Howard and Wendy Bennett were feeling a little overwhelmed and not a little tearful when they sat together in the lounge of their home. The shopping trip had been almost a week ago, and in the morning, Jefferson Tracy and his adopted daughter would be coming to collect them to take them to his island for the wedding.

Tracy Island.

The home base, reportedly, of International Rescue. The International Rescue. A member of whom was marrying their daughter in a few days' time.

Ever since they had first shown up on the world scene, they had been a mysterious group of individuals who showed up wherever and whenever they were needed, often putting themselves at risk in order to save lives. All the lives they could. Reports of failures on the part of International Rescue were rare, and indeed, failures to date had only occurred when they had been called too late. They were a group that everyone admired and yearned to see in action. The few times they were captured on film, they were the subject of avid attention in the media.

When the identities of International Rescue had been leaked to the world press, it had made headlines in every country around the world. The little Bennett family had been as intrigued as everyone else. Never would they have imagined in their wildest dreams that they would one day become so closely affiliated with the organization.

Accept that right now, International Rescue were non-functional, and had been so for several months. No one knew if they ever would return. Howard in particular was looking forward to seeing more closely behind the scenes. The shocking attack and vilifying of International Rescue in the press a few months ago must have caused a great deal of pain for the Tracy family. Why would they even want to return to saving the lives of a world whom had been so willing to turn against them? The Tracy family must be exceptional individuals, he decided.

And their daughter Isla was about to become one of them. Isla Tracy.

Their luggage was packed and waiting in the hallway, and they sipped mugs of hot chocolate that they hoped would help them to get a little sleep before their exciting day tomorrow.

They had been invited to stay on the island with the family for a long weekend, to get to know Isla's new home and in-laws, and then Virgil and Isla would be flying them home again on Monday before going off for their honeymoon. A weekend on a beautiful tropical island in the south pacific sounded like a holiday of their dreams, the like that they would never be able to afford themselves. And this particular island was going to be their daughter's permanent home. And, they told themselves, the home of their expected grandchild. Grandchildren.

As the grandchildren of the wealthy Jeff Tracy, these babies would never know poverty; what it felt like to have to choose between paying the electric or buying food for dinner. To have to wait until the end of the day to go shopping for the reduced bargains in the supermarket, in order to make the last few pennies stretch a little further.

Howard was happy that his daughter and all her future children would be well provided for in the future, but he could not help but be a little concerned as well. Jeff Tracy had, by all accounts, known what it was like to be hard up in his youth. To have dedicated his fortune to setting up International Rescue showed how people were more important to him than money and property. Howard just hoped that it was an attitude that his new grandchildren would also learn. Howard had vivid memories of the slightly condescending way he had been treated by the wealthy boss's son at work, and had long concluded that wealth, however desirable, was not all it cracked up to be.

The excitement however, kept both of them awake most of the night, and by the time the expected knock at their door came at just after eight in the morning, they were exhausted and on edge. Jeff and Kayo looked as bright and fresh as always.

"Morning Mister Bennett, Mrs. Bennett. All ready?"

Howard stifled and yawn and nodded, slipping his arm around his wife's shoulders.

"All packed and ready to go Mister Tracy. Under the circumstances please, it's Howard and Wendy."

Jeff twinkled at them.

"Of course, it is. And I'm Jeff to you."

Jeff and Howard picked up the luggage between them, whilst Kayo slipped her arm through Mrs. Bennett's.

"Come along. We have a private airstrip just a few miles from here. We'll be on Tracy Island in a few hours."

Howard was astounded to see two planes at the airstrip, prepped and ready to go, one of them bright pink! He glanced at his wife, who caught his glance and gave a sudden nervous giggle.

"I love the colour of that jet, Jeff." She said. "I take it that is not your plane?"

Jeff grinned.

"Well…as a matter of fact…"

"This is FAB3." A voice called from beneath the pink jet, and a man in a chauffeur's uniform approached them, his hand touching his cap.

"I'm Parker, Ma'am." He said respectfully to Wendy, before turning to Jeff.

"Both jets are fueled and ready to go Mister Tracy sir. Her ladyship and the colonel are settled in FAB3 and Master Alan is in Tracy Alpha. Take off times are booked for twenty and twenty-five minutes from now."

"Thank you, Parker."

Jeff turned to his guests as Kayo handed the cases to Parker and scanned her eyes around the perimeter of the airfield.

"Come along, and we'll get you settled in my plane. My youngest son will be our pilot today. Kayo is dealing with the security and I shall act as your host for the trip."

They followed their host to the sleek silver plane, and as they approached, a slight figure in jeans and a green tee shirt appeared at the top of the steps.

"Hey dad!"

Jeff waved back in acknowledgment, and the figure hurried down the steps to greet them. Howard and Wendy noted the young man looked no more than fifteen or sixteen, although in this day and age, with the younger generation, appearances could often be deceptive. He rushed up to them with the carefree abandon they associated with excited teenagers; and hugged his father.

"Dad, Lady Penelope and Colonel Casey are on board FAB3 and ready for departure. John reports the skies are clear over the island."

Jeff nodded his thanks and rested a hand on his son's shoulder.

"Thank you, son. Alan, this is Howard and Wendy Bennett, Isla's parents. This is my youngest son, Alan."

Alan shook their hands formally, then his face lit up with an impish grin.

"I'm really glad you are coming today. My brothers are all busy, so for the first time in ages, I get the chance to fly the Alpha."

"You don't get the chance to fly very often then?" Wendy asked, looking slightly nervous. Alan shook his head. "Not Tracy Alpha I don't, no ma'am. She's a dream to fly. If you will excuse me, I should return to the cockpit."

Alan vanished back up the steps again, and shaking his head slightly, Jeff turned to the Bennetts.

"My sons are all keen on flying you see, but as the youngest, Alan almost always has an older brother to beat him to the controls. I was glad to bring him along today. It will give us some time to relax together on the way. Shall we?"

They climbed up the steps and found themselves in a luxurious space, with comfortable recliner sofas, entertainment system and a mini bar.

"Make yourself at home, please."

Howard glanced around.

"Hmm. I'll have to save up for one of these for myself. A lot more spacious than economy class commercial flights!"

He chose a seat and sat himself down, leaning back and cautiously relaxing when he found their host doing the same.

"So…your son Alan…a talented pilot is he? He must be outstanding to be a qualified pilot at is young age."

Jeff smiled.

"Alan is young, but you must understand, considering that he grew up largely on a remote tropical island, learning to fly has been of greater importance than learning to drive. If we couldn't fly, we'd be stranded. You have no need to worry though, Howard, Wendy. Alan happens to be the most talented pilot in International Rescue."

They looked extremely surprised.

"He…he's a member? What does he do for International Rescue? If you don't mind my asking, that is?"

"Well that is classified information, but since you are about to become family, I'll tell you. Alan is a fully qualified astronaut. He is the primary pilot for our space rocket, Thunderbird Three."

At that moment, Kayo entered the cabin and slammed the door closed behind her.

"Father, all checks clear. I'm going to join Alan in the cockpit."

Jeff nodded.

"Thank you Kayo."

Kayo disappeared through the door to the cockpit, leaving Jeff smiling softly at the incredulous looks he was getting from his guests.

"Alan is an astronaut? At his age? That's…um…very impressive." Howard seemed at a loss to express himself sufficiently, and Jeff grinned suddenly.

"Let's change the subject, shall we? Rest assured, we are in good hands. Now, we had better buckle up. We'll be taking off in a few short minutes."

Howard and Wendy found Jeff Tracy to be a courtly host, generous and charming, and knowledgeable in all manner of subjects. He was, however, strangely reticent when talking about himself or his family, keeping his comments to those of general interest. The flight was smooth, and to their surprise, they enjoyed the journey immensely. When Tracy Island first appeared in the hazy distance, they gaped eagerly through the windows. They saw an island covered in green jungle, a large hill and a small mountain, all smothered in green vegetation. The ocean met the land all around the perimeter of the island in vast rocky outcrops, and beaches of white sand, framed with tall palm trees.

"Wow. You really live down there?" Wendy's eyes were popping. Jeff smiled kindly at her.

"Yes, this is home. Now, we need to buckle up again, coming in to land."

Virgil watched, laughter in his eyes as his eldest brother Scott opened the packet he'd just been given and pulled out the large rectangle of material. It was deep blue in colour, with a large pattern in lighter shades of blue and white of peacocks. Virgil covered his mouth with his hand to disguise his smirk as his eldest brother's mouth dropped open.

"Um…Virge, I think you've given me the wrong package."

Virgil raised his eyebrows.

"What's the matter Scott? Don't you like your wedding outfit?"

Scott's mouth stayed open, but his eyebrows shot up into his hairline.

"This is my wedding outfit? It's very lovely Virgil, but it's a curtain! Or a…a…what exactly is it anyway?"

Virgil grinned, taking pity on his brother.

"Actually Scott, it's a sarong. A sarong designed for men, and perfect beach wear. There are a million ways you can tie it…I took some lessons. I can help out if you have trouble with it. You can wear your trunks under it. No shirt, but I got you this to wear with it."

Virgil handed over a white box, which Scott opened curiously. He let out a chuckle as he lifted out a large blue neck garland, known as a lei.

"Hawaiian theme, eh?"

"Something like that. I bought similar for the others…yellow for Gords, red for Alan and gold for John."

Scott grinned.

"Don't tell me, yours is green?"

"What other colour is there? Gold for John, purple for Parker, orange for Isla's father…"

"What about dad? Have you got dad wearing one of these things too?"

Virgil nodded.

"For dad…black, decorated with silver stars."

Scott rolled his eyes, and then laughed.

"Ooh, you might find Johnny fighting dad for that one." He held up the rectangle of material and smiled at his little brother.

"It's perfect, Virgil. Are you looking forward to Saturday? You won't be a free man any longer you know. You'll have your very own `'er indoors' to cater for from then on. Sure you're up for that?"

"I'm up for it alright. Now listen Scott, I am planning to go to Africa to visit Connie's parents. The things the Hood said about Connie working for him…I can't get them out of my head. I hate the thought of her name being linked to his like that. I just cannot believe she would work for him. Her parents were acting oddly at her funeral. I am sure they know more than they were saying. I have to talk to them. Find out. I was going to take Isla with me, but given her resemblance to their daughter, it would probably be a bit insensitive."

Scott nodded.

"I agree. So, when are you planning on going?"

"At the end of our honeymoon. I intend taking my wife on a two-week holiday, visiting a few places she has always wanted to see…the Grand Canyon, the view from the empire state building at night, Niagara Falls, and finishing with a three-day African safari. Connie's parents work at a shelter for injured wild animals in Kenya."

"So why don't Gordon and I join you on the final day of your honeymoon? Gordon can keep Isla company whilst I come with you? That way you'll both have someone watching your back if…anyone should think of coming after you."

Virgil nodded.

"That's what I was hoping. Perhaps Kayo would be willing to patrol the skies with Shadow…call me paranoid, but after losing one fiancée, I…"

His voice cracked slightly, and he coughed to cover up the moment. Scott gave him a quick, one-armed hug.

"Kayo will likely insist once she knows of the plan. So, no worrying, Virgil, okay? Everything is going to be fine. Repeat after me…everything…is…going…to… be…fine!"

Virgil chuckled and dug his brother good naturedly in the ribs with his elbow.

"Alright bro, I know. I know. I promise I won't worry. I might even call once or twice through my honeymoon…"

Scott shook his head.

"Nah, you won't need to kiddo. We have our very own in-house spy now, remember."

"Spy?"

"Tee-Kay of course. We give him samples of your DNA and Isla's, and he can keep tabs on the pair of you wherever you are with those sensor arrays of his."

Virgil nodded, his smile slipping slightly.

"Provided we are alive and well, he can, anyway."

Scott smacked him upside the head.

"Stop that! Now hurry up. Dad, Kayo and Alan will be here soon with Isla's parents, and before they get here, I want to see Gordon and John's faces when you give them their wedding outfits. Gordon will find it a great joke, John though…"

Virgil smirked.

"It's certainly not his usual…thing is it? I want to see their reactions too. They'll be in the lab with Brains I think."

Scott, Virgil and Brains watched in fascination as John and Gordon seized the packages Virgil handed to them. Gordon with eagerness, John with trepidation.

"Thanks Virgil…er…I know you have good taste, but you haven't chosen some outlandish style or colour for me, have you?"

Virgil glanced at Scott and caught his grin.

"Just open it John."

John paused and glanced at Gordon.

"Hmmm I think I'll see what you've chosen for Gords first."

"Spoilsport." Virgil muttered, but he was blotted out with Gordon's howl of glee.

"Hey wow! Alright Virg, this is great! Thanks! I'm gonna look forward to the wedding even more now!"

He held up a large rectangle of material of a similar size to Scott's, but in a rich design of sunflowers and bumblebees in various shades of bright yellow. A yellow garland completed the look. John raised an eyebrow.

"Well, if I am wearing a sarong at this wedding of yours Virgil, then I'm glad we live on a tropical island. This would really look out of place in London! Mine isn't yellow, is it?"

Virgil shook his head.

"Only Gordon has yellow, John. Scotty has blue…you can probably guess the rest."

A half smile lit up the side of John's face as he carefully opened his package, and when he drew out a similar sarong in rich gold that seemed to really glisten under the lights, he smiled, his eyes soft and touched.

"It's breathtaking, Virg. This must have cost a mint. I'll wear it with pride. Don't tell me you even found a golden garland for me?"

Chuckling, Virgil shook his head.

"No, couldn't find one anywhere."

He watched as John drew the golden lei out of its protective box.

"I had to get that one especially made for you."

The two planes arrived within ten minutes of each other, and for a while there was a great deal of hustle and bustle as Isla was reunited with her parents once again, and they, Colonel Casey, Parker and Lady Penelope were all shown to their guest quarters. They refreshed themselves after their long trip; Brains, Lee Taylor, John and Gordon came back up into the house to get washed, and when everyone sat around the table for dinner, there were fourteen.

On arriving home, Alan had rushed upstairs to get showered and changed and hadn't seen his middle brother to speak to yet.

"Hey Virgil," he called, around a mouthful of potato. "did you manage to find me an outfit for the wedding? So sorry I was unable to come with, but you know…"

There were a volley of smirks and winks across the table as Virgil nodded seriously.

"Absolutely, Alan. I'll give it to you after dinner. It'll suit you; I think."

Alan grinned widely.

"Great! What colour did you choose? Not a bowtie I hope…? Not that I mind you understand, but…"

As if realizing he was digging himself into a hole, Alan stopped digging and waited for more information, his enthusiasm never wavering.

"Well Alan, your outfit is red."

Alan's grin froze for a moment, then with a glance at Gordon's smirk, became wider still.

"Red huh? My favourite colour. I can't wait to see it!"

"Talking of wedding outfits Virgil, you sent me a message telling me you had taken the liberty of buying an outfit for me too. Can I assume you have a parcel waiting for me to open?"

Virgil nodded at his father, pointedly turning his back on Gordon as Gordon started to giggle helplessly.

Jeff glanced at Gordon, half frowned, then back at Virgil.

"Mine isn't red I take it?"

"No dad. For you I chose black."

"Black?"

"Black."

Jeff grinned suddenly, then laughed outright.

"Sorry son, but somehow from you I half expected to be dressed in something amazing and brightly coloured. Black sounds perfect…a tad funereal perhaps, but very smart."

That evening, when everyone retired to their rooms for the night, every man on the island whom had not already received one, found a package on his bed with a brief note from Virgil, assuring the receiver that if they decided they would rather wear a formal suit than a colourful sarong to the wedding, he would not be upset. Each man made his own decision in his own mind as they held up and admired the beautiful rectangles of colourful cloth. They would do Virgil and Isla proud.

The day of the wedding dawned bright and sunny and hot. There was a great deal of excitement, and also nerves as the happy couple and their guests prepared for the wedding to come later that morning. John was to perform the ceremony. He had especially studied and qualified to marry people for Virgil's wedding to Connie the previous year; the wedding that had never had the chance to happen. This time, everything was different. Everything was perfect. The guests were decked out in their finery, the men all in colourful sarongs that rivalled even the local birds in the jungle, with their colourful garlands. John stood, in his gold, facing all of them. His golden outfit glistening in the sun, his red hair and turquoise eyes striking in his handsome face. He was smiling as he watched Virgil welcome his bride to his side.

Isla looked like a princess. Her dress was close fitting and narrow-waisted…as narrow-waisted as she could make it, given that she was about two months pregnant; and flared out at her hips. She wore no veil, but a gorgeous white and pink crown of flowers on her head. She had eyes for no one but Virgil. He kept his eyes on her throughout the entire ceremony, as though afraid that to look away might cause her to vanish, as though nothing but a figment of his imagination.

He answered the questions and made his vows with his eyes locked with hers, until he heard his older brother come to the finale:

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride…"

Virgil kissed his bride long and full on the lips, then turned to his brother, who was watching them with something like longing behind his eyes.

"Thanks John."

John smiled, and wiped something…was it dust? From his eye.

"Congratulations little brother."

He grabbed Virgil's hand, then grabbed Isla in a hug.

"Welcome to the family, Isla Tracy."

Afternote: Just a point of interest…the story of the funeral of Virgil's late fiancée Connie and the strange behaviour of her parents is covered in my short story entitled One Of A Kind.