The Tracy Women Part 1 Maddie
Disclaimer: See Previous Chapter.
Chapter 8: A Confession.
Tintin came into the lounge looking worried.
"Are you ok Tintin?" asked Virgil seeing the look on her face.
"No. Have you seen Maddie today. She was going to take me through the inventory in the sick bay but I can't find her," she said.
"No I haven't seen her yet. What about you Scott. You were up first?" he said turning to his brother.
"No. Have you checked her room?" he asked walking over.
"Yes and the sick bay. I can't get her via her communicator either," she replied feeling more worried.
"Base to Thunderbird 5," said Scott trying to get hold of John.
"Thunderbird 5 here. Go ahead. Oh hey guys. What's up?" asked John.
"John can you trace everyone on the island through their communicators?" asked Scott feeling glad that his dad had given Maddie one.
"Yeah. I can see everyone. Hey wait a minute one is really faint. Hold on guys I'm just going to try and enhance it," said John frowning at the monitor. He could see them all and they were red except one that was turning blue. John suddenly realised why.
"Guys get down to the south beach fast. Maddie is down there and her life support is getting weak," said John.
Scott shut down the signal and the three of them raced outside.
"Brains have sick bay on stand by. We may need it," yelled Scott into his watch.
"FAB Scott," said Brains and he ran off to prepare.
Scott, Virgil and Tintin arrived on the south beach. They soon found Maddie still unconscious on the beach.
"Oh my god. Is she dead?" asked Tintin. Virgil knelt down beside her and searched for a pulse.
"She has a pulse. It's very faint but it's there, he said pulling her up into his arms. She was freezing cold and soaking wet. Virgil could feel her slipping away in his arms. He moved faster to the sick bay. They raced to the sick bay. Virgil laid her gently on the bed and Brains began stabilizing her. The others all left Brains and Tintin to work. They headed up to the lounge to tell their father what happened.
"What I don't get is what was she doing outside?" questioned Scott.
"I don't know but she must have been there a while. She was so wet and cold," said Virgil. Scott could hear the tremor in his brother's voice and walked over to him.
"You don't think she was out there all night. Do you?" asked John who was listening from Thunderbird 5.
"Possibly. Why didn't she come in when the storm started?" asked Jeff.
"Maybe she didn't realise it had," said Alan.
"She would have noticed Alan. That storm was major. Why would she stay out there?" asked Jeff.
"We may have a theory on that," said Tintin entering the room.
"How is she?" asked Virgil coming over to her.
"Well she is stable now. She has pneumonia," said Tintin touching his arm. She knew that Virgil cared about Maddie.
"You said you had a theory about what she was doing out there?" said Jeff approaching.
"We think she passed out before the storm hit."
"Passed out!" exclaimed Virgil.
"Yes along with the pneumonia she also has severe dehydration and exhaustion. Both of these she has been suffering with for a few days."
"Wait. She did look really ill yesterday," said Scott remembering how pale she had looked.
"Yes. She has not been sleeping or eating much. We think she had the flu then must have passed out whilst walking."
"You mean she was out there all night," said John.
"Yes I do John. Brains is trying to warm her up and get some fluids into her. I had better get back to Brains," said Tintin turning round.
"Can I come with you?" asked Virgil.
"Of course," she replied and they headed off. Scott glanced over at John. He looked really pale and worried.
"You ok son?" asked Jeff spotting the same thing as Scott.
"Uh yes father just worried about Maddie," he replied.
"Well Alan will be up to get you in a little while so you will see her for yourself then," Jeff replied knowing that John cared about Maddie.
"Ok father see you soon squirt," he said signing off. Alan glared for a second then went off to get his things ready.
Virgil and Tintin arrived in the sick bay. Brains had just finished doing a set of observations.
"How's it going Brains?" asked Virgil.
"Hello Virgil. All obs look normal," said Brains.
"That's one good thing," said Virgil walking over to the bed. He sat down in a chair beside her and took her hand. It was still ice cold and her face was still tinged with blue. He felt scared.
"She will be ok Virgil. It will take her a while to warm up," said Tintin.
"Come on Brains. Why don't we get something to eat. Virgil knows what to do if anything happens," said Tintin.
"Very well. Be back soon," he said and they left.
Virgil brushed some of the wet hair off her face. Her forehead was hot like she had a fever but her cheeks were cold. He felt so guilty. If only he had chased after her when she ran off last night. He could have prevented all of this. Scott came into the room. He had a feeling Virgil would be beating himself up about this.
"Hey bro," he said pulling up a chair beside him.
"It's all my fault Scott," he replied not looking round at him.
"No it's not Virge. You didn't know she was ill."
"I shouldn't have let her run off. She could have died out there," he said. Scott could hear the obvious distress in his voice and reached out to his younger brother. He touched his shoulder and turned Virgil to face him.
"This is not your fault and she is not dead Virge. She will be ok Virgil," he said.
"Scott," was all Virgil managed to say as he choked back a sob. Scott instantly put his arms round his brother. Virgil resisted for a second then let go of Maddie and hugged his brother back. He released a few tears but soon regained control of his emotions and pulled away from Scott.
"Thanks bro," said Virgil shrugging off what had just happened.
"It's ok bro. Do you want some lunch?"
"No thanks. You should though."
"Ok. I will see you in a little while," he said and left Virgil to it.
Four days had now passed and there had been no change in Maddie. They had been on no rescues so Virgil had spent all his time in the sick bay. John spent a lot of time down there too. It was him who hadfinally gotten Virgil to go to sleep. He lay on the other bed in the sick bay. John sat beside Maddie and took hold of her hand.
"I am so sorry Maddie. This is all my fault," he said.
"No it's not," croaked a voice. John looked down to see Maddie had woken up.
"Hey it's good to see those bright blue eyes again. How do you feel?" he asked smiling.
"Groggy. John you know this is not your fault. You can't help how you feel," she said smiling at him. She saw him look over to Virgil. He stood up as if to go and wake him.
"Don't John. He looks like he needs to sleep," she said grabbing his hand. John sat back down.
"Yeah he does. He has barely left your side."
"Really?"
"Yes he really cares about you Maddie," he said. John had seen in Virgil's eyes how much she meant to him. Maddie just gave a little sigh and a half smile.
"Maddie I have to ask you something. If I had been down here when you arrived. Do you think you may have fallen for me instead?" he asked.
"Honestly John. I don't think so. I love you John but as my best friend not my boyfriend. I am so sorry," she said gripping his hand.
"It's ok honey. I just had to know. How do you feel about Virgil?" he asked. Maddie looked over at him and smiled.
"Like I have met my soul mate," she said dreamily. She yawned.
"Get some sleep honey. I will talk to you later," said John and he watched as Maddie fell back to sleep. John smiled then went to tell the others.
Virgil awoke a couple of hours later to find Maddie still asleep. He smiled and kissed her forehead. Her forehead felt cooler now and her hands were warm. He knew she was on the mend. He went to have a shower and get some food. Along the way he met John.
"Hi Virgil. Are you feeling better now?" he asked.
"Yes thanks and I think it's time we had a little chat," he replied. John felt worried but he knew he had to talk to him. He followed Virgil into the lounge.
"So John what is going on between you and Maddie?" he asked sitting down.
"Nothing Virgil I swear," he replied sitting down on a chair furthest away from Virgil. Virgil had a really bad temper but it took a lot to make him angry and John didn't know if he had made Virgil angry enough to want to hurt him.
"But you do have feelings for her though don't you?" he said calmly.
"Yes I do Virge. She doesn't feel the same though I promise you. It's you she wants not me," he said in a sad tone. John knew he had to get over this crush and fast.
"Ok. How does that make you feel?"
"Bad but I can deal with it. She isn't the first and knowing my luck she wont be the last either," joked John trying to make Virgil smile. It didn't work. Virgil stood up and approached John. Oh god he thought he is going to kill me. John eased back on the chair. Virgil spotted it and laughed.
"I'm not going to hit you Johnny. I know you didn't do it on purpose. Will it be easier if I stay away from her," he replied sitting down beside him.
"No Virgil. If you want to be with her then you have my blessing. I will get over this. I'm not even sure now whether I truly had feelings for her or whether it was just s reaction to seeing her again," he replied whole heartedly.
"Ok bro. Thanks," said Virgil. He gave his older brother a quick hug then went off for his shower.
Two weeks later and Maddie was back to work. She had spent a lot of time with Virgil but nothing had really happened. They didn't want to upset John. Everyone was in the lounge listening to Virgil play when John's portrait began to flash.
"Go ahead son," said Jeff.
"I have had an emergency call from Australia. A factory has blown up and there are six men trapped underneath and plenty more injured on top. They are calling out for medics at the moment."
"Ok thanks John. Give Scott the details once he is in the air."
"FAB."
Scott went up to the swing door that lead to Thunderbird 1 and Virgil headed to his hatch. Alan went over to the lift down to Thunderbird 2.
"Mr Tracy can I go with them. John said they needed medics maybe I can help?" she asked.
"Well I'm not sure," he replied.
"Please. They wont know I'm with the others and I can sneak back to Thunderbird 2 later when no one is looking. They would never realise I was connected to you. They would just think I was near the scene. I used to live in Australia," she begged.
"Very well," said Jeff and Maddie joined Alan at the lift.
"Welcome aboard Doc," said Alan. They all set off for Australia.
Meanwhile the six men trapped in the factory were trying to stay calm. Two of them seemed much calmer then the others and one was packing a very large gun.
"Well our plan will soon be in action," said one.
"Yes and this time we wont fail," said the other. The man with the gun stood up and pulled it out.
"Stay calm everyone and I wont shoot you. If you all play along. You will all get out alive," he said and grinned.
Authors Note: Sorry Josie but another cliff hanger but wait for the next chapter there will be some real action. So what do these men have planned. Maddie has finally made her choice. I wasn't sure how to write Brains' stutter in so I didn't sorry.Did you guess she would pick virgil. If you guys like this one I have a sequel planned that will let John have some attention. Please read and review.