His nephew's hug weakened the walls holding Gordon together. It had hurt having to put the images of the lost to the side so he could concentrate on the living, the ones he could save. He had plastered on a smile, made jokes when distraction was needed, held the broken crying child close as he turned his back on the mother he couldn't save. Gordon squeezed his nephew tighter, knowing it would cause a complaint from the boy, but he needed that closeness. The warmth from that little body was comfort alone.

It didn't take long for the boy to start wriggling. Giving his nephew one last squeeze, Gordon loosened his grip, so his hands ended up on the boy's shoulders. Their eyes locked just before Gordon bent his knees and tilted his nephew back, so he was upside down. The boy's hair dangled freely as his back rested against Gordon's thighs. A squeal of delight filled the changing room.

"I'd rather he didn't throw up, Gordon."

Gordon left Scott's son hanging as he glanced up at his towel-wrapped brother. The small smile on Scott's face deepened the dimple facing Gordon.

"Like I'd make that happen."

With one smooth motion, Gordon pulled the red-faced boy back up the right way. The grin that shone back highlighted his nephew's own dimples.

"How about we head upstairs and see the fishes?"

"Fishies!"

A small hand shot into the air with an energy none of the adults had. Scott shook his head as he crossed the room to sit next to Virgil. Gordon knew they needed some time. A few minutes to talk through what they'd seen, to allow each of them someone to open up to. Virgil and Gordon often shared words on the way home, it was the benefit of flying in Thunderbird Two, however today they had both sat in silence. Each trying to process their own traumas. Virgil could share things with Scott that he couldn't with anyone else.

"Be good you two."

"We're always good, aren't we?"

His nephew had slipped down his body so he could stand on his own feet. Gordon's shorts were clenched in the boy's fist as his nephew watched his father. There was no smile on his face, obviously starting to pick up on the atmosphere of the room. Those blue eyes met his, a hint of confusion flickering across them.

"No."

A cheeky grin crossed that small face as Gordon feigned surprise.

"What?! Don't say that with your Dad in the room! Come on, let's go before you get me into trouble."

There was a giggle from the boy as he started towards the door. Gordon strode after him leisurely. Little hands reached up and grasped the handle, but the heavy door stayed closed despite the boy putting all his effort into it. Carefully, Gordon pulled the handle, leaving space for his nephew to move around and out. The boy didn't run off, instead he waited with hand outstretched. Gordon took it, glad that Scott had set rules in place, and they walked towards the elevator. His nephew knew it was a privilege to see the Thunderbirds and misbehaving down in the depths of the island resulted in the strictest punishment.

These rules didn't apply in the villa and the moment the elevator doors opened Gordon's hand was released. Off he went as fast as his little legs could carry him until he got to the end of the corridor where he stopped. Glancing back with the biggest grin, which slowly shrank when he realised Gordon hadn't moved. Gordon grinned then gave chase. Blue eyes widened and an excited shriek resounded off the walls as the boy ran off again. Gordon rounded the corner. Natural light flooded in from the glass ceiling above as he slowed his pace.

The boy was right below the fish tank, reaching up on tiptoes, fingers barely touching the glass. Stepping up behind his nephew, Gordon wrapped his arms around the boy and lifted him up to the glass. It was second nature now, to twist the small body so it was balanced on his hip.

"Fishies!"

The fish in the tank weren't real, they couldn't be as the tank was part of his secret elevator so plummeted with him. The fish were a new addition though, courtesy of Brains. The engineer had started adding robotic fish after he'd walked past Scott trying to explain to an upset toddler that there were none in there. Now there were eleven fish and two crabs, which had a hidden induction charger, so they never stopped moving.

A small hand rested against the glass, just to the side of the palm sensor Gordon used to activate the elevator. Not that his nephew could activate it, but Gordon had thought of taking him down there before. He could deactivate the arms so it wouldn't suit him up, and they didn't have to plunge into Thunderbird Four's pool. However, Scott would skin him for sure and Gordon didn't want to lose out on any uncle time.

"Nemo!"

A finger pointed to the small clownfish which had just swum up from behind a pink coral.

"Hello Nemo!"

Gordon could see the excitement in the reflection of his nephew's face. Of course, Gordon had shown the boy as many ocean related movies as possible, including the classics like Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid. They would probably all settle down later to watch a film as a family. An almost complete family. Gordon had no idea if his nephew had asked Scott why he had a great grandma but no Grandma. Gordon didn't want to be the one to bring it up. The boy just accepted that this was his family, and it was complete. There was no one missing for him.

"Look. Flounder and Dory friends!"

Indeed, the little versions of the famous fish had just avoided each other and started swimming side by side, as if they were friends. Gordon shifted his nephew higher so he could get a better view. The fish parted company and continued to dart around the artificial coral reef, just as they did out in the real ocean. Small hands continued to cover the glass in fingerprints as they searched out all the creatures that they knew were in there. A tear escaped from Gordon's eye. He blinked it away, only for another to replace it. Maybe it was Gordon's silence that made the boy twist his head to him, or maybe he felt the tears that were hitting his t-shirt. Those blue eyes were sad.

"Those tears?"

Gordon nodded, fearing his voice would crack if he spoke. Again, his nephew threw his arms around the Gordon's neck and the tears came faster. So many families were missing people today, and there were probably those still unsure if their missing relative was in the hospital or among the dead. He may have been young, but he still had memories from that time, still remembered what it was like to lose someone. He knew what it was like to grow up with an empty seat at the table and a parent sized hole. A sob rocked his body. He hoped his nephew would never feel that pain.

After a few minutes, Scott's son leant back in his arms and placed his small hands against Gordon's cheeks. Soft fingers tried to wipe away his tears.

"All sad?"

"Yes, buddy. Everyone's sad today."

A lost look came over the boy, like he didn't know what to do. Gordon took a deep breath to steady himself.

"It's okay to be sad sometimes."

The boy nodded his head, still thinking about something. He turned to the fish tank and pointed.

"You miss Singway?"

"Sting-ray."

"Singway."

Gordon gave up, knowing the boy would eventually learn to say it right.

"Sometimes, but I'm happier here, where I can pilot Thunderbird Four."

A hand is waved at the tank, where Stingray dipped as it turned around a coral.

"No Four."

This brought a small smile to Gordon's face.

"That tank doesn't need Thunderbird Four. Not when the real one is hidden beneath it."

Gordon whispered the secret in the boy's ear knowing it would tickle him and cause him to giggle. It didn't matter that his face was cover in tears, Gordon wanted the boy to be happy. Footsteps came from behind him making Gordon turn.

"Grammie!"

"How about you come help me in the kitchen, young man?"

Gordon released his nephew, who ran over and hugged Grandma's legs. Her hand stroked his brown locks as she placed her other hand on his shoulder. She guided him into a hug.

"You'd better go join your brothers on the couch ready for debrief."

"Yes, Grandma."

Gordon turned, wiping his face on his arm as he went. He knew his brothers would know he'd been crying, but he was sure more tears would be shed later anyway. As much as they all tried to be strong, sometimes it was better to cry during the debrief, as they said what has to be said.