"Here, puss puss puss," called Gordon. "There she is! Hey pusscat! Come here-" And Gordon's radio cut out. Virgil roared at the radio to no avail.
"Thunderbird One, to Thunderbird two, what's going on, Virgil?"
"Gordon's gone back for a stupid cat, that's what," said Virgil angrily.
"What? Idiot!" came Scott's reply. "Why didn't you stop him?"
"I tried, believe me, Scott! I-" And crackle from the internal radio came through.
"Passenger bay to cockpit, everyone is belted in. All clear to go to land."
"Thank you, Alan," Virgil ground out between clenched teeth. Then he returned to Scott's frequency. "What do I do, Scott?"
"Take those people to land. That's your first concern. I'll stay here and watch Gordon."
"But-"
"Just go, Virg! I'll be here, don't worry!"
"Yeah, yeah, FAB." Virgil cut off rather sharper than he intended, turned the ship and flew away towards land.
Down in the passenger bay, the first mate looked up at Alan.
"Hey, International Rescue, will your buddy be okay?" Alan nodded.
"Gordon? Yeah, sure, he'll be fine. He's been in tighter scrapes that this," Alan replied nonchalantly.
"Well, if he finds the dratted animal, he can keep her," replied the mate. Alan frowned.
"Why? Doesn't it belong to you?"
"No! She's been nothing but a disaster since she came on board! It was cos of her that George here slipped and fell. She's bad luck." The mate frowned to emphasise his point. Alan looked unphased.
"Well, I'm not superstitious. I just hope she comes to Gordon willingly enough and isn't a disaster for him too."
~~ (IR)/=
Gordon slipped on the rocking deck and fell against the wall.
"Ow," he groaned, rubbing his shoulder. "That'll leave a bruise." But he could see the cat now. She was hiding under a table, looking terrified beyond all reason, her eyes huge in her soaking face. Gordon crouched down.
"Come here puss puss puss, come on, I'm not leaving without you," he crooned. The cat let out a small meow and retreated furthur. Gordon sighed and came closer. "Come here, kitty, come on, that's it!" He held out his hand and came closer. The cat backed against the wall. Gordon frowned. "Come on! The ship's sinking, you idiot! Come here!" He dove forward and grabbed at the animal. The cat yowled and scratched at him, but he hung tight. He managed to get to his feet, the wriggling, terrified animal in his arms, and made his way across the slippery deck to the stairs, then on up. The cat yowled the whole time. Gordon winced as a flailing claw caught his cheek.
"Stop it, you. Behave. I'm saving your life here." He finally came out on top and went to the edge. Thunderbird 4 was still there, tied on to the edge of the boat. Gordon looked at the cat, then down at the water, then at TB4. "Uh oh. Well, here I go!" Casting off the rope, he jumped over board, then began swimming powerfully with one arm to his craft. The cat clung to him for dear life, meowing pitifully. Finally Gordon made it to the hatch, opened it and climbed in. Then the hatch shut and he opened the air-lock door into the cockpit. With a sigh he tried to set the cat down, but she was clinging to his shoulder and arm in a most painful claw-digging way.
"Let go, you crazy thing!" It was quite warm inside his little sub, but the cat was dripping wet and cold. Gordon was also wet, but he grabbed his warm woollen jersey that he'd been looking forward to putting back on, and wrapped the cat in it, putting her in his seat. The cat began to wash herself. Gordon peeled off his wetsuit and pulled on his uniform. Then he looked down at the small grey kitty making herself at home on his chair.
"You should be down on your knees thanking me for saving you, you know." The cat glanced up and blinked at him, then went back to washing herself. "I guess that's the closest I'm gonna get." He lifted the cat, jersey and all, off his chair and onto the second chair, then went and got some towels, one he used to dry his own hair, the other to dry the cat. Gently he rubbed her down, feeling purrs start up as she felt the warmth of the towel.
"Thunderbird Two to Gordon, do you read? Are you out yet?" Gordon glanced up, but didn't reply, he was busy with his little survivor.
"Gordon, come in! Where are you?"
"Hey! This isn't funny!"
Then Scott's voice joined in. "Thunderbird One to Thunderbird Four, come in."
"Gordon? Are you there?"
"Hellooooo?"
"HEY!! PAY ATTENTION!!!" Gordon stroked the cat's now only slightly damp head, and went and sat back down. Taking a deep breath, he turned on the radio.
"Thunderbird Four to Thunderbir-"
"GORDON!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN??"
"I SUPPOSE YOU THINK THAT WAS FUNNY!!"
Gordon waited for them to shut up before continuing. "Honestly, guys, keep your hair on! I'm a grown man, I can take care of myself! Don't you trust me?" He grinned, knowing the answer to that.
"NO!"
"Not usually."
"Well, fine! You'll be pleased to know that I saved the kitty, and she's safe and warm right here with me."
"Oh I'm so pleased." Scott's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Alan's voice came through. "The crew are cheering you, dude! They say you can keep her, since you went to so much trouble for her."
"Really? Thanks! I think she likes me! Well, I'm returning to Pod 4 now." And with that he started up the engines and turned back towards the pod.
~~ (IR)/=
"Soooo, what's her name?" Everyone sat around the sofa, examining the sleeping cat in Gordon's lap.
"The crew said it was "Fluffy"," said Alan. Gordon grimaced.
"That's not a name for a cat. Does anyone have any suggestions?" He looked around at his brothers, father, grandmother and friends.
"Pussaro," said Virgil. "It's a pun on a famous artist," he told Alan in responce to his confused face.
"Artemis," said John from the radio.
"Kitty-hawk," said Scott.
"Purrari," Alan said. "It's a pun on a famous racing car," he told Virgil smugly.
"I know that," replied Virgil.
"Apple Pie," said Grandma.
"Thundercat," said Jeff. Tin Tin nodded.
"I agree with Mr Tracy."
Gordon looked around at them all, pondering. Since it was now officially his cat, because no one else would take it when he came aboard Thunderbird Two previously, he had the job of naming it. He rolled names around his head.
"Hmmm. I kinda like Gordon Junior," he said, and promptly wore a cushion on the face. "Seriously now, fellas, how about, Tori?"
"Tori? Why Tori?"
"I liked Purrari better."
"That's not very- anything!" Gordon shrugged and smiled. Tori was Maori for cat, and Adelaide was a New Zealander, if not Maori, and so the name was perfect. As if in answer, Tori looked up at him and purred. Gordon stroked her head and stood, bundling Tori into his arms.
"Shuddup you lot, I don't care what you think. I'm going to feed her." And he marched off to the kitchen. Scott shook his head.
"I will never understand that boy."
~~ (IR)/=
"Hey Addie, whatcha up to?"
"Nommuch, you?"
"Aaah, ye know, this and that."
"Yeah." Gordon grinned into the vid-com unit to Addie, who was on the other end in full WASP get-up. Virgil wandered over and leaned in over Gordon's shoulder.
"Hi!" he said. Addie waved.
"Hi Virgil, how are you?"
"Oh good, good, and you?" Gordon shoved his older brother away.
"Get out! I'm talking to her, not you! Go on, scram!" Virgil poked his tongue out and wandered off to sit down next to Scott.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"You're right, she is hot."
"I know."
Gordon rolled his eyes.
"Never mind my older dorks." Addie just laughed.
"I've never minded them, Gord!" she said. "Any news from the home front?"
Gordon pondered for a second. "I got a cat! Wait a sec, I'll go find her. Puss puss puss..." Gordon disappeared in search of the feline. Addie could hear his voice in the background. As she waited, she gazed around the room. It was a very nice room, tastefully decorated, and didn't show off their wealth. Out of the window, Addie could see the ocean. No wonder Gordon loved it here so much. On the sofa on the edge of her vision, sat his two oldest brothers, deep in conversation.
"I'm back!" Gordon reappeared with the grey cat in his arms. "This is Tori. I saved her from certain death." The cat didn't seem to impressed with being held up, she looked as if Gordon had just grabbed her from a warm nap in the sun. Which he had.
"Well, it's good to see you guys don't wave your money around and buy three thousand dollar pedigrees. It's the cats in the shelters that need your care." Addie smiled.
"Yeah, moggies have more character, don't they, Tori?" He put the animal in his lap and stroked her. She went back to sleep happily enough."So when's the next time you have free time? I wanna see you again some time." Gordon grinned hopefully. Addie glanced behind her, then shrugged.
"I'm not sure exactly. I'll let you know." She shrugged again. "It shouldn't be too long til I get a weekend off."
"Let me know, okay? I want to see you." He lowered his voice for the last statement, putting more feeling in it. Addie felt happy. He really did want to see her. And not just as friends.
"Times up, Rogers, my turn!" yelled someone from behind her. She grimaced.
"Damn, guess that means I'm outta here, I'll-" She cut off as someone pushed in front of her, then glanced up.
"Heeeey! It's Gordo! Yo guys, it's Gordo!" And then Addie was swamped.
"Hey dude, what happened to ya?"
"Woah, nice digs man!"
"Mate, couldn't you have sent a postcard?"
"Addie, how rude, keeping him all to yourself!" This from a fellow female crewmate who added, "Though I can see why."
"Hey guys," said Gordon, grinning from ear to ear. The noise caught Scott and Virgil's attention.
"Gordon, tell them to be quiet," called Scott. Gordon rolled his eyes.
"It's great to see you all again guys, seriously, but I gotta go. Later Addie!" and he cut the connection. Everyone at WASP let out a simultaneous groan. Addie sighed and shook her head, edging away before they could round on her for information. She knew they would.
~~ (IR)/=
Gordon sighed and stretched him arms over his head. "Craaazy," he groaned. Virgil glanced around.
"You just can't help being Mr. Popularity, can you, Gordon?" he said with a grin.
"Can it, Virg." Gordon gathered up his cat, stood and wandered off. Scott and Virgil galnced at each other, both thinking the same thing.
"What's up with him now?"
~~ (IR)/=
A/N: Wooo! Keep on reading and reviewing, please! Thanks to everyone who has so far!