Trapped Within

Early morning

John Tracy steps through the corridor of Thunderbird 5, the first time since the mad man who calls himself the Hood had targeted Thunderbird 5 and her pilot with a missile but also invaded their home and stolen their 'birds', taking them to London in an attempt to rob the Bank of London. Now, four weeks later and John is fully healed from his ordeal with the attack, at least physically, goes back to his 'bird' to help with the repairs. Once inside the corridor that leads to the main area, John looks around at the damage the missile did to his precious thunderbird, he gasps and swallows down the bile that is rising in his throat as the all too familiar burning smell filled his nose. John walks down the steps and stops in the middle of the room before taking a deep breath, he feels his chest tightens and feels the bile coming up again; he walks over to the wall to grip onto something. His mind replaying the images of the attack over and breathing starts getting heavier and decides to leave, he turns around and walks hurriedly back to thunderbird three.

Scott Tracy, works at the console of thunderbird five, he turns around and sees his brother John having trouble breathing, he walks towards John, but sees John turn and walk back to thunderbird three, he switches his watch on and sees his dad, Jeff Tracy, facing him, Jeff asks, "hey Scott, you guys just got up there, surely you're not done yet?" Scott replies, "Not yet, I'm gonna get the rest of the guys and head home early."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure John is ready to come back. I think I just saw him having a panic attack and he wasn't even here for five minutes."

"Okay Scott, gather everyone up and head back home, I'll have a talk with John once you all get here."

"FAB dad."

Ten Minutes later in the cockpit of Thunderbird Three

"Hey John, we are heading home so buckle up."

"Why are we heading home now?"

"The repairs can wait until later."

"Scott, why are we going home and please tell me the truth?"

"Okay... I'm just worried about you, that's all."

"Why are you worried?

"John, you nearly had a panic attack not 10 minutes ago, you can't tell me you're fine."

"Scott, I'm telling you, I am fine, I guess it was too soon to come up, especially when we still got repairs to do, that's all."

"Damn it John, you had a panic attack, you are not fine, and it's not because it's still damage. John, please tell me what's going on."

"Can we leave it alone Scott?"

"For now, but when we get home you have to talk to dad, he knows about the panic attack." For the first time since the attack on Thunderbird Five, Scott looks into Johns eyes, all he could see was dullness,

"WHY THE HELL DID YOU TALK TO HIM, SCOTT? YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO TELL TO HIM, ESPECIALLY BEFORE TALKING TO ME FIRST. HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME? NOW HE WON'T THINK I'M CAPABLE OF DOING MY JOB"

"Your wellbeing comes before International Rescue, and dad knows that you are capable of doing your job, John, that's why."

"WHAT ABOUT WHEN WE GO OUT ON A RESCUE, HE WON'T LET ME GO WITH YOU GUYS IF HE THINKS THAT I'M INCAPABLE OF KEEPING MY HEAD ON STRAIGHT."

"This is not about IR and you know it. I am worried about you. We all know you are able to do any of our jobs just as capable as you do yours, but if you are having trouble coping with what happened to you, you need to address it before it gets out of hand."