UPDATED NOTE - Fixed the really crappy upload my apologies I have no idea what went wrong but all the code has been removed now sorry again please come back and read :)
NOTE 1 – hey there sooo it has been a minute or like 3.6million of them since I last updated this fic. Now I owe huge apologies for how long it has taken, I just admit I went to post several time but I just was not happy with what I kept making. It wasn't flowing, it didn't feel right between John and Felicity. Anyway I've finally gotten to something I am happy with. I hope you enjoy. P.S. not the end yet.
I do not own Arrow or Thunderbirds and sad both series have now ended but they live on with fanfictions.
Chapter 38 version… lost count
Felicity looked past the glass into the vast black abyss. She was in space, not cyberspace but actual airless outer space beyond the earth's atmosphere. She touched the glass, laying her hand flat grounding herself to the reality of the unreal situation she found herself in. The earth's oceans, continents and cloud colours were a stark contrast to the blackness. The satellites dotted around the outer edges of the earth appeared as flies mulling about a trash can and Thunderbird 3 plummeting towards the earth resembled a child's toy that had been released from a height to fall to the ground. Felicity had no words.
"Welcome to space." John whispered, all the while he watched Felicity's awed face.
"The final frontier." Felicity mumbled back the intro lines to another one of her favourite shows. John laughed. "Pictures do not truly show what space really looks like." She continued.
"No but then if everyone knew the beauty there would be more people trying to get out here and I for one prefer the solitude of space as well as the beauty, and keeping 5 hidden would be much tougher." John commented.
"Maybe that should be our next project, I highly doubt it will continue being quiet out here forever. I remember reading about space hotels some years back, the tech is there." Felicity replied seriously, her concern for John she tore her eyes away from the view to face him. She didn't want any repeat of John's own rescue months back, ever again.
John took Felicity's hand in his, it wasn't its usual warmth he was familiar with but he needed to offer comfort, he could hear the worry. "Hey, I'm still here because of you. If that's what you want to do next I for one think it's a sound idea. Might be real nerdy to have a chameleon circuit on my spaceship." John joked cheering Felicity with his geekiness.
Felicity rolled her eyes at the terrible humor, "You wish you had a spaceship 5 is a satellite station." She smirked correcting him.
John faked hurt at Felicity's reply. "Actually I think you'll find by definition this here Thunderbird 5 is a spaceship." He winked.
Felicity pulled a frown at John, "Hmm, a satellite station is placed in orbit to collect information or for communication."
"Yes and the old 5 fitted that definition but the new one has its own thrusters to move position if needed, and she has a crew." John corrected.
"Can a single person be classed as crew?" Felicity questioned.
"There is two of us here isn't there?" John replied serious expression on his face now. When he had been recovering from his injuries from 5's incident both he and Felicity had manned the temporary setup in Command and Control he hoped now that Felicity was on her road to recovery they could do the same only on his new Thunderbird and using her hard light camera to be present.
Felicity stared blank at John's reply. He was classing her as a Thunderbird 5 crew member, she'd only just visited the craft she wouldn't even know how to turn the lights off. But she did feel oddly at home maybe it was being there with John however she had told Jeff she was willing to join the family business so maybe this was where she'd be of most use.
"I'd say more of a companion than crew, crew would mean I can operate the craft. I can navigate the internal networks but I wouldn't have a clue where to start for the light switch." She replied giggling at her own joke.
John burst into a huge smile. "I'm sure you can figure it out but I'll teach you and you can keep me up to date on the Tracy Island antics."
"I'm sure there will be much to tell especially if I'm to be subjected to Gordon for my recovery." Felicity joked. She turned back to look out the window, "I do need to tell you something, it's not Tracy Island antics but yeah Starling City antics."
"Now I am intrigued." John replied at Felicity's forthcoming. He gently applied pressure to their joined hands offering reassurance to her.
"So I didn't admit everything at the debrief, and I want to make sure that you know I wasn't hiding anything but it's not for everyone to know and it means nothing, well to me it meant nothing at all although why it even needed to be a thing is anyone's guess and…" Felicity babbled.
John could see the distress in Felicity and the escalating babbling so he released her hand and pivoted slightly into a crouch in front of her placing his hands firmly on her shoulders and making eye contact. "What ever Oliver did has no bearing on you, take a breath and just tell me." John had a gut feeling Oliver was at the root cause.
Felicity met John's eyes, there was no judgment there just love and understanding. "So when he dropped me at the Queen mansion and set Slade up declaring that I'm 'his love'," Felicity air quoted, "He kissed me and left. I guess in his defense it's how he snuck the arrowhead to me away from the cameras but I did not want that attention from him. John I'm sorry I didn't return it but I was so caught out by it I didn't push him away." Felicity dropped her eyes down to her lap not wanting to see the hurt in John's.
John took a steadying breath, he wasn't angry at Felicity at all he knew what they had together was special and strong but Oliver knew Felicity and he were together and whether Slade needed that much bating was debatable but he took advantage of Felicity and that didn't sit right with him. "I stand by what I said you are not responsible for Oliver's actions and I do believe you that you wanted nothing like that to happen. But if he lays any hand on you that you do not want in the future I will take a leaf from Scotts book and the Arrow won't know what hit him." John declared, he certainly wasn't a violent man by any means but protecting Felicity just screamed from every fiber of his being. He took a hand under Felicity's chin and aided her to meet his eyes again. "I mean it, I know you care for him and probably will keep with the team so make sure he respects your boundaries."
Felicity nodded not knowing what words to say, thanks didn't seem right for this but she was so relieved that John trusted in her so much. She would be certain to make sure Oliver knows his place in her life as a friend.
"Good." John leant up and kissed Felicity's forehead and moved himself back to her side wrapping his arm around her. They sat in companionable silence watching the earth below them.
"Are you ready for physio with Gordon?" John eventually asked. He'd been keeping an eye on the time and it was coming around to mid morning. It had been agreed for Gordon to lead Felicity's rehab with two sessions a day for the first week. In-between those sessions Felicity was going to third crew Thunderbird 5 releasing Alan for regular duties. John, Alan and Fermat had departed for Thunderbird 5 the previous day.
"I'm going to be glad to get my body back, not sure about handling Gordon though, I'm not exactly able to challenge his pranks." Felicity replied, snuggling further into the embrace of John.
"Gordon will look after you, he won't pull anything until he knows you're able to take it or bite back." John reassured.
Felicity just nodded her head. She trusted all the Tracy family with her life.
PAUSE
The first session with Gordon went well, Felicity found that Gordon was well behaved and guided her kindly through everything. She felt like much wasn't achieved but Gordon continually encouraged her throughout. He said that once she had some control again that they would start working in the pool which would be better for her and once she could stand and move by herself she'd be released from the infirmary.
Grandma Tracy came down and had lunch with Felicity. It was quiet, Felicity was focusing on the delicious smoothie and making her throat work as needed. Grandma made some idle chit chat and many comments of how excited she was that there would be a wedding in the future.
During the afternoon Felicity rejoined John and Fermat on Thunderbird 5 to assist with the load testing of the station equipment. The outer ring was in operation giving gravity to the main part of the ship making it easier to traverse the ship but Felicity was finding the spinning of the outer ring disorientating so she volunteered to remain in the hub sphere while the other two did the running around.
Felicity was blown away in amazement how well the layout of the hub had worked with displaying the information needed more at the controller's fingertips. It was very much like her cyberspace when merged as intended and John was finding it much more comfortable than trying to fight the zero gravity in remaining at a typical computer desk. The hard light projections could handle much more information in a smaller space that multiple monitors and even in 3D renders if required.
There was also the ability to integrate operational controls for the other Thunderbirds from the hub in the event of any need arising.
When the planned tasks had been completed leaving Thunderbird 5 in full operational mode, Felicity had her second set of physio for the day with Gordon followed by Grandma Tracy helping her with the evening meal smoothie.
Virgil popped by afterwards to just check in on how Felicity was getting on. She was speaking easier and her general health was good just the muscle atrophy to worry about.
Tin-Tin came down to see how she was doing and helped Felicity with some personal things that she couldn't do by herself still at the moment.
Jeff popped in later into the evening just to see how things were before Felicity went to join John on his down time.
It had been a hugely busy day for both of them so neither one felt like doing much that evening but enjoying being together. Thunderbird 5 had very basic living quarters being usually just him there, after removing his utility belt he lay out into his bunk propped up against the bulkhead and called Felicity over to join him.
"Do you have any plans for our wedding?" Felicity asked. She was content curled up into John's side gazing out the window. It was easier to watch the stars moving past when stationary herself.
John paused and thought, he hadn't thought that far ahead yet. "I don't have anything planned, thought we should do that together. It might have to be something small and on Tracy Island so that all the family can be together."
"I like that, what happens if there is a call. I am not telling my mother your a Thunderbird. I already won't hear the end of it that your rich. Oh I've got to introduce you to my mother" Felicity realised.
"We have operation quiet for non-organisation visits, no claxon, we distract guests away from the windows during take off and landing. It's been used a few times now. We try to limit those visits but a wedding, our wedding will be worth it and if we are lucky there won't be a call out. Positive thinking right?" John replied.
Felicity pondered on that. "I don't want to put out more on everyone here, I can just say we eloped and just had two witnesses, no fuss and she wouldn't know a thing." Felicity crossed her fingers John would agree.
"Unless you really don't want your mother here she will be welcome to visit and I'm sure things won't be as difficult as you think."
"You have not met her yet." Felicity mumbled. "I would very much like a simple ceremony because I love you and that's all that's important to me. I don't care if the world knows it or not." She pushed up and kissed John to emphasize her point.
"I am sure that I will be fine with your mother, and I am looking forward to meeting her when you're ready." John pulled Felicity into a tighter embrace. "You should go and get some rest, it's been a long day." John encouraged.
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Felicity teased, rolling onto her front balanced on John's chest to glare at him in mock upset. Though in truth she was feeling shattered, she didn't want to go either.
"No but you look tired and you've been through a lot and Gordon won't go easy on you once he gets you into a routine. You know I distinctly remember someone else making sure I didn't overdo my recovery." He teased cupping Felicity's cheek as she looked at him.
Felicity opened and closed her mouth a few times in several attempts to rebuff but he had several good points that right now trumping them eluded her. "I can just fall asleep here and pretty sure I'll end up back."
John looked skeptical, "Are you sure?" He preferred the idea of Felicity staying but not at the cost of her getting proper rest.
"99 percent sure. I can feel the tether so I should just be pulled back." Felicity smirked knowing John would cave and let her stay.
"Hmm. I am not to blame if you end up tired during your physio." John replied. He wiggled down further on the bed so he was lying down more and twisted to be on his side so he could cuddle Felicity more putting his back to the window.
Felicity snuggled in under John's chin after giving him several kisses. She relaxed right into his embrace.
John stroked down Felicity's back out of habit, he let his mind wander thinking of the future and what might be in store for them both. Before even 10 minutes had passed the hard light vanished leaving John alone. He didn't feel sleepy himself so he got back out of bed and sat at his desk to tinker a while until he was ready for sleep.
PAUSE
Felicity woke up alone in the infirmary. She took stock of how her body felt noting that fingers and toes were moving a little more than the day before but she felt so stiff like she'd been hit by a truck.
There was a soft knock at the door. "Yeah come in." Felicity called out as loud as she could manage.
Scott's head peeked around the door. "Hey, did I wake you?"
"No, I've been up a little while. What time is it?" Felicity asked.
"It's early, I just got back from the morning run, thought I'd see how you are today." Scott said coming fully into the room and taking a chair next to Felicity.
"I feel like a truck ran me over, but fingers and toes are wiggling today." She replied, showing her fingers.
"You'll be out of here in no time. I'm sure running off with John on his off-time." Scott joked.
Felicity felt her cheeks heat a little. "I have no idea what you're talking about." She deflected. "You and Laurel though."
It was Scott's turn to go red a little. "Yeah we uh spent some time together, she um took care of the legal proceedings with the Hood and well she joined the ranks of agents too."
"Yeah skimping on the details there Scott." Felicity joked, making him sweat and squirm a little.
"I remember you and John keeping back your story to."
"Sure but isn't this what little sisters are for?" Felicity laughed it was kind of fun teasing Scott.
"Maybe tomorrow I won't bother checking-in on you." Scott matched Felicity's challenge.
"Truce truce. Any chance you can help me with a drink?" Felicity changed the topic until she could get herself about she wanted the visitors.
"Sure." Scott got up and grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. He took the cap off and slid his free arm behind Felicity helping her into a more upright position. She took a few sips before Scott took the bottle away and placed her back down. "Better?"
"Much." She replied.
"I'd better get myself set for breakfast. I think Grandma is coming down shortly, Kyrano has been working on some nice smoothies for you." Scott said.
"That's alright I'll probably see if John is up before breakfast seeing as I'm awake this early. Oh that sounds delicious the ones I had yesterday were amazing. He has a talent with flavours."
"I'm sure he'll be up. Sleep schedules on 5 are the worst. You take care and don't let Gordon push you too hard." Scott replied, he gave Felicity a half hug and popped a kiss on her head.
"I'm sure I can handle Gordon remember I know where his bank is. Have a good day yourself." She replied as Scott walked out. Felicity relaxed back and into her cyberspace world, following the orange pathway she had created to take her straight up to Thunderbird 5 and into her hard light camera system. She was in John's room which glancing around was empty so she set about heading to find him. She checked the small lab room, kitchen area and found them to be empty so she dipped out of the living ring into the operations hub sphere and found John floating about with what looked like some weather front maps and news reporting videos quietly chattering away.
"How long have you been working?" Felicity cheerily called out trying not to spook John. She drifted out into the hub sphere space aiming for John while her camera setup remained at the entry way. It had been setup to be a portable system for John to have computer access anywhere on the station but was modified last-minute for hard light projection cameras for Felicity to move freely about on her shifts.
John looked up hearing his fiancée, smiling seeing that she did look well rested. "Not long, maybe an hour." He looked a little sheepish.
Felicity noticed John looking a little guilty, "John Tracy did you stay up most of the night playing… I mean working." She teased getting to his side and resting her hand on his arm reached up to give him a kiss.
John blushed slightly but leaned down to meet Felicity in her advancing kiss. He reached with his free arm to cup the back of her head and held her there for a slightly longer kiss. "Busted. I couldn't sleep and there are two weather fronts moving in close to the East coast that needed monitoring." He excused himself.
"Hmm." Felicity turned to look more closely at the weather maps and everything else John had open.
"It's been moving in for the last few hours, but for the past hour it's been parallel to the shoreline. The evacuation was given to the city it was heading directly for and warnings to the towns up and down but with how far south it's gone now they haven't had enough time to evacuate or even prepare if it suddenly moves towards inland again. Dad's aware but for now it's waiting it out." John gave Felicity the information so far. The broadcasting software that monitors for distress calls was working away on another open area, key words flicking past that could be indicative of International Rescue but it was all quiet really.
"Lets hope it keeps out to sea for everyone's sake." Felicity added.
She heard a very distant "Morning Felicity dear." and realised Grandma Tracy must have just arrived with her breakfast. "I'll be back soon Grandma Tracy is with, well, me." She announced to John before disappearing from the hub sphere and surfing back to her own physical body.
John chuckled and shook his head in amusement, Felicity being digital was going to take some getting used to he just knew it.
Breakfast with Grandma Tracy went smoothly with a smoothie of mango, banana and something Felicity had never heard of before but it tasted delicious and a soft fruit bun. She managed about half of the bun before jaw ache got to much for her, but she was still pleased with the progress in just a couple of days.
Gordon arrived just as Grandma Tracy was heading off, he wanted to get the session in early considering the weather front situation he didn't want to let her down if he was called out.
They worked on the same as the previous sessions but more reps of everything. Initially Felicity found it hard from the stiffness from yesterday then easier once that passed to growling in determined frustration at finishing the last of the new reps from the exhaustion pain she felt.
"I give it till the end of the week we will have you out of that bed." Gordon boasted. He was pleased with the determination Felicity had, for someone very vocal of her dislike of being anything physically sporty she was ploughing through the physio and it would seem even when he wasn't about she must still be trying on her own. Least he could do was give her something to look forward to. "It's going to be fun chauffeuring you around the Villa for a while." He added with a smirk.
Felicity was pleased to hear that the progress would be that fast as to get out of bed in a few more days time but her joy instantly dropped when Gordon mentioned chauffeuring her around. "When hell freezes over am I going in a wheelchair." She growled glaring at Gordon as if her looks alone could hurt him.
"Well unless you want us to throw you over our shoulder in a rescue carry it's going to be the best way to get you around to the pool and joining us for meals. That is unless you want to stay cooped up here the whole recovery time?" Gordon responded to Felicity not in the slightest bit threatened by her growling, he found it quite cute how ferocious she could be.
Realising what Gordon was saying was reasonable and frustratingly a step in the right direction even if she felt completely embarrassed by the idea she sighed and frowned, "Fine if I have to but mark my words if you do anything to make it worse I will give half your bank balance to your brother's." She threatened.
Gordon put on his best innocent smile, "I would never dream of it." And to show complete sincerity he put one hand over his heart, the other was behind his back with his fingers crossed.
Note 2 – once again I completely apologise for the time it has taken me to get this chapter out. If you came back to read it I'd love to know. If your new to the whole story let me know too. Your support means a lot and I have every intention to finish this story as I do have an idea for bringing in EOS too BUT I do have a lot of commitments soo it could be a while between updates.