Whumptober Day 11: Seeing Double

With thanks to Sineater for jogging my memory and to Waterfowl for all the conversations and the help in finding them again.

Characters: Virgil, Jeff, John, Belah Gaat, Lee Taylor, OC – Beata

Warnings: Argument

Virgil was beginning to think he'd need to sedate his Dad. Lee spared him a glance as he concentrated on flying Two. Piloting sims and in training was not the same as during a mission, and while Lee was an expert shuttle pilot Two was unlike anything he'd ever flown before.

Jeff was pacing the floor as he and Belah argued.

'I know what I saw! It was Scott!'

'Enough! Scott is DEAD Jeff! DEAD! You compromised the mission with that stunt. No one will take the Thunderbirds seriously if we don't keep our word.'

'Belah – I saw him. I SAW HIM.'

'You're seeing double again. It's about time you realised that. And stop putting your sons through this. Virgil – did you see this so-called Scott?'

Virgil froze. He didn't want to get into this, didn't want to get between his Dad and Belah. But he'd been brought up to be honest, no matter what. Mom had always said that…

'No, Belah. I'm sorry, Dad, but I didn't see him.'

'Virgil! Don't you believe me?'

'I – I believe that you think you did.'

'That's it. John, release One immediately. I'm going back to finish the job we promised.'

'NO! Don't you dare, Belah. Don't you dare do that until I've had a chance to investigate. John?'

'…I – I hear you, Dad. I'm sorry, Belah. Dad's right – we have to know.'

'Fine. I'll take One home but you and I are done, Jeff. I mean it. Putting your dead child ahead of our vision…no, I'm out. I'm out.'

'Don't make rash decisions, Belah. Let's talk about this later…'

But the comms cut out and Jeff sighed, throwing himself into his chair as One zoomed off.

The silence was palpable. He could feel eyes on him and he knew it was time to act.

'John, access the cameras from outside Two and find the footage of the last few people getting on board. Virgil, I want you to go talk to that woman with the two children. Find out what her husband's name is. Leave Gordon to deal with everyone else. Lee, please land us somewhere safe.

Jeff didn't wait to see if he was obeyed, he charged straight back to Two's hold. The screaming had died down now the doors to Two's bay were firmly closed and the noise of jets and fire had been cut off, but he knew if they realised they were landing prematurely there would be more.

The woman was standing, clutching the girl in her arms while the boy clung to her legs. There were tears on the children's faces but they were silently crying. Jeff gestured and the woman followed him out of the bay into the passageway where it was quieter.

'I'm Jeff. May I ask who you are?'

There was a pause as the woman sized him up. Given where she lived Jeff totally understood, but after a moment she smiled at him. She had strawberry-blonde hair and green eyes reminiscent of Lucy and John and her smile lit up her face.

But she didn't answer him.

Jeff crouched down and beckoned the boy over but the child just clung closer so Jeff folded his legs and sat on the floor.

'John? Are you able to translate? I'm not sure the woman can understand.'

'Sure Dad. I'll have the video soon. What language should I try?'

'Try Polish. This area used to belong to Poland not that long ago so hopefully she'll understand.'

'Hi. I'm Jeff. What's your name?'

'Cześć. Jestem Jeff. Jak masz na imię?'

'Beata. Nazywam się Beata'

'Beata. My name is Beata.'

'You have two beautiful children. But their father didn't come with you?'

'Masz dwójkę pięknych dzieci. Ale twój mąż nie przyszedł z tobą?'

'Został, żeby pomóc tacie.'

'He stayed to help Dad.'

'Can I ask – please – is your husband's name Scott?'

'Czy mogę zapytać, czy twój mąż ma na imię Scott?'

'Nie, ma na imię Johan.'

'No – his name is Johan. That could mean John, Dad.'

Jeff was thankful he was sitting. He felt that familiar bitterness welling up. He couldn't bear to look at Beata and he turned away, only for the woman's hand to rest on his shoulder. There was concern on her face.

'DAD! DAD – YOU WERE RIGHT! THE VIDEO – IT'S SCOTT. YOU WEREN'T SEEING DOUBLE!'