Disclaimer - If you build it, they will come; if you write a story based on the existing intellectual property of another, you must disclaim any ownership or right to financial compensation.

I know I updated last night, quick (thanks Sam1 for being up and getting me that fast review. made me sleep better). but I forgot I am not going to be home tonight as I am going with my family to a Harry Potter release party at Barnes and Noble. Good news is I could get several more chapters down in the six to seven hours we'll be waiting there. sigh. so if anyone wants to review 7&8 together, I will more than understand.

Chapter 8 – Past Imperfect

Jeff Tracy headed down to sickbay. As much as he knew having an infirmary on the island was a necessary evil, he always dreaded coming down here. To come into this area of the villa usually meant that one of his sons were sick or hurt, badly enough to not simply be confined to their bedroom. It was a contrast of his soul that Jeff had created International Rescue and eventually brought all five of his own sons to work the machines with him. But like so many fathers before him who had watched a child follow him into a potentially dangerous profession like law enforcement or military, Jeff knew his sons wouldn't be happy doing anything else.

Maybe that was why Kate's father had never taken Jeff to task for pulling his only daughter into IR. Previously, his daughter-in-law had been a FBI agent, like her own father before her. Each career had its potential risks.

Of course, the fact that Jeff hardly ever saw Don Eppes helped. You can't give someone hell if you don't see them.

But all of Jeff sons were safe, Kate was fine. No, Jeff was coming down to the sickbay to try and get to know his son John's new wife. Virgil had told Jeff earlier what had happened when Emily had gone to give notice her resignation at the hospital where she had been working when first drawn into the Tracy Family's life. Jeff chuckled when Virgil had relayed both Dr. Haas' (or would it be Dr. Tracy's?) sharp retorts and well-placed knee. It was obvious Emily was much like the Tracy son she had married – slow to anger, but dangerous when pushed too far. Drawing a deep breath Jeff pushed open the door to sickbay, anxious to get to know John's surprise bride.

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

Dr. Emily Haas had been in the Tracy Island sickbay before. A week earlier, Kate Tracy had given birth to the first Tracy grandchild here. At the time Emily had not really explored the facility. There had been no need – or time, for that matter. But now, Emily needed to make sure everything she felt necessary was at hand.

"Anything you think we need, Dr. Haas?"

Emily turned at the sound of her new father-in-law's voice. Hesitant at first, she quickly returned the smile on Jeff's face. "I have been in emergency room's that aren't as well stocked and maintained as your infirmary Mr. Tracy."

"Dr. Haas… Emily," Jeff hesitated, "I guess it would be your infirmary now. After all, you are the physician. We'll follow your lead on anything you think is necessary. That will go the same at the clinic in Akaroa."

"Are you afraid John made a bad choice?"

Jeff was surprised at the blunt question, but answered it all the same. "No, John has always made good choices. I could always trust that. I am concerned that he – and you, made an impulsive decision. But John assures me he knew you were the one, the right woman for him. Tracy men are like that. We tend to fall hard and fast. If Mrs. Tracy were still alive, we would still be together and I would still love her as much as I did when I married her. Scott and Kate were together within a short time of meeting. So I guess I am not as concerned with John's choice as I am with yours."

Emily raised eyes to Jeff's once more. "John had been my inspiration, someone I could believe in before I ever met him. When I finally met him, I felt a connection to him I had never had with anyone before. Then when John came to see me at the hospital, I… well, that was one of the most perfect days in my life. The fact that John understands and is encouraging to my dedication to my career is just a bonus. He knows I am as committed to medicine as he is to…"

Jeff smiled. "To the stars?"

Shaking her head, Emily surprised Jeff by saying, "No, to family. John loves the stars, but he loves his family more. I understand, and John knows I would never try to get in the way of either love. Maybe, he married me because John knows that I would only ask to share his loves with him."

Looking intently at his new daughter-in-law, awed by her frankness, Jeff thought of the conversation with John on Three. "You aren't close to your family are you?"

"I haven't spoken directly with them in three years." Smiling at Jeff's surprised. "Not all families are like yours. Could you live with people who never gave you their approval, people who were never there for you? My parents wanted a second son, I was a girl. A girl should have had piano or ballet recitals, I was entering high school shortly before I turned nine. A girl should be sweet and dutiful, I followed my own path. I should have married well, let my mother plan the society wedding of the year. I eloped with – or so she thinks – some "native"." Jeff snickered at that. "Oh, and I inherited my grandfather's money, not his only daughter or grandson. And I –horrors- gave as much of it away as I could under his will. What an embarrassment. Oh, and when I finally did date a fellow doctor, I embarrassed my family by dating a man with mixed blood – my mother's phrase, not mine."

"Mixed blood?"

"Edward's maternal grandparents are from India and his paternal grandfather is – was – Jewish. You can guess which one she found more offensive. And if you can't, Kate had the displeasure of meeting her. She could fill you in pretty well." Emily gave a bitter smile at the flabbergasted expression of her father-in-law. "Yes, people like that still exist. If I told her I had married Jeff Tracy's son I would be her perfect angel for the first time in my life. I can't see completely turning my back on her yet. But I do not owe her the satisfaction of that knowledge and I won't cater to her social status hierarchy. So, if you don't mind, John and I are not announcing our marriage yet. People will find out eventually, but I want… No, I need to know if she can accept anything about me just for me. I know that is hard for you to understand but I hope you can respect my wishes."

Since John had already told Jeff some of this, the Thunderbird Commander wasn't too shocked. But he began to see what John wanted for his wife. He wanted her to have a family. So it was up to Jeff to reach out. "Emily…" She smiled at her father-in-law truly calling her by her name for the first time. "If you need anything…"

"No, I'm good. I just need to start this paperwork."

"Really? I thought we had all the paperwork caught up for sickbay? Or is this some for Akaroa?"

"Neither. This is all the forms I need to change my name to Emily Tracy." Emily smiled at Jeff once more. "If it's OK with you?"

Jeff laughed. "No, always wanted a doctor in the family. Guess we finally got one. Besides, it's your name now, just like this is your home and your family."

At that Jeff left, admonishing Emily not to miss dinner or face the wrath of Onaha. As soon as he left, he felt his heart break a little for the young doctor. Jeff suspected home and family were not concepts she was use to having unconditionally. John was right. He needed Emily and Emily needed all the Tracys.

a/n - you think you can't dislike Emily's mother any more than right now... wait a few chapters. I hope to have ch 9 up sometime Saturday afternoon or evening. in the meantime, review, my artist's soul craves it.