Virgil smiled as he heard soft grunting from inside the panda cage and he pressed a button on the box to view the animal inside, he smiled as his eyes laid on the creature curled up nibbling on a bamboo branch.

"Sorry for the rough journey little fella," Virgil smiled again as he was met by another grunt and he walked over to the lift back to the cockpit.

"This is Thunderbird 2, amazing," the co-pilot looked around with wonder.

Virgil paused by Emma's chair and smiled at her, "the panda is doing fine, I heard him munching on bamboo." He smiled ignoring the sound of his younger brother cooing in the front seat.

"Thank you for saving him," Emma grinned up at Virgil then smiled at her mother.

"You're welcome, we love having satisfied customers," Virgil took his seat next to Gordon.

"Yeah furry or otherwise," Gordon shrugged as he piloted Thunderbird 2.

Virgil cleared his throat finding he couldn't steer, "ahem?"

"Aww," Gordon pushed his wheel back up and slumped.

"Thank you," Virgil smirked as he took control back.

Gordon looked back at Emma, "can I see Mr panda now?"

Emma laughed at the young pilot, "I think he'll like you."

"Really! I mean, yeah that's cool."

"Mum, can I go down with Gordon?" Emma grinned.

"Of course sweetheart, but don't disturb the panda, okay?"

"Yes Mum," Emma unbuckled as Gordon stood up. "We'll be back soon."

Gordon followed Emma down to the sealed cage and she pressed the box for the hologram to appear, "wow, he's amazing."

Emma sat down crosslegged and smiled at the panda, "Mr Panda. He's probably the weirdest cargo my mum has ever had to transport. He's being taken to a zoo to keep him safe."

Gordon cooed again, "he's adorable. I've never seen a panda in person before."

"Really? Not even at a zoo?"

"Nope. We went to our local zoo as kids but they didn't have pandas," Gordon sighed as he watched the panda walking around and it came over to them. "Hey big guy. Awh you're like a panda version of Virgil."

Emma giggled, "you think your brother looks like a panda?"

"He's like a bear, but don't tell him I said that," Gordon grinned as he reached out to the panda's image as it looked at him. "Heya buddy. Rough ride today huh?"

Emma smiled, "he'll be okay."

Gordon got his phone out and took a photo of the panda, "this makes up for having to fly my brother's ship under pressure. Which zoo is the panda going to?"

"Toronto, he'll be safe there," Emma sniffed. "I'll miss him though."

Gordon smiled, "that's better than him being in danger, don't cry." He offered his hand to her, "want to go back to the cockpit?"

Emma nodded, "yeah."

"Thanks for showing me the panda, Emma," Gordon smiled.

Emma wrapped her arms around him, "and thanks for rescuing him."

"Aww, that was mainly Virgil, but you're more than welcome."

The two rejoined the group in the cockpit as they made the final approach to Toronto, and Virgil glanced across at Gordon who was looking at the photo.

"You okay there Gordo?"

"Mm? Yeah, I'm fine, just looking at the panda. We've saved him."

"That was the job."

"No, I mean, he'll be safe from hunters and stuff now."

Virgil smiled, "well that's good news. I'm surprised you haven't messaged Penelope to ask if she's okay."

"Why wouldn't she be?"

"You do know she was up on that station which was creating the plasma bolts?" Virgil raised an eyebrow.

"What! Is she okay?" Gordon cried.

"Why are you asking me? Anyway, right now isn't the time, we're landing," Virgil circled above a field nearby the zoo and landed gently. "Captain Simons, when you're ready, I'll open the module."

"Thank you International Rescue," Abby smiled. "Come on Emma, journey's end."

Virgil stood up, "want some extra help moving that crate?"

Abby laughed, "no thank you, you've done so much today for us already, there's a team outside waiting for it."

Emma looked up at Virgil, "thank you, Virgil."

"Bye Emma, say goodbye to the panda for us."

"I will," Emma rubbed her eyes. "I'm going to miss him though."

Virgil knelt in front of the little girl and rested his hand on her shoulder, "this place will be perfect for him, plus he'll be with his own family."

"Yeah, you're right."

Virgil hugged her as she sniffed, "hey, it's okay. Go on, your mum is waiting for you."

Gordon smiled at his brother and remembered how Virgil used to comfort his siblings when they were younger, "the crate is moving Virgil."

"FAB," Virgil pushed Emma back from him gently. "Go on sweetheart."

Emma let go of Virgil and took her mum's hand in hers, "bye."

Gordon waved then patted Virgil's shoulder, "aww you big softie."

"You're brave to call me that," Virgil got up and sat back behind the wheel waiting for the all clear to close the module door. "FAB. Time to go home Gordon."

"I'm going to give Penelope a call. Come in FAB1?" Gordon was met by silence. "FAB1? Penny?" Again there was silence. "I can't get through. Thunderbird 5?"

"Gordon, what's wrong?"

"I can't get through to FAB1, is Penelope okay?"

"The station was blown up. It's okay, they got out, but I don't see why you can't contact her."

Gordon frowned, "maybe her communications have been damaged. I'll try at home."

John nodded, "FAB."

Thunderbird 2 landed back at base, and Virgil walked into the lounge where Scott was sitting on the sofa playing his guitar, he looked up and smiled at Virgil.

"Hey, Virg."

"Hey Scott, what's with the guitar?"

Scott shrugged, "tough day, I needed to unwind."

Virgil came down and sat next to him, "kids and animals, it's an emotional rollercoaster."

Scott uncrossed his ankle on his calf and put the guitar down, "how do you mean?"

"Happy about the panda, then sad when they say goodbye. That being said, so was Gordon."

Scott chuckled, "all part of the business."

"Umm, thanks for saving me today. I thought that was the end for me."

"I wasn't going to leave you, Virgil. I'll never leave you."

"What if you're not there next time?"

"I'll always be there Virg, that's what brothers are for. We look out for each other," Scott wrapped an arm around Virgil's shoulders. "You really risked your life today and I'm proud of you. That sounds weird."

"No, I know what you mean. That panda wasn't going to die on my watch."

"Where's Gordon got to?"

"He went straight to his room when we got back, he's fine though. And he made friends with the panda."

Scott laughed, "of course he did." He picked up the guitar again, "want to duet?"

Virgil smiled, "sure." He stood up and walked over to the piano as Scott followed and they began to play together, Virgil leaned back against his brother just happy to be home. Suddenly the lights went out in the lounge and not long after, Gordon ran into the room.

"I need to borrow your hairdryer, Virgil!"

Virgil burst out laughing, "did the fuse go Gordon?"

Gordon narrowed his eyes under his dripping fringe, "shut up."

Virgil laughed as Scott sent a message to Brains to turn the power back on, "karma, sweet karma."