Time To Talk

by JanetM74

It is an old wound, one reopened accidentally by Alan, but Sally. knows that if she leaves it, it could turn into a permanent rift...Who better to help than an old and trusted friend? Part One of SexySpicyBingo. I do not own the characters.

edutainer2022 asked:

Hi! For the Hurt and Comfort Bingo maybe "I hate you! - to - Therapy session" could be interesting for Scott and Jeff (past Oort Cloud, maybe?). Some unprocessed grief and venting is probably long due.

It was Alan who precipitated it, through no fault of his own.

The 18-year-old was thinking about college and had been discussing it with all his brothers, even Gordon who hadn't gone to college but learnt while in WASP and while waiting to join iR. But he hadn't spoken to Scott yet, and today was the day he was going to rectify it.

'Scotty, have you got a minute?'

'Sure, Sprout. What's up?'

Alan's good-natured eyeroll had Scott grinning. The personal nickname was rarely used now, but like a good eldest brother Scott used it at just the right moments. Moments when their other brothers were not present and couldn't laugh at him.

Scott reached over and pulled Alan down beside him, ruffling his hair while Alan jostled him, but they quickly settled down as the pad was brought out

They both forgot that their Dad was in the room.

Jeff, seated at his desk and looking over some reports for TI, had looked up at Alan's request and watched the horseplay with a smile, but as they sat and quietly discussed Alan's upcoming choices he found himself frowning.

All his boys had come to him to discuss their further education, even Gordon had come – with Scott as backup – and explained his plans for WASP and education while 'working'. It hurt that Alan wasn't doing the same.

He went back to the paperwork and was beginning to get engrossed again when Alan's words suddenly registered.

'I think I'd like to take a gap year, Scott.'

'Ok. Any particular reason?'

'I just think…I've been Thunderbird Three since I was fifteen – which I was so excited to do, don't get me wrong – but I've never done normal teenage stuff, not like…well, I was going to say you, but I'm not really sure you got that either. I just think I want those experiences that normal people get to have.'

'I think that is a good idea, Alan.'

'No.'

Both men – and Jeff tried hard to hold on to the fact that both his eldest and youngest were now men – turned to look at him, surprise clear on their faces, which only increased Jeff's anger.

'No? Dad – I think I have a good reason to…'

'No, Alan. Your grades are too good for you to miss a year.'

'But Dad…'

'The answer is no, Alan. No gap year.'

Alan clenched his jaw tight, trying to control his temper and his tears, but he couldn't keep it in. With shaky legs Alan stood, threw Jeff a look full of pain and hurt and stormed off. Jeff watched him go, swivelling the in the chair to follow the boy. Alan paused at the entrance to the bedrooms and with a voice thick with tears he quietly spoke.

'I hate you, Dad.'

The silence that followed was palpable, but as Jeff turned back to his desk the chair was stopped by Scott's hand. His eldest turned the chair to face him and the anger on Scott's face almost had Jeff flinch.

Almost.

Jeff knew how to handle Scott. Always had.

'Son. You have something to say?'

'What the hell?'

The 'Dad' that Scott would have usually said was missing.

'I think you have forgotten who you are, Son.'

'Really? Do you want to enlighten me?'

'You are Alan's oldest brother. That's all. It's about time you recognised that is the be all and end all of your role in Alan's life.'

'Oldest brother. Do you really think that's all I am to Alan?'

'What does that mean?'

'Who do you think has been there for Alan?'

'I couldn't exactly help being thrown into space, Scott!'

Neither man realised that they were shouting, nor that their argument had brought both Virgil and Gordon running.

'I'm talking about before then! Who taught Alan to read? To ride his bike? To skateboard? Who took him up in his first plane? Who took him to school every day and collected him?'

'Don't you dare throw that time at me!'

'WHO, DAD? WHO? Because it sure as hell wasn't YOU.'

The slap when it came shocked everyone. It felt like the sound reverberated around the room. Jeff clenched his fists as he fought to get himself under control. But Scott stood tall, wiped the blood from the corner of his lip and sniffed.

'I hate you too, Sir.'

'Yeah, well, sometimes that feeling is mutual!'

They all watched as Scott followed Alan's path before turning back to their Dad. Gordon snorted and followed his older brother out while Virgil just turned back to their father. Their eyes met and Jeff saw the pain in his middle son's eyes.

'You need to fix this. Fix whatever is going on between you and Scott, Dad, and fix it fast.'

He didn't wait to hear what Jeff's response was before following his brothers out.

Jeff sighed and collapsed back into the chair, rubbing his hand down his face. That had escalated fast.

'Son, this has been a wound festering for a long, long time. Virgil is right, you need to fix this. And soon.'

Sally smiled sadly at her son's slight jump – he obviously hadn't noticed her arrival – and gave his shoulder a squeeze before kissing his forehead. She didn't comment further on what had passed, trusting that her son would sort things out…this time.

This time it was far more important.

This time it wasn't just their family on the line, it was potentially the world too.

Huh. That gave her an idea and Sally disappeared to her rooms to hunt out what she needed.

'Dunya Globe, how may I help you?'

'Dunya, my dear, it's Mrs Tracy.'

'Mrs Tracy? Sally? Is that you?'

'Yes, Dunya. How are you? How's business?'

'Business is good. I'm no longer in Wichita, business grew so well I relocated to Kansas city five years ago. But…you didn't call me to suddenly reminisce, did you Sally?'

'I'm afraid not, dear. We are in need of your services.'

'We? Oh – please tell me Scott hasn't relapsed!?'

'No – it's not a relapse, but it is Scott, partly anyway. Can you come?'

'Of course! You still living on that island?'

'Yes. I'll get one of the boys to come and pick you up, if that's alright?'

'I'll be delighted! I'll pack. How long would you like me to stay?'

'Can you come for a week? That would be a good start.'

'I'll clear my diary. Thankfully I have staff who can take over.'

'Pack for the heat, Dunya. Virgil will be out to collect you in a few hours and have you back in time for dinner.'

'I look forward to catching up with you all, Sally. I'll bring dinner.'

'Bless you. I look forward to seeing you too.'

Sally signed off and sat back, happy with her scheming. Dunya would get to the bottom of things. She always had the knack of getting to the heart of the matter with Scott – the only one who ever had. But then the two had a shared history.

Making a mental list of everything she needed to get ready for her guest, Sally began to prepare the guest room. It didn't take long for Kayo to come find her and help air the room and make the bed, working all the while in silence until the room was done.

'Should I be taking extra security measures for whoever is coming over?'

Sally couldn't help but laugh briefly. She gave her adopted granddaughter a shoulder squeeze.

'No – our guest is known to you, to all of us.'

'Oh?'

'I've asked Dunya Globe to come for a week.'

'Oh. Oh!'

Kayo's impish smile reassured Sally that she'd made the right call. She thought of the woman who'd almost married Scott once upon a time. They'd been childhood sweethearts right up until Scott's USAF stint. The two had parted ways mutually when Dunya went on to pursue her goals of psychiatry at Stanford. They'd briefly reunited when she'd been assigned as his civilian psychiatrist once the military hospital had transferred him to the civilian hospital. Sally had been happy that Scott had seemed to open up to her, but their sessions once Scott had moved out of New York and back to the farmhouse. She was sure something must have happened but nothing had been said.

That was almost nine years ago and the fact that Dunya was willing to drop everything spoke volumes. Not that Sally was scheming, no siree, but she then sat down and made a list of foods that she knew the woman loved and made a shopping list for Kayo and Gordon to go grab while giving the list surreptitiously to MAX for him to…"pick out the recipes" for her.

Kayo was subtle about what their Grandma was doing…Gordon was not but a fixed glare had him miming zipping his mouth shut. Sally didn't know how long that would last but she'd take every second. She watched them leave before calling EOS before she would tackled Virgil.

'EOS?'

'Yes, Grandma Tracy?'

'Can you just tell me where Scott, Alan and my son are?'

'Scott and Alan are in Alan's room. Your son is at the desk.'

'Thank you EOS. We will be having a guest for a week, you'll need to do Operation Coverup until such time as John or Scott give you permission to introduce yourself.'

'I understand, Grandma.'

'Thank you.'

Now Sally knocked on Virgil's door. While he had followed Scott and Gordon out she knew he would have detoured to his own room, Alan needed Scott right now, Virgil's time with either brother would a little later.

'Grandma?'

'Virgil, dear. I have a job for you to do.'

'Oh? I was just about to sketch…'

'I need you to fly over to Kansas City and pick someone up. Now, please.'

'Sure! Should I take someone with me?'

'You could take John. She'll be waiting at the airport.'

'She?'

'Yes. Take Two. Don't keep Dunya waiting.'

'Dunya?'

'Do I need to repeat myself?'

'No, ma'am! I'll get off right away.'

'Good boy. MAX has a coffee and a cake waiting for you in the kitchen before you go.'

'Thanks, Grandma. Dunya is a great idea.'

Sally grinned and kissed his cheek. Now she'd managed to get everyone else off the island Sally got MAX to prepare hot chocolate for her remaining boys and herself and the pair of them made their way to Scott's room.

The object of her concern opened the door immediately, settling one worry Sally had. Scott smiled at her, a small one that ticked up only one corner of his mouth. It moved the dull red hand mark, and Sally cupped his other cheek, gently catching the tear she wasn't sure Scott had even realised he'd shed.

It was all the feeling Scott would allow himself to show, Sally knew that since Alan was in the room, and she watched as he briefly leant into her touch then pulled himself together. Scott stood aside and allowed her and MAX entry, staying to hold the door while she unloaded the drinks and smiling at MAX as he beeped at him as he passed.

When Scott turned back after shutting the door Alan was firmly ensconced in a hug. It made him smile broader and he took a seat at his desk as Alan and Grandma settled on the end of his bed.

They drunk in comfortable silence before Sally kissed Alan's forehead and untangled herself, crossing over to Scott and kissing his forehead too.

'Get some sleep, boys. We have a guest coming tomorrow.'

She left before Scott could process what she'd said, and Alan's jaw-cracking yawn had Scott's attention set back on his baby brother. Sleep sounded good right now. He pulled Alan up and gently pushed him into the bathroom while he straightened out the bedding. Alan immediately collapsed on the neatened bedding and curling up, waiting while Scott completed his own ablutions and joined him, ignoring the small sigh that his older brother couldn't immediately supress at the sight of his messed-up bed. But Alan was grinning as Scott's arm rested lightly over his shoulder and pulled him close.

They slept through Two's take-off and landing, which was telling enough. But the grumbling of Scott's stomach woke them both up. They stretched and languidly got dressed before Scott slung an arm over Alan's shoulder and they made their way to the kitchen.

The smell of pancakes hit them the same time the hubbub of chat did, and both boys unconsciously sped up only for Alan to rush forward as Scott froze in the doorway.

'NYA!'

Alan's shout had the room silencing, and he rushed forward and enveloped the woman in a hug from behind, more like his eight-year-old self than his current 18. Her warm laugh filled the kitchen, but yet Scott still couldn't move.

Memory overlaid with reality, scenes from his life here and back in Kansas overlapped, confusing his senses. Suddenly the snapping of Virgil's fingers in front of his face had Scott flinching back – both to reality and physically.

Everyone was watching him.

Everyone including Dunya.

Dunya flashed him a small smile and it broke the spell, letting Scott's legs at last move. They carried him over to her and she stood to meet him. There was no pause as he embraced her, holding her tight before letting go and sitting down beside her and pushing John out of his seat. His brother gave it up willingly and Dunya found herself bracketed by her two favourite Tracys.

Breakfast continued with the same loudness as before. They all fell into an old familiar pattern, one that harked back to happier times. Scott could almost see his Mom sitting at the end of the table, holding court over them all. The pain at seeing that she wasn't there hurt badly, but Dunya must had sensed where Scott's thoughts were going as her hand found his under the table and gave it a squeeze.

The room fell silent as Jeff shuffled into the room. Scott's hold almost crushed Dunya's hand, and suddenly she knew why Sally had asked for her specifically. She knew their history, had lived through it.

Dunya didn't need her psychiatry degree to know it was the same old issues rearing their ugly heads again.

She watched as Jeff grabbed a coffee and turned to see his boys at the table. His eyes widened when he saw Scott and her together and he raised his cup in greeting before turning around and leaving them to it.

Chatter returned slowly, and one by one the boys left for their own pursuits until only Scott, Alan and Dunya remained. Eventually Alan moved, bestowing another hug to the woman who had been a mainstay of his childhood until the move to the island.

They cleared the table in a companionable silence before making more coffee. Scott's eyebrow quirked at the third mug but Dunya held his glance with an eyebrow of her own. He held his hands up and grabbed two mugs while Dunya smiled sweetly and patted his cheek just like his Grandma did.

The pair dissolved into giggles that they couldn't quite shake as they made their way to Jeff's office.

Old oak had them pause. Jeff's office had memories for both of them, most of them embarrassing, only a couple of them not so good. The last time Dunya had been there, in Jeff's office in the family farmhouse in Kansas, Scott beside her holding her hand tightly as he had at breakfast, Jeff had decided that the two of them needed "the talk". It had been most excruciatingly embarrassing…she risked looking at Scott and sobered up.

Scott's shoulders were slumped and his face pale. Dunya knew that he was having his own memories, and not many of them would be as lighthearted as her own. It was time to finally sort the pair of them out, hopefully once and for all.

She knocked on the door, watching as Scott's posture immediately came to attention.

'Come in.'

She opened the door and stood aside and let Scott enter before following him in and offering her mug to Jeff.

'Good to see you again, Dunya. Thank you.'

'You too Jeff.'

'Not that I'm not happy to see you, but I'm very busy. To what do I owe the personal visit.'

'It's time for you and Scott and I to sit down and talk.'

'Now just wait a moment…'

'John?'

Before Jeff could say anything all his screens vanished. All but one. On the screen his mother's face appeared.

'Good morning Jeff.'

'Ma? Ma – what's going on?'

'Son, I have watched you and Scott dance around this issue for years but after last night I will not allow this issue to continue.'

'I don't have time for this –'

'You will make the time. John has taken over your TI duties, I have spoken to Val and have put iR on severe emergencies only. You have this week. Sort yourselves out.'

The hologram winked out and all the electronics in the room remained dead even as Jeff tried to open them. Eventually he gave up but refused to come around the desk and sit with Scott and Dunya, a petulant move he knew didn't make him look good.

They drunk in silence.

The silence dragged on.

Dunya was a seasoned professional. She could wait all day if she needed to. But she was pleasantly surprised when Scott sighed and turned to his Dad.

'Dad – just get over here and let us talk.'

'Talk. You want to talk?'

'I'm tired, Dad. I'm tired of being torn up by you. I hate you – sometimes I really, really hate you – but I love you too, and I can't…I can't live like this anymore. So yeah. Let's talk.'

Jeff gaped at his son. There was something in what Scott had said…but they were Tracys, they didn't do the talking thing.

Maybe Scott was right.

Maybe it was time to talk out this big black chasm between them.

He came around and sat on Dunya's other side.