The ground under Jeff's feet still felt foreign to him even though it had only been a few years since he'd last stepped on it. It was disorienting - and he loved it.

For years, Jeff had known the interior of the Zero-x with its metal floors and walls. Even the hydroponics garden hadn't contained enough dirt to spare running his toes through. Outside hadn't been much better. What few space rocks he had come across hadn't offered much to look at, much less feel.

So as he and Scott hit the beach on their slow jog around the island - a ritual to help build back underused muscles - Jeff had to stop. He was approaching the slow crawl of a wave up the shore, his running shoes coming off with some resistance. It was worth it though, that struggle, to feel the dry sand merge with the wet. Eventually, another wave hit his shins with its cooling wash that eased his tired feet.

"It's beautiful out here," Scott put words to how Jeff felt as he breathed in the ocean.

"It really is," was all he could voice as his throat grew tight and he was forced to suck in a breath to stave off tears. Their family had seen enough of those.

"You wanna sit for a little while?" His eldest asked gently, obviously aware of how his father was being affected by their home. "I'm pretty sure Grandma isn't expecting us back for lunch for another hour."

A warm chuckle bubbled up from his chest and he moved back to have a seat out of the waves reach. Scott joined him, gazing out over the ocean. Jeff caught the content smile on the young man's face and felt pride begin to swell where awe had been for the simple sands of the beach. His son - all of his sons - had become amazing individuals. In the face of loss they had persevered. Scott had picked up the mantle to lead them, but Jeff knew he hadn't done it alone.

So yes, he was proud of each and every one of them. He just wasn't sure if he would ever get used to seeing them so much older.

"You know I love you boys," it came out a whisper. "So much."

Scott's lips thinned and he nodded just as slight, "We know. Love you too, Dad."

Jeff's smile was involuntarily these days and only grew when faced with this new reality. "I don't think I'll ever be more proud than I am of you boys."

That seemed to strike a chord with the pilot as the elder caught a grimace over his son's face. "Dad -" arms looped around knees that had been pulled up to his chest. He was suddenly reminded of an eleven year old boy who had been suspended for getting involved in a fight at school. Jeff had learned quickly that it had been to defend another student who had been attacked. "I just - I'm - sorry."

"Whatever for, Scott?" He didn't hide the surprise, not sure why the man was apologizing.

"We - I gave up. We stopped looking after we believed you were gone." Blue eyes that should have still contained the spark of youth seemed far older than they should have. "If it hadn't been for Alan's wish, I don't know if we would've ever found you."

"Scott," Jeff draped an arm over his son's shoulders and pulled him into his side. And just like that, the commander was his little boy, tears brightening his eyes as failure reared its ugly head. "My boy, I never blamed you all for that and I never will. What happened was beyond our control and you had no reason to believe I had survived. The fact that you continued my work means more than you know."

Silence other than the sound of the waves crashing were his answer, but the tension in Scott's back had lessened. It was still heartbreaking that his son must have been tormented by these thoughts since the moment Jeff came home. He wondered if the other's might feel the same. A mental note was made to speak with each individually to rectify that potential misbelief.

"What do you think your grandmother plans on making?" Jeff decided the mood needed lightening.

There was an audible sniffle before the brunette's head lifted to reveal the slight smile. "I find it's best not to think about it. With any luck, she'll ask for help."

A brow rose, "I don't think I've ever seen her ask for help, and I've known my mom for quite a long time."

The smile grew, "Max - I guess it's not cheating if you're still using a robot to cook."

"Well, I'm going to hope for the best," which was anything his mother wanted to concoct. It would be immensely better than what he had to fabricate from the dry food stores on the ship.

Scott let out a sigh and Jeff was pleased to see the look of contentment pushing away the storm of self doubt. "Remind me to have Virgil make pancakes."

"That good?"

"Pretty darn," the brunette laughed. "Learned from the owner of a restaurant in New York he rescued from an apartment fire."

"Oh?" He hadn't made it to that mission log yet. There were still so many. It wouldn't hurt to get an overview of interesting ones.

"Yeah, the guy invited the tenants to breakfast once the fires were out. Virgil was more than happy to help out. Plus, pancakes that didn't resemble bagels. Hard to pass that up."

"Ah, good man," it was encouraging to hear of the generosity of others in the wake of tragedy. It helped give International rescue motivation to continue. "Now, if you can drag him away from his student for long enough to make said pancakes, I would be greatly indebted."

Both men chuckled at Virgil's current situation in the hangar with Gordon. The engineer was enjoying his new role and the genie was insatiable. The man never needed to rest and was excelling beyond their expectations. In such, the two had created a bond that the others had yet to experience. Although, given the chance, Jeff suspected Alan and Gordon would get along. The youngest of his boys - regardless of his skill - was still young and full of barely tempered energy. Jeff hoped to see it loosed and his boy thrive.

"Ready to head back?" Scott asked a while later as the waves finally made it to their feet once more.

He nodded, collecting his shoes and taking his son's hand to stand. The mountain that lay behind them seemed to glow in the late morning sun and it offered warmth. Jeff would never take the beauty of his home for granted again. It was amazing and filled with love that burst from every corner.

In mimic of his earlier treatment, Scott's arm looped over his shoulders and pulled him forward. It was the encouragement he needed to take the steps back up the path and the hopes of a lunch with the people he loved and never wanted to be away from again.

OoOoOoO

"How's that? Better?" Gordon asked as he sat across from John, who had gone from a pale greenish hue back to his typical pale peach. The astronaut simply closed his eyes and let out a steady breath before physically relaxing into his room's armchair.

"Yes, much," he finally answered with the biggest smile the genie had seen on him since bringing their father home. "But I'd be more than happy to never do that again."

'That' had been a wish to help speed up Gordon's training for Thunderbird 4. The blonde had borrowed John's ability to learn and comprehend quickly, making the last two days fly by with the genie able to competently pilot the sub. The astronaut had stayed in his room for much of that time dealing with the confusing loss of the part of himself that broke down rescues to their basic needs. Scott had taken up that mantel and done well enough. They were all just been happy to get John back.

"No worries there, Spaceman," Gordon clapped him on the shoulder before they stood.

Penelope had been watching from the door and took John's arm as they left for the lounge. The rest of the family was waiting to surprise the astronaut with a much needed party and a promise that he could take the communication helm for a while.

Gordon was again the observer as they ate and played complex games that only John seemed to win. Alan was technically still limited in what he could do, but had offered up useful information to help Virgil win at least once. It was an ideal picture of what family was and something Gordon rarely got to be a part of.

He adored it.

Of his times on Earth, outside the lamp, this one rang such a high note. This wasn't life helping make someone wealthy or wealthier. This wasn't working to build a home for one person. This was a life that was dedicated to saving others. No wishing necessary. Just hard work and a passion to make things right for those who might lose the one thing that mattered.

So, it was with a thrill that nearly brought tears to his eyes, Gordon nearly leapt from his seat as an alarm range through the complex game at the center of the room.

An emergency.

He was buzzing with excitement as John took charge, speaking to the individuals who were warning of a system failure in an oceanic lab. Virgil and Brains were discussing the possibility of repairing the issue or simply extracting the scientists. Gordon was so caught up in the fluidity of their work, he mentally stumbled as they turned to him.

"You think you could get in and fix it?" Virgil asked, brow lifted as he tried not to ask the actual question.

"Uh - wouldn't hurt to try," Gordon answered with a shrug.

A curt nod and Scott broke in with an awe inspiring authority, "Alright, Virgil and Gordon, you're up. Keep in contact since this is Gordon's first run."

"FAB," Virgil was already on the move to his launch platform.

Gordon offered a thumbs up and ran for the elevator - his elevator - wished together by the engineer to provide quick access to the sub. The suit pressed around him, along with the belt, designed for underwater rescues. It was the drum roll before the dramatic meeting of the genie and Thunderbird.

Though it had only been a few days since beginning his training, he had excelled once gaining help from John and been able to take Thunderbird 4 out. She had responded to him immediately, shifting through the ocean like they had been together forever.

And here they were again, about to go on their first mission. There wasn't much for him to do but sit at the helm as she transferred into Moduole 4 and Thunderbird 2, but the chime of his comm brought his attention to his mistress.

"Enjoying yourself already?" Penelope asked with a knowing grin.

He laughed, "Is it politically correct to be excited when people are in trouble?"

Her smile turned soft in understanding few knew, "I believe we've all felt some form of that, but I would blame it on the adrenaline. You're about to potentially save lives. It's an amazing feeling."

Gordon felt his smile widen. That was certainly a majority of his exhilaration. The other part was finally feeling like one of the family. He was needed beyond his magic.

"It really is."

"I'll be with you on comms if you need me, alright?" She offered and the yip of Sherbert as he popped up into her lap and into the hologram seemed to relieve any anxiety between the two.

"FAB," it felt good to use the affirmation and it drew a pleased smile over her face. "I'll let you know if I run into any trouble and need your help."

Once the mechanics were through loading the sub, he left her and rode the lift into Thunderbird 2's cockpit and waved to Virgil, taking the copilot's chair.

"Welcome aboard," the engineer greeted as he worked through his 'bird's launch sequence. "Gotta say I'm excited to see you in action. How are you feeling?"

"Weird!" He blurted with a laugh. "I can't remember the last time I felt like this." Which was true in so many ways. Had he ever felt this way? So excited to go into the world, his mistress in his ear if he needed something. It was liberating and for the first time, he wondered if this was what freedom felt like. Free to make his own choices. It sent his core thrumbing with energy that surpassed that of the green 'bird taking flight.

They weren't too far out from the facility and Virgil had already sent him down to Four for launch. The pod hit the water a minute later and the door opened to the sea beyond.

"You ready?" Penelope hovered over the console and he suspected the others were within listening distance.

"As I'll ever be," Gordon's hands gripped the controls a bit tighter.

"You're clear for launch," Virgil chimed in from above, the pride evident in his voice.

For a second, everything stilled. There was no pressure, no rules, no demand of something he didn't want to do. There was only him, Thunderbird 4, and the ocean - his element - and it tore through him like sheer power calling him forward.

And with an ever widening smile, amber glowing with joy, he gave a reply to the universe.

"Thunderbird 4 is go!"