Author Note: Meant to post this up before I headed down to the beach for 3 days but hey now is as good as any time. It's an extra Ellie chapter. So enjoy. :)

It had been a week, well eight days to be exact since Virgil had his cast removed and could begin some light physio. Everything but his collarbone had healed but that was knitting itself up nicely. If Vigil played nice it would only be a few more weeks until he could really begin to work on getting himself back to strength so that he could return to duty in six to twelve months. The same day Virgil's cast came off, Gordon had been given the all clear on his back. It would still be another three to six months depending on how his physio and rehab went before he would be back to active duty. Quite the little celebration party was held in honour of the occasion. Ever since then Tracy Island had seemed to lighten up, Virgil had appeared to be getting back to his old self. Though he still had his limitations he was far more himself than he had been since the accident. The biggest surprise of that night was when Mr Tracy said if there were no water rescues than Ellie could go see her little brother's first day at nippers. Tin-Tin was due to head out to study in Australia so Ellie was more than welcome to join her on that trip. Somehow it had turned into Gordon tagging along with them. He knew how important it was to try and keep your promises, especially when they included small children. Of course the first thing she had done was call her parents to let them know she was intending to visit for the day to see her little brother's first day at nippers as promised. From then on she counted down the days until finally the day came. It took some getting used to calculating the time difference between them but by now Ellie had become pretty well ace at it. As such she had ended up waking earlier than normal and was dressed and ready to go long before they needed to. Now all she needed to do was keep her fingers crossed she wasn't needed today. It didn't even need to be all day, just long enough she could watch her brother and if lucky have an ice cream with him afterwards. "Excited are we?" she was drawn out of her thoughts by Gordon who was standing behind her. Her excitement was quickly ended when John called them all in for a rescue, Ellie didn't think she had let out a longer sigh of relief when she found out she wasn't needed and had been given the all clear to go see her brother and family. Lucia and Scott gave quick hugs to Ellie and TinTin and told them to have fun before dashing off to their positions so they could attend the rescue. More farewells followed before they headed down to the hangar to use the private plane, Jeff would be flying them to Australia. Mostly because he wanted to make sure Tin-Tin was settled into her new school and it's accommodation. Partly because he didn't want Gordon attempting to fly when his back was only just cleared.

By the time they boarded, Ellie was so excited tears had begun to well up in her eyes. She quickly brushed them away as best as she could while strapping herself in. No words were said but she found herself being offered the hand of the person beside her. Looking up she found Gordon looking at her with concern, "You okay?" he mouthed to her as she took his hand and squeezed it tightly. Ellie smiled tearily and nodded back, "Just excited" she whispered doing her best to get her emotions in check before she got there. Last thing she wanted to do was burst into tears on the beach in front of her brother and a bunch of strangers. With their tech the time differences didn't end up making that much of a difference and before she knew it they had clearance and were landing at Sydney Airport. If anything this was the place where it all began Ellie mused as they taxied their little plane to the correct parking space. Ellie and Gordon said their farewells and parted ways with Mr Tracy and Tin-Tin at the entrance to the train station at the airport. Descending down the stairs Ellie twisted her hands together as she waited for the train they would need to catch for a few stops before they took the transfer to the train that would take them right to Cronulla Beach where her little brother would be waiting to start his first time at nippers. She had asked her parents to keep it a surprise from him in case she wasn't able to make it. Two months, it had now been almost two months since she had seen her baby brother and her parents. A hand reached out and took one of hers, fingers entwining with hers. The action made her turn towards the owner and was met with a broad grin from Gordon. He reached out with his other hand and brush the hair from her face before letting it rest on her cheek. Leaning in he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, "Nervous?" he asked as he rested his forehead against hers. "Yeah, I've never been away from them this long." Ellie admitted, squeezing his hand in comfort as the train arrived. She moved away from him to go board the train, though she never let go of his hand. "Hey, I always have your back. Don't forget that" she could hear his voice behind her as they boarded the train together. She turned to him as they sat down, eyes suddenly full of worry. "Do you think he will remember me?" suddenly that was the biggest concern in the world. There was a hearty laugh from Gordon, "He's five isn't he, it's only been two months. Plus you are pretty hard to forget." He added the last part with a wink, which earned a laugh from Ellie.

The change of trains was quick as they made their way upstairs to catch the next one. The weather was good, wasn't too cold for the early morning, little to no wind and clear blue sky. Gordon could tell Ellie was getting more excited the closer the train got to reaching the station. Ellie just about flew out of the train when it arrived at their station, "Come on it's this way." She pulled him by the hand and they made their way down towards the beach. It was perhaps one of the reasons she loved her home so much the train stopped so close that it became only a short walk to reach the sand. She was a bit sad she wasn't joining everyone else this season, but she knew International Rescue needed her more at that stage. She could see where all the kids were gathering as they came down the hill and as they got closer she let go of Gordon's hand to cup her mouth and yell. "Mum! Dad!" she waved in their direction when they turned at the sound of her voice. "Ellie!" the high pitched squeal of her name came from her little brother as he raced towards her the moment he noticed her. Gordon watched as Ellie raced towards her brother and swept him up into her arms and spun around with him laughing. The moment she stopped she was engulfed in a hug from both her parents at the same time. He didn't think he had seen Ellie look happier, than she was at that moment in the arms of her family. He slowly walked up behind her, "Ellie?" he asked clearing his throat a little to get her attention. For a moment Ellie had been so absorbed in seeing her family again she had almost forgotten about Gordon. "Ah." She said as she untangled herself from her parents arms and put her brother back down after one last squeeze. "Mum, Dad this is Gordon" she indicated to Gordon who now stood by herself, "Gordon, this is my Mum and Dad." She paused for a moment before indicating to her younger brother, "and this is my little brother Oliver." She said with great pride and affection.

"Hi, Gordon. Come on Ellie it's about to begin!" That was about all a welcome Gordon got from Oliver before he dragged Ellie off. All she could do was give him an apologetic smile before she followed after Oliver. "Well then Gordon, we better join them." Ellie's mum said with a smile and looping her arm with his pulled him along with her and her husband after Ellie and Oliver. He watched on with a smile next to her parents as the kids flocked around Ellie and the other lifesavers said hello. Even the lifeguards on duty came said a quick hello and gave her a hug when they past by. She was indeed loved by all and he found himself becoming almost jealous that everyone could get such happy and bright smiles from her. She smiled at Tracy Island but nothing like she was now. When she finally managed to free herself for a moment she came running over, hair bouncing in a messy ponytail behind her and cheeks flushed red. "So how did you two meet?" it was Ellie's mum who posed forwards the first question the moment Ellie was in earshot. "Mum!" came Ellie's embarrassed complaint, which served to make Gordon laugh. "Well Mrs Wilson, I think Ellie can tell you better." He replied with a laugh, "Gordon, Mrs Wilson is my Mother in law. Just call me Leah, the grump worried about his baby girl finally growing up is Jacob." This of course caused Ellie to snicker, "I am not a grump." Was Jacob's reply which only served to make Ellie laugh harder. "Well Ellie?" her mother pressed, eager to know how her daughter had met such a handsome man with such a familiar face. Ellie's face suddenly flushed red, she couldn't very well tell them he was International Rescue and had rescued her on the plane. "We met on the plane." That was really the only thing she could say, at least not without giving everything away. "Oh?" her mother raised an eyebrow as if expecting more from her daughter. "Yeah, she saved me when I hurt my back. Couldn't do without her or Lucia on the team now." Gordon added when he could see Ellie struggling, it wasn't untrue either. "Lucia?" Leah asked, she remembered Ellie mentioning the name before but it was enough to distract her from the fact Ellie had not mentioned meeting anyone named Gordon on the flight. In fact she never used the boys names when talking with her parents. Usually mostly asking about what their week had been like or how Oliver was going. "Yeah she was the girl sitting next to me on the plane, she's become of the pilots and paramedics for the rescue agency I'm helping out. Gordon works there too." Ellie added on, now able to think on her feet after Gordon gave her the window of opportunity she needed.

"Ellie!" Suddenly there was a sound of screaming and a call of Ellie's name, turning she saw the reason she had been called. A sudden mass set of waves had hit and when it finally looked to have passed all the water had been dragged back out, dragging the kids and swimmers alike with it. Ditching her shoes and throwing off her shirt, Ellie bolted without a word on instinct towards the ocean and picking up someone's unused board with a quick apology leapt into the waves and began paddling out. Pulling two kids out of the water she turned to paddle them back to the shore before she dove back in with the board to go collect some more, all the while trying to keep an eye out for her little brother. It was all hands on deck as the Lifeguards and Clubbies were amongst the waves with her plucking kids and swimmers from the water and bringing them back to shore. It seemed like that was the end of it when Ellie bought in the last swimmer she had seen needing help out there. Scanning the beach she could feel the terror beginning to rise in her chest when she couldn't spot her brother amongst the crowd of swimmers on the beach. She could see the panic in her mother's eyes as she watched her mother and father race towards her. "Where's Ollie?" Ellie could hear her mother yell, "I don't know!" Ellie's voice was equally panicked as she yelled back, trying not to think the worst. "Ellie!" Her mother gasped, hand covering her mouth as she pointed to the water. Ellie's eyes followed her mother's finger to look in the direction she was pointing. Her heart just about stopped and leapt out of her throat at what she saw.

There was Gordon, Ollie wrapped in his arms staggering out of the surf. It looked like it had taken every last ounce of strength and will power to rescue the boy. His copper red hair wet and dishevelled almost fell into his eyes. Without further hesitation Ellie raced towards him and wrapped them both in her arms tightly. "Thank you." She whispered over and over again Gordon's ear as Ollie wrapped his arms around her neck and twisted into her arms. "You promised but thank you." Ellie said again as Gordon wrapped his arms around her and leant into her. When Leah reached them she took Gordon's tired face in her hands and kissed his cheeks, "Thank you." She reiterated her daughters same sentiment as she reached out to take her wet but safe son from his sister's arms. Jacob however engulfed Gordon in a warm hug, "This family owes you a great deal." The action alone was enough for Jacob to look past the fact his little girl had bought a man along to meet them. "Let's go home." Jacob said as he pulled away, referring to the Wilson home. After Oliver was given clearance from the Paramedics that were called, they made their way towards the carpark where her family had parked their car. Leah stating they had taken the car, just in case Ollie was too tired to walk home after the first day. Gingerly Ellie helped Gordon into the back of the car before she slid over him into the middle seat. "You okay?" she asked leaning her shoulder on his, while her mother strapped Ollie into his seat next to Ellie. Gordon realised Ellie was right when she said they didn't live too far away as it wasn't long before they had pulled up at a lovely beach style house. With some help from her father, Ellie helped Gordon out of the car. It was slow going up the stairs but once inside she had him go lay on her bed whilst she got the ice for his back. She was hoping he had done nothing more than just strain the muscles of the area that had not returned to full strength yet. "Thank you for saving me Gordon, sorry I got you hurt." Ellie could hear Ollie in her room apologising and thanking Gordon for earlier as she came down the hall with the icepack. Sitting beside him on the bed she lay the icepack across his lower back where he had been hit rescuing her. "It's alright buddy, accidents happen." Gordon replied with a grin as he reached out and ruffled Ollie's wet sandy blond hair with his hand. "You look a lot like the guy on, Ellie's wall," there was no hesitation in Ollie's voice as he pointed to the pictures and news clippings on one side of Ellie's room. Ellie paled as Gordon looked at the wall Ollie had pointed out, "So you are a fan!" he winked at her and her cheeks flushed a dark red. Getting up she went to the wall and started taking them down one by one and placing them on her desk. "Yeah, you were kind of my inspiration to keep going and never give up." She lifted an arm to rub at her eyes and the tears that had begun to fall. Perhaps coming all the way here with him wasn't the best idea, maybe it would have been better for her if she had come alone. Or perhaps even not at all.

It was a move that was not missed by Gordon as he asked Ollie to lean in so he could tell him something and then watched the young boy dash out of the room from the corner of his eye. Reaching out he pushed himself up, ignoring the pain as he slid his legs off the bed and stood up. Turning he wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind and lay his head against the side of hers. He squeezed her tightly, "You're my hero Ellie. No joke. You saved my life" he whispered in her ear. He felt her hands come up to grasp his arms tightly as she buried her face into them. "You don't have to smile all the time. We're all here for you." He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek and rested his head against hers until she calmed down. "You should be lying down." He could hear her say, though her voice was muffled by the fact her lips were pressed against his arms. "That's Lucia's line you know." He teased her back and earned himself a swift swat to the leg in mock offence, he knew she had taken no offence when he felt the smile form on her lips as they were pressed against his arm. "Alright, Alright but I would rather sit." He replied in mock surrender as he let her go and eased himself back down onto the bed in a seated position. Leaving the clippings on her desk, Ellie returned to press the ice pack gentle against his back. The icepack seemed to do its job in reducing the swelling before it got too bad so it wasn't long until Gordon was up and walking again. The day was already starting to wane and the sun beginning to set when they were contacted by Mr Tracy. What started as a he would pick them up after dinner became an invite to dinner by Leah. After all it was a while since she last cooked for more than three, she said with a short apology to Ellie. So the great Jeff Tracy found himself at the door of Ellie's home and being welcomed in with great warmth and delight. The meal was a simple one but it was filled with laughter and flowing conversation, the star topic of the night was when at the end of the meal Ollie looked Gordon straight in the eyes and asked.

"Are you going to marry my sister?"

To which Leah scolded him for asking such a thing, Jacob stifled a giggle despite the glare his wife shot him. Ellie just turned a particular shade of red one could relate to being the same colour of the tomato based pasta sauce they had on their spaghetti. Jeff couldn't help but laugh and Gordon. Well he just took it all in his stride, "I don't know little buddy, maybe one day.. If she'll have me." He grinned at Ollie and gave him a wink, glancing at Ellie to gauge her response. By this stage Ellie was so red that all she could do was laugh, and soon enough everyone at the table was laughing and Ollie was left one very confused boy. After dinner he had begged Gordon to read him a good night story, of course Gordon had accepted before anyone could refuse and while he was a bit slow in the walking he walked hand in hand with Ollie down the hall to the boy's bedroom. Coffee was offered while they waited and they all sat in the lounge room, there was some laughter about Elle's newspaper clippings of Gordon, Jeff thanked them for raising such a wonderful daughter and once again thanked Ellie for saving Gordon's life. The flattery of course embarrassed Jacob and Leah, who insisted that they had not done much and Ellie had always been like that and wanted to help people. They missed her but they were proud of what she was doing. Jeff remarked that he too was very proud of her, for her effort and contribution to the team. Citing she had since become an invaluable member. It wasn't long before Gordon lumbered out and gentle stretched himself as he walked. "He's a good little fella." He remarked with a fondness in his voice as he moved to sit beside Ellie. Reaching out he took her hand in his, "Jacob, Leah, Dad" he began. There was a waver in his voice, as if he had planned to do this without Ellie or his father present but they would be leaving soon and he really wanted to get this done before he chicken out on it all together.

"I would like your permission to date Ellie." It wasn't quite asking for her hand in marriage, yet. But he needed to know it was okay that he could date her with the intention there. That his father would approve of it and that Ellie's parents would approve of it. He had been expecting rejection, and was fairly well convinced it was a no by the long silence that followed between them all. It was Jeff and Jacob who spoke at the same time and almost the exact same words, "If it doesn't affect work, then it's okay as long as priorities are kept in order." The two fathers stopping to give each other that all knowing nod of acknowledgement. There was just one person left to ask now, "Ellie, what do you say? Will you have me?" Gordon asked with a grin on his face bigger than any she had ever seen before. Squeezing his hand back Ellie laughed and smiled at him perhaps one of the brightest smiles she had ever given him. "Well now that's settled we should head back before the others decide to send out a search party for us." Jeff Tracy remarked with a laugh as he stood up. He shook hands with Jacob and kissed Leah on the cheek. They were good people, it didn't take that much to see. So with a tearful farewell and lots of hugging Ellie left her home again, not quite sure how long it would be until she returned again. She squeezed the hand that held hers, at least she knew she wasn't alone in any of it. If anything Tracy Island had become her second home and at the same time she was eager to get back and hear what everyone else had been up to while she and Gordon had been away. Luckily they had made it to the airport before curfew and were able to take off and return home a few hours later than they had expected to do so. It wasn't that far of a flight with their plane but it was still just long enough that Ellie managed to doze off as they made their way home. Back on Tracy Island again she found herself engulfed in a massive hug from not only Lucia but all the Tracy boys and grandma. Gordon however met with Lucia's less than pleasant words, though she grumbled that at least this time he had good reason and wasn't being stupid as he was last time. It didn't take long for her to usher him down to the infirmary for a check over anyway. Thankfully his back was still good, he had managed to strain some muscles so his planned date to return to duty had been pushed back another month to allow him time to recover from the strain and then continue getting the strength in his back. He was thankful that it really only meant a couple of days of doing nothing but resting before the rehab started again. Less happy about waiting another month on his original planned date of returning to active duty. Still at the end of the day it was all worth it and he would have risked his life again for not just her brother but any other child who needed it. He was just lucky Ollie was the first kid he saw that needed immediate help. His lack of original strength disappointed him from being to help more but for the look on Ellie's face when she realised he wasn't there and the look on her parent's faces when he walked out of the ocean with Ollie.

Well now that made it all worth it.