She might have misled him a bit by offering a position that wasn't really hers to give, but she faith in the Tracy family and knew they would trust her judgement. Gordon had taken a knife to the gut and been willing to do as she wished, genie or not.
All that remained to make it official was a trip to the island and a talk with Scott.
But first, Penelope needed to calm her companion who was practically vibrating as he watched the ocean below them.
"Gordon, please," there was no hiding her annoyance after trying to reduce his exuberance twice already.
"Sorry! Sorry -" he smoothed his hands over the jeans he'd requested. "It's the ocean! It's just been so long since I felt it."
His smile was infectious and she tried to hide her own, but the slight chuckle from Parker let her know she'd failed. It didn't matter, though. Gordon would be beside himself with energy once they made it to the island and he could go down to the beach.
It had been a full week since meeting the genie from the lamp that sat safely in the vault with the T.E.A. and he'd grown on her. They had found mutual ground in a partnership that would save lives all over the world. He was an asset and she was a master worth serving. She hadn't been able to respond when he had admitted that, a sincere smile on his boyish face. Instead, Penelope had nodded with a whispered "thank you".
Now, she was giving him a gift that she felt the universe owed him. Gordon deserved to be happy.
"Fab1 to Tracy island," Parker called over the comm a short while later.
Gordon was standing to get a better view through the front window and Penelope didn't stop him, enjoying the wide eyed expression as they made their approach.
"Go ahead, Fab1." Virgil's voice sounded through the comm.
"Requesting clearance to land, mister Virgil, sir."
"You're clear to land, see you soon." The audio cut as Parker began their descent.
"Which one was that?" Gordon asked from his spot above her.
"Virgil," Penelope answered, holding Sherbert closer as their momentum increased. "Second oldest."
"Flies the big green tank," he laughed. "That thing has to have magic keeping it airborne."
"Well, if you're very nice, he might let you see it." Reaching up, she took his arm and encouraged him back into the seat.
"Even Thunderbird 4?"
"Especially that one," it was like offering Sherbert a biscuit how easy it was to spin the genie's enthusiasm. Penelope would have berated herself for encouraging it, but she found it truly refreshing. Centuries old and she could send him in a tizzy with just a mention of the little yellow sub.
Their landing was flawless as ever, Parker opening the door and Gordon offering his hand to help her out. They were met by Virgil and Alan, the younger seeming excited to meet their guest. It was rare for anyone new to step foot on the secret island.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," Penelope greeted. "I do hope we aren't late." They weren't by any means.
"Right on time," Virgil confirmed.
"Yeah, you missed Grandma's beef stew." Alan pretended to gag, much to Gordon's amusement as he gave a quiet chuckle.
"Boys, I'd like to introduce you to my new associate, Gordon," she gestured to the man happily wearing a bright Hawaiian shirt. Little sacrifices, she assured herself. "Gordon, this is Virgil and Alan."
"Nice to meet you," the genie shook their hands, Penelope well aware that he had bottled up the desire to run straight for the water. "This place is amazing! Do you think I could go for a swim?" Ah, there went the cork.
"Oh, yeah!" Alan practically bounced. "We've got a pool or we could go down to one of the beaches? Ooo! Do you know how to surf?"
The teen's exuberance only helped to fan the flames as Gordon matched the tone, "Yes to all of it! That's okay, right?"
It took her far too long to realize he was asking for her permission, too taken aback by the blondes currently feeding off each other. "Of course, just stay with Alan."
'Is that a wish?' Gordon mouthed, the brothers unable to see.
She thought about it for a moment, but couldn't find any reason it could go wrong. If Alan got tired of him, she could reverse it, but seeing as how eager the boy looked to make a new friend, she didn't see that happening any time soon. So, she nodded.
"Yes!" His fingers snapped. "Alright, where to first?" Gordon was forced to wait and Parker slung a pack over his shoulder.
"You'll be needin' that," the chauffeur shook his head as he returned for Penelope's bags.
"Follow me! We can get changed over here!" Alan was already heading towards the locker rooms, Gordon following like an excited puppy.
She shook her head after he disappeared around the corner. "I do apologize. This is his first time this close to an ocean in years. He's normally not this energetic."
Virgil laughed, taking a few of the bags Parker had set out. "I don't think I've ever seen Alan this excited. It's nice." His smile softened as they began their trek to the lounge. "We keep forgetting how much younger he is. It'll be nice to have someone around who's closer to his age."
There was no reason to correct the engineer - Gordon's age irrelevant, but that didn't mean the statement wasn't true. Personality wise, the genie and Alan would be a good fit on this visit.
"Then I'm glad we came," which was the truth. The Tracys worked far too hard to miss out on the joys of life. If Alan needed a friend that could help alleviate some of the pressures of their job, then she would visit as often as they requested.
OoOoOoO
"And this is my 'bird!"
Gordon leaned against the railing to get a better view of the massive red rocket sitting quietly in her launch bay. He let out a long whistle, in awe of the impressive technology. The world's advancements had been one of the major shocks almost every time he was summoned. Going from horse drawn carriages to Corvettes and now Thunderbirds left his head spinning.
"She's gorgeous, Al," he pat the younger blonde on the back.
Alan's smile grew with the praise, but fell into a pout. "Too bad we can't take her up without an emergency."
"That would be pretty cool," Gordon lamented with the teen before hastily adding, "the taking her up part, not the emergency part. What do those usually entail anyway?"
"They can be pretty intense sometimes," Alan started as they hit the stairs. "There was one time I had to save some astronauts from space debris that had damaged their ship while simultaneously avoiding huge hunks of asteroids." It sounded like Alan found more excitement than wariness in such an endeavour.
"Sounds dangerous," Gordon grinned.
"Oh, it is."
They continued on down, both sporting blue scuba suits, detouring through the hangar towards one of the beaches. Alan had mentioned this was the only way to get to it, but part of him wondered if the kid just liked showing off his family's toys.
"And you usually have to go alone?" Gordon found that thought a bit alarming. Impressive, but Alan couldn't be more than nineteen. How could his brothers be comfortable sending him on missions alone?
"It's pretty rare I'm by myself," he shrugged. "One of my brothers or Kayo go with me, but there are occasions where we're spread pretty thin."
"What do yo-" One second, Gordon had been gungho to learn more and the next he was face to plexiglass tank with the sub that didn't need explanation. "Holy - wow - she's beautiful!"
"I guess," Alan laughed as Gordon pressed his hands against the clear surface, feeling the water's current on the other side. "We all know how to pilot Thunderbird 4, but I can't say she's our favorite."
"Awww - poor girl! I'd give anything to see how she swims."
"You'd have to convince Scott and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be thrilled I brought you down here before he met you." Alan didn't sound the slightest regretful. "C'mon, we'll go surfing and then we can ask him."
With one last longing glance at the yellow sub, Gordon quickly followed, the thought of getting into the water outweighing that of being inside Thunderbird 4. The beach - if that's what it could be called - was more of a man-made ramp cut out of the mountain. A supply closet had been set into the rock wall and housed equipment that Gordon didn't quite recognize, as well as an assortment of small boats, kayaks and surfboards.
All of that lost importance, however, as he took the first step into water. His eyes closed and every ounce of him fell away, through the ebb and flow as the waves rolled over his skin. He could feel her depth, her life that protected and provided. All of her power welcomed him as he stood at the ocean's edge.
A tap to his arm had his eyes open reluctantly to find a bright orange surfboard waiting for him.
"Thanks," Gordon took it with an appreciative smile.
"You okay, man?" Alan asked, adjusting his own board as he stepped up next to him.
"Yeah, just been a while since I got my feet wet." A toothy grin and he gestured to the waves that crashed farther out. "After you."
"Alright! Just stick close," the young blonde took a few steps out and placed the board down, propelling himself out. Gordon gleefully followed suit, letting his hands drag through the water with each stroke.
It seemed too short a trip before they stopped and Gordon was forced to sit up on the board. At least his feet were happy, his right hand toying with the surface and left keeping him propped up.
"We try to avoid that area," Alan was pointing towards an area that swirled and bubbled. Gordon could feel the rocky structures that the water buffeted against without needing further explanation.
"Gotcha, is it cool if I do something real quick?" Gordon was practically ready to crawl out of his skin.
Alan looked at him a bit confused, but shot him a thumbs up anyway. "Sure, what's that?"
"Time me," he undid the leash from his ankle and slid off the board into the dark water. "I'll just be a few minutes."
"Minutes?" The astronaut nearly shouted, but Gordon was already diving.
The sounds of the waves and ocean birds were gone, replaced by the dull churning of the currents. He reached down into the depths, moving effortlessly to go deeper as he felt something strange the farther he went. Curiosity had taken hold and before he knew it, Gordon was at the bottom.
He knew Alan hadn't followed, still sitting on his board at the surface, but the genie needed to keep in mind what was an appropriate amount of time for someone to stay under. Two minutes would be pushing it for an average person. Longer if you trained. The kid would only tolerate his absence for so long before calling for help.
He would be quick.
There, nestled in the sand, was a large hunk of metal. It was machinery, scared and torn. Gordon was left wondering just how it got there. He debated taking it back up until a little fish wriggled it's way out to search for food. Decision made, he left the makeshift home and added a question to ask Lady Penelope later.
Time to go back up. How long was that? The watch Penelope had given him said he'd been under for two and a half minutes, so with an urgency that wasn't necessary, Gordon darted for the surface.
Mischief flooded his senses, much like the sea, and he aimed for just behind his new friend's board. He surfaced soundlessly, treading water as he watched the worry begin to grow on the young man's face. Alright, maybe he was going a bit far.
"Whacha lookin' for?" Gordon asked cheerfully and chuckled when Alan jumped.
"Whoa! Where - how long were you down there?" Alan couldn't help laughing, as well.
"Three minutes, tops," Gordon climbed back up on his board, smoothing his wet hair out of his face. "This place is amazing!"
"Tell me about it!" Alan beamed. "It's so easy to forget sometimes. I know Lady Penelope said you guys might be staying a few days. There's plenty more to see, if you want."
"Absolutely! Now, let's see how well you surf," he let the challenge float between them.
"Oh, just you watch and see!"
Alan went first once they had positioned themselves just in range of the cresting waves. It was an impressive display of energy and a bit of showboating as he pulled off a decent 180 before cutting out as the wave crashed. He gave the signal for Gordon to go, sitting just out of the powerful foams reach.
As he paddled forwards, old memories of the last time he'd been given some freedom in the water came rushing back. It was so long ago, but the muscle memory along with his complete comfort in water made it easy to find his footing and glide down and across, kicking up ocean spray with each turn. It was exhilarating and he never wanted to stop.
Eventually, they would have to, but for now they had all afternoon and plenty of sunshine.
On their seventh run, however, Alan looked ready to call it quits.
"You wanna call it a day?" Gordon asked, not wanting to himself, but not thrilled with the possibility that the kid was pushing too hard to keep up with someone who couldn't physically tire.
"Gettin' tired, old man?" Alan teased, but he could see the grateful expression that came with the suggestion.
"Ha ha, you wish," Gordon smiled as he lay across his board.
"Alright, one run and we'll go take a break."
"Good plan, last one in gets to wax the boards."
"You're on!" The astronaut's hands dove into the water as he started the race without warning.
Gordon shouted in protest, but easily caught up as they made it to the cresting wave. It should have been a straight shot down the sloping water and onto the beach, but as the genie prepared to stand and his fingers brushed over the wave, something under the surface sent his heart jumping into his throat.
Alan was already up, gliding down the surface and there was no time to warn him.
He hit the mass hard, Alan flying forward as the board lagged from the impact. Gordon lost visuals on the kid, but the water said he was close to the surface, arms and legs propelling him up -
The sound of the board colliding with Alan's head echoed in Gordon's. A sickening, dull thud and then the wave was crashing around them. Over Alan. Behind the genie and pushing him away from the astronaut who desperately needed saving.
There was only one option and he lifted the watch to his mouth.
