Thanks to everyone who's reading and reviewing! Or, just reading and enjoying. Again, I don't own the Thunderbirds, wish I did...

John stood in the shower let the hot water wash over him. He leaned with one hand against the wall, and the other wrapped around his chest. He ached all over, body and soul. Finally, when his skin rivaled that of a boiled lobster, he stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist. He paused and scowled at his reflection in the mirror. His chest was a myriad of shades of black and blue, the slice on his left arm nearly matched the scar on his right, and his right cheek had the beginnings of a lovely shiner. He went into the bedroom and was pulling on his pants when Christa called out to him.

"John? How are—"

"Jesus Christa! Stop doing that!" He burst into a coughing fit and sat down on the bed, his legs shaking. "I thought you had gone to work?"

She smiled and shook her head. "I took a few days off."

John sighed. "Christa, you don't—" He held up a hand to stem her protest. "Let me finish. You don't have to do that for me, but I'm glad you did. I'm glad you're here." His blue eyes bored into hers.

She walked over to stand next to him, and lightly ran her fingers through his damp hair. "I'm glad too. Lie back."

John grinned. "Really?" He shifted backwards and lay on his back on the bed.

"Don't get your hopes up champ." Christa pulled her stethoscope out of her bag and listened closely to John's chest. "Breathe…In…Out…In…Out…Good." She pulled it out of her ears and ran her fingers along his chest.

"Hey that tickles…Ouch! Dammit Chris!" John flinched as she hit his sore ribs.

She glared at him. "First off, don't ever call me that again. The name is Christa. Second, you seem fine, no complications which is a relief all things considered. Third—"

John grinned. "There's a third?"

She ignored him. "Third, you're not going anywhere or doing anything today. I want you resting, understand me?" Her tone booked no argument.

John snapped off a salute. "Ma'am, yes ma'am."

She swatted him lightly. "Brat." She sat down next to him on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling this morning?"

John's shoulders slumped. "You want the truth? Terrible. Everything hurts and I've got at headache and the chills." He replied wearily.

Christa frowned and touched her hand to his forehead. "You've still got a fever. Didn't they give you any antibiotics at the ER?"

"They gave me something. I guess I forgot about it with…everything. The bottle is downstairs in my coat pocket." He started to sit up and coughed again. "Dammit!" He rasped, gasping for breath.

"Easy John." Christa helped him to a sitting position and his breathing eased. "You're not doing anything today. In fact, I don't want you leaving this bed."

John twinkled his eyes at her. "Really? I think maybe you should join me, just to make sure I stay put."

She smiled back. "Yeah, you think so?"

"Sure do."

She leaned forward and kissed him deeply. "I love you. I'm going to hop in the shower. Don't go too far." With another kiss, she left the room.

John watched her go, and when he heard the water start, he went downstairs into the kitchen. He quickly made himself a mug of cocoa, and wandered into the office. He sat down in front of the desk, and glanced up at the clock. Doing some quick mental juggling, he figured it was just after dawn. He knew his father would be up and taking a deep breath, dialed the island.

"Hello?"

"Hey Dad."

Jeff's eyes lit up in surprise. "John? Son, it's good to hear from you. Is…is everything alright?" He asked hesitantly.

John smiled tiredly. "I'm fine Dad. Sorry about yesterday, I was kind of in the middle of something."

"That something wouldn't be how you got that black eye now is it?"

"Can't fool the old man."

"That's right, and don't you forget it."

"I…I guess I owe you an explanation." John fidgeted nervously in his chair.

"Yes, I'd say that you did." Jeff's tone was carefully neutral, but John could sense the anger underneath. "So John, are you going to tell me what happened?"

John shrugged. "Nothing much. I just wanted to check in. Let you know that whatever you might have heard, I'm fine."

Jeff raised his eyebrows. "And what am I going to hear?"

"I got into a bit of a…predicament yesterday." John answered cagily.

"Do I want to know what kind of predicament?" Jeff asked warily.

John shrugged again. "It was sort of a bar fight."

Jeff nodded thoughtfully. "I assume you didn't start it."

John shook his head. "No sir. But I did finish it."

Jeff took in the bruise on his son's cheek. "How does the other guy look?"

"Which one?" John grinned, then started coughing again. When the fit stopped he let out a low groan and rubbed his temples with his hands. "It's just a cold Dad." He said in answer to his father's unasked question. "But one of the bastards hit me hard enough to crack a rib. Don't fret, I went to the ER and had it looked at. They also gave me antibiotics for the cold."

Jeff sighed. "Do you want me…do you want me to send one of your brothers out there for a few days?"

John smiled. "No thanks Dad. Christa's going to take some time off from work and stay with me."

"Christa…She the one I spoke to the other night?" John nodded. "She seemed like a nice girl."

"She is." John looked down for a minute. "She's kind of been staying with me for the past few weeks." He said quietly, his face pink and avoiding his father's eyes.

Jeff smiled at his son's discomfiture. "John, you're a grown man. You don't have to justify your actions to me. Well, not much anyway."

John laughed. "Thanks Dad." He sighed. "I saw part of the rescue on TV. Are you…Is everyone alright?" He asked hesitantly, not meeting his father's eyes.

Jeff nodded. "Virgil and I got caught when the roof came down. We both got a few burns and swallowed a little too much smoke. Spent a few days in the hospital, just to make sure."

"And your back?"

Jeff frowned. "Who told you about my back?"

"A little bird named Scott. Plus, I can see you're in pain." John finally looked up.

"I'm fine John." Jeff smiled.

John smiled back. "So, what else is new?"

"Well, to start with, Gordon and Alan have made up."

"Uh-oh. Scott or Virgil?"

"Both actually. They put fake mice in Scott's shower." Jeff grinned. "And they put dye in Virgil's hair gel. Permanent dye."

John grimaced. "What color?"

"Let's just say your brother now matches his Thunderbird."

John groaned. "You're kidding."

"Wish I was."

"Bet that didn't go over too well." John said, knowing his middle brother's fetish with his hair.

"You'd be right."

Then John chuckled softly. "Mice huh?"

Jeff nodded. "I could hear the scream from halfway across the island." They both laughed. "They've been hiding out for almost a day now. Virgil did catch up with Alan and tried to toss him into the pool, but Gordon intervened and Virgil went in instead."

"I hope you got pictures."

"Oh don't worry, I'll email them to you." Jeff promised.

John was quiet a few moments. "How…How are things with Thunderbird 5?"

"Not good. We've finished all the structural repairs but can't seem to stabilize the power. Every transponder we install blows in two minutes. Brains is starting to freak out." Jeff answered.

"Brains, freak out? It must be serious." John frowned in thought, then shook his head. "Dad, can I ask you something?"

"Anything John."

John took a shuddering breath. "How did you know Mom was the one?"

Jeff grew quiet, and his eyes grew thoughtful. "I guess I just knew. From the moment I met her, somehow I knew she and I were meant to be together. I know it sounds crazy, but that's what happened."

John nodded. "It makes perfect sense." He said quietly.

"Does she make you happy John?"

John looked up, startled at the question. "Yes, she does. Happier than I ever thought I could be. She makes me forget…things." He answered quietly, his eyes taking on a faraway look.

Jeff smiled. "Then hold on to her."

John shook off his ghosts and smiled back. "I plan on it."

Jeff grew thoughtful for a moment. "What else is going on son?"

"I don't know what you mean Dad."

"John."

John shook his head. "I'm not sure." He said quietly. "I've been having…nightmares, that's all."

"That was no nightmare."

John gulped. "Yes it was."

Jeff shook his head. "John, I can't help you if you won't let me."

"You sound like Christa." John sighed. "Look Dad, it's OK. I was just going through a rough patch. You don't have to worry about me."

"It's my job to worry about you." Jeff shook his head. "John, I've tried to be patient, let you have your space, but frankly after this bar incident, I'm concerned. There's someone I think you should talk to. He'll be discreet, he's one of my agents."

John shook his head and held up his hand. "No Dad, no shrinks. I'll be fine."

"Getting drunk and starting a bar fight isn't fine John."

"I told you I didn't start it. Look, I don't want to fight about this OK? I told you I'd call and let you know what was going on and I did. I had the bar owner send the damage bill to Tracy Enterprises. Take the money out of my private account."

Jeff sighed in defeat, dropping the subject. "Very well. John, please…I do care about you. Don't ever doubt that."

"I know." He glanced up as he heard the water turn off upstairs. "I have to go Dad. I just wanted to say hi."

"Take it easy son. Call if you need anything."

"I will. Hey Dad?" John looked up at Jeff. "Have Brains send me his specs on TB 5. I'll take a look. Maybe I can figure it out."

Jeff tried to keep the surprise out of his voice. "FAB John. Talk to you soon."

"Bye Dad." The screen went dark. John leaned back in his chair, his forehead furrowed in thought. Transponders keep blowing…that's what happened to me too. I wonder if the main power grid is compromised. It would make sense. Especially if…

"John?"

"I'm in here babe." John looked up as Christa walked in. She wore nothing but one of his button up shirts, and he felt his throat go dry. "Christa…" He said huskily.

She smiled seductively. "See something you like."

He got up and walked over to her, running his hands over her face, down her arms, along her back. "I love you." He whispered as he crushed her to him.

She was breathless when he released her. "I thought I told you to stay in bed."

"Then you'd better get me back there." He bent his lips to hers again, this time easing her head back, deepening the kiss.

She pulled back, her indigo eyes dark. "What are we waiting for?" She asked huskily as she took his hand and led him up the stairs.

"Yee-hah!" Gordon hit the water with a tremendous splash, thoroughly soaking Scott, who was lounging nearby in the sun.

"Dammit Gordon!" Scott leapt to his feet, wincing at the pain in his shoulder.

Gordon surfaced and shook the water out of his eyes. "Sorry Scott. I was aiming for Alan here." He grinned at his younger brother.

"Hey!" Alan retorted indignantly. He immediately lunged at Gordon, and soon the two were each trying to drown the other, causing water to fly everywhere.

Scott scowled and shaking the water off himself, marched into the house. He bumped into Virgil on the way and swore under his breath as his bad shoulder was knocked about. "Can't anyone watch where they're going in this house!" He stormed off down the hallway.

Virgil watched, mystified at his eldest brother's behavior. He shook his head and went outside to the edge of the pool. "Hey! Now what'd you two do to Scott?" He called out.

Gordon surfaced and swam to the edge of the pool. Virgil warily took a few steps back, out of reach. "Scared Kermit?" Gordon grinned.

Virgil glared. "Watch it fish-boy. What'd you do to Scott?" He asked again.

Gordon shrugged. "Nothing. He may have gotten a little wet when I jumped in…"

Alan had joined them at the pool's edge. "He just stormed off inside. Seemed kinda grumpy to me."

"He's always grumpy lately." Gordon muttered.

"Can you blame him?" Virgil said accusingly.

The younger boys shrugged. "It was just a joke." Alan said.

"We were just trying to lighten things up around here." Gordon added. "It's not like somebody died or anything."

Virgil sighed. "I know. He's just taking John's leaving really hard." He said quietly.

Gordon scowled and ducked under the water, surfacing halfway across the pool. He began doing laps, seemingly ignoring his brothers. Alan watched for a moment. "Hey Virgil?"

"Yeah Sprout."

Alan sighed. "Do you think…I mean…" He sighed. "Do you think John still cares about us?" He asked, his blue eyes filled with some emotion Virgil couldn't read.

Virgil sat down and lowered his feet into the water. He was quiet a few moments. "Yes Alan, John still cares about us. I think part of the problem is that he cares too much."

"How can you care about some one too much?"

Virgil sighed. "We tend to…forget about John sometimes." He held up his hand to keep Alan quiet. "It's true and you know it. He's so far away, and even when he comes down, he's so quiet and keeps mostly to himself. Well, since all this started, we've been almost smothering him. He's not used to this much attention, and frankly, he hates it."

Alan nodded thoughtfully. "John doesn't let people get close to him, does he? I mean, I know he loves me, and he always makes time for me when I talk to him, but he seems kinda standoffish sometimes, know what I mean?"

Virgil nodded. "Yeah he does. I think Scott's the only one whoever got through John's shell and even that is only rarely. Something happened when they were up there on Thunderbird 5. And then again down in the mine with Dad and the Hood. Scott won't talk about it, and with John gone…" Virgil shrugged. "To tell you the truth Sprout, I'm at a loss at what to do."

Alan sighed. "Did Dad really tell John he was incompetent?"

"Alan, you have to understand, there were alot of emotions flying around." Virgil's eyes looked off into the distance, remembering. "Dad was so freaked out about you, Fermat and Penny missing. Then finding out it was the Hood and thinking John and Scott were dead…" Virgil shook his head and shuddered.

"Did John really freeze up there?" Alan nodded skyward.

"Yes. I'm not sure of all the details, again, Scott's not telling, but yes, he froze. And Hood hit them. We picked up the debris trail and couldn't raise them. The computers all read negative on the life signs." His hands clenched into fists and his voice turned cold. "We should have gone up there. But a rescue came in and we decided to go take care of business before checking on our own."

Alan looked stunned. "You…you left them up there?"

Virgil nodded. "Yes, and we can't even blame Dad for this one. Gordon and I pushed him to go. We just wanted things to seem normal. That maybe when we got back everything would be OK."

"It was though. I mean, Tin-Tin told me how they picked up John and Scott and how they escaped in the pod. So, why did Dad go all ballistic on him?"

"Again, there was alot happening Sprout. Dad needed someone to lash out at. I mean, we all have each other to lean on. Who does Dad have?"

Alan was thoughtful. "I guess you're right. But he still shouldn't have said that."

"I agree. This goes alot deeper than this one incident. You heard John before he left. There's alot of resentment there that I think has been building up a long time. What happened with the Hood was just a catalyst. John had to leave, I can see that now. I'm not happy about it, and I think if he had stayed, we could have helped him work through whatever's bothering him. But, that's not John's style. He's by himself so much that he tends to forget about us too."

Alan nodded. "It just seems so weird, not having him to talk to. We talk alot, like when I'm at Wharton. Sometimes he calls just to say hi."

Virgil looked surprised. "Really? Huh, didn't know that." He grew thoughtful. "I think he sees alot of himself in you. There's no doubt that you two look like Mom, and you both have similar interests. Not to mention the bond of being the two brothers who get sent away all the time."

"I wish Dad would let me stay here and be home schooled like Gordon."

"After this last mess, I'd be more surprised if he didn't."

They both grew quiet for a few minutes, the only sounds being Gordon still doing his laps. "Virgil, I'm sorry about your hair. We really didn't know it was permanent." Alan said softly.

Virgil had to laugh at Alan's remorseful expression. "Sure you didn't. Don't sweat it just yet Sprout. We'll get you back when you least expect it."

Alan laughed. "In your dreams Picasso." Then he sobered again. "Thanks for talking to me like this Virg."

Virgil smiled affectionately at his youngest brother. "You handled yourself great out there Alan. We tend to forget you're growing up. We want you to stay ten forever."

"Terrific."

Virgil pushed his head under. "Brat."

Alan surfaced spluttering and laughing at the same time. "I dare you to come in here and try that again!"

"Do I really look that stupid? Don't answer that." Virgil got to his feet. "I'm going to go find Scotty and see what his problem is." He started into the house.

"I think his shoulder's really bothering him. He pops those pills of his all the time." Alan called out, swimming back towards the center of the pool.

Virgil froze and turned back. "What did you say?"

"Huh?"

"Get back here!" Virgil waited until Alan swam back to the edge. Gordon saw them and came over.

"What's going on?" Gordon asked.

Virgil ignored the question. "Alan, what do you mean he keeps popping pills?"

Alan shrugged. "It's no big deal. I saw the bottle. It's just the pain stuff you and Steve gave him."

Virgil swore under his breath and without another word to his brothers, turned and hurried into the house.

"What was that all about?" Gordon asked.

"Beats me." Alan answered.

Gordon lay back in the water. "This whole family's gone nuts as far as I'm concerned. It's pretty scary when I'm thinking you and Fermat are the normal ones around here."

Alan responded by pouncing on his brother, catching him off guard and dunking him. Gordon came up spluttering, his brown eyes full of mischief. "This means war."

Alan grinned ferally. "Bring it on."

Scott leaned, one handed on the sink in his bathroom. Though his arm was no longer immobilized with the sling, it still pained him. He pulled his painkillers out of his pocket and poured them into his hand. Silently counting them, he frowned. How can I be almost out of them already? I know I haven't taken that many…have I? He shook his head and looked in the mirror. He was pale, with dark circles under his eyes. He brought his hand up to brush the hair off his forehead, and was surprised to see how badly it was shaking.

What is wrong with me? Scott took a shuddering breath and looked down at the pills in his hand. So I take a few painkillers, it's not like it's an illegal drug or anything. And at t least I'm not wallowing at the bottom of a whiskey bottle like John. The thought of his brother made him scowl, and he quickly swallowed two of his pills. He put the bottle back in his pocket, and went to lie down on his bed.

"Scott?" There was a muffled knock from Virgil outside his door.

Scott ignored it and closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep.

"Scott? You in there?" Virgil called again.

Scott still didn't answer, and after a few moments, Virgil gave up and walked away. Scott sighed and closing his eyes, this time falling into a real sleep.