Chapter 12: Epilogue

This is it, people. The final chapter in this story. Before I go any further I would like to thank everyone who read this story. And especially all those who reviewed it.

I'd like to give special thanks tomoney makes me smile,Cutiepie2191and:-Dfor being consistent reviewers throughout this story. It's nice to know there are people following me from beginning to end and always have positive things to say, or at least constructive! ;-) But anyways, I'll not distract too much more from the matter at hand. Just the final round of thanks to reviewers:

Cutiepie2191: Thanks for the kind words. Have another chapter.

:-D: Here we go. One final update for you.

money makes me smile: Yes, indeed, all good things must come to an end, but keep your eyes peeled, there may yet be something on the horizon.

Heaven Needed You

By CaptainPhoenixSparrow

Inspired by B-Witched's "It Was Our Day". Set from the point of view of Virgil Tracy

Although our team will never be the same again, we work together well. Alan pilots Thunderbird One, just as he did while father was on vacation and Tin-Tin was trained by both John and Brains to fill in for Alan in Thunderbird Three and the monthly stints in Thunderbird Five.

Each person we save is for Scott, everything we do is in his memory.

I know that every time I sit down behind the controls of Thunderbird Two he is with me. He is watching over me, guiding me and in my heart. Wherever I go, whatever I do, he is with me.

Standing in my room, I look at the portrait I painted the day Scott died. I still miss him more than I ever realised I would but now I can see more than just the blues. I know that he's up there with mom keeping us out of trouble and that one day we will be reunited.

I looked at the painting again and hung it inside my wardrobe. With a final look at it, I closed the door and turned to look at my desk where a small candle sat. I picked it up then, heading out of my room, I went down to the beach.

I followed the same path I took every evening down to where we laid Scott to rest.

Crouching in front of the polished headstone carved with the same message that embellished his coffin, I lit the candle I'd brought out with me and placed it down in the sand.

"Gone but never forgotten, Scotty," I said. I sat down next to the stone and pulled my knees close to my chest.

"We pulled off another one today, Scott," I said. "Alan's doing a good job with your 'Bird, you'd be proud. He flies it almost as well as you did." I pulled a stray leaf from between the flowers nestled at the foot of the stone. "Almost." I smiled. "Tin-Tin's gone up for her first month on Thunderbird Five. Don't think I've ever seen her so nervous. She's doing fine so far though. It's still in orbit." I smiled to myself as I thought about some of the changes that had taken place. "She has a portrait on the wall, and a proper uniform, too. Not that plain one with the weird belt, but like ours with a sash. The green suits her."

I looked around and watched the waves for a little while. Sitting down there felt like Scott was sat beside me watching the ocean with me.

A soft sigh escaped my lips again as I got up. "Better go in, Grandma will be mad if I'm late for dinner. Sure you'd know about that, though, right?" I tapped the headstone. "Gone but not forgotten," I whispered then headed back to the villa, safe in the knowledge that he would always watch over me.