From Psychseal who said:

Gordon: when we go out on our first date, don't bring your wallet; I am not going to let you pay

Penelope: that's so sweet

Gordon: when I say run, run! And wear comfortable shoes

Gordon sat glumly on the couch. A repeat of an old episode of Into The Unknown was playing, but he just couldn't bring himself to have any interest at all. He was aware that he was slouching but…he just couldn't find it in himself to care.

Alan watched from the desk as his partner in crime sighed for the fifth time in less than two minutes. Gordon had only just returned from a visit to Penny's. He usually comes back really happy.

Not like this.

Biting his lip, Alan quietly darted into the kitchen, grabbing a couple of bottles of Scott's beer (and shuffling the rest around so it wasn't too noticeable. He knew Scott would know, just like Alan knew Scott wouldn't mind once he knew the reason.) He also grabbed some water for himself (his brothers wouldn't be that understanding) and returned to the lounge.

Where Gordon was still sprawled on the couch, sighing.

Alan purposely sat half on top of his brother and Gordon half-heartedly shoved him off. Wordlessly he placed a bottle in his hand, and Gordon looked at him, one eyebrow cocked in question. Alan replied with a half-grin, and the two knocked bottles and drunk.

Gordon, touched by the stolen beer even if it wasn't his usual fruity alcoholic endeavours, drunk both bottles before he felt able to talk about what was bothering him. Alan had taken to gargling his water in an attempt to cheer him up, and Gordon did appreciate the effort, he really did.

'He hates me.'

Alan choked on his water, and there was a frantic five seconds of very hard back-slapping before he was able to actually string sounds together to make a word. Well, almost a word.

'Wha…?'

'Parker. He hates me.'

'Pfff. No he doesn't.'

'He does! Whenever I'm there it's all Mister Scott this and Mister Scott that, he adores Mister Scott so much. And then he'll talk about what a good driver you are.'

'He must have something to say about you?'

'All Parker does are grumbles that I don't hear that he won't repeat. And how I didn't know the difference between a dog and a pole cat..'

Alan grimaced at the memory. And the smell.

'I just don't know what to do to make him like me.'

'Well…remember what someone used to say.'

'Someone?'

'Just bear with me.'

'Ok.'

'If you can't beat them, join them.'

'Err…thanks, Al.'

'Don't mention it!'

Alan was all beaming smile while Gordon was all frowning and puzzled. Light did eventually dawn, though, and Gordon bounced up, all tiredness forgotten as a plan formed. He rubbed his hands together, gave Alan a shove off the couch and cackled at the resultant squawk as he rushed off to finalise his plan.

He left a very pleased brother in his wake.

Three days later…

All his plans made, Gordon made the call. Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward picked up immediately, and he was very pleased that he'd planned well enough that she was in FAB1. Her hologram lit up when she realised it was him.

'Gordon! What an unexpected pleasure!'

*Grumbles from the front*

'Hey Penny. When we go out on our first date, don't bring your wallet; I am not going to let you pay.'

'That's so sweet.'

'When I say run, run! And wear comfortable shoes.'

There was a spluttering from the front that rapidly turned into coughing. Penny's countenance didn't change one bit, but she paused. Momentarily, and recovering much quicker than Parker did.

'Well, I shall look forward to it. Just let me know the time and place.'

'Will do, Pen.'

'I better go, Gordon. Parker is having a bit of trouble.'

'Oh, sure! Bye Penny.'

'Goodbye Gordon.'

Gordon lay back on his bed, basking in the glow of a job well done.

'Are you quite alright, Parker?' Penny asked once her butler got himself under control.

'Quite alright, me Lady. h'I never thought h'I'd 'ear the like from 'im!'

'Home, then, Parker, if you please.'

'Right away, m'Lady.'

Penny smiled to herself. She was pretty sure that Parker hadn't meant her to hear that last part. Nor the conflict of shock and pride in his voice.

'Bravo, Gordon. Well played,' she whispered to herself.