A/N: Fanfic only; I don't own or claim any rights to Thunderbirds.

In complete contradiction to the jovial atmosphere that Grandma and Bernard had been enjoying as they waited for Virgil to join them in the car, as soon as they hit the open roads, everything changed dramatically. It was almost as if someone had flicked a switch and turned the power off. The Hood had moved his attention to concentrate on the roads ahead, obviously out of practice in driving himself around and needing to concentrate hard in order to ensure they reached their destination. Meanwhile, Grandma stared dead-eyed out of the windscreen in front of her, making zero attempt to enjoy or even acknowledge the familiar Kansas scenery as it zoomed past. Virgil didn't know what to make of the sudden shift in atmosphere, but not wanting to risk distracting The Hood from his driving and potentially causing them to have an accident, he chose to remain silent in the back and simply observe the strange behaviour. As unnerving as it was.

Eventually the familiar route became even more so as the satellite navigation system pinged to alert them of their impending arrival – the old Tracy family home. Though the boys came back here fairly often in an attempt to ensure the place remained upkept and liveable, for Grandma it had been a very long time and the lack of response from her as they pulled to a stop in the driveway did nothing to quell Virgil's concerns. It wasn't until The Hood finally turned off the ignition, loosening his white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel that the old lady seemed to snap out of her daze and spring back to life, and boy did she ever! With a grin that brimmed from ear to ear, happiness beamed out of her as she sprung from the car to better take-in the Tracy farmhouse in all its glory.

Following suit and forgetting for a moment the seriousness of the situation that had implored them to be there, Virgil only had eyes for his Grandmother and their former home as they both made their way up the steps and onto the gaping veranda, taking in every little detail and enjoying the moment of stressless bliss that came with being home. Running his hand slowly over the tarnished wood of the old front door, Virgil smiled as his Grandma slipped an arm through his, leaning into his side and looking up into his deep, caring eyes with nothing but love as she quietly whispered "it's good to be home."

As the last of the late morning sunshine bounced off the still-frosted ground that crunched and squeaked beneath their feet, the worn-white walls of the house were bathed in a bright glow so inviting and homely that both Virgil and Grandma would have sworn they could hear the happy shrieks and chatter of the other brothers running and playing inside and smell the warming juices of one of Lucille's roasts slowly cooking away in the kitchen against a backdrop of soft piano music and laughter. Good times. Naïve and innocent but still so real and comforting; back before things had changed and gotten all too serious too quickly. Sure, it had never felt quite the same after Lucille had passed, but there had still been so many good times as they had slowly come to make peace with the hand that fate had chosen to deal them and regain their sense of family again. The ghosts that resided in this house were happy ones; a reminder of what they still had more so than what they had lost. Maybe that was why none of the family had ever been able to bring themselves to suggest selling the place, but given the nature of their current visit, who knew if that might all be about to change.

As if pulled suddenly from the most comforting of dreams, the two Tracy's were yanked violently back to reality as the sound of The Hood humming in disapproval behind them shattered the picturesque scene in an instant. Turning to face the man, Virgil's shields sprung up as he took in the look of pure loathing smeared across The Hood's menacing face. Like a guard-dog trained to protect, he sensed the evil lurking within the man. This was not Bernard, reformed and ready to regain his place in society. No, this was a man with an agenda that wanted to hurt his family and the last thing in the world he wanted to do was let this creature inside. Only, it wasn't his choice anymore, was it? Not if he stood any chance at keeping his Grandma safe. And just like before, as if yet another switch had been flicked, the lady herself was back to cuddling up at The Hood's side, barging past Virgil to get there as if he was nothing more than an obstacle in her way.

"Get the kettle on Virgil, then you can unload the car for Bernard. We've had a long trip from the cruise port and I think it's about time we went and put our feet up." Grandma called as she led the Hood past him, using her old key to let them both in and not stopping to consider the 12 plus hours of solo flying Virgil had endured in order to meet with them. Nor did she notice the vicious grin The Hood flashed at her Grandson as his feet passed over the threshold and into the Tracy family sanctuary.

Hesitating on the doorstep, Virgil just couldn't bring himself to follow them. It was bad enough watching Grandma welcome The Hood into Tracy territory as if it were nothing, but to actually go inside and see the man making himself at home and walking around as if he owned the place? He wasn't sure he could do it. Thankfully he was saved from any further dilemma by the timely arrival of FAB1 pulling in behind him.

Lady Penelope was always a welcome sight at any of the Tracy properties, particularly so since the development of the highly entertaining on/off relationship that had evolved with the second youngest brother. Spectator sport to the max, that one, but they both seemed to enjoy the game of it all so the rest of the family just stayed clear and enjoyed the show. Virgil had lost track of whether they were 'on' or 'off' at this particular moment in time but it didn't much matter to him either way – Gordon wasn't here right now and Lady Penelope could always be counted on to be the highly trained professional, regardless of the situation, so seeing her stepping out of FAB1 all business and ready to get to work was the relief Virgil had been waiting for.

"Lady Penelope, boy am I happy to see you!"

"Oh, Virgil, is it true? Is Bernard inside?" Lady Penelope answered, her expression a little too light for the situation at hand. Also…did she just say Bernard?

"Um…yes, he's in there with Grandma. Lady P, I don't know what's going on but Dad told you that's The Hood in there, right?"

"Virgil darling, it is incredibly rude to call someone by a name they no longer choose to associate with. Especially when they have made such strides to change themselves for the better. Speaking of which, Parker – please begin unloading the stock from the car. I shall want to get it inside before it creases. Poor Bernard will have a fit if I mess up the new Spring line, it is such a beautiful collection after all. Now, come along boys, I wish to say hello. It has been such a long time since I've seen Mrs Tracy and I must hear all about her fabulous cruise."

At that, Penny waltz inside leaving a flabbergasted Virgil and Parker in her wake.

"Please tell me this is all a part of some big act to take him down." Virgil stammered out.

"I don't know what t'say, Master Virgil. It seems M'Lady's lost the plot. Gone Cuckoo, as it were. It all started a while ago, ever since she got all worked-up from losing that so-called 'lucky' lipstick of hers, I'd swear she hasn't been the same since that day. Hasn't stopped raving about it since, or this Bernard, neither. H'apparently they've been talking for weeks. See all these clothes here – these are his stock. M'Lady had them shipped over a few days ago ready for us to deliver to Mr Bernard's new shop. 'Course back then I didn't know who this Bernard was, not until this morning when we spoke to your old man."

"But Penny must have known, surely? She's a Special Agent, she knows everything?"

"It h'appears so. After we spoke to Mr Tracy, she told me all about it. Said she even vouched for him at his release hearing with the GDF. I'm telling you, there's something afoot here Master Virgil. That Hood is up't something and I don't like it one little bit."

"Me neither." Virgil scowled. Maybe having Penny there wasn't going to be the relief he had hoped for after all. Whatever it was that The Hood had over Grandma, he seemed to have the same hold over their London Agent, meaning things had potentially just gone from dangerous to downright deadly.

"Don't worry Son, we'll get t'the bottom of it." Parker tried to reassure the worried Tracy, but before he had a chance to respond, Lady Penelope was back in the doorway and demanding their attention again.

"Parker, come along now. You too, Virgil. Grandma has some delightful photos of her and Bernard dancing at the starlight ball that you simply must see and I want Virgil to try on the suit Bernard reserved for him, it is just too darling to be cooped up in those horrid transport bags any longer."

Wait…what?!

"Virgil, please close your mouth and stop gawping like a fish, anyone would think you've been spending too much time around your brother. Please try not to look so horrified. You Tracy's can be so uncouth at times considering your standing in high society. It's just a suit and if you ask me, about time you got a makeover. That plaid is so worn-out it's positively ghastly. Thank goodness for Bernard and his impeccable taste. His boutique is going to go global so quickly once the world sees how fabulous you boys look in the new collection."

As Penny disappeared back inside, it was only then that Virgil realised that Parker was not wearing his usual grey chauffeur's attire and was instead dressed head to toe in a disgustingly gawdy but finely-tailored pink uniform of the sorts he imagined the ex-con wouldn't be seen dead in if he had any choice in the matter. It was quite possibly the most overly designed and hideous piece of couture clothing Virgil had ever seen. Seeing him staring, Parker could only dip his head and sigh in dismay.

"Like h'I said. Lost the plot. Come on now lad, help me get this lot shifted inside. I want to get a look at this Bernard for m'self."

Thrusting a bunch of heavy suit carries into Virgil's arms in order to get the man moving, Parker nudged Virgil towards the house until the two eventually finished unloading both cars into the Tracy hallway. Hearing laughter and the clinking of teacups coming from the sitting room, Virgil followed Parker's lead as they made their way to the rest of the group. Somewhere down inside, Virgil knew he was failing both his family and his Grandmother spectacularly and should never have left her side at all, but for some reason his body just wouldn't comply with his mind. It was this house, it had to be. The thought of The Hood inside his family home was all just too much to deal with and it would seem that seeing it for himself was to be the final straw.

Stepping across the threshold into the sitting room, there was The Hood. Perched casually in his Mother's old armchair with Grandma draped 'lovingly' on his lap, his arms were wrapped around Grandma's waist in some kind of utterly disturbing couples hug that was only made worse by the gloating, evil grin he shot up in Virgil's direction as an oblivious Grandma passed another set of photos of their trip over to Penny to look through. That was it. Too much. Suddenly Virgil saw red and he lunged. Both the coffee table and the tea-set went flying as the overly-protective Tracy growled, diving at The Hood in pure seething anger and stopped just in the nick of time by Parker who grabbed the flailing man by the back of his flannel shirt and hauled him all the way outside to the driveway before any real damage could be done. Thankful of his own hidden strength, for Virgil was not an easy target to bring down, Parker adjusted his grip on the struggling Tracy as he bucked and demanded to be released.

"Let me go, Parker!"

But Parker didn't. He simply continued his iron grip until the frustrated man in his arms eventually began to tire and give up.

"Come on now boy. This isn't helping your Grandma. Your family's counting on you to get to the bottom of this, so that's what we're going to do."

Virgil wasn't a fighter; wasn't the violent type at all. Parker knew that and somewhere in his mind Virgil knew that too. It was just taking him a while to remember it. Eventually Parker's words seeped through to him like a slap in the face. He was letting them down, all of them; his Grandma especially. He needed to get a grip. Wilting in Parker's arms, the older man finally let go and allowed Virgil to stumble over to the side of the house where he promptly threw up in one of his Grandmother's formally prized flower patches.

"That's it, Master Virgil. Let it out." Parker soothed, placing a comforting hand on the lost Tracy's back as he straightened and began to recompose himself.

"Sorry, Parker," he muttered, "it's just that seeing him in there, in Mom's chair. That man tried to destroy my family. He's the reason we lost Dad for all those years. He nearly destroyed us. We could have lost so much more. He shouldn't be in there! EVER! If the others knew he were here – that I'd allowed him to get this far…"

"It's the right thing to do to keep your old Gran safe. The others would understand."

"Would they?"

"Well, if they were here themselves I h'expect Master Scott would have gone off th'deep end and lawd only knows what that fish brother of yours would have done when he found out M'Lady has been pulled into this mess, whatever it is, but that wouldn't be getting us anywhere now would it? You're the smart one, Master Virgil. That's why they sent you. We just need to work h'out what's happening and get to fixing it before anyone else gets suckered in. Tell you what, how's about I go back in and keep an eye on things while you take a time-h'out, as you boys would say."

"Yeah…right. You're right. I know…I just. Give me a minute." Virgil knew he was right. The mention of Scott, of his family relying on him. It was enough. He would pull himself together. It was time to sort this whole mess out and the quicker he could get The Hood back out of his family home, the better. If only the thought of The Hood didn't immediately bring back that disturbing image of him cuddled up to Grandma. He knew that Parker must have seen it on his face again at that moment as the sturdy hand on his back suddenly reappeared.

"Say, isn't your Ma's old practice piano still stored up in that barn over there?"

"I can't," Virgil replied abruptly, knowing full well what Parker was alluding to. "Grandma needs me to be in there. What if – "

"I won't let anything happen to Mrs Tracy, not on my watch. Scout's honour."

"You were a Scout?"

"Where do you think I learned all my tricks of the trade? Penknives and lockpicking were all the rage in the Scouts back in my day. You just go be with your old Mum for a while. I fancy me a bit of alone time with this Bernard anyway."

The look on Parker's face at that comment said it all. There was no doubt in Virgil's mind that the man could handle himself against The Hood and equally there was no way that he would ever let anything happen to Grandma or Penny. Besides, Virgil had gotten the hint loud and clear and Parker was right. He needed a timeout, for the sake of his family. Reset, re-evaluate and come back fighting the smart way – with his brain and not his fists. Grandma was counting on him.

"Thanks Parker," he smiled appreciatively. Parker had known him far too long and too well, but that man was like gold-dust in a situation like this and Virgil would be eternally grateful to him once this was all over. And at that, Parker departed, leaving Virgil to go and track down his mother's old practice piano for some much-needed alone time, content in the knowledge that the Chauffeur would keep things safe until he could help again without letting his emotions get in the way. He had a mission, and he was determined to see it through, no matter what.

Ten minutes later, the light sounds of piano music drifted across the Tracy farm and into the sitting room where Parker lurked just outside, quietly watching over the occupants within and diligently eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Is that Virgil?" Lady Penelope asked Grandma.

"Sounds like it. Hopefully he's using that piano to work out whatever that little tantrum was. Honestly, those Grandson's of mine can be so unpredictable at times."

"He plays so beautifully."

"Yes, all his mother's teaching. I can't even begin to tell you how many hours of blood, sweat and tears were poured into that rickety old piano over the years, back before my Jeff finally gave in and bought the Baby Grand. Now that one is a piano to be proud of – both Lucy and Virgil were utterly in love with it and of course, that's why it got shipped over to the Island when we moved. But the one out in the barn – that's the one where it all started."

"Blood, sweat and tears, you say?" The Hood chimed in, suddenly very interested in this particular conversation. "And I suppose being out in the barn now, it's probably not been cleaned since the family moved on?"

Now that got Parker interested too. Of all the questions for The Hood to have asked, this was not one he would have expected. Something strange was going on here, that was for sure, but for the life of him he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

"No, I would imagine not." Grandma replied, oblivious to the strange request.

"And what about other items? Are there any other highly personal belongings like the piano that never made it to the island?" The Hood enquired.

"Oh, no. Everything else of the boys' got shipped over years ago. Well, actually…I suppose you could count John's first telescope. That's still here too. Absolute monstrosity of a thing – took two days and three people to install it. My Jeff never was one for doing things by half when it came to anything space related, as I'm sure you well remember. You know, he actually had that telescope commissioned from NASA and built directly into the roof? We're lucky the house didn't come crashing down. I tell you, we didn't see young John for weeks after that was fitted. He'd have lived in the attic permanently if he could."

"John, you say? That would be…hhm, Thunderbird Five, correct?"

"Correct indeed."

"Interesting…" The Hood leered with a slight curve of the lips before regaining his usual serious composure as he noticed Parker scowling from the doorway. "Very interesting."