I know I said once a month up-dates, and it will be after this, but this weekend it's my birthday! Let's celebrate with the next chapter. Enjoy! M.x

Chapter 2.

The rescue of the trapped workers was a success. Gordon and Alan using the Pods, some carefully placed Nano-Crete and Virgil with the Jaws of Life were able to stabilize the crumbling hillside and ferry the workers out into the open where they were safe. After the foreman finished expressing how grateful his was it was nearly late afternoon and all four brothers were beyond tired.

Scott took off first in TB1. Sore, dirtied and with a torn uniform (Brains was not going to be happy) he sat back in his seat humming a tune under his breath watching as the little green dot on his map showed that TB2 had taken off and following him home. There was a pause and then Virgil's image floated above his console.

"Take off A-OK, Scott. Returning to base."

"Copy that Thunderbird Two. How are the gruesome twosome doing?"

Virgil frowned, "Quiet. Too quiet for my liking."

Gordon appeared, " Virg...I don't feel too good."

Alan popped up, "Me too. I think I'm gonna...I'm gonna..." His image flickered off and then Gordon's, and then Virgil's leaving TB2 audio only.

Scott face-palmed hearing Virgil's shout of, "You puke over my Lady you're cleaning it this time!"

"This is Thunderbird 5 calling. Scott, you there?"

"Loud and clear, John. The rescue went off with-out a hitch, everyone's fine and Virgil is about to murder our younger brothers."

John appeared making a face, "Yep, sounds about right. The G.D.F and local police have made the surrounding area a No-Go zone and..." There came a loud bleep off screen, "Hold on Scott, there might be something." His image faded for a second, then came back, "I have a personal message for you from over-seas. It's a private number. I'll see if I can get a name and..." Some more tapping and John suddenly blinked, even as a blue hologram Scott could see a blush covering his cheeks. "Um...Oh..."

"Oh? You OK, John?"

"What's going on? Gordon, stop shoving me!"

"Move over then. I can't see."

"I swear if you two don't stop I'll..."

Gordon's image turned right, "It's John, Virg. Scott's got a call and it's made John go all funny and they're not sharing."

"There's a reason we're not sharing, it's because it's private. You do know what that means, right?"

Scott frowned as the other four Tracy's started bickering, the tell-tale sign of a headache was beginning to bloom as the others voices blurred together, "Alright that's enough!" Four faces turned to him deadly still. "Look, its just an old University friend. We parted on bad terms and they've reached out. I didn't want to say anything and it's likely nothing's gonna develop because of International Rescue and..."

"And? Go on, Scott." John watched the cogs in his older brothers' head turn. Scott had told the youngsters a warped version of the truth. Of course he knew the whole truth but he was going to keep his promise and keep Mum. If Scott wanted to tell them he would in his own time.

There were a few tense seconds before Scott's face broke into a grin, "And, if things did go well, they'd have to meet you lot. And I wouldn't wanna wish that on anybody."

"Hey!"

"Was that an insult?"

A smirk, "Yeah it was. What are you gonna do about it?"

Gordon and Alan both frowned, then their faces suddenly paled, "Hold that thought!" All three images from TB2 faded out and once again Virgil's voice could be heard promising a world of pain if they messed up TB2.

John sighed, "Quick thinking there."

"Thanks. It was kinda the truth. We did part on bad terms. I..." Scott flushed a pretty pink, "...I disobeyed them. Wore the wrong tie and..."

"And? Go on, Scott." John whispered for the second time. Scott was quiet before telling the tale: His friend had expressed a deep dislike to the navy tie he'd chosen but he wore it anyway because it brought out his eyes. Arriving at the benefit dinner and the young red-head that had taken a shine to him. How on the way back to the apartment it was all in silence and when they got home he was dragged into the 'Play Room', stripped, hands bounded by the tie he'd worn, bent over and...

Neither brother noticed that the audio link to TB2 was still open.

The two Thunderbird crafts returned safely to Tracy Island. Scott entered the main room first shortly followed by a quiet Virgil, Gordon and Alan. Grandma Tracy was ready with some soothing medicine for the youngsters stomachs, Kayo was waiting on one of the couches ready to hear all about the latest rescue and John was conversing with Brains about some computer up-grades.

Scott yawned widely rubbing the back of his neck, "Man, I'm beat."

John's hologram gave him an odd look, "You know...if you're that tired maybe you should... oh, I don't know...Go to your room. Just a thought."

"That's sounds great but what if something big happens?"

John quickly checked with EOS for any major emergencies-in-the-making and shook his head. "All quiet at the moment. There's a small storm brewing in the west but it doesn't look life-threatening. I'll alert the G.D.F just in case. Now all of you...Get some rest."

"Roger that."

"F.A.B."

One by one they left the main room until only Virgil remained. He sat back on one of the couches and fixed John with an odd look. John grinned at him.

"Something wrong, Virg?"

A shrug, "Maybe."

"You gonna clue me in here or am I gonna have to guess?"

Virgil huffed, "It doesn't matter. Just worn-out, I guess."

"Go get that shower you've waited for and then rest. EOS and I can handle things up here."

"OK. 'Night ,John." He waved leaving the main room for his long, over-due shower and much needed sleep.

John smiled warmly at his retreating form, "Night, Virgil."

In one of the guest rooms of the round house hiding TB3's launch pad, Scott had just finished taking a blissfully hot shower and was now dressed in black boxer briefs towelling his hair. The room itself was nice and spacious, and like all the other rooms on Tracy Island had holographic projector, but these ones were slightly different (more on that later.) Light pastel colours decorated the walls...apart from one. This wall was painted a deep, dark red to match the bedding laid out on a King size four-poster. It was in-front of the monster bed that Scott stopped and dropped the towel. His eyes fell on the black shoe-box laid on top, his breath quickened knowing what was inside and how it made him feel the first time he used it.

With trembling hands Scott took out each item and placed them carefully onto the bed: A small bottle of lotion, a foil packet and a small toy (that was a round-ended cone one end that narrowed at the other with a flared base.). Lastly there was a mask in TB1's grey colour. With time and care, just like he was taught, Scott kneeled on the bed and slowly prepared himself the best he could. By the time the toy was seated safely a fine sheen of sweat was already on his brow. Stepping away from the bed he pulled up his pants, tidied away his things and reached under the bed for the Yoga mat hidden there. As he moved he could feel the toy moving within sending warm tingles up his spine (oh this was going to be hard not to come like this right away). Kneeling on the mat he tied the grey mask around his head so only his blue eyes were visible, sat back on his hunches with hands flat on his thighs. He was already.

A deep breath, "Open secure channel 1-A, please, John."

John didn't appear but his voice was a little shaky as he did what was asked. " Line open. I hope you know what you're doing, Scott."

So do I. Thought the eldest Tracy.

There was a lot of static but the line cleared and a mans' hologram appeared in-front of Scott. The man was about Scott's age, medium build with cropped brown hair and piercing grey eyes, that were hidden behind a mask like Scott's but in black, he was topless wearing a battered pair of jeans with the top button popped open. The man smiled lazily at him, two sets of eyes met and Scott quickly lowered his.

"Nice to see you still know the basics, Scott. It's been a while and I've had time to think. I'm sorry for what happened, but next time don't push me. I've missed you, have you missed me?"

"Y-yes."

"Yes...what?"

Scott gulped and then whispered softly, "Yes, sir."

Hello, Mr Grey!

There you go 2nd chapter up. I have rough idea what's going to happen, and the rating will change about 4 chapters in. (I think.)

If you are following, a very big thanks! Hopefully I won't disappoint.

See you in a month. M.x