"Ow! Ow ow - okay! You win!" Alan wheezed under the weight of his immediate elder brother, earning an amused chuckle from the aquanaut as he released the hold. "I thought the purpose of this - was to teach me how to protect myself?"

It had been over a month since the operation with the martial arts tournament, the bruises long gone from both of his brothers and everyone's attention finally back on the Zero-XL. Gordon even had a shortened version of his blonde waves back. A few more weeks and it would be it's untamed norm. And although it seemed the battle was well behind them, it didn't mean that the topic never resurfaced. Usually, it was between Gordon and himself, their elder brothers too cautious to make light of what had occured.

That was the thing about his closest brother, though. He thrived off joy and laughter. Even after his accident, he had preferred orchestrating times they could all unwind and enjoy being a family. If he didn't talk, it all tended to get pent up until he exploded with the frustrations that came with feeling broken and useless. Alan was the receptor for a few of those until he learned Virgil handled them better.

This time, Virgil was just way too close to the situation to go to first. The impromptu sparring session had been a welcome outlet, even if Alan ended up a bit sore and bruised.

"You gotta know how it feels first - motivation to not let it happen again," Gordon had a beaming smile as he helped the young astronaut up from the mat.

"There's gotta be a better way," he stretched to loosen the tightness across his shoulders.

"You wanna challenge Kayo?" Amber eyes twinkled with mischief.

"I said 'better way', not more painful and embarrassing," that got a laugh and a strong hand on his back.

"Best not let her hear that," as if on cue, the training room comm went off and Scott's image appeared.

"There you two are," the brunette started, as though they should have been somewhere more reasonable to find. "We're landing now. See you in a minute."

"FAB," Gordon answered automatically, but as the image of their brother disappeared, Alan caught the signs of stress that he'd been working the past hour to reduce.

"It'll be done quick and then we can go to the beach or something," he hazarded an assumption into what was bothering his brother. Scott and Virgil were returning from a trip to the mainland to allow the engineer to testify. They had enough evidence against Micah Huller and his men, but Virgil's testimony would make it that much stronger. They both hated it for their brother - the one they could go to with anything. Alan had tried to get him to open up a couple of times to ease the apprehension and anxiety about what had happened, but it was usually brush off. Virgil was the strong one who took care of others. The astronaut suspected Gordon had been more successful on that front, however - not that they were allowed to discuss it.

A slow breath as his brother's hand clenched, "Yeah, that sounds good."

"We could always throw Scott in the pool?" A cheeky grin as he watched the almost instant change in demeanor.

"Yes, that would be absolutely perfect," an arm wrapped around his shoulders and pulled him into a side hug. "And we'll need to work on your blocking later. You keep yourself wide open."

"Aw, do we have to?" He whined, honestly not thrilled with the idea of being thrown to the floor again.

"Yes, yes you do. Big brother's orders," and the hug turned into a headlock at an awkward angle, both laughing as they made their way to meet their family.

OoOoOoO

"Welcome back," Kayo whispered over to Virgil as he stepped next to her on the lift. She had expected him up with Scott, but it appeared the engineer had chosen to do the mandatory post-flight checks solo. She suspected for reasons other than making sure the ship was ready to travel the next time it was needed.

He looked worn out as he answered, "Thanks."

Kayo frowned, knowing what her friend had been through. It was like opening old wounds that would make him wonder if he could have done more to stop it. No matter how much she told him it wasn't his fault, it was still difficult for him to take to heart.

So, with a skill she'd learned from Lady Penelope as she had observed the agent and Gordon, Kayo took Virgil's hand in hers, feeling the muscles tense under her fingers. Her eyes met surprise in the dark brown and she smiled.

"I know it's usually Gordon's job, but do you need some cheering up?" She had her own ideas to help with that and had to refrain from biting her lip at the thought he might decline. Maybe she'd read him wrong?

No, the smile and squeeze that he returned said otherwise, "I think I might."

The lift continued up towards the lounge at a much faster pace than she would have liked. The thought of stopping it for just a few more minutes with him before the formalities started was extremely tempting, but then, the doors opened and the two were forced to exit. Their hands stayed together, however, as they made their way in and onto the only open sofa.

Just a little more cold reality and then they could relax, if only for a moment.

OoOoOoO

Lady Penelope hadn't intended on coming, knowing full well that her part in this could have easily been managed from the comforts of her own home. This hadn't been a typical mission, though, and being close to this family only seemed right. She owed them so much, after all.

Apparently, Gordon hadn't expected to see her either, freezing at the top of the stairs as he became aware of her presence. She offered him a welcoming smile that broke through the shock and he sent one back in return. A tap to the space next to her and he was down the steps to the lounge in a blink and taking the seat.

"You're looking much better," she hadn't meant to be out of contact for so long, but her job had required her to stay undercover a little while longer to finish the mission.

"Thanks," his smile was much brighter, as well, a stark contrast to the bruised and swollen one from when they'd found him. "Helps when Virg insists on regular meals and limited time in the sun." The last part was offered with a groan.

"I trust you're back to your typical outdoor activities by now?" Penelope couldn't imagine him forced away from his swimming or beach endeavors. She made a mental note to request a trip to a particular cove that she favored once their business for the day was complete.

An affirmative nod and a grin that seemed to convey her own intentions was all she received before John appeared at the center of the room.

Time to get started, then.

There were plenty of avenues to take the meeting down, but they started with Virgil's trip and the witnessed account of everything that had happened to him. They would know in the next few weeks what the outcome would be for Huller and his men. It also helped that the men had been paid and caught on video making the deal. Penelope had also made sure the engineer wouldn't need to be face to face with the men again.

Then there was the competition itself. The main reason she had stayed undercover was the need to communicate with the higher-ups in the event. It had been a fruitful endeavor and revealed that Malcom Gilroy, co-manager and decidedly underpaid partner had wanted to make his own income as a partner of the group taking people. He offered easy access to the fighters who had lost their matches. He'd given key cards and offered complimentary alcohol to help create narratives for the targets. Penelope had been more than happy to bring him down for good.

And finally, the island. The man behind it all had been Oliver Marks, former fighter turned entrepreneur. No one had really known him for his fighting after he'd lost so many matches, but apparently, there had been quite a bit of illegal betting against himself in his early days that helped him build the travesty that cost people their lives. Penelope had uncovered enough evidence to send him to prison for two lifetimes, if not more. She'd also found the names of the individuals financing the events, many of whom were involved in government around the world. It was only a matter of time before she and her colleagues brought them to justice.

So, in less time than it took to prepare a small picnic, the mission briefing was complete and she was on her way down a quaint forested path with Gordon at her side. She felt a stirring of regret tug at her chest as blue eyes glanced up at the content smile set on his face. He didn't notice, but there was enough swirling within her heart to catch her breath.

The last bit of their meeting had been about the Zero-XL. They would be ready within the month with a little extra help. A month was nothing in comparison to the years she'd known Gordon Tracy and in all that time, she'd been too hesitant to acknowledge her feelings. They had jobs to do. There would be no time for a relationship worth pursuing - so she didn't. Hadn't. And now that she wanted to, they had less than a month.

She felt foolish and the regret only grew worse, because he had tried. More than a handful of times, he'd offered up his feelings - maybe not come straight out and told her he cared about her - but she didn't need him to. It was pretty obvious. She had simply brushed it off. It took him nearly dying to figure it out.

And now - a month.

"Penny for your thoughts," his voice pulled her from the turmoil and she blinked, realizing they had made it to the cove and the blanket was set neatly over the sand. She hadn't even noticed.

Taking a seat, he followed, Amber still watching her as she attempted to formulate an answer. Nothing seemed adequate to cover everything, so she offered the one thing he deserved, "I'm sorry."

The deer-in-headlamps look almost made her laugh, but she meant it and wanted to make sure he understood. It took him a short moment to collect himself. "What for?"

"For taking this long," to add emphasis, she took his hand, letting her fingers press into his palm. He didn't hesitate to return the small embrace.

Gordon's smile was warm and inviting, everything she used to force herself to ignore, "Better than never, right?"

"Right," leave it to him to ease her guilt like she'd been silly to think he'd be anything but happy. Taking the hand she'd captured, Penelope pulled it around her, letting go to allow him to encircle her waist. It was amazing how well she fit against him. The question that still remained, like a splinter that needed removing, hurt even as she let it out. "You'll come back, won't you?"

It was too great a request, but Gordon had a way of doing just what she asked. Even now, he pulled her closer with a contented sigh and placed a kiss against her temple. It was enough to send a warmth through her chest she never wanted to lose.

"I will," his answer was simple, yet held the complexity of what lay over two light-years away. There were no promises in their line of work. All they had was intention. Gordon intended to come back to her, whether it be soon after they left to find Jeff or years of being stuck themselves. Or in the afterlife, terrifying as that thought was. She had no doubt he would do everything in his power to get back to her.

And so, there was only one offer she could give in return, "I'll be waiting."