The next morning, Penelope woke up early to meet her father who had arrived late in the night, he kissed her forehead.

"Father, did you have any trouble getting here?"

"It was very pleasant Pen, thank you. What do we need to do for this ball later then?"

"It's just decorating really, and International Rescue will be arriving soon. They can help, although I think they're arriving in costume."

"Even Gordon Tracy?" Mr Ward scoffed.

"Dad, please? You know how I feel about Gordon, he cares so much."

Mr Ward laughed. "I'm only teasing you, pumpkin. What time are the other guests coming?"

"Oh much later, the party doesn't start until seven. It's just the Tracys live on the other side of the world."

"I'll try to keep out of your way with the house then."

"Please don't, Father. I'd love to decorate with you. Plus we've always got Parker to help."

Mr Ward smiled. "I don't know what you would do without him."

"I wouldn't be an agent that's for sure, I owe you so much for letting me be one."

"I knew I'd need someone to keep the family business going, and that was you," he smiled as Penelope hugged him. "Come on missy, let's find Parker and get decorating."

Virgil looked back at some of the members sleeping and smiled as Scott yawned, "jet lag hitting you?"

"Thankfully no, but I'm sure it will later. I'll have a rest this afternoon."

"That's if Penny lets you," Virgil smirked. "We'll be on decoration duty as soon as we get there."

Scott shrugged. "Perhaps. We'll see though."

Gordon leant on the back of the two eldest's chairs, "we're arriving so early. Don't you think we should be in casual wear? We know how to do the makeup."

Kayo raised an eyebrow, "we can't all change into casual clothing."

Scott sighed. "Kayo's right. I guess those who can change, change. Those who can't, just relax."

Virgil smirked. "That's Kayo, Grandma and possibly you, Gordon."

Scott stood up, "how long until we land, Virgil?"

"An hour."

"FAB. I'm going to change."

Penelope sat by the bay window hanging up fake spider webs, when she saw Thunderbird 2 in the distance, she activated her compact and called Virgil.

"I can see you approaching."

"Hi, Penny. Yes, where is it safe to land?"

"Park her in the field behind the house."

"FAB. Thanks, Penny," Virgil smiled and the ship flew over the house making the floor vibrate.

The family went down into the module and split into two groups to get the cars. Virgil got into the blue Renault with Grandma, John and Ridley, whilst Scott got into the black Mercedes with Kayo, Gordon and Alan. They drove round to the front of the house and parked up as the front door opened.

"Hello boys, Grandma Tracy," Penelope smiled as Kayo walked up the steps with Ridley after the boys. "Hello, ladies. Wow, your costumes are lovely, but how come the rest of you aren't dressed up?"

Scott laughed. "Some costumes are easier to change out of than others."

Gordon smiled at her, "I'm afraid mine isn't easy so you're stuck with me as The Mad Hatter."

"You're always mad though," Penelope kissed his cheek as the others walked into the house. "Kayo, your dress is spectacular."

"Thank you, but I think Grandma wins this time around."

"Mrs Havisham? That's wonderful," Penelope laughed as she hugged the older woman.

"Do you need any help in decorating the house, Penny?" Virgil asked from the floor petting Sherbet.

"We're almost done, I was just decorating the downstairs rooms with cobwebs."

Mr Ward walked into the hallway and Gordon stiffened slightly, "visitors."

"Father, these are the Tracys, and Captain Ridley O' Bannon."

"Pleased to meet you all, I knew Jeff Tracy well. And it's a pleasure to meet you, Captain."

Grandma smiled at the mention of her son, "he's talked about you too."

"Sally, I'm so sorry about Jeff's disappearance, my company won't stop searching for him, I promise."

"Thank you, Rowan."

Penelope smiled. "Shall we take tea in the lounge?"

"That sounds like a great idea," Scott looped his arm around Kayo's and they followed Penelope into the main room.

"Don't worry about your bags, Parker will take them."

Gordon looked up, "what? No, we can take them, Penelope. Virgil, give me a hand?"

"Fine."

The two boys got to work as the hall emptied, they checked quickly about the room arrangements except for Gordon who found out on the way up the staircase.

"Penelope says I'm in her room whilst we're here," Gordon scratched the back of his head.

"Why are you worried about that? I thought you'd be over the moon?" Virgil asked with a grin.

"What about her father though?"

Virgil smiled. "It's Penny's decision, you haven't invited yourself. Plus it means I get my own room," he opened the door to one of the bigger bedrooms and put down his bags including his guitar case.

"So Scott is with Kayo, John with Ridley, and you and Alan have your own rooms," Gordon counted on his fingers. "I guess that works."

"Yep. Now hurry up, we don't want to come across as antisocial."

Gordon nodded. "Alright, that's the last bag. Let's go. So, are you going to serenade us on the piano?"

"I wasn't planning to."

"But Penny keeps it in tune for you."

Virgil smiled. "I appreciate that, but it's in the other hall, I think I'll stay in the lounge and chat with everyone," he heard music suddenly. "Oh, Scott has already beaten me to it."

"They've moved into the ballroom then," Gordon skipped the last two steps as Virgil walked into the room, his eyes flicking immediately over to where Scott was sitting at the piano entertaining the group.

Grandma smiled as Virgil sat down next to Kayo, "thanks, boys."

Virgil nodded. "No problem, right Gordon?"

"Yep."

Scott released the pedal, "sorry Virgil, I've stolen your spot."

Virgil laughed. "Well, I've stolen yours."

Kayo smiled. "Penny, the house looks great, we can't wait for this evening."

Alan yawned. "I'm going to wander the grounds, would anyone care to join me?"

John smiled. "If you don't mind Ridley and myself joining you?"

Alan shrugged. "Nah, I don't mind."

The day went on and the house was beginning to look even spookier. Virgil was in the ballroom helping Penelope put up decorations and the hired kitchen staff were setting up the buffet table.

"Don't worry about the food yet, Sam, the guests won't be arriving for a while."

"Understood Miss Creighton. Would you like confetti on the table?"

"That would be lovely, thank you," Penelope turned back to the window and scattered spiders into the fake webs.

Virgil draped some web over the open lid of the grand piano and Kayo walked in holding a pumpkin that she had just carved with Alan. "On the piano, K."

Kayo smiled back as she placed it on the ledge, "wow, it looks amazing in here, this ball is going to be great."

Penelope looked over at the piano, "you've made it look like it's always used."

"Hope it's not too much?" Virgil knelt next to the piano stool threading spider webs down to the pedal box. "And we're done."

"You'll be the one playing Virg, so is it too much for you?" Penelope asked with a laugh.

"It should be okay."

Penelope looked around, "we need more candles. I'll go and find some."

Scott walked in. "Hey, guys. Wow, it looks great in here."

"Thanks, Scott."

"Good job on the piano, Virgil," he sat down on the stool and spotted the pumpkin. "Nice touch."

Virgil turned his head as his brother began to play, and he offered his hand to Kayo, "care to dance?"

"I'd love to," Kayo twirled into his arms and placed her hand on his shoulder pausing only to hook the train of her dress around her wrist, and they began to waltz slowly around the ballroom to the lilting music Scott was playing, he watched the pair tenderly then smiled as Penelope came back into the room.

"Virgil, you've tied up these webs too tightly around the pedals," Scott remarked as the pair danced close to the instrument.

"Fix it yourself, Scott," Virgil smiled down at Kayo as he tipped her back.

Penelope stood by the piano, "the final candelabra, is there any space left on the piano?"

"I don't think you'll want wax on the piano?"

"No, I don't. Hmm, what about this table?" Penelope put the candlestick down and smiled. "Yes, that looks good."

Virgil kissed Kayo's cheek as they finished the dance, "thank you, Miss Pierce."

"Oh stop it," Kayo giggled and they returned to the piano. "And you, stop pouting," she poked Scott's nose gently. "I'll be dancing with you all night."

Scott stood up and pulled her into a kiss as Virgil cleared his throat, "that's a promise."

"What's wrong with the pedal then?" Virgil asked as he sat down on the stool, then he rolled his eyes with a sigh. "Seriously Scott?"

"What?"

"There's nothing wrong with it, the webs just rub together slightly. Shall we all go and get changed?"

Penelope nodded. "Now would be a good time, I've got a lot to do."

The room emptied and the staff got to work on setting up the buffet in the kitchen as the clock in the hallway struck three. Those already in costume helped the others, and Kayo sat on the bed with Scott double-checking his makeup, she smiled and kissed his cheek.

"There, now you're perfect."

"Thanks, Kayo. How are the fangs holding up?"

Kayo grinned revealing the sharp teeth, "they're absolutely fine. Are you alright, Scott?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Why?"

"You seemed a little jealous earlier?"

Scott laughed. "I wasn't jealous. I really enjoyed your dance, I wouldn't have played the piano if I didn't want you to enjoy it."

Kayo snuggled into his arms, "I guess not."

"I wonder if we'll be recognised?"

"I don't doubt we won't, it's not like we're a complete secret to the world," Kayo smiled as Scott nudged her dress off his legs. "We'll be fine."

Scott stood up from the bed and checked his costume in the mirror, "I'm good to go."

Kayo stretched out on the bed, "more than ready. Quick makeout before the ball?"

"Sounds good to me," Scott smirked at her through the mirror's reflection, then rejoined her on the bed pushing her down gently against the pillows to kiss her.

Gordon grinned as Penelope stepped out from behind her dressing screen, "Hello, Alice."

Penelope laughed as she swirled the dress around herself, "does it look alright?"

"You look fabulous. We go so well together."

"So well?"

"You know what I mean. Our costumes go well together."

Penelope smiled. "I knew what you meant."

Gordon felt his heart flutter, "thanks. Ugh, I'm making a right mess of this. You've really done a great job on your costume."

"Thank you. When you told me we should go as fictional characters, this is what immediately came to mind."

Gordon nodded. "Plus I wanted it to be comical, well, my costume anyway."

Penelope laughed then checked the time, "shall we?"

"Are we expecting guests soon?"

"Quite possibly, the food is being served from five."

Gordon grinned. "Awesome, I haven't eaten since this morning."

"Come with me, Hatter," she offered her hand to Gordon and smiled when he took it. "Wonderful."