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A series of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons vignettes for Christmas
2003 by Tiger Jackson
G’Day: 23 December
“Well, you’re looking much better, Captain Grey,” Doctor Fawn flipped open the
chart he was holding. “Have you seen these photos the hospital at Spectrum
Sydney sent up last week?” Grey
took them and grimaced. A month ago, he’d been on a mission in the Australian
Outback when his SPC was forced off the road. Fortunately, he hadn’t been
seriously injured, but the extensive bruising had left him stiff and sore. Fawn
grinned. “No worries, Captain. You’ve got your good looks back all right. And
you had yourself a good bit of rest.” He began the examination with Grey’s eyes,
which had both been blackened in the crash. “I hope you took advantage of it,
saw a bit of Sydney dressed up for the holidays?” Grey
returned the doctor’s smile. “Yeah, I did. But it wasn’t my first visit, you
know. I was stationed in Sydney for several years after I first joined the World
Navy submarine service. Christmas was sure different there. I didn’t mind the
holiday coming in the summertime; winters are pretty mild in San Diego. We often
went to the beach after Christmas dinner, and had pretty much the same kind of
meal — you know, turkey and mince pie and all that. But there were a lot of
differences, too. I’d never a bush covered with red berries used as a Christmas
tree or seen a sleigh pulled by white kangaroos! All the same I’m glad to be on
Cloudbase instead of in Sydney for the holiday.” “Good
to hear that someone is,” grumbled Fawn. Grey
raised an eyebrow. “Uh, I take it you had other plans?” The
doctor was silent as he made a note in his patient’s medical record. “Did you
meet a Doctor Rose while you were in hospital, by any chance?” “Yeah,
I did. She came by to see how I was doing and asked about you. I take it you two
know each other well?”
Fawn
grinned broadly. “Fair to middling. She’s my wife.” He continued Grey’s
examination as he talked. “We met in medical school, married after we completed
our residencies, and joined Spectrum together. I briefly considered refusing the
offer to come to Cloudbase, but Tathra insisted I take it. She’s the Chief
Medical Officer of Spectrum Sydney’s hospital now.” He noticed Grey’s expression
and laughed. “Long distance marriages do work for some people, Captain. We never
have a chance to get tired of each other’s company.” His face fell. “But we
haven’t been together for quite a while now. I was looking forward to joining
Tathra in Sydney for Christmas this year.”
*********************** There
was always paperwork waiting to be done. Doctor Fawn swore that it bred while he
was out of his office. Fawn
looked again at the photograph of Tathra, his beloved wife. He’d wanted so much
to be with her for Christmas this year. But orders are orders. He pushed aside
his disappointment and concentrated on his paperwork. He was well into it when
someone knocked at his door. “Come
in,” he said, not bothering to look up. The interruption annoyed him. As long he
was working, he didn’t have to think about how much he missed Tathra. “Happy
Christmas, Ned.” Doctor
Fawn’s pen fell from his nerveless fingers as he slowly raised his head and
stared at the woman clad in a rose-coloured Spectrum uniform. She
smiled. “You couldn’t get leave this Christmas. But I could. So here I
am.”
“Tathra. Tathra!” Edward Wilkie couldn’t take his wife into his arms fast
enough.
OTHER STORIES BY TIGER JACKSON Any comments? Send an
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