"Virgil?" Alexis asked as she lay on her front as her boyfriend gave her a back rub.

"Yeah?"

"Does this change anything between us?"

Virgil shrugged as he pressed his knuckles up and down her back, "not really, you still want to follow a music career and I'm behind you on that."

"But what about the assassin stuff?"

Virgil smiled, "I'm not going to let that get between us. I fell in love with you. Assassin or musician, you're still Alexis Ivory," he kissed the nape of her neck as she sighed, "so don't worry about it."

Alexis gasped as his hands ran down her back and continued to her legs, "this is so relaxing, thank you," she smiled and closed her eyes feeling the soft material of the pillow under her head as the massage continued into her feet, "how are you so good at this?"

"Not sure, I didn't know I was."

Alexis frowned as she felt him rub oil across her shoulders, "hang on, you've done this before, why would you have the oil?"

Virgil laughed, "alright, you got me, I'm the island's therapist, we all give average massages, but I don't do this style for anyone."

"Not even Kayo?"

"No way, she doesn't really like massages," Virgil smiled as Alexis stretched, "had enough?"

"I'm just worried."

"About what sweetheart?"

"I've upset your family, and not letting your agent know will be upsetting them more I bet," she sighed, "this is a disaster, I wish I never told you guys or got caught in the first place."

Virgil sat down on the bed beside her, "we don't keep secrets in this family. I'm glad you told us or I would be wondering what you were hiding," he smiled as she angled her head sideways to look at him, "let's get back to how we were when we first met. I think that's starting with I love you."

Alexis smiled, "I love you too, I hope by tomorrow everything will be back to normal," she yawned as Virgil dried her back before she wrapped her arms around him dragging him across the bed to her lips, his hands rested upon her bosom as she kissed him and he felt his shirt being removed, his breath caught as her fingers tapped their way along his spine.

"I take it you forgive me?"

"Of course I do," Alexis smiled as she lay back on the pillow gazing up at him, "but right now, I need sleep."

"Good idea," Virgil mused as he curled up beside her, smiling tenderly as she fell asleep almost immediately as he ran his fingers through her hair.

The next morning was exactly what Alexis had wished for, a happy mood replaced the serious tone and the events of the evening before, and Max had made breakfast for everyone with Grandma. When Alexis walked into the kitchen she was greeted by cheerful "mornings."

"Morning guys, this looks great," Alexis smiled as she sat down beside Virgil.

"Since we're all here, Scott and I have decided to get married in December," Kayo held Scott's hand in hers.

"Christmas?" Alan frowned, "but that's the festive time."

"Not at Christmas, before. We were thinking around the 9th December," Kayo smiled, "and we'd love you to be there Alexis, I mean you and Virgil are a couple now."

"Thanks, Kayo, I'd love to come. December, that doesn't leave you much time."

Scott shrugged, "five months, it's enough time for a quick wedding."

"Even with the rescues?"

"Yeah, we'll be fine."

"There's an amazing bridal shop in Auckland, I did work experience there once," Alexis hugged her mug in her hands, "that's if you're a dress person?"

"I can make an exception for a wedding dress."

"Is there a tailor there too?" Scott added.

"They're everywhere."

Grandma nodded, "December 9th. Let's put that on the calendar."

—-

A couple of peaceful months went by, Alexis had successfully got the job to be Wellington's in house pianist with a local opera company and visited the island as often as she could. International Rescue had been busier than ever dealing with storms and earthquakes around the world, leaving Kayo and Scott to use any free time organising their wedding, but with Penelope's help, Kayo had a day arranged to just dress shop. It was now November and of course, everyone was excited, but there was also one man who was excited for another reason, one the family didn't know of yet.

"Thank you for helping me with this Penelope, I don't know a thing about styles of dresses."

Penelope laughed lightly, "you're doing fine, have you seen any that have just stood out for you?"

"We've tried on so many, but I did like the straight to the ground one."

"Miss, how about this?"

Kayo looked at the dress the fitter was holding up, it plunged in at the waist before descending in feathers and netting, "that's gorgeous."

"Kayo, are you really sure you want me in black?" Penelope asked as she looked through the choices on her phone.

"Scott will be in dark blue, and I'm sure he'll put Virgil in black," Kayo's voice sounded from behind the screen.

Penelope laughed, "woah, no you're not seriously going to put me with Virgil whilst Alexis is there?"

Kayo huffed as she looked at herself in the mirror as the fitters zipped up the dress and fluffed it out, "I haven't known her long enough to make her my maid of honour," she walked back out and smiled bashfully, "Ok, how does this look?"

Penelope gasped happily, "I love it, I think this is the one."

"I love it too," Kayo smiled as she looked down at herself, "good. I want it tighter around the waist though."

"We'll make the adjustments where needed. When is the wedding?" One of the fitters asked.

"The 9th of December, we'll be decorating for Christmas around the same time," Kayo laughed.

"This will be ready before then. Right, we'll take the waist in, oh would you like to add shoes?"

"Say yes!" Penelope called from behind a screen as she tried her bridesmaid dress on.

"Yes please," Kayo smiled as she changed into her normal clothes, "now I suppose I need to learn how to walk in heels."

Across the sea on Tracy Island, Scott walked into the lounge and collapsed onto the sofa exhausted from the mission he had been out all night on with Virgil, he leant his head back almost to the floor behind and felt his brother sit down beside him, "I'm tired, but not enough to sleep."

Virgil simply murmured an agreement before yawning, "uh-huh."

Grandma smiled, "you guys look like you're in need of a coffee."

"I'd rather a hot chocolate," Virgil replied sleepily as he closed his eyes.

"Go to your rooms and I'll bring them in," Grandma chuckled at the two boys who could hardly stay awake on the sofa, "go on."

Virgil helped Scott to his feet, "any word from Kayo?" He asked as they walked wearily to the lift.

"Not a word, she's not going to tell me anything about the dress even if I asked."

"Scott, are you and Kayo really making Penelope the maid of honour?"

"That's not my decision. Why?"

"Well you know the positions and everything, Alexis will be there too?"

Scott sighed as the doors opened, "you'll have to talk to Kayo about that, she doesn't know Alexis as well as she knows Penelope, that's how the choice was made not by who is with who."

Virgil nodded, "I see, but you know Gordon will protest too?"

"He can protest all he wants," Scott lowered his voice as they passed the bedroom doors towards theirs, "we're not changing it this close to the day. The only things left to pick up are the dress, the cake and our suits, everything else was sorted months ago."

"Alright, I get it, but don't make Alexis feel left out," Virgil opened his bedroom door, "see you later when we're more awake."

"FAB Virgil. Good job today, I couldn't have done it without you," he added, Virgil simply smiled in acknowledgement then closed his door as Scott slipped into his bedroom, he walked over to the bed and got changed into his shorts before curling up under the sheets. Kayo returned to the island in Shadow later that afternoon and made her way to the room she shared with Scott, she closed the door gently behind her and smiled as she looked at the man in a deep sleep in bed, he had been out all night and so she decided to leave him to dream, she stroked a lock of chestnut hair off his forehead and saw a tiny flick of a smile reach the corner of one of his dimples, she got changed quietly and headed back towards the lounge and down to the kitchen where she found Virgil sketching in the snug area, the aroma of coffee filling the room.

"Good sleep Virgil?"

"Surprisingly yes, had it been a bad rescue then I wouldn't have done, but we saved everyone," he added with a smile and put the pad down, "Scott?"

"Still asleep. I thought it best to leave him like that."

"The big day is approaching, are you ready?"

"I will be, I want it to be December already."

"It'll be here before you know it. How did the dress purchasing go?"

Kayo sighed happily as she walked over with a mug of coffee, "it's perfect, I'm not one for dresses, but I saw myself in that one and just cried."

"Cried?"

"Figuratively speaking, it was just so beautiful, and Scott is going to love it just as much as I do. You?"

"Our suits are ready, so all that's left is to get your catering and stuff," Virgil yawned as he hugged his mug in his hands.

"Good, it's nice to know it's all in hand."

"Don't worry about anything ok?"

Kayo smiled, "thanks for reassuring me," she snuggled onto the sofa beside him, "I'm looking forward to being your sister."

"You've always been my sister, and you would be whether or not you were marrying my brother."

Kayo sighed happily as he wrapped an arm around her, "thanks."

Gordon walked into the kitchen after a swim, "afternoon guys, oh Virgil, when did you get back?"

"You know when we did, you wouldn't have been allowed in the pool?"

"I was in the sea," Gordon shrugged as he poured himself a glass of mango juice, "you look exhausted."

"We were gone all night. I've basically just woken up from a power nap but I think it drained Scott completely."

Gordon joined them in the snug and wrapped a towel around himself, "what was the mission?"

"Similar to the aurora generator mission we went on that time, trapped worker and a nuclear reactor running away, we stopped it just in time."

"Nice work," Kayo smiled.

"Yeah, but it took ages, hence being back so late."

"Coffee at four in the afternoon, won't that mess up your sleeping pattern Virgil?" Gordon asked.

"It shouldn't do, I'm planning on flying over to Alexis' later, so I'm crossing my fingers that we don't get another call out."

Scott walked wearily into the kitchen still half asleep and poured himself a coffee, "why didn't anyone wake me up?"

"Because you looked like you needed the sleep," Kayo tutted, "are you awake or sleepwalking?"

"I'm awake," Scott yawned as he sat down at the table, he ran a hand through his hair and looked over at the group in the snug, "Virg, I thought you were asleep?"

"I was, but I've got stuff to do, you, on the other hand, needed that extra lie in."

Kayo left the snug and wrapped her arms around Scott's shoulders planting a kiss atop his head, "Virgil's right, I didn't want to wake you because you looked so peaceful."

Scott smiled as he reached up to her hand on his shoulder, "thanks."

Virgil checked the time, "maintenance, and then I'm off to Auckland, see you later."

"Auckland?" Scott frowned.

"To see Alexis, I haven't seen her for almost a month now, we've been too busy."

"Oh right, we'll call you if you're needed."

"FAB."

Gordon watched him go then stood up, "I'll see if he needs a hand."

Kayo sat down opposite Scott at the table, "how did the mission go for you?"

"It was all Virgil, I just supervised the reactor, but we did it and that's what matters."

"Is Virgil ok?"

"He's fine," Scott smiled then drank his coffee, "back to work. Oh, did you find a dress?"

"I was wondering when you were going to ask that. I found a beautiful one, you're going to love it as much as I do," Kayo grinned as she pictured the feathers, "it's like a ball gown."

"I'm picturing it and that sounds gorgeous."

Kayo smiled, "I don't like dresses but this one is different. Virgil told me the suits are ready?"

"Ready for collection yes, we'll go and pick them up next week sometime. I suppose I should check on my ship. Want to help with Thunderbird 1?"

"I'd love to," she took his hand gleefully and followed him down to the hangars.

The evening drew in and Virgil chucked his overnight bag into his personal jet, he took off not long after six and straight into a rainstorm.

"Hey Lexi, I'm on my way over."

"Sorry about the weather."

"I can't blame you for that, but visibility sure is poor, luckily I'm over the sea."

"Fly safe ok?"

"Don't worry, I've flown in worse weather than this in Thunderbird 2, I'll be approaching the New Zealand coast in five minutes. Your parents are expecting me right?"

Alexis smirked, "actually, they're not home, they've gone out for the evening."

"Ideal."

"I know. Oh, I've ordered pizzas, have you eaten?"

"Nope. Which ones have you ordered?"

"Two large pepperonis. Is that ok?"

Virgil smiled, "more than ok, I'm over New Zealand now. See you soon."

"FAB."

As Virgil came down into the garden, Alexis went to answer the front door to collect the pizzas, she thanked the delivery girl then ran through the house to open the back door for Virgil, she smiled as she saw him walk up the garden path in the rain.

"Hurry up sweetheart, it's freezing!"

Virgil smirked as raindrops rolled down his face from his hair, "you could've tossed me an umbrella?"

Alexis stood back as he stepped into the conservatory, "wow, it's really pouring down. I'm glad my parents have the car."

Virgil smiled, "it's good to see you."

Alexis wrapped her arms around him and kissed him hard as she closed the door behind them, she brushed her lips against his cheek then smiled, "the pizzas arrived just after you did, shall we?"

"I'm starving."

"Dry yourself off, I'll be in the lounge," she kissed him again then picked up the two boxes, "there's wine out already."

"How long have you been planning this?" Virgil smirked as he took his boots off.

"All day. No, I'm kidding. Ever since my parents told me there were going out."

"I'll be back in a minute," Virgil smiled as he jogged upstairs and Alexis got comfortable on the sofa as she turned on the tv flicking through films until she found a favourite of hers and Virgil's, she opened the pizza box then snuggled into the cushions as she heard her boyfriend coming down the stairs, she smiled as he walked in now wearing ripped jeans and a tight top and he joined her on the sofa, "you couldn't have picked a better film."

"Pizza?"

"Don't mind if I do."

The film began and Alexis dragged the table closer to them, "were you on a mission today?"

"Last night, it was a tough one but we're ok."

"Good, you do look tired."

Virgil smiled as he kissed her forehead, "I'm fine, sweetheart."

By the time the film was over and pizza had been finished, the two were almost one curled up together on the sofa. Alexis switched the tv off and poured herself and Virgil another glass of wine.

"What time are your parents coming home?" Virgil asked as he nuzzled her hair with his chin.

"Not for another few hours, if it gets too late they said they were going to stay over in a hotel."

"Really?"

"They're in Hamilton."

"That makes a huge difference to this evening then," Virgil smirked before moving over to her piano, "how is the job going?"

Alexis walked over to the chair beside the piano and cupped her chin into her hand as she watched him play, "really well, it's nice to put my degree to good use. I'm playing for this year's main Christmas carol concert."

"When is that?"

"The 18th," she smiled, "don't worry, it's long after the wedding."

"Can I come to see it?"

"It's a free event, of course, you can," she sighed and watched her boyfriend's hands on the keys darting across octaves, "are you excited for the wedding?"

Virgil looked up at her, "of course, but..."

"But what sweetheart?" Alexis swung her legs round to the ground and walked over to the piano stool.

"But I think they're rushing, they've been together a long time sure, but to get married this year? It just seems too fast," the music stopped as Virgil rubbed his hands together.

"Don't worry about them, we'll enjoy it as a couple," she wrapped her arms around his chest and he leant back against her before resuming playing, she smiled as he moved against her, "this is perfect."

"And this piano is beautiful," Virgil smirked as he ran a fast glissando down the keys, "want to share the stool?"

"Duh," Alexis chuckled as she slipped onto the velvet cushion with him, she rested her head against his arm and closed her eyes.

"What time is it sweetheart?"

Alexis elbowed him, "just as I was getting cosy," she tutted with a laugh, "eleven," there was a buzz, "oh, that was my phone," she got it out and read a message from her parents, "well it looks like we have the house to ourselves tonight," she put the phone down on top of the music stand, "shall we snuggle in every room?"

"You bring the worst out of me Lexi," Virgil pulled her into his arms, "start here and finish where?"

"My room of course," her hands rested on his jeans and scratched up to his thighs as he played, he shivered slightly trying to focus on the melody he was playing, the chords got harsher and he stood up from the stool enclosing Alexis into his arms and playing around her against the instrument as they kissed.

"And now to put the plan into action," The Hood smiled maliciously as he watched the security systems fail, "thank you."

"I don't like this."

"Your sister is dead, don't you want revenge on that?"

"I never liked what we did, this is the only help you'll get from me, we weren't related by blood."

"Stand aside," The Hood walked out of the cell taking his disguise device from his helper, "we'll never meet again."

"Yes boss," Fuse watched The Hood leave the GDF prison as a guard and bowed his head, "sorry International Rescue."