Thunderbirds and the Tracy boys are the creation of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson

Author's Note: Just to say that this story is set in the villa of the series and I'm presuming that Jeff would have a private office/study where he would keep paperwork and documents associated with Tracy Enterprises as well as the desk in the lounge from where he operates International Rescue.

Chapter 37

As she opened the door to Jefferson Tracy's office, Jenna took another deep breath and proceeded inside; there was no going back now. The office, though functional, had a cosy feel to it with a large built-in oak bookcase adorning one wall, on which were displayed a variety of leather bound First Edition Classic novels, Document Files, each a different colour denoting a different function, and a myriad of Corporate Manuals. Here and there on the shelves were fine figurines, among which were displayed figures and models the boys had made when they were young, given equal status and importance.

Another wall was adorned with framed pictures of the boys at various stages of their school development and then later, on into careers pursued before they took up their posts with International Rescue. Jenna couldn't fail to see a very handsome Scott Tracy in his USAF uniform, complete with medals adorning his chest as well as his brothers attaining the highest achievements in their chosen field, all of which spoke to her of a father very proud of his sons. Other framed pictures included past colleagues, both living and deceased, of Jeff's from when he first started in the USAF through to his Space Agency days.

In front of her now was a very large, imposing solid oak desk with a green leather inlaid panel, on top of which was all the latest communications technology that kept the head of such a busy multi-corporate business in touch with his empire. Behind the desk, a rather imposing but comfortable looking high back swivel office chair in black leather and seated thereon the rather imposing figure of Jeff Tracy himself.

Jeff winced slightly as he looked up from his paperwork, pulling his glasses down his nose and peering over the top to see who had entered. It wasn't the first time he had felt that uncomfortable feeling of indigestion in these past few days and he promised himself to have a talk with Kyrano about a change in his diet and, perhaps, cut down on a few of his liquid indulgences that helped him relax of an evening. Of course, he would tackle all that tomorrow. His expression too, was also partly due to the fact that he wondered what he may have done wrong to warrant a visit at this time of the day from Jenna, knowing that she would have been engaged in supervising Scott's exercise regime. He tried to hastily think if there was anything else that he had failed to inform her of regarding his eldest son's care but drew a blank. Her less than happy face told him something was clearly bothering her and he wondered if she might even have had the unfortunate incident from the previous night on her mind. As it turned out, neither of these scenarios proved to be the case.

Whatever it was she had come to see him about, Jeff could see she was finding it difficult to know where to start, so he thought, maybe, he could put her at her ease with a light hearted quip. He was genuinely fond of her and had no wish for her to feel uncomfortable in his presence. Yes, they had had their differences but she had always stood her ground and he respected her for that. "And what might I have done this time, young lady?" Jeff asked, as he continued to peer over his glasses and give her a questioning smile. Although his voice displayed the same gruff tone with which he invited her into his office the manner and demeanour in which he spoke it conveyed almost the same playful attitude as that of his eldest son. Jenna could also tell from the warm smile that he now gave her and the early photos on the wall that Jeff Tracy had, indeed, been a handsome and striking man in his youth.

Jenna could only laugh at his assumption that he must have done something wrong to warrant this visit but in her heart she knew he was really trying to put her at her ease. Jeff Tracy was actually a dear, sweet man, a side that Jenna believed few people ever saw. Beneath that stern and serious persona he projected she knew there to be a caring, kind and very worried father. "No Jeff, it's nothing you have done, this time," she laughed, relaxing just a little but then the seriousness of why she was here filled her mind again.

"OK Jen, no more beating about the bush," she chided herself, "Just come right out and say it." Looking him straight in the eye Jenna took another deep breath. "Jeff, I love your son, I've resigned my position at the hospital and I need to know whether you still want me to continue to be Scott's nurse," she said quickly, her words all coming out in one breath. Should she have hesitated her courage might have failed her and she wouldn't have got saying what she felt she had to.

The silence in the office seemed to last forever and to say that Jeff Tracy was stunned was putting it mildly. He had sensed that his son had feelings for her but just how deep those feelings went he had no idea; the evidence of Scott's defence of her the previous evening by the swimming pool told him that his son's feelings were growing stronger. He was also aware that Jenna was fond of his son and had feelings for him, evident by the way she looked at him and cared for him. Then, of course, there was that embarrassing 'emergency situation' that he had walked in on when they were obviously enjoying showing one another that attraction and how much they liked each other.

Jeff could tell she was serious and, indeed, it must be serious for her to declare love for his eldest son. Admitting a liking or even a fondness was one thing but to go as far as to say she loved him was another matter entirely. He knew Jenna to be a strong-minded, independent and spirited young woman who was dedicated to her duty and responsibility and would not be given to tossing around words like love lightly.

"I see," Jeff said slowly and carefully, taking in this rather sudden revelation. "And what about Scott? Does…he feel the same way?" he asked, as delicately as possible, being the next obvious question.

"To be honest Jeff…..I don't know. We haven't talked about it. I can only speak for my own feelings," Jenna answered, trying now to keep the emotion from her voice and remain calm.

"And you feel you must resign from your post at the hospital?" Jeff queried, knowing it to be a job she loved, for she had made it clear, the day she stormed into the lounge demanding to know how Scott caught a cold, that she was a darn good nurse, a memory now that made Jeff smile. "That's a big step, Jenna," he reminded her, although he was sure she was aware of that already and had obviously given this matter a lot of thought.

"Yeah, I'm well aware of that. But it's the right thing to do," she said, agreeing with him. "I broke the rules and I crossed the line when I got emotionally involved with my patient," Jenna continued, stating her reasons for resigning, though she had to smile inwardly when she thought of just how emotionally and physically she had gotten involved. Did she regret having to leave her job at the hospital, where she had come to make so many friends? Of course she did, you don't leave a life like that without feeling anything. Did she regret ever falling in love with Scott Tracy or coming to the island to nurse him? Never in a million years, of that she was certain; no matter what the future held she would never regret that.

Becoming a bit more defiant in her attitude now she stated, "I'm prepared to accept the consequences but I certainly don't intend to give them the pleasure of firing me." In referring to 'them' Jenna meant the good ladies and gentlemen of the Board of Governors of St Vincent Memorial Hospital, who privately, she thought of as a bunch of old stuffed shirts who thought more of rules, regulations and whether or not enough paper cups had been ordered than the welfare and comfort of the patients.

Jeff, having listened to her explanation, now nodded. If there was one thing about Jenna it was she stood by her principles, no matter what the consequences would be. It was one of the things Jeff had come to admire about her, that and her strong sense of duty as well as her caring and compassionate attitude, not only to his eldest son but also to the rest of the family. Jeff also felt a sense of guilt, in that the reason she felt she had to resign was because of loving his son and expressing that love while still on duty. Jeff was not such an ogre that he did not know and understand how love can blossom in the least expected places or that the depth and strength of love can take you unawares. He smiled fondly at his memories of Lucille, thinking of the depth and strength of the love he had felt for his dear wife, long gone and perhaps, his fondness of Jenna was because she reminded him of her.

"Have you told Scott? Does he know you've resigned?" Jeff asked sympathetically, knowing this was not an easy decision she had made.

"No….and I don't want him to know," Jenna stated adamantly, "at least not yet." "Scott has been through enough already, physically and emotionally. I'm not going to have him feel any of this is his fault," she added, with a definite protective tone, which spoke of her love for him.

Jeff could clearly see the depth of her feeling for him in her desire to protect him. He had to wonder though, was it possible to love in such a short space of time. It had been just over two weeks since Scott regained consciousness and even in that time he had slept quite a bit as well as having a fever, although, she had been there constantly by his side. It was a question Jeff felt he couldn't ask her but she obviously thought so to have taken the momentous decision to end a career, which she did not come by overnight and he had to admit to feeling a certain amount of pride, knowing she must feel his son was worth it.

"And have you thought what you will do, Jenna?" Jeff wanted to know, wondering if she had already implemented a plan. "Or has Scott asked you to stay with him?" he added, thinking that might be a possibility, even though she had already said they hadn't yet talked but then that could be his son's way of wanting to get to know her better.

"No Jeff…..to be honest, I haven't thought about what I'll do yet," she replied with a weak smile. "And no, Scott hasn't asked me to stay and that's another reason I don't want him to know," Jenna continued, adamantly. "I don't want him to ask me to stay out of pity, because he feels sorry for me or out of some sense of duty, because he feels he should, because he thinks it's his fault. Nor do I presume that he would ask me to stay," she went on. "And you must promise me, Jeff, that you won't say. I won't have him put under any emotional pressure," she said clearly and concisely, her love for him becoming more evident.

"All right," Jeff agreed but he didn't want her to feel that once his son was well and didn't need her nursing care any longer that the Tracy family were going to leave her high and dry so he offered a solution. "Jenna, you know that I have some influence with the Board of Governors," Jeff started to say, "I could……"

"Absolutely not," Jenna stated emphatically, cutting him short before he even said what his proposal was, though she reckoned Jeff's sphere of influence with the Board of Governors had a lot to do with dollar signs. "I am not going to let you or anyone else buy me a position in the hospital," she added determinedly but she couldn't help but smile and be touched by Jeff's kind gesture. "Thank you, though, Jeff. I really do appreciate it," she smiled warmly, "but I knew the rules and I'll accept the consequences."

In truth, Jeff didn't expect anything less of her, knowing her strong convictions and principles; in fact, he probably would have been disappointed if she had accepted his proposal. He couldn't help thinking how much like his eldest son she was in that respect, Scott having earned his place in the USAF by his own merits and not because his father had influence and money. Jeff knew now, that whatever happened between them, he would make sure she had a means to support herself, though he suspected from her fiercely independent nature she might take some persuading.

Jenna now shifted uncomfortably, having come to the reason she was here to speak to Jeff. "Well Jeff….now I need to know if you….," she said, hesitating, as if she couldn't bear to hear what the answer might be. "If you still want me to continue as Scott's nurse or if you feel the situation has become untenable?" Jenna asked, closing her eyes briefly and taking in a long, slow breath to steady her racing heartbeat as she waited in anticipation of his answer.

It was clear to Jeff that she had no wish to leave but he believed she would abide by his decision if asked to do so, though he suspected it would break her heart. Jeff Tracy was not about to break the heart of a young woman who had been up front and honest with him, though she had admitted to breaking the rules of her nursing code, but then, she had already addressed that problem by doing what she believed was right and resigning her position. In truth, Jeff could not complain about the quality of nursing care she gave to his eldest son and he was not about to punish her further for falling in love with him.

Taking his glasses off and laying them on the desk Jeff began. "Firstly Jenna…… I want to thank you for being honest and up front with me," Jeff said, the gruffness of his tone having disappeared long ago. "And that's something we haven't always been eye to eye on," he added, a wry grin breaking over his face and knowing the fault had been on his part. Jenna allowed herself a half laugh, releasing some of the tension that she was now feeling. That was something she admired about Jeff Tracy, his willingness to admit to being at fault and knowing where 'the buck stopped'.

Jeff continued with his speech. "And secondly……I have no intention of firing you….so you can stop worrying," he assured her quickly, not wanting to make her wait until the end of his little speech. "Besides," he went on, his grin returning, "I don't imagine Scott would be too happy with me if I did." Although said in jest, he was sure his son wouldn't have been happy if his decision had been to send her away and he had no wish to give his volatile eldest son an excuse to have another confrontation with him, or worse, incur an animosity between them. As well as that he didn't want to risk the possibility of his son suffering a relapse due to her suddenly disappearing from his life.

"Jenna…I have no problem whatsoever with the level of your nursing care. In fact, you have proved yourself to be a very dedicated, caring and compassionate young woman who has, not only, selflessly devoted herself to the care of my son, seeing to his every need," he stated warmly and at which point Jenna had to smile inwardly, thinking, 'Well, not quite. Not yet'. "But has also taken the time to be patient and understanding and helping this family through a very difficult time. You have endeared yourself to this family since you first arrived and I know my other sons have grown fond of you…." Jeff continued in his praise of her, causing her to feel an emotion, which threatened tears. "…..as….as I have myself," he finished warmly, Jenna feeling that single tear roll down her cheek.

"Why, Jeff Tracy…..whatever are you trying to do? Make me cry?" she smiled and sniffed as she drew in another long breath and quickly wiped the tear away in an effort to stem a flood of emotion. She realised that Jeff had paid her the highest compliment and knew it was not easy for a man like him to admit to being fond of an opinionated, strong-willed and determined young woman such as herself who had come into his household and turned it upside down.

Jenna thanked him for his decision before he went on to say. "Does Mike know of this decision you've made?" he asked kindly, knowing how much she respected and adored Mike as a father figure.

Her face saddened and became troubled as she contemplated this last part in her course of action. "No…not yet Jeff," she replied solemnly. "That's why I want to ask a favour of you," she added hopefully.

"Of course….if I can," Jeff responded. "I would hope you could come and ask me anything," he said, now feeling a deeper bond of trust had grown between them for she had confided in him her deepest feelings.

"Well, I would just like to be able to use the phone in here to make a call to Mike," Jenna began. "It's more private. I sent my resignation in with the mail plane this morning but I would obviously like to talk to Mike first before he gets to hear on the hospital grapevine," she said with a weak smile, belying the true extent of her sadness, "I owe him that, at least."

Jeff nodded his understanding. "Of course, Jenna, that won't be a problem," he assured her, as he admired her thoughtfulness and consideration in wanting Mike to hear first hand, despite the turmoil of feeling she was in. "You know, Mike will be sorry to lose you," Jeff reminded her gently. "I happen to know he thinks extremely highly of you, as do I," he added, his tone denoting the respect and fondness he felt.

He had by now left the comfortable office chair and came around the desk to make his way to the door, offering her the privacy to make one very difficult and probably emotional phone call.

"Thanks Jeff….I appreciate that…and…you have no idea…how much that means to me." Jenna almost struggled to say. Before he made his way to the door, however, Jenna reached over and planted a kiss on his cheek, causing Jeff to cough and bluster slightly at her open show of affection but with which he was secretly delighted.

She smiled at his embarrassment, thankful for the opportunity to compose herself once again.

"And you're sure about this?" Jeff asked, giving her one last chance to change her mind, for it would not be too late to have her resignation rescinded and for him to pull some strings.

"I'm sure," Jenna replied, now with quiet confidence and smiling warmly at the thought of her love for Scott Tracy. With that Jeff left the office, leaving her to contemplate her thoughts and how she would formulate this next conversation.

As he left he chuckled to himself, "I must be getting mellow and soft in my old age." He also pondered, though, that if his eldest son was foolish enough to let this young woman walk out of his life then he would make sure he pointed that out to him.

Virgil had now finished his calibrations, filled in the report and made his way to his father's office to leave it with him before heading back down to the gym to help with Scott's workout.