Author's note: Many thanks to Dawn for the beta.
Down with Love
Grace had been said and the Tracy family were just starting dinner, passing dishes and chatting. Tin Tin was also present, with her father, Kyrano, hovering nearby, serving the large group.
"So where did you disappear to then today, Virgil?" asked Gordon. "I was looking for you to help with that work on Four."
"I popped over to the mainland for a few hours."
"Oh right. For anything interesting?"
"I just needed to…er…go to a specialist art shop."
"You're joking?" Gordon laughed, "Surely you've got more than enough paint?"
Their conversation had started to interest the others and, at Gordon's chortle, Virgil found that everyone was looking in his direction which did not please him.
"I needed different art pencils and paper," he replied. "I'm thinking of taking up….life drawing." He said this deadpan in a way that always made Scott inwardly laugh when he knew that Virgil was teasing but no-one else had spotted it yet.
"And which one of us are you going to draw in the nude, exactly?" enquired Gordon, in a prim tone of voice.
Virgil's eyes scanned around the table. Why wind up one person when you could wind up two? His gaze settled on Tin Tin and he smiled.
"In your dreams, Virgil Tracy!" stated Tin Tin with conviction.
"No way, you are NOT painting Tin Tin naked!" said Alan simultaneously.
"Calm down, he's not serious," said Scott.
Virgil laughed. "Tin Tin, it would be impossible for me even to begin to do justice to your beauty so I wouldn't dream of trying.
Tin Tin smiled at the compliment but Alan was still scowling at Virgil.
"Alright boys, that's enough," interjected Jeff. "Now, how's that work on Thunderbird 4 going, Gordon?"
TBTBTBTB
"So where did you go on the mainland?" Scott asked this of Virgil as the two of them were playing pool alone in the games room after dinner. Virgil raised his eyebrows enquiringly at his brother before taking his shot. "Well, you didn't buy paper and pencils," continued Scott, "or a least you weren't carrying anything back from the hangar earlier."
"For Pete's sake, has Lady Penelope been giving you spying tips?" Virgil missed a pot.
"I'm just observant," replied Scott.
Virgil watched Scott pot a ball and frowned. Scott beat him at pool far too often for his liking. Scott potted another and then missed a third. Virgil grinned but then his grin faded as he saw that Scott was still looking at him, waiting for an answer.
"I just had a few hours' time out, okay? I cleared it with Dad first."
Scott's eyes narrowed. "Being the mystery man, eh? Okay, okay, it's none of my business, I know."
Virgil bent over the pool table and managed to pot the black with his next shot. As there were still several of his colours left on the table he lost the game. He swore and gave Scott an evil look.
"Play again?" Scott asked sweetly.
"Only if you shut up," Virgil replied and Scott reset the table in silence.