Disclaimer: Gerry Anderson own's them, I don't. This is the last and final chapter of my holiday of a lifetime series. It's run it's course and frankly I'm out of ideas. Now, this is an extremely long chapter – being a thirteen page word document, but once I started I couldn't' stop and it's all tied up. So, please enjoy and review, I live for the reviews. Thanks again to the wonderful GillyLee for beta reading for me, really appreciate it. Mouse, April 2004.

Holiday of a lifetime 7: Dramatic Rescue

By Mouse

"Alan, do you have a fix on them?" Scott's voice was calm, controlled and he sounded like he was totally in charge of the situation. But his brother's knew better. They were all worried about John and Penelope, but Scott more than most. He recalled the conversation he'd had a couple of days ago with John and tried hard to concentrate of getting there faster. It had occurred to him that over the last few years, he'd barely spent any time with his brother. The few times that they were together were on the rare times John was on Earth. He resolved to make sure that he spent more time with John, he didn't want to loose his quietest brother.

"I have a fix on John's watch, but no response when I try to call him. The cyclone has died down now, it's just a bad storm, but I can't raise him!" Frustration and worry was lacing Alan's tone. He was finally getting a taste of what John went through every time his brother's went on a rescue and were hurt. He'd never take John for granted ever again Alan decided. Scott took a deep breath; he had to be calm and strong for his brothers.

"It's okay Alan, we'll get to them. Virgil, you still with me?" They had been keeping an open communication channel with each other, providing support where it was needed.

"Yeah, we're still here. What's your ETA to the island?"

"Seven minutes. What's your's?" Virgil glanced down at his instruments and frowned.

"Twelve. I'm pushing her as fast as she'll go." Virgil felt Gordon's hand gently squeeze his shoulder. He glanced up and Gordon smiled gently at him, for once his eyes serious and concerned.

"It'll be okay. John's a fighter and he won't let anything happen to Penny. He cares about her too much to let anything happen to her. Trust me on this." Scott suddenly smiled as he figured out what Gordon meant. It didn't take a genius to see that Gordon would figure it out first, besides, John and Gordon had always had a close relationship.

"So, you know about the two of them as well do you Gordon?" Gordon grinned suddenly, not minding that Scott knew as well. With affairs of the heart, he'd figured that John would talk to Scott about his feelings.

"Yeah, I interrupted him last night. They, um, were um, busy." Virgil looked confused but it was Alan that broke in first, confusion in his voice.

"What are you two talking about?" Scott grinned even though they couldn't' see him.

"You want to tell them Gordon, or shall I?" Gordon gave a small laugh.

"I will." Virgil just gave an exasperated sigh as he glanced at Gordon.

"Will you get on with it Gordon, otherwise you and that little yellow rubber ducky of yours can swim all the way home." Gordon laughed and then spoke.

"Well, John's in love with Penny. And from what I saw last night, I'd say the feeling is mutual."

"What did you see last night Gordon? When I was talking to John the other night he wasn't sure about her feelings towards him." Scott sounded surprised and Gordon grinned, winking at Virgil. It wasn't often that their older brother didn't know something.

"Trust me, they are defiantly involved. I sort of woke them up last night when I called John to see how he was." This got a raised eyebrow from Virgil as well as a wicked grin. Laughter came from the radio as Scott and Alan got what Gordon meant. Virgil finally regained his composure first.

"It's always the quiet ones." That sent them off into peels of laughter, the worry for their brother momentarily pushed to the back burner.

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With a groan, Penelope opened her eyes to find darkness surrounding them. She tried to move but found she couldn't, something or someone was lying over her. With a start she remembered what had happened. The roof had started to give way and John had thrown himself over her, protecting her with his own body. She tried to move her arms but found her right arm pinned, but her left was free. Luckily John wasn't heavy and she wasn't in much discomfort with him across her like he was. She reached up to try and figure out what was happening.

"John? John, are you alright?" There was no answer and she began to get worried. Her questing hand found his body lying across hers. She reached up and found his face, her hands gently moving across it. With relief she felt his breath against the palm of her hand but then she felt something sticky and warm. With a start she realised it was blood and followed it back to its source. There was a rather large gash on his head and it was bleeding fairly steadily. She looked around, frustrated by the darkness and her inability to move. The wind was roaring still, but it was slowly dying down. Slowly her eyes adjusted to the darkness and she saw the emergency kit nearby. She stretched her arm as far as she could and just managed to snag it after a couple of attempts. Almost sobbing in relief she dragged it over and slowly managed to get it open. She fumbled around to find the torch and sighed when she found it. Flicking it on she blinked a few times to get used to the bright light. She immediately turned the torch to John and gasped with what she saw.

Blood was flowing freely from a rather large gash on his forehead. His eyes were closed and his breathing ragged. She shone the torch over the rest of him and her eyes widened in fright. He was pinned under a rather large wooden beam; various debris from where the roof of the bungalow had collapsed lying on top of him. She couldn't see anything below his torso but she could feel the trickle of blood running down her leg. It didn't take long to figure out that it was coming from John somewhere; as the only pain she was in was her right wrist and a slight pressure on her torso. She'd been lucky; John had protected her from the worst of it. And now they were trapped. Her heart raced with fear for him and she frantically prayed that the others would arrive soon.

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Scott brought Thunderbird one in down low, appalled at the devastation he saw. Over the years he'd seen some pretty bad sites, but this one was worse than most, because this time, it was his brother that he was here to rescue, and that made it all the more devastating. Alan had pinpointed John's location and he could see the ruined and destroyed bungalow. Fear gripped his heart but with practiced ease he pushed back the fear, he had to get down there and see what was wrong. He had to find John.

"Virgil, I'm here. It's not looking good. Landing now."

"FAB. I'm five minutes behind you." Scott nodded even though his brother couldn't see it and landed quickly. Grabbing a torch and slinging a first aid kit over his shoulder, he quickly left Thunderbird one and ran towards the ruined bungalow. He skidded to a halt as he got there and shined his torch around.

The bungalow had been flattened by a couple of trees; they would have to be moved before they could even get near the basement. He lifted his arm and activated his watch.

"Virgil, you there?"

"Yes. What's it look like?"

"Not good. There's a couple of large trees that will have to be moved off the bungalow first before we can even get near the basement." Just then the roar of Thunderbird two's engines could be heard. "Okay, I have you in sight now. Lower the grabs so that we can move these out of the way."

"Understood. Gordon?"

"On it. Any sign of them Scott?" Scott looked around and shook his head with frustration.

"No, nothing yet." Silence descended over the brothers, but they worked quickly. Moments later a hatch opened below Thunderbird two and two large metal grabs lowered gently down, Scott directing them. They latched on carefully to the first of the two large trees and Virgil slowly lifted them up and to one side. Two minutes later they were repeating it with the second tree. As soon as it was moved Virgil brought Thunderbird two to land, while Scott searched to find access to the basement.

Gordon and Virgil came running over to his side, torches, ropes and emergency kits in their hands as well.

"Right, spread out, try and locate the door down to the basement." They moved through the ruins of what was the bungalow carefully, calling out for John and Penny. Gordon stopped suddenly, his heart in his throat as he bent down and gently picked something up. Scott and Virgil were by his side instantly when they had heard his gasp.

"Look." He held up what he had found. It was a picture that had obviously been taken a few days ago of them in Paris. John looked dashing in his tuxedo and Penny was stunning in the beautiful dress. They looked extremely happy together, in fact, they seemed to be made for each other. Gordon gave a tiny sob and Scott put his hand on his brother's shoulder, pushing back his own fears.

"Come on, this is Johnny we're talking about. He's strong, they'll be okay." Gordon took a deep breath and put the photo gently in his sash pocket.

"I know. Come on then, let's find them." They moved out again, moments later finding a hole in the floor where another tree had crashed through it. Scott shone his torch down the hole and was relieved when he saw a flash of blond hair. And then the soft cultured tones of a clipped British accent greeted him.

"Well, its about time you turned up." Scott couldn't help but laugh at her words, his torch catching her face. There was a slight bruise on her face and what looked like blood. Virgil and Gordon were at his side instantly when they heard her voice.

"Penny, thank heavens. Are you all right? Where's John?" Penny gave a tiny smile

"I'm okay, I think my wrist is broken, I'm not sure. And ironically I'm actually trapped under your brother. He's unconscious but I can see he's got a rather bad gash on his head and I think he's bleeding somewhere else, as I can feel blood soaking through my trousers, but I can't tell where he's hurt. There's a rather large beam pinning him down." Scott took all this information in while Gordon and Virgil quickly did up ropes so that they could get down there. Gordon quickly tied himself off and Virgil braced himself, as there was nothing left standing they could tie the ropes to, and worry over the two people below was over whelming them all.

"Right, I'm sending Gordon down to have a look at you both, and then we'll see about getting you out of here, okay?"

"Okay Scott." Scott turned to Gordon to find he already had a first aid kit slung over his back, and the mountaineering gear already done up. Scott took his place next to Virgil, hands on the ropes, and looked at Gordon.

"Okay Gordon, be careful down there."

"Right Scott. Lower away." He gently leapt down the hole, and the two brothers worked in concert to lower him safely to the floor. After a few tense moments the rope went slack and his voice floated up to them.

"I'm down." They dropped the ropes and moved to the edge of the hole, watching their brother closely.

Gordon smiled as he carefully picked his way over to Penny.

"Hi Penny. Nice vacation spot you picked." Penny couldn't help but laugh at Gordon. He was such a sweet person, full of hidden depths behind his fun loving exterior. He shone the torch around and kept his face expressionless at what he saw.

"Okay Gordon, what's it look like." Gordon took a deep breath and began speaking, his voice echoing slightly, as he had to raise it for Scott and Virgil to hear. Somehow he managed to keep it level and calm.

"Okay, we'll need the lifting gear to get this beam off John." He bent down and looked up at it from a low angle. He paled in the faint light provided by his torch when his light hit above. "Oh shit."

"Gordon! What is it!" Scott glanced at Virgil in worry; Gordon wasn't the person to swear, if anything, it was the other two that tended to let their odd frustration out in bad language. Gordon swallowed hard against the lump in his throat.

"There's a metal bar sticking through John's leg. Looks like its part of the support beam. We'll have to cut it first before lifting the beam off John." Penny paled and looked at Gordon.

"Is it bad?" Gordon tried to smile and keep his words light, and he partially suceeded.

"Well, I've seen worse." Scott and Virgil had shared extremely concerned glances when they heard Gordon's words. Scott had taken off like a shot to Thunderbird Two, Virgil stopping only long enough to remove the ropes from around his waist.

"Gordon, we're getting the gear. Do what you can, but be careful okay?" Without waiting for an answer, he took off at a run after Scott. Gordon slung his first aide kit off his back and sat it down on the floor, next to Penny. He opened it and began to get some things out.

"So, besides this, how's the holiday been?" He grinned and gave her a wink and she recalled the interruption in the middle of last night. She blushed and he laughed. She laughed softly with him, wincing slightly as she felt a stab of pain in her chest.

"Oh, that's painful. Please don't make me laugh Gordon. I think also I may have some cracked ribs or something." Gordon nodded, getting some water out and wetting a cloth.

"Okay Penelope. Now, how about you tell me what and my brother here have been up to, besides the obvious that I interrupted last night." Penny grinned slightly at him.

"Gordon Tracy. I am not telling you about my sex life with your brother. No matter how much you ask me to." The pain was becoming distracting so Penny wasn't her normal discrete self. Gordon laughed as he cleaned the wound on John's head gently, then covering it lightly with some gauze.

"I don't want you to Penelope. Thinking of my brothers and sex is enough to give a person nightmares." He grinned as he began to slowly shift debris from around the two of them, trying not to disturb them too much, so that nothing else would fall down on them. Penny smiled at his words, but didn't reply. She was watching him work. It was one of the few times she got to watch them work, and she wanted to see every detail she could. Gordon worked quickly, keeping up a light patter of chatter, telling her the latest going's on from Tracy Island. Just then ropes started descending and Scott's voice rang out.

"Gordon, lift bags on their way down." Gordon stopped what he was doing and moved to one side, watching them lower. As they got near he reached up and guided it down to the ground. He undid the ropes and they were quickly pulled back up. He undid the bags and began to set up the gear. Moment's later Scott dropped down next to him. He undid his ropes and went over, smiling gently at Penelope.

"Hi Penny. Nice spot you got here." Penny smiled gently at him and retorted back.

"You should see what I did to the place before the storm." He laughed, patting her hand gently.
"Don't worry, we'll get you both out of here quick smart." He then looked over at John's still form, trying hard not to worry too much. Gordon joined him with a protective blanket for Penelope.

"Okay Penny, we're going to cut away that bar first before we can lift that beam off John. I'm going to cover you both with this while Scott cut's away the metal bar in his leg, okay?" Penelope nodded and he gently laid it across here while Scott got in position with the laser cutter. They had to cut away the bar sticking into his leg from the beam before they could even think about moving it. Gordon readied some bandages to apply to John's leg. As soon as the beam was lifted, they'd have to apply a tourniquet to stop any further bleeding and damage. They'd then have to move him carefully, and then look after Penny. Scott got to work with the laser cutter, it's hum loud in the confined space.

Scott lowered the visor over his eyes, making sure that he wasn't looking directly at the bright light of the laser. He moved carefully over, making sure that he didn't disturb John or Penny, but it was awkward having to lean over some debris to get at the bar. He worked quickly, trying to ignore the blood flowing down the rubble, in fact it was steadily getting worse. John was obviously more hurt than they had originally thought. Finally he was through and it would now be safe to remove the beam. He lowered the laser cutter and moved back, removing the blanket covering Penelope.

"Okay their Penny?"

"Yes, how's John? He's looking very pale." Gordon snorted as he packed away the blanket.

"John always looks pale, I reckon its all that moonlight he bathes in." Penny gave a tiny smile, content to let them work. Scott lifted his watch as he packed away the Laser cutter.

"Okay Virgil, time to get in the air, we're ready to move the beam now, have you got the chains ready?"

"Yes, coming down now. I'll need one of you up here to guide the chains to thunderbird two."

"I'll send Gordon up." Just then four chains came down and Scott grabbed them quickly.

"Alright." Scott turned to Gordon who he found was quickly getting into climbing gear. He nodded at Scott.

"It's okay Scott, it'll be fine. Ready to come up Virgil!" The slack on the ropes was quickly taken up and the hum of a small machine could be heard as Gordon rose up. Scott began to look around and where he could position the chains without endangering the others. Gordon disappeared over the edge of the hole and he could hear the two of them talking softly, deciding the best way to attach the chains to thunderbird two. He smiled at Penny as he moved over the rubble carefully.

"How are you doing down their Pen? Got a nice view of John?" He teased her slightly, trying to get her mind off what was happening. Penelope smiled up at him, a weak, tired smile but still a smile.

"Yes thank you. A view that I'm going to be seeing for a very long time I hope. Have you been talking to John since we left on our little trip?" Scott busily attached the chains together, making sure they would hold. He answered slightly distractedly.

"Yes, he called me the other night for a chat. He wanted to talk about the two of you actually. He was feeling slightly confused and just needed a friendly ear. And it was nice to be able to return the favour for a change. Normally it's us calling him and spilling our hearts." Penny paused a moment and then her voice was soft.

"What did he tell you?" Scott climbed around behind the beam, dragging the chains with him.

"That he loved you more than anything and didn't know what to do. He wants a future with you, but he said he didn't think it would be fair on you if he was still a part of International Rescue and married to you at the same time." Scott had been concentrating on securing the chains, he hadn't actually meant to let the last bit slip. He looked up over the beam at Penny, trying to ignore the limp form of his brother for the moment. It tore at his heart to see John like that, so it was easier to concentrate on Penny.

"He said that did he?" Penny smiled gently up at Scott. "He must have made his decision then, because just before the roof caved in, he asked me to marry him." Scott grinned widely.

"Fantastic! I told him he should! And, your answer was?" He secured the last of the chain and climbed down. He then busied himself with putting the lift bags at either end of the beam for a few moments and then coming over to squat down by them both.

"I said yes." Scott grinned.

"Terrific! I told him he should ask you and that we'd support his decision, and both of you. I'm so happy for you Penny!" She smiled but her eyes were on John's still form lying across hers.

"Well, we have to get out of this first." Her tone was worried and Scott gently patted her shoulder.

"Don't worry, we're not going to let anything happen to either of you." Just then they heard the massive engines of Thunderbird two and Gordon yelled down to Scott.

"Ready up here."

"Okay, ready down here. I've positioned the chains on the beam. Activating the lift bags now." He activated the bags and they slowly began inflating. Gordon directed Virgil with the chains gently lifting the beam off John. Scott pushed it to one side once it had raised up enough, with Gordon directing Virgil. After an agonising five minutes the beam was finally off John's body. Penny immediately noticed that John's face got a little colour back in it and his breathing was easier. Scott scrambled over to them after unhitching the chains and thunderbird two dragged them out of the way.

"Gordon! As soon as Virgil's there, get down here with the back board!"

"On it already!" Scott quickly grabbed the first aide kit and moved over to John. He wrapped the tourniquet around his leg, trying to stop any more blood loss. Now that the debris was off his brother's body he could see the extent of the damage and it looked pretty bad. There was a metal rod sticking out of his lower leg, luckily it looked like it had missed the bone. Blood was flowing freely from it. Scott ran his hands gently over John's torso and discovered at least three, maybe four broken ribs and he'd be covered in lots of bruises. He looked up to see Gordon rappelling down with a folded up backboard with him. He quickly unhooked himself and came running over.

"Oh god." Gordon paled but gathered himself as he unfolded the backboard. Scott quickly put a collar around John's neck to prevent back injury and Gordon looked at him, gesturing at the metal bar. "Do we take it out or leave it in for the doctors to work on?" Scott frowned, thinking hard. They could cause more damage if they did that.

"We'll leave it in. Is Virgil back up there yet?"

"I am now." Virgil's voice drifted down to them. "I've set up Thunderbird two ready for them both. Darwin hospital is about five minutes flight time away, so that should be okay. I've already notified them that we're coming in, they'll be ready for us."

"Thanks Virgil. Get ready to winch up John. We're about to put him on the backboard."

"FAB." Scott looked at Gordon and Gordon nodded. He'd been busy wrapping a bandage around the metal bar, making sure it was secure. "Okay Gordon, on the count of three."

"Ready."

"One. Two. Three." The two men gently turned their brother over, gently placing him on the backboard, careful of his injuries. They strapped him to the board carefully, but for all their care, John still groaned in pain and his eyes opened blearily.

John had never felt such intense pain in all his life. His last memory was of kissing Penny, then the roof falling in. He'd thrown himself over her and then that was it. But now, now he was moving, he could hear voices and oh how he hurt. He opened his eyes and wasn't really surprised to find Scott and Gordon hovering over him.

"Hey." Scott looked down, surprise on his face, and then he smiled down at him.

"Ah, the sleeper awakes. How are you feeling Johnny?" John managed to try and smile, but it didn't reach further than his mouth slightly curving.

"I hurt. Pen! Where's Penny!" Scott grinned at him.

"She's fine. Come on Gordon, he'll gripe forever if we don't show him Penelope." Gordon nodded and they gently turned the backboard around slightly so that John could see Penny. Penny smiled at him, her hand reaching up and gently touching his face.

"John. I'm all right. Honestly." He looked at her, barely registering her presence, but it was good to know she was safe.

"Pen… love you…" and then John lost consciousness again. It was enough for him to see she was safe and then give into the pain again. Tears formed in Penelope's eyes as she stroked his hair.

"I love you to." Scott and Gordon finished securing him, and Gordon lashed himself to the board.

"Alright Virgil, ready to go up."

"Okay. Starting the winch now." Scott helped steady the litter as Gordon and John was slowly winched up out of the hole. Once it was cleared he went over to Penelope and moved a few pieces of rubble off her. He then looked at her wrist and nodded, opening the first aide kit and getting a splint out of it.

"Looks like your wrist is broken Penny. Other than that, any other injuries?"

"I think I have a few bruised ribs other than that, I'm okay."

"Good. Can you move at all?" Penelope frowned slightly and then slowly, pushed herself up.

"Yes. I'll be okay. Apart from my wrist, looks like John took the brunt of the accident." Scott nodded, helping her slowly to sit up.

"Okay, once Gordon and Virgil have secured John in Thunderbird Two, we'll get you up and out of here and then to hospital, okay?"

"Okay. And Scott, thank you." Scott gave her a tiny grin, glad things were almost done here.

"It's okay Penny, that's what family is for."

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Five hours later Scott had just finished giving his father and Alan an update on John's condition and had walked back into the waiting room. Virgil was slumped down in a chair and Gordon was pacing.

"Any news?"

"Nope, he's still in surgery." Scott flopped down into the chair next to Virgil. After dropping Penny, John and Gordon off, he and Virgil had arranged to leave the two Thunderbird craft at the nearby RAAF base. They had immediately asked to borrow a car to come to the hospital to see how their brother was, not that they told the airforce personal that, they'd just said that they wanted to make sure these people were okay. They'd gotten back to the hospital in time to see John being taken into surgery. Gordon had confided to Scott that the doctors had requested permission of his family to do the surgery, because Australian law required it. So Gordon had made the doctor promise that he wouldn't say anything and had then given permission, advising the doctor that John was their brother. Scott had agreed with Gordon's decision, saying he would have done the same thing. Scott sighed and closed his eyes, rubbing his fingers on his temples. The day had been a long, stressful and tiring for them all. He opened eyes when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes to find Gordon looked at him.

"Scott." He jerked his head and Scott opened his eyes to see the Doctor approaching. He stood up and Virgil joined him. His two younger brothers flanking him either side, he waited for the doctor to speak.

Dr Katrina Smith had always prided herself on being the best surgeon Royal Darwin had to offer. When the call had come in from International Rescue she'd leapt at the chance. And then, when questioning the young redhead operative, she'd inadvertently found out that the good looking young man with the iron bar in his leg, was their brother. Now, looking at the three young men standing there in International Rescue uniforms, she could see the family resemblance from all of them. She had promised the young man, Gordon, she think his name was, that she would keep their secret. She removed her cap and undid the back of her surgical gown, throwing it in the nearby bin. Taking his chart, she approached the brothers, smiling slightly.

"G'day folks. Now, who's in charge?" The tall brown haired young stepped slightly forward.

"I am. How's John?" She smiled gently at them, easing their minds.

"He'll be fine. He's a fighter that's for sure. He was also extremely lucky. The iron bar didn't hit his bone but did severe major blood vessels in his leg. We grafted some blood vessels from his other leg over and they took really well and that repaired the damage. There's some minor damage to the muscles in his leg, but rehab will take care of that. He's not out of the woods yet though, we did have to give him three litres of blood, he'd lost that much. But all in all, I'm extremely hopeful for his recovery. He's been moved to the high security section of ICU and I've left strict orders only the two senior nurses, and yourselves and myself obviously, are to be allowed in. I hope that relieves your mind somewhat." Scott sighed in relief.

"Yes, thank you Doctor. We appreciate you looking after him, and your help in this." Katrina smiled gently at him.

"A few years ago you guys saved a mate of mine in New Zealand, so I figure I owe you one. Anything me and mine can do, let us know." Scott smiled.

"Thank you. Now, do you know what room our other friend was taken to?" Katrina glanced at her chart and read through it.

"Ah yes, Lady Penny. She's down in room three, down on the second floor." Scott glanced at Virgil, who nodded in agreement and then back at Katrina.

"Could we ask that she be moved to be up with John? They are engaged and he'll worry if she's not close by." Katrina grinned and gave a tiny dramatic sigh with a wink at them to say she was teasing slightly.

"It's always the good looking ones that are taken. No worries mate, I'll take care of it. Now, John's going to be out of it for at least six more hours. You may want to get out of those uniforms, find somewhere to stay and therefore be a tad more inconspicuous." Scott grinned and looked at the other two. They hadn't even thought about getting out of their uniforms, so worried about John they had been.

"Okay, Gordon, you stay here. Virgil and I will go home, grab father and come back. We'll bring back some clothes for you okay." Gordon nodded in agreement.

"I can help their Scott. I can scrounge something up for him in the meantime."

"Great. Thank you. Before we go though, can we see him?" Katrina grinned.

"Thought you'd want to do that, come with me please." She led them up to the next floor and along a corridor. She gestured for them to enter the room and moved away to talk to the nurse and the security guard. The three brothers entered the room and moved to John's beside.

Scott glanced at Gordon, to see his reaction. Gordon was pale but seemed to be coping well, it brought back painful memories for him, but he wouldn't be anywhere else. They moved to his side and looked down at his still form.

His legs were under a raised cover and a drip was attached to the back of his right hand. An oxygen mask was over his face and the monitor beeped softly with his heartbeat. He was pale but was slowly getting some come colour back in his face. Scott reached down and clasped his brother's hand, Gordon doing the same on the other side of him. Virgil stood next to Scott and they watched him breath for a few moments. Gordon was the first to break the silence prevailing in the room, his words soft, thoughtful.

"You know, the first thing I remember after my accident was waking up to find John sitting in a chair, quietly reading to me 10,000 leagues under the sea. He knew how much I love that book, and thought it would help when I woke to hear something from home. Every day I was in hospital, when it was his turn to sit with me, he'd read me more from that book, and others that he knew I loved." Scott and Virgil remained silent, staring down at their brother, letting Gordon speak. John looked so frail, so fragile lying there. Virgil cleared his throat awkwardly and then spoke softly as well.

"I think we often forget about how much we all depend on John. All that time he's up in Thunderbird Five, we tend to forget he's there, alone. He always is there for us when we need him. Sometimes even when we don't realise that we need him, he's there for all of us. And then just lately, when Alan needed him, he was there so selflessly, so effortlessly that we took him for granted, didn't we." Scott sighed, stroking John's limp hair, even when he was unconscious, the one lock of blond hair still hung over his eyes.

"Yes we did, didn't we. And look what it almost cost us as a family. It almost cost us John's sanity and stability. And we must make sure that we never, ever take him for that granted again. We must never let John forget that we love him, and that we do care about him, even when he's far away from us in Thunderbird Five. And we have to support him during his recovery and his rehab." Gordon looked up from where he was holding John's other hand, his face determined and strong.

"That will be my job. He helped me during mine, it's only fair I return the favour." Scott and Virgil both smiled, knowing that the bond the two of them was just as strong as the bond between Scott and Virgil. In fact, John was the only person Gordon would let help him through his rehab, so it was really only natural for Gordon to want to do the same. Just then the door opened and Katrina walked back in, smiling gently.

"Okay, gentlemen, only one person at a time." She handed Gordon some scrubs. "Sorry, best I could do on short notice." He nodded at her, taking them off her.

"Thank you." He quickly peeled off his sash and top, gently placing the photo of John and Penny next to John's head. He handed Scott his tunic and slipped on the scrubs.
"That way, anyone looking in, will think your staff watching over him. Now, I've left orders for you guys to be allowed in and out as you please, but only one person at a time." They nodded and she opened the door, to let them out. Giving Gordon a smile, and John's hand a final squeeze, Scott and Virgil filed out of the room, following Katrina down towards the lifts. She handed them a key and gestured to an elevator off to one side.

"This is the secure express elevator, we use it when we have special cases that need extra security. Here's the key for it. You and your family are welcome to use it to your hearts content while he's here. And don't worry, we'll take good care of him." Scott took the key from her and smiled in gratitude. It was pleasing to see how well John would be looked after while he was here.

"Thank you, for everything." Katrina just blushed and shrugged.

"Hey, it's okay. The whole world owes you guys, now get going, get home, come back with the rest of your family and bring your brother a change of clothes." Laughing softly, relief at John being okay finally catching up with them, they left.

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A couple of days had past and finally John was coherent enough to understand what had happened to him and that he'd be out of action for a little while. Scott and Virgil had returned with Jeff and they had booked into a near by hotel for the meantime. No one twigged that they were the International Rescue people that had brought him in the other day. Only Katrina knew and she'd assured Jeff that she would keep their secret. He had been profuse in his thanks for her good work, and later that day, a donation of two million dollars had been made to the hospital research fund. He'd been relieved to see John in one piece, sort of. Jeff had been by his side when he'd finally awoken, relieved that John would be all right. His brother's visiting him one after the other had then inundated John and he'd been overwhelmed with emotion. He'd even managed to joke with Alan via radio that this was one way for him to get Alan to return the favour of staying in Thunderbird five for all those months. Alan had replied that was fine, but next time, could he think of getting out of Thunderbird Five duty without giving Alan a heart attack thank you very much? That had given them all a much-needed laugh.

Twenty four hours after John had finally woken, he was finally aware enough and the pain was under control enough, that he was moved to a more private location, but still in a secure wing of the hospital. His days were filled with his brothers making sure he wasn't alone and showering him with love and good-natured affection. Gordon read to him, wryly returning the favour, some of the books he'd been meaning to catch up on. They ended up having a pretty interesting discussion on the merits of an action story versus some of the great classics. Scott kept him amused by playing cards and cheating outrageously at snap and poker, taking terrible advantage that John couldn't snap properly. Virgil had laughingly decided to capture John's predicament in pastel, and spent the time drawing him while chatting about the latest musical trends and his idea for some lyrics to a tune he'd written. John had been forever trying to persuade Virgil to try and publish his music, but Virgil was being uncharacteristically stubborn about it. His father had sat with him a few times and they had discussed, when John had been awake and aware enough, the latest in space exploration. But each of his brothers and his father spent a couple of hours at a time with him, when he was awake and sat with him when he was asleep. Everything was looking good for him to have a speedy and good recovery.

But John was concerned though; he hadn't seen Penelope, yet Scott told him she was fine, as he'd seen her. The only thing he knew was that she'd gotten a broken wrist, three cracked ribs and some bruising. He was starting to wonder maybe she'd changed her mind, and didn't want to marry him. He looked up from where he had been trying to read through a magazine, and glanced over at Scott, his current guardian.

"Scott, you're sure she's fine." Scott sighed and put down his magazine.

"She's fine John, for the tenth time this hour. What's really the matter Johnny? I know all about the proposal." John looked over, stunned.

"You do? And that she accepted?" Scott grinned at him.

"Yes. And I think you did the right thing." John sighed, leaning back against the pillows.

"I think so to. But why hasn't' she come to see me? Is she mad with me or something?" Scott sighed, he'd been expecting this and was prepared for it.

"She's been busy fobbing off reporters and well wishers. It's gotten so bad that Parker has had to take up residence along with the security guard outside her room to let her have some privacy." John raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I didn't realise. Why are they doing that?" Scott snorted softly and got up, pouring John a drink and handing it to him. He then sat down with a sigh.

"Somehow it got out that Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward, that famous British socialite got injured while on vacation with a mystery man, and was rescued by International Rescue. So, it's big news. She's been fighting them off tooth and nail. So, the doctors say she can go home tomorrow and she's going to join Dad and the others at our hotel. So, once the furore has died down, she'll sneak in to see you, don't worry about it." John nodded, sipping the water.

"Thanks Scott. I know I sound silly, but, it's just that I've never felt this way about someone before, and I'm scared, and excited and frightened and everything all at once." Scott smiled at his younger brother and leaned over, patting his hand gently.

"I know how you feel John. I felt the same when I was with Sarah. But you know how that turned out." Scott had come to terms with that not so gentle break up a few years ago and now was just filled with regrets about what might have been. John looked at him, concern on his face.

"Your still not quite over her, are you Scott?" Scott smiled in spite of himself.

"Always looking out for others aren't you John? Never yourself." Scott sighed and leaned back in the chair. "And yes, I am over her, but doesn't stop me occasionally having regrets and thinking what might have been." John studied his brother a moment and then gave him a smile.

"No regrets Scotty, didn't we say that when Dad first put forward the idea for International Rescue. And we haven't had any, have we?" Scott smiled at John, amazed once more at the depths of his brother's perception.

"Yes I know. And I don't have any regrets, but sometimes you can't help but wonder." John smiled slightly, his eyes warm and loving towards his oldest brother.

"Occasionally. More so lately, in the last few weeks actually. Wondering what might happen and stuff. But I'm happy with my life, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am." Scott smiled at John and they shared a moment of fond remembrance of over the years they had spent on their father's dreams. John looked at Scott and then spoke softly.

"I've been doing some thinking about the future, especially after this happened." Scott looked at John sharply; something in his tone alerted him to the fact that his quietest brother was about to drop a bombshell. The last time John had spoke like this was when he'd calmly announced that he had asked Mary Briggs to the Prom and she'd accepted. Mary had been the target of all the older Tracy boys for that dance. Scott stared at John and braced himself.

"About what John? What's on your mind?" John didn't look at him, couldn't in fact. Obscurely he felt like he was about to betray Scott and he wasn't sure how his older brother would take it.

"You know how I told you the other night I was thinking about what to do with Pen and us being together." John's voice had gotten softer now, more uncertain, something none of the brothers had heard from him before.

"Yes. Go on John." Scott was getting worried now, he was half afraid John was going to say he was going to call things off between them.

"Well I was thinking, Pen and I could be together if we automate Thunderbird five and I go to work full time at Tracy Industries. That way I'm still helping you and Dad out, but can be with Pen without risking my neck every few months and possibly end up dead." The words came out in a sudden rush and John sounded slightly unsure of how they would be received. Scott raised his eyebrows and looked at his brother. John was serious about this; his eyes were wary but determined. Scott sat back in shock for a few moments. He'd never thought John would be the first to leave International Rescue, he'd actually had his money pegged on Alan leaving to marry Tin-Tin. He and Virgil even had a bet about it as well. He looked up to see John watching him warily.

"Well, say something, please." Scott just shrugged.

"What do you want me to say John. To be honest, I'd never thought I'd hear those words come from you, that's for sure." He visibly straightened up and gave John a smile. "But whatever your choice, I'll support you 100%, you know that." John gave a small sigh of relief, pleasure on his face, his eyes warm.

"Thank you Scott, that means a lot. Especially from you." Scott smiled at him just as the doors opened and in walked Gordon, book in hand.

"Change over time guys." Scott grinned and winked at John.

"I don't know Gordon. John's been bragging about what he's going to leave for me in his will next time he decides he wants to get stuck in the middle of a cyclone again." Gordon laughed and stuck his tongue out at Scott. Laughing, Scott left and Gordon sat down, opening the book. John smiled warmly at his younger brother, glad Gordon was here. He could always make John feel better when he was feeling down, and at the moment, he was really down.

"So, what torturous novel do you have for me today?" Gordon laughed as he sat down and opened the book. He loved to be able to spend time with John and repay the favour and love that John had given him all those years ago when he'd been hurt.

"Just a rather interesting book that I came across in father's library a few weeks ago I thought you'd like to take back with you. Interestingly enough, it's a fantasy novel, something I didn't expect to find in the library." John looked intrigued.

"Really? Didn't think father was into fantasy novels."

"Neither did I, but it's a good book. I've just finished reading it." Gordon settled himself and looked up.

"Ready?"

"Sure thing. What's it called?" Gordon held it up for him to see.

"It's called The Redemption of Althalus by David Eddings. It's quite good." John relaxed and closed his eyes, knowing Gordon would stop if he fell asleep.

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Scott slipped out of John's room quietly disturbed. John was talking about leaving International Rescue but was also terrified Penny didn't love him any more and that's why she hadn't been to see him. He wasn't sure what he was going to do. He sighed and moved down the hallway to Penny's room. He nodded to Parker, who had come back from holidays after hearing what had happened, and after knocking, went in. Penny was sitting up, dressed, smiling warmly in welcome at him.

"Scott, how lovely to see you again. How are you?" The bruise on her face not marring her beauty at all and even the plaster on her wrist was pink in line with her outfit. Scott came over and sat down with her, smiling at her slightly.

"Good thank you Penny. I've just been with John. He's worried your mad at him or something because you haven't seen him yet." Penny looked away, unable to meet his eyes, her demeanour unsure.

"I'm not sure if I want to see him at the moment Scott to be honest, I'm slightly frightened of what I'll see. I guess I still have the picture in my mind of him being that hurt. You may be used to that sort of thing but I'm not. I keep seeing over and over again in my mind. He asks me to marry him, we kiss and then the next moment the roof caves in and he's throwing himself over me. I can't get that image out of my mind, so, for the moment it's enough for me to know that he's okay." Scott sighed, frustrated slightly and still in shock over John's words to him. He looked at her, his voice soft and warm, trying to be supportive.

"Well, I don't know what's happening between you two Penny, or if you'll stick to your acceptance of his proposal, but I can tell you that if you do, he's going to leave International Rescue and work at Tracy Industries full time, so he can be with you. He loves you that much Penny." Penny stared at him in shock, his words startling her. She had no idea John would do that. They hadn't spoken about the future at all, and now he was talking of leaving International Rescue for her. She shook her head and sighed.

"I intended to keep my word to him, but I can't have him leaving International Rescue! He's too important, you all are!" Scott looked at her, frowning.

"I know that Penny, John's especially important to us. But he loves you dearly, that's plain to see, and he doesn't want you to go through what father went through when Mum was killed. He doesn't want to go out on a rescue and not come back, he thinks that would be too unfair on you." Penny looked at him, stunned at his words. She shook her head at his words.

"No. I will not allow him to do that. Sure, there is a small risk of him getting hurt or killed during a rescue, you all face that. But I will not have him throw all that away because of me." Scott looked at her, stunned by the strength of her words. He gave her a tiny grin.

"You don't know yet just how stubborn John can be. He feels that it would be unfair to you, ask you to marry him and then have him away the majority of the year on Thunderbird Five. And then when he is on the ground, risking his life on rescues. He loves you too much to ask you to do that for him. He feels this is an acceptable compromise." Penny shook her head again.

"No, it's not an acceptable compromise, not to me. I love John for what he does and who he is. If he gives it all up, that would be asking him to change himself and who he is for me, and that would be totally unfair. I haven't asked him to do this, and I won't let him do it either. I don't mind that he'll be away some times, and others he'll be risking his life to save people. That's who he is, and I wouldn't change that for anything." Penny stood up, a determined look on her face. "And I'll just make dam sure that he understands that. I want to marry him and who he is, not have him change everything in his life for him. If you'll excuse me Scott, I have to go and sort out your brother." She left her stride determined and strong. Scott chuckled slightly; knowing his brother was in for an interesting discussion with her. He wouldn't be in John's shoes right now for all the money in the world.

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John had gotten drowsy and was almost asleep when the door opened and in walked one very angry and determined looking Penelope Creighton-Ward. Gordon took one look at her face and decided that prudence was the better form of valour. John's eyes had opened when he heard the door open and he smiled when he saw it was Penny. Gordon stood and grinned.

"Um, I'll see you two love birds later." He left quickly, closing the door behind him. John smiled warmly at her.

"Pen! It's great to see you! I'm so happy you're alright!" Penny moved over to his side, her eyes flashing and she crossed her arms.

"That may be so, but what's this I hear from Scott about you going to leave International Rescue!" John winced at her words; he was planning on telling her but later, when he could find the words.

"I was going to tell you Pen, I truly was." Penny wasn't mollified.

"Do you want to tell me why you're doing this stupid thing?" John winced again, she wasn't happy that's for sure. But he had to tell her now, didn't he. Silently he thanked his older brother for spilling the beans on him and vowed revenge. He sighed and looked at her, trying to choose his words carefully.

"Look Pen, I love you so much that it hurts. But I will not put us into a situation where you only see me about four months of the year and even then I'll be going on rescues and could end up dead. I will not put you through all the worry and wondering like that. And then if something does happen, I'll be leaving you alone, and I don't want that either. I don't want you to be left behind and be alone. I won't do that to you. I want to be a part of your life Pen, so much so that I will give it all up, everything, to be with you." Penny just sighed as she listened to his words. She uncrossed her arms and reached over, taking his hand.

"John, I don't care about any of that. I don't care that I wouldn't see you that often, or that you'd be putting yourself in danger on rescues. If you stayed down here on the ground and didn't do rescues you'd be killing a part of yourself off, the part that I love about you. I will not allow you to make that sacrifice for me, for us." She reached up and stroked his hair and her hand rested on his face. "John, you are who you are, as am I. I will continue my work for your father, and you will continue your most important work as the voice of International Rescue. I will not let either of us change our lives so much so that one or the other is miserable. I value our love too much to do that."

"But Pen, what if something happens to me and your left alone? I couldn't bare that thought." John's voice was stricken and Penny smiled gently.

"Shouldn't you be asking me that. Considering the work I do for your father, sometimes I'm the one that may not come home. And neither of us will be alone John, we have your family, and they will always be there, won't they." John thought a moment and then nodded.

"Yes, they will be." John sighed and gave her a tiny smile. "Guess I was over reacting wasn't I?" She laughed and leaned over, gently kissing him on the cheek.

"Yes, you were. Now, that's settled then – neither of us will discontinue our lives, we will continue to serve International Rescue and we will make the time we have together special, agreed?" John smiled at her, squeezing her hand.

"Agreed. I love you Penny." Penny smiled and leaned down, grinning at him.

"I love you to John. For now and ever." They kissed and everything was all right again between them. After a few moments they broke apart and John grinned at her.

"So, how do you feel about an April wedding?"

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Epilogue – Seven months later.

"And in social news today it was announced that Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward has secretly married John Tracy of Tracy Industries in a small wedding in the private chapel on her estate this weekend. In a statement issued by Mr Jeff Tracy, President and founder of Tracy Industries, he stated that he was extremely pleased to have Lady Penelope join his family and that he wished them all the best for the future. Reporters were unable to contact either party for comment. And in news just to hand, International Rescue has just saved a dozen people trapped in a burning building in the heart of London, authorities say that if not for the timely arrive of these brave and gallant individuals, lives would have been lost…. And now, on to sport."

The End.