The jet sped along the runway and took off into the sky and headed out of London cruising over the river, Anneka looked down with a smile at the docks and buildings disappearing behind and the long stretch of the Thames rounding off into the horizon.

"Enjoying the view?" Kayo smirked.

"I've never flown from City Airport before, it's so nice to see London from above. How long is the flight?"

"Well, now that I've cleared London air space, we can go to full speed. 13,000 here we come."

"Ok, I'm ready for it."

Kayo laughed and pushed the throttle to full power, "ETA now two hours. I just need to make a call home."

"Go for it." Anneka soon found herself enjoying the speed and sat back in her seat.

"Kayo calling home, anyone there?"

"Hey Kayo, you've left London?"

"We're at full speed now Scott, we'll be home in two hours. Don't worry about me."

"You know I do."

"Well don't. Ok, see you soon, I have a friend to chat to."

Scott smiled, "See you soon."

Kayo hung up the holo-call and turned back to her friend, "So, this photography studio, when did you start it?"

Anneka smiled, "After I got my degree at university, I got high grades and I decided I'd put my skills to good use, dad knew someone who owned a studio and got me involved for a year of working for him, and it was all up from there. Why?"

Kayo laughed, "You always did know when I wanted something. Have you brought your camera?"

"Of course, a photographer never leaves home without one."

"Awesome. You'll see why I need a camera when we get home."

The next couple of hours flew by and the girls spent it reminiscing and laughing, as they flew over the Pacific, Kayo turned to Anneka.

"Umm Annie, how would you feel if I told you I had to blindfold you?"

"I'd laugh, then say, if you must."

"Good, now close your eyes," She covered her friend's eyes gently then directed the plane down to the island.

"Kayo what's this for?"

"So do you don't know where you are in the world."

"Well I know we flew over the Pacific but that's about it."

Kayo landed the plane and uncovered Anneka's eyes so she could see the surroundings, she laughed as her friend gasped.

"Oh wow, this place is beautiful."

"That's just the hanger, come and see the house," Kayo led her friend up the slope hoping that the family weren't hiding, she closed the doors to the hanger via her wrist controller behind her then caught up with Anneka.

Anneka looked up at the house in awe, "You live here?"

Kayo nodded, "Yep, have done for the last seventeen years. Isn't it beautiful?"

Anneka heard the sound of a piano as they got closer to the pool area, "Is that a piano?"

Kayo smiled to herself, "Yeah, and I think I know who's playing. We'll enter round the pool way and through the kitchen," She led Anneka past the pool and into the kitchen where Alan was grabbing a snack, "Hey Alan I'm back, and this is my friend Anneka."

Alan looked up with a smile, "Hey Kayo and, sorry I missed your name, what was it?"

"I'm Anneka, nice to meet you."

"Heya, I'm Alan. The best Tracy in this house."

"You wish," Kayo added grabbing an apple.

Anneka smiled awkwardly, "The Tracy family? I've heard of you guys, your dad is famous isn't he?"

Alan looked down, "Yeah, he was."

"Oh?" Anneka cocked her head to the side.

"I'll tell you later Annie. Come on, we'll go upstairs, want to join us Alan?"

Alan perked up slightly, "Sure, let me finish making this sandwich."

Kayo shook her head and led Anneka upstairs to the lounge where the piano music was louder, she looked across to the instrument and saw Virgil, they walked over and Kayo tapped his shoulder.

"Yeah, what's up?" Virgil asked not turning round.

Kayo rolled her eyes, "Virgil turn around."

Virgil looked over his shoulder, "Oh we have a visitor, sorry," He stood up with a smile and shook Anneka's hand, "Pleased to meet you, miss?"

"This is Anneka, my childhood friend."

"Pleased to meet you Anneka."

"That piece you were playing was, beautiful."

Virgil blushed slightly as he sat down again, "Thank you, I don't often perform for guests."

"You didn't even know we were here, don't be modest bro." Kayo hugged his shoulders and he grinned.

"Kayo!" A call sounded across from the lounge and in a few strides Scott was by the piano holding Kayo in his arms, "I'm so glad you're back."

"And this is the love of my life, Scott." Kayo smiled releasing herself from Scott's arms, "Babe this is my friend Anneka."

Scott smiled and held his hand out to her, "Pleased to meet you Anneka."

Anneka smiled back as she shook his hand, "Kayo you could've told me you had found love."

"We've only been dating for two months."

"Two amazing months."

"God, why do I always walk in on this?" Gordon entered the room and Kayo growled at him, "Oops."

Kayo grimaced, "And this charming boy is my brother Gordon."

"Hi, pleased to meet your acquaintance," Gordon sauntered over.

"I'm Anneka."

"Great name, very tropical."

Virgil rolled his eyes, "Good grief Gordon. Your flirting is awful."

Anneka laughed, "Actually I've heard worse."

Kayo looked around, "Where's John guys?"

Scott shrugged, "I haven't seen him since he called you five hours ago."

Alan came up the stairs chatting with John as he nibbled on his sandwich, "So you see John, that's why I can't do my homework."

"That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard from you Alan, and you're not getting out of doing it ok?"

Alan nodded with a sigh, "Fine."

John ruffled his hair slightly and looked up at the group by the piano, "We having a concert?"

Kayo shook her head, "I'm introducing my friend Anneka to everyone."

John smiled, "I see. Sorry I'm late to the group, I was on the beach. I'm John Tracy."

Anneka smiled back, "I'm Anneka, you guys have a lovely house."

"It's liveable in, yeah, I guess it is a nice house." Kayo laughed.

Anneka nodded, "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

"How long are you staying with us?" John asked.

Kayo looked at Anneka, "How long would you like to stay?"

"I've brought enough for a few days."

"Brilliant." Kayo smiled, "Right, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping."

Anneka nodded, "Lead on."

The boys watched the two girls leave and Virgil hit Gordon's arm as Scott laughed, "You are the worst."

"Oww Virgil, what was that for?"

"Way to make our guest feel welcome, 'Oh your name sounds tropical', very smooth."

Gordon shrugged, "What can I say, I know women."

John felt his heart flutter, Anneka was gorgeous and he smiled to himself, "Nice Gordon."

"You alright John?" Scott asked.

John looked round, "Huh, oh yeah. I'm fine."

Virgil smirked at Scott, "So how should we show Anneka what we're really like?"

"Maybe we should have a concert?" Alan suggested.

Virgil twisted his fingers nervously, "Do we have to? That's not a common thing for us to do."

"Well she's staying for dinner, we can at least talk to her about hobbies or something," Gordon smiled.

"That sounds better." Virgil refaced the keys and resumed playing.

Anneka walked into Kayo's room and smiled at the view of the ocean from the window, "Wow, you get to see this view, every day?"

"Uh huh. I love this room."

"Don't you spend time in Scott's room?"

Kayo blushed, "Little personal. Well yes, I do, but I like having my own room too."

"Sorry, I was just trying to ask subtly if you'll be in here tonight?"

"Well I promised I'd stay with Scott tonight but since you're here all week, I'll join you for tomorrow unless you'd like this room for your stay?"

"I honestly don't mind, I respect you wanting to be with Scott. So, what do you guys do for fun around here?"

"Well…"Kayo hesistated, how was she to get around the main fun of International Rescue? "We go on hikes, swimming in the sea and the pool, lots of relaxing. We all have our own hobbies and such to get on with."

Anneka smiled, "There's something you're not telling me, I know it. You've got that scrunched up face of needing to think quickly."

"Nonsense, I know what I'm talking about."

There was a knock at the door, "Kayo?"

Kayo turned, "Hey Scott, what's wrong?"
"Can I have a quick word?"

"Of course, excuse me a second Annie."

"Sure, I'll unpack my stuff."

Kayo smiled and went outside with Scott, "Do we have a situation?"

"Not one of those, but a different one."

"What?"

"Do you think we can tell your friend who we are?"

Kayo's eyes widened, "You out of all of us is asking me?"

Scott smirked slightly, "Well I don't want things to be tense, is she trustworthy?"

"Absolutely, but why do you want her to know?"

Scott stroked Kayo's hair off her face, "For your happiness, and something to talk about later. I mean, you said she's going to be here for a few days, we're bound to have a rescue."

Kayo nodded in agreement, "I guess that makes sense. You're sure I can tell her?"

"Go for it."

Kayo wrapped her arms around Scott's neck and kissed him with a smile as his hands caressed her back, she broke slightly from the kiss, "Thanks."

Scott shrugged, "It's the least I can do."

"I'll see you later."

Scott let her go, "Dinner is at six."

"Great," Kayo blew a kiss at him then went back into her room, "Anneka, there is something I need to tell you."

Anneka grinned, "I knew it."

Kayo shook her head with a smile, "Now listen, you have to take this seriously, and promise not to tell anyone when you go home."

"Kayo, you're scaring me slightly, what's happening?"
"It's nothing bad. It's about my job, my family's job," She sighed before continuing, "Anneka, you're on Tracy Island, home to the business that is International Rescue."

Anneka sat staring in surprise, "Sorry?"

"I'm telling the truth, it's real all of it, the vehicles and crafts."

Anneka laughed, "Really?"

Kayo activated her comms and found a picture of Thunderbird Shadow, "This is my Thunderbird, my pride and rescue vehicle."

"Oh wow, she's spectacular. So, this really is International Rescue's base?"

"Yep. You wouldn't believe it just by seeing the house would you?"

"I had no idea when I got here. Although you think I'd recognise one of your brothers at least? I mean I'm sure I've seen photos, I remember seeing a pod cast of that idiot who went into some comet a couple months ago and someone deactivated the stream."

Kayo smiled to herself, "Yeah that was Scott, he didn't want to be filmed. The whole film was destroyed when the ship got hit by the rock particles. You can ask him about it later. You finished unpacking?"

"Yeah, I can do the rest later."

"Would you like to see the Thunderbirds?"

"I'd love to, wow what an honour."

Kayo laughed, "Alright, just don't bring your camera though ok?"

"Sure thing."

"Oh and don't be surprised if we're followed down there, the boys are very proud of showing off their birds."

"Let's go."

Kayo walked with Anneka down to the main staircase leading down to the lower levels of the house, there was a scurry of feet and soon they were joined by Virgil and Alan as they went down to the hangers.

"So sis, what do you think you're doing?" Alan chirped as he sided Kayo.

"What does it look like? I'm showing Anneka the birds."

"Yeah I don't think so," Virgil stuck his arm out and Kayo walked into it, "That's secret."

"Urgh. Move Virg, I've told her who we are, Scott was the one who asked me to give it away. Now budge!"

Virgil frowned, "Scott said that? Is he love drunk again?"

Kayo suddenly growled and brought Virgil's arm up behind him, "He's not love sick, and yes he gave permission. Go and ask him," She grunted as she released him much to Anneka's surprise.

"Kayo, what was that for?"

"He knows I wouldn't really hurt him, but I can bring him down." Kayo narrowed her eyes mischievously as Virgil planted a kiss on her forehead, "You're pushing it Virgil, now go so I can do this tour."

"Fine. But I'm showing her the big bird myself."

"Then I get to show her the space baby," Alan jumped in front of Virgil.

Kayo laughed, "Alright alright! Come on in Anneka, now that I have these two's permission. Welcome to the main hanger."

Anneka's eyes widened as she took in the sight of Thunderbirds 1, 2, 3 and 4, "Oh my goodness," She breathed in a whisper.

"What do you think of them?" Alan grinned.

"I think they're magnificent. Is this really Thunderbird 2?" Anneka looked up at the green craft above her.

Virgil smiled, "Yeah, she's my beauty," He rested a hand on her side without thinking and Kayo smirked, "Biggest craft length wise, and the heaviest. Her sister is over there."

Anneka looked over to Thunderbird 1, "The rocket?"

"Kinda. Thunderbird 3 is the main rocket."

"Virgil!" Alan dragged his brother's name out in a whine, "I'm supposed to be talking about Thunderbird 3."

"Give it a rest Alan. Anyway as I was saying, Thunderbird 1 is the fastest for answering calls and getting to locations quickly, she'd be the first one you'd see on the scene, I'm behind."

Anneka smiled, "I think she's great. All of them are. So, you all fly one each?"

Kayo nodded, "Yep, Virgil and Alan fly Thunderbirds 2 and 3, leaving Scott and Gordon to direct 1 and 4."

"What about John?"

"He's up in Thunderbird 5 usually, I fly up there sometimes," Alan smiled looking up at Thunderbird 3.

"So Thunderbird 5 is a satellite?"

"That's right, 22,000 miles above us. It sounds far but it only takes him eight minutes to get down here if he wants to visit." Virgil pointed to the docking station for the elevator.

Grandma's voice came through the hangers, "Dinner's up."

Alan made a face, "Oh no."

"Hey cut her some slack, she's got really good recently now that Max helps her out," Virgil laughed as he and Alan left the hanger.