Disclaimer: I do not own Thunderbirds Are Go.

AN: And here's another one - a longer one that takes place sometime before John leaves to the Tracys. I'll elaborate more on the point after I've seen Season 2, since I'd like it to try and stick to canon as much as possible. :)

Huge thanks to Eraman and meme12345bunny for reviewing!

Summary: time to prepare for the annual Creighton-Ward reunion.

"But father," Penelope groaned. John shot her a half-annoyed, half-sympathetic look. "Do they have to come here?"

"Yes." Lord Hugh Creighton-Ward said sternly. "It is a family tradition, and it is our turn this year to host."

Penelope sighed at the tone, well-aware of its meaning. Once their father left, presumably to start making arrangements, Penelope sank down to the floor. John sat at her right, looking at her questioningly. "What's bothering you, Penelope?"

"I don't-" Penelope sighed. "They are just…just so full of themselves. And after what cousin Eustace said about you, I don't like the idea of having to sleep in the same house as him for one night, much less three."

John let out a small laugh. "Penelope, Eustace is right to be proud, what with his grades and all. And so are the other Creighton-Wards. After all, all of their family businesses have been highly successful."

"But he has no right to call you a kook." Penelope objected. "Space is quite interesting, with all the stars and the planets. And the books you have!"

"I'm glad you think so. And that is all the support I need." John smiled at her. Penelope leaned on his shoulder.

"Do you think they will stay in rooms near us?"

"Most definitely." John nodded. "Or do you not remember just how many Creighton-Wards there are in the family?" He stood up and dusted himself off, offering Penelope his hand. "Now, I believe we were planning to go to that antique bookstore earlier today?"

The next few days were hectic. Due to their father being so busy with all the arrangements for the food and the servants and the transport and the RSVPs, he had left John (and Penelope) their first major task – they were to prepare the rooms. Unfortunately, their father planned the rooming arrangements, and no amounts of cold-shoulder-ing or begging could get him to leave the task to John or Penelope.

Penelope huffed as she watched the servants prepare the beds. John was holding an old-fashioned clipboard, ticking off several things as he watched them work with careful calculating eyes. The servants working knew better than to be intimidated, but they couldn't help the chills they had when they felt his eyes on them.

"How many more rooms?" Penelope asked, head tilted. Parker was standing in the corner, watching the siblings carefully. "You promised we could go to the bookshop again to get the book. They called a few days ago and said they had received a shipment."

John knew about this. Penelope knew he knew it – he had been the one to receive the call. "Soon, Penelope. We're almost done. Three more rooms."

Penelope withheld a sigh. As she grew up, her father had more frequently told her and her brother that they were not to show signs of displeasure. They were British. They were polite and pleasant no matter what the situation. She shifted uncomfortably, looking up at John. "Soon?"

"Yes." John looked down and smiled. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Twenty minutes, tops. Promise."

The servants currently scurrying around the room swallowed nervously. They were well aware of the older Creighton-Ward's devotion to his little sister, and that there would be hell to pay if the next three rooms were not done in the given time.

As always, Great Aunt Sylvia and her family were the first to arrive, early. Her twin girls, Fiona and Flora, were dressed daintily in matching dresses. Their older brother, Eustace, was wearing a smart looking suit, looking handsome even at the age of nine. He sneered at them contemptuously even as Langley and Sylvia greeted the two children and their father.

Parker and Sylvia's family's butler heaved their masters' bags into the manor, clearly struggling with the large load. Langley and Sylvia smiled proudly as Eustace started boasting of his and his father's achievements, while his twin sisters watched by the sidelines.

"And what have you been doing, Penelope? Johnathan?" Eustace asked, one eyebrow raised and prepared to fire off a snide remark. Penelope bit the inside of her cheek, well aware that she couldn't reveal that they were starting to train with the intention of joining the Federal Agents Bureau. Their father had repeatedly warned them against from telling anyone, even family.

John smiled pleasantly, not rising to the clear barb. "The usual, Eustace. Being homeschooled is surprisingly interesting."

Eustace rolled his eyes as another limousine pulled up. Their uncle George (from their mother's side) and aunt Laura stepped out elegantly. Even though they weren't technically Creighton-Wards, their position in high British society and their massive wealth qualified them for the annual Creighton-Ward family reunion.

Penelope let out a small breath, feeling John wrapping his arm around her shoulder protectively and squeezing. The rest of their relatives would be following up soon.

And so the great annual Creighton-Ward family reunion began.