Thank you so much again for the gorgeous reviews. Especially those I can't message directly, I really appreciate your kind words.

I have to admit, I giggled so much writing part of this chapter. So I really hope you enjoy it!

Scott tried to look like he was paying attention to the captain. The man had told him six times in the short time Scott had been here how fast the ship could go. The pilot didn't want to hear it again. As Scott understood it, he was only going to be on-board for a little over 24 hours but already had a long list of places he wasn't allowed to venture into.

Eventually, talk turned to the mission and Scott snapped back to alertness. He hoped no one else had noticed how much his mind had been drifting. He hadn't slept well for days and the early start was beginning to catch up with him. There was nothing for him to do right now apart from wait and he wanted to relax. Maybe even sleep while he could.

But the commander wanted to know what Scott could tell him about the mission. Scott complied. He didn't have a choice. From what he already knew, someone from within WASP had caused this problem. The chances were the captain already knew and was testing how much Scott knew.

Talk had turned to technical details when there came a noise from outside the door. Scott turned instinctively despite not being in a position to react. He supposed it was a mixture of being a captain and a big brother; he was used to sorting out problems.

One of the other officers got there first, glancing out before looking back.

"Newbie," he muttered, before disappearing out of the door and closing it behind him. Scott glanced at the captain, who shrugged.

"We've got a young squadron along for the ride, getting them some experience out in the field. Looks like one of them isn't as good at following orders as his commanding officer thought."

Scott nodded distractedly, turning back to the maps on the table. It wasn't his problem what happened to the man. He didn't see why there was such a need for secrecy on the ship; the crew surely had to know where they were going? But then he remembered how the commanders back at his base had been lying about this operation. Who was to say the captain of the ship wasn't doing exactly the same thing?

"So what's your plan?"

Scott blinked, wondering if the question was supposed to have been that direct. He shrugged.

"Make it up as I go along." He made sure to keep his voice even. He wanted to fly in, blast it with everything he had and get out of there before he was taken down himself. But that had been tried. It had failed and Kevin missing was the result. He was going to have to try something different. The fact he didn't yet know what was something he wanted to keep to himself. The captain shot him a disbelieving look, but then a bell rang from somewhere on the ship and he sighed, rolling up a map.

"Would you like to accompany me for lunch in my cabin or would you rather go down to the halls with the men?"

Scott gaped, wondering if it was a trick question. He didn't want to spend any longer with the captain than he had to. He didn't have anything against the man but he had shared enough meals with superiors over the last few days to last him a life time. He would rather spend it with people he could actually have a conversation with without feeling like he needed to hold his tongue for the whole time. Luckily, someone came up behind the captain and started speaking in a low voice in his ear, turning the man's attention from Scott onto the newcomer.

"This way, Captain Tracy. The captain has other matters to attend to."

Scott knew a dismissal when he heard one and obediently followed the man. He tried to hide the sigh of relief, but his guide gave him an amused look. Neither of them said anything until they reached the food halls. Scott's jaw dropped, not having realised how big the ship was until now. The size of the room and the sheer number of people collecting food and sitting in small groups at the line of tables astounded him. His guide laughed, clapping him on the back.

"Be back on the command bridge in an hour," he said, already beginning to walk off. The man was gone before Scott could admit to not remembering the way back. Feeling out of his depth for the first time in a long while, Scott took a breath and moved forward.

He was aware of all eyes on him as he moved and ended up slipping onto the end of a table closest to the door, wondering if this had been a good idea. He quickly realised he didn't have anything in common with these men – there would be no conversation for him. He ate quickly, determined to make his way back up to the command bridge before his hour was up. At least up there, his problem was being ignored rather than having everyone watching him.

Keeping his head down, Scott felt the stares gradually begin to dwindle away as he wasn't doing anything to draw attention to himself. He had just finished eating and made to stand up when a shadow passed over him. Five young men walked past, sitting down within earshot. They all looked young, almost too young to be out of training. Scott had a feeling these were the `newbies` he had been told about and made to leave. Before he could do so, however, their words caught his ear and he stopped.

"So what do you think is going on then?" One of them was saying, his annoyed tone making it apparent the conversation had been going on for some time. "It has to be something to do with the pilot."

Scott took a step closer. He was listening hard but didn't interrupt. He wanted to know what was being said before he made his presence known. The men on the command bridge only seemed to be bragging about what they could do. Scott knew eavesdropping was more likely to give him a more accurate feel to how the men felt.

"I agree. But what? They haven't even told us a course yet and for so much of the ship to be off-limits? Something isn't right."

"We can't just start throwing accusations around."

"But we have to find out! He'll be lucky to get away with a slapped wrist for being where he shouldn't be. Why all the secrecy? We've never had to deal with that before. I say we find out what is going on."

Scott knew he had to say something. Asking the wrong sorts of questions could land the group in trouble and he already felt partly responsible for the man who had been caught – it was his presence that was causing the restrictions, after all. He took a step forward and cleared his throat. Simultaneously, they all glanced up at him.

"Why do you want to know what I'm doing so badly?" he asked, determined to get an answer. All five men gaped at him and Scott could see the pieces falling into place in their minds about who he was.

"You're the pilot?" It was the first man who had spoken and Scott nodded.

"I am. What's the problem? Why aren't you sure about this?"

No one answered him. Scott cursed, realising why. They wouldn't admit to moaning when he outranked them. Swinging his leg over the bench, Scott sat down on the end.

"I started asking the wrong questions too," he admitted. "Trust me – ask someone who doesn't have the authority to make your life hell. What do you want to know?" He knew there were certain details that he couldn't reveal, nor would he. But being kept in the dark was what had landed him in this position in the first place and Scott wasn't about to turn the tables and do it to someone else. After sharing a quick glance, one of the men began talking. His voice was hesitant to start with but quickly gained in confidence.

"There is something about this mission that has got all the officers on edge and they are taking it out on us. But we've been talking to some of the other boys… I take it you've heard this is our team's second mission?"

"I knew you were new…" Scott began, but he was cut off quickly.

"It's only new guys or ones who usually serve elsewhere that are on this mission. No one that has spent any time at our normal base has been selected. We thought it was just chance, until this secrecy with you. We know something happened about a year ago at the base, but we don't know what. Now we think this mission has something to do with it and it is only new people because they don't want us to have any emotional attachment to the situation."

If it had been any other occasion, Scott might have laughed at the leap the man seemed to have made. To make those sort of connections because of a bit of secrecy sounded more like paranoia than sense. But the dates were immediately setting off alarm bells. About a year ago, someone from WASP was involved with the stealing of the plans of the same weapon that he was supposed to be destroying. This team, although they might have been young, were good.

"I can't say if you are right or not, I don't know enough myself." Scott said slowly. If they were figuring it out, maybe their friend knew a little more information and that was why he had been caught out. "Look, I really can't be talking about this, you know what orders are like. I can put in a word for your friend though, I know he didn't hear anything because I was there when they caught him snooping."

"It's not like him to go wandering off like that. Something must have caught his attention."

"Tell me about it," Scott muttered, thinking about Kevin and what had landed him in this situation to start with. "Point me in the direction of the command bridge and I'll see what I can do."

"Didn't you just come from there?"

"Doesn't mean I know where it is." Scott tried not to blush as the man grinned at him.

"Think I can sort you out there, Captain."

"Scott."

"Frankie. Now, here is where you need to go…"

Ten minutes later and Scott knew he had earned the trust of the men when he was back on the command bridge. They could have easily sent him towards some of the sections he had been told to keep out of, but they hadn't. Scott knew he had to keep his word about seeing what he could do for their friend. The captain was nowhere to be seen, but Scott knew there were enough officers around with the authority to do something. He approached one, clearing his throat and watching the man look somewhat startled that he was back already.

"Captain Tracy. You don't have to be here right now…"

"I know. I wanted to know what had happened to that newbie you mentioned."

"Oh, he is in one of the cabins. He'll stay there until the captain decides whether he was telling the truth or not about it being an accident."

"Don't you think that is a little extreme?" Scott desperately tried not to think about the fact that being in the wrong place at the wrong time had been what had landed him in this situation in the first place.

"Delicate mission, Captain. Can't take any chances, especially with those boys not being properly tried and tested yet."

"Of course. Could I see him myself?"

"Why? Captain ordered…"

"It is my mission that is in jeopardy, I believe?" Scott knew he outranked this man. Everything he had said made Scott believe Frankie was on the right lines about them refusing to let any of their men know what was really going on. If he was honest, Scott had had enough of superiors deciding what they should and shouldn't be told. Especially now it had got to the point where lives were being lost. It wasn't because of Frankie that Scott was determined to see the `prisoner`. Other people had dictated his actions and put him here. It was his turn to take charge.

His thoughts flickered across his face and the man suddenly nodded. He seemed to realise Scott wasn't going to take no as an answer and would resort to ordering him to do it if he had to. He spoke briefly to another man who took over the post he had been standing at before gesturing to Scott.

"Very well then, Captain. If you would like to follow me?"

TBTBTB

Gordon was bored.

There was no other way he could describe his mood. He was sitting in a sparsely furnished cabin belonging to one of the lower officers – not important enough to get full furnishings, but too important to be in the bunks with the rest of them. He knew although the door would be shut, it wouldn't be locked. He also knew he wasn't allowed to leave. Despite there being a bed and a chair in the room, Gordon sat on the floor. He knew where he was down there – knew that no one could reprimand him for it.

He had never thought this sort of thing would happen to him. The only reason he was on this boat in the first place was because he was good at following orders; it was why he had been advanced rather than punished for the early incidents in his training. For it to be him caught somewhere he shouldn't have been when he was supposed to be working… Gordon didn't like the feeling of sitting and waiting to find out what was going to happen. For someone who had constantly been in trouble with figures of authority, this was the first time Gordon truly felt like squirming.

The door opening drew his attention and Gordon looked up, preparing to stand. He knew the officer, even if not by name. He knew he didn't have the authority to release him, not considering how they were handling this whole matter. Gordon knew he wouldn't be leaving and sighed as he made it to his feet.

"Someone here to see you," the man said gruffly and Gordon was hard pushed not to roll his eyes. He knew he hadn't been addressed by name because the man didn't know it. Gordon was just another man to him, a member of a squad that took their orders from someone else.

"Sir," he responded softly, knowing ignoring the man would not go down too well. The officer nodded and stepped out of the room, allowing someone else to step in.

Gordon blinked.

Then he shook his head and blinked again.

"What the hell…?" he murmured softly, barely aware of the door closing behind the officer as he moved out again. Gordon's visitor was standing just as still as he was, the same look of shock across his face.

"What-?"

"You-?"

"You're in Boston!"

"You're underage!"

"What the hell are you doing on my boat?"

"What the hell are you doing on this boat?"

Gordon laughed. There was no other response he was capable of, not when his big brother was standing across the cabin from him. He knew Scott had had no idea who he was about to be paying a visit to; the same look of shock was across his face that Gordon knew was reflected on his own.

"Why are you in here?"

"Why are you in here?"

"Just answer the damn question, Gordon. You're eighteen, you shouldn't be here."

"You're a friggin' pilot, you shouldn't be here! Why are you here?"

"Tell you what," Scott held out his hands in a calming manner and Gordon could tell his brother didn't know whether to laugh or cry right now. "You answer my questions and then I'll answer yours. Fair?"

"Why do you get to go first?" Gordon was grinning even as he sat back down, his mind reeling as he tried to work out what the hell was going on. It had never once crossed his mind that Scott could have been the pilot they were escorting. After all - as he had previously pointed out - he had truly believed his older brother was halfway across the country.

"I'm older," Scott's eyes suddenly glinted and Gordon had a feeling he wasn't going to like what was coming next. "And technically I outrank you."

He was right.

"You are not pulling rank on me!"

"Well then, answer me."

"Answer me first!"

"Gordon!" Scott didn't seem to know what else to do and grabbed the pillow off the officer's bed and proceeded to fling it at his brother. Gordon caught it with ease and flung it back, grinning.

"Fine, fine. What do you want to know?"

"Why are you here?"

"Dude, seriously? I've been in WASP for two years and you want to know why I'm on a WASP mission. Surely that should be my question to you?"

"Two years, Gords. You've been in for two years, last I checked training was three. You shouldn't be here. So, talk."

"I…" Gordon flushed, studying the floor. "...might have skipped a year of training." His voice was a mumble. His family knew, but it had only been a few months ago. He hadn't told Scott. Nor, it seemed, had the rest of the family.

"Gordon!"

"It wasn't my fault those jerks wouldn't leave me alone and considering I could keep pace, they thought it better to let me skip the first year. I could do it all anyway, it wasn't like I was missing out on anything…"

"Does Dad know?"

"Course. He obviously didn't want you worrying though."

"Gords…"

"What? What would you have had me do, Scott? Stay there after they cornered me in the barracks and showed me quite how much they didn't like that I could outperform them?"

Scott swore, moving towards his brother even as he did so. Gordon knew that Scott was fully aware of what even trainees could do if they worked together, it was the same in the Air Force.

"Drop it," Gordon warned, holding his hands up to hold back his brother if he needed to. "It was the best thing that happened to me in the long run. And here I am, out on missions already. It's not like I'm the first this has happened to."

"I don't like it."

Gordon had forgotten just how much of a growl Scott's voice could come out as if he was unhappy about something.

"Yeah well. You forget that as soon as we leave home you lose big brother power."

"Like hell I do."

"No? So your spooky sense of knowing where we all are at all times still works then?"

"Shut up." Gordon knew he had silenced Scott. The fact he had no idea Gordon was on the ship proved he no longer knew as much about his brothers as he liked to pretend. The older man came and sat down on the floor next to him, and Gordon suddenly groaned out loud as he realised something. At Scott's quizzical look, he shrugged.

"I'm guessing your next question is why I'm in here? I accidentally ended up on the command bridge after following someone. I overheard part of their conversation, I thought they were talking about me, especially as they said about being young and whether it could be done. It didn't exactly cross my mind there was another Tracy on board."

"Why didn't it cross their minds then?"

"Scott, have you seen the size of this boat? The only people that know I'm a Tracy are my own squad and commanding officer. And I bet the only people that know you are a Tracy are the ones you've been stuck with all morning. There are probably about three people on this entire ship that can connect us, and that is including us two. But… if you didn't know it was me, why are you in here?"

"I met your team. They were worried about what was really happening on-board. Thought something else was going on."

"Frankie?"

"Yep."

"And is there?"

"Is there what?"

"Something going on. A cover-up, perhaps." Gordon was joking, not really believing it. But then he looked at Scott's face and his heart plummeted. Scott wasn't going to answer him and Gordon knew why. Orders had been issued to make sure Scott didn't reveal what was going on and Gordon knew that only meant one thing.

It was indeed some sort of cover-up operation.

"Scott…" Gordon's voice was quiet this time as he thought back to what had landed him in trouble in the first place. The men had sounded doubtful that Scott would be able to complete this mission. Gordon knew full well his brother was good and knew the Air Force wouldn't have enlisted the help of WASP to send in someone that didn't at least have a chance of completing the mission. "What precisely are you doing here?"

Scott squeezed his shoulder briefly, clearly knowing by Gordon's tone that he didn't mean in this cabin but on the ship in the first place.

"Don't ask me, Gords, you know I can't tell you."

"Is it dangerous?"

Scott simply shrugged and Gordon moved around until he was looking his brother in the eye.

"Scott, is it dangerous?"

"They think the last guy is missing rather than dead, compared to the two squadrons before."

"Damnit, Scott…"

"You know I don't have a choice, just like you don't. So don't go there, Gords, just… don't, please?"

"No one knows where you are, do they?" Gordon thought he knew why Scott sounded so tense. He knew the supposed danger of this mission wasn't bothering his brother– Gordon knew that - just like him - Scott had known what he had signed up for. But there was something else making his brother on edge, and with that one sentence, he knew he had just hit the problem straight on.

"They told us Kevin was just on a routine sweep and his plane went down."

"So how did you get involved?"

"Like you, kiddo. Wrong place, wrong time."

"So what are you doing?"

Scott sighed and shook his head. "Pretend you don't know this? Destroying some kind of weapon."

"Then I'm coming with you."

"My plane only carries one, Squirt."

"Then I'll…."

"You'll do nothing but what you are told, Gordon." There was a note in Scott's voice that Gordon didn't think he had ever heard before. He had witnessed his brother controlling all four of his younger siblings with just one word. But this went deeper than that and Gordon knew he was actually hearing Scott in the role of a captain.

"I'll ask permission…"

"You don't know about this, understand?"

Gordon sighed, scowling as he moved back around to sit next to Scott rather than facing him. It was easier that way.

"Are you coming back?"

"I'll try."

Gordon nodded, swallowing hard. He didn't want Scott to regret telling him by behaving like a clingy little brother. He had to do his duty and Scott had to do his. That didn't mean he liked the idea of knowing that this could potentially be one of the last conversations he had with his brother.

"Hey, Scott?"

"What?"

"Can you please go and talk to the captain and get me out of here? I know I used to tell Allie all of these horror stories about dungeons on a pirate ship and this is a far stretch from that… but I can't say I'm enjoying it much."

Scott leant over and ruffled his hair and Gordon knew the moment had passed between them. He was glad Scott had told him. Out of everyone in their family, he would be the one who understood why Scott had to do this despite not knowing whether he would actually be making it back or not. With it being an operation that was kept tightly under wraps as well, Gordon knew that if anything were to happen to his brother, then the true version of events would be kept quiet. At least this way, Gordon had the comfort of knowing that Scott was doing something beneficial.

"I'll try. You never know, it might give you a mission of your own. It did for me."

"Urgh, no thanks. I tried to go under the sea so no one could remark on how I was following in big brother's footsteps. I'm not getting a command in the same way that you did."

"You'll never be able to walk in my footsteps, Gords," Scott teased as he climbed to his feet, moving towards the door. Gordon stuck out his tongue at his brother's back, but Scott simply flipped him the finger, seeming to know what he was doing despite not looking. He paused at the door, however.

"You're too busy making your own mark."

Gordon only had time to blink before Scott was gone, the door sliding shut. Now that his big brother was on the case, Gordon was certain he would be out of here in no time. But right now, he could only sink back until he was leaning against the bed. Scott always had a kind word to say when the moment took him, but it was rare he said something as deep as that, seeming to know that his little brothers – even John - still hung on his every word. For him to say that…

Gordon shook his head and stood up, beginning to pace. That was not Scott saying goodbye, that was him having a moment of being sentimental. He was going to complete this mission, then come back and the only thing Gordon would have to worry about was to make sure he had something to gloat about just as much as his big brother. Everything was going to be fine.

It simply had to be. There was no other option.