STILL I disclaim... Sigh

OK, so now Kate's father and brother know all about her new job - and we don't mean the one with Tracy Enterprises. Now the question is, will Don want to deck Jeff for putting his "baby" at risk?

Chapter 12 – Ride Off Into The Sunset

Alan watched the Eppes Family. They were anxious and upset. He had been in their position more times than he would like to recall. It was pure torture to stand by and watch as family members were in a hazardous situation. All Alan could hope was that Kate and Virgil had been successful in their rescue of Kate's Uncle Charlie. But he still couldn't believe that Scott had told his father-in-law that they were International Rescue!

"I can't believe you told your father-in-law we're International Rescue!" Jeff admonished his oldest son. Jeff and Scott were returning Thunderbird Two back to the landing zone, while Gordon was in the bay area checking to make sure nothing was out of place after the survivors had been taken to a safe area.

"Dad, I had to do something. Trust me, Mr. Eppes would not have given up trying to get to his brother. I know how he felt. If it had been one of my brothers, I would have done whatever I could. And the only way I would ever let someone be the one to rescue them is if it was someone who I could be assured would try as hard as I would to save them. He had to know it wasn't just the Thunderbirds – it was family." Scott wasn't sure if his father could understand his logic, until Jeff nodded.

"I doubt he had told his family, but we have to make sure he understands, this doesn't go beyond him."

Scott grinned, "Dad, the man is the Director of the FBI. I think he understands all about keeping secrets."

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Kate brushed back her uncle's hair from his face. Virgil bit back a laugh at how the gesture reminded him of Kate making similar motions with Alan. I guess, he mused, some people you just want to baby… even when they are old enough to be your father.

Smiling at her father's only brother, Kate picked up his hand and held it close to her chest. "Uncle Charlie, we have you secured now. We'll have you up to the surface and on your way to the hospital in no time. You're gonna be fine." Having told her uncle that, Kate went to replace her helmet but a gesture from her uncle stopped her.

"Does your Dad know about this?" Charlie asked, gesturing to Kate's Thunderbird's uniform.

"Well, he didn't. But Scott was desperate to get him out of the accident zone. He told him a little while ago. Guess Dad didn't trust International Rescue to do its job but he would trust family." Charlie seemed a bit disappointed. Kate knew her family well enough to know the problem and laughed. Both Virgil and Charlie stared at her. "No, Uncle Charlie, you don't know something Dad doesn't. However, you can have the satisfaction of knowing it was your theory that led to me figuring it out."

Professor Charles Eppes smiled. He remembered the discussion. The two brothers had been talking about IR's latest rescue. Don was slightly concerned about any secret organization outside of government control. Their father, who had still been alive at the time, had countered that the group did so much good, let them keep their identities if it kept that kind of technology out of the hands of monsters like that crazy Hood. And the ever logical Charlie had pointed out that finding the group would rest on finding the leader: A man with access to great technology and great wealth, a secure, remote location, a great personal motivator and the ability to unite his team firmly behind him. Charlie had described his niece's father-in-law to a T. But he had never suspected that the unification factor that had made International Rescue like a family was that they were a family. Yet Kate had mentioned Scott and she had called the young man with her – who had never removed his helmet – Virg. Kate's middle brother in law was named Virgil. Good God, the man had brought his sons – and now his daughter-in-law – together to form the Thunderbirds. Charlie didn't know if he wanted to praise Jeff Tracy for his wisdom and courage or deck him for pulling his only niece into such a risky venture.

As Kate gave a thumb up sign to her brother-in-law, she sat down besides her uncle's stretcher and checked to make sure both he and her helmet were secure. Charlie could sense her feeling of satisfaction as the Mole began to make its way back out of the basement. No, Charlie wasn't mad at Jeff Tracy. Katie was doing what she wanted to, something she obviously loved to do.

But Charles Eppes was not about to make any bets about if his brother would do.

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The gathered crowd cheered as Kate and Virgil carried the stretcher with the obviously alive Professor Eppes to awaiting civilian rescue personnel. Doctor Eppes was a well-loved figure on the campus, with some of his students even being the children of past students. But no where was he more respected and loved than from the group located behind the barrier nearest Field Command.

Don Eppes moved back into the area he had been cleared from earlier. With a speed belying his advancing years, the FBI Director was at quickly at his brother's side. Charlie's wife and children, as well as his own family quickly joined Don. Tears were streaming and everyone was talking. Charlie's wife Amita looked up to see one of the Thunderbirds watching them before turning and joining his or her teammates. The brothers had noticed it as well and knew who it was. Kate would have longed to join her family at this moment but for security reasons she would have to remain with her other family.

As Charlie was loaded into an ambulance, his wife by his side, Don Eppes had one last thing to do. He approached the International Rescue Operative he had heard the others call Commander. Don snorted to himself; Commander, don't you guys mean Dad?

Jeff Tracy turned to the approaching Don Eppes. He liked the man, he respected him and had thought that Kate's father felt the same. But that was before Don had found out that Jeff had brought his only daughter, his baby into International Rescue.

Don looked Jeff in the eye. Well, he was pretty sure he was looking him in the eye; the former astronaut had a helmet on. "I just wanted to thank you. My little brother may be a grandfather now, but he's still my kid brother and we love him." Jeff nodded and began to turn away but was stopped by Don's next words. "You should be very proud of your people. They are some amazing individuals. They showed true courage and tenacity. Anyone would be proud to claim them as family." Don held his hand out and Jeff took it. Jeff smiled at Don's next words. "Just make sure you take care of all those kids, OK?" The Thunderbirds commander knew Don wasn't happy with his daughter's choice, but he would support it. More importantly, he wanted Kate to know he was proud of her.

And that would mean the world to Katherine Eppes Tracy: wife, business woman, Thunderbird, ex-FBI agent but always Daddy's Little Girl.

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As an ambulance took his brother to the hospital, Don's sons tried to get him to leave as well. But with a compulsion he couldn't explain to them, he watched as the massive Thunderbirds flew off, taking his only daughter back to Tracy Island. Damn but Charlie was going to be impossible to live with. He hated when his brother started with his "I knew I was right" looks.

A/N - OK, so I put Charlie in danger. But, like Alan Tracy, I could never kill off Charlie Eppes. Too sweet. I have trouble killing people with names, have you noticed that? I may have to change that. Get ready for some more interaction and discover both how Kate found out about Gordon's girlfriend and what prank Alan played on Gordy. AND REVIEW. It is so emotionally satisfying.