I appreciate that there are some holes in the plot, but I do also see Jeff as being very controlling - I certainly don't believe he ever gave the boys a choice whether they joined IR or not. So I'm keeping all comments in mind, but I'm risking another update...
Lou-deadfroggy, this is for you. Thank you again for your wonderful comments and support!
Enjoy. :)
Scott frowned at the message and was about to reply when he heard the tap at the door. He opened it for his father to walk straight past him, making Scott wonder at his father's ability to make him feel like a stranger in his own home. He repeated the walk back to the kitchen, this time to find his father helping himself to a glass of Bourbon.
"Dad?" Scott questioned.
"I thought you three would be the easy ones." He took a large swig. "How long have you known about Gordon?"
"What about him?" Jeff gave his son a pointed look. "Oh. Since you called about the Island. I didn't know before that, but I think John did."
"He did." Jeff mumbled in agreement.
"Oh, dad, me and John kind of had this bet. He thinks he's won, but did you show Virgil any of the plans before you came here?"
"I did email him some, to get his thoughts on the designs, but I'm flying to Denver tomorrow to talk to him and Alan. Why, how much is the bet?" The mood in the room was getting lighter.
"Only ten dollars, but it's still ten dollars I'd rather not lose." Scott smirked. "I'll go and get the guest room set up." Don't think so John! He texted as he walked out into the hall.
~X~
"Father!" Virgil waved across the airport.
"Good to see you Virgil."
"How are the others?" Virgil asked as he led the way to his car, an Audi TT.
"John's fine. Scott's bored and Gordon… well I don't know."
"He seemed pretty happy the last time I spoke to him. He broke John's phone while trying to introduce me to his boyfriend." Virgil laughed at the memory.
"You know then?"
"I've had my suspicions, but the phone call confirmed it. Does it bother you?" Virgil could see his father's concern in the older man's eyes.
"I don't know. I wish someone had warned me, because I was certainly surprised. I thought maybe I'd have to get one of you to give up a girlfriend for this project, but not a boyfriend."
Virgil laughed again. "I guess we all assumed that you knew. Besides, you can still chase away all Scott's admirers if you want!"
Jeff rolled his eyes. "Just drive home so that I can have a coffee."
"Yes sir."
~X~
Over coffee the two of them discussed the Island, with Virgil asking more pointed and technical questions than any of the others had. Jeff found it oddly reassuring. Scott would take command, no matter the situation. That had been clear for as long as Jeff could remember. John was the communication expert, between brothers as well as anyone else. But Jeff was glad someone could understand the technical side of things. If bravado failed, he would always have Virgil working quietly on whatever the situation demanded. Soon the conversation moved on to Virgil's ship.
"She's not the fastest, but I think she'll suit you." Jeff set the drawing on the table.
Virgil nodded. "I guess the legs are on hydraulics." He paused. "What's the wing span?"
Jeff checked his own notes. "Probably 170 feet, maybe 180." Virgil let out a low whistle.
"That's big! I guess the position with UPS is going to come in handy after all."
"It sure is, son. When do you start?"
"Next month. So I should probably go and get on with this painting." He said, finishing his drink and standing up, but he paused by the door. "Dad?"
"Yes?"
"What are we gonna do with the properties we've got at the moment? Will you rent them out?" He asked.
"I'm not sure yet, son. Scott and John aren't really going to need their places. You might want somewhere to crash out and the other two are still at uni." Virgil nodded, and disappeared into the other room. Jeff slowly followed, looking over the mess of his middle son's art studio. The room had originally been the main living area, but Virgil had put some chairs and a TV in the darker study and had turned the large, bright room into an artist's haven. Virgil was already engrossed, so Jeff left quietly to see Alan.
~X~
Jeff knocked on the door of Alan's shared house and waited. He knocked again and slowly a dishevelled Alan answered, wearing tracksuits and a grey t-shirt. He blinked against the sunlight, shielding his eyes.
"I always thought Scott was the lazy one!" Jeff teased.
Alan groaned. "What are you doing here?" He wandered back into the house.
"I came to talk to you about the project, since I didn't get to on the phone." Jeff said, following his son into the kitchen.
"What project?" Alan asked, helping himself to a can of coke from the fridge.
Jeff sighed. "You know I'm trying to create a rescue service?"
"No." But Alan's attention was now caught.
"Did you hear about the air crash in January?"
"Yeah. Eighty people were killed."
"Well, I want to create an International rescue service. Those people died due to inadequate rescue equipment, and I want to see that it doesn't happen again."
"Cool! Do the others know?"
"Yes Alan." Jeff tried not to laugh at the disappointed pout on his youngest son's face.
"Oh. So, what have I missed?"
"I've found an Island for the organisation to operate from and I've got someone working on designs for…"
"Alan!" A blond girl burst through the door. "Alan, we're going shopping in town and we need you to drive us."
"Katelyn, not now."
"Come on. Everybody's waiting." And with that she left. Alan looked helplessly to his father.
"I'll keep in mind that you don't finish university until 2065, but I am hoping you'll join the team. You always were the fastest Tracy; even when you were little." Jeff made to leave.
"Dad! I'm ready to join now. I can drop out."
Jeff smiled. "I like your enthusiasm son, but your education is important. Besides I'm not ready for you yet anyway." He shut the door behind him and Alan was left alone in the room feeling encouraged, but strangely left out. It sounded like his brothers knew so much more about what was happening. He grabbed his keys, making his mind up to call Gordon later.