Disclaimer: The same as the previous 18 chapters. I don't own the TBs or the Tracy family with the exception of Sam.

A/N: I'd like to thank those that have reviewed.

SaucerEyes: I couldn't agree with you more. Kelli was a little brat who was fun to write about and then get rid of. She didn't stand a chance with Sam around. Sam saw through her façade and refused to have her around Scott.

Lillehafrue: I'm glad that you're able to see who the kids will become.

Monkey-Chan1112: I'm touched by your review. I hope to post chapters quickly while I'm on break from college.

Ravenlua: The "fight" that Scott and Sam had did bring them closer. As for John, he and Sam will always need each other.

Chapter 19

"Do you have everything you need?" Jeff asked as he looked at his children as they climbed into the limo.

"Yes, Dad," responded six different voices. Jeff nodded at the driver and they were soon heading back to NYC and the small private airport where Jeff had stored his plane.

"Scott how would you like to fly home?" he asked as they began to load their belongings into the storage holds. Scott looked at his dad like his Christmas had come early.

"Can I really fly home?" he asked. His mind was already on the pre-flight work that he would need to do.

"Yes, I think I'd like to sit back and relax," his dad said as he smiled at the excitement in Scott's voice. Scott began doing the pre-flight work and his brothers and sister sat down in their seats and waited patiently for take off. They knew that Scott was now a licensed pilot and had no problems with his abilities. He was helping Sam and John with their lessons to earn their licenses. Jeff wanted all of his children to learn how to fly due to the fact they lived on an island and never knew when an emergency would arise and they would need that skill.

Truth be told, Jeff had ulterior motives. He and Brains were in the process of developing aircraft that would be used to help those in need. They were the only ones that really knew what was happening on Tracy Island. They had converted the old secret military base into the future home of what would become International Rescue. The hidden base was perfect for hiding away the aircraft and rescue gear that was being developed. Everything on Tracy Island had been designed and built with the future of IR in mind. They had been worried that the kids would ask questions about the deliveries of crates and where Jeff disappeared for hours at a time when they were home for breaks. Luckily there was so much for them to do on the island that they hadn't questioned anything yet. For that, Jeff was grateful. Eventually, he would tell his children as they became old enough to understand what he was doing. He was pleased that they were all interested in a variety of things that would benefit IR. He wanted them to join him in realizing a dream that would possibly prevent another family from losing a loved one like they had. Scott was a gifted pilot and would get better as he got older. The rest of them were still finding out where their strengths lay. Sam would be great with communicating due to her ability to speak a wide range of languages fluently. John was learning from her and his own curiosity to be just as fluent in a multitude of languages. Jeff shook his head and focused on watching Scott do his pre-flight work.

Jeff went around to his children in the passenger area and made sure that they were fastened in securely. Scott closed the door and made sure that it was secure before going into the cockpit. He strapped himself in just as his dad came in and sat down. Scott started the engines and requested permission to take off. He received clearance fifteen minutes later. He taxied down the runway and lifted off smoothly. He turned the plane in the correct direction. He watched the controls and gauges carefully and every so often made an adjustment. Jeff sat back and watched him. He could see so much of himself in his oldest son. Scott noticed his dad's scrutiny and began to feel as if he were doing something wrong.

"Is something wrong?" he asked nervously.

"No, Son, I was just thinking. You're doing fine," he reassured him. "How are Sam and John doing with their flights and class work?"

"They're both doing pretty good. Sam is a bit better with the flying but John is really interested in the theories of flight and book stuff," Scott said. "They should be done with everything by next year if they keep up with the schedule they set for themselves."

"What schedule?" Jeff asked.

"Sam and John are at the airfield every other day. At this rate they will be done faster than I was," he admitted proudly. Jeff was astonished at this bit of news. He was interrupted from his thoughts when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Dad, are we stopping in Kansas on the way home?" asked Virgil.

"If your brothers and Sam are okay with it, then we can," he replied. He was surprised that Sam hadn't been up to ask if they were stopping in Kansas. "Is everything alright, Virgil?" Virgil nodded his head and gave a quick smile to Scott and went back to his seat. He sat down quietly and turned his head to stare out the window. He couldn't explain to his dad why it was so important for him to stop at the old farmhouse. He just felt a strong sense of need to be there. He didn't realize that Sam and John had been watching him. They looked at each other and stood up. John sat down in the seat next to Virgil and Sam went to the seat in front of him and faced him with her arms on the back of the seat.

"What's up Virg?" John asked his younger brother. Virgil quickly looked over at him and shrugged his shoulders. He turned his attention back to the window. John looked up at Sam and mouthed "what now?"

Sam got up and went to Gordon and Alan. They both jumped when she walked up to them. She sat down on Gordon's lap and reached out and grabbed Alan.

"Okay, Squirts, what are you planning?" she asked. "You two jumped pretty high when you saw me next to you."

"Um, we're not planning anything Sam," Gordon grinned up at her innocently. She snorted back her laughter.

"If only he realized that innocence and Gordon don't mix," she thought to herself.

"Alright, I guess I'll warn the others that you two are on the loose and to watch themselves," she said. "Gordon, do you have any straws in your carryon bag?"

"What do you need it for?" he asked. The only thing a straw was good for as far as he was concerned was for spitballs. Sam just shrugged her shoulders and stood up.

"Thank gawd, you were breaking my legs," he quipped as soon as she was off of his lap. With a quick movement, she grabbed his face in her hands and gave him a wet juicy kiss. Laughing at his expression, she rubbed it in. To hide his embarrassment, he leaned over to grab his carryon bag and get the straw out of the side pocket and handed it to her.

She went back to the seat in front of Virgil. He was still staring out the window and John was looking aggravated that he couldn't get him to talk. Sam got a little piece of paper and balled it up. She put it in her mouth and with her tongue pushed it into the straw. She sat up on her knees and leaned over the back of the seat. She aimed the straw at Virgil, looked at John as he shook with laughter at what he knew was about to happen. Even Gordon and Alan were watching their older sister. With a quick breath she blew into the straw and launched the spitball at Virgil. Her aim was true and she hit him on the side of his face. He jumped up and glared at Sam.

"What did you spit at me for?" he demanded as John, Gordon, and Alan laughed at Sam's innocent expression she was giving him. The straw had been dropped as soon as the spitball was airborne.

"What are you talking about Virg? I was just leaning here watching you," she replied. "Are you feeling alright? You're kind of red in the face." John and the Terrible Two were now doubled over in laughter. Virgil glared at them angrily. His face was just inches away from Sam's. Without hesitating, she leaned forward and kissed her irate brother right on his lips. He began to sputter as he tried to stay angry but even he was finding everything Sam was doing to be funny. Unable to stop it he began to laugh at himself and his mood lightened considerably. Jeff had been watching from the cockpit and was relieved to see whatever was bothering his middle son had been attended to by Sam.

"Want to talk?" she asked quietly when he stopped laughing. Virgil looked at her and slowly nodded his head. She climbed out of her seat and walked to the back of the plane. Virgil excused himself and waited until John moved so that he could follow her. He sat down in the seat next to her. He stared down at his hands and thought about what was bothering him. Sam waited patiently for him to start. She didn't want to rush him and make him withdraw away from her.

Twice he started to tell Sam what was bothering him and twice he faltered. He wasn't sure how the rest of his siblings felt and didn't want to cause them any more heartache. Sam reached out and gently squeezed his hand in reassurance. He looked up at her and tried to tell her again what was bothering him.

"Sam, what I need to say may hurt you and if it does, I'll stop," he said quietly. "It's been three years since Mom died and nobody talks about it. I've tried to be strong and mature like Dad had asked us to be but I was only eleven years old. I really miss her and acting like she never existed hurts me. The night we all went out for dinner and the Broadway show really brought it home about how much I miss her. You looked so much like her and that night was like we had her back to look at for just one night. Scott and I had talked late into the night about how much you have grown to look like her and how glad we were that we had you to remind us of her. Yet, no one else ever says anything and I need and want to remember her."

He paused and looked at his sister with eyes that were beginning to get teary. He was worried that he had made her feel bad and thought about not saying anything else. Sam returned his look and in it he could see pain and other emotions that he wasn't sure about.

"I shouldn't have said anything," he said remorsefully. He hated making anyone feel uncomfortable but he hated causing hurt feelings even worse. He was very much like his mother in that respect. He was surprised when Sam pulled him to her and held him close.

"Oh, Virgil, I'm so sorry that you feel like we don't talk about Mom," she began. "John and I always talk about her and if you need to, you can come to us. We won't be upset or unwilling to listen or talk. We're both here for you and always will be. I just want you to remember that even though I am flattered that you think that I look like Mom, I am Samantha Tracy. I will always look after you and be there for you but as Sam."

Virgil leaned into her and was comforted by what she had said. He never knew that Sam and John had talked about their mother. He had always thought that it would be even more difficult for them because they had been the last to see her alive. John and Sam had not been told that their mother had died until the day they were released from the hospital even though they had asked for her. Sam and John had only been out of the hospital for a few days when they flew back to Kansas for the funeral of their beloved mother. Sam had to use a wheelchair because of her broken leg and arm. John was getting around with the aid of crutches. He had to go slowly because his ribs hadn't healed all the way yet. Both were still on pain medications but refused to take full doses.

Flashback:

Jeff was standing next to his wife's casket with tears streaming down his face as he said his final goodbyes to the love of his life. His best friend, wife, lover, and mother to his six children had been taken from him and had left a void in his heart. A void that would never heal no matter how much time would pass. He had withdrawn into himself even though he still had six children that needed him. Two of them were still recovering from their injuries.

He leaned over his wife's still form and kissed her softly on her lips and told her that he would always love her and never would he forget her. Scott had come up to his side and placed his hand on his dad's arm. Jeff wrapped his arm around his son and gave him a small hug and walked off so that Scott could have a chance to tell his mom goodbye.

He stood there much like his father had before him and though the tears poured down his young face. He said his silent goodbyes and he too leaned over and kissed his mother on the lips. Virgil came up next and said his goodbyes. He placed a folded sheet of paper in the casket next to his mother. He quickly kissed her and ran off to where the family could sit and mourn without everyone staring at them.

John slowly made his way to his mother's side. Jeff was just a few steps behind him in case he needed support. He carefully placed his crutches to the side of where he barely maintained his balance.

"Mom, thank you for saving us like you did. I wish that you were still here with us. Sam and I feel so guilty because we survived and you didn't. Why did you have to leave us? We need you. I love you." He began to sway unsteadily as his emotions began to build and his dad, worried that he'd fall, reached out and held him close. John turned and buried his face in his dad's jacket. He cried hard for the loss of his beautiful and loving mother. When he'd calmed down enough, Jeff handed him his crutches and helped him back to the family area. Virgil quickly sat down next to John so that they could grieve together. They both looked back towards their mother's casket just as Scott pushed Sam up to it. With the help of both Scott and her dad, she was able to stand between the two of them and say her own goodbyes. Not caring that she would be overheard she said them aloud.

"Don't worry Mom. I'll look after the Tracy men for you. I can never replace you and I would never want to but I'll be there anytime my brothers need me. When Gordy and Ally cry, I'll comfort them just as you would. I'll make sure that Virgil doesn't stop playing piano or his artwork. You already know that I'm always there for John. I'll keep an eye on Dad and Scott but you know how they are. I miss you so much already Mom. You weren't supposed to leave me. We never will have the chance to talk about my first boyfriend and you won't be here to show me how to apply my makeup. I won't get to have the mother/daughter talks that all of my friends have." She began to sob for all the hurt that she had kept bottled up since she was told that her mother was dead. Her dad and brother held her close to them as she cried for their loss.

"Daddy, take me over to John, please." She settled back in her wheelchair and he pushed her to where John was sitting. John reached out his hand and held hers. Virgil wiped her tears with his handkerchief. They all turned their attention to Gordon and Alan being brought up to see their mother one last time. Their heart wrenching sobs tore at all of the hearts of those that came to pay their final respects. Scott and Jeff each held them and tried to comfort them. Gordon and Alan struggled out of their grasp and ran to Sam. She let Alan sit on her lap as she held Gordon next to her. Jeff and Scott rejoined the family. Grandma sat next to Jeff and held her son close to her. Scott picked Gordon up and held him on his lap. Finally the service was concluded and the casket was closed and slowly lowered into the ground. The remaining Tracy's made their way back to the limo and home again.

Present Time:

"Sam, do you really mean that I can talk to you about her and not worry that I'm causing you hurt or bad feelings?" He watched her face so that he could read the emotions on her face.

"Anytime that you need to talk about her, come and talk to me," she replied as she held his face in her hands. "Do you feel better? Tonight at the farm come to my room and I'll show you something. It might make you feel better."

"Thanks, Sam, I do feel a little bit better." He gave her a small smile of gratitude. He stood up and went back to his seat to think things over. Sam followed him and went to her seat next to John.

"Is he alright?" John asked quietly as she sat down. Sam nodded her head and leaned against him and sighed.

"He'll be okay. He's just hurting a bit and needed to talk," she said. "I'm going to need you tonight, Johnny."

He looked at her and saw the pain in her eyes and guessed that tonight was going to be emotional for his twin.

"You know that I'm here for you always, Sammie," he whispered. She barely heard him as she fell asleep leaning against his shoulder. He sighed and held her hand in his and leaned against her and dozed off.

Hours later, with a small bump, they landed at the small airport and climbed into the SUV. Jeff stood by and watched as Scott did his post-flight work and put the plane in the hangar. He and Jeff then climbed into the SUV and soon they were pulling into the driveway of the family farm.

"Sam, can I come in?" asked a muted voice through her door. Sam walked over and opened the door to let Virgil come in. She had already tucked Gordon and Alan in for the night and they were sound asleep.

John looked up from Sam's desk where he was reading a book. He smiled at his younger brother as he walked into the room. He stood up and grabbed his coat as Sam put hers on. Virgil looked at them in confusion.

"Go get your coat and gloves, Virgil and meet us in the kitchen," Sam said as she steered him out of her room and into the hallway. She and John went downstairs and waited on him. Moments later Virgil joined them in the kitchen. John opened the backdoor and they all walked out and closed it behind them. They walked out to the field that Sam had stood in a few years ago talking to her mother.

"Virgil, John and I are sharing something with you that no one else in our family knows about. When he and I were first interested in astronomy, Mom told us that a star is the soul of a loved one that has left us. What she had told us has helped us deal with our grief and given us an outlet that we feel that we can speak to her." Looking up at the starry night, Sam quickly located their mom's star and pointed it out to Virgil. Following her finger in the direction that she was pointing he looked up and gasped at the brightest star in the sky.

"It's beautiful," he whispered. "Just like Mom." John and Sam backed up to give him time alone. They hugged each other as they tried to stay warm. Sam looked up at her mom's star.

"I've been keeping my promise Mom. I hope that this helps Virgil. I didn't know how much he was hurting and for that I'm sorry," she thought to herself. She knew that her mother heard her and from deep in her heart she felt a warm glow that let her know that her mom was saying that she was doing fine. She felt a gentle squeeze and looked over at her brother. The love that he had for her was shining brightly in his blue eyes. She leaned into him and kissed him softly on the corner of his mouth.

"You're an amazing sister to have, Sam," he said softly. "You always seem to know what to do to make us feel good. You knew Virg was hurting and you got him to talk to you and now he'll do better. You always know how I feel and how to respond. Gordy and Ally look up to you as a surrogate mother. Scott knows that he can count on you to help him with the emotions of our brothers. Yet, you never seem to want anything in return. You are so selfless when it comes to all of us."

"John, don't you know how much all of you give to me?" she asked. "I could never be as strong as I am if I didn't have my brothers with me. Scott has taught me how to stand up for myself and for all of you. Virgil has been the one that I can be sensitive with. He is like Mom in personality and talents. Gordon loves and needs his family and can't stand it when we fight. That is why he is constantly pulling pranks. He wants us to remember that life is meant to be enjoyed. Alan needs all of us because he is the baby. He was only eight when Mom died and still needed her. I promised Mom that I would look after all of you when she died." Turning to face her most special brother she continued.

"John, out of all of my brothers, you are the most special. You know what I'm feeling or thinking just by looking at me. You're so much a part of me that I would die if you weren't around. If something ever happened to you I wouldn't be able to go on." Two tears slowly coursed their way down her face as she buried her face into his strong chest. He held him close to her as she let her emotions go. He had known it would be rough tonight.

"I feel the same way, Samantha," he whispered. He looked up when he felt someone's arms wrap around him and Sam. Virgil was looking at him with a worried expression on his face.

"I'm sorry to have caused you any hurt," he said. Sam looked up at him quickly and hugged him to her.

"Virgil, you didn't do anything. I just let my emotions get the best of me for a moment. This isn't your fault I promise you," she emphasized as she held him close to her. "Did you get a chance to talk to Mom?"

"Yeah, I did. Thanks for including me in this guys it means a lot to me," he grinned at his brother and sister. He was thankful that they had no problem talking about their mom with him.

"I'm tired and you both know that we'll be leaving early in the morning to go and do our Christmas shopping and then fly back home. I can't wait to get back to the island and warm weather," admitted Sam as they walked back to the house. Once they got in the house they quietly went upstairs and to their rooms. Soon the whole house was quiet.

"Everyone up," shouted a voice from the hallway. A chorus of moaning came from four separate bedrooms as the occupants began to wake up. A mad dash could be heard in the hallway from Sam's room as her brothers rushed to the bathroom that they all shared.

"Come on guys, I really have to go," whined Alan. He suddenly appeared in Sam's doorway. "Sammie, can I use your bathroom?" She nodded her head and watched as he ran to the bathroom. She got up and closed her bedroom door so that she could get dressed. As soon as she had changed into a pair of jeans and a sweater she gathered her dirty clothes and put them in the duffel bag that she'd brought into her room. She quickly went around to her brothers' room and had them put their dirty clothes in the bag. Finally, they were already to go out for breakfast and to do their Christmas shopping.

Once they had finished their shopping they went back to the airport and loaded their purchases into the plane and soon Scott had them heading to Tracy Island. On the flight home they listened to Christmas carols on the CD player. Sam took some pictures of her brothers having fun. She slipped into the cockpit and took a couple of pictures of Scott flying the plane. He was so intent on what he was doing that he wasn't aware that she had taken the pictures. She gave her dad a hug as she walked out to her other brothers. She handed John her camera and had him take a picture of Virgil, Gordon, Alan, and herself. Then they switched places. Eventually they had all been photographed with each other.

"Everyone sit down and fasten your seatbelts. We're approaching Tracy Island." Scott's voice came over the intercom. Everyone sat down and John went around making sure that everyone was secure. When he sat down and fastened his seatbelt, Sam double checked to make sure that he was secure. He looked at her with a smirk. She just grinned back at him daring him to say something.

Once they had landed and given the okay to get up, they grabbed their carryon bags and quickly got off the plane. Virgil and Gordon went and got the cart to take their stuff back to the house while John and Sam unloaded the storage compartments. Jeff and Scott did the post-flight work and moved the plane into the hangar.

Sam looked in the hangar where her motorcycle was parked. She made a note to take it out in a bit and go for a nice long ride around the island. Alan saw what she was looking at and grinned. He loved racing just as much as she did. He would never admit it but for a girl she was really good.

As they approached the house they could all see their grandma in the kitchen. She turned around as six children suddenly made their presence known as they all tried to hug her at once. She laughed and hugged each of them. She always loved it when they came home from school. It was just too quiet when they were away.

"What's for dinner?" asked Scott and Alan at the same time.

"Lasagna, garlic bread, and salad," replied Grandma as she shooed them out of the kitchen. They went up to their rooms and put away the stuff that they brought home. Sam took the duffel bag with the dirty clothes in it and went to the laundry room and quickly began to load the washer. She was just finishing up when Brains walked in.

"Um, h-h-hi, Sam," he stuttered as his face turned red. He quickly left the room as Sam looked at him questioningly. She turned back to look at the door he came through. She didn't remember it being there. Curious, she walked over to the door and began to open it just as she heard someone running up behind her.

"Sam, I need you in the lounge," said her father. Sam shrugged her shoulders and followed him into the lounge. She looked back at the door and wondered what was behind the door.

"Scott has told me that you and John have been spending every other day at the airfield and practicing your flying," he said. "This hasn't affected your other studies or track has it?"

"No, Sir, I still have a perfect grade point average as does John. I still practice with the team in the morning and go to all of the meets," she replied. "I also make sure that Gordon gets to all of his practices and all of us go to his swim meets and competitions."

"Alright, Sam, that is all I needed to discuss with you," he said. Sam looked at him confused but she got up and left the lounge. She went up to her room and changed into her riding gear. She braided her hair so that it wouldn't fly around when she was on her motorcycle. She went out on her balcony and walked over to John's door and knocked. He answered and let her in.

"Want to go for a ride?" she asked. He nodded and she left so that he could change. Looking down at the pool deck she could see Tin-Tin, Gordon, and Alan in the pool. She ran down the stairs and asked if they wanted to join her and John for a quick ride before dinner.

"Nah, we'll go with you another time," they replied as they went back to playing together.

"Mind if I join you?" asked Virgil as he walked up behind her. Sam looked back at him and smiled at him.

"You were next on my list of brothers to ask. Do you know where Scott is?" she asked.

"He's in Dad's real office with the door closed," he said. They knew it was important if it was in their dad's real office. John came down the stairs just as Virgil ran up to change. Sam and John watched the three playing in the pool and laughed at their behavior.

"Let's go," shouted Virgil as he ran down the stairs to join his older brother and sister.They all walked together to the hangar and checked over their motorcycles. Grabbing their helmets and gloves out of the storage lockers they were soon ready to go. Giving each other the thumbs up, they roared out of the hangar and raced each other along the tracks around the island. Jeff had added some jumps for them after they had requested them the last time they'd been home. After a couple of hours they headed back to the hangar and parked their motorcycles and refueled them for the next time they rode. Helmets and gloves were stored in the cabinets.

"Great race," said Sam as she undid her braid. Her eyes were sparkling with amusement. She and her two closest brothers walked back to the house just in time to wash their hands for dinner. The dinner table was alive with laughter and conversation from the family. Even Tin-Tin was more vocal this time. She and Alan joked back and forth. Soon dinner was over and Sam and Virgil volunteered to do the dishes. After they had cleaned up the dinner dishes and put everything away, they went to their rooms to shower and change into a shorts and a t-shirt. Sam remembered the laundry that she had put in the washer and ran down to put the load in the dryer.

Once she had loaded the dryer, her eyes fell on the mysterious door and once again she was drawn to it. She slowly reached out her hand to open it just as it was opened from the opposite side by none other than her dad. Blue eyes stared into brown eyes as they realized they'd been caught. Sam caught a glimpse of the huge area behind Jeff. He pushed her back and quickly closed the door.

"Sam, I want you to forget about this door," he ordered. Sam nodded her head knowing better than to argue with him when he used that tone. She couldn't help but wonder what was behind that door that was so secretive. He on the other hand knew that he would have to get Brains to design a lock for the door that his children would not be able to bypass.

Jeff told Sam to leave the laundry room and walked out with her. She went back up to her room and decided to sit out on her balcony. Staring out across the ocean she pondered what her father was hiding. She was so relaxed and into her thoughts that she didn't realize how much time had passed until John told her that it was time for lights out. She went into her room and changed into her pajamas and brushed her teeth. She left her balcony door open as well as the windows. She climbed up onto her bed and drifted off to sleep. She dreamt of secret doors and huge rooms for most of the night.

She awoke the next morning to someone shaking her shoulder. Looking up into Scott's face she groaned.

"Nice to see you, too, I thought that you might want to go for a run before it gets too hot," he said. She grabbed her pillow and put it over her head and tried to go back to sleep. He grabbed it away from her.

"Are you afraid that you can't keep up?" he teased. She glared at him and threw back her blanket and got up. She grabbed her running shorts and a tank top out of her dresser. She went into her ensuite and changed and brushed her teeth and washed her face. She brushed her hair and pulled it into a pony tail. Walking back into her room she grabbed a pair of socks and her running shoes. She looked at Scott and they headed downstairs to eat a granola bar and drink some juice before going for their run. They each grabbed a water bottle from the fridge as they left the kitchen.

"Same as always?" asked Scott as they walked to the path. Sam nodded and together they began their run. By the time they made it back to the house they were both soaked in sweat and thirsty. Kyrano had observed their return and brought some lemonade out to the pool deck. Sam and Scott had taken off their shoes and socks and dove into the pool together. They swam a few laps and then spied the lemonade on a table. Sam climbed out of the pool and poured some for her and Scott. She took the two glasses to the pool and handed one to Scott. She sat down on the side of the pool and let her feet dangle in the water while she enjoyed the cold lemonade.

"I think our time is improving," said Scott after he had drank his lemonade.

"I think you're right for once big brother," replied Sam with a mischievous glint in her eye. Scott set his glass down and watched for Sam to do the same. As soon as she had set the glass down he pulled her into the pool. She came up sputtering and giggling.

"As if I didn't know that you'd do that," she giggled. She kept all of his attention on her and was soon rewarded for her efforts when Gordon swam up behind him and jerked him underwater. Scott came up sputtering just as Sam had. Sam and Gordon swam to the far end of the pool and watched Scott. He was returning the favor and kept their attention on him as Alan and Virgil slipped into the pool and quickly dunked them. Soon it was a free for all as they roughhoused.

"Breakfast!" called their grandma. They all climbed out of the pool and ran to their rooms to shower and change into dry clothes. The thundering of all six children could be heard in the kitchen. Once they were seated, Jeff began to pass around the platters of sausage, bacon, and pancakes. Sam and Scott ate more than normal because of their morning run. Even Alan was amazed at how much Sam and Scott ate.

"Slow down you two," admonished their grandma. They looked at her and slowed down.

"Sorry, Grandma, but we ran around the island this morning and then swam a few laps," said Scott as he reached for his orange juice.

"Yeah, sorry Grandma," added Sam as she asked to be excused. Jeff nodded at her and she took her dishes to the kitchen and rinsed them off. She ran up to her room and grabbed some of her school books so that she could do her homework. She went back to the lounge and sat down next to the couch and quickly began her work. Soon all of the Tracy children were sitting in the lounge doing homework. Tin-Tin and Alan were sitting together doing their work together. John and Sam were sitting against the couch going over their assignments. Virgil was next to Sam and every so often asked her a question. Scott was lying on the couch reading his assignment and then writing notes for the paper he would write. Gordon was sitting in a chair next to the couch working on his math assignment. Jeff was at his desk reading the newspaper.

One by one the kids finished their assignments and went to put their books away. Soon splashing could be heard from the pool. Jeff looked out the doors and watched his children and Tin-Tin play. A sense of melancholy overcame him as he thought about Scott and how he only had a year and a half of school left. He had talked with him today about his future. Scott had mentioned that he would like to study at both Oxford and Yale. He was already taking classes that would give him college credits that would transfer to Yale. He thought that he would go to Yale first for two years and then to Oxford for his final two years. He then wanted to join the Air Force. Jeff was pleased that he had mapped out his plans for his future and shared them with him.

Jeff knew that his twins would end up at the same college. He had overheard them mention Harvard a few times. John was still determined to join NASA. Sam was undecided beyond Harvard. The rest of his children had a bit more time to decide.

With all of the activities on the island, Christmas Eve soon arrived and the Tracy family gathered in the lounge and sang carols and listened to Virgil play the piano. They were all surprised when Sam joined him. She had talked him into teaching her. She could hold her own but she even admitted that she was no where near as good as her younger brother. Later that night, Jeff sent them to bed with a stern warning that Gordon and Alan were not to wake up anyone else in the house before 7:00A.M. Alan and Gordon agreed and went to their rooms.

Sam and Scott gave Virgil and John a conspiratorial look and urged them to come to Scott's room.

"Tomorrow, we get even with the little brats for waking us up the past few years," he said. "I've got the override codes to their rooms. I think we should wake them up at 3:00A.M. and then keep them awake just until it's time to open gifts. They'll be so tired that they'll fall asleep."

The others quickly agreed and went to their rooms before their dad came around for lights out. At 3:00A.M. Sam and John snuck into Alan's room and began to wake him up. He was irritated at his brother and sister for waking him up but they dragged him out of his room and into the hallway where Virgil and Scott had dragged Gordon.

"Listen you little brats this is pay back for waking us up at ungodly hours for the past few years," said Scott as they dragged the youngest two downstairs and into the lounge. The Terrible Two were forced to sit on the floor with their backs against the desk as their older siblings sat on the couch and watched them. Virgil turned the television on so that they could watch cartoons. Sam went to the kitchen and fixed hot chocolate for herself and her brothers. She carried the tray back to the lounge and let each of them take a mug. She gave Gordon and Alan theirs last.

"You make a very good waitress," said Gordon with an impish grin. Sam glared down at him.

"Stuff it Gordy before I beat the crap out of you," she grumbled. She set the tray down on her father's desk and took her mug back to the couch. She sat down between John and Virgil. Staring blankly at the TV, she wished for nothing more than to be back in her nice comfy bed. After two hours of stupid cartoons, the older kids were ready to pull their hair out. Gordon and Alan were laughing at the cartoons as if they were actually funny. By 6:00A.M. Scott was asleep leaning against the arm of the couch. Virgil was leaning against him sound asleep. John was lying with his back against the back of the couch with Sam lying in front of him. They were using Virgil's lap as a pillow.

Gordon nudged Alan and the two of them grinned at each other with identical evil smiles. Had any of their older siblings been aware they'd have known that they were about to pay in a big way. Gordon got up and went to a supply cabinet in the hallway on the second floor where their rooms were. He quickly grabbed the items that he wanted.

"Scott first and then we move down the line," Gordon whispered as he got the items for their brother. "Thank gawd, Grandma bought the extra makeup Sam asked for the last time she was on the mainland." He carefully applied the blush to Scott's cheekbones and then put the eye shadow on albeit a bit too much. Somehow he got the mascara on Scott's eyelashes without waking him up.

Virgil was next and very simple to do. Alan put some white shaving cream in his hand and dabbed it on Virgil's face just as he would do if he were to shave. The end results made him look like a young Santa.

"Now Sam and John," whispered Alan. "How are we going to get to John when he's behind Sam?"

"Like this," replied Gordon. He carefully leaned over Sam and nudged John until he turned his face upwards. Gordon quickly set about applying Sam's makeup to John's face. He did even better on John than he had done on Scott. Once John was done, the Terrible Two turned their attention to their only sister.

Gordon looked at Sam and began to work. Soon he had streaked her hair, that he could reach, a bright red. He applied the blush to her cheeks rather heavily as well as the eye shadow. He picked out the brightest lipstick that he could find and put it on her lips. By the time he was finished she no longer looked like a respectable Samantha Tracy.

"Now the finishing touch," whispered Gordon as he held up the camera. Without hesitating he took a picture of his older brothers and sister. They were in such a deep sleep that they didn't even flinch when the flash went off. Gordon and Alan went up to their room and downloaded the picture onto Gordon's computer so that they could make copies. They agreed on making fifty copies of the photo. When they were printed, the Terrible Two went back downstairs. The four on the couch were still asleep and none had moved. Gordon and Alan began to hang some of the pictures on the Christmas tree while some were taped onto framed photos around the lounge. Alan even hung one on the fridge. Suddenly they could hear their father coming down the stairs. Gordon and Alan sat back down on the floor with their backs against the desk.

Just as their father reached the lounge, Scott heard his footsteps and began to wake up. He peered over at the desk to find his baby brothers still sitting there watching cartoons. Looking over at Virgil he did a double take. He shook him until he woke up.

"What?" he mumbled as he too looked over at his baby brothers.

"What's on your face?" Scott asked. Virgil reached up and felt the shaving cream on his face. By this time Jeff was in the lounge watching his children with an amused expression on his face. He hadn't seen the makeup on John and Scott's face yet.

Virgil looked closely at Scott and his eyes bugged out. He pointed to Scott's face but nothing came out when he opened his mouth to speak.

"What?" demanded Scott. He felt his face but didn't feel anything. He sat up all the way and that was when he saw John and Sam's faces. He stared at his brother and sister and looked back at Virgil. Virgil shifted his legs and looked down at the two using his lap as a pillow. He and Scott looked back up at their baby brothers. Gordon and Alan were no were to be seen now. As soon as Virgil had pointed to Scott's face they ran out of the lounge to hide.

"Sam and John, it's time to wake up," Scott said as Virgil shook them. Mumbling in their sleep they ignored both of their brothers. Virgil shook them a bit harder. Sam and John opened their eyes and sat up. Their eyes widened when they looked at Virgil and Scott. Scott and Virgil's eyes got huge when they saw their faces. John looked at Sam and gasped at what had been done to her hair.

Jeff stood by his desk trying to control his laughter at the scene playing out before him. Evidently whatever plan his oldest kids had for their baby brothers backfired.

"GORDON COOPER TRACY AND ALAN SHEPARD TRACY!" yelled all four of the teenagers at the same time. They ran out of the lounge and up to their rooms. Sam looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror and stormed out of her room and over to Virgil's. She banged on his door until he answered.

"I need that conditioner for my hair back," she said through gritted teeth. Virgil went into his bathroom and found the conditioner. He handed it over to his sister. Without another word, she stormed back to her room. She grabbed the special shampoo to remove the hair color and stepped into her shower. Thirty minutes and much grumbling and cursing in every language she knew, her hair was back to its natural pale blond color. Her face was red from the scrubbing to remove the heavily applied makeup. She finished her shower and dried off and got dressed. She went to her dresser drawer and grabbed a pair of socks. She had just walked into her sitting room when someone knocked on her door. She opened it to find John standing there. Virgil and Scott were right next to him.

"The brats got us didn't they?" she asked as she looked at her brothers. Shaking their heads in defeat the four of them went back down to the lounge. Little did they know but the hilarity had just begun for them. They had left the lounge so fast that they didn't see the pictures on the tree or taped to pictures around the lounge. Kyrano had been mildly amused to find one on the fridge.

They were surprised at seeing their grandma shaking in laughter as they walked into the lounge. Jeff was sitting at his desk trying to keep a serious look on his face and was failing miserably. Brains was even chuckling in the corner chair where he normally sat. Tin-Tin was looking out of the window and shaking in silent laughter. Gordon and Alan had yet to make an appearance. A fluttering piece of paper caught Scott's eye and he walked over to the Christmas tree. Upon looking at the paper he immediately went red in the face. Virgil, John, and Sam noticed his reaction and went to see what had caused it. They saw all of the pictures hanging on the tree. They began to tear them all off and went to throw them away.

Gordon and Alan walked into the lounge as if nothing was wrong. They went and gave their grandmother a hug and kiss. When their older brothers and sister came into the lounge they smiled at them. Sam and John walked over to where they were sitting and grabbed their arms. They were just about to drag them outside when their dad cleared his throat.

"We would like to begin opening gifts if you two are ready," he said. John and Sam released their hold on the youngest members of the family. Grumbling to each other they went and sat down next to Virgil and Scott. Gordon and Alan wisely sat across the lounge from them. Soon all the presents had been opened and the givers had been thanked. New treasures were taken to their rooms and put away or displayed.

Later in the day when Gordon and Alan thought they were safe they went outside and sat at one of the poolside tables. Stealthily, Virgil, Scott, Sam, and John crept up on them and grabbed them and tossed them unceremoniously into the pool.

"Don't let your guard down anytime soon because we're not through with you yet," Virgil warned them as they stared down at the two in the pool. For the rest of the day, Alan and Gordon would jump at the sight of one of their brothers or sister. This was actually the norm for the rest of their holiday. It was with great relief when they had to head back to school.