Sadly I don't own any of Gerry Anderson's wonderful creations, therefore I'm not out to make any money on them.

Wharfton is a fictitious school and is not based on the school in the Thunderbirds film.

I have decided to stay with the idea of John being the oldest, but it is not fact. It is purely my own opinion, according to the family dynamics with the story.

A huge thank you to my wonderful reviewers. I really appreciate them, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Huge apology for the delay in this update. Life getting out of control again!

As always read and review, thanks.

Chapter 6

I just gotta focus. Focus. Focus. As long as I beat Michael-Dean things are gonna be swell. I gotta beat him though cos if I don't he's gonna make life hell for Scott.

We're losing. I've got half a length to make up on Michael-Dean. I glance across. He's pretty fast but he isn't gonna be fast enough. It's my turn.

My dive wasn't great, but I reckon it's cos I'm under all this pressure. I swim as fast as I can and try and glance across. I'm making time on Michael-Dean, I just know I am. I touch the side and power back down the pool. My arms are on fire, I swear they feel as though they're gonna come off but it'll be so worth it if I beat him. I'm nearly there. I can see Michael-Dean. We're level. I give it one last burst and touch the side. Last leg now, but I've done my bit. I try not to look too smugly at him, but I beat him.

We lost the relay against Concord. I knew we would. I should have done the last leg but stupid Dane wanted it.

I've got time now before my butterfly swim. But Scott isn't here. I really wanted him here. Dad couldn't be here cos he's up on the moon and mom said she was gonna watch Virg, so I wanted my big brother here. I turn away sadly, putting my head in my hands. I knew it was total favouritism. What the hell do I have to do to make my family take notice? I glare at the floor, drowning out the screams and shouts from around me. I'm starting to get angrier and angrier and I clench my fists which are supporting my head. A hand touches my shoulder and I yell.

'Gordon? Are you ok?'

I nod.

'It's your race. You need to get ready.'

I'm always ready to swim. And thanks to Michael-Dean I'm more ready than I've ever been before. He's gonna totally regret the day he came to our school cos it won't just be Scott taking him down, I'll kill him too.

I won the butterfly, it was totally easy. After the race, I only have a few minutes before the individual relay so I stand and wait by the side of the pool. Scott still isn't here, but being angry helped to win the butterfly so I try and get angry again. It isn't difficult. I just focus on Michael-Dean looking like a jerk.

I'm standing on the diving board waiting to start when I glance across and I see Scott walk in. I grin at him, but I don't wave. I don't wanna embarrass myself but I can't help feeling happy seeing my big brother. I'm no longer angry though. I'm ready. I psyche myself up and take some deep breaths.

Suddenly there's a scream and a yell.

'He's got cramp,' I hear someone shout.

I look into the pool where I was about to dive and see a kid, about my age. He's struggling. I have to rescue him.

I blank everything out and just dive. I hear nothing as I swim across to the kid. He's gone under the water when I get there and I drag him out. Luckily he's smaller than me, and I'm strong enough to hold him. I pull him over to the side. Coach is ready and he pulls the kid out, before hauling me out.

'Good job, Gordon. You saved his life.' I stand and grin. When I look across to the viewing gallery, I see Scott's got an identical grin to mine.

I've still gotta do the individual relay so I try and forget what happened and focus on the race.

The meet's over. I'm shattered and after the free relay I can barely get out of the pool. I see a hand held down towards me, and I grab it thankfully.

'Way to go, Gord! Ya were awesome.'

'Thanks.' My legs are shaking, and when Scott puts his arm around my shoulder I use his strength. I dunno how I'm gonna get changed. I don't normally feel like this after a swimming challenge. 'Scotty, I'm shattered. My legs don't feel as though they can support me.'

Scott grins at me. 'I've got just the thing Gord.' He drags me across to where he was sitting.

Scott shows me a massive bar of chocolate. Suddenly my legs don't feel so bad anymore, and I eat the whole bar. Scott always knows exactly what to do.

'Thanks, Scotty. I needed that. Do you reckon I've made the nationals?'

'Are ya kidding! Course you have. You were awesome. Michael-Dean had nothing on you.'

My face falls. 'You saw him?'

Scott nods. 'It's ok, Gordy. I beat him. He's got nothing on any of us.'

'But what if he starts on Al or-'

'Why would he do that?'

'Cos he's evil and Al's only 5.'

Scott looks at me. 'Gord, trust me. He won't. Al's with the teachers at school and at home he's got four brothers and mom and dad to look after him.'

Scott's right. What can go wrong?

On the way back home, I'm sandwiched between Alan, the baby and Virg. He hasn't stopped singing something the whole way. He looks pretty happy too.

'Did it go well?' I ask quietly. Virg nods excitedly. 'Did mom go and see you?'

'Yeah, she loved it. Said I was a star.' I nod, but I can't help feeling disappointed. Mom loves Virg cos he's so good at music and stuff, but she doesn't come and watch me swim much. Dad used to, but he isn't here. 'How was your swimming, Gordy?'

'Ace.' I force a grin on to my face. 'I reckon I qualified.'

'Gordon!' Scott turns from the front of George's SUV. 'Tell him. I would.'

'What? What did you do?' Virg looks interested.

'Nothing. I just rescued a kid who was drowning. Anyone could have done it.'

Suddenly Scott launches into a long story of what happened, and I can't say anything. I just sit there. Somehow it doesn't matter that I rescued some kid, and my brothers think I'm a hero. I just wanted my mom there to watch me. I'm jealous cos she watched Virg, but not me.

'Wow, Gord. That's pretty amazing,' adds John, turning to smile at me. 'Why didn't you say something first?'

'Cos it isn't that good.'

'Are you kidding!' retorts Scott. 'I was there. I saw what ya did, it was-'

'I KNOW!' I can't help screaming. 'I KNOW YOU WERE THERE, BUT YOU WEREN'T THERE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING!' I stop screaming. There's silence. 'No-one comes and watches me. Just cos I've swam since I was a little kid, doesn't mean it's any less important than stuff you all do.'

'Gord, no one was suggesting it was.'

'Mom watches you,' I snap at Virgil. 'It's ok for you.'

'Stop it, Gordon. We'll have to talk to mom at home. Why didn't you say how you felt?' Scott looks at me. I shake my head.

'Dunno.'

George pulls into our huge drive and as soon as the car stops, I get out and run towards the front door. Mom opens it with a smile, but I just run straight past her.