Note: Hello lovelies, sorry for the relatively long wait. Thanks for the great response to the first part! Here's the next bit, I'm planning on this being around a four chapter piece - all just a bit of fun really. Enjoy!

ooooo

Alan thumped the large bag down on the table, his face reddening from the exertion of having to carry it from the barn to the house. Grandma Tracy followed after him with a bag of her own. She placed it gently down before taking a step back, arms moving to her hips in a stance of satisfaction.

The scent of mildew from the tent – packed while it was still moist and unaired for about two years – arose to fill the small kitchen. Gordon coughed and reached for the pencil neatly tucked behind his ear. "Well, the tents are definitely here…" he grinned as he checked the boxes of the final items.

Everything before them, from packs to lanterns, were well-used and worn. Each had their own peculiar aroma that had been cultivated after years of living in the barn. Still, it wasn't an unwelcome scent. Not when it was mixed with that of victory. Because Gordon had won.

They were going camping.

Jeff didn't know this for sure yet, but again, minor details. Gordon just had to create the right situation so his father simply couldn't refuse. In fact, he believed he'd done that already.

"Wow," Alan's shoulders slumped as he studied everything he'd carried. The twelve year old had met the idea with the enthusiasm of a hyperactive squirrel. It had only been a couple of days since their school holidays had officially started, but the youngest Tracy was already claiming to be bored every ten seconds. "When's the last time we used all this stuff?"

Grandma poked one of the tents, screwing up her nose. "I don't know dear. Three years maybe…I never really thought to check on it. It is looking a little rugged isn't it?"

"A little…" Alan scoffed, but the excited gleam in his eye had not been tarnished. In fact, he looked even more eager than before.

"Nothing a little dusting off won't fix!" Ruth Tracy brushed herself down to prove the point. "Right, I suppose you'll be needing food too, won't you?" Shaking her head she began to mutter. "I don't know why your father didn't give me more warning. Honestly, that man is so temperamental."

Temperamental was not normally a word associated with his father, but Gordon just went with it. "Yep, I was just as surprised when he brought it up."

"Brought what up…?" Jeff's question trailed off as he entered the kitchen. Reading glasses on his forehead, mug clutched in one hand, it was clear work had overridden any more thoughts toward Gordon's idea. His eyes widened upon seeing the table laden with gear.

"Dad, dad, dad!" Alan bounced back and forward excitedly before racing over to his rather startled father. "I can't believe you're staying so we can do this. It's going to be so awesome! We can go on walks, and tell stories, and…and catch our own food…and whatever else you do while camping."

A frown pulled onto Alan's face as he tried to recall usual camping behavior. Jeff opened his mouth and then shut it again, looking between Gordon, blinking innocently, and a now ponderous Alan. "I…"

"Yes Jeff," Grandma Tracy began. She had started to pull pots and pans from the cupboard, huffing and grumbling now and again to prove that this was inconvenient timing. Gordon knew she was secretly pleased. An opportunity to cook was never a bad thing for Grandma; it was just a bad thing for everybody else. "This is a lovely idea. Virgil could really do with some time away to clear his head, I'm glad you're taking the initiative. I would have appreciated if you told me sooner but ah well; I'll take what I can get."

As Grandma turned her back to them, Jeff sent a glare towards Gordon. "I'm taking the initiative…" he repeated quietly, barely catching up with the thread of conversation.

"And we get to see Scott and Johnny as well!" The thought of this broke Alan out of his spell. Still distracted by his excitement he was unaware of the death stare his father was giving Gordon. Instead Alan just fist pumped in the air and did what could have been a piece of interpretive dance.

The death stare halted however. Jeff raised an eyebrow, forcing his tone to remain even. "…John and Scott?"

"Yep that's right, he got leave remember?" Gordon smiled sweetly.

Alan was blissfully unaware of the triumphant note in Gordon's words. With his blue eyes looking so hopefully excited, and Grandma Tracy's ear always listening, there was nothing Jeff could do but agree. "Ah…yes of course. I didn't…yes-"

"I don't know how you got John to agree," Grandma tittered as she moved about the kitchen.

"No, neither do I," Eyeing Gordon with frustration, Jeff sighed heavily. Setting his mug down on the counter he appraised the gear on the table. It seemed to finally sink in that he was actually going to have to commit to this. Gordon's grin began to grow.

Alan clung to his father's arm. "Thanks Dad, this is going to be soo great. When I get back to school I can tell everyone about it! Benny always has the best stories in class because he goes off to different countries…like erm…France or something. But now maybe I will have the best story."

Gordon snickered, wondering when camping had become such an important event in Alan's life. Then again, it was probably the idea of doing something with his whole family that made him more exuberant.

Jeff reached a hand out to ruffle Alan's hair. Eyes softening, he allowed a small smile to grace his face. That had done it. Gordon cheered internally. Jeff could never crush his youngest son's joy, even if he had been backed into a corner. "That's right kid; you can tell them all about it…"

His eyes flickered towards Gordon and hardened again. Gordon met his stare. With a defeated grimace, Jeff clasped Alan on the shoulder. "But first we've got to get ready haven't we? Now how about you help your Grandmother in the kitchen while I talk to Gordon about…what we need."

Alan screwed up his nose but knew not to complain. As he skipped towards the kitchen, Jeff turned toward his second youngest. "Gordon," he hissed. "I said I'd think about it."

"You obviously made a decision then," Gordon nodded toward the vacant spot Alan had left.

"Only because you-" Clenching his fists, Jeff struggled for the right words. He stopped, took a breath, and counted to ten in his mind.

Exhaling, his words were calmer. Anger was never a way to get anywhere with Gordon. "Did you really get Scott and John to agree?"

Gordon nodded. He knew it was wiser not to say anything.

"So If I called them right now, they'd be fine with it?"

Another nod.

Jeff sighed as realization dawned. "If I called them right now they'd think I came up with this plan, won't they?"

Gordon grinned.

Planting the palm of his hand against his forehead, Jeff squeezed his eyes shut. "You know, sometimes I wonder who runs this house. Because it certainly isn't me."

"No it's Grandma."

Jeff grunted. He reached out to place two hands firmly on Gordon's shoulders. "You want to be in charge? Then you get to be in charge. I'll expect an itinerary to be on my desk in an hour."

Gordon straightened up and felt excitement flitter through him. "Wait…really? Then we are going?"

"How exactly am I supposed to refuse now?" Though Jeff's mouth was stilled pulled thin, and his gaze was stern, the glimmer of amusement in his eyes was unmistakable.

Gordon jiggled excitedly, only held to the same spot by his father's hands.

"Now…have you even told Virgil?"

"Er…not yet. I had to know know before I told him."

"But you didn't have to 'know know' before you told everybody else?"

"Ah…no?"

"Right," Jeff stared drearily back towards his office. "You do realise I'm actually going to have to cancel these meetings now, don't you?"

"I'll do it for you if you want-"

"No you won't. I'll do that and then call the boys" Jeff squeezed his son's shoulders. "You'll tell Virgil. Afterwards I really do want you to start organizing everything. Ok? Come to my office and we'll make a list."

Gordon pulled his arm away and mock saluted his father. "Yes Sir!"

Jeff rolled his eyes and with a loud sigh, turned back towards his office. Smiling like a maniac Gordon bounced his way up the stairs. Things were going precisely how they were meant to.

ooooo

Virgil lay staring up at his ceiling. "I hate camping."

Ok maybe not precisely how they were meant to. Gordon's whole world seemed to pause. This was not part of the plan. "What? No you don't?"

"Yes I do."

"Since when?"

"I don't know, I just do," Virgil snapped. His hair was askew and there seemed to be a permanent frown etched onto his face. Gordon grimaced. When Virgil sulked he really went for it. "I've got things to do anyway, do I have to go?"

"Do you have to –" Gordon stopped, affronted by the statement. Did Virgil know how much effort this had taken? A couple hours of his convincing eloquence was wasted if Virgil didn't want to go. "Virg, you obviously take fashion inspiration from lumberjacks. Therefore, you love camping."

It was Virgil's turn to reel back. "Lumberjacks? I don't look like a – and hey, what's that got to do with camping?"

"Lumberjacks like wood. You look like one. You like wood. Camping involves trees…or woods. Ta da!"

"That makes no sense."

"You make no sense."

"Gordon! Get out of here will you!" Virgil rolled off his bed to jump to his feet, physically backing Gordon towards his door.

"But Virg! It's going to be fun."

"Yeah, you said that already."

Gordon planted his feet firmly on the ground, refusing to be budged by his ever growing older brother. "You have to come. Dad's cancelling the trip so he and John can make it."

"Well why couldn't he cancel it so he could make it to my visit huh?" Giving up on herding Gordon out of his room – because really, he was just a softie at heart – Virgil resorted to folding his arms across his chest.

Gordon raised a finger in answer but had to stop for a moment. Ah, good point. Thinking on his feet he said the first thing that came to mind, "he's re-booking when we get back. I guess he felt really bad or something…"

Virgil was unimpressed. "Gords, you're a terrible liar."

"What? Nobody else thinks that."

"I know you too well."

Gordon nodded in admittance. True. He put on a frown. "Aw come on Virg! He's trying here," I'm trying here. "We just want to do something fun with you, that's all."

Biting his lip Virgil let his insecurities shine. "…really?"

"Yup, absolutely," Gordon nodded. Gee Jeff owed him a lot. He'd be able to use this to get out of dishes for at least a week. It wasn't that Jeff was a bad father at all – he just put way too much faith in Virgil being able to handle all this on his own. "And you'll get to spend time with us before you go! Even better right?"

Virgil's nose scrunched slightly. The corners of his lip twitched. "Hmm…that's one word for it."

"We really need you there…to like, chop wood or something."

"Chop wood? I don't dress like a lumberjack Gordon!"

"No, you just really like plaid."

"Shut up."

Chuckling, Gordon nudged his brother's arm. "…So you'll come, right?"

Grumbling, Virgil threw out his arms. "Oh whatever. Just as long as I don't have to share a tent with you."

Grinning, Gordon nodded. "Deal."

ooooo

Gordon and Alan walked side by side toward the clearing. Each had a hefty pack of supplies on their back, feeling like intrepid explorers as their feet crunched across the needled ground. Alan – renowned for packing light due to both his forgetfulness and invincible attitude – was wearing only a thin t-shirt and shorts. That was all he would have taken if he had his way. Gordon had done his job as 'camp organizer' well however, and repacked his brothers things to make sure he wouldn't freeze to death.

It was a small clearing with a pathway leading to a bush track. That track then led to various campsites along the way. Alan didn't understand that. "Daaad," the youngest swiveled around to face their father. "This is a strange place to camp. It's barely off the road."

Jeff chortled and shook his head. It was weird for Gordon to see him back in his old hiking shorts and boots. Like the camping gear, they too hadn't been used for years. But there was something about getting outdoors that made Jeff more lighthearted. Gordon knew he wasn't really a business man at heart; it just turned out that way. Jeff smiled an infectious smile that made his eyes crinkle. "We have to walk there first Al, don't you remember this place?"

Alan looped his thumbs through the straps on his pack. He looked around and shrugged. "Nope, should I?"

Jeff's smile faltered. There was a hint of sadness, even regret, to his words. "You were too young I suppose. Virgil, you remember don't you?"

Virgil's eyes rolled towards his father. He dug his hands into the sweatshirt he was wearing and shrugged. It seemed Virg had taken Gordon's fashion judgement to heart. "I guess so." Tone wary and frustrated, Virgil's mood had not improved since the day before.

There was a pause as Jeff studied his son. It was like he was looking at him for the first time in a while. He opened his mouth to say something more but stopped, forehead creasing. Gordon interrupted. He would not allow bad feelings to infiltrate this trip…not this early on at least. "I remember! We used to play that counting game."

"What counting game?" Alan's eyes lit up at the word 'game'.

Somebody else did not share that feeling.

"Oh no," there was a skid of feet against dirt. The four Tracys turned in time to see John – as tall and lanky as ever – turning around and apparently walking back the way he came. Next to him Scott was looking mildly amused. John's words carried behind him. "They said game. I'm out."

"John! Scott!" Alan practically screamed. He forgot the pack on his back and attempted to race towards his older brothers. It weighed him down, almost making him fall, but determination propelled Alan forward.

"Woah there kid!" Scott laughed as he was enveloped in his youngest brother's arms. The pilot sent his easy smile towards the rest of the family over the top of Alan's head. Gordon felt excitement race through him on seeing his brothers. It was like they hadn't been away at all.

Virgil was apparently experiencing many emotions. His face twisted between astonishment and frustration, which wasn't exactly the desired result. He turned to Gordon, "you didn't tell me Scott was coming!" he hissed.

"I didn't think it was important," Gordon retorted.

Virgil hmphed to himself, unsure whether to be pleased, or upset, or angry, or anything. He just didn't know what to feel. Emotions were annoying and he wished he didn't feel them at all.

Grinning broadly – almost in relief – Jeff strode to greet his eldest sons. Alan had let go of Scott and managed to stop John before he actually left. Grabbing Virgil's arm, Gordon tugged him toward the rest of the family. This was for him after all. Even if he didn't really believe it.

"Hi Virgil," John was attempting to detach an overexcited Alan from his arm. He waved the other arm in greeting and offered a small smile. Virgil returned it, but it seemed that was all he was going to get. John ignored Gordon entirely – which was a traditional reception between the two.

Scott just went straight for the hug. He practically lifted Gordon into the air as he did so before moving onto Virgil. The middle brother froze for a moment, still trying to decide whether he wanted to be angry or not. Scott sensed this, "Hey man; you've got a lot to catch me up on."

"Err…yeah, yeah…" Virgil pulled away, too stunned to get his thoughts in order. "So do you, I mean…yeah wow. What are you…what are you doing here?"

Scott blinked in confusion. "Ah…camping?"

"No I mean…" Virgil looked around and realised nobody else was surprised. Ok, so this was for him. He shook his head. Scott had said he couldn't come home. Yet here he was…There was no way Virgil could be angry with him. Annoyed maybe, but that was drowned out by the pleasure of seeing his brother. Still, he held that back, eyes dropping to the ground. "Right."

Scott raised an eyebrow and scanned his brother. Those eyes took in every crinkle in Virgil's clothes. Gordon was sure that within the space of five seconds he would understand more than the rest of them did. That's just how Scott worked.

So Gordon let him decipher that, turning to John instead. The second eldest was still reluctantly attached to a bubbly Alan. "Hey Johnny! Long time no see. I must say, you are looking quite outdoorsy today."

"If by outdoorsy you mean homeless, then I think so too," Scott quipped, sending a grin towards his closest brother. John glared at him.

Gordon laughed. "Oh Scott you are ruthless. Did you dye your hair by the way? It looks good, kind of suave."

Scott tilted his head. "No? Hey, don't I always look suave?"

"Yeah, chuck on a suit and we've got a barkers model," Gordon couldn't pinpoint what was different about his brother but it was something. "You look younger."

"Uh…thanks?"

"Maybe you're de-aging. Is that a thing John? Can people de-age?"

John shot him a look. "No Gordon. Thoughts like that will fry your brain."

"That's why you don't get them. Your brain is already fried."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah," Gordon turned to Virgil. He was being awfully silent, still not looking up from his feet. "Come on, back me up here Virg, we're not exactly dealing with the brightest star in the sky are we?"

Virgil allowed himself to smile. "No I believe that spot would be reserved for you."

Gordon winked at him. "Precisely."

Jeff, looking fed up and wary already, shot a withering glare towards his son. "Gordon, it's been about two seconds and you're already insulting everyone."

"I'm setting the tone for the whole trip, right?"

The others laughed. Gordon smiled; it had been a long time since he'd heard all their laughs together.

Gordon suffered through the usual formalities of greeting – all that how's college talk that he had no interest in. Scott was brief, already enveloped in way too much concern for the silent Virgil, while John attempted to give them all a lecture on astrophysics. Jeff and Alan seemed keen to actually listen, but Gordon interrupted before it could kick off. He pointed a hand toward the path shooting off from the clearing. "Ok guys, as your official camp manager we are-"

Scott stopped him. "Wait, who put you in charge?"

John grimaced. "There's still time for me to leave right?"

Gordon placed his hands on his hips in insult. Well, it was nice to know that his brothers trusted him. "Dad did."

"Dad did?"

"Why?"

Jeff shrugged. "Honestly, I don't remember."

Gordon grunted and elected to ignore them. They had no faith. "We're heading that way. We'll stop at that spot near the river and set up camp. Then we can swim and chill. Tomorrow Alan and I have planned a hike around that area. This weekend is going to be super awesome so get excited."

"A hike?" John pouted, sharing a dreaded look with the ground. Because really, no one else was that bothered by this news. "Gords, I don't know where you get your energy from."

Scott chuckled and patted John on the shoulder in sympathy. "He gets it from nature. Like a plant, absorbing all the energy from the sun."

Gordon nodded. "Brother mine, that is entirely true. We can play the counting game while we walk, you'll love it even more Johnny."

John grumbled and muttered something about Tokyo. Scott on the other hand, looked up in excitement. He, out of all of them, remembered previous camping trips the best. "Hey, I remember doing that!"

"Doing what? What do you do?" Alan whined, hating to be left out of anything.

"Well you each get a number…like I would be one. Every now and then I'd call it out and then you all follow on with your numbers. Just to make sure everyone's still there," Scott explained. "It's like a safety thing."

Alan stared at his brother, waiting for the 'fun' part to be revealed. "…Is that It?"

"Uh…yeah pretty much," Scott shrugged. He shared an amused glance with Jeff who was standing off to the side. "It was more fun when were little."

"Yeah – well we're not kids. If we get lost, I think we're going to know," Virgil said with a frown.

Scott wrapped an arm around Virgil's shoulder. "Oh come on! Where's your sense of nostalgia? Besides I don't trust John to know when he's lost."

"Hey!"

"Yeah Virg, don't ruin the fun!" Gordon grinned, enthused by how thrilled he was feeling at being back together. "I get to be number four!"

"You already are number four Gordo," Scott snorted. "I'm one, John's two-"

"I want to be three!" Alan interrupted loudly, breaking free from John's arm. Instead he jumped in the middle of the 'brother circle', forgetting his momentary disappointment at the game. "I hate always being number five."

"Ok, you and Virg can swap-"

"I don't want to be number five," Virgil said, forgetting his disdain. His voice seemed to rise an octave in disgust at being thrown to the end. Gordon chuckled at the fact they clearly were still children. "That's not fair."

"Ok well Gordo could-"

"No, I'm four!"

"Well-"

"Oh god, I'll be five ok?" John looked as though he was ready to tear his hair out. "Virg can be two, Al can be three. There, are we done? Are we going to go now?"

They all laughed at John's exasperation. Even Jeff joined in with a hearty chuckle, mentally storing this exchange. "Yes John, I do believe we can go now-"

"Wait!" Alan yelled. Gordon winced. He swore he saw a couple of birds fly out of the trees at the noise level. "What's Dads number?"

Jeff's eyes gleamed fondly. "I don't need one. I think you'd notice if I went missing."

Gordon threw out his hands. "Do you mean to say you wouldn't notice if one of us went missing?"

"I'd pretend not to notice if it was you."

"Wow, thanks Dad."

"No problem kid…now let's get to this campsite. Those clouds are looking awfully dark. You did check the weather report, didn't you Gordon?"

ooooo

It was only when they got to the campsite that Gordon realised why Jeff had such reservations about taking his sons camping again. Nothing ever seemed to go smoothly with family outings.

They had reached a large round clearing that veered away from the track. It was guarded by tall trees and thick bush, and was set up to look completely natural. Of course, it was actually man made but Gordon tried to ignore that. There were lots of spots like these along the tracks for those that wanted to hike the whole thing, but at the moment they were the only ones to occupy this one. It was situated right next to a picturesque river, one that was calling Gordon towards it in all its glittering glory.

With only two tents, this should have been easy, yet for the past hour they had been attempting to put them up. As capable as all his brothers were, apparently they were no match for archaic canvas and ripped instructions. Gordon was wandering between groups to try and help, though really just finding the whole situation amusing.

"Where on earth does this one go?" Jeff, who was usually very adept practically, held up a large bendy pole in confusion. He studied the small round tent he and Alan were trying to put up. At the moment it didn't look anything like a tent. More like a blanket fort.

Alan, who was holding the instructions, narrowed his eyes. Then they widened. Then they narrowed again. He shifted the paper and sighed. "Oh man…that was supposed to go on before everything else."

Jeff swung the pole around to tap Alan on the head. He laughed. "Really? Are you sure you have the instructions the right way up this time?"

"Hey! I didn't ask to be on instruction duty!"

"I'm not sure I'd trust you on putting up duty either."

"Dad," Alan pouted. His glorified idea of camping growing dismal with all the hard work. "Now we have to take it back down and start again."

Sighing, Jeff sent Gordon an amused glance. "Well, at least that's my favourite part."

Gordon smiled and quickly moved away before he could be roped into any of the work. John and Scott appeared to be having just as much trouble with the other tent. The instructions had been discarded and now the two eldest were just throwing poles in random spots. Gordon bounded towards them. "What are you doing?"

John glared at him "this tent smells like old people. It also has a hole in it. Which means we just have to hope it doesn't rain." His eyes flickered toward the sky and he cringed. The dark clouds were looming and ever present, enough to dampen John's mood.

Gordon gave an evil chuckle. "It does? I didn't notice…Or perhaps I did it on purpose?"

"I vote that you and Al can go in this one." Scott said, stamping a peg into the ground with his foot. "You love water anyway, don't you champ?

"Oi, one of you oldies will have to come in too."

John and Scott looked at one another. "Virgil," the younger stated. "I vote Virgil."

"Nope, I made a deal with him that we wouldn't."

"…Dad?" John offered warily.

Gordon rolled his eyes. "Hey, maybe we could all just squeeze into one tent?"

John glared. "No way."

Scott chuckled. "I'd die."

Gordon patted them both on the shoulder. He felt like camp leader. "Well, keep up the good work fellas I'm just going to check on-" Gordon paused, seeing that Virgil had made no progress in gathering wood for the fire. In fact, he was lying on the ground on the opposite side of the clearing, watching the sky.

So much for being a lumberjack then. "Ah…" he tilted his head. "Oh man. I thought this would work."

"What would work?" John asked, before following Gordon's line of sight. He sighed. "Oh, right, this. He's been like that a lot recently?"

"Uh-huh."

"Do you know why?"

Gordon absentmindedly moved forward to help his brother shift one of the poles. "Well I don't know. First it was worry that he wouldn't get into a good college, then it was you guys not coming home, then it was Dad, then it was…" Gordon repressed a shudder. "Lizzie and her stupid studying abroad. I thought doing this would help, but he's sad still."

"Hmm girl problems huh?"

Gordon shrugged. It felt too trivial to place Virgil's mindset down to just 'girl problems.' "Mainly you guys I think. I don't know."

"Well we're here now," John said dryly. "It's not making much difference." He gazed wistfully at Virgil before shrugging. The second eldest had never been very good with emotion. "He'll pull himself out of it. He always does."

"I guess…" Gordon rubbed his foot into the grass. He just didn't want Virgil to be unhappy before he left. He wanted to help him somehow. After all, happiness was Gordon's forte.

An arm snaked around Gordon's shoulder as Scott drew him closer. He held that laid-back grin and effortless confidence well, putting Gordon at ease. "Don't worry about it bud, I've got this. I know what's up."

"…you do?" Gordon twisted upward to look at his brother. How could he possibly know what's up after so much time away?

Scott lifted an eyebrow. "Of course. I'll talk to him, don't worry. Leave it to your big brothers to suss out."

Gordon shifted uncomfortably, feeling like both his brothers were brushing off Virgil's problems as being something insignificant. Then again, he should have faith in Scott. That guy knew what he was doing. It would be nicer for Gordon to have this weight off his mind and just enjoy himself... "I'm glad you guys are here, you know."

"It's not like we had much choice in the matter," John drawled, though Gordon didn't miss the small smile thrown in his direction.

ooooo

The campfire was a blaze of red and orange light, crackling away against the night sky. Stars twinkled off in the distance. Gordon loved how John stared at them, lost in a world of his own. The air was getting colder now so they all sat close to the flames, every now and then a droplet would fall from the sky.

After more fruitless trying they had finally got the tents up. The older boys had laid claim to older one on the terms that they didn't have to share with the tinies. Jeff, Gordon and Alan were booted to the upgraded tent but Jeff still believed he had got the worst deal out of everyone.

They had filled the afternoon with activities of various sorts. Gordon and Alan had been the only ones to brave the river. Scott spent most of the time chatting with Jeff on the portable chairs they had brought, both watching the river fondly. John was always close by with a book in hand. Virgil wandered, somewhat lost, but never drifted so far that his presence was gone. At one stage he had joined John with his own book, and the two of them sat by one another in comfortable silence.

Eventually Gordon had managed to rope his older brothers into a game of extreme Frisbee which resulted in a lot of hilarity, arguing, and a very disgruntled John.

Now all was calm. Alan had his head on Jeff's shoulder, something he hadn't grown out of doing since he was young. Virgil sat next to Scott, with a little more space between them than there would be usually. Gordon was stretched glamorously out on the ground by John's feet.

Scott, with a marshmallow in his mouth, was telling the story of the time he got stuck in an elevator. "So the old man – who I swear was about ninety – was the only one of us that hadn't passed out by the end of it. Well, apart from me of course. It was insane."

"So you were in there for six hours?" Alan stared in awe at his brother like he had just found the Holy Grail.

"Yeah pretty much."

Virgil shot him the you don't impress me look. "You didn't exactly do anything heroic. You were just stuck in a box for a while."

Scott leant back and frowned. "Yeah and I survived. Think you could handle that?"

Virgil thought on it for a moment. "Yes. Well, if I had music maybe…"

"I could do it!" Alan's head shot up from Jeff's shoulder. Whenever there was a challenge of strength or endurance he was always out to prove he would be on top. "Especially if everyone was friendly. You could make friends with them, or play games, it would be easy."

"But Alan…" Jeff chimed in with a serious tone. "There wouldn't be any…food."

Alan nudged his father in irritation. Scott gasped playfully. "Oh no. He's out."

"It's only six hours," Gordon objected, conveniently placing three more marshmallows into his mouth. "You wouldn't starve."

Alan poked his tongue out at Gordon, "you probably would."

John's quiet words were barely audible over the crackling of the fire. "Once, I saw a movie where people were stuck in an elevator and one of them was the devil."

There was silence. Silence occasionally followed John's statements because nobody knew how to answer them.

"I think I might have seen that." Virgil said slowly, turning to his brother. "Is that the one set in Philadelphia?"

John shrugged. "It's the one where everyone dies."

"Oh yeah. It's good as a horror but sucks where the storyline is concerned. I always think that movies praise visuals over story these days. It's kind of sad."

John nodded In agreement. The rest of them all shared a look of confusion. Jeff cleared his throat and directed his comment toward John. "Since when did you like horrors?"

"Since…always?"

"Huh…" Jeff looked bewilderment. "I never would have pegged you for that."

Rolling his eyes at the similar bemused expressions on his brother's faces, John turned back to Virgil. "We could have a marathon when we get back home. After all, I've got two more weeks to fill. We should make a night out of it."

Virgil blinked in surprise. For John to suggest – and not have to be dragged into – a social event was pretty groundbreaking. "Oh…ok?"

Gordon rose from his lying place and smoothly maneuvered himself into sitting position. "Yuck. I don't do freaky guys stabbing things, or tying people up, or devils in elevators."

"No you do rom-coms instead." Scott teased, throwing a marshmallow at his brother's head. Gordon caught it and threw it back, Scott miraculously managing to catch it in his mouth.

"There's nothing wrong with a good rom-com," Gordon defended. The others laughed. Even Virgil managed a thin smile. Gordon's beam faded. It was like Virg wouldn't let himself have fun, and Gordon didn't like it.

"Any more stories?" Alan asked, rocking back and forward due to a mixture of excitement and sugar.

"You go ahead Al," Scott encouraged, though he stifled a yawn behind his hand. Considering the fact he had flown in that morning, it was understandable.

"Nah I'm bad at storytelling, Benny at school always gets bored when I tell stories."

"Hey you're not bad!" Scott was quick to jump to his defense.

"Nah, they just go on way too long," Gordon said frankly.

Jeff and Scott glared at him. Virgil smirked. John's foot collided with Gordon's back. Alan just shrugged indifferently, he knew it was true. "Tell us more college stories. They're funny."

"Oh yeah, like that one where you woke up covered in glitter, or in that tree-" Gordon paused as Scott began miming for him to be quiet. Eyes sliding to Jeff's now very curious face, Gordon instantly understood. "Or was that me?" he corrected awkwardly. "Or did I dream that?"

Scott barely held back a laugh. "Definitely a dream Gords. I don't know what you're talking about."

Jeff rolled his eyes. "What I don't know won't kill me."

"Virg will be able to tell us college stories soon too," Alan leant closer to his father and yawned. Virgil paled at the mention of this, turning his face away from the light of the fire. Unaware, Alan continued. "Gordo won't. He won't go to college."

Laughter burst from Jeff at the unexpected comment. Scott looked offended on behalf of his brother. "Hey!" Gordon chuckled at the very serious look on Alan's face. "Just because I can't do astrophysics doesn't mean I'm not smart. Besides, I'll be too busy swimming my way to gold."

"Yeah right," Alan snorted.

For the next half an hour they sat together and talked, though it was mainly Alan doing the talking. Everybody else was just content with one another's company. They were all getting steadily more tired and staring into the hypnotizing flames was not helping.

When a steadier fall of rain began to leak from the sky, Virgil was the first to get to his feet. "I think I might get some rest…" he trailed off slowly, looking around at his family, mesmorising how their faces looked, doused in the dying light of the fire.

"Yup, get ready for a day of adventure tomorrow!" Gordon enthused, hoping some of it would rub off on Virgil.

The middle brother nodded and forced a smile. Scott pushed himself upward as well and said his goodnights. John was quick to follow. That made Gordon feel a little more at ease, knowing that Virgil was with them. But he couldn't stop the strange worry that was niggling inside of him.

"Do we have to go to bed," Alan asked, eyes already closed, words practically a whisper.

Jeff patted him on the shoulder. "You're going to need energy for tomorrow apparently, so I think the answer is yes."

Gordon wrapped his arms around himself and nodded. "That's right Al, we'll need to be up nice and early as well to make the most of the day."

Jeff's smile morphed into a frown. "…you're not planning anything, are you?"

"Dad!" Gordon snorted. "You really don't trust me, do you?"

Jeff got to his feet and offered Alan his hand. "Not when I have to be in such close quarters with you."

Gordon rolled his eyes. Why was everyone in this family so over-dramatic? "You do realise this is what it's going to be like all of next year?"

"We won't be in tents though Gords," Alan giggled tiredly at the thought. Leaning on his father, they made their way towards the little tent.

Gordon smiled. He followed after them just as the rain began to pour.

ooooo