Disclaim - no, I don't own them. But I keep checking on E-Bay to see if they are available.

Chapter 10 – Emily's First Rescue

John had been married for three weeks to date. For most of that time he had been on Thunderbird Five. It was a little bit funny, the way his family had immediately circled wagons, trying to protect Emily in his absence, and how his father kept trying to make sure Emily "happened" to be there when John would call in for his twice a day reports. He was due to switch places with Gordon in three days and he had never been so anxious to return to Earth. While John knew he loved Emily and he was sure she loved him, could they handle the degree of separation his job required?

But in the time since they had married, Emily had thrown herself into a variety of tasks. From prepping the clinic in Akaroa to organizing visiting physicians for the facility to even stitching up Virgil's arm after a rescue, Emily had kept busy, committed to medicine as ever. Yet John smiled, knowing that while Emily had previously worked double shifts, his family made sure she had plenty of downtime. And while Emily was use to people only looking for her when they needed her, the Tracys made sure she was simply looked out for. Surprised at first, Emily began to blossom like a rose in summer, finally granted time in the sun.

Knowing that the Tracys would look out for Emily, as they would for the rest of the family, was the only thing that made it easier for John. Then again, knowing that the Tracys took care of their own was the only thing that had always made duty on Five easier.

John's musing of home, family and –wow – his wife, were interrupted by an incoming call. Back to work…

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

"New rescue Dad…"

Jeff was intent on the screen, listening to the details, shaking his head in disbelief. The remaining Thunderbirds had poured into Jeff's study currently being transformed into Command and Control. Emily followed, having been checking up on Jason and talking to Kate. Jeff had gotten up from behind his desk, they were going to need all hands for this one. Kate, having placed her son in a portable cradle nearby, began to take his place. She raised her eyes, torn between dismay and a touch of dark humor, as the details of the rescue were being downloaded. "The same mine? The one Alan led his track team in to save themselves in the fire? Wasn't that sealed after the boys proved how easy it was to get into?"

"Nope," John responded. "The company that owned it had gone bankrupt so the park services just put up wooden barriers. Apparently, it was no deterrent to a group of partying college students. And unfortunately, they didn't go down the same way Alan took his friends."

Scott grinned. "So none of them have engineers in the family to give them clues of what shaft to use, huh?"

"Guess not," John quipped. "The shaft they went down collapsed. The Mole may be the only chance to get them in time. In addition, what little contact the authorities have made with the students – mine shafts are not conducive to cell signals – at least two of the victims have severe injuries."

"I want to go."

Everyone in the room froze. Emily stood by, quiet, watching the team. "Emily…" Jeff began.

"If people are badly hurt, EMT's – Thunderbirds or otherwise – may not cut it. I think, no, I know I can be useful."

"Em," John interjected. "Thunderbirds have helmets or can stay out of sight. We have the whole secret organization thing going here."

"Ever hear of scrubs and a mask? I use them all the time, thanks."

John had not pictured his wife going on rescues. But she might make the difference in the mission. He remembered what she had said that first night – medicine, being a doctor, was as important to her as family had been to him. John realized his father, sister-in-law and wife were all awaiting his decision. Smiling at Emily, John simply nodded. Kate grinned. "I put some scrubs and a medical bag in storage in Two Emily, you'll be all set."

Realizing that all the Tracy men were staring at her, Kate shrugged. "What can I say? I'm the perennial girl scout, always prepared for any possibility."

"You realize," Virgil muttered to Gordon before entering the lifts, "that if they ever team up together, we are doomed."

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

Jeff watched with satisfaction as Gordon guided the last of the victims from the mine shaft. The fire chief who had been on site when Alan had been trapped in the woods, now approached the Thunderbirds Field Command, where Scott was set up, reviewing info with his wife and brother. "Sir," the man smiled at Scott, "I don't know how you got a doctor to accompany you this time, but it made a difference. Rescue said without her here, at least three of the vics would have died before they could have gotten them to a hospital. Ummm. She is really a doctor, right?" At Scott's nod, the chief relaxed. "Good, because EMT's are not allowed to do those kind of invasive procedures, which was the only thing that saved some lives today. Does she go on all your rescues?"

"No," Jeff answered, approaching the men from behind, as he began to help Scott pack up Field Command. "But it's good to know we can count on having her along when we'll need her." Jeff nodded at both men and went to where Emily was putting away her supplies. What was it Kate liked to say – "better than good, he/she is a Tracy." Emily certainly was, and now, she was a Thunderbird.

a/n - short chap that lets Emily join in on some of the action. please r/r, I am afraid no one but Sam1 is reading... Or is everyone busy with HP7? I was finished by lunch on Saturday. Would have been finished by breakfast, but my husband claimed it first. Spoiler - Harry . Oh yeah, like I would ruin it. But Rowling rules!