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

Author's Note: Some content of an adult nature contained in this chapter

Chapter 109

Jenna stroked the soft velvety bloom down her cheek, smiled and left to comply with the rather intriguing request. It became even more intriguing though, when having come out onto the top of the sweeping staircase, finding there was no one at all down by the pool. Still, she trusted Scott enough by now to not even begin to think about questioning his instructions. Somewhere down there, she was sure, lay an answer to this mystery.

And she wasn't wrong. Having looked around, expecting to find something, a warm smile once again graced the young nurse's face. For there, lying on a sun lounger, was another beautiful long-stemmed rose, with what appeared to be another note underneath. Jenna couldn't help the mounting excitement she felt as she picked it up.

This one simply read: 'Take the trail and follow me'.

Her expression was now one of quizzical bemusement, fuelled by intense curiosity. But the message was now becoming clear; the rose was obviously meant to be the indictor she was to follow. Follow its trail and at its end her lover would be waiting. With what intentions, she wondered, for it was clear he had gone to a lot of trouble. Just what was he up too! This was obviously Scott at his romantic best so, without any further hesitation, she picked up the bloom, walked over to the beginning of the trail that led from the patio and headed off into the interior of the island.

The late morning was still and cool beneath the shaded jungle canopy as Jenna walked along, completely at ease in her surroundings and unafraid of being alone. The air, heavy with the scent of tropical flowers, was alive with birdsong, as well as the incessant chirping and clicking of invisible crickets, with which every rainforest in the world seemed to be invaded. Every so often and almost as a reassurance she was on the right path, Jenna would find another red velvety rose lying lengthwise along the trail. It was duly picked up and added to the growing bouquet in her arms. And, when she came to a fork in the trail, the young woman showed no signs of worry as to which path she should take. Her lover had left her in no doubt; the red rose, his sign and evidence he had that he been there before her, clearly pointing the way.

Each new fork taken led the young nurse deeper into the interior, to a part she soon realised she hadn't been before but her trust in Scott was unshakeably steadfast, knowing he would not play such cruel games as to lead her out here on a wild goose chase. Before long, she had amassed a bouquet of almost three dozen of the red velvety blooms; any more, she thought and she was neither going to be able to carry them or see where she was going!

Not much farther, however and it almost began to seem as if a cruel practical joke had indeed been played. Either that or she had taken the wrong trail somewhere for suddenly the path just…disappeared, swallowed up by a curtained expanse of trailing green vine. But she knew she had followed her lover's instructions to the letter and, she had the roses to prove it! So, still with that same confident expectancy, as she had come down onto the patio and with absolute trust, Jenna approached the seemingly impenetrable wall.

The trust and faith in her lover was not misplaced and, looking down to the ground, Jenna found yet another beautiful bloom. This curious conundrum, however, that was presented to her could only now make the young nurse smile in quizzical bemusement. On one hand, the rose sign had not been wrong thus far and urged her to continue on, yet on the other, she was faced with this solid curtain of vine barring her way! Or was it!

As Jenna came closer to the trailing foliage, she became aware it was far from a solid wall but rather that it undulated ever so slightly in the faint breeze, indicating there was more to discover beyond. And, what was more; she was sure she could hear the sound of…tumbling water! The young nurse couldn't help her rising excitement at the air of mystery she felt surrounded this place, like she had been given special permission to enter a forbidden doorway and discover the treasures hidden within, which in a way, she had!

Taking a deep breath, Jenna extended a hand, pulled some of the vine aside and stepped through.

What met her eyes was a scene of the most breathtaking beauty that she was almost at a loss for words to describe it, causing her to just stand for a moment and gasp in wonder. She thought she had seen all that Tracy Island had to offer and there were many places of quite diverse beauty but this was almost …magical, the kind of place only imagined in dreams. So tranquil and peaceful, it was a veritable 'garden of Eden', a paradise within paradise.

As she made her way further into this 'other world', Jenna became aware that all around and beneath her feet was an expanse of soft mossy grass leading down to the edge of a large crystal clear pool. Gazing around further, she observed the tranquil haven was enclosed on three sides by rough cliff walls covered in trailing vines and lush green foliage that clung to their precarious hold on life in whatever crevices they could find, turning the cold hard rock into a living wall. Impenetrable jungle sealed off the fourth side of this private utopia, leaving the only way in by the concealed entrance through which she had come.

In various parts of this natural 'garden' all manner of tropical flowers burst with vibrant color, including hibiscus, orchids and heliconias, with their tubular flowers branching off a central stem into which tiny exotic humming birds probed for sweet nectar. The air was heavy with the scent, heady and intoxicating and resonated with birdsong.

And the tumbling water she thought she heard! The scene couldn't have been more perfect as, off to the left Jenna saw the waterfall, crystal white waters endlessly cascading down over the edge of the living wall into the pool below. It looked so refreshing and inviting, offering a respite from the growing heat of the day that the sudden urge to swim out and stand under the cooling shower nature had so graciously provided became almost compelling. Even better though was the thought of having her bronzed 'Adonis' of a lover with her. She had seen his strong and beautifully sculpted physique wet in the shower many times, of course, but now somehow, out here, the thought became infinitely more erotic!

Jenna knew she had arrived at her journey's end, that somewhere, here in this paradise, her lover was waiting. And then she stopped, biting her bottom lip, as a smile of loving affection creased her features. For there, tucked away in a corner, under the shade of nearby trees, was a large blanket, spread out on the soft grass, with all the trappings of what looked like an intimate romantic picnic, complete with covered wicker basket and champagne. But as yet, there was no sign of the man who had slowly opened his heart as surely as a bloom is encouraged to open and reveal itself by the warmth of the sun.

After laying her precious armful of roses beside the blanket, with almost the same tender loving as a mother would lay her child down to sleep, Jenna stood up.

She sensed him rather than heard him, felt his presence without even having to turn to know he was there. And then she felt it; the feather-light touch of a velvety bloom, like wisps of gossamer, softly caressing her arm.

"You found me then," the quietly seductive voice spoke from behind, as the soft caress continued.

Her face creased into a warm smile, while her heart couldn't help but flutter wildly with anticipatory excitement. "Well, you left such a beautiful trail…..," the young nurse parried, with just the slightest turn of her head to watch what he was doing.

She didn't have to turn to see him to know he was smiling, probably pleased with himself that his carefully laid plan had worked out so well and she had found her way to him. Jenna then closed her eyes and breathed out a deep sigh at feeling a finger brush her hair aside and warm, sensual lips kiss into the side of her neck and along her shoulder. At the same time the rose dropped to the ground and a strong arm slid effortlessly round her waist, while his other hand enjoyed the familiar feel of her body in soft caressing strokes.

Heat radiated through the fine fabric of her sundress from the hard body pressed up against her back; the feel of him, completely intoxicating. But, as she stroked and caressed the bared forearm that held her in the tight embrace, she was sure she felt….! Yes, he definitely felt…damp!

With more than a little bemused curiosity, Jenna turned in his arms and beheld a vision that most women could only dream of and especially if those dreams were overtly sexual in nature, a vision that most women would quite happily die for!

Her lover was indeed more than damp; in fact, he was deliciously wet. Water droplets, beaded on the short-cropped hair, glistened and sparkled like tiny crystals in the warm sun and his skin shone like burnished bronze. But what really held her attention was the white shirt he wore. Or perhaps, more importantly, was the way he wore it! Of the softest cotton, with a mandarin collar and rolled back cuffs, it clung beautifully to his wet body like a second skin and lay open to the waist, exposing that wonderful haired chest and toned stomach that she had come to love so well. That and the fact he filled a pair of casually smart shorts to perfection, especially when damp and moulded to his thighs.

"Hmmm…you're all wet, Mr Tracy…..very nice," the young nurse observed, with wry amusing, glancing towards the crystal clear pool.

"Well…just thinking about you, lady...I had to do something to cool down," her lover returned, in provocative teasing, his deep blue eyes twinkling with pure mischief.

Her eyes roamed appreciatively over the delicious vision for a moment before pushing her hands under the open shirt and around his still wet body, pulling herself up tight against him and not minding in the least that her clothes were getting just a little bit damp in the process.

"Hmmm…and I very much approve. In fact…you look and…hmmm…taste sooo good, I could eat you," she crooned against his ear, after drawing her tongue along and sucking at his neck and then going on to take playful bites. She didn't have to see him to know he was grinning happily at what she was doing to him.

"Same goes for me too. You know how hungry you always make me, lady," her lover growled, as he returned the playful gesture of biting into her neck, making them both laugh. "But I'm sure Kyrano has packed something equally tempting for us," he then added, indicating towards the picnic basket, while gently swaying them together.

She gave him her warmest smile and wondered if she would ever stop being surprised by his loving romantic gestures.

"You've gone to a lot of trouble, Scott. All this…the beautiful picnic, champagne, all these roses…and laying the trail!" the young nurse gestured around her, clearly overwhelmed by the effort he had put in to planning this. "You spoil me too…."

Her words were cut short by a gentle finger pressed to her lips. "I like to spoil you and besides…I want today to be special."

Jenna reached out and cupped the handsome face in her hand. "Every day, with you, is special…Mr Tracy," the young woman responded with all the love in her heart, causing him to smile with quiet satisfaction.

But before she could even begin to wonder just why today had to be special and she would, he knew that for certain, a timely distraction was called for.

"Come on…let's eat," Scott quickly suggested, taking her by the hand and leading her to the blanket.

She studied him for a moment, watching, while she sat, as he busied himself with organising their picnic. There was something special about him today, something she couldn't quite put a finger on. It was like an inner glow mixed with an almost nervous excitement, as if something momentous was brewing away deep inside him, wanting to bubble to the surface. Whatever it was though, she had every confidence that he would confide in her; he just needed his own time to work up to whatever it was on his mind. And she was a very patient woman. After all, with Scott Tracy, she'd had plenty of experience in being patient!

Allowing herself to relax into that thought, the soothing tranquillity and peaceful serenity of the place, once more, captivated her attention.

"Scott…this place! It's so beautiful," Jenna reflected, as she gazed around.

It was a place well familiar to him, of course, like every other place on Tracy Island but still he never failed to appreciate, or tire, of its timeless beauty or the calming peace it induced. Scott stopped what he was doing for the moment and took the time to look about him.

"Yeah, it is," he agreed in quiet reflection. "It's called Foley Falls. Dad named it after a good friend of his from his early NASA days, Ed Foley. Ed died on one of their missions and Dad couldn't save him," the ex-air force pilot went on to explain sadly how it came to be named. He then smiled fondly, as he thought of the next part of the story. "Anyway, Ed always used to joke about how he was going to find himself a nice little tropical island, when he retired...comple with a waterfall…where he could sit around all day drinking fancy cocktails and downing a few beers…preferably surrounded by beautiful women! So when Dad discovered this place….!"

"He thought of his friend Ed," Jenna finished for him, with a soft smile. "Oh, Scott…that's so sad and yet it's a really lovely way for your father to remember his friend. But why haven't you brought me here before? You showed me everywhere else on the island, except here!" she couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, remembering the many trails they had walked together when Scott was first able to get out. Mind you, with so many trails, they had all started to look alike after a while and she would never have known if they had passed by this secret paradise, especially with it being so well hidden from view and Scott obviously hadn't been in a hurry to show her this hidden treasure, at least not until now.

"I wanted to save it for a special occasion," he returned, with quiet knowing.

"And…this is a 'special occasion'!" the young nurse gently queried, realising now that not only was the picnic special but the location had also been chosen with great care.

Scott moved closer and began stroking her face in soft caresses; his face alight with wonder, almost as if he could barely believe she was his. "It is when I want to tell my lady…and show her…just how much I truly love her."

He was quite adept at deflecting any conversation, steering it in the way he wished it to go, especially if that conversation came too close to truths he was neither willing to deal with or wished to disclose. In this case, it was the latter. Oh, not that his answer wasn't true in every way for it was entirely true, though in more ways than she could yet know. It was just that the meticulous planner of so many rescues was not ready to declare his hand yet, having already planned for and deciding when he would reveal his true intentions. So, for now, 'playing his cards close to his chest' remained a priority. But then, that should come easy to a seasoned poker player!

So subtle had the deflection of her query been she didn't even realise, believing his answer to be completely plausible and that this romantic gesture was the full extent of his intentions.

"Oh, Scott…what am I going to do with you! You are so romantic. But I do, I love it all…the picnic…the place…everything…thank you," his nurse bubbled over with happiness. "And I love you too….so very, very much."

Jenna cupped his face in her hand and, with a smile, brushed her thumb along his full lips. For a moment, time stood still, eyes silently speaking volumes as they held in an intense gaze before Scott, at last, pulled her into his arms and descended on her inviting mouth in a deep and loving kiss.

When they eventually pulled apart, it was decided they should make a start on their picnic, since now both were feeling rather hungry. So, totally relaxed in each other's company, the young lovers teasingly fed one another from the delicious array of finger foods, with their assortment of dips and sauces, bowls of pastas and rice and savoury breads with which the picnic basket had been packed. And, of course, no self-respecting romantic picnic would be complete without some form of tempting dessert and Kyrano had not disappointed, having included the juiciest of strawberries, mint flavored chocolate dip and liqueur laced cream, all of which was washed down with the best of champagne.

Completely happy and sated, Scott then lay back on the blanket, his arms outstretched behind his head as he watched her. Watched her take one of the luscious fruits and, with seductive mischief, begin to stroke it down the side of his face and across his lips. He was allowed only a small bite before it was taken from him and teasingly tracked down his neck and into the pit of his throat. Watched her, with deep contented sighs, as her mouth followed after, kissing and licking the trail of juice left behind.

Even more erotic for him was when his lover continued to drag the juice-laden fruit over his chest, circle around and then drag it over the hard nub of nipple, causing him an intake of breath, as the cool fruit hit that most sensitive spot. And even further delight was in store when her warm moist mouth lingered, toying and playing with the strawberry soaked zone of pleasure, after having first consumed the rest of the juicy red fruit. And how could he not enjoy being pleasured by his lover in such a way, emitting soft groans of contentment, not to mention arousal!

"Hmmm…you really do taste good enough to eat, Mr Tracy," she teased seductively.

Once the chocolate and cream were added to the mix it became even more highly pleasurable for both, causing them to laugh when, having been drizzled onto his warm skin, Scott's stomach muscles flinched involuntarily. And so the intimate picnic continued, taking turns to tease and arouse each other with the sweet treats.

Back at the villa, the family had gathered for lunch, with two very notable exceptions, immediately obvious by their absence from the table.

"Hey…where's Scott and Jen? Aren't we gonna wait for them!" Alan asked, as Grandma started laying their plates in front of them.

"Uh um…they won't be in for lunch," Jeff replied, trying to sound completely casual and unconcerned but not making a very good job of it. "Scott has taken Jenna for a picnic."

And that should have been a good enough answer to satisfy most people and it was, unless your names were Gordon and Alan Tracy, that is!

Had it been Gordon's imagination or did Virgil and their father just exchange conspiratorial glances! It was a gesture that hadn't escaped Alan's notice either; the two prankster brothers then exchanging glances of their own.

"So…where's he taken her then!" the inquisitive aquanaut asked, sensing there was more going on here than met the eye.

"He's….eh…he's taken her to the Falls," Jeff returned, a little hesitantly but hoping it would be enough to sate his youngest boys curiosity.

Think again!

"Oh, how perfectly romantic," Tin-Tin sighed longingly.

"The Falls, huh!" Alan mused, giving his brother a knowing raise of a brow, since it was the place the Tracy brothers regularly went swimming, au naturale!

The copper-haired aquanaut had now quickly become very interested in his older brother's reaction however, for since that coded exchange with their father, Virgil had kept his head down, trying not to be noticed, as he tucked into his lunch; all very highly suspicious in Gordon's opinion.

"You know about this!" he grilled his engineer brother.

"Yeah. Look, it's no big deal. So just eat your lunch, you two…will ya," Virgil responded rather uncomfortably, which only drew a look of further suspicion from the two younger boys.

"Is there something goin on here, Virg? What's so special about this picnic anyway!" Gordon quizzed, his curiosity growing rapidly by the minute.

All eyes turned to the increasingly edgy engineer/pilot. "I'm not saying another thing," he stated emphatically.

"There is…isn't there!" Alan conjectured excitedly, feeling they were now definitely on to something.

Virgil looked helplessly to his father.

"Don't look at me, Son…I'm taking the 5th on this one," the Tracy patriarch replied, neatly extracting himself from the situation and earning a reproving look from his son.

And then light suddenly dawned for Gordon Tracy. Special romantic picnic up by the Falls and obviously well planned since their father and Virgil knew all about it but aren't talking!

"Gawd…he's going to ask Jen to marry him…isn't he!" the copper-haired prankster crowed triumphantly.

"Oh, Virgil…that's wonderful. This is so exciting," Tin-Tin beamed happily.

"Well, it's about time that grandson of mine settled down," Grandma Tracy grumbled, in the way that grandmothers do when feeling they ultimately know what's best for their grandchildren.

Virgil couldn't believe his ears. It sounded like they had all but married the pair off already!

"Hey, guys…I didn't say that!" Virgil replied in panicking haste. "I didn't say anything!"

"Didn't have to," the youngest blonde-haired Tracy grinned, giving him a wink.

"She'll say yeah, for sure," Gordon stated quite confidently, before breaking into a huge grin. "Hey…this means Jen'll be our sister-in-law."

"Now look, guys….we don't even know if Jen will say yes yet. Nothing's certain," their second eldest brother responded unwittingly.

The mischievous aquanaut lit on him like a flash. "Ha….so it is true.!

Virgil closed his eyes and groaned. How was it they could always do that to him, wheedle things out of him! But he should have known better, that it would be nigh on impossible to keep those two from finding out something like this for too long.

"Alright," he snapped irritably. "But listen, you two…you do not say anything until Scott tells us himself. Is that understood?" Virgil added in warning.

"Virg….as if we would!" the two innocents replied, as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouths, earning them an extra stern look.

"No, you had better not, Alan Tracy," Tin-Tin joined in, giving him a poke in the ribs.

"Aw come on, Tin-Tin. You can't pretend you won't be dying to know everything just as soon as they walk through that door," the blond-haired young man grinned, causing her to flush with extreme embarrassment at knowing her too well.

The matter though was settled once and for all, when the Tracy patriarch, at last, intervened. "Virgil is right. No one is to say anything until Scott makes his own announcement. Is that clear?"

Submissive nods of assent followed from all at the table and then lunch continued in a babble of excited conversation.

Back at Foley Falls, the young lovers, now sated and satisfied after their picnic, lay happily embraced in each other's arms, basking lazily in the warm early afternoon sun.

"I suppose we'll have to be going back soon," Jenna sighed a little sadly, feeling they had spent quite a bit of time here already but not wanting to leave. "I wish we didn't have too, though. It's so beautiful up here."

"Then we don't," her lover quietly replied, kissing softly at the side of her face.

She gave him a quizzical look. He was doing it again, that inner glow, bubbling up thing!

"But don't you have things to do this afternoon?" his lover asked, knowing he was trying to ease himself back into his normal work routine after being away from it for so long.

"Yeah, I do….you!" he returned, mischievously seductive.

"Scott Trac…..!" Jenna exclaimed, feigning shock at his outright and heavily sexual vulgarity, while giving him a playful slap across his shoulder.

It was the perfect excuse for him to grab hold of her and silence her with a deep kiss and then to nuzzle into her soft neck and around her ear. "Come and swim with me, baby," the dark-haired lover groaned, his voice heavy with need.

She smiled at the thought, of course. "But Scott….I haven't brought anything to swim in! After all, I didn't know I was coming up here…did I!"

Scott continued nuzzling around her ear but she could feel him smiling. "That's alright, baby….neither have I!" When he saw her seductively coy smile, he knew she was warming to the idea. "You remember when you first got me into the pool for physio, I told you there was a place where we go skinny-dipping….!" the increasingly aroused commander breathed against her, as he started to tease her dress from her shoulders, while planting soft kisses.

And how could she forget that feast for the eyes when she'd first got here, knowing that's exactly how he'd been swimming in the clear pool! Before she knew it and without another word, he had stripped himself of his clothes and she was held mesmerised by the sight of him, walking naked down into the water. When the water just about reached his hips, he half-turned, extending his hand in invitation for her to come and join him. It was an offer too good to refuse.

With her eyes fixed intently on the darkened blue eyes, as though held by some unbreakable force, the fair-haired young woman let her already partially opened dress and panties drop slowly to the blanket and, stepping out of them, walked towards her waiting lover.

Her body was pure delight to him, as he watched her walk towards him, her skin, soft, sun-kissed and beautiful. Taking the hand that was offered, his lover joined him in the water. Nothing was said. There was no longer any need for words, only looks conveying deep sensuality passing between them.

Then, in an almost submissive act, reminiscent of a Japanese geisha, Jenna washed her man down of the sticky juices, chocolate and creamy remains of his being her human 'strawberry sundae'! Cupping her hands in the water, she smiled at the involuntary flinch of his toned stomach muscles when the cool water first touched his warm skin. It was all so beautifully simplistic in nature, speaking volumes of her affection and love and something she had done many times for him in the shower and in the bath. His lover then treated him to the teasing sight of her washing herself down, something he found to be the height of eroticism. Here was a woman who certainly knew how to drive her man completely crazy!

Afterwards, Scott lifted her hands, draped them round his neck and, still holding their intense gaze, fell backwards into the water, taking her with him. The water was cool and refreshing, just like she knew it would be, as he swam them both with easy, powerful backward strokes out into the middle of the tranquil pool. Every so often, he would reach up to catch her mouth in loving kisses, enjoying the feel of her wet and naked body laying atop of him.

Once there, somehow she knew just exactly what he would do and Jenna had just time to take in a large breath before her lover turned them over and dived below the water. Moments later, they broke the surface, both breathless with exhilaration. Jenna smoothed back her now darkened wet hair from off her face, while Scott tossed his dark head, sending a shower of sparkling crystal droplets streaming from his hair.

She was the picture of natural beauty, not to mention erotic fantasy, to him, making it impossible for him not to take her in a rough and hungry kiss right there and then, by wrapping one arm around her waist, while treading water and sculling with his other hand. They spent the rest of their time swimming, diving under, playing and just being downright sensual with each other, both finding swimming naked together in this serene place such a totally freeing experience.

At one point, though, Scott's burning passion had almost overwhelmed and got the better of him when, having backed her up against the rock wall, he had wanted to 'take' her with such fierce aggression. But he had other plans first, which only called for a short time more of self-control. He had wanted, so much, for this afternoon to be special and it was proving to be just that. Time now to execute the last part of his plan.

"Not here, baby," he husked against her ear, his eyes alight with sexual fire, which held the promise of much more intimate things to come. And with that, he pushed back into the water and began to slowly pull away from her with easy strokes, out across the pool.

Again, there was no need for words, only the intense gaze with which he held her, indicating that she should follow him; which, of course, she did, in a slow, languid breaststroke with her head just above water, causing barely a ripple on the still surface. Following him, as though it were impossible for her to do anything else, which it was, as though bound by invisible thread that was impossible to break.

It wasn't long before they reached the far side of the pool, below the waterfall and Jenna watched with delight, as her lover hauled his tall muscular frame up onto the rock ledge that lay just under the surface, the water streaming from his bronzed body. Reaching down a hand, Scott pulled her up beside him and together, for a while, they stood under the refreshing and invigorating cascade of the waterfall, enjoying nature's shower. She smiled at the thought of the compelling urge to do just this, when she'd first arrived in this tranquil paradise and now, here they were! And she was right! It was a totally sensuous and erotic thing to do.

If Jenna thought there was nothing more to be discovered in this special place, though, then she couldn't have been more wrong. The next thing she knew, Scott had taken a firm grip of her hand and, with the roar of the waterfall making communication between them impossible, a look was all that was needed. That and a gentle tug on her hand, urging her to put her trust in him.

Puzzled and curious, she did so and, taking a deep breath, felt herself being led through the cascading curtain of water.

Author's Note: The beautiful tranquil haven, that paradise within paradise that is Foley Falls, is the creation of my very good friend and Medical Advisor, FellowRiverrat, having been born in her fertile imagination, with the name being arrived at jointly between us and to who only is known the true origins of the name! My ever grateful thanks to you, my friend for allowing me to incorporate such a truly beautiful place into my little story. Oh and by the way, Scott and Jenna are real grateful too!