Decisions

Disclaimer: Please see Chapter 1.

Thanks for the reviews everyone. Over 50 now yay. Thanks again to my amazing beta who is just so brilliant and puts up with my complaining and lack of grammar hee hee.

Chapter 9: Fears and devious plotting.

Kate made her way along the corridor and was relieved to hear noise coming from a nearby room as she still wasn't quite sure of her way around the villa yet. Drawing nearer she could hear the voices more clearly.

"I caught Scott about to kiss Kate," said one, that she guessed was Gordon as he had been the one to interrupt them.

"No way, I bet he was annoyed about that," said another, she guessed must be the youngest of Scott's brothers. He had told her all about the terrible two as he affectionately referred to them. As he was currently on Thunderbird Five, she guessed they must be talking through some sort of communication device.

"Well, if he will do it by the pool, what does he expect?"

"True."

"I think a little tormenting might be in order," said Gordon and Kate edged closer, curious to hear what he had planned.

"Yeah?"

"Yep, I'm going to wind him up by flirting with her at every opportunity. It will drive him nuts," said Gordon. Kate could hear the laughter in his voice and decided that maybe just maybe, she could have a little fun of her own.

Kate grinned and then walked into the room, making sure to act as if she hadn't heard anything. "Well, I found the kitchen at last. This place could take some getting used to," she said, smiling at Gordon who had clearly been talking to his watch which had an image of the youngest Tracy on.

Gordon grinned at Alan then signed off before turning to Kate. "Oh, you'll get used to it," he said standing up. "Can I get you anything?"

"I would love a glass of orange juice, please," she replied, smiling sweetly at him.

Gordon soon poured her a glass and handed it to her, making sure his hand touched hers. Kate kept her eyes locked with his and then turned away with the faintest hint of a sigh. "You have no idea who you are dealing with," she thought to herself. Gordon just grinned and sat back down as the other family began to enter the room.

"Good morning, Kate," said Scott as he grabbed a mug of coffee.

"Good morning," replied Kate. Gordon couldn't help but snigger at how formal they both sounded. This was going to be so easy.

"Mornin," mumbled Virgil as he stumbled in and grabbed the coffee that Scott held out to him.

"So what are your plans for today then?" asked Jeff.

"Well, I was wondering if Kate would like a tour of the Island and perhaps a chance to see some of the Thunderbirds," replied Scott, turning his attention to her.

"I would love to, if that's okay?" she asked, turning to Scott's father. Was she allowed to know so much about the secret organisation?

Jeff was quite impressed that she had asked for his agreement. Penny had done a lot of research into the young woman and Jeff could see she could be trusted. She was also the reason Scott sat at the table right now so he was happy for her to learn more. "It's fine with me," he said, smiling at her.

"Well, when Scott has finished boring you to death about Thunderbird One, I'll take you and show you the best Thunderbird craft," said Gordon, grinning at her.

"You're taking her to see Thunderbird Two?" asked Virgil, eyebrows drawn together in confusion.

"Virge, drink your coffee," Scott ordered, grinning. "We all know that Thunderbird One is the best."

"You're both delusional as we all know that it's Thunderbird Five that is the best," John argued. "Each of you are jealous that your 'birds are so far below her that it's affecting your thought processes. You all only wish that your 'birds' are as great as mine."

"No wishing, bro, I know Four is the best and Kate is gonna love seeing her," Gordon said, winking at Kate.

"Can't wait," she replied.

Scott stood up, wanting to stop his brothers before they got really bad, "You ready to see the best Thunderbird then?" he asked, grinning slightly. He quickly led the way out before his brothers could say another word.

Virgil looked suspiciously at Gordon. He could sense his younger brother was up to something and it clearly involved Scott.

Scott and Kate were now in the silo for Thunderbird One. They were on a platform high up, gazing down on the silver rocket. Scott moved to the edge but didn't notice Kate hadn't followed him.

"She's the first to arrive on the scene as she's the fastest," he explained.

"She's beautiful," said Kate, making no attempt to stand beside him.

"You get a better view from here," he said, gazing out over his beloved craft.

"Uh, I'm good here," she replied, her voice shuddering.

Scott heard the shudder and turned to see Kate, standing against the wall. Her face was white and she seemed to be almost trembling. "Kate, what's wrong?" he asked, walking over to her.

"I'm, umm, not really good with heights," she admitted.

"You should have said and I wouldn't have brought you up here," he said, feeling guilty.

Kate gave him a weak smile, "Its, okay. I don't really like to make a fuss about it but could we, uh, maybe go somewhere not so high?" she asked.

Scott smiled and held his hand out to her. Kate took his hand and the two made their way to the floor of the silo. Scott could feel Kate relax as they reached the bottom.

"Thank you," she said smiling at him and releasing his hand.

"Does flying affect you then?" he asked, knowing she had obviously made it here okay.

"It's not as bad because you're in something said to be the safest form of transport in the world. Take off can be a little scary so I tend to shut my eyes and pray," she replied, grinning slightly at him.

Scott couldn't help but grin back at her. "How was it flying with Lady Penelope in her private jet then?"

"Umm, an experience that's for sure. Never flown in so much pink before," she replied and Scott couldn't help but laugh. "I guess this must seem a little strange to you given that flying and heights are such a huge part of your life."

"A little but something tells me there is a reason for this," he replied.

Kate nodded, "I was on holiday and about ten-years-old at the time. We were mucking about on this cliff and the edge just gave way beneath me. I fell about ten feet onto this little ledge but couldn't climb back up. Luckily, I wasn't on my own and my friends went to get help but I was stuck there for at least an hour," she paused for a moment and her eyes gazed off, remembering that day. "All I could think about was the ledge giving way and plunging into the rocks and water below me. Ever since then, I can't stand open heights like ledges, balconies, and the like."

"I can see why now and I promise no more heights," he said smiling at her. Kate smiled back at him and Scott couldn't help but notice how much her eyes sparkled when she smiled. "At least I know a little more about you now as thanks to my brothers, you know plenty about me," he added, frowning as he thought about what they might have told her.

Kate grinned and then it softened to a smile, "They weren't that bad really. Virgil wouldn't let Gordon say anything too embarrassing apart from that last story of course."

Scott groaned and rolled his eyes, of all the stories to tell her, it had to be that one. He had no memories of that night, thankfully, but was well aware it had happened.

"Personally, I thought it was a great story," said Kate, grinning at him.

"Oh, really?" questioned Scott, moving to stand in front of her.

She grinned up at him, "Definitely."

Before Scott could say another word or make any move towards Kate, Gordon appeared in the silo. Scott groaned at the sight of his brother. This was beginning to become a habit.

"I think you've bored her enough. Now, it's time to show her something really interesting," said Gordon, approaching the couple.

"You wish," muttered Scott and Kate couldn't help but grin at him, as she moved away from him.

"Nope, I know. Come on, Kate, let's leave grumpy and his baby alone."

Kate walked forward with Gordon and then looked back at Scott and smiled at him. He smiled back and watched them walk away, missing the evil grin that crossed Gordon's face.

Two hours later and there was still no sign of Kate and Gordon. Scott was beginning to get a little suspicious that his youngest brother might be up to something.

"They still down there?" asked John, appearing in the doorway.

"Yep," replied Scott.

"You okay?" asked John, moving to sit down at the table beside his only older brother.

"Yeah, just wondering what our younger brother is doing to keep them down there so long," replied Scott, pushing a pitcher of lemonade over to his brother.

"Well, you know how he gets when he is talking about Four or talking in general," replied John with a grin. Scott couldn't help but grin back.

Voices could be heard coming down the corridor, Gordon and Kate then appeared in the doorway, laughing. Spying his older brother, Gordon wrapped his arm round Kate and guided her into the room.

"You two look like you have been having fun," commented John.

"Yeah, we really have, right Kate?" said Gordon, turning to the young woman, his arm still wrapped around her.

"Yeah, it was all so fascinating," replied Kate, smiling back at him.

"Well, I am fascinating man," replied Gordon to the disgust of his two older brothers.

"Yes, you are," replied Kate, her eyes locking with his for a moment. Looking away another thought crossed her mind. "And oh-so-modest…Not."

Scott said nothing as he watched his brother openly flirt with Kate. That of course didn't surprise him, Gordon flirted with practically every woman he met and if in turn that gave him the chance to annoy his brother than even better. What had surprised him was the fact that Kate appeared to be flirting back with Gordon. He glanced over at John to see if he had noticed anything and could see that his brother was a little surprised by it too.

Gordon and Kate sat down at the table with them and John poured them both a glass of lemonade. Kate smiled and thanked John for it. Gordon just grabbed his and took a huge gulp of it. He then sat back in his chair and stretched his arm over the back of Kate's chair. Realizing Scott was watching him. He moved his hand onto Kate's shoulder.

That was the final straw for Scott and he stood up. Gordon noticed the anger in his face and grinned triumphantly. What he missed was the stab of something else that crossed the pilot's eyes. Kate and John, however, both saw it as he turned and stalked out of the room.

Kate stood up, knowing she needed to find him, "Thank you for the drink, John. I think I am going to freshen up," she said, smiling at him.

"See you later," said Gordon, winking at her. Kate just smiled back at him and walked out of the room.

"I think she likes me," said Gordon, grinning at his brother.

"I think you are playing with fire and about to get burnt," replied John, leaving the room as well.

Gordon stared absently around the empty room, grinning though a part of him was a little surprised by how much Kate seemed to be going along with this. "Surely, she doesn't suspect anything? Nah, she wasn't near the kitchen when I was talking to Alan."