Always there, but never noticed

Disclaimer - I do not own the Thunderbirds.

A/N It's mainly movie verse, with hints of the TV show

Chapter 1

"The Thunderbirds are on the TV!" A voice cried out from behind Calliope.

The brunette turned to see a bunch of the children from the lower years in her school following after a small year 8 into the common room of the Athena house at Collingwood Secondary School for young gentlemen and ladies.

The year eleven student groaned under her breath and waited for the tirade that was sure to come from her friends.

"Oh. My. God. Please can we go watch? Please!" Aliona pleaded desperately, her curly auburn her bouncing around her shoulders as she fidgeted in her seat.

"I second it!" Grace put her hand up as to signify they were voting on the matter. Her bright green eyes gleaming on contrast with her deep black hair. Her notion was soon agreed upon by her twin Natalia, who had the same appearance bar the fact she had blue eyes as opposed to green.

The 15 year old groaned again, knowing she would end up having to go. The boys in her group had already left; Ivan, Ollie and Theo had ran off to watch International Rescue the moment they heard. So, grudgingly the young girl got up and slumped her way over to her own boarding house, her best friends practically skipping behind her.

"What is it with you and the Thunderbirds?" Natalia demanded as they entered the room, pushing their way through the massive crown of students.

Callie glared at her. "What is it with you and the Thunderbirds?" She retorted going to stand by Ivan, whom they had just come across in the mass of students.

The chestnut brown haired boy grinned at her begrudging look before turning his attention back to the screen his floppy curly hair falling into his face as he debated with Ollie about which Thunderbirds would be used.

"I say they bring 2. That way they are able to help more."

"No way, they'll bring just 1! 2's too big for this!" Theo butted in, his messy mousy brown hair flopping into his face.

"Nah, its gunna be 2, they need it for the size of the disaster." Ollie spoke, blue eyes gleaming against his tanned skin and blonde hair.

Aliona pondered for a second. "What's the incident?"

"An oil rig is on fire in Russia." Came Grace from behind them, her and Natalia forcing their way through the last people to join the group at the front. Calliope rolled her eyes as the boys began to bicker again.

"They'll bring 1 and 2. 1 because its agile to get around and has the oxygen missiles and 2 because they can use the rescue platform, in case anyone is stuck." Calliope told them exasperatedly before turning to the screen as the news reporter appeared live at the site.

"We are told the rig is in danger of total collapse and there is real concern for the lives of 6 men who remain trapped on board. An emergency call went out to the Thunderbirds just a few moments ago, they should be here any moment now. And.. Here they are!"

All the students cheered, apart from the singular brunette as Thunderbirds 1 and 2 made their appearance on the screen. The 3 boys who had been debating which of the 'birds would be used look around to their friend in shock.

Calliope watched the rescue unfold as International rescue reached the oil rig. They need to swing Thunderbird 2 around, they won't do well at their current angle. She thought to herself.

She winced slightly, along with the population of students present as Thunderbird 1 narrowly missed being hit by a blast, she watched with rapture as they lowered the platform from Thunderbird 2 and smirked as once again the boys turned their surprised gazes to her.

She smiled as they put the fire out with a missile from 'bird 1 whilst managing to save all six men, showing her contentment of International Rescue's success as her friends cheered.

"How the heck did you know they were gunna do that?" Theo exclaimed as the 6 friends made their way back to the main school. The girl in question frowned. C'mon brain, I need an excuse! She thought hurriedly.

"It's simple logic mate, and there's the fact I'm forced to listen to you guys drool over them every day." She raised her eyebrow at her girlfriends at the end of her statement. The twins looked sheepish but Aliona grinned broadly at her friend.

"Sorry darling, that's the price you gotta pay if you wanna stay with us." The auburn haired girl winked at her best friend. Callie appeared to deliberate with herself for a moment.

"Yeah, why do I even put up with it? I'm outta here!" With that Callie turned on her heel and began to leave, only to have her three boys pull her back into their arms.

"Nice try, but we need you here. Who else is gunna make us look smarter?" Ollie grinned at the offended look on his mates face.

"Are you saying I'm stupid!" She screeched. Ivan faced palmed at her reply.

"No, you're a smart arsed straight A student." Calliope smiled at him. "But.. You do lack any sort of common sense." The smile vanished and she scowled at him.

The young student opened her mouth to reply with a rude remark but was cut off by the shout of her name. The 3 boys grinned at each other as the brunette closed her mouth to prevent the retort being over heard.

"Calliope!" The girl turned to see a small girl running up to them.

"Hey there Lulu, what do ya want?" The small blonde glanced sideways at Ollie who smiled at her, to which she blushed before stuttering out her information.

"Ther...there's a lady outside the school for you. She said to say "It's time to go to paradise."" Calliope's face lit up upon realising who was here for her.

"Thanks Lu!" The little girl smiled at her before running off to her friends. Callie smiled as she watched her, only to be distracted by the sound of a smack from her right. Confused, she turned her face to see Ollie rubbing his arm and Theo glaring at him.

"Dude! What the hell?" Ollie whined as Theo continued his stare.

"Dude! Lulu's already obsessed with you! I don't need you smiling at her, she'll just go on even more!" He moaned to his friend about his younger sister. A smug grin plastered its self across the messy haired boys face and the girls looked at him wearily.

"Hey, I can't help that I've been blessed with devilish good looks and..OW!" Ollie cried as he received a whack on the head from the four girls in the group.

"Well, after that entertaining, yet egotistical conversation, I will take my leave. Ta ra!" Called Calliope as she waved goodbye to her friends as she headed to the women waiting for her. Her friends called back similar replies.

Calliope squealed excitedly. "Lady P!" The women in pink turned at the sound of her name and smiled widely at her charge.

"Callie, darling, it's lovely to see you!" The blondes British accent broad upon her words. It often felt weird to Callie being the only American in her school, but it was a title she wore proudly. It was also one her friends used on a regular basses to address her.

"Miss Callie, let me take your bags for ya." Parker, Lady Penelope's driver cut in, reaching out for the younger girls luggage.

"Thanks Parker."

"Now, we are to stop off in America, your father has requested we pick up Alan on our way to the Island. I'm sure you saw the reason why."

"I did." She grumbled. "My friends are mega fans, it's quite disturbing actually."

The older woman laughed heartily at the brunette's moaning as the two got into the bright pink saloon car.

The 16 year old grinned as it took off into the sky, heading straight for Wharton high school. She watched as the clouds passed them by and the sea sparkled in the sun, smiling happily at the thought of spring break.

Upon landing, they drove to the school where a young boy would be waiting, unknowledgeable about their current placement. She grinned at the thought of his reaction when he found out. The grin widened as they pulled up to the front of the school and they were greeted by the headmaster.

She followed Lady P and the headmaster of the school to where they found a group of boys, all eagerly discussing the previous rescue from the Thunderbirds and Calliope knew this would be were the younger boy was.

"TRACY!" Bellowed the older man. The boys froze and turned towards the sound, separating out to make space for "Tracy" to get through. The two women took "There's some one here for you" as a cue to enter.

There was a hush as the young boys leered at the younger of the two, to which the brunette raised her eye brow. A blonde boy pushed his way through, followed by a small boy with glasses. The blondes eyes lit up upon seeing her.

Calliope grinned and ran towards him, flinging her arms around them both.

"Alan! Fermat! How's it going?" She smiled broadly, and internally rolled her eyes at the disappointed whispers of Alan's fellow classmates. She tugged on the two boys hands as Lady Penelope finished explaining to the boys why she was there.

"C'mon let's go!" She said impatiently. The two younger boys smirked at her.

"Still as impatient as ever I see, Callie." Fermat stated. The girl replied by immaturely sticking out her tongue and walking back to the car before the boys had a chance to make a sarcastic remark.

The flight home was mainly made up of any news from the last few weeks, as well as the brunette girl making another joke about the reason for Alan's transfer to Wharton.

"Approaching Tracy Island M'lady. It also seems we have some company." Parker told them all. The 3 children turned to face the windows eagerly and grinned when the two Thunderbirds flew past them, Thunderbird 1 showing off slightly. The young brunette grinned as the pilot of Thunderbird 1 gave them a wave before speeding off.

Calliope smiled sadly as she heard the blonde of the boys mutter about wishing he was a part of International Rescue, knowing Alan was gutted about having to wait to be a Thunderbird.