Virgil stood by Thunderbird 2 as he waved goodbye to his girlfriend Elle who was visiting her family in England, a private car was waiting on the other side of the airport he had booked himself that would take her home, with a sigh he turned back to the craft and took off to return to the Island, Elle walked through to baggage reclaim and out to the arrivals gate where a man was standing holding a sign with her name on, she smiled as she approached him.

"Miss French?"

"That's me, you're the driver Virgil Tracy hired?"

"Yes miss, are we ready to go?"

"Yep."

"Here, I'll take those for you, get comfy."

Elle opened the door to the Mercedes and belted up as the man smirked maliciously behind her, in his disguise, she would have no idea it was The Hood who would be taking her on the next part of the journey.

Virgil called base, "Thunderbird 2 to Tracy Island."

"Go ahead Virgil, did Elle get to the car?" Scott asked.

"Yep, she should be leaving the airport now, I'll be home this afternoon."

"FAB. Keep in contact."

"Will do," Virgil relaxed back into his seat and pushed his bird to maximum speed.

Elle watched the countryside speed past and frowned, "this seems a very odd way to get to Essex?"

"Just a shortcut miss, don't worry," The Hood smiled as he locked the doors and activated an emf which would prevent Elle from being able to communicate with anyone, "how are The Tracys?"

"How do you know them?"

"I used to work with Mr Tracy, then I became a chauffeur. The second eldest is Virgil isn't it?"

"Yes, he and I are together."

"Yes I remember him, the musician I believe, or was it an engineer?" The Hood chuckled, "we have a long drive miss, why not rest up?"

"Nah I'm alright, I need to make a call anyway," Elle got out her phone and dialled Virgil's number, she was met with a blank screen, "what? This was fully charged," she looked up to see that her driver's appearance had changed, "no?"

"Just relax Miss French, you and I are going to have a little chat."

Elle scratched at the door, "let me out, what have you done to my chauffeur?"

"Absolutely nothing, he is still at the airport, where no-one can reach him."

Elle sank, "what are you going to do with me?"

The Hood looked back at her, "I need you as a negotiator."

Thunderbird 2 landed on the island and Virgil walked into the lounge where Scott was going over a report with Gordon, he sat down and bit his lip.

"What's up Virgil?"

"I haven't heard from Elle at all since she left the airport, have you guys heard anything?"

Gordon shook his head, "no nothing, she wouldn't contact us anyway."

Virgil looked at his phone, "she hasn't left me any messages at all. She should be home soon, I'll give her some time to get settled back."

Scott smiled, "I'm sure she can do one day without saying hi to you."

"Thanks for that brother."

Scott shrugged, "I'm only making a point, to put your mind at ease."

Virgil sighed as he walked up to the piano, "well I hope I hear from her soon."

John called in, "guys, we have a situation. Trapped crew in a mine, the mole is required and lifting."

Scott nodded, "on it. Sorry Virg, the piano will have to wait."

"I didn't even press a note," he laughed as he walked over to the portrait as Gordon left the lounge to go down to the passenger chute.

The Hood pulled into a long driveway and sped up slightly as the house got closer, Elle curled up on the backseat as she looked up at the large house towering over them, the car stopped and The Hood opened the door, he leant by it as Elle made to run.

"I wouldn't if I were you, there's a perimeter fence. You might get a nasty shock."

Elle skidded on the gravel, "what are we doing here? Am I to be starved then left for dead?"

"Absolutely not, in fact, dinner will be in an hour," The Hood opened the door to the house, "Havoc, Fuse?"

Havoc walked into the walkway, "ah Virgil Tracy's girlfriend," she snorted, "not much to you is there?"

"You don't scare, or intimidate me, Havoc, nice try."

The Hood smiled, "Fuse, get her stuff from the car and put it upstairs into the back bedroom, you know which one?"

"That I do sir," Fuse smirked as he left the house leaving Elle slightly confused, Havoc grabbed her arm and took her upstairs into the room.

"Here, have fun," Havoc laughed as she closed the door.

Elle ran to it and tried the handle, "what? It's not opening!?"

Havoc leant by it, "yeah, only we can open it. We don't want you running away, do we? You're in our care now."

Elle sat down on the bed and cried, "oh Virgil, I should never have left. Mum and dad will never see me again."

A whole day went by and the Tracy family had been out on major calls, Virgil was sketching in his room when he heard a knock at the door, he opened it remotely and Scott stood by the entrance with Grandma and Kayo all looking upset.

"What's the matter?"

Scott walked in, "Virgil, we have some bad news."

Grandma joined him on the bed, "it's headline news, I'm sorry," she turned on Virgil's tv and a red banner lit up the bottom of the screen, 'GIRL MISSING'.

Virgil's eyes watered as he watched the images flash across the screen, "no, no."

"The girl is Elle French from Essex, her parents reported that she was on her way home from London Heathrow yesterday but has not been seen since," the reporter looked sadly at the camera then back at her cohosts.

Virgil buried his face in his hands, "oh Elle."

Kayo rested her hand on Scott's shoulder, "what do we do?"

Virgil looked up, "I'm going to England, I'll find her. I'm the one who left her at the airport and trusted she would be fine in the car, this is my fault."

Kayo shook her head, "we need to plan this Virgil, she's not just your girlfriend, she's family and she's also well known. We don't want her in any more danger than she might already be in."

Virgil stood up, "let's go to the lounge, I want to see if John can find anything."

Scott nodded, "we'll find her Virgil, I promise."

Grandma wrapped her arm around Virgil's as she walked with him, "don't cry, sweetheart. She's strong, she can look after herself."

Virgil sighed, "yeah, I know she can. I just wish I knew where she was."

The group sat down in the ring and Scott called John, the ginger looked down sadly at his next older brother who was sobbing on Kayo's shoulder, he hadn't heard anything from Elle nor seen any suspicious activity around her last location.

"What about her tracking device?" Scott asked as he rubbed Virgil's arm.

John sighed, "I can't find it, it's almost like she's disappeared entirely from scans."

Kayo sighed as she laced her fingers through Virgil's hair, "hmm. Any whereabouts on The Hood?"

"You think The Hood is behind this?" Scott asked.

"I don't know why he would be, but it's possible."

John touched his ear, "hold on a second, I'm getting a flicker of communication coming in, patching it through."

The Hood's hologram came on above the table, "International Rescue, I believe you've heard the main headline, well, here she is," he dragged Elle into shot and Virgil leapt up, "let's talk negotiations."

Virgil growled, "let her go Hood."

"Certainly Virgil, but only if you give me what I want."

"This is ridiculous uncle, she's family to us, you always said you were a man of your word with family," Kayo glared up at him.

"Not on this occasion niece. Now, you give me the Thunderbirds and your organisation for Elle's return."

Scott narrowed his eyes, "never, we would never give you the Thunderbirds."

Virgil looked across to Scott, "but for Elle?"

Scott tapped his finger against his arm in a code, 'let me handle this', "are you kicking us off the island?"

"Hardly, just send the birds to me."

Kayo snarled, "you're not getting away with this."

"This time I might Tanusha."

Elle struggled against him, "don't do it guys, I can look after myself. Just know that I love you, Virgil."

Virgil sighed as Elle gazed at him, "we won't give you the Thunderbirds Hood, no deal."

"Then I keep Elle, pleasure doing business with you. Say goodbye my dear."

Elle sighed, "I'm sorry guys."

Virgil bowed his head, "I'm sorry too."

The image disappeared and Grandma stared at Virgil in disbelief, Kayo, however, kept a smirk on her lips.

"You let her go, Virgil?" Grandma shook her head, "Elle?"

"I'm scrambling Thunderbird Shadow, see you up there," Kayo walked off.

"Wait, what?!" Scott snapped out of his daydream.

"Scott, you think we're just going to give up? We're getting Elle back and stopping my uncle again," Kayo smiled at Grandma who was now grinning from ear to ear.

Virgil smiled, "I'll grab Gordon and Alan, are you joining us?"

"You actually have a plan? I was just keeping you from blowing an idea."

"Of course we do, hit them with everything we have. John?"

"Yeah?" John reappeared, "you saw that message then?"

"You bet. Have you tracked it back?"

John smiled, "that's my job, and I have. Elle is nowhere near Essex, I'm going to call her parents next."

"They can't move until we're there, we can chase them down," Virgil crossed his arms over his chest.

"FAB."

The Thunderbirds took off and Scott led the way being closely tailed by Thunderbird Shadow, Thunderbird 2 cruised at her own pace as the three boys inside went over the plan for getting Elle out.

"So we know where she is but we don't know where in the house she is?" Gordon asked for the fifth time.

"Yes, for crying out loud! We need to find a place for Thunderbird 2 to land, then go in via the back entrance so that Scott and Kayo can handle The Hood and co," Virgil frowned in frustration as Gordon stretched out.

Alan nodded, "gotcha, you sure this will work?"

Virgil shrugged, "it has to, we don't have any other plan."

Gordon sighed, "I hope she's ok."

"Me too. I feel awful, I should've gone home with her or taken her in Thunderbird 2," Virgil wiped his cheek and Gordon glanced at him, "don't."

"I wasn't. Are you ok?"

Virgil nodded as he clutched the wheel harder, "yeah."

"I'll fly for a bit if you need a minute?"

Virgil nodded and handed control to his brother, Alan smirked, "wow, you better fly her straight Gordon."

Gordon frowned, "Alan, stop it."

Virgil walked past the two of them and closed the door behind him to the cockpit, he walked into his private bedroom and collapsed on the bed in sobs, "this is all my fault."

Elle sat by the window looking out miserably, rain had begun to fall and despite the amazing food being delivered to her, she didn't feel like eating, the most recent bowl of soup still steaming with heat sat untouched on the desk. Hearing her stomach rumble, she sighed deciding that she couldn't starve herself, she grabbed the bowl and moved back to the window to eat just hoping she would see something in the sky, ideally Thunderbird 2, surely her family had heard something by now?

The Hood knocked on the door and let himself in, "good, you're eating."

"There's no point starving myself, I'm not going anywhere."

"No, that's true. What a shock to hear your boyfriend won't give me his craft over you."

Elle bowed her head, "he had a good reason. You'll never get the birds."

"I have other ways, I just thought this would be a good experiment. You should be pleased I got you an upstairs room, I could've put you in the basement."

"You expect me to say thank you?"

"Well, you haven't said anything polite yet? But you are eating my cook's food, that's polite enough for me. I'll leave you to it."

Elle watched him leave, "thanks for leaving."

Thunderbird 1 approached the perimeter of the house where Elle was being captive, "John, I've reached the danger zone. Is the house ahead of me?"

"That's right. Along the driveway. I suggest you use the jetpack or wait for Kayo and get on the bike if she lets you."

EOS interrupted, "wait, Scott, there's an electric perimeter on the ground, let me take it down for you first. There, you'll be safe now."

Scott laughed, "FAB. Thanks, EOS. Oh and Kayo is five minutes behind me. Did you get in touch with Elle's parents John?"

"Yes I did, the GDF are meeting them and will fly over once we've got the Hood."

"Good. I don't want the GDF messing up the rescue."

"Thunderbird 1 from Thunderbird Shadow, I've landed on the field, making my way over on the bike. Want to squeeze in behind me or ride on the roof?"

"I'll fly alongside you sweetheart."

"FAB. Where's Virgil?"

"Ten minutes behind us. Let's do this," Thunderbird 1 landed and Scott stood by his ship waiting for Kayo, he smiled as the bike came into view and they sped off down the driveway as Thunderbird 2 approached the house from the back, Virgil now back in control. The boys quickly discovered that they couldn't get in contact with each other due to the unknown emf being fired out of the house, and Kayo guessed it was a trick by her uncle. Thunderbird 2 landed and the three pilots walked to the back of the house looking out for movement, Elle peered out of the window and spotted Virgil, she squeaked and opened the window as quietly as she could, before Virgil opened his mouth she hushed him.

"Get me out of here," she mouthed.

"FAB. Stand by," Virgil blew a kiss to her.

Elle nodded and heard the doorbell go off, "what?"

Virgil looked at Gordon and Alan, "right, there's our cue, fire."

The Hood went to the door with his two companions and opened it, "Fuse, you better not have ordered pizza...you!"

Kayo smiled, "hello uncle, deep pan right?"

Scott tackled Fuse as Kayo grabbed Havoc's wires to wrap her brother up, they then both ran a wire behind the Hood's ankles and knocked him to the ground.

"Now stay still," Scott smiled as he tightened the ropes behind them.

Virgil lowered himself on the harness and took Elle's hand, "come on sweetheart. Where's your stuff?"

"Here in the room, I never unpacked."

"Gordon, grab her bag."

"No problem."

Elle held on to Virgil tightly no longer holding back her tears as his free arm squeezed her waist as they touched down on the grass, "thank you."

"Let's get you to Thunderbird 2, your parents will be arriving soon," he took off his helmet and kissed her hard cupping her chin in his hands, Elle responded as she wrapped her arms around his neck pressing her body against his uniform and she smiled as she felt his hand on her back.

Kayo held down Havoc as she called the GDF, "you can land now, we've got them."

"Understood Kayo, well done, we are informing the police that Elle is safe and rescued. Her parents are with us."

"Thank you, Colonel Casey."

Havoc snarled, "you think you've stopped us?"

"For now, yep," Kayo smiled, "now stay still, we don't want you getting scratched up before going with the GDF."

"You always amaze me Kayo, still thinking you're a rescuer," The Hood laughed as he struggled against the tight bonds.

"She's more than you'll ever be Hood, I wouldn't change the way she is," Scott narrowed his eyes.

The Hood laughed, "ah, of course, you two are the other couple aren't you? How simply, peachy."

Thunderbird 2 flew overhead and touched back down near the front of the house, the flier parked beside her not long after and Virgil watched Colonel Casey walked into the house as he held Elle on his knee.

"Virgil, can we go down? My parents are there."

"Of course," he slid her off his lap gently then accompanied her down to the ground where Scott was waiting for them.

"Elle!" Scott ran over and threw his arms around her tightly, "I'm so glad you're safe. They didn't do anything to you did they?"

"No, I'm alright Scott, thanks. They just wanted to keep me hostage."

Elle's parents ran over and engulfed her in hugs as Scott stood back with Virgil and their younger brothers who had wandered over, they watched as The Hood was taken away with the two siblings behind him and Kayo pushed them into the flier before walking over to the emotional group.

"All sorted," Kayo rubbed her hands together, "mission complete."

Scott nodded, "nothing like reunions."

Elle's mum hugged Virgil hard, "thank you for rescuing her, Virgil."

"Oh Clara I always will, we had a plan."

"Good. We were terrified that something had happened to her."

Zack, Elle's father, shook Scott's hand before doing the same to the others, "I can't thank you enough, you look out for Elle as if she was an extended family member."

Scott smiled, "we think of her as one sir, she's as much a sister as just Virgil's girlfriend. Family business and you're all family."

Zack smiled as he stroked Elle's hair before wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "that means a lot Scott, thank you."

Elle laughed, "getting a bit tearful there huh dad?"

"Only a little."

Virgil sighed, "I am so sorry I didn't just take her in Thunderbird 2," he looked up at the craft looming over them, "it would have been safer."

"No Virgil, what you did was completely normal, we don't expect you to use your crafts as taxis," Zack chuckled, "the chauffeur was attacked, you couldn't have known and Elle didn't know."

"It's that disguise device he has, I was convinced that the chauffeur was who you booked," Elle smiled at Virgil sympathetically, "it's not your fault."

Colonel Casey walked over, "sorry to interrupt, I just thought you'd like to know that we're taking this trio to a sealed jail. No communications can get in or out so they won't have any way of escaping."

"I hope so Colonel, it would be nice to just be helping people instead of balancing rescues around criminals," Scott said blankly, the others knew he had had more than enough of the Chaos Crew's antics.

"There shan't be a problem Scott, you have my word. Have a good day," she tipped her cap then walked back to the flier before it raised off the ground.

Clara squeezed Elle's shoulder, "come on, it's a long way back home for us."

"I'll take you home, it's the least I can do," Virgil offered.

Scott tapped Gordon's shoulder, "you and Alan can come with me in Thunderbird 1, let's get back to the island."

Elle laughed, "sorry boys. Oh,, who has my stuff?"

Alan raised his hand, "me. I put it in Thunderbird 2 for ya."

"Thanks. Well, guys, I'll see you in a month, be safe," Elle went around the group giving them tight hugs, she held onto Scott the longest and he kissed the top of her head, "thanks for coming out."

"You should thank Virgil, the plan was all his idea. I had no idea what we were going to do," Scott winked, "have a good time at home."

Elle stood back with her parents and boyfriend as she watched Thunderbird 1 and Shadow take off, "love you guys!"

Virgil lowered the lift to his craft as the area became silent again, "all aboard. Glad you're safe Elle," he added as she passed him.

"You'll always come for me, I never doubt it," she kissed his cheek then heard her dad clear his throat, "alright alright. Out of your sight next time."