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

Author's Note: Thanks to Tikatu for that grammatical advice.

Chapter 114

"A.a.a…well Mr Tracy. I can tell you that…eh…eh…neither Scott or Jenna have any internal injuries…just some cuts and…um…bruising, which is only to be…eh…eh…eh…expected really," Brains informed the waiting family, who had all eyes fixed on him and hung on his every word, which usually made for making him rather nervous, before continuing on. "Well, yes…however, I do…a.a.a…fear both have…um…some degree of concussion."

While that last statement was not exactly life threatening in itself; given what the family had recently been through, it was enough to cause concern.

"And has Scott's head injury been aggravated in any way, Brains?" Jeff questioned immediately, from his now more extensive knowledge and prompted from his fear of knowing just how quickly things can deteriorate; his brow set in some seriously deep furrows.

"Eh…eh…eh…not that I can see, Mr T.T.Tracy. But just to be on the…a.a.a…safe side, I have sent both their sc.sc.scans through to Mike Strachan, for him to look over," the bespectacled scientist reassured, acknowledging the fact that while, yes the brain can be a truly remarkable robust organ, sometimes it also takes nothing more than a simple bump on the head to show just how extremely delicate an organ it really is and therefore susceptible to injury.

Brains was certainly not about to take any further risks with the eldest Tracy son and his friend and certainly not with the young woman who had come to mean everything to Scott; not at this stage.

"They will be alright though, Brains…won't they? They will wake up?" Alan then felt the need to ask, perhaps stemming from his previous anxieties of waiting for his eldest brother to regain consciousness.

Again, all eyes fixed on the scientific genius, eagerly awaiting his reply.

"I.I.I.I can see no reason why not, A.A.Alan. At the moment, Scott and…eh…eh…eh…Jenna are in stasis……," Brains readily assured and having gone on to address the rest of the family but on seeing their slightly puzzled bewilderment at not quite understanding, he expanded further on his explanation. "…..their…um…bodies are in a suspended i.i.i.inactivity, if you like…slowed down because of the …eh…eh…eh…cold but I would anticipate that once their…um…bodies are warmed up and their core body temperature is brought back to normal…..then they should…eh…eh…eh…in theory…wake up!"

"In theory!" Virgil queried, arching an eyebrow none too impressively. After all, this was his brother, as well as his now future sister-in-law; he wanted more than theories.

"Well, yes. Their concussion, I.I.I.I don't believe, is severe but then I…a.a.a.a…don't need to remind you just what a complex…eh…eh…eh…organ the brain is," the young scientist, with enough medical knowledge, felt the need to reiterate, again addressing everyone in the room. "So we will j.j.just have to wait until they have…um…warmed up sufficiently before we know a.a.a.anything for sure…I'm afraid."

"Very well, Brains…thank you. We know you've done your best," the Tracy patriarch was just in the process of saying when, as if just right on cue, a long, low groan came from one of the beds, bringing everyone's head turning suddenly.

"Scott…Son! Thank gawd," Jeff exclaimed with grateful relief, immediately moving to his son's bedside, along with some very relieved brothers and other family members present.

"You gave us another scare there, buddy," Virgil smiled down at his still extremely groggy brother.

"Yeah gee…we're sure glad to see you've come round. You okay, Scott?" Gordon joined in, with happy relief and followed by similar welcoming salutations from his younger blond-haired sibling.

Seeing that his son was obviously still dazed and disorientated, their father felt the need to curtail, slightly, the understandable enthusiasm and carefully insisted that his other sons stand back to let Brains now do a better examination. "Alright, boys…let's give Scott some room. Okay, Brains…..!"

And Scott Tracy was indeed groggy, fighting his way back to wakefulness at hearing the distant sound of disembodied voices. So, it wasn't entirely surprising when defensive reflexes kicked in, causing him to suddenly lash out and try swiping away the irritation of suddenly having a sharp penetrating light shone in his eyes.

"It's alright, Son. You're perfectly safe," Jefferson Tracy reassured his eldest, putting a firm yet comforting hand against Scott's shoulder to ensure he stayed where he was. "You're home….you're in the Infirmary."

It was taking quite a few moments for that information to register. The Infirmary! Was he still in the Infirmary! Had these past weeks all been just some kind of crazy, beautiful dream! No, it couldn't be. It had all been too real. Scott fought to clear his head, to clear the grogginess that swirled around his memories like an impenetrable fog.

The last he was sure he remembered, though, was….a beautiful day, feelings of complete and utter happiness…because….! Because…! Because she had said, yes. She had said, yes…and they had 'married' right there and then…and they had sealed their 'marriage' with…some rather intense…..! Yes, well….!

But it was all coming back to him now, all becoming clearer to Scott, as the 'fog' began to dissipate. They were in the grotto, he had tried to protect her, as…as everything started to shake and fall down around them.

"JENNA!" Scott called out in sudden panicked realisation, sitting up quickly, rather too quickly, at now remembering everything, his only concern being for his lover's safety.

It wasn't exactly the wisest of moves, as a nauseating dizziness swept over the gallant pilot, causing him to groan and close his eyes momentarily against the fact the room and everybody in it was swimming around him.

Again, a strong fatherly hand pressed against his shoulder, pushing him with gentle, yet firm insistence, back onto the pillows. "Son, you need to lie down and rest and get properly warmed up. And…I want Brains to give you another check-over."

But Scott's only thought was for his Jenna, the woman who had patiently nursed him through his ordeal and showed him how to love again.

He resisted his father's hold against him and made to get out of bed, trying to free himself from the cloying weight and warmth of the plasma blanket his father had pulled back up around him. "Don't…don't understand. Need to get to Jen. Wh.where is she! Have to…have to get her out. We were in the grotto……," Scott groaned weakly.

It was clear the Field Commander's reasoning powers of deduction were not quite fully functioning yet!

"Yes, we found you in the grotto, Son and we got you both out. It's all right…she's here. Jenna's here too, in the Infirmary," Jeff readily reassured his eldest, pressing a firm hand yet again to his shoulder, to try and make his strong-willed son stay in bed.

The worried, handsome features sighed, for a moment, in relief but if Jefferson Tracy thought that reassurance would be enough to placate his eldest son, he was sadly mistaken. Scott looked over to where his new fiancé lay in the next bed, under another of the heat-inducing blankets.

"She is all right, isn't she? Tell me, Jen's okay," the dark-haired pilot groaned in concern at seeing her still and unmoving.

"Eh…eh…eh well, Scott….Jenna just hasn't…um…come round yet. But we expect, when she has …a.a.a.a…warmed up more fully, that she should…eh…eh…eh….wake up," Brains informed his friend, with some measure of confidence before going on with his encouragement. "By all a.a.a.accounts, you kept her warm, to…um…some degree, with your own body heat, Sc.Sc.Scott. That will have helped."

There was only one place he needed to be right now and trying to make an insistent Scott Tracy stay in bed, when he was determined to do otherwise, was like…like trying to stop a stampeding herd of thirsty wild buffalo when they got the scent of water or…or like trying to stop the very sun from rising every morning!

"I.I need to be with her," Scott insisted, with a wincing groan, again attempting to get out of bed.

"You're not going anywhere yet, young man. You're in no condition to get out of bed," the Tracy patriarch equally insisted. "You are going to stay in that bed until you're properly warmed up…and Brains can run some more tests."

The stage seemed set for another classic father and son show down.

Groggy and tired and in no mood for a fight, still the dark-haired Field Commander's mind was made up. This was just too important, way beyond important, in fact. He had to make his father understand. "I don't need any more tests. I need to be with Jen. I.I have to be with her, Dad. You don't…don't understand. When I was ill, Jen was…was with me, every step of the way. She never left me…she was always there. Now…she needs me, needs to know I'm here for her. So either…you get me over to Jen or…I am…getting out of this bed. Because one way or another…I am going to be with her."

Jeff sighed, knowing full well his eldest son's steely determination and, in all honesty, he couldn't blame him. He knew, in his heart, if he were in the same situation and it was his precious Lucille, he would have moved heaven and earth to get to her. How alike they truly were!

"Yes, Son…I do understand. Alright, boys…move your brother's bed over beside Jenna," their father instructed, without any further hesitation.

Was it any wonder the boys were silently impressed and admiring of their eldest brother's inner strength and fortitude and looked to him for advice! Scott was a rock when he needed to be, an immoveable force, whose foundations could not and would not be shaken, once his mind was made up.

Mind you though, those 'foundations' had been pretty shaky for a while during the early part of his recovery but were now, once more, rock solid, due mostly to one equally strong-willed young woman, determined to boost his confidence and restore his belief in himself.

As soon as his bed was moved into place, Scott lost no time in shuffling across and under her blanket, not caring who was in the room; his only desire, to be with his lover, fiancé and 'wife'. With heartbreaking tenderness, the ex USAF pilot and IR operative, so used to toughing it out in the harshest of conditions, slipped his arms around her and cradled her against him, hoping to warm her up all the quicker, after having being assured first she had suffered no internal injuries or damage to her back or neck.

Scott started stroking her cheek and nuzzling the side of her face with soft, gentle kisses. "Come on, baby…wake up…please wake up. I love you…I need you, Jen," came the whispered encouragement, though loud enough for everyone to hear. "You know I'm a complete mess without you…I need you to keep me in line," he added, smiling against her face. "Please, baby…please wake up…please come back to me."

No one who witnessed the touchingly tender little scene could fail to be moved; in fact it would be quite true to say, many a throat had a huge lump in it and anyone who denied it would have been lying! And so intimate was it, everyone almost felt as if they were intruding on a very intensely private moment.

But it seemed as if a lover's heartfelt pleas did the trick for, as Scott continued his tender ministrations, coaxing and encouraging, Jenna emitted a deep sigh and began to stir. Thankful, relieved smiles and sighs came from all that were present in the room and none more so than from her desperately worried lover.

"Scott…Scott…..!" the young nurse groaned, her first waking moments filled only with the need to know where he was and not fully aware yet of her surroundings.

Right at that moment, the eldest Tracy son was totally oblivious to everyone else in the room, as he gave her a warm, though weary and tired, smile of reassurance, being still in his own early stages of not long regained consciousness. Scott lovingly nuzzled her face, covering her with soft, tender and thankful kisses, wanting to ensure she felt his comforting touch. "Sshh, baby…it's okay…it's okay. I'm here….and we're safe."

Jenna blinked repeatedly, trying to focus and wishing the muzzy feeling in her head would clear. Once the familiar dark handsome features came more sharply into focus, she returned the same weary smile then immediately reached out to touch him all over his face, at suddenly remembering their last happy moments together before everything had started coming down around them.

"Oh, Scott…are you alright! It all happened so quickly…everything was shaking…and then falling!" she asked in worried concern and fear of his previous injury, giving absolutely no thought for herself.

That was so typical of his selfless and fiery-spirited young nurse, always putting him first and wanting what was best for his well being. It had been that way ever since she'd first caught sight of him, weak and helpless, on that examination table and so, he was quick to reassure her. "Yeah, Jen… I'm alright. Just a few cuts and bruises…that's all." Scott winced a little uncomfortably but realised just how incredibly lucky they had both been. "I was getting worried about you though, baby…it took you a while to wake up."

Although becoming more aware now of an indoorsy kind of feeling, Jenna was still groggy enough to be unsure of just exactly where she was. "It did? I guess I must have been too comfortable where I was…like I am now…with you." She gave her lover a sleepy smile, which he couldn't help returning but, as ever, the practical nurse in her was never far away. "But really, Scott…I think now, we…we should go and get Brains to…to check us over, just to be sure…."

"Already done, young lady," came the deep, rich bass tones of a familiar nasal drawl, momentarily startling her.

"Did I mention we were back in the Infirmary!" her dark-haired lover informed with a tired smile of resignation. "And we're not alone," Scott added in whisper, against her ear.

Jenna turned a still sleepy gaze on the rest of the room and its occupants, bringing them now into more defined focus and was met by an array of happy, thankfully relieved smiles, which made her flush a little in embarrassment.

"Glad to have you back with us, young lady," Jefferson Tracy welcomed with his usual brief and to-the-point manner.

While, outwardly, the tone may have appeared to carry a cool air of authority and even seemed rather dispassionate, compared to everyone else, it was none-the-less meant with genuine warmth and something for which Jenna had long come to be familiar with about the Tracy patriarch.

"Thank you, Jeff. We're both just so glad to get out of there," the young nurse replied wearily. And then she started to think. Fuzzy and all as her brain still was, one thought led to another. "Yeah…how did we get out of there! Who…!"

"Well, we knew Scott had taken you up to the Falls for a picnic lunch….and then we felt the tremor!" Jeff started to explain.

"Yeah…and then when you didn't report in and we couldn't get in touch….well, we figured you guys might be in trouble," Virgil carried on before being joined in the brief reiteration of events.

"So…we hightailed it up there and…got you guys out!" the youngest blond-haired Tracy finished off proudly.

Jenna looked from one to the other, at each of them in turn, at the innocently smiling faces, as the information rapidly sunk in. "All of you! You were all up there…in…in the grotto!" The flaxen-haired nurse turned and whispered, panic-stricken to her lover. "Scott! We were in there…naked!"

Jeff, while not fully hearing the last whispered comment, realised the young woman's concern and sought, in a somewhat flustered attempt, to put her mind at rest about what was, or rather what was not, seen. "Yes, well…a hum…eh…not all of us at once…em…not right away, when we arrived. The entrance was blocked and needed opening up before we could get you out. I sent one of the boys ahead, to look after you both until we got in so…by the time we got to you…there was nothing to…em…we didn't see…I mean…a hmm…you were….."

"I think what Dad's trying to say, Jen, is…you were well covered up by the time we broke through," Virgil intervened with some amusement, at seeing his father floundering and deciding he could do with a helping hand. "And once we got in, Tin-Tin took care of you. So please, hunny…you've nothing to feel embarrassed about," the chestnut-haired engineer reassured with a kindly smile for which she thanked him and Tin-Tin, of course.

Someone else, though, had been concentrating on what had just been said and was busy assessing the details that were coming to light. One of his brothers had been sent ahead and been first in to them and so, before being covered up, had obviously witnessed their naked state!

"So…which one of you guys was it!" groaned the still slightly groggy Field Commander.

And there was only one answer to that, as we all know!

"Ehhh….that would be me," came the sheepish confession, as Gordon held up his hand in admission, along with a little nervous laugh.

Scott closed his eyes and let his head sag deeper into the pillows with a helpless groan. "Gawd, why did I so not want to know that!"

"Well, that's nice! And after me riskin life and limb to get in there and make sure you guys were okay…and keepin you warm!" the copper-haired Tracy groused, pulling his face into a feigned pout, which only brought amused laughter and smiles from the rest of the rescue party.

"Not to mention the terror you were subject to, huh Gords!" Alan delighted in reminding him and casting a wicked, wry grin back at Virgil before both boys dissolved into laughter.

Gordon, on the other hand, was not one bit amused, while Scott could only look dazedly confused and getting the feeling that he had missed out on something…again, while in the depths of unconsciousness.

"Aww, Scott…you just gotta hear this one…..," Virgil crowed, with the triumphal pleasure that comes from being about to get one over on a younger brother, as he playfully ruffled Gordon's hair.

"There's nothin to tell, guys….," the copper-haired prankster hissed in warning, before adding with a defensive shrug of his shoulders, "….it was…it was just the wind. Yeah, it was just the wind."

Poor Scott! If he was confused before, he was even more confused now but then this was Gordon they were talking about. Jeff, as always however, had been keeping a wary eye on proceedings and could see that his eldest son was not quite up to hearing all the finer detail yet, no matter how amusing.

"Alright, boys…that will keep until later…when your brother's feeling more up to it," their father gently advised and for which Scott was secretly glad.

Ever the rescue operative, though, Scott had been pondering other things. "Hey…how did you guys know exactly where we were, anyway…that we were in the…in the grotto!" he asked wearily.

And neither he, nor Jenna, could fail to see the subtle glances that passed between all of the assembled family.

"Well, it's a long story, Son. We didn't know where you were exactly…at first. But let's just say…an old friend…'sensed' you were in trouble and gave us a clue on where to look!" Jeff informed his eldest, intending to fill him in on the more precise details later on.

And somehow, the ex-air force pilot knew just exactly the 'old friend' being referred to. "Cass," he smiled quietly to himself.

"Yeah…it was the darndest thing, Scott. He had, like, a vision…and everything!" Alan replied in awed wonderment, immediately confirming the suspicion. "He even knew that you weren't alone…that there was someone with you…someone 'special'!"

Suddenly fearing their eldest brother would think they had been talking too much and knowing those were personal things that Scott would rather have disclosed himself, Gordon quickly jumped in to dispel any worries, as well as it being, of course, an act of total self-preservation! "We didn't tell him about Jen…we swear. He told us!"

"Yeah…it was all some weird sh…stuff about…wolves!" the youngest blond-haired Tracy recalled in a puzzling frown and wincing sheepishly at his, almost, slip of the tongue.

But far from being annoyed, Scott Tracy couldn't help the laugh, albeit a weary one, causing his brothers and everyone else to wonder at just what secrets he shared with the wily Native American. "That's alright, guys. If you knew Cass the way I do…well, let's just say, I would be careful what I dreamt about!!"

They weren't quite getting that one and it didn't look like Scott was about to enlighten them any further either!

"Yeah and speaking of wolves…I think he also said something about a…'great wolf spirit'! Isn't that right, Gordon!" Thunderbird Two's pilot threw in casually, much to Gordon's annoyance and their youngest brother's delight.

Scott found himself, again, smiling quietly at hearing of his, once irritatingly annoying Lakota Sioux nurse and now, good friend's familiar spiritual beliefs and his mind drifted back, momentarily, to the many interesting 'debates' they'd had on the subject. He was sure too that Cass had probably referred to him as Chey'nah, as he had always done; though not anymore, he thought. Cass would have to give him a new name now, as would befit his current happily contented state.

And somehow, the dark-haired pilot just knew this all had to with what they had been itching to tell him earlier but his father was right, he wasn't quite up to listening to their anecdotal tales of Gordon's misadventures, just yet.

Virgil caught the slight look of disapproval on his father's face and thought it prudent, perhaps, to proceed no further. "But look, Dad's right, buddy…we'll tell you everything later, when you're more up to it," he added in promise, reaching out and giving his brother's arm a gentle squeeze of assurance; besides the fact, he could see for himself that Scott wasn't just a hundred percent.

"Yeah thanks, Virg….we're still feeling a bit dazed," his eldest brother returned appreciatively, instinctively tightening his embrace around Jenna. And anyway, knowing Gordon as he did, it was bound to be a doozey of a story and one for which he wanted to be fully alert, so he could appreciate it properly.

Someone else too had been waiting eagerly for that all-important news of the couple's condition but in all the excitement and sheer thankful relief, he had all but been forgotten about. Now that Scott and Jenna were awake and seemingly out of danger however, it was something Jeff made sure of rectifying and soon his space-bound son and equally valued member of the family was joining in the celebrations, via vid-link.

With the young couple now continuing to warm up nicely, it seemed that everything of note had been covered and everything that had wanted to be said had been. Why then was Scott getting the distinct feeling that his family were still waiting for something else, something more from him! Maybe it was the happy, simpering expectant smiles!

"What! Am I…am I missing something here!" the eldest Tracy sibling groaned weakly, his brain still not fully in gear.

"I think they might all be waiting to hear if there's anything else you want to tell us, Son," the astute Tracy patriarch hazarded a guess.

"Yeah…like how come you guys were naked in the grotto!!!" Alan retorted with mischievous devilment, earning him a furious scowl and poke in the ribs, along with a reprimanding, 'Alan Tracy', from Tin-Tin.

A brief laser-like glare, of indecipherable meaning, shot from those steely blue eyes, followed by a helpless sigh of exasperation that comes only from being at the constant mercy of annoying younger brothers.

"Never in a million years, little brother," came the decisive response, letting Alan and everyone else know that that was something, very definitely, not to be shared, destined to remain only between lovers.

"Oh but you will tell us that it's true, Scott….please," Tin-Tin implored, unable to keep from knowing the good news they'd all been wanting to hear.

And then it began to register with Thunderbird One's premier pilot. They knew! It sounded like everyone already knew and were just waiting for him to confirm it. Well, he knew, of course, that his father and Virgil were already privy to his plans but everyone else! Was he that transparent! Was there nothing sacred or secret in this house!

"You guys know, don't you! How did you……!" Scott sighed weakly, looking at each of the happily grinning faces around the bottom of the bed.

"Well, gee…let me see!" one copper-haired prankster mused in mock thoughtfulness. "I guess the fact that Jen's wearing a ring…and a real beauty…on her wedding finger, might juuuust have given the game away!" he added with a triumphal grin.

The tired young nurse couldn't help break into a smile and the normally quick-thinking Field Commander could only emit a helpless laugh at his own slow and clearly still fogged-up brain. Of course, it should have been obvious; the most potent symbol that two hearts were forever bound together, with the promise of a life together, an engagement ring, visibly displayed on the appropriate finger.

"I think they've got you there, Scott," Jenna observed with a weary smile, as she rested comfortably in his arms.

"Yeah…I think they have," her dark-haired lover could only agree, with a resigned sigh. Scott gave her an affectionate squeeze and they exchanged looks of mutual consent, before he turned to the eagerly waiting faces of his family. "Okay, everyone…since you all seem to know now anyway! Jen has made me the happiest guy in the world, by agreeing to become my wife….," he started, turning back to her with a quietly contented and happy smile, "……and so…I'd like to introduce you to…the 'future' Mrs Scott Tracy." But they couldn't help the knowing little smile that passed between them.

At that, Tin-Tin did the only and most natural thing in the world for a romantically minded young woman to do, on hearing such happy news about people she cared about….she burst into tears!

"Oh Jenna…Scott…that's so wonderful. I knew it, I just knew it," the raven-haired young woman gushed and danced excitedly. "Oh, I'm just so happy for you both."

The next moment saw her, with happy spontaneity, rush over to the bed and, leaning over, first give her surrogate 'brother' a warm though careful hug of congratulations, along with a light affectionate kiss to the side of his face before turning to and embracing her new best friend. And, of course, the next vital necessity, as any female knows, is to get a good look at that all-important ring.

"Ohhh Jenna…it's beautiful," Tin-Tin gushed, her eyes wide with breathless wonder, after the young nurse had lifted her arm out from under the plasma-warming blanket and offered her hand. "You see…I told you it would be special!" she added, with a happily knowing smile.

At the same time, the rest of the family, including Brains and a far-away John, began offering their own warm congratulations, reserving their kisses solely, of course, for the very happy young woman that would now become an official part of the family.

Gordon was last in line and, with a grin and eyes sparkling with pure mischievous intent, advanced on his eldest brother with arms outstretched.

"Don't you even THINK about kissing me," the dark-haired pilot warned emphatically, at seeing his prankster brother puckering up for a big smacker. And with that, the rest of the family burst into spontaneous laughter.

Seems the resident Tracy joker had already forgotten his earlier promises!

It was seeing all his family round him, happy, carefree and most of all safe, that made Jefferson Tracy realise just how very different this day could have been, how this day could have been one of tragedy instead of happy celebration. And it was this very thought that prompted his next action.

"You know, we're all just thankful you two are safe," the Tracy patriarch stated, when the happy laughter had died down and bringing everybody back to sober thoughtfulness. "Today is, indeed, a very happy day…one in which we welcome Jenna officially into the family….," he continued, bringing an embarrassing flush to the young woman's face, "…..but it could have been a lot different. And for that very reason, so there's never a possibility of this happening again, I'm having that grotto sealed up permanently."

Stunned and surprised looks were exchanged between the brothers, Jenna and Tin-Tin.

"Aw, Dad…you can't be serious! I mean, I know we're not in there very often but what are the chances of us ever being in there, when there'd be a tremor!" Gordon beseeched his father, in the hope of some reprieve.

But Jefferson Tracy, it seemed, was not prepared to take any chances. "But that's precisely why, Gordon. You never know when a quake might hit and we've seen now just what can happen…how easily things could go badly wrong. Scott and Jenna were lucky today. I'm not prepared to take that sort of risk again…with any of you. That whole place is obviously unstable."

But just when all seemed lost for the once beautiful and unique geological feature, the grotto appeared to have acquired another resolutely determined advocate and from the person least expected!

"Oh but, Jeff….it's such a beautiful and very special place. You can't really mean to close it up…for good. I know you're worried…but isn't there someway it could be made safe….pleeease," the weary young nurse implored, sub-consciously using all her womanly wiles. Heck, she might as well have fluttered her eyelashes at him!

And it seemed Jefferson Tracy was a sucker for the earnest pleadings of a beautiful young woman for, the very next minute, the father of five healthy, strapping sons, appeared ready to 'cave in', if one will pardon the pun! Well, he was a red-blooded Tracy male, after all; distinguished and of a certain age, maybe but still very much in his prime!

"Uh um…well, yes, young lady…if there was a way of guaranteeing it would be safe. But I really don't see……," Jeff gruffed a response, while trying to make it seem as though he were still in control and not backing down.

The grotto now, it seemed, was gathering even more trusty advocates, as an already-deep-in-thought voice interrupted.

"Ah…ah…ah…ah well, Mr T.T.Tracy. I think I might…um…have a solution. There may be a way to…eh…eh…eh make the gr.gr.grotto safe," the scientific genius speculated.

All eyes turned to their bespectacled friend.

"Go on, Brains…I'm listening," Jefferson Tracy acknowledged.

"Yes…well…I've been working on a new…um…sealing compound...a.a.a polytridiethalate synthetic, with…a.a.a.a…remarkable properties, which…., Brains started in explanation.

"Brains!" the Tracy patriarch intervened, trying not to show signs of impatience; having to cut off his young scientist before he got completely carried away.

"Yes, of course…Mr Tr.Tr.Tracy," Brains acknowledged a little embarrassingly, at recognising his own penchant for being rather enthusiastic about his work and inventions. The rest of the family couldn't help their amused smiles, affectionately meant, of course. "As I was saying…this sealing compound is basically a.a.a.a clear liquid that when sprayed on, will…um…solidify on a surface and…eh…eh…eh…eh…make it stronger. My thinking was….this could be a.a.a.applied to the roof and walls of the…um…grotto, whereby the compound would fuse to the…a.a.a.a….rock, creating a clear protective s.s.seal….a.a.and so, effectively, making the whole…eh…eh…eh….structure much more sound."

"Brains…that's a brilliant idea," Virgil concurred, most impressed and leaving their bespectacled friend to flush embarrassingly.

"Yeah, Dad…it's sure worth a try," Gordon joined in hopefully.

And, as the Tracy patriarch and Commander-In-Chief of International Rescue looked around the eagerly awaiting and expectant faces, he couldn't help but think he was more than outnumbered on this one.

"Hmmm…it really means that much to you!" Jeff queried, to be instantly bombarded with assurances.

"Oh yes, Jeff…please. I would hate to think everyone would be deprived of it…just because we had an unfortunate accident…and we are alright now. Please Jeff…it is such a 'special' place," Jenna added in her own assurances and turning to give her lover and fiancé a knowing smile. After all, it's where they 'married', completely naked. Now that's gotta be special, in anyone's book!

If ever there was a man under pressure right at that moment, it was Jefferson Grant Tracy, as all eyes riveted on him, urging him to agree.

"Weeell….alright. But only on the condition that Brains really can make the grotto safe with that…sealing compound, of his," the Tracy patriarch finally acquiesced, to much happily delighted smiles.

"Hey, I think we've just found our new secret weapon, next time we need to sweet talk Dad," Gordon whispered from behind his hand to his other brothers and nodding in Jenna's direction.

Astute as ever, their father could now see that this whole ordeal was taking its toll on the young couple, still wrapped in each other's arms.

"Alright, everybody…I think we've tired Scott and Jenna out long enough. Time to let them get some rest," Jeff carefully suggested, which had more the authoritative air of an order, before turning to the couple. "And you two will remain under those blankets and in this Infirmary until Brains gives you the all-clear. Is that understood?" he added, with more of an insistence that brokered no argument, which perhaps came from knowing his eldest son only too well.

"Yes, sir," Scott sighed wearily, followed by the same compliant response from his fiancé. So much for getting back to their suite any time soon then!

But Jeff hadn't quite finished yet, turning to his young scientist cum medic. "Brains…now they've both come round, I want you to run some more tests…make sure everything's A-okay."

He didn't see his eldest son sigh quietly and momentarily close his eyes at his father's over-protective desire to make sure they really were alright, as the bespectacled scientist dutifully replied with a 'Yes, Mr T.T.Tracy'.

Everyone then made their goodbyes for now, including John, who reluctantly signed off, with the promise of calling them the following day, while those present, gave the young nurse an affectionate kiss and hug and their brother a clap on the shoulder. Further warm congratulations were given before their father finally began ushering them from the room. Someone though, just couldn't help one last cheekily risqué remark and no prizes as to guessing from whom it came!

As he reached the door, the copper-haired prankster turned, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Hey …guess you guys really did 'make the earth move', huh!"

And Gordon Tracy was more than quick enough to avoid the pillow his eldest brother had just about managed to hurl at him. The incorrigible joker was then escorted from the room to exasperated groans from a despairing older brother and highly amused Alan, though on reflection, Virgil couldn't help the little smile at thinking that it probably might not be that far from the truth!

Just before his father left the Infirmary, Scott suddenly remembered someone very important and Jeff assured him that he would let Cass know they were safe and well. He had promised their insightful friend he would let him know, whatever way it had turned out and was now more than thankful he would be calling Cass with good news.

"Thanks, Dad," the dark-haired pilot replied gratefully. "Tell him…thanks…..and I'll talk to him real soon."

With everyone now gone, or almost everyone, the tired and still aching young couple settled contentedly together, glad of a little peace and quiet to be able to appreciate just how lucky they had been. Their peace was to be short-lived however, as Brains re-entered the recovery room of the Infirmary from the adjoining examination room cum theatre, carrying various pieces of equipment that Scott suspected were to poke and prod them with.

It had been one thing to have to comply with his father's insistence that they stay here in the Infirmary to rest up rather than get back to their suite but it was quite another to have to endure more tests that Scott Tracy felt were unnecessary and he wasn't long in letting his scientific friend know. After all, no one knew his body better than he did himself…well, perhaps with the exception of the beautiful young woman that lay beside him! "Brains, no more tests….okay! We're alright….just a little sore…and tired. All we want now, is to be alone….TOGETHER!"

"Y.Y.Yes but Scott…your father…..," the bespectacled scientist cum medic stammered out.

While he knew the eldest Tracy son to be extremely strong-willed and determined, even to the point of being pig-headed at times, Brains could, himself, be totally single-minded to the exclusion of all else. And such seemed to be the case in this instance!

"Knowing you, Brains…you've done enough tests already to know we're alive, well and A-okay….and all these extra tests are just to please my father…right!" the dark-haired Field Commander conjectured with more than a measure of perceptive insight.

"Well…a.a.a.a…yes," the now floundering young scientist was forced to agree.

"You've been watching us carefully…observing us, since we've been awake, Brains…yeah! Not to mention poking and prodding us while everyone's been talking!" Scott questioned, intent on convincing the man he had all he needed to know.

"Y.Y.Yes," Brains acknowledged, unable to argue the point.

"And we're lucid!" Scott queried knowledgably.

"Y.Y.Yes," came the agreed response.

"Coherent!" Scott further queried.

"W.W.Well…y.y.yes," the young scientist conceded. Brains stammer was becoming a little more pronounced.

"Our vitals are good!" the Field Commander continued to quiz effectively, carrying on with their self-diagnostic assessment.

"Y.Y.Y.Yes," Brains could only agree.

"And our color's good…now that our body temperatures are coming up!" Scott finally finished off, feeling he had covered all relevant points.

"Y.Y.Y.Y.Yes," Brains could only but agree.

Jenna couldn't help the little smile of quiet pride at thinking her lover might not actually make a bad nurse!

"Then, Brains…I think you know what you can do with all that equipment and those tests of yours!" Scott carefully suggested, with perhaps just the slightest touch of irritability creeping into his tone.

And really, Jenna couldn't blame him; he had had his fair share of being poked, prodded and tested these last few months, enough to last him a lifetime. Turning to their scientist friend though, she offered him a sympathetic little smile of apology, as he began gathering up the things he had brought in with him, while mumbling away to himself. "Don't mind him, Brains….he's just a little cranky."

Still mumbling to himself and almost dropping some of his equipment as he sought to push his glasses back up his nose, the now-redundant scientist/medic went back into the examination room.

Alone at last and thinking Brains would more than likely stay in there to happily huff at not being able to carry out his task, rearranging all his equipment in the process, Scott felt he could finally focus his attention on what was most important to him.

"Cranky am I! Well this guy just might get even more cranky if he doesn't get a proper kiss from his new fiancé…now that we are alone," the dark-haired lover teased with a tired smile, though obviously not that tired!

Scott wrapped more of his body now around his flaxen-haired lover, wincing a little as he tried to get them as comfortable as was possible under the plasma blanket and, stroking her face but for a moment, took them both into a deep, lingering kiss; the kind of kiss that said they appreciated being alive. As usual, they became oblivious to all else.

Brains didn't do the expected this time. Feeling that, well, if he couldn't actually carry out any tests then the least he could do was to review all the observation notes he had already made and those notes were on the desk, back in the recovery room. He was meticulous if nothing else. The bespectacled scientist walked back into a full-on love fest, as the young couple got reacquainted with each other in the most intimate of ways.

"Eh…eh…eh…eh…eh…S.S.Scott…..J.J.Jenna. I don't think that's…a.a.a.a…good idea……," Brains began to fluster and stammering something about 'blood pressure' and 'in your condition', while visibly flushing and trying to loosen his collar at suddenly feeling rather hot!

Poor Brains, some things were just totally beyond his one-track single-mindedness.

The Field Commander groaned against his lover's mouth at the intrusion but on breaking the kiss didn't, for one moment, take his eyes off her, not looking at his friend as he spoke. "Well I, for one, think it's an excellent idea…so Brains, if you don't wanna see things that are gonna make those glasses of yours steam up…then I suggest you get the hell outta here…because I intend to make love to my 'wife'!"

"Eh…eh…eh well, Scott….technically, J.J.Jenna is not really your…a.a.a.a…wife until after you are married," the overly-precise scientist felt obliged to point out.

"Brains!" came a growl of exasperation.

He was fond of Brains, he really was but sometimes….!

Scott went back to kissing his fiancé, in the hope his scientific friend would somehow get the hint. And then things really started to heat up, which should actually be beneficial to the young couple, shouldn't it!

His friend was right; his glasses were steaming up. With passions threatening to burst into flame, a whimpered, 'O.O.Ohhh…m.m.my….!', could be heard, followed by a hasty exit.

"Oh Scott, that was very naughty of you," Jenna playfully scolded and giving him a sleepy smile. "And anyway, he's probably right, you know….I don't think we're in much shape to……"

"I'm sure we'll find a way….we'll just have to take things, slowly! This is our 'wedding night', after all!" Scott husked in seductive amusement and, silencing her with his mouth, took them both down more into the bed, kissing and cuddling...carefully.

The next day saw them fit enough to leave the Infirmary, on the understanding they were going back to their suite to rest up, which they were more than happy to comply with, after first enduring one final check-up from, one still slightly embarrassed, Brains.

The most strenuous thing they did was to take a walk down to the beach, where Jenna sat comfortably between strong thighs with her lover's arms wrapped around her; both just appreciating the ocean, with its power, its energy and the endlessly soothing rhythm of its life. No wonder Scott loved this place to come back to after the dangers of a mission; now she too had grown to love this place she called home.

That evening saw them resting back in their room before dinner, when suddenly Alan came bursting in.

"Quick…Dad needs you both up in the lounge right away. It's urgent!"

Author's Note: As far as I know, Brains' sealing compound – Polytridiethalate, does not exist but came from my own fertile imagination, purely for your amusement. Please ask if you wish to make use of it and the appropriate credit would be appreciated.