Countdown to Adventure
Standard disclaimer: I don't own the thunderbirds...
A/N: Glad you enjoyed the fight... (Think they learnt their lesson.... think again. After all if you look up stubborn in the dictionary you'll see the name "TRACY")
I don't want to give any of the story away, but KatZen _TOTALLY the wrong tree...
Lots of brotherly fun and fluff coming up, Enjoy...
TBZ
Chapter 8 – Family matters
Jeff Tracy sat at his desk going over paperwork, the mail plane had just left and he'd received the original copies of various contracts and documents for his approval, the fax and email was one thing, but he still needed to sight the originals from time to time. He sighed as he looked at the large pile of papers, the sun and pool summon but he put the desire aside and concentrated on the work at hand while the house was quiet; he knew it won't remain so for long.
His concentration was broken a half hour later by the appearance of his eldest two sons. They have obviously showered and dress as they entered the office in dry clothes, Jeff smiled quietly to himself, at least he wouldn't have to mop the floor again, he leaned back an eyebrow raised in query, ready for a break and interested in hearing what had gone on earlier.
John sat in the chair in front of his desk while Scott slouched on the sofa against the wall, John taking his normal place as negotiator in the partnership. Jeff quietly observed the division of labour his sons had developed, Scott led, protected and instilled discipline. John guided, listened and negotiated, where needed they backed each other up keeping a united front even if they disagreed, the delegation of duties worked well, and Jeff wasn't about to do anything to disrupt it.
"So what happened?" Jeff opened the discussion going straight to the heart of the matter.
"Gordo and Virge had another altercation," John informed him.
'Altercation meaning fight.' Jeff translated for himself. "And?"
"It ended up in the pool, Scott and I had to pull them out, we took them down to the gymnasium to give them an alternative... solution." John smirked, "they chose the less painful option."
Jeff nodded contemplated Scott laying back in relaxed slouch on the sofa. 'Take a beating from Scott on the wrestling mat or....' "Washing the Thunderbirds?"
Scott nodded a self-satisfied smile on his face, "By hand."
"Right." Jeff acknowledged. "So what have you two got planed for the rest of the day?" he asked glancing at the paperwork in front of him.
Scott and John both noted the look and quickly stood, "Well actually, we were gonna look at the maintenance schedule." John put in quickly as they move towards the door.
Jeff looked up from his paperwork, "Maintenance schedule, why any problems?"
"No....No..." Scott reassured, "Just you know, checking everything is in working order." The two brothers made a quick escape.
Jeff shook his head realising he'd given the game away by looking at the paperwork, he sighed resigned to having to do it himself. If John or Scott had still been in the room they would have been apprehensive of the sudden sly smile that crossed their fathers face. 'It 's about time the boys started learning the business properly,' he thought, 'maybe spend some time at the office regularly,' he contemplated sending one of them back with the paperwork when it was done, but the question was which son? Jeff smiled to himself; it could make for interesting negotiations. 'They both have adequate leave from their units to cover a period in San Diego on business.' He thought, 'Yes. Time in the office would be good for them,' and it would give him the opportunity to see how they handled the more mundane tasks of running a multibillion dollar business.
----
Scott and John mooched down the stairs into the living area adjacent to the pool deck, Scott diverted into the kitchen and opened the fridge looking for a cool drink, having given up the option for something stronger from his father's liquor cabinet in the office. He shuffled through the bottles of water and juice looking for one that hadn't been opened yet. John standing behind him watched, "Why do you do that, the open ones are all yours anyway." Scott looked over his shoulder, "Yeah but Gordon tampers with them."
"So why put them back in the fridge?" John asked reaching pass Scott and grabbing a fresh bottle.
Scott shrugged grabbing a bottle and closing the fridge. "Habit."
"You know it's gross don't you?" John asked.
Shrugging again with a careless smile Scott took a swig from the bottle, while John took out a glass and poured the drink into it, taking the glass into the lounge he sat on the sofa propping his feet up on the table. Scott followed mirroring John's position from the other sofa.
"So what are we gonna do?" John asked.
Scott screwed up his face in thought sipping his drink. "It's too hot for much." He looked out at the sweltering pool deck, "How about a game of pool."
"Could," John considered the options, "Movie."
Scott shook his head, "Not in the mood."
"Tennis."
"Too hot."
The two sat in companionable silence sipping their drinks, thinking over options. "Spoke to Zo' last night." Scott spoke breaking the quiet.
"Hmm.. What she have to say?" John asked without opening his eyes.
"She's got a week's leave next week."
Sitting up John grinned, "She coming out here. Right?"
Scott shrugged and grinned at his brother... "Maybe."
"Com'on... Is she coming?"
Sitting up straighter Scott grinned widely, "I'm picking her up Tomorrow... gotta check with Dad, but...."
"Yes." John punched his fist in the air, "Finally someone to play chess with..."
Alan's shriek as he raced across the pool deck shortly followed by Fermat caused the two brothers to sit up in alarm.
The twelve year old raced into the lounge and dived across sofa placing himself behind Scott's larger form, "Bats, there's vampire bats on the island." He yelped in terror. Scott looked at John in stunned silence as he threw an arm around the frightened pre-teen. The dark haired Fermat sat beside Alan hiding a slight tremble indicating his terror.
John shook his head and crouched down beside the terrified boys looking at Scott in dazed surprise. "Guys there are no vampire bats on the island." He stated in a reassuring tone. Bright blue eye looked at him as Alan shook his head vehemently. "We saw them." he stated categorically.
"Where?" Scott asked, prepared to go along with what he suspected was a practical joke.
"In the cave." Alan responded in a tone that said that Scott should already have known that.
"What cave?" John tried to clarify. The island was dotted with caverns, formed by volcanic action as well as the erosion from the ocean waves.
"The one near the run way." Fermat made clear, "there were loads and loads of bats." His eyes were wide with fear.
John shook his head, "Those aren't vampire bats. They're fruit bats." He gave a short laugh sharing a smile with Scott. "What gave you the idea they were vampire bats?"
Alan and Fermat exchanged looks.
"Well?"
"Gordon gave me a book about animals for my last birthday." Alan said, "We found a picture of vampire bats in it. So we went to have a look."
Scott shook his head, "You thought they were vampire bats so you went to have a closer look?"
"Sure." Alan nodded eyes wide, a daring grin on his face as the initial fear faded.
"Right." Scott and John shared a look of mock dispare shaking their heads.
Alan frowned "You don't belive us... Do you?" He glared at Scott and John, "I'm not stupid, we put scarfs around our necks before we went in. AND they ARE VAMPIRES."
"Alan." John shook his head, "They are not Vampire bats, but if they were how are we going to keep you safe when you insisting in chasing monster?"
Alan smiled chagrined, "Sorry. But they are."
"No. They're not." John replied, sitting back on his heals.
"Are."
"Not."
"Are."
Scott sighed, he didn't understand why John was buying into the argument, it was obviously a setup. He leaned back and decided to enjoy the show.
Fine if you really think they are vampire bat. Show us." John dared.
"OK." Alan stood and headed for the pool deck, he looked over his shoulder at his eldest brothers, "You coming or are you chicken, 'cause vampires like chicken." He grinned flapping his arms and clucking, before taking off at a run.
Standing John chased after him, "I'll show you chicken, Sprout."
Standing Scott shrugged, 'Nothing else to do.' He thought, 'might as well see what the Sprout has set up.' Grinning in anticipation he followed his brothers and Fermat down the path towards the runway.
Fifteen minutes later they were approaching the cave at the base of the smaller hill, it was an old volcanic fissure and home to the islands resident bat population. Scott snorted to himself as he watched Alan lure John into the cave. He noted that Fermat was standing back and appeared nervous. As John disappeared into the depths ahead of Alan, Scott sank to the sand in the shade of palm, shortly joined by Fermat. A few minutes later Alan appeared at the mouth of the cave, minus John. He called back over his shoulder, "Well I thought they looked like vampire bats." He grinned at Scott and pulled something from his pocket and race away from the cave with a manic grin towards Scott and Fermat.
A sudden deafening boom, caused Scott to jump, lurching to his feet. Within seconds the cave mouth was full of bats, the nearby jungle also exploded with noise as the neighbouring birds cried out in alarm and took to the air.
Scott watched in wonder as the bats poured forth wheeling and diving erratically, there seemed to be millions of them. In there midst John stumbled from the cave, pale and shaking he staggered towards Scott and collapsed. Scott sank to the ground beside him caught between amusement at Alan's ingenuity and concern for John.
Brotherly concern won out and he helped John to his feet, glancing around he realised Alan and Fermat had disappeared. 'Wise decision.' He thought glancing at John who was regaining his colour, "Not vampire bats then?" Scott asked.
John glared, "No!" he pulled away from Scott and falteringly headed towards the stairs, fleeting moments of unsteadiness caused him to nearly fall back down the stairs, Scott catching him before he hit the ground. "Com'on Indy. Let's get you inside."
Together the two reached the lounge and John collapsed exhausted. "I'm gonna kill the little brat." He muttered. Scott looked at him, "Oh com'on. You must have seen that coming?"
John glared.
"Fine." Scott held up his hands.
"Right, I think you need something to take the edge of the fright." Scott grinned.
Standing to his feet Scott crossed the room to the kitchen and opened cupboards to find what he was looking for. John's stash of chocolates.
He pulled the packet of Dove out and keeping one for himself and tossed the rest to John, who frowned. "How'd you know that was there?"
"John I've lived with you for how many years. You don't think I know all you hiding places?" John grimaced and resolved to move everything tonight.
Scott grinned he'd be on the watch for movement tonight. John was nothing if not predictable.
"Now what?" Scott asked, collapsing on the sofa beside John.
John shrugged, tilting his head and tapping at his ears. "I can still hear ringing." He complained.
Scott frowned, "Wanna get Virg' to check you out?"
John gave a look of horror, "You tell him and I swear I'll... I'll..." he glared, "I'll tell Zoey about Mandy Lou's party"
"Hey!" Scott sat up, "Nothing happened. I told you that. If you so much as..."
John waved him away. "So neither of us say anything. Right?"
"Right." Scott grumbled, wishing he'd never told John about the infamous party. "So what DO you wanna do?"
John shrugged again, "DooM?"
Scott grimaced, computer games weren't really his thing. "OK."
They headed towards the games room, hearing noise as the approached the two slowed and listened at the door. Inside Alan and Fermat where having an engaging discussion.
"I tttoldd yyyou it wwwould bbbe dddan bbb... BAD."
"Oh, it's alright. They didn't hurt him?" Alan grouced.
"Bbbut, he cccould llo... mmmight nnot hhear." Fermat's stutter increased with his tension.
Alan frowned, "You think it could have damaged his ears?" he asked worriedly.
"Yyyes."
"Ohhh." Alan sank into the bean bag he was sitting in.
Grinning the two eldest brothers entered the room, causing instant movement. "I'm sorry." Alan begged as he scrambled to his feet.
John frowned and looked at him with a blank look..."What?" he called loudly.
"I said I'm sorry." Alan said louder.
John looked at Scott a confused look on his face, "What's he saying?"
Playing along Scott leaned towards John and cupped his hand, "He says he's sorry!" he shouted.
"Why?" John shouted back.
Alan looked at Scott in surprise. Scott shook his head dismay plastered to his face, "He doesn't remember. I think he's got a concussion. I wanted Virgil to check him out, but he's not answering the pager and I can't leave him alone." he nodded towards the distracted looking John.
Alan gave a horrified look, and putting an arm around John intent on helping him towards the sofa. "You go get Virg'. I'll...." he didn't finish the sentence as John grabbed him and flipped him over his hip. Dropping the teen to the floor and landed on top of him. "Prank me will you..." he whispered.
Alan looked up suddenly realising he been had, as Scott collapsed on the sofa laughing. John crouched over Alan and began the age old torture of tickling Alan's ribs until the teen was crying and laughing in fits.
"Give... Give... I give up..." Alan gasped.
Finally feeling he'd paid his brother back John rolled off the teen and sat beside Scott.
Alan rolled over and propped himself against the opposite sofa. "What are you guys doing down here anyway. You never come down here during the day."
Scott shrugged, "Getting out of the heat. John wanted to play a game."
Alan smiled, "Can we join in?"
Scott exchanged a look with John; they had nothing better to do. Nodding John pulled another chocolate from his pocket and shoved in his mouth. "What yo.. wann.. play?" he asked around the mouthful of melting sweetness.
"DooM." The two crowed loudly.
Scott shoulders slumped, "Why not pool?"
"'Cause you cheat." Alan stated.
"Do not." Scott retorted.
"Do."
"Not."
"Do. You do all that trigonometry stuff."
"That's not cheating."
Alan shrugged, pulling out the games controllers and turning on the TV, "We'll three to one in favour of DooM. So suck it up."
Scott's eyes narrowed at the cheek, but he let it go and replied "I get Fermat."
"Yeah fine." John agreed readily, making Scott wonder if he'd made the right choice.
It turned out that while Fermat was an excellent player, his vast skills weren't enough against Alan and John combined, especially with Scott as his handicap. The game didn't last anywhere near as long as it usually did because Scott succeeded in killing most of his own players without needing any assistance from Alan or John.
Scott scowled and tossed the games controller across the room. "Stupid game anyway."
John smirked. "Sore loser."
Scott tossed a pillow at John who tossed it back with more force, seeing the interplay and thinking it a game Alan and Fermat joined in before long the room had been turned into a battle field with pillows flying left, right and centre. Scott and John even hefting the heavy bean bags across the room at each other.
Hearing the ruckus on their way back up to their rooms to clean up Virgil and Gordon stood in the doorway. A badly aimed or well aimed – depending on your point of view, cushion hit Virgil in the face, and without thinking he picked it up and threw it back at the offending party. Stepping into the room he quickly picked up a couple of spare cushions and tossed them at Fermat who had poked his head up. Unfortunately Fermat saw them coming and ducked, while Scott had just looked up and received them full in the chest, one, two, three. He glared at Virgil heaving a bean bag and threw it across the room, Virgil dived for cover as the massive projectile came his way. It slammed in to Gordon who had been standing behind him and took his feet out from under him. Gordon lay winded for a moment the beanbag resting over the top of him. See his predicament. Scott dived over the couch to check on him. He pulled the beanbag off his second youngest brother worried he'd done damage, as he leaned in to check, he was beaten over the head by said brother with another cushion, Gordon rolled to his feet laughing and took off across the room before Scott could retaliate. Full on warfare ensued, no sides were taken and neither were prisoners, it was everyone for themselves as cushions, beanbags, seat covers and various soft furnishing flew across the room in a blur of madness.
Jeff stood in the door way stunned by the flurry of activity; he couldn't see who was where the only indication that this was a game rather than a true battle was the mad laughter that came from all quarters. A burst of feathers suddenly exploded across the room showering the occupants in a snow like dusting. Alan crowed and dived into the mess. While a bean bag sailed over head and connected with the wall beside Jeff, he flinched at the near miss and was showered with millions of small polystyrene balls. The small balls escaped bouncing with static around the room and out through the door he held open. Jeff sighed 'We'll be picking the damn things up for months.' The explosion did have one positive outcome. Silence descended on the room as heads popped up realising they had been sprung.
Jeff shook his head, "Lunch is ready." Cheers greeted the statement and the six boys charged out of the room, leaving the mayhem behind. Jeff followed them, watching as the small white balls scatter in their path, bouncing down the stairs and throughout the house. Jeff cringed, at least his office upstairs should be safe, 'The damn things can't climb stairs.' He thought.
----
As Grandma placed the last of the plates on the table and sat down to join then Jeff looked around at the gathering, six boys ranging in age from 10 years to 22, and Jeff found it hard to tell the difference considering the bashful mischievous looks the six were giving each other. Shaking his head Jeff cleared his throat, "You boys are going to clear up that mess aren't you?" he asked in a tone that indicated a statement rather than a question.
"Yeah... sure Dad," John grinned at Alan across the table before returning his gaze to his father and gave an insincere smile, "Planned to."
Jeff nodded and opened the folded newspaper sitting beside him.
"What mess." Ruth asked looked at her son hidden behind his newspaper she turned to looked at John then Scott for a reply. Neither seemed inclined to comment. Alan's voice popped up from the end of the table beside Scott. "Scotty threw a bean bag and it went pop in the rec room." He laughed loudly at the mock glare Scott gave him.
"Thanks Sprout... glad to know you have my back."
Alan's eye immediately began to tear up and the harsh rejoinder from his hero. Scott immediately reached out and ruffled his blond hair. "Hey, I'm only joking." He pulled the younger boy against himself.
"Harrumph." Ruth gave a snort of displeasure. "So there are those horrible beans everywhere?"
"Ah..." Scott looked at John for help, but the blonde seemed distracted by Gordon. Shrugging Scott gave Ruth a smile calculated to get him out of trouble, "We'll clean it up Grams. Promise."
Ruth harrumphed again and turned her attention to her lunch.
From across the table John gave Scott a quick grin ignoring the answering glare, the blond looked away catching a smirk on his second youngest brother's face. As Ruth turned her attention on her eldest Grandson once again, John picked a grape from the bowl in the centre of the table and shot it at Gordon, who'd been pulling faces at him. The grape bounced off Gordon's quickly raised hand and ricocheted across the table, landing with a splash in Jeff's mug of coffee. Laughter was quickly choked off as the paper was lowered so that Jeff could contemplate his sons. "Who?" he asked looking directly at Gordon accusingly.
Defensively Gordon pointed at John who gave a mock glare and smiled benignly at his father and grandmother. Raising an eyebrow Jeff looked around the table then across at Scott, who was conveniently stuffing his mouth with a sandwich. He shrugged and with a sigh Jeff shook his paper out and returned to reading muttering quietly to himself.
John glared across the table at Gordon who returned the look with a comical face. Catching his Grandmothers glare John stood, shaking his head in disgust picked up the spoilt coffee and wandered into the kitchen to get a refill.
Once the supply of sandwiches and fruit had been exhausted the younger boys quickly stood to leave the table. Jeff cleared his throat before they could leave the room, "You boys are going down stairs to clear that mess up. Aren't you." Reluctant agreement met his statement.
Ruth cleared the table quietly watching Scott sitting opposite his father. 'The boy's not right...' she thought worriedly as she wandered into the kitchen.
John and Virgil stood to follow the younger boys down stairs; glancing at Scott they waited for him to join them. Scott gave John a meaningful look and nodded towards their father, giving a nod of understanding John pulled Virgil towards the stairs.
Grinning Scott waved his brothers off and refilled his coffee mug then topped off his fathers. "Ah Dad?" Jeff lowered his paper, eyebrow raised in query. "You got a sec?" Scott continued.
Folding the paper Jeff nodded towards the chair Virgil had just vacated, "What do you want son?"
Scott gave a tight smile, "Ah... I need to fly out tonight. Zoey's got some time off."
Nodding Jeff smiled, "You invited her out?"
"Yeah." Scott nodded. "She said she'd come."
"Good." Jeff sipped at his coffee watching Scott nervously fiddle with the handle of the mug in front of him. Jeff glanced towards his mother washing the dishes in the kitchen noting she was listening to the conversation, she gave a quick nod of encouragement. Jeff looked back at his eldest, Scott's eyes hadn't left the coffee mug as its contents swirled. "Well you better get going then."
Scott looked up in surprise the coffee sloshing over the edge of the mug and splashing his hand, distractedly he wiped the liquid up his eyes never leaving his father's face. "Now?"
Nodding with a broad smile Jeff agreed, "Yes Now. That way you can take her out to dinner and fly back tomorrow. Ok?"
"Yeah, more than OK. Thanks Dad."
Jeff smiled as Scott stood and strode off towards the sleeping quarters. 'Our little boy is all grown Luc' Jeff thought, 'Looks like he's set to take the next step.' Jeff sighed not yet willing to let his son go, feeling a sudden surge of jealousy for the woman who was claiming his son's heart. He shook the feeling off as Ruth joined him at the table. "'She's a good girl...She'll look after him."
Jeff nodded in agreement with his mother words. "I know and the boys love her. But they are still so young."
"Not much younger than your Lucy when you swept her off her feet."
Jeff smiled in remembrance.
----
Scott grabbed his bag and tramped down the stairs to the recreation room where he could hear his brothers arguing over who had done the most damage and so should clear up the most mess. With a grin he opened the door. "Hey guy's. Not finished yet?"
Identical looks speared him where he stood. "Where've you been?" Virgil asked.
Holding up his hands in defence Scott grinned, "Talking with Dad." He shared a glance with John, "I've gotta fly to the mainland, I'll be back tomorrow."
"What?" "Why?" "Can I come?" shouts rushed at him from all sides.
"Whoa. Cool it guys." Scott laughed, "One. No you can't come. And two. Why is none of your business." He gave a smirk. "I'll see you losers tomorrow." He waved briefly and turned to leave automatically ducking the cushion aimed for his head. The door slammed shut behind him.
Hurrying across the room John picked up the cushion and tossed it back at Gordon, "Start cleaning up." He ordered, "I'll be back in a sec." He raced out the door following Scott's exit.
"Hey Scott. Wait!" He called.
Slowing his steps Scott glanced over his shoulder. "Yeah?" He came to a halt and waited for John to catch up.
"You got it?" John asked with an expectant look.
"Yep." Scott patted his trouser pocket.
John stared at his older brother a slightly worried look on his face, "You're sure you want to do this. I mean..." he shook his head not sure what he meant himself.
Putting a hand on each of John shoulders Scott leaned forward placing his forehead against John's a quiet contented smile on his face, "Yeah John I'm sure. This is what I want."
John's pale eye clouded in concern, "If you're sure."
"I'm sure."
Taking in a deep breath John straightened, "OK then. Good luck. I hope she says yes."
"Thanks." Scott smiled and hoisting his bag over his shoulder continued down the corridor at a rapid trot.
John watched him go, reservations clouding his thoughts. With a resigned sigh he returned to his brothers in the recreation room.
----
Gordon finished vacuuming the last of the tiny polystyrene beans up as the others replaced the cushions and restored the recreation room to some semblance of normal. Turning the small bag less machine off Gordon watched the small balls whiz around the chamber slowing as the suction ceased. With a quick glance around at his brothers Gordon grinned, they had managed to collect the entire bean bag full of beans by methodically sucking them up and emptying the contents of the vacuum into a trash bag. As Gordon poured the last of the beans into the trash an idea began to form, tossing the plan around in his head, he considered the consequences then dismissed them. "Ah guys, I'm just gonna take this lot out to the trash OK?" he stated heading quickly towards the door before anyone could stop him. Glancing up as the door slammed shut again, John frowned and looked at Virgil. Shrugging at the unusual behaviour Virgil placed the last cushion on a sofa and turning collapsed into it.
Shaking his head in concern John joined him, waving Alan and Fermat off, "Ok guys, you two can go." Enthusiastic shouts greeted the statement and the two younger boys dashed out of the room. John looked at Virgil, "Any idea what he's up to?"
Virgil opened one eye to look at John, "Who?"
"Gordon!"
Virgil shook his head, "Beats me, it just better not be me he targets."
John nodded worriedly.
"So what's up with Scotty?" Virgil asked sitting up straighter and giving John a studied look.
John pursed his lips and shrugged, "Don't know what you're talking about." He replied.
"Fine." Virgil grouched, "If you don't wanna tell me that's fine." Standing he stomped towards the door throwing over his shoulder, "Oh by the way, Gordon has the beans."
"What?" John shot to his feet as the door again slammed shut on the last of his brothers. In dismay John slumped back down on the sofa, deciding that Gordon would have already stashed the beans somewhere John ran his hands through his hair, glaring up at the ceiling. "Why me?" he muttered, wishing Scott hadn't left. The younger boys always took more notice of Scott than they did of John, unless he'd totally lost his temper, in which case they ran for cover. John sighed; it was going to be a long evening, waiting for whatever Gordon was up to, to be sprung. 'Just not Dad, Gordi. Not Dad."
----
Gordon raced up the stairs with the bag of bean banging against his leg, quickly he entered his room letting the door slam shut behind him. Dropping the bag in the middle of the floor he sat on his bed to think. He had to stash the bag somewhere safe until he had worked out just what he was going to do with them. He couldn't keep them in his room as John would soon figure out he had them and come looking.
Gordon sat running through options, not the lower floor storage rooms, they were used too often and a large rubbish bag would be taken for just that and thrown in the incinerator. He had to find somewhere that wouldn't be used often and somewhere his brother wouldn't think to look. Thankfully Scott wasn't around, Gordon thought, if he was Gordon would already be plagued by nosey big brothers.
Hearing a clatter of feet on the stairs, Gordon quickly grabbed the bag and shoved it under his bed, slumping back on the bed and grabbing a magazine without noting what it was, he glanced over the top as his door opened. Virgil's head appeared, "Hey Fish. Can I come in?"
Gordon dropped the magazine to the bed and frowned warily, "Yeah I suppose."
Virgil slipped into the room and pushed the door closed quietly, he glanced around Gordon's room, his nose wrinkling in disgust. "Don't you ever clear up?"
Gordon gave him a dirty look and sat up on the bed, "If you don't like my room, you know where the door is."
Virgil frowned tempted to retaliate, but decided against it, "Whatever, it's your Staph infection. Look the reason I came in is... well..." he looked around the room as if looking for inspiration, none forthcoming he directed his attention to Gordon, frowning he gave the room another once over, "Where are the beans?"
"Beans?" Gordon pretended ignorance.
"Yeah... the ones from the bean bag. The ones you sneaked outta the room." Virgil replied with a smirk.
"In the incinerator." Gordon replied with his most convincingly innocent look.
"Yeah sure." Virgil shook his head, "Whatever." he heaved a sigh. "You don't know what Scott's up to do ya?"
Gordon frowned, "Ahh, going to the mainland?"
Virgil picked his way across the room and pulled Gordon's desk chair out from under the desk, books and magazines falling to the floor, gingerly Virgil sat looking at Gordon, "Yeah but what's he doin' there?"
Gordon shrugged.
Virgil shook his head, deep worry reflected in his brown eyes, "The way he was... I don't know. Kinda...." He looked around the room again looking for the right word, "Excited?" Virgil glanced at Gordon to see if he agreed.
Gordon nodded, "Yeah I suppose, so?"
Virgil sighed, Gordon was hard work sometimes, John was much easier to talk to, but John wasn't talking at the moment. At least not where Scott was concerned, and Scott's behaviour seriously concerned Virgil.
"He spoke to Dad after lunch." he added to see if that would interest Gordon.
Gordon shrugged.
You're not the least bit interested? Virgil asked.
Gordon shook his head 'no'.
Flopping back against the back of the chair, Virgil let out a huff of annoyance; he hated not knowing what his brothers were up to, especially Scott. He and Scott use to get along really well, best friends almost, but since Scott had joined the Air Force things, or more to the point Scott had changed. Virgil feared he was losing his best friend.
"John knows but won't say." he grumbled, "Why would he tell John but not me?"
Gordon gave another noncommittal shrug, he didn't understand Virgil's need to know everything. He was fine just letting most things slide, unless in involved him directly.
Standing abruptly Virgil kicked at a book, "Hey." Gordon growled picking up the Oceanographic Encyclopaedia. "Sorry." Virgil bent and picked up the books and magazines on the floor, stacking them on the desk, he lay the WASP on top without really noticing.
"Well I guess if you don't know anything, I'll leave you to it." He grouched and stumbled towards the door, stopping he looked back, "Hey Gords?"
Gordon looked up from the stack of books he was trying to prevent from falling all over the floor again. "Yeah?"
"I'd get the bag out from under your bed ASAP. John's sure to find it there." Virgil smirked at Gordon's guilty glance towards the bed, "Oh and just a warning..." Virgil glared, "Don't target me. Or I'll tell Dad about that magazine." He pointed to the one on the bed.
Gordon flushed and shoved the offending magazine behind his back allowing the others to fall to the floor, "OK."
Pulling the door to Virgil muttered "Good."
Once Virgil had left the room Gordon exchanged the magazine for the bag of beans and quietly left his room. He had no idea where he could hide them, he just knew he was running out of time, the sound of footsteps approaching had him dashing up the stairs to the next level where Scott, John and Virgil's bed rooms were, he raced down the corridor praying John was still down stairs and down the back stairs to the central corridor, he could hear his grandmother in the kitchen chatting to his father. 'Where? Where? Where?' he thought urgently.
The sound of his father approaching caused him to again take to his heels and he raced back up the stairs, but this time towards his father's office, as he reached to the end of the corridor that led into the office Gordon froze. 'Damn. Dead end. Literally if I'm caught with these ' Gordon glanced at the bag. Sudden inspiration struck and he scampered into the office on silent feet, climbing on the desk he hurriedly pushed one of the ceiling panels up and shoved the bag up into the void pulling the panel back in place to hide the offending item. Jumping lightly down from the desk he retreated towards the stairs where he met his father coming up. "Gordon?" Jeff looked up surprised, "What are you doing up here?"
"Ahh." Gordon swallowed thinking quickly, "Came to see if you know what Scott's up to. Virg' was getting his knickers in a knot 'cause he didn't know... so I just..." he trailed off at Jeff wondering look.
"We'll Virgil will just have to unknot his pants. Scott's business in Scott's business."
"Right." Gordon agreed. "I'll tell Virg' that." he slipped past his father and down the stairs, just before reaching the next level Jeff called out. "Gordon."
"Yeah Dad?"
"You did dispose of those confounded beans. Didn't you!"
"Ahh Yeah, Yeah. Sure they're safe." he called quickly racing down the stairs before his father could ask anything further.
Jeff shook his head a feeling of dread settling over him. Entering his office he glanced around, nothing seemed to be out of place, but then with Gordon you could never be too careful.
Warily he sat at his desk and booted up the computer, before long he was absorbed in the intricacies of business and had forgotten that Gordon had been in the office alone.
TBC...
A/N: Any guesses what Scotty is upto on the mainland? And what will Gordon do with those beans? More laughter and 'lots' of drama coming up soon...
TBZ
