Chapter 26

Virgil was still reversing into the hangar as Gordon bounced out of his seat. He smiled to himself; someone was happy to be home. He finished flipping off the power before pushing back the wheel, taking a minute to stretch as he stood. His hands almost scraped the roof space.

"Fancy helping me do the post flight checks?"

Gordon pulled a face, groaning as Virgil slapped a tablet into his hands. "Don't tell me you forgot about them? You really have been gone a long time."

"Haha!" Gordon replied sarcastically. "I call dibs on interior!"

"I guess as it's your first night back, I'll allow it." He jested.

Gordon sailed through his list; keen to try and catch most of the family before bed. He was buzzing to see Tin-Tin again. He could almost feel an invisible magnetic pull forcibly dragging him to her, knowing she was mostly likely just above them. He managed to wait a couple of minutes for Virgil to complete his, before he literally skipped the steps two at a time up the gangway to the elevator. Virgil watched Gordon rock on the balls of his feet before his eyes wandered upwards to meet his brother's.

"What?" Gordon stared back.

Virgil broke into a small smile. "Nothing, just nice to have you home."

Gordon grinned back just as the elevator docked in the lounge. Kyrano was waiting dutifully to try and relieve Gordon of his baggage. "Kyrano, it's great to see you, are you keeping well?" Gordon placed a hand on each of his shoulders, surveying the man. Tin-Tin had been worried as her father had suffered a couple of his 'turns' recently. For some reason he seemed to have these absent seizures, the doctors stressed he was in perfect health for his age despite these alarming episodes.

"I am quite well; thank you Mister Gordon. I hope that you are in better health now?"

"I am indeed! Ready and raring to go."

"Not until I see that Doctor's note." A voice growled.

Gordon turned to face his father, not deterred by his tone. The euphoria he felt at being home made it hard to dampen his mood. He handed over a folded A4 report. "I can start light duties with another recheck in two weeks. If that comes back clear I can return to water sports - aka water rescues but at least another month before I can deep water dive."

Jeff frowned at the bit of paper before glancing up, his face brightening. "Well, that's excellent news! The sooner we can have you back on the team the better; Welcome home son. He extended an arm which Gordon clasped midway in their usual greeting. He swung round to face the rest of the lounge. He could see Scott and John to his left and to his right Alan sat next to Tin-Tin. The soft lighting cast shadows across the lounge floor making it hard to see everyone clearly but she stood out like a beacon. His gaze settled on the arm draped across the sofa behind her. Tin-Tin was sat forwards with a slight gap between them, her hands folded in her lap.

"Are you alright Gordon? Sick of us already?" Alan quipped. Gordon could feel the heat rise in his face as his blood pressure spiked. He realised the room had gone quiet. He gave a smirk.

"Something like that. I've just effectively had a month as an only child, it's going to take some adjusting back. Turns out it has several benefits such as there still being food in the fridge and no channel hopping hogs." He looked pointedly at Scott and Alan in turn.

"Just what are you implying?" Scott raised a brow. Gordon rooted around in his bag before chucking a large red packet at Scott's head. His lightening quick reflexes snatched the bag out of the air. "Twizzlers!" He ripped open the packet and shoved a handful straight into his mouth. Raucous laughter filled the room.

"What?!" He shrugged as John slipped one out of the packet only for Scott to snatch it back. "Nah! uh!" he replied with his mouthful.

"Oh, come on! Here; let me save you some calories." John bartered palm extended. Scott scoffed in reply before he relented and held half of one out. John snatched it before the offer was revoked. With Scott you learned to take what you could get. He popped it into his mouth and sighed. It was rare he got candy on five and if he did it was gone within the first forty-eight hours.

"Boys it's nearly midnight, sugar might not be the wisest idea." Jeff frowned.

"Yes; on that note, it really is a delight to see you looking so well Gordon but I ought to get some beauty sleep. We can catch up in the morning over breakfast?" Penny fluttered her heavily lidded eyes.

"Sounds good." He smiled.

At that point most of them stood and made their excuses to retire for the night, including his father. He realised he hadn't had a chance to catch Tin-Tin and for a moment his heart faltered, his hand still clutched on another important letter. The room was abuzz with all his brothers vacating, obscuring his view of where she had been sat. He tried to make his way across before being intercepted by Scott who grabbed him in an unusual display of affection. "Good to have you home! Your quite welcome to Thunderbird four and your dratted wet suits." Gordon laughed into his shoulder and when Scott finally let go, there was the girl he'd been dying to see.

He glanced around and realised they were alone. He swallowed as she moved closer unsure of what to do now faced with her direct attention. For him alone. He ran a hand through his sandy copper fringe.

"It's good to have you home. It's too quiet here without you." He was aware of her every moment but unable to move himself.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He cocked his head to one side in a portrayal of innocence. A smile crept across her lips which made his heart swell.

"Peaceful, serene, disaster free -" She folded her arms as she reeled off the list.

"Boring then." He folded his arms.

She snorted which he'd never seen her do before, her cheeks coloured as she laughed. "Adorable." She scowled at him briefly before giggling herself. There was a long pause as they assessed each other in the half light.

Alan had got halfway down the hall before he realised, he'd left his phone in the lounge. "Shoot!". He double patted his pockets and groaned before retracing his route. Alan bounded up the steps towards the entrance of the lounge, pausing on the threshold. He could hear voices, namely Tin-Tin's and Gordon. He stepped closer to the corner of wall and peered round. They were both stood in the centre of the room. He could see them clearly despite the looming shadows surrounding them. They were close to each other.

"Well, I guess we ought to be going to bed, you must be exhausted." She turned to leave as he reached out a hand to stop her. He gently clasped her wrist. Alan stifled a sharp intake of breath.

"Wait! I have something for you. Well - it's from someone I know you'll want to hear from." He sheepishly proffered a folded piece of paper.

Intrigued, she carefully took the letter that was extended to her. Gordon swung his holdall back on his shoulder as she unfolded the crisp paper. Her hand went to her mouth in surprise as she gasped. On the page was a sellotaped picture of James in his hospital bed surrounded by his family and Gordon with a giant white bunny having the life squeezed out of him by a gleeful James. It had a bandage in the same place where James' cannula was. It looked just like her soft toy, the one Gordon had won for her, she noticed his sister had one too. Below the picture was a drawing of herself bobbing on the water with a life ring and a small boy holding on. She teared up as she read; Hello Tin-Tin. I'm sorry you went home. I wanted to thank you for savin me. You were really brave and I'm really sorry I put us in dangr. I know now that I musn't go near water, mom and Gordan have told me. He is very funny! I was sick but I'm gettin better now and I can't wait to go back home! I promise I will never go by water on my own again. Bye-bye James. It was signed with his name and a big smiley face. Tears pooled in the corner of her eyes as quickly as she tried to swipe them away.

She sniffed. "He's alright! I've been so worried about him. I thought the worst! When you said he was still in hospital…. Oh Thank you!" She rushed at him, knocking him back a step as she hugged him. He held his arms extended, palms awkwardly open for a moment before tentatively embracing her back, inhaling Jasmine as he did so. She placed a light peck on his cheek which caused him to blush.

White hot fury transcended through Alan as he watched his brother from the shadows. Tin-Tin hugged everyone, including all his brothers. She was tactile in that way; it annoyed him but that was just who she was. What got him, was the way Gordon had flinched when Tin-Tin embraced him, the way his hands quickly went to her waist; but worst of all was watching him breathe her in, the way he relaxed into her waiting arms like it was his homecoming. He knew that feeling all too well for that's how he felt when he was with her. She was his personal refuge. His fists clenched by his side as his jaw locked. Who did his brother think he was! He was of the mind to go over there right now and… and….

"Alan? Is everything alright?" Tin-Tin exclaimed surprised. Gordon looked like a rabbit caught in headlights behind her.

"Tin! Er yeah, I was just going back for my phone."

"Oh!" She stepped aside to let him through the small entrance way. "Well Goodnight."

"Goodnight Tin-Tin… Say would you like to go for an early morning walk tomorrow?" Seeing the flash of reluctance in the set of her mouth he added. "For old times' sake, just as friends of course." Did he imagine her features brightening a little? She bowed her head as she contemplated his offer.

Alan stared boldly into Gordon's tawny eyes; the challenge was clear. Gordon's face remained impassive but his body was tense, the vein that ran the length of his neck was prominent like a thick cord.

"Yes okay. Say ten am?"

"Sure, I'll meet you in the kitchen."

"Alright. Good night Alan." She Turned waiting for Gordon to follow her.

"Night Tin."

Alan simmered as he watched them leave. Only once they were out of his sight did he leave to retrieve his phone.

Gordon somehow managed to make it back to his room. He chucked his bag on the chair with greater force then he'd intended. His brother had some nerve! The possessive way he'd still been trying to assert himself over Tin-Tin in the lounge and then asking her out like that! After what he did to her! Gordon paced. And she just let him! That was the worst thing, Tin-Tin had been broken by him and yet she was still letting Alan worm his way back into her affections!

He realised he'd made a fatal error. Alan knew. Knew that he liked Tin-Tin. He must have been hidden in the wings the whole time. Gordon hadn't expected her to rush at him like that, had no time to prepare or to stifle his instinctual reactions. His reactions would have only pushed his brother's jealously into overdrive and Alan was never one to back down, he always got what he wanted. That look he'd given him in the corridor wasn't a warning, it was an assertion. She's mine. He took a shuddering breath, inhaling the jasmine that was still imbued in his collar, the memory of her soft lips on his skin assaulting his mind and heart. He dropped on the bed placing his head in his hands, he'd allowed himself to hope but it was futile. They could never be more than friends.