The first week of school was pretty easy going. Alan and Fermat grew into the routine of getting up at seven, going to breakfast with Sam and Rob, then going off to classes. At lunch they met up with Sam, DJ, Jake, and Rob then spent their free time knocking off the morning assignments. After their last period, Alan and Fermat went back to their room to work on the rest of their homework before dinner. Dinner they ate with more boys from their classes or out in the evening sun. After dinner, found the roommates throwing a Frisbee with friends or gaming in the first floor game room until dark or curfew.

Friday, they watched as Alan's brothers, the Thunderbirds, rescued a village in Thailand from a mudslide. They cheered excitedly with the rest of the gathered observers as Thunderbird 2 carried the last of the rescued to safer ground. Alan had picked out John as the International Rescue operative manning the rescue platform and glimpsed Scott's tall figure working behind Mobile Control.

When curfew came, all the boys reluctantly filed back to their rooms with a lot of prodding from the hall monitors. Alan waited a little while before calling Jeff. "Hey Dad!" Alan greeted.

"Hey Alan," Jeff returned, "Guessing you saw the rescue?"

"Yup, wanted to make sure everything was as good as it looked," Alan explained.

Jeff chuckled at his youngest predictable comment, "Well, if you're asking whether or not procedure was followed, yes it was. And your brothers are on their way home, ETA one and a half hours for Scott and two and a half for Virgil and John."

"Good. Wouldn't want them slacking without me or Gordo around," Alan jested.

Jeff smiled bigger, "I'm sure you wouldn't. Now, isn't it almost time for you to be in bed?"

"Dad," Alan huffed, "I'm fourteen you don't need to enforce a bed time…the school does it for you," he finished with a roll of his eyes.

"Perhaps, but I still have the right as your father," Jeff mocked seriousness.

Alan just nodded, then remembered something, "Hey, Dad, wait!"

"Yes, Alan?"

"You should be getting an e-mail or something with a permission slip. My art class is going to go to a local park, and then draw the scenery or something," Alan described, "Brains should be getting one for Fermat too. We need them sent back by Monday then we go on Tuesday."

Jeff was already checking his e-mail, and nodded, "Got it right here. Doesn't seem like an hour is enough time to go to a park and get back for your next class."

Alan shook his head, "No, we are leaving at eleven thirty, after a quick lunch then will be back by three. But since most of Fermat's and my art class are in the same gym class the teacher isn't having class that day. And the Spanish teacher approved it so long as we write her a half page of the experience in Spanish and give it to her Wednesday."

Jeff nodded while he listened to Alan and read the slip at the same time, "Alright Alan, you can go. But I also want to see what you create after almost three hours of art class. Then Virg can critique it," Jeff added with a smile.

"Why not just send him out to teach the class…I'm sure the teacher would be beside herself, she has a copy of one of his Kansas landscapes in the classroom," Alan joked.

Jeff signed the slip with his touchsmart data pad, and sent it off to Archer's administration, "Ok, signed and sent. I'll make sure Brains checks his e-mail and tells Fermat his decision."

"'K, thanks Dad!" Alan replied happily, "Say hi to the 'elders' and Gordo for me."

Chuckling, Jeff said he would and the two said goodbye. Alan and Fermat went to bed shortly after.

Tracy Island

By six thirty, three rescue weary sons had returned to Tracy Island, muddy and sore. Taking pity on them, Jeff spoke, "Go wash up, grab something to eat and then sleep. You did good, we'll debrief after breakfast tomorrow morning. Alan sends his compliments on a job well done and approved of your work," Jeff said with a humorous smile, "Good enough for me, for now."

Scott just shook his head, "Sprout thinks he's in charge now, great!" Virgil nodded in agreement and stifled a yawn. John just waved weakly and stumble towards the kitchen to grab a sandwich then made his way to his room for a hot shower."

"What, you old folk can't stay awake long enough for a 'hi' to your space bound brother!" Gordon said as his face appeared.

"Oh, shut it, Gordon, you didn't just work for three hours through mud and wind," Virgil said defensively before leaving.

"Yeesh," Gordon said looking at his father, "You'd think they didn't do this for a living!"

"Keep it up and they may decide to make you clean all the mud off One and Two," Jeff said sitting down with a sigh. It really was a long rescue, and he had been sitting behind a desk! "You have anything you need to get off your mind right now?"

"Nope, it can wait until tomorrow. But perhaps we should find a way to coat the 'Birds with a mud resistant finish…"

"Goodnight Gordon," Jeff said with a shake of his head.

"'Night Dad."

Jeff reached over his desk and pushed the inter com button, "Kyrano, it's Jeff."

"Good evening Mr. Tracy," the retainer's voice responded, "What can I do for you?"

"Looks like it's just me tonight for dinner. The boys are bushed," Jeff informed.

"Tin-tin offers to eat with you, so you do not eat alone," came the reply.

Smiling, "That sounds lovely, thank you Tin-tin," Jeff answered.

"It is my pleasure, Mr. Tracy," Tin-tin's soft voice came through the speaker.

"The pleasure is mine," Jeff said, "When and what is for dinner?"

A lilting laugh came before Tin-tin's response, "Seven thirty, Mr. Tracy. As for what dinner is, it will be a surprise! But dress semi-formal."

"Yes, ma'am," Jeff chuckled and left to prepare for dinner.

Seven thirty came around, and Jeff walked into the dining room. The table was spread with a mix of oriental and seafood dishes and elegant candles gave a soft ambiance. Jeff took his seat at the head of the table, and waited for Tin-tin. A few minutes later, Tin-tin entered wearing a light blue summer dress and her hair braided to one side, with a pink flower on the opposite side. "Well, Tin-tin," Jeff stood upon seeing her, "I feel under dressed," gesturing to his white dress shirt, simple black dress pants, and blue silk tie.

Tin-tin just laughed, "Mr. Tracy, you look just fine. If you clean up this good, I must wonder how your sons do." The residents of the island knew Tin-tin and Alan were bound to end up being a couple, it was just a matter of getting around teenage hormones.

"I would tell you, but I don't know myself," Jeff laughed, as he pulled out her chair on his right.

The dinner as relaxing and happy. Tin-tin knew how to cheer up the weary leader of International Rescue and Jeff appreciated her for it.