Scott awoke to glorious sunshine, he sat up and blinked as his eyes adjusted then moved his hand across the bed hoping to find Kayo, but the bed was empty.

"Kayo?" He was met with silence and his eyebrows curved in unhappily as he got out of bed to shower and dress for the day ahead.

Kayo in actuality was downstairs in the lounge with the rest of the family hanging up balloons and party streamers which were ready to be pulled when Scott would enter, presents were laid out on the piano lid in mixes of blues and red wrapping paper and Jeff had made a pot of hot fresh coffee with a stack of waffles.

"This all looks great," Kayo smiled as she re-angled a framed photo of Scott and Jeff on the desk, "he's going to love it."

"Should I surprise him boys?"

Gordon raised an eyebrow, "how so?"

"Something like jump out from a concealed place."

"No, don't dad, he's just got you back," Virgil smiled, "ooh I can hear him," he slid onto the piano stool and nodded to Gordon and Alan to prepare the party streamers.

"For he's a jolly good…" Scott rounded the corner into the lounge and yelped as strings of coloured paper showered down over him and Virgil began to play the piano.

("Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to Scott! Happy birthday to you.") They all sang.

Scott smiled almost tearfully as his father wrapped his arms around him, "thanks dad, and you guys, this is the best birthday ever already."

Kayo kissed him as he joined her at the piano, "happy birthday sweet pea," she pulled a streamer off his shoulder.

"Thanks sweetheart."

Jeff smiled as Scott sat down at his desk, "coffee and personalised waffles?"

"Awh dad, these were always my favourite," he smiled down at the S shaped treats, "this is way too kind, I'm 27."

"Yep, suck it up old man, even dad is younger than you now," Virgil winked from the piano stool and Scott flashed his middle finger up at him without anyone seeing him.

"Do you want to open presents Scotty?" Alan asked excitedly.

"Sure, but my best present is dad being here," Scott grinned up at Jeff who ruffled his hair gently.

Alan smiled at John and grabbed their present off the piano, "it's from me and John."

"Thanks sprout," Scott put his coffee down as he took the box from Alan, he unwrapped it and put the card aside, "this is big guys."

"It's just a little something, and it goes with another present."

Scott opened the box then smiled seeing the items inside, "these are beautiful," he brought out a couple of glasses engraved with the slogans of the Thunderbirds, he read the one for his ship, "'sleek, first and fast,' too right."

John smiled, "do you like them?"

"I love them, thank you guys," he put the box down and hugged Alan tightly before standing up to hug John.

Virgil picked a small box up off the music stand, "I cheapened out."

Scott laughed, "Virg, I don't need fancy things all the time," he took the box from his brothers hand and opened it, "oh cute."

"Told you he'd like it, Gords."

Scott turned the pick over in his hands, "how did you get this made Virgil?"

"Just requested it, I told the maker the colours and showed him a photo, from my phone so he doesn't have it."

"Thank you Virgil," Scott smiled at the card and put it down on the desk.

"You showed someone Thunderbird 1 Virgil?"

"Yeah, we've been recorded loads of times on rescues since you've been away dad, we're not exactly a secret to anyone anymore."

Scott slipped the guitar pick into his pocket, "this is already too much for me," he dug into the waffles as Jeff picked up a bottle bag.

"This goes with the glasses."

Scott put the plate down and swallowed as his father presented him with the bottle of scotch, "you found out."

Grandma sighed, "I told him."

"Dad I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't," he muttered tearfully.

The boys looked at each other worriedly, their brother was crying on his birthday, Jeff knelt beside his son and pulled him into a hug.

"And I'm not ashamed you do, that's why I bought you this."

Scott sobbed on his father's shoulder, "thank you."

Alan frowned, "umm, what?"

Gordon tugged his arm, "no, Alan. Hey Scott, I got you something," he ran up the steps but slipped on wrapping paper, Kayo dived and caught him before he could crash into the piano.

"Whoa, easy," Kayo stood up holding Gordon in her arms, "look out for paper."

Virgil sighed, "that was way too close Gordon."

"Scott is the one who dropped it on the floor," he complained as he regained his balance, "as I was saying."

Scott smiled, "sorry, are you okay?"

"Just stretched out," Gordon handed him a soft wrapped present, "it's pretty obvious what it is."

Scott tore the paper off and put it on the desk behind him to reveal a cushion, he ran his hand across it and the shade of blue got darker, "is this for Thunderbird 1?"

"Completely up to you."

Scott chuckled, "thanks minnow," he pulled him into a hug and Gordon sighed happily, he got money from Grandma and two new ship controllers after losing two of his own in the Oort cloud from Brains then Kayo got the blue box off the piano.

"Here sweetheart."

Scott took the box from her and opened it, not seeing her pull a necklace out from under the top of her dress, "awh, I remember you taking this photo."

Kayo nodded, "to go on the table in our room."

"Sweetheart, it's beautiful."

"Wait wait there's something else too!"

Virgil leant on the piano keys, "you've never been good at treasure hunts."

Scott reached into the box and pulled out a charm necklace then spotted the one around Kayo's neck, "this has something to do with that doesn't it?"

Kayo rolled her eyes, "come here."

Scott stood up and held his pendant up to hers, on his half heart it read Thunder and he locked it to hers which read Bird in black with a red heart over the 'i', "Kayo, I..." he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her against the piano as Virgil yawned watching them, Gordon booted him across the stool and began to hammer out the Love Theme from 'Gone with the Wind '.

Kayo broke the kiss, "I take it you like it then?"

"You're the best."

"Enough Gordon," Virgil kicked his foot off the pedal and grabbed his hands, "you're a windup merchant."

"Frankly dear brother I don't give a damn."

"Is this what you were wearing yesterday?" Scott asked as the party began properly and he got Kayo alone, he held the necklace in his hand rubbing his thumb across the engraving.

"Yep, if you had seen it you would've wondered where the other half was."

Suddenly the klaxon went off and Jeff faced his desk to receive the call, but was taken back when EOS appeared in front of John's portrait.

"Sorry to disturb the celebrations, Mr Tracy, but IR is required. Happy Birthday Scott."

Scott smiled, "thank you, EOS."

"What's the situation EOS?" Jeff asked and out of the corner of his eye he saw John smile.

"We need everyone, there's been a tsunami off the coast of Thailand, no-one is in immediate danger and there is an evacuation in progress, but they need help rescuing some children from a school, they're trapped on the roof."

Scott nodded, "Virgil, launch Thunderbird 2. Gordon and Alan go with him, John you may as well go with them too. Kayo, launch Shadow and follow us. Let's suit up."

Jeff took Scott's place at his desk, "good luck, all of you."

Virgil stood with his back against the painting of Jeff's Martian rocket, "see you in the skies."

Grandma placed her hand on Jeff's shoulder, "they'll be back before you know it, even with a mission Scott will have a great birthday."

Jeff nodded, "I'll monitor this one, they're all out there," Max began sweeping up and beeped happily, "I thought we were going to have to do that."

Brains chuckled, "uh no Mr Tracy, we, I d-decided that I could put him to good use."

Scott landed first and hummed thoughtfully, "this shouldn't be too hard. Thunderbird 2, how far away are you?"

"Ten minutes," Virgil smiled.

"Good. Kayo?"

"Just about to land on the roof, I'll look after the kids," Kayo landed and jumped down to the roof looking down at Scott next to Thunderbird 1, she went to check on the kids then called Scott, "come up and join me."

Scott smiled and fired his jet pack, he landed beside Kayo, "is everyone okay?"

Kayo nodded, "luckily I speak some Filipino, but a lot of the children speak English. No injuries, they're just scared."

Thunderbird 2 roared onto the scene and all eyes turned upwards, there were some cheers and Scott smirked at Kayo, she nodded patting his chest sympathetically.

"They like Thunderbird 1 too."

"Not as much as Virgil's ship."

The hatch opened from Thunderbird 2's module and the seat harness came down, Gordon balanced on the edge of one of the chairs and caught Scott's eye with a wink, John and Alan abseiled down to the ground and went inside the hospital leaving Scott and Kayo to help Gordon in the evacuation.

"Having a good birthday Scott?"

Scott smirked, "it's still in the top 5, I know dad is at home, and we're saving lives."

Gordon looked between him and Kayo, "but you're wishing you were doing something else huh?" He helped a young boy into his seat.

Scott gazed longingly at Kayo who was standing on the edge of the roof beside Virgil, "yes, but this comes first."

John smiled at Alan as they left the hospital, "good thing everyone was taken to safety from the wards."

"Yeah, just the kids left and it looks like that evacuation is done," Alan looked up at the sky as Thunderbird 2 flew over them, "I just hope he comes back for us."

John chuckled as they walked to dryer ground, "I'm sure he will."

Scott jet packed down to them holding Kayo in his arms, "Virgil and Gordon have taken the children to a medical centre, they'll be back in about ten minutes."

Kayo smiled as her boots touched the ground, "thanks for the lift."

Scott smiled, "let's go home. Our assistance is no longer needed."

"Are you sure Scott?" John asked, "that seemed too easy."

"Is EOS ever wrong?"

"I heard that Scott, and I am not. I have just done a scan and the evacuation is underway, IR are no longer needed," EOS' voice rang happily from John's communicator, "sorry, I should've asked for permission to call."

John smiled, "don't worry."

Kayo stood by Shadow's bike, "hey guys, we have a party to finish. See you at home."

Scott grinned, "FAB."

Alan watched the two birds fly into the horizon, "hmm, now I really want Virgil to hurry up."

Thunderbird 1 and Shadow landed back on the island first and the pilots made their way to the lounge after they had a shower and changed, Jeff was waiting for them.

"How did it go son?"

Scott hugged him tightly, "it was fine dad, there were no major cases in the wards at the time, Virgil and Gordon got everyone off the roof safely, Thunderbird 2 should be back soon."

Kayo nodded, "we'll restart the party, our booking isn't until six. Scott, want to join me on the beach?"

"I'd love to," Scott laced his fingers through Kayo's and they left the lounge, Jeff watched them with a smile then logged into Scott's reports over the four years the rescue organisation had been in full operation for in his absence, his son's youthful looks stared back at him at twenty three but he could see the tiniest flakes of grey creeping in at the temples due to the stress.

"Oh son, I shouldn't have ever left," he sighed as he began watching the logs.

Kayo lay her towel down flat on the sand then waded out into the water as Scott did the same, she wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled as the sunshine warmed their bodies, his hands undid her bikini and she saw the top half land on the edge of the shoreline, "what's next then?"

"That's up to you."

"Just top," Kayo murmured against his cheek as she trod water beside him, she tugged him further into land until their feet touched sand, "it's harder to kiss you out there."

Scott smiled and threaded her hair through his fingers before kissing her, "you're making this birthday even better for me. The only thing to ruin it right now would be..." he heard an approaching roar of engines, "get under, now."

Kayo laughed before taking a breath and diving down under the waves with Scott, she turned onto her back submerged to see a giant green shape fly over, catching Scott's eye she smirked and they emerged from the water out of breath, "do you think they saw us?"

"I really hope not," Scott chuckled as he lay back on the shoreline, water droplets rolled down his chest and Kayo sat up putting her bikini bra back on, "you look about ready to pounce."

"That's because I am," she tackled him before looking down at him, "you let me do that too easily."

Scott flipped her onto her back, "but you're never ready for my retaliation."

"I let you win that."

When they arrived back in the house the others were just entering the lounge from getting changed after the mission, Jeff pulled Scott aside gently and he nodded.

"Scott, I saw your mission reports from the Earthquake."

"And I'm guessing by your expression, all the ones after that."

Jeff nodded, "I'm so sorry that responsibility fell to you, your aurora expedition showed me that."

"It was a tough week, non stop. I was just tired."

Jeff ran a hand through his son's hair, "you weren't grey the last time I saw you."

"I haven't changed that much dad. What would have you done in that situation? Missions back to back, would you have held us back or made us go to them?"

"I would've switched you around a bit, given you all one day to energise yourself. Scott, you pushed everyone so hard that week, you even say that in your report."

"I was just trying to be like you, you never gave up."

"People have limitations son."

Scott gasped silently, "that's what Virgil said."

Jeff got up from his seat in the study and pulled his son into a hug, they would become less frequent in time, but for now, he knew the comfort was what his boys sought after, "you don't have to do everything son, we can't save everyone."

"I know dad."

"Then don't think you owe anyone that," he sighed, "I'll have to file these reports, are they any I should avoid watching?"

Scott shrugged against his father's shirt, "I can't remember, there's four years worth of rescues on them, there's probably no point re-watching them."

Jeff nodded, "are you alright?"

Scott sighed and let his father lead him to the armchair, "I've had to be their dad, and in doing so I've lost who I am."

"Of course you haven't."

"Watching those reports, dad, who do I remind you of? Do I come across as a brother, or you?"

Jeff wheeled a stool over and placed his hand on Scott's shoulder, "I never wanted you to get the role, not until I was too old to run the organisation, and I'm sorry. I wish I had never left."

"You were asked to help get the Zero X back, you weren't to know it would take off."

"I chose to take off, if I hadn't activated the T-Drive it would've blown up. Scott, I left knowing full well the drive would take me to another part of the galaxy."

"Then why didn't you bail out?"

"I couldn't, lives would've been lost if that craft had crashed, put others before yourself."

"You didn't get in contact with us, we watched the launch and thought you had died," Scott's voice broke, "dad, I had to console Alan and convince him that you weren't dead when I knew you possibly were."

"Scott."

"No, you didn't even radio in to say goodbye, you let us watch. You've seen my report from our mission to save Braman."

"Yes, and I saw how angry you were."

"I'm even more angry now!" Scott bristled under his father's touch, "eight years dad," he choked, "eight years being you and a brother to four who didn't understand what had happened at the time. I've taken them through heartbreaks at college, balancing my own love life with rescues, and making sure Alan graduated, that was all me and I wasn't ready."

Jeff watched the tears stream down his son's cheeks, "I'm sorry Scott, there was no time to call you and say what I was planning, I had seconds to get out of that airspace," he watched the necklace swing gently from his son's neck as Scott bowed his head, "none of those rescues have been your fault."

"What do you mean?" He looked up as tears fell to the floor.

"Gordon's accident, Virgil crashing, and yourself making an emergency landing on the island. They've been caused by someone interfering, you know that don't you?" Scott nodded glumly, "so don't blame yourself, son."

"I've only got myself to blame, dad, maybe I did push them too hard but I didn't see at the time," he straightened up and tucked the chain back under his shirt.

"I want you to only focus on being the first responder now Scooter, let me take the business," he brushed the tears away gently with a thin smile.

Scott nodded, "thanks."

"And be a brother, can you do that for me?"

"Yes."

"Good. Let's go, it's still your birthday."

"Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks, for telling me the truth."

Jeff smiled, "I'm so proud of you Scott, and your mother would be too."

Scott smiled as he stood up, only the slightest bit taller, "you knew I would grow."

"You're not supposed to be taller than me though!" Jeff flung an arm across his shoulders as they walked back to the lounge where Gordon had turned on music and Kayo was dancing with Virgil on the balcony above the sunken seats.

"Party!" Gordon shouted, throwing more streamers at Scott who grabbed a cushion, "no, don't!"

Scott threw it and knocked Gordon back onto a beanbag, "ten points to me."

"A ten? I'm worth more than that."

Kayo leapt down from the balcony and landed beside Scott, "hey."

Scott wrapped his arms around her and kissed her gently, "hey. What time should we all start getting ready to hit the mainland?"

"Booking is at six, it just depends how long it takes for you to gel your hair," Kayo smirked, hearing Virgil laugh from above them, "oh you can laugh, Virgil, but it takes you an hour to perfect that spike."

"An hour, you're exaggerating."

Alan checked his watch, "well it's half 4 now, should we start getting ready?"

Jeff nodded, "we do have to get there I guess."

Kayo took out a dress from the walk in wardrobe, "you're lucky I'm wearing this. Is Penelope meeting us there, I know you invited her?"

"Yep, I just didn't want to tell Gordon," Scott pulled his tie up and folded the collar down on his shirt.

Kayo pulled her hair round over her shoulder, "zip me up would you?"

Scott smiled and walked over to her, he gazed at her reflection in the mirror as the dress was pulled together across her back, "you look stunning."

"Hmm, thank you," she ran her hand up through his hair smiling at its silky texture, "no under the table messing around tonight."

"Spoilsport, I know how much you love it," Scott brushed kisses along the back of her neck as he held her by the waist, "and besides, it's my birthday."

Kayo laughed, "only today."

"It's Friday, a three day celebration."

"In your dreams," she fingered the necklace as she looked at him in the mirror, "are you wearing yours?"

"I never take it off."

Kayo darted under his arms and moved to the closest, "heels or flats?"

"Heels."

Kayo raised an eyebrow, "I'll choose the ones which don't make me taller than you."

Scott sat down on the edge of the bed grabbing a pair of leather wingtips out from underneath, "you can show me off on the town."

"Can I please? If anyone recognises you, I want to show off."

Scott chuckled as he tied the laces up letting them hang in neat bows, "fine. I hope Virgil can fly in wingtips."

"Of course he can, he can pedal in flip flops if he chooses to."

Scott laughed as he slotted his credit card into his wallet, "that's what he claims to be able to do, it's not possible. Ready to go honey?"

"Wait a moment, which earrings? The sapphires or wolves?"

"I love the sapphires on you, they match my eyes."

"Good point," Kayo smiled as she slotted the earrings through her ears, "okay, I'm ready, just let me add a little extra mascara."

Virgil hung his jacket over the back of his chair as he slid into his seat behind the wheel of Thunderbird 2, "ready everyone?"

Jeff smiled, "it's been a long time since I've been in the old girl."

"We rescued you in her," Virgil smirked over his shoulder as Thunderbird 2 rumbled down her runway.

"I didn't really know where I was son, not truly, but now I know this is definitely real."

Grandma smiled, "that it is son."

Thunderbird 2 took off catching the sun as she climbed to cruising height, it wouldn't even be an hour flight and Jeff had volunteered himself to be a designated driver along with Parker who would meet them on the mainland with FAB1, Virgil relaxed back into his chair his fingers almost stroking the wheel and Jeff thought about how much the birds meant to his sons, they were really like an extended part of themselves, Thunderbird 2 and Virgil were connected in a way no-one but he could understand, but it could be seen in he way his son flew her, she obeyed every button and almost listened to him. They landed at a small airfield and Penelope smiled as the module opened and a car rolled down the ramp followed by Gordon, Alan and Grandma.

"Penny?" Gordon grinned, "what are you doing here?"

"It's Scott's birthday and Kayo invited me," she smiled before kissing him on the cheek.

Scott rested his elbow on the edge of the window watching them, "that's why I kept it secret,"

Kayo nodded, "of course."

Virgil locked the module behind them and armed Thunderbird 2, "let's go dad. You still know how to drive, right?"

"Of course I do, Virgil," he smiled, "just glad this baby is automatic," he drove out of the airfield as Virgil sent a form electronically to the tower before they followed FAB1 to the city centre.

Across the other side of the world, Kyrano was packing his bags to go back to the island, it had been almost ten years since he had seen his daughter in person and to his mind holograms just weren't the same, there was a creak from downstairs as if someone had walked into the house and Kyrano froze, he wasn't expecting anyone and his daughter had told him what had happened to her uncle and his brother, he put the clothes in his hands down and moved round the bed to the door to his bedroom.

"Hello?" He called and was astonished to hear a reply.

"Sir I am so sorry, GDF, we don't usually knock."

Kyrano sighed as he walked down the stairs, "the GDF, well I can say that I'm relieved."

The soldier smiled at him, "I'm a messenger from your daughter, she says she can't wait to see you," he held his hand out and Kyrano took it gladly, with a grin he squeezed hard, "and this is from the Hood," he brought out a cyber device and attached it to his mind taking everything; his memories, his powers. There was thud. His life.

"Sir, it's done."

"Good. Bring me back the device and we'll make our next move, you'll get your GDF life back I assure you, but I need your assistance first."

"Yes sir."

"Oh, we better alert Kayo don't you think? Call in the clean up operations crew then get out of there, say the ambulance is coming and that it was a heart attack."

"Very good sir."

The Hood smiled from his cell, his eye flashing on a new target.