Title: Thunderbird XL
Sequel to Thunderbird X
Part Three
Author: Gumnut
Feb – 11 Mar 2020
Fandom: Thunderbirds Are Go 2015/ Thunderbirds TOS
Rating: Teen
Summary: "I've got you, son."
Word count: 1572
Spoilers & warnings: SPOILERS FOR SEASON 3 EPISODE 25 & EPISODE 26
Timeline: Episode Tag, written episode
Author's note: Sequel to Thunderbird X. so much is asking to be written about the last episode of the series. This one just happened and in a way I didn't plan. Many thanks to the Thundernerds on Tumblr for all their support and especially scribbles97 for the readthrough.
I'm having the strongest feeling that 'Need' might be the sequel to this, so it is probably a good idea for me to actually finish it. Also, for some reason, I was drawn to it today. So we have Part Three.
Disclaimer: Mine? You've got to be kidding. Money? Don't have any, don't bother.
-o-o-o-
Hate wasn't really a word for what he felt for Gaat. Pity was closer, but considering Jeff was a man who had been stuck alone for eight years, that was saying something.
When Brains entered and Gaat was flung across the room to be caught by Gordon and Alan, Jeff had a moment to greet his old friend, the man who had managed to save him yet again.
And still be completely socially awkward about it.
He could only love him for it.
Scott grabbed Gaat from Alan, stepping between his little brother and the pest who had hurt them so much, and he and Gordon rough housed the criminal below decks.
That left Jeff with Virgil, Alan and Brains.
"That was some pretty hot shot flying there, Allie."
His youngest son flushed a little red, his hand going to the back of his neck. "Aww, thanks, Dad."
An awkward silence fell after that. Virgil shifted to a work station off to the right. His hand hitting his comms. "Thunderbird Five, cockpit is secure, what is our flight status?"
"Eos is running a damage report. The EMP did have some impact and we will need to make some repairs."
"Point me where you need me."
"FAB."
Virgil looked over to his fellow engineer who was on the opposite side of the cockpit, running his own assessments. "Brains?"
"J-John is c-correct. I also want to r-run a s-systems check. T-to m-make sure there is n-no sabotage."
Jeff's stomach tightened. Gaat had been alone for who knew how long and when foiled, he could have done anything out of spite.
"Brains, timeframe?"
He was aware of his two boys and Brains both suddenly staring at him.
"I am unsure, M-Mr Tracy."
"Keep me apprised."
"FAB."
"Dad, you should be resting." Virgil appeared beside him, a gloved hand gently touching his arm.
"I am. There is no gravity in space, Virgil."
"Dad-"
"Virgil, I need you in the aft computer core. I'm reading a series of faulty processors and I have some concerns about the air circulation system in the secondary life support hub." John's voice demanded immediate attention.
Virgil hit his comms. "FAB, John. I'm on it." He turned to his little brother. "Alan." An indrawn breath, worried eyes cast over Jeff. "Look after Dad."
"Sure." His youngest son propelled himself closer.
Virgil's fingers brushed across Jeff's forearm as he pushed himself towards the exit.
Brains muttered to himself absently at his console, but that awkward silence returned.
A glance at Alan and he caught his son's profile. As the young man turned towards the front of the cockpit, Jeff was struck at the contrast yet again between the child he had left behind and the man who had flown this ship all the way out here.
"Dad, I should probably give you a quick orientation for safety's sake."
Jeff nodded once and there followed a very professional systems report. Within five minutes he knew the location of all the main controls, the functions of each of the stations, and he was pretty sure that he could give a good go at piloting the craft himself.
Not that he had any intention of trying.
But it was reassuring to hear familiar terms and watch his son, ever so confident, speak the language of astronaut.
He had been eleven when Jeff left on that rescue. All starry eyed and rocket obsessed. And now…
A competent young man flying rockets into the unknown.
He had so many questions.
But they would have to wait as Scott burst back into the room. His comms were lit up. "Eos, yes, thank you for your assistance, and no, I have no intentions of letting anyone shoot you with an EMP ever again."
"Good!" That high-pitched voice again. "John is on his way down to the cockpit. We are showing green on all systems except those Virgil is currently attending to. Thunderbird Five is prepared for the jump, deflectors are at one hundred percent. Navigational data is being prepared."
"Thank you, Eos. Couldn't do this without you." The frown on Scott's brow got just that little bit deeper.
Gordon floated in behind his older brother, a frown equally severe on his face. It looked alien on those features as he turned to Jeff. "The Hood's stowed in his 'cabin'. Rope and all." There was some satisfaction at that announcement. "We will now return to our scheduled inflight entertainment. Due to the lack of a movie, MAX will be providing juggling for your amusement." The robot on the ceiling squawked. That was MAX?! "Alan will be providing the rollercoaster effects." A hand up to Gordon's face as he shifted to a not-quite whisper in an aside to Jeff. "He really has been playing far too many video games."
"Hey!"
"Yes, Dad, you may have to curb his screen time when we get home."
The youngest turned back from the helm. "Fine, Gordon. I'm sure Dad will love to hear about Corfu while I'm not playing those games." The glare in those blue eyes was furious.
"Woah, Allie! Hold on the big guns, it was a joke." Gordon reacted enough to float backwards.
Jeff held up a hand. "Boys?"
Two pairs of eyes darted at him. Alan pointed at his brother. "He started it."
Jeff stared at them both and was suddenly struck at the familiarity. His boys were bigger, yes, but they were still his boys.
He opened his arms. "C'mere."
Neither hesitated and he once again was able to wrap himself around dreams-become-reality. He kissed two golden heads.
Scott floated into his vision, a small smile on his face.
Jeff had to squeeze his eyes shut for just a moment before he let his two youngest go.
His eldest's voice was gentle. "Alan, we need pre-flight. Gordon, Eos is about to relay navigational data for your approval."
Chorus of two. "FAB." And his two boys moved.
Scott approached Jeff. "Dad, we have a seat for you." He reached down into the centre hub of the cockpit, just behind the two forward seats and unfolded a chair. It clicked solidly into place as if it had always been there.
"S-Scott, I can f-find no trace of sabotage." Brains' hands were dancing over his controls. "Eos, have you c-completed the d-data and programming checks?"
"I have, Hiram. There is no sign of interference of any kind. I find it highly doubtful that the criminal would sabotage his only way back to Earth."
John sailed in through the rear hatch. "Eos, we've spoken about human idiocy, particularly regarding the Hood." His middle boy smiled gently at him as he passed smoothly to his place in the cockpit.
"Oh, I thought you were joking."
Those turquoise eyes that had kept Jeff company for all those long years, blinked. "What gave you that idea?"
"The illogic of it all. Why would the Hood be so stupid? Also, you swore in six different languages at the time."
Another blink and a darted glance at his father. "Well, I wasn't joking. The Hood is an idiot."
Jeff couldn't help himself. "Only six?"
John's eyes widened just a little. "I was distracted trying to keep Thunderbird Two airborne."
"What?"
Said Thunderbird's pilot chose that moment to return. "John, processors replaced and the air circulation system is patched. I wouldn't give it long, but it should survive enough to get us home." A nudge off the ceiling and Virgil was once again beside him. "We should get you strapped in, Dad. The ride out here was rough."
Scott's hand landed on his brother's shoulder and squeezed as he turned back to the helm where Alan was taking his seat.
That left Jeff to Virgil again, who gently urged him into the chair and buckled him in.
He stared at his boy as he let him do the simple task. It wasn't as if Jeff was incapable of strapping himself in, it was just…
"Virgil?" He tipped his head down, trying to catch those worried eyes.
His son continued to fiddle with the belt, not acknowledging him at all.
"I'm going to be okay."
At that Virgil did look up and the love in his son's eyes pierced his heart. "I know, Dad."
It was said with such finality, such determination…come whatever, Virgil was going to make sure he was okay.
Jeff opened his mouth to respond, but he didn't have a chance as Scott began launch preparations and Virgil spun himself away to his station.
Jeff followed him with his eyes, his heart thudding in his chest.
God, it was hard to believe this was all happening.
Lucy, our boys.
Our boys!
"Alright." Scott's accent always made itself known when in command. That at least hadn't changed. "Go / no go for launch." He turned towards John. "Telemetry?"
"Go."
To Gordon. "Navigation?"
Again with that serious expression on the aquanaut's face. "Go."
To Virgil. "Airframe?"
"Go."
To Brains. "Propulsion?"
"Go!"
To Alan. "Helm?"
"Go!"
"Then let's go home!" His eldest turned around to Jeff. "Wanna count us down?" Those blue eyes flashed.
There was no question. "I was hoping you would ask."
With a heart so tied into his family and the wonders they were capable of, he counted down from five, each number thrown into fate's face as he took that last step home.
And the ultimate in defiance.
"Thunderbirds are go!"
Alan moved.
The ship blinked.
-o-o-o-
End Part Three.