Disclaimer: I don't own them, I'm not lucky enough.
A/N: Set quite a while after the movie. John's back in the rebuilt/repaired Thunderbird Five.
-I'm going by the ages provided by the site, with the exception of Alan. So the ages are: Scott- 24, John- 22, Virgil- 20, Gordon- 18 and Alan- 16 (the site had Alan at 14, but that didn't seem right to me at all, so I changed it).
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Morning came earlier than Virgil would've liked, but he got up anyway. After stopping in the kitchen for some coffee, he went about preparing. Once that was done, he grabbed a bagel and another cup of coffee and headed out to the hangar so start the pre-flight checks. Jeff came down a little while later to check on his son's status and to see if he needed any help.
"Everything looks good," Virgil concluded. "Thanks for the help, dad."
"Not a problem. Onaha and Tin-Tin are just about ready, so you should be able to take off within the half hour."
"Sounds good. Not that I mind flying, but I just want to get to the mainland," Virgil said. "I have a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in."
"Just do the best you can. I know we gave you a lot."
"I will," Virgil said, smiling when he saw Scott jogging towards them.
"'Morning!" Scott said when he arrived.
Virgil and Jeff offered their morning greetings, and the trio talked until Jeff announced that he'd go up to command to get himself prepared for Tracy Three's takeoff. Scott stayed back and waited with Virgil.
"Hey Scott," Virgil said once he was sure they were alone.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks," Virgil said.
"For what?"
"The past few days."
Scott narrowed his eyes, unsure of what Virgil meant exactly. But he didn't get a chance to ask since Tin-Tin and Onaha had entered the hangar.
"Ready?" Virgil asked the two women.
"Yes!" Tin-Tin answered excitedly.
"I am as well," Onaha answered, more calmly than her daughter.
"Well, if you'll both get on board and strapped in, I'll see if we're clear for takeoff."
The two women went inside the jet, followed by Virgil. He stood in the doorway, paused and turned toward Scott.
"See you tonight!" Virgil called, waving a bit.
"Fly safe and have fun!" Scott called back.
Once in the cockpit, Virgil settled himself. Once he'd received clearance from his father, Virgil eased the jet into the air. And once he'd reached cruising altitude, he turned on the automatic pilot and watched over everything. Tin-Tin appeared a few minutes later, sitting in the co-pilot's seat.
"Do you want something to eat or some coffee?" she asked.
"Coffee would be great," Virgil answered.
"Breakfast and coffee, coming right up," she said cheerfully, leaving the cockpit.
"I didn't…" Virgil began, but stopped when he realized he'd be getting breakfast whether he wanted it or not. And he actually did want it.
The flight was a smooth one, nothing notable happening. They landed without a problem, and the jet was parked in the usual hangar. A car had been left for them, so Virgil drove Onaha and Tin-Tin into town. Onaha and Tin-Tin had their own things to do, so they split up and agreed to meet later on that day. Virgil made his way in and out of the various stores and shops. He decided to work on one list at a time, starting with his father's. Once that was done, he went back to the car to drop the packages off and start on Scott's. After another trip to the car, he went to work on John's, and then he did Gordon's and then his own.
He'd long since noticed that someone was following him, but he tried to be inconspicuous about his movements. He made no attempt to ditch the person, instead acting normally, as if he hadn't noticed.
He was coming out of a store when the man who'd been following him suddenly stood right in his path.
"Can I help you?" Virgil asked politely.
"You're Virgil Tracy," the man said, stating a fact, not asking a question.
"Yes," Virgil replied, a little wearily.
"I'm Kevin Reilly from the New York Post. A few questions?"
"Um, sure," Virgil answered, although he was keenly aware of the bad vibes coming from this man. "But I have to meet someone in a little while, so I don't have much time."
"What can you tell me about the Nictvi project that the aerospace division of Tracy Industries is developing?"
"Nothing, unfortunately. That isn't my area. But I'm sure the press office of Tracy Industries could help you."
"Have you ever heard of The Hood?"
"The Hood?" Virgil repeated, hoping that his internal alarm to the sound of that name was only internal. "Oh yeah, just what I saw on TV. He was trying to rob a bank after he'd attacked the Thunderbirds. Absolutely horrible. I'm just glad he was stopped and he's in jail."
The reporter leaned in and asked, "What went through your mind when you heard that Thunderbird Five had been struck? Did you think your brother John was dead?"
Virgil stepped back and tried not to glare at the man. "If there's a John on Thunderbird Five, it isn't my brother. My brother has been working for Tracy Industries on a communications project."
"Yes, right," the reporter replied, obviously not believing Virgil. "That's all I have."
Virgil turned and walked away, anxious to meet Onaha and Tin-Tin. He was also anxious to get back to the jet so he could contact his father and tell him what had just transpired. He realized he still had some time before he was set to meet the two women, so he went back to work on his own list. But he still felt someone watching him, knowing it was the reporter. He managed to finish his list, getting the items to the car with just enough time to meet Onaha and Tin-Tin.
He made his way to the square, and since he was at the top of the stairs, he could see Tin-Tin standing on the retaining wall to the fountain. And he knew that her mother wasn't too far away. He fought his way through the crowd of people when he felt someone grab his arm. He turned to see who it was, although he didn't really need to. There was only one person who would be trying to get his attention and would do so like that.
Virgil turned around and feigned a smile. "Yes?"
"I just have one more question," Kevin said. "How'd it feel to almost die on Thunderbird Five?"
"Well, since I've never been there, I wouldn't know."
"I hear the rescue business is dangerous work. Are you ever afraid you'll die?"
Virgil was about to reply when the man slipped himself into the crowd and disappeared.
