a/n Hey guys. I know I haven't updated in a while, but something just made me want to go back and re-write some of the earlier chapters of Kryptonite. I think it's called "Writer's Block".

Anyway, there shouldn't be too many differences, maybe a scene added here and there, but other than that, they'll essentially be the same. Hopefully you'll notice a difference, however!

Prologue

...16 years ago...

April 29th, 2048

A blonde teenager stumbled out of her doctor's office, tears rolling down her cheeks.

It's not possible. It couldn't be.

She staggered out the door, across the road and into the green park opposite the surgery, before sinking onto a bench, and curling her legs up to her chest.

There she sat, hugging her knees and sobbing.

The girl didn't know how long she'd sat there, but eventually the tears stopped, and, though she still rocked back and forth, she was numb.

It wasn't possible. It was all a sick joke.

"Are you alright there, sweetheart?" Bloodshot azure eyes darted up to the owner of the distinctly American voice, a southern drawl. She was a motherly looking woman, her auburn hair half tied up behind a kind face. Her cornflower blue eyes seemed to glitter with concern.

The teenager shook her head, resting her chin on her knees.

The woman sat next to her on the bench.

"Is there anythin' I can do to help?"

"I don't even know you," the voice which came from the girl was strangled and cracked. The woman smiled.

"My name's Lucille. My husband's doin' work with the space program here, so my sons and I are temporarily stayin' in London with him. What's your name, dear?"

"Penelope," the girl cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Well, there you go. Now you know me. So what's wrong, darlin'?" Penelope looked down at her lap.

"I just came from the doctor," Lucille sucked in a breath, but said nothing.

"I'm pregnant," Penelope's voice was so small, Lucille had to strain to hear it.

"Oh, Honey," Lucille rubbed a soothing circle over Penelope's back, "I know that seems like the scariest thing in the world, but it's not so bad in the end," Penelope looked over at her, incredulous. Lucille gave her a warm smile and pointed to a group of five on the play equipment near them.

"Those five are mine. That's Scott, my eldest, pushin' my youngest, Alan, on the swings. John's the next one down after Scott, he's playin' with the abacus; Virgil and Gordon are on the see-saw, Virgil's the middle, and Gordon's the second youngest,"

"Five sons, Lucille?" the auburn haired woman laughed.

"Call me Lucy. And it's really six. Sometimes my husband, Jeff, is just like another one of them. Though I'm hopin' child number six," she patted her stomach lovingly, "will be that little girl I've been holdin' out for,"

"You're pregnant?" the woman beamed.

"Due August," Lucy stood, "Come on, Penny. Why don't you help me with my boys? It'll get your mind off it, and you can see what takin' care of kids is like,"

Despite everything, Penelope smiled, and took the outstretched hand.

"Lucy!" the elder of the two women span around at the sound of her name, and a warm grin split her features.

"Jeff!" the man had dark brown hair and enveloped his wife in an embrace as soon as he could.

"Ready to get going?" Lucy glanced over at Penelope, who stood shakily from fixing Alan's bark-covered hair.

"How are you getting' home, darlin'?"

"The underground, probably. My parents are out of town," the auburn haired woman clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

"You said you lived near where we're stayin', Jeff, we could give her a ride home, couldn't we? Or better yet, join us for dinner, Penny," at her husband's confused look, Lucy let out a burst of laughter, "Silly me! Jeff, this is Penelope. She's been helpin' me with the boys this afternoon. Penny, this is my husband, Jeff Tracy,"

August 10th, 2048

Penelope sat in her room, her legs curled under her as she read over her holiday homework. Thorntree Academy wasn't exactly pleased to take back the pregnant teen, but with the kind donation from the aristocratic Amelia and William, they overlooked Penelope's "unfortunate condition", and were willing to allow her to complete her schooling. At this time, however, she was in her home in London.

By her desk, the phone broke out into shrill ringing, and she jumped, immediately pressing the accept button.

The tired and tear-stained face of Jeff Tracy greeted her.

"Jeff!" Penelope was surprised, "What's wrong?"

"They had to induce labour," his voice was soft, "Lucy's in a bad way, Penny. I need someone to take care of the boys for me,"

"Where are you?"

"London Central,"

"I'll be there soon," she rung off and rang for Parker.

Penelope sat in the waiting room with the five Tracy boys, Scott half asleep on the sofa, Virgil passed out on his shoulder, Gordon's asleep in his lap, and John, reading a book, his hands shaking.

Alan's head was in Penelope's own lap, and he slept soundly.

There was no word from Jeff, nor the doctors.

Penelope stared at the floor of the room, steadily counting the tiles across the threshold, and back again.

One. Two. Three.

Doctors bustled around outside, nurses helping patients to rooms, others wandering the halls, laughing.

Four. Five. Six.

The ticking of the clock seemed to echo around Penelope's ears. She prayed silently for her friend. Lucy had helped her come to terms with her own pregnancy. Lucy had helped her realise that she should keep the child.

It was Lucy who came with Penelope to her check-ups, Lucy who had been a saint. She was going to be the godmother to Penelope's child.

Penelope begged whatever deity that could hear her to spare her friend.

Seven. Eight. Nine.

Penelope's heart sank the moment Jeff appeared in the doorway.

"We lost the baby," his voice cracked, "And Lucy, soon after,"

A tear rolled down Penelope's cheek.

Ten.

August 17th, 2048

Lucy's funeral was a sad and solemn affair, Penelope sitting with the Tracy family, doing her best to help them.

But her heart broke each time she saw the sad faces of the boys.

And Jeff.

Good God, poor Jeff.

He stood alone, looking down at his wife's grave, his face pained. Penelope rested a hand on his shoulder, wishing she could comfort him in some way.

They stood in silence.

"You know," Jeff finally managed broken words, "They told me that my baby was a little girl. Lucy always said if we had a girl, she'd name her Belle. Her little southern Belle, she said," He turned to Penelope, eyes full of tears, "But what about my southern belle?"

Penelope felt her own eyes begin to water.

Again, they stood in silence, before Jeff looked away.

"Thankyou, Penny."

"What for?"

"Taking care of the boys. Lucy always said you'd make a good mother," He sighed, "The boys and I will be heading stateside soon, but I'd like to hear from you," he dragged a hand over his eyes, "Keep in touch. Lucy would have wanted that,"

Penelope smiled softly.

"I promise I'll call."

December 5th, 2048

"Okay, Miss. Creighton-Ward, we're going to need you to push again. Come on, you can do it! Just a nice hard push to get the head ou—good. And again?"

Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward, if she could even be considered a lady, clutched the hand of her butler and good friend, Aloysius "Nosey" Parker in the birthing room of London Central Hospital.

On the other side, Penelope's mother, the esteemed Lady Amelia Creighton-Ward, brushed the hair gently from her young daughter's face, contorted in pain and rapidly flushing with blood from the strain.

"Another hard push, Miss. Creighton-Ward, we're almost there," Penelope took a gasping breath and pushed as hard as she could, squeezing Parker's hand with all her might.

There was a small cry, and Penelope collapsed into her pillows, the midwife smiling as the nurses cleaned up her new child. The umbilical cord was cut, the baby wiped clean, and the bundle of pink blankets was handed over to Parker, who gave the child a small smile.

"It's a girl, M'lady," He gently laid the baby in her mother's arms, and Penelope tentatively stroked a finger down the child's soft pink cheek.

"She's beautiful," azure eyes darted over to her own mother, and Amelia smiled softly.

"You made the right decision, darling, by keeping her. I'll deal with your father, you just think of an appropriate name for my granddaughter,"

There were a few moments of silence, before Penelope spoke again.

"Tara," she stroked another finger over her daughter's forehead, "My beautiful tower of strength. Tara Belle Amelia Creighton-Ward," Amelia was touched. She pressed a kiss to her own daughter's forehead, before standing.

"Parker, keep an eye on Penelope and Tara. I'll go and deal with William,"

As soon as her mother left the room, Penelope turned to Parker.

"Parker, I need to call Jeff," He shook his head.

"I'll do it, M'lady. You're in no state," His tone left no room for argument, so Penelope merely nodded.

Parker squeezed Penelope's shoulder.

"He'll be touched you named her like you did, M'lady,"

"I hope so, Parker..."

...10 years later...

27th August, 2059

"Tara, darling, come on! We'd best get a move along if we're going to make it in time to see Jeff and the boys!" Penelope called up the stairs. There was the sound of sandals slapping on wood before a girl with bouncing platinum curls appeared.

"Coming Mum!" she skipped down the stairs, dressed in a light pink halterneck dress. She had stick-on jewel earrings on her earlobes, and was wearing lipgloss. Penelope tried not to laugh at the girl's obvious attempts to dress up for this visit.

She darted past her mother, down the marble stairs at the front of the manor, and jumped into the car, buckling her seat belt.

Penelope slid in after her daughter and Parker closed the door, tipping his hat at Lil, the cook, who was watching the scene from the kitchen window. Lil rolled her eyes and continued cleaning the pans from breakfast.

Parker drove off, listening to Tara's bubbling excitement.

"Do you think Gordon will be there? And Virgil?" Penelope laughed.

"Yes Tara. And Scott, John and Alan too,"

"Alan's gonna be there?" if it was possible, the grin on Tara's face widened.

"He's on school break, Tara. And I know just how much mischief you two are going to get up to..." the blonde girl just giggled.

When the three reached the island, Jeff greeted them warmly.

"We just got back from a mission," he spoke, embracing Penelope and Tara, "So Scott and Virgil are just tidying up," he turned, "Gordon, go and hurry your brothers along,"

Gordon started mumbling about having "Middle child syndrome" but still obeyed his father, shuffling over to the Thunderbird 1 silo.

Behind him, the glass door slid open, and a boy with a messy blonde mop attached to a boy appeared.

"Dad, can I talk to you..." Alan Tracy trailed off, spying Lady Penelope and Tara Belle.

"Hey Tari!" she blushed as he grinned. Jeff raised an eyebrow.

"What's wrong, Alan?" the boy blinked, before remembering.

"Can I talk to you about something?"

Jeff put an arm on his youngest's shoulders, and the two walked off, Alan muttering something to his father. Jeff didn't look pleased.

Meanwhile, Tara looked up at her mother, who smiled down at her. The blonde girl brushed some hair from in front of her face, and her azure eyes darted around eagerly. They fixed on a tanned girl walking up the stairs from the beach.

"Tin-tin!" Tara cried and the girl laughed as she looked up.

"Tara!" She hugged the girl, and Tara frowned.

"You're wet," she said, brushing the front of her dress, "And sandy," Tin-tin laughed again.

"Do our ears deceive us?" the unmistakeable voice of Scott called from the doorway of the silos.

"Or is our dearest little Ra-ra here?" Tara glowered at Virgil who ruffled her hair.

"Don't call me that!"

"What," Virgil arched an eyebrow, "Ra-ra?"

Tara's look got stormier. Gordon grinned.

"As unpopular with the 10 year olds as he is with the ladies, I give you, my brother – Virgil Tracy!"

Virgil threw him a dirty look, and he turned, walking upstairs.

"Not like you do any better," Tara smirked, and Scott chuckled.

"Cram it Scott," Gordon chucked him a filthy look, and then looked at Tara.

"What makes you say that?"

"Oh," the girl responded flippantly, "A few things,"

"Such as?" Penelope turned her daughter away from the eldest Tracy boy and shook her head. Scott laughed.

"Whatever you say, Lady P,"

Tara was wandering around the island, when she heard a faint noise in the trees of the jungle.

She crept in, and almost immediately spied Alan, boxing a duffle bag that was swinging precariously from a branch.

"Hiya Alan," Alan turned, and gave the girl a weak grin.

"Hey Tari,"

"Whatcha doing?" He shrugged. She fixed him with a look. The boy sighed.

"This... This is a long story,"

"We've got time," she sat down on a log and crossed her legs, leaning forward on her knees, "Tell me," Alan raked his fingers through his hair.

"It's my dad..."

"Is there something wrong with Uncle Jeff?"

"No!" Alan climbed up on a branch stump, leaning against the tree, and lifting his bag off the overhanging branch.

"Then what's wrong Alan?"

"He won't let me join International rescue..." Alan came over, dropping the bag, and sitting next to Tara.

She shrugged.

"His loss then," Alan laughed, looking over at the girl.

"Thanks Tari," She beamed.

A few moments of silence passed until Tara spoke again.

"Can we go annoy Gordon now? He won't stop calling me Ra-ra,"

Alan laughed.

"What did you have in mind?"

"Water, and flour..."

Alan looked at her puzzled.

"I'll explain on the way... let's go!"

Tara took Alan's hand, and dragged him up towards the house.

"Alan Shephard Tracy!" Gordon roared, storming downstairs, little white cakes flaking off him with each step.

Alan and Tara exchanged looks across the table, the two trying to keep straight faces.

"What?" Alan bit his lip, looking up as Gordon stood in front of him, fuming.

"I am going to get you for this, little brother, mark my words…" Gordon turned, storming up the stairs, seething more with each step.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Alan and Tara burst out laughing.

"That was almost too easy..." Alan smiled, shaking his head in disbelief, "Good one Tari,"

Tara blushed.

"Thanks Alan,"

"Got any other ones to pull?"

Jeff and Penelope sat outside by the pool, watching as their children played.

"Penny," Jeff sighed, "Am I doing the right thing?" Penelope turned and looked at him incredulously.

"Jeff, if you're talking about International Rescue, of course you are. You're saving lives,"

"Yes, but I put my boys in danger. And today when Alan asked why he wasn't allowed to go out on missions, it got me thinking... what would Lucy have said?" Penelope took Jeff's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Jeff, Lucy would have been proud of you. You know what she always used to say about there being too much death in the world. She would be," Penelope sighed, "She is so proud of you and what you've done. Not to mention, how the boys have turned out. You've raised a fine family, Jeff Tracy, and you're doing a fine thing," He gave her a weak smile.

"You know, Lucy's the reason I started International Rescue?"

Penelope had thought as much, but didn't say anything.

"I thought if I could save people, then maybe my benevolence would..." he raked a hand through his greying hair, "... It would be honouring Lucy's memory. She always wanted to help people, and now we are. For her,"

"She'd be proud of you, Jeff. Never doubt that,"

September 1st, 2059

"Goodbye, Sweetheart," Penelope embraced her daughter, "Have fun at Thorntree!" With a gentle push, Penelope sent Tara towards Parker and Fab 1.

"Hurry, darling, or you'll be late for sign in," Tara's eyes widened and glistened.

"Do I have to go to boarding school?"

"Sweetie," Penelope's voice was soft and sympathetic, "It'll be better for you there than if you were here with me, at least for now. I know it's tough, but Thorntree's a good school, and I want you to have the best opportunities, okay?"

Tara sniffled.

"I'll miss you, Mum," Penelope squeezed her daughter.

"I know, darling. I'll miss you too, Princess," The blonde girl clambered into the car and Penelope shut the door behind her.

As Parker passed her, Penelope grabbed his arm.

"Take care of her for me, Parker," she begged, "Lord, I hope she doesn't cry,"

Parker nodded.

"I will, M'lady, don't you worry,"

Parker started up the engine, and Tara pressed her hand against the car window, giving her mother one last begging look.

Fab 1 drove off, and Penelope watched it until it was out of sight.

"I'm sorry Tara..." With a heavy sigh, Penelope turned, and walked inside.

Thorntree Academy would give Tara the best opportunities to grow into the young lady she was supposed to be. It would mould her and educate her, guiding her to fulfil her full potential.

It is six years from now that Tara will return from the Academy. Six long years for her to grow and develop into her own person, away from the spotlight and hysteria of the aristocracy.

Six years from now, Tara will be back.

And that is where our story begins.

a/n As I'm sure you all realised, the whole situation with Lucille Tracy is a recent addition, but I thought that, in lieu of the fact that the story is, essentially, an AU, I needed to add a bit more back story to flesh it all out.

So, I hope that clarified any questions people might have had about Penelope and Jeff meeting, Tara's full name, the timeline of the story, Penelope's reactions to her pregnancy and how she dealt with it, and why Tara was sent to Thorntree.

Yeah. That's the first of the re-done chapters.

The Flame Faerie

P.S. Robert Pattinson rocks my bright red band socks.