Countdown to Adventure

No I don't own the Thunderbirds... can only claim Zoey as my own, although she may argue the point.

A/N: Thanks for the great reviews, I really appreciate the feedback. (KatZen, Don't want to spoil the story, but no Gordon's still in one piece-sort of, no accident, yet...) This story has totally gone off the direction I saw it going when I planned it... some of it has even taken me by surprise. I hope you enjoy what is to come... so on with the story.

As always please review... thanks TBZ

Chapter One 'Going Home'

Gordon leaned back in the plastic seat, stretching his arms above his head with a wide yawn, he, Alan and Fermat were waiting for their transit flight to the west coast where they were to meet with Scott for the flight to the island. It had been a long day at school, what with having to collect results of final exams - which to be honest he would rather have forgotten, saying good bye to friends and the quick packing of belongings, which resulted in everything being thrown in the one bag in an untidy jumble. Then having to collect Alan and Fermat from the junior school, before the taxi ride to the airport, Gordon was extremely tired, grumpy and hungry. Their flight had been delayed due unseasonable storms and Gordon was beginning to worry that they wouldn't get to San Diego to meet with Scott tonight. All in all it was getting too much for the teenage to deal with. Standing up and rotating his shoulders to loosen the tired muscles, wishing he was at home in the pool Gordon, looked down at Alan and Fermat playing a complicated card game on the carpet that involved some sort of plastic ball that sprung open into strange mythical creatures. It was all beyond Gordon; give him a computer game any day, 'Call of Duty IX' being his current favourite. "You guys stay here. I'm just going to see if I can find out how late our flight is gonna be." he muttered

Alan and Fermat grunted in acknowledgement, not taking their eyes off the cards in front of them. Fermat rolled one of his pieces and it exploded over one of Alan's cards causing Fermat to sit up lifting a fist in the air triumphantly crowing, "Beat that!" Alan's responded by snatching another card from his deck, "Yeah well, I can top it with this…"

Not understanding the complexities of the game Gordon shrugged and wandered off towards the desk at the end of the terminal where a couple of airline stewards were chatting as he approached the desk, one looked at him, dismissed him as a child and returned to the conversation. Gordon patiently waited a moment to see if one of them would acknowledge him, when they didn't he cleared his throat noisily. The second steward and older woman with iron grey hair and an equally iron hard face, frowned at him. "Yes?" She asked sharply.

"Um… ah…" Gordon hesitated, he wasn't used to being treated rudely, "I was wondering when my flight would arrive…" The first woman rolled her eyes at the second. "Have you looked outside, it's blowing a near hurricane!" she stated the obvious with contempt.

Determine to not be put off Gordon continued, "Um… Yes, I know…" Gordon said, "But my brother and I are waiting for the flight to San Diego and…" The glare from both stewards caused Gordon to falter.

"Your flight will be announced when it arrives!" The second steward barked.

With his shoulders slouched and head down Gordon turned and heading back to Alan and Fermat, sunk in thought he didn't notice the group of passengers in front of him until he barrelled into an older boy.

"Watch where you're going Shit Head…" the boy bawled with a sneer.

Gordon's head snapped up, it was the last straw; he was tired, hungry and sick of people being rude to him. "Piss off!" he snapped.

The older boy took immediate offence to the remark, raising a fist and swinging at Gordon's face. Having three older brothers Gordon had developed fast reflexes and ducked the intended blow. His own fist came up and slammed into the boy's solar plexus, causing him to double over trying to suck in a breath. Gordon sneered, and stormed off towards his brother, leaving the boy collapsed on his knees.

"Idiot.' Gordon sneered to himself he had almost returned to where Alan and Fermat sat waiting when a solid weight crashed into his back, dragging him to the floor. Instinctively Gordon rolled and tried to move away from the weight of the other body, but was only able to turn his upper body, trapping his right arm beneath himself. The older boy taking advantage of the situation pounded his fists into Gordon chest and face in a rage. Holding his left arm across his face in defence, Gordon was unable to retaliate.

Fear quickly began to take hold, he could hear a voice begging for help and realised it was his own, the sound of the other boy's heavy breathing and stream of verbal abuse the only reply to his pleas. The lights of the terminal swam in Gordon's narrowing vision, a welcome blackness beckoned. In the shadows of his unconscious mind he could hear his older brothers' voices, 'Can you believe this?', 'And he dares to call himself a Tracy!', 'What's up Fish? Scared?', 'Com'on fight ya sissy!', 'He's always such a baby.' 'When is he gonna grow up?' The voices faded as the darkness crept closer and Gordon allowed himself to sink deeper into the shadows, the pain from the blows fading with the noise of the terminal and shouts for help.

Alan seeing the large boy crouched over his brother and beating into him charged and jumped on Gordon's assailants back hitting and kicking trying desperately to dislodge the older boy from Gordon. It was Alan's screams that drew the attention of the security guards who arrived in great numbers bolting down the terminal corridors, dragging Alan and the aggressive boy off Gordon.

Consciousness rushed abruptly back to Gordon as he was dragged to his feet, the guards shouting questions at the three boys, Gordon looked at the man holding him, unable to understand how he came to be there or what the man was shouting. 'What?' Gordon looked around himself nothing making sense, 'Where am I?' he shook his head and immediately regretted it as the room span and his head exploded in wave after wave of fiery pain.

Fermat scuttled to Gordon's side using his small frame to prop the older boy up with Alan's help, together he joined Alan in yelling their version of events to the security guards. Unnoticed Gordon stood leaning on his younger brother, the lights of the terminal and movement of commuters whirling around his vision, his eyes rolled back in his head and he dropped to the ground, unconscious once again.

Gordon looked up into the concerned face of his baby brother, wondering how he'd ended up on the floor again, "What happened?" he mumbled, trying to sit up.

"You passed out, dumb ass," Alan grinned, glad to see his brother awake. Beyond Alan's shoulders Gordon could see his assailant talking with a security guard. Another security guard was crouched next to Gordon, "You ok son," he asked in concern. Gordon looked at the man, a little confused, "Yeah, yeah I'm fine…" He took hold of the hand Alan offered to help him to his feet and stumbled towards their seats. Fermat's worried countenance greeting him; he ruffled the smaller boys' dark hair, "I'm Ok Ferm… Don't worry." He reassurance didn't convince Fermat. "Y..y.. you l..l…look t… tribbb.. Bad!" the boy stuttered, a sure sign of distress in the boy.

Gordon tried to grin at him, but the cuts and bruises on his face cause a pained wince instead. The security guard sat beside him and took notes on Gordon's version of events, then informed Gordon that their flight had arrived and that they were being escorted on board shortly. Relieved to be on his way Gordon began to nod but decided against it when his head exploded in pain once again. Leaning forward to pick up his bag Gordon found himself being grabbed by the security guard and his brother before he hit the floor for a third time that evening. "OK lad, com'on let's get you on board." The security guard supported Gordon while Alan and Fermat followed with the bags.

'Scott and Dad are going to kill me', he thought as he saw his reflection in the darkened terminal windows. The left side of his face was starting to swell and dark bruising had erupted along his jaw, his recently cropped and dyed hair looking garishly black against his pale completion. 'I look like a neo-goth.' He thought. 'Scott is not gonna like this. Oh god, Scott...he's gonna kill me... Please god just let me die now. Don't leave it to Scott...'

The three boys were led into the plane ahead of the other passengers and taken into the first class lounge. Sitting in the comfortable leather seats Gordon closed his eyes; his head felt like it had exploded leaving just a crater of raw pain. The slight brush of a gentle hand woke him from his drowsy slumber; beside him a pretty air hostess stood studying his face. "Looks like you could do with a bit of a cleanup. Would you like me to bring you some warm face washers?" she asked kindly "Maybe something for the pain?" Gordon gave his best Tracy smile, marred only slightly by his bruised face "Yeah, Thanks".

The woman reappeared shortly with the washers and a tray of drinks and sandwiches for the boys, along with the promised paracetamol capsules. Gordon swallowed the capsules dry, wincing as they scratched down his throat then sipped at the cool cola, he held the cold can to his forehead, beside him Alan and Fermat watched with matching worried looks. The air hostess smiled at them gently, "You have someone meeting you the other end?"

Alan's eyes flashed from Gordon's face to the woman standing over them, "Ahha. Our eldest brother, Scott." Alan grinned briefly, "He's an Air Force pilot. He flies jets."

"Really?" The air hostess returned the grin, "Is he good?"

"He's the best." Alan's smile widened, before fading as he glanced back at Gordon.

Frowning slightly the air hostess glanced at her list of passengers, 'Alan and Gordon Tracy. Scott?... Scott Tracy!' she shook her head suddenly realising who she was dealing with. 'Oh dear.' With a strained smile she patted Alan on the shoulder, "Call if your brother needs anything, or you do. OK?"

Alan nodded munching on a sandwich absently while watching Gordon.

Having settled the three boys she went about attending to the other first class passengers, a mild frown marring her pretty face as she looked back over her shoulder, wondering if she should mention to her supervisor who the injured boy was. It really should be reported, Jeff Tracy was sure to sue.

----

The flight across the country took a little longer than normal due to weather, the flights captain informed them that they would have to fly further south and around the storms adding an extra hour to the journey. 'Scott is not going to be happy having to wait around for us', Gordon contemplated his eldest brother's probable reaction to seeing him and cringed. 'Don't think I want to go home anymore.' The holidays were not looking as promising as Gordon had been anticipating.

Although he loved all his brothers, Scott's big brother protectiveness had become overwhelming to the teen recently and when you threw in the disciplinarian characteristics of Scott's personality, now reinforced by his time in the Air Force, Gordon sighed heartily. He thought about his other brothers, John would understand as always, but Virgil... 'Virgil's gonna laugh himself silly over this, at least he will once he knows I'm not really hurt.' Gordon slouched in his seat, thinking about his next elder brother, he and Virgil hadn't seen each other much at school this past year, what with Virgil being in the senior school and Gordon in the middle school, they had little time together.

He smirked thinking about the few times he and Virgil had crossed paths, generally during free weekends and Virgil inevitably had a posse of friends and whichever girl he was dating with him. He'd do just about anything to avoid a confrontation with Gordon that might result in him looking foolish. Gordon's smirk grew wider, Virgil had avoided any physical confrontations since last Christmas when he'd beaten Virgil in a wrestling match. Gordon had taken advantage of Virgil's reluctance and blackmailed him remorselessly. 'Yeah, Virg' is gonna payback big-time with John and Scotty there to cover for him.'

Gordon was glad that Virgil had finished school early and was already home. Which was probably just as well, the two boys seemed to clash over the most minor of differences, a long haul plane trip would have been murder for one of them at least. Gordon heaved another sigh, 'Yeah this summer is shaping up into a really 'fab' summer.' Gordon leaned back and allowed his tired eyes to close, beside him Alan and Fermat had already succumbed to sleep. As the plane made it's way across the country the three boys slept in relative peace.

----

The plane finally started it's decent into San Diego, the landing causing Gordon's headache to return with a vengeance. As the first class passengers streamed from the plane the boys gathered their luggage and found their way through checkout. Filing out through the gates Gordon looked over the heads of the milling late night commuters and saw Scott pacing. 'At least he hasn't worn the pavement away yet.' Gordon reflected morosely.

The eldest Tracy strode towards them as soon as he saw Alan's blond head come through the gates. Alan raced towards Scott and launched himself into his big brother's arms for a hug. Scott ruffled the boy's hair holding him tight in a bear hug, "How ya going Sprout." Alan grinned up at his eldest brother; Scott always seems so big and grown up to him more like an uncle or second father that a brother. The tall pilot had become a hero to the boy since joining the Air Force. The photo of Scott next to his jet fighter had become a prized possession that got 'shown off' at every opportunity. "Scoooott! It's Summer! I'm GREAT!" Alan gave his most winning grin, causing Scott's own smile to widen.

Fermat was the next to reach Scott and was also pulled into a hug by Scott who considered the younger boy another brother. "Fermat, you've grown!" The boy flushed behind his glasses, a grin plastered across his face, pulling his shoulders back and standing a little taller in response, he pushed his glasses back up his nose, "Tttt two inches."

"Wow." Scott exclaimed suitably impressed, Scott listened intently to the news of the two boys, as they shouted over each other about the trip and the end of school and various other matters important to the overly excited children. Over their heads he searched the thinning crowd for the red head of the family.

Gordon approached the group warily, keeping his head down hoping against hope that Scott wouldn't notice the bruises spreading across his face, he felt terrible, the pain of the bruises on his chest and shoulders were starting to gnaw at him, and his head was throbbing, 'Great! The last thing I need is a Scott Carpenter Tracy lecture', Gordon grimaced, 'No chance he'll just let it go...'

"Scott, Scott..." Alan demanded realising Scott wasn't listening. Scott looked at his youngest brother, who had rolled his eyes in imitation of the other blond in the family. "Hey. Don't you roll your eyes at me mister..." Scott growled mockingly, Alan giggled, "Well listen to me then..."

"I will in a moment Sprout. Where's Gordon?"

Alan smirked watching his next older brother's approach, "Oh he's coming." He sing-songed. Gordon tired of the nick names and jokes has taken to colouring his red hair black, and keeping it cut short and spiky so that it dried quickly after swimming. Alan realised Scott didn't know about the changed hair colour and hadn't yet noticed their brothers' approach. He watched Scott's face intently anticipating the look of surprise on his face when he saw Gordon's hair, he wasn't disappointed, Scott did a double take at the dark head his face transformed from a worried frown to disbelief, amazement, and settled into a frown of disapproval as Gordon finally reached the group, "Gordon?"

"Hi Scott." Gordon mumbled keeping the side of his face turned away from his eldest brother. He wished he'd thought to wear a hat; then he could draw it down over his face.

Scott's big brother radar suddenly went on full alert as he perceived Gordon's unenthusiastic greeting. Gordon hadn't been the most demonstrative of the brothers for some time, but usually Scott got a more enthusiastic greeting than this. Especially if Gordon had done something spectacular, like dyeing his hair black and wanted a reaction.

"Gordon?" Scott approached his second youngest brother; he put a hand under Gordon's chin and gently turned his face up, taking a deep breath in shock at the state of his brother. "What the hell happened to you?" Scott snarled "Have you been fighting again? Damn it Gordon, you know how Dad feels about fighting." Scott shook his head angrily "Haven't you got any sense at all, what's wrong with you…"

"Shut up Scott," Gordon bluntly retorted, angry at Scott's reaction. Scott was the last one to talk, he'd been in as many fights during his school career, admittedly he'd probably never taken a beating like the one Gordon had received but still, he had little ground for being self righteous. "You don't know shit. OK? So just shut the hell up!" He pushed pass Scott heading for the exit.

Astounded by his generally easy going brother's violet reaction Scott looked around the terminal at the crowd beginning to stop and watch the brothers, with a tight smile for the onlookers he nodded towards Gordon. "Alan, Fermat, get those bags and follow Gordon."

Shaking his head again, Scott quickly followed after Gordon and grabbed him by the upper arm, swinging him around "Gordon Cooper Tracy, don't you dare speak to me like that…" Scott snapped, he looked at the thin crowd, thankful there was no sign of the paparazzi, and started dragging the boy towards the terminal were the private planes were parked. "We'll talk about this later. Alan, Fermat let's get going …" Scott ordered marching the three boys out of the terminal, with long angry strides. Gordon wrenched his arm out of Scott's grasp and stormed off ahead. Watching him Scott sighed, 'Gordon, Gordon, Gordon... what am I going to do with you? Why can't you be easy going like Johnny... Don't follow my path bro' it's too rough.'

'Scott is such a hypocrite.' Gordon thought resentfully, remembering the time Scott had been hauled over the coals for a brawl he'd got into just before joining the Air force.

In agitated silence the four boarded the large private jet, Scott quickly stowing the luggage and ensuring the younger boys where secured in their seats, he gave Gordon a meaningful glare that was returned in equal measure before stomping into the cockpit. Dropping into the pilot seat with a sigh he began pre-flight. "The sooner we get home the better." he muttered. 'I should've let Johnny come and get 'em.' Shaking his head as they took to the sky Scott gave another hearty sigh and concentrated on flying over the darkened ocean.

TBC…

A/N: So what do you think? Gordon's got some attitude going hasn't he? And Scotty's not such a good boy either, I've always seen Scott and Gordon being more alike than the others, I guess for me, Virg' is the odd one out. John and Alan match up, both love space, for different reasons but they have that bond.

But then there is something that bonds each of them together, you just have to look for it sometimes, even Gordon and Virgil have a bond it's just buried, but if they dig deep enough I'm sure they'll find it... [ hint! ;-) ]

Hope you've enjoyed this instalment, Jeff's reaction to Gordon's adventure/fight coming up in the next chapter...

TBZ