(Author's note, as I was writing this prompt in a serious tone, which became Chapter 27, I got a second idea that was a little bit more humorous in nature for "I can't walk." While this is inspired by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's Memphis Marathon, it is a generic race for this story as I am hoping their goals are accomplished by 2060 - TAG's universe. Hope you enjoy.)

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"I should know better than to take one of Gordon's stupid challenges," muttered John as he walked past a mile marker in that cool December Tennessee air to cheers of several Elvis impersonators.

He, along with his brothers, were taking a breather from rescues and participating in a marathon weekend event.

Scott, natural born runner he was, had opted to do the marathon.

Virgil and Alan were going to run the 10K race.

Grandma and Brains participated in 5K race.

Gordon chose to participate in the half marathon.

John had originally hoped to just stay on Thunderbird Five, working with Kayo and EOS to improve security.

The resident aquanaut however was having none of that - and John still remembered that exchange.

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"Come on John... we know you can do it, and it's for a good cause," said Gordon when they were registering for the relay.

"But there'll be crowds, noise... it's supposed to be 50 degrees race day," said John. "Plus, I won't have enough time to train..."

Alan chuckled at the protesting his fellow astronaut was making. "Yeah, you will - race is in two months John. You can do it - I know you can..."

"Unless you're chicken," taunted Gordon.

"John is not a Gallus domesticus Gordon - he's a homo sapien," said EOS.

"A what?"

John rolled his eyes - both at Gordon for forgetting his science and EOS for teasing him again.

"EOS said I wasn't a chicken..." the astronaut said, then sighed. "Fine, I'll participate. Sign me up for the 5K race."

Virgil chuckled. "Will do... what size T-shirt?" he started, only to have a hand clamp over his mouth.

"A 5K? Come on John, that's the baby route..." said Gordon.

Scott cleared his throat. "May I remind you Grandma Tracy is walking it and can make you regret your choice of words," he said.

The aquanaut, realizing he could end up eating limburger cheese and blood sausage ravioli instead of goat cheese and mushrooms, he cleared his throat and continued. "Well... by baby, I mean the type that baby brother Alan would participate in..."

Alan puffed out his cheeks in annoyance. "Hey, I'm running the 10K along with Virgil - not the baby race," he said, eyes however twinkling in mischief.

John's eyes narrowed. "I can run a bigger race guys," he said. "What do you have in mind?"

Scott and Virgil, glancing at each other, started to work out what Gordon's underlying plan was... and did a double facepalm.

They were right.

Gordon chuckled. "The half marathon."

"A - half - marathon? You want me to run and/or walk 13.1 miles in one day?" said John.

"Yeah. Full marathon wouldn't be fair - you'd probably not get to the turnoff in time anyway," said Gordon, in fairness. There was a cut off time for races at the 11 mile mark to be allowed to finish the full race.

He then continued. "Why not unless you're a Gallimimus Disasterous..."

"Gallus domesticus. At least get your insults correct," corrected EOS, who then chirped. "I do not see why he keeps insisting you're a chicken John."

"Figure of speech EOS - I'll try to explain it later,' he said, then sighed. "All right... suppose I do the half marathon, what's in it for me?"

Gordon's smile flickered for a moment, but then he regained it. "If you participate and complete the race - before the finish line closes down, I'll buy you whatever you want as a reward."

"That's kind of open Gordon," said John. "What if I wanted you to instead spend a day on Thunderbird Five and let EOS pester you anyway she wanted?"

"Anyway she wanted to annoy me?" said Gordon, gulping at all the things EOS could do to him.

John laughed at Gordon's face, but continued. "I wouldn't do that, but I'm not letting you know what the forfeit is if you lose, if that's fair enough?"

Gordon thought for a few moments, then shrugged. "Eh... I'm game enough. It's a big challenge. What's your forfeit if you lose?"

The astronaut pondered it for a moment. "Don't know - maybe wait on you hand and foot for a few days, even letting you pull practical jokes on me during that time without retaliation."

"That's... a pretty big forfeit there John," said Gordon.

"Like you said - I'm game," said the older brother. "So... is it a deal?"

Gordon looked at all his brothers, and nodded. "OK - it's a deal," he said, and John was signed up for the half marathon race.

The astronaut spent as much time as he could preparing: breaking in his running shoes, doing some runs with Scott and Virgil around the island, learning how to properly hydrate from them as well as get some snack tips from Brains.

When they arrived in Memphis for the race, he felt as prepared as he could be, and even took his time walking everywhere to stay in shape - laps to and from the old Grizzlies pyramid, up and down blocks, and even circuits around The Peabody, admiring the 135-year-old building known for its ducks in the fountain.

John even enjoyed the carb and protein heavy dinner he had at the Italian restaurant.

He went to bed that night, sighing in happiness feeling as though he would be making Gordon eat his words.

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A loud cowbell rang near his ears, with yells of approval for his outfit as he passed the hydration stop. John, per Scott's help, chose to wear something loose and comfortable, but be fun to wear.

So, John dressed in a costume that - if it were authentic, would've been a much more comfortable version of NASA gear. He wore blue sweatpants and an oversized button down top with early-era NASA style logos and other designs.

He had to admit it was warm, perfect for the chilly weather - and definitely a better choice than the kilts Gordon and Alan chose.

"How did they find squid print and rocket print kilts though?" he thought as he passed Sun Studios, the turnoff for the finish line. The past two miles in particular were painful, especially with the oddity of having miles 11 and 12 start in an uphill, one a fairly steep bridge.

He enjoyed the cool Elvis tunes the live band was playing outside the Studios in honor one of the musicians who made it famous and he made the turn to head down the final stretch.

John checked his watch, and realized he was still within the time limit.

Smiling as he walked down that final stretch, he started to think about what he could make Gordon do for his forfeit as he neared the 13 miles mark.

There, he saw Scott, Virgil, Alan, Grandma Tracy and Brains on the sidewalk cheering him on as he made the distance.

He started to wave to them, not noticing the pothole in the street.

The others tried to warn him, but to no avail as he tripped.

John landed hard on the ground as his ankle turned and knees struck the ground. He cried out in pain, and started to climb back up.

At first he thought he was fine, but then his legs protested as they cramped up, causing him to go back on his knees.

Scott, Virgil and Alan, having already finished their races, rushed over to help. "John, are you OK?" asked Scott.

"I ... can't walk..." said John, gritting his teeth in pain to avoid crying out in pain.

Hearing the whimper, Virgil pulled out his scanner and did a quick analysis. "Actually, you can John - at most you've twisted your ankle," he said, then frowned. "It looks like you're cramping up a bit too. Have you been eating your energy packs and drinking plenty of water?"

John nodded. "Yeah... but I'm so sore, I'm not sure I can walk anymore," he said.

Scott shook his head pointing above John's head. "You've just passed the 13 mile mark," he said. "You've only got a few hundred yards left. You can do it."

"I'm not sure..."

Alan actually laughed. "Bro - you're so close to kicking Gordon's squid tail and you're giving up now? No way - this 'I can't walk' stuff is defeatist," he said, making his fellow astronaut look up at him, confused. "Yeah - I said it. While I admit I thought Gordon's bet was in good fun, you've been working your butt off to show him up. Don't give up with a tenth of a mile left."

John looked at his brothers as a race volunteer came up. "John, are you going to be able to finish," said the young woman, who had already been informed the Tracys were participating in the race for their safety. She had seen his tumble and wanted to ensure he was all right to continue.

The red-haired man glanced at his brothers, looking at their warm encouraging smiles and nodded. "Yes I am... Lisbeth," he said, reading the woman's name badge.

"OK. If you start to hurt though don't forget about first aid near the finish line."

"Got it, and thank you," said John. He then turned to his brothers, pushed himself up and stood.

Virgil did one more scan to ensure that his brother was indeed OK to continue gave a thumbs up. "All right - off you go John," he said, giving him a pat on the shoulder.

Scott also gave him a reassuring pat and John took a couple of steps, before wincing again and stopping.

Alan walked over to him again as he rubbed his left calf. "Bro - is there anything I can do to help?" he asked.

"I don't know actually Alan... maybe a hug?" John answered.

"OK," said the youngest, and gave him a warm hug. Once John released it, Alan continued, clapping the man on the shoulders. "Now, go and wipe that smug smile off Squid Kid's face."

"FAB," said John quietly as he started his walk, to the loud applause and cheers of the viewers.

He had to admit, crossing the finish line to see his immediate younger brother's face that he lost the bet was far worth the pains waist down from the walk and fall.

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A few hours later, while everyone had changed, got massages to ease tense muscles, and took naps, John chose to go walking around the lobby of The Peabody, admiring his half marathon medal in between views of the gingerbread village the hotel made for the season.

He still couldn't believe he finished his first ever half marathon, but the silvery medal with the race's logo and multi-colored neck ribbon proved he had. Didn't care that everyone got a finisher medal - top three earned plaques, he really earned the award.

Watching the ducks as it neared the time for them to head to their "hotel" for the night, he had to laugh at their antics. The five ducks were chasing each other in the fountain currently, behaving a lot like the five of them after one of the brother's pranks.

Speaking of brothers, he saw the loud blue, yellow and orange of Gordon's favorite Hawaiian shirt with owner in it walking up to greet him. "Hey John. How are you feeling?" said Gordon, wearing his half marathon medal proudly as well.

"Sore, tired... more tired when Virgil still scans my ankle while I'm napping to ensure that I didn't do anything to it after all," said John, looking at the fountain again. "Got to the point I kicked him out with the foot he was scanning."

"I had wondered why he was mumbling something about 'Astronaut to Five the hard way'," Gordon smiled as he too viewed the ducks. "Listen, I'm proud of you John."

"Proud?"

"Yeah - I honestly didn't think you'd complete the half marathon, especially after hearing about your fall."

"That was nothing," the astronaut dismissed.

Gordon shoved his brother slightly, startling the man. "Nothing? Bro - that fall would've made most people stop, especially with all the stuff that builds up in one's muscles in a half," he said. "Add to it the fact you did this race with a large crowd - something that you normally hate, I'm impressed."

John smiled. "Thanks Gordon," he said, watching the ducks. After a few minutes, he continued. "Listen, I've already figured out your forfeit."

Gordon groaned and did a face palm. "Oh right... I made a bet, you won, so... how bad?" he asked.

"Well... this is The Peabody, home to some of the fanciest - and expensive - restaurants in Memphis, and everyone's been wanting to try them" he said.

Seeing Gordon pale at the dollar signs, especially if the forfeit included him paying for all of them to eat, John laughed. "But... what I would like is to have a scoop of that Equinox ice cream the hotel makes," he said. "Then, tomorrow before we leave, you also get to buy me a plated dessert to eat on the way home."

Gordon's mouth dropped open. "Really? - Sky's the limit and you want ice cream? In 50 degree weather?" he said.

"Yeah, why not? I've heard their homemade ice cream is really good, especially ones based on their desserts," said John. "And I think after walking 13.1 miles we can afford the extra calories."

"Yeah, we can... OK, why not? I'll even throw in a couple of drinks," said Gordon, and the two shook on it.

The two watched the ducks in companionable silence for a bit, when the aquanaut spoke up.

"Hey John?"

"Yes?"

"Is it all right if we swap the plated dessert first then ice cream tomorrow?"

"Sure - I can finish it before we fly home," said John, knowing Scott wouldn't allow ice cream in Tracy One for the trip home, if only because he couldn't enjoy it.

He then tilted his head. "Why?"

"Well - between us - I pranked Virgil buying an honorary Duck Master package," said the aquanaut. "Boy is he going to be in for a surprise in a few minutes."

John looked at his brother and quirked an eyebrow. "If I recall correctly they pretty much just let you lead the ducks around to the elevator, you get a special rubber ducky and Duck Master cane," he said. "What's the surprise in that?"

"Oh... you'll see," said Gordon. Seeing John shake his head, he lead his brother down the stairs to the main lobby to sit for the show and enjoy evening desserts and drinks.

John shrugged, but let his brother lead him down step by painful step.

He had to admit, watching Virgil lead the ducks around the fountain and to the elevator wearing a very loud duck print Hawaiian shirt, with each duck wearing its own style of Hawaiian shirt, a kilt filled with Thunderbird Two green ducks and mallard duck slippers was well worth every cent Gordon spent.