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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Virgil, who took that last part as a threat, quickly made his way back to where Onaha and Tin-Tin were waiting for him.
"Who was that?" Tin-Tin asked, having seen the most recent exchange.
"Someone who knows way too much," Virgil whispered. "Come on, let's go."
Virgil led the way back to the car, walking rather quickly. Tin-Tin exchanged glances with her mother, then jogged to catch up.
"What happened?" she asked, concerned.
"Let's just say he's brought up some things I'd just rather forget," Virgil answered.
Tin-Tin didn't say anything, but although she wasn't sure what Virgil meant, she left it alone. She got the feeling he didn't want to talk about it. So she waited until her mother caught up with her, and they went back to the car. He helped them get everything loaded, and then drove back to the airport. The ride was quiet, Virgil concentrating on driving since the last encounter did little for his nerves.
Once at the airport, he parked the car and helped get everything stowed. When it was almost all done, he said he was going to start prepping for takeoff.
"Finish getting everything stowed and then strap yourselves in. Let me know when you both are all set," Virgil said, in an unusual commanding tone.
"Sure," Tin-Tin replied, helping her mother do as Virgil asked.
A few minutes later, Tin-Tin announced that they were set for takeoff. Virgil confirmed, then got on the radio to the airport's control tower and requested clearance. Once that was received, Virgil got the jet into the air without any problems.
"Tracy Three to Tracy Island," Virgil said once he was at a cruising altitude.
"Tracy Island, over," Jeff replied.
"We're in the air and on our way back. ETA is two hours, fourteen minutes."
"Confirmed."
"And Dad, we need to talk."
"I'll meet you when you land."
"All of us."
"Anything of immediate concern?"
"Nothing too immediate. Just want to get it done when I land."
"We'll be waiting."
Virgil switched the comm off and leaned back a bit. He was not looking forward to sharing what had happened, but knew he had to. He didn't want to admit that it was almost impossible to bury the feelings that came up when he heard the questions and thought about what had happened. Virgil hoped his father would contact John and have him in on this conversation as well. If his father didn't, then he would. John needed to know as well, and Virgil needed to see that his older brother was alive and well.
Tin-Tin appeared a little while later with a cup of coffee in her hand. She held it out to him, and Virgil gratefully took it.
"Thank you," he sighed. "It isn't decaf, is it?"
"No," she replied with a smile. "It's regular coffee. I even added a little milk and two sugars."
"You are wonderful," he replied, taking a slow sip. "Although I almost wish it was decaf right now."
"Why's that?" she asked, sitting in the other seat.
"I'm just a little edgy. Listen, Tin-Tin," he said, glancing at her. "I'm sorry I was so short with you before. You didn't deserve it."
"It's alright," she replied. "I didn't take it personally. I figured it had something to do with that man you were talking to before."
"Yes, it does," Virgil confirmed.
"Do I get to know?" she asked.
"Later. I haven't told my family either. This is something that I only want to tell once. So when we land, you'll find out with them."
She nodded, knowing that it must be something serious for Virgil to be rattled by it. "Do you need anything else?"
Virgil shook his head. "No, the coffee was enough. Thank you again."
"You're welcome," she smiled, then disappeared to rejoin her mother.
Virgil got everyone and everything back safely, and parked the jet in its usual place. Kyrano and Jeff were waiting in the hangar. Kyrano met his wife and daughter, and helped them get everything out of the jet. Jeff went over to his son and placed his hands on Virgil's shoulders.
"How bad is it?" Jeff asked, having heard Virgil's voice earlier, and now the stormy look in his middle son's eyes.
"Not now, Dad," Virgil said. "Everyone all at once. I can only do this once."
"Your brothers and Brains are in the command area, and John's on as well," Jeff replied.
"I told Tin-Tin that she'd be in on this too. It does kind of involve her."
Jeff nodded. "You go on up. I'll get Tin-Tin and meet you there."
Virgil nodded and started up to the house. He stopped in the kitchen for a bottle of water, then headed to the command area. Once he entered, his brothers all started asking him questions at once.
"In a few!" Virgil said. "Wait for Dad and Tin-Tin to get here."
He went over to the window and stared out over the island, although he really wasn't looking at anything. Scott watched with worry, but stayed put since he knew he wasn't going to get anywhere and all he'd accomplish was upsetting Virgil even more.
