Following Scott out the door, Virgil shivered in the frigid Kansas morning. Scott gave a sharp whistle, and Alan, who had gotten up and started picking up the bags, looked up. Seeing his big brother, he let out a whoop and dropping the bags, came running, jumping into Scott's arms. "Scotty!!! Yayyyy! You're here!"

Scott who had naturally caught his brother, stood foursquare, holding his brother up, as Alan wrapped his long legs around him, holding his fists up in the air in exultation. After a moment, Scott dropped his hold, and Alan hopped to the ground, keeping one arm firmly over his brother's shoulders.

Scott shook his head, "Damn, you've grown another foot!"

Alan straightened proudly, "Yep. I'm now officially taller than Gordon. Give me a few more weeks and I'll be taller than you!"

Scott chuckled ruffling the teenager's spiky hair. "It's good to see you, kid." He looked over at the pile of bags and boxes on the ground. "I see you're still as messy as ever."

"Aw, that wasn't my fault. Somebody rigged it all to fall on me." Alan looked suspiciously at the bags. "Kale's. Friedlings." His head swiveled to lock a dead eye on Gordon.

"Hey, don't blame me. John was supposed to get here first. How was I to know he'd come straight in the restaurant without loading his stuff?"

"You had your cell, you could've warned me."

"What? And ruin a perfectly good trap? Get real." Gordon snorted.

"Come on, you guys, let's just get all this crap on board so we can get back in the restaurant." Virgil strode to the pile of bags.

Scott looked the situation over, and took command. "John, go up in the cabin, and open the inner hatch. Al, you and Gordy go unload the stuff from your car. Virg and I will start loading."

As the brothers hopped to do Scott's bidding, Virgil heard Gordon say to Alan. "Besides, I just saved your butt. Dad's here. He saw the way you drove up."

Alan stopped dead. "Ah, crap."

"I got your back. The sight of all those bags falling on your head distracted him. I took out the lightning. Of course, you're still going to have to deal with the thunder."

Alan glanced uneasily up at the restaurant. "I'm not going to get to go to the concert, am I?"

"It's a whole month away. With any luck you'll be back in his good graces by then."

"Really?"

Gordon looked at his brother pityingly, "Not a chance."

"Crap."

"Virg, help me with this, will you?" Scott called, forcing Virgil to leave off listening to his youngest brothers. Looking around, he found Scott up in the cargo hold, shoving a heavy looking box to the rear.

Striding over, Virgil started to climb up, but stopped when Scott gestured. "No, I need you down there. You hand up the stuff, I'll balance the heavy stuff in the hold and hand the clothes and light junk through to John."

"Okay." Virgil nodded, satisfied with the division of labor. He grabbed an armful of bags and shoved them up into the hold. Scott in turn pushed them on through to John. When Alan and Gordon started delivering heavier items, Virgil took them from their arms and handed them directly to Scott who acted as loadmaster to stow and balance the load.

Virgil stopped only once when picking up a Friedlings bag. He knew as he hefted it what was inside, and he paused a moment to peek. He found not two, but four boxes branded with the Hoverott logo. A satisfied grin came over his face, and he looked over at where Gordon and Alan were wrestling a huge box out of John's van. "Hey, Gordon, thanks for getting these for me."

Gordon glanced up. "No problem, big brother."

"What is that you guys have there?" Virgil asked curiously, trying to read the logo on the box.

"It's a Nuclear Cooker. Me and Johnny and Gordy got it for Grandma for Christmas. She's been eyeing one at Stott's for the last two months." Alan answered.

Virgil glanced up as Scott hopped down next to him. The two eldest brothers communicated with a look and Scott nodded briefly. "Those things are pretty expensive, aren't they?"

Both Gordon and Alan paused at the tone, and communicated with their own looks. Gordon grinned. "Yeah, they are, but you know, only the best for Grandma. Why? You guys want to kick in?"

"How much?"

"Well, if we divvy it up five ways, that comes to $750.00 apiece."

Scott cocked his head, crossing his arms, Virgil mirroring the pose. "John, get out here." Scott hollered.

John appeared in the hatchway, a curious look on his face. Seeing his older brothers squared off against the younger he paused, not sure which side he wanted. "What's going on?"

"You have the invoice on that Nuclear Cooker?"

"Aw, tell me you guys didn't drop it. I had to fight tooth and nail to get the damn thing."

"Nobody's dropped it, we just want to know how much you paid for it."

Instead of being relieved, John looked distinctly wary. "Why?"

"Because Virg and I want to kick in for it. We want to know how much you paid." As he said it, Scott's eyes never left his two youngest brothers.

Virgil positioned himself to watch all three of the younger men, determined to catch any signaling that went on. He was pretty sure the newest innovation in cooking did cost at least $3500.00. If it had been John quoting the price, he and Scott would have accepted it without quibble, but Gordon would raise the price just to see if he could get away with it.

John stood looking from one side to the other. Virgil hoped he'd make the right decision, and almost as if he was a mind reader, John shifted minutely toward his older brothers, adopting their pose, saying, "How much did they say it was?"

"Gordon said $3750.00."

John's jaw dropped for a split second before he started to snicker. "He said that?"

"He said $750.00 a piece."

John's eyebrows went up, and he laughed delightedly. "God, you got balls, kid, I'll give you that!"

Gordon shrugged grinning. John shook his head. "The whole point of doing this Black Friday shopping thing is you get unbelievable deals. The Nuclear Cooker was on sale for $1500.00. He was going to have you two pay for the whole thing, and we all get the credit."

"I say we get a piece of rope, drag him behind the jet for the trip home."

Scott shook his head. "No, that's okay. No harm done." The eldest Tracy brother turned away and climbed up into the hold of the jet. "Let's get it stowed and get back to our breakfast."

All four younger Tracy brothers stared, not quite sure how to take this turn of events. After a moment, Virgil shook himself. "You heard the man, get that thing over here."

Gordon and Alan looked at one another, and shrugging, picked the large unwieldy box up and with Virgil and John's help, got it up into the hold. Scott called out, "You guys go on ahead. I'll be in as soon as I have this locked down."

After a moment's pause, John, Gordon and Alan headed for the restaurant. Virgil climbed up into the hold and helped Scott position the box, then helped set up the cargo net that would secure the entire load. Virgil glanced around, his engineer's soul satisfied that Scott had set the load so that the plane would not be unbalanced in flight. "Are you really going to let that pass?"

"Hell no. We wait until he lets his guard down then we nail him." Scott responded casually.

Virgil smiled. "It's good to have you home, Scott."

Slapping his brother on the shoulder, Scott chuckled, "It's good to be home."

Warmed by the exertion, the two brothers hopped down to the tarmac, and Scott secured the hatch. "I'm ready for some real food, how about you?"

"Haunch of elephant would go down real easy about now."

Laughing, the two brothers headed for the restaurant. Opening the door, a rush of warm, cinnamon-scented air greeted them, and they threaded their way through the tables toward the back. Virgil winced inwardly when he saw the sullen look and bright red cheeks on Alan's face. Apparently the thunder had rolled over his youngest brother, and the four at the table were quiet.

Scott acted as if he didn't notice, knuckle rubbing Gordon's head, telling him to change seats so he could sit next to Alan. Gordon forfeited his seat with no argument, stuffing his face with one last piece of bacon as he moved. Scott sat down, and threw his arm across Alan's shoulders. "So, are you going to the Winter Ball? Have you got a girl?"

Alan always blossomed whenever Scott paid attention to him, and he did so now, shaking off his funk. "Well, I need your advice, actually. There's three girls, and I'm not sure which one to take."

The bold statement brought catcalls from the three middle Tracy brothers, but Scott just nodded sagely. "Okay, but I think we'll talk about it at home. In privacy."

"Aw, no, Scott! I want to hear!" Gordon's eyes were alight with mischief.

"Actually, I think we should discuss that statement you made earlier." John said quietly.

Gordon looked over at his brother. "What statement?"

"Something about 'John was supposed to get here first.'"

Gordon's eyes widened, but he looked up and said brightly, "Oh, look, here's Maddie the waitress. Hello, Maddie the waitress. Want to go out with me tomorrow night?"

Maddie's eyes flew open, but she kept her smile professional. "I'd love to, sir, but unfortunately, I already have a date."

"Aw, but you'll break it for me, won't you?" Gordon had his charm cranked up to high, but it was lost on the pretty young woman.

"I can't, but thanks for asking. Now, can I get you gentlemen some breakfast?" Maddie poised her pencil over her pad, and the Tracys took the hint, one and all. They each ordered breakfast, and Jeff ended by requesting yet another pot of coffee.

"Boys, what was that big box you were loading at the end there?"

"It's a Nuclear Cooker for Grandma for Christmas. Alan says she's been wanting one." John replied.

"She has? She never said anything to me about it."

"You know how Grandma is, Dad. She never asks for anything for herself. But everytime we've been in town she's just kind of stopped in front of Stott's and looked at it." Alan said, his mouth full of the last crumbs of sticky bun.

Jeff harrumphed. "I'm not sure I trust that technology. Seems a bit iffy to me."

"No, I've seen the specs on it, Dad, and it's solid. If you've got any doubts about it, why don't you have Brains take a look?" Virgil mentioned one of his father's best engineers.

Jeff shook his head. "Brains has more important work. He's moved to the island so he can work in peace."

"Oh, yeah, about that. Dad, did you know Grandma doesn't want to move?"

"What do you mean, son?"

"I was talking to her last night, and she said that when you move down to the island next summer, she isn't going to go."

Everyone at the table stared at Virgil in stunned silence. Alan was the first to speak. "But I've already been accepted at Florida State. I can't get the classes I want at Topeka."

John said hesitantly, "Maybe I could transfer."

Jeff shook his head. "Nobody's transferring. Alan, you'll go to Florida. Mom is going to come with me. Don't you boys worry about it."

Jeff's emphatic statement should have put the matter to rest, but Virgil could tell by the worried looks all around that no one believed Ruth Tracy would just meekly follow her son.

"Dad, why that island anyway? Surely it can't be good for the business. You've always told us that you can't run a business long distance."

Jeff looked pensively at his five sons, then responded. "I have my reasons, Scott. I can't go into them with you boys at the moment, although I'll explain it all some day. Suffice it to say that I wouldn't do it if I didn't feel it was important." Jeff smiled, "Besides, don't you boys want to be able to vacation on a tropical paradise?"

Virgil glanced out the window at the bleak Kansas sky, and had to admit, warm breezes and white sands were tempting.

Alan asked a bit tentatively, "Can we bring girls?"

Virgil snorted a laugh along with his brothers. Alan had been a bit of a late bloomer, showing no interest in the opposite sex until last summer, but now he seemed determined to make up for lost time. Jeff stirred his coffee and responded with Parental Answer # 4: "We'll see."

There was a pause in the conversation as each of the Tracys contemplated the pleasures of the South Seas, but Gordon, who never believed that silence could be golden, said with a sly grin, "Hey, Al, guess what Grandma gave Scotty?"

"What?"

"A magic ring!"

"A ma… you mean like a… a… like you use for… sex?" Alan asked hesitantly, honestly confused.

Virgil, caught in the act of sipping coffee, spewed it out as John and Gordon howled with laughter. Jeff sat looking shocked that son should know of such things. Scott's look of righteous indignation sent his brothers into fresh spasms of laughter.

Alan looked around, flushing red in embarrassment. Scott reached over and lightly cuffed his brother behind the head. "I don't need any help from Grandma in that department."

"Well, what did he mean, magic ring? Can I see it?"

Scott pulled the chain out from under his tee shirt and dangled the ring so that his brother could see it. Alan looked at it for a moment then frowned. "Doesn't look so magic to me."

"Grandma says it keeps the boogeyman away." Gordon chortled.

John, wiping away tears of mirth, asked, "Can I see it for a moment?"

Sighing, Scott lifted the chain over his head, and handed it over, saying, "Put it on your finger, and Grandma will kill you. She says it will only protect people as long as it is never worn on a finger."

John took the chain and holding up the ring, made a show of reading an inscription on it. "And… in the… darkness… bind them."

Scott grabbed the ring back. "Gimme that! You guys just haven't got any appreciation."

Jeff, who had gotten over his surprise at Alan's comment and been laughing right along with his sons, held out his hand. "Here son, you boys just need to know how to work it." Taking the ring, he held it up to his lips and blew a whistling sound, causing all five young men to dissolve again into laughter.

When he caught his breath, Virgil squeaked out, "Where's the compass?"

"And the decoder! It has to have a decoder!" Gordon cried out.

Scott straightened in mock indignation. "You know, Grandma would have you all on kitchen duty for a month if she heard you."

Jeff shook his head still chuckling, "Actually, son, when she first gave it to me, she told me if it turned a nice bluey-green it meant I was in a happy mood."

All of the Tracy men grinned delightedly at this evidence of Ruth's wit. Scott put the ring away as Maddie approached the table with a cart covered with platters holding their breakfast. As she expertly passed the plates out, Virgil thought he'd take a crack at it. "So, if you're busy tomorrow night, how about going out with me Sunday afternoon? The American at the Crown Center has a really great brunch?"

As he expected, the idea of brunch at the ritziest restaurant in town brought Maddie's head up. Virgil could see the temptation in her eyes and he mentally started planning his appeal to his father for a loan to cover the cost. In the end, though, she smiled and shook her head. "I've always wanted to go there, but I'm sorry, I have to say no. Thanks for offering though."

"How about me, then? We could go ice-skating or something?" Alan piped up, grinning his best.

Maddie just laughed, and shaking her head, walked away. Virgil looked across the table at his young blond brother and frowning, addressed Scott. "Smack him for me, would you?"

Without missing a beat, Scott reached up and cuffed Alan behind the head. "Ow! What's that for?"

With deadly sarcasm, Virgil responded, "Kid, if she didn't want me, what on earth makes you think she wants you?"

Alan straightened up with dignity. "I just figured I'd cheer her up. She was only getting offers from bowsers, and I thought she'd like to know that good-looking guys appreciate her too."

"Oh, well then, I'd better make a pass." Scott said to the jeers of his brothers.

The family settled down in the presence of good food, and conversation died down while they ate. Some time later, all six had finally pushed away their plates, and Jeff said, "What else did you boys get? That was quite a haul I saw you loading."

John looked a bit nonplussed. "Actually, I think I finished all of my Christmas shopping."

"Me too." Gordon chimed in. "Of course, I needed too. I won't be home for Christmas this year."

Virgil heard the wistfulness of the tone, and cracked, "So you mean at least two of my presents won't have been bought on Christmas Eve at the Gas and Gulp?"

"Three. I got my shopping done too." Alan grinned.

Four sets of eyes turned to Scott who looked around and sniffing said, "Don't worry, Virg, I'll uphold the family tradition."

Everyone laughed. It was indeed a family tradition for at least one of the brothers to wait until the last possible moment to do the shopping, and land up at a convenience store at midnight on Christmas Eve.

"It just wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't get at least one gift wrapped in a plastic shopping bag." Jeff smiled. He pulled out his wallet. "Alright, boys, let's get this show on the road. John, you're comfortable handling the ten-seat?"

"Yes, sir. It's not a problem."

"Scott, why don't I take the SportJet, and you can bring home the Lear."

Virgil grinned inwardly. Their father loved the speedy little jet as much as Scott did, and only flew the more staid Lear when on business. Scott gave no sign of any discontent, simply nodding and replying, "Okay, Dad."

"Alan, you come with me. We need to have a little talk."

Alan's eyes widened in dismay. "But I have to return the SUV."

"Give the keys to John. He and Gordon can take care of that. Come along. We'll see you boys at home." Jeff got up leaving enough money to pay for all of their breakfasts and a hefty tip besides. He led the way with Alan trailing dejectedly behind him.

The four remaining brothers watched them leave, Gordon shaking his head sadly, "I always said he'd never make his eighteenth birthday."

"No, I always said you'd never make it to eighteen." John responded dryly.

"Actually, I always said it about you." Virgil commented.

There was a pause before Scott ended it with "I'm surprised any of you made it past ten."

Chuckling, the brothers stood, putting on coats. Scott again took command. "Gordon, you, Virgil and I will drive the cars over to the hangar. John, you taxi the ten-seat over, and then you can bring Virg and I back to the Lear."

Scott led the way through the tables of the restaurant. From his position bringing up the rear, Virgil saw Maddie waiting for them to pass, and he felt regret at striking out with her. He was considering making a second attempt, when he saw her reach out to John, and smile seductively, "Tomorrow at eight, right?"

Murmuring softly, John smiled. "Right. I'll see you then."