Three weeks later Jeff and Scott were in the lounge at Jeff's desk discussing various Tracy Corporation and International Rescue matters. Jeff was just expounding his theories on how the current exchange rate was affecting business when a warning beep came from his computer. He glanced at the monitor and saw on the radar that an aircraft was heading, at speed, towards the Island. He was about to investigate further when John's eyes started to flash on his portrait.

"Go ahead, John."

"Morning, Father. I'm ten minutes out. Permission to land?"

"Granted. See you soon."

As the connection was cut, Jeff raised an eyebrow at Scott. "I didn't expect him for a couple more days."

"I know. Well, it will be good to see him."

"Indeed. Now, where was I?"

The two carried on their conversation, Jeff occasionally checking the Island cameras to make sure that the runway remained clear and that John had landed safely. He saw John stow his jet in the hangar and, not long after, John came into the lounge.

"Hi, Dad, Scott."

"Good flight?" asked Scott.

"Very good. Er…Dad…do you want to put me back on the rota for rescues until I go up to Five?"

"Sure, son," Jeff replied casually. "And what about after your stint?"

"Um…well…then too if you're okay to have me back?"

Scott was equally relaxed in his reply. "Good to have you on board. In fact, Brains has got some ideas about Three and Five's docking protocol that he's been discussing with Alan. Maybe you could chip in there?"

"Sure, I'll talk to him when I've unpacked." John turned on his heel and the left the room. Jeff and Scott turned to look at one another.

"Looks like Gordon was right," Scott remarked.

"And did we play our part as he instructed?"

"Gordon will be very proud of us."

"You boys, why you have to make my life so complicated I really do not know."

"Keeps you on your toes, Dad!"

"Hmmm…."

But Scott could tell that his father was trying to hide a smile.

TBTBTBTB

The following evening John and Scott were in the lounge playing chess before dinner when Gordon came up to them and placed a drink down beside John.

"For you!"

John looked suspiciously at the drink. "Thank you, I think. What is it?"

"Cranberry and vodka. Tin Tin swears by it."

"A girl's drink. Okay. It's very red."

Gordon grinned with delight. "I am so glad you spotted that!"

John's eyes narrowed as he looked at his younger brother. "Oh no, what are you up to?"

"Your thank you dinner! Remember I promised you a wonderful meal to say thank you? We're having it tonight. Come on!"

Gordon pulled John to his feet and John looked despairingly back at Scott. Scott was apologetic. "I tried to stop him but you know what he's like."

John followed Gordon reluctantly down to the kitchen where the food was laid out.

"I wanted a theme," stated Gordon, "and since you have earned my gratitude because you stopped all my blood leaking out I thought the theme should be…ta dah!"

"Oh my God, red," completed John, suddenly going very pale.

"Yes!" exclaimed Gordon, happily. "To start with is tomato soup. Then there will be rare steak accompanied by roasted red peppers, roasted beetroot and baked red potatoes. Of course, there will be red wine with that course. Then, to finish, red velvet cake with a strawberry coulis. I couldn't make the coffee red but, don't worry, it comes with a shot on the side of cherry brandy. What do you think?"

John, however grateful he was for his brother's show of thanks, could not deal with the amount of red before him. "I think….I think I'm going to be sick."

He exited the kitchen at speed, hand clamped over his mouth, almost colliding with Scott who couldn't help but laugh at the crestfallen look on Gordon's face.