Forty Two - AR

Scott was standing on the gantry, staring out over the sleek lines of Thunderbird One. He'd been home a week and his eyesight had improved. But he still hadn't piloted a plane. More importantly, he hadn't piloted THIS plane.

After a week of fear that he would never fly her again, he'd waited with eager anticipation for the moment when he'd be given the all clear. That moment still hadn't arrived. He was sure that he could pilot her perfectly safely, but frustratingly, no one else agreed.

He heard a door behind him open, but didn't look around.

"Thought I'd find you here." Virgil said lightly. "Father's looking for you." He lifted his broken arm so that it was resting on the safety rail.

"Is he?" Scott said absently.

"He said something about wanting to go over some equipment with you." Virgil continued on conversationally.

"Did he say which?"

"No. Something pretty important by all accounts."

Scott didn't move. "How're you coping, not being able to fly Thunderbird Two?"

"I'll live." Virgil pulled a face. "Don't tell him I said so, but Gordon's actually pretty good at flying her. I'm worried he'll get the job permanently."

He was pleased when Scott laughed. "Never! You're too much in tune with her. And there's no way that he could fly Thunderbird Two and still pilot Thunderbird Four. And none of us has the aquanautic skills to take over his role."

"I wouldn't want to either." Virgil said. "I prefer flying above the water. Let Gordon get his feet wet."

"Chicken!"

"Yeah" Virgil held up his broken arm. "And at the moment my wings are clipped."

"From what I hear," Scott noted. "John did a pretty good job piloting Thunderbird Two from Thunderbird Five. We might get him to do the job permanently."

Virgil snorted. "I talked to him about that. He's vowing never again!"

Scott smiled and then looked back at Thunderbird One. "I was so scared I'd never see her again." He said quietly. "Never be able to fly her again."

"Won't be long now." Virgil told him.

"It's been too long already." Scott said irritably. "I could do it perfectly safely, if they'd only let me."

Virgil eased his arm off the rail. "Come on. You know he doesn't like being kept waiting."

"Yeah. Guess I'd better." Scott cast one last longing look at Thunderbird One and then followed Virgil back through the door.

***

"Ah Scott. Good there you are." Jeff said genially. He'd been talking with Alan. "I've got a job for you."

"Sure. Doing what?" Scott said with more enthusiasm than he actually felt.

"Alan wants to get a bit of practice landing Thunderbird One through the swimming pool. He's fine with launch and flying, but needs practice landing." Jeff said smoothly. "How'd you like to keep an eye on him."

"Sure." Scott said flatly.

"Since he doesn't need to practice the launch..." Jeff continued on, "we thought you might like to take care of that bit of procedure. Maybe take Thunderbird One for a test flight around the island, check she's working correctly."

Scott stared at his father. International Rescue's craft were never to be used for joyrides under any circumstances, but training and testing were a different matter. Scott felt a smile grow on his face. "You mean it?"

Jeff Tracy also had a small smile playing about his lips. "Of course I mean it. Just make sure Alan lands her."

Scott started heading over to the light fittings. "Sure. Not a problem." He glanced over at Virgil who had a big grin on his face. 'You knew!' he thought.

He received a wink of acknowledgement from his closest brother.