Alan

It seems like it has been forever, but Johnny is at home at last. I can't help thinking that there might be something between John and the doctor that treated him at the hospital. She insisted on inspecting our facilities for herself to make sure that we have everything we might need to care for him should something happen.

The fact that we are International Rescue made no difference. Scott refused to take her to the island to give her a personal tour, but he had Brains give her a virtual tour using the hologram system, and I think she was impressed.

If it had been anyone else, I might have wondered if she was just using it as an excuse to visit International Rescue's base, but I think she has fallen for our John completely.

Those fine chiselled features, that hair, those amazing eyes...let's face it, for looks, Johnny has it in bucket-loads, right? And the charm...

John is not like Scott, who can charm `the birds out of the sky' so to speak, neither is he anything like Virgil; handsome and buff, with an attractive artistic streak that stands out a mile. John is quiet and shy and ridiculously intelligent. He can talk to anyone on a one to one basis, in virtually any language, but place him in a room with more than a handful of strangers and he freezes. In reality he tends to be somewhat antisocial as a result.

He has said to me more than once how much he envies my ability to relax in large groups of people, like when Scott makes me attend T.I conferences, that always end up throwing a sort of `after-party' afterwards. Those tend to be a tedious necessity for Tracy family members. Gordon is even more at home with people. The thing is, neither Gordy or I could stand on a stage and deliver any kind of lecture, no matter how much we knew about the subject. Never mind the answering of questions afterwards. John is a contradiction, but an amazing one.

John is the brother I always ran to when I was a tot, whether it was a nightmare, or a cut knee after a fall. I'm told the first time I walked unaided, Scott was crouched a little way away with his arms open for me, and Johnny, apparently, was curled up in an armchair with his nose in a book. I'm told that I ignored Scott's open arms and tottered to my red-headed brother who had not even seen it happen until my tiny hands landed on his knees!

Honestly, I don't know if I'm right about the doc' and if I am, whether John returns her feelings. I do like her though. She knows her stuff, she is friendly and easy to talk to. She saved John's life, which I have to say is a massive point in her favour! It would be nice to see John wrapped up in someone's arms from time to time.

It might even give him more reasons to return to earth more often.

I know there was at one time the possibility of something with Ridley O'bannon. She still visits Five to play ball games with John in the zero-gravity gym on Five but...well, after that business when Virgil and I had to destroy Fischler's comet, John came home and told us what Ridley had done. That she had manipulated him into saving her station by refusing to leave it unless he did as she asked. He could never get serious with anyone who would behave the way she did. O'bannon totally destroyed any chance she might have had with John by doing that.

She hurt John too, whether she realises it or not. I happen to know that he had been starting to get very fond of her. I think it is likely John will take his time this time before he lets himself become emotionally involved with anyone else. If doctor Deacon...Rose is interested in him, she will need to be willing to take things slowly.

John has been home for five days now. He is already itching to get back up to Thunderbird Five; but just two weeks after nearly dying from septic shock is far too soon for him to be even thinking of getting back to work! I know John realises it too, and has said that reading, researching and writing his next book or paper would be a worthy use of his time. He can do all that just sitting in the lounge or by the pool with his tablet, and a commlink to Eos.

The thing is, I haven't seen him actually write anything…he's reading sure enough, then he was talking to someone over the comm. Someone who is not Eos, because according to her, he has locked her out of this particular conversation.

John of all people would know exactly how to lock Eos out. Why would he do that?

Not wanting to pry, I wait until he has finished his conversation, then I stroll over to him and sit beside him on the next lounger.

"You okay John?" I ask as I hand him an iced lemonade with a miniature umbrella stuck in it…one of Gordon's touches.

"Fine thank you, Alan." I can see he barely resists the urge to roll his eyes. "Thanks for this though. Right on cue."

I can't help grinning.

"According to Gordy, there is always a perk to being the house invalid. You get the chance to be waited on hand and foot."

This time John does roll his eyes.

"I'm not an invalid, Alan. Far from it. I'm just a little tired and weak... possibly a little bit of muscle pain, but provided I rest adequately…which I am…I can do things perfectly fine for myself."

He gives me a slightly wicked sideways grin.

"Although I have to say, keeping Gordon busy running errands should hopefully distract him from pranking me."

I shrug.

"Unless you're just giving him more chances on a plate…as it were…"

John shoots me a suspicious look, but I just smile innocently (I hope), and lean back, stretching comfortably, then I fold my hands behind my head and wait until he is taking a sip of his lemonade.

"So, has Rose been in touch with you yet?"

John gasps, then chokes, snorting inhaled lemonade from his nose. He clutches himself as he coughs violently. I realise what I've done, but I know better than to pound him on the back. I wait until he calms down again, then accept his righteous glare.

"Jeez, I'm sorry John. I didn't mean to cause that. Do you need anything? Can I get Virgil? Or Grandma?"

"Don't you dare, Squirt. I'm fine. Just don't make me do that again. It hurt."

I nod, and glancing up at him, I wait until he has carefully put his glass down and picked up his tablet before I try again.

"So, have you and the doc been in touch again yet? I mean aside from her checking up on you and all that?"

John gives me a long look, then to my surprise, he puts his tablet aside, and shifts on his lounger so that he is facing me.

"Is there a reason that makes you think she would want to…other than checking up on me?"

I smile at him.

"I don't know really, John. I just got the impression that she…um…likes you, you know?"

"She's a doctor, Al. She cares about all her patients."

"Johnny, when a doctor decides that you are fit to finish your recovery at home, her personal responsibility ends. You then come under the responsibility of your GP…in our case, Grandma, Brains and Virgil. Why did she feel the need to inspect our medical facilities? Does she do that with every patient that comes through her doors?"

John nods slowly.

"You know, I had wondered about her myself."

I raise my eyebrows.

"You did?"

John sighs slightly.

"Back at the hospital, the day she first brought me a walking frame… a gutter-frame…you know, the type you can lean on with your arms rather than just using your hands? She told me she expected me to try and get a little exercise every day, not too much, but to use the frame to make sure I was supported. The first chance I had to use this thing, Scott and Virgil were there wanting to take me into the garden, and they insisted on wrapping me up in a wheelchair with what felt like fifty blankets. I argued with them, wanting to use the frame, and called the doctor when the guys started to argue with me."

I chuckle. I can well imagine the scenario.

"And what did the doctor say to them?"

John stares at me and blinks slowly.

"She grinned at me, then helped them to wrap me up! Made me feel like…"

He bites off the comment with a wry look, and I laugh out loud.

"That doesn't sound like someone anxious to stay in your good books, John, I have to say. Although certainly a good way to make a good impression on the smother twins."

He nods.

"That's what I eventually decided and thought little more of it. I mean, I like her, but I never saw her as anything other than my doctor. And then…ten minutes ago, she called me."

I blink.

"She called you? Really? So she does like you?"

I stare as John pauses.

"John, surely she wasn't calling to make sure you were resting and taking your meds like a good boy? Not with three doctors on the island?"

I wait, but John just smiled and reached for his tablet again.

"John? Johnny, what did she say? John!"