Sorry this is a little late, I've been snowed under with coursework as per usual, but everyone needs a break from it all once in a while so I've used mine to write this. Thanks once again to all who reviewed; it's you who keep me writing! On with the story!
Scott's present to Jeff was similar to Virgil's, only Scott had put a few photos in his envelope instead. 5 of them were of each of the Tracy boy's as babies at the hospital, a couple of hours old. Then there were ones of their first days of school, college and university. Lastly was a picture taken of all five of them together by the pool, which was taken just after Alan had defeated the Hood. Jeff smiled tearfully and put the photo's down on the desk, taking Scott's letter out of the envelope.
'Hey there Dad, hope it's not too dull up there for you. By the time you read this it probably won't be long until we all get in touch with you anyway. Just like to thank you for putting me in charge, I think that's meant both seriously and sarcastically, no doubt Al and Gordo will take advantage, but I can handle them! I best go soon, I'm writing this while Gordon and you are loading everything up...Make sure Gordo doesn't booby trap any of your bags, oh, and if you ever get the munchies, 3rd drawer down in the cabinet in the bathroom, that's where John keeps his secret stash of chocolate! Don't tell him I told you though, Mr. Peroxide can get quite vicious on a sugar-low! Talk to you soon, love always, Scott x'
"Third drawer...I'll remember that" Jeff said, laughing to himself quietly. He put all of the letters into one envelope, and tucked it into a drawer under the desk. Looking at his watch, he saw that it was 5pm. "I've been here two hours already..." Jeff said to himself in amazement.
Five-o clock also meant feeding time on Tracy Island, a very noisy time of the day, similar to the feeding time at the zoo. Gordon and Alan sat next to each other on one side of the table, and Scott and John on the other side. Virgil sat in between John and Alan, being the middle child gave him the opportunity to either help Alan and Gordon with their pranks or join Scott and John to act more grown up. Missing his dad slightly, Virgil couldn't decide what side to sit on and settled for a seat in the middle.
Gordon, with a mouthful of sausage, uttered something that could just be made out as a thank you to Onaha for the dinner. Onaha smiled and returned the gratitude, while Scott wiped the spat out sausage bits away from his own dinner.
"Gordo, don't speak with your mouthful" he said simply.
"Sorry" Gordon said, ending up spitting more sausage out. Scott kicked him under the table, taking him by surprise and causing him to choke. After recovering, Gordon shot Scott a glare. "What was that for? I said sorry!"
"Well next time, say it, don't spray it!" Scott said angrily.
Gordon just shrugged and carried on with his dinner.
Alan went to the kitchen with Virgil to help with the dishes, and also bring out dessert. Virgil brought out a plate of biscuits and set them down in the middle of the table. "Alan what's taking you so long?"
"I'm coming, I'm coming, keep your hair on" Alan replied, running in with a plate of chocolate brownies.
"Yum!" John exclaimed, grabbing the biggest one off the plate with a grin.
"Hey! That's mine!" Alan complained.
John looked at him. "Excuse me squirt, but I don't see your name on it""Turn it over then" Alan replied with a smirk.
Out of curiosity, John did as Alan told him. On the back were the initials A.T, engraved into the back of the brownie, most probably with Alan's finger. "Do you really think that's gonna stop me?" John grinned and took a big bite out of it.
"Hey! I'm telling Dad!" Alan said, grabbing himself another brownie.
"You still sound like a 6 year old Alan...anything anyone did it was always 'I'm telling Dad!'" John said with a smirk, and polished off 'Alan's' brownie.
"No arguing you two..." Scott warned.
"He started it" Alan muttered.
"Whatever squirt" John laughed.
"You okay Virg? You haven't eaten much" Scott asked, concerned.
Virgil looked up and smiled. "No, I'm okay, just not all that hungry" he replied.
Scott smiled and nodded. Out of all his brother's he was closest to Virgil, they used to spend all their time together before International Rescue started, and all their time spent together meant they could usually tell how the other one was feeling. Scott knew Virgil was missing his Dad, but he knew how to cheer him up. Alan and Gordon might be planning pranks left right and center behind his back, but Scott was going to come up with his own prank to play on the two of them. Being in charge wasn't too bad after all.
"Come on then, let's go talk to Dad" Scott announced after all the plates had been cleaned and put away. The five of them entered their father's office.
"Tracy Island to Thunderbird 5" Jeff heard from his bedroom. Rushing over to the computers, he switched on audio feed, and saw his five sons smiling at him. "Hi there boys"
That's all for now I'm afraid! As always, please review!!!! I can't really think of anything else to say really but...oh well!! See you soon!