Thirty Nine - AR

"So what did you put in that note?" Gordon persisted in asking Virgil as they sat at the meal table with the rest of the family.

"If he's as hungry as I think he is you'll find out soon enough." Virgil informed him. "I think you'll appreciate it."

"You coming with us when I go back to Thunderbird Five tomorrow morning, Scott?" John asked.

"I hope so. I want to get an eyeful of that view from space."

They'd only just started eating when Alan made an appearance. He placed his tray on the kitchen counter. "Where's my dinner?" he asked innocently.

Virgil arose and moved away from the dining table so that he was standing in front of the reheater. "In here. Do you want it?"

"Yes please."

"Then you know what you have to do."

"Virgil. This is cruel." Alan protested.

"Fine. I'm sure Gordon and I can think of something else."

"Yes!" Gordon piped up. "I've got one or two ideas."

"Okay, okay." Alan said quickly. "What do you want me to do?"

"You know what. Read what's on the paper." Virgil told him.

With a pained expression Alan took the note from his pocket and unfolded it. "Alan. You are forgiven." He read quickly and then folded the note up again.

"And the rest." Virgil said sternly. "It won't kill you." He refrained from adding 'like you nearly did to me.'

"Aw Virgil."

"Come on Alan. I'm dieing to know." Scott said.

Alan sighed. He was beaten. He unfolded the note again and started to read again. "'Alan. You are forgiven if you read the following out in front of our family.'" He gave Virgil a pained looked before plunging on. "'Thunderbird One is...'" his voice lowered in tone until it was inaudible.

"I didn't hear that." Virgil said evenly.

"Neither did I." Said Scott. "What's that about Thunderbird One?"

"We all want to hear." Jeff was sitting at the far end of the table. "Speak up boy!"

Alan grumbled to himself. "Okay." He shot Virgil a dirty look. "'Thunderbird One is a joy to fly, better than Thunderbird Three...'" Scott's face broke into a delighted grin. "'I promise to take good care of her until Scott is able to take over again, at which point I shall reluctantly hand her back.'"

"You'd better look after her." Scott said.

"'Thunderbird Four is more useful than Thunderbird Three...'" Alan continued on.

"I could have told you that." Gordon interrupted gleefully.

Alan ignored him and pressed on doggedly. "'...and so I would like Gordon to give me more lessons in how to use her properly. I want to get a better understanding of life beneath the waves.'"

A laugh rippled around the table. Alan had never had any interest in anything below sea level.

"'I enjoy my time on board Thunderbird Five more than I do getting there in Thunderbird Three. I therefore respectfully request that I spend more time up there freeing John to do more rescues on Earth.' Virgil!"

"I like the sounds of this." John said.

"'Thunderbird Two is the most useful craft in International Rescue's fleet. She is beautiful and should be accorded the respect given to a Queen.'" Alan looked as if he was going to be sick. "'It is a privilege to be able to travel in her and I would never presume to be a good enough pilot to even consider sitting in her pilot's seat. I will never again say an unkind word about her.'"

Virgil smiled at the testimony. It didn't sound sincere, but just hearing the words was good.

"'Thunderbird Three is nothing more than an overgrown firecracker.'" Alan read woodenly. "'If she weren't needed to transport us between home and Thunderbird Five I would suggest that she be sold to the nearest scrap merchants.'" Alan was shooting daggers at Virgil who smiled back contentedly. "'Or perhaps given as joy ride at 'Space World' theme park.'"

To Alan's relief he was almost at the end of the page. "'I also hereby promise not to leave any more frogs about Virgil's room.' I didn't! That was Gordon!"

"No it wasn't!" Gordon protested.

"Sure, Alan." Virgil didn't believe him.

"'I, Alan Tracy, formerly apologise to Virgil Tracy for exchanging my edible transmitter for his and I'm sorry for all the discomfort that I caused.' Are you happy now Virgil?"

"Very."

"Peace?"

"Peace." Virgil opened the door to the reheater and retrieved Alan's dinner.

Alan tore up the paper. "And apart from that last sentence I renounce everything I've just said."

"Shame." Gordon said. "I was looking forward to giving you lessons."

"You'd better not back down on your promise to look after Thunderbird One." Scott growled. "That's not negotiable. You break her and you'll have more to worry about than reading out a letter."

"I'll look after her. Don't worry." Alan was pushing his food about his plate. "Is this safe?"

"It's safe Alan." Virgil assured him.

"Gordon?" Alan asked his brother with a warning look.

"I promise, I haven't touched it." Gordon held up both hands in submission.

"But can I be sure."

"Alan, I haven't touched it!"

"John?"

"Don't look at me kiddo. I haven't touched it either."

"But has Gordon?"

"Alan! I haven't!"

Jeff looked around the table in satisfaction. For the first time in a long time his family were relaxing all together. He took in his mother pretending to ignore the chaos that was going on around her; Brains deep in thought; Kyrano quietly enjoying his meal; Tin-Tin gazing dreamily at nothing; Alan, Gordon and John bickering amongst themselves; Scott helping Virgil cut up his dinner. Virgil looked up and saw his father's eyes on him. He smiled and winked before turning his attention back to his meal.

Jeff smiled. He felt good. Things were the way they should be.