The next day was sunny and the family met over breakfast, Alan had invited his two new friends to join him which Scott was a little sceptical about as Chris looked around at them with the eyes of someone trying to figure something out.
"Good first evening boys, and girls?" Grandma asked.
John nodded, "it was really nice. It's dark enough at night to see the stars."
"Four of us ended up on the dance floor," Kayo smiled as she stroked Scott's leg under the table, "we met up with Gordon and Penny."
Gordon blushed, "Kayo!?"
"What, we did. It's no secret you two are close, apologies, Lady Penelope."
"You are right Kayo, and believe me boys, your brother is not a bad dancer."
Theo finished up his breakfast, "Alan, I'll see you later. I should probably go to find my parents."
Alan smiled as he fist bumped the young teenager, "yeah no problem."
Chris decided to leave too and followed Theo, "I'm sure it's them, Theo."
"So what?"
"Isn't that cool though, that International Rescue could be on this cruise?"
Theo shrugged, "yeah I guess so, I doubt that Alan is a member though."
"Probably not."
Scott watched them cross to the other side of the dining hall, "where did you meet those two Alan?"
Alan sighed, "can't I have any friends Scott? You always moan at me when I meet someone. I met them in the games room."
"What are their names?" Virgil asked.
"Chris and Theo. Theo is the one who left first."
"Kayo, think you could investigate Chris for me?" Scott felt Kayo's hand slip off his leg, "what?"
"I'm not investigating a flipping kid Scott, are you mad?"
Gordon frowned, "that's pretty low bro, why are you suspicious of a kid Alan's age?"
"It was the way he was looking at us, as if he was trying to figure us out."
Penelope shook her head, "look, if you really want me to? I could talk to their parents but I think you're being overly suspicious."
"We don't want our cover blown," Scott looked across to Virgil for backup.
"Sorry Scott, but I'm with everyone else, you're overreacting. And what's the kid going to do if he does figure out who we are? Probably just be in awe and ask for autographs, plus I trust Alan will tell them to keep it quiet?"
Alan nodded, "I don't want them finding out about us either."
Grandma sighed, "you boys are always on. Has anyone realised Brains isn't with us?"
"He's working on new ideas in his room, he loves the quiet of where the room is located. I don't think we'll see much of him," Gordon shrugged as he helped himself to more orange juice.
"How are you coping without music Virgil?" John asked.
"I've got music covered. I brought my guitar with me and last night I found a piano in one of the band rooms."
"You're not serious?"
"I am. I was there for a good three hours probably, without any disturbance. I'm going back there after breakfast."
Grandma stood up, "well I have bingo in an hour, have fun boys."
The family left the breakfast room and went to get ready for the day, Virgil changed into a light pair of trousers and shirt then left to find the piano again, as he approached the room he heard music coming from inside, he cursed mentally and looked through the glass window towards the piano, he frowned then took in the player. A young girl had her back to the door and was playing happily to herself, Virgil knocked and opened the door making the girl jump up from the piano.
"I'm sorry I know I shouldn't be here, I'll go," she turned around, "wait, you're not a steward."
Virgil gasped inwardly, she was beautiful, black hair hung down in waves and green eyes shaded by long lashes blinked at him, "no, I'm a passenger. Like you?"
The girl nodded, "yep. I'm here with my parents. I saw you playing yesterday."
Virgil smirked, "so you followed me?"
"Kinda."
"Sorry, I should introduce myself, I'm Virgil Tracy."
"Tracy? Isn't your family famous for something?"
"My father was in charge of Tracy enterprises."
"That's where I've heard the name. I'm Elle."
Virgil smiled, "nice to meet you."
"And you. I'll let you play, maybe I'll catch you around the ship at some point."
"You don't have to leave, we could go and get a coffee or something?" Virgil blushed slightly.
Elle twisted a strand of hair around her finger, "that sounds lovely," she smiled to herself as she gazed at the man in front of her, "don't judge me if I get cake."
"I don't judge anyone who likes cake," Virgil grinned and opened the door for her.
Gordon dived into the pool whilst Penelope sunbathed, he swam past her and waved with a smile before crashing into another swimmer.
"Ow watch it kid!"
"Sorry, l was...just..."
Penelope lowered her glasses down her nose, "sorry about my friend, he's just careless."
The man gasped, "Miss Creighton-Ward, it's not a problem. Just be careful young man."
Gordon smiled, "I will," he watched the man swim away, "thanks, Penny, but you know I wouldn't have lost my temper, that's more of Scott's department."
"I know sweetheart but we're on this boat for a month, let's make friends not fuss."
"Good point, I think I'll come and join you where it's safer," he got out of the pool and dried himself on his towel before sitting down on the reserved lounger.
"Could you do my back Gordon?" Penelope handed him the suntan lotion.
"Of course," Gordon smiled to himself as he rubbed her back, "pretty sure I'm now the luckiest man in the world."
Meanwhile, Virgil and his new friend were having coffee up on the deck, they sat opposite each other with the horizon between their sights.
"I feel like I've seen you somewhere Virgil, but I don't know where."
Virgil laughed, "a possibility, but then I'm sure I would've remembered seeing you, you're not easy to forget."
Elle giggled, "so, who are you here with?"
"I'm here with my family. But we're not a small family, just a heads up."
"How many?"
"Brother of five, an adopted brother and sister, and our Grandma. Oh and an aristocrat."
"An aristocrat?"
"Uh huh. We see her more as a family friend."
"Five brothers huh?" Elle smirked to herself making a link, "can I meet them?"
"I'm sure you will, we're here for a month," Virgil smiled, "what's your backstory then?"
"I'm here with my parents and my cousins. We decided we needed a break from the city life, and it's a reward for finishing uni. Three years over."
"Well done. What did you do your degree in?"
"Music. I'm a singer, but I play the piano and the guitar too."
Virgil's eyes widened, "same as me, well I don't sing as much. I've brought my guitar with me."
"Same here, something to do on evenings in the sunset," Elle sighed as she sat back with her coffee mug snuggled in her hands.
"Want to check out a film later?"
"Virgil Tracy, are you asking me out on a date?"
"Maybe," he smiled and rested his hand on hers across the table.
"Yes, I'll go out with you."
"Great. So what are you plans when you get home?"
"I'll look for a job in the music industry, easier said than done though. What is your job?"
"Well, we work as a family. Hard labour sort of stuff, science-based."
"Virgil, I need to ask you something," she lowered her voice to an almost whisper, "you're International Rescue aren't you?"
Virgil felt his heart race, "shit."
"I'm sorry, it's only a guess."
"Yes, I am. Elle, please please don't tell anyone, not your family, not anyone."
"Hey, it's like meeting a celebrity on their holiday. You respect their privacy. You have my word, but I think that's so cool!"
Virgil chuckled, "what gave me away?"
"A number of brothers you have, you're a Tracy, and I think I saw you on a mission once."
"Ah. Well, at least I don't have to hide things from you now. I guess we could find my eldest brother, he's the head of the organisation in a way," Virgil offered his hand to her, "come with me."
Elle took his hand, "with pleasure."
Scott sat on the fake beach with Kayo drinking a martini, "so we stop off at St Thomas port soon, and I'm going to buy you riches," he chuckled.
"Oh you're the best boyfriend ever," Kayo looked up at the stairs, "well well, looks like this is a love boat all of a sudden."
"Huh?" He followed her gaze, "I see."
Virgil walked over to where Scott and Kayo were and smiled, "hey bro."
"Virgil, and who's this?" Scott half smiled.
"This is Elle, my, well. Not sure yet."
Elle grinned, "pleased to meet you, uh?"
"Scott Tracy," he held his hand out to shake with Elle's, "and this is Kayo, my girlfriend."
Kayo smiled as she sipped her martini through a straw, "charmed."
Virgil sat down opposite Scott, "uh bro, there's more to just being with Elle."
Scott frowned, "oh no."
"She guessed who we really are, but I still like her."
Scott put his drink down and fell back against the sand with a groan, "oh Virgil why is it always you!?"
Elle looked down sadly, "I didn't mean to find out."
Kayo grumbled to herself and hit Scott hard on the arm, "get up! Virgil, you can like whoever you want, ok so she knows about us but who cares, we're on vacation."
Scott crossed his arms, "I give up. Virgil, you can like whoever you want, but if our cover is blown I'm blaming you."
Virgil stood up and wrapped an arm around Elle's shoulders, "you know what Scott? You can fuck off."
"Woah, back up."
"No, I'm sick of this. She won't blow our cover, why can't you just accept I've found someone?"
"Virgil, I'm sorry but this is important," Scott looked up at his brother sadly.
"No, it's not. Come on Elle, let's go."
Elle frowned at the eldest, "with pleasure. I'm sorry we couldn't make a good friendship Scott."
Scott sighed, "wait. Can we go and get some lunch together, and sort this out?"
Virgil rolled his eyes, "fine."
Kayo got to her feet and dusted the sand off herself, "I know a nice restaurant on this ship."
The broken group left the beach and went to find the restaurant passing the game room, where Alan was playing a racing game with Chris. The youngest turned and spotted Virgil with Elle, he frowned then turned back to the game not wanting Chris to win.
"Something on your mind Alan?"
"No, I'm alright. Just looks like my brother Virgil has got himself a girlfriend, we haven't even been here one day. How does he do it?"
"Dude, we're fourteen, what's so good about having a girlfriend?"
"Meh," Alan shrugged, "dunno."
"Focus mate, you've got the high score."
The foursome sat down around a table in the restaurant away from others and got to the discussion.
"What gave us away?" Scott asked as he poured drinks for the three.
"I just guessed when Virgil told me he had four brothers, plus I think I've seen him on a mission."
"So you didn't just tell her then?"
Virgil sighed, "of course I didn't, you know I respect the rules."
Kayo smiled, "well I don't see the problem. Now shall we order?"
"It's not that simple Kayo."
Elle sipped her prosecco, "I'm sorry if I caused a problem."
"No. It was me being difficult," Scott stood up and walked round to Elle, "I'm sorry," he extended his arms out and Elle hugged him, "I hope we can be friends."
"Absolutely. Let's order huh?"
Virgil smiled at Kayo, "thanks."
Kayo smiled back as she chinked her glass with Virgil's, "my pleasure brother."
