International Rescue had been called out every day in the last week and with the 31st was fast approaching, one prayer was in everyone's mind, 'please let it be a quiet day.' What was the worse that could happen on Halloween anyway? A fight maybe, an odd bruise here and there, surely nothing major that would need the operation's help. Gordon Tracy was going to make sure of that, especially upon hearing Lady Penelope was hosting a costume ball and had invited the whole family to join her, he had been going on about it all week and saying the same thing over and over. "I really hope we don't get called out on Saturday."

Thunderbird 2 landed back at base and an exhausted Virgil trudged up to the lounge whilst Gordon bounded past him babbling on about the weekend.

"It's going to be so awesome! Virgil, you've got a costume sorted right?"

Virgil sighed as he collapsed against a soft cushion, "yes, now can you please stop going on about Saturday?"

"I hope Penny likes my costume, I only hope I haven't gone overboard."

"I wish you fell overboard today," Virgil grimaced as he shut his eyes.

Scott walked into the lounge, "welcome back guys, geez Virgil you look like you've just witnessed someone wrecking Thunderbird 2."

"I'm fine, just a long mission and this squid won't stop going on about Saturday."

"Ah, the costume ball."

"Do you have your costume ready yet Scott?" Gordon asked as he stretched out on the sofa.

"Of course I do, Stephen Salvator," Scott smirked as he ran a hand through his hair, "what about you then Virgil?"

"You'll see on Saturday."

Gordon grimaced, "aww come on! Tell us now, you can't keep it a secret."

"Yes I can, and you can wait."

"What about you then Gordon?" Scott asked as he sat down at the desk to fill in a report.

"Well, Penny says she's going as Alice from Alice in Wonderland, do you remember that live-action remake years ago?"

Scott nodded, "uh huh."

"So, I'm going as the Mad Hatter, I've got everything sorted."

Kayo walked into the lounge with Alan both laughing, she shoved him lightly, "I'm not letting you win again."

"Fine."

Scott smiled, "good training session?"

"Very good, I let Alan win at flips today, he's getting better. What are we discussing here then?" Kayo sat down next to Virgil and gave him a quick hug.

"Saturday," Gordon grinned.

"Oh, you guys are going to fail the costume competition after seeing mine."

"What or who are you going as?" Gordon asked.

"Basically, remember that Vampire program I used to watch as a teenager? I'm going as Katherine Pierce, I'm wearing a chiffon corset red dress but the train is black with red roses."

Scott looked up, "corset?"

Kayo looked round at him, "I knew that would get your attention, Salvator."

Virgil smirked, "young love."

"We are a couple, Virg," Scott blushed.

"Alright," Virgil smiled.

"What about you Alan?" Scott asked.

"Pugsley Addams," Alan smirked, "it's coming along nicely actually."

Kayo sighed as she leant back against Virgil's arm resting on the sofa, "I can't wait for Saturday. John is coming down this evening with Ridley right?"

Virgil nodded, "well, we'll have to go in Thunderbird 2 for all of us, unless we take your ship as well Scott."

"My dress will get ruined in Thunderbird 1."

"I'll put you in the pod Kayo, then you'll be fine," Virgil teased.

Kayo elbowed him, "hey!"

The com channel beeped, and Penelope's hologram appeared above the table, she smiled down at the family, "John's missing."

"We can call him if need be?" Scott stood up and walked down into the ring.

"No, that's alright. I just wanted to check you were still all set for Saturday?"

"We'll be there as soon as it starts," Virgil smiled, "Gordon is very excited."

Penelope smiled warmly as she noticed Gordon shift on the sofa, "wonderful, the house is still being decorated, and my father is insisting that a team of chefs come in."

Scott laughed, "have you said yes?"

Penelope nodded, "I can do most things by myself, all except say no to my father."

Kayo nodded but her insides clenched in envy at the vast wealth the Creighton's had, "how irritating."

"It is," Penelope cleared her throat, "the evening starts at seven."

"See you soon then," Scott smiled and the call ended, "are you alright Kayo?"

"Yes, sorry. It's just, she's so rich and I've never had that, I know we are too but it's just different."

Virgil stood up to let Scott sit down next her, "don't worry about it Kayo."

Scott wrapped his arms around her, "wealth is nothing compared to companionship."

"Scott's right," Gordon smiled, "the party will be fine."

"I was out of line to make that remark, I'm going to find some stuff for my costume, let me know when John is home."

Scott kissed her gently, "have fun," he watched her go then sighed.

"Not a fan of money then?" Virgil asked from the piano.

"Just a little weird about it, we're wealthy and so is Penelope, hmm."

Gordon sat up, "guys, she's fine, trust me."

"You're right. How was the mission you two?" Scott looked over his shoulder at Virgil.

"It was fine, just a simple lug a ship up from the depths."

Scott smiled, "good. You can write up the report then, I'll do my own."

Virgil released the pedal grudgingly, "fine," he moved over to the desk and began to type, "just when I thought this would be a relaxing evening."

Alan laughed, "bad luck Virgil."

Scott took Virgil's place at the piano and watched his brother write, "it's a job we can't escape from."

"If you say so," Virgil sighed as he leant back against his chair.

Gordon stood up, "I'm going to get on with my costume."

"I'll join you," Alan jumped up and followed Gordon out.

Virgil smiled as he listened to the piano behind him as he finished up the report, "what made you choose a vampire?"

"We wanted to go as a couple. I guess we could've gone as Sally and Jack from that old Halloween film," Scott shrugged as he spread a glissando up the piano, "but I wanted to spike my hair up."

Virgil laughed as he filed the report away, "oh, of course, your perfect hair."

Scott rolled his eyes, "you're one to talk."

Virgil looked out to the sky and spotted the space elevator coming down, "John's home."

Scott stood up, "great, let's go."

"eeting him? He's with Ridley, Scott, let them get used to gravity first. I'll go and tell the others that our brother is home."

"Fine," Scott chuckled, "I'll be in the kitchen."