Disclaimer: sob I don't own them! I swear to god I don't!
Authors note: Re-reading chapter 8 at the moment to refresh my memory (it was only yesterday, but I'm that dense) of what happened and I'm finding loads of pathetic little typos! So once I've done this I'll go back and perfect it so hopefully anyone in need of catching up will have an all around better reading experience! grin I think I've corrected 1-7, though if you do see any mistakes, please let me know.
Also . . . someone pointed out to me awhile ago that Virgil doesn't smoke and very rudely instructed me to change it . . . I've since discovered that he does smoke . . . quite a lot (as I'm re-watching every episode (thank god for DVD) for inspiration and little extra tid bits of info to through in, references and the like). Even in his cover-up portrait, he's holding a cigarette! So . . . BITE ME!
Ahem . . . sorry . . . but that really angered me . . . I guess that shows my true geekdom . . . anywho, enjoy chapter 9 . . . I think I'm aiming for 15 chapters in total.
Somewhere In Between
By Bubblegum Thai
Chapter Nine: Rescue
He sighed, staring out across the ocean arms held tightly behind his back. He watched his breath mist slightly against the glass, not because it was cold, it never got cold on Tracy island, only at night, and it most certainly wasn't night. The sun beat down unforgiving. No, it misted because he was so close that his nose practically rested against the cool window.
She'd be arriving soon, if it wasn't for the potential threat of a disaster, he'd of gone to pick her up himself, but he preferred to stay on the island, just encase.
Ok, so maybe it was that he didn't want to spend the awkward journey in the jet from the mainland to the island with his youngest child. He had no doubt that she would have something to say about Easter . . . and the summer before hand and her birthday . . . and if it wasn't for Lady Penelope coming for a visit, Christmas would've been on the agenda also. Oh yes, he had a lot to answer for. She was angry . . . and this was why he'd decided to let Scott go to New York and get his sister.
Surely she'd be too afraid of Scott to say anything to him, after all, Alan was afraid of Scott to some extent so logically, Suzan would be terrified of her big brother.
Just as that thought occurred, the little red and white plane came into view on the horizon. Jeff cracked a smile,
"They're here." He said softly to Alan and Gordon over his shoulder. The duo looked up at the window and both smiled,
"Squirt!" Gordon exclaimed, "It's been awhile, huh?" He said to Alan who nodded in agreement,
"I guess we've been so busy with International Rescue, we kinda forgot about her." Alan said,
"Yeah . . . It'll be weird having her back, hanging around annoying us."
"Did I hear a plane!" Ruth asked as she came rushing in, wide eyed as she trotted towards Jeff at the window,
"You sure did."
"Oh!" She gushed, wiping her hands on her pinafore, "I'm so excited! It'll be so lovely having another girl . . . I mean, young lady, in the house again!"
Jeff smirked,
"Someone to help you and Kyrano out."
Just then, Tin-tin and Brains came sauntering in,
"Have you two seen Virgil? Scott's back with Suzan."
Tin-tin's face lit up and she clasped her hands together in front of her face,
"Suzan!" She beamed,
"N-no Mister Tracy . . . w-we haven't seen V-Virgil." Brains stuttered,
"I think I heard someone in the games room." Alan said, "On my way up here."
"I'll give him a call . . ." Jeff sighed, walking towards his desk, pressing a button, "Virgil . . . if you're in the games room . . . come on up, they're here."
- - -
"WELCOME HOME!"
Suzan stumbled back slightly from the sheer sound of everyone yelling at her as soon as she walked in. She blinked quickly before grinning,
"Hey everybody!" She beamed, flicking dark brown hair over her shoulder. As if on cue, everyone rushed forwards, crushing her in a huge group hug. She giggled, slipping her arms around whoever was in front, which turned out to be a combination of Alan, Tin-tin and Gordon, "I missed you guys . . ." She breathed as they all back away for their individual attention, Alan latching on as soon as everyone had parted,
"Hey sis . . ." He breathed into her hair, "Miss ya!"
Suzan smiled, snuggling up against the blonde's chest. As much as she loved Alan, she'd seen him last time she were home. She hadn't seen John since she'd left for England two years ago. She couldn't help but wish that it were John she were hugging rather than Alan. All the same, he was part of home and she still loved him. After that came Gordon and then Jeff,
"Suzan." She said with a smile, embracing her loosely. Not really one for affection. She smiled weakly,
"Hey Dad." She sighed, slipping her hands in her pockets,
"How was your journey?"
"Fine." She answered awkwardly with a slight nod before turning slightly and grinning, "Yo, Virg'! Get your butt over here and gimme a hug!"
Jeff cocked an eyebrow; his little girl never used to talk like that, especially not to her family. Though, Virgil didn't seem to mind. He grinned and strolled over, wrapping his arms around the shorter girl, laughing softly,
"Hey kiddo . . ." He mumbled, resting his chin a top of her head, "How's the drawing going?"
"Ok." She admitted, "How's the painting."
"You know me . . . perfect . . ." He laughed, ruffling her hair.
Jeff leant back against himself, crossing his arms over his chest. She'd changed. She's grown up, she looked older, she acted older, though it was clear hat she was still his Suzan. She'd always been closest to Virgil, it made sense for her to latch on to him, something Lucille had said when she were alive. There was an unspoken connection between the duo, possibly because of their Mother and the talents they inherited from her.
- - -
"Dad!"
Jeff awoke to the sound of Suzan calling out to him,
"Dad!"
"It's alright . . . I'm awake . . ." He muttered, "What's wrong?"
"I thought I head an engine . . . it sounded like Thunderbird 2."
"Thank God . . ." He breathed, "They're here . . ."
"We'll be out of here in no time." She said positively, "You'll see. The boys'll get us out faster than you can say International Rescue!"
Jeff smiled fondly, now all he had to do was stay conscious. Not too big of a deal now . . . surely . . . though he could feel himself slipping again. He knew that every time he slipped away, he might not come back. The danger grew increasingly worse with every black out. He HAD to stay awake, he couldn't leave the boys and Suzan alone. It was just impossible. Out of the question. He had a responsibility to them not to die. If he died, they'd be orphans.
- - -
As soon as Thunderbird 2 touched down, Gordon was on the ground outside, running up to Alan who had been standing, waiting for them. Virgil soon joined the pair, panting as he'd obviously rushed,
"What's the situation, Alan?" He gasped,
"I've got three definite life traces plus a fourth one, but it's very faint . . ."
"What do you think's best?" Gordon asked Virgil, "The Mole?"
"I don't know . . ." Virgil muttered, frowning slightly, "If I use The Mole, where will I come out at?"
"The survivors are in a large pocket of air, possibly what was once a room."
"Man, that room must've been built to last!" Gordon exclaimed, "So it'll be safe for Virgil in The Mole to get in there?"
"Yeah." Alan said with a nod,
"Right!" Virgil exclaimed with determination, "I'll get going then!"
Gordon sighed, looking over at the flaming pile of rubble before him,
"I can't believe Dad and Suzan are under that."
"I know . . ." Alan murmured, "It seems so surreal . . . it never feels right when it's one of the family, does it?"
- - -
"You'd better still be awake over there." Suzan said to her Father,
"Shhh . . ." He shushed, "I think I can hear something . . ."
All of a sudden, the ground began to tremble slightly. Suzan looked towards her Father, though she couldn't see through the dirt and dust that had been thrown up into the air by whatever was causing the rumbling and shaking. She coughed, and as she did, there was a loud whir close by her head. She looked to her left and saw a large spiralling drill rise from beneath followed by a yellow cylinder. She recognised it immediately,
"Dad! It's The Mole!" She said happily though she knew he couldn't hear her over the whir of the machine. The engine was cut and the sound died down. All of a sudden, a pair of blue and yellow boots landed directly before her face, followed by a blue knee, and another and then a voice,
"Suzan!"
Suzan grinned, looking up,
"Hey, Virg'!" She beamed. He chuckled, despite her large head wound and a scratch and dirty face, she still grinned up at him, sapphire eyes wide and bright, "What took ya so long?" She joked,
"Can you move?"
"My foot's trapped . . . but help the others . . . I'm not going anywhere . . . really . . . I'll be fine, though I'm worried about Dad . . ." She said, pointing behind the older man to her Father who was sprawled a few metres away,
"Dad!" Virgil gasped, rushing over to his Father, "Dad . . . are you awake?"
"I'm fine . . . son . . . help the others first."
"No Dad . . . you first . . . you're in a bad way."
"Damn it, Virgil! What did I just say! You know the code! You took an oath, remember?"
"Ugh, fine." Virgil huffed, rolling his eyes, "Suzan . . . keep him talking . . . I'll be right back."
Suzan nodded,
"Roger!" She said, saluting slightly, "So . . . Dad . . . where do you stand on my education now?" She giggled,
"You're going to be home schooled." He said quietly.
- - -
Finally, Virgil returned, helping Jeff into The Mole before returning to his sister, lifting a large wooden beam off of her ankle. He helped her to stand. She winced slightly, applying pressure to that foot,
"You ok?"
"Fine." She reassured, limping towards the hatch of The Mole. Inside sat Dick and Patricia, "No one else?" Suzan whispered, tears beginning to well in her eyes. Virgil placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled sadly,
"I'm sorry . . . but the readings showed only four survivors."
Suzan sighed, nodding weakly before hobbling over to sit beside Dick,
"Still think they're a bunch of cowboys?" She muttered, leaning forwards and pressing a surgical pad to the side of her head. She looked over at Jeff, "You ok?"
"Fine, honey." He answered, "Though I think I'll be in hospital for a few days before I can go home."
A thought suddenly occurred to her:
"How am I supposed to get home? I'll have to go in Thunderbird 2, but how do I get on there without anyone noticing?" She thought, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. As if he knew what she were thinking, Jeff reached over and placed a hand on hers,
"Don't worry. Virgil will take you home."
Seeing as Dick and Patricia didn't know the name of the rescuer, it was safe to refer to Virgil by his name. Suzan nodded slowly,
"I don't need to go to hospital . . ."
"I know."
"I just want to go home."
Dick and Patricia were too traumatised to be listening in to scoff at Suzan's decision, which she was somewhat thankful for,
"I know you do." Jeff reassured, "It's ok. Things'll be difficult, but I'll get out of there as soon as I can. Until then I want you to stay at home and rest, are we clear?"
Suzan frowned but nodded. She'd be disobeying her Father far too much in the last week or so, so she decided to just agree with him, no matter he had to say. Suddenly, there was a strange, unbalanced feeling and The Mole was thrust back into daylight,
"We're outta there." Suzan sighed, giving her Father's hand a gentle squeeze, "We're saved."
- - -
On the outside, Alan and Gordon were none the wiser as to who had survived the explosion, they didn't know if either on of their family members had been one of the four. As the hatch opened, they both held their breath until finally Suzan limped out onto the grass, falling slightly. Both rushed forwards to help her up. She smiled weakly,
"Thanks." She whispered. It pained the duo to not be able to hold her and kiss her face just to be so happy to have her back. They had to remain professional so instead Alan wrapped a blanket around her and Gordon lifted her towards Thunderbird 2. The emergency services were still yet to arrive,
"This one needs hospital treatment." Virgil called from the hatchway of The Mole. The duo headed over and grinned,
"Hey Dad," They whispered with relief,
"Hey boys . . ." He answered just as quietly, "Good to see you can handle things without me."
- - - To be continued . . .
Special thanks to Vorserkeien and Threshold Addict, my two reviewers for the new chapters . . . I'm hoping that some of the old fans will come back, but seeing as I started this almost 2 years ago, it's somewhat a pipe-dream.