Scott awoke with a start. For a moment he was confused as to where he was, but as awareness came so did memories. But when he awoke he wasn't on the floor but reclining in One's pilot chair as he'd intended before…Gordon!
Shooting out of his chair and One, he skidded to a halt beside the module. The door was mangled. Virgil and Alan, obviously just having woken up, were staring at the damage.
'Did – did this happen last night?'
'There must have been a freak storm last night.'
Scott looked at his brothers. They didn't seem to have any memory of the night before. Maybe – just maybe he had imagined everything.
And then Gordon appeared behind them, yawning and stretching. He stopped dead when he saw the damage.
'Woah, what did that?'
Scott turned to look his brother over. He looked fine but…
'Gordon, are you alright?'
'Huh?'
'You don't remember last night?'
'Remember what?'
He gave Scott a gentle shove and walked past him, leaving Scott blinking in shock. He turned back to the three of them. Virgil had already begun looking the pod over.
'Can you fix it, Virg?'
'Not here, Scott. I'll need the 'bots and tools at home. But she'll be fine to fly home since the open section will be inside Two.'
'Ok then. Let's go home.'
There were grunts of agreement all round.
The flight home gave Scott time to think, and by the time they were all home he'd decided it had just been a really vivid dream. He ignored Brains' incredulous reaction to the sight of the pod and made his way up to the lounge, intent on getting some reports done while he had the time.
One by one they all joined him. Virgil brought him a platter of sandwiches, knowing that Scott hadn't even considered food. Gordon and Alan immediately began some game or other and John's hologram hovered over the desk as the three eldest began to discuss TI work.
A beeping told them that Lady Penelope was trying to get in touch. With a sly grin and a small did in the ribs Virgil left Scott to talk to Penny. Scott rolled his eyes. Virgil had begun making rather obvious observations that Penny liked him, but Scott didn't have time to think about that. Romance was the last thing on his mind as Penny launched into a discussion of her latest mission that had involved her liaising with a new Captain at the GDF. They then discussed the damage to the pod.
Report over, Scott stood up and made his way through the house, intent on a hot shower and maybe a session in the gym. But when he got there he found he wasn't alone.
She was there.
Unsure if he was seeing things he commed John, relieved when his brother popped up.
'John? Can you see a girl in here with me?'
'No, Scott.'
The answer blew Scott's brain until John continued.
'I see a woman. Scott Tracy, may I introduce you to Tanusha Kyrano. Grandma hired her to help Penny with missions and to help teach our younger brothers some self-defence and basic security.'
The Soul Reaper, now dressed in cargo pants and a green t-shirt, smiled.
'Call me Kayo,' she said.