The family said goodbye to Conrad and he left with Alan in Thunderbird 3 to return to Slough, Scott looked over at Virgil who was sketching on the sofa.

"So, you think you'll take Thunderbird 2 up to space again Virgil?"

"I'd love to," Virgil replied as he sketched the outline of his ship, "however, it was certainly challenging."

"Virgil, you could've died. We're not using our transporter ship as a rocket again."

"What?" Virgil looked up suddenly, "why not? She did a great job."

"I'm not saying you didn't do a good job, but it was incredibly risky. You're just lucky Conrad froze your ship, did you ever think about that?"

Virgil frowned, "how do you mean?"

"Thunderbird 2 wouldn't have been able to be auto-piloted in that situation so you would've died. That's the only way I can say it."

Virgil put down his sketch pad, "I could've got down to the module in time."

"You would've burned up. Virgil, remember what I told you, we can build another Thunderbird 2, not another you."

"I'm never abandoning my ship, Scott."

"I'm not saying that, but I wish you could see the wider picture sometimes."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Scott bowed his head, "did you think how we'd all cope if you died up there? Or burned up?"

"Scott, you told me to bail out."

"You weren't going too," Scott sighed, "you mean everything to me, Virgil, I was the first person you looked at when you were born. I can't lose any of you, but you are so important to me."

Virgil felt tears come into his eyes immediately and turned away, "nothing was going to happen. I had it under control."

Scott moved to sit beside him, "yeah, we both know that not to be true. I've never seen you look so grateful for someone to save your ship before."

"That was nothing. Scott, you probably think otherwise but I was terrified up there, if I hadn't had Conrad with me then, well, I wouldn't be here, I'm aware of that."

Scott watched a tear roll down his brother's cheek and rested his hand on his shoulder, the touch broke the barrier, "it's alright," he moved closer as he pulled his brother into a tight hug, "I'm sorry I said those things, I was scared too. I mean seeing Thunderbird 2 go into space was awesome I'll admit."

Virgil laughed tearfully, "the rush was intense, she went to a speed she'll never go to again."

"I'm making a coffee, do you want one?"

"That'd be great, thanks," Virgil wiped his years away on his sleeve then picked up the pad again, "at least I have the memory and my life."

"And you saved Conrad's, don't forget that."

"No Scott, like I said earlier. It's thanks to him that I'm alive, he saved us."

Scott nodded, "I owe him my thanks then, I'm nothing without my best brother."

Virgil smiled then crossed his legs under himself to continue to sketch, he stroked his drawing, "what more adventures are we to go on?"

Brains walked into the room grinning from ear to ear, "Virgil, Thunderbird 2 is back to her normal self. The hull has been repaired and I've put the robots on painting duty."

"Thank you Brains, I think I'll keep her to ground rescues and sensible heights from now on."

"What's changed your mind? I thought that test run was a complete success."

Virgil smirked, "I'd say brotherly advice. Blood is thicker than water."

Brains smiled back, "ah, fair enough. Come on Max, let's make sure she's fully water resistant."

Virgil chuckled, "thank god she was, I didn't feel like becoming Thunderbird 4."

Scott returned with the coffee, "hey Brains, hows our transporter?"

"Almost finished Scott, she's just getting a new coat."

"Early Christmas present Virg."

"Anything to do with my ship is a present, thanks, Scott," Virgil took the mug from his brother, "at least I can frame this once I've blown it up to size a bit."

Scott nodded at the drawing, "I love it."

"So Thunderbird 2 has been to space, what's next?"

Brains shrugged, "I could always have a go with Thunderbird 1."

Scott's eyebrows shot up, "What? No no, she's fine at the speed she goes already."

"I thought you liked speed, Scott?" Virgil asked sweetly.

"Very funny, but I'm comfortable just accompanying Alan to space or keeping just outside orbit. I don't need to go any higher."

Brains and Virgil laughed, "your choice, of course, Scott, by the offer is there."

Virgil watched him leave, "you best keep an eye out on your ship Scott, or you could be leaving the planet."

"He does and I'm strapping you to her nose cone to go up there," Scott laughed as he nudged Virgil's arm with his before propping his feet up on his brother's legs.

"Hey!"

"What? You've done it to me."

"Yeah, but I'm drawing."

"Don't be a baby, I've just made you a coffee."

Virgil pouted and lifted the pad across Scott's legs, "move one foot and you're dead."

"I accept that challenge," Scott winked and settled back against his pillow, "good to have you back big guy."