if I hadn't noticed? What if I hadn't been in the pool? Would you have jumped in then?" The words tumbled from her mouth faster to form questions faster than Gordon could comprehend them. In an instant he felt more guilt wash over him than Scott had ever managed to heap on him for some troublesome prank he did as a child. It was actually seriously distressing her, he realised seeing the tears well up in her eyes. "Ah jeez Ellie, I'm sorry. I really am. I shouldn't have done it." Reaching out he pulled her closer to his body with one arm. He felt her bury her face against his shoulder, while her body shook with alarm.
Perhaps that had been too much, and Gordon was kicking himself for not trying to find another way to get her attention. After all he still needed to get her to agree to look after 4 for him. "Hey, Ellie. I wanted to ask you something." Gordon knew the moment she lifted her head and looked at him that she knew what he was going to ask. "Grandma huh?" he asked and was met with a cut nod. That woman was worse than Scott sometimes, if anything Gordon was glad of the many times Virgil had bailed him out of cleaning duty and the likes. "Then you know I want to ask you to pilot 4 for me and that Virge is asking Lucia now" he didn't want to pressure her into an answer, he was actually glad that Grandma had told them. Any extra time no matter how little to think was always a good thing. "I don't want to leave you guys short, but I'm only a lifeguard. That's all I know." Ellie still hadn't made up her mind, she wanted to know how she could help first and foremost. "I need you to look after 4, we don't get many water rescues but we're needed. You only need to worry about swimming and learning to control 4. Dad's promised Alan that if he kept up with his lessons he could take over my non water duties if he's not needed in space. Trust me, we do need you. I need you." Gordon gave Ellie a squeeze of reassurance, he wouldn't have asked if he didn't think she couldn't do the job.
Ellie wasn't entirely sure what to make on it, but from her view of the terrace she was kind of glad she could now see Scott rushing out with Grandma, Alan and Brains. At least they wouldn't be stuck here much longer. She wouldn't admit it but her arms and legs were starting to ache from treading water for so long while holding onto him and the side of the pool. She was startled if anything by the level of confidence he had within her. If he had confidence in her, to have someone believe in you was a wonderful thing. Especially in her work, things did not go well if you didn't have confidence in your team or it members. "Okay." Ellie said with a nod, "Okay yes?" came Gordon's reply as his face lit up, it was infectious enough that Ellie found herself unable to be angry with him further and smiled back. "Okay yes." She replied as the others reached them. She helped them lift Gordon out and pulled herself out and moved to sit by his side.
"I am never doing that again."
Gordon's first words made everyone laugh and every bit of anger Scott or Grandma or anyone else had been holding dissolved when they saw his smile and heard his admission. It was perhaps his sunny nature that if anything got him out of trouble on many an occasion as a child and still did today with family. "Lucia?! Is everything okay? Is Virgil alright?" it was the sound of Scott's voice as he raced to meet Lucia at the edge of the terrace that came out of the kitchen before the big step down to the pool. Gordon and Ellie watched as he lifted her down the drop and she shook her head. "He's fine Scott, he's resting upstairs. I heard Ellie scream and seen Gordon in the pool from upstairs. I came to check on Gordon for your brother's peace of mind." She reassured him with a squeeze to the arm before turning to march towards them, fully intent on giving him a what for until she saw Ellie's face. Crossing her arms, Lucia levelled her gaze on Gordon.
"Right then, Back to the infirmary for you. Once you've been checked out I can give your brother the glorious news that you, despite a lack of any common sense are still alive and intact." The comments were met with another round of laughter from everyone. "I don't need to say anything little brother, she's got you pegged there." It was Scott with a hand patting Lucia's shoulder from behind while almost doubled over in laughter, giving her shoulder a squeeze he looked at her. "I take it you accepted" and at her nod, "Well you'll fit right in just fine." As he walked passed her to kneel down and scoop Gordon up into his arms. "Well, infirmary first and then dad wants to talk to everyone." It seemed as though the patriarch of the house was awake and waiting for them all to come join him.
Once Gordon had been given the all clear they had returned to the living area and gathered on the lounges and chairs around the table that Jeff Tracy leaned against having left his desk. In patient silence he waited until everyone had gathered, thankfully those rescues that had come in John had found help within the area that could get them out in time. There was little time to waste and he needed to know the answers of the girls now. Once he did they could get the ball rolling in adapting what equipment they needed to for the girls to use, especially considering the height difference between Lucia and Virgil. Well truth be told he only needed to know Ellie's decision. He had already heard Lucia's, in fact he had heard her playing and for a moment he found himself reminded of his wife. Lucille had so loved the piano and the joy and talent Virgil possessed had come from her. I fact she had taught him from the moment he had shown interest right up until she has passed. Until now Virgil had been the only one to play on the Island. So he had listened in the shadows and watched her and Virgil speak.
"I've gathered you all because as you know we have a situation here at home to fix. Firstly though Lucia, Ellie have you given thought to what we have proposed and have an answer?" Jeff Tracy was not a man to beat around the bush when it came to wanting to know an answer for something. Actually he was not a man to beat around the bush for any reason. Neither was he about to let Virgil and Lucia know he had been practically eavesdropping on them. "We accept" It was Ellie who made the reply after looking at Lucia who gave her a slight nod. "Good, I had hoped you both would. I'd like to introduce you both to Brains, he's the man behind the machines and technology. He's going to need you both so he can make the adaptations required. While you are both doing that I will however need your full names and where you currently are employed so as to make the connections to let them know we will be borrowing you both for the time being." Jeff replied without delay, he wanted to get things moving as soon as he possibly could. He also needed to talk to his sons about how they were going to go about teaching the young women what they needed to know.
"Lucia Anderson, I'm based at the Stromlo Rescue Centre." Lucia made the mental note to approach Jeff later. She knew he would hear why she was on leave currently when he contacted them but the least she could do was let him know it wasn't going to affect her here. "Elizabeth Wilson, I'm a Lifeguard for the Sutherland Shire Council in Sydney" There was a pause when everyone gave her what appeared to be a somewhat confused look, "Ellie is my nickname, I only use Elizabeth for paperwork." She explained quickly with a chuckle before she looked towards Brains with Lucia. "R. , well l. 's get you both d. to my , so we can get ." he stammered with a smile, motioning for them both to follow him. As soon as they were both gone Jeff turned towards his boys, "I'm going to make these calls, when I come back I'm hoping you have all worked out how we are going to train these girls in what they need to know. It's only a matter of time before we get a rescue that John can't find outside help for." Jeff set them the task before leaving to stand out on the upper terrace to make the calls. It did not take long to find the numbers or people he needed to contact. Neither did it take long for him to discover the concerning news about Lucia and the reason she had been assigned indefinite leave. By the time he had returned inside, the boys had come up with several ways to combat the lack of experience in some areas the girls would produce. For the first time since hearing two of his sons had been injured, Jeff felt an odd sense of relief.