Hey everybody, I'm back with a different Thunderbirds story. My last one,
which didn't even have a title, wasn't something I wanted to keep going
with so I decided to start something new. This one is more detailed and I
had a great time writing it. So please let me know what you think by
reviewing!
Angelina
*************************
"Alan!" Virgil jumped up out of his chair in surprise, anger glowing on his face. "What was that for?"
His fair-haired brother grinned and took a few steps back, an empty glass in his hand. The contents, or what had been the contents, was now running off Virgil's head and drenching his shirt. "I decided you looked a bit hot and could use some cooling down."
Virgil stepped towards him slowly and Alan moved backwards, matching his pace. Only a few more steps now, Virgil though to himself. Just a little bit more. . .
Splash! Alan's sandal-clad foot met the ledge of the pool and he tipped backwards, tumbling into the crystal-clear water below. The glass in his hand went flying and Scott grabbed it before it could hit the patio floor.
The Tracy brothers, minus John who was in the space station orbiting the earth, began to laugh. Scott put the cup on the table and sat down beside Gordon who found the entire scene rather funny. He and Tin-Tin were doubled over with laughter at the sight of his soaked brother treading water in the pool.
"All I did was dump water on you, you dumped me in the water!" Alan protested as he swam to the side and grasped the ledge. He stared up at Virgil who was having trouble keeping a straight face.
"That was the whole point, Alan. You should know by now that older brothers are supposed to do double the damage."
"Oh, shut up." Alan climbed out of the pool and grabbed a towel from his father while still glaring at Virgil.
Jeff Tracy sat down under the umbrella next to his oldest son, Scott. It had been a lazy morning for all of them and there had been no calls for International Rescue for quite a few days now. Because of this, he had decided his sons deserved a break and had taken them to the mainland for a holiday. The hotel they were staying at was large and sat right on the edge of a cliff overlooking tossing blue waves. The pool was set back from the ledge; it's waters sunken below the ceramic patio that lined the deck to one side. A bridge led from the main part of the hotel over the small stretch of ocean between it and the recreation area.
Alan slouched down on the warm tiles and wrapped the towel tighter around himself. He was still scowling at everyone who had laughed at him, which only left out Kyrano, Tin-Tin's father. He was coming across the bridge with a large platter of lemonade and enough cups to go around.
The calmness of the day was shattered when a strong gust of wind came out of nowhere. The bridge began to rock and the platter fell from Kyrano's grip into the ocean below. He grasped the rope handrails of the bridge and held on tightly as another burst of wind knocked the umbrella from its hole in the table.
The force was so strong that Alan believed only a tornado would rival its strength. Everything became cold and he shuddered against his wet clothes only to feel goose bumps running up and down his skin.
Kyrano continued to make his way across the bridge. The Tracy's and Tin-Tin were desperately trying to hold onto napkins and paper cups as the wind threatened to blow them away. All of a sudden, the bridge slid sideways and Kyrano lost his grip, stumbling forwards and towards the rope ledge.
The next few seconds almost seemed to be in slow motion. Kyrano tried to grab onto something to stop himself from falling but it was no use. His fingers slipped from the rope and he began to tumble into the rocking waves below.
"Father!" Tin-Tin yelled, her voice captured by the wind and her words lost. "Oh, Father! He can't swim!"
Scott kicked off his shoes and ran towards the cliff edge. Below him, Kyrano was bobbing up and down, tossed by the sea like a piece of paper on the breeze. He took a deep breath and jumped off the edge, performing a perfect dive into the ocean fifteen feet beneath.
"Scott!" Gordon cried, alarmed. The rest of them looked down over the cliff to watch the rescue Scott was trying to attempt.
Alan stood up and tried to calm Tin-Tin down as she clutched his arm. Jeff's forehead was creased with worry because, although he knew Scott was an excellent swimmer, the waves looked too strong for a human being. Kyrano was merely a dot on the surface, bouncing around in the current.
Scott plunged under the water head first, feeling as if someone had just wrapped him in a sheet of ice. He shivered mentally and pushed up to the surface. As soon as his vision had cleared and he'd pushed his dark hair out of his eyes, he could make out the faint form of Kyrano floating only a few feet away.
Swimming hard, Scott headed towards him, his leg muscles aching with the effort. It took a few minutes of straining his limbs but eventually he was within reach of the older man. Wrapping one arm around Kyrano, he pulled him closer and turned back to the beach.
The wind was still strong and he could feel it sending chills over his upper body as he fought against the waves. His legs were numb as they kicked towards the shore, Kyrano unconscious under his arm. It took almost twice the time to return and Scott crawled onto the sand that lay beneath the bridge at one side of the cliff.
He was panting hard as he collapsed on his back and rested Kyrano down next to him. Everything he could see was going red, then black, and then red again as the blood pulsed behind his eyes. Scott groaned and shut them, willing the feeling to go away. He was trembling from the cold of his wet clothes and the wind that blew sand around them.
Tin-Tin sprung into action and sprinted for the stairs leading down to the beach, the others not far behind. She led the way until they were down on the sand before dropping to her knees beside Kyrano. Alan crouched next to her and Gordon, Virgil and Jeff leaned over Scott.
Kyrano's eyes fluttered open and he looked up at his daughter, murmuring things she couldn't understand. Alan shed his damp towel and put it over him, trying to keep him warm. He was pale and weak, having blacked out from the fall. Tin-Tin tried to get him to speak coherently and keep him awake until they could find some way to get him back up the steps. She knew the boys could probably carry him, but turning to the others who were inspecting Scott, she wondered if they'd need to carry him too.
"Scott?" Virgil shook his older brother gently, willing him to open his eyes. "Scott, can you hear me?"
Scott raised one arm to show he heard and then rested it back down on his stomach. He didn't want to open his eyes for fear that he'd get dizzy. He was still freezing cold and the sun that was shining down on the group didn't make him feel any warmer because of the wind.
"Scott, are you okay? Put up one hand for yes." Gordon prompted.
He put up the one hand, wishing everyone would go away so he could sleep. His thoughts were getting hazy and his brain was becoming fuzzy. He wasn't thinking straight and yearned for silence so he could rest.
"You have to get up." Alan was saying, having left Tin-Tin and come over to see what was happening with his brother.
"Tired," Scott moaned, blindly pushing at the air, trying to make them leave him alone.
"We know you're tired, Scott, but if you don't get warm soon, you'll get hypothermia for sure." Jeff said.
Scott opened one eye and looked up at them, letting out a sigh. He had done barely anything for the past three days and now he'd put his life in jeopardy against waves almost too strong to swim through. The cold that had seeped through his clothes and had made his skin damp and clammy almost screamed for some kind of sickness to set in.
Virgil pushed Scott into a sitting position, bracing him against his shoulder until Jeff could get some sense into him. Eventually they managed to get him to his feet, his weary legs collapsing under him.
Scott fell back to the sand with a gasp, his head finally having cleared. Some of his strength was returning, but he still wanted to sleep. He didn't think his body would ever get warm, and he felt as if he was trapped in the middle of the artic with no way out. He shivered and wrapped his arms around himself.
"Come on, Scott. You're getting paler by the minute. Do you think you can walk?" Alan asked.
He nodded and pulled himself to his feet, using his youngest brother for support. Finally, with help from Virgil and Gordon, he managed to get to the stairs. Alan and Jeff set about carrying Kyrano across the sand behind them, holding Tin-Tin's father tightly while he tried to stay up.
"I'm all right now, guys. Go help dad." Scott instructed Virgil and Gordon, getting his commanding voice back. He coughed and choked on some seawater before holding onto the handrails and stumbling up the stairs.
"You sure you don't need any help, Scott?"
"I'm fine, Virgil," he answered, determined to reach the hotel on his own. He ached all over but forced himself on, knowing he was stronger than his body was letting him be.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Scott waited for the rest of the group to bring up Kyrano and then assisted them in carrying the man across the bridge and back to the hotel. The wind had died down to a steady breeze now, and other than the damage it had done to the picnic area, it was like nothing had ever happened.
+++
"Where's Scott?" Gordon called as he walked wearily back across the bridge towards the pool where Alan and Tin-Tin were swimming.
Virgil looked up from his easel and adjusted the painter's hat he refused to paint without. "He's resting in his room for the rest of the afternoon. I've never seen waves that forceful." He put a dab of green on his canvas and studied it thoughtfully before lightening it with some white.
"Me neither." Alan agreed, passing the brightly coloured beach ball to Tin- Tin who knocked it back to him.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" She wondered, forgetting the ball and looking at Virgil and Gordon.
"Scott? Oh yeah, he'll be fine." Gordon waved off her concerns. "I think his body's just a bit surprised at the lack of exercise and then having to push itself so far today."
"That sounds about right. Scott's been a lump on the patio chair for the last few days." Alan said.
"Hey, kid, you can't talk. You haven't done much either." Gordon remarked.
"Don't call me 'kid'. And I never said I had." Alan replied, ducking under the water and grabbing Tin-Tin's legs. She cried out, feeling his hands around her ankles and kicked furiously, trying to get him off her. Tin-Tin laughed as he finally let go and came up for air.
"We should be heading in soon. It's almost supper time and we promised dad we'd all eat together in the dining room." Virgil reminded them.
"Isn't Penny coming out with Parker tonight?" Gordon questioned.
Virgil nodded and swiped at the canvas with a shock of dark blue. Before Gordon's watchful eyes, he transformed it into the raging waves that had taken over the sea only a few hours earlier.
"That's great, Virg." He commented, stepping closer for a better look.
Alan dried his hair with his towel and came over to watch his brother paint too. "Hey, isn't there that talent showcase at dinner?" He asked Gordon.
"I think so. Are you thinking of entering it?"
"Me? No way. I think Virg should."
Virgil stopped painting. "Don't get any ideas, Alan. I'm not going to do anything but relax tonight."
Alan shrugged, but Gordon could see the mischievous twinkle in his little brother's eye before the younger one turned away.
"I'm going to go get ready. I'll see you boys in the dining room at six." Tin-Tin waved and walked back across the bridge, holding her towel tightly to her as it swung gently in the breeze.
"We should do the same, Alan. Dad'll have our heads if we're late." Gordon said, starting after Tin-Tin.
"Okay, okay, I'm going." Alan followed him and then turned back to Virgil, who was still silently adding white to the waves to create the froth. "Aren't you coming?"
"I'll be there in a few minutes. Let me finish up and then I'll pack it in." He said absently.
Satisfied with this answer, Alan crossed the bridge behind Gordon and the two of them disappeared from Virgil's line of vision as he began making clouds in the pale blue sky.
+++
Virgil strode into the dining room just as the large grandfather clock in the corner chimed six o'clock. He looked around for a few moments before spotting a familiar group and making his way over to them.
"We were worried you weren't going to get here in time, Virg." Alan said, his eyes shining and his lips twisted in an odd smile.
"In time for what?" He took a seat next to Gordon and noticed the vacant chairs around the table. "Where're Scott and Kyrano?"
"Tin-Tin made Kyrano stay in bed and rest and Scott should be here soon." Alan answered, ignoring Virgil's first question.
The waiter came and took their orders and Virgil stretched out in his chair with a content sigh. Alan stood and walked towards the stage. The talent act that had been on when Virgil had entered the room was just finishing as Alan stepped up and took the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to give a warm welcome to our second act of the night, Virgil Tracy playing the piano!"
Virgil sat bolt upright, hearing his brother say his name. He stood, his face hardening slightly and made his way to the stage. He put his hand over the microphone and glared at Alan. "I thought I told you not to get any ideas?"
Alan grinned at him. "It was too late. I already had the idea in my head."
"You're dead, Alan. I'm not kidding." By the look on his face, Alan thought Virgil might actually follow through on his threat. "You know I hate playing the piano for an audience other than you guys."
"So now's your time to get over your fear."
"I never said I was afraid." Virgil protested.
"But it's what you meant. Now go and play, these people look like they're getting restless." Alan looked at him encouragingly and jumped off the stage.
Virgil glanced after him, feeling his stomach tying itself into a knot. He sat down at the large piano and stared at the polished white keys, wondering what to start with. Finally, he stretched his fingers and placed them down in a piano version of Dangerous Game by the Cass Carnaby Five.
The last note had died off and vigorous applause replaced it. He looked over his shoulder at his family, who were clapping especially loud. Virgil was about to leave the stage when Alan motioned to him to play something else. The twists in his gut slowly came undone as he blocked everything out and continued playing the piano, his hands flying over the keys and a soft melody filling the room.
Scott glanced at his watch as he ran down the hall towards the dining room. He'd fallen asleep watching an old movie on TV and was already late. He stopped to catch his breath as he stepped inside the large restaurant, only to hear the faint strains of a familiar tune coming to his ears. Scott leaned against the doorframe and watched the figure at the piano as he played. A small smile formed on his lips and he shook his head slightly before finding the Tracy table and sitting down beside his father.
"You're just in time to hear Virgil play." Jeff commented.
"I noticed. How long has he been up there?"
"Ten minutes or so."
The song ended and Alan jumped up, spotting a familiar woman standing in the doorway. He held up his hand just as Virgil was about to launch into another song and took the microphone again. "And now, we have a duet between our pianist and the lovely Wanda Lamore!" He said, his voice echoing off the pale walls.
Virgil raised his head as the woman walked up the small set of stairs to the stage and winked at him. He smiled back as she pushed the dark hair of her wig behind her shoulders. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Parker stride across the dining room to the table and seat himself across from Tin- Tin.
Virgil recalled one time when he and Lady Penelope, who sang under the name Wanda Lamore, had been goofing around on Tracy Island when it had been too cold to go outside. Everyone had gathered in the living room and she'd sung the soulful words to his piano notes. He began the intro of the song they'd done together that night and she stepped up the microphone.
A few minutes later, they were greeted with loud cheers and a few catcalls from the men in the back of the restaurant. Virgil stood up and gave Lady Penelope a brief hug in greeting and thanks and they headed back to the table to eat.
+++
Virgil climbed the stairs tiredly. It was after midnight and the Tracy's, Tin-Tin, Parker and Penelope had spent the evening talking and joking around in the dining room and the bar that adjoined it. They'd pushed Alan away from the alcohol as they always did, teasing him that he was too young to drink. Now he, Scott and Virgil were retiring to their rooms for the night, leaving the others downstairs to finish their party.
Scott yawned and went to pull his coat closer around himself when he realized he wasn't wearing it. "I left my jacket in the dining room. I'll catch up with you two tomorrow." He waved at them as he turned and headed back down the stairs. "Goodnight!"
Virgil and Alan repeated the word and went their separate ways down the hallway.
Scott took the stairs two at a time until he reached the lobby and wasn't surprised to hear his father's deep laughter mixing with Gordon's as they shared a plate of chicken wings with Parker, Penelope and Tin-Tin. He greeted them, picked up his coat and exited the room, ignoring his want to stay with them and join the fun. When he was halfway up the stairs again, he heard a voice calling his name. Scott turned and leaned over the railing to see who it was.
He felt strong hands on his back as his body tipped forward and he began to fall. The air was stolen from his lungs as his head connected with the first stair and a few seconds later he hit the wall of the landing. Scott moaned in pain as he gasped for breath, his body in a crumpled heap. Every limb ached from his previous adventure, but now a searing pain ran up and down his right arm. Scott forced his eyes open and looked up, hoping to see who had pushed him.
No one was there. Remembering someone calling him, he stood up slowly and peered down the stairwell to see if anyone was in sight. That area was vacant as well, and he hadn't recognized the voice. Disappointed, Scott walked carefully up the stairs, trying not to move his sore arm and stumbled into his room after swiping the keycard in front of the sensor.
Angelina
*************************
"Alan!" Virgil jumped up out of his chair in surprise, anger glowing on his face. "What was that for?"
His fair-haired brother grinned and took a few steps back, an empty glass in his hand. The contents, or what had been the contents, was now running off Virgil's head and drenching his shirt. "I decided you looked a bit hot and could use some cooling down."
Virgil stepped towards him slowly and Alan moved backwards, matching his pace. Only a few more steps now, Virgil though to himself. Just a little bit more. . .
Splash! Alan's sandal-clad foot met the ledge of the pool and he tipped backwards, tumbling into the crystal-clear water below. The glass in his hand went flying and Scott grabbed it before it could hit the patio floor.
The Tracy brothers, minus John who was in the space station orbiting the earth, began to laugh. Scott put the cup on the table and sat down beside Gordon who found the entire scene rather funny. He and Tin-Tin were doubled over with laughter at the sight of his soaked brother treading water in the pool.
"All I did was dump water on you, you dumped me in the water!" Alan protested as he swam to the side and grasped the ledge. He stared up at Virgil who was having trouble keeping a straight face.
"That was the whole point, Alan. You should know by now that older brothers are supposed to do double the damage."
"Oh, shut up." Alan climbed out of the pool and grabbed a towel from his father while still glaring at Virgil.
Jeff Tracy sat down under the umbrella next to his oldest son, Scott. It had been a lazy morning for all of them and there had been no calls for International Rescue for quite a few days now. Because of this, he had decided his sons deserved a break and had taken them to the mainland for a holiday. The hotel they were staying at was large and sat right on the edge of a cliff overlooking tossing blue waves. The pool was set back from the ledge; it's waters sunken below the ceramic patio that lined the deck to one side. A bridge led from the main part of the hotel over the small stretch of ocean between it and the recreation area.
Alan slouched down on the warm tiles and wrapped the towel tighter around himself. He was still scowling at everyone who had laughed at him, which only left out Kyrano, Tin-Tin's father. He was coming across the bridge with a large platter of lemonade and enough cups to go around.
The calmness of the day was shattered when a strong gust of wind came out of nowhere. The bridge began to rock and the platter fell from Kyrano's grip into the ocean below. He grasped the rope handrails of the bridge and held on tightly as another burst of wind knocked the umbrella from its hole in the table.
The force was so strong that Alan believed only a tornado would rival its strength. Everything became cold and he shuddered against his wet clothes only to feel goose bumps running up and down his skin.
Kyrano continued to make his way across the bridge. The Tracy's and Tin-Tin were desperately trying to hold onto napkins and paper cups as the wind threatened to blow them away. All of a sudden, the bridge slid sideways and Kyrano lost his grip, stumbling forwards and towards the rope ledge.
The next few seconds almost seemed to be in slow motion. Kyrano tried to grab onto something to stop himself from falling but it was no use. His fingers slipped from the rope and he began to tumble into the rocking waves below.
"Father!" Tin-Tin yelled, her voice captured by the wind and her words lost. "Oh, Father! He can't swim!"
Scott kicked off his shoes and ran towards the cliff edge. Below him, Kyrano was bobbing up and down, tossed by the sea like a piece of paper on the breeze. He took a deep breath and jumped off the edge, performing a perfect dive into the ocean fifteen feet beneath.
"Scott!" Gordon cried, alarmed. The rest of them looked down over the cliff to watch the rescue Scott was trying to attempt.
Alan stood up and tried to calm Tin-Tin down as she clutched his arm. Jeff's forehead was creased with worry because, although he knew Scott was an excellent swimmer, the waves looked too strong for a human being. Kyrano was merely a dot on the surface, bouncing around in the current.
Scott plunged under the water head first, feeling as if someone had just wrapped him in a sheet of ice. He shivered mentally and pushed up to the surface. As soon as his vision had cleared and he'd pushed his dark hair out of his eyes, he could make out the faint form of Kyrano floating only a few feet away.
Swimming hard, Scott headed towards him, his leg muscles aching with the effort. It took a few minutes of straining his limbs but eventually he was within reach of the older man. Wrapping one arm around Kyrano, he pulled him closer and turned back to the beach.
The wind was still strong and he could feel it sending chills over his upper body as he fought against the waves. His legs were numb as they kicked towards the shore, Kyrano unconscious under his arm. It took almost twice the time to return and Scott crawled onto the sand that lay beneath the bridge at one side of the cliff.
He was panting hard as he collapsed on his back and rested Kyrano down next to him. Everything he could see was going red, then black, and then red again as the blood pulsed behind his eyes. Scott groaned and shut them, willing the feeling to go away. He was trembling from the cold of his wet clothes and the wind that blew sand around them.
Tin-Tin sprung into action and sprinted for the stairs leading down to the beach, the others not far behind. She led the way until they were down on the sand before dropping to her knees beside Kyrano. Alan crouched next to her and Gordon, Virgil and Jeff leaned over Scott.
Kyrano's eyes fluttered open and he looked up at his daughter, murmuring things she couldn't understand. Alan shed his damp towel and put it over him, trying to keep him warm. He was pale and weak, having blacked out from the fall. Tin-Tin tried to get him to speak coherently and keep him awake until they could find some way to get him back up the steps. She knew the boys could probably carry him, but turning to the others who were inspecting Scott, she wondered if they'd need to carry him too.
"Scott?" Virgil shook his older brother gently, willing him to open his eyes. "Scott, can you hear me?"
Scott raised one arm to show he heard and then rested it back down on his stomach. He didn't want to open his eyes for fear that he'd get dizzy. He was still freezing cold and the sun that was shining down on the group didn't make him feel any warmer because of the wind.
"Scott, are you okay? Put up one hand for yes." Gordon prompted.
He put up the one hand, wishing everyone would go away so he could sleep. His thoughts were getting hazy and his brain was becoming fuzzy. He wasn't thinking straight and yearned for silence so he could rest.
"You have to get up." Alan was saying, having left Tin-Tin and come over to see what was happening with his brother.
"Tired," Scott moaned, blindly pushing at the air, trying to make them leave him alone.
"We know you're tired, Scott, but if you don't get warm soon, you'll get hypothermia for sure." Jeff said.
Scott opened one eye and looked up at them, letting out a sigh. He had done barely anything for the past three days and now he'd put his life in jeopardy against waves almost too strong to swim through. The cold that had seeped through his clothes and had made his skin damp and clammy almost screamed for some kind of sickness to set in.
Virgil pushed Scott into a sitting position, bracing him against his shoulder until Jeff could get some sense into him. Eventually they managed to get him to his feet, his weary legs collapsing under him.
Scott fell back to the sand with a gasp, his head finally having cleared. Some of his strength was returning, but he still wanted to sleep. He didn't think his body would ever get warm, and he felt as if he was trapped in the middle of the artic with no way out. He shivered and wrapped his arms around himself.
"Come on, Scott. You're getting paler by the minute. Do you think you can walk?" Alan asked.
He nodded and pulled himself to his feet, using his youngest brother for support. Finally, with help from Virgil and Gordon, he managed to get to the stairs. Alan and Jeff set about carrying Kyrano across the sand behind them, holding Tin-Tin's father tightly while he tried to stay up.
"I'm all right now, guys. Go help dad." Scott instructed Virgil and Gordon, getting his commanding voice back. He coughed and choked on some seawater before holding onto the handrails and stumbling up the stairs.
"You sure you don't need any help, Scott?"
"I'm fine, Virgil," he answered, determined to reach the hotel on his own. He ached all over but forced himself on, knowing he was stronger than his body was letting him be.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Scott waited for the rest of the group to bring up Kyrano and then assisted them in carrying the man across the bridge and back to the hotel. The wind had died down to a steady breeze now, and other than the damage it had done to the picnic area, it was like nothing had ever happened.
+++
"Where's Scott?" Gordon called as he walked wearily back across the bridge towards the pool where Alan and Tin-Tin were swimming.
Virgil looked up from his easel and adjusted the painter's hat he refused to paint without. "He's resting in his room for the rest of the afternoon. I've never seen waves that forceful." He put a dab of green on his canvas and studied it thoughtfully before lightening it with some white.
"Me neither." Alan agreed, passing the brightly coloured beach ball to Tin- Tin who knocked it back to him.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" She wondered, forgetting the ball and looking at Virgil and Gordon.
"Scott? Oh yeah, he'll be fine." Gordon waved off her concerns. "I think his body's just a bit surprised at the lack of exercise and then having to push itself so far today."
"That sounds about right. Scott's been a lump on the patio chair for the last few days." Alan said.
"Hey, kid, you can't talk. You haven't done much either." Gordon remarked.
"Don't call me 'kid'. And I never said I had." Alan replied, ducking under the water and grabbing Tin-Tin's legs. She cried out, feeling his hands around her ankles and kicked furiously, trying to get him off her. Tin-Tin laughed as he finally let go and came up for air.
"We should be heading in soon. It's almost supper time and we promised dad we'd all eat together in the dining room." Virgil reminded them.
"Isn't Penny coming out with Parker tonight?" Gordon questioned.
Virgil nodded and swiped at the canvas with a shock of dark blue. Before Gordon's watchful eyes, he transformed it into the raging waves that had taken over the sea only a few hours earlier.
"That's great, Virg." He commented, stepping closer for a better look.
Alan dried his hair with his towel and came over to watch his brother paint too. "Hey, isn't there that talent showcase at dinner?" He asked Gordon.
"I think so. Are you thinking of entering it?"
"Me? No way. I think Virg should."
Virgil stopped painting. "Don't get any ideas, Alan. I'm not going to do anything but relax tonight."
Alan shrugged, but Gordon could see the mischievous twinkle in his little brother's eye before the younger one turned away.
"I'm going to go get ready. I'll see you boys in the dining room at six." Tin-Tin waved and walked back across the bridge, holding her towel tightly to her as it swung gently in the breeze.
"We should do the same, Alan. Dad'll have our heads if we're late." Gordon said, starting after Tin-Tin.
"Okay, okay, I'm going." Alan followed him and then turned back to Virgil, who was still silently adding white to the waves to create the froth. "Aren't you coming?"
"I'll be there in a few minutes. Let me finish up and then I'll pack it in." He said absently.
Satisfied with this answer, Alan crossed the bridge behind Gordon and the two of them disappeared from Virgil's line of vision as he began making clouds in the pale blue sky.
+++
Virgil strode into the dining room just as the large grandfather clock in the corner chimed six o'clock. He looked around for a few moments before spotting a familiar group and making his way over to them.
"We were worried you weren't going to get here in time, Virg." Alan said, his eyes shining and his lips twisted in an odd smile.
"In time for what?" He took a seat next to Gordon and noticed the vacant chairs around the table. "Where're Scott and Kyrano?"
"Tin-Tin made Kyrano stay in bed and rest and Scott should be here soon." Alan answered, ignoring Virgil's first question.
The waiter came and took their orders and Virgil stretched out in his chair with a content sigh. Alan stood and walked towards the stage. The talent act that had been on when Virgil had entered the room was just finishing as Alan stepped up and took the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to give a warm welcome to our second act of the night, Virgil Tracy playing the piano!"
Virgil sat bolt upright, hearing his brother say his name. He stood, his face hardening slightly and made his way to the stage. He put his hand over the microphone and glared at Alan. "I thought I told you not to get any ideas?"
Alan grinned at him. "It was too late. I already had the idea in my head."
"You're dead, Alan. I'm not kidding." By the look on his face, Alan thought Virgil might actually follow through on his threat. "You know I hate playing the piano for an audience other than you guys."
"So now's your time to get over your fear."
"I never said I was afraid." Virgil protested.
"But it's what you meant. Now go and play, these people look like they're getting restless." Alan looked at him encouragingly and jumped off the stage.
Virgil glanced after him, feeling his stomach tying itself into a knot. He sat down at the large piano and stared at the polished white keys, wondering what to start with. Finally, he stretched his fingers and placed them down in a piano version of Dangerous Game by the Cass Carnaby Five.
The last note had died off and vigorous applause replaced it. He looked over his shoulder at his family, who were clapping especially loud. Virgil was about to leave the stage when Alan motioned to him to play something else. The twists in his gut slowly came undone as he blocked everything out and continued playing the piano, his hands flying over the keys and a soft melody filling the room.
Scott glanced at his watch as he ran down the hall towards the dining room. He'd fallen asleep watching an old movie on TV and was already late. He stopped to catch his breath as he stepped inside the large restaurant, only to hear the faint strains of a familiar tune coming to his ears. Scott leaned against the doorframe and watched the figure at the piano as he played. A small smile formed on his lips and he shook his head slightly before finding the Tracy table and sitting down beside his father.
"You're just in time to hear Virgil play." Jeff commented.
"I noticed. How long has he been up there?"
"Ten minutes or so."
The song ended and Alan jumped up, spotting a familiar woman standing in the doorway. He held up his hand just as Virgil was about to launch into another song and took the microphone again. "And now, we have a duet between our pianist and the lovely Wanda Lamore!" He said, his voice echoing off the pale walls.
Virgil raised his head as the woman walked up the small set of stairs to the stage and winked at him. He smiled back as she pushed the dark hair of her wig behind her shoulders. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Parker stride across the dining room to the table and seat himself across from Tin- Tin.
Virgil recalled one time when he and Lady Penelope, who sang under the name Wanda Lamore, had been goofing around on Tracy Island when it had been too cold to go outside. Everyone had gathered in the living room and she'd sung the soulful words to his piano notes. He began the intro of the song they'd done together that night and she stepped up the microphone.
A few minutes later, they were greeted with loud cheers and a few catcalls from the men in the back of the restaurant. Virgil stood up and gave Lady Penelope a brief hug in greeting and thanks and they headed back to the table to eat.
+++
Virgil climbed the stairs tiredly. It was after midnight and the Tracy's, Tin-Tin, Parker and Penelope had spent the evening talking and joking around in the dining room and the bar that adjoined it. They'd pushed Alan away from the alcohol as they always did, teasing him that he was too young to drink. Now he, Scott and Virgil were retiring to their rooms for the night, leaving the others downstairs to finish their party.
Scott yawned and went to pull his coat closer around himself when he realized he wasn't wearing it. "I left my jacket in the dining room. I'll catch up with you two tomorrow." He waved at them as he turned and headed back down the stairs. "Goodnight!"
Virgil and Alan repeated the word and went their separate ways down the hallway.
Scott took the stairs two at a time until he reached the lobby and wasn't surprised to hear his father's deep laughter mixing with Gordon's as they shared a plate of chicken wings with Parker, Penelope and Tin-Tin. He greeted them, picked up his coat and exited the room, ignoring his want to stay with them and join the fun. When he was halfway up the stairs again, he heard a voice calling his name. Scott turned and leaned over the railing to see who it was.
He felt strong hands on his back as his body tipped forward and he began to fall. The air was stolen from his lungs as his head connected with the first stair and a few seconds later he hit the wall of the landing. Scott moaned in pain as he gasped for breath, his body in a crumpled heap. Every limb ached from his previous adventure, but now a searing pain ran up and down his right arm. Scott forced his eyes open and looked up, hoping to see who had pushed him.
No one was there. Remembering someone calling him, he stood up slowly and peered down the stairwell to see if anyone was in sight. That area was vacant as well, and he hadn't recognized the voice. Disappointed, Scott walked carefully up the stairs, trying not to move his sore arm and stumbled into his room after swiping the keycard in front of the sensor.