Anneka emerged from the cave and redid her hair, "John, we should head back."

"I'm coming."

"Can you help me pack?"

"Sure," He came out and took her hand, "Let's go."

Back at the campsite the boys were fighting over the last burger and coming up with reasons why they should be the one to have it, Kayo sat unamused and impatient on the log wondering when to step in, it was already cooking.

"Ok, reasons why I should get it, I did most of the cooking tonight," Virgil crossed his arms.

"Umm, I think you'll find I helped Virgil," Gordon cleared his throat.

"I've only had two burgers, you guys have had way more!" Alan whined.

"You don't need any more than two sprout, as for me, I could do with another. I played that piece for you, pretty exhausting stuff."
"Um yeah Scott, a duet which means two people, I played too y'know."

Kayo leapt up, "Urgh alright enough! I can't deal with this any longer," She got a bun and gracefully got the burger herself, "If you guys can't have it, I guess I can."

"What? Scott, tell her that's not fair!" Gordon groaned dramatically as Kayo bit into the burger.

"That was well played Kayo, unfair but well played," Virgil smirked.

"It was the only solution left. And this, is super yummy, thanks."

Alan moaned as he sat down, "I'm still hungry."

"Go and make yourself something then, or check the cold bags we brought out," Gordon waved his hand in the direction of the bags.

Alan looked towards the bags, "They're too far away."

Kayo laughed, "Lazy, they're not that far."

Anneka walked into Kayo's room and pulled out the large suitcase from under the bed to begin packing, John sat down on the bed and watched her.

"Are you sure I can't help you?"

"Yeah, it's fine. I just like you being here."

John smiled, "I'm going to really miss you, you will stay in contact right?"

"You bet I will," She folded some shirts up and put them into the suitcase, "I'll call you as soon as I get home."

"Then you'll need my personal number," John smirked and got his phone out of his pocket, "Ready?"

"Yeah," Anneka hovered her finger over her phone keypad.

"It's 53241, not a normal phone number."

Anneka smiled, "I'll say, right, back to packing."

The hours passed and day began to break over the horizon, the campsite was now empty and hissed silently, members of the party the night before were asleep by the logs curled up in a close huddle, John stroked Anneka's face as she slept then got up from the bed to go down to the kitchen and begin to make breakfast. Kayo yawned and opened her eyes wearily as she took in her surroundings, she looked around and smiled at Scott who was resting his head against her shoulder and Virgil was curled up at his feet, Gordon and Alan were resting head to head by the once burning fire, the food box near them.

Kayo shook Scott gently, "Scott, are you awake?"

Scott murmured and reached up with his hand, "Kayo? Are we still outside?"

"Yep."

Scott smiled but didn't open his eyes, "Yeah, I thought it was a little chillier."

Kayo looked for Anneka but didn't see her, "Where's Anneka, and John for that matter?"

Scott opened his eyes, "You mean they didn't come back to the campsite last night?"

"Doesn't look like it."

Meanwhile, John was taking breakfast back to the bedroom and smiled as Anneka sat up, he walked in and placed the tray down on the table before crawling onto the bed, he kissed her nose and she smiled before running her fingers through his tousled fringe.

"Morning beautiful," John said gently.

"Awh you didn't have to make breakfast."

"I wanted to though, it won't go cold if you want to snuggle for a bit?"

Anneka chuckled, "That's alright by me."

Eventually, and with a sharp kick to the sleeping Virgil, the rest of the family stirred on the beach, Alan stretched and dragged Gordon to his feet as Virgil dusted sand off himself in frustration.

"Y'know, you could've just shaken me gently Scott."

"But where would the fun be in that? A kick was much more satisfactory."

Kayo smirked as she folded her jumper up, "Alright guys, it's not even ten yet."

"Do we have to take all this stuff up now?" Gordon asked with a subtle hint of not wanting to take food back.

"We'll do it later, right now we need to make sure there are no calls," Scott smiled at the chestnut-haired boy.

"Wouldn't John have called us if there was?"

"Not if he's occupied with other matters," Kayo grinned and made Scott blush slightly.

"Come on then, Virgil, don't forget your guitar," Scott picked his up in one hand and held Kayo's hand in his other giving her a quick kiss on her forehead.

"Cheers Scott," Virgil smiled and followed his brother up the sand dune to the house, he looked back for Gordon but his brother had already made a line for the ocean, so instead he waited for Alan to catch up, "Come on blondie."

"Don't push it Virg, or I might call you ivory, remember that nickname?"

Virgil's face fell, "You didn't need to push it that far."

"But, you play the piano, ivory keys. It works, c'mon bro, it's only a joke," Alan frowned slightly as Virgil walked off.
"Just drop it."

Scott entered the lounge with the others close behind and went over to his father's desk, pausing momentarily before sitting down on the leather chair, he brought up the globe and studied it, Virgil walked past chute to Thunderbird 2 and continued to the door leading to the corridor or bedrooms, Alan called his name again but was ignored.

"Alan, what have you done to Virgil?" Scott didn't look up from the globe.

"I haven't done anything, he called me blondie so I responded with ivory."

This made Scott look up, "Oh no, you really shouldn't have called him that."

"Shouldn't have called who what?" Kayo jumped through the globe and landed the other side of the desk next to Scott.

"Alan called Virgil, ivory."

"Oh dear, I'll go and see if he's ok," Kayo kissed Scott then went off in the same direction Virgil had.

Alan whined even more, "What's the problem, it's just a fun name I made up."

Scott sighed and turned in the chair, "You weren't there Alan, it was when us four oldies were in college. I was near graduation, Virgil and Kayo were in the same year and John was just finishing high school to come up and join us."

"Yeah, get on with it."

"Virgil was studying music as well as engineering, technology whatever you want to call it, and he was bullied nearly every day by the same group of boys. They called him ivory because he was accomplished at the piano, very accomplished. He almost quit because of the name calling, you know how sensitive he is."

Alan nodded, "And me calling him that, has just brought back all the memories?"

"It looks like it. That scar on our brother's eyebrow is from one of the worst fights he's ever been in."

"What happened?" Alan was now so close to Scott, their knees were almost touching.

"I'll tell you what happened," Virgil's voice came from behind the two at the desk and Alan spun round, "I could've been blinded in that fight and it's only thanks to Kayo and Scott that I got out of it."

Kayo was holding a tissue and quickly put it into her pocket, indicating that Virgil had been crying, "I showed them they weren't allowed to touch my brother again."

"But why did you fight?" Alan asked.

"Because I had had enough of their name calling, they called me ivory after I came out of my piano lesson one lunchtime and so I threw the punch, back then I wasn't as strong as I am now and so I got the crap kicked out of me. Kayo and Scott only got there to help me because they followed the sound of chanting."

"It was horrible, I've never seen so much blood on the ground," Kayo shuddered slightly.

"Who was worst off?"

Virgil looked down, "You're looking at them kiddo, you wouldn't have recognised me if you had been there."

Alan gulped, "I'm so sorry Virgil."

Virgil smiled and pulled his little brother into a hug, "I forgive you, sorry I snapped back there."

Scott smiled and turned back to the globe, "No calls guys, whose up for breakfast?"
John and Anneka entered the lounge, "Morning guys."

"Morning John, good sleep?"

"A very good sleep," John replied with a smirk.

"Last night's bonfire was amazing, thank you for doing it," Anneka grinned at the group.

"No problem," Scott smiled back, "We haven't done one for ages."

"Annie, what time can I drop you back, are you in a hurry?" Kayo asked, "Sorry if that dropped a bombshell."

Anneka laughed, "No it's fine, I shouldn't go too late so after lunch would be fine."

"Don't worry Kayo, I can take her back in Thunderbird 1."

"And what would happen if we got a call at that time?"

"I'd make a detour to it on the way home, easy John."

"That would be fantastic, to actually travel in Thunderbird 1," Anneka couldn't hide her excitement in her voice."

"Sorted then," Scott grinned, "Yes Kayo, you can come too."

"Damn right, she's still my guest here."

"So, breakfast then?" Alan jumped down from the desk.

"We've already had it," John smiled.

Virgil sat down at the piano to begin his morning practice, "I'll eat later thanks."

"Just us three then," Scott closed the globe down and went across the room with Kayo and Alan, "Wait, what about Gordon?"

"He's in the sea," Virgil called across the room.

"Well, he'll have to make his own then."

"I would make him a portion if I were you, he gets cranky after a swim with no food," Virgil warned then continued to play.

Kayo rolled her eyes, "I can take the squid's wrath,"

"If you say so," Virgil smirked.

Later that day Anneka went back to the caves with Kayo to get the necklace her friend had been making for her, they dived down and emerged in the glittering lagoon, Kayo got it from the shelf and smiled.
"There, told you I'd finish it," Kayo gave it to Anneka who awed.

"Wow, it's beautiful, thank you K," She gave her friend a hug then put the necklace on under her suit so it wouldn't get water damage.

"You're welcome. I haven't given Scott his present yet."

"Give it to him on your anniversary."

"That does sound romantic, alright, I guess I can wait until then."

"How long until the day then?"

Kayo laughed, "We started dating two months ago remember?"

"Oh, give it to him sooner then."

"I will, and I'll tell you as soon as I have. C'mon, let's get back, Grandma is making you a special goodbye lunch."

"I can't believe I leave today," Anneka sighed as they swam back to the shoreline.

"You'll be back here before you know it, and don't worry about the relationship, you two are too close to be parted now."

"I hope you're right," Anneka followed Kayo out of the water and together they walked up to the house carrying their diving equipment, they went around the side of the house to avoid making the kitchen wet and entered from the side by the bedrooms.

"We'll go through my room, my doors lead out to the beach instead of a sheer drop," Kayo laughed slightly, "Round this way."

Anneka followed Kayo in and they got out of the diving gear to let it dry outside, "Can I borrow something to wear, please? All of my stuff is packed."

"Of course you can, help yourself," Kayo pulled her top on over her costume and topped it off with her dark jeans, "I'll meet you in the kitchen."

"Sure, see you later," Anneka picked out an outfit and got changed, as she looked at herself in the mirror she found herself tearing up, she sat down on the edge of the bed and began to cry, would she actually see John again if she left? Her parents wouldn't move all the way to the Pacific just so their daughter could be in love, she sobbed as she thought about the decision, and forgot for a moment that people could hear her, there was a soft knock at the door and she looked up.

"Hey, it's Gordon. Are you ok?"

Anneka wiped her eyes, "Hey, I'm fine, don't worry."

Gordon walked in and joined her, "Are you upset about leaving?"

"Yeah, a little. I'm going to miss your brother, and this place."

Gordon nodded, "I understand, but he's not going anywhere ok, and if he forgets about you, he's going to wish he didn't."

Anneka smiled through her tears, "I don't know why I'm crying to be honest."

"You're going through a lot, this is love and now you have to leave it behind for a short while, but you'll be ok, trust me," Gordon smiled and offered her his hand, "You'll be back here before you know it, there'll always be an open invitation here."

Anneka stood up with a smile, "Thanks Gordon, that means a lot to me."

"I guess no-one told you I'm actually the nicest Tracy brother here?" He winked before turning to the door, "It's a secret."

Anneka followed him, "I find that a little easier to see now."

Gordon grinned, "I won't tell the others about this if you don't want?"

"No, please don't. Kayo would worry and John would end up feeling really guilty, I can't do that to him."

"FAB."

"What does that mean?" Anneka asked as they walked down the corridor.

"It doesn't really mean anything, it's just so you know that I understand."

"I see."

The two joined the others in the kitchen and sat down at the table, Anneka looked out at the amount of food in sudden amusement and forgot all her sadness, it was set out like a buffet and the others were already starting to dig in much to Grandma's horror.

"Guys! You lot, stop right now," Grandma stood up and there was a clatter of cutlery, "Have you no patience?"
"The honest answer is no Grandma, especially if you're Scott," Gordon grinned across at his eldest brother who pouted.

"So not true, if you were watching me Gordon, you would've seen I was waiting."

"Enough! Now, Anneka, it's been a pleasure having you here and I'd like you to know dear, that you're welcome back whenever you'd like, bring the family too."

Anneka smiled, "Thank you, Grandma Tracy, I've had a wonderful time here, and I'm honoured to have been welcomed into your home in the first place. You're all so nice."

Kayo held her glass up, "Till next time bestie."

Anneka nodded, "I'll be back, don't worry."

There was muffled laughter around the table then everyone began to eat, it wasn't the same atmosphere as the night before had been but jokes and conversation remained positive and humorous for the meal, afterwards they went upstairs to the lounge to say a proper goodbye.

"It was lovely to meet you Anneka," Brains shook her head with a shy smile, then chuckled when Max waved to her.

"You too Brains, you've done a great job on those crafts, keep it up."

"Thank you."

Gordon smiled and gave Anneka a hug, "You know where we are, and how to reach us."

Anneka hugged him back, "Thanks, see you again."

Virgil handed her memory stick, "There're a couple of recordings on there of me and John's playing, but I'm sure he'll send you more."

"Thank you, Virgil," She started to walk away but turned back and hugged him, she nestled into his arms with a smile, "Keep playing."

"I never stop," He let go of her and grinned before resting his elbow on Gordon's shoulder.

Scott approached her with Kayo, "Ready to go?"

"There's one other, Alan?"

"Yep, that's me, have a safe back Anneka. And thanks for a great game of pool the other day," Alan smiled.

"It was, but the money bets were wrong," Anneka grinned as she gave him a hug, "See you next time."

John uncrossed his arms, "I'm going to miss you so much Annie, remember my offer please."

"I'll do my best but I can't promise anything," She held his arms around her, "I want to move up here but if the word is no, there's nothing I can do."

John kissed her then rubbed his forehead against hers, "I'll wait for you."

Anneka sighed, "Goodbye, my love."

Kayo smiled at Scott then at Grandma, "Let's go Anneka, see you later everyone."

Anneke broke from John and followed Scott down to Thunderbird 1's hanger, she looked back again at John and blew him a kiss.

Afterword chapter

Anneka typed in the number she had been using since the day she left Tracy Island last month and lay back on her bed, she really hoped John would pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hey sweetheart."

"Anneka! It's wonderful to hear you, how are you?"

"Missing you like crazy of course and always, but I have something to tell you."

"Oh do tell."

"It's a yes."

"I'm sorry?"

"My parents, they said yes. We're moving up to the Pacific in the autumn."

John was speechless, "Are you serious?"

"It's true, we're coming up to live there, which means we can see each other more often."

"This is wonderful, oh Annie, I'm so happy. But that means waiting the whole of summer first."

"It'll pass by before you know it, I can feel it."

John took out a ring box and smiled, "I can feel a few more surprises are heading our way too."