"So these are all today's pics?" Ben asked Kathryn as he flipped through her binder. He knew which once were new and which were old; he never missed a picture Kathryn took and developed. She wouldn't let him even if he wanted to. He looked up from his place on his bed and down at the ground where Kathryn was laying with all of his pillows and a bowl of popcorn. She nodded, her eyes not diverting from the screen. "You're meaning to tell me that, in the three hours we've been back, you've been in the dark room developing? You're insane you know that?"

"And it's why you love me," Kathryn teased. "You'd be so bored if I was normal." Ben laughed, because he knew it was true. It was her dedication to something, the way she would get lost in it for hours until you called her back, that he loved about her. "That reminds me. You have a spare to my room right?"

Ben shook his head. "I left it in your room this morning when I brought you breakfast. I meant to get it back later today. Don't tell me you left your key in your room." He watched as her shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment.

"I might have," she said slowly. "I think I left it in my purse from today. I thought I'd had it with me when I was in the dark room, but when I got to my room to leave my stuff, it wasn't there."

"Did you leave it in the dark room?" Kathryn shook her head as Ben kept thinking. He suppose she could have left it, it wasn't the first time she'd locked herself out after all. "Guess you're going to have to sleep in the hall." Ben laughed as he ducked from a pillow that had been aimed for his head.

"You're a jerk," Kathryn told him with a pout. "Wait till I tell your ma you left me to sleep on the cold, hard floor of the dorm hall. She'll set you straight when we head down for Christmas in a couple of weeks." Ben couldn't help but give a shiver at the thought of being lectured by his mother. She was the sweetest women, but once you step out of line you might as well be pecked to death by the chickens because it would be a lot less painful.

"Fine fine," Ben said, sliding off his bed and sitting next to her. "You can stay here for the night," he told her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Pout no more, Ben has helped you out." Kathryn laughed and Ben touched his head to hers, as if to whisper something like they had in freshman year. He noticed the sweet scent of the perfume he'd given her for her birthday and couldn't help but smile at the memory of the day.

It had been her favorite, and secretly his too, until the store where she used to get it didn't sell it anymore because it had been discontinued. It had taken him a lot of time and money to track down another, and he remembered the look on her face when she saw it. Everything had been worth it just for that. "Hey Katie," he said softly, his finger twirling her hair unconsciously. He closed his eyes and decided he was going to tell her right then that he was pretty sure he was in love with her.

"Ben look," the serious tone in Kathryn's voice made Ben look up to see the television movie had been interrupted by breaking news. The telecaster was talking, but all he saw was the live feed playing the background. International Rescue was in the middle of a rescue, something about an earthquake on an island. There must have been a chopper filming, because the video zoomed in on the famous blue uniforms of the IR crew. Thunderbird Two and Thunderbird One were on scene; Two had its ramp down, meaning they were evacuating the island people. Whatever was happening, they must have deemed grave enough for direct interference. Ben counted the men in uniform, only two were visible; one was on the ramp, making sure everyone hurried in and the other was on the ground talking to what looked to be the country's forces. He figured someone was inside T2, telling people where to go and the fourth member was yet to be seen. Ben watched the blue figures on the ground, the one talking to the police, and noticed the way his head would turn quickly towards a nearby building. Someone must have been in there. Ben didn't know who though; only Kathryn knew which colored sash belonged with which of her brothers.

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "They're okay," he said comforting as they watched. "They're going to be okay." He felt her squeeze his hand back, not letting go as she nodded slowly. Then everything shook. Ben didn't know if the helicopter had been moving, which is why the picture moved, until he saw the building sway. The few remaining inhabitants either fell to the ground and covered their heads, or dropped what they carried and ran into the 'Bird. Ben watched as the two IR members looked at the swaying building as it started to topple on itself.

Kathryn gripped his hand tighter that it almost hurt as they both watched one member run towards the building, the other rushing everyone in even as the aftershock kept going. The news camera kept trying to focus in on everything at once, and for a moment they lost sight of the running Thunderbird pilot. "They're going to be okay," Ben said, not knowing if it was for her assurance or his. Finally, the camera settled and closed in on the now collapsed building.

Ben heard Kathryn's breathing stopped as the seconds ticked by and no sign of survivors. For a moment, Ben feared the worst, feared having to hold Kathryn as she cried over a loss that should have never happened. Over the bond that she should have had but didn't. Over the future that brother would never get to see or live.

But then, out of the corner of the building, figures appeared. Dirty and dust covered, but the blue uniform was recognizable even under everything. Ben let out a sigh of relief as two blue men emerged, followed by a couple of others. Ben couldn't help but notice they way one IR member supported another, but at least they were both safe. They were both alive and would recover.

Ben hugged Kathryn, rubbing her arm to calm her down. "See, they're okay," he assured her. "They're okay. They're the Thunderbirds, nothing bad happens to them. They do too much good to be wronged."

"I know," Kathryn sighed and Ben wrapped his arms around her as she leaned into him. "I just can't help but think, if we hadn't been watching the movie, we wouldn't have known. I wouldn't have known that my brother almost died today. How many have I missed just from being in class? How many more will I miss? What if one of those is the one?"

"Stop. You cannot think like that Kat," Ben told her firmly but still gentle. He knew how much this bothered her; to lose a brother and not having really known them at all. To have one die and not know about it until the rest of the world knew as well. Ben turned the TV off and they sat in silence together.

"Come on," Ben said, getting up. "Let's go pick that lock. You have to get back to your room tonight."

"Kicking me out?" Kathryn tried to tease, but Ben could see the way here eyes were rimmed red, close to tears.

"Not quiet. As much as I would love to have you in my bed," Ben told her, which was partially true but that was not the point right now. "You have a laptop to get to and an international call to make."

Alan Tracy sat on a lawn chair near the pool, just looking at the end of the sunset. It was nearly dark out, the pool lights already turned on for the evening. But he knew no one was going to be using them tonight. Not after today's mission at least. Everyone was still too wired, too jumpy, and too scared.

He shut his eyes at the memory of what had happened today. How he watched as the simple assistance had turned into immediate evacuation for the small island. A vacation spot that was out of season, lucky for them. The first earthquake had been big enough to cause the islanders worries of a tsunami, and as parts of the island surface had been cracked, and John's prediction that the aftershock would almost be as bad, IR had gone into full rescue mode.

It was supposed to be simple. Have everyone stay in one of the empty pods in Thunderbird 2, keeping their secrecy. Then people had started to bring in keepsakes, and children couldn't be found. Panic started to arise and they had tried to do all they could to make things go quicker. Virgil had gone off to check one last building, Scott was inside steering people away from IR secrets, Gordon was ushering people up the ramp, and he had been left to deal with the government and hurry people. Alan had kept looking over his shoulder to see if Virgil was on his way.

And then the aftershock came and with it, his own panic. He yelled for everyone to take cover in the Thunderbird as he ran towards the swaying building. His thoughts revolved around having to find Virgil, having to get to him and make sure he was safe. Alan had run straight in to the toppling building, yelling Virgil's name and trying not to get crushed by the building that was falling into itself. He could hear the screams of natives, and he followed them, ignoring Scott's command to get outside. He had leapt over fallen debris and dodged to avoid getting hit. The screams were getting louder and he followed them to a back door. He rushed out just in time as the building had fallen completely.

He remembered feeling relieved when he saw Virgil, standing with his uniform, alive. Then he noticed the way his own brother swayed and shook slightly. Before Alan even realized it, he was at his brother's side, supporting him. They walked back to Thunderbird Two just like that, and despite Virgil's attempts to seem fine, Alan had placed him in infirmary as Gordon took off on Two and Scott in One. They'd booked it to the nearest and safest location, deposited the island's inhabitants and gone home.

They hadn't even officially gathered for a meeting, though he was sure Scott, as Field Commander, had debriefed their dad once Virgil had been admitted into infirmary. All he was waiting for now was for Brain to let them know how Virgil was doing.

Alan heard the footsteps coming up behind him, and he twisted around in his chair to see who it was. Tin-Tin was walking towards him, a worried expression on her face. Alan's thoughts jumped to the worse, but before he could even ask, Tin-Tin shook her head. "It's not about Virgil," she told him, sitting down on the side of his chair. "I'm just worried about you. You haven't come in since you arrived. Alan, you're still in uniform."

Alan looked down to see she was right. He sighed and pulled Tin-Tin to his side, making room for her. "I've just been distracted, that's all," he assured her. "I'm just trying to figure out how it all went wrong. How this sunset could be so beautiful, yet there was catastrophe today. Not just about Virgil, but a lot of people lost their homes today Tin-Tin."

"And a lot could have lost their lives," Alan stroked Tin-Tin's hair as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "Alan, what you and brothers do is wonderful. It should be the sunset that reminds you how valuable life is, which makes your job worthwhile."

"But is it worth it?" Alan asked, looking down at her. "Is it really worth it Tin-Tin? All the dangers that come with what we do. We do so much good, but there are so many people that want to see us destroyed. Like the Hood. And if it's not IR, then it's with Tracy Industries. Someone always wants something. It's why we live on the island isn't it? To be a part from all that." They sat quietly, Alan still upset to talk anymore.

"If we're still talking about IR, which I think we aren't because you already know why we live on the island. It keeps from being detected, it keeps the Thunderbirds operational," Tin-Tin reminded him. "Now listen to me Alan Shepard Tracy. Yes, you may have reason to be wary, but you cannot hide out because of that wary. Remember, the only thing to fear is fear itself. Do not let fear dictate your life and keep you from doing what you love or who." With that, Alan watched as Tin-Tin got up and held her hand out for him. "My father has made dinner, come on. A full stomach will make you feel better."

Alan grinned ever so slightly and took her hand, pulling himself up. Tin-Tin was right, of course.

A/N: Life isn't always as pretty as the day is. Thanks for reading you guys are the best!

Again, sorry for the awkward story cuts. I really didn't write good breaks that weren't like pages long.