I always thought that Tin-Tin was quite unfair to Alan and their relationship when Eddie Housemann showed up on the Tracy doorstep

What's Good For The Goose

Again, I owe a big thanks to my two beta readers. Its because of them that I'm able to put up two chapters right away.

Chapter 2

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

Jeff whistled as he walked towards the dining room, he could already hear Scott and Gordon bantering good-naturedly. He'd almost reached the doorway to the room when Brains appeared.

"Mr. Tracy, I…I…I've go..got some good nnnneewws," Brain told him.

Jeff stopped and looked at his friend and resident genius. "What's up, Brains?"

"Well, I've…I've finished the re. . .reb. . .assembly of the new diagnostic system f. . for. Thunderbird Five," Brain explained. "It's ready t. . to be installed."

Jeff smiled. "That's great, Brains! John will be happy to hear that. It'll make running program checks on 5 a lot easier."

Brains nodded. "Yes, Mr. Tracy. "N….Now, I just have to in. . .install it. We should do so im.. .im. .as soon as possible."

Jeff paused to think. He glanced into the dining room to see where the boys were. Seeing how close they were to the table, Jeff grabbed Brains' arm and pulled him back into the hallway.

"Brains. Got a favor to ask of you." Brains looked at his employer with curiosity.

"Some old friends of ours are coming out to visit tomorrow and I know all the boys would love to be here. Would you mind going up to Five to do this so Virgil can come home? I know it's a lot to ask to do that work alone," Jeff reasoned.

Brains smiled and waved the apology aside. "I can take Fermat wi. . .with. . .up. He can help and there are other. . .sy. . .systems checks we can rrrru. . .do."

Jeff was relieved. "Great. How much time will you need to be ready to go up?"

Brains thought for a moment. "The com. . .co. . parts are already loaded onto Thunderbird Three. Just need to pack a tr. . .t. . .bag for us. I would say by the time dinner is over."

"Great!" Jeff was glad his friend wouldn't mind covering for the family. "Oh, one more thing." He glanced quickly towards the dining room, then moved in close to his friend. "The boys don't know about our friends coming, so don't say anything."

"I won't."

Brains headed to the table. Jeff paused when he saw that Brains, Fermat, Tin-Tin, Scott and Gordon were the only ones seated at the table. Grandma and Kyrano were placing food on the table. Brains had just told Fermat about their new plans and Fermat was excitedly talking to his father.

"Where's Alan?" Jeff asked.

Tin-Tin looked up. "I don't know where Alan is." Jeff could sense some sarcasm in her tone at the mention of Alan's name.

Scott noted the tone of her voice and looked over at Jeff. "I saw him stalking off a short while ago." He glanced at Tin-Tin. "He's probably at his spot."

Jeff sighed. "Okay. I'll be right back." He turned and headed back to his office. He didn't want to have this chat in front of the others in case Alan was still in a bad mood. Sitting down, he activated the comlink to buzz Alan's wristcom.

"Alan, come in."

Alan's face appeared on the computer screen. Jeff could see the stress on his youngest son's face. "Alan, we're getting ready to eat supper."

"I'm not really hungry Dad, "Alan told him.

"Maybe not now but you will be later and won't have time to grab something to eat. So I need you to come back now," Jeff replied.

"Why can't I get something to eat later Dad?" Alan gave him a puzzled look.

"Because you'll be taking Brains and Fermat up to Five and bringing Virgil back home,"

"I thought John was going back up when he comes home?" Alan was confused.

"Change in plans son. Brains and Fermat are going to install the new diagnostic system and run some computer checks, so they'll monitor calls," Jeff explained. "Besides, how often do all five of you get to be home at the same time?"

Alan smiled. It didn't happen very often and, if he was honest with himself, getting off the island for a time while they did the switch over would help his attitude. "Okay Dad. I'm heading back. Be there in five."

Jeff smiled at his son. "Okay."

Jeff stood up to head back to the dining room then decided to give Virgil a call and give him a heads up. Activating the link, Jeff spoke. "Base to Thunderbird Five, come in."

Virgil's face appeared on the screen. Jeff wondered why he looked a bit frazzled. "You okay son? Is something wrong?"

Virgil shook his head. "No, Dad. No calls or anything like that. Just a bit of space sickness. I'm okay, but I'll sure be glad to get off out of orbiting tin can!"

"Well, I've got some good news for you then," Jeff chuckled.

"What's up?" Virgil wondered.

"Alan is going to be bringing up Brains and Fermat after supper. Brains is installing the new diagnostic system and he and Fermat are going to stay up there for a few days and run tests on all the systems. You'll be coming back down with Alan," explained Jeff.

The relief on Virgil's face was quite apparent to Jeff. "Thanks!"

Jeff smiled warmly at his second oldest son. "I know you weren't happy about going up there Virgil, but I appreciate your stepping up to the plate."

"It made sense, Dad," reasoned Virgil. "If I hadn't twisted my knee at that rescue, I probably would have complained about being sent up here. At least this way, I still feel like I'm part of the action."

"Even after hearing that I sent John off to New York to cover at HQ for a few days?"

"Especially after hearing that. Because now John has done his tour of duty in New York and I've done mine on Five. That means, the next time around it's either Scott or Gordon."

"Aaahhhh. So there was an ulterior motive to your decision."

Shaking his head, Virgil replied. "No. Just a few paybacks that are now paid up."

Jeff chuckled. He had given up trying to keep up with his son's paybacks and favors a long time ago. "Duly noted, son. You have served your time, and admirably I admit. Only one frantic phone call in the week you've been up there. I'm impressed. We'll make an astronaut out of you yet."

"Not likely, Dad. Not likely," Virgil was adamantly shaking his head. "Johnny and Alan can keep all this. That frantic phone call from me was only because John didn't tell me the coffee maker was broken and he had asked for a new one to be sent up in the supplies, which aren't coming up until John comes back!"

Jeff shuddered in mock horror. "Yes. I can see the need for your frantic phone call at 8:30am on a Sunday morning." He then chuckled as Virgil stuck his tongue out at him. His second oldest was the only one who would do that to him and it was usually in a moment of sarcastic fun.

"Cute, Dad. Anyway, my knee is all better now so when I come home I can get back into the game."

"Speaking of which, I'm going to tell the guys this at supper, but since you won't be here I'll tell you now," Jeff explained. "We're going to have some visitors on the island for a few days. They are flying out with John tomorrow. We'll be on Operation Cover-Up for a bit."

"Who's coming out?" Virgil asked curiously. Jeff only shook his head.

"You'll have to wait and see." Jeff's eyes twinkled a bit. "But I expect you boys to be on your best behavior! No screwing around."

Virgil sighed a bit. He and his brothers had been through this routine before when his Dad wanted to give a prospective client some extra attention. Spit and polish, yes sir, no sir and best table manners. They hated doing it because they felt like their Dad was putting them on display. Not that they would ever mention that to Jeff. They knew he was proud of each of them and their individual achievements and didn't get many opportunities to show them off. So they buttoned up and became well-behaved gentlemen for the short time.

"Okay Dad. I'll get the details from Scott when I get home. How soon will Brains and Alan be here so I can be ready?" asked Virgil.

"Give it about 2 hours, son. Brains has all the equipment packed in Thunderbird 3. I know there are some supplies that need to be sent up that'll need to be loaded. As soon as Alan gets back to the house and grabs some dinner, they will be on their way."

"Back to the house?" Virgil asked puzzled. "Where did Alan go?"

This time, Jeff sighed. "He went for a walk. Do me a favor Virgil. Don't ask Alan how things are between him and Tin-Tin."

Virgil frowned. "I know, Dad. I talked to Scott after Alan practically decapitated him. Maybe the round trip will cheer him up. You know how he loves to fly Thunderbird Three."

Jeff nodded. "I know. Just be prepared for some moodiness from him on the return flight."

Virgil drew back and his eyes got big. "Moodiness? From Alan? Surely you jest, Dad. Not Alan!" he remarked sarcastically.

"Bye, son," Jeff chuckled as he reached to close down the link. Virgil grinned.

"Later, Dad!"

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

Jeff rejoined his family at the dinner table, noting that Alan had already returned and was halfway through his supper. Jeff caught the disapproving glance his mother gave him for almost missing the family meal.

"Sorry, Mother. I gave Virgil a call so he would be ready for Alan and Brains," Jeff apologized.

"Very well, dear," Ruth accepted the apology. She gave Jeff and knowing look. "I've been holding off giving the boys dessert until you could join us."

"But Dad is here now, Grandma, so can we have our dessert please?" Scott asked with a slight (very slight) whine to his voice.

Jeff chuckled. "What did you make for dessert, Mom? Must be something chocolate if it has Scott pleading."

Gordon joined their father in laughing. Even Alan had to smile at his father's teasing of Scott.

"It just has to be food to get Scott pleading for it," laughed Gordon. He ducked to the side as Scott lined up to smack him on the back of the head. He bumped into Alan, whose response was to push his brother over just as Scott's hand came forward and lightly clipped Gordon on his head.

"Hey!" Gordon exclaimed, turning to Alan. "That wasn't fair. You're supposed to be on my side!"

Alan scowled. "I'm trying to finish my dinner so I can get some dessert before I have to leave. Do you mind?"

Tin-Tin stood up just as Grandma placed a dessert plate in front of her. "No thank you, Mrs. Tracy. I don't really want any." She picked up the plate and gave it to Scott and then turned and left the dining room. Everyone sighed and looked at Alan.

Alan, still digging into his dinner felt the stares and looked around at everyone. "What?" he asked.

"We'll discuss this later, boys," Jeff jumped in before anyone could start on his youngest son. "I've got something more important to discuss with you."

"What's up, Dad?" Gordon wondered. He grinned when he caught Scott's expression, knowing his oldest brother wanted to ask the question but couldn't because he was swallowing a bite he had just taken. Anyone would have had a hard time talking with one of Grandma's chocolate brownies melting in their mouth.

Jeff caught Gordon's smirk at Scott and looked over at his first born. He shook his head as he watched Scott swipe his finger through the chocolate icing that dribbled off the side of the brownie and onto the plate. Scott stuck his finger into his mouth and then noticed his father watching him.

"Sorry," he said sheepishly. Jeff only laughed.

"Just try and grow up before tomorrow, Scott. John is bringing some visitors home with him. They will be staying with us for a few days."

"Who's coming?" Gordon immediately asked.

Jeff caught his mother's eye and struggled to keep a straight face. "Just some visitors. I'll need you boys to be on your best behavior while they are here."

All three boys groaned to themselves and caught each other's eye. Like Virgil, they suspected they knew what it meant. Another client their father was trying to impress, and they were about to be put on display. Jeff caught the looks and covered his mouth with his napkin so his boys wouldn't see the smirk on his face. After a few moments, he continued.

"I'll expect you boys to be with me on the runway to greet our guests and show them every courtesy. Is that clear?" Jeff's voice was as stern as he could make it under the circumstances.

"Yes, sir," three voices responded.

Scott turned to his father. "Operation Cover-up while they are here?"

"Brains will send out alerts via our wristcoms on vibrate. He'll call me ahead of time if he overhears an emergency call or suspects we might get called out," explained Jeff. "But to be honest with you, this is one client that I'm actually considering adding to our IR Agents list and may tell him about International Rescue while he is out here."

Scott, Gordon and Alan all stared at their father in surprise. "Any more surprises you want to throw our way tonight, Dad?" Gordon chided.

Having finished his supper, Jeff stood up and took the dessert plate from his mother. "None that you need to know about Gordon." Jeff turned to his youngest son. "Alan?"

Alan looked up at his father expectantly, knowing his father wouldn't expect him to answer while he was chewing food.

A slight pang tightened in Jeff's heart as it usually did whenever his youngest son looked at him with complete innocence and a question on his face. It was the same look he saw many times in the face of his beloved wife Lucy, whom Alan took after in many ways. Pushing the feelings back to the corner of his heart, Jeff addressed his son. "When you get to Five, make sure Brains has everything he needs and all the equipment is placed where he needs it to be to set it up. We all know the man's a genius but heavy labor isn't his forte. You and Fermat make sure and help."

Alan smiled, probably the first genuine one his family had seen in a few days. "Sure, Dad. Not a problem. John and I have already discussed on where to best place the equipment. I think John already has a section of the main console ready to receive it."

Jeff nodded, not surprised that his two astronaut sons were way ahead of him, as usual. When it came to Thunderbird Five, it may have been John's 'bird, but Alan was just as conscientious about it as his older brother was. "Good. I'll be in Command and Control waiting to send you up."

Wiping his mouth off with his napkin, Alan stood up and grabbed his dishes. "I'm on my way now. Brains should already be there." He moved to place his dishes in the sink and glanced at his grandmother.

Josephine nodded at her youngest grandson. "It's okay dear, I'll rinse them for you this time. You better get going or else you and Virgil will be flying home in the middle of the night and wake everyone up at some ungodly hour."

Everyone chuckled at her comment, knowing the truth behind it. Thunderbird One might have been the only 'bird based in close proximity to the house, but when Three took off or landed, the whole island could feel the vibration from the powerful engines and thrusters.

Author's Notes

I'm waiting for my beta to return Chapter 3 so it'll be posted as soon as I receive it. There may not be another update until this weekend, but never fear. I'm working on two other stories at the same time as this one. So, I'm keeping busy.

Hope you enjoy and please give feedback!!