Time to stop leaving things sitting on my hard-drive and get on with posting them.

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Enjoy!


"This is the life."

Stretching across the sofa, Gordon linked his fingers behind his head and sighed happily. He felt the weight of Scott's raised eyebrow but refused to react. Past experience taught him if he ignored such looks, it was easier not to squirm.

"Yeah," Alan agreed. A rustle of fabric meant Gordon knew his little brother was mirroring his position across one of the beds.

"Don't get too comfortable." Scott was distracted as he spoke. "We are here on business, after all."

Gordon craned his head up to watch Scott lift a file, put it back, take a step to the right and pick up the next piece of paperwork before repeating the process. Then he opened a drawer.

"What are you looking for?" Virgil eventually asked, sounding as bemused as Gordon felt.

He was glad Virgil was the one to voice it, though. Scott had been stressed lately and Gordon didn't intend to draw his attention. Just because some of his recent ideas hadn't been his smartest ones didn't mean Scott had to take it out on him! It was Virgil's turn to be in the firing line: he knew how to handle their eldest brother.

"The specs that Brains wanted to give that engineer. I promised I would take them into the office with me when I went."

"If you can't find them," Virgil said, "then you may as well wait to go in. You're the one always going on about time efficiency: two trips are pointless."

Scott made an uncertain noise even as he opened another drawer. If he was honest, Gordon felt for him – not that he'd ever admit it. Scott was bad being away from the island at the best of times, ever since International Rescue had started up.

But this time was different. A hard run of rescues had left both One and Two in need of replacement parts and even Four was showing her wear. IR was closed down until the parts came in, John had been dragged down from the space station, and all five brothers had been…

Well, their father had convinced them it was the perfect opportunity for them to spend quality time together, but it felt more like they'd been kicked off the island. The man clearly hadn't been prepared to deal with all of them under one roof. At least this way, they were still together but it wasn't their home paying the price. Gordon wasn't entirely sure he blamed his dad for that.

Years of military, rescues and brothers meant Gordon was attuned to the slightest of movements. As he made to lie back down, he saw Virgil glance surreptitiously at John. Gordon thought he was reading but John sensed Virgil's look, glanced up and winked.

Gordon sat up properly. Scott didn't look over but John did.

"What?" Gordon mouthed, looking between John and Virgil. They were up to something, and Gordon didn't like not knowing.

John double-checked Scott was rummaging in another drawer, before sliding something out of his book. Gordon grinned even as John tucked the missing file back out of view. Chuckling quietly to himself, Gordon rested back on the cushions again.

Scott would run around doing everything in an uncoordinated, hasty way if he could, desperate to get home. The fact that the parts wouldn't arrive for a few days and still needed to be fitted – something Scott couldn't help with – was lost on him. It seemed John – and Virgil, if that look was anything to go by – were going to force their big brother to take some time out.

Giving up on finding the file he wanted, Scott had taken to pacing the room. Gordon rolled his eyes.

"Breathing might be good, Scott," he said, "not gonna kill you. Actually, might do the opposite. Over-rated, I'm sure, just something I heard-,"

"Gordon?" Virgil looked over with an exasperated sigh. "Shut up."

He reached out, snagging Scott's arm as he passed. Gordon chuckled as – with what appeared to be a well-practised move – Virgil tugged Scott into the chair next to him. It was more of a surprise that Scott let it happen and didn't get straight back up.

"People are relying on us," Scott protested. "We're needed at home, not here."

"To do what?" Alan lifted his head, his feeble glare indicating his nap wasn't going well. "All the 'birds are down."

"Yours isn't," Gordon retorted.

"Not helping." John lowered his book. Gordon couldn't hold his gaze but when he glanced back up, John was looking at Scott instead. He was the only one who could make the eldest brother squirm and, just like Gordon earlier, Scott couldn't hold John's gaze.

"You need a break, Scotty. You all do. Unlike the 'birds, we can't just order new parts when you break down."

Gordon knew his words were directed at Virgil as much as Scott: they'd both bore the brunt of the endless rescues lately. But, unlike big brother, Virgil was better at switching off. Once he'd been forcibly evicted from the island, that was.

"Wish we could." Gordon sat up properly. The flight had felt long even with Scott pushing the engines as usual, and he was restless. "Tone down paranoia, insert some fun-,"

"Add in an off switch," Alan interrupted. Gordon looked over with a grin, knowing Alan would have his back on this. But as he did, he caught Virgil's eye, who shook his head with a warning look.

"Drop it."

For once, Gordon did. Scott was on edge: it wouldn't take much for his brother to lose his temper. Gordon had no intention of letting things escalate: he wanted to enjoy this vacation, not fight with his brother.

He gave Virgil a nod, stood and slipped out onto the balcony. He breathed deeply, a smile tugging free as he stared at the city below. The island was peaceful and tranquil, and everything Gordon wanted. But he loved the bustle of New York: the rush, the energy, the never-ending movement… Despite their jobs and how much of the world he experienced, Gordon had felt trapped and twitchy on the island long before their father had announced they were going on vacation. John was right: they all needed a break.

"Let him eat first."

Gordon jumped. Virgil had slipped out to join him, the doors closed and giving them a hint of privacy from the rest of the family. He grinned and rolled his eyes.

"Cos heaven forbid it might make him relax."

"You know it just takes him longer to switch off," Virgil shrugged. Gordon didn't have an answer. He knew his brother was right and if anyone knew how to read Scott, it was Virgil. If he thought food would help, then Gordon was only surprised there wasn't a take-out already on the way to the apartment.

But he did give his brother a sly glance. "So, you got John to hide Scott's files?"

"Ye- no. What makes you think that had anything to do with me?"

"Please," Gordon scoffed, "remember who you're talking to: just takes him longer to switch off. Honestly."

Gordon had a knack for orchestrating things without his brothers realising they were being played, after all. Virgil's scheming wasn't on the same level as his own. His brother didn't need to say anything; his flush did it for him. But Gordon was grateful. If Scott stopped long enough to catch his breath, he'd crash. Virgil and John had given him that chance even though their brother wouldn't admit to needing it.

Virgil shrugged. He lent his elbows on the railing and stared out over the city.

"Dad asked me to make sure Scotty actually relaxes on this trip. It's kinda the point of us all being here, after all."

"Ahh," Gordon said with a grin. "Just doing as Daddy tells you?"

Virgil didn't turn but Gordon didn't need to see his elaborate eye roll to know it happened.

"Guess one of us should do as they're told," Virgil retorted.

Gordon burst out laughing. "And that's you, is it?"

"Well, it's not you!"

To most outsiders, it was John who behaved himself. The quiet Tracy, often found in a corner rather than dancing on a table (once! It had happened once and the others had never let him forget it!). But the family knew better. He was worse than all of them, the only difference being he just didn't get caught.

"Not sure it's you either," Gordon said with a smirk. "I can think of a couple of things that work against you."

"Like what?" There was a hint of trepidation in Virgil's voice and when he glanced at Gordon, his expression was suspicious.

"Why would I tell you, big brother?" Gordon said innocently. "There's no gain in it for me. Not been paying attention when Dad tried to teach us to run a business?"

"Gordon-," Virgil began. He turned properly, but Gordon only winked, heading back towards the door. He could see Virgil physically twitching, clearly trying to work out whether to come after him and demand answers, or risk it being a bluff and that Gordon was trying to get a rise out of him.

It was enough for Gordon that he could put the doubt in Virgil's mind. Worry over said knowledge won over actual knowledge.

"Tell me."

"Tell you what?" Scott asked.

Gordon shrugged innocently before shooting a grin over his shoulder. Virgil glared at him. It wasn't Gordon's fault his brother hadn't noticed him open the door at that exact moment.

"Things I know that he doesn't know I know," Gordon said cheerfully.

"Gordon." Virgil's warning tone made Gordon slip inside, making sure there was a big brother (or two) between him and Virgil. Virgil wouldn't risk pushing for answers if there was a chance of incriminating himself in front of Scott.

"Oh that," John said.

Gordon stopped dead, staring at him.

"What do you know?" he asked, cautious.

"I don't know," John said, grinning, "what do you know?"

Gordon shook his head. He was wise to that trick and wasn't about to give up his advantage. But he still watched his brother with suspicious and John laughed.

"You know Five monitors pretty much the entire world, right? That includes Tracy island. You'd be amazed at what I know."

Gordon's jaw dropped when John looked directly at Scott as he spoke.

"No way," he breathed. Scott was the hardest person to get material on: Gordon blamed the Air Force teaching them how to cover their tracks. He shuffled closer to John.

"Care to share with the class, Johnny?"

"Sorry, kid, you don't get it for free."

Gordon wasn't surprised: John was the one who'd taught him how to be devious, after all. But his brother wasn't finished.

"But you," he said, looking at Alan, "need to stay on my good side if you ever want to leave the island again."

Alan went bright red as he spluttered denials and Gordon chuckled. He had a pretty solid idea what that was about. It also didn't surprise him that even though Alan spent a lot of his time on Five as well, he hadn't figured out how to use her to the same advantage that John had.

But John's words had done the trick. Both Scott and Virgil were grinning as Alan tried to talk himself out of trouble and Gordon didn't overlook the fact that as soon as Scott had stopped looking for the file, his shoulders had dropped.

Wanting to make the most of this mood, Gordon grabbed his jacket.

"Who wants dinner? I'm starving."

The room erupted into motion. John carefully put his book to one side with a sideways glance at Scott before he too joined in the chaos of scrambling for jackets and shoes. Gordon stood out of the way, watching with a grin. Then he caught Virgil's eye across the room and arched an eyebrow. Virgil rolled his eyes, knowing what Gordon was saying.

Virgil had only told him to lay off Scott until their older brother had eaten. Having found out that John had something on him meant as soon as dinner was done, all bets were off. He had to make the vacation enjoyable somehow, after all, and he hated the idea his usually-boring big brother had been up to something that Gordon didn't know about.

But no secrets were revealed over dinner. Once food and drinks were served, the brothers started to properly relaxed. It caught Gordon by surprise when he saw Scott with a beer in his hand but then he could've kicked himself. He'd got so used to seeing his family on duty, he'd forgotten they never got the chance to switch off. This break couldn't have come at a better time.

Despite his earlier teasing, Gordon did feel sorry for the guys, especially Scott and Virgil. They were too used to shouldering the weight of the world. Gordon couldn't remember the last time they'd been like this: off the island, relaxed and all together.

It didn't take long for him to realise he wasn't the only one making the most of their time off. The five of them had only been out together once since Alan was old enough to legally be there. None of them would forget it, despite Scott's claims that he wished he could.

Whatever the intentions for the evening, however, reality kicked in. Once the initial restlessness wore off, exhaustion set in. All five of them were worn out: rescues had been hot and fast the last few weeks. No one had the energy to take the night further. When John said he was going to head back, the rest of them all agreed.

If his head was buzzing and his walk wasn't exactly in a straight line, Gordon figured the others were too busy experiencing – and hiding – the same thing to call him out on it. As Scott unlocked the apartment though, Gordon had to wonder if their father would believe them when they told him they'd been home by midnight on their first night of freedom.

Crashing into bed, Gordon groaned in satisfaction at the soft covers, pulling them up, shutting his eyes… and then John was shaking him awake.

"Go 'way," Gordon grumbled. It couldn't be morning yet. It just couldn't. He flailed an arm in an effort to make his brother go away, wondering sleepily if he could get away with sticking his head under the pillow.

"I have coffee," John said in a cheerful, sing-song voice. Gordon sat up quickly, only narrowly avoiding headbutting his brother.

"Gimme!"

"Get your ass out of bed and you can have it."

Gordon scowled when he realised John didn't have said drink with him. At home, he was one of the first up: a work-out and a healthy breakfast came long before caffeine. But on vacation, Gordon liked to pretend to be 'normal'.

He half contemplated going back to sleep. But he was awake now, and had to admit he wasn't the type to settle back down.

Dragging his fingers through his hair, he padded through to the kitchen and yawned a greeting at Scott. His eldest brother looked alert, but Gordon doubted the mug in his hand was his first. Before Gordon could say anything, a disgruntled shout gave away John had moved on to trying to wake up Alan.

"Bet Virg slept through that," Gordon said as he poured himself a drink.

"Not taking that bet," Scott said quickly.

Gordon laughed, hitching himself onto the worktop and watching as Scott lent casually against the fridge. Even one night out made him look more his age rather than carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"What're we doing today?" Gordon asked.

"When Virg gets his ass out of bed, we're going to head to the office. Get the paperwork out the way."

"And I thought you enjoyed it," Gordon teased. It made sense though: not only did it meant they could enjoy the rest of their trip, if anything urgent came up that required them to race for home, they'd actually completed the one task that had determined New York as their destination.

But to Gordon's delight, Scott pulled a face in response.

"Real mature, Scotty," John said, choosing that exact moment to walk into the kitchen. Scott flipped him the finger.

"And John's going…" Scott grimaced, looking to John for help. Gordon snorted. It showed how stressed Scott had been if he couldn't remember.

"The observatory," John said. His tone gave away this wasn't the first time he'd told Scott. "The one off the freeway. Supposed to have one of the most sophisticated telescopes outside of NASA or the military, just never had a reason to go."

"That's where John's going," Scott continued with a grin. "What are you and Al-,"

"Can I come?" Gordon interrupted. Scott blinked at him.

"You want to come to the office?" He spoke slowly, as if he thought Gordon had lost his mind. Gordon shot him a look.

"Not with you," he said. "Can I come with you, John?"

"Why?"

He should have been offended by John's suspicious tone. Instead, he shrugged, mumbling the answer too quiet for either of them to hear. When the familiar 'huh?' came from both brothers, Gordon avoided their gazes.

"Al's got tickets to some car show. I need an out," he admitted. He admired his brother's passion, but cars were not his thing. Neither were observatories and telescopes, but John had been on Five for a long time and Gordon wanted time with him. He grinned, deciding to play on that.

"Besides, I just really want to spend time with my favourite big brother. Please, John? Please?"

It was Scott's turn to snort. "Could you lay it on any thicker?"

Gordon ignored him. "Please?" he asked again, soft and earnest this time as he looked at John. "Let me come."

John glanced at Scott, who shrugged. "You're the one who has to put up with him," he said.

"Bring something warm for tonight. And something to kill time this afternoon. We leave after lunch: I don't want to get caught in traffic and miss sundown."

"Thanks, Johnny!" Gordon jumped off the counter, but John grabbed a piece of toast to ward off the incoming hug and disappeared out the kitchen.

As Gordon moved, figuring breakfast was a good idea, he caught a glimpse of Scott's face.

"What's wrong with you?"

"We're meeting this guy at 11," Scott said, sounding like he was trying not to groan. Gordon didn't need to hear more than that and laughed.

"Good luck." He grabbed an apple, then headed for the door. "I'm gonna sight-see for a bit."

He'd seen it all before, of course, but it never grew old: the hustle of a large city, teeming with life. He didn't usually get that kind of environment unless he was digging people out these days. It reminded him of the time around the Olympics and he planned to make the most of their time in the city.

"Be back for lunch," Scott said, "John will kill if you if you're late."

Gordon just waved a hand. Scott had his own problems to deal with right now – waking up Virgil being top of that list. It was why Gordon was getting out of the apartment while he still could!

Despite his attitude, Gordon made sure he was back with plenty of time. He'd heard John talk about this place before; he wasn't exaggerating when he said he'd wanted to visit for years. Gordon was not going to mess it up by being late.

Scott and Virgil were still at the office – or escaped into the city for a bit just the two of them. Alan sulked about being left alone, until John got him talking about the show he was going to. Then their brother didn't stop talking and the gleam was back in his eyes when they shoved him out the door.

The two of them headed down to the garage as soon as they'd eaten.

John unlocked the rental car he'd hired. Gordon slung his bag in the back and got in, propping his legs on the dashboard until John's pointed cough made him drop them again.

"What would Grandma say?"

"Dunno," Gordon grinned. "Depends if she knows or not."

John rolled his eyes but Gordon could see the grin he was attempting to hide. His brother glanced at the bag.

"What're you planning this afternoon?"

"Reading."

Gordon fastened his belt, then realised John was staring at him incredulously.

"What? I can read," he protested. He'd already seen the size of the novel John had picked up.

"I didn't say you couldn't, but… seriously?"

Gordon couldn't blame him. He wasn't the Tracy usually finding quiet past-times.

"I can enjoy an afternoon of intellectual stimulus as much as the next man," he sniffed, trying to sound affronted.

"Uh huh." John twisted in his seat, and grabbed the magazine from Gordon's bag.

"Intellectual stimulus?" he said with raised eyebrows. Gordon shrugged innocently. John looked skyward – as if already regretting letting Gordon come – but finally started the engine.

"Take if you've been hiding that from Dad?" he said as he pulled out and joined the traffic on the main road heading out of the city.

"And Scott," Gordon muttered.

"Scott?"

"Guy wouldn't know fun if it sashayed up to him in a bikini," Gordon grumbled.

"Give him a break."

Gordon looked at him. "Ahh," he said slowly, "but I forgot. You have something over big brother, don't you? You know what he considers fun?"

"Gordon?" John glanced at him as he took the next turning.

"Yes, Johnny?"

"Shut up."

With a snigger, Gordon rested his head back, wondering if this was a good time for a nap. Then promptly realised that didn't work with his plan of spending time with his brother, and sat back up again. It didn't matter that the traffic was heavy: they had plenty of time and it was a good chance for catching up.

They soon left the main city behind and the roads opened up. Nearly an hour into their journey, Gordon found his gaze drawn to the rear view mirror for the tenth time in five minutes.

Frowning, he twisted in his seat to look behind them.

"What?"

"Just being paranoid," Gordon muttered, turning back around. He wasn't sure what he was seeing, and didn't want John to worry.

"Tell me."

He'd forgotten John could pull off the same commanding tone as Scott.

"That white van, two cars back. I swear it's been behind us since we left."

"So? There's loads of traffic."

"Traffic, dozens of turnings and you're not exactly the fastest driver. Yet it's been the same distance behind us the entire time. Feels off."

"What're you thinking?" John asked, glancing quizzically at him before back at the road.

Gordon blew out a long breath, combing his fingers through his hair. He'd learnt to listen to his instincts while with WASP, then honed that skill during every rescue he'd ever attended.

He couldn't shrug this off, no matter how much he wanted to.

"We're being followed."