22

Disclaimer: Just a little reminder I sadly don't own Thunderbirds just like them a lot! Thank you as always for the great reviews, follows and reads.

In knowing that Jeff was safe it seemed a great cloud had been lifted from the Tracy farmstead. Alan and Gordon were actually playing basketball in the yard which wasn't something they had done since they were kids. Scott could hear them through the open window in the office. Tearing up the gravel as they skidded to a halt, the abrupt pivots; the distinct thud, thud of the ball as they trash talked their way past each other's bluffs. He smiled, it was good to see them play again. So far it had been a productive morning, he'd notified both the embassies about dad, let Maggie know – she was thrilled at the news and promised she'd swing by soon. He had also told the office but asked them to keep the news at senior level only until dad was back in the country - then they could all relax. Sally had been so happy for them and Scott was incredibly grateful to her for calling him to transfer the call. She would certainly be getting a personal thank you from him. He'd already ordered the flowers and chocolate to land on her desk tomorrow morning. He'd even managed to get hold of Gerry who had already managed to somehow come to a mutual agreement with the other side so that the asshat trying to prosecute Scott for assault dropped his lawsuit and subsequent charges. Scott finally felt like his life was beginning to knit together again. Now he just needed his father home, he was worried about him in a way that he'd never been before. Seeing his dad so…... fractured was alarming and just went to show that anyone could suffer from poor mental health, even his father who was quite simply the strongest minded man he knew. He wasn't sure what kind of support his dad would need but Scott was confident that Grandma would be sticking around to help him which would be best in the meantime. Scott had heard he was expected back at work in two weeks. As much as they wanted to give him more time, it wasn't an option but to be honest despite everything he was itching to get back although he knew he'd worry about everyone whilst he was gone.

John had come back to a hearty plate of pancakes on his return, which was great as he was famished. Then he'd headed up for a shower before returning to his room. He intended to finish drafting his latest dissertation but found he couldn't concentrate. One reason was because as pleased as he was that they had found his dad; he still wasn't home. After the loss of his mother and grandfather he was filled with unease every time the family stepped out of the house, the worry that something may happen to them. He knew it was irrational but after all that had happened lately it played on his mind. A lot could still happen to his dad out there alone in a completely different county on the other side of the world. He just hoped that when his father returned, he would be a bit better in himself. The way he had shut himself off turning to drink and cigarettes instead of his own children for help had been a heavy blow for John. He could understand his father needing time to process his grief but as Gordon had said they were all grieving too. If dad had just let them help him, talked to them even, John was pretty sure this would never have happened and he wouldn't have been hacking government satellites and listening in on air traffic control and other communications which again; he probably shouldn't have been. You could never accuse John of not being thorough that was for sure. That was the next problem; the hacking and Scott. When John had executed his plan to hack the satellites, he had been so confident that he had crossed all the dots and checked the I's. Him and Brains had evaluated every part of the operation and accounted for every foreseeable possibility and it had gone without a hitch. Then Scott had to go down the righteous route, bloody golden child who has never done wrong or unlawful in his life…. His doubts then cast doubts into John's mind and now he had been worrying ever since dammit! Why couldn't he just keep his damn mouth shut? And be happy with the news like the others?

John slammed his notes down on the desk and kicked back growling in frustration. This was going to get him nowhere. He got up and flew down the stairs. He looked at the closed study door where he knew his brother spent most of his days now. He was going to knock but he could quiet clearly hear he was on the phone. John rolled his eyes; he might as well grab a drink whilst he was here and hope he came out soon. Thankfully the kitchen was empty as he pulled the refrigerator door more forcibly then he anticipated, the contents rocking unsteadily in the door. He pulled out a random juice box before swigging it straight from the carton.

"John Tracy!"

John almost spat out his mouthful in shock but just caught himself in time, fuming at the redhead who had so perfectly just mimicked their grandmother. "Shit" muttered John whilst Gordon howled with laughter at his own joke. "Very funny asshole." John shut the door and kept the carton.

"Oh dear, still mardy? Come on Johnny! Don't worry about Scott he'll get over it. Alan and I have been forgiven and we've all done things we shouldn't at some point. Even Scott."

"Oh yeah like what? And no offence Gords but underage drinking in the park is child's play compared to my potential felony according to someone." John sulked against the counter taking another sip.

"Scott got busted for sexual relations in barracks on his first week." John shouldn't have taken another drink - it snorted out of his nose and mouth in a torrent as he almost choked. Gordon smirked.

"Come again?"

"That's what she said!" Gordon replied with lightning speed. John rolled his eyes, Gordon's sparkled with mischief "Come on you walked in to that one."

"I meant really, how do you know?" John asked sarcastically.

"Because, I heard dad going ape shit at him on the video call once word got back to him. You know Scott got in not only on initial assessment but also on dad pulling a few strings of recommendation with former officer buddies, not to mention Captain Taylor to get Scott the position he wanted so needless to say Scott going against the rules and getting caught rather publicly did not go down well." Gordon surmised.

"My god! Who was the girl?"

"Chelsea"

"Wait…. Noooooo… Virgil's Chelsea?!" John looked incredulous but its not like it was a common name.

"Yep, hence why no one else knows." Chelsea had broken up with Virgil soon after before it got complicated and Scott hadn't seen her since. Virgil was thankfully over it but still Gordon didn't think he'd take it well.

"What did dad say?"

Gordon paused thoughtfully. "Hmm it was a while ago but I think my favourite bit was and I quote; I understand you may have needs but there's a time and a place Scott and this wasn't it! I hope you used protection at least!"

"Fucking hell!" John looked flabbergasted before bursting into laughter. He could imagine Scott colouring up as that conversation went down. Maybe he didn't know his big brother as well as he thought. Gordon just laughed.

"Does he know that you know?" asked John.

"Noooo; I'm saving the knowledge for a special occasion as my get out of jail free card. We came close to it the other night but it wasn't the right time. I held out."

John looked worried. "and what do you have on me little brother?"

"Nothing!" in a high-pitched tone.

"Yeah right, never mind. You know what? I don't even want to know" John headed back out to the hall.

"Yeah you do!" Called Gordon but he left him alone.

John faced the white office door just about to knock when Scott flung open the door and John pretty much nearly collided with him, he backed up not ready to have his personal space invaded by the object of his frustration and annoyance just yet. He cleared his throat.

"Sorry" Scott backed up. "Were you just hovering or did you want to see me?" They hadn't talked to each other at all last night or this morning apart from terse replies of yes and no when warranted. Both were stubborn and neither wanted to be the one to yield first. There was an awkward pause as they tried to assess each other's current moods.

"No, why would I want to see you?" John didn't know why but the suddenness of their premature meeting had but him on edge again.

"Move along then, no one's asking you to loiter."

John glared at him and made to push up the stairs. "Boys! Ah! There you are. I can't find the others but the chickens have escaped from the compound and the guys are still out on lunch in town. Do you think you can round them up before they get lost or hurt? I'd do it but my chasing livestock days are over."

"Ok grandma. Is Virgil not around, he's much more proficient at herding than us." Scott replied.

"I can't find him dear, he said something about going to pick up a part for the tractor."

Scott sighed. John looked annoyed. This was not his bag; he didn't really care for farming in the same way Alan and Virgil did. They chucked on some boots and headed outside. Both of them looking ridiculous herding chickens, Scott was wearing the latest designer blazer in a eggshell blue and John was wearing a cream jacket. They both looked at themselves and then the chickens spread across the yard and laughed heartily at each other, they couldn't help it. When had life got this absurd? Living in this transient farmer verses up and coming millionaire territory. It had a lot of their friends laughing too not to mention the neighbor's who often laughed at the boys up and coming fashion and fancy cars that looked so out of place. Scott and Gordon got a right ribbing for it too in their respective forces.

Scott saw a light brown hen nearest his feet scratching the dirt and was the first to make a move. Scott being Scott just launched himself at it and hoped for the best but just managed to wind himself as he hit the floor bird less. "Shit!" the chicken hadn't even flown off; she just ruffled her feathers and gracefully side stepped his attack completely nonplussed.

John tried not to laugh as he was trying to be stealthy. He had spied his target by the barn door and was advancing slowly from behind. He had grabbed some grain from the store and gently sowed some in front of the hen in question. As she started to tuck in, he crouched, she didn't bat and eyelid as he managed to scoop her up but not before she flapped her wings in John's face causing him to startle and drop her. She scooted off in the barn. Scott couldn't help it he roared with laughter. "Shut up!" John pouted. "It's nil, nil at the moment, you won't be laughing when I catch one first!"

"Oh, is that right? Fine you're on. First one to catch a chicken isn't a chicken!" Scott grinned with that one hundred-kilowatt smile. John rolled his eyes but acknowledged the challenge was accepted. He stalked after his next target that was sat on a straw bale. He got within a foot of her before she managed to hop up onto a higher bale. He sighed. Scott had cornered one on the other side of the barn but she just ran straight between his legs much to John's glee. "God! How many of these do we even have anyway?" Scott asked.

"Too many" moaned John.

"Hey what about if we grab those boards?" Scott gestured to two bits of wood propped against the wall. John looked across.

"I guess that could work." They took one each and started to herd the two or three chickens they could see together. Every now and then they would have to jostle their positions to block an escape exit. They managed to corner them against a pile of tall bales. Then they looked at each other realising that they both couldn't grab the chickens with the boards that in turn led them to the dilemma of who was going to nab a chicken first. Scott reacted the fastest grabbing another bale off the pile and plonking it quickly behind his board to keep it up before he vaulted into the pit. John quickly propped his against the bale too and stepped in. He steeled himself not to let go this time no matter what. Both of them went for the same chicken almost knocking heads, they glared at each other briefly before refocusing on the task in hand. They both bent down stretching out with their fingertips and both cried out in jubilation as they both plucked a chicken up at the same time. They didn't care though they were both just happy to have caught one at last but then Scott sneezed ("For crying out loud!") which gave his enough time to hop on the bale before he hastily scooped it back up with John almost doubled in mirth, chicken nestled in his chest. They both exited the barn with their prizes and stuck them in the coop. John made sure it was secure.

They went to look for the next ones, this time Scott had grabbed an old crate and a cloth, John grabbed some maize. They headed back to the barn. Both of them wanted to say something yet neither could quite bring themselves to do it. Scott started "Look, about the other night" –

"I was just trying to help"

"I know but"

"No but's you shot me down like a enemy pilot without even listening to what I had to say."

"That's not" –

"It is!"

They were interrupted by a hen clucking right past their feet, without thinking Scott dropped the crate over her. Scott trapped her in one. He gently raised the crate so John could use the cloth to encourage her to walk back into the crate as Scott turned it, they then wrapped the cloth over the top. "Yes!" they both exclaimed.

Scott sighed. "Ok I' m sorry maybe I could have listened better, I was having a tough day and I may have lashed out."

"I've not got an ego you know."

Scott winced. Did he say that? "I'm sorry John that was a low blow."

They released the hen in the coop. "I'm sorry that my actions stressed you out even more. I just wanted to find dad more than anything." His shoulders stooped and Scott was reminded of an eleven-year-old John. Scott placed a hand on his shoulder "I know, I'm sorry I shouted at you. I was just terrified of the potential repercussions for you. I… I couldn't lose you as well John." Scott looked pained. John couldn't help but be pacified at his brother's concern for him.

"Truce?" Scott held out his hand.

"Truce" John shook his hand.

"Hey! Grandma, can we give them a hand now? they suck at this!" They both whipped round to find Gordon stood on the porch with camera in hand. "GORDON!" they both yelled in unison. "What? One for the Tracy annuals, right?" John and Scott both side eyed each other before sprinting at their younger brother. "Oh shit!" he leapt off the porch yelling with the camera over his head whilst a bemused Grandma and Alan filed out the back door. "Guys!" Alan shouted!

Virgil hopped out of the car to chickens strutting around the yard, Grandma smiling and Alan looking confused. Virgil cocked his head, tractor part in hand. "What did I miss?"