Chapter 11

Jeff slowly let go of his daughter. For the first time in five months he truly saw her. Her body bore very few marks from her ordeal, but she was very skinny and her skin was rather pale. Her hair had been cut to just below her shoulders. 'Oh Kim.' He muttered, before pulling her into a hug again.
'I'm so sorry Dad.' She said.
'What for?' He released her. 'It wasn't your fault.'
'I know. But I feel guilty for making you worry.'
'We've got you back, that's all that matters.'
'Mom was watching over me.' Kim smiled.
'I know she was.' Jeff replied.
'Dad, there's someone I would like you to meet.' Kim turned and waved Helen forward. 'This is Helen, she helped me get through everything.'
'You helped me too.' Helen said to Kim.
Jeff smiled down at the young girl. 'Well I've heard what happened to both of you and it seems you did the same for each other.' Helen looked down at her feet and a tear made it's way down her cheek. Kim put her arm around the girl's shoulders.

Craig walked forward and stood beside Jeff. 'Helen, we have an offer to make you. Obviously because you are now an orphan you have to go somewhere. Mr Tracy has agreed that he can adopt you.'
Helen's head shot up. 'Really? She asked. Jeff nodded. 'Thank you.' She gasped flinging her arms around him.
Jeff laughed. 'Well it doesn't seem fair to split you two up after everything.'
Kim laughed and joined in the hug. 'Helen Tracy.' She said. 'It does have a ring to it.' Everyone laughed.

'Thank you very much.' Jeff reached out and shook James' hand. He kept one arm around Kim's shoulder. They were back at the airport, ready to go home. Helen's eyes wandered over the dark blue jet that sat on the runway. The words Tracy One stood out to her. Jeff then turned to his, now two, daughters. 'Ready to go home?' Both just nodded.
Kim adjusted her harness. It felt good to be back in the aircraft. She picked up the headset and settled it on her head. She glanced behind her to where Helen was secured. Both girls grinned at each other. 'Are you girls ready?' Jeff asked over the headsets.
'Yes sir.' They replied simultaneously. Jeff smiled to himself and began to taxi the jet down the runway.

Kim told Helen everything about their home on the tropical island that was Tracy Island. Everything from the wildlife to the people and the villa. Helen hung onto her every word. Jeff told her about the ships and International Rescue in general. Helen in turn told them about herself and her life before her kidnap. Then both Kim and Jeff told her about the many rescues they had been on and the terrifying time 18 months ago when the Hood took over their base. Finally Kim spoke of her five brothers. Helen sat back and sighed, there was a lot to take in and she was so grateful to Jeff. Then a beeping alerted them to an incoming radio transmission. 'Base to Tracy One.'
'Go ahead Scott.' Jeff said.
'Just wondering how long you're going to be, Onaha wants to know whether she should start dinner.'
Jeff chuckled before replying. 'I'll be back in about 10 minutes, can you send John only down to the hanger please Scott?'
'FAB Father.' And Scott cut the link.
'They don't know do they?' Kim asked.
'No.' Jeff shook his head. 'Only John knows, because he got the call. I wanted it to be a surprise.'

John sat on some crates in the main hanger of Tracy Island. Directly in front of him was an empty space where Tracy One would stand when not in use. He ran a hand through his blond hair. His sister was finally coming home. He jumped up as the hanger doors slid open and Tracy One rolled in. His father was the first to step down from the aircraft, closely followed by a young girl who John did not recognise. His attention was taken by the third person who jumped down into the hanger. In two strides he was over and pulled his older sister into a tight hug. 'Welcome home Striker.' He said.
She gripped him tightly. 'It's good to be back.'
He released her and looked over to his father, who had his arm around the other girl. 'John, this is Helen, she's joining the family.'
John held out a hand, which Helen took. 'Welcome to the team.'

John, Jeff, Kim and Helen made their way through the Tracy Villa. Jeff had asked for everyone else to go to his office. Kim had her arm around Helen, while John had his arm around her. John was filling them in on everything that had happened in the last five months. 'You know.' He said. 'Helen's going to need a nickname, like the rest of us.'
'A nickname?' Helen asked.
'Yeah.' Kim chipped in. 'We all have a nickname that relates to us. John is Star-gazer, he's an astronaut. I'm Striker, I studied law at university. Scott's fly-boy, he used to be in the airforce. Virgil's Muse, he's and artist and musician. Gordon we call Fish because he swims a lot and Alan is Sprout, he's the youngest.'
Jeff laughed, 'They're right, the entire family have nicknames, if you truly want to be one of them you need one.'
'Survivor.' Kim said. They all looked at her. She gave the girl's shoulders a squeeze. 'It's exactly what you are.'
Jeff and John smiled. 'I think it fits.' John said and Jeff nodded in agreement.

As they turned into the hall that led to Jeff's office, Kim took a deep breath. 'It's ok, they'll be overjoyed to see you.' Jeff said.
'I know.' Kim replied.
Jeff entered his office first with John at his side. The blond-haired man had his arm around Helen. The other four Tracys looked confused at the young girl. Jeff shook his head to tell them he would explain later.
Kim paused for a moment before following the others into the office. She kept her eyes fixed on the floor. For a moment nothing happened and then someone pulled her into a hug. It was Alan. He released her and Virgil and Gordon both hugged her. Scott stepped forward to stand in front of her. 'Hey.' She mumbled. Scott just pulled his twin sister into a tight hug, which Kim returned. Everyone else joined in a group hug. Kim rested her head on Scott's shoulder and smiled to herself. It was good to be home.

Well this is the end of this story. Do you guys want a sequel or a new story What would you like in it? Please review.