Disclaimer: I do not own Thunderbirds. The following story has been written purely for entertainment purposes - no profit is being made by the author.
I'm a little late posting this. Sorry. The busy week I had quickly turned into two very busy weeks and my feet hardly touched the ground. Plus, I had trouble uploading this update. FF.N was being a right royal pain in the...
Anyway, I was overjoyed with the reviews for the previous chapter. Thank you so much, everyone, and thanks also to Whirlgirl and anon - both of whom I couldn't reply to personally.
Chapter 7: Reflections
Covering up an insubordinate brother's tracks was second nature to Scott Tracy. In fact, he was sure that if he were given a dollar for every time he'd to come to a sibling's rescue, he would've amassed a fortune equal to that of his father's. Scott had learnt a long time ago that a big brother's work was never done. He didn't mind, though. Not one bit. If anything, he considered his role an honour - nothing more, nothing less.
Scott had taken a bottle of whiskey out from the drinks cabinet to refill the decanter Alan had almost emptied earlier. It was just as well both he and John were on hand to disarm the young man of his drink, and not their caffeine-deprived father. The Tracy patriarch would have had kittens if he had caught his youngest son gulping down his whiskey like it was going out of fashion. Poor Alan. Virgil had been right about one thing; the kid still had a lot of growing up to do, despite being twenty-three and recently engaged. Well, the latter had yet to be officially confirmed, of course, but judging by the fact that neither Alan nor Tin-Tin had returned from their picnic, Scott felt it safe enough to assume all had gone well.
Once his task was complete, Scott poured himself a drink. He then put the bottle back inside the cupboard, nestling it amongst the others and being mindful not to make too much noise. Alan was in the clear, at least for the time being. Scott hoped it would stay that way.
He was about to take a sip from his glass, when he caught a glimpse of his reflection in one of the mirrored picture frames on the wall. Although he'd dismissed the earlier taunts his brothers had thrown at him about his age, much like water off a duck's back, Scott knew sooner or later he would have to face the dismal fact that he wasn't getting any younger. And with that thought now firmly in mind, he leaned closer and began scrutinising his appearance. As far as he could tell, there were no grey hairs. But his image was a little distorted on the frame's bevelled edge, making it difficult to undertake a thorough examination. He sighed, filing a mental note to carry out a more detailed inspection in the privacy of his own bedroom.
"Wanna pour one for the old man?"
At the sound of his father's voice, Scott spun around. A half-smile tugged at his lips. "I already have," he stated dryly, holding up his drink in spite of himself.
Jeff grinned and reached out to ruffle his son's hair - the only family member, apart from his grandmother, Scott would ever allow to do such a thing.
"You're not old, son," he said, relieving his first-born of pouring duty and helping himself to a scotch. "And you're not grey yet, either."
Scott frowned, confused for an instant. He then realised his father must have seen him checking out his reflection. Nothing ever escaped Jeff Tracy's keen eye.
"No," he admitted, failing to contain a self-conscious grin. "I guess not."
Jeff let out a deep chuckle. Scott hadn't heard his father laugh like that for a few days now. It was a welcome display. Scott half-suspected that Jeff had somehow managed to grab a secret caffeine fix at some point during the day. Nevertheless, he was pleased his father seemed more jovial tonight, even if it was at his expense.
Jeff raised an enquiring eyebrow at the drink in his son's hand. "Tough day?"
Scott let out a hollow sigh and starred into his glass, idly rotating it and watching the ochre liquid swirl around the sides. Part of him wanted to tell his father everything, but he knew better than to betray a brother's trust.
"Nothing I can't handle," he replied, giving his father a confident smile.
Jeff grinned, raising his glass. "I'll drink to that." He took a sip, then leaned towards his son's ear and whispered, "Just make sure your grandmother doesn't get to hear about this."
Scott chuckled at the hint of anxiety in his father's tone. Coffee wasn't the only indulgence Ruth had taken off the menu since finding out about Jeff's high blood-pressure, and woe betide him if she ever discovered he'd had a sneaky tipple.
"Don't worry, Dad. Your secret's safe with me."
~TB~
John Tracy stood on his balcony, his gaze wandering across the night sky, seeking out the myriad of stars and their constellations, before finally resting upon the bright, dusty satellite that outshone them all.
"Hello, beautiful," he whispered, a warm smile crossing his lips as he fully immersed himself in his own private serenity.
At that moment, faint laughter echoed throughout the stillness of the evening air. Curious, John moved over to the balcony railings and looked beyond the outline of the dense jungle treetops, then out towards the ocean. And there, in the distance, he could make out two silhouettes walking hand in hand along the beach. The shorter of the two suddenly broke into a run and the other gave chase, quickly catching up. Joyful laughter drifted around the island once more.
John chuckled at the sight before him, though he felt more touched by the scene than amused by it.
"Atta boy, Al," he murmured, full of pride for his little brother. "I gotta go tell Scott..."
~TB~
John found his brother alone in the lounge. Scott was seated on the couch, one leg casually crossed over the other. He sat there, motionless, staring into the empty glass he held loosely in one hand.
Maintaining his discreet distance, John studied him for a while. His eyebrows pinched at the overcast expression on Scott's face. It wasn't often he caught his eldest brother looking so troubled. Scott never willingly let the others see him like this. It was a rare spectacle. The elder Tracy had always lead his brothers to believe that he could carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. But it was moments like these that reminded John just how susceptible his big brother really was underneath all that bravado. Sometimes, he wished Scott would stop being so proud and allow the others to lighten the load once in a while. But that would be like expecting Gordon to volunteer himself for laundry duty. It'll never happen.
As John continued to observe his brother, he began toying with the idea that Scott's unconscious display of anxiety might have something to do with his earlier encounter with Virgil. Scott had been somewhat evasive about it after John had quizzed him over how it went, and he'd been quick to dismiss John's concerns about Virgil's odd behaviour - telling him not to worry as the matter had been dealt with. Naturally, John accepted that. He respected his brothers' privacy and was never one to pry. But even so, he still felt a niggling doubt. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on.
Why did Virgil blow up in Alan's face like that? The poor kid's always at the top of his hit list these days. Seems he can't do anything right…
John had been so absorbed in his thoughts, his gaze had fallen without him being aware of it. It was only when he looked back up that he realised Scott was watching him.
"How long have you been standing there?" the elder Tracy asked, amused.
John pulled his hands out of his pockets and drew himself up to his full height. "Oh, uh, not long."
Scott gave him a quizzical look. "You were a million miles away for a moment there. Everything okay?" His light tone revealed a trace of concern.
John smiled at his brother's usual kind-hearted and selfless approach. It was typical of Scott to instantly disregard his own problems, if it meant being there for one of his siblings.
"Yeah, fine," he replied, joining his brother on the couch. "I was just thinking, that's all."
"What about?"
Scott's question took John by surprise. He hadn't expected his brother to ask him to elaborate. He had to conjure something up, fast.
"Oh, you know," he began casually, "about how nice it is that Alan and I are both home at the same time. It doesn't happen often enough and it'll be nice to spend some time with the kid."
John secretly cringed. It wasn't the best he could come up with, but after being put on the spot like that, it would have to suffice. He half-anticipated Scott to challenge him, like he had done earlier about Gordon. Instead, the elder Tracy quietly nodded. Both brothers were holding back from one another now, neither one willing to divulge. It didn't make being in each other's company uncomfortable, though. It was almost as if they had some kind of silent understanding.
"That's if you can prise him away from Tin-Tin," Scott said at last.
John grinned. "Funny you should mention that," he said, clasping his hands behind his head and stretching out his lean frame as he lay back against the couch. "I saw them both on the beach a little while ago, laughing and holding hands."
"Really?"
"Yup. They looked pretty cosy together."
"Do you think she said yes?"
John nodded, confident. "I'd put a wager on it."
Scott smiled. "Great."
It wasn't long before a calming stillness fell upon the pair and they both sat in quiet contemplation for a while. John became vaguely aware of an invisible weight pulling on his eyelids.
Eventually, Scott spoke. "I can't believe our baby brother is gonna get married. Where did all those years go?"
John blinked back his fatigue. "I know what you mean," he murmured, picking up on his brother's melancholy. "It seems like only yesterday you were helping Grandma change Alan's diapers and wiping his drool off your model airplanes."
Scott chuckled softly. "Don't remind me. I'll say one thing, I'm glad those days are over."
"Aww, c'mon, you don't mean that," said John, giving his brother a knowing look.
"I don't remember you offering your services for such tasks."
John stared up at the ceiling for a moment. "True. But don't forget, I had Gordon and Virgil to deal with. They were always clashing. Unlike you, I didn't have the luxury of having my own room when we were growing up. Anyway, I think out of the two of us, you got the better deal when it came to Big Brother duties."
"At least you had the opportunity to develop your peace-keeping skills."
For a split second, John could have sworn there was a hint of envy in his brother's statement. It was a valid point, however.
"Yeah," he admitted, "I guess I did."
Scott heaved himself up. "I need a refill. Want anything?"
"No, thanks. I'll be hitting the hay pretty soon."
Scott looked down at the younger man and frowned. "You mean to tell me that my fellow night-owl of a brother is having an early night? Gee, you're no fun."
John glanced at his wristwatch. "In case you hadn't noticed, Scott, it's almost midnight."
"So?"
"Well, it's hardly early. Besides, it's been a long day."
At least for John it had. He'd been up since five 'o' clock that morning. Alan had requested a wake up call because he wanted to be off the island before Tin-Tin woke up and didn't trust his own alarm clock to do its job. John was no stranger to early mornings and was happy to oblige, but he hadn't planned on staying up this late.
Scott shook his head. "I thought I was the one who was supposed to be boring in my old age."
"Since when has old age had anything to do with that?" John deadpanned.
He broke into a smile at Scott's ominous glare, knowing that by doing so, he was further risking the possibility of payback - which would most likely be administered by the elder Tracy in physical form. But Scott looked a little weary himself and probably wouldn't resort to such tactics. Or then again, would he...?
John planned an escape route, just in case.
"Looks like you walked right into that one, Scott," Virgil declared, grinning at John as he wandered into the lounge.
"Now, don't you start," Scott retorted good-naturedly, pointing an accusing finger at the new arrival. "I've had enough wisecracks from you guys to last me a lifetime."
Laying one hand flat on his chest, Virgil feigned a look of pure innocence. "Me? What did I do? I just got here."
As soon as Scott's back was turned, however, Virgil began mimicking him with a series of hand gestures and facial expressions. It was an act he had practised many times over the years, and one he was rather good at.
John casually brought up a hand to stifle a chuckle. Tiredness took a back seat as he watched his brother's performance, his shoulders periodically shaking with silent laughter.
"I know what you're doing, Virg," Scott suddenly announced, a trace of amusement taking the edge off that all too familiar Big Brother tone. "Cut it out."
Virgil froze, like he were somehow encased in invisible resin. The only movement came from his eyes when they briefly locked onto John's. He then straightened up, looked back at Scott, and poked his tongue out.
John snickered.
Without so much as a glance over his shoulder, Scott added, "And put your tongue back in."
Looking genuinely baffled, Virgil complied. With his mouth partly open, he glanced over at John as if to say 'How the hell did he know?'.
John grinned, shaking his head and raising his hands in a beats me gesture.
With an elaborate shrug, Virgil made his way over to the couch, puffing out a heavy sigh as he lowered his weight.
Scott soon followed, a glass tumbler in each hand. His brow creased as if objecting to Virgil taking his spot next to John. He sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Here," he said, thrusting a drink into his brother's hand.
Virgil beamed up at him. "Why, thank you, Scott." He turned to John. "And a mind-reader to boot. Wow, he's really excelling himself tonight."
John couldn't resist. "Scott Carpenter Tracy: the eighth wonder of the world."
"Damn right," said Scott, an egotistical smirk sweeping over his face as he settled into the leather recliner opposite. "And don't you forget it."
"Like you're gonna let us," Virgil muttered, tongue firmly in cheek.
"Although, technically," Scott continued, crossing his legs and sinking further back into his seat, "I should be the ninth."
John frowned. "How so?"
"Grandma's apple pie," Virgil offered.
"Oh, yeah. I shoulda known," John said wryly, far from impressed when Scott flashed him an oversized grin worthy of a toothpaste commercial.
"Careful, Scott. You could cause some serious retina damage with those caps of yours."
Scott's eyes narrowed at Virgil's comment. He took a slow, deliberate sip of his drink whilst staring menacingly in his brother's direction.
"So, anyway, Virg," John began, conversationally, "how come you're still up?"
"Unfinished business," came the subdued response.
John nodded. He figured his brother meant patching things up with Alan.
"I left Brains to finish up in the lab. There wasn't much left for me to do, anyway." Virgil slouched back, absently plucking lint from his shirt. "Gordon called him, by the way."
"What about?" John asked cautiously, recalling his brother's situation. "He hasn't figured out what I've done, has he?"
Virgil shrugged. "I'm not sure. I didn't stick around long enough to find out."
"Oh."
"Well, I gotta admit, it's kinda quiet without him around," Scott mused. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, "We should get him to piss Dad off more often."
Virgil smirked. "Yeah, well, I'm sure if Gordon were here right now, he'd be asking me what flavour ice-cream I'd want with my humble pie."
Both Scott and John snorted at Virgil's statement. But John knew it was just his brother's way of making light of a task which was going to be understandably difficult, and one which Virgil was obviously dreading. John was glad things looked more promising now, though. At least with the peace restored, he'd get a decent night's sleep. For the time being, he was happy to sit and listen to his brothers' conversation. But it wasn't long before drowsiness set in again, and John's weary mind soon began to slip away into a peaceful darkness...
A sudden, sharp pain in the lower left side of his ribcage caused him to jolt violently. Eyes he never realised he'd closed shot open. Blinking frantically to regain his focus, he looked over at Scott, then at Virgil. Both his brothers had the same look of amusement on their faces.
Confused, John frowned and rubbed his side, all at once remembering why he'd been so rudely startled.
"Ouch," he moaned, glowering at Virgil. "What was that for?"
"You fell asleep," Virgil replied, mirth flashing in his eyes.
John sat up, arching his back to relieve the stiffness. "I did?"
"Uh-huh," Scott murmured. "And you started snoring."
John shot him a glare. "I don't snore."
"Wanna bet?"
Virgil chuckled. "We should have Gordon hide an audio recorder somewhere on Five, just to prove him wrong."
John vaguely waved a hand at his brothers' laughter. "Whatever." Yawning, he lay back again, arms folding snugly over his chest.
"Go to bed, John. I've no intention of carrying you to your room if you fall asleep again. You're heavier than you look."
John's tired eyes slowly began to close. "S'okay, Scott, I'm good. I'll just...you guys talk, I'm listening..."
"Johnny," Virgil called melodically, poking his brother once more. In the same spot.
"Ow!" John whined, the spontaneous jerk of his body in response to the painful jab annoying him in equal measures. "Will you quit it!"
Virgil smiled sweetly at him. "Nope."
John sighed, frustrated. There was no point in fighting it anymore, sleep was winning. And so were his brothers.
"Okay, fine. I'm going." He wrenched himself out of his seat, dragging the weight of his shadow along with him.
He had barely shuffled three steps when Alan came bounding through the balcony door like an over-excited puppy, a huge grin plastered on his face.
"She said yes!"
Once again, John was pulled out of exhaustion's grasp - pleasantly this time - and both he and Scott went over to congratulate the happy couple. Tin-Tin took great pleasure in showing off her diamond ring.
"Wow, Tin-Tin, it's beautiful," said John, bending down to kiss her cheek. "Just like you."
She looked away, blushing. "Oh, I don't know about that."
"Well, I do," Scott put in, smiling fondly at the young woman before wrapping his arms around her. "Alan made a good choice, in more ways than one. Congratulations, honey."
"Thank you, Scott," she said, pulling away. She then hugged John. "Thank you. For everything."
"You're welcome," he said softly.
"Okay, you guys," Alan chimed in happily, prising Tin-Tin away from John's arms, "enough already. Let my fiancée get some air, will ya."
"Fiancée," Scott repeated with a measure of thoughtfulness. He tilted his head at the young couple, face a picture of pure delight. "How 'bout those two, huh?"
John folded his arms, grinning at them appraisingly. "They sure look cute together."
"Cute?" Alan cried, scowling in disgust, much to John's amusement. "I'm not cute!"
"Oh, but you are, Alan!" Tin-Tin playfully argued, reaching up to pinch his cheeks. "Especially when you're pouting."
Alan's face turned beet red. "Tin-Tin, please," he groaned, squirming when the young woman tickled his chin and began making cooing noises. "Not in front of the guys."
Scott chuckled, shaking his head.
"Looks like you've got her exactly where she wants you, Al," John quipped, winking at Tin-Tin whilst ignoring the light punch Alan delivered to his upper arm.
"Yeah, well, we'll see about that," the young man said in mock conceit, grinning boldly at Tin-Tin's dangerous glare.
Scott regarded his brother quietly for a moment before enveloping him in a bear hug.
"You did good, kiddo," he murmured, squeezing Alan's shoulder as they separated. "I'm proud of you."
"Me, too," John added, ruffling his brother's hair, cunningly using alternate hands to evade Alan's opposing arms. He then grabbed the young man and held him in a brief hug.
Alan looked up at his brothers, beaming. "Thanks, guys. I couldn't have done it without you. And I want you both to know that I really appreciate..." He broke off, cheerful expression waning.
"Congratulations, kiddo," Virgil said warmly, coming to stand next to John and offering out his hand.
Alan cautiously shook it. "Thanks, Virg."
Virgil stepped forward and pulled the young man into a lingering embrace. He was murmuring something into Alan's ear. John couldn't hear what he was saying, but Alan seemed to appreciate it.
"It's fine, Virg, really...Yeah, I know...I love you, too." The genuine smile now adorning the young man's face was a clear sign that all was well between the pair, at last.
Once Virgil had worded his best wishes to Tin-Tin, they all grouped together in the lounge and chatted animatedly about the idea of an engagement party. Alan suggested they wait a few days and have a double celebration, to coincide with Scott's birthday. Scott agreed and arrangements were laid out.
Virgil remained decidedly quiet throughout the discussion, participating only when asked for his input. After a short while, he politely excused himself. John looked on, puzzled by his brother's sudden departure. Virgil hadn't even finished his drink. Something was still bothering him. But what? John glanced over at Alan and Tin-Tin, who were both oblivious to it all as they sat kissing and canoodling on the sofa. He gave in to a smile at the young couple's carefree display of affection, briefly tempted to tell the inseparable pair to 'get a room'. But then he looked at Scott, who in turn met his gaze with an expression that spoke a thousand words.
And John suddenly knew.
To be continued…
Author's Note: Okay, we're almost at the end of the story now. There's just one more chapter left after this one. As always, reviews will be most appreciated, so please spare a few moments to let me know what you think. Thank you.
