Decisions

Disclaimer: Please see chapter 1.

Thanks for the reviews everyone. This is for all those who have been on at me to update, no names but you know who you are. Thanks to Sam1 and Loopsta for being so good to me during my bad week. Love ya both so much.

Chapter 11: The Past Resurfaces.

Everyone had laughed over Kate and Scott's revenge on Gordon and were now just chatting. Gordon had to give them credit because he hadn't even considered she might be messing with him. He turned to the young woman, "Nicely done," he said, holding his hand out.

"Thank you," she said, shaking his hand.

"Can I ask you something, Kate?" said Virgil. He had a question he had been dying to ask her for some time now.

"Sure," she replied, smiling at the young man.

"Why didn't you want the police to know who you were after you found Scott?" he asked.

"Huh?" questioned Scott.

"They told me they couldn't say who found you because they wished to remain anonymous," explained Virgil, recalling his conversation with Officer Granger.

Kate hesitated for a moment, "Because I didn't really feel like I had done anything that warranted you knowing who I was. All I did was made a phone call which we would all do." Scott made to interrupt her but Kate continued before he could. "Plus, I didn't want all the attention. Especially, if the press found out who I was. I would never be left alone."

The boys all nodded knowing exactly what she meant. They all knew just how intrusive the press could be but they were used to it now.

Virgil smiled at her, "I understand now but I have to say, ignoring the circumstances around it, I'm glad we got the chance to thank you."

"Me, too, because however much you might down play it, you saved Scott's life and we will always be so thankful for that," agreed John.

Kate smiled at them all, her gaze holding on Scott a fraction longer.

"Hey, I have a question. When did you realize Scott was with International Rescue?" asked Gordon.

"When the police officer showed up and called it in," she paused and blushed. "I, umm, thought he was in fancy dress," she continued.

Gordon couldn't help but laugh at her words. "Really?"

"Yes, I thought why on earth, would a member of International Rescue be out here in the middle of nowhere," she replied, her eyes going to Scott once more. His eyes met hers but she could see the pain as he remembered those moments. "It was a few more weeks before I realized exactly who you were," she added, blushing again.

"What, to realize he was Scott Tracy?" questioned John.

Kate nodded, "Yes, I knew the name but didn't actually click until a colleague showed me an article about you all. She might have a little crush," she replied, smiling.

"On who?" asked Virgil.

"That's for me to know," she replied with a grin.

"It would have been me," said Gordon.

"Yeah right," muttered Scott.

Suddenly a cell phone rang out and everyone turned to Kate as the tune was unfamiliar. Kate pulled the phone out and moved away to answer it. Scott watched the young woman as she paced out on the balcony. Ending the call, she walked back in but she no longer looked happy.

"Everything okay?" asked Scott.

"Nope, any chance of a flight home? My neighbour is looking after my dog and her sister has been taken ill so she needs to go to her," explained Kate.

"Let me go speak to Dad," said Scott, standing up.

"No need, I'm here, Son," replied Jeff, entering the room and making Kate jump. "Penny and Parker are planning to leave today so I'm sure they wouldn't mind taking you back as well," he continued.

"Are you sure?" asked Kate, not wanting to impose on anyone.

Jeff nodded as the young woman in question entered the room. "Penny, could Kate come back with you please as she needs to get home?"

"Of course, that's no imposition," replied Penny, guessing Kate's thoughts.

"Thank you so much," replied Kate, smiling at her. She then turned to Jeff. "Thank you for allowing me to visit your beautiful island."

"It was my pleasure," he replied. There was something so genuine and honest about Kate that Jeff couldn't help but like her. He could also see that his oldest son was very taken by the young woman.

"I better go grab my stuff," she said, walking towards the door.

"Do you need a hand?" asked Scott.

"Umm, sure," replied Kate, smiling nervously at him. What was it about Scott that made her feel so nervous?

They walked out of the room, ignoring the low wolf whistle from the youngest Tracy on the island.

"You do realize he's going to be winding you up about this for months now," said Kate.

"Yep but I have my own material against him now," replied Scott with a grin. "Thank you for that."

"Oh anytime, that was fun."

"So, does that mean there might be another time?" asked Scott, smiling at her. It was the smile that had always got him his own way, though this time he wasn't sure if it would work.

Kate hesitated, then turned to face him, "I'd like that," she replied and smiled back.

"Me, too," he replied and stepped towards her. Kate's eyes widened slightly as she realized what he was going to do. He closed the gap between them and lowered his head. Just as his lips brushed hers the klaxon sounded. Scott groaned and pulled away.

"Kind of a lost cause, this," said Kate.

"Seems like it, how about a rain check instead?" suggested Scott as he turned to head back up to the lounge.

"Sure, take care, Scott," she said, smiling at him.

"You, too," he replied and then jogged away.

Scott walked out of the lift and across the floor to the exit of Tracy Industries, New York Office. His father insisted that each of the boys had to show their faces in one of the offices every three months to prove they did actually still work for the company. It was his turn and thankfully the day was done. He hated all the meetings and paperwork that went with it. As he strolled past the reception desk, he waved to the young girl behind it. She gave him a shy smile and a slight wave back. He pushed open the door and was free.

"Hey, stranger," said a voice and he turned to see a young woman approaching him. "Emma?"

"Hi, Scott, how are you?" she asked, stopping in front of him.

"I'm good, thanks. How are you?" he asked, shocked to see his ex standing before him. She hadn't changed much since he last saw her.

"I'm wonderful thanks. Fancy bumping into you here," she said and Scott instantly realized it wasn't an accident. Something in her eyes told him this was planned.

"Yeah, certainly a surprise," he replied, suddenly suspicious of her motives. She was married after all and how had she found out he was here.

Emma seemed to sense this and she laid her hand on his arm, "I really want to talk to you, Scott, but this is not the place. Could we go somewhere more private?"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Please, Scott, it's important and after the way you left me, you owe me that much."

"Okay, lets grab some dinner and talk," he acquiesced. He did owe her an apology at least for how he left.

Emma grinned and linking her arm with his led him away from the offices.

John wandered into the lounge hearing laughter emanating from the room. He found Virgil talking to Alan and both were laughing. Alan was almost hysterical and as John drew closer he could see why. The video of Kate teasing Gordon was playing on Alan's monitor.

"Hiya, John," said Virgil, sensing rather than seeing his brother's presence.

"Haven't you watched that enough?" he questioned.

Alan shook his head still grinning, "Nope can never get enough of Gordon being got. Kate did a great job."

"Yeah, she did but I have to admit I thought Gordon might have sussed her out sooner," admitted Virgil.

"He probably thought she would never try anything like that," replied John.

"Well, either way, he deserved it. I thought it was genius. She would make a great sister-in-law," replied Alan.

"Uh, Al, think we have a way to go before we get there," replied Virgil, glancing over at John, who shook his head in amusement.

Alan grinned, "Well, if what Gordon saw the other day was anything to go on then we are headed in the right direction." Both of his brothers now looked up at him confused. "You mean you don't know what started this?" questioned Alan, feeling thrilled to be in the know for once.

"Does it look like we know?" asked Virgil, rolling his eyes.

Alan ignored the comment, "Gordon caught Kate and Scott about to kiss."

"Really?" questioned Virgil, stepping closer. Alan just nodded and then glanced away at one of the monitors beside him.

"Everything okay?" asked John.

"Yeah, just got a possible situation, you might be needed for. I'm gonna sign off and give them a call. Speak to you later."

"Sure, Al," replied John as the other blond Tracy disappeared. He turned to Virgil and caught the younger man rubbing his temples. "Head bothering you?" he asked. Not really expecting much of an answer.

"Yeah, the pain has been coming and going all day," replied Virgil, honestly and grinning slightly as he saw the surprise on John's face.

"That was honest," replied John.

"Well, someone's got to be," he paused. "Look, I wanted to say thanks for talking to Scott and Gordon. Oh and waking the brats up on Two," he continued, his head dropping slightly.

John smiled and walked over to his brother, "I just did what I had to do as your big brother. I must admit you scared the hell out of me when you keeled over in Two. Never have I been so grateful that the brats were onboard."

Virgil nodded, "Yeah, me, too. You know Gordon can be quite insightful when he wants to be."

"Why do you think I sent him to you?" replied John a smug grin on his face now.

Virgil just shook his head, "I better go find Brains, we're doing an upgrade to Two today."

"Let me know if you want any help," replied John and Virgil nodded. "Oh and Virge?"

"Yeah?" replied the young artist, turning back round.

"If I ever hear about you saying you don't deserve to be a Thunderbird again, I will smash your piano to pieces. Then I'll let Gordon paint Thunderbird Two pink."

"You wouldn't?"

"You really wanna find out?" questioned John. His face was deadly serious now.

"I won't," replied Virgil and he suddenly smiled. He knew John meant every word but it was moments like this that reminded him how very lucky he was to have a family that cared so much. Even if they tended to drive him mental at times.

Scott and Emma sat and enjoyed a coffee after their meal. Until this point the conversation had stayed mostly focussed on old times but now it was getting serious.

"I have to ask you something. When you got the letter from my sister, how did you feel?" for the first time since he had met her again, she looked nervous.

Scott hesitated, wondering what to tell her now. "Stunned if I'm honest but it doesn't matter because you're married now."

"No, I'm not," she replied, quietly. "I couldn't marry Elliot knowing I still loved you. I thought I could ignore that but when I found out about the letter, I knew I still loved you. I called it off," she continued.

Scott just nodded not sure what to say to that. She still loved him even after all this time but he wasn't sure he did anymore. He thought he had when he got the letter but then Kate had come along and changed all that.

"Its okay, Scott. I'm not expecting you to say you feel the same," she said, smiling at him then glancing at her watch. "Will you walk me to my car?"

"Of course, I will," he replied, standing up. He knew he should say something but just didn't know what to say to her.

They made their way out of the restaurant and walked towards the parking lot. Reaching her car, Emma made no attempt to find her keys or open her car.

"I had to see you, Scott, just one last time. I needed that closure from you and I may regret this tomorrow but can I have one last hug?" she asked.

Scott nodded and held out his arms to her. He wasn't sure if this was the best idea but it was what she wanted. Emma walked into his arms and hugged him tight.

As Emma sighed contentedly, Scott knew he had to move. He stepped back and gently broke their hug. Emma gazed up at him and for a moment their eyes locked. Suddenly and before Scott could react, Emma kissed him. Scott found himself kissing her back and in that moment he was gone. All other thoughts had disappeared.

The couple were so caught up that neither had realized they were not alone or that the person was armed with a camera. Two flashes of the camera and the person was gone.