Thank you so much for the response to the first chapter - I really do appreciate it.

Chapter Two: A Series of Challenges

It wasn't just Gordon who was revitalised by Alan's idea. There was a real buzz about the island following his announcement, the kind that hadn't been experienced since the earliest days of International Rescue.

"Why did I agree to this?" Jeff asked his mother - not for the first time - as they sat on the terrace and listened to a good-natured but deadly serious argument between Scott and Virgil as to who was most likely to emerge victorious. "They were competitive enough when they were kids, but at least then I could send one of them to their room if they acted up. I can hardly do that now."

"Because you love your boys, you feel guilty for putting them under so much pressure on rescues and you want them to have a bit of fun," Grandma told him. "And it's good for you, too. You work too hard, Jeff. It's time you got some enjoyment out of life."

"I do enjoy life!" Jeff protested.

"Work, work, work," Grandma admonished. "I'll never understand how a country boy could get a kick out of meetings and spreadsheets. No, this is just what you need. I just wonder why you're not taking part yourself. You could, you know. You always used to."

"I'm too old, Mother." There was just a hint of regret in Jeff's voice.

"You mean you don't want your boys beating you."

Jeff continued to protest that nothing could be further from the truth, but his mother simply patted him on the head and went to prepare lunch. She was delighted with the way things were going. When Alan had tentatively suggested that they revive the Tracylimpics she'd immediately declared it a wonderful idea. They'd had so much fun when the boys were young and at her age she was more than happy to relive the pleasures of the past.

Alan was busy organising everything, much to the amusement of his older brothers, who were used to him sitting on the sidelines and letting everyone else do the work.

"Right, guys," he said, looking around at the assembly of brothers, John present via the link to Thunderbird Five. "Here's how it's going to work. Everyone puts forward a challenge. The sooner you let me know what it is, the better - it's only fair that we get the chance to do some training. Now, we're naturally going to win our own event, so what's really going to be important are the challenges Dad, Grandma and the others set."

"About this training," John broke in. "I'm kind of at a disadvantage up here on Five. Not that I'm not up to anything physical, but it'll take me a few days to get my land-legs back."

"I've thought about that," Alan told him. "Brains is happy to go up on Friday, so if we start the contest the Friday after, that'll give you a week to get in shape and get your own challenge organised. It'll take that long for the medals I've ordered to arrive, anyway. Everyone okay with that?"

Everyone was.

"Now then, the challenges... You've probably guessed mine: go-kart racing."

"Where's the track?" Scott asked.

Alan cast a slightly nervous look at Virgil before he replied. "Two's hangar. It's the only place that's big enough."

Sure enough, Virgil wasn't happy. There were too many things in there that might get damaged if someone drove into them, not least, Two herself.

"I've asked Dad and he said I could," Alan told him. Scott had to smile, reminded of all the times his youngest brother had come out with that line over the years. At least these days he no longer added a smug "So there!" at the end. "It's okay, Virg. We'll move Two out onto the runway and I'll set up a track. There'll be tyre walls to protect all the important things."

Virgil continued to grumble, but Alan continued regardless. "Gords, swimming?"

"Yeah. Butterfly." It was hardly unexpected, but all the same, the announcement was greeted with loud groans. Though all the boys were strong swimmers, only Gordon had ever taken to that particular stroke.

"100m?" Alan asked.

"Nope, 400. It'll be fun for me to watch you guys still flailing around when I'm out of the pool and towelling myself dry."

No one even bothered to protest - Gordon was probably right.

"What about you, Scott?" Gordon asked. "Flying?"

Scott thought for a moment, apparently trying to come to some decision, then shook his head. "Actually, I was thinking about a marathon."

The groans this time were even louder.

"A marathon?" John asked. "Are you trying to finish me off, Scott?"

"Thought you were in shape."

"Yeah, but I'm not used to the sun, remember."

"I don't think any of us are up to running a marathon here," Virgil said. "Not even you, Scott."

"Who said anything about sun?" Scott asked, with a sly grin at his middle brother. "4 am is the perfect time for a long run. Nice and cool."

"And dark," Gordon pointed out. "Trying to put us all out of the competition with broken ankles, Scotty?"

"It's the only way he'd win," Alan teased.

Scott refused to rise to the bait. "I'll light the route for you. Don't worry, guys, you'll have no excuses not to get to the end."

"Guess that'll be okay," John said, though there wasn't much enthusiasm in his voice.

Virgil, however, still wasn't happy, glaring at his oldest brother. "You may not be trying to kill Johnny but you're clearly not so worried about me. You really expect me to get up at 4am to run 26 miles?"

"Well we'll need a warm-up, so I thought 3.30," Scott said, clearly enjoying the effect his announcement was having on his brothers. They all kept fit but none of them shared his love of running. For him, a few circuits of the island in the early hours of the morning was not only the perfect way to keep fit, but the best way to get his thoughts in order and relax.

"Great," said Alan. "So that's a marathon for Scott."

"I'll let you know the route in a day or so," Scott informed them. "Give me time to mark it out."

"I'll check it," John offered. "I wouldn't put it past you to add a couple of miles just to tire us out before the next event."

"As if I would!" Scott's show of indignation didn't fool anyone.

"What have you got in mind, John?" Alan asked.

"I'm still thinking."

"Okay. Well, that just leaves Virg. What do we think, guys? Draw a picture? Or write a song?"

"Are you saying I'm predictable?" Virgil asked.

"Well..." Gordon was at least trying to be a little more tactful than Alan, who simply responded with a 'yes'.

"Not predictable," Scott said affectionately. "Just... reliable."

"You mean boring," Virgil said in mock-irritation.

"Well, they're what you're best at. None of us would have a hope of beating you in either of them."

"I'm good at other things."

"Yeah. Sleeping!" Gordon couldn't help laughing. "You're not planning a 'who can sleep the longest?' challenge, are you, Virg?"

Virgil endured the good-natured teasing of his brothers, all the while debating his options. He had indeed been planning some kind of artistic challenge, but the creative part of his nature couldn't help but crave something more original. Before he'd really thought it all through, he heard himself rejecting all the suggested options in favour of "Something different".

"Different?" John asked.

"Yeah."

"Want to share?" Alan asked.

"Not yet. I need to sort a few things out first." Like what the challenge actually is, Virgil thought to himself, wondering whether he was going to regret putting himself in this situation.

"We're done, then," Alan concluded. "The others are still working out their challenges. Brains wants to put everything together for his before he heads up to Five and Grandma and Tin-Tin want to go shopping - I hate to think what they're going to have us doing. Kyrano's being mysterious as usual and as for Dad... well, who knows?"

"He's loving this," Virgil said with a smile.

"Me, too," Gordon responded. "Thanks, Al. It's just what I needed." He got to his feet. "Guess I should head back to my room, clear a little space for another gold medal."

"You mean silver, don't you?" Scott stood up, making sure he made full use of the extra five inches of height he had over Gordon. "For the first time I get to take you guys on properly - no head starts, no letting you win because Grandma said so. You don't stand a chance."

They were still bickering as they left the lounge.