Disclaimer: see Part One.

A/N: Thank you very much to those who reviewed and your positive comments. I hope you're not disappointed with this part. The idea for the story came much easier than the story itself!

Responsibilities

Part Two

Tin-Tin regarded her best friend with rapidly dawning rage. Of all the immature, insensitive, irresponsible, downright ridiculous stunts that Alan had pulled, this won the prize. How could he be so unfeeling?

In the years since they had been friends, Alan had done some pretty juvenile things. The two were best friends in every sense, and naturally their relationship involved a lot of friendly, and some not so friendly banter. He would tease her about her collection of china dolls. She would make fun of the thick head of curls he hated so much but was not permitted to shave off on pain of death from his grandmother. He would scoff at the fashion shows she loved to watch, while she would scorn his total ignorance of the arts.

Of course with one half of their friendship being male, and a particularly young and restless male at that, sometimes he took things too far and the good natured ribbing would spiral over into pranks that were often poorly thought through.

However she had not been this furious since the time that Alan had stolen her clothes from beside the secluded pool where she had decided to take a spontaneous skinny dip one particularly scorching afternoon.

How long had they been friends? How often had she told Alan all about her dreams for the future? Falling in love, a fairy tale wedding, children, grandchildren. After all, she was a young woman wasn't she? She was no different from any other girl who had day dreamed about what her wedding dress would look like, how many bridesmaids she would have… and Alan had listened attentively, told her how beautiful she would look. He really could be incredibly sweet natured and insightful when he wanted to be.

But worse than all that, surely he was not oblivious to how their relationship had changed over the last few months? She knew she hadn't imagined the secret glances, the shy smiles, the gentle, playful touching of her hand, her hips, her hair. The way he would breathe her scent in deeply when they sat squashed together in the hammock by the pool, the way he would sigh in contentment. Maybe he didn't know how deeply her feelings ran for him but surely he was not so callous that he would make a joke of them?

Which was exactly the reason Tin-Tin now found herself shaking with fury, her fist clenched and imagining how satisfying it would feel to throw it at Alan Tracy's smug face…

Only it wasn't smug. He looked… confused. Surely he didn't expect her to laugh? Huffing with disgust, Tin-Tin turned on her heel and began to walk back down the hillside towards the beach.

"Tin?"

Ignoring the bewilderment in Alan's voice, she continued to stalk away. She heard the scuffling of fast approaching feet before she felt her arm gently grasped.

"Tin? What's wrong?"

Now Tin-Tin really did resist the urge to laugh. Turning to look him in the face, she saw the confusion still evident in his eyes. For an intelligent young man, Alan could be incredibly stupid at times.

"I am not going to dignify that with a response, Alan Tracy. I have no desire to continue this conversation, nor have any other conversation with you until you find the good manners to apologise. Good day."

"Hey, just a minute Tin-Tin!"

Her progress towards the beach was halted once more by Alan's hand grasping her arm, only this time more firmly. He walked around to look her in the face. She exhaled sharply and let her shoulders drop before looking up at him, wondering what on earth he thought he could say that would improve the situation.

But what she saw caused the scathing remark about to trip off her tongue to stick in her throat. She caught her breath sharply at the look on the younger man's face.

Alan's brow, usually only creased when he was sulking, was lined with worry. His strong jaw clenched and his skin had paled considerably. The vivid blue of his widened eyes was a stark contrast to his white face. A faint spark of fear flickered in their depths.

For the usually light hearted and easy going youngster, this was an expression that Tin-Tin was unaccustomed to. She had seen this look before certainly, but she could count on one had the number of times he had revealed his concern so openly. In fact the most recent time had been when Grandma Tracy had fallen ill with pneumonia before Christmas. The Tracy matriarch had been very ill for a time.

However close she and Alan were, Tin-Tin would always be the first to say that she could never be one hundred percent sure she knew what Alan Tracy was thinking. Ninety nine percent perhaps, but he always managed to keep her on her toes.

But looking at her friend now, she had to admit that she had never been so sure of anything in her life.

Alan was not joking.

"Alan, you can't be serious."

He took another step towards her so his chest was flush against hers. She could feel his strong heartbeat thrum through her. Her breath quickened as his raised his hands to cup her face, brushing his fingertips across one delicate cheekbone.

Then he was kissing her, gently at first but with ever increasing need. One hand moved to cup the back of her head while the other moved to hold her closer to him, so that soon it felt to Tin-Tin as if his arms were the only thing holding her up.

The kiss left her reeling. Before she could really grasp the situation it was over, and she felt his forehead resting against hers.

"I love you," he breathed. "You love me too, I know you do."

She opened her mouth to protest but before she could his lips were on hers again.

"I know I'm being arrogant and presumptuous, but I know you Tin. The way you look at me. The way you smile one of the smiles that just light you up, you only smile those smiles for me. I want to spend the rest of my life making you smile like that. You love me, I know you too well."

He leaned back a fraction to take in her whole face. Her eyes were as wide as his had been and her cheeks were flushed. He laughed gently as her mouth opened and closed as she tried to find something to say.

"But Alan, you said…"

"I know what I said. I said my life with IR was too dangerous to ask anyone to share it with me. But you already do Tin, and to be quite frank I don't give a crap. I love you. I can't stand to be without you any longer."

"But…"

"I want you to be my wife, Tin. Marry me."

"Yes Alan, I'll marry you."

The smile on her face was simple beautiful. It took Alan's breath away. The pure joy on his face brought tears to Tin-Tin's eyes. She screamed as he lifted her into the air and swung her round, blissful in the knowledge that that would be the first smile of the rest of their lives.

"You spoiled things you know."

"What? What did I spoil?"

Tin-Tin looked up from watching their intertwined fingers to look at Alan as the made their way back to the villa. He was pouting slightly as he looked down at her.

"The surprise. I had it all worked out! I had a picnic all ready up by that waterfall you love. It was awfully romantic even if I do say so myself. I'll have to go back up there later and collect everything."

"Well why don't we go and enjoy it then?"

"No, I really want to get back and tell my dad. He's gonna be so happy you know, he adores you Tin-Tin." Alan gave her hand a squeeze and planted a kiss on top of her head. Tin-Tin smiled serenely and leaned closer to him.

"I just wonder what my father will say. I am his only child after all, and we're very young."

Alan couldn't help a small laugh.

"I don't think we have anything to worry about there. I asked his permission this morning."

Tin-Tin stopped in her tracks and let her hand drop from his. She looked disbelievingly at Alan.

"You asked permission? You actually asked for 'my hand in marriage'?"

"Of course I did!" Alan exclaimed, somewhat indignantly. "I know how important tradition and honour is to your father, and I know how important you are to him too. I wanted to show how much I respect him. That way he'd know how much I respect you, too." Alan crossed his arms over his chest.

Tin-Tin opened her mouth to say something, but found she was lost for words. They continued to walk on in silence.

Despite how insightful Alan could be, it was just so unusual for him to do something so intuitive in advance. It wasn't that Alan was insensitive, in fact he cared deeply for those who were close to him and was fiercely loyal. But Alan was the youngest son of a billionaire with five children, and had been spoiled his entire life.

Alan was not selfish, however. With five impressive older brothers to compete with, the impatience that came with youth (and was also a small part of Alan's passionate personality) meant that he usually found the easiest method of making himself heard was simply to shout louder than everyone else.

Tin-Tin, however, knew that Alan's reputation for being confrontational was inaccurate. He was just impulsive. Which was why it surprised her so much that he would think far enough ahead to ask her father's permission to propose to her. As she considered Alan further, a thought occurred to her.

"Alan? What if my father had said no?"

Alan simply shrugged and smiled down at her.

"I'd have asked you anyway."

Tin-Tin laughed.

"That sounds more like the Alan Tracy I know!"

Jefferson Tracy looked up from the performance review he was reading when the door to his study opened. He sighed resignedly. Alan.

"Ever heard of knocking, son?"

The older Tracy looked at his youngest with an eyebrow raised in annoyance. He noticed Tin-Tin hovering nervously behind Alan, and his eyes were drawn inevitably to the clasped hands of the pair. His raised eyebrow was joined by the other, this time in surprise.

"Sorry Father," Alan said sheepishly. "I didn't think you'd be working. After all it is Saturday! Besides, Tin-Tin and I have something very important to tell you."

'No doubt', thought the older Tracy apprehensively. Alan was beaming at him, while Tin-Tin looked at him coyly from under thick, lowered eyelashes.

An alarm interrupted them and Jeff immediately rose to his feet and headed towards the lounge.

"I'm sorry Alan, this will have to wait."

"Yes sir," Alan said, letting go of Tin-Tin's hand to follow his father.

They arrived in the lounge to find Scott and Gordon, hair still wet, waiting for their father. Jeff sat behind his desk and turned his attention to the flashing eyes of his second son flashing on the fair-haired astronaut's portrait.

"Go ahead, John." Jeff said, activating Tracy Island's link to Thunderbird Five, circling the earth in a secret orbit high above them.

"There's been an earthquake in California, Dad." International Rescue's communications expert reported. "There's mostly superficial damage as the quake wasn't very strong, but a factory has been badly damaged."

"Why can't this be dealt with by local rescue crews, John?"

"The access to the factory is restricted, due to rockslides on the roads. Response teams are on site but the necessary equipment cannot be transported there in time. As well as this the damage in the region, although not extensive, is widespread. The rescue crews are stretched to capacity."

"Very well, thank you John. Scott, take Thunderbird 1 and scout the terrain, find somewhere suitable for Thunderbird 2 to land. Take Tin-Tin with you, this is an ideal opportunity for her to gain some rescue experience." Jeff turned to observe Tin-Tin's reaction. "You are not to go anywhere near the rescue though, Tin-Tin."

Tin-Tin opened her mouth to protest, but Jeff cut her off.

"It's not that I don't think you're capable Tin-Tin, but you haven't had enough training. Besides I want you to gain experience in organising the rescues with Scott at Mobile Control."

"Yes Mr. Tracy, thank you sir."

"Off you two go then." Jeff turned his attention to his two youngest sons. Alan was almost hopping with excitement.

"Dad, can I…"

"Yes Alan," Jeff said, holding up his hand to silence his son. "As Virgil is on shore leave you may pilot Thunderbird 2. Gordon can co-pilot. Take Pod 2. And be careful with the craft Alan, Virgil will notice as much as a scratch."

"Yes, sir!"

"Thunderbirds are go."

Scott Tracy surveyed the accident scene as he waited for Thunderbird 2 to arrive. Tin-Tin had acted impressively. She had soon located a suitable landing spot for Thunderbird 2 and was dealing with the local rescue teams with tremendous professionalism. The eldest Tracy regarded her with increasing respect. He found himself with very little to do. He was drawn from his musing's by the sound of his communicator.

"Thunderbird 2 to Mobile Control, come in Scott."

"Go ahead, Alan."

"ETA to danger area 2.9 minutes. We will land at the co-ordinates Tin-Tin sent us."

"FAB Alan. See you soon kiddo."

Scott glanced up to see Tin-Tin approaching him. He was startled yet again by the sight of the Malaysian woman in the trademark blue flight suit of International Rescue. He also noted how well it suited her. He had noticed how the local rescue crews had responded so positively to her, carrying out her requests unquestioningly. Scott wondered at this seldom seen assertiveness.

"I have been in contact with Brains, Scott. He says the chance of causing an aftershock by using the Mole is unlikely. There is a large underground facility below the factory. Brains believes the safest and most effective way of rescuing the workers will be to tunnel under this basement and access the upper levels from below. This way we will not jar the upper structure using any heavy equipment."

"Brains doesn't think we'll risk a further collapse by using the Mole?"

"No Scott. He believes the large size of the underground cavity will leave the upper levels unaffected."

Scott nodded. He was about to relay the information to Alan when he heard the roar of retros in the distance, growing steadily louder. The large, green bulk of Thunderbird 2 circled overhead. Scott looked at his watch.

"1.8 minutes," he said, smiling at Tin-Tin. "Show off."

Alan and Gordon made short work of unloading the Mole and soon were tunnelling below the factory. Mobile Control had established contact with the factory foreman, trapped inside the structure. Luckily as it was the weekend only a skeleton number or workers had been on site, most of which had been working in the underground area of the factory. Scott informed them of the Mole's trajectory and warned the workers to stay clear of the area.

Alan and Gordon broke the surface and were soon making their way over to the workers.

"Is anyone seriously injured?" enquired Gordon as he took in the state of the workers. Most appeared shaken but unharmed. Two however were covered in dust, and one had a great deal of blood on his face.

"Christian here has taken a nasty bump to the head, and I think Mike may have a busted arm. They were above ground when the quake hit. They managed to make their way down here." The foreman indicated the two Gordon had been concerned about, and he immediately went forward to administer first aid.

"Is everyone accounted for?" asked Alan. The foreman frowned.

"No, Danny was with Chris and Mike, but they lost sight of him just before the quake. We can't raise him on his radio."

A quick examination told Gordon that the head wound was not serious but that Mike's arm was definitely broken.

"This arm needs to be splinted Alan," Gordon informed his younger brother.

Alan nodded and went to retrieve the first aid supplies. He came back carrying the medical equipment as well as his safety helmet.

"I'm going up to locate the missing worker Gordon," Alan told him. "You see to that arm and I'll let Mobile Control know what's going on."

"FAB Alan, be careful."

Alan winked at his brother before making his way to the staircase.

"I'm always careful!"

"FAB Alan, I'll let Dad know. Just be quick about it, that place sure looks like a mess from out here."

Scott cut off the connection with his little brother and looked at Tin-Tin. She was very pale. She had been continually glancing over at the remains of the factory in concern all the time he had been talking to Alan.

"Are you all right Tin-Tin?" Scott asked her, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. She smiled tightly at him.

"Yes, Scott." She replied. "It's just that it's much easier assisting Mr Tracy back at the Island. Somehow standing here actually watching the situations you boys head into with my owns eyes is worse than not knowing what's happening."

Scott squeezed her shoulder in sympathy, thinking about the danger his youngest brothers may be in.

"Don't worry Tin-Tin. This is a relatively simple mission. Alan and Gordon are professionals," Scott reassured her.

He wondered at the words coming out of his mouth. He remembered how opposed he had been to Alan's joining International Rescue. Watching how reckless Alan had been in his racing days, as well as being on the receiving end of many of his baby brother's pranks, had made him less than confident of Alan's suitability for the job.

However Alan had proved him wrong on countless occasions, and Scott had never been so happy to have been proved wrong in his life. He had to admit that he was incredibly proud of Alan, even though he still seemed to get himself into far more dangerous situations than any of his other siblings. Not through any of his own fault, trouble just seemed to seek Alan Tracy out.

A far off rumble literally shook Scott from his musings and he looked up sharply. He was about to contact John when a terrified shout made his blood run cold.

"AFTERSHOCK!"

The earth beneath his feet jerked sharply, and Scott immediately pulled Tin-Tin to the ground. He heard the high pitched grinding of metal on metal. As suddenly as it had begun the shaking stopped. Looking up in alarm Scott noticed a large cloud of dust emanating from the ruins of the factory. He heard Tin-Tin's horrified gasp, and then her petrified scream.

"ALAN!"

TBC