1Chapter Seven: Until Death
The morning of October 17th
A ray of morning sun shone through the glass window, spilling unto the bed in which Tessa slept. Her eyes fluttered open. She put a hand up to her face, wiping away a stray lock of hair. She smiled to herself and sat up. Tessa couldn't help but grin. "It's today . . . ," she mused aloud. In her eyes, this would be the happiest day of her life.
She got up from her bed, eager to start the day. At 2:30, she would be heading down the steps outside, from the tent the boys were supposed to have set up yesterday, towards her fiancé. Tessa frowned, feeling kind of down now. She wasn't allowed to see Virgil all day, as part of tradition.
Glancing over at the clock, she quickly calculated how long that would be. Eight hours? Tessa groaned. Oh, well. They'd get to spend two weeks straight afterwards for their honeymoon on Thunderbird 5.
Guess I better go find Penny so we can eat, she thought. This was going to be a long day.
—
The sun hit Scott's eyes and he winced. Shaking his head and blinking, he sat up. He wiped his hand down the side of his face, remembering that stupid tent they were supposed to set up. "Crap," he muttered to himself. He couldn't help it - the rehearsal dinner had gone smoothly, but Virgil still hadn't had a bachelor party. So . . . they'd sort of blown-off tent-building for an impromptu volleyball game.
Lana blinked at the sound of his voice. She turned towards him and smiled. Stroking his arm gently she asked in a calm voice, "What's the matter, hun?"
He turned his head towards her and threw her a grin. Bending down, he kissed her tenderly on the lips. Raising his face just a few inches from hers, he smiled and whispered, "Don't worry about it. You go back to sleep."
She grinned playfully, wrapping her arms around his neck so he couldn't go. "Not unless you come with me."
He grinned back. He slid a hand onto her expanding stomach and kissed her lightly again. "I would love to, but I have to go. You stay here and rest like you're supposed to do." He lifted his hand and pulled her arms off of him.
Lana glared at him, the smile still plastered on her face, as he fumbled for a shirt and pants to wear until he changed into his tux. "You are not the boss of me, Mr. Tracy."
Scott threw her a look while he pulled on his 'I Saw The World's Biggest Hoe' tee that Lana had given him after her last trip to Saskatchewan. "No, but the doctor is. You know that, Mrs. Tracy."
Lana sighed, falling back into her pillow. "Being pregnant bites the big one. Although, I must admit the amount of food your brothers leave me at dinner has gotten a lot better."
Scott chuckled. Giving her one last quick kiss, he bid her good-bye. "I have to go now and set up the tent like we were supposed to do last night instead of playing volleyball."
Lana looked shocked. "Why didn't you say that? Go! Go before Jeff or Tessa or Penny kills you!"
Scott laughed and walked out of the room.
—
Virgil jumped in his sleep. What is that noise? he thought to himself, sitting up and blinking. It sounded like someone was pitching a tent outside his window . . .
. . . wait, what day is this?
He looked at his calendar. Smiling broadly, he whispered, "It's today . . ."
He threw the covers off of himself. Scott must be putting up the tent they forgot about the night before. Virgil decided it would be a good idea to help him out . . . and distract himself until the ceremony started.
—
"How much farther?" Mimosa yelled at her father, who had burdened her with equipment more than himself.
They were hiking through the seemingly endless jungle of Tracy Island, where they had spent the night. They had arrived late into the evening by a small submarine and set up a tent. Now it was the morning of the wedding and time to begin setting up their equipment.
Her father turned around while still walking. A vicious look was on his face. "Oh, shut up! It's not that far - and we needed to be far away enough from the house that they wouldn't spot us! You knew what you were getting into when you decided to join me on this." He turned back.
Not technically true, Mimosa thought to herself as they trudged onward. But The Hood had been snapping at her for no reason. He didn't know - or, at least she hadn't told him - that she could sense others' feelings, or else he might have hidden his better. He seemed to have steeled himself from any emotion, but some kept slipping through. Odd ones too.
She was beginning to see a bit of beach through the trees, suggesting they would stop soon. Like her father had said before - they didn't want to be discovered. Sure enough, The Hood stopped short and held out his hand, prompting her to do the same. "This will do. We have a clear area to see around ourselves, but it's not so clear that they will notice us."
Mimosa sighed with relief and dropped the bags on the ground. The Hood was watching as two boys struggled to set up a tent. Mimosa couldn't make out the people, but she thought one had to be Gordon . . . or maybe Virgil. Definitely Virgil.
She bent over and began to unpack the equipment they'd need. She watched her father. His eyes flickered with a foreign emotion for a brief second. Mimosa was beginning to wonder what her father's real plan was.
—
Penny laughed as she chewed on a croissant for breakfast. She was staring at the bride-to-be from across the table. Tess was excited but her nerves were also very high. This was her wedding day, after all - and what if her father showed up? She sat at the table quietly, sipping orange juice and occasionally taking a bite of her pastry.
Tin-Tin was telling jokes, lightening up Tessa's mood slightly. "So he turns to the waiter and says, 'Secret: Strong enough for a man - but made for a woman.'"
The orange juice suddenly streaked out of Tessa's nose as she laughed hysterically. She couldn't help herself and was doubled-over. In a very un-lady-like gesture, Penny fell out of her chair from watching. Tin-Tin, being the only sensible one at this point, managed to grab a napkin and hand it to Tessa.
So much for nerves.
Penny struggled to her seat. In a breathy voice she stated, "Well, I suppose we should go get out and get set up in the tent. You go shower. We need to do our hair before lunch."
It was then that Tin-Tin turned around to see Scott heading towards the door - with Virgil right behind him. Tin-Tin rushed to the door, while Penny guided Tessa to the kitchen where she couldn't be seen.
Smiling at Scott, Tin-Tin decided to make small talk while Tessa headed off to the bathroom. "Hey, Scott - did you get the tent up yet?"
Scott turned around to stare at the large, obvious white mass of fabric behind himself. "Uh, yeah," he responded sarcastically.
Tin-Tin looked over his shoulder, blocking Virgil's view. "Well, would you look at that. Looks good, boys. Of course, it would have looked even better if you'd have put it up on time." She gave them a teasing smile.
Virgil shook his head. "It's up isn't it?"
Tin-Tin turned around. Tessa was no longer visible, so she stepped aside. "Enjoy your breakfast boys." Throwing them a smile over her shoulder, she headed to Penny's room, where all their supplies were kept.
The boys looked at each other, shrugged and decided breakfast was more important than figuring out women.
–
Tessa was happily washing herself in the shower. She was nervous, of course, but this was the best day of her life. In a matter of hours, she'd be married to Virgil, no matter what her father wanted . . .
Her father. Tessa stopped scrubbing her hair for a moment. The world was silent except for the sound of the water rushing out of the showerhead and onto the floor. Tessa had gone two whole days without thinking about her dad. It had been a week, give or take a few days, since she'd had that awful nightmare.
I wonder what Dad will be doing today . . . , she thought to herself, resuming washing her hair. Maybe he's finally happy for me . . . or maybe not.
She'd heard that he'd been released early for good behaviour or giving information or something like that. She hadn't really cared what the letter she received had said (Tess knew he'd likely just bribed a judge or something anyway). The fact was, he was out.
Brains was on high alert though. He made sure to check the beach, monitor the island, all of that. He hadn't seen anything.
Tessa turned off the water. She was trying not to dwell on all of these things that would likely never happen. She needed to focus on what was going to happen.
It was then she felt familiar little feet crawling up her back.
She groaned. Tessa angrily stepped out of the shower, wrapped herself in a housecoat and pulled the stupid pigmy alligator off of her back.
"Alan!" she screamed. "GET YOUR STUPID LIZARD BACK IN ITS CAGE!"
—
Gordon looked up from where he'd been strumming his guitar on his bed. Stupid lizard.
He sighed, and set the guitar back down on his bed. He went to his laptop, where he'd stored all of his files. He'd read the IMs and emails over and over, and still didn't know where he went wrong.
Don't you get it? This isn't working! Our relationship is based on instant messaging, but we don't communicate!
He didn't understand. First, she'd told him that she loved him. Then she'd turned right around and broken his heart. He hadn't lied in his response - he really thought he loved her. He knew that he was going to have to give her up anyway, so he couldn't respond when she'd done it for him.
Couldn't . . . but tried.
He'd started so many letters. He'd even tried to send one to make amends. But it had been returned. Her email address had been deleted. Her mailing address came up fake. She never signed on to the instant messenger service anymore - she'd likely deleted that account too.
Gordon had a dark secret. He was in love with Mimosa. The fact that she had left him out of no where and with no real reason tortured him. She was no where to be found, and it was no use looking. Mimosa was under the control of The Hood, and he knew The Hood wouldn't reveal her.
Gordon folded the laptop. He turned around and picked up the guitar. He began strumming some emo to make himself feel 'better'.
–
John stood by his father's side as the plane from the mainland touched down on the runway of Tracy Island. He could barely contain his overwhelming grin.
Okay, so John knew he should probably go change or report to the bridesmaid's tent or something, but he couldn't help it. He knew Shauna was on that plane. His Shauna. They'd been seeing each other since they met. Though, 'seeing' was really no way to describe it. Between his being up in space and her being in England, they'd barely been able to keep the relationship going. But now she was here.
The first person off of the plane was the minister. Followed by Brains, who'd been flying. But then she stepped out. Brains took her hand and helped her unto the runway. As soon as her feet hit the asphalt, she took off in John's direction. He wrapped her in his arms.
"I missed you," he whispered in her ear. He pulled back so he could kiss her.
"Me too," she replied as soon as she pulled away.
Finally, John had someone of his own.
–
Mimosa sat watching from her post. She had a thermos of coffee, which she sipped at regular intervals. As she viewed the activities surrounding the beach right before the ceremony, she thought over what she was about to do.
She glanced at her father, who sat behind her, deep in thought. All her life, growing up, all she'd ever wanted was a daddy. Someone to hug her when she was sad. Someone to support her when she'd gotten into college. Someone to pat her on the back when she'd received her first big break as a comic book illustrator. But he'd never been there. There was just her mom. At the high points in their relationship, there was always a distance between them Towards the end of high school, her mother had tried to understand her, but only then.
Now Mimosa had what she'd always wanted - a father. Sure, he wasn't exactly the type of dad who would bounce her on his knee. And sure, he probably wouldn't say the right things at the right times. But he was what she had.
He was untrusting, however. It was understandable, but frustrating. He'd filled Mimosa in on how his first wife had abandoned him the second she'd thought he was dead. His own daughter had dropped him when she'd met Mimosa. Jeff Tracy, now his arch rival, had left him for dead. This would be her way of showing her loyalty to him.
She took a large gulp of her coffee. The wedding was about to start. Time to get into position.
–
Tessa stared at herself in the mirror. There were a million thoughts running through her head. Her make-up was finished. Her hair was swept up in a neat-yet-messy up-do, with a pink Hawaiian flower holding it together. Her self-designed dress hugged her in all the right places. The off-the shoulder approach complimented her. Penny and Tin-Tin were outside, ready whenever she was.
A tear slipped from her eye, and she wiped it away with her manicured finger nail. She loved Virgil, more than anything. She wanted to marry him. But something inside her couldn't help but wish her father was there to see it. To walk her down the 'aisle.' He was a homicidal maniac, but a girl needs a father.
It was then that John stuck his head through the door of the tent. "Tessa? Are you ready?"
She turned at his voice and smiled. "I'm ready to go." She picked up her small bouquet, and pulled up her skirt, revealing a pair of flat, jewelled sandals purchased in India.
"Wow," he smiled at her, pausing to admire her for a moment before taking her right arm. "Tess, you are so beautiful. Virgil is very lucky."
She smiled, and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you. It means a lot to me." Together, they stepped out the tent, and watched as Penny and Tin-Tin walked down the pathway to the site of the beach. Penny threw Tessa a smile as she began her walk.
Tessa breathed deeply. This is it. The only music to guide her was the sound of the waves crashing against the beach. Her bright lips smiled at John, who was going to escort her down the beach. A part of her wished her father was going to see her, yet she had a strange feeling in the bottom of her stomach that he would. She began to feel scared. Truly scared.
As Penny reached the appropriate distance, John began to step out. "This is it," he said, beaming.
She began to step forward, then stopped, appearing to trip over a rock as her bouquet fell to the ground. She clenched her left fist, opened her palm again carefully, and laughed. "I tripped."
She let go of John's arm, and coughed into her hand as she picked her flowers back up. As she took his arm again, John looked at her, smiling. "Ready?"
–
"Are you ready, Mimosa?" The Hood asked his younger daughter, "This is it."
She turned around and gave him a thumbs-up, paired with a sarcastic grin. She was deep in concentration, as she aimed the large rifle (equipped with a silencer for added effect) towards the front of the procession.
Her thoughts were racing. This was what her father told her to do. This is what she had to do to prove her loyalty.
But she knew what she'd just seen. Tessa knew they were there. She'd just given Mimosa fair warning - Tessa wasn't going down without a fight.
–
Tessa strolled down the steps and unto the beach, John holding onto her arm.
Oh, God, she thought, what am I going to do?
She loved Virgil, more than anything. He wanted to marry her. She wanted to marry him. But was she willing to do so, knowing her father could be hiding somewhere on this island? Sure, Brains had swept the island over and over for the past week and a half, but this was The Hood. Anything was possible.
Her delicate sandals touched the beach, and a light breeze swept through her hair. She looked up and saw, just yards away, Virgil. There he stood, completely enchanted. He couldn't take his eyes off of his bride-to-be. He was so close to marrying her, he was willing to do anything. He loved her, and she knew it.
As John let go of her, and passed her on to his younger brother, Tessa gazed into her fiancé's eyes. Virgil's grin was so beautiful, she couldn't think of words to describe it. He leaned towards her and whispered in her ear softly, "I love you, Tessa."
It was then, she knew what she was going to do.
–
Mimosa watched as Virgil took her hand. Her weapon was equipped with a telescope, giving her a close-up view on what was happening. She could take either of them out in an instant. Her instructions were to wait, though. The Hood was all about effect. He wanted to get his point across loud and clear: no daughter of his was going to be associated with a Tracy.
If The Hood ever found out about Gordon, he would be devastated. Two of his daughters, falling for the sons of his rival? He was so quick to want to harm his oldest child for marrying one, what would he do if he found out Mimosa had dated one as well?
The thing about it was, Mimosa wasn't sure what her father wanted. She could feel his emotions. They raced through her. They were so varied. He was angry, he was excited, he was ...
. . . no. No, it couldn't be . . . The Hood would never . . . Mimosa's train of thought fizzled out. She was beginning to put two and two together, and she knew no matter what, it wouldn't end well for anyone. How was she to deal with this? She had to go through with the plan, no matter what.
Or should she? There really was no telling which would prove to hold the worse consequences for her. And considering that Tessa might have another power, either could end up really bad.
Oh, dear . . .
–
"Friends and family," the preacher began, smiling upon the couple, "we are gathered here today to witness the union of Theresa-Anne Highlander and Virgil Grissom Tracy in holy matrimony . . ."
Tessa gripped Virgil's hand tighter as the minister began to speak. "He's here," she whispered in his ear.
Virgil's smile waned briefly. "Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes."
The minister closed his Bible and turned to Scott. "The rings, please?"
Scott presented Tessa and Virgil with the rings Jeff had given them. Tessa took the one she was supposed to give Virgil, and Virgil the one he was to give Tess. Virgil took Tess's hand and held the ring in front of her finger. Tess's eyes begged him to act natural.
"Virgil, you may now recite your vows," the minister said.
"My darling Theresa," Virgil began, giving the signal, but smiling still. "I have loved you since you found your way to this island from the wreckage of a cruise ship. Through the ups and downs of our relationship, I have never given up hope that this day might come. I promise to cherish you and care for you as long as we both shall live. Wear this ring as a symbol of my love, and know I will always love you." He placed his mother's ring on her finger.
Tess knew that the brothers were panicking. They knew that if Virgil called her 'Theresa', there was trouble.
"Tessa, you may now recite the vows you have written for Virgil," the minister added.
She smiled, holding out Jeff's ring before Virgil's finger. "Virgil," Tess began, smiling, "From the moment I met you, I knew we shared something unique. At first, I did not know what was happening, and I'm sorry that I pushed you away. But after I got over myself, I realized that I truly loved you, more than anything in this world. Wear this ring, and know that I will always care for you, come what may." She slipped the ring around his finger.
They faced the minister again. "Virgil Grissom Tracy, do you take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife - to love and to care for, for better or for worse, for richer and for poorer, until death do you part?"
Virgil responded firmly, "I do."
The minister turned to Tess. "Theresa-Anne Highlander, do you take this man as your lawfully wedded husband - to love and to care for, for better or for worse, for richer and for poorer, until death do you part?"
She smiled. Very firmly, she responded, "I do."
–
This was it. Mimosa knew that was her cue to get into position. In a matter of seconds, her sister would regret those two words, and her father would be proud.
–
"It is my pleasure," the minister grinned, having no idea what was going on, "to now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Time began to move oddly at that very instant. First it moved extremely slow, but at the same time, almost too fast to keep up.
Virgil wrapped his arms around Tess and kissed her passionately. She kissed him back, but did not let her guard down. She placed her hand on his shoulder, hoping she was about to save the right person.
Her dream came true at that second.
The shot rang, despite the silencer, and Tess hurdled Virgil out of the way of the bullet, which ricocheted off of a boulder behind them. In the blink of an eye, she turned in the direction of the forest. Balling her fist, it took her only an instant to throw a ball of fire large enough to set the part of the jungle concealing her father ablaze.
She could hear her father screaming at her half-sister that she was an idiot, and a terrible shot. She could see her brothers-in-law and father-in-law running towards the jungle, where her father was. She could see Brains grabbing the fire extinguisher from its holder by the pool. She saw the panic in the faces of Shauna and the minister.
What she didn't see was her husband getting up.
Or the second bullet hurtling towards them.
Her nightmare was coming true - she knew as she saw the blood dripping on the sand at her feet.
Virgil gripped her around the waist, panic on his face. He was scared to death. His face was pale. He didn't know what was going to happen, but he knew there were no good outcomes. "Tessa? Tessa?!" he screamed.
She collapsed in his arms.
–
Jeff Tracy ran towards the jungle, knowing The Hood and his daughter were hiding back there. Without a single thought to the fire blazing, he ran towards them. As soon as The Hood was in sight, he hastened his pursuit. Pulling his rival from behind the gun, he punched the man square across the jaw.
The Hood collapsed to the ground momentarily. Within seconds, the four Tracy brothers arrived, ready to take their fathers place. Scott leaned forward, trying to pick The Hood up off of the ground. The Hood was too fast - with a flash across his eyes, Scott's head began to pound, forcing him to collapse to the ground.
Everything moved fast. Tin-Tin appeared out of no where, her own telekinetic powers matching The Hood's. Her power wasn't near as strong, but it held out long enough to free Scott, allowing the brothers to gain the advantage.
"Unhand me! You can't control me!" The Hood screamed as four Tracy men grabbed him, holding him back.
Jeff sneered at him, as they pulled him out of the charred jungle. "What is your problem?! Could you possibly leave us alone for one major event? Just one?!"
Gordon had taken hold of Mimosa. He was torn at the moment from what had just occurred, and he had no idea how to react. Mustering all the strength he could, he faced her, anger on his face. "I guess your plan to kill my brother and ruin your sister's wedding failed, didn't it?"
She shook her head at him, and nodded towards the beach where the ceremony had taken place. "Not really," she said, a sadistic grin on her face.
Gordon turned his head, and almost dropped his grip on Mimosa. "Dad!" he screamed.
–
"Tessa! Tessa!" Virgil pleaded, holding her as he kneeled on the beach. "Baby, please wake up. Please."
Jeff darted from The Hood to where his middle son was, ordering the others to lock the Hood up in the cellar as planned.
Penny and Tin-Tin's mother were already there, trying to help Tessa. Ohana had some rags, and was pressing them to her shoulder. There was blood everywhere. Virgil gripped her hand, begging her to wake up.
Penny was talking to Parker rapidly. "You have to get her to the hospital! The bullet seems to have missed vital organs, but she could still bleed to death!" She was in tears.
Parker was trying to calm her down. "I can't! If I show up at the hospital in London in a flying car, they'll know we're the Thunderbirds."
Penny knew she was trapped. Parker was right. She fell into his arms crying. "I don't know how we can get her there fast enough without anyone knowing."
Jeff looked over at her. "So let's tell them."
–
Mimosa watched her father, pacing back and forth in the cell as if he were an anxious tiger in a cage. They had been locked in for hours it seemed. The brothers had proceeded to take them downstairs, locking them up and leaving them under the watchful eyes of Brains and Kyrano. The two men monitored them carefully, not allowing one to take their eyes off of their captives without the other taking over.
They'd left the beach as Jeff had reached Tess. They'd no idea as to the plans the men had to save her . . . and they themselves seemed to have no plans for escape.
Mimosa sat in the corner, not saying a word. She knew her father was trying to come up with a plan, and it was only a matter of moments before he would succeed. They'd be free, and ready to plan their next escapade.
Not that she'd definitely be included. Things hadn't gone The Hood's way today, leading him to believe that Mimosa had failed. In all honesty, was it her fault that Tess was smarter than they'd calculated? Was it her fault Tess had known which of them The Hood had planned on shooting?
Although, then again . . .
Mimosa couldn't help but revisit what had just happened over and over. She'd aimed the gun at Virgil. She'd pulled the trigger as soon as they kissed. Then Tessa had pushed him out of the way a split second before the wound would have been fatal. Her father had yelled and screamed at her. The next thing she knew, she was falling down the hill, having been thrust aside so her father could do the job himself.
But he'd shot the wrong person.
The plan had always been to shoot Virgil. Always. The Hood was all about maximum effect - he wanted his daughter to see the man she 'loved' wither and die before her like the weak being he was. He wanted her to understand what she was giving up was serious.
He wanted revenge.
The rest had been a blur. An emotional blur. All of the emotions that the brothers carried had almost overwhelmed Mimosa when they came running. Rage, fear, shock . . .
. . . regret?
It was true. She realized it now, as The Hood paced back and forth impatiently - not for a plan to escape, but for news of Tessa.
She'd been confused at first as to what it was he was feeling. Why would he feel remorse and doubt? It had been his plan.
Mimosa was still trying to understand the fleeting emotions of worry and regret that he was giving away. He hadn't meant to shoot Tessa in the shoulder - he had been aiming for Virgil, and missed. The flames Tessa had flown had obscured his view. Now he worried how his eldest daughter was fairing.
And it was his fault Tessa was ailing.
–
The world was a dark, black place. Tessa had no idea where she was. So many sounds, voices. She wanted to escape this blackness, but it was far easier said than done.
Slowly, she blinked her eyes open. Trying to regain her focus, she looked around the room. This wasn't her home. This was not her room at Tracy island. It was white. There were some flowers in the corner, a small TV hung from the ceiling, and a coat rack with a gown hanging from a hook sat in the corner by the door. She was laying in uncomfortable, thin blue polyester sheets. The annoying clicks and beeps from the hallway outside of the door filled the air, and the room was bombarded with the disgusting scent of too much Lysol.
Tessa didn't like not knowing where she was. She tried to sit up, but all she ended-up doing was screeching in agony. She turned to the source, finding that her arm was strapped to her opposite side, in an effort to stop her from moving her wounded shoulder.
Virgil was at her side instantly. "Tess!" He grabbed her hand, and sat by the bed. He was still in his tux, the bow tie undone, and the jacket unbuttoned. "Oh, angel, I was so worried. How are you?" He kissed her hand, holding it tight.
Tess turned to him and smiled. "Oh, Virgil," she said through tears. She pulled her hand free and used it to raise his chin. She kissed him passionately, wrapping her good arm around his neck. He slipped his hands around her waist, pulling her closer. The two were happy to have survived their wedding. After hours of worry, they were finally together. She broke away, tears streaming her face. "He did it. Virgil . . . Virgil, he shot me. My own father shot me." She was sobbing.
He began to wipe away her tears. "I know . . . I know. I'm so sorry I couldn't get there in time." He looked her in the eyes.
She smiled. "Then you'd be in my place, likely worse. And I couldn't handle that."
He smiled and kissed her softly. They were silent for a long time. Virgil let out a small laugh after awhile. "I guess this means we won't be taking our honeymoon anytime soon."
She smiled. "I'd have to agree with you there."
He took her hand. "We'll get to go up in space. As soon as you're better."
She smiled weakly at him, hurt in her eyes. She looked across the room, where a mirror was hanging on the wall. Her red hair was mussed, and had long-since been taken out of its up-do. Her makeup was gone, her eyes red. Her wedding dress was hanging in the corner, having been replaced by a hospital gown. Even from the bed, she could tell the dress would need serious cleaning, it was so bloody. She didn't even know if that would make her dream dress okay again.
A tear fell from her cheek. "How much better could I possibly get? I've lost what crappy remnants of a family I had. My father just shot me, and the only reason my crazy half-sister didn't was because she can't aim. The only family I have is you. You're the only one who cares." She smiled, but it was bittersweet.
He smiled at her, and placed a hand on her cheek. "Baby, you have no idea how many people love you."
She looked confused. "You're the only one who bothered to take me to the hospital. I heard Penny and Parker before I passed out."
He dropped her hand, and walked over to the TV, bursting with happiness and pride that Tessa didn't understand. He turned it onto a news channel.
There was a reporter standing in front of a sign reading "London General Hospital". He was holding a microphone, and staring at the camera intently. "The media has been in a frenzy for hours around this hospital, but are only now being allowed access inside. Just a little while ago, a frantic call came into London General, asking security to be on high alert. Moments later, Thunderbird One showed up, carrying a shooting victim on board. The victim is reported to have been a young female in her early twenties, apparently shot in the middle of her own wedding!
"It is a rarity," the reporter continued, "for the Thunderbirds to carry a victim into the hospital, on top of the request for added security. So rare, in fact, that people have begun to speculate that perhaps this case has hit a little closer to home than others they have dealt with. Is this woman affiliated with the Thunderbirds? Channel three will stay on the case to find out. Now back to the studio."
Virgil turned off the TV, and back to Tessa. "The reason no one is in the room is that they're all in the hall, fighting back reporters so that you can be alone."
Tessa stared at Virgil for a long time. A smile began to form. They'd flown her in the Thunderbird. They knew there would be press, but they didn't care. They loved her. All of them.
–
The Hood had stood still for a long time now. Mimosa watched him. Besides wondering how her sister was - if she was dead - he was her only source of entertainment. Without it, she would have gone mad in this cell - which she deduced must have been used for testing or storage or something before they got there. (Who has a cell in their basement?)
He was in concentration. His thoughts of Tess had taken a backseat to something else, she deducted. He was realizing something, and it was motivating him.
Kyrano and Brains had been watching them silently for hours. For hours on end, not a single word had been spoken. For hours the only thing to break the silence had been the tapping of The Hood's feet against the cold cement. Now that the pacing had stopped, she was left without entertainment.
But she knew that the end of the pacing signalled the beginning of escape.
Kyrano and Brains wouldn't know what hit them.
–
Jeff strolled into his office, alone, and tossed his jacket towards the leather couch. He wandered towards the corner where he'd set up a bar.
Jeff had renovated the living room. It now encompassed a large, brilliant mahogany desk that held all the controls and monitored the entire island. The old sofas had all been replaced with smart black leather ones. The carpet had been pulled up and replaced with all hardwood. The portraits of the boys had been redone, adding Tessa and Lana in. They were all still set on "operation cover-up" mode.
Jeff turned around, sipping his scotch as he wandered towards the portraits. Tess was so beautiful in hers. She sat in a butterfly chair, a white boa falling off of the edge. She was wearing a smart black dress, red hair fanned against her shoulders. Her legs were crossed, and her bare feet were explained by a pair of heels on the floor. She was gorgeous. She was his newest daughter.
He couldn't believe what The Hood had done to her. Tessa was a sweet girl. His daughter. He claimed to love her, or at least acted so when convenient for him. But what did he have to gain by shooting her? Virgil, Jeff could understand, but not Tessa. There had to be more to it.
He took another swig of his drink as he sat behind his desk. It was larger, smarter, and contained far more controls that were easily hidden during 'operation cover-up'.
Sure, there had been many technological changes, but there had been several emotional ones. Gone were the score of pictures of the boys when they were younger playing with their mother. Gone were the endless amount of pictures with Lucy in them. Only one was left standing - that of Lucy on their first date. Her hair was done up in soft waves, and she wore an evening gown. The rest had been replaced. Now there sat Scott on his wedding day . . . Virgil and Tessa after he'd proposed . . . John and Shauna the first time she'd visited the island . . . Tin-Tin and Alan, dancing at a party . . . Gordon strumming a guitar . . . and Penny.
The feelings he had for Penny were confusing. He cared about her deeply, but had never wanted to reveal this to his children. Even though their mother had died so long ago that Alan scarcely even recalled knowing her, he wasn't sure if they could accept him 'moving on'.
Perhaps though, it was time.
He continued sipping his drink, and he entered the pass code - his hand print - to open up all of the monitors and security cameras to view. He needed to check up on The Hood.
But what he saw was not what he wanted. He cursed, dropped his drink on the desk, grabbed his jacket, and rushed towards the basement.
–
Mimosa sat on the escape boat, watching Tracy Island get smaller and smaller in the distance. The Hood had insisted on driving - and she knew it had only been because she'd messed up shooting Virgil. Normally, he would never stoop to such low levels as actually doing work, like motoring a boat.
Jeff will be discovering our escape soon, she thought to herself. She knew how it would go: he'd look on one of his monitors and see Brains and Kyrano laying helpless on the floor. He'd rush down the stairs, sounding the alarm (to no avail). He'd look around, trying to discern what had occurred, but would not be able to believe it until he reversed his security tapes.
Mimosa smiled inside. The plan had been ridiculously simple, yet highly effective. The Hood had created a distraction by cursing at them, while Mimosa used telekinesis to hit the pair over the head with a blunt object. The Hood used his powers to lift the keys to the cell, and voila! Escape.
Her father had most certainly freed the two of them from a jail sentence. Mimosa also knew that they weren't likely going to be found anytime soon, unless The Hood wanted it. However, she realized that she had messed up his plans - and when he'd taken over, he had only taken them out of the frying pan and into the fire.
As the tropical island faded into the distance, Mimosa could recall the events of the ceremony as clear as if it had happened moments ago. She still could not get over the emotions The Hood had given off - and was still sending. Guilt. Remorse. Shock. Pain. Horror. Things she couldn't imagine the stone of a man ever feeling. She'd felt something odd before from him - like he was giving it second thoughts. When she'd felt the feelings he'd had after shooting his first born (that she knew of) daughter, it had all been clear.
It was striking her now. The Hood didn't care who she was. He didn't care who pulled the trigger. To him, Mimosa wasn't a daughter - she was a henchman. Someone to keep his hands relatively clean. Someone to murder his daughter's husband so he wouldn't have to bare the look of disappointment on her face.
Sure, The Hood liked having an accomplice. Sure, he enjoyed having someone else to help him turn his sick fantasies into realities. The Hood liked someone to do his dirty work - and all the better if she was family, who couldn't just abandon him after a mission went wrong. Mimosa held her arms, suddenly feeling cold. That was all she was to him. Some unwanted bastard who could help him try to recapture that one person he actually wanted by his side.
Tessa.
Mimosa blinked to try and hold back the tears. Her mother hadn't wanted a daughter to begin with, and she wasn't the daughter her father wanted. She was just a lonely child out to try and find someone who would accept her . . . if that someone even existed.
–
Three Weeks Later . . .
Alan grunted as he lifted the last of his sister-in-law's bags into Thunderbird 3. This was it, finally - Virgil and Tessa would be going away for their honeymoon. It had taken two weeks to get Tessa out of the hospital, and an additional to get everything in order for their trip, but the pair couldn't be happier.
The youngest Tracy smiled as he closed the door to his control centre. He hadn't been around much for the preparation of the wedding, so he hadn't really been caught up to speed on Tessa's bizarre nightmares or how much the Hood had truly been a factor in the preparation for the wedding. But he had seen the look on Virgil's face when they were married - that look that spoke volumes, telling her how much he loved her. How he would always care, come hell or high waters as Lana would say.
He pushed a button that connected him to HQ. "Okay, all ready to go. Send down the happy couple," he instructed.
"Aye, aye, cap'n," Scott replied sarcastically.
Alan sat down in his chair, relaxing as he waited for Virgil and Tessa to come down via the couch. His older brother had only known Tessa for what - a year and a half? Yet, he had been certain from day one that she had been the only one for him. He'd been the first to hear her calling from the beach for help. He'd been the first to really take initiative in training her. Sure, maybe he hadn't gotten to kiss her first and maybe he hadn't grown up with her around or had years to truly realize that he needed to stand up and ask her to marry him, but he'd done it. And maybe she wasn't 'high class' and had always had to work to make ends meet unlike them, but he saw past all that. It wouldn't have mattered if she'd been a servant in his house, Virgil would have stood up and still proposed in exactly the same way.
Even Scott . . . Scott hadn't even known Lana for 3 months when they went to Vegas. Sure, he'd heard of her. Maybe he'd run across her name a few times before that in some documents somewhere, but he didn't know who she was. He was so hung up on Tessa, that the first time he'd actually met Lana, he just outright hated her - and she'd been more than happy to do the same. But quickly, he'd realized what a mistake he was making. When he thought she was gone - heck, when he thought she was just in Canada - he'd been so depressed it was hard for him to get out of bed. But when he saw her again, found her perfectly alright (with no memory, mind you) Scott wasted no time in proposing.
The sound of Virgil and Tessa entering momentarily halted Alan's train of thought. Tessa was wearing a green sun dress, her right shoulder bandaged visibly, but her arms around Virgil nonetheless. Virgil smiled at Alan. "Ready for lift-off?"
Alan paused. Both his brothers had realized very quickly that they were madly in love with the right woman. Why had it taken him so many years to realize he was too? Perhaps he should stand up, take action, and propose that he and Tin-Tin move on to the next phase.
"F.A.B.," Alan replied, unable to wipe the grin off of his face.
–
Virgil couldn't take his eyes off of Tessa. The ride up had been short, but sweet. As they had greeted John, he'd held her hand the whole time.
Now, looking out the window, they saw the last of everyone else fly off towards the Earth. Tessa stood by the window, a shawl falling from her arms. She was staring at the planet in front of them, mesmerised. "It's so . . . ," she began.
"Lovely?" he asked, walking towards her.
She turned to him. Tessa smiled, and wrapped her hands around his waist. Virgil leaned forward, and kissed her softly.
He never did get a reply.
Author's Note:
As I sit here, pressing the 'complete' button, I have mixed feelings. This is my, what, 8th fanfiction now? And it took a year and a half – the longest of any. It feels like more than one story. I apologize profusely for taking this long … I blame the ending. It took me a long time to decide how to finish it. There were so many different endings I wanted to choose (at one point I was so frustrated by this that I nearly had a killing spree where everyone died). However, I think I found an ending that fits. I hope you enjoy it. As for whether or not there will be another, I do not know. I will not give up writing, but you might see me expanding beyond Thunderbirds. But who knows? You may very well see Tessa gracing the lists of once again. Lots of Love, EJM.