Double Trouble
Standard Disclaimer, don't own the thunderbirds.
Authors Notes: Movie verse (but with the Addition of Grandma), it is set about 2 years after Lucy's death, and a year & half after my last story 'Gordon's First Prank'. (Sorry If I've got this wrong, but I figure that Lucy died when Alan was nearly 3, I've tried to calculated back from the movie ages, hope I've got this close at least.) – IF ANYONE CAN GIVE ME DEFINITIVE DATES IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, I hate trying to guess.
This story is set in the first week of August (Late Summer) end of summer school break, in Kansas, The boys' ages are: Scott 15, John 12 years 10months, Virgil 10(birthday soon), Gordon 9, and Alan 5.
Also note I'm an Aussie, so the most I know about Kansas, is that Dorothy came from there and they get some pretty big winds, and also that Wikipedia doesn't help a great deal, so any incorrect references regarding climate, locations, food, holidays etc, etc, etc, I humbly apologise for in advance. Advice and Corrections to errors gladly received.
Please review...
Chapter 1 Morning light…
The sun climbs hazily though the dusty morning sky, creeping as if wary of its welcome, its early morning heat adding to the already heavy atmosphere across the grassy over dry landscape. Stillness greeted the lightening sky, not even the birds having the energy to hail the morning…
In an old farm house at the end of a dusty driveway, surrounded by fields of sunflowers, maize and wheat, the Tracy family slumbers restlessly, the humid heat causing a sleepless night. One of the occupants rose to look out at the rising sun, he sighs, wiping a hand across his tired eyes and looks at his clock, 'Only 5.30, damn it's sooo hot, and it looks like its gonna be another hot one.' fifteen year old Scott Tracy shuts the window and pulls the blinds down to shut out the light and heat, rolling over he tries to get another hour of sleep, knowing his younger brothers' won't be stirring yet as their bedroom is still in darkness on the other side of the house. As his eyes drift closed a shrill sound reverberates throughout the house. Groaning Scott sits up as the sound stops as suddenly as it started, 'Dad's got it…' he thinks and falling back on the bed drifts back to sleep.
He is woken from a restive doze, by a firm tapping at his door, "Scott, Scott you awake son." Jeff Tracy pokes his head into his eldest son's room, "Scott, that was the office on the phone, I've got to go in…" Jeff informs Scott while fumbling with his tie and jacket, "You need to watch the boys til Grandma gets back, OK?" Without waiting for a reply, Jeff turns and hurries down the stairs.
Half asleep Scott registers what his father had said; he jumps out of bed quickly following his father down the hall to the top of the stairs, "But Dad I've got pre season practice…" He grumbles. Jeff is already at the front door, car keys and brief case in hand; distractedly he waves at Scott as he rushes out the front door. Scott bolts down the stairs to the door in time to see his father pulling the car out the garage and speeding down the dusty driveway, "Damn." Scott mutters as he turns back into the house to find his next younger brother standing on the lowest step, "Dad gone into work?" John asks already knowing the answer.
Scott shrugs, "Yep, looks like we're on our own til Grandma gets back this afternoon."
John nods resigned and turns back up the stairs, "I'm going back to bed…" Scott follows him; they both slouch into their rooms. Collapsing and quickly falling back into a restless doze.
--
The sun creeps higher, increasing the relentless heat and drying up what little moister has gathered overnight. As the light strengthens, skulks between curtains and slips across a floor littered with various toys and games, it jumps from one object to another sliding over each revealing cars, planes and boats, a scattered game of snakes and ladders, books strewn their pages open to the light. Moving stealthily the light glides up the side of a bed over the blankets and across the peacefully sleeping face of a blond headed child, the child rolls away from the invasive light, pulling a rumpled sheet over his head, he buries himself further into the pillow. Persistently the light touches the edges of the sheet, warming its occupant. Across the room another body is tossing twitchily in the rising heat of the room, a leg is shoved out from under a pile of bedding, kicking and dislodging the sheets, a pillow falls to the floor, followed by a toy dolphin, groggily Gordon opens itchy tired dry eyes, he looks around in a sleepy fashion and spies the clock '7.30, time to get up…' the normally energetic Gordon groans, he rolls out of bed, habit stronger than the desire to go back to sleep. "Al." He nudges his younger brother, "Allie, time to get up."
"Don't wanna…" a mumbled response comes from the depths of the pillow.
"Com'on, John will have breakfast started, we'll be in trouble if we don't get down there." Gordon coaxes.
The sheet moves and the blond head reappears, bleary blue eyes look up at Gordon, "I'm tired."
"Yeah I know. Me too." Gordon agrees. He pulls Alan from the bed, and together they stumble down stairs to the kitchen.
--
In the kitchen twelve year old John is shuffling around in the large pantry digging out cereal, he staggers back to the table with several boxes, dumping them then returns to the pantry refrigerator for milk and fruit juice. Scott gathers bowls, spoons and glasses setting them on the table, he flicks the switch on the kettle; with Grandma and Dad not in the house he can get himself a cup of coffee. Scott looks up as Gordon and Alan drag themselves into the kitchen and slump in their seats at the table. Alan's head drops onto his arms resting on the table top. Smiling tiredly Scott ruffles the younger boys head, "Com'on Sprout breakfast." Alan looks up at his biggest brother, "Not hungry," and drops his head back on his arms.
Laughing Scott pulls a chair out beside Alan and starts dishing out cereal, "Com'on Allie, you can have Fruit Loops." Looking up with a smile Alan pulls his bowl towards himself.
"Scott, you can't give him that rubbish, he needs a proper breakfast." John insists. Alan looks at his older blond brother, holding his bowl of brightly coloured cereal close, and shovelling in mouthfuls before it gets taken away.
"It's OK, he doesn't get it all the time," Scott shrugs, "And anyway, Grandma wouldn't buy it if it was that bad."
Gordon smirks at Alan as he fills his bowl with the sugary cereal, "S'e bidn't 'owe…" Alan says around a mouthful of cereal.
"Don't talk with your mouthful," John automatically responds.
Swallowing Alan grins, "She didn't know Gordon had put it in until we got home."
Frowning at the redhead, John helps himself to a more healthy cereal.
As the kettle comes to the boil Scott stands and pours himself a cup of coffee; sitting back at the table he tips three large spoonfuls of sugar into the dark liquid, then a large dose of milk. Raising it to his mouth he looks across at a frowning John, "What?"
Shaking his head John mutters, "I give up. You're all sugar freaks."
Scott grins and sips at his coffee. Quietly the boys finish breakfast, then after clearing the table Scott sends the younger two to go get dressed.
"What you got planned today?" Scott asks John.
John shrugs, "Not much I guess, it's gonna be too hot."
Scott nods, "Yeah, it's gonna be a hot one again alright…" he looks at his blond brother thoughtfully, "Look I'm meant to be going to pre season practice today, it's just setting up the teams and stuff, but I promised the guys." He hunches his shoulders and grimaces, "You reckon you could watch the terrible two till Grandma gets home?"
Sighing John nods.
With a whoop of delight Scott pats his brother on the back and charges out of the kitchen, suddenly full of energy. John shakes his head, 'Scott really shouldn't drink coffee, it makes him too hyper.'
Puttering around the kitchen John listens to his brothers' banging around upstairs as they shower and get dressed. Before long he can hear Scott admonishing the younger two boys to behave. He then pokes his head in at the kitchen door, "John, you sure this is OK?"
John nods, what can he say Scott lives for sport, ok and flying. "Yeah, Grandma will be back by early afternoon, we'll be fine." 'I'm never going to get my science project finished with those two around.' John thinks.
Grinning Scott says, "Great, I've told the terrible two to behave and that they have to stay near the house, OK, if you have any problems just call, I've got my phone, or call Dad. But you won't have to, OK. I'll see you later. Have fun."
'Yeah. Fun.' thinks John, 'stuck with the terrible two. Well at least I don't have to worry about Virgil as well.'
Stomping up the stairs in disappointment John stops at Gordon and Alan's room from which there is lots of squealing, giggling and crashing emanating, "You two, keep the noise down. I'm having a shower, and then I've got my science project for the Science Fair to complete, so stay out of trouble."
"Yeah, yeah." Gordon smirks, "What ever."
Alan standing, imitates Gordon's pose with hands on hips, he grins at John, "Yeah what ever," he then doubles over giggling.
Shaking his head in disgust John retreats to his room to gather clothes and goes into the bathroom for his morning absolutions.
Feeling refreshed and ready for the day John returns to his room switching on his computer and pulling up the AutoCAD file he is working on for his science project. Distantly he hears Gordon and Alan stomping down the stairs, but aware that Scott has already told them to stay close to the house he ignores his inner warnings and immerses himself in the Computers three dimensional world.
TBC... (Please review.)
Thanks TBZ
