Disclaimer: Almost two years on . . . and I still don't own it!
Authors note: All I can really say is I am SO SO SORRY! I've had a lot going on, y'know, as you do and I suddenly remembered this . . . so I just read it all over again and hopefully adjusted the majority of the typos and spelling mistakes! And I decided that I MUST finish this! Thanks for anyone still interested in this, I've e-mailed everyone I could find the addresses of to notify you all!
Somewhere In Between
By Bubblegum Thai
Chapter Seven: How'd you figure?
As music drifted through the ballroom, dancers swirled dramatically and gracefully across the wooden floor below the glittering decorations that criss-crossed like a spiders web across the ceiling of the tall building, so high up above their heads. Ball gowns writhed around the legs of their teenage owners as they moved and swayed to the beat. Everyone was on the floor, moving or talking and tapping their feet. Everyone except Suzan Louise Tracy. She stood beside her father sulkily as he chatted away to another American Father. A young man had kindly asked her to dance and just as Suzan had agreed to go, Jeff had come along with a drink and some food,
"Well there goes that." She'd thought, rolling her eyes and smiling weakly, promising him a dance later, "Typical . . . he just had to come, didn't he?" She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest,
"Well we're sending our Olivia to a Scottish school for her A-levels," Boasted the man who Jeff was talking to, "it's becoming so hard to find a school with good standards these days . . . that still teach them the way my oldest girl was taught. The golden age that was, eh, Tracy? You got any others than little Suzan there?"
"Five older boys." Jeff declared proudly, "Two pilots, two astronauts and an aquanaut." He added smugly, "You're right, they were educated a lot better. In New York."
"I see . . ." The other chuckled, "So where're you sending Suzan this year?"
"I'm undecided at the moment," Jeff mused, "We're down here looking at a few schools but ideally, I'd like to send her to New York . . . a private boarding school."
"Best way to keep 'em . . . if they get too attached, they'll never leave!" He joked, chuckling heartedly.
As if by magic, something struck Jeff, hard. If he kept sending Suzan away, someday she'd stay away and never come back to the island. He sighed, looking down at her miserable face,
"Excuse me." He said to the other, rather round man, giving him a weak smile and nod before taking his daughter's arm, "Would you like to dance?"
"So now I can dance?" She snorted, taking up his offer, "So long as it's with you?"
"That's not the case. I want to ask you something?"
"Y'know, Scott spent a hundred and fifty dollars on this dress, it'd be nice if I could show it to more than you."
"What's that supposed to . . . wait a minute . . . HOW MUCH!"
Suzan chuckled, shaking her head slightly,
"That's right Dad, keep your priorities strait."
"Suzan, stop trying to confuse me, please!"
"I'm not."
"Yes, you are!"
"How'd you figure?" She asked with a frown,
"Stop." He said sternly, spinning her around, "Answer me honestly, "Do you want to go to school in England?"
"How about asking me if I want to go to school at all?"
"I just want what's best for you. I don't mean for you to be miserable, you know that, right? I just want you to have the same chances that your brothers had. It wouldn't be fair . . . I know you think that you're at a disadvantage . . . and I know I keep telling you this, but you're not an adult like they are yet. And soon, you'll come to realise that. When Alan was your age, he didn't get treated like you, yes, you're given a lot more freedom than your brothers were at your age, whether you realise it or not."
"I . . . guess I've never really thought about it that way before." Suzan admitted, "I like studying . . . I would like to be a Doctor."
"I thought you wanted to be an artist . . .?"
Suzan grinned,
"Keep up, Dad!" She scoffed, "I was yanking your chain! Yes! I do love art . . . but with medicine, I can really help people. I mean REALLY."
"Well medicine is a very serious and respectable career. You're right, you can help a lot of people with a degree like that . . . and whenever you felt like it, you'd be more than qualified to go on the more obscure missions where the emergency services cannot reach."
Suzan nodded,
"Right." She agreed, "The education in England is a lot better than it is in the States." She continued on knowledgably, "I'd need A-levels in chemistry and biology and then I can go on to study medicine at University. In America I'd need to go back to High School and get my diploma, then go to college and THEN go to med-school."
"So you want to stay here?"
"I've come to the conclusion that you desperately want me away from the island and that you want me to do more with myself at sixteen than become a slave to International Rescue, which, thinking about it, I agree with." She sighed, "I mean . . . suppose I get bored . . ."
"And knowing you, young lady, you will . . ."
"Then I'll be stuck with no qualifications and no work experience. I see your point, Dad. I've already started studying, I've been studying through the summer like you told me to . . . so I've got a head start . . . I'll go back to school quietly this Autumn . . . just please . . . let me help . . . maybe . . . on the small missions?"
Jeff looked at her sceptically,
"Well . . ." He sighed, tilting his head to one side, "We'll see."
Suzan smiled brightly,
"You're the greatest!" She gushed, hugging him tightly,
"Heh." Jeff smirked, "Anything for my little girl." He sighed, returning the hug before holding her at arms length, "I suppose you want to go off and dance with some young men, correct?"
Suzan blushed, ducking her head slightly,
"Well . . . I wouldn't mind . . ." She admitted quietly,
"Go ahead." He chuckled, releasing her, "Go on . . . I promise I won't embarrass you with any more of my old man dancing."
- - -
Back on Tracy Island . . .
Scott slouched back lazily in his Father's chair,
"What a dull night . . ." He observed, spinning around slightly, "I forgot how quiet it is without the squirt around . . ." He sighed,
"Yeah . . . I know what you mean . . ." Gordon agreed, "Without she and Alan fighting . . . it feels kind of empty . . ."
Both Virgil and Scott 'hmmed' in agreement, nodding slightly before the trio fell into silence,
"Where is Alan, anyway?" Virgil suddenly asked from the piano,
"On the beach . . . with Tin-tin I believe." Scott murmured.
Gordon looked from Scott to Virgil before smirking wickedly. Virgil donned the same sadistic smirk, and without a word, the duo leapt to their feet and charged for the balcony, leaning over in a vein attempt to see their younger brother and the girl he loved,
"I can't see a thing!" Gordon huffed to Virgil as he squinted at the black expanse of beach,
"Course not! It's dark!" Scott snorted as he stood beside him, "What did you . . ." Scott trailed off as John's vidi-portrait began to flash and bleep. He bolted back to Jeff's desk, "Go ahead, John." He said seriously, Virgil and Gordon behind him, moving slower,
"Hey Scott! Just checking in!" John beamed happily, "Say, uh, where's Dad?"
"He's in England . . . he went to Suzan's prize giving."
"Oh yah!" John laughed, "I forgot about that!" He stated calmly, relaxing against a nearby console, "So I guess it's pretty quiet down there?"
"Yeah . . . reasonably. Alan's down on the beach with Tin-tin."
"Oooh . . . love is in the air." John teased,
"Doubtful." Gordon snorted, "You know Alan . . . like he's actually going to tell her . . ."
"Well I hope he doesn't get too carried away . . . he's supposed to be taking over duty up here tomorrow . . . he'd better not let me down, either."
"He won't . . . relax . . ." Virgil reassured, "I just can't believe that Dad left Scott in charge during a change over!"
"Yah . . . that is weird . . . a bit irresponsible . . . what if something happens, we're short two pairs of hands!"
"I bet you just jinxed it, Gordo!" John laughed, "Anyways . . . I'm gonna grab some shut eye, have a nice night, fellas!"
"Night John!" The three said in unison, Scott gave a little wave before his blonde brother disappeared,
"Well . . . there goes that little bit of fun . . ." Virgil sighed, dropping down onto the sofa and picking up a magazine.
- - -
Outside, on the beach, Alan let his toes tighten against the wave that lapped at his soft, pale skin,
"Alan?" Tin-tin began, concern etched within her features, "What's wrong?"
Alan looked up at her and smiled, she looked so adorable when she was worried and confused. He chuckled, brushing imaginary hair off of his face in a nervous gesture,
"I was . . . just thinking . . ."
"About?"
"About . . ." He trailed off, rolling the words about on his tongue in hesitation, "About whether or not you might like to go to the mainland when I get back from duty on Thunderbird 5? Y'know . . . go for a meal . . . or something . . .?"
Tin-tin stared at him for several long seconds before breaking out into a grin. She suddenly lunged forwards and hugged him tightly,
"Oh Alan!" She gushed, "I thought you'd never ask!"
Alan blushed,
"I . . . uh . . . was kinda nervous . . ." He admitted quietly. She giggled, taking his chin in her fingers and tilting his face towards hers. Gently, she leant down and placed her lips against his. As she leant back, she grinned at his shocked expression,
"I'm glad you finally plucked up the courage." She whispered, gently stroking a hand through his hair, "Really glad."
- - -
The next morning, in the hotel restaurant, Suzan sat at their designated table, reading the newspaper whilst her Father sat beside her, buttering up a small point of toast. He finished, placed it down onto his plate and took a sip of his coffee before looking at his teenage daughter,
"Anything interesting going on?"
"The usual." She sighed, closing it, folding it and dumping it on the table top, "The usual chorus of violence, corruption and politics. The trio go hand in hand if you ask me." She stated calmly, lifting her glass of orange juice to her lips, "Where're we headed again?" She asked, frowning slightly,
"It's a private school in the country. The Lee Valley. It's a very exclusive school, I got you a group and formal interview, so dress smartly, please, Suzan." Jeff said sternly, "It took a lot of effort to arrange this short notice."
Suzan did her best to force a smile,
"Sure thing, Dad." She agreed, fiddling with the edge of the table cloth with her finger nails, "So I guess ripped jeans are out of the question then?" She grinned at him. He glowered back, "Joking!" She giggled light heartedly, scooping up her paper, "I'll meet you in the lobby in an hour?"
"Forty-five minutes." Jeff corrected, "I want to be well on our way in and hour."
"Yes sir!" She beamed before disappearing off towards the main stairwell. As she was out of her Father's sight, she sighed, drooping her shoulders and slowing her pace. Half heartedly, she grabbed the railing of the curved banister and looked up at the large bay window that over looked the river Thames and Westminster, "If only I could convince him . . ." She breathed, shaking her head sadly, "Huh. Who am I trying to kid? He'll never give up on this . . . he's determined to get shot of me . . ."
- - -
Forty-five minutes later, Suzan trotted down the stairs in a pair of tight black jeans, a baby pink stain corset covered in black lace and a black wrap-around cardigan. Her dark brown hair curled slightly at the tips, lapping at the small of her back,
"Ready?" She asked, adjusting her flat pumps slightly, leaning on her Father's arm for support,
"Yes." Jeff said, tucking his newspaper neatly under his arm as she released it, walking towards the revolving doorway of the entrance, "I've arranged for a car to take us there and it'll pick us up at the designated time this afternoon."
"Righteo!"
Jeff led his daughter to a large black car that was waiting directly in front of the hotel. The chauffer got out and opened the door for Suzan before jogging around and opening the opposite door for Jeff. Within a few short minutes, they were headed for the motorway and the countryside that surrounded the capital of the country.
"I wonder how the boys're getting on." Suzan sighed, staring out of the window at all the fields of sheep whizzing past,
"I should've called before we left this morning. I'll check in when we get there . . . I'll slip off or something." Jeff said, "They're probably not even awake at the moment, come to think of it . . . the time difference and everything."
"Oh yeah . . . I forgot about that . . ."
The duo fell into silence, which was how they stayed for the remainder of the trip. As they finally pulled up at the Lea Valley Academy, Suzan could barely believe her eyes, it was more like a stately mansion than a school, it looked many centuries old.
A kindly looking elderly woman in a twin-set and pearls met them at the door,
"Mister Tracy?" She asked as Jeff stepped onto the gravel,
"Yes." He said with a smile, extending a hand, "And this is my daughter, Suzan."
"Hello there, my dear!" She greeted,
"Hello ma'am." Suzan greeted with a courtesy, "Pleasure to meet your acquaintance."
"Oh Mister Tracy!" The woman gushed, "She's a lovely young lady!"
"Thank you." Jeff chuckled,
"My name's Missus. Robins, I own and run the Lea Valley academy, with my husband and daughter."
Jeff smiled and nodded,
"Would you excuse me for just a moment?" He asked, "I need to make a quick call."
"That's fine, I'll show Suzan here to the other applicants."
Suzan smiled and followed the kindly woman inside of the large house. She held her breath as she walked into the elaborately decorated entrance hall,
"You're lucky, Miss Tracy, we don't usually accept late applicants, but your Father was most insistent, and in light of your recent achievements, we thought that an exception made just once was acceptable."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"May I just ask a question?"
"Yes, of course." Suzan answered with a frown,
"Your accent . . . it's not as strong as your Fathers . . ."
"I spent the last two years in England, so I've lost my accent somewhat." She sighed,
"Right, well, you're very well spoken for such a young lady."
"Thank you, ma'am!"
"Ah, here we are . . ." Missus Robins declared, pushing open a large, heavy door which opened into what Suzan assumed to be a class room but was actually a large sitting room with antique carpet and curtains in a dingy green colour. In the centre were a set of three, musty, old but smart-looking sofas with ornately shaped, curved backs. Sitting on two of the three were two other girls of about the same age as herself plus one adult, a woman with one and a man with another,
"Parents . . ." Suzan thought, smiling brightly at the duo already in the room, "Hello." She said aloud, "I'm Suzan Tracy."
One girl with long, golden, ringletted hair seemed to sneer as she regarded the American with a slight flick of her head,
"Patricia Smithe. SMITHE, not Smith." She said grimly, "I cam all the way from Surrey." She remarked,
"And I Southampton," Said the other girl. She had bobbed, shiny black hair and was of Asian decent, judging on the shape of the face, Suzan guessed Japanese, "I'm Tsuki Hiraga."
"Where'd you come from?" Patricia asked, tilting her head to one side,
"New York originally . . . though we've moved to an island in the Pacific."
"Oh yeah? Which one?" Now it was time for Patricia's parent to open his thin-lipped mouth. He was going bald, Suzan observed. A little shiny on top and his cheeks were far too large for his face, even though his figure didn't look too big in comparison to his height,
"It's our own." Suzan answered honestly,
"You have your own island?" Tsuki asked, lowering her glamorous, diamond encrusted sunglasses down on her nose to peer over the top of them. She licked her top lip and frowned, "You live on an island? Just you and your family?"
"Yes."
"Riiiight . . ." She drawled, turning to her Mother, "Why don't WE have our own island?" She asked. Her Mother only frowned,
"Hold your tongue, Tsuki." She snapped.
Missus Robins smiled weakly,
"Mister Tracy won't be a minute."
"I was beginning to wonder if you were an orphan or something, Yank girl." Patricia said as she stood, revealing her lavender satin dress and jacket,
"No . . . my Father's just calling home. He left my brother in charge."
- - -
Little did Jeff know that whilst he waffled on a to-do list to Scott across his wrist communicator, he was being watched . . .
"What's he doing now, Earl?" Hissed a large man with a lop-sided cap and stubbly chin,
"He's . . . uh . . . still standing by the entrance . . . I think he might be on the phone . . . hands free."
"Right . . ."
"Just gotta give him a few minutes after he gets in and then we strike!"
"But Earl . . . what if it isn't true . . . what if there aint any riches in there? What if it's just what they say it is . . . y'know . . . a school?"
"Yeah . . . well . . . it's a school for rich little punks! There's bound to be something in there . . . a nice car . . . some cash . . . designer jewellery . . . waddya reckon, Frank?"
Frank licked his lips and rubbed his hands together,
"Sounds great . . ." He drawled, "Can't wait to get my hands on all those spoilt little bitches goods . . . and I aint just talkin' 'bout their belongings, neither!"
- - -
"Ah! Mister Tracy, welcome back!"
"Dick! Dick Smithe!" Cried Patricia's Father as soon as Jeff took a step into the room, lunging forwards and shaking his hand vigorously, "What kinda business you into, Tracy?"
"Heh . . . astronomy." Jeff said, lying through his teeth,
"Sakura Hiraga." Tsuki's Mother introduced herself with a sly smirk, "Your wife doesn't mind that you came all this way?"
"Uhm, my wife passed away thirteen years ago."
"Oh . . . I am SO sorry . . ." She drawled,
"Shall we commence the tour . . .?" Missus Robins asked nervously.
As the group began to move towards the doorway, it was shoved open, knocking poor little Missus Robins to the ground on her back, banging her head against the mould-coloured carpet. Suzan gasped, taking a step back nervously as two large men charged into the room brandishing guns,
"AWRIGHT!" Yelled the slightly smaller of the pair, "GET ON THE FLOOR! NOW!"
Suzan didn't know what to do so she simply looked at Jeff, not quite believing what was going on. It was the look on his face that clinched it for her.
She climbed down onto her hands and knees, dropping so that she was against the carpet, squeezing her eyes shut as she felt the larger, Frank, move towards her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her up against him,
"Hey there pretty lady . . ." He slurred, touching her cheek gently. She whimpered, looking around for Jeff. She found him. He'd seen the man grab her and was already getting to his feet, teeth clenched when he felt the cold tip of the barrel of Earl's gun press against his temple. As others began to file into the room, he swallowed hard.
They were in deep trouble.
- - - To be continued . . .