Au: Wow, so much potential I could go anywhere with this but I think it has to be the potential love story with Pen and Ink. It's so good to be back and writing these again for you, it's been too long! FAB welcome back TAG.

The two stayed by the edge of the platform watching the sunset, Gordon placed Bertie back on the ground and sighed as he looked out over the ocean.

"I'm sure Scott will want to hear about this."

Penelope smiled, "that's only natural, he is your brother."

Gordon looked behind them and saw they were now alone, "do you really care about me?"

"Of course I do."

"More than the others?"

Penelope stroked her hair off her face, "I said I would never tell."

"Well you just did," Gordon moved closer to her subtly.

Penelope smiled down at the water, "well, let's just say, you mean a great deal to me."

Gordon blushed, "I'm sorry I worried you today, but that reef needed to be saved."

"And I'm glad you did, but don't ever let your suit get to zero again Gordon."

"I won't, I promise. Please don't tell my brothers about today."

Penelope tapped the edge of the railing, "then maybe this is a bad time to tell you this, but Virgil sent me a message and is coming to pick you up, since Thunderbird 4 is here."

"He won't have the right module?"

"He went home first, so he's on his way back."

Gordon groaned, "dammit," he heard engines above the rig and he looked up, "and right on cue."

Thunderbird 2 circled and landed gently into the remaining space on the platform, Robbie looked up in awe and tugged his Mum's arm.

"Isn't she a beauty?"

"What a pollutant more like," Helen scolded as the VTOL cut out and Virgil jumped down from the platform, "although, he's a looker and a half."

Penelope smiled as Virgil ran over, "Virgil, how good to see you."

"And you. Successful mission Gordon?"

"Ask them yourself," Gordon smiled at the mother and son.

"I'll take your word for it. Is Thunderbird 4 ready to go into the module?"

"Well yeah, but..."

"Great, let's get going."

Penelope smiled, "don't you want to stay for a celebration?"

"We need to get back Penny, we're run off our feet today."

Gordon's shoulders sank, "fine, fine."

Helen walked over to the IR crew, "you were very brave to go back into that acid young man, and you've saved our reef. Thank you."

Gordon gulped as he felt Virgil's eyes glaring at him, "you're welcome. I hope it cleans itself up."

Penelope chuckled at Virgil's expression, "Parker and I will give you a lift home if you'd like Mrs Shelby?"

"Thank you, your Ladyship."

Robbie hopped on the spot as Gordon and Virgil began moving off, "your ship is really cool."

Gordon smirked, "yeah my little sub is pretty amazing."

"I think he was talking to me Gordon," Virgil smiled at Robbie as his brother pouted, "thanks."

"She's a machine and a half."

Virgil grinned, "yeah, she is."

Penelope smiled as she picked Bertie up, "are you alright now Gordon?"

"I'm fine, absolutely fine. But I guess I am ready to go home."

"Nice to meet you mate," Robbie shook his hand then Gordon turned to Penelope.

"See you soon?"

"Call me later," Penelope smiled at him as he scratched Bertie's head.

"Let's go Gordo. I want a word with you," Virgil walked back to Thunderbird 2 and Gordon sighed as Penelope said goodbye again.

"Swimming in acid huh?"

"Don't start. If you say a word to Scott I'll put hair dye into your shampoo."

"Why are you so worried about whether I tell Scott about today?"

Gordon sighed, "I don't want to talk about it."

Virgil fired the VTOL engines again and Thunderbird 2 rose up from the platform, "FAB. But tell me this, what's going on between you and Penelope then?"

"Huh?"

"I could see all the signs, something else happened on that rig before I arrived."

"It's none any of your business Virgil."

Virgil smiled, "have it your way, but she does seem smitten with you."

"Really? You think so?"

"Ha! I knew it."

"So what ok? If she likes me that means she doesn't like the rest of you like that which makes me happy. Now drop it."

Virgil bit his lip a little surprised at Gordon's outburst, "okay I'll change the subject. Scott's been worried about this mission since he got home so don't be surprised if he leaps on you for a whole record of what happened."

"Noted. I'm going to have a quick shower. Turn the water off and I'll throw you into the pool when we land."

Virgil nodded for once intending not to piss the aquanaut off, the squid really was bothered about upsetting Penelope, "FAB."

Gordon stood under the shower motionless just letting the water drench him, he really did like Penelope but all the stuff she said, she couldn't have meant it. However, that being said, she wouldn't have scolded him if she didn't have similar feelings, would she? He sighed deeply and turned the water off before stepping onto the green bath mat and grabbing a towel, he dried off and slipped on his clothes deciding he couldn't be bothered to put on a uniform and headed back to the cockpit which music was blasting out of.

"Virgil?"

Virgil turned the music off and smiled at the young man, "yeah?"

"How do you tell someone you love them?"