Unforgotten

AN – Well I've decided to go for a cheeky early update to celebrate the coming weekend. This chapter was fun to write, so I hope you enjoy it too!

Disclaimer – I don't own Thunderbirds

Chapter Twenty Nine – Honesty can be brutal

Penelope Creighton-Ward wasn't happy. Which was vexing, because she knew that she should be happy. She was having a relaxing holiday on Tracy Island with all of her favourite people, Tintin and Annie were safe after that horrible kidnapping business and they were all having a wonderful time.

Except, truthfully, she wasn't.

Even more annoyingly, she couldn't quite put her finger on the reason why. She had arrived as usual, been greeted by most of the family as warmly as she could wish. But there was something off – Virgil was watching Annie far too closely and there was something in Annie's expression she didn't like. Then Scott, John and Alan had returned from the rescue. She could immediately tell there was something up with Scott when he barely greeted her before moving straight to Annie.

The fiasco at the beach only cemented her bad mood.

If she was going to be completely honest with herself, despite the fact that it didn't reflect very well on her, she had slightly hoped that Annie would not perform well. It definitely irritated Penelope that Tintin had never asked her for self-defence lessons when she would have been willing to show her anytime. No, instead she had to ask Annie. And Annie had happened to be irritatingly competent at it.

She had noticed to her chagrin that everyone's attention was glued to Annie as she showed Tintin some basic moves. Admittedly, even Penelope was a little impressed when the other girl managed to floor Gordon twice in as many minutes.

But then Kyrano had turned up. Penelope had never known the man to get involved in any of the scuffles the boys engaged with, judging by the reactions from the Tracys neither had they. Annie had simply looked confused but agreed anyway.

And then they had danced. There was no other word for it, they danced and spun and Penelope was oh so jealous. Particularly when her gaze slid past the dazed expression on Scott's face to see the quiet contemplation on Virgil's. That was when the jealousy peaked, not that she particularly wanted to admit it to herself.

She couldn't help but notice how Scott stayed close to the other girl, bringing her some of the food that Jeff and Kyrano had provided and talking quietly to her throughout the meal. It was as though they were the only two people there, so wrapped up in each other were they.

It was the moment that Penelope really, truly realised she had no claim over Scott. She did not have his heart. His heart belonged, even if he didn't realise it yet, with the brunette whose whole face lit up every time she looked at him.

It was a bitter pill to swallow.

If Penelope was subdued for the rest of the day, well no one would comment on it. The whole party were in high spirits, Penelope put on her best socialite voice and lavished charm and grace on everyone and no one realised the lead that had settled within her. Well, nearly no one anyway.

It was once she'd gone to her room that evening that she allowed the façade to drop. She wasn't even mourning for something she had lost in particular, more for the crumbled dreams of the plan she'd put in place for how her life would pan out. Without it, she didn't know what she would do.

The main problem was that Penelope liked order. She could cope with hiccups to the plan, that was one of the key attributes to being a spy after all, but she usually had three other plans in her back pocket that she could turn to. This wasn't a hiccup, it was a derailment. But she didn't have a backup for this, she couldn't just choose a different Tracy and adapt, could she? Alan and Gordon were out of the question, just too immature and noisy. John far too much of a social pariah to enjoy any of her various events. Virgil, well Virgil was complicated. And complicated would never do.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

After a good night's sleep Penelope felt much better. She arose the next morning to find a beautiful sunny day awaiting her, the tropical Island really did feel like paradise today. After a quick breakfast, Penelope happily suggested a hike to one of the remote coves the far side of the Island to the villa. Several voices agreed and soon she set out with a small group.

Virgil was walking with her while Alan and Gordon were arguing behind them. Tintin had declined, instead choosing to spend the day discussing some new equipment with Brains, John joining them after he realised the equipment in question was a modification to Thunderbird 5's satellite interceptor. Scott and Annie had been nowhere to be seen and didn't that sting just a little.

"Are you ok today?" Virgil asked her quietly, as they climbed through some of the Island's remaining jungle. The path was clear but rough and they had to spend a lot of time concentrating on where they were going. Penelope used this as an excuse not to answer Virgil right away.

"I don't know what you mean," she replied finally, deciding to feign ignorance. Virgil looked at her sceptically.

"Yesterday you put on that false voice that you only usually use on people you don't like very much. Given that I don't think everyone on this island has suddenly offended you, I think it's more likely that you weren't feeling well. So, are you feeling better today?"

Penelope huffed. He was just so…irritating sometimes. Why did he have to see through her perfectly cultivated exterior? No one else did.

"I am perfectly well, thank you Virgil." She strode on ahead of him, only to cry as she stumbled over a tree root that had risen out of the path. Strong arms grabbed her waist and steadied her.

"Careful," Virgil murmured, his lips perilously close to her ear. Penelope suddenly felt very hot, that the dense jungle was suddenly too suffocating.

"I need some air," she gasped, pulling away from Virgil. With a frown of concern he nodded.

"We're just going to head to the look-out rock," he called back to Alan and Gordon. "We'll meet you at the cove!"

"Sure," Alan just waved before getting back into his discussion with Gordon. Virgil pointed Penelope towards a narrower path.

"Come on, the view will be worth it."

Penelope looked dubiously at the path but decided to follow Virgil anyway. It was even rougher than the previous route, but soon left the jungle to wind between some of the large rocks that created the profile of Tracy Island. The short path ended with a scramble onto a large rock that provided panoramic views of the whole southern edge of the island, including the villa and some of the inlets.

"Oh," Penelope breathed, just drinking in the view.

"Better?" Virgil asked, a half smile playing around his lips.

"It's perfect," Penelope replied gratefully. "Thank you." She drew some binoculars out of her bag and started to scan the view, trying to see more detail. There were two figures scrambling on some rocks far below, she trained in on the view to see who was out and about, drawing in a quick breath when she realised it was Scott and Annie. She was about to comment on the fact to Virgil when she saw Scott help Annie down from a particularly high rock and swing her close, not letting go. To Penelope's horror, Scott then lowered his head down to Annie and kissed her. There was nothing chaste about it, even through the binoculars she could see the passion and the eagerness with which is was reciprocated as Annie flung her arms around him.

Her hands lowered, her eyes glossing over with tears. It was one thing to be aware of it, another entirely to witness it. It felt like a punch in the stomach.

Virgil looked at her with some alarm, gently taking the binoculars off her and raising them to his own eyes. Upon spying what she had seen, he coloured up at the now more revealing glimpse of his older brother than he really wanted. Scott now had Annie pressed up against a rock and she was making quick work of divesting him of his clothing. He quickly put the binoculars down, awkwardly clearing his throat.

Penelope tried to hold back the sob, she really did, but it came out anyway. Then Virgil's arm was around her, his voice was soothing her as she stared back into the jungle trying to compose herself. Eventually she shrugged off Virgil's arm.

"I'm quite alright now, thank you. I don't know quite what came over me, but now I am rather tired. I think I may need to return to the villa."

She started walking away, aware that Virgil was on the radio to tell Alan and Gordon they were heading back. She didn't wait for him, embarrassed to have been caught in a moment of weakness.

Once back at the villa she pleaded a headache and returned to her room, assuring Jeff she would be right as rain after a little rest. When Parker came to tend her, she was already sat in the bed looking very wan. Worried, he fussed, which actually made Penelope feel much better. He commented on the fact that a storm was coming, that it was probably the cause of her headache. She made all the right noises, agreeing with his comments and then requesting ice cream when he left.

When the knock on her door came later, she immediately bade them enter as she was expecting Parker back with the ice cream. Instead, Tintin poked her head around the door waving a large bowl and two spoons. Despite herself, Penelope was pleased to see her friend and beckoned her closer.

Tintin came and sat next to Penelope in the bed and they tucked into the ice cream. After a while, once they could eat no more, Tintin put the bowl to one side.

"Now then Penelope, what is all this about? A headache I would understand, but ice cream?"

Suddenly it all came spilling out of Penelope: her confusion, Scott and Annie, her vision of her life receding. With the confession came a fresh wave of tears. Tintin held her carefully, murmuring soothing words and platitudes while Penelope cried.

Having unburdened herself she felt lighter but incredibly tired. Tintin helped her fix her hair, before firmly telling her she would arrange for dinner to be brought to her.

"There is no need for you to come out yet, Penelope. Sleep on it, in the morning you will feel much better and we can have a proper talk about it."

"Thank you, Tintin," Penelope told her gratefully. "I couldn't have asked for a better friend." Tintin simply squeezed her hand before leaving the room.

That left Penelope to her own devices, and she decided a pamper session was exactly what she needed to feel better. She prepared herself a face mask and painted her fingernails and toenails. It had been some time since she had actually spent energy on treating herself and she felt much better for it, ready to take on anything.

Parker, bringing her evening meal, even commented on how much better she looked.

"Why thank you Parker, I am feeling much better. I think by tomorrow I will be perfectly fine. What a nuisance thing to have happened today."

"It'll be the storm, Milady." Parker replied sagely. Sure enough, the beautiful morning had been replaced with grey skies and a gathering wind.

"Maybe you're right, Parker," she murmured, looking out her window at the view of the crashing waves. "Not an evening to be outside I think. No rescues today?"

"No, Milady. The others are planning an h'early night too." He placed the tray delicately on the dressing table. "Will that be h'all, Milady?"

"Thank you, Parker." Penelope proceeded to eat, enjoying the simple homely fare that was the norm on the island. Soon Parker came in to clear the dishes away, asking if he may be excused for the night. Penelope waved him away, telling him that if she needed anything else she would be able to do it herself.

Penelope had already changed into her pink silk pyjamas ready for bed when she saw the empty ice cream bowl still sat on her bedside table. She thought about just leaving it until the morning, but decided she may as well take it down to the kitchen herself. She had been in her room most of the day now, maybe a quick stretch of legs would do her good.

She stepped out into the corridor to find that it was dark, the occupants of the villa had retired for the night. The storm was now howling outside at full force, thunderclaps crashing through the villa and lightning strikes illuminating it for brief flashes. She took the empty bowl downstairs without anyone bothering her and was about to return to her room when she heard the faint noise of someone playing the piano over the storm. Wondering who was up this time of night she slowly walked into the lounge, realising there was one small light on near the piano and Virgil was playing a fast piece. The piano lid was down to quieten the sound and Virgil's eyes were closed as he played by feel in the near darkness, punctuated by the odd lightning flash.

Penelope was transfixed. She had seen Virgil play the piano many times, but never quite with a passion like this before. She wasn't entirely sure where his fingers ended and the piano began.

Eventually the piece ended and Virgil opened his eyes, startling when he saw her there.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologised, immediately contrite for breaking the spell his fingers had woven. "I was just taking a bowl back to the kitchen and I heard you…" she tailed off, finding his gaze too much to bear. Instead, she trailed her fingers along the edge of the bar.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked quietly.

Penelope chuckled. "Oh you've already asked me that today Virgil. Thank you, I just had a small headache."

He sighed heavily. "You don't have to pretend with me Penelope, I was there remember?"

Her voice was slightly sharper than she intended. "I don't know what you mean, Virgil. I had a headache, I retired to my room, I feel better after some rest. It was no more complicated than that."

"Why do you do that?" He asked rhetorically, waving his hands into the air as he stood from the piano stool. "No one here is going to think worse of you if you admit to the fact that seeing Scott and Annie together was upsetting for you."

"It may have made me a little uncomfortable," Penelope stated stiffly, holding herself rigidly. She didn't look at Virgil but he could still see the tension in her expression. "They only met recently after all and on a rescue at that. It feels a little unprofessional."

Virgil felt himself losing patience. "See! That's what I mean. You're pretending all the time that you aren't actually just upset that Scott chose someone else over you! Are you ever honest, Penelope? Even with yourself?"

Something inside Penelope seemed to snap. Virgil always had a way of riling her up beyond words. "I don't see why you care, Virgil! You don't even seem to like me very much, you are always pointing out all my imperfections. So go on, why don't you really tell me what you think of me?!"

"Fine," Virgil ground out, not realising that by now he and Penelope were stood facing each other, about three metres between them. "I think you are selfish and incredibly self absorbed. I think you are blind to what you really want, that you've built this perfect picture of how life will go but news flash! Life isn't perfect and pretty, it is messy and dirty and real. I think that you are naïve and sometimes incredibly immature. But I also think that despite all that I am completely in love with you!"

He stopped talking abruptly, chest heaving. Penelope blinked back tears, his final words having robbed her of all power to speak. She stood there for a moment in stunned silence while the storm crashed around them. Eventually she jolted into movement and fled the room, pushing past John who had come out of his bedroom to find out what the commotion was.

John looked from the fleeing Penelope, back to a Virgil who now had his head in his hands and looked like he might need to break something.

"So," John started tentatively. "Anything you want to talk about?"