Dislaimer so lamer, can't take the blamer, if at all the samer, it's all a big gamer.

Decided to be nice, had this chapter ready, so I am updating early.

Ok, so Kate is OK, both families are OK, what can go wrong... well, not much in this chapter. This one is kinda sweet and might even need a warning for diabetics...

Chapter 14 – Starlight, Star Bright

Scott Tracy closed his suitcase. He was packed and ready. A whole week in Thunderbird Five. John needed the time down; Scott had been relieved when his father had started the 3 weeks on, 1 off for John. It would be great, since it wouldn't be John coming back up in a week because the Hackenbackers were heading up next week for a whole month. It was their version of a vacation – time for father and son, playing with experiments and tinkering with the space station; geek heaven.

But Scott, Field Commander and big brother, personally disliked going up to Thunderbird Five, most of the time. Now as a new husband, it was even harder. As he reflected on this, Kate walked in, carrying a suitcase. "What's up with that? Leaving me already?"

Kate laughed. "Well, I thought of going to Los Angeles to visit Uncle Charlie, but Dad assured me he is home and on the mend. So Dad – yours that is – came up with something else for me to do for the next week."

Scott grimaced, "Let me guess… You are headed for New York and Tracy Enterprises?"

Grinning, his wife set down her case and put her arms around Scott's neck. "Nope, I get to go to Thunderbird Five for training." At Scott's surprised look, Kate countered. "Honey, I need the training and may I remind you, there is only the one king sized bed up there. Which Tracy brother would you rather I slept with?"

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John Tracy put his suitcase next to the hatch for Thunderbird Five. He couldn't believe it. Five weeks. John hadn't been on Earth for five weeks in a row since the Hood had blasted the space station. Ugh. Then he had been earthbound until late August, more than four months. Between his own injuries and the damage to Five… And John's injuries had been more easily repaired than the ones to the space station. Still, it would be nice to be with his family for so long a stretch. Last Christmas, Brains and Fermat had spent the boys Christmas Break on Thunderbird Five. They had enjoyed it so much Fermat had suggested this time during the summer.

But for now, Scott and Kate would be coming up so that Kate could train for a week, just as Alan had during Spring Break. Usually, John would have trained a new member, like he had Gordon and Alan. But John couldn't deny his father's logic. First, if Kate trained separately from Scott, which would be an extra weeks time the couple – married less than two months – would be apart. Second, there was only one bed. And while John was fine with sharing the king sized bed usually, that scenario would be just too weird.

John monitored Thunderbird Three as Alan carefully docked the team's space going vessel to the station. Jeff had already made it clear that he wanted Alan to eventually be the primary pilot of the rocket. Gordon, who alternated between Three and Thunderbird Four, their submersival vehicle, had been unsure of the decision but Alan had taken to it like Gordon had to water. Their baby brother still always had a co-pilot and would until he turned 18. John chuckled at how Alan already referred to the big red rocket as "my bird".

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Kate wandered around the command center of the space station. It was her first trip to the Thunderbird Five and she was in awe. In the background she could hear her husband talking to his two blond brothers as Alan prepared Three for its return trip to Tracy Island. Kate wouldn't be surprised if Scott monitored them until they were safe within Thunderbird Three's silo beneath the library. Watching his head bent over the monitors, his chestnut hair shining under the lights, Kate couldn't help but smile. Scott was such a mother hen with his brothers. She couldn't wait until she saw him with any children they may have.

Not that she had to think about that yet. Brains had run blood work on both Kate and Scott prior to their trip up to Five. SOP she was assured. But Kate was sure Brains never ran a pregnancy test on any other Tracys. Unfortunately, Brains was concerned about "space travel effects on unborn children" and Kate was the only active Thunderbird who it was an issue for. For better or for worse, it was not yet an issue for Kate.

Standing next to Scott, Kate watched as he began running checks on any possible urgent issues. She knew he was doing things a little slower than usual, making sure Kate would know what to do. Scott was a good trainer, most of the time. Sometimes a tad impatient but… Looking out at the starry vista, Kate smiled. She would miss being in on any action but it was important for any member of the Thunderbirds to be able to cover for each other. And it might not be a bad idea for her to be far enough away so that she wasn't tempted to go to LA and deck her brothers. Dad and Uncle Charlie had called to assure her they understood why she had not gone to see her uncle – who had been in the hospital less than forty eight hours – due to her "other" family's needs. Mom, Aunt Amita and all three of her cousins had e-mailed her to assure her they understood. Her brothers still weren't talking to her. Stubbornness was such a family trait. Actually, it was a family trait in both of her families. Heaven help any children born into that gene pool.

Scott watched his wife, noting with pride the way she carefully observed each step he took. Whenever and whatever they taught Kate, it only had to be once. Smiling, Kate looked up at her husband and said, "This is fascinating, but you know the best thing is about this?"

At the same time, the couple said, "No brothers!"

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Back in Los Angeles, Don Eppes stood in his brother's backyard. He could hear his wife and sister-in-law doing the dishes, talking quietly in the kitchen. Charlie walked across the patio, the cane supporting his injured leg tapping across the stones. Soon the two brothers were staring at the sky. Charlie knew his brother had tried calling Kate earlier only to be told she was "out of town for the family business". The emphasis Jeff Tracy had placed on "family" told them it was for International Rescue. Having not heard anything about any rescues for the Thunderbirds, Jeff had subtly let Don know his daughter and son-in-law had gone to the Thunderbirds space station. No one knew where the station was as all of the Thunderbirds ships had a stealth technology many governments would love to get a hold of. So all Don could do is look to the stars and make a wish – let his little girl be alright.

Placing a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder, Charlie whispered "Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight…"

Don joined him "Wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight." The brothers smiled at the heavens. They knew their wish. That someone was watching over their little girl, their angel – their Thunderbird.

a/n - Just setting up for some drama to come. but I love little moments like that - not to mention, that is a good song by Brad Paisley. It would make a cute songfic... someone probably has already done it but... oh I am rambling...