"And a partridge in a pear tree" Alan sang out boldly over the radio. The boys were returning home after another successful rescue and Alan had decided that since Christmas Eve was the next day, they should get into the spirit by singing carols on the way home.
"Alan please, if someone is going to start off the singing, let Scott, he's a much better singer than you" Gordon moaned.
In Thunderbird 1 Scott blushed and muttered a quiet thanks over the radio.
"Gordy, nothing is bad about my singing, at least I can sing."
"Alan's right Gordon, singing in the shower does not make you a good singer" Scott laughed "we'll start the song again shall we?"
"Take it away Scott" Virgil said turning up the volume.
When they eventually finished on a long "tree" Jeff's voice came across the radios.
"Very nice boys, a lovely rendition."
"Dad, you were listening?" Alan cried out in dismay.
"How could I not, you left communications open."
"And thanks for the early Christmas present" John's voice came on too from the satellite.
"Oh God John, you were listening too?" Gordon covered his eyes.
"It was beautiful, especially the made up verses."
"Don't be sarcastic John, you coming down for Christmas?" Scott asked.
"Hopefully, I missed it last year, Christmas isn't the same up in space."
"Well, see you soon fellas, coming into make vertical landing, now" Scott turned off his radio and steadied his ship back into her hanger, soon Thunderbird 2 made her way down onto the runway and back into her silo.
In the lounge the Tracy brothers settled down and began to discuss Christmas.
"So Alan, have you sent your list off yet?" Gordon teased.
"Very funny Gordon" Alan pouted.
"It'd be a bit late if you hadn't."
"The joke has passed, you know that right?" Alan rolled his eyes.
"Oh yes, but the teasing is certainly taking effect" Gordon grinned and turned back to his magazine, ignoring Alan's glare.
"Tomorrow at some point, could you go up to get John?" Jeff turned to Alan who looked away from Gordon.
"Sure dad."
"Y'know, this place could use a little more colour, Tintin and grandma have done a great job already but…"
"Are you saying we need more decorations?" Virgil asked looking over to his piano which happened to be one of the only objects in the room not covered in tinsel and other ornaments.
"That's right, now all of you get to it, I get very agitated watching you lot just sit around waiting for a call" Jeff chuckled and walked out.
"Well, I say the piano needs something" Gordon started.
"Touch it and you're gonna wish you hadn't" Virgil growled slightly.
"Is that a threat Virg?" Gordon gasped dramatically.
"Virg, why don't you want anything Christmassy on the piano?" Scott asked taking out a long piece of tinsel from one of the boxes.
"I don't really have an answer, I just like it plain I guess."
"Alright, we understand. Look Virg, why don't you and Alan decorate around the balcony while Gordon and I finish in here?"
"Yeah, c'mon Virgil" Alan smiled, knowing secretly that his brothers were planning something they did not want Virgil to see.
"Oh, alright then" Virgil reluctantly followed Alan out and the doors closed.
"Gordon, take out as much tinsel as you can find."
"What are you planning to do with it?" Gordon asked heading over to the boxes.
"Have you ever thought the piano was too white?" Scott said smugly sharing a look with his brother indicating mischief.
The two set to work with the tinsel, Gordon ran it along the frame of the piano lid while Scott twisted it around the pedals and the stool, by the time they were finished, the piano was glittering with light as the sun caught the hanging tassels.
"Scott, Virgil is going to flip when he sees this."
"Probably, oh, talk of the devil, here he comes. Quick, hide over here for a minute."
Alan and Virgil entered the room talking about the balcony, Scott and Gordon remained behind the tree until…
"Oh my God!" Virgil cried out in horror "Scott!?"
"Do you like it Virg?" Scott stepped out from behind the tree grinning.
"What have you done?" Virgil rushed over to inspect the damage.
"I just gave your piano a present" Scott shrugged as Virgil sat down on the stool, he played a scale and sighed.
"As least it still works as an instrument" he pressed the pedal down, the tinsel rubbed slightly "well, kinda. Where's your guitar Scott?" he turned and smiled as Scott narrowed his eyes.
"Don't."
"Don't what?" Virgil laughed and before Scott could catch him he grabbed a small length of tinsel and darted off towards his brother's room.
"You've done it now Scott, that guitar of yours is going to come back painted red and white with bells hanging from the strings" Gordon laughed as Scott sank onto the sofa.
"I dread to imagine" Scott moaned "although I guess I was asking for it."
Minutes passed when finally Virgil ran back in with the highly decorated guitar, looking very pleased with himself.
"Merry Christmas Scotty."
"Virgil, that was cruel, we didn't prevent you from playing the piano, this is unplayable" Scott frowned.
"I don't know, it looks pretty festive if you ask me. Nice work Virg" Gordon said approvingly.
"Give it to me Virgil" Scott beckoned with his hand and Virgil handed it over "if I can't play, you're dead" Scott positioned the guitar across his knees and played the opening chords to 'Jingle bell rock', he smiled and looked up at his brother.
"The decorations are mainly all inside, that's what makes it shiny."
"You're so unpredictable Virg, thanks" Scott laughed and continued to play the song, during which in this time Virgil had gone over to the piano and joined in on the same song, Gordon shook his head at them as Scott went over, he lifted his foot onto the chair next to the piano and carried on playing with his brother, Gordon smiled and went to stand on the balcony listening to his brothers and watching Alan in the pool with Tintin.
Author's note: haha those two, I'd love to prepare Christmas with these boys, it would be great :) Anyway, next chapter up soon.