Thank you for your reviews and DM's so far i'm so pleased you are enjoying this one, its a very different fic for me and a challenge to write at times but you guys give me the motivation i need to put pen to paper and the confidence to continue!

Chapter 27

It was five AM. After the seventh night of tossing and turning he'd snatched up his gear, seeking refuge in his usual routine. His head dipped up and down in time to his butterfly stroke, the water rippling around him. As he reached the front of the pool he grabbed onto the ledge. His eyes finally level, he clocked the tan brogues and white chinos that were waiting for him. He lifted up his goggles and rested his arms on the edge of the pool. "Morning dad." He stripped his cap off and removed his ear plugs.

Jeff looked down; the disapproval etched plainly across his features with coffee mug in hand. "Do you ever do as your told?"

Gordon flashed an impish smile. "I was told I couldn't submerge my ears in water but I've been having baths and showers; this is no different right?" He shrugged his shoulders.

His father's face remained unchanged. "So, what's your plan for the water training? You're starting this morning I believe?" He took a sip.

"Yeah, I want to start with water fitness so we'll be doing sessions here in the pool three times a week, then I will aim to teach them a few useful skills such as breathing exercises, perfecting their form, how to swim with a casualty as well as how to cope with cold temperatures. I envision that taking about four weeks, hopefully I'll then be well enough to take them through some diving exercises, how to prep and maintain the equipment, common dangers and so on."

Jeff rolled back on his heels impressed. "Sounds swell, definitely something that they all need to be competent in. When you get a moment send the training plans to me and I'll ensure they're all on board."

"Sure thing…... you know, you can tag along if you want. You might enjoy swift water rescue. Actually come to think of it their going to need a casualty." He beamed at his father.

Jeff ignored him. "Just you make sure you don't push yourself too hard." His dad replied gruffly but there was a brief hint of concern in his gaze. Gordon seemed well enough in himself but the dark circles around his eyes and his pronounced collar bones told a different story. It had concerned Jeff enough to seek his son out at this early hour. He would need to keep a close eye on him he reflected.

"I won't." He tried to splash his dad's feet but Jeff side stepped with ease. He waited for him to hop out of the pool before they retreated to the villa together.

Come mid-morning the full household had assembled by the pool in marked groups of onlookers, assistants and participants. Penelope was sat under the parasol, keeping Jeff company. Poor Parker looked fit to collapse in the heat under his full butler assemble, with Kyrano waiting on Jeff's left hand side. Brains and Tin-Tin (who were both proficient swimmers and divers) were based at each end of the pool to keep an eye out for any difficulties (namely cheating) so that Gordon could concentrate on his main charges. A rather uncomfortable bunch of men lined up at the pool's edge in full wet suit gear. Virgil was self-consciously smoothing out his suit while trying not to look over at the group gathered under the parasol. Scott yanked at the collar which he always found too constricting and Alan was wittering about John being a lucky devil because he had returned to Thunderbird five yesterday evening. Jeff had assured him John would be undertaking these exercises on his next turn on earth which naturally, did nothing to quell Alan's sense of injustice. Gordon stood behind them in his own wet suit looking as comfortable as wearing nothing but his own skin. He strode confidently down the line ready to begin.

"Right then! I hope you've had the sense to get in the pool since this training was discussed. In order for you to effectively rescue people in the water you need to have stamina and strength as well as technique. Fundamentally you should never enter the water until you have attempted to reach, throw and don't go!" - but it's more likely that we will be required to enter the water after all other rescue attempts have failed. Therefore, we're going to be looking at your endurance before we hit open water. Today we will be assessing how many laps you can complete but remember! Its not a race, it's about pacing yourself and conserving that energy. Even the shortest water rescue can be taxing as poor Scott here has been discovering. Gordon snatched Scott's hand from his collar.

"Hey!"

"Concentrate. Any questions?"

"Just one." Scott piped up again. "Technically I've done more water rescues this month than the lot of you combined so can I skip the endurance bit because I've got some fundamental checks to do on One." It was well known among the family that Scott detested swimming, he was rarely - if ever seen in the pool.

Gordon slowly walked up behind him. "You should be pretty good with the extra experience; I expect to see you ahead of the pack. If I suspect your lagging there will be extra pool time." Scott could feel Gordon's breath on his neck.

"Yes Sir." He muttered dryly as he smirked. He stared resolutely in front but that didn't stop him hearing Gordon chuckle. Virgil's lips quirked in amusement next to him.

"Right! On my mark: 3,2,1 – Go!"

The three men vaulted off the edge of the pool. Scott gained the most distance simply from the leap but Alan was already quicker and starting to pull away. Virgil was the most graceful to enter the water and took off easily after the others. Alan was blazing ahead. So much for conserving energy reflected Gordon. He walked alongside observing their techniques, assessing their effectiveness so he could identify areas for improvement. Brains was counting the laps and Tin-Tin was on hand to help should anyone have any difficulties. Alan flipped over first before being quickly pursued by Scott. Gordon noticed them both clock each other and up their pace. Both were naturally competitive in everything they did so he wasn't surprised there was some competition going on, Virgil meanwhile was setting a sensible pace with good steady breaths. Gordon anticipated him going far.

Jeff was keeping a watchful eye on proceedings in the shade. It was at least eighty-six degrees Fahrenheit as Lady Penelope sipped her tea. She smiled demurely as she caught Jeff's eye.

"You know the British are renowned for complaining about the heat, maybe you wouldn't suffer so much if you didn't drink ten cups of tea on some of the hottest days of the year." His attention drifted back to his sons in the pool.

"That is a bit of an exaggeration Jeff tea can actually be rather refreshing in the heat."

He shook his head in disbelief as a small smile still continued to play mischievously at the corners of her mouth.

"So, you're still leaving us tomorrow? You know your quite welcome to stay. We've enjoyed your company and I think Kyrano and Parker have almost bonded this time."

"I'm sure they would disagree…. Yes, it's time for us to leave. I'd say he's quite ready to come back, wouldn't you?" Penelope inclined her head in Gordon's direction.

Jeff watched Gordon crouch at the edge of the pool as he reminded Scott to time his breathing and to extend his arms further. Gone was the young entertainer of the family, today he was in full operational mode. His concentration solely focused on assessing his brother's skill sets whilst using his specialist knowledge to guide and improve them. Out of all of them that had served Gordon had seemed to adapt back into civilian life more easily, retaining very little of the usual tell-tale mannerisms that were conditioned into them. Not so today. Jeff clearly saw the serviceman before him, Gordon was resolutely disciplined in achieving his objective of ensuring they were all capable of handling water rescues.

"I think your right Penny, he may not be able to dive yet but he's certainly well enough to be participating in rescues. I should have known he was becoming restless. He's always been one for action but I focused too much on only utilising him for his specific specialism and not for his other qualities. Gordon's is just as capable as Scott when it comes to coordinating an operation, his flying skills may not be on a par with Scott or Virgil's but he's still far superior to most pilots I know. I aim to ensure it's a fairer process as soon as he is well enough."

"Very wise. I think he will be much happier for it and international rescue will benefit from having him more operationally active."

Parker piped up from behind. "I've always liken'd Mr Gordon to a Swiss h'army knife, he's capable of many a task if one knows how to u'tilise 'im. Multifunctional like."

Jeff chuckled. "Well, his mother and I certainly didn't know what to do with him at one point. Or his teachers but you're right Parker, he's always been bright. It was half his trouble." Penelope noted the fondness in his voice. If she had to hazard a guess, she would say Gordon had been forgiven and Jeff had learned a valuable lesson.

Gordon watched his brothers enter their twelfth lap and could see visible exertion in all of them. Scott's pacing had become desperately erratic as he struggled to keep momentum. Meanwhile Virgil had slowed completely, his movements becoming laboured as he struggled not to touch the floor of the pool in the shallow end. Alan looked the strongest but then being an astronaut and racer, he had expected that because that's what his training required of him. Alan was effectively an athlete in his own right with both his professions being physically and mentally demanding. He was also much younger than his brothers giving him a distinct advantage.

Scott was the first to raise his hand. "I've had enough!" He pushed his elbows over the edge of the pool before flipping his hair back.

"Thirteen and a half lengths, now i see why you struggled with that rescue. I'm going to recommend you train three days a week for thirty-minute intervals with ten minutes rest break factored in."

"Are you serious! How many lengths?" He pulled himself along the side with his arms to the steps, too exhausted to hop out like he usually did.

"Twenty to thirty I'll email you your program."

"Program!"

Gordon gave a wicked grin as extended a hand to hoist Scott up the steps. His legs felt like lead as he hobbled off to change whilst still grumbling about his impending regime.

No sooner had he returned his attention to the pool, Virgil was making a hand gesture under his throat signalling to Brains he was done. Gordon peered at over Brain's shoulder at his clipboard.

"Twenty-five laps, pretty impressive Virgil!"

"You could say that with a lot less surprise." He pushed up on strong forearms before kneeling onto the edge of the pool, rivulets of water cascaded off of him.

"I thought you'd do thirty at least. Three times a week for you also but I want you to aim for forty laps in forty-five minutes. I will also email you your program." He clapped him on the back as he groaned.

"Y-you seem to be enjoying this….. ah.. Far too much." Brains counted another lap for Alan.

"Me? Enjoying this? Nah!" He winked before turning back to watch Alan. He noticed Tin-Tin start walking towards their end of the pool to join them, his smile fading. He tactfully crossed to the opposite side of the pool before they could meet, avoiding eye contact. Since that first night he'd come home (and almost come to blows with Alan) he'd made a conscious decision to distance himself from her. He couldn't ignore her because he knew that would break her heart but every moment he spent with her made him feel like he was being run over hot coals. Every little touch set him aflame, the way he would catch her watching him made his breath hitch and his chest freeze. It had taken him two days to realise he had been unintentionally roaming the villa in the hopes he would bump into her, a fleeting chance to catch her alone. Nope he had to stop; it wasn't fair on her plus Alan was who she really wanted and he should be fine with that; but he wasn't. His face set in a grim line.

He picked up the pace to walk alongside Alan who was steaming ahead in the pool. He was fast but his technique was sloppy. "Alan, you need to too be looking at the bottom of the pool and reduce your kick." Alan couldn't retort as he was too focused on pushing ahead.

"He's doing well, isn't he? I was surprised Scott finished so early."

Gordon jolted forwards like he'd been hit by electricity. Tin-Tin was stood almost shoulder to shoulder with him. "Y-yeah but he's young, he can handle it. Scott's almost a decade older than him."

"Don't let him hear you say that or you won't survive the next decade." Virgil wandered past with an energy drink in hand.

Tin-Tin burst out laughing placing a hand across her mouth whilst Virgil winked before moving on. Gordon took the opportunity to increase his distance.

"I'm going to go and check in on Alan before I discover Scott's hiding in the bushes. Would you mind giving my dad an update on the session?"

"Of course." She hesitated clipboard in arms. "Gordon is everything alright? I haven't seen much of you since you came home."

He'd already started walking, waving his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Yeah! all fine here, just lots of catch up on you know? I'll see you at lunch." He smiled walking backwards a little before flipping round. He hated turning his back on her.

Alan was panting at the side of the pool as he tracked Gordon's movements round the perimeter, his chest heaving. He had been talking with Tin-Tin but Alan was too far away to hear what they were talking about. Tin-Tin lingered after Gordon walked away, was it just friendly concern or because she missed him? Either way she looked concerned and he didn't like it. They had been together in Los Angeles for two weeks. Alone. Something must have occurred between them. Alan's blood ran cold, his face drained of colour as the sweat on his forearms became clammy. Realisation dawned like a punch to the gut, was this why Tin-Tin had put them on a break? So, she could leave him for his brother? It was the first thing she had said when she came home, with that spiel of him not being ready to settle down. What a joke! He saw it all now.

Gordon got the number of laps from Brains. Forty-five. Intermediate territory in swimming terms. He walked over to the edge and looked down.

"Finally, you took your time. Maybe you should concentrate on the task in hand." Alan glowered up at him. Gordon was used to Alan baiting him so he pressed on.

"Forty-five laps. You would do better to angle the tips of your fingers and concentrate on extending your arm from the shoulder rather than trying to race everyone. Its not a track day. I want to see a stronger technique with better body alignment in the water. I recommend four days training for thirty-minute intervals with the aim of doing fifty-five laps."

"I'm not doing that! The others are only training for three and I did the best!."

"They have more duties than you and Yes, you are; dad's keen to make sure you all follow the programs set."

"Don't I even get a well done for lasting the longest?"

"What do you want a medal? It takes longer than one pool session to earn one." Gordon's whole-body posture was rigid.

Alan pushed himself up out of the pool still dripping wet as he towered over Gordon.

"Just what is your problem with me?"

"I don't know you tell me." Gordon stared upwards; his eyes ablaze, chin jutting upwards. Brains shifted nervously on the periphery.

"You're the one who" –

"Alan! Will you walk with me to the house?" Tin-Tin neatly sidestepped in between them.

"Who what?" Alan retorted.

Tin-Tin turned, her eyes pleading with Gordon to drop it. Not here.

"And no, I won't walk with you to the house, we're on a break remember? The one you were so keen to enforce after being away with" –

"Think very carefully before you finish that sentence or you'll find its more than a break." She struggled to maintain her composure, her winged eyes sparked with fury. Alan's height swamped Tin-Tin but her defiant stance had him stepping back. Gordon watched in shock, the implications of Alan's words hitting him like a freight train. The way she planted herself between them with her back to Gordon whilst facing off with Alan. Was she shielding him, did her actions mean something more?

Klaxons blared from the villa. They all turned towards the house where Jeff was already at the top of the steps. "This isn't over." Hissed Alan.

"You heard the lady - drop it. We've got more pressing matters now." With one last glare and a concerned glance at Tin-Tin, Gordon turned away from them both. "Brains could you send me the reports from today's sessions please and I'll write them up in a bit. Let's book in a review for three weeks' time before the fourth week assessment."

"Y-yes Gordon, they will be er ready within the hour."

"Excellent thanks Brains." He set off at a jog for the house. He arrived just in time to catch the end of the report, all the family and friends were stood around the large desk, their attention fixed on John.

" A distress call from the Himalayas. There's been a major rock slide, the whole village has been destroyed but most people managed to get to the bunker in time, the only thing is the bunker is under one hundred and thirty odd tonnes of rubble and boulders the size of houses. The village is so remote that there are no emergency services to cope with that kind of extraction." John finished his report, his microphone catching the light as he turned towards the camera.

"Right. Scott; get going, we need to you identify a safe landing site and base of operations."

"Yes father."

"You three take Thunderbird two with Pod five with the Excavator and the Mole."

Virgil made straight for his launch pad as Alan sped off to the elevator already peeling his wet suit to the waist.

"Problem Gordon?" Jeff tented his fingers.

"I err. You mean me?" He pointed at his chest, incredulous. "I can go?"

"Yes; you. I've still got four sons here since I last counted, haven't I? Now go!"

"F.A.B!" Gordon scrabbled for the elevator but drew short when he saw who was glowering there. He stepped in as far a way as he could from Alan. With the click of the safety bar the lift descended with both men facing forwards with their fists clenched, leaving an anxious Tin-Tin in the lounge. She watched intently until she could see them no more. She could only hope they would focus on the mission and not each other. Alan's jealously tainted everything, it would be his undoing.