Kayo and Anneka made their way round to the caves holding the equipment over their shoulders, the sun beamed down over them and they both laughed at each other as they moaned about wearing a full body suit.

"Hey, think of it this way, we won't get sunburnt on our backs," Kayo laughed as they entered the shallows, "Need some help getting that gear on?"

"Yes please, I've never put one on myself before, I've been to a group event but they put the suit and stuff on us before getting onto the boat."

"No problem, you might feel it's pulling you down, but once you're under the water, you'll feel light as a feather."

Anneka nodded then grunted slightly as the tank pulled her down a bit, "Flippers on?"

"A bit of a climb first, easier to get into the water. Remember to follow me and check on your air supply attached to your wrist, if it goes into the red, go up to the surface."

"You've got it," Anneka attached her mask to her face and prepared the breathing apparatus before slipping her flippers on and jumping into the water with Kayo.

They swam down under the surface and Kayo led her past Thunderbird 4's cave outlet, she pointed it out then directed them both towards the main coral reef in the deepest caverns, they floated over the top and looked down on the shoals of fish and eels resting on the sand enjoying the warm water.

"Kayo, this is incredible."

"I know, hey look a turtle!"

A leatherback swam past them and Anneka stroked its back tenderly with a smile, "Wow, she's gorgeous. Oh, you don't get sharks here do you?"

Kayo laughed, "Not this close to shore, they're much further out. You can ask Gordon about what he's seen out there."

Anneka dived down a bit further and inspected the urchins, "Nasty devils, shame they're so beautiful."

"Alan trod on one once, it wasn't pretty. He couldn't go on missions for a week whilst his foot recovered. Mind your distance with them."

"I will. Do you come down here often with Scott or anyone?"

Kayo swam on pausing to let an eel examine her, "Not really, I come down here alone most of the time, I can focus on my thoughts and things."

Anneka watched in shock as her best friend ran a hand along the eel's body and head, "Isn't that dangerous?"

"A moray? Yeah, they're dangerous, but only if provoked. I've seen this guy a lot, I think I fed him once and now, well, he recognises me to not be a threat," Kayo giggled as the eel swam between her legs before going back down to the sand, "Come on, I want to show you something before our air runs out."

Anneka followed Kayo round a large rock covered in sea snails and vibrant corals before entering a dark cavern lit only by the skylight coming in from above, they looked down and the seabed glittered.

"Kayo, are those?"

"Yep. Genuine crystals, follow me up to the surface," Kayo swam up and looked back to make sure Anneka was following, she broke through the water and removed her breathing mask as her friend appeared beside her, "I've been making something on the beach here, the tide doesn't reach it."

The girls removed the heavy gear and sat on the beach in their bodysuits, Kayo leant over to a rock and brought something glittery out, she smiled and handed it to Anneka.

"Oh wow that's beautiful, what made you take up art?"

Kayo smiled, "It's for Scott, I started making it last month. I'm going to tint it blue and put it on a necklace, well a neckband."

Anneka held the gemstone in her hand, "It's shaped beautifully, I'm sure he'll love it."

"Me too, it's taking ages to make."

"Why don't you bring it back to the house with you?"

"I want it to preserve its salt intake right up until it's ready to present," She turned the stone around in her hand, "Also I don't want him to know that I'm working on something."

"Of course not. Does he suspect anything?"

Kayo shook her head, "Nope, not a thing. He knows I come down here a lot, but not the reason, I just say I come to think and have time to myself."

"Think about what?" Anneka asked sadly.

"My family," She looked down at the stone again as she inspected the chiseling.

"You miss your dad?"

Kayo nodded, "I wish I knew where he was, I don't have any actual family members I can turn to anymore."

"I thought you had an uncle?"

"I don't want to talk about that."

Anneka looked at her a little confused, "What happened to him? I remember he used to come to your birthday parties and stuff, he and your father were always close by your side."

"Something bad happened to him, that's what. He's become greedy and mean."

"But he's still around for you?"

"No, and I don't want him around. The Tracys are my family now," Kayo stared ahead out of the cave.

"But, he's still your uncle."

"How that criminal can call himself my uncle I don't know, he tried to hurt my family and threatened to blow up our island home."

"I'm sorry, what?"
"My uncle is the mastermind known as the Hood. You might've heard of him through police reports and stuff, I don't know."

Anneka gasped, "I do know of him, oh Kayo. What's he done to your father?"
"I don't know, but he's responsible for the boys' father disappearing, and my father left in search of him, now they're both lost thanks to my uncle. I can't even believe I'm still living here what with my keeping it a secret for ages. Scott felt sorry for me and I was seeking comfort, that's what made him ask me to be his."

Anneka wrapped an arm around her friend, "I'm really sorry for what you've gone through."

"And me for your sister, I bet not a day goes by where you don't think about her. I make a wish for your family on the day she died every year."

"Thank you Kayo."

"We better go, it's mid-afternoon, we don't want to be swimming in too deep water. It's not good for the tanks," Kayo tucked the gift behind the rock again and put her gear back on, "We have a BBQ to attend."

Anneka smiled and got her gear on before following Kayo back into the water, they dived down and swam back to the island, "Is it just me or has this water got warmer?"
"That wouldn't surprise me, the sun has been on it all day. Woah back up, I've picked up a craft, Thunderbird 4 is returning to base, we'll wait for her to pass."

Gordon's voice came through Kayo's comms, "I've picked your tracker up Kayo, want a lift back to the island?"

"If you're offering, that'd be great."

"Stay where you are, I'm two minutes out. Do your tanks have enough oxygen?"

"We have plenty, we'll look out for your craft, we're very close to the cave."
"FAB, keep well back when I approach. Thunderbird 4 out."

"Nothing like an underwater taxi service," Kayo smiled at Anneka as Thunderbird 4's front lights came into view from the depths.

"Isn't this cheating?"

"Nah, this is just an easy way of using your brother."

Thunderbird 4 approached them and the airlock opened, Kayo swam forward and beckoned Anneka to follow her into the craft, the doors shut behind them and they took off the masks and tanks, Anneka watched as the cave engulfed them and they began the short journey to the tank hidden in the hangers.

"This is much comfier."

"Exactly, glad we approached the cave when we did."

Up in the cockpit Gordon brought Thunderbird 4 to a standstill and drained the tank so that they could all get out without another swim, he came to join them with a grin, "Journey's end."

"Thanks Gordon, I owe you one," Kayo smiled as she left the craft.

"How did you drain the tunnel?"

"Now that's classified, it's very skillful though thanks to Brains. You girls off to start the BBQ?"

"We'll start getting ready for it at least."

"Yeah, I'm going to help Grandma with the food preparation."

The three entered the lounge and the girls went to get changed, Gordon flopped down onto the sofa and Grandma gave him a stern look.

"Gordon?"

"Yes, Grandma?"

"Couldn't you get changed before you start to lounge around?"

Gordon sighed, "But I'm comfortable."

"Don't make me say your name again son."

"Alright, I'm going. Have you started on the BBQ yet?"

"No, but Virgil is on the beach setting up space. He might want a hand."

"Pretty sure he'll tell me to go away or something, but, I'll try anything once," Gordon shrugged and left the lounge to change into something summery.

Anneka approached John's room and heard him inside, she knocked lightly, "John?"

"Come in Anneka."

Anneka walked in and closed the door behind her, "Hey, the BBQ is starting soon. What have you been up to?"

"Getting candles set up for tonight and choosing an outfit, we're on the beach so I can't decide between flip flops or loafers."

"With the rest of that outfit you're wearing, I'd go for loafers," She began to get changed and unzipped the bodysuit off before going over to her stuff and picking out a floaty skirt with a tight top.

"How was the cave?"

"I saw some amazing things down there, lots of tropical fish. I've never seen anything so beautiful in my life, only in aquariums."

John smiled, "Yeah it's pretty amazing, I don't go down there very much. Not really a swimmer, I prefer the feeling of space."

Anneka sprayed herself with a sweet perfume, "There that's better. How does my hair look? I feel it might be a little crazy after that swim."

"It looks fine to me, then again, I couldn't fault you no matter how hard I tried."

Anneka kissed him then looked out at the dimming sky, "There's going to be a great sunset tonight."

"Then let's hope it's a romantic one."