Thanks for taking a look at this story.
Ms Hobgoblin: I quite enjoyed writing this one too. Just fancied doing something that didn't necessarily involve a rescue or anything. And I love the picture I based it on. Don't worry, you'll see it at the end of the story. Sorta. Lol
Juud18: Thanks for the comments. It really does help to see positive stuff coming back.
This is the penultimate chapter.
Photo Shoot
By Phoenix Sparrow
This story is set not long before the Hood first dragged International Rescue into action
Chapter five: Boys Will Be Boys
Scott and John were on the landing talking about the organisation.
"I still can't believe dad put me in charge of Thunderbird 1!" Scott said, excitedly.
"I still can't believe dad put me in charge of Thunderbird 5 every other month!" John said. They all knew he was annoyed at that fact, but his knowledge of laser communications made him the ideal man for the job. Scott told him this.
"So what if I am? Alan's not! How does being a past racing car driver help?"
"It doesn't," Scott admitted, grinning, "but it gets him out the way every other month!"
John smiled sarcastically. "Is it the same for me?"
"Of course not! You know what I mean, but think of it. On your month off-duty from the station, Alan will be on-duty so you'll see him for a matter of minutes once a month!"
The thought made John smile again, but sincerely this time. "I guess there's that." They turned hearing a noise and saw Virgil walk over, grinning.
Scott looked at John then walked over to him. "What did you do?"
Virgil pulled a face that showed mock surprise and hurt feelings. "Me? Why would you accuse me of doing something?"
"Because last time you had that look on your face, you'd just repaid Alan for pushing you into the pool!"
"He deserved what he got!"
John looked at him curiously. "You were away that week. Alan pushed Virgil into the pool as a joke so when Virgil saw Alan go for his daily swim, he looked all the doors and Alan couldn't get back in."
John smirked and sniggered behind his hand.
"Like I said, he deserved that!"
"So what did you do this time?"
"Extending the repayment."
"Meaning?"
"When he left his room I tripped him."
Scott rolled his eyes. "You know, Virgil, you're gonna havta grow up one day. I'm not sure if playing jokes on Alan is a good thing to spend your time doing!"
"Jeez, did you hear that John?" Virgil said, staring at Scott wide-eyed.
John inclined his head slightly, not completely understanding so Virgil walked over to him and whispered a small phrase to him they'd often used to describe Scott. Scott frowned. "What are you saying about me?"
They ignored his question as Virgil repeated his. "Did you hear that, John?"
"I sure did! That's amazing, Scott! How d'you do it?"
He looked between them confused. "What are you talking about?" he asked, beginning to feel annoyed.
"You know, you're impressions are great, you should add that one to your repertoire," Virgil said.
"What?" Scott looked even more confused.
Virgil's face suddenly went stern as he mimicked what his brother had told him. He put on a deep mocking voice. "Virgil, you're gonna havta grow up one day!" he said, unable to keep himself from laughing as he finished, John joining him.
Then it dawned on him.
"You sound so much like dad it's unbelievable! How'd you do it?" John said, laughing again.
Scott smiled and patted his brothers on the shoulder. "It comes from being the oldest and hearing his voice the most often."
At this point, Alan walked round the corner and on seeing Virgil, he charged at him.
"Never one to hold a grudge!" Virgil shouted before running off. Alan took off after him. Scott and John exchanged glances and went after them, not for the chase, but to catch them and talk some sense into them. It was going to be a long day.
Virgil charged outside with Alan hot on his heels. He was vaguely aware that Scott and John had taken off after them too. 'At least Gordon's keeping out of this,' he thought then saw him sat by the pond. 'Spoke too soon.'
Gordon saw the chase and looked at Virgil questioningly.
"Stop Alan!" Virgil shouted before running off.
Gordon followed him with his eyes then saw Alan appear from round a tree. He stepped out in front of him and caught him, catching him off balance and throwing them both to the ground. They landed with a soft crunch on the gravel pathway.
Scott saw Gordon's efforts and smiled then turned to John. "Talk to Alan, I'm gonna get Virgil." John nodded as he ran on.
Penny was in her room, watching the activity in her gardens below her. Hearing a knock on her door, she turned from her window. 'Oh, déjà vu,' she thought. "Come in," she called.
The door opened and instead of John, as was the case last time, Tin-Tin walked in, wearing her orange outfit. "You look wonderful, Tin-Tin, my dear," she said honestly. She'd combed her hair through and left it down.
She smiled at Penny. "You look very nice, too, Lady Penelope."
Penny shook her head. "I…" she was about to say she'd told her not to worry about her title, but she hadn't. She'd told John. "Please, just call me Penny." She smiled at her guest. "Thank you for the compliment, Tin-Tin." She heard a yell outside and turned back to the window.
"What's going on out there?" Tin-Tin asked, curiosity creeping through her as she moved closer.
Penny turned round and beckoned her to the window then pointed out the five men charging round the garden in their clean suits.
"Oh dear, Mr Tracy won't like this at all."
"Mmm, he never seems to relax, does he?"
"No, not any more, not now he's set up this rescue organisation. He puts every ounce of his time and concentration into it."
Penny nodded, turning back to the window. She laughed. "You know, it's quite comical to watch five grown men running round the garden in suits like they were teenagers."
Tin-Tin giggled. "They are, deep down. Not one of them will ever grow up."
Scott ran on to catch up with Virgil while behind him John helped Gordon and Alan up.
He turned a corner and found Virgil sat half way up a tree.
"What are you doing up there?" he asked looking up.
Virgil grinned. "Getting closer to the sky."
Scott chuckled and shook his head then put his foot on the lowest branch and a hand on the branch above him.
"What are you doing, Scott?" Virgil asked as Scott pulled himself up onto the lower branch then reached up for the next.
"Getting closer to the sky."
Virgil smiled and held out a hand as Scott reached him.
"Come on, Virge, time to come down. If we mess ourselves up, dad'll have a fit."
"You didn't have to come up here," Virgil pointed out.
"True," Scott said, nodding. "But then, neither did you." He took in a deep breath to steady his breathing. All that sudden running had tired him. A thought entered his mind and he smiled to himself.
"What?" Virgil said, looking at his brother.
"I'm getting too old for all this running about," he said, jokingly.
Virgil chuckled. "Alright then, we'll climb down and find your Zimmer frame."
Scott looked at him, a big grin on his face, but shoved him playfully. "Alright then, down we go."
They climbed from the tree and jumped to the floor from the lowest branch.
John helped Alan and Gordon to their feet then turned to Alan. "What are you doing?"
"Running. Boy, for a guy who graduated from Harvard, you're not very clever!" Alan said; his tone in no way joking.
John's eyebrows rose. "Cut it out, Alan. You've caused enough trouble already. In case you forgot, it was you who kicked the ball through the window, you who broke that car model-"
"Which Tin-Tin's fixed!" Alan interrupted.
"That's not the point; she wouldn't have needed to if you hadn't broken it in the first place." He looked about and saw a stone garden seat and took steps to reach it then sat down wearily. "Alan, what's gotten into you guys?"
Alan looked at him confused. He'd expected him to leave it at him, but the inclusion of his other brothers threw him. "Uh, I, uh…" He sat down next to him as Gordon took a seat on the floor.
John looked over at him. "I wouldn't sit there if I were you, it's been raining."
Gordon got up quickly and brushed down the back of his trousers, making Alan chuckle. The sound returned John's attention to him. "Come on, why are you acting like this?"
"Because you've all finally been given a change of scenery from the island," a voice said behind them. Turning, they saw Penny moving gracefully along the path, her long blue dress flowing round her and sparkling in the rare sunshine.
"Oh, hi Penny."
"Hello, John. That's it, isn't it, Alan?" she said to him.
He looked at her. "Yeah, I guess it is."
She smiled and took a seat between them. "Right, now after the photo, I don't mind what you do. Enjoy yourselves, have some fun. If you really want to, wait until it rains and go outside, I don't mind, but until the photo, please try to keep yourselves decent. It would mean so much to your father."
The three boys smiled. "Ok, Penny," Gordon said. He'd remained standing with his arms folded across his chest while Penny spoke.
Hearing the familiar sound of gravel underfoot, Penny turned to see Scott and Virgil turn the corner. The other three followed her lead, seeing them too.
"Hey guys," Scott said cheerfully. "Is everything sorted yet?"
"Yes, Scott. I think we've filled in a few holes. But I'd recommend that Alan sit or stand as far from Virgil as he can. Just to be on the safe side."
Virgil grinned and Alan managed a smile.
They left to go inside as a dark cloud passed in front of the sun. "We'd better get inside quick or your lovely suits will get soaked," Penny said, pointing to the entrance to the mansion from the kitchen gardens. "Go that way, it's closer."
Scott, Virgil and Gordon passed her as Alan got up from the seat. He smiled at her sort of shyly as he passed her, making John roll his eyes.
He took in a deep breath and pushed himself to his feet. He took a step forward to offer Penny his arm so he could be a gentleman and escort her in, but instead tripped over a large stone and landed at her feet.
"John! Are you alright?" she asked crouching down in front of him.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, just my ankle. Nothing to worry about."
She smiled and held out her hand. He took it and she helped him up. "Come on, let's get you inside. We can put something on your ankle there. Out here, the only thing I can put on it is rain," she said as the first drops started to fall.
He smiled back and followed her in, limping slightly.