The two rejoined the group in the lounge and were met by an amazing smell coming from the kitchen, John smiled as he sat down in the ring of sofas facing his brothers.

"Ok, who's cooking something amazing?"

"It's Grandma, we're having Spaghetti meatballs and she's put on garlic bread. My stomach is aching I'm so hungry," Gordon grinned.

"Ah I see you've cheered up squid," John crossed his arms.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry I lost it earlier, I had no reason to be annoyed."

"It's alright Gordon, as long as you're back to yourself now. You guys haven't been waiting for us to eat have you?"

Virgil shook his head, "Nope, the meat is still cooking."

"How are the photos?" Alan asked sharing a wink with Gordon.

"They're lovely, we'll be uploading them later."

Kayo smiled next to Scott, "I can't wait to see them, we'll need double copies."

"If it helps, you can use the printer in my lab, it prints bigger and better quality photos than the standard one?" Brains suggested quietly from one of the chairs under the portraits.

"That would be great Brains, thanks," Scott smiled, "Then we can have duplicates to frame."

Grandma called from downstairs, "Dinner!"

The five boys leapt to their feet and began running to the stairs, Kayo jumped in between them and slid down the banister to overtake, Anneka stood with Brains at the top of the stairs in slight shock, Kayo landed in front of all of them but Grandma was frowning.

"Every time Kayo, one day you're going to hurt yourself dear."

"Woah, look out!" Alan collided into Gordon who was caught at the last second by Virgil.

"Loose shoe laces again Ali?" Virgil frowned as he pulled Gordon to his feet.

"No, maybe."

"Thanks Virg, god dammit Alan, I could've died."

"You're such a drama queen Gordon," Scott went to help Grandma set out plates then looked up at Anneka walking down the stairs with Brains, "Sorry about that Anneka."

"I just can't believe how eager you all are."

"Food is very important in this house, and when it's in such large quantities, it's a fight," Gordon said as he sat down at the table, he pulled Virgil's chair out from under him but moaned when he noticed his brother had looped his foot around it.

"Nice try, think of something more original next time."

Anneka sat down next to John and smiled as he filled her plate up for her, "Thanks John."

"After that display, it's the least I can do."

Kayo passed around the garlic bread after taking a couple of slices for herself, "I only slide down the banisters to avoid getting trod on."

"And because you're more flexible than us," Alan added.

"Well I've been training you to be more loose, and if you can't remember a lesson, that's not my fault."

"I do miss this when I'm in space, the meal banter," John shrugged as he twirled pasta onto his fork, "But someone has to man the station."

"I'm sure EOS could John," Scott said as he took some bread off the board.

John shook his head, "Nah, you still need the human touch up there. She's great but there are things she can't do."

"I still don't feel like I know you guys that well," Anneka looked round at the group.

"What do you wanna know?" Kayo smiled, "Ask us anything."

"What's been your hardest mission?"

"Emotionally or physically?" Scott asked.

"How do you mean by emotionally?"

"Well emotionally would be when one of us thinks we've lost each other, like a radio silence after a craft has gone down or one of us has gone back for survivors. Those knock us out emotionally, also when we've failed on missions, those are always hard to get over, we usually get treated to chocolate and a piano recital from Virgil when that happens."

"Really does help too," Kayo added, making Virgil blush slightly.

"However, physical rescues drain us and we usually arrive home again to just sleep, doesn't even matter where, we just collapse."

"Virgil usually collapses on Scott," Gordon laughed.

"Yeah but you collapse on Alan so…" Virgil winked from across the table.

"The most physical was when we were all involved two weeks ago, we didn't have a single day off. We were almost dead by the end of the week, but it's been quiet recently, considering we cover the entire world."

Anneka nodded, "I still think what you guys do is amazing, such dedication to saving lives and putting others first, I'd be terrified going out."

"Well that's always on our minds, whether we'll return or not," Virgil started to say but Grandma cut him off.

"Now that'll do, you'll always return, no questions on that."

"Sorry Grandma."

"It's alright son, but you know how much I worry."

"I've seen a lot of art around here, who does that?" Anneke changed the subject.

Virgil raised his hand, "That would be me. I'm the artistic one."

"That's awesome."

"Thank you, I'm meant to be the intimating brother though."

Kayo laughed, "No offence bro but no-one would look at you and think, oh crap he's going to beat the hell outta me."

"No, I think you look intimidating from a distance, but up close you're a loveable giant."

"Awh thank you Anneka, why can't you guys be as nice as her?"

"We're family so we can be mean, but we know you still love us," Gordon shrugged.

"Don't count on that squid."

Grandma cleared her throat, "So Anneka, what do you do apart from the photography?"

"Oh, well that's kinda all I do as it's my main job, but I guess I have a couple of other hobbies. I've done athletics in my time before art, and I've done some engineering. I really wanted to go to university but my grades let me down, plus I found my heart lay in taking photos with my parents."

"So your parents have got you into the photos then?" Gordon asked.

"Yeah, my dad has a studio which I help him to run and my mum does the account work with booking sessions and occasions. It's not great pay but we live off it nicely."

John nodded, "I'd love to see more or your work."

"I wish I could, but some of the photos on the camera are private commissions."

"That's understandable. We should get uploading I guess."

Scott cleared his plate, "Grandma, that was absolutely amazing."

"You're very welcome son, Gordon and Alan you're on dish duty."

"Awh what?!" Gordon exclaimed, "How comes Virgil misses out on it again?"

"Because I had a word with her earlier about your strop."

"And Alan hasn't done it in a while and I thought he'd need some help."

Virgil grinned and headed upstairs with the others leaving the youngest two to clean away the dishes, "Hey guys wait up. Can I see these photos?"

"Ummm no," Scott smiled.

"Why not?"

"Because they're personal that's why," Kayo sided with Scott, "We'll let you see the finished one."

"Deal. Brains, can we check some stuff on Thunderbird 2?"

"Of course Virgil, I was just about to ask you the same thing actually."

Kayo walked off in the direction of Brains' lab with John, Scott and Anneka, as they discussed how to upload the photos as holograms instead of paper copies.

"So how are you going to frame a hologram?" Anneka asked Scott as they entered the lab.

Kayo remembered seeing the hologram image of herself and her uncle Benito had shown her once, "It's a relatively easy process, however we'll probably print as a 3D still image, rather than a see-through hologram."

"Sounds wicked," Anneka smiled.

"Yeah, that's how a lot of our personal photos are arranged on desks, obviously the portraits in the lounge are prints, but they have holographic capability behind them for the calls to come through," Scott sat down at Brains' work station and propped his feet up on the foot stool, "Ok then, let's get this started."

"Do you want to do yours first?" Kayo asked.

"No, do yours first, I can do ours Kayo, I've worked with this computer before," John smiled back, "Thanks though."

"Could I have the card please Anneka?"

"Sure," Anneka opened the camera up and slid the card out of its holder before giving it to Scott, "I've dropped them into a folder already."

"Brilliant, thank you," Scott inserted the card then looked ahead of him as the menu came up as a hologram, he expanded the folder with his fingers then opened the images they had taken, his eyes settled on the jumping one, "Oh wow, we did nail it."

Kayo leant on his shoulder gently and chuckled, "We have to print that one Scott, it's brilliant."

John laughed, "You're such infants."

Scott looked round, "It was Kayo's idea in my defense. So, two copies of this one?"

"Yes please."

Scott duplicated the photo and added them to the side desktop projector to be printed, "This one is definitely for my desk."

Anneka smiled, "It's really cute, all the love is in that one photo."

Kayo looked at it with fondness, "Yeah, I really like that now that I see it properly. Let's see the serious one."

Scott scrolled through, "This one you mean?"

Kayo nodded, "Yeah, that's the one I want on my desk or wall. Hmm, deskside table I think."

"These photos are really good guys, and you're a very good photographer Anneka."

"Thanks John, I'm glad they've come out alright."

Scott got to work on duplicating and began to print the photos off, "All yours John."

"Thanks brother, maybe Virgil could help you frame them? He has loads of frames in that studio of his."

Scott grinned, "That is a really good idea, I was about to go and hunt some down around the house," He pressed the con switch in his ear, "Virgil?"

Virgil sat back from checking Thunderbird 2's engines and answered the call, "What is it?"

"I need your help. Do you have any frames lying around?"

"Umm probably, they'd be in the studio. I'll unlock it from here, go wild."

"Thanks, we will."

Kayo collected the prints and held them gently in her arms in a stack, "Shall we get going? These aren't going to frame themselves."

"Coming. See you later John, Anneka."

Anneka waved, "See you, hope you find good places for the photos."

"Oh we will, thanks," Scott called back and followed Kayo upstairs to the back rooms.

John sat down on the chair and brought up the images of himself and Anneka, "That's more like it, something with us in."

Anneka giggled, "I'll get wallet sized photos for myself."

"Nonsense, you can have frame able sized ones like me, I'm going to design a hologram one for myself too so I can take it up to Thunderbird 5 with me."

"Awwh, that's so sweet."

"Just like you. Do you like this one honey?"

Anneka nodded, "Yeah, I like how I'm not looking at the camera but off it slightly, it works artistically."

"I'm looking at you in that one, I think I'll make that one a framed one. Want one?"

"Yes please."

John duplicated it and moved on to the next one which was the kiss photo, "That's definitely going up to Thunderbird 5 and on my desk here."

"Oh stop it you, you're making me blush."

"I like this one the the most," Anneka smiled at the photo in front of her, it was the one of her smiling as John had his arms wrapped around her waist and chin resting on her shoulder.

John looked up at her, "This one for main frame then?"

"Yeah, can I have a copy too please?"

"Of course honey. Any others or are we done?"

"Nope, I think we're done."

"Awesome, I'll send these to the printer, you can take the card out if you'd like?"

"Would you like to see my parents on here?" Anneka asked shyly, "You don't have to if it'll upset you."

"I'd love to see them, why would it upset me?"

"Your situation parent wise."

John kissed her neck, "You are so thoughtful, no, I'm fine with it. Let's see them."

Anneka smiled and scrolled through the photos until she found a photo of herself and parents in a close selfie taken on holiday, "They're my everything, I wouldn't be me without them. This is my absolute favourite, dad had just taught me how to use the self-timer button properly, and this was the result."

"You look so happy, I'm guessing you're an only child?"
"I am now, my eldest sister died in an accident ten years ago. I was seven and she was nine."

John immediately pulled Anneka into a hug, "Oh my god I am so sorry."

Anneka sniffed, "This was taken last year, she was on a school trip and their coach got caught in a landslide whilst they were abroad."

"You're so strong, to lose a sibling that close in age, it's too hard to imagine," John stroked her head gently.

"My parents look out for me all the time now, might even be why they wanted to set up a family business, so we'd always be together."

John nodded, "Absolutely, I can't begin to imagine what you've been through."

Anneka shook her head and wiped her eyes quickly, "I'm sorry for breaking on you there, let's get these photos printed."

"You're definitely ok?" John wiped a couple of tears off her cheeks.

"Yeah, I am now."

John smiled, "Alright honey, and you definitely want these photos to be printed?"

"Yes please."

The two stood by the printer and watched the prints slide out, John went back to the computer and emailed one up to Thunderbird 5 so he could view it whenever he wanted, then they went up to Virgil's studio where they ran into Kayo coming out with Scott close behind.

"You guys got what you needed?" John asked.

"Yep, the frames are easy to find, they're in a box labelled 'Frames', of course there's another box which says 'My frames, do not use,'" Kayo laughed, "But that's Virgil for you."

"Thanks sis. See you later."

"No problem, come on Scott."

"I'm coming, you dumped all the frames on me."

Anneka watched them go downstairs then joined John inside the large studio, she gazed round at the space and looked out of the windows at the ocean, her eyes rested on a painting which wasn't yet completed, "Wow, Virgil really is a good artist."

"Virgil is basically everything in this house," John chuckled, "He is very much like what our mother was like; musician, artist, peacemaker, comforter. He's the perfect brother really."

Anneka nodded, "This is beautiful."

Virgil walked into the room quietly, "Thanks Anneka."

John jumped, "Fucking hell Virgil, don't creep up like that. He's also incredibly light footed amazingly."

Anneka laughed as Virgil ruffled John's hair apologetically then she turned to face the painting again, "I love this painting Virgil, it's amazing."

Virgil let go of his brother with a laugh, "Thanks, it's not finished yet. Every time I go to add something to it, John calls in with a situation for us."

"I can't help that," John looked up from where he was rumerging through the frame box.

"I know you can't. How have the photos turned out?" Virgil sat down on the edge of the table.

Anneka handed them over to him, "They're so nice, very proud of them."

Virgil smiled as he flicked through them, "I'm guessing this one will be framed in your room John?"

"The kiss one?"

"Uh huh."

"Yep, I've also emailed it to Thunderbird 5 so I can bring it up whenever I want."

"Cute. Which one are you taking back with you Anneka?"

"I'm taking more than one, I'm taking these," She sat down next to him on the table and picked out the two close ones.

Virgil smiled, "Good choice, yeah, these are really nice. John, I didn't know you were so photographic."

"Ha ha. Don't get any ideas or to the fish."

"Like I'd do that," Virgil gasped.

"The fish?" Anneka raised an eyebrow.

"Gordon. It's his nickname."

"One of the nice ones alongside the other not so polite ones," Virgil smirked at John who laughed.

"Anneka can I see the photos so I can measure them up please?" John asked with a smile.

"Oh of course, sorry. Here you are," Anneka slid off the table and joined John by the box.

Virgil looked back at the painting with a smile, "I might do some work on this for a bit."

"Any idea where you're going to hang it when it's finished?" Anneka took the frames from John.

"Probably replace the one that's in the lounge in the moment, it's been there for a while."

"You painted that?"

Virgil chuckled, "Nearly every painting in this house is by me."

"That's incredible, I wish I had a talent like that."

Virgil smiled and got to work on the painting as the sunset began to light up the studio, "Perfect lighting."

"Ready to go John?"

"Yep."

"See you later Virgil," Anneka smiled as she waited by the door.

"Yeah see you, if not later tonight, tomorrow."

"See ya," John waved as he picked up some frames, "Come on Anneka, let's go and frame these."

Anneka followed John to his room with the frames and photos, she walked in and smiled at the items around the room, "Nerdy, I love it."

John sat down at his desk with a smirk, "Is it a bit much?"

"It's your room, who am I to judge?"

John shrugged, "Right, let's get started. We have a few to do." (End of Chapter 7)