Building the Zero X wouldn't be an easy task, they all knew that Brains most of all, but it was the only way they were going to get Jeff back if he really was alive out there in deep space and that was the only thing now on everyone's mind.

Penelope stared down on the enormous ship below her and sighed, someone coughed behind her and she turned round to see the pilot, "it's wonderful news about the Zero X."

Virgil smiled as he came to stand beside her, "it's not going to be easy. Have you been down here this whole time?"

Penelope shrugged, "not the whole time, I'm here for Gordon but don't tell him that."

"Of course not," Virgil hopped up onto the railing, "what do you think of Thunderbird 2 then?"

"Well I have to be positive about her since you're here regardless of what I think," Penelope smirked up at him, "she is magnificent, but I do wish you had given me a little more warning before leaving me to her control."

"You were fine, we were underwater."

The aristocrat snorted, "that's not an excuse."

"I can teach you how to fly her if you'd like?"

"That's not necessary Virgil."

"Afraid to?"

"No, I'm not here enough to need those skills."

Virgil jumped down and the sound of his boots hitting the metal floor echoed around the hangar, "half an hour, that's all you'd need since you've already been out today."

"Virgil, stop harassing our guest," Scott shook his head as he walked up the steps, "no means no."

Penelope laughed, "I don't mean it like that, I really enjoyed being your co-pilot today. Please excuse me, gentlemen."

Scott watched her go then frowned at Virgil, "what was that about?"

"I was just being friendly."

"Over friendly, she likes Gordon and that's not going to change," Scott leant on the railings beside Virgil.

"Yeah I know."

Scott sighed, "Zero X huh? All these years and dad actually got it into space."

"It doesn't make me feel any better about the situation Scott. We've still got to get out there somehow, we don't even know what condition dad is in," he paused, "if he's even alive."

"He's got to be alive, how else would we have that message from him?" Scott rested his hand on Virgil's shoulder, "Braman isn't carrying it for no reason, it has to be recent."

"I suppose so."

"Trust him, Virgil, I don't think Brains would be so excited if he didn't know that his plan could work."

Virgil nodded then looked down onto his ship again, "thanks for saving her."

"Me? That was you and Penny."

"You pumped the water out, and it's not like you were in aqua gear."

"I had an hour at least," Scott smiled, "but you're welcome. If it cheers you up, I've just had a lecture off Gordon, he's desperate to see if I've damaged Thunderbird 4 in any way but Grandma won't let him move."

Virgil chuckled, "and have you?"

"Of course not, although that being said, I might put the robots on paint duty just to make sure I stay on his good side."

Virgil chuckled, "how is Alan after his encounter with Havoc?"

"I just left the lounge and he's already back to his usual self, I was about to go back. Coming?"

Virgil nodded, "I guess."

"Are you ok?"

"I don't know how to answer that. How do we just move on from finding out Dad is up there somewhere all alone? Not to mention how long it's going to take to build an engine powerful enough to get us up to that galaxy."

"The less you worry the better. There'll be loads of rescues in the meantime. Oh, Penelope is leaving today, we should probably see her off."

"I'm right behind you."

Scott smiled at him then walked upstairs to the lounge leaving Virgil in the hangar, he entered the room and went over to the piano passing Penelope who was having a coffee and Parker had brought her bags down.

"It truly has been lovely having you here Penelope," Grandma smiled, "and thank you for all you did for Gordon."

Gordon blushed, "grandma," he whined.

Penelope giggled, "it was my pleasure, it's good to see him on the mend," she looked across at the aquanaut whose neck was now out of the brace but his leg was still bound.

"You're welcome to stay here any time Penny," Scott smiled from the piano.

"Thank you Scott, I'll visit as soon as I can but there's a lot of events I have lined up to attend to."

Virgil walked in, "I haven't missed the goodbyes yet then?"

"Not at all, but close to," Penelope smirked at him, "thank you for showing me the workings of Thunderbird 2, she certainly is magnificent."

Virgil beamed as he sat down beside Kayo, "she sure is."

Gordon gasped, "I thought you liked my ship more?"

The piano music hung in the air as Scott looked over, "you told me you thought Thunderbird 1 was your favourite!"

Sally laughed, "for your own safety dear, I suggest you start running."

Penelope smiled back at her, "we should be off anyway. Parker, could you take my main luggage down to FAB1 please? I'll bring down the others."

"Very good M'Lady, thank you for your hospitality gentlemen, Mrs Tracy."

Penelope walked over to Gordon and kissed his cheek, "get well soon."

Gordon's cheeks turned pink, "thanks Pen."

Sally accompanied Penelope down to the runway as the others waved from the veranda, John headed back into the lounge when Alan called him.

"You're not going back up already?"

"Sorry Al, work never stops for me. I'll call in later ok?"

The evening drew in and Virgil sat at the piano playing for his brothers who were immersed in various pursuits, Kayo also was sitting in the lounge but up on the balcony reading.

"You know, we are long overdue for a family movie night," Scott remarked as Alan made another wrong move on the chess board.

"With all the trimmings?" Gordon asked as he observed the game his brothers were playing.

"We're not overdue, it's just that they usually end up in a pillow fight before the film even starts," Kayo smiled as she overheard the conversation.

"I think that's a good idea," Virgil said without looking up from the keys, "we all need a break."

"We'll do it tomorrow, it's getting late. Hey Virg, quicken the pace," Scott smiled up at him.

"You've got it," Virgil grinned back and began to play faster and more aggressively as the others watched him, Kayo jumped down from the veranda and sat down beside Scott slinging her arm around his shoulders.

"Good job today Kayo."

"What about me?" Alan pouted.

Scott rolled his eyes, "is it too much to ask to just give my girlfriend some praise?"

"I'm just saying."

"Yes and so am I."

"Guys, that's enough," Kayo laughed as she caught Virgil's eye, "I'm fine and thank you, I just wish we could stop Havoc, she's lethal."

"But not unbeatable, she must have a weakness," Virgil slowed the piece down as he spoke, "I think her weakness is Fuse."

Scott shook his head, "she doesn't seem to care about him as much as I thought she would. I think right now they're just interested in pleasing The Hood."

"Perhaps you're right," Gordon agreed, "he was aboard their ship the other day when they attacked me, they've never directly tried to hurt us before."

Kayo smiled, "to lighten the mood, it's so great to hear that your dad made it, I couldn't be happier," she squeezed Scott's arm.

Alan nodded, "but getting him is next to impossible, Brains is adamant it will work building an engine, but I have doubts."

Virgil smiled warmly at him, "it will work Alan, we've managed to get Thunderbird 2 into space in the past, nothing will stop Thunderbird 3."

"We don't even know if Brains is going to adapt my ship, he literally could be building a Zero X here."

"I really hope not, or we're easily going to run out of space," Scott laughed, "but we'll see. Hey Gordo, missing Penny yet?"

"Ohh you're going down, if my leg wasn't still wrapped up I would give you such a kick," Gordon grumbled as Virgil chuckled, "I thought you were on my side?"

Virgil shrugged as he resumed playing, "I'm never on your side, I choose the side which is the funniest."

Kayo laughed as Gordon threw a cushion at Scott's face but it sailed past and hit Virgil's shoulder instead, "two in one."

"That's it squid!" Virgil laughed and pushed the stool back before jumping down the steps and ruffling up Gordon's hair as he laughed, Scott grabbed Virgil and soon a whole pile of Tracys were squabbling together on the couch as Kayo watched them giggling hysterically, eventually the shouting stopped and they all piled together in a large hug on the couch. Kayo wriggled between the eldest two's legs and rested her chin on Gordon's head as he turned the tv on.

"So, I'm guessing this is a bad time to call in?" John asked as he appeared beside the tv screen.

"Of course not," Scott smiled, "you're welcome to join us if you come down from Thunderbird 5."

"Maybe tomorrow, but save a hug for me."

"I'm sure that can be arranged," Kayo smiled at him and he blushed slightly.

"FAB. Sleep well guys."

Scott sighed blissfully as he looked at his siblings snuggled up together, "this is the best."