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

Chapter 57 part2

Thankfully he hadn't been near the edge of the bed and found himself eating a faceful of mattress instead of hard floor. "Aw well, this is just great Scott. When Jen needs you, you go fallin flat on your face," Scott mumbled to himself. Gritting his teeth he pushed himself off on his right hand, then reaching round behind him, grasped the edge of the bed to pull himself round onto his back to start again. This time he reached down for the control panel and pressing the appropriate button, raised the bed, easing him into an upright position.

Scott then swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat for a moment before setting his feet to the floor. As he stood, he prayed he would make those vital few steps to her bed without falling and making sure he was steady on his feet first he set his face determinedly to completing his mission, knowing that, for once, she needed him.

After crossing the short space between the two beds he gratefully sat down. "Jen!" Scott called softly, as he gently stroked her face, so as not to alarm her. He reached into the locker and pulled out a towel, to tenderly wipe the perspiration that had formed on her brow. "Jen…you're having a bad dream," he whispered.

At that, Jenna drew in a breath and snapping open her eyes, sat bolt upright. Taking a few moments to realise where she was Jenna found herself looking into concerned, deep blue eyes. At his gentle smile she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, as though she never wanted to let him go. "Oh Scott…I couldn't breathe…I thought I was never going to see you again," she said with a heartfelt cry.

He immediately put his arm around her and held her in his close protective embrace. Closing his eyes tightly and rubbing his face against hers he realised he could hardly bear the thought of being without her, not now that he had just found her. "It's all right, Jen. I'm here…I'm not gonna let anything happen to you…I swear….not as long as I can help it," he promised with a lover's passion. In a short while he felt her relax against him.

It was a good place to be, held in the warmth and strength of his embrace and Jenna found herself thinking, with a smile, that it wasn't that long ago she had held and comforted him through his nightmares. It felt good, though, just for this little while to allow herself to be totally dependant on him, to be nothing more than a woman in love, needing the comfort and assurance of her lover. With that warm glow of contentment now radiating through her she sat back and looked at him.

"You got here all by yourself!" she remarked with a smile, as if just realising he was not in his own bed and knowing it would have been a struggle for him.

"Figured you needed me," came the modest reply.

"Did I ever tell you I love you, Scott Tracy?" she smiled tenderly, her eyes still sleepy with tiredness.

"I think you tried to convince me of that once or twice, Jenna Rollins," Scott responded with a wry grin. "You…got room for one more in there? You wouldn't make a guy walk all the way back over there…would you?" he smiled, nodding in the direction of his own bed. Jenna could see, though, how tired the effort had made him.

"I guess I could squeeze you in," she replied, smiling wryly and shaking her head at his inference of just walking a marathon, though for Scott it probably seemed like it.

Moving position to allow her to pull back the covers he then eased himself in beside her. Tantalisingly close now and tempting as it was, both were tired and with knowing the morning routine came early, they snuggled down together and promptly fell asleep.

Next day saw the usual round of exercising and rest and by evening Jenna, noticing how pale and down he looked, offered a change of scene. "Would you like to go outside for a while?" she asked.

"Yeah sure…sounds good," Scott responded, only too eager for the fresh air. While he enjoyed his time in the pool sessions with his brothers he also thought how refreshingly nice it would be to just spend time with her alone outside and relaxing, without any thought of having to work at his fitness.

"All right….let's go," she smiled. Bringing Thunderbird 7 over Jenna helped him in and with the useful addition of power assistance to push she found it easy enough to manage Scott by herself.

With the rest of the family engaged in their own pursuits Scott was glad to find they had the patio to themselves and they were soon basking in the warm evening sun, laughing and talking. Virgil, as usual, had immersed himself in the pleasure of playing his piano and with the sliding glass doors of the lounge open the music drifted down to the couple below. As if sensing that his brother was outside with his lady and that he was playing just for them the mood of his music changed to softer, soothing strains, drawing the two lovers into a companionable silence as they listened in appreciation. Having come out onto the balcony to puff on his evening cigar the lone figure smiled to himself as he observed his eldest son pull her onto his lap but retired discreetly when he drew her to himself to enjoy an intimate kiss to the sound of the haunting music.

It was almost noon next day when a cheery head appeared round the door. "Oh hi Gordon…come on in," Jenna invited, thinking he had brought their lunch but could only watch with quizzical bemusement as he went straight for where TB7 was stored.

"Your presence has been requested up in the lounge," Gordon announced politely as he brought the transport to his brother's bedside. "Come on….get your skates on….we're starving….and John says he won't start without you," he added, now much more himself.

"What's going on Gordon?" Jenna laughed as she and Scott looked with total bewilderment at each other.

"John's goin back up to Five this afternoon and we're throwin him a party….so come on big guy…we're all waiting," he continued excitedly.

The words filled Scott with a mixture of emotions, knowing it meant that, at long last, International Rescue was going back into operation. He wondered just how he would feel the first time they were called out without him but, as he had no wish to dampen the enthusiasm of a party for his brother, he smiled graciously, allowing Gordon to help him into his chair, it being too much of a distance to be walking there yet.

Jenna's heart went out to him as she sensed his inner turmoil but they had both known this day was coming, though the reality is always harder to bear when the moment arrives. "Here…put this on," she smiled gently, helping him into the arm immobiliser, "it'll make you more comfortable."

"Come on Jen…you're coming too," Gordon invited, realising she hadn't thought the invite extended to her and seeing Scott look anxiously in her direction, knowing he was unwilling to go without her.

"Oh but Gordon….this is for family," Jenna responded, not having been presumptuous enough to suppose she would be included.

"Well Johnny insists that you're both there….and it's his party…..or he says he's not goin anywhere," Gordon grinned. "So come on…there's a party waitin."

"Well I guess we'd better go and not keep everybody waiting," she laughed, though she doubted her absence from his party would stop him going to Thunderbird 5.

Gordon automatically took charge of TB7 and as they neared the lounge, coming down the hallway, Scott had the strange sensation of having been away from home for a long time and wondering if everything would still be the same as he remembered it. It occurred to him he hadn't been in the upper level of his home, in the lounge, since his accident almost a month previous and hadn't expected to feel quite so emotional; he only hoped he wouldn't let himself down in front of his family and spoil John's farewell do.

He needn't have worried, though, for on entering the lounge he was barely given time to think at all as his family swarmed around, welcoming him back into the familiar surroundings. Everyone was there, including Brains and Kyrano, who was treated equally as one of the family and not as a servant, though, as was his way, he made sure everyone had enough to eat and drink. One could have been mistaken for thinking this was a party to welcome back a much-missed son and brother as it was in sending another away, though in the family's eyes it probably served as both.

Jenna, too, was welcomed with equal enthusiasm and Tin-Tin soon had her arm linked through hers, chatting excitedly and glad at having young female company to share girl talk with. Jenna was amazed at the spread of food set before her as Tin-Tin steered her towards the buffet table laden with all sorts of delicacies. Grandma and Kyrano had obviously been hard at work all morning preparing the sumptuous fare, she thought to herself. She was also glad to see that great care had been taken to provide only soft drinks and had been informed by Tin-Tin that it had been at the insistence of Jeff Tracy himself, knowing that his son was on medication that would not allow for the inclusion of alcohol. She found herself smiling at his thoughtfulness. It also served a dual purpose, though, as John was going back on active duty and would obviously need a clear head, which would go for Alan and Virgil too; Virgil going to accompany Alan on the flight home in Thunderbird Three.

Scott, on the other hand, was well used to such family occasions, smiling quietly to himself and being pleased as he watched her being drawn into the protective embrace of his family and seeing how easily she seemed to fit in. It was more than important to him now that she should be accepted as this was the woman he had come to love deeply and had asked to share his life.

As everyone gradually moved towards the buffet table, though, it left Scott, momentarily, with his first clear, uninterrupted view of a certain section of the lounge wall whereupon hung two lamp fittings. He swallowed back hard the emotion that was threatening to engulf him and winced at the wealth of memories that invaded his mind at the knowledge of what lay hidden behind that wall. It was one thing to talk about what he was prepared to do in order to resume his former life but he knew it would be no easy task when it came to the reality of it and he also knew it would never be quite the same. A pain seared through his heart and, as if in a trance, he found he couldn't tear his gaze away.

It was Virgil who, following his brother's gaze, quickly moved to his side, unable to even begin to guess at what he was feeling. Engaging him in conversation Virgil steered him towards the food, making sure his back was to the wall and after a few discreet whispers around the family it was made sure that Scott's attention was kept occupied at all times. The party was now in full swing and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves with Gordon making them all laugh at tales of his practical jokes.

All too soon, though, it was time to bid fond farewells and as John made his way round his family Jenna moved to the side of the room so as not to intrude on their last moments with him. It had touched her deeply that she had been included in this family occasion and not only that but been accepted by this generous and warm-hearted family whom she had come to love as her own. She thought of the first day she arrived with Mike and entered this very lounge; in one way not having seemed all that long ago and yet, in another, having seemed a lifetime ago and now here she was, deeply in love with the man she came to nurse and loving his family like her own.

John warmly embraced his father. "I appreciate you letting me stay until Scott was at least up on his feet, Dad. You will let me know how things are going, won't you?" he asked quietly and nodding unobtrusively in the direction of his brother.

"Of course, Son and it's been a pleasure to have you here at home….I just wish it had been under happier circumstances. Anyway…I feel the rest has done us all some good but now we have to look to the future..whatever that may bring. But we'll get through it, Son….we always have," Jeff stated with the determination of one whose family is strengthened through adversity.

After having been around the rest of his family, apart from Alan and Virgil who were going with him, John smiled warmly as he sought out Jenna with open, outstretched arms. "Hey, come here, Jen….you didn't think I was going to go without getting a hug, did you?" he grinned as he put his arms around her in a brotherly embrace, making her feel somewhat emotional.

"It's been really good…to get to know you John," Jenna responded quietly and, if not, a little sadly, knowing she was saying goodbye to a very dear friend.

"Yeah…me too…but hey….I was nearly tempted to say it's not as if I'm leaving the planet!….but I guess I am," John laughed, bringing a smile to her face. "What I meant to say was, Jen….if you ever want to chat….well you know where I am…in fact I insist on it…..just ask any of the guys…they'll put you in touch," he added with a warm smile.

"I will, John and thanks," she promised.

"No…thank you, Jen…for all you've done for Scott," he replied sincerely.

"Oh John…I haven't done anything…just my job….it was Mike who saved his life," Jenna responded, feeling humbled by his gratitude.

"Well that's where you're wrong Jen. Sure Mike saved his life in a physical sense but you've done something for him the rest of us couldn't do. You've given him back his self-esteem….made him feel whole….like a man again," John assured her.

"That's easy, John….I love him," she confessed quietly.

"Yeah…kinda figured that. So….I guess you'll still be here then when I get back….if I know Scott….he's going to want you around for a long time," he grinned knowingly.

"You are one very shrewd man, John Glenn Tracy," Jenna smiled wryly, though not satisfying his curiosity with an answer.

"You just take care of him for us, won't you," he added with a parting smile, as he kissed her affectionately on the cheek.

"Of course I will….and you take care, John…I'll miss you," she said, returning his kiss.

John had saved his last and most emotional farewell to last. Turning now to his eldest brother, still sitting in TB7, he bent down and grasped him firmly in a bear hug of an embrace. For a few moments both men were at a loss as to what to say, being caught up in the emotion of the farewell.

"John…I…I…just….," Scott started to say.

"Hey buddy…no need. We're the….Traceketeers remember….all for one…and all that," John responded as he tried to be light-hearted but found he was becoming choked with emotion. He well remembered the call he got that day telling him of his eldest brother's worsening condition and that he was being sent for. The hours he waited for TB3 to come had seemed like forever and he knew, indeed, that it must be serious if his father sanctioned such an order, wanting the family to be all together. He remembered trying to block out the thoughts of the worst possible scenario; that they would get home only to find they were too late.

"Yeah…..John…I…just want to thank you for being here for me…you know….," Scott told him, finding his own emotion equally high. Jenna found herself wiping a tear from her eye, watching the two brothers as she stayed in the background.

"Like I said Scott…no need…..we're brothers….where else would I be," John smiled gently.

Scott nodded his appreciation. "Hey John….," he added, indicating his brother to come closer. John bent lower. "Thanks for….putting in a word…with the old man….you know…about swapping places."

"Not a problem brother…..hey…I was doing us both a favor…and besides…I have things up there just the way I like them….you don't think I was gonna go letting you rearrange everything do you!" John grinned jokingly, causing both men to laugh. "Well…I guess it's time I was going….you take care brother," he added, grasping Scott again in a firm hold and clapping his back.

"Yeah…you too John," Scott returned.

"If you wanna talk, just call me," John offered, to which his brother nodded, before finally adding, "…and I'm glad to see you finally found someone who's made you happy….you love her, don't you?"

Scott smiled quietly to himself as he looked in her direction. "Am I that transparent?" he asked with a wry smile.

"As glass brother….as glass," John quipped. "You just make sure and look after her…cus there's plenty of us standing in line," he finished with a cheeky grin.

"Not a chance John…not a chance," Scott said, returning his banter with a smile before casting her a loving look. He intended to have her around for a long time. With that John left to join his two waiting brothers who were already by the couch.

Jenna came now to Scott's side and automatically took the hand that he held out to her, both of them totally oblivious to the fond smiles that were going on around them. Scott couldn't help but smile at her somewhat bemused face when she observed the three boys sitting, apparently quite relaxed, on the couch, as though deciding after all they weren't going, while the rest of the family gathered to watch and say farewell.

"I thought they were going to Thunderbird Three now……what are they waiting for?" Jenna asked quietly as she bent low to whisper in his ear and thinking there was some obvious delay.

Scott grinned, realising she hadn't been informed of the secrets of the lounge. "They are….just wait and see," he whispered back. She watched with great interest as Jeff took his place behind his desk.

"You boys ready?" Jeff asked in his now familiar authoritarian tone, drawing the response of 'Yes Sir' from the three boys in unison.

This was the first glimpse Jenna had of Jeff Tracy in his role as Commander of International Rescue, having only met him as a concerned father, though knowing he was head of a multi-corporate organisation. She had to admit to a certain thrill that coursed through her as she realised she was in a privileged position to witness whatever was about to take place.

"Have you got everything you need, Son?" Jeff asked John directly and now with a more fatherly affection.

"Yes Dad, thanks. We loaded up Three this morning with all the supplies I'll need," John replied.

"Well then….I guess you boys had better be on your way," Jeff responded, trying not to let the emotion that he was feeling show. The moment had come, at last, to send John back to Thunderbird Five and so get International Rescue operational again. As he pressed the button that sent them on their way Jeff Tracy shot his eldest son a glance, wondering what he was feeling right at that moment, knowing that it would have been his place to accompany Alan on the journey up to Five.

With fond farewells ringing in their ears, and a few obligatory tears from Grandma and Tin-Tin, they began their journey. But Jenna could only stand amazed, her eyes getting wider by the second, as she watched the three boys plus couch slowly sink into the floor until eventually they disappeared, only to be replaced by another identical but empty couch. If she had closed her eyes but for a moment she would have sworn she had just witnessed a clever magician's trick and expecting them to appear again at any moment.

She felt Scott grip her hand a little tighter and looking down noted a flash of pain that was obviously associated with some memory, cross his face. Unaware of what it was, though wanting to give him comfort she squeezed his hand in a loving gesture, causing him to give her a grimaced smile as he bit back emotion.

He was glad of her presence even though she couldn't possibly know what he was going through right now. As he watched his brothers descend into what he knew were the cavernous vaults and tunnels below that would take them out to the Roundhouse and so up into Thunderbird Three, another agonising pain tore through his heart as a voice cried out in his head. 'It should be me there, Virg….not you. That's my place….mine.' While not wanting to do permanent duty on Five he never minded the actual journey there and back, offering him a unique view of the earth that only very few are privileged to see; that of the blue and green marble as the mighty rockets of Thunderbird Three pull them away from the atmosphere. It was a spectacle that never ceased to amaze him. His mind, his very soul was a mixture of emotions now for he hadn't anticipated these feelings would have been so strong. His thoughts were quickly brought back down to earth.

"Well Jen….whatdaya think? Neat, huh!" Gordon commented with a proud grin on seeing her wide-eye wonderment.

"Yeah," Jenna acknowledged. "Where exactly are they going?"

Before Gordon answered Scott spoke up, telling her off the vast caverns that were hewn out of the rock beneath her feet and the track system that ran out to the Roundhouse; smiling, as she looked down to the floor and knowing she was trying to comprehend the enormity of it. "……and then it takes you up into TB3," he finished, glad of her distraction and taking delight in her childlike wonder. There were many things she was going to have to know and get used to if she was to stay here with him, though he was pleased she wasn't eager to know everything at once.

"Now that's impressive," she stated, just beginning to realise that this was no ordinary home. It had never really occurred to her before where on the island the Thunderbirds were kept, apart from knowing, of course, that Thunderbird One launched from beneath the swimming pool when Scott had shared that information with her earlier while they were in the pool.

"You want to see something impressive? Come on…..let's go outside," Scott invited.

Without question she smiled and steered him outside onto the balcony as the rest of the family joined them. The view from the balcony was breathtaking to say the least, the view that she hadn't had time to appreciate upon first arriving. The patio was enclosed by the trees of the jungle, through which ran the various tracks to different parts of the island, one of which she and Mike had been led along by Virgil and Kyrano from the runway. Beyond the trees straight ahead lay the beach, only the edge of the shoreline being visible and beyond that the constantly moving ocean. To the left were more trees and the fact that the ocean lay further away and sparkling in the distance gave rise to the knowledge that there was more of the island than could be seen. Taking in a deep breath of the scented air Jenna sighed.

"What are we looking for?" she asked in bewilderment, though seeing that the family were automatically looking to the left she guessed that was the direction in which she should be looking.

Jeff chuckled. "If you'll just look over there…you'll soon see," he said, pointing to beyond the tree line.

"Help me up, Jen….please," Scott pleaded, as though wanting to stand out of respect for some great event that was about to take place.

Supporting him on his left side he pushed up on the arm of the chair with his right hand and once in a standing position he reached out for the balcony rail to support himself. Shortly, a low rumble was heard, accompanied by vibrations felt beneath their feet, which grew in intensity. Had Jenna been totally unaware that something momentous was about to happen she would have sworn that she was experiencing an earth tremor.

"Feel that?" Scott asked with a smile, to which she nodded. "Well that's Three….she's powering up… getting ready for lift-off," he informed her quietly, with all the knowledge of one who knows every vibration of his island home. As he held onto the rail his level of excitement rose, feeling the vibrations come up through the ground and course through his body.

"Look….there they go," Tin-Tin cried excitedly and pointing to where the great red nose of the rocket ship started to rise majestically above the trees.

Jenna watched in total fascination as the mighty ship climbed steadily into the air and tried to imagine the heat that must be coming from those burners as they powered her towards the upper atmosphere, the air around being distorted and shimmering by the intensity of the flames.

Scott felt a strong and reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You all right, Son?" his father asked with quiet concern.

"Yeah…I will be, Dad….thanks. Guess it just takes a bit of gettin used to…..them goin without me…you know," Scott explained, smiling at his father half-heartedly.

"Yes…I know Son," his father responded, clapping his son firmly on the shoulder before turning to leave.

"I still say it looks like a giant red lipstick," Jenna whispered to Scott, the suddenness of her comment causing him to all but choke and cough, though he was glad of her quip for it brought a smile to his face.

Tin-Tin giggled, having overheard the comment and appreciating it as only a woman can. "You're right, Jenna…it does….though I wouldn't let poor Brains hear you call it that…..I don't think 'lipstick' was quite in his design plan," she said, making both women smile.

Gradually the family drifted indoors, leaving Scott and Jenna alone on the balcony, she now having moved round to his right side. He instinctively reached out and, putting his arm around her shoulder, drew her to his side. Jenna lovingly slipped her arms around his waist as they looked up high into the sky to see the little dot that was now Thunderbird Three fast disappearing into the upper reaches of the atmosphere. For a brief moment she felt strange and a little apprehensive, knowing that changes were on the way and wondering how she would fit into the scheme of things. Scott, for the most part, was getting stronger and his general health improving, though they still waited anxiously to overcome this last major hurdle and headaches could still prove to be a problem. As if sensing her foreboding he drew her a little tighter, bent and kissed the top of her head.

"How long will it take them?" she asked, looking up into the now empty sky and wondering what it would be like to be travelling through space.

"To get to Five……..a few hours….then they'll help load the supplies into Five and…maybe stick around a while…see if John needs any help to get her back on line. It'll be this evening before we see them back again," Scott explained, to which she nodded with genuine interest.

On entering the house again all seemed strangely empty and quiet after the noise and jollity of the party. "Do you want to go back down and rest?" Jenna asked sympathetically, wondering if the excitement and emotion of the party had wearied him.

"I'm not actually tired, Jen to be honest," he replied, feeling glad of the change of scene.

It was when she asked if he wanted to stay in the lounge for a bit, though, and he glanced forlornly at the wall, stating adamantly that he didn't, that gave rise to her thinking this room held bitter sweet memories for him. Gordon had just come in from the kitchen and on having witnessed his brother's rather dejected look at the wall cheerily offered a helpful solution.

"Say Scott…you wanna go down to the games room….we could have a game of chess? You haven't been to the games room yet…have you Jen?" he suggested. Jenna shook her head and smiled warmly at his thoughtfulness, finding it an excellent idea and thinking it would help hone his mental sharpness.

"Sure Gordy…..but I haven't played in a while…….," he responded as Gordon took charge and wheeled him from the lounge followed by Jenna. Chatting happily and with Gordon assuring him it would all come back to him they disappeared down the hallway.

Some time later in the early evening Jeff Tracy was in the familiar position of being behind his desk when the eyes of John's portrait began to flash. "Base to Thunderbird Five," he acknowledged and thinking, for a brief moment, how long ago it had seemed since he used those words. "…..go ahead John…..give me a progress report. Are we back on line?" he asked, as once more the familiar tone of authority rang out across the lounge.