AU: Gordon and Alan are safe, but what about the kidnappers?

Have a great Halloween!

Thunderbird Shadow bounced gently on her claws landing on the field beside the Trapezoid. Rain fell heavily, rolling down the bodywork as Kayo waited for Thunderbird 1 to land before leaving her aircraft.

"About time you got here," Kayo smirked, walking over to Thunderbird 1 as Scott helped Alexis and Alan down.

"Did you think I would miss a chance to get back at those guys? Dream on."

"It's this way."

Alan gasped. "This place is huge. What sort of criminals are inside?"

"This is a place for those so high up on the risk factor they're monitored 24/7," Kayo stated as they approached the gate.

Kayo showed security her IR badge and was let through, followed by Alan and Scott. Alexis on the other hand wasn't even asked.

"How did you get through?" Scott raised an eyebrow at her as they were escorted to the entrance.

"That's Hector on the gate. I've worked with him in the past," Alexis replied then sighed. "I don't want to go into this with you, Scott, you know I'll be recognised here due to my job."

"Fair enough. I'm sorry."

Colonel Casey met with them once inside, and they began the long walk down to the cells. "We've locked them up. Lewis and Bentley are still going by the story that they were inspired by The Hood to carry out their plan. So, don't be surprised if you don't get anything more out of them than that."

Scott nodded. "And you're sure that The Hood doesn't know them?"

"Affirmative. We know he had minions in the past and then the Chaos Crew, but these men have never appeared on the radar before today."

The group stopped in front of a large metal door, and Alexis noticed Alan move closer to Scott for protection. Then again, after his ordeal, she couldn't blame him. The prison layout was simple and plain; two large cells stood facing each other on either side of an aisle, and a force field separated them from the prisoners.

"Ah, right where you should belong." Scott sneered at Lewis who was sitting on the edge of the bench.

Lewis looked out at them from behind the force field. "Come to see us suffer?"

Kayo smiled. "Very much so, and to have front-row seats. We couldn't pass on that opportunity."

Bentley growled, his eyes laying on Alan. "You survived then?"

Alexis bristled. "How dare you even speak to him. You didn't hesitate to kill him, despite Mr Tracy following everything you told him to do."

"We were told that if you got involved, then we were to kill his boys. You shouldn't have gone there!" He shouted then raised his hands in confusion at Alexis, "who are you anyway?"

Kayo stepped forwards. "Never mind who she is. How do you know my uncle?"

"We don't, as we said. But we've heard of him. He should be out there completing his work, not imprisoned here. Which is why we took over."

Lewis groaned. "Oh, let it go B! Enough is enough, Smithy is dead because of all this."

"When it should be them," Bentley said, then spat on the ground in disgust as Alan shrank against Kayo.

Scott smiled menacingly. "If we ever see you again, we'll make life very difficult for you."

Bentley's eyes narrowed. "Is that supposed to be a threat?"

"He stands by his threats, so yes. Let's go guys." Kayo blew a kiss to Lewis and Bentley, then turned to face her uncle in the cell behind them. "Have fun watching these two, Uncle, they seem infatuated with you."

"How kind, Tanusha. Be sure to write."

"I never do, and that's not about to change."

The group walked back out into the rain and Scott lowered the ladder for Alan and Alexis to climb aboard Thunderbird 1 telling them he'd be back and walked with Kayo over to Thunderbird Shadow.

"Are you alright?" Scott turned his head to look at Kayo beside him sympathetically.

"Me? I'm fine. It's you I should be asking that question to. You handled that in a way I wasn't expecting."

"Did you think I would punch open the lock and give them a taste of what they did to Gordon?" Scott asked and Kayo nodded. "No. Smithy is dead like they said, that's enough revenge. It's not in the way I would have liked it to be, but at least there's one less criminal out there."

Kayo took his hand in hers. "I know you didn't like what your dad did, but he had a plan all along. I saw him in there, he was in control the whole time."

"Then why did it go wrong?"

Kayo shrugged as a rumble of thunder echoed above them. "Sometimes, plans just do. We're all alive and Gordon will be going home today, why don't we just make sure we're there to welcome him back?"

Scott nodded with a smile. "FAB," he squeezed her hand back then kissed her as the rain continued to fall.

"Hey? Not to ruin the moment, but I'd kinda like to go home!" Alan yelled from Thunderbird 1 and Scott laughed breaking the kiss.

"Shall we continue this at home then?"

Kayo smirked watching a drop of rain roll down Scott's nose. "I suppose that would be cosier. Fly safe."

Scott ran back to Thunderbird 1 and leapt up into his seat once the ladder had retracted. "First stop, the GDF to drop Alexis off, then home. Does that suit you, Alan?"

"I suppose so."

Alexis chuckled. "Thanks, Scott."

"Our pleasure."

Gordon awoke to the sound of a guitar being played in the room, and his bed shook slightly as if someone was moving it. Keeping his eyes closed, he let himself doze feeling the bed jolting rhythmically until he had to know what was going on. Gordon opened his eyes, wearily taking in his surroundings until they rested on Virgil. His brother was sitting in a chair beside the bed gently strumming a guitar on his knee, whilst keeping a steady beat going with his boot rested up on the edge of the metal bed frame. That explained the shake of the bed.

Natasha was nowhere in sight and neither was his dad. Gordon lay peacefully just watching his brother play to himself, so in control of every note and he smiled before reluctantly deciding to end his brother's melody.

"Virg?" Gordon croaked.

Virgil smiled looking up from the strings and put the instrument down quickly. "Hey, Gordo. It's about time you came around."

"Where's Dad?"

"Getting Thunderbird 2 ready to go home. How are you feeling?"

"Pretty empty, but not bad." He then frowned at the guitar. "Where did you get that?"

"I asked Dad to get it from the ship when he and Natasha went to get your clothes," he indicated the folded pile at the end of the bed. "Think you can stand up?"

"I should be able to. Where's Natasha now anyway?"

"In the cafeteria getting us coffee. I volunteered to go, but she told me to stay with you. I'll give you some privacy." Virgil got up from the cushioned chair and pulled the curtain across hiding his brother from the ward.

"Virg, can I go to the bathroom first?"

Virgil smirked. "Are you decent?"

"As decent as I usually am."

"I'll take your word for it."

"Ha-ha."

Virgil pulled the curtain back and smiled at his brother who had changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. "That's more like it."

"See you soon." Gordon stumbled around the bed and Virgil caught his arm. "Whoa!"

"Can you make it there by yourself?" Concern shone in Virgil's eyes as he gripped his brother's wrist.

"Just a little bit of lightheadedness."

"Come on, I'll walk you there."

They walked slowly out into the corridor, and Natasha smiled spotting them walking towards her as she returned from refreshment fetching.

"Well, look who's up and about?" She smirked.

"Hi, Tasha."

"How are you feeling, Squid?" Natasha asked, balancing the rack of drinks in one of her hands.

"Once I've peed, probably much better," he smirked.

"Say no more." She laughed back at him.

Virgil walked past her and turned his head. "I've left my guitar in the room, Nat. Could you keep an eye on it please?"

Natasha nodded. "Of course, my love. See you in a bit. I've brought up coffee and something to eat."

"Great. Thanks, sweetheart."

Natasha waited inside Gordon's room, and it wasn't long before the two boys returned. Gordon climbed back onto the bed and grabbed his phone off the bedside table seeing a message from Penelope. He answered it quickly and then locked the phone as Virgil sat down beside Natasha.

"Are you allowed solid food yet, Gordo?" Virgil asked, taking the offered pastry Natasha handed him.

"I'm not sure."

Natasha handed him a cup. "Well, I got you a hot chocolate in case you weren't allowed. That should help with the lack of energy until we know for sure."

"Thanks, Nat," he smiled graciously, taking the cup from her. "What did you get?"

"Coffee and chocolate croissants. I was going to get them from the hospital, but there's a cafe outside which looked much nicer."

Doctor Augustine walked into the room holding a chart and smiled. "Ah good, you're awake. How are you feeling, Mr Tracy?"

"Still a little sleepy, but alright otherwise."

"Body functions working normally?" He wrote down Gordon's answers and saw him nod. "Good. We just need to do a couple of tests, and then you can be discharged."

Virgil wrapped his pastry up. "Tests? How long will those take?"

"About half an hour. And if all the tests come back negative and clear, we're done. I'll be back soon."

Virgil pressed the phone button on his E-Watch. "Virgil calling Thunderbird 2?"

"Here son. Are you okay?"

"Dad, Gordon needs a couple of tests done, most likely a blood test. If they all go well we can go home after they've told us the results. It might be worth taking Thunderbird 2 home and coming back for us with the jet. She'll need refuelling soon anyway."

Jeff frowned. "Are you sure, son?"

"We don't mind staying here. Just let the others know we're still coming home today."

"FAB, son. Take care." Jeff disconnected the call and buckled up in the pilot's seat before firing the VTOL engines. "Thunderbird 2 calling base?"

Scott pressed a button on the holo pad in the lounge. "Go ahead, Dad?"

"Virgil's going to be home late. I think you should go ahead with the plan."

Scott nodded. "We've already started. What time will they be home?"

"It depends on how long these tests take."

"What tests?" Alan asked, sitting upright on the sofa.

"Nothing serious, Alan. I'm bringing Thunderbird 2 home and will head back with the jet. Could you check she's fueled up, please, Scott?"

"Sure thing, Dad. Tracy Island out."

Kayo uncrossed her arms. "Okay, let's keep going."

"On it," Alan hopped off the sofa with a grin.

A couple of hours later, Jeff landed Thunderbird 2 and met Scott in the second hangar removing the fuel hose from the family jet.

"She's all ready, Dad."

"Thanks, Scott. How's the house looking?"

"I think Gordon is going to love it."

"Good. It's what he deserves after all of this."

"Fly safe," Scott smiled.

"Always, son."

Jeff ascended the short flight of steps up into their jet and closed the door to the cockpit, the hangar door opened and he taxied out waiting for the all clear from the lounge. The runway lights shone green, and he fired the small VTOL jets which lifted the plane up before activating the back turbo engines.

"Tracy One, is go!"

Gordon tapped his fingers impatiently on his knees whilst Virgil serenaded Natasha with the guitar. They were still waiting for the blood test results to come back, which had been carried out an hour after Jeff had left the hospital. The guitar music tickled the air as Virgil strummed the strings delicately, and he propped his foot back up onto the bedframe tapping gently but enough still to shake the bed, although this time it made Gordon scowl slightly. Natasha had moved her chair as close to Virgil's side as physically possible and was leaning her head awkwardly against his shoulder, and she smiled at Gordon sympathetically.

"I'm sure we'll be out of here soon," Natasha said before sighing. "But I do admit, this is kinda annoying."

Gordon nodded in agreement and looked over to his brother. "Liven the tune, Virg."

"I don't want to play too loudly, Gordon. There are other people in this hospital."

"But I'm bored."

"You play it then," Virgil held the guitar out but Gordon shook his head. "I'll continue then."

Jeff walked down the corridor and ran into Doctor Augustine. "Hello. You're Gordon Tracy's doctor, right? We met earlier."

"That's me, sir. Edwin Augustine."

"How is my son?"

"I was just on my way to give him his results. Follow me, Mr Tracy."

"Thank you."

They entered the room just as Virgil was finishing his composition and Jeff smiled.

"Sounded good, son."

"Thanks, Dad," Virgil replied, resting the guitar across his knees.

Gordon grinned. "Well doc, am I free to go?"

"Yes, you are, but I must advise you to not throw yourself into solid food for at least a week."

"A week!"

Jeff patted his shoulder and turned to Doctor Augustine. "That's fair sir, but my son's job requires a lot of nutrition. Is there an alternative?"

"He could try the liquid diet, and in your line of work, powdered energy is also acceptable."

Virgil shared a worried look with his brother. "But no carbs?"

"I wouldn't advise it, not immediately anyway."

Gordon nodded sadly. "Understood. I'm sure we can work something out at home."

Jeff smiled at Virgil and then at Gordon. "It won't be all bad, son. Come on, let's go home."

"Here, take this. It's just some information about what young Gordon has just been through. Stomach pumping is a very serious procedure," Doctor Augustine held out a pamphlet which Jeff took to read.

Gordon swung his legs over the edge of the bed to the ground and stood up. "Thank you so much. I probably would have died if I hadn't had that surgery."

"You came close," Doctor Augustine said with a small smile for reassurance.

"Where are we parked, Dad?"

"Not far. Thank you for taking care of my son, Doctor."

"My pleasure, Mr Tracy. Have a good journey home."

Virgil stood up, carrying the guitar case in his hand. "We'll go on ahead. Nat?"

"Coming."

Virgil winked at Jeff who smirked, and they left the room. "And now the fun begins, Nat."

Natasha giggled walking beside him. "I can't wait."

"Hang on, we better give them the heads up." Virgil once again clicked on the phone icon on his watch and John answered. "Hey, John?"

"Virgil, where are you?"

"Leaving the hospital. We just thought we'd give you the heads up."

"Thanks. Everyone is ready here."

"Yes, I can see that. You'll have to give us some time too."

"How are you going to do that?"

"Very quickly, we'll find a moment I'm sure."

"FAB. Fly safe."

"Leave that to Dad."

"Roger that. Tracy Island out."

Natasha and Virgil waited outside the hospital for Jeff and Gordon to join them after signing out, and Natasha took the time to ask about Alexis.

"Did you say goodbye to her?"

"Who to? Alexis?"

"Umm."

"Of course I did, I had to. She did save Alan's life in a way. Although then I saved his life by shooting that guy."

"You had to Virgil. Do you think you'll ever see her again?"

Virgil shrugged taking his hands out from his jeans' pockets. "Maybe. People do pop up in this business."

"She was brave, I can see why you liked her."

Virgil smiled turning to face her. "That wasn't the reason we began going out. I had no idea she was a, well, you know, when I met her. She was just a student at university studying to become a concert pianist."

"You should probably call her to make sure she's okay after today, or yesterday rather. Gosh, it's been two days already since I went to that Halloween festival."

Virgil nodded. "Time flies when you're having fun."

Natasha elbowed him gently with a laugh as Gordon came out of the hospital with Jeff. "There they are."

"Ready to go home, Gordon?" Virgil smiled.

Gordon sighed. "You know it. I can't wait to have a shower."

"We'll drop you straight off into your room then," Virgil smirked, also thinking that would give him and Natasha a chance to get ready for the surprise at home.

"Sounds good," Gordon yawned. "Can I sleep on the way back?"

Jeff ruffled his hair gently. "You do whatever you want, son. You've been through quite an ordeal."

The plane glided through the night sky, and Jeff handed control over to EOS from Thunderbird 5 so he could check on his fourth son who had gone to the bedroom. On his way, he passed Virgil and Natasha who were fast asleep on the curved sofa along one of the walls, and he smiled at them fondly. He reached the bedroom and the door hissed open. Gordon was curled up asleep; his hair, no longer gelled, flopped across the pillow and his right eyelid stared back at Jeff with a green colouring from where it had been punched.

Jeff sat down on the edge of the bed, being careful not to wake his son, and stroked his face thinking back to when he had watched Scott's reports on Gordon's run-in with the Chaos Crew a couple of years ago. This really was Deja Vu. Thankfully, Gordon's injuries weren't as major this time, but he knew that the experience would have brought back all those memories for his other children seeing him lying in the hospital. Jeff shook his head and looked down at his son with a sigh.

"I'm so sorry, son," Jeff whispered as Gordon slept. "I should have ignored Bentley and come to find you. I promise I'll never abandon you again."

"I forgive you, Dad," Gordon whispered.

Jeff opened his eyes, slightly embarrassed to find them wet and cleared his throat. "Gordon? I thought you were asleep."

"I heard you come in," he grinned cheekily back up at him. "I knew that Scott and Virgil would find us, Dad. You're not to blame."

"I prioritised the Hood, son. That is a problem."

"You had to, you were being forced to. I tried to protect Alan and failed. You should be angry at me."

"Angry? How could I be angry at you for this? You all should hate me for leaving you."

Gordon sat up and wrapped his arms around his father. "You kept Bentley occupied. That saved us," he closed his eyes happily as Jeff rubbed his back.

Jeff let go of him to study his face. "How did you get that bruise?"

"On my eye? Oh. Well, I had to try and defend myself. In the skirmish, I bit one of the guys in the car and they punched me back. I drew blood too."

"My little biter."

Gordon grinned. "It's a good tactic if a little disgusting," he chuckled then became serious. "Thanks for staying in the hospital with me."

"As if I was going to leave you a second time."

Virgil knocked on the doorframe, after seeing that the door was open, and Jeff looked around at him. "We're approaching the island, Dad. Do you want to take her down? I can if you'd rather stay here with Gordon."

Jeff smiled at his aquanaut. "Standard landing procedure means you have to sit up, Gordon. Tell EOS I'll be taking back manual control, Virgil."

"FAB."

Jeff helped Gordon to his feet and leaned him against himself to support his weight. "Come on, Limpet."

"You haven't called me that since I was 5!"

"And you haven't changed."

Jeff left Gordon grinning in one of the seats in the lounge and headed to the cockpit which glowed green with EOS's control light. He took back manual control and brought the plane down from circling the island to the lit-up runway, smiling at the orange lights making a change from the normal blue. The plane powered down in the hangar, and as it had been discussed with the others, Jeff led the group out and straight up to the bedrooms to allow time to shower after being cooped up in a hospital for the last couple of days.

Virgil and Natasha got changed after a quick shower each, then made their way down to the lounge where the rest of the family had gathered along with Jeff who had come down just before they had.

"Wow, it looks great in here," Virgil smiled. "Gordon's going to love it."

"When is he coming down?" Alan asked, reaching over to grab a cupcake off one of the small tables beside his sofa.

"As long as he hasn't fallen asleep in the shower, he should be here soon."

Jeff chuckled at Natasha's remark, then frowned, "and don't stuff your face in front of him, Alan, he's not allowed solids."

Alan made a moaning sound as he chewed. "But I'm hungry."

Grandma poked his shoulder. "What have I told you about talking whilst your mouth is full?"

Alan swallowed. "Not to."

Scott walked over to the desk. "Let's get some tunes going, that'll bring him down."

Gordon stepped into his bedroom from his ensuite wearing a pair of shorts and yawned as he faced the bed. He was about to climb in when he heard music drifting up from the lounge. Music was common from there, what with a musician living on the island, but there was something about this that moved him to the door and out. Someone was playing his Halloween playlist.

Gordon walked cautiously along the corridor and round to the stairs leading him down into the main room of the house, and laughed out loud at what met him; his family were all dressed up in costumes, and pumpkins lit up the room illuminating giant spiders hanging off the balcony railings.

"You couldn't celebrate Halloween when you wanted to, so we're doing it now," Scott grinned as Gordon continued to laugh.

"But it's November 2nd!" Gordon shook his head as he caught a cloak that Kayo tossed at him.

"Who cares! We didn't get to celebrate on the 31st. Now, are you going to just stand there gawking or join in?" Alan grabbed a cup off the table and held it out to John who was standing beside a small cauldron.

"More green goo, Alan?" John asked.

"Top me up. Gordon?"

Gordon fastened the cloak up around his neck and joined Alan. "Yes. And to answer your previous question, celebrate obviously."

The party was now in full swing, and Gordon had changed into his full Halloween attire to match the others who were dressed up in a mix of steampunk clothing and fancy attire. Natasha laughed sitting next to John on the sofa; she was wearing a silver dress and the astronaut was wearing a buttoned black coat and hat. Scott was playing pool with Kayo both dressed in posh attire, her in a blue ball gown and her husband in a simplified suit minus a tie. Virgil watched them from at the piano wearing a black dress shirt over trousers and a pair of expensive brogues. Gordon looked down at them all from the balcony standing beside Alan and smiled.

"Thanks, Alan."

"For what? I didn't organise this, not alone anyway."

"No, I don't mean the party, I mean for what happened at that house."

Alan frowned. "You're the one who saved me, Gords, if you hadn't been there, I would have died. It's me who should be thanking you."

"I didn't do enough." Gordon turned away in frustration and sank into one of the chairs under the large world map. "I let them take you."

"You were chained to the ground. What else could you have done?"

"Yeah, exactly. I should have told them to take me instead. That's what older brothers are supposed to do, and I'm sorry I didn't," he twirled a lollipop in between his fingers absentmindedly until Alan stopped him.

"Gordon, we're both home and safe. That's enough, right?" He smiled, cheekily taking the sweet from Gordon's hands. "And I forgive you."

Gordon smiled back. "I guess you're right."

Alan stood and looked down at the lounge below and smiled at the laughter mixed with music. "Now this is a thrill house."

"FAB," Gordon wrapped an arm around Alan's shoulders then dropped a rubber spider down his shirt causing him to yelp.

"Gordon!" Alan cried, then took off in pursuit of his brother who had already run around to the ladder down to the lounge below.

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