Disclaimer: Nope, they're not mine – and unless something drastic happens to change that they'll still be Gerry Anderson's and Carlton's. Person can dream though, right? (But AJ is the product of my imagination, and mine alone!)

Cheers for the reviewing people – mucho appreciated as always!

Chapter Four – Just A Girl

…I'm exposed, and it's no big surprise…

…'cause I'm just a girl, take a good look at me…

'Just a Girl' by No Doubt

"Bonjour, Monsieur"

"Holy sh- Petra?! What are you doing here?!"

"I was going to ask you the same – Danny"

Virgil and Brains looked puzzled as Scott got to his feet, looking embarrassed. Lady Penelope was smiling broadly "What an astounding coincidence" she smothered a giggle.

"I'm missing something, aren't I?"

AJ grinned "I'm the tour-guide your brother 'hooked-up' with"

Virgil's jaw dropped as Brains guffawed. "Oh my god! Gee, I'm so sorry!"

"Don't worry" AJ was still laughing "So – Scott – how's your head?"

"Better thanks – AJ, right?"

She nodded. Lady Penelope's eyebrows remained high.

"Well this is most strange. To think you two have already met, and under such odd circumstances. Alyssa-Joelle…" AJ grimaced "…was this the incident you were referring to this morning?"

"I –er, yeah…"

"Oh, now I remember you saying that some – what was term you used? Ah yes – 'stud' had dropped out of the sky and required medical attention and linguistic help until a co-worker came for him"

"I did not say that!" AJ's cheeks were pink. Virgil snorted with amusement – his brother shot him a look before turning back to AJ.

"So you aren't just an employee of Tracy Enterprises – you're a member of the family!"

Scott looked sheepish "Yeah, uh, sorry about the false name an' all. We don't much like using our name in public. Best we travel incognito"

"Ditto" AJ smiled "My work sometimes requires an alias too. No apologies needed"

Penelope had quietly edged away to join her other mechanics.

"Did she really call him a stud?"

"A lady never reveals her friend's secrets" but the sparkle in her eyes was all Virgil needed.

"How d'you know AJ then?"

"She and I have been friends for some years now. Alyssa-Joelle helps out with some of the local groups – hence she is here today. I enlisted her help when I knew I would be entertaining younger visitors than I am used to"

"Oh right"

"And how is FAB 1 faring?"

"I-I was about t-to t-test her, Lady P-Penelope" Brains informed them. "C-Close the h-hood, Virgil"

Virgil did as he was bid and stepped back. Brains hit the ignition, and a few seconds later Lady Penelope gave a cry of delight as FAB 1's engine revved into life.

"Oh well done, dear boy! Thank you!"

"Pleasure, Lady Penelope" Virgil wiped his grease-spattered hands on jeans that seen better days. Penelope heaved a sigh at this infraction, but was too elated over the restored vehicle to admonish him.

"What was the problem Brains? Do tell," but she regretted asking as the scientist launched into a detailed speech on the intricacies of Rolls Royce engines.

"Never mind" she added hastily "If you could explain it to Parker so he knows what to look out for in the future I would be eternally grateful"

"Of c-course" Brains nodded.

"Well, that was quicker than I thought"

"Are you boys needed back at home?"

"Uh – I'm not sure, I guess…"

"Oh, but won't you at least join us for tea? We'd be delighted" Lady Penelope stole a glance at AJ and Scott, who were still talking earnestly.

"Yeah, why not?" Virgil grinned, catching her drift "Dad'll call if he needs us"

"It's almost two o'clock now, and tea won't be until half-past four at earliest"

"Damn! That's the time already?" AJ checked her watch "I'd better get back to the kids – Parker'll be tearing his hair out by now"

"Are we all done then?" Scott asked his brother

"I would l-like to m-make a f-few m-more checks, if I m-may" Brains directed at Penelope "But it d-doesn't r-require any h-help"

"Need a hand with your group?" Vigil queried. AJ looked a little taken aback

"Uh – if you guys wanna join in feel free. But none of your sappy American rules – this is real football"

"I'm sure we colonials'll manage" Scott winked.

      Twenty minutes later Lady Penelope wondered if her American friends had bargained on the kids interpretation of 'rules' as Scott was felled by a kid half his size.

"Hey – foul!"

"Didn't see it, sorry!" AJ yelled as she sailed past, intercepting the ball for her team and setting one of the girls up for yet another goal. Virgil groaned as it shot past him into the net.

"Virgil! Aren't you s'posed to be stopping them?!" his brother moaned

"I'm doing my best – you try it! I hate being in goal" Virgil muttered.

"Alright guys, we'll call it a day there"

There were assorted cries of 'unfair' along with whoops from the winning side.

"Thank god for that" Virgil was leaning on a post, puffing.

"Okay, okay, enough" AJ called the kids to order "How's about we try something else?"

'Something else' was a rowdy game of volleyball on Lady Penelope's courts – but it descended into chaos and a nose bleed as the children used any tactics to score.

"Jack! The ball is supposed to go over the net, not under it – look what you did to Ian!"

"Sorry" Jack clearly wasn't. The game was abandoned so First Aid could be performed, and refreshments magically appeared for the rest courtesy of Parker. AJ gave the group a 15-minute break, but after ten they were up and racing again, energy levels fully restored.

"Where the hell are they getting it from?" Virgil was flat out on the grass. AJ laughed "Tsk tsk. No stamina whatsoever"

"I'll have you know my stamina levels are very high, Miss Anderton"

"Sure they are" she got to her feet. "Okay guys, new plan. Who's up for rounders?"

"Rounders?" Virgil queried over the cheers as equipment was supplied. Scott told him the basics – he'd seen it during his time at Oxford.

"Bit like baseball"

"Oh"

It wasn't long before AJ had them into teams for batting and fielding, and the game was underway. It wasn't entirely fair since they were playing with thick plastic tennis bats instead of the proper slim ones, and no-one was ever 'out', just sent back to the end of the line since it was boring to have to sit out and watch. Consequently they played to time – 15 minutes batting and fielding either way before switching. The Tracy's team were elated as they pulled into the lead, before AJ got a couple of spectacular shots in bringing the scores level.

  Penelope watched with amusement as the adults resorted to cheating to get ahead – from AJ hiding the ball to allow a red-headed girl to gain a rounder, to Virgil physically carrying Michael round the makeshift posts to score.

   At half-past three Parker announced that parents were beginning to arrive so they called it a draw, and AJ herded her charges to the main driveway to be collected. Lady Penelope took Scott and Virgil into the drawing room to sit down and put their feet up.

"Man, I'm beat"

"Fun though. Jeez, there's some serious energy!"

"You mean the kids?"

"I mean AJ. How's she keep up with them?"

"With difficulty" AJ informed them, entering the room and dropping onto the couch. "I'm shattered"

"Not surprised" Virgil exhaled "That was mad"

"So you work with them a lot?"

"Not as much as I'd like – work keeps me away"

"Oh let's not talk business" Penelope interrupted "I want to know Scott's side of the story regarding this Parisian incident"

"…then she says 'doesn't flying mean you stay in the air?'…"

"…and he acts all offended…"

"…then the doctors cleared me, Virgil arrived and we parted company. That's about it really"

It was some twenty minutes later, and Scott had re-told the entire event with AJ correcting in places.

"That's certainly one way to make new friends"

"It's different, I'll give you that" AJ laughed.

"Well on that note I think a change of scenery is in order. Tea should be almost ready"

As if on cue, Parker came into the room and with a subtle 'ahem' announced that tea was indeed served.

"Uncanny, isn't it?" AJ whispered

"I know. Every time without fail"

"He's not human"

Scott snorted "After today, nothing would surprise me"

  High tea was a pleasant affair at Creighton-Ward Manor – enough delicacies to satisfy even Scott's appetite, and general talk allowing them all to get to know one another better – Scott and AJ in particular. Virgil noted his brother's animated conversation with his 'tour-guide' and grinned. Brains meanwhile, discussed the working of FAB 1 with Parker, who had joined them at Lady Penelope's request.

  After protesting they couldn't possibly eat anymore, the plates were expertly cleared, and the Tracy's reluctantly suggested they had better make tracks.

"Are you positive you can't stay any longer?"

"It's been great Lady Penelope, but we really should be heading back. Dad'll be wanting us home – 'specially since he told Scott not to overdo it"

"T-Thank you for a w-wonderful afternoon, Lady P-Penelope"

"The least I could do after you so marvellously repaired the Rolls. She means a great deal to me, as you no doubt know"

"Yeah. Be like losing a Th-Tracy Enterprise plane"

"It would be a great loss to the world, I'm sure"

"Got that right" Virgil chuckled.

Scott and AJ were also saying their goodbyes.

"Good to see you again – and no injuries this time, I'm impressed"

"Why thank you ma'am. Does this mean I can pay back that favour, now I know I can track you down?"

AJ waved a hand "It's fine, really. I'm always on the lookout for gentlemen in distress"

"Well, can I live up to my gentleman reputation and take you out to dinner sometime? As a thank you?"

AJ considered this for a moment, then smiled "Okay, you're on. When and where?"

"How about I call you and make arrangements?"

"Sure, so long as you're not gonna forget"

Scott mock-staggered "Me? I'm hurt, lady"

"Yeah, yeah"

Virgil approached them "Sorry, but we'd really better get going. Nice to meet Scott's rescuer, AJ"

"Hah, there was very little rescuing on my part – but thanks anyway. We'll call it even since you were beaten by a bunch of kids"

"Gee, I'm touched"

"But nice meeting you – and Brains"

"The s-same, AJ"

"Okay, so I'll talk to you soon?" Scott ignored the look his younger brother was giving him.

"Sure. That'd be good"

"Bye, Lady Penelope. Thanks again"

"It was no trouble. Give my regards to Jeff"

"Will do"

"And keep practising those footie skills" AJ called

"It's soccer, and we don't need practice"

"Football mate – and you so do! Bye guys"

"Be seeing you"

They headed back out to the jet, tired, filthy but cheerful.

"So?"

"What?"

"I believe V-Virgil was referring t-to your c-conversation with AJ?"

"We swapped cell numbers, and I'm taking her out for dinner. As a thank you" Scott added, seeing the exchanged glances.

"Whatever you need to tell yourself, bro'. Hey, what's it worth me not telling the others?"

Scott paled "You wouldn't"

"I would. In full Technicolour…"

"Virgil…"

"Imagine the mileage we can get out of this one – and you thought the plane gags were bad!"

"Oh brother" Scott muttered as they reached the jet. Was there no end?

Okay people, you know what to do! Read, review, and tell me what you think please!