Out of Place
AN – Hello again! Another chapter for you all to enjoy! Thank you to LMC25, islandsandstars and Harlow for their reviews on the last chapter, I'm glad you are still liking it and can follow where the story is going.
Disclaimer – I don't own Thunderbirds
Chapter Thirteen – Persuasion
Virgil towelled his hair dry, pulling on clean clothes as quickly as possible. His father would want a debrief and with Scott stuck in another dimension somewhere that job now fell to him. Normally by the time Virgil returned from a rescue Scott would have already given the main report, Virgil just had to add any points Scott may have missed or not been privy to and then disappear. Without Scott there Virgil had to give the whole briefing and his father would be impatient as he had to wait that much longer for it.
But one thing Jeff insisted on was that, where possible, the boys cleaned up before briefing. It was something Alan grouched about every time, although Scott and Virgil were pleased about the chance to pull their thoughts together.
Thinking of his oldest and youngest brothers sent a pang through Virgil. He missed them. Scott's quiet council, Alan's bouncy enthusiasm. The Villa felt emptier without them, even though technically it wasn't. The young Alan brought some of the energy back, but it wasn't quite the same.
Although, having a young Alan around was fun. Virgil had forgotten how endearing Alan had been at that age – all excited and going at a million miles an hour. When their Alan was this age he'd been out on the kart circuit, racing at every opportunity to build up enough points to upgrade his licence. The fact that he managed to comfortably whilst still doing all the school work their father demanded was testimony to his talent. The other Alan didn't race at all, when Jeff had asked about it Alan had explained that there was simply too much to do with International Rescue to spend time karting.
That left a bit of a sour taste in Virgil's mouth. Sure, International Rescue was important, but so was growing up normally and having your own interests. That being said, if their positions had been switched Virgil would have been the first to drop everything for International Rescue so really he had no reason to criticise.
Tiredly, Virgil entered the lounge. It was still very early, the rescue call had come in during the night. Only Jeff and John were waiting for him, the latter slumped in his chair as he adjusted to being on terra firma again.
"How did it go, son?"
"Hi father. It went well I think, I rescued all the casualties and managed to divert rescue teams towards other locations." Virgil continued with his debrief of his rescue of a family trapped in a ruined house after an earthquake in central Italy. Luckily the epicentre was in a rural location, but the rescue teams on the ground were spread thin trying to cover the large area. "I really missed Scott's support," Virgil concluded. "Trying to coordinate everything while also doing all the heavy lifting was very difficult."
"Hm," Jeff sat back in his chair, thinking. "Make sure you take John over to get Thunderbird 1 later today, we're really missing it. Then John can go with you and act as First Responder."
"Who will oversee the communications here?" John asked, dragging one hand down his face to try to wake himself up.
"I can, if only while you're out. We're going to have to adapt until Brains can work out how to bring Scott, Alan and Tintin home."
John frowned and looked like he may be about to say something else when all three were distracted by an incoming call. Looking up, Virgil could see that it wasn't any of the brothers, instead Penelope's portrait was flashing. Virgil was confused, Penelope hadn't said she was planning to call. Jeff also frowned up at the portrait even as he leant forwards to answer it, although John straightened in his seat and was suddenly alert. Virgil looked at his older brother suspiciously.
"Hello Penelope, it's lovely to hear from you."
"Good morning Jeff, I'm sorry to call you so terribly early, but I had some news for John and he wasn't in the laboratory."
Virgil's suspicions were correct, Penelope was in cahoots with John about something. His father was also in the dark, if his confusion was anything to go by.
"Why, John's right here Penelope. What's up?"
If Virgil hadn't known his girlfriend so well he wouldn't have recognised her slight hesitation for what it was – a quick check with John that she should speak in front of the rest of them. This just intrigued Virgil more and he sank down on the edge of Jeff's desk to listen.
"Hello Virgil," Penelope greeted him with a soft smile reserved for just him, as he moved into her field of view. "How did the rescue go?"
"I don't think you called us to discuss the latest rescue," Jeff told her, amused.
"Why no, of course. I just wanted to let John know that they've caught their flight and everything went smoothly."
"Thanks, Penny," John said with a smile. "How did it go?"
"I had a tremendous morning acting as a personal shopper," Penelope grinned happily. "The finest couture is such a delight to buy and Angel looks simply beautiful in almost anything."
"Angel?" Jeff asked sharply, eyes flicking between Penelope and John.
"Why yes, John contacted me yesterday and asked if I would help Angel and John to acquire some suitable clothing. Naturally I agreed, it was a pleasure."
"You met the other John?" Virgil asked, interested. "What was he like?"
"I didn't get much chance to talk with him, Angel dropped him at a tailors that I'd set up an appointment for so I only really got a chance to meet him properly on the journey to the airport. He seems very focussed, remarkably like our own John."
"Why were you helping Angel shop? Where is she finding money to spend on high end clothes?" Jeff's frown was still in place. Virgil managed to suppress the eye roll, but only just.
Penelope raised a brow archly. "From what I understand from Parker, in her past life she had quite the reputation. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that she has a small fortune hidden away somewhere."
"As for why, they are chasing up some leads as to where the Hood may be." John supplemented. "They need to go to the Macau casinos to find out more information, so they needed to look the part. Includes first class flight, expensive clothes and big buy ins for the games."
"I think they might have consulted me first." Jeff huffed. "I appreciate John doesn't know how we operate, but Angel should by now."
"To be fair, father, what would you have said?" Virgil asked. "Only a couple of days ago you were telling us that Angel didn't need to do anything, that we could manage it. In the meantime, she's got further than we ever could."
"I did suggest to them both that they didn't need to do this," Penelope added. "That Brains will eventually work out how that device works and be able to restore order. But they argued, very persuasively I must say, that if they don't find the Hood he is likely to deliver advanced technology into criminal hands. Furthermore, he will know how to perform this switch again if he needs to. I don't need to tell you how disastrous that would be. Angel and John know that what they are doing is dangerous, but they are prepared to do it to prevent a worse scenario in future."
"I see." Jeff thought for a while. "I must say, that's a view I didn't expect Angel to take. Maybe I have misjudged her somewhat. But what's certain is that they may very well need our support. John, forget what I said earlier about piloting Thunderbird 1, you're going to be needed to man the communications here. If they do run into trouble you'll have to take Thunderbird 1 out to get them. Virgil, I'll get Gordon coming out with you on any rescues then one of you can coordinate if need be. If he's on standby then he can go wherever he is needed."
"I think that's a splendid idea, Jeff. I already told them that they should call on Parker and myself if required." Penelope stated. "Now I shall leave you to your breakfast. Virgil, will you call me later?"
"I'll be about five minutes, Pen," he told her with a smile.
"Thank you Penelope, we'll talk to you soon." Jeff closed the link to the United Kingdom. "Well, that is a turn up for the books. When were you planning to tell me that Angel had run off with your counterpart, John?"
"I think 'run off' is a bit strong. We know she's the best person to find a criminal, she's proven it before."
"True enough. Keep me posted on what they're up to please boys."
"Sure thing, father." John stood to leave the lounge, Virgil following. When they reached the hall, Virgil stopped his brother before he disappeared into the laboratory where his communication equipment was set up.
"How is Angel, really?"
"It's hard to tell," John replied, thinking hard. "It's clear she's very worried about Scott, but my counterpart is proving capable I think. He seems to be even better than I am at hacking into the Network. It's probably the more advanced communications technology available in his dimension that's given him the edge."
"I'd have to take your word on that," Virgil demurred. "I guess I'd better call Penny, I'll see you later."
"Bye Virgil," with a wave the blond disappeared behind the sliding door. Virgil walked to his room and sat on his bed, facing the ocean out of the windows.
"Calling Lady Penelope," he spoke at his watch, rewarded by a soft smile.
"Hello Virgil darling, how are you? How was the rescue?"
"Hi Pen," he smiled softly at her. "It was fine, although I'll be relieved when Scott's back to help out. I'll deny this if you ever mention it to him, but I've never realised quite how much he does to make my life easier on rescue missions."
"My lips are sealed," she promised.
Virgil looked back at his bedroom door, towards the lounge. "Well done for getting dad to finally cooperate with Angel. How were they really?"
Penelope sighed and adjusted her seat on the sofa in her study. "Angel is… well as unflappable as ever. She obviously is very concerned and upset, but she hides it incredibly well. I suspect it's a bit of a privilege that she showed it to me at all."
"You think she's finally coming around to us?"
"If she is, it's probably undeserved on our part. We haven't exactly been welcoming." Virgil winced at the truth of Penelope's words.
"And the other John?"
"I must admit, the red hair was quite the shock. It's far brighter than Gordon's has ever been. But he seems to be sensible enough and I rather got the impression he would follow Angel anywhere if she asked him to."
"Penelope," Virgil's tone had a note of warning.
"Oh don't worry darling, they are both completely unaware as far as I could tell. I'm just speculating anyway, there may be no truth in it. I must confess that I am terribly relieved your father has decided to support them, they really are heading into the lion's den so to speak"
"Me too, though I think you're the only one that could have persuaded him, Pen."
"However it happened, I'm pleased it has. Now, do tell me about what progress you have made on your new piece? I'm sorry I haven't been there to see it develop."
With a fond smile, Virgil started telling Penelope about the new painting he was doing, a trial of different paint application techniques in the form of a stormy sea. One of the things he loved most about Penelope was her genuine interest in his hobbies. He settled back against his headboard and prepared for a long discussion, through the video link he could see Penelope doing the same. They might be half the world apart but at times like this the distance didn't feel so great.