Disclaimer: see chapter one

AN: Go on, say it. I am a bad person for leaving John and you in limbo for all this time. My sincerest apologies, time slipped out of my (lax) grasp and real life ended up compounding on top of other things and everything just blew out of control. As a result, I've cut a little bit out of the story, so this is the last chapter. It took several goes, but in the end, I was pretty happy with how it came out. I hope you enjoy it too.

Again, this is an un-betaed chapter, as it seemed, to me, a bit rude to fire of a chapter after months of not working on it. Consequently, all mistakes are mine, and mine alone. However, for majority of the story, I'd really like to thank Little Miss Bump for beta-reading. She is an amazing author, supportive beta-reader and a credit to this fandom. Without her, the story would not be what it is.

Chapter Nine

To: Scott Tracy (flyboy101_fms. com)

Virgil Tracy (pianofingers_fms. com)

Gordon Tracy (fishphase_fms. com)

Alan Tracy (speedfreak_fms. com)

From: John Tracy (spacecase_fms. com)

Subject: What you four were on about

Thanks a lot, guys. I've just ended the most awkward conversation I've ever had in my entire life, such as it is, with our irate father. Want to know why it was so awkward?

Do you?

Well, I'll tell you anyway. It was so awkward because I didn't know what on earth he was on about. It was only after hearing his strangled cry of, "Have you even read the newspaper?" did things dawn on me. So, I hung up after he finished screaming at me, and flick through the pages until I find the offending article. All I can say is…

LIES! ALL LIES!

None of it is true! Except maybe the part about some of you settling down. And the fact that I'm impartial to brunettes.

Anyway, thanks so much for not looking out for me.

Scott, you really are a true believer in The Bro Code. That was sarcastic, by the way.

Virgil, I really thought you'd be the brother that had my back. I'm sorely disappointed in you.

Gordon, stop laughing. There is no humour in this. None whatsoever.

Alan, I'm sorry to say this, but you'll be closing all Tracy Industries related deals in the near future.

Well, that's it from me.

Signing off now,

John.

To: Jade Mackenzie (jmackenzie_nyeditor. com)

From: Human Resources (humanresourcesbot_nyeditor. com)

Subject: Suspension Notice

Dear Ms. Mackenzie,

This email is to notify you of your suspension, lasting three working days. Your suspension begins immediately, and your pay will be blocked for the interval of the suspension.

Your suspension has been based upon inappropriate conduct at New York Editor Enterprises. A copy of this email has been automatically sent to your boss, G. Sanchez, and will be placed in your personal profile, which will be reviewed at your next employee evaluation assessment.

Subsequent suspensions may result in your dismissal from New York Editor Enterprise.

Sincerely,

Human Resources

New York Editor – New York's Number One Journalistic and Publishing Enterprise

This is an automated email. Please do not reply to this email. If you wish to reply, please do so through the appropriate channels via your human resources representative.

To: John Tracy (spacecase_fms. com)

From: Scott Tracy (flyboy101_fms. com)

Subject: The Bro Code

Hey, John, I am a true believer in The Bro Code. I imagine the rule you are referring to right now is, "bro's don't let bro's do stupid things."

Well, John, I tried. I repeatedly told you not to lie. I warned you that it would backfire on you. But did you listen to me?

No.

You steamrolled ahead with your stupid, half-brained plan and look at what happened.

Unsurprisingly, she found out and won't give you the time of day now. I can't really blame her. No-one likes being lied to. No-one deserves to be lied to. You know that. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

So, what's your next move?

Whatever it is, surely it can't screw things up even more. You've already hit rock bottom, so things can't get much worse.

Scott.

To: John Tracy (spacecase_fms. com)

From: Tin-Tin Kyrano (sweet-sweet_fms. com)

Subject: What have you been up to?

I don't respond to my emails instantly and you crash, burn and make headlines without me, John Tracy. I'm hurt I had to find out that you preferred brunettes through a newspaper article.

The big question is, why did you do what you did to warrant such attention?

You can tell me, I won't judge you. Too much.

Remember, John, a problem shared is a problem halved.

Tin-Tin.

To: Jade Mackenzie (jmackenzie_nyeditor. com)

From: Lara Sadlinsokov (lsadlinsokov_nyeditor. com)

Subject: Girl, where do you think you're going?

You are this close to being suspended, Jade. Don't give Greg a reason to suspend you… permanently. In other words, fire you.

So you wrote one dodgy article. Just print a retraction, do your penance and the whole thing will be forgotten by the end of the month. Trust me on this. I speak from experience.

Lara

To: Tin-Tin Kyrano (sweet-sweet_fms. com)

From: John Tracy (spacecase_fms. com)

Subject: A problem shared is a problem halved

As much as I would love to tell you, Tin, I can't. I have a bored meeting with Mr. Hikamoto in fifteen minutes. Speaking of that, I should probably be leaving the apartment to get to the bored room in time.

And, yes, I have intentionally misspelled 'board', just to convey my feelings towards this with clarity.

Talk to you later,

John.

To: Lara Sadlinsokov (lsadlinsokov_nyeditor. com)

From: Jade Mackenzie (jmackenzie_nyeditor. com)

Subject: Don't give them a reason to suspend you…

Lara, it's a bit late for that. I've already been suspended for three working days. I just got the e-mail as I logged into the network.

It's a shame; today's the first day I've come in on time for no reason in a long time.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to three days of no work. I could do with the break. It will give me time to sort through my muddled thoughts. Probably going to catch a cab back to my apartment and chill for the rest of the day.

I'll see you on Friday.

Jade

To: Tin-Tin Kyrano (sweet-sweet_fms. com)

From: John Tracy (spacecase_fms. com)

Subject: Talking to you later…

Figured I'd take you up on your offer now, Tin. Plus, e-mailing this from my phone will give the illusion that I'm busy and can't see the other people goggling at me.

You wanted to know why I followed through with this half – brained plan, Tin? Someone was blackmailing me. It doesn't matter who was, and it doesn't matter why. What matters is that he was. Or still is. I don't really know where I stand in this now.

Anyway, he asked me to do him a favor, which led to me claiming to be someone I'm not. As I was pretending to be him, the girl that wrote the article found out the truth. It mightn't have been so bad if I hadn't, and I quote, "led her on," but I did.

Now she, understandably, thinks I'm the most despicable person on the planet and wants nothing to do with me. If only I could just talk and explain things to Jade, I'm sure she'd understand. Maybe not forgive me, but at least…

Oh, this is not good, Tin. Get the guys on standby; I have a feeling a rescue call will be coming in soon for an MVA. Going to see how I can help out.

John.

To: Jade Mackenzie (jmackenzie_nyeditor. com)

From: Lara Sadlinsokov (lsadlinsokov_nyeditor. com)

Subject: If you get this message…

Jade, if you get this, please send me a quick email to tell me you're okay. We've just heard about the pile-up on the corner of Madison and 59th. International Rescue's also been called out to help rescue the occupants of the cars and taxis at the bottom of the metal sandwich to reduce the fatality rate.

Everyone at work has tried ringing you already, so I am resorting to your Blackberry again. Let us know you're okay ASAP.

Lara

To: John Tracy (spacecase_fms. com)

From: Gordon Tracy (fishphase_fms. com)

Subject: FYI – Rescue in New York

John! I'm hoping you'll pick this up on your watch, so here goes.

Get down to 59th and Madison right now! Multi – vehicular accident occurred about half and hour ago. Scott and Virg were called in. They may need your help, so get there pronto.

Gordon.

To: Lara Sadlinsokov (lsadlinsokov_nyeditor. com)

From: Jade Mackenzie (jmackenzie_nyeditor. com)

Subject: I got the message

Don't worry about me. The hospital has finally passed a full bill of health and I am free to go.

You'll never guess who pulled me out. Go on, guess.

John Tracy.

Yes. Him.

It must be some sort of cosmic karma. Of all the people who could pull me out of a heap of mangled scrap metal, it had to be him. It wasn't even a member of International Rescue. Although, they did seem to know him. They were even teasing him over the article. Maybe he's been rescued by them before. I don't know - the possibilities are endless.

Just my luck he pulled me out; I'm told the guys from International Rescue are extremely handsome. I would have loved to have seen them in the flesh.

I'm gonna go, the doctor said to get lots of rest, just in case.

Jade

PS. After my near tango with death, does my suspension still stand?

To: John Tracy (spacecase_fms. com)

From: Jade Mackenzie (jmackenzie_nyeditor. com)

Subject: Thank you

Dear John,

Thank you for pulling me out today. Without you, I'd have probably been stuck, buried for longer until International Rescue pried me out.

Also, I'm truly sorry about writing the article. It wasn't fair, and as soon as I'm back at work, I'm going to be printing a retraction.

Jade.

To: Tin-Tin Kyrano (sweet-sweet_fms. com)

From: John Tracy (spacecase_fms. com)

Subject: Break through!

Success! She's talking to me again! She may not have forgiven me, but she's talking to me. There's such a wonderful feeling inside of me, Tin-Tin. It's like the light at the end of a dark, dark tunnel, if you'll excuse the cliché.

Now, I'm in with a chance to make things right.

If she'll let me.

Do you think I can make things right with her, Tin? In all honesty, I think I can. I just have to play my cards right. This time, I'm going in with a plan. I'm not crossing my fingers and hoping everything works out for the best. I mean, after everything that has happened, what's the worst that can happen?

I'll let you know how everything pans out later.

John

To: Jade Mackenzie (jmackenzie_nyeditor. com)

From: (spacecase_fms. com)

Subject: You're Welcome

Jade, there's no reason to thank me for pulling you out. Any other person would have done the same thing if I wasn't there. I'm just glad I could pull you out before you were crushed under the weight of the pile – up.

Jade, I know what I did was wrong, and I know you didn't deserve it. Even though it seems inadequate, I really, truly am deeply sorry for what I did. It wasn't right, or fair, for me to trick you into thinking I was someone else. If there was some way of winding back time to erase mistakes that would be the first thing I'd do. Unfortunately, I can't. I can't turn back time. I can't take back what I've done, no matter how much I want to.

So I have a different idea. I suggest we start over. A fresh slate. Right from scratch. I'll get to know you again, and you'll get to know me. The real me, not an impersonation. On that note, I'd really enjoy going out for a get – to – know – you coffee sometime.

Hoping to hear from you soon,

John.