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

Chapter 57 part1

Author's Note: I hope you'll all forgive me for doing things this way but I felt a reply of this length to this particular review was warranted and as it was long there wouldn't be much room for the chapter proper. The chapter will continue as Chapter 57 part2.

Sky Wench: As with all my reviewers I respect your point of view and appreciate your taking the time to critique my story and as you have presented a fairly lengthy criticism I trust you will allow me the same courtesy in defending it. I am sorry that my story seems to bother you, somewhat, but I really don't know any other way to write, apart from descriptively and that, after all, is the joy of fanfiction, that we enjoy our writing. It is obvious, of course, that not everyone is going to enjoy the same stories and there are many stories out there that I do not read, simply because I do not hold with their characterization or the fact that they are conversation only stories that tell me nothing of how the character feels or what they think, and everybody thinks and feels, even the Tracy's. That was the appeal for me on this story, that I could explore the thoughts and feelings of this family when one of their members was injured and the added twist that he fell in love during that time.

Ok, first point: There are many degrees of bumps on the head that can range from a slight knock to a more serious blow and I was never suggesting that every bump to someone's head would result in such a condition. Of course we have all had bumps on the head and have not ended up needing brain surgery but the fact is such things do happen with such seemingly innocent injuries; it is a question of the brain tissue swelling and the pressure needing to be released. Yes, I could have chosen so many other ways for him to be injured given what he does, being shot, having things fall on him, broken bones etc, but that's all been done and I wanted to be different. That was the hard thing for the family to come to terms with, that a seemingly simple injury could result in such a condition. I hope you'll forgive me for just trying to be original. As for intricate brain surgery being performed on a small island away from sophisticated medical facilities. I never suggested it was intricate brain surgery; it was invasive brain surgery, in that the pressure needed to be released, though any delving into the brain, even on the surface is delicate but it wasn't deep and intricate brain surgery. I have mentioned this point before, that Jeff Tracy is a billionaire and on his small island he can well afford the most sophisticated medical facilities money can buy. As they are quite a way from the mainland don't you think he would ensure his sons had the best medical care available, given what they do, and we are talking future here, medical facilities and procedures would be technically more advanced as well.

Second point: I really don't understand what the problem is with the guys not always being out on constant rescues. Not every story on fanfiction has them out on rescues; many are reflective pieces so I am wondering what is so different about this one, unless it is the length but, like I say, I enjoy the depth of description. What I wanted to do was explore the dilemmas that Jeff Tracy faces as, not only Commander-In-Chief but as a father as well, and he is a father, like you said somewhere, he is not an ogre. Why, for once, wouldn't he consider putting his sons first, that is the dilemma he faces. He is not superhuman and why wouldn't he just be getting tired and weary. You have mentioned in your third point about them being established characters but at which point in their lives are you referring to. A lot of stories deal with them as children, when they're growing up, when IR is started etc, all these require artistic licence and supposition as to how they would react in given situations, which is all that I am doing. This story is set ahead of the series, when IR has been running a while, Scott is 30yrs of age, making his father 60, and families do change and get weary, let's face it, with life's hard knocks; why would the Tracy's be any different? You may not believe Jeff Tracy would have shut down IR, and that is quite rightly your prerogative, but this is a story where he considered it and did it because I believe Jeff Tracy is a misunderstood character, he is a father who cares about his sons and does not have to wait until one of them dies before he shows it. Perhaps you haven't really read ch56 thoroughly or you would know that they are discussing bringing IR back on-line and the different options that are open to them. And, as I have pointed out before, 3 1/2 weeks is not that long in the grand scheme of things to be off-line. Yes, we know from the series that Alan is capable of flying One and operating Mobile Control but that was on a temporary basis and what Jeff is having to think of is the long term, should Scott's paralysis be permanent. Scott has the natural ability to assess situations and instinctively react, that's not Alan's natural talent. They all have their niche and specialisation within the organisation and that's something else I wanted to explore, what happens when one of those pieces isn't functioning; again, it's a dilemma for Jeff to face. I have pointed out, time and time again, that this is a story primarily about the family, the bond they have to bring them through adversity, this adversity being the long recovery process that Scott is going through.

Third point: You are quite entitled to your humble opinion and I am sorry you feel that way but there are readers out there who enjoy the detail, knowing what the characters are thinking, what they are feeling, what motivates them and the gestures all help to create a mental picture. You can, of course, surmise only so much of the personality of each character based on past actions but with the introduction of new situations I believe the development of the personality is warranted, these new situations being the possibility of Scott's permanent disablement, his place in IR and his falling deeply in love when he least expected it, all these have effects on the rest of the family. I think what you expect from these characters and what I'm trying to convey are two totally different things, in that, you expect this story to be almost like an episode from the series whereas I want to explore this family dealing with difficult crisis and evolving as a family and that means change, even how they may think and feel about IR. You say, 'Sometimes a person's actions and mannerisms can tell us all we need to know without having to have it spelled out, know what I mean'. Well, no, I don't know what you mean, because if I don't tell you what the person's actions and mannerisms are how are you going to know, know what I mean. That's all I am doing, telling you what they are so you can imagine a mental picture of the scene and that includes giving a look. I really can't see the point you're trying to make here. There are many ways, too, that you can say the same words and unless I tell you how the person has said it how will you know how they meant it. For instance, "You're joking," he laughed. "You're joking," he stated angrily. Same words, two totally different meanings, two different attitudes. In short, how can I 'show' if I don't tell? I'm sorry if you think this reply is long but you did bring up the points.

Fourth point: On the American speak, I do apologise. I never intended any offence, though I have to say I do have other reviewers who are from the States and they have never had a problem with the conversations. Well, I didn't intentionally make Grandma sound like Ma Kettle because I have absolutely no idea who Ma Kettle is. I guess by clipping off the end of words I was just trying to convey they were American as opposed to Lady Penelope English so I hope you will forgive me on that one and I'm not exactly sure what you mean about Gordon. I was just trying to convey him as the jovial prankster and joker of the family but serious and professional when he has to be.

Fifth point: Not sure what thin ice I'm treading on with Jenna to becoming a Mary Sue! Or what you mean by, 'She's becoming a bit too 'all that', so no, I don't see what you mean. Jenna does not fly a Thunderbird, nor has she any desire to, she doesn't do the jobs the boys do or believes she can do them better. This is an independent young woman who had her own career, came to do a job of nursing and gave up that career on a point of ethics and principle because she fell in love with her patient and in my book that makes her a courageous young woman. I also have it on good authority from a qualified nurse that Jenna has been a fairly accurate portrayal, though she is, of course, human and prone to mistakes. Jenna wasn't scolding Jeff in front of his son; she was speaking to both of them in her capacity as a nurse to ensure things did not get out of hand and Scott, who is still a patient under her care, did not end up with another headache. That was made quite clear. Jeff put Jenna in charge of the infirmary and Scott's care and on medical matters he is happy enough to abide by her decisions, he wouldn't expect anything less of her, that has all been explained in earlier chapters. As a nurse, and Jeff is happy for her to continue as such, her patients needs come first, doesn't matter to her that Jeff Tracy is a billionaire, head of a multi-corporate organisation or head of IR, that cuts no ice and neither it should if she's doing her job properly. If she were to meekly bow and scrape every time he came into the room and not stick up for her patient, then she would be in danger of being a Mary Sue but that is not the case. Of course Jeff is capable of handling his organisation without any help from outsiders. Jenna has never interfered in the running of IR or advised him on how to do it, so I don't see the point you're making here. Her only priority is her patient and Jeff, himself, gave her carte blanche because he cares about his son's welfare. If you're referring to her input about TB5, then again, she was speaking in her professional capacity and why would Jeff give her complete authority over his son's care if he were not going to listen to her advice. Despite all his money and power Jeff is not a doctor. I state again, Jenna is not getting in the middle of a business discussion, she's just ensuring the welfare of her patient. It would be the same if he was in hospital and Jeff came to see him there. Yes, Scott is strong-minded but so is Jenna, that's part of the attraction for him but this isn't a question of his woman being protective of him, she's operating in her capacity as a nurse. And no, of course, Jeff wouldn't consciously do anything to worsen his condition but this conversation had the potential of getting heated and it was Jenna's job to make sure it didn't. As I said, Jeff is not a doctor and while he's in the infirmary he's in her world and as for having left them alone. I don't think you've really read this chapter or, indeed, this story properly, she was discreet and left them for a while on their own but it was also at Scott's insistence that she stay with him during his conversation with his father. He was wanting to make the point that they are now a couple, as you say, he's strong-minded. Also in the previous chapter she offered to let them have their talk in private but Scott wanted her to be with him.

As for this final point! The love scenes. Since you have been frank in public then I must be equally frank. I assure you I am not at all uncomfortable with taking the intimacy further and what I picture them doing at this stage is exactly what they are doing, kissing and being affectionate, for now. Again I have to point out that you do not seem to be reading this story properly or you would know that they are not satisfied with just kissing, they are frustrated but you have to remember where they are. The infirmary is more or less a public place; visitors come and go, that's been obvious. Scott wants to be romantic with his woman, take his time over his lovemaking; that has been stated in another chapter. The Scott Tracy I know is not a 'wham, bam, thank-you ma'am' kind of guy. He is decent, not arrogant and honourable and in love with this woman. Also he wants to have a more romantic place to make love to her than in the infirmary, in a single bed on an Airflow mattress. It is possible of course but like I said, he wants to do it properly and he knows she will be worth waiting for. What we are talking about here is not some quick roll in the hay with his nurse; this is a deep and mature love and what they are doing is exercising self-control, something, which sadly, the younger generation do not seem willing to do. Your point that 'Scott is a Tracy'! You make him sound like a womanising playboy that only has sex in mind; that point, too, has been dealt with in another chapter. I'm sorry but we obviously see Scott and indeed, this whole family differently and we'll just have to agree to disagree. You talk about 'other ways to fulfil each other' and I'm just wondering how you suggest I go about writing that, bearing in mind the ratings and, I'm sorry to keep saying this but you do keep bringing up these points, you aren't reading this story properly or remembering what has went before or you would know that Scott has felt fully satisfied on more than one occasion. I assure you I am perfectly sure of where to go from here, it's just a matter of timing and when he is released from the infirmary to go back to the privacy of his own room. The love that has developed between this couple is not just based on sex, it is about more than that, it's about a lasting relationship that is rooted in affection and respect for one another. I have to say you presume too much when you say, 'we' will no longer care' because I happen to know there are those who do. And as for the family respecting their private moments together! Apart from the fact that brothers will be brothers just how are they supposed to know they are having 'private moments', like I said, it is more or less a public place, that's what is frustrating and that's what will make it all the more enjoyable and sweeter when they do get together, so I do know where I'm going with this. As for the shower scenes! Well, you're obviously not following your own train of thought. In one point you say everything doesn't need spelled out, let the action speak but here you want detail! Sometimes less is more and you don't have to have it spelled out. Some things are best left to the imagination, that in itself can be sensuous and that is a writing technique I have utilised, where you are left to read between the lines!

In finishing I'll say, I am sorry this story seems to have bothered you but it is, after all, only that, a story, and my story, the way I see the Tracy Family. We'll just have to agree to differ and IMHO constructive criticism is a balance of both positive and negative, whereas you have just focused on the negative so I have to wonder, and please forgive me I'm not being rude here, just why you bother to keep reading!