White Out

Disclaiming again...Not mine. Not Thunderbirds, not Numb3rs, and if anyone sees my mind...please send it my way.

Think I got all the reviewers this time. To the anons, either thanks or to the one who commented on Ovid...That was the point, hon...I don't get mad. I commit literary mayhem.

Epilogue

Two weeks, two days and eight hours later (but who's counting?)

Katherine Eppes Tracy entered the front doors of Cedar Sinai Medical Center in California with her lips tight and her stride purposeful.

"Hey, Kate," Edward smiled as his cousin made her way towards the elevators.

Kate whirled around, a small smile returning to her face. "Hey Ed-O. What's up?" She looked around. "Where's Ellen?"

"Orientation," Edward shrugged. "Requirement for all new hires. But she loves it."

"And what do your parents think of her?"

Edward grinned widely. "Mom is already planning the wedding. I told her not to move so fast but she insists it's my fault for waiting so long to find the right girl. She said it was embarrassing that all of my cousins were married before me."

"And maybe you should remind Aunt Amita that Danny eloped to Vegas," Kate snickered as she looked around for the aforementioned brother.

"I did," Edward laughed. "I think it may have bought us a few months."

"There you are, Kate," Daniel sighed as the elevators opened. "No time for chatter." He grabbed his only sister's arm and tugged at it, giving their cousin a half=hearted wave before the elevator doors began to shut.

"Not so fast, brother of mine," Kate snapped. "I want to know what the heck this is about."

Frowning when the doors bounced off of Kate's hand, Dan Eppes frowned and whispered urgently, "Not here, Katherine Louise."

Ignoring Edward's snicker, Kate slipped into the elevator which promptly shut before glaring at her brother.

"Don't call me that," Kate hissed. "And why not here? I left my husband – you know, my husband who was injured not long ago."

Daniel glanced at the two nursing students on the elevator with them before shaking his head. A moment later a small chime was heard, the doors opened and Daniel tugged at Kate's arm once more in order to exit themselves quickly from the elevator.

"I thought Scott was just about recovered from the car jacking," Dan murmured.

Kate just shrugged. According to what had been leaked to the media – and friends or family not in on the Tracys' secret – Scott and Alan had been carjacked, explaining their injuries as Scott hurt resisting and Alan jumping free of the car.

Heading down the corridor, Daniel stopped at a smaller hallway, one with only a couple of rooms, flashing his badge. Kate snickered at that.

At her brother's raised eyebrow, Kate explained.

"I always thought it weird that lawyers would have badges."

Dan frowned. "Kate, Mom was a federal prosecutor and I'm for the state. Heck, even Andy has one and he works with the DA's office."

"Whatever," Kate sighed. "Now are you going to tell me..."

"Is this her?" a new voice interjected.

Kate turned to see a man in a three thousand dollar suit walk towards her from one of the rooms.

"And you are?" Kate snapped, even as she actually did recognize him.

"Oliver Benton," the man oozed holding out a hand that she ignored.

"Oh yes," Kate smirked. "The Slug of San Francisco."

Benton glared. He had almost forgotten that the former Katherine Eppes had been an FBI agent prior to her marriage into one of America's (heck, the world's) wealthiest families.

And he hated that nickname bestowed upon him by the West Coast director, David Sinclair.

"My client wishes a word with you," Benton snapped.

Daniel stepped next to Kate, taking her arm. "I'm going in with her."

"No, you..."

Before the two opposing lawyers could clash, Kate pulled away from her brother and pushed Benton aside. "Neither of you are coming in and listening to a conversation between two private citizens."

As the door closed behind her, Benton glared at Daniel. "Is she always so pushy?"

Dan Eppes smirked. "You're lucky she no longer carries a gun. At least, I don't think she does."

Kate let the door close behind her, gazing at the man in the bed. She had been in enough hospital rooms over the years to recognize comfort measures being in place.

And the DNR – Do Not Resuscitate – sign over the bed was a big clue as well.

"Mr. Delaney," Kate said firmly as she moved closer to the bed.

Francis "Big Frank" Delaney had once been one of the most feared mob leaders in America. Unlike John Gotti, the so-called "Teflon Don" because charges never stuck to him, there never was a time the government finally won against this man. But it looked like death truly was the last judge.

Delaney beckoned her closer. "Mrs. Tracy, thank you for coming."

Kate raised an eyebrow as she walked over to the bed, pulling up a chair and sitting.

"I have to admit to a certain level of curiosity," Kate said. "I'm not a federal agent any more, so I don't know what we have to say to one another."

"We both love," Delaney said before coughing desperately.

Kate stood in alarm, before quickly getting a glass of water for the man when he gestured for it. He took a few small sips, nodding his thanks as Kate set the glass back on a nearby table.

"May I call you Kate?" Delaney asked.

"No," Kate responded.

Delaney smiled. "I wish you had been around to chase after me. Bet you would have got me. I could have been the Moriarty to your Holmes."

"What do you want," Kate asked as she sat back down.

"I've had the Slug take my statement," Delaney said. "I gave some names, protected a few others and will be giving quite a few people some closure. But that's not why you are here. You are here because of that monster Ovid."

Kate's eyes flared in alarm before she masked it. Most people weren't supposed to know Ovid had ever approached Alan...

"Yes, I know about Alan Tracy," Delaney admitted. "My people were nearly as thorough as yours. I know that bastard approached the boy. I'm glad he got away. But it still had to mark him."

"Not as badly as your grandson," Kate agreed.

Delaney gave a small smile. "My Billy-boy. I adored him. His aunt knew that."

"You really shouldn't have killed her husband," Kate snapped.

"He betrayed me first," Delaney said absently before becoming sharper. "And did that give her the right to destroy her own sister? Belinda might as well have killed Claire. She knew that Claire had nearly died bringing her son into the world and had been told she couldn't have more children. Claire sunk into a deep depression after Belinda stole her son. That's was why Kevin and Claire were on that plane the day it crashed. My boy was doing everything he could to pull Claire out of her depression. In my eyes, she killed her own sister that day."

"Is that why you had her killed?" Kate asked.

"If I did," Delaney glared. "She deserved it. Bitch got married while in the program and let her new husband convince her to send my grandson off to a boarding school. They are less than an hour away and they never visited him. Why do you think Ovid was able to abuse Billy worse than the other boys, badly enough to drive him to kill himself?"

"I'm sorry for your loss," Kate said as she had to force herself not to try and comfort the man.

Delaney nodded. "Thank you."

"For what?" Kate said absently.

"I know you are the one who helped make sure I was on the list of families to be notified," Delaney said. "Even if it was bad news, at least I knew what had happened to my grandson. Ignorance isn't always bliss, you know."

"Is that why you went after Ovid?" Kate asked.

Delaney smirked. "No. But it is why the California Bureau of Investigation will find some of the evidence went missing. Just the worst of it. I'm sure an argument can be made to seal the rest of it." Becoming solemn, Delaney nodded at Kate.

"He shattered those boys once," Delaney said. "I wasn't going to give the law a chance at destroying them again. Tell the other families – they are safe. I've established a trust...Most of my personal fortune. Make sure if any of the families can't afford help for their sons, this will give it to them. The rest of the money is to go to give kids in bad situations a second chance. Money to see them get a good education."

Kate almost whistled when he rattled off the amount of money he was putting aside.

"I want you to check on the families, Mrs. Tracy," Delaney said. "You have both the resources and the integrity for the job. You tell my lawyers who needs what – and it will be done."

Kate nodded. "I will – you have my word on it."

Delaney sighed as he leaned back in his bed. "Like your father – a person of honor. And like your father-in-law. I met him once. Nice man but very protective of his children. He was with his wife and five sons. He didn't know who I was. The youngest boy – Little Alan – was only about two. The family was in Kansas City, at the zoo. I was watching him the most. Claire had just found out she was finally pregnant, you see. And Claire and the late Mrs. Tracy had a similar general appearance. I wondered if my grandchild would look like that."

He smiled again. "Alan was a friendly, happy baby. And it was clear the whole family adored him. Billy should have grown up like that."

Kate found herself nodding in agreement. The latest family tragedy had been hard on all of them but at least it was leading to some open conversation that was helping the Tracys find their way back to being a family.

Delaney nodded again. "I've made my confessions to the law and God. I'm making my atonements as best I could. I just...I just want to..."

His eyes had become unfocused as he stared at a point past Kate's shoulder. Kate turned to see if someone had entered the room but saw only a closed door.

"Billy-boy," Delaney whispered, a gentle smile on his face. "My baby boy."

The heart monitor began to squeal even as the mobster's eyes closed for the final time. Soon, medical personnel filled the room as Kate was pulled out by her brother. Back in the room, the siblings could hear a doctor pronounce time of death before the door closed.

Benton looked at Kate. "You heard his last wishes?"

Kate nodded. "I'll have the info to you before the old man is buried. That will tell you who needs what."

Daniel walked his sister from the secure ward back down to her waiting rental car. "You didn't have to agree to this, Kate."

Thinking of the monster who had stalked Alan for years – as well as all of the other boys he had hurt – Kate shook her head. "Yes, I do, Danny." Looking up at the hospital she sighed.

"We do what we have to for those we love – even if it is just their memory."

Two weeks after this...

Helen Manning and Jared Samuels stood at the edge of what had been a large open area at the end of town, between the middle school and high school. It had been used as an informal field for years by students but was now marked off.

A car pulled up and a red-haired woman whose pregnancy was just really beginning to show stepped out.

"Hi. You must be Helen and you'd be her fiancé, right?" she asked cheerfully. "Sarah Tracy."

"Tracy?" Helen frowned. "As in..."

"As in, yes, my father-in-law is Jeff Tracy – I'm married to Virgil, the one who thought you were nice not like Scotty who thought you were hot."

Jared smirked. Smiles were coming easier these days but the sense of loss from his brother's death had not faded – and he doubted it ever would completely.

"Can we help you?" Helen asked as she gave Jared a half-hearted glare.

"As you may be aware," Sarah explained, "the developer for the project that you had opposed had to sell the land quickly for legal expenses. Tracy Enterprises bought the land."

"If you are telling me you want to develop it..." Helen huffed.

Sarah shook her head. "No, the family would never want that. Considering that is where Mom Tracy died." Seeing the confused looks, Sarah smiled.

"Yes, I knew her. I'm the only daughter-in-law who can say that. I grew up with the boys in Kansas."

"No," she continued. "The more accurate research we did on the land showed the nesting grounds of the Least Tern – a state and federally endangered species. So it will become a wildlife preserve. No building on it. Ever."

Helen smiled in relief. "That's wonderful but -"

"But why did I yank you out to here?" Sarah finished. "Well, the Tracy Charitable Trust not only bought that land and is giving to the World Wildlife Fund, but we also purchased this tract of land," she gestured to the field. "It will be turned into a park for the community, with a grant to help maintain it."

Sarah stared at something only she could see. "This is a beautiful place, yet it holds painful memories for both of our families. But we – and by we, I mean the Tracy Family – are hopeful that this can lead to thinking of this place in a positive light."

Helen squeezed Jared's arm. "This has been a tragedy but it is also showing how good people can be. Why, the head of International Rescue sent supplies for the Ski Patrol. It will help our budget for next year."

Hiding another smile, Sarah tried not to laugh as she knew the sisters-in-law Tracys had actually done that as they hadn't known everything Jeff was planning. The Tracys really needed to talk more.

Holding out her hand again, Sarah shook with the couple before handing over a card with instructions to call with any questions or suggestions. She also gave them a copy of the plans for what the park would look like when completed, which the pair was happily reviewing as Sarah walked back to her car. The expectant mother was about to pull away when her eye was caught by something near the couple. Looking closer, Sarah saw something shimmer but pushed it aside and drove away...

Leaning against a tree in the park, Dean Samuels smiled as he watched his little brother (although at six feet, six inches, it was hard to call Jared little) with his fiancée. Helen was smiling when Jared suggested that maybe they could get the town to open the park to coordinate with their wedding. The woman loved the idea so much that she was, well, becoming demonstrative...

Chuckling lightly, Dean nodded. He had taught the boy so well.

Seven weeks after the avalanche...

Alan Tracy and Ayoko Wattamee held onto a shovel together and lifted the first symbolic scoop of dirt from the grounds of Wharton Academy to the applause of those gathered and flashes from several cameras.

Headmaster Bean came over and shook Alan's hand, clapping him on the shoulder. "When I said I would be happy to see you again, Mr. Tracy, I didn't mean this soon."

Turning to Ambassador Wattamee, the headmaster assumed a much more serious mien. "Ambassador, we were so sorry to hear about Tomo. It is always a sad day for the Wharton's family when we lose a bright light like your son."

Ayoko nodded lightly, before looking at the area. "Tomo loved his time here. And I thank you for the opportunity to honor my son's memory."

Jeff stepped forward, placing a hand on his youngest son's shoulder. "This library extension is a very fitting memorial for Tomo. And he would appreciate the tutoring center and computer café."

Alan glanced over to the main library. "Tommy and I spent a lot of good days there." He looked around and sighed. "Actually, we had a lot of good times all over campus." Smiling at his father and Tomo's mother, he shrugged. "I just want to walk around for a minute, is that ok?"

Ayoko and Jeff both nodded while Headmaster Bean smiled encouragingly at Alan. Once the teenager was gone, he turned to the parents with a look of concern.

"How is he doing? Really? I know how close Alan and Tomo were and while dedicating this new library annex in Tomo's memory is wonderful – have I thanked you both for your donations to make this possible? – I am worried it is too soon for Alan."

Jeff smiled at Ayoko and spoke for both of them. "Actually, this was all Alan's idea. I – well, we – find it encouraging that Alan is coming to terms with the loss of his "big brother"."

Ayoko looked over to where Alan was leaning against a large oak tree in the quad. She knew without asking that this was the tree Alan would sit under whenever he could. Tomo had talked about how his "little brother" would sit there and study or read or just while away some time.

She sighed lightly, knowing that her beloved son had given her a great gift in Alan. But that didn't mean she didn't still miss Tomo.

A warm breeze seemed to caress Ayoko's cheek. If she didn't know better, she would have sworn it was a gentle touch from Tomo...

At the summer's end...

Alan shrugged off his back-pack, looking around his dorm room. The room was a little smaller than most other rooms but it had one undeniable perk...

It was private.

Usually Freshmen couldn't hope for one but Scott had had a bit of a chat with one of the powers that be – who was also a classmate of his oldest brother's from his Yale days. Alan snorted. The guy had gone to Yale for his undergraduate degree and ended up working for Harvard. Only in academia.

Flipping on his computer, Alan was pleased to see the pictures from the ground breaking at Wharton's. Flipping through the images, he grinned at them only to sigh a bit. After the ceremony, he and his father had given the ambassador a ride back to New York City. There they had spent several days taking care of business and spending time talking. His relationship with his father wasn't perfect, but it was getting better.

Some of Alan's things were still in boxes and since classes didn't go into full swing until Monday, Alan pulled open another box. On top were some pictures he had kept in his room at home. Several framed images were placed around the room but a few loose pictures – one with his niece and nephew and another with Tomo from graduation were both pinned above his desk on a cork board.

Alan sat down to go through his books when a loud thumping made him almost jump out of his seat. It took him a moment to realize it was supposed to be music.

Pulling out some Brains-tweaked earphones, Alan sighed in relief as a calmer – ok, some classic rock music – began to play. He really had to talk with Sarah Jane about presenting a united from to his father about moving off campus. The heck with "recommended on campus housing for freshmen". He couldn't think he could handle this for two semesters.

Clicking on the keyboard, Alan sent the images to his family before he went back to organizing his books and research tools. With his schedule, he didn't want to do anything less than hitting the ground running.

John smiled as he opened the e-mail from Alan. "Hey guys," he called. "I – hey, most of us – got an e-mail from Alan. He's forwarding the pictures from the dedication."

The Tracys present – Virgil was up on Five – gathered around John's laptop and smiled at the pictures. Jeff pointed to one picture in particular.

"That's a great picture under the oak," Jeff said. "Can you clean up the glare, John? I would love it for my office."

Gordon looked at the image more closely and paled. While the rest of the family agreed it was a great picture of Alan – minus the glare – Gordon saw a protective, smiling Tomo watching Alan, his ghostly hand on Alan's shoulder, the teen completely at peace, as if he could sense his spiritual guardian.

Blinking, Gordon looked more closely, ready to point it out when all he could see was what they all saw...Alan looking pensive but peaceful under a noble oak.

It was all his imagination.

Wasn't it?

A/N

Tomo - Hi. No one suggested anyone for me to hang with so here I am doing a solo. CC is a bit busy...which is why the next Thunderbird story won't be until the New Year, but she wanted to say thanks for the favorites, the follows but most of all for the reviews. CC has had a long and not always easy last twelve months and it has been the support of people on this site that has helped her maintain the tenuous hold on her sanity.

Now, CC is a huge Supernatural fan and definitely believes in ghosts. So what does that mean? That means, in the words of the Govenator, I'll be back...

CC will be around and I have seen her notes for the upcoming storyline. Damn. This woman needs therapy or a bottle of tequila. Maybe both. But you folks seem to like it. So see you in 2014 when we will once more jump into the madness...

Happy Halloween...

(BTW - this is the anniversary of ending my LAST Tracy series. How much would you want to turn ME into a ghost if I end it here, LOL? Yeah, it's CC...avoiding the voices in my head. Gets in the way of celebrating Halloween.)