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

Author's Note: Brains' invention does not actually exist, at least, not as far as I'm aware but is solely for the purposes of this story and comes totally from my own imagination. Also, there is material of an adult nature, sexual activity, very definitely, implied if not actually described!

Chapter 103

Now that she found herself alone in the suite, Jenna took the opportunity to explore the walk-in dressing room, since it was where she would be putting some of her things. It had been arranged that the clothes Scott didn't wear that often would be transferred to the guest room Jenna had been given, to afford space in the dressing room and the guest room would then become a storage room for their surplus clothes and things.

Smiling quietly to herself, she fondly fingered the rows of shirts, jackets, pants and smart business suits that hung neatly on rails; all of the best quality material and make, of course and revealing more of Scott Tracy's elegant and immaculate good taste in dress sense. Also on a rail, hung a few aviator jackets, one of which was emblazoned with the USAF logo and well worn and that, she guessed, must be his favorite. Her smile grew, for there was something incredibly sexy, she thought, about a guy in a flight jacket and aviator shades, especially when that guy was actually an unassuming and very experienced pilot, not to mention, dashingly handsome with it.

She also observed neatly stacked shelves of casual and leisure wear, t-shirts, shorts, work-out gear and fine-knit sweaters, some Cashmere. Along the floor, were racks of footwear for every occasion, trainers, loafers, deck shoes for when he went sailing and several pairs of rather expensive looking slip-on shoes, the finest Italian leather, she guessed and worn when he conducted business meetings for Tracy Enterprises or had to attend gala functions, all causing her to nod rather impressively. The drawers, she guessed, contained underwear and socks and, integrated into the back wall was a full-length dressing mirror, surrounded by subtle lighting, to facilitate ease of dressing.

It all served to give her more of an insight into Scott Tracy's lifestyle and the lifestyle into which she had now been invited to share. Jenna fondly fingered again along the row of shirts. Stopping and lifting one off the hanger, a pale blue one, a color she thought particularly suited his bronzed skin, she slipped it on, lovingly caressing the material and lifting it to brush against her cheek and breathe in its freshly laundered scent. And when she closed her eyes, she imagined she could smell his scent, so deep now was he within her consciousness. Not only his expensive after-shave but his scent, his unique musky scent that made him…well, that made him, Scott Carpenter Tracy and was especially strong and potent during their rather hot lovemaking.

She couldn't help but emit a little laugh, knowing her thoughts and actions came from being so in love with the man and thinking, just for a moment, that this must all surely be just a beautiful dream that she was going to have to wake up from, the same kind of thoughts her lover had had when they were in the bath.

Scott re-entered the suite and on coming into the bedroom, was stopped dead in his tracks, letting out a low, deep, sexual 'grrufff' and wrinkling up his nose, at seeing her. There was just something so infinitely sexy in seeing a woman dressed only in a man's shirt, knowing she had nothing else on underneath; perhaps it was that tantalising thought that tended to get men quite aroused! And Scott Tracy was certainly no exception.

"I…know you said…not to bother dressing…..!" Jenna teased with feminine seduction, fingering where the shirt lay open and unbuttoned.

His eyes instantly danced with the fire of arousal. "Hell…lady! Forget about what I said. Looking like that….you can wear my shirts any time you damn well please. And you can keep that one…..for it sure looks better on you than it did on me!" Scott grinned appreciatively.

Happy that her efforts had had the desired effect, she smiled and then noted what it was he had went out to get.

"You brought breakfast," she smiled, impressed by his continued resourcefulness, at observing the tray laden with two bowls of muesli, a jug of milk and some toast.

"Like my sweet little ole Grandma said….'a proper meal provides proper fuel…to keep the body going'!" he returned, with a mischievous twinkle.

That, she found amusing but then, as though suddenly realising he was carrying something as awkward as the tray, she went to move towards him.

"Oh but Scott….you shouldn't have had to carry that by yourself. I could've given you a hand," Jenna offered.

He knew she would have but it was another of those little things he wanted to do for her, to bring his lover breakfast in their bed, especially after such a fantastic night and morning of lovemaking.

"I wanted to, Jen….I wanted to do it for us. And besides….my arm's getting stronger all the time….and it's good for my co-ordination," he explained, bringing the tray over to the bed.

The next instant, though, saw his face contort in pain and the tray, with its contents, started to tremble and rattle.

"Scott…what is it!" Jenna asked, full of concern.

"Aghh….damn hand!" he swore, through gritted teeth. His hand had suddenly locked in a painful spasm.

She was immediately at his side. "Here…let me take that," his lover insisted, taking the tray from him and setting it at the bottom of the bed. "Now come and sit down…and I'll give that a massage for you…see if we can loosen it up a bit," she added, leading him to the bed and taking his hand in hers. Smiling sympathetically, she worked on his hand. "This is still going to happen for a while, Scott……that's why you need this period of recuperation….but it will get less and less….and eventually it will stop."

Having to accept what he had no control over was hard for him, especially when he had been feeling so good and feeling he was just about normal again. This, though, was a stark and painful reminder that he was still in recovery and had to accept his limitations and that he was not yet ready to go back to full-time duty. Patience was to be the order of the day, for at least a little while longer but he wasn't quite complaining, Jenna proving to be more than a welcome distraction.

The soothing massage worked its magic and eventually the painful spasm ceased and his hand regained its normal sensations. As Jenna continued to massage at his hand and fingers, she returned him a wry smile at noticing what else was on the tray. "Strawberries…and a can of…whipped cream! For breakfast…Mr Tracy!"

A languid and teasing grin spread across his face. "I…thought we could…have them later. You know…help us get a little bit….creative!"

"Creative, huh!" she repeated in amusement. "I thought we already did….last night…this morning…not to mention the shower!"

"Yeah…we sure did….didn't we!" her dark-haired lover growled, happily pleased with himself. "I'm sure, though, we can get…a lot more…creative….if we put our minds to it! But first…we eat. After all…we're gonna need…fuel…to keep us going!"

And how could she not smile at her lover's playfully seductive suggestion. "Well then….I guess I'd better put these in the fridge…until later! And I'll bring us back some o j."

He watched her with wide-eyed delight, a deep throaty groan escaping his lips, as she walked away, provocatively, from him toward the sitting room. Gawd, she was hot; she was damn hot, dressed only in his light cotton shirt.

Continuing to flex the fingers of his hand, Scott made himself more comfortable on the bed, drawing the breakfast tray towards him with his other and, as soon as she came back into the bedroom, beckoned her to come and join him by patting the bedcovers beside him. Completely at ease with each other, the happy and contented couple enjoyed a long, leisurely mid-morning breakfast, feeding each other with little teasing gestures as only lovers can.

Early afternoon found them happily snuggled on the bed, wrapped in each other's arms. Scott reached for his remote control and after keying in a command, an ultra-slim, plasma type, flat screen, television seemed to magically appear at the end of the bed. In actual fact, it had risen from its concealed housing in the floor; ingenious really, since it took up no room and afforded the maximum amount of floor space, neither did it take up any room on a wall.

In an instant, Jenna playfully snatched the remote from him, before he had a chance to start flicking through the channels.

"Hey!" Scott laughed.

"Well…I can hardly trust you to find us something that isn't all testosterone and full of adrenaline pumpin action, a game at the Super Bowl or some documentary on the intricacies of an aircraft engine!" she laughingly teased him, as she began to look for something more interesting on the movie channels.

"What can I say! I'm a guy!" he shrugged with mischievous wide-eyed innocence, as if that should be a perfectly logical reason. "And besides…documentaries on the intricacies of an aircraft engine can be really …fascinating!" he added, in mocking defence, while trying to keep as straight a face as possible.

"Hmmm…I'm sure they can," she returned, with an amused smile. Her sense of wicked fun then grew when she came across something she knew was sure to bug the hell out of him. "Oh…now. This looks so much more interesting!"

"Uh uh. There is no way, lady….you're getting me to watch some girly chic flic," Scott adamantly insisted, laughingly horrified at the prospect of having to sit through a film of giggly, girly antics with no plot whatsoever.

"Oh…..but, Scott…! You might find it…really fascinating!" Jenna returned, raising her eyebrows in a playful tease.

And, oh how he loved her playful teases; narrowed eyes sparkling in acknowledgement of her witty retort. His quickened reflexes, however, soon saw the remote back in his hands, pleased with himself that he was the one now back in control of what they would watch. Something then suddenly caught his attention. Scott stopped at a particular scenario being played out on the screen and, for an instant, became so totally engrossed and captivated, he couldn't move, almost as if he were held in a trance.

The film playing showed a modern day military aircraft, not unlike his former F-16XD, with the pilot and his buddy in the back seat. The pilot was in a highly excitable and agitated state, as he threw his aircraft around in what was obviously evasive manoeuvres and then Scott heard something very familiar, something that made his blood run cold and sent him instantly back in time, something he had hoped never to hear again. Though muffled by his breathing apparatus, the actor/pilot could quite clearly be heard to yell out, 'Hell…we've been targeted….we've been locked on. Hang on…this is gonna get rough'.

The scene then widened to include the aircraft, dodging and diving, being chased by a heat seeking missile. Jenna felt him stiffen and suck in a breath. Scott's heart rate increased automatically and his heart pounded in his chest but his gaze was riveted to the screen, unable to tear himself away from the unfolding drama and the very next minute the missile clipped the back of the aircraft, shearing off part of the tail fin, as the pilot effected another evasive manoeuvre. While the film- makers had used everything possible to increase the tension and accentuate the high drama, there was one man who knew only too well the reality of the situation; the one man who had been there, felt it and the film-makers didn't even come close.

Instinctively and with heart continuing to pound, Scott automatically whispered, 'Eject…eject…eject', to be followed seconds later by the actor/pilot issuing the same command. As the canopy blew off and the airmen were forcefully catapulted into the air, Scott suddenly jolted back to the present and jabbed quickly at the remote to change channels. In the brief moments it took for the sequence to play through, it had all seemed quite surreal, as though he had been watching actual film footage of his own encounter.

Having heard him whisper, Jenna looked up from where she had been reclining against her lover's shoulder, with a little look of bemusement, thinking for a moment it was just his pilot's instincts kicking in. She was just on the verge of making a comment about it being one of his all-action, adrenalin pumpin, guy kind of movies, only to see him paled, a fine sheen of sweat beading his forehead and his eyes darkened and clouded with pain.

It was then she knew; realised the truth of what she had been watching with him.

"That's how it happened…..isn't it?" she asked gently, rubbing his arm in a loving caress.

He drew in a deep, steadying breath, letting it out slowly, as he closed and opened his eyes.

"No one knows what it's really like, Jen. That! Didn't even come close," he reflected, with a shake of his head, dismissive of the film's feeble attempt to portray the reality, yet being too stark a reminder to have watched any more. "Being chased down by a heat-seeker….knowing you might only have minutes…seconds….your buddy's relying on you to pull the both of you out of it! And then to have to eject! That alone can kill you…..but you know if you don't….you're gonna die anyway. Do you know what it's like to eject at that high speed…with everything ready to fall apart around you!" Scott continued to reflect, as he remembered.

She knew it was a rhetorical question for, of course, she didn't know, how could she possibly know. But what she did know was he needed to talk; that brief sequence on some forgettable film having acted like some sort of catalyst, sparking off deep memories. Her lover's heart longed to press her fingers to his lips and beg him not to torture himself with any more thoughts, to hold him and wipe away all those fearful experiences from his mind but, painful though it was for her to hear, she knew he needed to talk, to let it all out at last and the most loving thing she could do for him was, to just listen. Hadn't she promised him she would, how was it he put it, 'sit in his seat of pain with him'; just be there for whenever he felt ready to talk! It was one more step in dealing with the painful events of the past.

Jenna curled her fingers around his and squeezed his hand in a loving and encouraging gesture.

"It all happens so fast. You feel as if you've just been hit by an 18-wheeler…as you're slammed back into your seat. It sucks the breath right outta you. You…you can't breathe….and there's not a damn thing you can do about it….you're just along for the ride. And that moment… when you know you've been hit….and you're just about to pull that handle…! You're heart's poundin in your chest like a sledge hammer…and gawd, I know it's weird…but at that very moment…you've never felt so alive…even though you know you might just be about to die. Man what a rush!" he continued in almost breathless excitement, feeling that same intensity, with his heart pounding, as if he were experiencing it all over again.

And it was, indeed, a weird feeling for, although it was something no sane minded military pilot ever wanted to have to do, ejecting at high speed, the intense rush was undeniable.

His lover soothingly stroked his arm as she listened, closing her eyes briefly against the thought of the horrendous experience it must have been then, suddenly and unexpectedly, a lone tear tracked its way quietly down her cheek. It was then his turn to suddenly become aware, of what he had been saying would mean to her, even though the circumstances or the outcome weren't the same.

"Oh gawd, baby…I'm so sorry. I…I wasn't thinking…," he apologised, as he lovingly brushed away her tear with his thumb.

"It's okay, Scott," she assured him, giving him a weak smile. "I…I've often wondered what Johnny's last thoughts might have been…how it felt….what…what it was like for him…but no one was ever able to tell me…none of his friends would ever talk about it. I think I can understand why now…..so thank you, Scott …for telling me," she added, as she sadly reflected back to her brother's death.

Unlike Scott, though, Johnny Rollins had never even got the opportunity to pull that handle, the low level disastrous manoeuvre having happened all too fast but his feelings and his body's reaction in those few moments before impact, as he contemplated his death, she guessed, would have been the same. "And besides….you needed to talk."

"I love you, Jen….I love you so much," he told her, as he gathered her in his arms and held her tight, planting soft kisses on her forehead. And for a short while they just held each other in companionable silence, bound even tighter by the invisible threads that had drawn them together.

"So…shall we see what else is on!" Jenna asked with a quiet smile, both of them having just enjoyed the comforting silence of being together.

Scott started flicking through the channels again, looking for something interesting and, hopefully, something not just quite so close to home. He stopped at something he thought might have suited the bill, only to find out, within a very short space of time, an intense medical drama was being played out. This time, it was both of them that became, momentarily, riveted to the screen.

Set in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital, the sequence was that of a ruggedly handsome, dark-haired young man, unconscious and hooked up to a ventilator with a wound dressing evident on the side of his head; his bed surrounded by obviously anxious and emotional family, sniffing and dabbing at their eyes. An attractive nurse hovered attentively at his bedside, tenderly stroking his face, while talking quietly to him and offering assurances to his family. "He is going to be alright, isn't he?" a distraught family member could be heard to say. "I'm afraid we won't know anything until he wakes up. We'll try taking him off the ventilator tomorrow," the young nurse replied with a kindly smile.

The young lovers looked at each other and, of the same mind, shook their heads and issued, in unison, a resounding, 'NO', before giving in to a little laugh at being in such complete accord with each other and thinking exactly the same thing at the same time; that this was just way too close to home.

Sighing and despairing of anything worthwhile to watch, they were almost about to give up, when Scott halted again and an impish grin flashed across his face. "Well….I think we might have found our…something more interesting!" he commented, snuggling them down more cosily into the bed and causing Jenna to have to smile in wry agreement.

Before long, they were totally engrossed; their eyes were growing wider all the time at what they were watching.

"Well…that sure looks an 'interesting' way of doing things!" Scott commented, his heart rate automatically beginning to rise as his wide-eyed gaze held in fascination to the screen.

"Y..e..s….I'll say! Do you think it really works!" Jenna agreed, with both of them twisting this way and that to make sure they viewed the scene from every angle.

"Guess there's only one way to find out!" the amorous lover saucily suggested, still unable to tear his eyes away. "But I'm betting we can do it…a whole lot better! Time to get creative, lady…real creative," he groaned, as he now kissed hungrily around her neck and ear, his breathing heavy and needy and causing her to go weak with what he was suggesting they try, while at the same time, his strong hand roamed up her thigh, under his shirt and around her body.

"Strawberries…and…cream…kind of creative…Mr Tracy!" Jenna breathed out, as she succumbed to his languid kisses.

"Huh…uh," he continued to groan, becoming ever more stimulated by what they had been watching.

So, what was it that had held the lovers so fascinated and induced very deep arousal!

Well, the film they were watching so intently seemed to be quite a raunchy and somewhat steamy one, the nature of which completely overshadowing any plot there might have been. Not that our young lovers would have been interested in any plot by this stage, since their attention was wholly taken up with the action of the young lovers, on camera, in the throes of some very erotic lovemaking, which they had to admit to finding all rather…stimulating!

It was yet another sign, a measure, of how comfortable our lovers felt with each other, that they could watch such overtly sexy, some might even say 'soft porn' films together and not be embarrassed. Reluctantly tearing himself away, Scott went to fetch the fruity treats from the fridge and needless to say, they never got to see the end of the movie. Not that they minded in the least for, somehow, they seemed kind of caught up with their own rather stimulating action!

It had been a long, lazy beautiful day and when the lovers hadn't appeared for yet another family evening meal and there had been bets on that they wouldn't, Grandma sent Kyrano with a tray for them, which Scott quickly retrieved, having just come out of their refreshing shower. Later that evening and after the leisurely supper, Jenna slipped off his towelling bathrobe, promising him a relaxing massage. Well, that's something you don't say no to. An offer too good to miss, Scott gladly stretched out, face down, on the bed, his head resting comfortably on his arms and sighing contentedly when he felt her straddling him, sitting astride his legs, knowing she wore nothing only his shirt.

Jenna poured some of his musk scented body rub, which she'd gotten from his bathroom cabinet, onto her hands and began a slow and sensual caressing of his bronzed back, smiling to herself at hearing him sigh in deep contentment as she worked and kneaded her fingers and hands harder into his muscles.

"So…Mr Tracy…..how long are you going to keep me locked up here…..just so you can have your wicked way!" she teased in seductive fashion.

But there was no answer; no mischievously saucy reply that she was sure would be given in return, only a steady and rhythmic breathing.

In puzzled bemusement, Jenna leant over a little and smiled with loving affection at seeing her energetic and enthusiastic lover sound asleep. So relaxing had her sensual caressing of his body been that he had found it increasingly impossible to keep hold on the waking world, feeling himself falling into that place of peaceful sleep. With tender love, she bent down to plant soft kisses on his cheek and shoulder before gently climbing off her sleeping lover, so as not to wake him and, on slipping off the bed, pulled the cool sheet up around his waist.

Having then fixed herself a coffee from the coffee-maker in their small lounge, Jenna came quietly back into the bedroom and crossed to the half open glass panel, breathing in the evening tropical air and looking out over the fabulous view the room offered. Smiling quietly to herself, she reflected on the direction her life had now taken, as she sipped from her cup and, eventually, slipped naked into bed, to join him in peaceful slumber.

During the night, Scott stirred awake, to find the room bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. The last thing he remembered was the wonderfully relaxing massage and realised he must have fallen asleep. He smiled to himself at her thoughtfulness for letting him sleep on but now, he felt the stirrings of deep arousal at finding her warm, naked body next to his.

Pulling himself in close behind her, Scott hooked his leg over hers, groaning with need as he kissed around her neck and back, while at the same time, caressing her warm breast with his hand before continuing on with his explorative journey. He loved how she breathed out his name in sleepy response when he brought her to arousal, when he wakened her senses and, he had to admit, to finding it quite an erotic thrill when she moulded her hand over the back of his as he caressed her. Turning her in his arms, he sought her mouth in a hot, burning kiss, which signalled the beginning of yet another night of long, slow, sensual and erotic lovemaking.

It was around 6.30am when they next woke, with Jenna laying in his arms and softly stroking his chest, while he idly stroked her arm.

"Jen…..I want to tell everyone…this morning….about us…..that you're going to stay here with me. I know Dad knows we want to be together and that I want you to stay….but I…I just want to make it official …with the rest of the family….and we'll tell John too, of course…after breakfast. Is that all right with you?" Scott asked, having made up his mind not to wait any longer and feeling the time was right, now that their union was complete.

She raised herself up and gave him a warm, encouraging smile. "Of course it is……if you feel ready!" Jenna reassured him.

"Yeah, I do. I don't want there to be any doubt that we're together now," he returned with quiet determination, touching her face and planting a loving kiss on her lips. Now that that had been all settled and a plan of action had been formulated, he felt a sense of relief, like a weight lifted off his shoulders. Drawing in a breath and letting it out slowly, he happily suggested, "Well then…I guess we'd better get showered and dressed…and go to breakfast."

It took them a little longer to shower than it normally did, when they showered alone, for this concept of showering together was quite something else and something definitely worth lingering over but, eventually, they were dressed and ready to go. As they exited the suite, Scott took her hand in his, making a determined public statement that they were now together, that they were a couple and together they headed for the kitchen. Just outside the kitchen, Scott paused.

"You ready!" he asked with quiet concern, though feeling that rush of nervous excitement and relief that, at last, everyone would know just how they felt about each other. Jenna gave him a nod of affirmation, quietly happy with the fact that he felt confident enough in himself to want to tell his family now, before his recovery was complete.

Gripping her hand more tightly, they entered the kitchen.

The rest of the family were already seated at the table when they entered and all eyes immediately looked in their direction, including Jeff, peering out momentarily from behind his morning paper and a rather heavy-eyed Virgil, followed by nudges and knowing grins from the two youngest Tracy brothers. It wasn't failed to be noticed either, the fact that the young couple were now holding hands, a fact which brought a quiet smile to Jeff's face, as he retreated back behind his paper.

"Gee…we weren't expecting you guys to surface for like…another week!" Gordon quipped in mock surprise, between mouthfuls of cereal, bringing a snort of laughter from Alan and a flush of embarrassment from the lovers.

Doing his best to ignore the juvenile remark, Scott cleared his throat, as he prepared to make his announcement.

"Ahmm….there's…eh…something I feel you should all know. I've asked Jen….and she's agreed to stay with me…here…on the island," he stated determinedly and, giving her hand a little squeeze along with a warm smile.

He wasn't sure what kind of a reaction that would get, though he had hoped, perhaps, a little happiness, joy, congratulations even would be forthcoming but what he got wasn't quite what he expected. It was as though he had given them nothing more than a mundane weather report, for all the reaction it inspired.

"That's nice, dear….now come and sit down, the both of you…and have some breakfast," Grandma offered, as she busied herself with bringing plates of cooked food to the table, while everyone continued to drink fruit juice and eat their cereal, hiding secret smiles.

Poor Scott; he could only look helplessly perplexed to his lover, who in turn, could only shrug her shoulders in bewilderment. Perhaps they didn't really hear what he just said or fully understand the implications, he thought. After all, it wasn't as if they invited someone, every day, to move into their home and share in their lifestyle. He tried again.

"Eh…didn't you hear what I said! I said…Jen's going to stay here…with me. Not just until my physio's complete…and I'm fully recovered…but permanently. She's not going back to the mainland. Jen's going to live here…this is going to be her home…with me…with us!" Scott reiterated, with emphasis.

"Yeah….we heard you, Scott. We just thought you were going to tell us something…well…interesting ……something we didn't know!" Alan responded lightly, as he continued his breakfast.

"Huh! You guys knew!" Scott returned, the surprise on his face clearly evident, as he turned then to his lover, wondering if she had said anything, only for her to shake her head in assurance that she hadn't.

Frowning, he shot a look to the only other people who knew his intentions but Jeff adamantly shook his head that he had not said a word in betrayal of the confidence Scott placed in him; his father knowing how important it was for Scott to tell everyone himself, when he felt ready. Virgil too, shook his head that he hadn't breathed a word about the serious nature of their relationship.

"Well…not exactly," Gordon had to admit. "But put it this way, Scotty….it doesn't take a genius to see where…this…was heading," he added, indicating the both of them with his spoon. "We just wondered how long it was going to take you to get round to telling us!"

"Am I…that…transparent!" Scott mused in self-questioning reflection. Jenna, unable to help a little smile, rubbed his arm with soothing affection.

The reply to that rhetorical musing came from a completely unexpected source.

"A.a.as the…eh… proverbial glass…I believe the…em…p.phrase is," Brains interjected, causing everyone to look in his direction. "A.a.and it is not…after all…that…em…hard to conjecture, Scott….that because J.Jenna has …eh…eh…spent such a long t.t.time in your…ah…company and the obvious...eh… chemical attraction between you, of course…that you w.w.would find it increasingly harder to…ah…ah… let her go and therefore, inevitably…em…you would ask her to s.s.stay," he added so matter-of-factly, having paused briefly from eating and as though he were expounding some scientific theory, which in truth, to Brains, it was, with the same rational logic being applied.

It left everyone around the table, momentarily, lost for words and with their mouths hanging open, including the young lovers themselves before Jenna just had to put a hand to her mouth to stifle an amused laugh.

"Gee Brains….I couldn't 've put it better myself," Gordon quipped in mock seriousness, being the first to break the awed silence. "And hey….the chemical attraction thing! Is that like…his…chemicals sayin to…her…chemicals….let's get mixin and create a little explosive reaction!" he added, with a cheeky grin and wiggling his eyebrows, feeling rather proud of his clever wit and bringing a snort of laughter from Alan. "Say…I might just use that for my next chat-up line….hmm," the loveable aquanaut then mused thoughtfully, which brought groans and rolling of eyes from all around the table.

"Yeah…well…..thanks for that…analysis, Brains," Scott remarked rather pointedly before returning to the rest of his family. "So…I take it you're all okay with the idea of Jenna living here!" He gave her hand another reassuring squeeze.

"Why…of course, dear," Grandma replied, as if there had never been any doubt, indeed, almost as if she already regarded Jenna as a member of the family. "It will be a pleasure to have Jenna here with us."

A similar chorus of assent, along with nods of affirmation, went up from everyone at the table.

"Thank you, Grandma…and thank you everyone…..it really means a lot to me to be here with Scott," Jenna gratefully acknowledged for it was one thing to be here nursing him on a short term basis but to live here as his partner and a permanent member of the household was something else. Giving Grandma Tracy a hug, Jenna was deeply touched by the fact she was so readily accepted, though she couldn't help be amused, by the fact her continuing to stay on seemed to be already taken for granted.

And it makes you happy, dear …so that's all that matters," the elderly matriarch added, patting her grandson's arm.

"It does, Grandma….it makes me very happy," Scott affirmed, having only eyes for his lover right at that moment.

Getting up from her seat, Tin-Tin couldn't wait to give her friend a welcoming hug. "Oh Jenna…I am so glad you're staying…it will be wonderful to have you here. Just think of all the things we'll be able to do together," Tin-Tin enthused, glad that the female balance of power on the island had just risen and that she would have a permanent female companion, someone who she could talk 'girl' things with.

"Oh oh…that spells trouble. You know what that means, Scott! Beauty tips…and Tin-Tin dragging her off on…long…shopping trips to the mainland!" Alan informed his eldest brother in serious warning and earning him an immediate disapproving look from Tin-Tin.

Scott frowned but then could very quickly see the advantages. "Well…as long as it means you'll bring back something…'nice'…to wear…for me to see you in…!" he grinned, with a naughty and playful raise of his brows to his lover.

And what could she do, only smile and shake her head in hopeless exasperation. "Ohh, Mr Tracy…..spoken like a true…male!"

Very much enjoying their playful banter, Scott whispered something in her ear, which brought a coy smile and a flush to her cheeks.

"Well….since you put it like that….and if you're a…very…good boy!" his lover playfully teased before remembering that they were not exactly alone, causing her a little embarrassed smile.

"Gee….maybe I've been lookin at this whole shopping thing the wrong way," Alan remarked in wide-eyed wonder and full of admiration for his eldest brother.

Unfortunately for Alan, it wasn't to work out quite exactly the same way and his eager enthusiasm was to be short-lived. Just as he was about to open his mouth with a similar totally male comment!

"Don't you even think of saying something like that to me, Alan Shephard Tracy! I am not in the habit of buying clothes for your pleasure….for you to…to…ogle…me in! Tin-Tin snapped indignantly.

Alan frowned and sighed heavily. He would never understand. "How the hell does he do it!" he mused audibly, of his eldest brother. "He gets something…'nice'…to look at. I get a…'smack in the face'!"

All of which brought amused laughter from around the table and the young lovers, all except Tin-Tin. Clearly, Alan had a lot to learn about the art of seduction, picking the right moment and not 'putting your foot in it' by making derogatory remarks in the first place about your girlfriend's shopping trips!

This, though, was too good an opportunity for the Tracy joker to pass up and what better excuse could he have than to welcome Jenna officially into the household. Seizing his chance with mischievous relish, Gordon quickly got up off his chair.

"Jen…on behalf of Scotty's brothers…but more for myself….," he began, with a cheeky wiggle of his brows. "…..let me welcome you to our humble home."

And before she knew it, or Scott for that matter, Gordon grabbed her round the waist and, supporting her back, dipped her right over, while planting a great big smacker full on her lips, much to the delight of Alan and one still sleepy looking Virgil. Even Jeff couldn't resist a smile at his aquanaut son's antics; perhaps because he still appreciated the male impulse to do such things where a pretty girl was involved and his sons were, after all, healthy red-blooded young men. Alan, however, only had to take one look at Tin-Tin's rather frosty face to know he'd better not even think of trying such a 'welcome' and with already being in her bad books decided he would be safer remaining where he was.

Needless to say, Scott was not that impressed and far from happy with the liberties taken. Grabbing his overly enthusiastic younger brother by the scruff of the neck, the recovering Field Commander hauled him upright, while giving his breathless lover support with his other hand to help her up.

"All right…little brother. I think that's quite enough…'welcoming'…don't you!" Scott carefully suggested, his words and tone holding just that little hint of threat.

"Gawd…that guy's so crazily in love!" Virgil smiled quietly to himself. "I'd hate to think what he'd do to someone who'd seriously try to 'hit' on her!"

After some fussing from Grandma, the pair sat down at the table, with Scott automatically pouring some orange juice for his lover before he took his own. Jenna smiled in acknowledgement, her look also letting him know she was impressed by his increasing skills of dexterity and co-ordination. It didn't take long for him to be tucking hungrily into a full bowl of muesli and eagerly looking forward to a large cooked breakfast. Gawd, there was nothing like good sex to give a guy a hearty appetite.

"What!" Scott exclaimed, when he became aware of several pairs of amused faces glancing in his direction. "I'm just hungry…that's all!"

And Grandma, for one, was glad to see her eldest grandson tucking into his food once more, seeing as he had lost weight during the early part of his recovery and not having to coax him like at lunch the other day!

It was then Jenna noticed that Virgil didn't seem to be quite in the land of the living, scooping up his breakfast in robotic fashion without even seeing it.

"Virgil…..are you all right!" she asked with bemused concern, across the table.

"Nothing a good night's sleep wouldn't cure…eh, Virg!" Gordon piped up, with a cheery grin, finding his brother's sleepy-eyed state amusing.

"Oh, Virgil….are you not sleeping well! Is there anything I can do for you?" Jenna then returned in all innocence and genuinely concerned about his lack of sleep.

"Yeah. You guys could actually try…sleeping…during the night!" Virgil groused, with just a little hint of dry sarcasm, which brought amused grins from around the table and a flush of embarrassment from the two lovers.

A chuckle of laughter then drew everyone's attention.

"I..I have always…eh…found that a most i.i.interesting turn of phrase," Brains began, intent on treating his audience to his deliberations. "'Slept together'! When p.p.people say they have…um…'slept together'….they do not…however…mean they…em…were actually s.s.sleeping but quite the…eh…eh...opposite…rather, in f.f.fact, very active in……," the bespectacled scientist continued, completely oblivious of the subject matter and seeing things only in their scientific context, before being cut off.

"Yes….I think we get the picture, Brains…thank you," Jeff gently admonished his enthusiastic young scientist, before he could go any further and Jefferson Tracy was in no doubt that he would have.

Once again, everyone was momentarily dumbfounded by their scientist friend's rather in-depth perspective.

"Aww….and this was just getting interesting too," Gordon groused good-naturedly, in between mouthfuls. "So, Virg….just how bad did it get!" he added, with a mischievous twinkle and a grin.

"Bad enough to need an upgrade in the soundproofing!" Thunderbird Two's veteran pilot responded, giving his eldest brother a rather pointed look and to which, said eldest brother, returned a steely gaze, as the pair eyeballed each other.

"Told ya," the loveable prankster laughed. "Say, Brains….any suggestions!"

By now, Scott was getting more than a little irritated by this line of discussion, aware of how embarrassing it was for Jenna. His protective nature quickly kicked in.

"Okay….enough already. Do you mind not discussing our…bedroom habits…at the breakfast table….or anywhere else for that matter," he stated firmly and adding on the last part with emphasis before his smart-mouthed younger siblings had a chance at any wise-cracking remarks.

"Well….a.a.actually I do have…um…something I've been e.e.experimenting with," the bespectacled scientist spoke up again, while looking really rather pleased with himself and seemingly oblivious to the fact that Scott just wished the subject would go away. All heads immediately turned in his direction. "The…um…Sonic Damper."

And despite himself, Scott couldn't help now but be interested in what his scientific friend had come up with, along with everyone else.

"Sonic Damper!" he questioned in puzzlement.

"Yes……um…it's really q.q.quite an ingenious little…eh…eh…device……even if I do s.s.say so myself," Brains replied, not one for failing to recognise the genius of his own inventions. Although he was not one to brag, given the opportunity to expound the workings of his inventions, he would gladly explain, with eager delight, to all who would listen, though only to those within the family; that went without saying.

He now had the attention of all present.

"So…how does this device work, Brains?" Alan asked.

"Ahh w.w.well….when the device is attached to its…eh…eh…subject…it will mask or dampen any s.s.sound emanating from it….by generating a dampening field over the…um…surface of the subject it is attached to," Brains began to explain as simply as he could, with eager enthusiasm.

Almost forgetting the reason why the invention was being mentioned in the first place, Scott found himself totally engrossed.

"What use could this be put to, Brains….and how could it benefit International Rescue?" the dark-haired pilot asked, getting slowly more and more back into his Field Commander mode by wondering how such a thing might ultimately benefit their organisation.

It was a fact that pleased his father, who hoped things were gradually getting back to normal for these were the brainstorming sessions they were used to having over breakfast and he realised just how much he missed his eldest son's input. He also missed his eldest son at the helm out there, as much as everyone else did.

"Yes…well…S.S.Scott. I have been…eh…eh…developing it for use on the…um…r.rescue equipment… like the…eh…eh…Mole and the Domo that would be sent in to u.u.unstable areas, where noise needs to be …um…kept to a minimum so as not to…eh…eh…cause any u.unnecessary vibration. The device can be attached to any m.m.machine and by keying…into the device…the…em…total surface area…a.a.a dampening f.f.field can be generated to cover…eh…eh…the vehicle and so b.block out any noise from the engines and…in the…eh …Mole's case, f.f.from the screw," the young scientist went on to explain, feeling somewhat proud of his achievement and only too glad to have his friend, once more, interested in his work.

"Say, Brains….that sounds like a really great idea," Scott nodded impressively as he mused. "We could really use something that would cut down on the noise emissions when we're working in sensitive areas."

And that was the general consensus of opinion from all the other team members of International Rescue, as they nodded agreeably. Jenna could only sit and listen in fascination to the technical discussion; not that she was completely ignorant of technical gadgetry, of course, with the medical equipment she was used to using but this was rather more advanced and in a completely different category, though Brains had made it quite easy to follow and understand. It also gave her another glimpse into her dark-haired lover's world, as she watched him with some pride, become immersed in this life she still knew so very little of and was only beginning to get to know.

She smiled quietly to herself at realising he was slowly regaining and taking control of his life, though she figured her hardest job now would be to make sure he didn't overdo it and try to do too much, too soon, as Mike had advised.

"The Mole….screw!" Jenna couldn't resist asking, curious at hearing the rather odd name for a piece of their equipment but then, as she thought of the capabilities of the little animal itself, she came to the logical conclusion that it must have something to do with 'underground'. It was then she also remembered the rumours that International Rescue had such a strange machine. "Is that the boring machine that can travel underground by that…corkscrew…type…thingy!" she further asked and not quite knowing how else to put it.

Scott couldn't fail to see the humor and smiled broadly at hearing her describe one of their most technically advanced pieces of machinery in such glowing terms; a description which also brought snorts and sniggers of laughter from around the table.

"Yeah, Jen….that's the one. Though I wouldn't let Brains hear you call it a 'boring' machine!" the Field Commander teased, drawing attention to the play on words. "He's really proud of that…corkscrew…type …thingy!" he added in amusement, making her laugh at her over-simplified description. But Scott also found himself wondering how she knew enough to even describe the Mole in such a way, since he knew she had not yet been down in Thunderbird Two's hangar to see any of their auxiliary vehicles.

And Jenna hadn't failed to see his bemused puzzlement or guess at his unspoken question. "Oh…we had a couple of patients…a good while back. They were trapped underground and said that you guys rescued them with a strange machine that had a…big screw…on the front! We weren't quite sure whether they were hallucinating or not….but…obviously not. Oh…and one of them even said…now that I remember…a young woman it was…that the guy in charge of the machine was really handsome and cute…strong too…and had the most gorgeous brown eyes," she went on to say quite seriously after explaining and looking directly at Virgil.

Jeff peered over the rim of his reading glasses at the comment to see his second son squirm a little embarrassingly in his seat, though obviously more than a little flattered.

"Really!" he replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

"But like I said…we thought she must be hallucinating!" Jenna returned, fixing Virgil with deliberate wide-eyed innocence, causing him a tight-lipped smile as he narrowed his eyes, knowing this was payback for his earlier dry sarcasm. Alan and Gordon erupted into laughter.

Jefferson Tracy couldn't resist a smile. Yes, it looked like Jenna was well able to hold her own, he thought to himself. And Scott couldn't refrain from a grin of amusement either, appreciating his golden-haired lover's rapier wit and thankful that the previous conversation and reason for the discussion, in the first place, had all seemed to be forgotten.

Unfortunately for the lovers, it was not to be, for Gordon Tracy was not one to let such an amusing and juicy subject lie dormant for long.

"So…Brains! You think your device is gonna help solve Virgil's…little problem!" the loveable rogue grinned mischievously.

"A.a.ahh well…yes…Gordon…Virgil. Although I hadn't…ah…designed this device for such a p.p.purpose …it should still…eh…eh…prove quite useful…and since I…I haven't yet had the…ah…chance to test it out…I really a.a.am rather eager to see how it…eh…eh…functions," the bespectacled scientist replied, his face now alight with the prospect of trying it out.

Mind you, Scott was none too happy about having just become the 'test' subject and that his very physical activities with his lover were to come under scrutiny!

"I.I.It really couldn't be…ah…simpler. All I need to do is…eh…eh…eh…attach the device to the o.o.offending wall…..," Brains started to explain. Scot shot his scientific friend a frosty look. "……to the…em…connecting wall…key in the…ah…ah…surface a.a.area to begin generating the…em…dampening field. And then…V.V.Virgil…you should be free from any…eh…eh…eh…'disturbances'……," he continued, becoming increasingly more nervous as Scott continued to fix him with his frosty glare. "……eh...eh…eh…what I m.m.mean is….V.V.Virgil….you shouldn't be a.a.able to hear any more…eh…eh…eh….."

"Yeah, Brains….we get the picture," Virgil replied, rescuing the young genius before he dug himself in any deeper. "Sure….let's give it a…try!"

"Say, Virg….can Alan and I come to your room tonight….you know….just to make sure it's working!" the cheeky aquanaut asked, with a mischievous twinkle and making sure he stayed well out of reach of his eldest brother.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT! What do you think we are….some kind of experiment!" the by now offended and not to mention highly embarrassed Field Commander thundered, having the horrifying vision of his youngest brothers trying to listen at the wall with a glass to their ear, while he made love to his girl and they would inevitably get lost in the throes of passion.

The pair donned a mocking pout, like they had just been told they couldn't have any ice-cream.

And such was the horrifying vision it prompted the Field Commander to offer a more fail-safe solution.

"All right…if we have to do this….I say it would be better if we had the Sonic Damper on…our…wall. For there's no way…in hell…that I would trust those two not to turn it off."

Brains agreed it would work equally well from their side of the wall and so it was settled.

"You see…now…why I'm glad we'll have a place of our own to escape too!" Scott reminded his lover, in exasperation as she rubbed soothingly on his arm.

"What's this, Son?" Jeff inquired, having picked up on this interesting piece of news and hoping it didn't mean his eldest son was intending to move away.

"We were going to tell you later, Dad….but I guess we might as well tell you now," Scott began and looked to Jenna who nodded her agreement. "Jen's house…in Auckland……."

He went on to tell his father and the rest of the family what Jenna had decided and what they had agreed on and Jeff was more than touched by her gesture, insisting of course that she didn't need to do such a thing but then, Jenna was equally insistent, a fact which he knew only too well and which brought a chuckle from the Tracy patriarch. Scott was also sure to make it clear that they would have first call whenever it came to deciding who would get to use it.

With breakfast now finished, everyone gradually disappeared to their assigned duties, leaving the young lovers to finish off their coffee together in peace.

"So…what would you like to do this morning, Mr Tracy?" Jenna asked, as she toyed with his fingers on the table.

"Well…first off…we should go and tell John the news…that you're staying….although something tells me he has a pretty good idea too," Scott laughed. "Then…I thought we could go for a walk along the beach. There's a place I'd like to show you…..the cove…at the far end. It's…it's where I go when I want to be alone. We all have places on the island we kinda call…our own…places we can go to…and the cove is mine," he added in quiet reflection and now he wanted nothing more than to share his special place with her.

"I'd like that….I'd like that very much," Jenna smiled, cupping his face lovingly in her hand and feeling very honoured that he wanted to show her his special place.

It had also crossed his mind that the very nature of the cove would provide them with much intimacy and there was nothing he wanted more now than to make hot and torrid love to her there, outdoors and against the backdrop of the sheer raw passion of the ocean's crashing waves.

Scott touched his forehead to hers, gazing into her eyes in that intimately loving way of lovers. "We all respect each other's special place….so it will be private…..very, very private!"