Insert usual disclaimer here. Sorry this has been late. Up to my armpits in alligators at work. Enjoy!

"DING-DONG!"

John looked up from where he was watching the ball game on TV. "Who could that be?" He got up and opened the door.

A delivery man stood there, clipboard in hand. "John Tracy?"

"Yes?"

"Delivery for you sir. Can you sign here?" It came out "he-ah".

John took the board and hastily signed his name. "What is it anyway?"

The man shrugged. "No idea, but you've got about ten boxes. Ernie! Bring 'em in!"

John stepped back and watched in surprise as the two men unloaded nearly a dozen large boxes in the front hallway. After they had left, he knelt down and examined them. They were plain cardboard boxes, with no return address. John did however, recognize his father's writing on the label. "Weird." He tore open the box.

His curiosity turned to confusion as he pulled out a framed picture of his family. "What the…?" He dug deeper into the box, this time pulling out a small science fair trophy. "This is my stuff from home." Puzzled, he ripped open another box, this one containing his books from the island, and yet another with his clothes. He quickly opened the remaining boxes, stunned to find all his belongings. "What is going on?"

John hurried to the phone and dialed the island.

"We're sorry, the number you have dialed is no longer in service."

"What?" John frowned at the phone and dialed again.

"We're sorry, the num—"

John slammed down the phone and went into the office. Powering up the computer he quickly hailed Tracy Island. "Hello? Dad? Anyone?" The screen remained blank. "What the hell is this?" He punched a button under the desk and a hand scanner appeared. Taking a deep breath, he pressed his hand to the scanner.

"Access denied."

"What?" He pressed his hand to it again.

"Access denied."

"How can access be denied, I wrote the fucking protocol!" He punched in a series of commands. "Op Five to Tracy Island, come in Tracy Island."

"Access denied."

John slammed his hands on the keyboard. "Dammit! What is going on?" He grabbed the phone again. "Operator, can you please connect me with this number?" He rattled off the number to the island.

"One moment please…I'm sorry sir, but that is not a working number."

John swore and smashed the phone down on its cradle. He got up and paced the room, muttering under his breath. "What happened that I can't get through? And why send my stuff?"

"They don't want you John."

"Don't you start."

"I am not starting anything. Merely stating the obvious."

"I'm not listening to you." John said as he marched down the stairs to the living room.

"And no one is listening to you, are they John?"

"Fuck you."

"Tsk tsk…And I thought we were friends."

John poured himself a generous shot of whiskey and swallowed it in one gulp. "Keep on thinking that."

"Now John…"

John hurled the glass against the wall. "Just leave me alone!"

"As you wish…"

John sat up, gasping for breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and glanced at the clock. 4:30am. Guess I'm done sleeping for the night. He threw the covers off and walked into the bathroom, splashing water on his face then staring at his haggard reflection in the mirror. A dream, it was just a dream.

"Or was it John?"

John ignored the voice and marched downstairs to the office. He settled himself into the chair and taking a deep breath, dialed the island.

"Hello?"

John breathed a sigh of relief that was very nearly a sob. "Dad…"

On the screen Jeff frowned. John was pale with dark circles under his eyes. For the first time in years, Jeff saw stubble on his son's chin. Hearing the near panic in his son's voice, Jeff frowned. "John, what's wrong?"

John forced a smile. "Nothing Dad. I…I just wanted to see how Alan was doing up on Five."

Jeff glanced at the clock and did a quick mental calculation, noting it was before dawn on the east coast. "Your brother's fine. How about you?"

John sighed and ran a hand over his head. "I'm OK Dad. Just…wanted to check in."

"John."

John put his face in his hands. "I…I had a nightmare." He said quietly.

"What was it about? Tell me son."

John looked back up at the screen, his eyes so full of anguish that Jeff was hard pressed not to jump up and fly straight to Boston. "You…I…" John shook his head. "It doesn't matter."

"It does to me."

John smiled tentatively. "Thanks Dad."

"Don't know what you're thanking me for, but you're welcome." Jeff smiled back. "I'm only trying to help you John."

"You have helped Dad, just by letting me leave, waiting until I got my head back on straight again."

"And is it?" Jeff asked, getting a chuckle from John. "John letting you leave here was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I'm still not entirely convinced it was the right thing."

"It was Dad. I needed to get away. I wasn't any good to anyone back home, least of all myself."

"It still doesn't make it any easier."

"I know Dad." John replied softly. He yawned and stretched, wincing only a little. "I'm going to try and go back to sleep. I'll talk to you later."

"FAB John." Jeff was reaching to sign off when John's voice stopped him.

"Dad…I love you."

Jeff's heart nearly stopped and he stared at his son. "I love you too son."

John closed the channel and sat back in his chair. He felt as if a huge weight had lifted from his shoulders. He closed his eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Jeff sat in his desk chair, his eyes wandering from the mural on the wall, to his late wife's picture on his desk.

"Lucy, God I wish you were here. You probably know more than me what's been going on. I've nearly lost John, I'm on my way to losing Scott." He put his head in his hands. "I don't know what to do any more Luce…" His voice trailed off.

"Perhaps I can help?"

Jeff's head snapped up as a figure detached itself from the shadows. "Hello Jeff."

"Penny?" Jeff stared in stunned surprise before rising to his feet and walking over to her. "When did you get here?" He resisted the urge to take her in his arms.

"A few hours ago. Scott told me you were working up on Thunderbird 5. Is she repaired?" Penny edged by Jeff to sit down on the couch.

Jeff followed, sitting across from her. "More or less. We've had some problems getting the computers back online, but John figured it out." He filled her in on what had been going on with the station, and how John had discovered the bomb.

Penny's eyes grew wide. "A bomb? Where is it now?"

"Down in the containment chamber. Brains will detonate it when he gets back."

Penny frowned. "Hood was behind this?"

Jeff nodded. "I'll bet my savings account he's been planning this since we caught him at the Bank of London."

"I'd have to say you were correct." Penny glanced up. "Jeff? Scott told me about John. What happened?"

Jeff sighed and put his face in his hands. "He left Pen. Told us he didn't want to be part of International Rescue, or this family any more."

"Oh Jeff!"

"It gets worse. He's being controlled."

"Controlled? By whom?"

Jeff shook his head. "By Hood. If you believe Tin-Tin anyway."

"I don't understand." Penny shook her head. "Wait…that must be why Scott called me…"

Jeff frowned. "When did Scott call you?"

"A few weeks ago. Something happened, he wouldn't go into detail, but wanted me to personally check on Hood's whereabouts." She frowned. "Now that I think of it, Scott did mention that he thought John was being controlled somehow."

"I hadn't realized Scott talked to you."

Penny caught the hint of annoyance in Jeff's tone and ignored it. "Yes, nearly all of the boys have contacted me over the past few months. I am still part of this organization am I not?" Then her tone softened and she placed a gentle hand on Jeff's arm. "This is what I meant Jeff. I have to be your agent first. How can that happen if I'm your wife?"

Jeff sighed wearily. "I know. But there has to be some way to get around it!" He looked up into her golden eyes. "I love you." He said simply.

She trembled. "I love you."

"But that doesn't change anything." Jeff got to his feet and paced the room. "What else did Scott tell you?"

Penny shook her head. "Nothing. Only that you were trying to get Five back online and that John had left."

"That about sums it up."

"Do you think he's gone for good? I mean, this is John we're talking about."

Jeff shook his head. "I really think he is Pen. He's got a girlfriend, one he seems pretty serious about. She's a nurse apparently."

Penny's hazel eyes opened wide. "Did he tell her about…"

"I don't think so. At least, he's never mentioned it, and I think if John had told her, he'd have said something to me. I hope he would anyway. He seems…happy. How can I begrudge him that just because I want him home?" He said softly.

"Jeff? I…I heard you two talking earlier." Jeff turned to see Penny blushing furiously. "I didn't mean to. I was waiting to talk to you when John called." She looked up. "It's obvious that John does still care. He called you for reassurance, didn't he?"

Jeff thought for a moment. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Penny smiled. "I'm always right."

Jeff smiled back, then it faded. "There's more."

"About John?"

He shook his head. "No, Scott."

"Scott?"

Jeff walked outside to the balcony and stood staring out as the sunset. "Scott's…in trouble."

Penny walked over to stand next to him. "In trouble how?"

"His shoulder has never healed. He needs a total shoulder replacement."

"Oh no!"

"There's more." Jeff sighed. "Seems he has a drug problem as well." He said quietly.

"Drugs?" Penny was stunned.

"Prescription drugs. Seems he's been hooked for a while now." Jeff filled her in on all that had happened then he leaned forward on the railing. "Dammit Penny, Gordon could have been killed!"

"And Scott won't admit he has a problem?" Penny asked.

"Not even when he had his brother's medicine in his hands." Jeff rested his head on the railing. "I don't know what to do anymore…"

Penny placed a tentative hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Jeff." She said softly.

Jeff straightened and surprising her, took her tightly into his arms. "I've missed you, so much." He whispered hoarsely into her hair.

"I've missed you too." She looked up at him, her golden brown eyes full of tears.

He pulled her close again. "Things haven't been right without you."

"I know." She nestled close into him. "Things haven't been right with me either. Until now."

"I'm glad you're here." He whispered huskily.

"Oh Jeff!" The tears she had been trying desperately to hold back, finally broke free and she sobbed into Jeff's chest. He held her close, just breathing in the scent of her. Finally she pulled back, wiping at her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"There's nothing for you to be sorry for." He told her, gently running his hand under her chin, tilting her head up so she had to look at her. "I shouldn't have left the way I did. I was angry, I wanted to hurt you."

"You succeeded."

"I'm sorry." He pulled her close again.

"We need to stop saying that." She looked up at him. "I do love you Jeff, that never changed. I was surprised by your proposal, then hurt and confused when you left." She pulled back and walked a few steps away. "I want to be you wife Jeff. I want to lie down with you every night, and wake up next to you every morning, but I can't! I can't be your wife and your agent at the same time." She held up a hand to stem off his protests. "And you know I'm far too valuable as an agent to just quit. Please Jeff, try and understand."

Jeff ran a hand over his head and sighed. "I do understand Penny. I've had a bit of time to think about it. While I won't deny that you hurt me when you said no, after I calmed down and thought about it, I realized you were right. But then John left, and Scott started, and Gordon got hurt, and we had Five to repair…" His voice trailed off. "It's all so overwhelming."

Penny took his hand. "You haven't lost John, and you haven't lost me. And you're not going to loss Scott." She stood on her toes and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "I love you Jeff. And I'm not leaving until we get this mess straightened out."

Jeff smiled. "You haven't been on the receiving end of either Scott or John."

She arched a perfect eyebrow at him. "You think I'm afraid of them?"

"I am."

Penny laughed at Jeff's wry expression. "Oh Jeff, I have missed you. I've missed all of you."

Jeff led her to the couch and pulled her down to him. "We've missed you too." He held her close as together they watched the sun set across the sea.

Alan paced nervously on the bridge of Thunderbird 5. He glanced down at his watch for what seemed like the hundredth time. It's almost midnight. Why hasn't she called?

He sighed and flopped down in the chair, his gaze drawn to the Earth outside. So mesmerized by the scene in front of him, that he nearly missed the flashing light on the computer. Pressing the button, he took a deep breath. "Thunderbird 5."

"Alan?"

Alan broke into a huge grin. "Hey Tin-Tin. You're late, everything OK down there?"

"Depends on your version of OK. Lady Penelope is here."

Alan's blue eyes widened in surprise. "Really? How'd Dad take it?"

Tin-Tin smiled. "Pretty well I'd say since they were alone in his office for almost three hours. Which is why I was late. Had to let them leave then make sure everyone was in bed."

Alan laughed. "Go Dad! Seriously, are they…"

"They're just talking Alan. Lady P. went to her own room."

"Well, that's good I guess." Alan wasn't sure if he was disappointed or relieved.

"How are you doing up there?"

"Great!" He looked up out the windows again and sighed. "This place is so cool Tin-Tin. There's so much to do and see! And the stars…They're amazing. I don't know how John can stand being back on Earth." A small whimper from Tin-Tin captured his attention again, and the smile faded from his face. "What's wrong?"

"He…my uncle…"

Alan went cold. "Tell me Tin-Tin."

"He's been very, very quiet. I don't think he's hurting John, not exactly. But John's been thinking loudly again."

Alan frowned. "About what?"

Tin-Tin shook her head. "I can't tell. But he's really worked up about something." She sighed. "And there's more…"

"With John?"

"No, Scott."

"What happened to Scott!" Alan yelped, then looked back towards the sleeping quarters. When Brains didn't appear, he turned back to the computer. "Tin-Tin?"

"He was caught by your Dad and Virgil, coming out of Gordon's room. With Gordon's meds."

"No…"

"Mr. Tracy took him to the infirmary and Steve told them that Scott needs a shoulder replacement or he's going to lose the use of his arm."

"Damn…" Alan whispered. "Is Steve doing it?"

"I don't think so. He wants Scott to see a friend of his who's a surgeon in Boston. Scott disappeared somewhere. Your Dad can't find him."

Alan's forehead furrowed in concentration. "He's hiding on the library roof."

Tin-Tin's coffee eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know that?"

Alan shrugged. "All my brother's have their own hiding places. John goes to the top of the cliff, Virgil locks himself in the studio, and Gordon goes to the beach at the far end of the island. Dad just goes into his office and sulks."

"And you have your cave." Tin-Tin smiled mischievously.

Alan glared at her. "Brat." She laughed and after a moment he joined in. "I miss you." He said softly a few minutes later.

"You've only been gone less than a day!" She teased.

"Are you saying you don't miss me?" Alan shot back.

Tin-Tin blushed and looked away from the screen. "I didn't say that…" She said softly.

"Then what did you say?" Alan asked.

She looked up. "I miss you too Alan." She placed her hand on the screen.

Alan pressed his hand to hers. "See you in a couple days Tin-Tin."

"Good night Alan." She smiled one last time, then her image faded.

Alan sighed and took one last look at the stars before heading to his bed.