Virgil had stayed the full stint of time and, like Gordon had before him, he bragged about it to his brothers. John thought his brother deserved it after his sneaky way of fooling him. There had been a classic music marathon and Virgil had indeed painted some really good pictures and sketches using what were available at 5 to give a boost to his imagination. The four brothers were now down at the beach, with Alan joining them over Gordon's wristcom.
"John", Scott said. "Now when you've tricked us, will you stop?"
"Nope I have one fish left to catch", John answered.
"You're still not thinking about getting dad are you", Gordon asked. Virgil and Alan who hadn't heard about this stared at the middle Tracy.
"Are you insane", Virgil asked his younger brother. "Dad will never fall for it!"
"I know dad won't fall in my trap so easily", John said. "But I'm thinking about it."
"Good luck with that", Scott grumbled.
"Don't worry guys I'll get him", John said leaning back onto the sand. "I'll get him when he last expects it. It will give the five of us some time together."
"Yeah that would be great!" Alan said. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Alan", Scott exclaimed. "We are not gonna help John trick dad!"
"Why not", John said. "You know it was dad who came up the idea of tricking you guys from the beginning." When he saw his brothers' stunned faces he started to laugh. Scott's eyes then narrowed.
"Okay John here's the deal", he said and aimed a finger so close to his younger brother's face that he almost touched his nose. "You'll come up with an idea; none of us are anywhere as devious as you."
"Hey I can be devious", Gordon said and pouted.
"No you are just sneaky", Virgil said and draped his arm around Gordon. "Don't forget John's been thought by the master."
"Who", Gordon asked.
"Grandma."
"And grandpa", John piped up. "Don't forget he was almost as bad as grandma."
"As I was saying", Scott continued. "You'll come up with an idea and we'll help in anyway we can. Do we have a deal?" Scott reached out his hand and a devious smile crept onto John's face.
"Deal", he said and took Scott's hand.
A little while alter John walked into the kitchen and found his grandma struggling with a big cauldron. Kyrano was out in the garden to get some fresh herbs
"Let me take that for you grandma", he said and took it.
"Thank you honey", grandma said and patted him on the back when John took the heavy object away from him. "How are your plans going?"
"Great grandma… actually I have no idea of what to do."
"Oh don't worry honey", Jen Tracy said and patted the hand of her grandson. "You'll come up with something I'm sure of it."
"So am I master John", Kyrano said. "You're deviousness is too great to be stopped by your father."
"Thanks papa K", John said and Kyrano smiled. John was his favorite of the Tracy brothers. John was calm and they could sit together for hours and talk about gardening, martial arts, cooking and basically anything at all.
"John", Jeff Tracy called. "Can you get in here for a minute?"
"See you later grandma, Kyrano", John said and left.
"Yes father?" John asked when he entered the lounge.
"So now when you've tricked all your brothers"
"Except Alan", John interrupted.
"Except Alan, he was never needed to be…"
"Of course."
"Will you stop this devious act now?"
"No, I have one fish left to catch."
"Ah yes I've heard about that." Jeff smiled softly. "And all I can say is… Bring it on junior show me what you got!"
"Oh I intend to dad, whenever you least expect it I'll strike like a killer cobra."
Gordon who also was in the room saw the predator glints in his father's and his brother's eyes. He hoped this wouldn't turn into a great war.
"I'm not afraid of snakes", Jeff said softly.
"After I'm done with you", John answered sweetly. "You will be."
Jeff chuckled. "I'll be waiting then."
John smiled and walked towards the door. In the doorway he turned. "You better watch your step father, you never know when snakes appears and bite you." He left and Gordon had to stifle a chuckle when he saw Jeff look under his table.
"Your brother…" Jeff said to him when he rose again. "…is the devil in disguise."
"Last week you said he was an angel in disguise", Gordon said.
"Mark my words Gordon, he will never get me."
'That's what you think', John said.
Part 2
John was now back in his beloved Thunderbird 5 and was getting annoyed. He hadn't found a way to fool his father yet. It was almost midnight when he got a call from base.
"Thunderbird 5 here what's up?"
"Hey Johnny", Alan said cheerfully. "Were you asleep?"
"No I was working… on how to trick dad."
"Any ideas so far?"
"Nope, well actually a lot but he will see right through them."
"Too bad I can't help you more. I think you're getting a bit slow John, it's been two months now since you started planning."
"Three actually."
"Well grandma is happy to go for that monthly vacation tomorrow with Kyrano and Brains."
"Huh I can imagine what kind of food you'll be eating."
"Me too", Alan shuddered. "And the worst it we are no good cleaners."
John's face suddenly lit up.
"That's it!" he said.
"What is it?"
"Alan I know how to trick dad, but I'll need help from you guys."
"Wait while I get Scott and the others!"
"Aren't they in bed?"
"No… we've eh all have some trouble sleeping after the rescue…"
John smiled softly and Alan went away. While he was waiting John planned everything in his head and didn't notice the devious smile that crept onto his face or that his brothers had come into the lounge.
"I don't like that smile", Gordon said and brought john back to reality. "I don't like it at all."
"By your smile I guess you've come up to something", Scott said and crossed his arm.
"Oh yes I have", John said and smiled so his white teeth glistened in the lights from all the machines on Thunderbird 5.
"I told you I don't like it", Gordon piped up. "And especially not now! He looks like a vampire or something!"
"Gordon do us all a favor and shut your trap", Virgil said.
"What have you figured out John", Alan asked anxiously.
"Grandma, Kyrano and Brains are leaving for a month right?" John asked and his brothers nodded in response. "And they'll get back the same day as me right?" His brothers nodded again. "Who of you are going to pick them up at the mainland?"
"Me", Scott said. "At least I think so."
"Good Scott, then here is what we'll do…"
The last month flew past in a flash and when Thunderbird 3 connected with Thunderbird 5 John walked through the docking tube with a devious smile on his lips.
"Every thing set Alan", John asked as he entered the cockpit.
"Yeah, but I still don't get your entire plan."
"Don't worry it was needed to. But all I can say is that you're the lucky one."
"Really?"
"Yes, see you in a month kiddo."
"Yeah and then we'll celebrate with a beer in the sunset."
"I hold you to that."
John entered the lounge and smiled at his father.
"Hi dad, how's it going?"
"Fine thank you. Did the travel go well?"
"Yeah no problem."
"Thunderbird 5 to Tracy Island", came Alan's voice through the speakers.
"Go ahead Alan", Jeff said. "What's up?"
"Did John get home alright?"
"I'm right here kiddo", John said.
"Good, dad Scott just called in, they we'll be back at the island in three hours."
"That can't be right", Jeff said and looked sideways at the door when Virgil, Gordon and tin-tin entered. "When he left at seven he told me they'll be home in 15 hours."
"No dad", Virgil pointed out. "What he said was that he would be back at 15:00."
"Fifteen hundred", Gordon mused. "Yeah it sounds pretty much as 15 hours."
Jeff suddenly went pale. "Boys what does the kitchen look like?"
"I don't know", Virgil said.
"No idea", Gordon asked.
"Don't ask me I haven't been home", John said.
"We better go and inspect it", Jeff said and walked out, with his sons and Tin-tin trailing behind. John winked at Alan who shut the link.
When he entered the kitchen John just stared. He'd never seen it so dirty.
"What have you guys been doing", John asked as he picked up a dirty plate and shuddered at the mole. "Are you trying to give grandma and Kyrano a heart attack?"
"No", Jeff said. "It wasn't our fault!"
"Then whose fault?"
No one said anything.
"Okay since I'm the only one who knows exactly how this kitchen works", John said and pulled up his sleeves. "I'll give the orders. Dad, you'll make sure the lounge, your room and Scott's room are in top shape. Gordon, you'll take down all dirty laundry to the wash room and wash them. Virgil you'll handle the toilets… wait I don't trust Gordy with the washing. Gordon you'll take the toilets and Virgil you'll take the laundry. Gordon when you're done make sure yours and Alan's room are clear. Virgil later the laundry you'll take care of your room, then the vacuum cleaning."
"FAB his brothers answers and left to do their separate tasks, Jeff also left, a little grumpy.
"Nice work John", Tin-tin said and smiled. "I don't understand how the boys can make such a mess."
"I think you do Tin-tin", John said and pointed at some dishes. "These are all yours."
"I", tin-tin said then blushed. "You're right."
"Good now, you'll go help Virgil, I know you know how to handle a washing machine."
"FAB." She left. When John was sure no one was near the kitchen he pulled out his mobile and called.
"Hi grandma", he said. "Can you do me a favor?"
Part 3
To saying that Jeff was nervous was wrong. His mother would be home in less than three hours and they had to clean the whole house before she arrived. Suddenly his son Scott called in.
"Hi dad, we had to make a turn so Grandma can do some shopping, we'll be home around 8."
Jeff's face lit up with hope as he thanked his son and continued working.
Virgil and Gordon were done not long after each other and went down to the kitchen to see how John was doing. When they entered they stared. The kitchen looked fantastic.
"How the hell could you get everything clean so fast", Virgil exclaimed.
John turned around with a pot in his hands and smiled.
"I put all the china and glasses in the two dishwashers and cleaned the pots and cutlery for hand. The benches were the easiest parts. So how are you doing?"
"Fine", Gordon said. "I'm done."
"Good then you can make sure the pool area aren't a mess."
"Ay ay captain." Gordon said and left.
"I'm only waiting for dad to get done with his room", Virgil said and lent towards the door. "Then I'll do the vacuum cleaning."
"Good", John said and looked around. "I'm done in here… Grandma called me and asked me for prepare dinner… so if you excuse me. John took out two cauldrons and put them on the stove. "I've some cooking to do."
Virgil smiled and left.
Five minutes before eight Virgil and the others were done and Scott just touched down.
"Hello", he called and smiled when he saw the clean house. "You've been busy."
"Hell ya", Virgil said. "Thankfully grandma needed to do some shopping."
"Hello everybody", grandma said as she entered the room. "Oh have you cleaned the whole house!"
"Yes mother", Jeff said and gave her a hug. "We've cleaned everything."
"We washed all the laundry", Virgil said.
"We even cleaned the bathrooms", Gordon piped up.
"Oh it all looks so good", grandma said. "No only if we had something to eat."
"We do", John said and entered. "Dinner is ready and waiting."
"John been cooking", Scott asked and raised an eyebrow. "When did that happened last?"
"Cooking for the whole family", John thought a moment. "…during Gordon's hydrofoil accident and hospital time."
"It smells wonderful, come on", grandma said and grabbed John's arm.
Later that evening the Tracy boys and their father sat at the pool. Gordon, Scott and Virgil were in the pool having a water fight. Jeff and John sat at the edge.
"Thank you for organizing the cleaning John", Jeff said and slung an arm around John's shoulder.
"It was nothing."
"It was. If there is something I can do to pay you back I'll do it."
"Really?"
"Yeah anything."
"You'll take my next shift on Thunderbird 5."
Virgil, Scott and Gordon stopped what they were doing and looked at their father and brother. Jeff stared at John and then growled.
"Scott didn't say 15:00 did he?"
"No he said 15 hours. Got ya dad."
Jeff gaped and heard his other sons start laughing.
"I told you I would get you when you last expected it", John said. "I called grandma and told her that I was working on fooling you and asked her to go and shop something to gain me some hours."
"You little rat", Jeff growled. "I was terrified!"
"I told you that when I was done with you, you would fear snakes."
"Then I guess I must train some in the simulator before we go up at the end of the month." Jeff rose and started to walk. Inside he heard his sons laugh and stopped. He knew he would never be able to fool John back, but he could get a little revenge. He took off his shirt and put everything in his pockets on the desk. Then he turned and ran out.
John hadn't seen that one coming. He had risen from his place and suddenly heard running steps behind him. John turned just in time to see his father ramming him and sending both of them into the pool. When John broke the surface he had only taken a breath before his father dunked him under again. It turned into a wrestling match between all of them. All of them were laughing, including Jeff.
A month later John and Alan was watching the sunset with a beer each. They were joined by their other brothers.
"This is great", Alan said. "All five of us together!" He held an arm around John's shoulder. "You did good Johnny!"
"Thank you Alan", John answered and put his arm around Alan's shoulders.
"You know one thing bugs me", Gordon said.
"What", the others asked.
"How come Alan and Scott didn't have to clean?"
"Scott was flying", John answered. "And Alan was at five."
"Yeah but couldn't you have made us clean when they were both home", Virgil asked.
"No", John said. "Well I could have done so with Scotty."
"Why not Alan", this asked.
"Alan and I do cleaning without protest", John answered. "And I knew if I told you to clean, he would pull the biggest weight. So I let him slip away."
"BBST", Alan said and squeezed John's shoulders again.
"Yeah BBSTA", John answered.
"Don't you mean BBSTWOIUTS."
John laughed. "Actually Alan I was more thinking BBSTWADSUOAWT."
"Not that again", Gordon exclaimed.
"Come on what does it mean", Scott asked.
John and Alan looked at each other.
"Blonde brothers sticks together", Alan answered.
"Blonde brothers sticks together always", John said.
"Blonde brothers sticks together when one isn't up to something", Alan continued.
"Blonde brothers sticks together when Alan doesn't starts unrest or are with Tin-tin", John finished.
Their brothers stared at them.
"I have a new one", Alan said. "TTBSTWJIFE."
John thought for a moment. "I give up Allie."
"The Tracy brothers sticks together when John isn't fooling everyone", Alan said and everyone laughed.
"Now when John has fooled everyone", Scott said. "Do any of us have to worry?"
John thought for a moment. "I don't think so."
Scott sighed of relief.
"Sorry guys I promised Tin-tin to help her in Thunderbird 3", Alan said and left.
"Now none of you have to worry", John said and lent back on his back.
His brother's stared at him.
"Are you planning on taking Alan next", Gordon asked.
John winked.
"I guess we'll see", Virgil said. "What do you call that operation?"
"Operation BA, betraying Alan", John answered and they laughed.
The End, or is it