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

Author's Note: Reference is made to the Musketeers, who are the creation of Alexandre Dumas and not of my making, unlike the Traceketeers, who are entirely mine.

Chapter 44

Expecting that there would have been an audience for this show, Scott and Jenna were both surprised that Gordon had come alone, though in truth, Scott was grateful, as he didn't want to be the object of pity or sympathy, no matter how well meaning his brothers might have been. They just assumed the guys had duties to fulfil that afternoon.

"Well, I guess we'd better get on with it," Scott announced, not wishing to prolong the inevitable any longer and wanting to get it done as quickly as possible so he could finally get some rest. He had been doing a lot of thinking since looking in the mirror earlier; although he had been thinking for quite a few days now, it's just he felt more ready to put his thoughts into words.

"I'm ready whenever you are Scott," Gordon replied, all vestige of light heartedness suspended for now. Gordon could be perfectly serious when he wanted and he was glad of the opportunity to prove it. He and Jenna helped Scott from his bed, where he had been resting, onto TB7, giving Gordon easier access to his hair, Jenna having brought a towel and draping it round Scott's shoulders. "So…what's it to be, Scott?" Gordon asked, giving his brother the choice of how short he wanted it taken.

He ran his hand over the short length of hair that had already grown before coming to a decision, having already declined to have it cut in the bathroom in front of the mirror. He had no wish to see the operation being carried out, though he knew he would have to steel himself to see the finished result. "Guess you'd better make it a regulation Air Force cut, Gordy," Scott said as he smiled weakly, knowing he was going to have to have it down to the shortest level in order for it not to still look odd. "And you'd better take it down to half a centimetre….all over," he added, slightly hesitant at the last words.

An Air Force regulation cut could actually vary in length, from a bit longer than half a centimetre to almost right down to the bone if preferred, as long as it was neat and tidy.

"I can leave it a bit longer on top if you want Scott….just take it in tighter at the sides," Gordon offered, giving his brother every option before actually starting. But Scott just shook his head; he never did like that 'Jarhead' severe cut of the Marines, where the hair was left longer on top but the sides where shaved down practically to the bone. Gordon had a feeling his brother wouldn't go for that option and he breathed a silent relief that he had chosen the all over cut, a much neater job in his estimation.

As Gordon prepared to put the clippers to the back of his brother's neck, Scott closed his eyes and being instantly transported back in time he remembered sitting hesitantly in the chair as a young man awaiting his first regulation hair cut. He had always had good thick, dark hair and it had been a strange and self-conscious experience to have had it all shaved off but then all the young recruits were in the same boat. That had been quite a while ago and it had been a while since he had left the service to come home and take up his post as Field Commander and Pilot of TB1 for International Rescue in order to fulfil his father's dream. There had never been any haircut requirements imposed on them for joining IR, though they had all kept their hair neat and tidy and he had once again enjoyed his full head of dark hair, never having been as short again as it was in the service. So, perhaps it wasn't strange that now he should be feeling the same way he did when a young man, very much self-conscious.

As if Jenna could sense his unease she came immediately to his side and taking his hand in hers, she smiled warmly at him as he looked up at her. She gave his hand a firm squeeze of reassurance, as he now looked straight ahead, his face taut with steely resolve. Jenna gave Gordon the nod to go ahead and start. As he felt the shaver move from the back of his neck up over the top of his head Scott instinctively closed his eyes and tightened his grip on her hand, as if needing to draw from her strength and wanting her assurance that she was not going to find him abhorrent. Jenna squeezed his hand with the reassurance he needed as Gordon continued to shave over his head, taking it down to the requested half centimetre, his thick, dark hair falling to the floor like leaves in the Fall.

Before long Gordon had finished his work, nodding with satisfaction that it was, indeed, a neat job and receiving a smile of approval from Jenna. "That's it done Scott…..and it's lookin' good….honest," Gordon assured his eldest brother. "See…..betcha thought I couldn't do that without messing around," he grinned at Jenna, knowing that his constantly cheerful and joking attitude meant that he was rarely taken seriously.

"Oh, I knew you had it in you Gordon," Jenna replied warmly, having seen the sensitivity he had showed towards his brother while he worked and his encouraging remarks after.

"Yeah thanks, Jen," Gordon said appreciatively of her confidence in him. "There's some things I don't mess around with, and my brother's self-esteem is one of them, " he stated adamantly, for he knew what it was like to be recovering slowly from a serious injury and he remembered the many times Scott had built up his self-esteem when he was low, his eldest brother always having been there for him when he needed him.

Scott now let go of Jenna's hand to run his own over his new style, feeling that his head was already much lighter of hair. "Yeah…thanks for that Gordy. And it does feel like a good job," Scott responded, feeling ever more tired, though appreciating Gordon's skill with the clippers and his sensitivity.

"You wanna go see?" Gordon asked him, looking in the direction of the bathroom where the mirror was, to which Scott gave an affirmative nod.

Sitting in front of the mirror now, Scott kept his head lowered to the floor for a few moments, as if gathering the courage to raise his head and look at his reflection. He took a deep breath as he lifted his head, though he kept his eyes closed, prolonging the moment when he would have to see his new look. Gordon and Jenna glanced at each other anxiously as they awaited his reaction. Slowly Scott opened his eyes, swallowing hard and wincing slightly at the sight before him, as he turned his head this way and that to examine his new cut.

"It's…it's..a good job, Gordy, thanks," Scott said sincerely, drawing his hand over his very short hair. Well, at least it looked more even all over, he thought and convincing himself it would grow again.

Jenna drew up behind him and again put her hands on his shoulders as she smiled at him warmly in the mirror. Her heart went out to him when he smiled weakly back at her for she could see he was tired, and if she was not mistaken, his eyes glistened with what she presumed were unshed tears as he waited to see what her reaction to him would be.

Bending down she lovingly kissed the top of his head. "It's like I said," she began confidently, before leaning towards him and whispering in his ear. "That's a very sexy look," she added honestly.

His smile broadened somewhat as he took that huge boost to his confidence and self-esteem. Gordon took him back into the room and together with Jenna they helped him back onto the bed, where he gratefully lay back against the pillows to rest. Jenna offered Gordon a cup of coffee, both she and Scott becoming surprised when he declined, not that he declined the coffee but more that he had a grin on his face as he made a hurried exit and saying he had an urgent chore to attend to. In all Scott's years of knowing his younger brother he had never known him to be so apparently eager and looking forward to doing chores before, but then, Gordon could be full of surprises.

Within half an hour there was a buzz on the door inter-comm, signifying that someone wished to enter. Jenna rose from the desk slightly irritated, intending to send whoever it was away, noticing that Scott had closed his eyes in rest and was hoping to sleep. On opening the door however, her hand immediately went to her mouth to cover her now trembling lips, feeling her eyes moisten with threatening tears as they creased in an emotional smile.

"Scott…Scott!" she called softly to him, gently touching his face to waken him. He drew a breath and turned at her touch, blinking several times, as you do when awakened from a sleep you haven't really started. It took him a moment or two to focus on the sight before him, for there, in a row, were four Tracy brothers, four Tracy brothers all sporting baseball caps and grinning at him from ear to ear. For a brief moment he thought he was hallucinating but as his vision cleared there they were, large as life

Scott could see now that the baseball caps they were wearing were blue, a deep blue and if he was not mistaken there was writing on them in red embroidered thread. As he made out the words he winced, choking back emotion that welled up inside him. Two simple words stated: TRACEKETEERS FOREVER. He recognised the statement from when they were kids and having promised each other that they would always stick by each other through thick and thin, the name 'Traceketeer' being a play on the word 'Musketeer' and substituting their own name of Tracy.

At a given signal from Gordon they all stretched out their arms, pointed their index fingers skywards as if brandishing a sword and repeated with one voice, "All for one and one for all….Traceketeers Forever."

The gesture caused Scott to call on all his strength of will to keep from letting go the floodgates of his emotions; swallowing hard he acknowledged them with a trembling grin. His memory took him back to the day when they were boys on their Kansas farm and they had formed their little band of brotherhood that promised lifelong allegiance to each other, that no matter what one went through they all went through. It was a promise they had kept, supporting each other through many of life's difficult traumas, although Scott did seem to remember that he usually bore the brunt of their father's wrath for pranks gone wrong but he had to acknowledge too that his brothers did their share in the chores that were dealt out as punishment. The memories that had come rushing back made him smile weakly. It was also a bond of brotherhood they had carried through with them into their adult life, having faced many dangers together as members of International Rescue, a bond that would mean they would never leave any one of them behind if it were humanly possible. It was that strong bond that had kept Scott going when he had been trapped in the mine for two days, knowing that his brothers would do everything in their power to get him out, even if it had meant he didn't make it he knew they still would not have left him behind.

Sensing how overcome his brother was Virgil spoke up, raising his eyes to his cap, guessing Scott would be wondering where they had gotten them. "Well…we..eh…guessed you would be getting this done one of these days," Virgil explained, indicting Scott getting his hair cut. "And we wanted to let you know we were all behind you," he added, wanting to encourage his brother.

"Yeah….that's why we made them blue, Scott. Your favourite colour," Alan added enthusiastically.

"Yeah…that's right, " Virgil agreed. "We ordered them the other day and they just arrived on the mail plane this morning," he continued, finishing off the explanation.

Jenna was touched by this warm show of support for their brother but neither she nor Scott were prepared for what was to come next, although Jenna had a feeling they were hiding something else. On another given signal from Gordon they each put a hand to the peak of their cap and altogether they whipped them off, all except Virgil that is, who seemed rather reluctant.

"OK Traceketeers….caps off," Gordon ordered, as though they were back in the Forces and on parade.

Jenna once more put a hand to cover trembling lips as her watery eyes creased in a smile, Scott too, allowing a brief gasp and faint laugh to escape his lips while trying to choke back the emotion that the sight brought.

What was it that had provoked such a response? Only that his brothers, in a strong show of brotherly love and support, had had their heads shaved down in the same manor as Scott had had his, although instead of the shorter half centimetre which was necessary for Scott they opted for a one centimetre length, which was still short in anybody's book. Even John's legendary blonde quiff that sometimes hung over his face was gone. The watery tears that had threatened, rolled down Jenna's face, amazed at the wonderful and beautiful gesture these guys had shown for their eldest brother, never, ever having witnessed such a bond of love and unity between brothers before.

All eyes, though, turned momentarily to Virgil, being the only one to still hang on to his cap. It now being realised that he too must have had his hair shaved Scott and Jenna couldn't wait to see what he looked like, knowing Virgil to be rather proud of his immaculately groomed hair.

Now it was Gordon's turn to sigh and shake his head exasperatedly at his next oldest brother, he should have known they would have had trouble with him. It had been agreed by them all over lunch, at Gordon's suggestion, that they would demonstrate their show of unity with their brother by having their hair cut down in the same manor. Immediately after lunch they had went to Gordon's room where he had shaved his brothers' hairs before going down to do Scott's, intending to leave his till after so as not to alert their brother as to their intentions. That had been the reason for Gordon's hurried exit and seeming eagerness to attend to chores, wanting to get back to have his hair cut.

He had to grin to himself, as he thought of Virgil sitting in front of the mirror, eyes tight shut and pulling his face into a grimace, unable to look at the proceedings, sure, though, that he had seen him crack open an eye every so often to have a peek. His brothers had all cheered as the first swathe of his hair fell to the floor and they couldn't help laughing at the mantra Virgil was repeating in an effort to convince himself he was doing this for a good cause. "I'm doin' this cus I love my brother. I'm doin' this to support my brother. I'm doin' this cus I love my brother….."

Gordon was brought sharply back into the present by the now cries of, "Come on Virg…..get it off," and "Off, off, off," followed by a slow handclap.

"All right, all right," Virgil said with a half laugh, knowing he couldn't put off the inevitable any longer. "Just give me a minute," he pleaded, as if trying to summon up the courage for the big reveal.

Scott's eyes grew wide in anticipation and despite the overwhelming emotion he was feeling he felt a broad grin trying to break across his face, never having seen his closest brother with a short regulation cut before, not like his other brothers who had all, at one time or another, served time in the Forces. He did, though, understand his hesitancy to reveal his new look.

"A minute! A minute!…….."If we wait any longer, Virg, your hair'll have grown back again," Alan exclaimed with almost mild contempt at his brother's delaying tactics, causing snorts of laughter to erupt from Gordon and John, not to mention broad, watery smiles from Scott and Jenna.

"Yeah, come on Virg….don't be such a wimp," John agreed and adding his voice to the urging of removing the cap.

That was it. No one called Virgil Tracy a wimp. Pulling his face into a grimace and closing his eyes Virgil put his hand to the peak of the cap and whipped it off, much to the delight of all in the room, who cheered and clapped his efforts. On opening his eyes, however, he knew that his sacrifice was worth every immaculately groomed hair he had given up as he noticed the tears finally spill over the rim of Scott's eyes.

"I….I….I…just don't…know what…to say, you guys," Scott responded, struggling to say the words, as his eyes shone with pride at every one of his brothers. Jenna, too, couldn't help the tears that continued to roll down her face, laughing at the same time at the absolutely wonderful gesture she was still finding hard to take in, her heart being moved for Scott at his response.

"You don't need to say anything, Scott," Gordon spoke up. "Hey, you don't think we did this for you, do ya. We only did this cus Jenna said she found it sexy," he quipped, seeing that his brother was so overcome with emotion he felt he should break the tension a little for him, such was his sensitivity to his brother's feelings. At the same time Gordon actually managed to make Jenna blush with his statement as John, Alan and Virgil joined in with his sentiments. "No, seriously though. We did this because you're our brother, cus we love you and we want you to know we're with you every step of this hard road you have to go, every step of the way, just like you've always been there for every one of us over the years. We're proud to do this for ya cus we're proud that you're our brother. Right guys?" he added, bringing nods of agreement from all of his brothers. "So, of course, you'll be needing one of these," Gordon grinned, as he walked across to his brother's bedside to hand him his badge of brotherhood.

Scott put out a trembling hand to take the cap from him and as he proudly put it on his head they all cheered and laughingly called out, "Traceketeers Forever."

Jenna, unable to contain herself any longer, went to each of the boys and putting her arms around them gave them a big kiss on the cheek with an exaggerated smack. "That's for the most….(kiss for John)…wonderful….(kiss for Alan)….caring….(kiss for Gordon)….and loving…..(kiss for Virgil)….thing I have ever seen anyone do. You have no idea how much I've come to love you guys," she said smiling, having wiped the tears from her eyes. On finishing, she looked across to Scott, their eyes locking, as he held her in his intensive stare.

Gordon, now nodded to John for him to do his part next, pulling his face into a frown because his brother seemed to have forgotten his instructions, Alan helping by giving John a nudge in the ribs with his elbow.

"Oh..eh..yeah…sure," John flustered, the emotion of the occasion having made him forget what he was to do, not forgetting having been kissed by Jenna. "Jen….it would…eh…well..we would like…you to," he continued to fluster, much to the mild irritation of his brothers.

"Oh for goodness sake, John, just get on with it," Gordon urged, rolling his eyes in exasperation, causing Jenna to hide a smile behind her hand, not knowing what was coming next.

"Jen," John started off more confidently. "Since you have been here we have watched you carry out your duties with kindness, caring and compassion, going above and beyond the call of duty, cus we know our brother doesn't make the best of patients," he joked to ease the tension, which brought a laugh from his brothers, including Scott and a puzzled smile from Jenna who was wondering where all this was leading. "You have seen him through this traumatic time with a loving devotion and in ways which we never could," he added, bringing more laughs, only this time both Jenna and Scott flushed with embarrassment, knowing very well John was referring to their somewhat unorthodox method of 'being seen through a traumatic time', namely their passionate kisses. "Anyway, what I'm trying to say….what we're trying to say…," John continued.

"Finally," Alan quipped caustically, causing John to frown in his direction, as he had been rather proud of his little speech. Jenna, though, had been glad of the chance to laugh a little at Alan's remark for she now felt her lip beginning to tremble, knowing that John was going to say and do something which would make her feel emotional.

"As I was saying," John said frostily, looking at Alan and then turning to look at Jenna."What we're trying to say Jen is….we want to make you an honorary Traceketeer and it would make us proud if you would do us the honour of wearing this," John stated at last, as he handed Jenna a blue cap.

The emotion became too much for her; wiping away the tears that rolled down her cheeks she accepted the cap as though it was the most sought after, precious prize in the world. "I..I…don't know what to say," she responded, smiling weakly and glancing at Scott who also seemed overcome with emotion, though he nodded with equal approval. "I…haven't done anything to merit being a Traceketeer…..not like you guys," she confessed, feeling highly unworthy of such an honour, for she did, indeed, see it as such.

"It's for all those things we said Jen," Virgil added encouragingly. "You have been a tower of strength to our brother when he needed you most, and you have shown love and compassion to the rest of the family. Hey, and not to mention, you have taken on the most formidable opponent known to man, and won, namely Mr Jefferson Grant Tracy," he said admiringly, to the sounds of applause and agreed whispers, making her laugh and blush all at the same time. "You have proved yourself more than worthy in our book….and we want you to have it," Virgil finished off.

"But I haven't had my hair cut," she exclaimed apologetically.

"And don't you even think about it, Nurse Rollins," Scott interjected, his eyes going wide in mock horror as he laughed, though he wouldn't have put it past her to do it for him but there was no way he would let her.

With her eyes shining and looking around at all the expectant, waiting faces, she donned the precious cap, much to the delight of everyone as they cheered and wolf whistled. She would always treasure this cap and the day she became an honorary Traceketeer for the rest of her life.

"Is this a private party or can anyone join in?" a familiar deep and gruff voice sounded, causing everyone to turn to the door.